Three Approaches to Teacher Training and the Role of Religious Education as a Professional Subject

Beginning with the classic dilemma in teacher training of the relationship between theory and practice, the view is taken that the most appropriate starting point is practice, followed by reflection upon practice. School experience is seen as central, rather than peripheral, to teacher training. There are, however, different levels, characteristics and structures of reflection upon experience. Three levels and types of approach are identified: the curriculum process approach, the teacher‐role approach and the personalised approach. These are described in relation to three different courses of training and the strengths and weaknesses of each are considered. General issues regarding the nature of a professional subject, the relationship of a professional subject to education studies and the relationship of a professional subject to school experience are discussed and exemplifications offered in terms of religious education.     

The effects of exercise in hypoxic and normoxic conditions on endothelin-1 and arterial compliance

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of short-term normoxic and hypoxic exercise on plasma endothelin-1 and nitric oxide levels, and the relationship of arterial compliance and pulmonary artery pressure to endothelin-1. Seven endurance-trained males completed two incremental and two steady-state exercise tests performed at ventilatory threshold in normoxia and hypoxia (fraction of inspired oxygen = 0.14). Plasma endothelin-1was measured throughout steady-state tests. Arterial compliance using applanation tonometry, plasma nitric oxide and pulmonary artery pressure using Doppler echocardiography were measured before and after exercise. Small arterial compliance and pulmonary artery pressure significantly increased following exercise. There were no main effects of condition or time for plasma endothelin-1and nitric oxide levels. There were no significant relationships between plasma endothelin-1 and arterial compliance or pulmonary artery pressure. In conclusion, mechanisms other than the endothelial system may play a role in the exercise-induced changes in small artery compliance in this study population. Moderate hypoxia and a 30-minute steady-state exercise have limited effects on plasma endothelin-1 in endurance-trained males.