A Comparison of Professional Development Models for Teachers of Primary Mathematics and Science

The authors have been involved in two substantial Australian teacher professional development projects, with the Mathematical Association of Victoria and with the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria, which focused, respectively, on a whole‐school professional development and an extended workshop programme. The research described in this paper explores the experiences of participants in these two programmes, in order to identify the advantages and limitations of each type of professional development model in supporting teacher development, and the different needs of teachers in relation to mathematics and science. The findings from a questionnaire, supported by participant interviews, show a range of differences in experience and outcomes due to programme style and subject area. These are used to suggest a developmental framework for conceptualizing teacher professional development needs.     

The Effects of Videoconferencing,Class Size,and Learner Characteristics on Training Outcomes

ABSTRACT We examined direct and interaction effects of learners' characteristics (cognitive ability, prior knowledge, prior experience, and motivation to learn) and classroom characteristics (videoconferencing and class size) on learning from a 16-week course. A 2times2 quasi-experimental design varied the class size between large (∼60 students) and small (∼30 students) and between traditional classes with the instructor always present and classes taught using a videoconferencing system with the instructor present at each site every other week. Theory regarding instructor immediacy was used to predict that larger and videoconferenced classes would have negative effects on learner reactions and learning, but that highly motivated learners would overcome the negative effects on learning. Interactions between videoconferencing and motivation to learn, and class size and motivation to learn, were found in support of the theory. Research and practice implications are discussed.     

Narratives in a Science Center: Interpretation and Identity

Abstract This paper discusses issues raised by research into people's views of science and scientists, and the implications for interpretative forms in museums. The principles proposed here are based on a series of meetings that looked at the use of narratives in science and the responses of potential visitors from different cultural groups to ideas for narrative signage. Signage design can help people connect to science content by relating practical and theoretical knowledge, crafting explanations, understanding the nature of the medium, and conveying a message about science. The use of narrative form to design experiential guides opens up the possibility of changing a visitor's relationship to the traditional text encountered in museums.     

Comparing ActiGraph equations for estimating energy expenditure in older adults

Accurate estimation of energy expenditure (EE) from accelerometer outputs remains a challenge in older adults. The aim of this study was to validate different ActiGraph (AG) equations for predicting EE in older adults. Forty older adults (age = 77.4 ± 8.1 yrs) completed a set of household/gardening activities in their residence, while wearing an AG at the hip (GT3X+) and a portable calorimeter (MetaMax 3B – criterion). Predicted EEs from AG were calculated using five equations (Freedson, refined Crouter, Sasaki and Santos-Lozano (vertical-axis, vectormagnitude)). Accuracy of equations was assessed using root-mean-square error (RMSE) and mean bias. The Sasaki equation showed the lowest RMSE for all activities (0.47 METs) and across physical activity intensities (PAIs) (range 0.18–0.48 METs). The Freedson and Santos-Lozano equations tended to overestimate EE for sedentary activities (range: 0.48 to 0.97 METs), while EEs for moderate-to-vigorous activities (MVPA) were underestimated (range: ?1.02 to ?0.64 METs). The refined Crouter and Sasaki equations showed no systematic bias, but they respectively overestimated and underestimated EE across PAIs. In conclusion, none of the equations was completely accurate for predicting EE across the range of PAIs. However, the refined Crouter and Sasaki equations showed better overall accuracy and precision when compared with the other methods.     

The effects of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on cycling performance and acid base balance recovery in acute normobaric hypoxia

This study investigated the effects of two separate doses of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) on 4 km time trial (TT) cycling performance and post-exercise acid base balance recovery in hypoxia. Fourteen club-level cyclists completed four cycling TT’s, followed by a 40 min passive recovery in normobaric hypoxic conditions (FiO₂ = 14.5%) following one of either: two doses of NaHCO₃ (0.2 g.kg^?1 BM; SBC2, or 0.3 g.kg^?1 BM; SBC3), a taste-matched placebo (0.07 g.kg^?1 BM sodium chloride; PLA), or a control trial in a double-blind, randomized, repeated-measures and crossover design study. Compared to PLA, TT performance was improved following SBC2 (p = 0.04, g = 0.16, very likely beneficial), but was improved to a greater extent following SBC3 (p = 0.01, g = 0.24, very likely beneficial). Furthermore, a likely benefit of ingesting SBC3 over SBC2 was observed (p = 0.13, g = 0.10), although there was a large inter-individual variation. Both SBC treatments achieved full recovery within 40 min, which was not observed in either PLA or CON following the TT. In conclusion, NaHCO₃ improves 4 km TT performance and acid base balance recovery in acute moderate hypoxic conditions, however the optimal dose warrants an individual approach.     

