Serial Killer

An unsolicited spam email message leads to musings on the improbable correspondence between an attempt at extortion and the future of academic journals. Literal and figurative meanings of “serial killer” are explored.     

Retired academics and professional activity: A British-American comparison

This study investigated the professional activities of retired academics from two old civic universities in Great Britain, and compared the findings to those of recent studies of retired academics from a major state university in the United States (Dorfman, 1980, 1981). A high degree of similarity was found between the two groups of academics: (1) a large majority continued to perform professional roles and participate in professional activities in retirement; (2) there was a striking degree of consistency between pre- and postretirement professional activity levels; (3) the most consistent predictors of both total level and rate of professional activity in retirement were level of professional activity during the preretirement career and ties to professional organizations outside the University.An earlier version of this paper was presented at the thirteenth International Congress of Gerontology, New York City, July 1985.     

Pre-service and in-service teachers’ perceptions on the integration of children’s literature in mathematics teaching and learning in Ireland

The beneficial role that children’s literature plays in facilitating the meaningful integration and advancement of literacy and numeracy in the primary mathematics classroom has been well validated by research findings internationally. In Ireland, supporting the development of literacy and numeracy is a key educational priority. Consequently, a myriad of policy initiatives such as the Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life strategy have been introduced. All aim to address concerns about young people’s lack of basic literacy and numeracy skills and to consider new teaching and learning modalities to enhance same. Despite this, no official emphasis is given to incorporating literature in the Irish primary school mathematics curriculum. Therefore, it is pertinent and timely that this study seeks to ascertain pre-service and in-service teachers’ views on the use of literature to support mathematics teaching and learning and to investigate perceived barriers to and enablers for the integration of children’s literature in the mathematics classroom in Ireland. The analysis of the findings will be framed using Ajzen’s (Ajzen, Icek. 1991. “The Theory of Planned Behavior.” Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 50 (2): 179–211) Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model. This research is part of a large international research collaboration (see www.mathsthroughstories.org), in which the beliefs of teachers with respect to children’s literature are investigated.     

Retired professors and professional activity: A comparative study of three types of institutions

This study compares the professional activities of retired professors from liberal arts colleges, a comprehensive university, and a major research university. Results show that a large majority of faculty continue to perform professional roles and that strength of ties to colleagues and professional organizations outside the institution are correlated with professional activity at all types of institutions. Major differences among institutions are: (1) liberal arts college and research university faculty show consistency between pre- and postretirement professional activity levels, whereas comprehensive university faculty do not; (2) university faculty show higher levels of participation in a number of professional activities than do liberal arts college faculty; (3) rated importance of research or other creative work is related to professional activity for comprehensive university faculty and rated importance of consulting and university service are related to professional activity for research university faculty.     

The Experience of Parenting an Adolescent with Autism

This study used qualitative research methodology to investigate the experiences of parents of adolescents with autism. Eight parents, representing six separate family units, were interviewed. The primary objectives were to understand the experiences in the lives of the parents interviewed and identify needs of adolescents with autism and their families. Six consistent themes emerged from the interview data: (a) behavioural concerns, (b) social and communication concerns, (c) family‐related concerns, (d) education and related services, (e) relationships with professionals, and (f) independence and future concerns. The findings were discussed in relationship to previous research findings and service provision.     

UNDERACHIEVEMENT IN CULTURALLY DIFFERENT GIFTED CHILDREN

The paper examines issues related to underachievement in culturally different children. For a specific cultural group, the Canadian Inuit (Eskimo) people, the inappropriateness and inadequacy of the frequently used intelligence‐achievement discrepancy for identifying underachievement are demonstrated Approaches for assessing underachievement and giftedness in culturally different children, without reliance on standardized and inappropriately normed tests, are considered As well, a number of cognitive strategies programs are noted as having potential for remediation of learning difficulties in culturally different, underachieving, gifted children. The ultimate goal is identification of culturally different children, reduction or elimination of underachievement, and development of their full potential.

     

Case study evaluation of an intervention planning tool to support emotional well-being and behaviour in schools

Questions of how best to support both children’s emotional well-being and behaviour in schools are pervasive. The efficacy of an intervention planning tool to support internalising and externalising emotional needs and promote early intervention was explored in a small-scale case study. Adults were trained in two primary schools to carry out the intervention planning tool which they did with a total of 12 children. The intervention planning tool was based on principles of multi-element plans (MEPS) and target-monitoring and evaluation (TME). Data from scaling (TME), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, a questionnaire based on the School Children’s Happiness Inventory (SCHI), and interviews with school staff and children were analysed using statistical and thematic analyses. Findings indicated that the intervention planning tool supported positive outcomes overall for the children, and that while some barriers were identified, several unexpected advantages were also revealed.