The issue at a glance

The issue at a glance     

Axiology,the Subject and the Chair

Research in Science Education - This article addresses two gaps in the literature related to science department chairs: the axiological relationship between the chair and science, the subject, and...     

New Media

WIRED CITIES: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF COMMUNICATIONS edited by William H. Dutton, et al. (Boston: G.K. Hall, 1987—$45.00, with a paperback also available)

TOMORROW'S TVs: A REVIEW OF NEW TV SET TECHNOLOGY, RELATED VIDEO EQUIPMENT AND POTENTIAL MARKET IMPACTS, 1987–1995 by Gary H. Arlen (National Association of Broadcasters, 1771 N. St NW, Washington, DC 20036—$49.95 but $24.95 to NAB and BEA members, paper)

THE VIDEOTEX AND TELETEXT HANDBOOK: HOME AND OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS USING MICROCOMPUTERS AND TERMINALS by Paul Hurly, et al . (New York: Harper & Row, 1985—$21.95, paper)

TELEGUIDE: A HANDBOOK ON VIDEO-TELECONFERENCING by Doug Widner (Public Service Satellite Consortium, 600 Maryland Ave. SW, Suite 220, Washington, DC 20024—$49.95, paper; half that to PSSC members)

COMPUTERS IN VIDEO PRODUCTION by Lon McQuillin (White Plains, NY: Knowledge Industry Publications, 1986—$39.95)     

The ACRL Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education: Implications for Health Sciences Librarianship

The Association of College and Research Libraries is developing a new framework of information literacy concepts that will revise and replace the previously adopted standards. This framework consists of six threshold concepts that are more flexible than the original standards, and that work to identify both the function and the feelings behind information literacy education practices. This column outlines the new tentative framework with an eye toward its implications for health sciences libraries, and suggests ways the medical library community might work with this new document.     

A Competency-Based Approach to Secondary Student Teaching in Physical Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a competency-based approach to secondary student teaching in physical education. Secondary physical education student teachers (N = 7) were observed along with one class of students from each teacher's assignment during baseline and intervention conditions. Seven categories of teacher behavior and two categories of student behavior were observed with an interobserver reliability of 94%. Behaviors were observed by event and placheck recording procedures and were converted to rates per minute and percentages. These rates per minute and percentages were analyzed by behavior profiles and a multiple baseline design. Teacher behaviors included positive reactions to on-task behavior, negative reactions to off-task behavior, positive instructional feedback both general and specific, corrective instructional feedback both general and specific, and pupil contacts using the pupil's first name. The student behaviors included appropriate/inappropriate behavior and active/inactive behavior. Intervention consisted of a competency-based learning module, instructions, graphic feedback, cuing, reinforcement, weekly goals, and terminal goals. The module contained specific definitions of the behaviors, examples of when to emit the behaviors, baseline means for the behaviors, and a final, terminal goal for each behavior. Results indicated that the intervention strategy appeared to have a large positive effect on the following teacher behaviors: positive general feedback, positive specific feedback, specific corrective feedback, and the use of pupil's first names. Smaller increases occurred in the categories of positive reactions to on-task pupil behavior and general corrective feedback. A small decrease occurred in the negative reactions to off-task pupil behavior. Both categories of pupil behavior showed a small increase in the desired direction. Based on these results and the limits of the study, the data-based observation system combined with the competency-based format appeared to exert a measure of accountable control over the behavior of seven teachers and the behavior of their classes.     

Social Networking as an Admission Tool: A Case Study in Success

The concept of social networking, the focus of this article, targets the development of online communities in higher education, and in particular, as part of the admission process. A successful case study of a university is presented on how one university has used this tool to compete for students. A discussion including suggestions on how to enhance the success of this tool in your recruitment process is also provided.     

Pedagogical influence of interaction with cooperating teachers on the efficacy beliefs of student teachers

Abstract

Cooperating teachers are often identified as some of the most important figures in the preparation of new teachers, and the reasons are not difficult to understand. Surprisingly, however, very little research has been conducted to quantify the effects of cooperating teachers on student teachers. This study examines the impact of student teachers' perceived interactions with their cooperating teachers and the influence that interaction has on student teachers' self‐efficacy for teaching. Results indicate a moderate correlation between perceptions of teaching efficacy and cooperating teacher‐student teacher interactions. Differences were found in the frequency of interaction based on the certification level of the student teacher, with elementary level student teachers perceiving a greater amount of interaction with their cooperating teachers. However, no differences based on certification level were detected in perceived efficacy. Student teachers' perceptions of the level of guidance offered by their cooperating teachers provided the most reliable predictor for their efficacy belief.     

Beyond Exposure to Collaboration: Preparing General-Education Teacher Candidates for Inclusive Practice

Preparation of new teachers to work effectively in inclusion settings has not kept pace with demands created by recent reforms. General-education candidates typically receive limited exposure to inclusion strategies at the preservice level, and often their only meaningful preparation comes in the practicum setting. The purpose of this article was to examine the manner in which characteristics of cooperating teachers and the practicum settings affected efficacy for teaching students with disabilities. General-education student teachers responded to questionnaires about their collaboration with cooperating teachers, the focus on inclusion instruction in their practicum setting, and their efficacy for providing inclusion instruction. Results from a structural equation model indicated that efficacy is predicted both by focus and by collaboration with the cooperating teacher. Discussion focuses on implications for teacher preparation and directions for future research.     

An examination of the jump-and-lift factors influencing the time to reach peak catch height during a Rugby Union lineout

The goal of an offensive Rugby Union lineout is to throw the ball in a manner that allows your team to maintain possession. Typically, the player catching the ball jumps and is lifted upwards by two teammates, reaching above the opposing player who is competing for the ball also. Despite various beliefs regarding the importance of the jumper’s mass and attempted jump height, and lifters’ magnitude and point of force application, there is negligible published data on the topic. The squeeze technique is one lifting method commonly employed by New Zealand teams during lineout plays, whereby the jumper initiates the jump quickly and the lifters provide assistance only once the jumper reaches 20–30 cm. While this strategy may reduce cues to the opposition, it might also constrain the jumper and lifters. We developed a model to explore how changes in the jumper’s body mass and attempted jump height, and lifters’ magnitude and point of force application influence the time to reach peak catch height. The magnitude of the lift force impacted the time-to-reach peak catch height the most; followed by the jumper’s (attempted) jump height and body mass; and lastly, the point of lift force application.     

Kirkpatrick plus: Evaluation and continuous improvement with a community focus

For almost 40 years, Donald Kirkpatrick's framework for evaluation has been used as a basic model for the identification and targeting of training-specific interventions in business, government, military, and industry alike. By approaching evaluation from four different perspectives—reaction, learning, behavior, and results—the model has provided a solid basis for the examination of training's impact on the organization. Despite the current practice of measuring one's success according to the success of one's clients, proposed changes in the model have not been frequently adopted. It is therefore likely time for professionals to reevaluate the utility and responsiveness of the Kirk-patrick framework to meet the value-added requirements of today's organizations. This article identifies tools and concepts for being responsive to the new organizational realities not originally addressed by the Kirkpatrick model.