Some issues influencing the planning and implementation of vocational education in Nepal

This study attempted to analyze the perceptions of selected Nepali educators and administrators concerning certain basic issues which have been influencing the planning and implementation of vocational education in Nepal. The issues were determined after a review of the relevant research and literature. A questionnaire with 13 items was mailed to Nepali educators, administrators, experts and headmasters involved with vocational education. A total of 142 (53.18%) usable questionnaires were returned, and two groups of respondents were identified from the nature of their work, namely planners and implementors. The responses were interpreted using the analysis of variance statistical test (ANOVA). Findings indicated that planners and implementors, respectively, had significantly different attitudes concerning issues related to the characteristics of students, employment, and financial aspects of vocational programs. A higher proportion of planners than implementors dissented from the proposition that vocational education should be designed for less intelligent students. Implementors felt that the students could make vocational choices at the age of 14 or 15, whereas the planners were uncertain. The implementors were also more of the opinion that vocational education was too expensive for Nepal, while the planners tended to disagree with them about this. Regarding other matters, however, all the respondents indicated general agreement with the issues as stated.

---

Zusammenfassung Diese Studie versuchte, die Vorstellungen ausgewählter nepalesischer Erziehungswissenschaftler und Verwaltungsbeamter in Bezug auf bestimmte Grundfragen zu analysieren, die Planung und Durchführung von Berufsausbildung in Nepal beeinflußten. Nach Durchsicht der Forschungsprojekte und der entsprechenden Literatur, wurden Fragepunkte ausgearbeitet. Ein Fragebogen mit dreizehn Punkten wurde an nepalesische Erziehungswissenschaftler, Verwaltungsbeamte, Experten und Schulleiter geschickt, die mit Berufsausbildung zu tun haben. Insgesamt 142 (53,18%) brauchbare Fragebogen wurden zurückgeschickt und zwei Gruppen von Befragten nach Art ihrer Tätigkeit, nämlich Planer und Durchführer, festgestellt. Die Antworten wurden ausgewertet indem die Analyse statistischer Varianztests (ANOVA) benutzt wurde. Ergebnisse zeigten, daß Planer und Durchführer signifikant unterschiedliche Einstellungen hatten zu Fragen in Bezug auf Merkmale der Schüler, Berufstätigkeit und finanzielle Aspekte des Berufsausbildungsprogramms. Ein höherer Anteil von Planern als Durchführern wich von der Behauptung ab, Berufsbildung sei für weniger intelligente Schüler bestimmt. Durchführer glaubten, daß Schüler im Alter von 14 oder 15 Jahren ihre Berufswahl treffen könnten, wohingegen sich die Planer nicht sicher waren. Durchführer waren auch der Meinung, daß Berufsausbildung für Nepal zu teuer sei, während Planer dazu neigten, mit ihnen darüber nicht übereinzustimmen. Hinsichtlich anderer Punkte jedoch, stimmten alle befragten Personen generell mit den Aussagen, wie angegeben, überein.

---

Résumé Cette étude avait pour objectif l'analyse des perceptions de certains éducateurs et administrateurs népalais concernant quelques facteurs fondamentaux qui influencent la planification et la mise en oeuvre de l'éducation professionnelle au Népal. Ces facteurs ont été déterminés après examen des travaux importants de la recherche et de la littérature sur le sujet. Un questionnaire portant 13 points a été envoyé aux éducateurs, administrateurs, spécialistes et directeurs d'école népalais concernés par l'éducation professionnelle. Un total de 142 (53, 18%) questionnaires exploitables ont été retournés et deux groupes de personnes ont pu être identifiés d'après la nature de leur travail, à savoir les planificateurs et les exécutants. Les réponses ont été interprétées d'après l'analyse du test statistique de variance (ANOVA). Les résultats ont montré que les planificateurs et les exécutants avaient des opinions sensiblement différentes quant aux facteurs relatifs aux caractéristiques des étudiants, du chômage et des aspects financiers des programmes professionnels. Une plus grande partie de planificateurs que d'exécutants différait de l'opinion selon laquelle l'éducation professionnelle devrait s'adresser aux étudiants moins intelligents. Les exécutants pensaient que les étudiants pouvaient faire un choix professionnel à l'âge de 14 ou 15 ans, tandis que les planificateurs en étaient incertains. Les exécutants étaient également plutôt de l'avis que l'éducation professionnelle était trop coûteuse pour le Népal, alors que les planificateurs tendaient à penser le contraire. Pour ce qui est des autres questions, cependant, toutes les personnes qui ont répondu étaient d'accord avec les facteurs comme indiqué.

