The validity of the commercially-available,low-cost,wrist-worn Movband accelerometer during treadmill exercise and free-living physical activity

Low-cost physical activity monitors may provide a more accurate measure of physical activity than subjective methods (e.g., self-report) while being less costly than research-grade accelerometers. The present study assessed the validity of a low-cost monitor (Movband 2) to estimate physical activity behavior/intensity. Participants (N = 23, n = 16 female, BMI = 22.9 ± 4.0 kg/m², age = 21.9 ± 1.6 years) completed four, five-minute treadmill stages (2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 MPH) while wearing both the Movband and the previously-validated Actigraph monitor. Oxygen consumption (VO₂) was recorded during each stage (Laboratory assessment). A subset (n = 15, n = 10 female, BMI = 22.2 ± 3.2 kg/m², age = 21.5 ± 0.8 years) of these participants then wore the two accelerometers for three days (Free-living assessment). During the Laboratory assessment there were strong, significant (r = 0.94, p ≤ 0.001) relationships between Movband and Actigraph counts and VO₂. During Free-living assessment there was also a strong, significant (r = 0.97, p < 0.001) correlation between Movband and Actigraph counts. The low-cost, Movband accelerometer appears to provide a valid assessment of physical activity behavior/intensity.     

The relationship of ethnic identity and ego identity status among adolescents and young adults

A multi-ethnic sample of 248, ages 13–26, was used to examine the effects of age, gender, and ethnic group membership on ethnic identity and ego identity scores. Subjects were recruited from college and public schools in a large northeastern metropolitan area. The multigroup ethnic identity measure (MEIM) was used to assess ethnic identity and ego identity status was measured by the extended objective measure of ego identity status (EOMEIS). An age by ethnic group design was employed. Consistent findings of significant ethnic group differences in levels of ethnic identity were observed. Age and ethnic group were found to contribute differently to ethnic identity and ego identity status. The relationship between ethnic identity and ego identity status was found to be pronounced among subjects of color but not as dramatic as hypothesized.     

Home advantage in southern hemisphere rugby union: national and international

This study evaluates home advantages both for national (Super 12) and international (Tri-nations) rugby union teams from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, over the five-year period 2000 - 2004 using linear modelling. These home advantages are examined for statistical and practical significance, for variability between teams, for stability over time and for inter-correlation. These data reveal that the overall home advantage in elite rugby union has a mean of +6.7 points, and that this changes little from year to year. Closer scrutiny nevertheless reveals a high degree of variability. Different teams can and do have different home advantages, which ranges from a low of -0.7 to a high of +28.3 points in any one year. Furthermore, some team home advantages change up or down from one year to the next, by as much as -36.5 to +31.4 points at the extremes. There is no evidence that the stronger teams have the higher home advantages, or that a high home advantage leads to a superior finishing position in the competition.     

Examining the effects of a highly rated science curriculum unit on diverse students: Results from a planning grant

This article reports on the results of a planning grant studying the effects of a highly rated curriculum unit on a diverse student population. The treatment was introduced to 1500 eighth grade students in five middle schools selected for their ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic diversity. Students were given pre‐, post‐, and delayed posttests on a Conservation of Matter Assessment and measures of motivation and engagement. This quasi‐experiment found statistically significant posttest results for achievement, basic learning engagement, and goal orientation. Analyses of disaggregated data showed that subgroups of students in the treatment condition outscored their comparison group peers (n = 1500) in achievement in all cases, except for students currently enrolled in ESOL. Analysis of video data of a diverse group of four students as the unit was enacted suggests that students entered a learning environment that permitted them to function in different, but consistent ways over time; that is, the frequency of students' manipulation of objects showed a different pattern of engagement for each of the four students compared with patterns of verbal responses such as the use of scientific terms. The results of this planning grant paved the way for a large study of the scale‐up of highly rated curriculum units. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 42: 912–946, 2005     

‘Once more unto the breach,dear friends’

In introducing his Special Issue, the guest-editor identifies different usages of the term UPE, also reflected in the contributions to the Issue, and comments on the implications of this diversity in the context of nations' efforts to achieve it. Real and bogus UPE are distinguished and the alternative concept of basic education considered. Implementation of UPE, an immensely demanding undertaking, requires adequate information, genuine commitment and close co-operation — at all levels and from all concerned; equally, it depends on administrative ability, organization of training, and political motivation, flexibility and sincerity. Recognising the demands and costs of UPE, the reasons for commitment to it are examined (and illustrated from the case of Nigeria) — and the feasibility of successful implementation, e.g., by the year 2000, assessed. Alternatives exist, both in concept and practice, but seem unlikely to commend themselves. Nevertheless, as is stressed in the articles, lessons may be learned from experience already gained concerning the effectiveness of such factors as: greater community involvement in providing and controlling schools; more emphasis on school health; closer relationships between central and local planning; alternative structures for older learners or drop-outs; the shortening of instructional time; and increased research and greater investment in training for the teaching of basic skills at primary level. Without a radical change of attitude, particularly with respect to this last priority, efforts to achieve even literacy, the first goal of UPE, are being seriously undermined.

