Theories underlying perceived changes in teaching and learning after installing a computer network in a secondary school

This paper discusses the theoretical links between motivation and learning and the use of information technology that arose during the evaluation, by both teachers and pupils, of the effects upon teaching and learning of the installation of an extensive new computer network in their secondary school.
The school was visited throughout the 1996/7 academic year, and two questionnaire surveys were carried out during this time. The initial questionnaire was completed by 69 (73%) of the staff and a stratified, random sample comprising 161 (11%) of the pupils. Those originally surveyed were sent a follow up questionnaire at the end of the year. Responses to the questions were grouped by similarity into categories and these categories were related to theories of motivation and learning.
It is concluded that the installation of a computer network in a secondary school results in improved teaching and learning and increased enjoyment of learning in the school with both pupils and teachers viewing the use of IT as beneficial to learning.
Where such positive effects of using IT are noted they can be justified theoretically using Behaviourist, Cognitive and Social Constructivist theories of motivation and learning. The wide range of ways in which use of a computer can be both extrinsically and intrinsically motivating explains the increased motivation observed in the pupils.     

The Use of Epidemiological Methodology as a Means of Influencing Public Policy

To best influence policymakers, researchers need to provide information and measures of effects that reflect the nature of policy decisions. Specifically, policymakers are often interested in factors associated with changes in the number of cases or rate of disorders in a community. Regression/analysis of variance (ANOVA) models, which focus on the prediction of means, slopes, and variances, do not directly address such questions. In contrast, epidemiological statistics, which focus on differences in proportions of cases, do provide such information. Three epidemiological measures of effect (the risk-ratio, the odds-ratio, and the population attributable fraction) are reviewed; their value as tools for informing public policy is discussed; and examples are provided illustrating their use. Researchers are encouraged to consider adopting an epidemiological perspective as part of their work.     

Generative Paradox in Learner-Centered College Teaching

The discussion identifies six contradictions that characterize the emergent learner-centered teaching role: (a) control/flow, (b) facilitator/evaluator, (c) teacher learning/student learning, (d) subject expert/teaching expert, (e) caring for students/caring for self, and (f) individual mentor/group leader. Key concepts are presented (conflict, compartmentalized paradox, and generative paradox) which represent points on a continuum of the degree to which college teachers have successfully integrated these fundamental contradictions in the learner-centered teaching role. This article extends an ongoing discussion of integrity in learner-centered teaching by providing a conceptual paradigm and examples for developing consistently productive responses to these six fundamental contradictions in learner-centered teaching.Douglas Reimondo Robertson (Ph.D., Syracuse University) is Assistant Provost for Professional Development Programs and Professor of Educational Leadership at Northern Kentucky University. His most recent line of research focuses on further developing the emergent concept and practice of learner-centered college teaching.     

Neuromuscular characteristics of endurance- and power-trained athletes

In response to chronic physical training, the human neuromuscular system undergoes significant and specific adaptations. More importantly, these influences are the result of the type and quantity of physical activity. One of the simplest neuromuscular mechanisms is the spinal stretch reflex. The reflex system was previously viewed as inflexible, with a relatively fixed response that could vary only slightly. However, more recent data have identified an adaptive plasticity in the reflex system. In this respect, the reflex system can be used to assess training and aging adaptations of the human neuromuscular system. Due to their methodological simplicity, both the tendon-tap reflex and the electrically evoked Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) can be used to assess training adaptations of the human neuromuscular system. The purpose of this paper is to review briefly the tendon-tap and H-reflex paradigms and delineate the research findings pertaining to changes in the reflex system with physical training. For purposes of clarity, this discussion will be divided into the following: (a) differences observed in the tendon-tap reflex, (b) differences observed in the H-reflex, and (c) role of interneurons in mediating these changes.     

The Sudbury school strike — The effect on students one year after

Conclusion In sum, two generalizations emerge from the research presented here. First, three months of Grade 13 do not contribute significantly to university relevant skills. Second, high school teacher strikes for periods of three months may not have significantly deleterious consequences for students who continue on to university. These conclusions must be qualified by the specific characteristics of time, place, and sample, as well as considered in the light of the alternative interpretations discussed in the text. Nevertheless, they are important results which could not have been predicted prior to the study.     

Social support: Implications for counselling

Drawing on contemporary theory and research related to social support, the author provides a rationale for incorporating work on social support into existing models of counselling. Some informal methods of assessing social support are described, and a number of implications for intervening in the client's psychosocial world are outlined.Plenary address to the XIIth International Round Table for the Advancement of Counselling, June 1986, Lund, Sweden.     

Assessment of practical work

In recent years, much attention has been focused on the need to develop effective and efficient strategies and procedures for the assessment of laboratory work. Increasingly, the emphasis has moved towards a skills-based approach. The paper addresses a number of philosophical issues concerning this orientation and argues that the skills-based approach is philosophically unsound (because it isn't based on a valid model of science), educationally worthless (because it trivializes learning) and pedagogically dangerous (because it encourages bad teaching). An alternative, more holistic approach to assessment, based on a more valid model of scientific practice, is proposed.