Self-regulated Science Learning with Highly Gifted Students: The role of cognitive,motivational, epistemological,and environmental variables

This research examines the issue of self-regulated learning among highly gifted elementary ( n = 93) and high school students ( n = 40) in science. Self-report measures assessed self-regulatory strategy use in science and a spectrum of environmental (perceived level of investigation) and individual prerequisites (motivational beliefs, goal orientation, epistemological beliefs and intentions). Firstly, high school students were experiencing less investigation in science, and test anxiety and work avoidance were more pronounced than with elementary students. Secondly, highly gifted girls' science-related motivational beliefs were less positive than those of boys. Thirdly, path analyses indicate that the level of investigation in the science learning environment strongly determines motivational and epistemological prerequisites of self-regulatory strategy use. The results indicate that exploration and discovery should be enabled and strengthened in science classrooms of highly gifted students.     

German Language Media Publications

Bibliography of Austrian Mass Communication Literature, 1945-1975 by Benno Signitzer, et al. (bliss. Verlagsbuchhandlung, Wolfgang Neugebauer, Postfach 64, A 5033 Salzburg, Austria—DM 28)

Einfuhrunq in die Publizistikwissenschaft. Fragestellungen, Theoriean- Sitze, Forschungstechniken (Introduction to Mass Communication Research: Issues, Theories, Methodologies), by Heinz Purer (Verlag Olschlager, Amalienstrasse 81, D-8000 Munich 40, Federal Republic of Germany— DM14.80 or about $7.50, 160 pp.)

Journalistenausbildunq. Modelle, Erfahrungen Analysen (Journalism Education: Models, Experiences, Analyses), edited by Walter Homberg (Munich: same publisher and address as book just above, 1978—DM 39.00 or about $20.00, 245 pp.)

Science Writing: Annotated Selected Bibliography by Erich and Ingrid Geretschlaeger (Department of Mass Communication, University of Salzburg, Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse 18/iii, A-5020 Salzburg—$4.00, 104 pp.)

Medieninformation and Medienkritik in Osterreich (Media Information and Media Criticism in Austria), by Margarethe Eichinger et al. (Austrian Society of Communications, Bankgasse 8, A-1010 Vienna—90.00 Austrian Schillings or about $7.00, 100 pp.)

Katholische Publizistik in den Niederlanden (Catholic Media in the Netherlands), edited by Joan Hemels and Michael Schaolke (Verlag Ferdinand SchOningh, Jahenplatz 1, D-4790 Paderborn, FRG—DM 18.00 or about $9.00, 124 pp.)

Einfahrung in die Pressekonzentrationsforschunq (Introduction to Research on Press Concentration) by Manfred Knoche (Volker Spiess Verlag, Box 147, D-1000 Berlin 66—DM60.00 or about $30.00)

Kommunikationspolitische and Kommunikationswissenschaftliche Forschungsprojekte der Bundesregierung (1974-1978) (Research Projects on Communication Policy and Research by the Federal Government of the FRG) compiled by Walter J. Schutz (Press and Information Office of the Federal Government, Welcker Strasse, D-5300 Bonn—-price not given)     

Inter- and intra-firm diffusion of technology: The example of E-commerce: An analysis based on Swiss firm-level data

The paper aims at a joint analysis of inter-and intra-firm diffusion of technology, taking as an example E-selling and E-purchasing. The analysis is based on an encompassing model of diffusion, drawn from the literature, which is extended by considering technology-specific obstacles and benefits of adoption. As hypothesised, we find, first, that the determinants of inter- and intra-firm diffusion differ in case of both types of E-commerce; secondly, that the drivers of the diffusion of E-selling and E-purchasing are not the same, and, finally, that uncertainties and adjustment costs, mostly neglected in previous work, are important factors in explaining technology diffusion.     

The Use of Additional Information in Problem-Oriented Learning Environments

Self-directed learning with authentic and complex problems (problem-oriented learning) requires that learners observe their own learning and use additional information when it is appropriate (e.g. hypertextual information in computer-supported learning environments). Research results indicate that learners in problem-oriented learning environments often have difficulties using additional information adequately, and that they should be supported. Two studies with a computer-supported problem-oriented learning environment in the domain of medicine analysed the effects of strategy instruction on the use of additional information and the quality of the problem representation. In Study 1, an expert model was used for strategy instruction. Two groups were compared: one group with strategy modelling and one group without. Strategy modelling influenced the frequency of looked-up hypertextual information, but did not influence the quality of learners' problem representations. This could be explained by difficulties in applying the general hypertext information to the problem. In Study 2, the additional information was presented in a more contextualised way as graphical representation of the case and its relevant concepts. Again, two groups were compared: one with a strategy instruction text and one without. Strategy instruction texts supported an adequate use of this graphical information by learners and had an effect on the quality of their problem representations. These findings are discussed with respect to the design of additional help systems in problem-oriented learning environments. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The influence of personalization on tag query length in social media search

Social content systems contain enormous collections of unstructured user-generated content, annotated by the collaborative effort of regular Internet users. Tag-clouds have become popular interfaces that allow users to query the database of these systems by clicking relevant terms. However, these single click queries are often not expressive enough to effectively retrieve the desired content. Users have to use multiple clicks or type longer queries to satisfy their information need.     

Microfluidic concentration of bacteria by on-chip electrophoresis

In this contribution, we present a system for efficient preconcentration of pathogens without affecting their viability. Development of miniaturized molecular diagnostic kits requires concentration of the sample, molecule extraction, amplification, and detection. In consequence of low analyte concentrations in real-world samples, preconcentration is a critical step within this workflow. Bacteria and viruses exhibit a negative surface charge and thus can be electrophoretically captured from a continuous flow. The concept of phaseguides was applied to define gel membranes, which enable effective and reversible collection of the target species. E. coli of the strains XL1-blue and K12 were used to evaluate the performance of the device. By suppression of the electroosmotic flow both strains were captured with efficiencies of up to 99%. At a continuous flow of 15 μl/min concentration factors of 50.17 ± 2.23 and 47.36 ± 1.72 were achieved in less than 27 min for XL1-blue and K12, respectively. These results indicate that free flow electrophoresis enables efficient concentration of bacteria and the presented device can contribute to rapid analyses of swab-derived samples.