Agreement among four models used for diagnosing learning disabilities

We compared the level of agreement among four models used to diagnose learning disabilities (LD), including the simple discrepancy, intraindividual, intellectual ability-achievement, and underachievement models. The sample included 170 clinic-referred university students. The simple discrepancy model diagnosed significantly more students with LD than the other three models. The highest degree of agreement occurred between the intraindividual and intellectual ability-achievement models (70%); the lowest level of agreement occurred between the simple discrepancy and underachievement models (48%). Finally, only two of the six comparisons among the four models demonstrated significant correlations. We conclude that even when discrepancy models diagnose similar numbers of students with LD, the same students are not diagnosed across different models.     

Concurrent schedule responding as a function of body weight

Five pigeons pecked for food reinforcement on several concurrent schedules. Their body weights were varied from 80% to 110% of their free-feeding weights. A number of predictions of the equations proposed by Herrnstein (1970) were tested. As predicted, the relative rate of responding equalled the relative rate of reinforcement for all subjects, on all schedules, at all body weights. And, as predicted, the overall rates of responding on the components of a concurrent schedule were slower than the local rates of responding on the components of an identical multiple schedule. Contrary to prediction, the total rate of responding generated by the concurrent schedules did not increase with increases in the total rate of reinforcement they provided. And, contrary to prediction, the k parameter did not remain constant, and the R₀ parameter did not increase with increases in body weight. It was concluded that Herrnstein’s matching law and his interpretation of the m parameter are correct but that the interpretations of k and R₀ require further investigation.     

S + T + M = E as a Convergent Model for the Nature of STEM

Science & Education - The paper provides a theoretical synthesis that addresses the multiple calls to consider the existence of an integrated nature of STEM (science, technology, engineering,...     

Collaborative research in contexts of inequality: the role of social reflexivity

This article reports on the role and value of social reflexivity in collaborative research in contexts of extreme inequality. Social reflexivity mediates the enablements and constraints generated by the internal and external contextual conditions impinging on the research collaboration. It fosters the ability of participants in a collaborative project to align their interests and collectively extend their agency towards a common purpose. It influences the productivity and quality of learning outcomes of the research collaboration. The article is written by fourteen members of a larger research team, which comprised 18 individuals working within the academic development environment in eight South African universities. The overarching research project investigated the participation of academics in professional development activities, and how contextual, i.e. structural and cultural, and agential conditions, influence this participation. For this sub-study on the experience of the collaboration by fourteen of the researchers, we wrote reflective pieces on our own experience of participating in the project towards the end of the third year of its duration. We discuss the structural and cultural conditions external to and internal to the project, and how the social reflexivity of the participants mediated these conditions. We conclude with the observation that policy injunctions and support from funding agencies for collaborative research, as well as support from participants’ home institutions are necessary for the flourishing of collaborative research, but that the commitment by individual participants to participate, learn and share, is also necessary.     

Mothers,learners and countermemory

This article explores how issues of learning and mothering emerged in research with women students. First it develops the notion of ‘a motherhood standpoint’. It then considers how Foucault's concept of ‘counter‐memory’, and, in particular, its reworking in feminist cultural theory as ‘countermemory’, can be used to explain why students persistently called up the mother when talking about themselves as learners, revealing this as both a political and psychic process. The mother can be seen as a double figure who represents both knowledge and its limits. The following analysis of student accounts demonstrates the tension between retelling their mother's memories, to bear witness to the educational injustice meted out to women, and their own memories of mothers, whom they are trying to escape to make an independent claim of knowledge.     

牛仔裤风靡美国和全世界

本文讲述的是美国的一个现已遍及世界大部分地区的坚实象征。这一象征不是美元,甚至也不是可口可乐。它只是一条叫做蓝布牛仔裤的普普通通的裤子,这种裤子所象征的是亚历克西·德托克维尔所谓的“对平等的勇敢而正当的渴望……”不论是官员还是牛仔,银行家还是赖账者,时装设计师还是酒鬼,都同样喜欢它。它对任何人都一视同仁,不分阶级;凡是美国人都可以穿。然而它几乎在世界各地都备受青睐,包括俄罗斯,那儿的当局最近破获了一个在黑市上以每条200美元的价格倒卖牛仔裤的青少年团伙。牛仔裤已经流行了很长时间,看来生命力甚至会比领带还旺盛…     

Parent-child interaction and conduct disorder

This paper reviews recent research on the role of parent-child interaction in the etiology of children's conduct disorder. It examines the role of social and family factors in conduct disorder and the possible mechanisms by which these contextual factors might affect parent-child interaction and child problem behavior. A major focus is on research that has compared the patterns of interaction in families with and without conduct-disordered children, using observational methods, in order to test different theoretical explanations about how conduct disorder develops and is maintained. Further research is needed on the neglected area of positive parent-child interaction, which may be just as important as conflictual processes in determining the development of conduct disorder. Theoretical and methodological issues are raised about the problems of determining causality from correlational research, and the possibilities for naturalistic experimental studies are discussed.     

Modern Language Teaching in Australian Universities

This paper reports the attitudes of academics teaching languages other than English in Australian universities. The data are derived from a national survey in 1984 which asked a range of questions ranging from background details on students, characteristics of course structures, methods of teaching, and perceptions of the attitudes of students to numerous issues relevant to the teaching of languages. The responses of these language teachers are analysed with respect to theories of language teaching. The matters of major concern to language teachers highlighted by the study are shown to be relevant to current debate about the future of modern, especially Asian, language teaching.     

Connecting education and practice in an instructional design graduate program

This paper reports on a curriculum project in which principles of instructional design are integrated with real-world experiences in a corporate environment. Working in design teams, graduate students served as instructional developers in a corporate environment. The course instructor acted as project leader. Initially, both the client organization and design teams expressed confusion concerning their roles in relation to the course instructor. Design teams initially used technical language not readily understood by the client. The lack of guidance in instructional models on the development of appropriate instructional strategies was noted by all teams. Design teams concluded that knowledge of instructional design principles is a necessary but not sufficient preparation for professional activity as instructional developers. By the end of the three-month project, both the client organization and the design teams expressed strong satisfaction with the process and the outcome.     

Setting Common Examination Papers that Differentiate

Many GCSE syllabuses are examined with examinations in which all candidates take the same papers. The setting of such papers is problematic because of the wide range of abilities and achievements of pupils at the age of 16, together with the requirement that appropriate differentiation should be provided (i.e. opportunities for candidates to show what they know, understand and can do must be given). This paper considers a number of issues relevant to the setting of such examinations. These include how differentiation may be provided; the wording of questions; and how marks should be allocated. It highlights a number of potential pitfalls and concludes that although papers, which are accessible to all candidates and discriminate appropriately, can be set, common papers will not always provide adequate opportunities for the most able and least able candidates to show what they know, understand and can do.