Applying Visitor Preference Criteria to Choose Pro‐wildlife Behaviors to Ask of Zoo Visitors

Abstract Many zoos now emphasize that their role in conservation includes influencing the behavior of their visitors for the benefit of wild animals. However, there is limited evidence of behavioral change to support this emphasis; one reason may be that requested behaviors are not viewed favorably by zoo visitors. The purpose of the present study was to involve zoo staff in a process of identifying and prioritizing pro‐wildlife behaviors using a set of criteria that noted what zoo visitors prefer. This was achieved by replicating Smith’s (2009a) study but including visitor‐preferred attributes identified in Smith, Curtis, and van Dijk (2010) . Across several zoos in Australia, 152 staff members participated in seven Nominal Group Technique workshops. Initially over 500 behaviors were identified and prioritized, first by filtering behavior lists, then by participants voting on behaviors. When voting, participants tended to choose behaviors promoting wildlife‐friendly consumerism and donations.     

Improvement in Reading Achievement Through Perceptual-Motor Training

Abstract

Forty-two underachieving grade 1 children matched for age, sex, IQ, and Lee-Clark reading grade level were randomly assigned to one of three groups. One group received perceptual-motor training, the second received exercises from the regular physical education curriculum, and the third group served as a control. After seven weeks of training (two periods a week) reading achievement was reassessed. The experimental group was found to have made statistically significant gains, while the other two groups had made no such gains.     

PDQ‐professional development quarterly: Productivity,financial management and the public library

For this last tutorial Turock has elected to identify the goals and roles of fiscal officers in public libraries and to suggest work measurement as a means of supporting funding requests.     

5. Radio and Television

ANCHORS: BROKAW, JENNINGS, RATHER AND THE EVENING NEWS by Robert Goldberg and Gerald Jay Goldberg (New York: Birch Lane/Carol Publishing, 1990—$19.95, ISBN 1-55972-019-0, 399 pp.)

FDR AND THE NEWS MEDIA by Betty Houchin Winfield, 1990—$34.95, ISBN 0-252-01672-6, 276 pp.) takes a broad view of the legendary president and his administration's varied relations with the press throughout his presidency (1933-45)

FOREIGN POLICY AND THE PRESS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE NEW YORK TIMES' COVERAGE OF U.S. FOREIGN POLICY by Nicholas 0. Berry (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1990—$39.95, ISBN 0-313-27419-3, 184 pp.)

SOB SISTER JOURNALISM by Phyllis Leslie Abramson (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1990—$35.00, ISBN 0-313-26513-5, 144 pp.)

THE COURSE OF TOLERANCE: FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN NINETEENTH–CENTURY AMERICA by Donna Lee Dickerson (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1990—$45.00, ISBN 0-313-27534-3, 272 pp.)     

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR MIDLIFE ADULTS WITH PARENT‐CARING RESPONSIBILITIES

A major issue facing today's families is aging family members. Three factors compound this dilemma. First, the aging population is increasing both numerically and proportionally. Second, the middle generation, the traditional caretaking generation, is becoming older and fewer in number. Third, women are increasingly participating in the labor force. This research explored the use of adult education programming in addressing the needs of the midlife caretaking generation.

The nonrandom sample consisted of 50 midlife offspring residing in three central lower Michigan counties. As part of a one‐to‐one interview, respondents were asked to indicate preferences for content and mode of instruction for topics related to adult child/aging parent relationships. Thirteen of the most frequently mentioned areas of concern and need were selected from current gerontological literature. If participants desired further information in the content area, one of six methods of instruction also were selected.

The primary variable which distinguished those with high and low interest in information was age. The younger the age of the respondent, the more requests for information. Information related to the aging process was of greatest concern. Instructional methods that allowed personal interaction were selected for content areas of a personal nature. Conversely, independent methods were selected for informational material. Implications for educational gerontologists are explored.     

Improving the Human Condition: Leadership for Justice-Oriented Service-Learning

The Banneker History Project (BHP) reconstructed the history of the Benjamin Banneker School, which operated as a segregated school for African Americans from 1915 to 1951. It was a project in social justice education with community service as its base. Here, the authors provide an insider perspective of group dynamics among core leaders for the BHP. Building relationships, working for social justice, and confronting racism are key themes for the group. Leaders recall moments of discomfort, particularly related to issues of race and racism, and describe ways they worked through them. Based on their wisdom of practice, authors offer suggestions for those who might do similar work.