The Efficacy of Multimedia Modules for Teaching Basic Literacy-Related Concepts

Researchers have found that teacher preparation programs are not universally preparing teacher candidates in concepts associated with the alphabetic principle. Yet, the majority of students with reading disabilities or who struggle with beginning reading have difficulty with phonology and concepts associated with the alphabetic principle. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a series of multimedia modules on participants' (N = 76) knowledge and skills related to early reading instruction. The multimedia modules covered basic literacy concepts primarily related to phonology and phonics. Results from the experimental, control-group design indicated that the modules were successful in teaching foundational literacy constructs to participants. Thus, multimedia modules may be a promising avenue for providing instruction for teacher candidates. Additional research, however, is needed to ensure mastery of knowledge and to evaluate how principles of effective instruction can guide multimedia module use by teacher educators.     

An Informed Look at Doctoral Vivas (Oral Examinations) in the Preparation of Counselor Educators

Viva voce is the Latin expression traditionally used to refer to doctoral oral examinations. Viva voce, or simply viva, examinations are a standard requirement for doctoral candidacy and degree completion in many counselor education programs. Despite the prevalent use of vivas as an assessment and learning tool, the counselor education literature is scant on information about their rationale, method, and impact. Current trends toward transparency and accountability in higher education now require that counselor educators and researchers take steps to ensure that the use of vivas is justified beyond tradition alone.     

Molecule matters

Divalent carbon compounds which were once considered as highly reactive organic intermediates have been tamed by the modern day synthetic chemist in the form of N-heterocyclic carbenes. The land marks in the history of development of these compounds and their applications as ligands in the Nobel Prize winning work on olefin metathesis catalysts are described. Anil J Elias is a professor at the Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.     

Sprint mechanical differences at maximal running speed: Effects of performance level

ABSTRACT

As the effect of performance level on sprinting mechanics has not been fully studied, we examined mechanical differences at maximal running speed (MRS) over a straight-line 35 m sprint amongst sprinters of different performance levels. Fifty male track and field sprinters, divided in Slow, Medium and Fast groups (MRS: 7.67 ± 0.27 m?s^?1, 8.44 ± 0.22 m?s^?1, and 9.37 ± 0.41 m?s^?1, respectively) were tested. A high-speed camera (250 Hz) recorded a full stride in the sagittal plane at 30–35 m. MRS was higher (p < 0.05) in Fast vs. Medium (+11.0%) and Slow (+22.1%) as well as in Medium vs. Slow (+10.0%). Twelve, eight and seven out of 21 variables significantly distinguished Fast from Slow, Fast from Medium and Medium from Slow sprinters, respectively. Propulsive phase was signi?cantly shorter in Fast vs. Medium (?17.5%) and Slow (?29.4%) as well as in Medium vs. Slow (?14.4%). Fast sprinters had significantly higher vertical and leg stiffness values than Medium (+44.1% and +18.1%, respectively) and Slow (+25.4% and +22.0%, respectively). MRS at 30–35 m increased with performance level during a 35-m sprint and was achieved through shorter contact time, longer step length, faster step rate, and higher vertical and leg stiffness.     

Discrepancies in accelerometer-measured physical activity in children due to cut-point non-equivalence and placement site

Abstract This study examined dissonance in physical activity (PA) between two youth-specific hip-derived intensity cut-points for the Actiwatch (AW), and compared PA between hip and wrist placements using site-specific cut-points. Twenty-four children aged 11.2?±?0.5 years wore the AW on the right hip and non-dominant wrist during a typical school day. Minutes of sedentary behaviour and vigorous activity were greater using Puyau et al. (2002) cut-points, but light, moderate, and moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) were greater when derived using Puyau et al. (2004) cut-points (P?相似文献   

Validity of the activPAL and Height-Adjusted Curvilinear Cadence-METs Equations in Healthy Adults

ABSTRACT

The activPAL is a widely-used measure of sedentary time but few studies have evaluated its ability to estimate physical activity intensity. This study determined the accuracy of the algorithm used by the activPAL to predict metabolic equivalents (METs) from cadence and a curvilinear cadence-METs equation individualized for height. Thirty-six healthy adults (25 ± 6 years) completed a progressive walking protocol. Stepping cadence was video recorded and METs were determined via indirect calorimetry. Manually-counted cadence was input into the activPAL and curvilinear equations. The internal activPAL equation overpredicted METs at slower cadences (<120 steps/minute) but underpredicted METs at faster cadences (>120 step/minute) (proportional bias, p < .001). Conversely, the curvilinear equation exhibited neither fixed (p = .37) nor proportional bias (p = .07), and a lower absolute MET difference [0.87 ± 0.65 (range:0.0–3.2) vs. 0.56 ± 0.45 (range:0.0–2.7) METs]. The linear activPAL equation poorly estimates METs from stepping cadence but these inaccuracies may be lessened through the use of an individualized curvilinear equation.     

Ranking dynamics and volatility

Scientific journals are ordered by their impact factor while countries, institutions or researchers can be ranked by their scientific production, impact or by other simple or composite indicators as in the case of university rankings. In this paper, the theoretical framework proposed in Criado, R., Garcia, E., Pedroche, F. & Romance, M. (2013). A new method for comparing rankings through complex networks: Model and analysis of competitiveness of major European soccer leagues. Chaos, 23, 043114 for football competitions is used as a starting point to define a general index describing the dynamics or its opposite, stability, of rankings. Some characteristics to study rankings, ranking dynamics measures and axioms for such indices are presented. Furthermore, the notion of volatility of elements in rankings is introduced. Our study includes rankings with ties, entrants and leavers. Finally, some worked out examples are shown.