Friluftsliv and adventure: Models, heroes and idols in a Nansen perspective

With the ambition of penetrating into the very core of the Norwegian and Nordic friluftsliv: An ecologically responsible life in the open air-in nature, people will have to become acquainted with Fridtjof Nansen—with the thinker as well as the practitioner. Outdoor life with natural and strong links to the national friluftsliv—tradition was his ideal, and quite a lot of people in the years after him have been fired with his enthusiasm for the wonderful experiential and health—giving meetings with nature. Obviously, he has been a hero and an idol for generations of people. His reputation as an arctic explorer, as scientist and sportsman, as an internationalist and a humanitarian, have been emphasized by a great many books and articles about him. The main purpose of this article is to shed more light upon his thinking about friluftsliv, to show and explain its focus, its models and paragons.     

Learning to Teach Through Teaching and Being Taught

Teacher shortage has been a problem in northern Norway for decades. The authorities have taken steps to stimulate the supply of teachers in these regions through economic incentives and decentralized or part‐time teacher education. The full effect of these measures cannot be fully evaluated till the early or middle 1990s. In this article, structure and assessments of first and second generation decentralized and part‐time teacher education are referred. Even though this approach to teacher education has been disputed, it now seems to be accepted by most interest groups. The main problems of these programs seem to be related to the pressures on students trying to fill multiple roles (student, part‐time teacher, mother), and the supervision of students.     

Life interpretation and religion among Icelandic teenagers

Does religion play any specific part in Icelandic teenagers’ life interpretation? This paper examines Icelandic teenagers’ talk about religion and presents some of the findings in interviews with teenagers in a qualitative research project. The focus is especially on how three individuals express themselves about the influence of religion on their lives and why they do so. The aim is to explore some important aspects of the life interpretation of Icelandic teenagers with special attention to religion.     

Ethics or Morals: Understanding Students’ Values Related to Genetic Tests on Humans

To make meaning of scientific knowledge in such a way that concepts and values of the life-world are not threatened is difficult for students and laymen. Ethics and morals pertaining to the use of genetic tests for hereditary diseases have been investigated and discussed by educators, anthropologists, medical doctors and philosophers giving, at least in part, diverging results. This study investigates how students explain and understand their argumentation about dilemmas concerning gene testing for the purpose to reduce hereditary diseases. Thirteen students were interviewed about their views on this issue. Qualitative analysis was done primarily by relating students’ argumentation to their movements between ethics and morals as opposing poles. Students used either objective or subjective knowledge but had difficulties to integrate them. They tried to negotiate ethic arguments using utilitarian motives and medical knowledge with sympathy or irrational and personal arguments. They discussed the embryo’s moral status to decide if it was replaceable in a social group or not. The educational implications of the students’ use of knowledge in personal arguments are discussed.     

The importance of the advisor’s relational and professional competence and formal power in meetings with farmers

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to explore how advisors’ relational and professional competence influences inter-subjectivity and farmers’ perceptions of farm visits in a setting where advisors have formal power.Methodology: Advisors from the dairy company Tine, which is owned by farmers in collaboration, visit farmers at least once a year. The aim of the visit is to assist farmers in managing the farm and to control the production conditions in the cowshed. In a case study, we attended 10 such mandatory advisor visits and interviewed both farmers and advisors.Findings: Together with advisor style, our findings show that the power relation leaves room for advisors to define their roles widely, ranging from inspector to coach. Advisors have different perceptions of what their jobs are and when they have done a good job. These differences determine the degree of inter-subjectivity and how satisfied farmers are with visits. Furthermore, advisors’ relational and professional competencies are crucial for achieving high inter-subjectivity and satisfied farmers.Theoretical implications: This paper contributes to the theory by identifying factors that influence farmers’ perceptions of advisor visits, as well as by showing the importance of the advisor’s relational and professional competence in a setting where they have formal power.Practical implications: Partly as an outcome of this study, Tine has started a process to separate the control function from farm visits. Tine has also decided to let farmers choose advisors themselves. Originality/value: The power relation in our study differs from most consultant–client interactions in the literature.     

