The Management of Quality Assurance: A Review of International Practice

Current and recent international practice in the management of quality assurance for higher education systems and institutions is reviewed. Particular attention is given to administrative agencies or units with responsibility for the management of quality assurance at both national and institutional levels; whether participation in reviews and other activities is optional or compulsory; the main methodologies employed; the focus of quality assurance activities; the purposes of such activities; and reporting and/or follow-up activities.     

Australian experience with co-ordinating agencies for tertiary education

This article reviews Australian experience since the late 1950s with UGC-type co-ordinating agencies for tertiary education. It focuses particularly on factors which have influenced the development and adaptation of co-ordinating agencies, the establishment and transformation over time of the Australian Universities Commission, and recent developments in co-ordinating mechanisms at both Commonwealth and state levels. An attempt is made to evaluate the suitability of current arrangements and to consider likely changes.     

Posttrial injections of strychnine sulfate: Facilitation of consolidation or retrieval?

The existing literature demonstrating that animals given strychnine sulfate shortly after training display enhanced retention 24 h later can be interpreted in terms of either consolidation or retrieval processes. A test between these two interpretations failed to support the consolidation interpretation, but did support the retrieval interpretation. It was concluded that (a) a retrieval model provides an adequate interpretation of the facilitation of retention resulting from posttrial injections of strychnine, and (b) an unambiguous demonstration that strychnine enhances processes of consolidation has yet to be offered.     

The relationship between selected physiological variables of rowers and rowing performance as determined by a 2000 m ergometer test

The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between selected physiological variables of rowers and rowing performance as determined by a 2000 m time-trial on a Concept II Model B rowing ergometer. The participants were 13 male club standard oarsmen. Their mean (+/- s) age, body mass and height were 19.9+/-0.6 years, 73.1+/-6.6 kg and 180.5+/-4.6 cm respectively. The participants were tested on the rowing ergometer to determine their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), rowing economy, predicted velocity at VO2max, velocity and VO2 at the lactate threshold, and their velocity and VO2 at a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x l(-1). Percent body fat was estimated using the skinfold method. The velocity for the 2000 m performance test and the predicted velocities at the lactate threshold, at a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x l(-1) and at VO2max were 4.7+/-0.2, 3.9+/-0.2, 4.2+/-0.2 and 4.6+/-0.2 m x s(-1) respectively. A repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that the three predicted velocities were all significantly different from each other (P<0.05). The VO2max and lean body mass showed the highest correlation with the velocity for the 2000 m time-trial (r = 0.85). A stepwise multiple regression showed that VO2max was the best single predictor of the velocity for the 2000 m time-trial; a model incorporating VO2max explained 72% of the variability in 2000 m rowing performance. Our results suggest that rowers should devote time to the improvement of VO2max and lean body mass.     

Early Childhood Teachers’ Psychological Well-Being: Exploring Potential Predictors of Depression,Stress, and Emotional Exhaustion

Research Findings: Early childhood teachers’ psychological well-being influences the nurturing and learning classroom climate in early care and education as well as children’s development. However, less is known about predictors of teachers’ psychological well-being in preschool. The purpose of this study was to explore associations between potential predictors of teachers’ psychological well-being—such as professional background, teaching efficacy, and work environment—and teachers’ self-perceived depression, stress, and emotional exhaustion after controlling for individual demographics. A total of 1,129 teachers serving preschool-age children (3- and 4-year-olds) in the United States participated in the study. Teachers responded to a questionnaire asking about their background, work environment, and social-emotional attributes. Multiple regression analysis revealed that levels of teachers’ self-efficacy and work environments are generally associated with their psychological well-being above and beyond their personal and professional backgrounds. Practice or Policy: The results of this study suggest that it is important to help teachers build teaching competence and efficacy and to prepare them to handle stressors from work environments in order to reduce their psychological burden. In addition, we suggest that positive work climates need to be created for teachers and children at the program level.     

加拿大瑞尔森大学创业教育生态系统的架构及路径

创业教育是增强创业活动的利器,构造创业教育生态环境是推动创业教育成功的关键.加拿大瑞尔森大学将其"通过实践学习知识"的办学理念充分体现在创业教育之中.该校设置了创业教育的五大架构,专业教师通过知识与创新,结合商业导师的投资与指导,嵌入创业教育的全过程.学校建立了面向各专业的"空间学习"平台,形成了"实践导向"的创业教育模式.本文从创业教育主体的切入方式、平台的持续孵化教育、创业教育与专业建设融合等方面,剖析了瑞尔森大学创业教育生态系统的实现路径,总结出瑞尔森大学创业教育成功的要素:整合多方资源、构造持续的创业教育生态环境、实现创业教育与专业教育的结合、促进创业教育与科学研究的互动.     

Reliability and agreement between DXA-derived body volumes and their usage in 4-compartment body composition models produced from DXA and BIA values

Two research groups recently produced equations for estimation of body volume from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. These body volume estimates can be used for body composition evaluation in modified 4-compartment models. In the present analysis, the reliability of body volume calculations, as well as their usage in 4-compartment models, was explored while employing precise scheduling of assessments and dietary standardization. Forty-eight recreationally active males and females completed two pairs of identical assessments, which included a DXA scan and single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Each assessment within a pair was separated by 24 hours, during which participants were provided a standardized diet. Body volume and 4-compartment equations were applied to the data, and metrics of reliability and agreement were calculated for body volume and 4-compartment components. While both body volume equations demonstrated excellent reliability individually, substantial disagreement between equations was present when utilized in 4-compartment equations. The magnitude of this disagreement was 4.3 kg for lean mass and fat mass and 6.9% for body fat percentage. At present, the large discrepancies in body composition components when using existing body volume equations preclude their interchangeability and demonstrate the need for continued exploration of the utility of body volume estimates.