The teacher shaping and creating dialogues in project work

The background of the work presented in this article is that for quite some time project work has been a method of working that is more theoretically described than it is put into practice. The aim of this text is to show how a teacher can function as a facilitator or a guide for the students within project‐directed teaching and how this setting can enhance the students’ learning. A qualitative method with a focus on dialogues in the classroom was used in the inquiry process. In this article a dialogue between the students in the realization phase of the work is analysed in depth to illustrate how student interaction framed by project work can enhance the students’ learning. In the study Dewey’s, Vygotsky’s and Bakhtin’s theories are used as a theoretical framework and the activity system is used to visualize the work processes in their intertwined context. The outcome of the study shows that learning is inherent in language, but concludes that it demands a great deal of the teacher to create such learning situations.     

Association between parental involvement in school and child conduct,social, and internalizing problems: teacher report

The present study examined the factor structure of the Teacher Involvement Questionnaire (Involve-T) by means of exploratory factor analysis and examined the association between children's socio-emotional and behavioural problems and teacher-reported parental involvement in school, using structural equation modelling. The study was conducted with a Norwegian sample of school children in Grades 1–3. Results of the factor analysis supported the use of 3 separate scales, as suggested by the scale author (Webster-Stratton, 1998); however, a number of items in each scale were reduced. Furthermore, the results showed among other findings that teachers reported more frequent contact with parents of children with conduct problems than with those of children who did not display conduct problems, and that parents of children with high levels of socio-emotional competence were more involved in their children's education than other parents. The results need to be replicated in future research in a more representative study population.     

Free or Fee Based Library in the Year 2000

ABSTRACT

With the rapid rise in distance education and online courses, the need to provide effective library services to the faculty and students involved in online courses is vitally important. Traditional services cannot always be transferred easily to the online environment and may need to be modified, or new services may need to be created to meet the needs of online users. This article examines the needs and wants of faculty involved in offering online courses. A Web-based survey was administered to faculty teaching an online course within the past 2 years at the authors’ organization. Faculty were asked a series of questions including their use of current library services, their emphasis on students using library services, and the services and resources they would like the library to provide in the future. Questions for the survey were inspired by LibQual comments received during our 2005 and 2007 surveys as well as comments received from both faculty and students while teaching and participating in online courses. Faculty who took the survey teach in a variety of disciplines and have different experience levels with teaching online courses. Results of the survey will be presented along with inferences from the current literature. The audience will be invited to share their innovative service ideas. Participants will gain ideas for updated or new services to faculty teaching online courses.     

International Communications

Julian Hale's Radio Power: Propaganda and International Broadcasting (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1975—$12.50)

Jay W. Baird's The Mythical World of Nazi War Propaganda, 1939-1945 (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1975—$15.00)

Unesco Statistical Yearbook (Paris: Unesco (New York: Unipub)

New Media in Education in the Commonwealth (Commonwealth Secretariat Publications, Marlborough House, London SW1Y SHX, England—E3.00, or about $7.00, paper)

World Guide to Technical Information and Documentation Services (Paris: Unesco (New York: Unipub), 1975— $19.80, paper)

May Katzen's Mass Communication: Teachin and Studies at Universities (Paris: Unesco (New York: Unipub), 1975—$14.85, paper)     

Book Reviews

Abstract

Rehabilitation Potential of Western Coal Lands: A Report to the Energy Policy Project of the Ford Foundation. Environmental Studies Board, Study Committee on the Potential for Rehabilitating Lands Surface Mined for Coal in the Western United States, National Academy of Sciences &; National Academy of Engineering. Ballinger Publishing Company, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1974, xvii + 198 pp., textbook edition $8.95, paperbound, $2.95. Reviewed by Fillmore C. F. Earney

Environmental Education Activities Manual, William B. Stapp, and Dorothy A. Cox, Stapp &; Cox, 30808 La Mar, Farmington Hills, MI, 48024. 1974. 6 Vols. $8.50. Reviewed by Roland J. Treubig     

The Challenge of College Youth

The problem of motivation has received a great deal of attention, and many successful approaches have been developed. However, in areas such as introductory college mathematics, students often question their own potential for success. At the first sign of trouble, their fears are confirmed and many of them drop out, formally or informally. If a method could be found to improve persistence, motivational techniques would have an opportunity to succeed. In this article, the author describes a simple method to improve persistence using assessments that are normally already in place. Data are presented indicating that the method improves persistence and achievement.