Performance agreements for clearer institutional profiles and better division of labour

Tertiary Education and Management - Performance agreements in higher education are seen as a promising steering tool in many countries, including Norway. The aims of the performance agreements in...     

Assessment of subcutaneous adipose tissue using ultrasound in highly trained junior rowers

Introduction: There is a large variety of body fat (BF) measurements, which differ in validity and reliability. The aim of this study was to measure subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) using ultrasound (US) in highly trained junior rowers in a field setting, establish fat patterning profiles, and compare the profiles between male and female athletes. Skinfold thickness (SKF) measurements were also taken and compared to US measurements. Methods: Sixteen athletes participated. US measurements were taken at eight sites and reported as a sum of SAT (D): D_Excl (without embedded structures) and D_Incl (including embedded structures). SKF was measured at three sites and reported as a sum of adipose tissue thickness (SUM_SKF). Results: Mean SAT thickness (D_Incl) was 27.6?±?12.4?mm for males and 65.5?±?11.8?mm for females. Females had significantly more embedded structures than males (P?=?.016). Significant correlations were found (P?<?.001, r?=?0.92) comparing SUM_SKF to D_Incl and between SKF and US measurements at the thigh site (P?<?.001, r?=?0.86). Conclusion: US is a suitable tool to measure BF in the field testing of athletes and enables measurements of SAT with an accuracy and reliability not reached before. The sum of thicknesses (D_Incl or D_Excl) can be used to represent subcutaneous fat based on accurate measurements of uncompressed SAT thicknesses.     

U 68 — A reform proposal for Swedish higher education

The Swedish 1968 Educational Commission (U 68) completed its main report in 1973. The Commission recommends a very wide definition of the concept of higher education so as to include any qualified education or training for adults, whether academic or vocational in nature. Higher education should be seen in the context of an overall educational planning, with the aim of distributing educational resources to meet the needs of every citizen. As a consequence, U 68 proposes a numerus clausus for higher education as a whole. The geographic distribution of higher education is also being stressed, and the creation of one comprehensive institutional organisation for the main part of all higher education is proposed.The proposals of the commission should be seen in the perspective of recurrent education. The author points to the possible, development of a new educational structure, the main feature of which is the division into compulsory and post-compulsory education.Formerly Secretary of the 1968 Educational Commission.     

Behavioral Inhibition and Stress Reactivity: The Moderating Role of Attachment Security

The role of the mother-toddler attachment relationship in moderating the relations between behavioral inhibition and changes in salivary cortisol levels in response to novel events was examined in 77 18-month-olds. Behavioral inhibition was determined by observing toddler inhibition of approach to several novel events. Attachment security to mother was assessed using the Ainsworth Strange Situation. Changes in salivary cortisol were used to index activity of the stress-sensitive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system. In addition, toddler coping behaviors and the behaviors used by mothers to help toddlers manage novel events were examined. Elevations in cortisol were found only for inhibited toddlers in insecure attachment relationships. Mothers in these relationships appeared to interfere with their toddlers' coping efforts. These results are discussed in the context of a coping model of the relations between temperament and stress reactivity.     

Balancing trust and control through dialogue meetings in Norwegian school district governance

Increased attention has been paid to school superintendents and their role in school reforms. Still, there are few studies on dialogue meetings between actors at different levels in the school hierarchy. The current paper investigates how a superintendent balances between trust and control while supporting school development through dialogue meetings. Drawing on interviews, reflection notes, and longitudinal observational data from dialogue meetings, comprising a superintendent, subordinated school leaders, and team leaders, this action research study provides insight into requirements for productive dialogue meetings. We argue that superintendent leadership through regular dialogue meetings can foster trust-building, empowerment, and professional commitment.