The Rise and Fall of Academic Law Library Collection Standards

This article provides a history of the American Bar Association (ABA) Accreditation Standards for law library collection development from a simple standard, “adequate for the use of the students,” to a more detailed list of requirements, and back again to simpler mandates. ABA standards are currently under review, and the author argues it is time to end the collection requirements in the ABA standards.     

Considerations for Sexuality Education and Services for LGB Elders

Sexuality education and health services for elderly individuals who reside in care settings (e.g., assisted living facilities, nursing homes, retirement communities) have received limited attention in the professional literature. However, the lack of sexual health promotion practices in elder care facilities can be detrimental to older adults’ overall health and quality of life. Barriers to sexuality education services for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) elders are explored and include history of LGB equality in the United States and lack of social support, as well as discrimination among formal care facilities and health care professionals. The Community Readiness Model (CRM) is proposed for addressing these barriers. The purpose of the CRM is to assess readiness characteristics of a community before program implementation and then build capacity with programming in that community for support and education. Sexuality educators currently have the opportunity to develop and implement sexual health education and promotion resources that can potentially improve the quality of life for LGB individuals transitioning into the latter stages of the life course.     

Multidimensional Equating

Equatings were performed on both simulated and real data sets using the common-examinee design and two abilities for each examinee (i.e., two dimensions). Item and ability parameter estimates were found by using the Multidimensional Item Response Theory Estimation (MIRTE) program. The amount of equating error was evaluated by a comparison of the mean difference and the mean absolute difference between the true scores and ability estimates found on both tests for the common examinees used in the equating. The results indicated that effective equating, as measured by comparability o f true scores, was possible with the techniques used in this study. When the stability o f the ability estimates was examined, unsatisfactory results were found.     

Effects of Computer Algebra System (CAS) with Metacognitive Training on Mathematical Reasoning

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the differential effects of Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) and metacognitive training on mathematical reasoning. Participants were 83 students (boys and girls) who studied algebra in four eighth‐grade classrooms randomly selected to four instructional methods: CAS embedded within metacognitive training (CAS +META), metacognitive training without CAS learning (META), CAS learning without metacognitive training (CAS) and CONT learning without CAS and metacognitive training (CONT). Results showed that the CAS +META condition significantly outperformed the META and the CAS conditions, who in turn significantly outperformed the CONT condition on aspects of mathematical reasoning. No significant differences were found between the META and CAS conditions. In addition, the study found that the metacognitive students (CAS +META and META conditions) outperformed their counterparts (CAS and CONT) on their metacognitive knowledge. This paper describes research whose main focus is the use of Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) in mathematics classrooms and the didactical possibilities based on the IMPROVE method linked with its use.Les effets du système d'algèbre par informatique (CAS) sur une formation métacognitive en raisonnement mathématique. Le but principal de la présente étude était d'explorer les effets différentiels du CAS et d'une formation métacognitive en raisonnement mathématique. Les participants étaient 83 élèves (garçons et filles) qui étudiaient l'algèbre dans les classes (eighth-grade) choisies au hasard avec 4 méthodes d'instruction. CAS enchassés à l'intérieur d'une formation métacognitive (CAS +META) métacognitive sans CAS (META), apprentissage CAS sans formation métacognitive (CONT) et apprentissage sans CAS + formation métacognitive (CONT). Les résultats ont montré que la formule CAS + META a surpassé de façon significative les formules META + CAS qui a leur tour ont surpassé la formule CONT quant aux aspects du raisonnement mathématique. Il n'y a pas de différences entre les formules META et CAS. De plus l'étude a montré que les élèves soumis aux conditions CAS +META et META ont obtenu de meilleurs résultats que leurs condisciples (CAS et CONT) quant à leurs connaissances métacognitives cet article décrit des recherches dont le but principal est l'utilisation du CAS dans les classes de mathématiques et les possibilités didactiques fondées sur la méthode IMPROVE à son usage.Wirkungen des Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) mit metacognitivem Training auf mathematisches Denken. Der Hauptzweck der gegenwärtigen Studie war, die unterscheidenden Wirkungen des Computer Algebra Systeme (CAS) und der metacognitiven Ausbildung auf mathematische Überlegung zu untersuchen. Teilnehmer waren 83 Studenten (Jungen und Mädchen), die Algebra in vier zufällig ausgewählten Klassen der achten Stufe in vier Unterrichtsmethoden studierten: CAS eingebettet in metacognitive Ausbildung (CAS + Meta), metacognitive Ausbildung ohne CAS (Meta), CAS Lernen ohne metacognitive Ausbildung (CAS) und CONT Lernen ohne CAS und metacognitive Ausbildung (CONT). Die Ergebnisse zeigten dass die CAS + Meta-Bedingung die Meta- und die CAS Bedingungen signifikant übertraf, die wiederum die CONT Bedingung bedeutend in Bezug auf Aspekte mathematischen Denkens überflügelten. Keine bedeutsamen Unterschiede wurden Zwischen den Meta und CAS Versionen wurden keine bedeutsamen Unterschiede gefunden. Außerdem ergab die Studie, dass die Studenten der metacognitiv unterrichteten Gruppe (CAS + Meta- und Metabedingungen) ihre Pendants (CAS und CONT) in Bezug auf ihr metacognitives Wissen übertrafen. Dieses Papier beschreibt Forschung, deren Hauptfokus auf der Verwendung von Computer Algebra Systemen (CAS) in Mathematikklassen ist und die didaktischen Möglichkeiten, die auf der mit ihrer Verwendung verbundenen IMPROVE Methode basieren.     

Struggles and Successes in Constructivist Jewish Early Childhood Classrooms

This study examined the experiences of teachers in a Jewish early childhood center implementing constructivist theory and pedagogy through a Reggio Emilia-inspired model. Constructivist practices were described through interviews, surveys, classroom documentation, and observations. The data indicated that areas that were initially deemed as successes were hard to maintain and seemingly overshadowed by challenges. These areas included understanding constructivist theory, using open-ended materials, and relying on open-ended questions to facilitate knowledge. Furthermore, teachers struggled when comparing information gained by children from classes using a more traditional educational approach. Insights in each area are provided to support Jewish and general studies constructivist teachers.     

Expanding doctoral education in South Africa: pipeline or pipedream?

The purpose of this paper is to discuss both the status of the PhD in South Africa and the feasibility of the country's aspiration to increase by fivefold the production of PhDs by 2025. Based on the first empirical studies on doctoral education in South Africa, it argues that in order to move towards this target, an expanded and coordinated effort is necessary. This includes the removal of barriers that hinder the expansion of the South African higher education system. In particular the paper highlights insufficient funding, policy that stands in the way of expansion, scarcity of students, limited supervisory capacity and lack of recognition of the value of the doctorate and higher learning, as well as limited and inadequate partnerships. The main question is whether South Africa can achieve the desired outcome by following international trends or whether the expansion target is merely a pipedream.     

Undergraduates in transition: a new wave of activism on American college campus

US student attitudes are surveyed and attention drawn to evidence of recent changes displayed in a study of five colleges/universities undertaken by the authors in 1989/90. Collective optimism appeared, heroes reappeared and what moved students most was the Challenger explosion rather than the political events which had been emphasised by their predecessors. Attitudes were less selfish and there was greater participation in social action. Examples are given of colleges which have responded by increasing opportunities for community service. The authors suggest that an analysis of past trends indicates that a rise in volunteerism leads to a period of student activism. The inverviews with students carried out by the authors provide evidence of such a development. The article concludes with a suggestion of points which colleges/universities should face in the light of these changes in student attitudes.