At the Crossroads: The Impact of New Irish Science Curricula on First Year Post-Primary Students

In Ireland, new science curricula were introduced at primary and early post-primary levels in 2003, in an effort to reverse declining interest and enrolment in science. This paper reports on a national study that explored first year post-primary students’ experiences of and attitudes towards school science under these new curricula. Data were gathered from 366 pupils using survey and case study approaches. Findings revealed broadly positive attitudes towards post-primary school science, especially the experimental work that is at the heart of the new curriculum. However, it would appear that students were not conducting open-ended investigations or using information and communications technology [ICT] to any great extent; moreover, there was some evidence of traditional teaching methods being utilised. Pupils were highly critical of previous primary school science experiences, reporting a lack of ‘hands-on’ activities, didactic methodologies and, for a significant minority, a paucity of any memorable primary science at all. Improvements in curricular implementation are proposed.     

Zoology Students' Experiences of Collaborative Enquiry in Problem-based Learning

This paper presents an action-research case study that focuses on experiences of collaboration in a problem-based learning (PBL) course in Zoology. Our PBL model was developed as a research activity in partnership with a commercial organisation. Consequently, learning was grounded in genuine situations of practice in which a high degree of collaboration was essential for a successful outcome. A particular social context was established in which tutors and students endeavoured to interact as learners to negotiate and construct new understandings and develop life-long learning skills. Students valued the quality of working relationships, the democratic way in which group work was facilitated, and the opportunities for freedom of action and thought. During the course, participants achieved new insights into themselves as learners and this meta-cognitive skill was seen as important for developing the necessary competence in diagnostic self-assessment for PBL. Students had not previously encountered PBL and the transitional nature of their experiences is discussed.     

America,America: National Identity,Presidential Debates,and National Mood

In their public messages, United States politicians often invoke America in an attempt to unite citizens and build electoral coalitions. Such an emphasis is particularly common in presidential debates, which are climactic “media events” late in campaigns for the White House, when candidates take questions from journalists and citizens while addressing millions of voters. We analyzed the connection between (a) candidates' highlighting of national identity in presidential debates and (b) mass public opinion since 1960. We expected and found that (a) candidates increased their emphasis on the nation during times of heightened national uncertainty, (b) Democratic presidential candidates invoked the nation more often than Republican candidates, and (c) comparisons across elections among incumbents suggest that national uncertainty was more important than partisan identity in eliciting invocations of the nation.     

Soccer ball modal analysis using a scanning laser doppler vibrometer (SLDV)

Soccer equipment manufacturers invest significant amounts of time and money researching and developing soccer balls, using advanced materials and constructions in an attempt to create a ball that has better flight and impact characteristics. An important consideration in any structure subject to dynamic or impact loading is its mechanical response. The recent development of non-contact optical vibration measurement tools such as the SLDV have made the accurate measurement of such responses possible. The technique of vibrometry utilises the Doppler principle to provide a measure of the surface velocity at the point at which a laser beam is incident. The SLDV benefits from its non-contact and non-marking method, and the speed and ease with which measurements can be recorded. This paper reports the method and results from a study aimed at determining the dynamic responses of two different soccer balls. The balls were excited using an acoustic source and the velocity of each ball’s surface at a series of points was recorded. The natural frequencies and vibration mode shapes were identified and a comparison made between the responses of each ball. Significant mode shapes were observed between 150 Hz and 1500 Hz. At the lower frequencies, the mode shapes were observed to be independent of the outer panels, based more on the structure of the ball as a whole. At higher frequencies, one of the balls tested showed mode shapes centred on individual panel oscillations. The soccer balls tested show some noticeable differences in mode shapes.     

Graduate attributes frameworks or powerful knowledge?

In this article, we examine graduate attributes as a conceptual framework. We theorise these are rooted in the neoliberalisation of the university and the increasing importance of employability as a marker for quality university teaching. Graduate attributes vary across institutions but often include ‘foundational’ as well as ‘non-foundational’ objectives, such as ‘global perspective’. Our theorisation sheds light on how they are operationalised through graduate attributes frameworks, maintaining these are difficult to implement because of a lack of shared understanding of the components and concerns about academic freedom. We argue graduate attributes frameworks should be abandoned and replaced with ‘powerful knowledge’, which more adequately structures the knowledge, skills and attributes universities can confidently equip their graduates with. Powerful knowledge provides an outcome that serves the individual learner, employers, universities and society more broadly.     

Addressing Self‐Injury on College Campuses: Institutional Recommendations

Nonsuicidal self‐injury is a significant concern on college campuses. Hence, the authors, the International Consortium on Self‐Injury in Educational Settings, offer the current position paper. First, the authors review current research in the field. Next, they discuss considerations for colleges' institutional‐wide response to self‐injury, including the role of and recommendations for relevant stakeholders (students, residence staff, mental health professionals) who directly and indirectly support students who self‐injure. Guidelines for response and suggested resources are also presented.     

Vanilla teaching as a rational choice: the impact of research and compliance on teacher development

This paper examines the proposition that the quality of university teaching in the research-intensive university is affected by various compliance demands on academic work that are meant to either enhance or be complementary to teaching. These include holding academics to account for the quality of both research and teaching. Our research aims to contribute to evolving theories about the research-teaching nexus and the relationship between compliance and teaching quality. Twenty five in-depth interviews were undertaken with lecturers at a research-intensive university. It was found that research was valued more than teaching, and teaching quality only needed to be good enough to achieve career goals. Once a certain compliance level had been reached in teaching, lecturers could justify apportioning more time for research. We have described teaching in this context as ‘vanilla’ and argue that vanilla teaching is a rationale choice for university academics.     

Anatomical Sciences Education Vol. 4, Issue 5, 2011 Cover Image

Drawing session from an art and anatomy workshop for medical students at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and art students at the University of Texas at San Antonio. A current trend in medical education is to integrate aspects of the humanities into the medical school curriculum. In this issue of ASE, Dr. Charleen Moore and her colleagues describe an art and anatomy workshop that uses drawing exercises to increase observational skills, to foster the development of humanistic sensitivities, and to emphasize the emotional aspects of dealing with mortality. (Photograph by Penelope Borchers).     

Making sense of module feedback: accounting for individual behaviours in student evaluations of teaching

Quantitative student evaluations of teaching (SET) and assessments are widely used in higher education as a proxy for teaching quality. However, SET are a function of individual rating behaviours resulting from student background, knowledge and personalities, as well as the learning experience being rated. SET from three years of data from a science department at a Russell Group University in the UK were analysed to highlight issues of sample size in relation to variable perceptions of modules, and develop a statistical model of feedback incorporating individual rating behaviours across modules. Key results are that sample size and individual rating behaviours have the potential to significantly affect summary module ratings, especially for <20 respondents or if individuals have heterogeneous views. A new approach is suggested, to interpret and compare quantitative module ratings, acknowledging uncertainty, variability and individual rating behaviours. This has implications for the interpretation of SET in many aspects of academic life, including university league table positions, the identification of good teaching practice with respect to student satisfaction, and the weight given to SET in individual academics’ promotion applications.