     

A longitudinal study of state government homepage accessibility in Maryland and the role of web page templates for improving accessibility

It is well documented that government agencies, at all levels, continue to have problems ensuring that government web sites follow laws related to web accessibility for people with disabilities. Although there are a number of published studies on government web accessibility that are point-in-time, there are no published studies consisting of a longitudinal analysis of state-level government web site accessibility. This paper contributes to the research literature in three ways: 1) an accessibility inspection of 25 Maryland state government homepages in 2012 which involved 150 human inspections of web pages, 2) a comparison of the results from 2012 to a similar accessibility evaluation in 2009, and 3) a discussion of the role of a web page template, which was introduced in Maryland state government shortly after the 2009 evaluation. The data from this longitudinal evaluation leads to the conclusion that web page templates do tend to result in more accessible sites within state government.     

The status and strengths of the profession

This article, based in part on conversations and correspondence with about 30 teachers throughout the Central States area, reports on doctoral output, the job situation, and the state of the discipline itself. The author also comments briefly on CSSA history and suggests possible future activities.     

A logical analysis of faculty collective bargaining

This paper proposes a model for the verbal theory of collective bargaining. Four variables are used: trust, salary, inclination for collective bargaining, and general professional market. Postulates from the model and strategies for estimating its parameters are also discussed.     

Lung Volumes and Maximal Respiratory Pressures in Collegiate Swimmers and Runners

Abstract

To determine whether respiratory muscle strength is related to pulmonary volume differences in athletes and nonathletes, 11 intercollegiate female swimmers, 11 female cross-country runners, and two nonathletic control groups, matched to the athletes in height and age, were evaluated for pulmonary parameters including maximal inspiratory pressure (P_lmax) and maximal expiratory pressure (P_Emax). Swimmers exhibited larger (p < .05) vital capacities (VC), residual lung volumes (RV), inspiratory capacities (IC), and functional residual capacities (FRC) than both the runners or the controls but no difference (p > .05) in either P_lmax or inspiratory flow (FIV_25%-75%). Timed expiratory volumes (FEV Q.5 m and FEV_1.0 were significantly (p < .05) lower in the swimmers than in the controls. These data suggest that an adaptational growth may be responsible, in part, for the augmented static lung volumes demonstrated in swimmers     

Metacognitive processes and associations to executive function and motivation during a problem-solving task in 3–5 year olds

Metacognition and Learning - Metacognition—knowledge, monitoring, and regulation of cognition—is key to learning and academic achievement. This is robustly supported for K-12 and higher...     

The influence of deformation on barbell mechanics during the clean pull

For simplicity of biomechanical analyses, the weightlifting barbell is typically modelled as a rigid, non-deformable object. Most coaches and weightlifters, however, are aware of the elastic nature of the barbell, and its influence on the successful completion of lifting attempts. Variables such as velocity, work performed, and power output are indicators of the quality of performance during the snatch, clean, and related weightlifting pulling movements. The aim of this study was to establish whether differences exist in determining these biomechanical parameters when the centre of the barbell is analysed compared with each end of the barbell. Nine men performed three maximal-effort repetitions in the clean pull exercise at 85% of their self-reported single repetition maximum (1-RM) clean (90–155 kg) using a barbell instrumented for mechanical analysis. Results indicated that peak barbell speed was 5–30% (P < 0.05) lower for the centre of the barbell than the ends. Although differences (P < 0.05) in kinetic and potential energy were found between the centre and ends of the bar, differences between total work performed were small ( < 6%; P < 0.05) and no differences were observed for average power (P > 0.05). Although approximately the same work and power occur for the centre and ends of the barbell, they manifest as different kinematics as a result of the elastic nature of the equipment. The elastic characteristics should be considered when selecting instrumentation and variables for research involving barbells. Coaches should be aware of the elasticity of barbells, including selecting appropriate viewing angles as well as understanding how deformation may affect the ends of the barbell relative to the centre.     

Forefoot and heel take-off strategies result in different distribution of lower extremity work during landings

ABSTRACT

Previous research suggests that landing mechanics may be affected by the mechanics of the preceding jump take-off. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether jump take-off mechanics influence the subsequent landing mechanics. Female volleyball (n = 17) and ice hockey (n = 19) players performed maximal vertical jumps with forefoot and heel take-off strategies. During forefoot and heel jumps, participants were instructed to shift their weight to their forefoot or heel, respectively, and push through this portion of the foot throughout the jump. Jump mechanics were examined using 3D motion analysis, where lower extremity net joint moment (NJM) work, NJM, and segment angles were compared between forefoot and heel jumps using multivariate ANOVA. During jump take-off, participants performed more positive ankle plantar flexor and knee extensor NJM work in forefoot compared to heel jumps (P < 0.05). From initial foot contact to foot flat, participants performed more negative ankle plantar flexor and hip extensor NJM work during heel compared to forefoot jumps (P < 0.05). The present results demonstrate that using a heel take-off strategy results in a different distribution of lower extremity NJM work and NJM during landing compared to landings following forefoot jumps.