Competencies in Geriatric Nursing: Empirical Evidence from a Computer-Based Large-Scale Assessment Calibration Study

Valid and reliable standardized assessment of nursing competencies is needed to monitor the quality of vocational education and training (VET) in nursing and evaluate learning outcomes for care work trainees with increasingly heterogeneous learning backgrounds. To date, however, the modeling of professional competencies has not yet evolved into procedures that would meet large-scale assessment (LSA) standards in VET. To empirically test a proposed structural model for client-directed nursing competence and to estimate psychometric properties of a newly developed video- and computer-based test (CBT) to inform subsequent LSA in nursing VET, 402 final-year nursing students from 24 German schools responded to a 77 item CBT. Multi-dimensional IRT modeling was employed to test the subdomain structure and estimate students’ competencies in geriatric nursing. The standardized CBT measures nursing students’ client-directed care competence with acceptable precision (WLE?=?0.76) and does so across the whole range of observed proficiency levels. Structural validity was supported by substantive contributions of test items from all proposed process-oriented subdomains, practice field scenarios, as well as items with and without reference to emotional demands. However, it was not possible to empirically separate the diagnostic, practical or communicative subdomains, probably reflecting parallel, recursive and hierarchical care processes in complex care situations. On average, students in our sample attained 45 % of the maximum test score so it is a demanding assessment of nursing competence. An extensively piloted, valid and reliable CBT is suggested to assess nursing students’ client-directed care competencies at the end of the third year of the VET program.     

The impact of student teaching experience on pre-service teachers’ readiness for technology integration: A mixed methods study with growth curve modeling

Adopting a two-phase explanatory sequential mixed methods research design, the current study examined the impact of student teaching experiences on pre-service teachers’ readiness for technology integration. In phase-1 of quantitative investigation, 2-level growth curve models were fitted using online repeated measures survey data collected from 68 pre-service teachers doing their student teaching. The results revealed significant progress in readiness for technology integration during student teaching and significant variability in individual change trajectories of readiness for technology integration. Two dummy variables, prior-teaching (0 = “having no prior teaching experience”; 1 = “having prior teaching experience”) and grade-level (0 = “elementary level”; 1 = “secondary level”), were identified as significant in predicting the shape of individual change trajectories of readiness for technology integration. In phase-2 of qualitative investigation, follow-up interview data were collected from 11 pre-service teachers among those who participated in the online surveys. The interview data was analyzed both deductively and inductively yielding clues and insights for interpreting and understanding the quantitative results from phase-1. Based on its quantitative and qualitative results, this study made recommendations for future technology integration research and for improving pre-service teachers’ technology use experience during student teaching.     

Uneducating South Africa: The failure to address the 1910–1993 legacy

This paper analyses various data on the South African schooling system since 1910. The data collected for the study cover a wide range of education indicators, from pupil enrolments, pupil teacher ratios, real expenditure (aggregate and per capita), matriculation pass rates, to some indicators of the quality of matriculation passes. The authors provide an indication of both inputs into and outputs of the educational system. In broad terms, the data indicate that from an educational perspective South Africa followed a modernisation trajectory that, although it drew ever larger numbers of pupils into the schooling system, was partial, distorted and fundamentally dysfunctional. The educational process was strongly affected by racial factors. To the extent that education is an important determinant of long run growth performance of economies, this implies that South Africa's educational policies were inimical to its long run growth.     

Friedensdid Aktische Bausteine für Ausbildung,Unterricht und Sozialarbeit

Zusammenfassung Der Beitrag problematisiert im Kontext der bundesrepublikanischen Friedensbewegung zentrale Grundelemente einer konkreten Friedensarbeit in Hochschule, Schule und/oder Sozialarbeit. Dabei werden vor dem Hintergrund anwachsender existentieller, internationaler und innergesellschaftlicher Unfriedenspotentiale und Bedrohungen erkenntnisleitende didaktische und praxeologische Prinzipien und Zielinteressen einer kritischen Friedensarbeit in den Mittelpunkt gestellt. Die Entwicklung und die Realisierung von Gewaltsensibilität, von Zivilem Ungehorsam, von Sozialer Zärtlichkeit sowie von öffentlichen Aktionen und Maßnahmen definieren hier die Funktion einer gesellschaftsverändernden Reformarbeit, die über den bisherigen traditionellen Kontext von Friedenserziehung in Institutionen und Arbeitsgebieten der Sozialarbeit weit hinausweist.

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In the context of the peace movement in the Federal Republic of Germany, certain central basic elements of peace activity at higher education institutions, school and/or in social welfare work are considered. Principles and objectives of effective teaching and practice in discerning peace work are focussed upon against a background of disturbing and menacing influences both within and between nations, increasingly threatening existence itself. Endeavours to achieve reform capable of changing society should be marked by the development and realisation of a repugnance of violence, civil disobedience and social sensitivity, and demonstrated in action and by specific measures by the general public. This supersedes by far the traditional set-up of peace education (so called) in educational institutions and areas of social work up to the present time.

