Professional development for online university teaching

Almost every higher education institution is challenged to develop increasing numbers of staff to teach online or blended modes of learning. The process needs to be rapid, cost-effective and lead directly to practical outcomes. From our experience, we had little time, opportunity or the need to start from scratch, and we chose to adopt and adapt a course that was based on a well-rehearsed and respected pedagogical model. We offer our experience to date as a case study with some extracted principles for others to explore and follow. We discuss the value of contextualization, incremental innovation, and mentoring of online convenors. This article will be of interest to those seeking to provide effective professional development routes for large numbers of staff.     

Exploiting Online Interactivity to Enhance Assignment Development and Feedback in Distance Education

Networking provides the means to deliver enhancements to assignment development and feedback which have not previously been possible for ODL courses. This paper describes the experimental introduction and evaluation of network delivered model answers and peer review as additional formative feedback on assessment. The enhancements assisted students in attuning themselves to the writing demands of the course, and there may be particular times in a course when they are most of value. Use of a network allowed for delivery within a controlled time frame, whilst providing an interactive environment for debate on alternative perspectives.     

Transtheoretical-based bullying prevention effectiveness trials in middle schools and high schools

Background Bullying threatens the physical and mental well-being of students across a broad range of schools. Tailored interventions based on the Transtheoretical model and delivered over the Internet were designed to reduce participation in each of three roles related to bullying (bully, victim and passive bystander).

Methods Effectiveness trials were completed in 12 middle schools and 13 high schools in the USA. A diverse sample of 1237 middle (6th–8th grade, with 45.1% in the 7th grade; ages 11–14) and 1215 high school (9th–11th grade, with 41.6% in the 9th grade; ages 14–17) students were available for analyses.

Results Analyses showed significant treatment effects for both intervention groups when compared to control for both the middle and high school programs.

Conclusions Given the relative ease of dissemination, these programs could be applied as stand-alone practices or as part of more intensive interventions.     

The new inset: a transformation scene

The work of Lawrence Stenhouse strongly promoted the view that curriculum development was dependent upon teacher development and as such, has had a great impact on the in‐service education of teachers. Such a teacher‐centred model is now called in question by recent DES moves in relation to the funding and control of INSET. By exploiting the mechanisms of categorical funding, as refined by the MSC, it seems likely that the Department will be able to impose a conception of ‘curriculum led staff development’, which originated in Further Education. Such a conception assumes that curriculum is a given and that the development needs of teachers may be deduced from it, thus increasingly restricting them to the business of execution and not of conception.     

The Impact of Doctoral Study on Marital Satisfaction

The purpose of the study was to determine whether marital relationships of doctoral students were affected while they were enrolled in graduate programs. The stratified sample consisted of 54 participants who completed the Demographics and Structured Questionnaire, Locke‐Wallace Marital Adjustment Test, and Index of Marital Satisfaction. There were no significant differences among the marital satisfaction levels of graduate students at different stages in their program. Significant differences were found in relationship to several of the research questions, however. Specifically, a significant difference was found in the marital satisfaction of couples involved in marital therapy. Spouses who also were students scored significantly higher in marital satisfaction than spouses who were not students. Areas of discord that affected marital satisfaction during graduate school were philosophy of life, demonstration of affection, and sexual relations.     

Play centers that encourage literacy development

Teachers are always searching for fresh ideas that address children's growth needs. Ideas that provide learning opportunities which are developmentally appropriate are particularly welcomed. using play as a medium for facilitating literacy growth is one such opportunity. We know from current theory, research and practice that sociodramatic play contributes to children's learning. Its importance in the development of literacy skills has also been investigated and affirmed. See Christie, 1991; Dodge & Frost, 1986; Fisher, 1991; Isenberg & Jacob, 1985; Morrow, 1989, 1990; Morrow & Rand, 1991; Pellegrini, 1980; Rogers & Sawyers, 1988; Schickendanz, 1986; Woodard, 1984.     

A validity study of two paper-pencil tests of concrete and formal operations

Two group paper-pencil batteries, the Longeot (consisting of three subtests) and three puzzles (KLR) from Science Teaching and the Development of Reasoning, were administered to 607 students from ninth and tenth grade mathematics and science classes. A subsample of 69 students was then administered three Inhelder tasks (chemicals, rods, and shadows). In general, the expected developmental trends were confirmed, with formal status being most difficult to attain on the Inhelder tasks and easiest to attain on the Longeot. The correlations between the KLR and Inhelder (0.61, p < 0.01) and the Longeot and Inhelder (0.55, p < 0.05) were moderately high. According to the method of Shayer (Note 2), it was found that each of five paper-pencil subtests discriminates at or between the 2B (late concrete) and 3A (early formal) levels while the sixth subtest, the mealworm puzzle, was found to discriminate at the 3A level. This study indicates that either group battery may be useful in identifying transitional subjects. However, if a more stringent criterion of “formal” is needed, a “success” rate of four or five out of the six subtests may be required. Both group batteries are relatively easy to administer and score with a minimum of guidance, although the KLR scoring might need to be simplified for use by the practitioner. Sex differences found on the KLR and the Longeot are suggestive of the potential differential use of these tests by researchers investigating sex differences in achievement or aptitude.