Strength‐based assessment of behavior competencies to distinguish students referred for disciplinary intervention from nonreferred peers

Early identification of the lack of behavioral competencies followed by subsequent intervention is critical to reducing the number of students at risk for increasing disciplinary responses and school failure. This study examined scores on the Behavior Objective Sequence (BOS) of elementary school students referred for out‐of‐classroom disciplinary intervention. The results of this study indicated a distinction between the BOS scores of students referred for disciplinary problems and the scores of students who were never referred. In addition, differences among demographic variables of the sample population were found. These findings provide initial data that support use of the BOS as a strength‐based assessment for identifying behavioral competencies of students who may be at risk for increasing rates of disciplinary referrals so skill‐focused intervention strategies may be implemented in a timely manner. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The Changing World of Home Technology: A Microsoft Case Study

We have entered the “digital decade,” when advances in technology will become deeply woven into home life. But how will technology evolve from an experience that is technologically challenging to an experience that is intuitive and fun? This article reviews new technologies and related possibilities that Microsoft is envisioning in the context of home life. As a specific example of the impact of home technology, we review lessons learned from the adoption and integration of a home Internet device from a user experience perspective. Looking ahead to the next decade, we then take a look at Microsoft's vision for the home of the future, examining new directions.     

RHONN identifier-control scheme for nonlinear discrete-time systems with unknown time-delays

This work presents a neural identifier-control scheme for uncertain nonlinear discrete-time systems with unknown time-delays. This scheme is based on a neural identifier to get a model of the system and a discrete-time block control technique based on sliding modes to generate the control law. The neural identifier is based on a Recurrent High Order Neural Network (RHONN) trained with an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) based algorithm. Applicability is shown using real-time test results for linear induction motors. Also, a Lyapunov analysis is added in order to prove the semi-globally uniformly ultimately boundedness (SGUUB) of the proposed neural identifier-control scheme.     

College student performance on the general ability measure for adults and the wechsler intelligence scale for adults‐third edition

This study examined the concurrent validity of the General Ability Measure for Adults (GAMA¹; Naglieri & Bardos, 1997) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐Third Edition (WAIS‐III; Wechsler, 1997). Sixty college students were administered both instruments in counterbalanced order. A comparison of the mean scores on the GAMA and WAIS‐III indicated that the sample obtained similar GAMA and WAIS‐III PIQ scores. In contrast, the sample's mean GAMA IQ score was significantly lower than the sample's mean FSIQ and VIQ scores. Although the GAMA IQ score was positively correlated with all WAIS‐III IQ and Index scores, this new instrument was more clearly associated with visual‐spatial reasoning, as defined by the WAIS‐III PIQ. The GAMA's accuracy in predicting performance on the WAIS‐III FSIQ and PIQ also was examined, with the GAMA underestimating WAIS‐III FSIQ and PIQ scores for participants falling within the Superior and Very Superior range of intellectual functioning. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Relations Between Effective Emotional Self-Regulation, Attentional Control, and Low-Income Preschoolers' Social Competence with Peers

Relations between children's emotional self-regulation, attentional control, and peer social competence (as reported by both teachers and peers) were examined for 51 low-income, preschool-aged children enrolled in Head Start. Using a short delay-of-gratification task administered at Head Start sites, children's use of self- distraction was found to be positively associated with their success in handling the delay, replicating previous, laboratory-based research. Contrary to our expectations, children's use of self-distraction was found to be unrelated to their attentional control, as assessed during a computer task. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that children's use of self-distraction predicted significant variance in both peer- and teacher-reports of childrem's competence with peers, even after children's attentional control was statistically taken into account. These findings are discussed in light of current models of reactivity and regulation in predicting young children's social behavior, as well as in the context of early intervention efforts for children facing socioeconomic risk.     

In the quest for knowledge: Traveling the back roads of Iowa

Summary Three factors have contributed to the level of technology integration achieved at this school. First, administrative support for technology is very evident. Though neither the principal nor the superintendent perceived themselves as possessing a high level of technological literacy, they both had a vision of technology use by both teachers and students. This translated into a strong technology plan as well as support for innovative uses of technology