Bidimensional sorting in preschoolers with an instrumental learning task

74 lower- and middle-class children aged 2 1/2, 3 1/2, and 4 1/2 years who were successful at unidimensional sorting of 2 objects by either color or form were given feedback for correct bidimensional sorting of 3 objects, 2 of which had been used in unidimensional testing. Four of the 10 2 1/2-year-olds and 58 of the 64 3 1/2- and 4 1/2-year-olds reached criterion on the bidimensional sorting task. Neither social class nor performance on a verbal comprehension test (the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test) was significantly correlated with success on either unidimensional or bidimensional sorting, although social class and test scores were significantly correlated. The results indicate that Piagetian centration (i.e., the inability to transcend unidimensional attention) is a task- or situation-specific phenomenon, and biodimensional responding is the rule rather than the exception for 3 1/2- and 4 1/2-year-olds in an instrumental situation involving a limited number of stimuli.     

Measuring the benefits of a psychology placement year

Placement programmes are considered to provide students with an induction into the work environment and a valuable learning experience. Aston University maintains one of the highest success rates of any UK university for graduate employment and it is thought that the placement year plays a large role in this success. However, the benefits of placements in theoretical subjects like Psychology are often less obvious than those for practical subjects like Optometry or Engineering. Here we compared Psychology students on the 3‐year vs. the 4‐year sandwich course on a number of attributes using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Final year students who had taken a placement year achieved significantly higher marks in their final year (F_1,407 = 31.52, p<0.001) and were rated more favourably by academic staff on a measure of transferable skills (F_1,43 = 11.08, p<0.005). In addition, post‐graduation, students who had taken a placement year reported a better idea of their career direction and could be argued to be further on in terms of their career progression and pay levels. Qualitatively, focus groups of placement and non‐placement students suggested a number of benefits of taking a placement year, including better time management, confidence and responsibility. Whether the benefits of a sandwich placement in a psychology degree outweigh the costs to students and their families, and the need for further research to identify the scope and longevity of possible early career benefits are discussed.     

Screening Higher‐Education Students for English Language Problems: Development of the Australian Tertiary‐English Screening Test

The number of NESB students in higher education has increased in recent years. Among the cultural factors that adversely affect the studies of some of these students are difficulties associated with the English language. Students with language related problems need to be identified early so that they can be encouraged to participate in the available support programs. A 20 item screening test (AUSTEST), quickly administered to large groups, has been developed on medical students at the University of Sydney. The test has evolved through a program of screen testing 1146 first‐year students (40% NESB) over the course of 5 years. The final cross‐validation study of a three‐phase process of test development with 81 students produced a correlation of 0.86 with a well established but more expensive individually administered English‐language proficiency battery, correctly identified 31 of the 33 students who were below the general population average, and correlated 0.43 with aggregated final marks in first‐year medicine. Although developed on medical students, the AUSTEST may be of more general use to other faculties who enrol significant numbers of able NESB students.     

Classroom behaviour management strategies in response to problematic behaviours of primary school children with special educational needs: views of special educational needs coordinators

Children identified with special educational needs (SEN) and behavioural difficulties present extra challenges to educators and require additional supports in school. This paper presents views from special educational needs coordinators (SENCos) on various strategies used by educators to support children identified with SEN and problematic behaviours. The data were collected from telephone interviews with six SENCos from the UK’s South West Peninsula. The SENCos were invited to participate because their school was participating in a cluster-randomised trial of a teacher classroom management course (Incredible Years). Using thematic analysis to analyse the data, this paper illustrates strategies deemed by SENCos to be successful in the support of children identified with SEN. The management strategies generated by participating SENCos were then mapped onto those taught as part of the classroom management course for comparison. Findings indicate that strategies from the training programme appear to be appropriate for children identified with both SEN and behavioural difficulties.     