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Zusammenfassung In seiner Einleitung zu dieser Sondernummer zeigt der Gastherausgeber die verschiedenen Definitionen des Begriffes des Weltweiten Ausbaus des Primarschulwesens auf, die auch in den Beiträgen dieser Ausgabe gebraucht werden. Danach erläutert er die Bedeutung dieser Vielfalt im Rahmen der Bemühungen der Staaten, dieses Ziel zu erreichen. Es wird zwischen echten und gefälschten Konzepten des weltweiten Ausbaus des Primarschulwesens unterschieden und die Alternative eines Konzepts der Elementarerziehung wird erwogen. Die Durchführung des weltweiten Ausbaus des Primarschulwesens — ein überaus anspruchsvolles Unternehmen — erfordert angemessene Information, wahres Engagement und eine enge Zusammenarbeit auf allen Ebenen und von allen Betroffenen; sie hängt gleichermaßen von administrativen Fähigkeiten, der Organisation der Ausbildung sowie politischer Motivation, als auch Flexibilität und Ernsthaftigkeit ab. Die Nachfragen und Kosten des weltweiten Ausbaus der Primarerziehung werden erkannt, die Gründe für ein entsprechendes Engagement werden untersucht (und an Hand des Beispiels von Nigerien illustriert) — und es wird geprüft, ob sich dieses Ziel bis zum Jahre 2000 erfolgreich durchführen läßt. Alternativen bestehen zwar, sowohl als Konzept wie auch in Praxis, aber es erscheint unwahrscheinlich, daß sie sich anbieten. Wie in den Berichten betont wird, kann aus der gewonnenen Erfahrung, die die Wirksamkeit solcher Faktoren betrifft, dennoch dieses gelernt werden: ein größeres Maß an Beteiligung des Gemeinwesens, indem Schulen vorgesehen und beaufsichtigt werden; mehr Betonung auf Schulgesundheitspflege; engere Beziehung zur zentralen und lokalen Planung; alternative Strukturen für ältere Lernende oder Schulversager; Kürzungen der Unterrichtszeit; mehr Untersuchungen und größere Investitionen in der Ausbildung für das Unterrichten der elementaren Fähigkeiten auf der Primarebene. Wenn sich die Einstellung nicht durchgreifend ändert — ganz besonders in Hinblick auf die letztgenannten Prioritäten — werden Bemühungen, die Alphabetisierung durchzuführen — das oberste Ziel des weltweiten Ausbaus des Primarschulwesens — ernsthaft gefährdet werden.

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Résumé Dans la présentation de ce Numéro Spécial, son éditeur identifie les différents usages du terme EPU qui se reflètent aussi dans les contributions à ce Numéro, et il envisage la portée et les conséquences de cette diversité dans le contexte des efforts des nations pour y parvenir. Il établit une distinction entre EPU réel et EPU factice. Il examine aussi le concept de l'enseignement de base. L'accomplissement de l'EPU est une entreprise incroyablement exigeante qui réclame une documentation adéquate, un engagement authentique et une coopération étroite, à tous les niveaux, de tous ceux que cela concerne. Il est aussi tributaire des compétences administratives, de l'organisation de la formation, de la motivation politique, de la souplesse et de la sincérité. Le couût et la demande de l'EPU étant reconnus, on examine, dans ce Numéro, les raisons de s'engager dans l'entreprise (en prenant comme exemple illustratif le cas du Nigeria) — et on évalue les chances d'une réalisation couronnée de succès pour l'an 2000. Il existe d'autres choix, tant dans le concept que dans la pratique, mais ils n'ont guère de chance de s'imposer. Néanmoins, comme cela est souligné dans des articles ultérieurs, on peut tirer des leçons de l'expérience déjà acquise quant à l'efficacité de certains facteurs tels que: participation plus importante de la collectivité aux besoins et au contrôle des établissements scolaires; attention supérieure accordée à l'hygiène scolaire; relations plus étroites entre la planification locale et la planification centrale; choix d'options de structures ouvert aux apprenants plus âgés ou à ceux qui ont quitté l'école; raccourcissement du temps d'enseignement; recherche et investissement accrus concernant la formation indispensable à l'enseignement des connaissances fondamentales au niveau du primaire. Sans un changement radical d'attitude, particulièrement en ce qui regarde cette dernière priorité, les efforts pour parvenir à une alphabétisation générale — objectif premier de l'EPU — sont sérieusement sapés dans leurs fondements mêmes.