Reading in an Alphasyllabary: Implications for a Language Universal Theory of Learning to Read

We report the associations between phonological awareness and orthographic knowledge in readers of alphasyllabic Kannada. Less fluent 9- to 12-year-olds with lower orthographic knowledge were at floor on phoneme tasks, but more fluent readers, with greater orthographic knowledge, showed significant phonemic awareness. Orthographic knowledge, phoneme awareness, and RAN were independent predictors of reading rate and, together with syllable awareness, predicted individual differences in reading accuracy. Taken together, we suggest that increasing alphasyllabic literacy promotes a dual representation at the syllable and phoneme level and that the analytic processes involved in acquiring orthographic knowledge and mappings with phonology are a universal aspect of reading development across languages.     

UNDERSTANDING THE CHILD'S PERSPECTIVE: PRESERVICE TEACHERS SEE THE CLASSROOM WITH NEW EYES

It is difficult for teacher candidates (university preservice teachers) to accept and use an innovative teaching method or strategy if they do not have an opportunity to actually engage in using the method or see it modeled in an early childhood classroom. Teacher candidates used Project Approach to learn about multicultural education. Their own work demonstrated the value of using Project Approach and helped to deepen their belief in the importance of multicultural education and cultural perspectives. In addition, the candidates themselves became engaged learners. They took responsibility for their own learning and demonstrated that teaching and learning for themselves and for children can be meaningful when using constructivist theory.     

RFID systems in libraries: An empirical examination of factors affecting system use and user satisfaction

Library operation and management requires the performance of a number of repetitive, painstaking, labour- and time-intensive activities. Hence, in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness, many libraries are moving towards automation of the majority of their activities. Libraries are deploying Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology as a substitute for barcode systems for item identification and tracking, and this ultimately enables the automation of the majority of their processes. It is apparent from the available literature that research on RFID-related issues is largely concentrated on technical, organizational and implementation aspects, and less attention has been paid to understanding the use and user-satisfaction aspects. Therefore, this article aims to understand factors affecting the use of RFID systems and user satisfaction in a library context by empirically testing relevant constructs from DeLone and McLean's IS Success Model. A questionnaire-based survey was employed to collect data from a total of 181 respondents, who were all active users of an RFID-based library system. The findings from this study suggest that factors like system quality, use and user satisfaction positively influence consumer attitudes towards RFID-enabled services. The concluding section outlines salient points and briefly describes the associated limitations of this research, along with suggestions for future research directions.     

Ethnicity as a Moderator of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Physical Activity in College Students

Most college students do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines, and ethnic disparities exist. The present study examined the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in explaining PA intentions and behavior in black and white college students and whether any TPB relationships were moderated by ethnicity. Black (n = 170) and white (n = 180) students completed a baseline TPB questionnaire and PA assessment 2 weeks later. Hierarchical latent variable regression analyses showed that affective attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) were significant predictors of intention for both ethnic groups, whereas the PBC-intention relationship was significantly stronger for white students. Intention significantly predicted PA for both ethnic groups. Furthermore, common and ethnic-specific beliefs were identified.     

Anthropometry of Young Women

Abstract

Based upon a multidimensional model for characterizing physical activity, the development of two forms (college men, college women) of an attitude inventory is described. Items held to be representative of the six dimensions of the model were evaluated on the basis of factor and item analyses using data generated by the use of preliminary forms. Hoyt reliabilities ranged from .72 to .89 for the six scales. Scales were able to differentiate between appropriate high and low preference groups for a particular type of activity in all cases except physical activity perceived as “catharsis.” The stability of the instrument is shown by comparing measures of central tendency, variability, and reliability of the basic sample with those drawn from a second, but similar population. Normative data, instructions, and a list of items, are provided.     

Morphological Bisexuality as a Factor in the Motor Performance of College Women

Abstract

Masculinity and femininity ratings were studied in relation to motor performance scores of college women. Arm strength, muscular explosive power, pure speed, and the Humiston Test of motor ability showed a significant positive relationship to andric ratings and a significant negative relationship to gynic ratings. Subjects were classified as being “above”, “at”, or “below” the established mean of the andric and gynic factors. Comparison of mean scores revealed those above the andric mean to be superior on tests of speed, arm strength, and motor ability. Those below the mean of the gynic factor were found to be superior on these same tests and on explosive power. The extent to which the physical expression of masculinity exceeded that of femininity was more highly related to performance scores than were either masculinity or femininity ratings alone.     

Detecting Bouts of Physical Activity in a Field Setting

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to assess the TRITRAC® and CSA® for: (a) interaccelerometer agreement; (b) agreement in detecting patterns of moderate-intensity physical activity; and (c) agreement in detecting walking patterns recorded in a diary. Thirty-one women wore both the TRITRAC® and CSA® accelerometers for three consecutive days. Interaccelerometer agreement (measured with generalizability coefficients) ranged from .88 to .99. In total, 71.3% of the accelerometers' patterns agreed in length, with CSA® patterns being on average significantly longer. Interaccelerometer agreement in detecting patterns of brisk walking, as recorded in a diary, was comparable (69.4%). Interaccelerometer discrepancies may be related in part to the threshold employed by each instrument for classifying moderate intensity patterns.     

Physical Self-Concept and Strength Changes in College Weight Training Classes

Abstract

The criteria generally accepted for constructing attitude scales were followed in the construction of each of these two scales of attitude toward physical education. Standards of equivalence were also set up and followed in “equating” the two forms. The forms are proposed for use in appraising attitude changes resulting from brief experiences such as listening to a talk on physical education, watching a demonstration, viewing a film, or taking part in some activity. The two thirty-statement forms are given at the end of the article.     

The Applicability of Item Response Theory to Tests of Motor Behavior

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine how young children interact in the context of learning fundamental motor skills. Twenty-nine preschool children were observed during a period of six consecutive months while they were participating in their daily motor skills program. Fieldwork research methodology was used and data were collected using participant observation techniques. During data analysis, emerging patterns were identified and cross-referenced against data collected from other sources (triangulation). Girls were found to interact in a cooperative, caring, and sharing manner. Bays were found to interact in a competitive, individualized, and egocentric manner. A cultural pattern of cooperative interaction among Asian children was found. In addition, both boys and girls tried to maintain their gender style of interaction when dealing with the opposite sex. This study reveals several aspects of the social environment that may need to be considered when teaching motor skills to young children.