The use of source-related strategies in evaluating multiple psychology texts: a student–scientist comparison

Multiple text comprehension can greatly benefit from paying attention to sources and from using this information for evaluating text information. Previous research based on texts from the domain of history suggests that source-related strategies are acquired as part of the discipline expertise as opposed to the spontaneous use of these strategies by students just entering a field. In the present study, we compared the performance of students and scientists in the domain of psychology with regard to (a) their knowledge of publication types, (b) relevant source characteristics, (c) their use of sources for evaluating the credibility of multiple texts, and (d) their ability to judge the plausibility of argumentative statements in psychological texts. Participants worked on a battery of newly developed computerised tests with a think-aloud instruction to uncover strategies that scientists and students used when reading a text. Results showed that scientists scored higher in all of the assessed abilities and that these abilities were positively correlated with each other. Importantly, the superior performance of scientists in evaluating the credibility of multiple texts was mediated by their use of source information. Implications are discussed in terms of discipline expertise.     

Anxiolytic-like effect of ejaculation upon frustration

In three experiments, we studied the consequences of ejaculation upon the frustrative or contrast response of male rats exposed to reward downshift situations (i.e., surprising changes from 32% to 4% sucrose solutions). Similar to what has been found after treatment with anxiolytic agents, consummatory suppression was partially reversed by previous ejaculations in a second postshift trial (Experiments 2 and 3), such a result not having been obtained in a first postshift trial (Experiment 1). Moreover, the effect of ejaculations upon males' behavior during a second postshift trial was transitory, disappearing when assessed during the third and fourth postshift trials (Experiment 3). These results are in accordance with both Amsel's (1958, 1992) frustration theory and Flaherty's (1996) multistage hypothesis of successive negative contrast; the diverse factors that are known to modulate contrast effects are considered, including an interpretation of the present data in terms of the anxiolytic-like effect of the ejaculation.     

Perceptions of Video Scenarios to Learn Human Pathophysiology Among Undergraduate Science Students

Pathophysiology describes and explains the physiological dysfunctions that occur in human diseases. Pathophysiology is content heavy, often leading to medical/biomedical science students adopting a surface approach to learning. To encourage more engagement, we developed clinical simulation practical classes using manikin patients. Students considered these were more effective than paper-based case studies. However, they found the first encounter with the manikins daunting. In addition, they did not have a strong sense of responsibility towards the outcome of their treatment choices largely because they recognized this as a simulated experience. Video is a powerful teaching tool to demonstrate situations that are difficult to explain in words, to see theory applied to practice or create enthusiasm and confidence in the viewer regarding the use of new practices. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of exposure to a video scenario, in which a high-fidelity manikin was used as the ‘patient’, before the students’ own interactions with the manikin in later classes. Survey results suggested that the students felt more engaged with the case study. They felt the video helped them appreciate aspects of clinical communication and prepare for their time in the simulation laboratory interacting with the manikin. They saw the video as a useful addition to the written case study notes. Their criticisms were mainly around the production quality. This study supports the use of video scenarios as a valuable adjunct to the teaching of pathophysiology to medical/biomedical science students when using either paper- or simulation-based case studies.

     

Simulation research and design: a dual-level framework for multi-project research programs

Collaborations between researchers and practitioners have recently become increasingly popular in education, and educational design research (EDR) may benefit greatly from investigating such partnerships. One important domain in which EDR on collaborations between researchers and practitioners can be applied is research on simulation-based learning. However, frameworks describing both research and design processes in research programs on simulation-based learning are currently lacking. The framework proposed in this paper addresses this research gap. It is derived from theory and delineates levels, phases, activities, roles, and products of research programs to develop simulations as complex scientific artifacts for research purposes. This dual-level framework applies to research programs with a research committee and multiple subordinate research projects. The proposed framework is illustrated by examples from the actual research and design process of an interdisciplinary research program investigating the facilitation of diagnostic competences through instructional support in simulations. On a theoretical level, the framework contributes primarily to the literature of EDR by offering a unique dual-level perspective. Moreover, on a practical level, the framework may help by providing recommendations to guide the research and design process in research programs.

     

Providing psychological intervention following traumatic events: understanding and managing psychologists’ own stress reactions

The role of the educational psychology service in crisis support is well established. This paper examines a key aspect of this role, the impact on psychologists themselves, and reviews literature on secondary stress, considering the term “stress” itself as part of the discussion. It examines recommendations for professional practice and self care in disasters and considers a model that could be used to inform supervision and professional practice.