Development of a user-friendly instrument for identifying the learning strategy preferences of adults

Learning strategies offer a means of addressing individual differences. A programmatic line of inquiry at two universities in the United States has led to an extensive body of research related to learning strategies and to the development of two instruments. This study reports on the development of one of these instruments that can be used to quickly identify learning strategy preferences. Although this instrument, Assessing The Learning Strategies of AdultS (ATLAS), appears very simple and is easy to use, a series of multivariate statistical procedures were used to develop and validate it. These procedures are reported here in detail so that practitioners can be aware of its strong research base and use it with confidence. ATLAS can be used either for self-assessment or by an instructor in order to quickly identify how an individual learner approaches a learning task.     

The Social effects of the Australian Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS)

Australia’s Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) is an income contingent loan scheme, in which university students pay back part of the costs of their tuition after their post-university income reaches a certain threshold, is an important policy innovation for the financing of higher education. However, its critics claim that HECS increases socioeconomic inequalities in higher education and the HECS debt reduces the ability of young people to make the transitions to adulthood. This paper investigates these claims. There is no evidence that socioeconomic inequalities in higher education in Australia increased after the implementation of HECS in 1989 or the 1997 reforms. The magnitude of the HECS debt was found to have a negative impact on the transition to parenthood, but had no negative impacts on other transitions to adulthood: leaving the parental home, marriage and home ownership. Its effects on parenthood were moderate compared to other influences, such as full-time work in the previous year, marriage and being in a de facto relationship. Furthermore, only a small proportion of young people who attended university have large enough HECS debts for it to affect their fertility decisions.

Assessing effectiveness and efficiency of academic interventions in school psychology journals: 1995–2005

This article reviews research in the four major school psychology journals: Journal of School Psychology, Psychology in the Schools, School Psychology Quarterly, and School Psychology Review. The function of the review was to provide school psychologists with a summary of academic interventions published through years 1995–2005, synthesize the commonalities of empirically based interventions, and report on the extent to which each article provides the reader the opportunity to understand the effects of the intervention with regard to the amount of instructional time required to implement it. Results of the review suggest that reading is most heavily investigated followed by math and, to a much lesser degree, written expression. Moreover, studies use a variety of designs including single subject and group designs. Finally, it is clear that a limited number of studies evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention with regard to the amount of instructional time needed to implement the intervention. In light of these findings and in addition to the two major functions of the review, recommendations for practice and future research are presented. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effect of Selected Motive-Incentive Conditions upon Development of Strength through an Isometric Training Program

Abstract

This study was made to determine the influence of five selected motive-incentive conditions upon the effectiveness of a 6-week isometric training program for the development of strength in the elbow flexor muscle group. Data were obtained from an initial test, from each training session, and from a final test. The mean gains in best strength scores from the initial to the final test were statistically significant (p = .05) for all five motive-incentive groups. No significant differences (p = .05) were found between the mean of the scores for the five motive inventive groups obtained during the first training session, during the last training session, from the final test, and from the cumulative scores for the 12 training sessions.     

Historical Analysis of Participation in 161 km Ultramarathons in North America

Participation trends in 100 m (161 km) ultramarathon running competitions in North America were examined from race results from 1977 through 2008. A total of 32, 352 finishes accounted for by 9815 unique individuals were identified. The annual number of races and number of finishes increased exponentially over the study period. This growth in number of finishes occurred through a combination of (1) an increase in participation among runners ≥40 years of age from less than 40% of the finishes prior to the mid-1980s to 65–70% of the finishes since 1996, (2) a growth (p < 0.0001) in participation among women from virtually none in the late 1970s to nearly 20% since 2004, and (3) an increase in the average annual number of races completed by each individual to 1.3. While there has been considerable growth in participation, the 161 km ultramarathon continues to attract a relatively small number of participants compared with running races of shorter distances.     

Responses to Forces Influencing Cohesion As a Function of Player Status and Level of Male Varsity Basketball Competition

Abstract

This exploratory study determined if the responses of male varsity basketball players to six factors influencing cohesion were a function of level of competitive intensity and/or the importance of the players to their team. Players on intact teams from five levels of competition – elementary school, junior high school, senior high school, small college and large college–responded to a cohesion questionnaire at the end of the season. Coaches designated five players with the most game playing time as “starters” and five players with the least game playing time as “reserves.” A team factor score for Team Performance Satisfaction, Self Performance Satisfaction, Task Cohesion, Affiliation Cohesion, Desire for Recognition and Value of Membership was calculated. Each team factor score served as the dependent variable in a 2 (player status) × 5 (level of competition) analysis ofcovariance design, with teams nested in the second factor. The won-loss record served as the covariate. Results indicated that “starters” were more satisfied with their own performance, were more task conscious, had a greater affiliation desire, and valued their membership on the team to a greater degree than the “reserves.” The elementary and junior high school team members were significantly more satisfied with the team's performance, were more satisfied with their own self performance, were more affiliation conscious, and valued their team membership to a greater degree than did college team members. The interaction between player status and level of competition was not significant for any of the factor scores.     

