Book reviews

Declaring Independence: A Guide to Creating Community-controlled Science Journals Policy Approaches to Copyright in HEIs: A Study of the JISC Committee for Awareness, Liaison and Training by Ralph Weedon University of Strathclyde (available from The Centre for Educational Systems, University of Strathclyde, Alexander Turnbull Building, 155 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD). ISBN 0-9538312-0-5 Internet Publishing and Beyond: The Economics of Digital Information and Intellectual Property edited by Brian Kahin and Hal R. Varian MIT Press, 2000. Pp. 229. Paperback £16.95. ISBN 0-262-61159-7 How to Present at Meetings edited by George Hall. London: BMJ Books, 2001. Pp. ix + 79. £12.95. ISBN 0-7279-1271-2 Dictionary of Printing and Publishing by Michael Barnard and John Peacock Pira International, UK, 2000. Pp. 216. Softcover, £80.00. ISBN 1-85802-3815     

Learning to Be. A Perspective from British Columbia,Canada

This article describes how learning to be, with a specific focus on social-emotional competencies, has become part of the educational mindset — and educational policy — in British Columbia, Canada. The development of a set of learning progressions for social responsibility, an emphasis on social emotional learning in the new curriculum framework, the recognition of the importance of the First Peoples Principles of Learning and a disciplined approach to inquiry through school-to-school networks are strengthening the focus on learning to be across schools and communities.     

A Shift to Inquiry: The Heart of Effective Teaching and Professional Development for the Twenty-First Century

This article explores how an experienced teacher navigates the demands of curriculum to implement her inquiry-centered teaching and learning philosophy, and how administrators along the way supported her during this change. Interviews with this classroom teacher surface suggestions for twenty-first-century professional development and support, including the development of equitable, intellectual, and trusting relationships between teachers and administrators, attitudes of curiosity and availability on the part of administrators, and the use of documentation to provide evidence and visibility of meaningful teaching and learning. This article invites teachers interested in change and administrators committed to supporting competent teachers to consider the strategies proposed.     

Greeting You Online: Selecting Web-Based Conferencing Tools for Instruction in E-Learning Mode

Academic distance learning programs have gained popularity and added to the demand for online library services. Librarians are now conducting instruction for distance learning students beyond their traditional work. Technology advancements have enhanced the delivery mode in distance learning across academic disciplines. Online conference tools originally designed for commercial use are now Web-based conferencing tools allowing librarians to be innovative in their service delivery, disregarding proximity barriers. This article talks about selection criteria and important features to consider when selecting e-learning instruction software. Suggestions of some free Web-based conferencing tools are provided.     

Improving Groupworking Skills in Undergraduates Through Employer Involvement

Frequently undergraduate project work involves students working in groups. Such groupworking is often problematic owing to poor groupworking skills on the part of the students involved, yet ‘teamwork’ is one of those generic skills highly prized by employers. This study describes a pilot project to involve employers in the development of groupworking skills in undergraduate students, with the aims of increasing student awareness of group dynamics and processes and of promoting more effective groupworking. Students worked in small groups over a period of six to eight weeks on a problem associated with the module being studied. Employers observed students working in their groups and provided feedback to the students on their groupworking skills. The reactions (extremely positive) of students, staff and employers are presented. The procedures and methods used in the pilot are described and evaluated.     

六大秘诀让你不再恐惧职场冲突

作为职场一族,你需要知道如何有效化解职场冲突.设想一下,每天8小时间,面对各种工作职责和目标,都需要协调,一旦碰上缺乏凝聚力的团队,遭遇强烈的反对意见,甚至遇到难以相处的人,包括你的老板或者客户时,难免发生冲突,这个时候该如何应对呢?没有人希望将职场变成一个充满硝烟的战场.冲突会对你的职场人际关系造成破坏性的影响,还会增加隔阂,拉大人与人之间的距离.所以我们需要有效的方式来解决冲突,核心守则不仅仅需要诚意和谅解,更需要一定的礼仪和技巧,当你掌握了这些秘诀,你会发现应对冲突不再是一件艰巨的任务.