Predicting Web 2.0 use among US teens—Expanding the power of the skill,will and tool model

There is a need to understand antecedents to US teens’ use of information and communication technology (ICT). Research on the “digital divide” for access to ICT reports conflicting findings based on gender and demographic factors of parent income and education. This study expanded the “tool-will-skill” framework to examine how demographic factors, access to ICT tools, teen will factors and social networking skill explain variation in Internet use among US teens. The study analyzed national data from Pew Research Center’s survey of 1,060 US teens. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified six latent variables for teen will. A pre-diagram depicts a conceptual framework and causal assumption of relationships between demographic factors, tool factors (ie, Internet access, smartphone access and tablet access), will factors (from PCA) and skill factors (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter). Multiple linear path analysis was conducted, and results reported. Recommendations are suggested for instructional practice, educational policy and future research.     

Establishing a forget cue in pigeons using the intratrial interference procedure

Pigeons were trained in an intratrial interference preparation in which a horizontal or vertical line was presented for 1 sec immediately following termination of a sample (red or green). Two samples were presented successively on interference trials. Choice of the comparison corresponding to the second (target) sample was designated correct and was reinforced, and choice of the comparison corresponding to the first (interfering) sample was designated incorrect and was not reinforced. Control trials involved the presentation of a single, target sample. A horizontal line was presented upon termination of an interfering sample, and a vertical line was presented upon termination of a target sample. The results of three experiments led to the conclusion that the horizontal line acquired and capacity to reduce postperceptual processing (rehearsal) of information derived from an immediately preceding sample stimulus. These findings include (1) convergence of accuracy on control and interference trials as training progressed, (2) a reduction in accuracy on control and especially on interference trials when the correlation between sample type (interfering or target) and cue type (horizontal or vertical) was reduced to zero, (3) higher accuracy (i.e., less interference) when the horizontal rather than the vertical line followed the interfering sample, and (4) higher accuracy on single-sample trials when the vertical rather than the horizontal line followed sample presentation.     

Short-term retention in rats: The effect of goal-arm confinement on delayed alternation performance

Gordon and his associates (e.g., Gordon & Feldman, 1978,Learning and Motivation,9, 164–178; Feldman & Gordon, 1979,Learning and Motivation,10, 198–210; Gordon, Taylor, & Mower, 1981,American Journal of Psychology,94, 309–322) have reported that a reactivation treatment significantly enhances memory for prior forcings in delayed alternation using rats. The reactivation treatment consisted of placing the rat in the goal arm to which it had been forced previously on that trial. The confinement occurred in the absence of food and was 5 sec in duration. The present experiments explored the possibility that the treatment might influence performance by affording an opportunity for new information to be acquired during the confinement period. Evidence consistent with this view was found in that (1) accuracy was reduced on trials in which the initial event was a 5-sec confinement to the arm opposite that of the target forcing and (2) increasing the duration of the confinement from 5 to 15 to 45 sec increased the magnitude of this effect. It was concluded that the effectiveness of goal-arm confinement as a reactivation treatment does not necessarily implicate processes of retrieval in delayed alternation behavior.     

Demographic Predictors of Students’ Science Participation over the Age of 16: an Australian Case Study

Research in Science Education - Using the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) data, this paper aimed to examine if, and to what extent, demographic factors predict students’...     

Neurological models of cognitive processing

A framework is proposed from which to evaluate contemporary neurological models of cognitive processing. Selected models are classified as unidimensional, bidimensional, or tridimensional according to the neuraxes that they address. The empirical research that supports each model is considered in terms of anatomical, physiological, and behavioral levels of analysis. Applied implications of the models for learning and individual differences are identified as they relate to psychoeducational assessment and intervention. Finally, differences and similarities among the selected models are synthesized.     

A Framework for Graduated Teacher Autonomy: Linking Teacher Proficiency With Autonomy

Abstract

Teachers’ autonomy contributes to their development and retention decisions. While proficient teachers would benefit from more autonomy, developing teachers often require more structure and guidance. This article reviews the literature surrounding autonomy and proposes an argument for a Graduated Teacher Autonomy framework: a theoretical tool matching teacher proficiency to autonomy. This dynamic framework has the potential to support the needs of all teachers and could improve teacher satisfaction, retention, development, and administrator–teacher relations.     

Computer-based instruction for improving student nurses’ general numeracy: is it effective? Two randomised trials

In response to concern over the numeracy skills deficit displayed by student nurses, an online computer programme, “Authentic World®”, which aims to simulate a real-life clinical environment and improve the medication dosage calculation skills of users, was developed (Founded in 2004 Authentic World Ltd is a spin out company of Glarmorgan and Cardiff Universities, Cardiff, Wales UK.). Two randomised controlled trials were conducted, each at a UK University, in order to investigate the impact of Authentic World® on student nurses’ general numeracy abilities. All first year nursing students who gave consent were randomised equally into an intervention or control group. The intervention group were given access to Authentic World®. The primary outcome measure was the students’ scores on a general numeracy test. The Intention to Treat (ITT) analysis in both trials revealed a small negative effect of Authentic World® on general numeracy, which was statistically significant in one trial. However, compliance with the intervention was very low in both trials, with only 24 and 12% of students allocated to the intervention groups spending more than 15 minutes using the programme. Providing nursing students with access to Authentic World® is not an effective use of resources since use of the programme appears to be very low.