An evaluation of interactive tabletops in elementary mathematics education

This research examined the effect that a relatively new Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) device, specifically an interactive tabletop, has on elementary students’ attitudes toward collaborative technologies, mathematical achievement, and the gender gap in mathematics. Prior research has shown many positive effects of CSCL technologies on mathematics education, such as increased math performance and an increased interest in math. Further, previous research has shown inconsistent results regarding gender differences in mathematics and has not examined the effect that CSCL technology has on the gender gap. Therefore, the effects of interactive tabletops on math performance, attitudes, and gender differences were examined. This study was conducted using a sample of 53 elementary students. The technology was brought to the classroom twice each week for an entire academic semester. To obtain a more accurate understanding of the influence of the CSCL technology, both self-report data and performance data were collected. Specifically, changes in students’ attitudes and reactions and changes in cognitive learning were measured. The results show that students learn and react favorably towards interactive tabletops. Implications for future research are discussed.     

Perceived Value of Higher Education among Police Officers: Comparing County and Municipal Officers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of higher education among police officers, to determine whether these perceptions vary among county and municipal police officers, and to explore the types of suggestions that officers might have for improving the college curriculum. A survey was administered to police officers from five departments. Data analysis revealed a mixed view of the perceived value of higher education. Officers employed by municipal departments had a more positive general perceived value of higher education compared to officers employed by county sheriff’s offices. This study also found several common suggestions for improvement to the higher education curriculum, including more hands-on experience, instructors with experience as law enforcement officers, and improved writing and interpersonal communication skills.     

在并行文件系统中使用服务器到服务器的通讯来简化一致性检查并提高性能

并行计算将发展为使用上千个集群化的CPU完成一个应用程序,这导致I／O瓶颈随着集群中CPU密度的加大而日益严峻。目前的并行文件系统提供了大量的聚合I／O带宽,然而它们的可扩展性达不到管理上千个存储节点上的分布式文件的需求。这篇论文我们通过存储服务器之间的聚合通讯来提高文件大数据集操作的可扩展性。特别的,我们采用服务器到服务器的通讯方式来简化一致性检查,同时改善文件创建、删除和状态查询的性能。     

What Is Benford's Law?

The surprising property of many data sets that their first significant digits follow Benford's Law provides examples that can pique and hold students’ interest. Several ideas for student activities are presented.     

Self-efficacy and the stages and processes of change associated with adopting and maintaining muscular fitness-promoting behaviors

The majority of physical activity initiatives have been directed toward promoting cardiorespiratory fitness and general health. Far less attention has been devoted to encouraging or understanding muscular fitness-promoting behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine if constructs from the Transtheoretical Model, a contemporary behavior change framework, could be adapted and applied to the study of muscular fitness-promoting behaviors. Participants were 429 college students who completed measures of stage of change, the behavioral and cognitive processes of change, and self-efficacy. All measures were modified to relate specifically to muscular fitness-promoting behaviors. Two direct discriminant function analyses were performed, revealing that the behavioral processes of change and self-efficacy were the major correlates of the stages of change for muscular fitness-promoting behaviors.     

Profile analysis of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children,Second Edition,with African American and Caucasian preschool children

This study used profile analysis to investigate the interpretability of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (KABC‐II), in terms of the Cattell‐Horn‐Carroll (CHC) theory among ethnically diverse preschool children. Forty‐nine African American and 49 Caucasian preschool children from a Midwestern city were included in the study and were matched for age, sex, and level of parental education. The profile analysis examining CHC broad abilities showed that the African American and Caucasian preschool children had similar patterns of highs and lows and performed at the same level with no significant difference between the two groups in their overall mean IQ. Profile analysis of the KABC‐II subtests found that although the African American and Caucasian groups performed overall at a similar level, they did not show the same pattern of highs and lows in subtest performance. Specifically, Caucasian preschoolers scored significantly higher than their African American counterparts on the Expressive Vocabulary subtest. Overall, the two groups displayed remarkably similar performance on the KABC‐II. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.