Fractionated Reaction Time Responses to Auditory and Electrocutaneous Stimuli

Abstract

It is well documented that simple reaction time (RT) varies inversely with stimulus intensity, but there is disagreement as to which stimulus modality produces the fastest simple RT. An investigation was conducted to equate two stimulus modalities, auditory (A) and electrocutaneous (EC), using varying stimulus intensities in a simple RT protocol. A second investigation was then conducted to examine neuromotor characteristics of stimulus-evoked responses using previously equated A and EC stimuli of varying intensity from the first investigation. Results showed that RT, premotor time (PMT), and motor time (MT) were all inversely related to stimulus intensity, while maximum displacement (MAXD) was directly related to stimulus intensity, and movement time was not affected by stimulus intensity. We conclude that: (a) both central and peripheral components of RT are altered by varying stimulus intensities, and (b) rapid movements are enhanced by increasing stimulus intensity.     

Book Reviews

Abstract

Carter, J. E. Lindsay, and Heath, Barbara Honeyman. Somatotyping: Development and Applications. (Cambridge Studies in Biological Anthropology, 5). Cambridge: Cambridge Univenity Press, 1990. pp. xiv, 503. Reviewed by Gaston Beunen, Study Centre for Physical Development Research, Institute of Physical Education, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

Clark, Jane E., &; Humphrey, J. H. (Eds.). Advances in Motor Development Research (Vol. 3). New York: AMS Press, 1990. pp. xi, 259. Index, references. Reviewed by Mary Ann Roberton, Bowling Green State University

Kyle, Donald G., and Stark, Gary D. (Ed.), Essays on sport History and sport Mythology. College Station, TX: Texas A&;M University Press, for the University of Texas at Arlington. pp. vi, 154. Reviewed by Synthia S. Slowikowski, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

MacDougall, J. D., Wenger, H. A., &; Green, H. J. (Eds.). Physiologiml Testing ofthe High Peifonnance Athlete. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1991. Pp, vii, 424. Tables, figures, photos, references. Reviewed by Paul Vaccaro, University of Maryland

Malina, Robert M., and Bouchard, C. Growth, Maturation, and Physical Activity. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetia, 1991, pp. 501. Index. Reviewed by Kathleen Haywood, University of Missouri–St. Louis

Metzler, M. Instructional Supervision for Physical Education. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1990. pp. vii, 248. References, index. Reviewed by Paul Paese, Southwest Texas State University

Parkhouse, Bonnie L, (Ed.). The Management of Sport: Its Foundation and Application. St. Louis: Mosby–Year Book, 1991, Pp. xviii, 404. Reviewed by Kathleen Davis, Northeastern University

Thomas, Jerry R., and Nelson, Jack K. Researda Methods in Physical Activity (2nd ed.), Champaign, Il.: Human Kinetics. 1990. 568 pp. Appendixes. Reviewed by Susan J. Hall, California State University, Northridge

Wells, Christine L. Women, sport, and Performance: A Physiological Perspective (2nd ed.) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. 1991, 367 pp. Reviewed by Ann Ward, University of Massachusetts Medical Center     

Do instant messaging interruptions help or hinder knowledge workers’ task performance?

The modern workplace environment is filled with interruptions due to the necessity of coworkers to communicate with each other. Studies have revealed that interruptions can impact task performance (TP). Communication interruptions are due, in part, to the unavoidable side-effect of using technology to facilitate these interactions. This experimental case study reports about an investigation we conducted on the role of instant messaging interruptions (IMI) and its implications on knowledge workers’ TP in a workplace environment. We have gathered data from knowledge workers engaged in an e-learning activity. The case study included a total of 60 experimental observations and analysis of the 120 records revealed that the time to complete a task (TPtct) for certain types of tasks, was significantly affected by IMI. This case study addressed gaps in IM interruption research and practical knowledge about the role of instant messages in the organization. Previous research has been conducted in a laboratory environment with interruptions generated by means other than actual IM. This case study used IMI with participants working in their normal workplace. Findings were used to provide a set of lessons learned recommendations for managers when it comes to the use of IM in the workplace.