Linking theoretical models to actual practices: A survey of teachers in gifted education

A regional survey of teachers of gifted and talented (G/T) programs, grades kindergarten through nine, in a southeastern state, was carried out. The principle foci of the survey were on theoretical models identified and used by teachers, and the importance of perceived outcome goals for children who are gifted. Respondents claimed awareness of several models of intervention but varied widely in the use of these models. Implications of the disparity between awareness and use of models are discussed. Outcome goals ranked by respondents varied in order, based on three grade level groupings of the teachers, most likely indicating changing perceptions of developmental needs as children progress through grade levels.     

O Bem Amado: A cinematic representation of humor,populism, and death in Brazilian politics

The theatrical play O Bem Amado is based on a tragic and comical Brazilian reality: the way politicians plot their interests, without regard for their voters’ well-being. Populist and eccentric, the protagonist Odorico Paraguaçu embodies gestures, spoken gags, unfilled promises, and other typical characteristics of Brazilian politicians. This article analyzes how the most recent cinematic version of the play staged a character who was born in the 1960s, became a television soap opera hit in the 1970s, starred a movie in the 2000s, and comes back to life in every election period. We intend to make clear that much of what was criticized in Brazilian politics then is still very much alive today. The characteristics that make Odorico laughable are described in the article and are the same ones that highlight aspects of Brazilian political culture, all played out in a lighthearted comedy of manners spiced with political satire. This article introduces the latest version of O Bem Amado with some important background information. Based on scenes extracted from the film, popular comedy is portrayed as an opportunity for the public to take revenge, through mockery, of those who take advantage of their public position in favor of private interest. The article also explores added dimensions of the most recent version, brought on by new technological aspects added when the story was adapted for the big screen.     

Inclusion in a multi-academy trust: possibilities and perils

In this article we examine how, despite the understanding that a special school is not an inclusive setting, the senior leadership team (SLT) at Forest Academy Trust perceive their special schools as inclusive. Document reviews, interviews and a culminating focus group appear to indicate that possibilities for inclusive education may be related to a shared ethos of inclusion, resources, accessible opportunities, individualised approaches, and collaborative networks. These data also provide a critical insight into the perils related to inclusive education in multi-academy trusts (MATs). The study of this MAT highlights the need for changes to policies, access to and equitable distribution of resources, curricular freedom balanced with accountability, a shift toward collaborative networking and partnership, and a shared vision for enactment, which may be leveraged in order to provide equitable and sustainable system-wide inclusive practices.     

Changes in the relationship between joint angle and torque production associated with the repeated bout effect

A single bout of eccentric exercise induces a protective adaptation against damage from a repeated bout. The aim of this study was to determine whether this repeated bout effect is due to a change in the length–tension relationship. Twelve individuals performed an initial bout of six sets of 10 eccentric quadriceps contractions and then performed a repeated bout 2 weeks later. Eccentric contractions were performed on an isokinetic dynamometer at 1.04 rad?·?s^?1 with a target intensity of 90% of isometric strength at 70° of knee flexion. Isometric strength and pain were recorded before and after both eccentric bouts and on each of the next 3 days. Isometric strength was tested at 30°, 50°, 70°, 90° and 110° of knee flexion. On the days following the initial bout, there was a significant loss of isometric strength at all knee flexion angles except 110° (bout×angle: P?<0.01). On day 2, strength averaged 86% of baseline for 30–90° and 102% of baseline for 110°. Strength loss and pain after the initial bout was contrasted by minimal changes after the repeated bout (pain: P?<0.001; strength: P?<0.01). The repeated bout effect was associated with a rightward shift in the length–tension curve; before the repeated bout, isometric strength was 6.8% lower at 30° and 13.6% higher at 110° compared with values before the initial bout (bout×angle: P?<0.05). Assuming that torque production at 110° occurs on the descending limb of the length–tension curve, the increase in torque at 110° may be explained by a longitudinal addition of sarcomeres. The addition of sarcomeres would limit sarcomere strain for subsequent eccentric contractions and may explain the repeated bout effect observed here.     

