Exploring the nonformal adult educator in twenty-first century contexts using qualitative video data analysis techniques

This study examined how YouTube creates a unique, nonformal cyberspace for Black females to vlog about natural hair. Specifically, we utilized qualitative video data analysis techniques to understand how using YouTube as a facilitation tool has the ability to collectively capture and maintain an audience of more than a million adult learners. After analyzing 30 videos, 4 themes emerged reflective of how using the technology of video assists these nonformal adult educators with regard to: (a) Demystifying Black Natural Hair Myths, (b) Digital Storytelling as an Educational Tool, (c) The Use of Humor, Honesty, and Humility While Facilitating Adults, and (d) The Natural Hair Thing Extends Beyond Cultural Differences. Lastly, we offer implications for future research with regard to the availability and credibility of YouTube as a data source and alternative qualitative video data analysis techniques.     

Effects of acoustic feedback training in elite-standard Para-Rowing

Assessment and feedback devices have been regularly used in technique training in high-performance sports. Biomechanical analysis is mainly visually based and so can exclude athletes with visual impairments. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of auditory feedback on mean boat speed during on-water training of visually impaired athletes. The German National Para-Rowing team (six athletes, mean ± s, age 34.8 ± 10.6 years, body mass 76.5 ± 13.5 kg, stature 179.3 ± 8.6 cm) participated in the study. Kinematics included boat acceleration and distance travelled, collected with Sofirow at two intensities of training. The boat acceleration-time traces were converted online into acoustic feedback and presented via speakers during rowing (sections with and without alternately). Repeated-measures within-participant factorial ANOVA showed greater boat speed with acoustic feedback than baseline (0.08 ± 0.01 m·s^?1). The time structure of rowing cycles was improved (extended time of positive acceleration). Questioning of athletes showed acoustic feedback to be a supportive training aid as it provided important functional information about the boat motion independent of vision. It gave access for visually impaired athletes to biomechanical analysis via auditory information. The concept for adaptive athletes has been successfully integrated into the preparation for the Para-Rowing World Championships and Paralympics.     

Do you want your child to have a certified teacher?

This study examines how the teaching staff composition with respect to certification affects student achievement in compulsory Swedish schools. We apply an instrumental variable to estimate the effect of the share of non-certified teachers on student achievement (measured by grade point average, GPA). We find statistically significant negative effects on the GPA. The effect is stronger for students with highly educated parents. A one percentage point increase in the share of non-certified teachers is expected to decrease student's GPA by, on average, 1.8 standard deviations per year. This is a substantial effect considering the large differences in the shares of non-certified teachers across schools and municipalities.     

半无穷区间二阶三点边值问题的解

利用Leray-Schauder不动点定理结合Green函数的性质,研究半无穷区间二阶三点边值问题的解.     

公共图书馆馆员胜任力模型构建研究

[目的/意义] 构建公共图书馆馆员胜任力模型,对于公共图书馆馆员的招聘、培训、考核及职业发展具有重要意义。[方法/过程] 采用文献分析法、开放式问卷法和专家访谈法收集胜任特征指标并编制频次及行为表现表,在此基础上设计结构化调查问卷,以SPSS 13.0为数据分析工具,通过实证研究和统计分析方法,研究公共图书馆馆员胜任力特征的构成,构建公共图书馆馆员胜任力模型,并在此基础上进一步分析影响模型各维度胜任特征的因素。[结果/结论] 研究表明:公共图书馆馆员胜任力模型由基本知识和业务能力、相关学科知识、计算机运用能力、职业态度和服务精神、情绪适应能力、组织沟通能力6个维度组成,职业态度和服务精神对工作绩效有显著影响。     

Students' mental load,stress, and performance when working with symbolic or symbolic–textual molecular representations

In science education, representations are necessary inter alia for the understanding of relationships between structures and systems. However, several studies have identified difficulties of students when working with representations. In the present study, we investigated students' responses (regarding their preference, test performance, mental load (ML), and stress) toward two kinds of representations: symbolic representations, which only use abstract symbols, versus combined symbolic–textual representations, which additionally comprise textual elements. Therefore, students were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: one group worked on test tasks accompanied by symbolic representations, and the others worked on the same tasks, but with symbolic–textual representations. Thereafter, the students' test performance and ML were assessed. The level of perceived stress and the salivary cortisol concentration were measured before and after the test and again a few minutes later. Additionally, heart rate variability parameters were assessed continuously. We found a strong preference of the test version with symbolic representations. Additionally, the students showed better test performance and lower ML when they worked with symbolic representations. However, the level of perceived stress was comparable between both groups and there was no strong physiological stress response: The cortisol concentration decreased in both groups and the heart rate was relatively similar. However, during the second half of the test, we observed a significantly higher ratio between low and high heartbeat frequencies in the group with symbolic–textual representations and we found an indirect influence of the kind of representation on test performance through its effect on ML. The poorer test performance and higher ML in connection with symbolic–textual representations confirm previous studies, which found that symbolic–textual representations pose major problems for students. Thus, teachers should enable students to understand symbolic–textual representations and consider carefully whether they can use symbolic representations instead, especially when they teach complex content.