'A democracy tempered by the rate of exchange': Audit culture and the sell-out of progressive writing curriculum

In this article, the authors draw on the concept of 'audit culture' to examine the political and professional implications for teachers emerging from contemporary, commercially distributed, writing programmes. They argue that, in adapting what began as a progressive understanding of children's writing and teacher professionalism for commercial distribution, fundamental values and concerns have been lost. Drawing on the work of James Britton, the authors assert that the market ideologies of audit culture have turned the idea of teacher professionalism on its head, naming the professional not as the teacher who continually develops her/his expertise through intellectual inquiry into the lives, strengths and needs of the children in the classroom but, rather, as the teacher who submits her/himself to constant measures of fidelity to a particlar programme, and to documentation of practices, supervision and correction. The authors argue for a return to the values of Jimmy Britton: commitment to the promotion of play, social engagmentment, freedom of thought and intellectual and emotional experimentation.     

Investigating the Cognitive complerrity of Science Assessments

How can knowledge of the development of expertise in a subject area inform the development of assessments in that area? How can one examine the relationship between what is anticipated from a performance assessment and what is actually seen?     

The Role of Sports as a Social Status Determinant for Children

Abstract

This study was designed to examine children's attitudes toward the role of sports in determining social status, as well as the activities in which children prefer to participate. A total of 227 boys and 251 girls in Grades 4, 5, and 6 completed a questionnaire to determine which criteria were most important in determining personal, female, and male popularity. Personal popularity was answered by the girls and boys according to “what would make you well liked by your classmates. “Female and male popularity was determined by asking both girls and boys to decide “what would make (girls, for female subjects, and boys, for male subjects) well liked by your classmates. “A comparison of results from the Buchanan, Blankenbaker, and Cotten (1976) investigation and the present study indicated that, in the last 15 years, appearance has become more important and academic achievement less important in determining personal popularity for girls. For boys, the comparison revealed that sports have become more important and academic achievement less important in determining personal popularity. Boys reported sports to be the most important determinant of personal and male popularity and appearance as the most important determinant of female popularity. Sports and appearance became more important for boys with each higher grade level Girls reported appearance to be the most important determinant of personal, male, and female popularity. For girls, appearance became more important with each higher grade level A comparison of results from the Buchanan et al. (1976) and the present study indicated that the activities in which girls and boys preferred to participate have changed. The importance of “making good grades” has decreased and the importance of “being popular” has increased.     

The benefits and limitations of using ultrasonography to supplement anatomical understanding

Anatomical understanding is critical to medical education. With reduced teaching time and limited cadaver availability, it is important to investigate how best to utilize in vivo imaging to supplement anatomical understanding and better prepare medical graduates for the proliferation of point‐of‐care imaging in the future. To investigate whether using short sessions of in vivo imaging using ultrasonography could benefit students' anatomical knowledge and clinical application, we conducted a 2‐hour session on abdominal anatomy using ultrasonography in small groups of five to six students, for both first‐ and second‐year student cohorts. Individual feedback was collected to assess student perceptions. To measure retention and understanding, a short examination containing ultrasound images and questions and performance of a clinical skill (gastrointestinal' tract examination) were assessed. Ultrasonography sessions were highly valued by the students, with 90% of the students reporting their understanding was improved, and over 70% reporting increased confidence in their anatomical knowledge. However, the assessments showed no appreciable impact on skills or understanding related to abdominal anatomy and examination. We conclude that the risk associated with limited exposure increasing confidence without increasing skills remains real and that in vivo imaging is not effective when used as a short adjunct teaching tool. The widespread use of ultrasonography means finding the best way to incorporate ultrasound into medical education remains important. To this end, we are currently implementing an extended program including echocardiography and multiple anatomical sessions that will determine if frequency and repetition of use can positively impact on student performance and understanding. Anat Sci Educ. © 2013 American Association of Anatomists.     

The interactive effects of touch and touch avoidance on interpersonal evaluations

The importance and complexity of tactile communication in a variety of interpersonal contexts is underscored in the nonverbal communication literature. However, whether touch produces positive or negative effects on interpersonal relationships may depend upon the coactants’ levels of touch avoidance. The present experimental study examined the interactive effects of touch and touch avoidance on interpersonal attraction and perceived homophily. The results of a MANOVA and follow‐up univariate tests demonstrated that interpersonal attraction and perceived homophily are dependent, in part, on the receiver's level of touch avoidance. Touch avoiders rated confederates who touched them lower in attraction and homophily than did touch approachers who were touched. A gender of confederate effect was also observed. These findings are consistent with the extant literature.     

Enclothed cognition: putting lab coats to the test

ABSTRACT

Although there has been some success with programmes that aim to increase STEM involvement by women and underserved minorities, science educators continue to seek ways to promote students’ interest in STEM. This study builds on social cognitive career theory (SCCT) and the theory of enclothed cognition to assess the impact of wearing lab coats on 5th-grade students. Students were assigned to a treatment group (that wore lab coats, n = 106) or a control group (that did not wear lab coats, n = 110) for 10 science classes taught by their classroom science teacher. Students were assessed pre and post to the intervention with a survey designed to measure science interest, recognition from others as a science person, science self-efficacy, and STEM career goals. Results showed students’ interest in science was not significantly changed due to wearing the lab coat, but the lab coats did have significant effects on students’ perceived recognition by others as being a science learner. Furthermore, those treatment students with low self-efficacy (compared to those with high self-efficacy) and those with who did not report having access to a parent with a STEM career had significant increases in perceptions of self-efficacy in science.     

Students as Virtual Scientists: An exploration of students' and teachers' perceived realness of a remote electron microscopy investigation

Remote access technologies enable students to investigate science by utilizing scientific tools and communicating in real-time with scientists and researchers with only a computer and an Internet connection. Very little is known about student perceptions of how real remote investigations are and how immersed the students are in the experience. This study, conducted with high school students and their teachers, explored the impact of students' perception of ownership and virtual presence during a remote investigation using a scanning electron microscope. Students were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: students able to select their own insect to use during the remote investigation, and students that did not select their own insects to view during the remote investigation. The results of this study showed that students in the experimental group who had choice and ownership of their insect reported being more present (less distracted) during the remote investigation than students in the control group, whereas students in the control group reported controlling the technology was easier than the experimental group. Students indicated the remote investigation was very real; however, the teachers of these students were less likely to describe the investigation as being real. The results of this study have practical implications for designing remote learning environments.     

Nanotechnology and Nanoscale Science: Educational challenges

Nanotechnology has been touted as the next ‘industrial revolution’ of our modern age. In order for successful research, development, and social discourses to take place in this field, education research is needed to inform the development of standards, course development, and workforce preparation. In addition, there is a growing need to educate citizens and students about risks, benefits, and social and ethical issues related to nanotechnology. This position paper describes the advancements that have been made in nanoscale science and nanotechnology, and the challenges that exist to educate students and the public about critical nanoscience concepts. This paper reviews the current research on nanotechnology education including curricula, educational programs, informal education, and teacher education. Furthermore, the unique risks, benefits and ethics of these unusual technological applications are described in relation to nanoeducation goals. Finally, we outline needed future research in the areas of nanoscience content, standards and curricula, nanoscience pedagogy, teacher education, and the risks, benefits, and social and ethical dimensions for education in this emerging field.