Confusion and complex learning during interactions with computer learning environments

Folk wisdom holds that being confused is detrimental to learning. However, research on emotions and learning suggest a somewhat more complex relationship between confusion and learning outcomes. In fact, it has been proposed that impasses that trigger states of cognitive disequilibrium and confusion can create opportunities for deep learning of conceptually difficult content. This paper discusses four computer learning environments that either naturally or artificially induce confusion in learners in order to create learning opportunities. First, an Intelligent Tutoring System called AutoTutor that engenders confusion through challenging problems and vague hints is described. The remaining three environments were specifically designed to induce confusion through a number of different interventions. These interventions include device breakdowns, contradictory information, and false feedback. The success and limitations of confusion induction and the impact of confusion resolution on learning are discussed. Potential methods to help learners productively manage their confusion instead of being hopelessly confused are also discussed.     

Construct Validity Evidence for Single-Response Items to Estimate Physical Activity Levels in Large Sample Studies

Valid measurement of physical activity is important for studying the risks for morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine evidence of construct validity of two similar single-response items assessing physical activity via self-report. Both items are based on the stages of change model. The sample was 687 participants (men = 504, women = 183) who completed an 8-response (PA8) or 5-response (PA5) single-response item about current level of physical activity. Responses were categorized as meeting or not meeting guidelines for sufficient physical activity to achieve a health benefit. Maximal cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and health markers were obtained during a clinical examination. Partial correlation, multivariate analysis of covariance, and logistic regression were used to identify the relations between self-reported physical activity, CRF, and health markers when controlling for gender and age. Single-response items were compared to a detailed measure of physical activity. Single-response items correlated significantly with CRF determined with a maximal exercise test on a treadmill (PA8 = .53; PA5 = .57). Differences in percentage of body fat and cholesterol were in the desired direction, with those self-reporting sufficient physical activity for a health benefit having the lower values. The single-response items demonstrated evidence of construct validity and may provide feasible, cost-effective, and efficient methods to assess physical activity in large-scale studies.     

The Impact of Previous Athleticism on Exercise Habits,Physical Fitness,and Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors in Middle-Aged Men

Abstract

A longitudinal study was performed to determine differences in physiologic variables, health behaviors, risk factors, or clinical status between former athletes (FA) (N = 345) and nonathletes (NA) (N = 75). The subjects, 420 self-referred white males aged 25-60 years old, were examined for prior athleticism and health. Athleticism was determined through self-reported high school or college athletic history. Baseline physiologic and health behavior characteristics were not different between the two groups. Of those study participants (N = 203 FA, 48 NA) who were sedentary at baseline, 208 (N = 167 FA, 41 NA) voluntarily began an exercise program during the followup period (average followup = 56 months). These numbers correspond to exercise adoption rates of 82 and 85 % for FA and NA respectively, and were not statistically different (95% CI FA = 0.76, 0.88, NA = 0.73, 0.97). Repeated measures analysis of covariance was performed to determine if physiologic responses to adoption were different between FA and NA. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups, time effects were similar in the two, and no significant interaction of time by group was observed. We conclude that prior athleticism has little apparent impact on health and health behaviors, thus suggesting that contemporaneous exercise has more impact on clinical variables.     

Gender differences in associations between exposure to school HIV education and protective sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted disease/HIV diagnosis among high school students

This study aimed to assess associations between school HIV education and protective sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted disease (STD)/HIV diagnosis with a representative sample of male and female high school students. Data from male and female adolescent participants in the 1999, 2001 and 2003 Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n = 12,243) were analyzed. Adjusted regression analyses stratified by gender were conducted to assess relationships between school HIV education exposure and the following outcomes: no sexual initiation, condom use at last sex, no multiple sex partners in the past three months and no history of STD/HIV diagnosis. Participants were mostly White (75%) and were 51% male; the subsample of sexually active students was younger than the total sample but was otherwise similar in demographics. School HIV education was reported by 93% of our sample and was significantly related to sexual initiation among boys (odds ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval = 1.4–2.7) but not girls. Among sexually experienced students (n = 4752), boys reporting exposure to school HIV education were significantly more likely to report condom use (odds ratio = 2.2, 95% confidence interval = 1.6–3.1), no multiple sex partners (odds ratio = 3.2, 95% confidence interval = 2.3–4.4) and no STD/HIV diagnosis (odds ratio = 3.2, 95% confidence interval = 2.0–5.0); girls reporting such exposure were significantly more likely to report no multiple sex partners (odds ratio = 2.2, 95% confidence interval = 1.3–3.6). In conclusion, exposure to school HIV education is associated with sexual protective behaviors and reduced likelihood of STD/HIV diagnosis for boys but less so for girls, suggesting the need for more gender‐tailored approaches to school HIV education.     

E-Discovery: What Future Business Leaders Need to Know

All businesses are subject to legal action. When a suit involves allegations of fraud, information contained in electronic documents may form the core of the suit, as it did during a number of successful suits against businesses in the early 2000s. Of equal importance, companies have been punished for intentionally destroying or spoiling or not disclosing electronic documents. This paper discusses how Federal legislation affects electronic discovery, and what professors and students need to know about electronic discovery. It also contains suggestions for how to integrate knowledge about e-discovery into a business information literacy curriculum.     

Analysis of fatigue failure in D-shaped karabiners

In order to determine the response of aluminum karabiners to cyclic loading, a single type of karabiner (cold forged, D shape, weight 50 g, 7075 aluminum) was cycled to failure under a range of conditions. Deformations were recorded continuously by the testing machine and verified by manual measurement of the karabiner and an uncalibrated strain gauge affixed to the karabiner spine. Internal crack growth was monitored by taking long-exposure X-ray photos of the karabiners near the end of their lifetimes; after failure, the crack surface area was recorded. The load/life (L/N) curve isL _C =85.4 (N _C)^−0.25 for the closed-gate condition andL _O = 39.3 (N _O)^−0.25for the open-gate condition. Deformation occurs only at loads above 12 kN and all measurable deformation occurs in the first three cycles of loading. Crack growth was never observed before failure; crack size is consistent with expectations but the asymmetrical karabiner geometry makes it difficult to compare this data to standards. These results suggest anL/N curve can be used to characterise karabiner lifetime.