The presentation of gas properties in chemistry textbooks and as reported by science teachers

The presentation of gas properties in terms of the qualitative–quantitative mode and gas law sequence is examined by means of an analysis of 14 chemistry textbooks used in Australian secondary schools and of questionnaires on teaching approaches completed by 104 secondary science teachers. The findings indicate that current pedagogic practice involves minimal use of the qualitative relationships of the gas laws and moderate use of a simple-to-complex sequence. Given the conceptual complexity of the gas laws, the authors support a presentation approach with increased use of qualitative exercises and, in the initial stage at least, the use of a complex-to-simple model where the interrelationships among the gas laws are easier to establish.     

Freezing and higher plants

The stresses that can be imposed upon higher plant tissues by freezing may be damaging and potentially lethal. They influence the distribution and reproductive behaviour of plant species and are the cause of significant agricultural and horticultural crop losses. In contrast, however, low and ultralow temperatures can be used to conserve viable plant material for subsequent propagation, exploiting either natural resistance to freezing within the tissues or laboratory manipulation to sustain viability.     

The Future of Public Sector Academic Validation—key issues

Since its creation in 1964 the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA) has been responsible, both for the awarding of degrees in the public sector of higher education and for the validation of the courses leading to those degrees. The 1987 Government White Paper, ‘Higher Education: Meeting the Challenge’ (DES, 1987) marked the first step towards the creation of a new system of accreditation of institutions and a shift in emphasis from external to internal validation. This paper fills in the background to this change of direction before discussing various issues which arise out of it such as the problems of defining academic quality, public accountability, the appropriate role of the Government in education and what the future holds for the CNAA and education as a whole in the age of accreditation which is about to dawn.     

家庭对中学生参与体育的影响

家庭作为社会化的机构,无论过去还是现在,都具有社会和学校不可取代的作用。那么,它对中学生参与体育的影响如何呢?本文从社会化的视野出发,探讨了家庭对中学生参与体育的影响,家庭影响因素之间的关系,以及参与主体——中学生自身的差异。     

SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH REGARD TO EXTERNAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT

Nowadays in many countries people are thinking about External Quality Assessment (EQA) and the way in which it should be developed. This article discusses many of the questions which must be dealt with before a decision can be taken on the design of an EQA system. The answers are based on experiences with EQA in the Netherlands and on the experience of the author as a consultant for several European countries. The basic principles of EQA are given at the end of the article.     

图书情报学校的新思路

本文是布德为新泽西州图书馆协会作的演讲。它从贮存和检索信息的新技术对图书情报工作和图书情报教育的影响,分析图书情报教育的情况、不足和出路,提出要进行重要的变革。     

试论中国人民广播事业六十年的历史经验

江泽民同志在2000年12月25日为中国人民广播事业暨中央人民广播电台创建60周年作了重要批示: “在中国人民广播事业暨中央人民广播电台创建60周年之际,我向全国广播战线的同志们致以亲切的问候！ 广播事业是党的新闻事业的重要组成部分。60年来,中央人民广播电台为宣传党的路线方针政策,弘扬中华民族精神,弘扬爱国主义、集体主义、社会