Epistemological commitments in the learning of science: Examples from dynamics

An observation schedule was developed to find out if girls have less interaction with teachers than boys in physics lessons. The schedule was intended to be used by a single observer with pencil and paper. It was also intended that the analysis of the data collected should be as straightforward as possible, without the need for video or audio playback, as all interpretation of the classroom interaction takes place during the live observation.

It was found that boys received more ‘public’ interactions concerning the cognitive content of their physics lessons than girls. This seemed to be related to the higher incidence of boys calling out answers, rather than the teachers initiating more interactions with the boys.     

Reliability and validity of a talent identification test battery for seated and standing Paralympic throws

Paralympic throwing events for athletes with physical impairments comprise seated and standing javelin, shot put, discus and seated club throwing. Identification of talented throwers would enable prediction of future success and promote participation; however, a valid and reliable talent identification battery for Paralympic throwing has not been reported. This study evaluates the reliability and validity of a talent identification battery for Paralympic throws. Participants were non-disabled so that impairment would not confound analyses, and results would provide an indication of normative performance. Twenty-eight non-disabled participants (13 M; 15 F) aged 23.6 years (±5.44) performed five kinematically distinct criterion throws (three seated, two standing) and nine talent identification tests (three anthropometric, six motor); 23 were tested a second time to evaluate test–retest reliability. Talent identification test–retest reliability was evaluated using Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman plots (Limits of Agreement). Spearman’s correlation assessed strength of association between criterion throws and talent identification tests. Reliability was generally acceptable (mean ICC = 0.89), but two seated talent identification tests require more extensive familiarisation. Correlation strength (mean r_s = 0.76) indicated that the talent identification tests can be used to validly identify individuals with competitively advantageous attributes for each of the five kinematically distinct throwing activities. Results facilitate further research in this understudied area.     

Organizational effectiveness in education: Its measurement and enhancement

This study is concerned with the nature of organizational goals, and ways of measuring goal achievement. It is intended to provide administrators with some new ways of conceptualizing the evalution of effectiveness in educational systems. The paper points out the desirability of involving professionals in the setting of goals, proposes a three-tier system of goals for educational systems, and suggests some of the reasons for the frequent failure to achieve organizational goals. Additionally, a comprehensive approach to the goals of organizations, adapted from Gross's matrix of purposes, is proposed, on the grounds that only such an inclusive approach to organizational goals is entirely satisfactory. Finally, the paper takes issue with the notion that freedom for organization members equals absence of organizational controls. The sense of power for organization members increases with participation in control, as does effectiveness. Thus, particularly for organizations with large numbers of professionals as members, it is not absence of control but rather participation in control that is the vital factor in both freedom and effectiveness. The final conclusion of the paper is that attempts to improve the effectiveness of educational systems or institutions must be in the future more inclusive, and that the matrix of purposes approach is one possible line of development.

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Résumé Cette étude porte sur la nature des objectifs des plans d'organisation et des méthodes servant à mesurer le degré de réussite dans la poursuite de ces objectifs. L'auteur se propose de fournir aux administrateurs un certain nombre de nouveaux critères pour concevoir l'évaluation de l'efficacité des systèmes éducatifs. Soulignant l'opportunité de confier à des professionnels l'établissement des objectifs, cette étude propose un système à trois paliers et tente d'expliquer les échecs fréquents auxquels aboutissent les objectifs des plans d'organisation. Par ailleurs, en ce qui concerne les objectifs des organisations, elle propose une attitude globale adaptée de l'étude de Gross intitulée matrix of purposes (matrice des objectifs), étant donné qu'une telle attitude est la seule qui soit satisfaisante à tous points de vue. Enfin l'auteur dénonce la notion selon laquelle la liberté accordée aux membres des organisations équivaut à une absence de contrôle sur ces dernières. En participant au contrôle de leurs organisations, les membres prennent en effet de plus en plus conscience de leur pouvoir et l'efficacité s'en trouve accrue. C'est ainsi que lorsqu'il s'agit, en particulier, d'organisations comptant de nombreux membres des professions libérales, ce n'est pas l'absence de contrôle mais plutôt la participation au contrôle qui représente le facteur capital à la fois de la liberté et de l'efficacité. En conclusion finale, cette étude affirme qu'à l'avenir, les tentatives d'amélioration des systèmes éducatifs ou des institutions devront avoir un caractère plus global et que la matrice des objectifs représente l'une des méthodes possibles à adopter dans ce domaine.

