Is the National Numeracy Strategy Research-based?

The British Government has recently agreed proposals for a National Numeracy Strategy which claims to be based on evidence concerning 'hat works'. This article reviews the literature in each key area in which recommendations are made, and makes a judgement of whether the claim is justified. In some areas (e.g. calculators) the recommendations run counter to the evidence.     

Learning to live together on a small planet

International understanding, once a humanitarian virtue, is now a dramatic, urgent necessity: the interdependence of the different regions and countries of the world and the strain on limited resources are such that without understanding leading to co-operation there will be disaster. The following article by Lester Brown, head of the Worldwatch Institute, should serve to remind our readers that unless we all become educated to the grave problems facing humanity, the technical skills and general knowledge imparted by our shool and university systems may well become superfluous. [Ed.] D. C.-based non-profit research organization created to analyse and to focus attention on global problems. Author of In the Human Interestand The Twenty Ninth Day: Accommodating Human Needs and Numbers to the Earth's Resources.     

Using the DYSA Programme to Reduce Stress and Anxiety in First-year University Students

With recent increases in the number of students attending universities without a proportional increase in resources, it is likely that there has been a decrease in the quality of life students experience and an increase in the stress they feel. This is of course added to by tuition fees and the need to take out student loans. The writers review research into student stress and highlight the fact that many researchers have noted the need for stress-reduction courses, though this has been a recommendation that has not generally been taken up. A specific stress-reduction programme for school pupils and university students is described. This programme was tested with first-year undergraduates. The students involved all felt that the programme had been valuable. Apart from its clear relevance to the support of university students, this paper raises issues which are of importance to those working with sixth-form students.     

从答案到问题:信息时代的全球化

全球化无疑可以作为时代精神的表征。通讯技术的发展和运用、传播的政治障碍的消除等多个因素导致了全球化态势的形成 ;沸沸扬扬的全球化究竟是现实还是虚幻 ,带来的是福祉还是损害 ,人们对全球化做出了诸多的理解和阐释。其实 ,“全球化”应该作为一个问题而不是答案来探讨。作为一种政治话语 ,全球化对不同的政治派别有着不同的意义 ;全球化的发展影响现存的包容和排斥模式 ,还有可能产生其自身的模式     

Doing relevant, funded mass media research

Motivations for conducting relevant communication research are discussed and examples provided of advantages and pitfalls of seeking funding from government and media institutions.     

Staff Development in Higher Education - Towards the Learning Organisation?

The concept of the learning organisation is related to current and emerging practice in staff development, particularly in the Enterprise in Higher Education initiative. We examine the link between organisational development and individual development and argue that the current climate of rapid change makes a strategic and coherent approach particularly necessary. Key issues include the renegotiation of relationships between managers and professionals, the role of corporate strategy and the development of organisational cultures which are tolerant, but purposive. We conclude by describing the characteristics of staff development processes which have the capacity to enhance organisational learning.