Longer-term effects of minimalist shoes on running performance,strength and bone density: A 20-week follow-up study*

This study investigated whether male runners improve running performance, running economy, ankle plantar flexor strength, and alter running biomechanics and lower limb bone mineral density when gradually transitioning to using minimalist shoes for 100% of weekly running. The study was a planned follow-up of runners (n?=?50) who transitioned to minimalist or conventional shoes for 35% of weekly structured training in a previous 6-week randomised controlled trial. In that trial, running performance and economy improved more with minimalist shoes than conventional shoes. Runners in each group were instructed to continue running in their allocated shoe during their own preferred training programme for a further 20 weeks while increasing allocated shoe use to 100% of weekly training. At the 20-week follow-up, minimalist shoes did not affect performance (effect size: 0.19; p?=?0.218), running economy (effect size: ≤?0.24; p?≥?0.388), stride rate or length (effect size: ≤?0.12; p?≥?0.550), foot strike (effect size: ≤?0.25; p?≥?0.366), or bone mineral density (effect size: ≤?0.40; p?≥?0.319). Minimalist shoes increased plantar flexor strength more than conventional shoes when runners trained with greater mean weekly training distances (shoe*distance interaction: p?=?0.036). After greater improvements with minimalist shoes during the initial six weeks of a structured training programme, increasing minimalist shoe use from 35% to 100% over 20 weeks, when runners use their own preferred training programme, did not further improve performance, running economy or alter running biomechanics and lower limb bone mineral density. Minimalist shoes improved plantar flexor strength more than conventional shoes in runners with greater weekly training distances.     

Biomechanical analysis of the “waiter’s serve” on upper limb loads in young elite tennis players

Waiter’s serve (WS) is a specific tennis serve posture frequently observed in young players, and commonly considered as a technical error by tennis coaches. However, biomechanical impact of WS is unknown. The aims of this study were to identify the potential consequences of WS in young elite players relating to performance and injury risk, and to explain the kinematic causes of WS. Serve of 18 male junior elite players (Top 10 national French ranking, aged 12–15 years) was captured with a 20 camera, 200?Hz VICON MX motion analysis system. Depending on their serve technique, the players were divided into two groups (WS versus Normal Serve [NS]) by experienced coaches. Injury data were collected for each player during a 12-month-period following the motion capture. Normalized peak kinetic values of the dominant arm were calculated using inverse dynamics. In order to explain WS posture, upper limb kinematics were calculated during the cocking and the acceleration phases of the serve. Shoulder internal rotation torque, wrist proximal and anterior forces (P?P?P?相似文献   

What are Clinician Scientists Expected to do? The Undefined Space for Professionalizable Work in Translational Biomedicine

Minerva - Clinician scientists have gained institutional support in the era of translational research, as the key solution to closing the ‘translational gap’ between biomedical research...     

Contractual school psychological services: Prevalence and practices

This study investigated the prevalence and practices of contract school psychological services in public schools. A survey was sent to all 121 school districts in a southeastern state, with 111 surveys completed for a response rate of 92%. Results indicated that most school districts did not believe that contracting is cost effective. The primary service provided by contractual service providers was triennial reevaluations. The administrator most often charged with the hiring and supervision of contract providers was not a school psychologist. The credential most often required of a contracting psychologist was a State Board of Psychology license, with only a few requiring documentation of relevant coursework or experience. The results of this study indicated that the most pressing concern for the profession of school psychology regarding contractual services is ensuring that contract services are provided and monitored according to appropriate standards of practice. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The Value of Being Included: An Examination of Diversity Change Initiatives in Organizations

ABSTRACT : In recent decades, many organizations have undertaken initiatives aimed at managing a more diverse workforce. Many of these initiatives have been limited in effectiveness because they focused solely on managing or preventing human-resource-related crises, rather than reconceptualizing how the work of the business is accomplished. More effective diversity change initiatives can be implemented if change agents take an overarching perspective of the business and the workforce that considers the importance of engaging both the oppressed and priviledged members of the organization. Such a perspective necessarily requires considering the impact of oppression and privilege in the organization. Common diversity change interventions are discussed and critiqued, and suggestions for formulating optimally effective diversity change initiatives are suggested.