Perfecting COUNTER and SUSHI to Achieve Reliable Usage Analysis

The Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources (COUNTER) Code of Practice and Standardized Usage Statistics Harvesting Initiative (SUSHI) are two standards whose successful adoption will greatly assist librarians in performing accurate and timely usage analysis of their online collections and thus make more informed collection management decisions. Variations in how these standards have been applied by content providers to their SUSHI and COUNTER implementation are currently impacting their widespread adoption. The standards themselves are not broken—what is needed is concise guidelines on their implementation. This column reviews some of the roadblocks that impede consistent implementation of these standards as well as proposes recommendations that could form the basis of a community profile for these standards.     

‘Just Be Quiet and Listen to Exactly What He's Saying': Conceptualising power relations in inquiry-oriented classrooms

Interest in inquiry-based science education (IBSE) often pays little heed to the complex power relations that exist within classrooms. A common obstacle to inquiry is that it strongly diverges from current classroom culture and hence, is outside the sphere of teachers' and students' experiences. Teachers and students bring expectations to the classroom that are entrenched in traditional practices and influenced by dynamics of power that exist within all teacher–student relationships. This study, which emerged during a wider study of the use of a Virtual Chemistry Lab in supporting IBSE, explores how classroom discourse constructs and maintains power relations that either stifle or facilitate inquiry-based approaches in two science lessons. Research methods included teacher interviews, student focus groups, video-recorded lessons, and student self-assessments. Findings indicate distinctive features of power inside the classroom that impact on inquiry-based instruction, such as predominant teacher monitoring on task completion over task understanding, lack of student engagement in ownership of scientific ideas, and prevailing norms of what effective teacher questioning is. We discuss implications for IBSE change efforts, highlighting that well-established power relations currently represent an important limiting factor in the capacity of teachers' IBSE implementation.     

Book Reviews

Abstract

Educators have invested considerable effort in developing environmental education programs that address students' knowledge, attitudes, and action competence regarding environmental issues. The authors explore the effectiveness of such programs in terms of both student learning outcomes and the intergenerational influence that results when students discuss their learning experiences with their parents and other community members. Six environmental education programs involving 284 students in Queensland schools, from Grades 5-12, were investigated. Students and their parents were surveyed and interviewed regarding their perceptions about the program, the program's influence on their environmental learning, and the extent and nature of discussions that the program stimulated between students and their parents. The authors draw conclusions about key features that should be incorporated into environmental education programs to encourage and empower students to bring about environmental change in their homes and communities.     

Editor's page, 2001–2003

On August 8, 1974, having been toppled from power by the Watergate scandal, Richard M. Nixon became the first President to resign his office before completing his term. In his resignation speech, Mr. Nixon attempted to vindicate himself before the American people. Analysis of Mr. Nixon's address reveals that his strategies of denial of intent and transcendence to a larger context were largely unsuccessful in securing closure with his audience.     

Benefits and Challenges of the Passport Broadcast Intervention in Long-Term Care

Creative activities are a challenge for long-term care facilities. The Passport intervention uses web-based video technology to provide long-term care residents with a virtual travel experience. Passport broadcasts were conducted and staff and residents were interviewed about the experience. A thematic analysis of interviews was used to discern benefits and challenges. Reported benefits included experience with technology, interaction with student visitors, reminiscing, and active learning. Challenges involved technical quality concerns related to the audio and visual needs of seniors. The pilot found the Passport intervention as a promising tool for creative activities in a long-term care setting.     

Gifted Israeli Students' Perceptions of Teachers' Desired Characteristics: A Case of Cultural Orientation

Gifted students' perceptions of the desired characteristics of teachers of the gifted were assessed from a sample comprised of 404 elementary- and junior high–school Israeli Jewish and Arab students studying in pullout centers. Perceptions were measured using a questionnaire comprising teachers' cognitive, personal, and pedagogical dimensions. Personal characteristics were perceived by both Jewish and Arab students as the most important. Significant effects of culture, gender, and grade level were detected for all three dimensions. We suggest that differences stem from collectivist/individualist cultural orientations and girls' status aspirations. Thus, students' perceptions of teachers' desired characteristics have to be discussed in relation to their cultural background and schooling. A new lens for examining teaching of gifted students is offered, along with practical implications for teacher-certification programs.     

Graduate attributes as a focus for institution-wide curriculum renewal: innovations and challenges

Curtin University's Curriculum 2010 (C2010) initiative aimed at ensuring degree programs were excellent and sustainable. Before C2010, graduate attributes were not universally emphasised and indicators showed room for improvement in generic skills. C2010 focused on embedding graduate attributes through three strategies. The first was embedding graduate attributes in degree programs and mapping for constructive alignment of outcomes and assessments. The second strategy was related: programs were reviewed drawing on evidence including perspectives of graduates, employers and program teams on the relative importance of graduate attributes and the extent to which they were generally demonstrated or developed. The third strategy was a university-wide eportfolio system enabling students' self- and peer-assessment of graduate attributes. Since completion of C2010, proxy indicators show improvement. However, this paper highlights the challenges associated with graduate attributes and renewal. These include: academic staff engagement, the time needed for innovations to come to fruition and evidencing achievement of graduate attributes.