Discourse About Ideas: Monitoring and Regulation in Face-to-Face and Computer-Mediated Environments*

A novel Web-based Accountability Model (WAM) for assessment and learning in a Teacher Education Program was implemented. The objective is to explain the rationale for the WAM model, how it was implemented as the web-based Education Accountability System (EAS), and the impacts on the organization and the individual. Standards were followed in the system design and implementation to facilitate interoperability. EAS consists of an electronic portfolio subsystem, an online performance assessment subsystem, and an accountability center subsystem. Each subsystem was developed based on work practices of the department that the department carefully elaborated before implementation. In a department of education annually graduating approximately 450 students and involving over 200 faculty and staff, the EAS was successfully established and used. The EAS improved candidate performance, program quality, and operations and is now being disseminated to other universities. However, successful usage required refinements to the model and modifications to the content of the system. Lessons learned could assist other institutions to implement a similar system.     

The implementation of best education practices for a student severely affected by autism

In this article, we describe an inclusive educational programme for a young boy severely affected by autism. The programme is exemplary not only academically, but also in terms of what children need socially and emotionally. It represents best practices in action. Given the wide agreement about what constitutes best education practices, but the lack of information about how to achieve these, we focus on the practical, systems-level interventions, including strong leadership, effective teaming, staff training, and ongoing flexibility and planning that have allowed the implementation of evidence-based practices in a school setting rather than on the specifics of the child's individual programme. In taking this approach, we describe overarching challenges and solutions that might contribute to the successful education of other children with an ASD. Our purpose is to share a positive story, which we hope will serve as an inspiration to others.     

Intra-abdominal pressures during activity in women using an intra-vaginal pressure transducer

Abstract

Strenuous physical activity has been linked to pelvic floor disorders in women. Using a novel wireless intra-vaginal pressure transducer, intra-abdominal pressure was measured during diverse activities in a laboratory. Fifty-seven women performed a prescribed protocol using the intra-vaginal pressure transducer. We calculated maximal, area under the curve and first moment of the area intra-abdominal pressure for each activity. Planned comparisons of pressure were made between levels of walking and cycling and between activities with reported high pressure in the literature. Findings indicate variability in intra-abdominal pressure amongst individuals doing the same activity, especially in activities that required regulation of effort. There were statistically significant differences in maximal pressure between levels of walking, cycling and high pressure activities. Results for area under the curve and first moment of the area were not always consistent with maximal pressure. Coughing had the highest maximal pressure, but had lower area under the curve and first moment of the area compared to most activities. Our data reflect novel findings of maximal, area under the curve and first moment of the area measures of intra-abdominal pressure, which may have clinical relevance for how physical activity relates to pelvic floor dysfunction.     

Facing Our E-Demons: The Challenges of E-Serial Management in a Large Academic Library

As electronic serials have shifted from being the exception to the norm, libraries are becoming increasingly reliant on knowledge base-driven systems to help manage electronic serial holdings. In 2011, the University of Toronto Libraries migrated its electronic resource holdings from a local database to a commercial electronic resource management (ERM) system. With two years of experience using a commercial ERM system, the presenters endeavored to analyze how the library is coping with e-serial management within this new environment. This study reveals many of the benefits and pitfalls of managing electronic journals within a knowledge base–driven system and highlights the need for greater standardization within the data supply chain, better communication with publishers and knowledge base providers, and increased collaboration to improve the e-resource management process.