Building the urban commons in Singapore: the cemetery,red-light district and public housing estates as sites of contestation

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the state of informal social activism initiated by Singaporean youth via the creation of ground-up initiatives. Having witnessed state-civil society relations, where calibrated liberalisation, co-option and coercive measures are used as strategies of state control, these informal collectives seek new modalities and methodologies in their efforts to build the urban commons. By following three of such collectives, this paper seeks to explore the overlapping cultural and social realms they operate in, as well as the new modalities and methodologies they bring, such as participatory art and design. They negotiate constraints from both the state and market through (1) strategic positioning of legal statuses and (2) the formation of a network society, building social capital and a new vocabulary for future efforts in self-organisation.     

Children’s metabolic expenditure during object projection skill performance: New insight for activity intensity relativity

Objective: To examine children’s energy expenditure (EE) during object projection skill performance at three intensity intervals. Methods: Children’s (42, Mage = 8.1) average metabolic equivalents of task (METs) were calculated using a COSMED K4b2 while they repeatedly performed blocks of kicking, throwing (overhand), and striking (two-handed) during 6, 12, and 30-s interval conditions. A repeated-measures analysis of covariance examined differences in METs while controlling for skill level. Results: Data indicated a main effect for interval condition (df = 2, 123, F = 94.36, p <.001, η2 = .605). Post hoc t-tests demonstrated decreasing performance interval times yielded progressively higher METs (p <.001) across the three conditions (30s = 4.5±0.8 METs, 12s = 6.3±1.3, 6s = 8.3±1.6). There also was a main effect for sex (df = 1,120, F = 52.28, p <.001 η2 = .305). Boys demonstrated higher METs at each performance interval (p <.001). Conclusion: Skill practice with a maximum of one trial every 30s resulted in the equivalent of at least moderate physical activity (>4.0 METs) and intervals of 6s demonstrated vigorous physical activity (>7.0 METs). Practicing/performing object projection skills, even at intervals that allow for adequate instruction and feedback (i.e., 1 trial/30s), promotes MVPA in children.     

What Paves the Way to Conventional Language? The Predictive Value of Babble,Pointing, and Socioeconomic Status

A child's first words mark the emergence of a uniquely human ability. Theories of the developmental steps that pave the way for word production have proposed that either vocal or gestural precursors are key. These accounts were tested by assessing the developmental synchrony in the onset of babbling, pointing, and word production for 46 infants observed monthly between the ages of 9 and 18 months. Babbling and pointing did not develop in tight synchrony and babble onset alone predicted first words. Pointing and maternal education emerged as predictors of lexical knowledge only in relation to a measure taken at 18 months. This suggests a far more important role for early phonological development in the creation of the lexicon than previously thought.     

Strategies and effectiveness of teaching universal design in a cross-faculty setting

Universal design of built environments is an area of professional interest for both architects and occupational therapists, yet is not always specifically included in undergraduate curricula. This paper reports on the student experience of introducing universal design education into architecture and occupational therapy curricula. Online and face-to-face teaching methods were employed, including virtual and real-life simulation activities designed to provide students with a personal experience of impairment. Virtual simulation activities used the medium of Second Life?. Results showed improvement in self-reported learning outcomes related to universal design and, overall, students found the learning activities and resources useful. Real-life simulations were reported to be more useful than virtual simulations. Project outcomes support the introduction of universal design education into architecture and occupational therapy curricula, and offer insight into student perceptions and future directions for related teaching and learning resources.     

A Community of Practice: Librarians in a Biomedical Research Network

Providing library and reference services within a biomedical research community presents special challenges for librarians, especially those in historically lower-funded states. These challenges can include understanding needs, defining and communicating the library's role, building relationships, and developing and maintaining general and subject specific knowledge. This article describes a biomedical research network and the work of health sciences librarians at the lead intensive research institution with librarians from primarily undergraduate institutions and tribal colleges. Applying the concept of a community of practice to a collaborative effort suggests how librarians can work together to provide effective reference services to researchers in biomedicine.