Gender differences in academic and social behavior of elementary school transfer students

This study describes a tutoring program designed to help children in grades 3 through 5 who underwent an unscheduled school transfer. We examined gender differences in self-concepts, academic performance, teacher evaluations, and peer ratings. Gender differences were found in several measures, although gender did not substantially interact with the intervention. As expected, female transfer students reported lower self-concepts than males; teachers reported that boys were more popular; peers also rated boys as more aggressive and girls as more likable. Findings suggest that preventive interventions for transfer students need to account for effects of gender.     

Building school support systems for parents of handicapped children: The parent Education and Guidance program

The Parent Education and Guidance Program was motivated by the belief that the fostering of a positive, ongoing relationship between the school and home can have a significant bearing on the development of family strengths for coping with a handicapped child. The training program utilized parent support groups and professionals from various fields to involve parents of handicapped children in group process directed toward the holistic approach to meeting the child's social, emotional, and intellectual needs. During the course of the program it became apparent that parents needed the help and support of other parents who shared similar difficulties related to having a handicapped child in the family. Issues related to developing personal awareness as well as interpersonal skills were dealt with at the parent meetings. An atmosphere of mutual understanding and support between members of the Child Study Team and parents developed as a result of less formalized and more relaxed contact during the 8-month program.     

A Comfortable Start for Everyone: The First Week of School in Three Multi-Age (K-2) Classrooms

This article describes the start of the school year in three multi-age classrooms where 8 new kindergarten children join 16 returning first and second graders. The authors (professor/observers and teachers) describe what happens during the first week of school in this setting where the students remain with their teachers for 3 years. They explain what the start of the year is like for the returning students (first and second graders), the new students (kindergartners), the parents, and the teachers.     

Acquisition of behavioral control by static visual features of an imprinting object: Species generality

Previous work had indicated that after prolonged exposure to a moving object, ducklings will direct filial responses toward that object even if it remains stationary during its presentation. The present experiment demonstrated the wide species generality of this effect by obtaining similar results in newly hatched chickens, pheasant, turkeys, and quail, as well as ducks.     

Simulations in distance education: Progress towards an evaluation instrument

This article reports on a study in which an interactive computer‐based learning resource consisting of a tutorial with a decision support system and simulations, is evaluated in the context of a distance education business degree course. The primary purpose of the study was to develop and test an instrument for evaluation of the learning resource, with particular reference to simulations. The instrument adds further dimensions to factors such as learner support and engagement, to incorporate elements of motivation and transfer. Consequently, the scales that comprise the instrument include three key areas: features of the computer package, the effect on students” motivation, and the impact on their ability to transfer knowledge to the workplace. As a result of the analysis, a reliable and valid evaluation instrument that includes components of these three areas is provided. It is expected that other researchers will be able to develop and refine this instrument to evaluate various forms of computer‐based educational resources.