Der Übergang von der Grundschule in die Sekundarstufe I

Zusammenfassung Zu der Frage, auf welche Weise sich Merkmale der sozialen Herkunft auf den Schulübertritt nach der Primarstufe auswirken, wird in einer L?ngsschnittstichprobe 27 bayrischer Grundschulklassen der Verlauf des übertrittsprozesses untersucht, und zwar von den Bildungsaspirationen der Eltern am Ende der dritten Jahrgangsstufe über die Schullaufbahnempfehlungen der Lehrkr?fte bis hin zu den tats?chlichen Schulanmeldungen. Neben der Frage der Leistungsangemessenheit der Abschlussnoten und der erteilten Schulempfehlungen werden die Herkunftseffekte im Entscheidungsverlauf vertieft analysiert. Die letztendlich resultierende Schülerzuteilung zu den verschiedenen Bildungsg?ngen kovariiert deutlich mit der sozialen Herkunft der Schüler. Die vorgestellten Analysen der einzelnen vorgelagerten Entscheidungsschritte verweisen dabei auf eine st?rkere Bedeutung prim?rer gegenüber sekund?rer Einflusseffekte der sozialen Herkunft auf die Schulformzuteilung.      

Indicators of sailing performance in youth dinghy sailing

Abstract

This study aimed to determine indicators of sailing performance in 2 (age) groups of youth sailors by investigating the anthropometric, physical and motor coordination differences and factors discriminating between elite and non-elite male optimist sailors and young dynamic hikers. Anthropometric measurements from 23 optimist sailors (mean ± SD age = 12.3 ± 1.4 years) and 24 dynamic youth hikers (i.e. Laser 4.7, Laser radial and Europe sailors <18 years who have to sail the boat in a very dynamic manner, due to a high sailor to yacht weight ratio) (mean ± SD age = 16.5 ± 1.6 years) were conducted. They performed a physical fitness test battery (EUROFIT), motor coordination test battery (Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder) and the Bucket test. Both groups of sailors were divided into two subgroups (i.e. elites and non-elites) based on sailing expertise. The significant differences, taking biological maturation into account and factors discriminating between elite and non-elite optimist sailors and dynamic hikers were explored by means of multivariate analysis of covariance and discriminant analysis, respectively. The main results indicated that 100.0% of elite optimist sailors and 88.9% of elite dynamic hikers could be correctly classified by means of two motor coordination tests (i.e. side step and side jump) and Bucket test, respectively. As such, strength- and speed-oriented motor coordination and isometric knee-extension strength endurance can be identified as indicators of sailing performance in young optimist and dynamic youth sailors, respectively. Therefore, we emphasise the importance of motor coordination skill training in optimist sailors (<15 years) and maximum strength training later on (>15 years) in order to increase their isometric knee-extension strength endurance.     

Organising and leading systematic quality work in the preschool – preschool managers’ perspectives

Preschool managers’ responsibility for and leadership of systematic quality work has come to the fore in connection with changes made to the Swedish preschool curriculum. The aim of this study is to contribute to the understanding of preschool managers’ leadership and management of the systematic quality work in Swedish preschools with reference to three specific domains: (i) governance, leadership/management and organisation, (ii) content and methods and (iii) development work and collegiate learning. Using qualitative methods, 18 preschool managers’ perspectives of leading systematic quality work have been analysed in relation to previous research. The results show a tension between linear and interactive forms of governance in the systematic quality work, but also that knowledge gaps among the staff can lead to uncertainties that the preschool manager has to address. At the same time, the results show the diversity of and variation in how children’s development and increased proficiency are documented, while the documentation of the quality of the work focuses on learning environments rather than on teaching and teacher competence. In the study, there are traces of what can be characterised as leadership for learning. This needs to be investigated more closely using other methods in future research.     

The clinical use of motivational messages: an inquiry into the validity of the ARCS model of motivational design

Instruction, even when prepared according to sound instructional design principles, often does not stimulate students' motivation to learn. A motivational intervention, developed according to the processes outlined inthe ARCS model of motivational design, was implemented and tested following the conventions of an embedded single-case study. It was tested with a group of 15 adults participating in a staff development course conducted within the Mozambique Ministry of Education. Results, based on concurrent and discriminant analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data, indicated that the primary treatment, motivational messages, had positive effects on student attitude and performance. It may be concluded that the specific intervention and the ARCS model which provided the basis for designing it provide a sound basis for positively influencing student motivation to learn.     

Working Theory Into and Out of Design Experiments

In this response, I advocate for the value of considering theory in the design‐based research that Gersten describes in “Behind the Scenes of an Intervention Research Study.” I argue that such an emphasis: is consistent with the literature on design experiments, is integral to advancing knowledge building within domains, serves to advance the work of a field, and supports the dissemination of instructional research. I illustrate these points, drawing upon the research described in the article by Gersten.