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Résumé Dans le contexte du mouvement pour la paix en République Fédérale d'Allemagne, l'auteur examine éléments de base centraux de l'activité relative à l'éducation pour la paix dans des institutions d'enseignement supérieur, à lécole ou dans le travail social. Les principes et les objectifs d'un enseignement et d'une pratique dans la distinction du travail en faveur de la paix sont soulignés sur fond des influences perturbatrices et menaçantes à l'intérieur des nations aussi bien qu'entre elles, influences constituant un danger grandissant pour l'existence elle-même. Les efforts pour réaliser des réformes en mesure de changer la société devraient être marqués par le développement et la conception nette de la répugnance de la violence, la désobéissance civile et la sensibilité sociale. Ces efforts devraient être traduits en actions et en mesures spécifiques par le grand public. Cela va bien au-delà de la traditionnelle (soi-disante) éducation pour la paix mise en place jusqu'à nos jours dans les institutions éducatives et dans le domaine des affaires sociales.

     

Can engineering education in South Africa afford to avoid problem-based learning as a didactic approach?

In this article, the authors support problem-based learning (PBL) based on its high level of alignment in addition to providing learners in engineering with an additional opportunity in learning process competencies, as contained within the South African National Critical Cross-field and Developmental Outcomes (COs). Constructive alignment describes a process in which the learning outcomes (LOs) become the objective for designing a curriculum that enables LOs to be achieved through appropriate activities and an assessment process that enables these LOs to be demonstrated. PBL applies problem-solving as a vehicle in achieving LOs. The degree to which a learner manages to achieve a given LO still serves as the authentic criteria for assessment. In addition, PBL provides learners an opportunity in acquiring non-subject-related skills, also referred to as process competencies, soft-skills, transferable skills, or graduate attributes. These skills are required especially for the management of human capital and are considered as crucial for successful practice in the engineering profession. It is therefore questioned why a PBL approach is not implemented by engineering faculties at South African Higher Education Institutions. The successful implementation of PBL, however, depends on a number of non-didactic issues that are highlighted in this paper. It is concluded that very few didactic methods can achieve the quality of learning we provide to engineering learners when using PBL, and therefore, it is proposed that South African Higher Education Institutions should also provide their academic staff with training opportunities in this regard.     

Validating the Digital Games Motivation Scale for Comparative Research Between Countries

Researchers interested in motives for playing digital games can draw on a variety of measurement instruments. When the aim is to compare between groups, however, instruments need to show certain psychometric properties. Specifically, an instrument needs to be invariant. Without such properties, comparisons between groups run the danger of yielding invalid results. The current study investigates to what extent the Digital Games Motivation Scale (DGMS) can be used to compare motivations between cultures by testing it in four different countries. Results indicate configural, metric, and partial scalar invariance for the cross-cultural comparisons. In conclusion, this study presents a psychometrically sound measurement instrument that can be used in cross-cultural settings.     

Exploring African-American Influences on Athletics in the Cape Colony,South Africa

Abstract

This research creates a historical narrative of athletics in Cape Town, South Africa, a British colonial seaport at the turn of the twentieth century. It draws comparisons between Coloured Capetonians and African-American experiences by examining political and social events affecting sports practices. Existing segregation intensified from the turn of the twentieth century and elicited new responses from a younger generation of Coloured politicians in Cape Town. The responses included organizing sports on a regional scale. This happened at a time when African-American influences were being transmitted across the Atlantic Ocean and it became visible in an emerging Coloured community in Cape Town. Under these circumstances, the Western Province Amateur Athletic and Cycling Union (Coloured) was established there in 1901. A concerted effort was made to determine if any similarities and differences existed between athletic developments in African-American and Cape Town Coloured communities at the time of its establishment.     

Determinants of labour migration of elite sport coaches

Previous research examining labour migration in sport focused on athletes in professional team sports. The purpose of this study is to analyse the factors influencing the migration probability of elite sport coaches in Germany (i.e. national coaches, state coaches, and coaches at Olympic training bases). From a theoretical perspective, labour migration of athletes is affected by economic, social, political, competitive, geographic and cultural factors. This study examines whether these factors can be applied to coaches. Primary data were collected using an online survey of elite sport coaches in Germany. Applying a conjoint design, respondents were presented with 10 migration scenarios leading to a sample size of n?=?1860 for the empirical analysis. In the scenarios, the coaching position openings abroad differed in terms of income level, contract length, weekly workload, responsibility for personnel, reputation of coaching job, career perspectives, sporting performance of athletes, distance from Germany, and predominant job language. Coaches were asked for their migration probability contingent on the specific scenario. On average, migration probability was 24.2%. The results of regression analysis showed that higher income, contracts of longer duration, responsibility for personnel and speaking the respective language significantly increased the migration probability, while distances of nine flight hours and more, lower reputation and career perspectives reduced it. The findings have implications for policy-makers: they indicate in what areas the situation of coaches needs improvement to increase the likelihood of retaining elite sport coaches in the German sport system.     

Is teacher knowledge associated with performance? On the relationship between teachers’ general pedagogical knowledge and instructional quality

Researchers have identified general pedagogical knowledge (GPK) as a relevant category of teacher knowledge. However, hardly any study has examined the relationship between GPK of teachers and the instructional quality delivered to their students. This article therefore investigates the relationship between teachers’ GPK assessed via a standardised paper–pencil test and the quality of their instruction rated by their students. A sample of 246 in-service teachers at vocational schools in Austria is used. Teachers’ GPK positively correlates with students’ perceptions of effective classroom management, generic teaching methods/teacher clarity and teacher–student relationships. Regression analysis shows that GPK is a significant predictor for instructional quality even when controlled for teacher education grades, teacher personality (Big-Five) and teaching experience. Implications of teachers’ GPK as a resource for their teaching, limitations of the study and perspectives for future research are discussed.