Governing by inspection? European inspectorates and the creation of a European education policy space

This paper draws on the first, completed phase of a research project on inspection as governing in three European inspection systems. The data presented here draw attention to the rather under-researched associational activities of European inspectorates and their developing practices of policy learning and exchange, and highlight their significance as contributing to an emergent European Education Policy Space (EEPS). The paper is framed by original approaches to inspection that locate it as a set of governing practices, connected to changing governing forms and the growth of networks of relationships and flows of data across Europe. Comparisons are drawn between the relationships with Europe of inspectorates in Scotland, Sweden and England, drawing on Jacobsson's conceptualisation of regulative, inquisitive and meditative governance as a framing device.     

The desire for longevity: Development of the Personal Longevity Scale

ABSTRACT

A new psychometrically acceptable measure of the desire to live a very long life was devised using two samples. In Study 1, initial exploratory analyses of the Personal Longevity Scale (PLS) scale revealed a two-factor structure. The Hope factor represents the hopefulness participants have with regards to their expectations about personal longevity. The second factor, Dread, represents the fear and uneasiness associated with self-perceptions of living a very long life. In Study 2, the bidimensional nature of the PLS measure was confirmed, and the scale was further refined to include a final of seven items. Four items represent Hope (α = .85), and three items represent Dread (α = .78). Theoretical rationales for the two-factor structure of personal longevity are discussed. In Study 3, the PLS was compared to three similar measures of attitudes about aging. The results indicate that the PLS has moderate levels of convergent and discriminant validity. Potential uses for the new scale are discussed.     

Enhancing Student Motivation: A Schoolwide Approach

What little motivational research is directed toward the practical world of education is primarily addressed to classroom teachers. We presume to speak to those in school leadership roles. Building on current interest in restructuring schools as well as the recent attention to motivational issues, we suggest how the school as a whole can be redesigned so as to enhance student motivation and learning. Our proposal is based firmly on an established program of research and is framed by goal theory. In addition to presenting a rationale for school change and a process to effect that change, we describe an ongoing project based on the theory and directed toward school change.     

Student interest: A two-study re-examination of the concept

Two studies were conducted for the purpose of validating an 18-item version of the Learner Empowerment Scale (LES) as a measure of student interest. The LES consists of three subscales that measure students’ perceptions of meaningfulness, impact, and feelings of competence. These three constructs are frequently identified by education researchers as dimensions of student interest. In Study One, there were no differences between the psychometric qualities of the 18-item measure and the 29-item measure. Additionally, the relationships between the two versions with measures of student motivation did not differ significantly from each other. In Study Two, relationships were explored between the three dimensions of the 18-item LES and students’ motives for communicating with their instructors. The results of these two studies provide preliminary reliability and validity for the shortened version of the LES as a measure of student interest.     

Understanding Emotional Response Theory: The Role of Instructor Power and Justice Messages

Self‐efficacy is the belief or confidence people have in their ability to achieve their goals. This study tested a path model involving past communicative experience, situation difficulty, self‐efficacy, interpersonal communication competence, and interpersonal communication outcomes. We found that self‐efficacy mediated the effect of past experience and situation difficulty on interpersonal communication outcomes. Interpersonal communication competence directly effected rewarding, satisfying communication. The study also provided concurrent validity information on the Interpersonal Communication Competence Scale, a skills measure of competence that taps 10 dimensions of the construct.     

从精英到大众再到普及高等教育的反思：二战后现代社会高等教育的形态与阶段

30多年前,马丁·特罗撰文首次提出关于高等教育转型的一系列概念(Trow,1973),阐述了高等教育的三种形态:精英的、大众的、普及的.由于现代高等教育体系比30多年前庞大得多,也更加多样化和复杂,因而,马丁·特罗在本文中再次思考这些概念和模式中的某些部分,探索它们是否对理解现代高等教育体系继续有用.文章突出以近期欧洲的发展为背景,考察了那些概念在用以阐述当前情形时是否需要以及在哪些地方需要修正--甚至修正是否可能.本文译者受马丁·特罗生前授权,将本文加以翻译发表,以飨读者.     

Computer-assisted argument mapping: a <Emphasis Type="Italic">rationale</Emphasis> approach

Computer-Assisted Argument Mapping (CAAM) is a new way of understanding arguments. While still embryonic in its development and application, CAAM is being used increasingly as a training and development tool in the professions and government. Inroads are also being made in its application within education. CAAM claims to be helpful in an educational context, as a tool for students in responding to assessment tasks. However, to date there is little evidence from students that this is the case. This paper outlines the use of CAAM as an educational tool within an Economics and Commerce Faculty in a major Australian research university. Evaluation results are provided from students from a CAAM pilot within an upper-level Economics subject. Results indicate promising support for the use of CAAM and its potential for transferability within the disciplines. If shown to be valuable with further studies, CAAM could be included in capstone subjects, allowing computer technology to be utilised in the service of generic skill development.