     

未来的教育:我们如何迈向新的时代——顾明远与彼得·圣吉凝聚东西方智慧的跨界对话

跨越过去,展望未来.2015年10月27日,北京师范大学京师学堂京师厅,一场凝聚东西方智慧的跨界对话在这里举行.对话双方分别是中国教育界泰斗、著名教育家、北京师范大学资深教授顾明远先生与世界级管理学大师、学习型组织理论创始人、"2030中国未来乡村学校计划"首席专家、北京师范大学名誉教授彼得·圣吉先生.两位大师围绕"未来的教育:我们如何迈向新的时代"这一主题展开深入的思想交流.北京师范大学副校长周作宇教授担任对话主持人.     

English Premiership Academy knee injuries: lessons from a 5 year study

This study addresses the epidemiology of knee injuries in adolescent males. Data were collected prospectively from 41 Premiership soccer academies over a 5 year period from July 2000 to June 2005. A total of 12,306 player seasons were registered in the U9 to the U16 age categories with a total of 1750 recordable injuries specific to the knee joint. There was a mean incidence of 0.71 (95% confidence interval ± 0.05) knee injuries per player per year, and a median of 17 (inter-quartile range 9-38) training days and 2 (inter-quartile range 1-4) matches missed per knee injury. Knee injuries were found to be most common in the 14-16 year age group. Six hundred and nine (35% of total) injuries were classed as severe resulting in more than 28 days' absence. Injuries were more likely to be sustained in a competitive or match-play environment (862 or 52%) than in training (796 or 48%), and a non-contact mechanism was implicated in 823 (55%) of recorded cases. Peaks in injury numbers were seen in early season and subsequent to the winter break. Sprain was the most common diagnosis recorded, with the medial collateral ligament affected in 23% of all knee injuries. Knee injuries are common in elite youth footballers. In this uninsured age group, it could be argued that earlier medical intervention may reduce long-term damage to the immature skeleton.     

Effect of post-match cold-water immersion on subsequent match running performance in junior soccer players during tournament play

In this study, we investigated the effects of two hydrotherapy interventions on match running performance and perceptual measures of fatigue and recovery during a 4-day soccer tournament. Twenty male junior soccer players were assigned to one of two treatment groups and undertook either cold-water immersion (5 × 1 min at 10 °C) or thermoneutral water immersion (5 × 1 min at 34 °C) after each match. High-intensity running distance (>15 km · h?1) and total distance covered, time spent in low (<80% maximum heart rate), moderate (80-90% maximum heart rate), and high (>90% maximum heart rate) heart rate zones, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded for each match. Perceptions of general fatigue and leg soreness were recorded approximately 22 h after each match. There were decreases in both groups across the 4-day tournament for high-intensity running distance (P = 0.006, Cohen's d = 0.63), total distance run (P < 0.001, d = 0.90), time in high heart rate zone (P = 0.003, d = 0.90), and match RPE (P = 0.012, d = 0.52). Cold-water immersion was more effective than thermoneutral immersion for reducing the perception of leg soreness (P = 0.004, d = -0.92) and general fatigue (P = 0.007, d = -0.91), ameliorating the decrement in total distance run (P = 0.001, d = 0.55), and maintaining time in the moderate heart rate zone (P = 0.01, d = 1.06). In conclusion, cold-water immersion mediates the perceptions of fatigue and recovery and enhances the restoration of some match-related performance measures during a 4-day tournament.     

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS) among adolescent athletes

The aim of the present study was to examine the factorial validity of the Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS; Thomas et al., ) among adolescent athletes using confirmatory factor analysis. The TOPS was designed to assess eight psychological strategies used in competition (i.e. activation, automaticity, emotional control, goal-setting, imagery, negative thinking, relaxation and self-talk,) and eight used in practice (the same strategies except negative thinking is replaced by attentional control). National-level athletes (n?=?584) completed the 64-item TOPS during training camps. Fit indices provided partial support for the overall measurement model for the competition items (robust comparative fit index?=?0.92, Tucker-Lewis index?=?0.88, root mean square error of approximation?=?0.05) but minimal support for the training items (robust comparative fit index?=?0.86, Tucker-Lewis index?=?0.81, root mean square error of approximation?=?0.06). For the competition items, the automaticity, goal-setting, relaxation and self-talk scales showed good fit, whereas the activation, emotional control, imagery and negative thinking scales did not. For the practice items, the attentional control, emotional control, goal-setting, imagery and self-talk scales showed good fit, whereas the activation, automaticity and relaxation scales did not. Overall, it appears that the factorial validity of the TOPS for use with adolescents is questionable at present and further development is required.