Work-based Learning in an Offshore Environment

This paper describes the pilot stage of a work-based learning project. The partners were the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Shell Expro UK and seven Shell technicians who are also part-time students on the Robert Gordon University HND/BSc in Mechanical Engineering. The part-time course follows a day release format but the technicians are employed on a rota of 2 weeks offshore followed by 3 weeks onshore. It was recognized that their work was highly technical and that they had considerable responsibility. Shell have a formal competence assessment scheme and the project team compared this with the learning outcomes of the course. Areas of commonality in four subjects were identified as satisfying certain outcomes although in all cases some secondary evidence of understanding was required in addition to the competencies. A major problem is the inaccessibility of the workplace. Assessment was conducted by rig supervisors and two academics paid a quality assurance visit to a platform. All of the partners have found benefits from the programme although academics also reported an increased workload. It is planned to extend the scheme next year.     

C.H. Patterson: Reflections on Client-Centered Therapy

C.H. Patterson (Pat) has long been a prominent contributor to counseling and counselor education. His published works have been many and varied, including such books as Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy and Foundations for a Theory of Instruction and Educational Psychology. Though these efforts have proven of considerable value, Pat's presentation and interpretation of client-centered therapy has been of particular significance. In this article Pat is interviewed regarding his current views on the client-centered approach.     

Chilli anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum species

Anthracnose disease is one of the major economic constraints to chilli production worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Accurate taxonomic information is necessary for effective disease control management. In the Colletotrichum patho-system, different Colletotrichum species can be associated with anthracnose of the same host. Little information is known concerning the interactions of the species associated with the chilli anthracnose although several Colletotrichum species have been reported as causal agents of chilli anthracnose disease worldwide. The ambiguous taxonomic status of Colletotrichum species has resulted in inaccurate identification which may cause practical problems in plant breeding and disease management. Although the management and control of anthracnose disease are still being extensively researched, commercial eultivars of Capsicum annuum that are resistant to the pathogens that cause chilli anthracnose have not yet been developed. This paper reviews the causal agents of chilli anthracnose, the disease cycle, conventional methods in identification of the pathogen and molecular approaches that have been used for the identification of Colletotrichum species. Pathogenetic variation and population structure of the causal agents of chilli anthracnose along with the current taxonomic status of Colletotrichum species are discussed. Future developments leading to the disease management strategies are suggested.     

Three-dimensional kinematic comparison of treadmill and overground running

The treadmill is an attractive device for the investigation of human locomotion, yet the extent to which lower limb kinematics differ from overground running remains a controversial topic. This study aimed to provide an extensive three-dimensional kinematic comparison of the lower extremities during overground and treadmill running. Twelve participants ran at 4.0 m/s ( ± 5%) in both treadmill and overground conditions. Angular kinematic parameters of the lower extremities during the stance phase were collected at 250 Hz using an eight-camera motion analysis system. Hip, knee, and ankle joint kinematics were quantified in the sagittal, coronal, and transverse planes, and contrasted using paired t-tests. Of the analysed parameters hip flexion at footstrike and ankle excursion to peak angle were found to be significantly reduced during treadmill running by 12° (p = 0.001) and 6.6° (p = 0.010), respectively. Treadmill running was found to be associated with significantly greater peak ankle eversion (by 6.3°, p = 0.006). It was concluded that the mechanics of treadmill running cannot be generalized to overground running.     

DEMONSTRATING THE UTILITY OF THE STANDARDIZATION APPROACH TO ASSESSING UNEXPECTED DIFFERENTIAL ITEM PERFORMANCE ON THE SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST

The standardization method for assessing unexpected differential item performance or differential item functioning (DIF) is introduced. The principal findings of the first five studies that have used this approach on the Scholastic Aptitude Test are presented.     

Assuring the Quality of Engineering Education: issues of effectiveness and the ethos of excellence

This paper examines the possibility of applying industrial principles of quality assurance within the sphere of engineering education. In view of the impending ‘one market Europe’ and the envisaged transnational mobility of professionals, it is important for educators to demonstrate their commitment to quality. It is suggested that to teach about quality within engineering courses is insufficient: it is time to prove the benefits of these concepts through personal commitment and action. The industrial Quality Assurance model, ISO9000 is considered in the context of education and is proposed as a suitable vehicle for the implementation of the requisite attitudinal and cultural changes embodied in Total Quality Management. The possible conflict between the industrial view of quality as fitness for purpose and the educational ethos of striving for excellence is discussed. It is concluded that there is an urgent need for engineering educators to practise what they preach and move towards a customer centred, market driven education system dedicated to continuous self-improvement.