Training Judges to Generate Standard-Setting Data

Is training judges beyond initial orientation required? How can we help judges apply their conceptualization of minimal competence to individual items?     

Where Computer Security Meets National Security<Superscript>1</Superscript>

This paper identifies two conceptions of security in contemporary concerns over the vulnerability of computers and networks to hostile attack. One is derived from individual-focused conceptions of computer security developed in computer science and engineering. The other is informed by the concerns of national security agencies of government as well as those of corporate intellectual property owners. A comparative evaluation of these two conceptions utilizes the theoretical construct of “securitization,”developed by the Copenhagen School of International Relations. This article has been on the drawing boards for longer than I dare to admit. Along the way, many have helped its development by generously sharing their wisdom: James Der Derian, Niva Elkin-Koren, Ed Felten, Batya Friedman, Lene Hansen, audiences at CEPE, TPRC, the Yale Cybercrime and Digital Law Enforcement Conference, and Watson Institute’s Symposium in Dis/Simulations of War and Peace,” and University of Newcastle, Computer Science Department. Thanks, also, to Sam Howard-Spink for excellent editorial assistance.     

The contemporary librarian: Skills, knowledge and attributes required in a world of emerging technologies

Seventy-six librarians participated in a series of focus groups in support of research exploring the skills, knowledge and attributes required by the contemporary library and information professional in a world of ever changing technology. The project was funded by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. Text mining data analysis revealed three main thematic clusters (libraries, people, jobs) and one minor thematic cluster (community). Library 2.0 was broadly viewed by participants as being about change whilst librarian 2.0 was perceived by participants as not a new creation but just about good librarian practices. Participants expressed the general belief that personality traits, not just qualifications, were critical to be a successful librarian or information worker in the future.     

Cinders in Snow? Indigenous Teacher Identities in Formation

The identity work engaged in by Indigenous teachers1 1. We use the term ‘Indigenous’ here to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in Australian schools, although most of our informants to date are from Victoria, NSW and Queensland, who do not use the term ‘Indigenous’ when identifying themselves and their communities, preferring ‘Aboriginal’, ‘Koori’ or ‘Murri’.. View all notes in school settings is highlighted in a study of Australian Indigenous teachers. The construction of identity in home and community relationships intersects with and can counteract the take up of a preferred identity in the workplace. In this paper we analyse data from interviews with Indigenous teachers, exploring the interplay between culture and identity. We foreground the binary nature of racial assignment in schools, demonstrate how this offers contradictory constructions of identity for Indigenous teachers, and note the effects of history, culture and location in the process of forming a teaching ‘self’.     

Inclusivity and diversity in early childhood services in South Africa

There are unresolved tensions between achieving inclusivity and maintaining diversity in early childhood services in South Africa. While there have been substantial and impressive attempts to develop a comprehensive early childhood development policy as part of the new education planning in South Africa, there is a concern that indigenous traditions may be overlooked or lost in the process. Early childhood services, both governmental and those supported by non‐governmental organizations, have relied heavily,’ if not exclusively, on concepts and curricula drawn from Anglo‐American traditions. In order to illustrate these points this paper draws on material collected as part of a recent review of early childhood services in South Africa carried out for the Save the Children Fund.     

Teachers’ knowledge and confidence for promoting positive mental health in primary school communities

This paper reports an investigation into Australian primary school teachers’ knowledge and confidence for mental health promotion. Questionnaires were delivered to 1397 teachers. In-depth interviews were held with 37 teachers. Quantitative results showed that half to two thirds of teachers felt efficacious and knowledgeable about selected components of mental health promotion. Independent judgments by staff about students’ mental health status concurred with students’ scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in about 75% of cases, indicating a good level of staff awareness about students’ mental health status. Exposure to the KidsMatter Primary mental health promotion initiative was associated with improvements in teachers’ efficacy, knowledge and pedagogy, with small to medium effect sizes. Qualitative analysis indicated that teachers’ subject-matter and pedagogical knowledge were heavily reliant on curriculum resources. Implications of the findings for the implementation of school-based mental health promotion initiatives are discussed.