Measuring Educators' Attitudes and Beliefs About Evaluation: Construct Validity and Reliability of the Teacher Evaluation Experience Scale

This study presents the reliability and validity of the Teacher Evaluation Experience Scale–Teacher Form (TEES-T), a multidimensional measure of educators' attitudes and beliefs about teacher evaluation. Confirmatory factor analyses of data from 583 teachers were conducted on the TEES-T hypothesized five-factor model, as well as on alternative models. The five- and four-factor model yielded acceptable fit to the data. Information-theory-based indices of relative fit (i.e., AIC₀, BCC₀, and BIC₀) indicated that the TEES-T four-factor model yielded superior fit to either the five-factor or one-factor models. The TEES-T evidenced good internal consistency, freedom from item bias, and convergent validity with the Collective Efficacy Scale. Implications are discussed.     

A NATIONAL INVESTIGATION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY TRAINERS’ ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS ABOUT EVIDENCE‐BASED PRACTICES

The present investigation examined 460 school psychology trainers’ attitudes and beliefs about the conditions for the education and training of evidence‐based practices (i.e., assessments and interventions) in training programs in the United States and Canada using an online survey. Trainer attitudes and beliefs about education and training in evidence‐based practices were measured using a 24‐item five‐point Likert scale. Overall, trainers had positive views of evidence‐based practices, as well as program and organizational support for such training. However, trainers rated the education and training of evidence‐based assessments more favorably than evidence‐based interventions. In general, trainer characteristics nor program accreditation status, model, or type of degree offered were found to influence trainers’ perceptions about evidence‐based practices. However, trainers with prior experience teaching evidence‐based intervention courses were found to have more supportive views of evidence‐based assessments and interventions than those without such experience. Implications for future training and school practice are discussed.     

An easy, rapid and cost-effective method of microtitration

An economical and less time consuming microtitration method is presented. The method has been applied to two types of titration, viz., neutralization and complexometric. The results obtained by the new method are comparable to those obtained by conventional method using burette and pipette. It is proposed that this method can be implemented in high school and undergraduate classes as the quantities of chemicals consumed are far less and the experiment can be completed within the given laboratory period.     

Mobile agents

A software agent is an intelligent program that acts as a user’s personal assistant. Software agents endowed with the property of mobility are called mobile agents. Mobile agents perform a user’s task by migrating and executing on several hosts connected to the network.     

Statistics usage by French academic libraries: a survey

The article presents a survey on usage statistics management in academic libraries in France. The objective is to provide empirical evidence on real methods and processes, best practices and problems experienced by librarians. The survey adapted Baker and Read's methodology to the French context. One‐third of French academic libraries answered the survey. Results show that usage statistics are crucial for librarians' daily work. COUNTER reports are mostly used, specifically the JR1 format. Two‐thirds of the libraries enhance the usage statistics with other data. Librarians face three major difficulties: lack of time, lack of usage data produced by French vendors, and the need for customized tools. The article contains a short literature review and ends with recommendations for further studies. It is the first published survey on usage data management in France and allows for comparison with results from other countries.     

Voice-band modems: A device to transmit data over telephone networks

Over the last 40 years, there has been continuous evolution in the design of voice-band modems-starting at a data rate of 300 bits per second in late 1950s, a rate of 33,600 bits per second has been achieved in 1995. Realising such high data rates over the voice band of 3400 Hz is a remarkable feat made possible by combining sophisticated techniques from three disciplines, communication theory, signal processing and information theory. In this article, we begin with a brief introduction of voice-band modems and then introduce the basic principles of data transmission.     

重庆市居民体育消费现状调研

采用问卷调查、数理统计等方法 ,对重庆市居民 2 0 0 0年体育消费情况进行了调查研究 ,结果表明 :重庆市居民参加体育活动主要为自发型 ,体育消费的主要形式为物质性消费 ,不同年龄人群体育消费的对象、态度显示出不同的特点 ;消费观念、经济条件和闲暇时间等是影响重庆市居民体育消费的主要因素。     

麻阳仡佬问题初探

“仡佬”这一称呼在麻阳广为流传 ,而且有特定的地域、语言和群体。从历史上看 ,麻阳曾有仡佬族长期居住生活 ,且逐渐与当地汉、苗、土家等民族相融合 ,但依然保存了一些仡佬族固有的风俗习惯并形成了独特的被称为“仡佬腔”的汉方言。