Framing Quality: Annotated Video-Based Portfolios of Classroom Practice by Pre-service Teachers

In this paper we describe the use of peer learning teams creating annotated video-based portfolios to improve the quality of teacher–child interactions of undergraduate majors in early childhood and family studies. We used the intentional teaching framework (Hamre et al. in Handbook of early education. Guilford Publications, New York, 2012a) to create a course that moved students through the process of “knowing,” “seeing,” “doing,” and “reflecting & improving.” Forty-four undergraduate early childhood students formed eleven peer learning teams of four. We started the course by teaching the teacher–child interaction skills that are considered to be high-quality and linked to positive child outcomes (knowing). After learning to reliably identify (seeing) high quality instruction using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System, the students created video portfolios featuring their own adult-child interactions (doing). These portfolios, featuring short salient examples of six different dimensions of quality instruction, were posted to a website and shared with their peer learning team. Each team member then commented on the extent to which she or he believed the students’ example was high quality. The portfolios and the peer coaching learning team (PCLT) process have improved our ability to document change in interactions as well as the students’ abilities to see their own growth (reflecting & improving). Further, it allows us to tighten the connection between course content and practical application as well as providing us with an alternative to on-site supervision of practicum students, which can be challenging due to budget constraints. Finally, we hope that sharing this activity will encourage others to integrate video-based technology into their coursework as a means to demonstrate positive change in students’ learning.     

Consultation With Professional Peers: A National Survey of the Practices of School Psychologists

There is an increasing need for education professionals to keep abreast of new research and developments in their fields. The peer support group, which is characterized by the sharing of expertise and knowledge, the provision of mutual support, and joint problem solving among professional colleagues, has been advanced as promising means of promoting professional growth and development. This article reports the results of an exploratory national survey of school psychologists' involvement in peer support groups (PSGs) that was undertaken to identify the potential contributions of such activities to improving professional practice. Nearly 64% of the respondents indicated involvement in a PSG at some point in their careers, with almost 50% currently participating in one. Several benefits were attributed to group membership, and it was suggested that further research efforts are needed to clarify the essential components that contribute to group effectiveness.     

Universal service in a participatory democracy: A perspective from Australia

This article places universal service policy in telecommunications in Australia in an historical context. Given the dynamic growth in information technologies, universal service should be reconceptualized within a knowledge-based discourse critically linked to considerations for deepening participatory democracy. As a consequence of the discussion this article recommends that funding universal service obligations in telecommunications be based on the preferred notion of a maximally open democratic debate. The universal service obligation in telecommunications should be funded from consolidated revenue with its parameters set by democratic debate.     

A Measure of Relative Dispersion

This paper suggests a measure of dispersion which is invariant with respect to linear transformations and distinguishes between large and small spreads.     

The Role of Civility and Anonymity on Perceptions of Online Comments

An experiment was conducted (N = 170) to determine the role of civility and anonymity in online comments received for a news story. Dependent variables were (a) interest in the discussion, (b) favorability toward the comments, (c) favorability toward the commenter, and (d) trust in the information. Participants exposed to uncivil comments viewed the commenter less favorably and reported less trust in the information in the comment. Anonymity had no effect on the dependent variables, in contrast to expectations derived from social presence theory. Findings revealed that politeness of comments affected participants’ overall perceptions of the content of the online discussion.     

用音乐传递美善——音乐家kim谈品格训练

Kim Lytton,中文名李婉君,来自美国的艺术家和教育家。全家自1991年来到昆明,居住和工作直到如今。在此期间,她和丈夫创办了昆明国际学校和丹云国际商务咨询公司。她参加了多部电视剧和电影的演出,并从2003年至今担任北京电视台外国人才艺大赛的嘉宾和评委。她和丈夫在养育两个女儿的过程中对品格培养有深刻的感悟。     

Student Reasoning About the Lever Principle Through Multimodal Representations: a Socio-Semiotic Approach

International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education - There is increasing recognition of the multimodal representational nature of science discovery practices and the roles of multiple and...