A prospective examination of the impact of high levels of exercise training on sedentary behaviour

The aim of this study is to determine changes in sedentary behaviour in response to extensive aerobic exercise training. Participants included adults who self-selected to run a marathon. Sedentary behaviour, total activity counts and physical activity (PA) intensity were assessed (Actigraph GT3X) for seven consecutive days during seven assessment periods (?3, ?2, and ?1 month prior to the marathon, within 2 weeks of the marathon, and +1, +2, and +3 months after the marathon). Models were fitted with multiple imputation data using the STATA mi module. Random intercept generalized least squares (GLS) regression models were used to determine change in sedentary behaviour with seven waves of repeated measures. Results: Twenty-three individuals (mean?±?S_x: 34.4?±?2.1y, 23.0?±?1.9% fat, 15 women, 8 men) completed the study. Marathon finishing times ranged from 185 to 344 minutes (253.2?±?9.6 minutes). Total counts in the vertical axis were 1,729,414 lower one month after the race, compared with two months prior to the race (peak training). Furthermore, counts per minute decreased by 252.7 counts·minute^?1 during that same time period. Daily sedentary behaviour did not change over the seven assessment periods, after accounting for age, gender, per cent body fat, wear time, marathon finishing time, and previous marathon experience. This prospective study supports the notion that PA and sedentary behaviours are distinct, showing that sedentary behaviour was not impacted by high levels of aerobic training.     

Using Young Adult Literature to Develop Content Knowledge of Autism for Preservice Teachers

This promising practice explores the use of young adult literature as a supplement to texts in an undergraduate introduction to a special education course. Literature portraying adolescent characters with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were used to build schema of preservice teachers. Participants' knowledge and attitudes about ASD were examined before and after reading a young adult novel of their choice. Results indicated that students in the literature group out-performed peers in the control group on measures of ASD content. Exemplars of students' responses suggested students who read the novel expressed increased knowledge and interest, recognition of commonalities, and complex and nuanced views of ASD. Participant satisfaction with reading the novels outside of class was also high, suggesting students found the authentic literacy experience enjoyable.     

Can Detroiters Dream Again? The Imagined Dialectics of Urban Decline in Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown—Detroit

Examining the Detroit episode of Anthony Bourdain’s CNN show, Parts Unknown, this study illuminates how the collective memory of the American dream is ironically projected onto Detroit, the metonymic city of America past. In order to identify the nostalgia of the American dream narrated in the show, we apply the dialectical approach to intercultural communication suggested by Martin and Nakayama and propose the imagined dialectics. Throughout our analyses, we contend that the imagined dialectic narrated in the Parts Unknown episode nostalgically frames Detroit’s past, which inevitably fetishizes its present. We ultimately argue that the nostalgia of the American dream epitomizes the lack of an intercultural and interregional understanding within the US and prevents us from democratic discussion for the betterment of the urban lives.     

Cultural Distance and Foreign Drama Enjoyment: Perceived Novelty and Identification with Characters

This study employs a cross-cultural perspective to examine how local audiences perceive and enjoy foreign dramas and how this psychological process differs depending on the cultural distance between the media and the viewing audience. Using a convenience sample of young Korean college students, this study, as predicted by cultural discount theory, shows that cultural distance decreases Korean audiences’ perceived identification with dramatic characters, which erodes their enjoyment of foreign dramas. Unlike cultural discount theory, however, cultural distance arouses Korean audiences’ perception of novelty, which heightens their enjoyment of foreign dramas. This study discusses the theoretical and practical implications of these findings, as well as their potential limitations.     

Involve your preschool with the community

A vast resource of educational experiences waits within your school's immediate community. Teachers should be more eager to involve themselves and their school in community relations, which can increase their effectiveness and also act as good publicity for the school itself. The community needs to know what good education for its young children is, and how it can be a part of it. It can recognize preschools as performing a vital community service and be willing to come together to exchange experiences. Children are not only our future, but they are part of our community's present.     

Differences between public and private institutions of Taiwan＇s HTVE system in determinants of competitiveness

Technological and vocational education has played a very important role in the development of Taiwan＇s economy. The purpose of this research is to examine the determinants of competitiveness with a focus on differences between public and private institutions in Taiwan＇s HTVE system. Determinants of internal and external factors were identified, and a competitiveness index was established. Results found that faculty teaching performance and completeness of curriculum design were the major determinants of internal factor. Financial support from government was the most influential determinant of public institutions in external factor, yet private institutions considered population growth rate was the most important one. Despite of top 3 institutions of both types, private universities seem possess relatively more competitive advantages than their public counterparts, and public colleges seem possess relatively more competitive advantages than their private competitors.     

Korean 4‐ to 11‐year‐old student conceptions of heat and temperature

The aim of the present study is to shed light on the conceptions that young students have of heat and temperature, concepts that are both important in school science curricula and closely related to daily life. The subjects of the study were students from a rural district in South Korea and they ranged in age from 4 to 11 years. Interviews were conducted with each student on the basis of questions on temperature, thermal insulation, and heat equilibrium. After calculating the frequency and percentage of student responses and analyzing the rationale for their answers, it was found that younger students tended to view temperature as “size” or a “summation of numbers.” This tendency gradually diminished in older students. Most students had alternative conceptions of thermal insulation regardless of age; however, reasoning differed according to age. Younger students displayed a greater tendency to view insulation as a material property, whereas older students showed a greater tendency toward rational heat and temperature conceptions. Most students did not have clear concepts of heat equilibrium regardless of age, but possessed numerous alternative conceptions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 284–302, 2007     

Not all school dropouts are the same: Ethnic differences in the relation between reason for leaving school and adolescent substance use

Several national studies have revealed that students choose to drop out of school for a variety of reasons. Moreover, there are ethnic differences in the reasons dropouts give for leaving school. In the present study, the relation between reason for dropping out and substance use was explored in Mexican American and non‐Hispanic White adolescents. The results revealed that for Mexican American adolescents, substance use was highest among those who left school to be with their friends and lowest among those who left for family‐related reasons. Among non‐Hispanic White adolescents, there were no significant differences in substance use as a function of reason for leaving school. For both ethnicities, nearly one‐third of the dropouts reported that their substance use was an important contributor to their decision to leave school early. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed. Recommendations are made for ways in which the reasons that dropouts give for leaving school can be used to inform school programs. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons.