Regression Analysis for Prediction: Understanding the Process

Research related to cardiorespiratory fitness often uses regression analysis in order to predict cardiorespiratory status or future outcomes. Reading these studies can be tedious and difficult unless the reader has a thorough understanding of the processes used in the analysis. This feature seeks to “simplify” the process of regression analysis for prediction in order to help readers understand this type of study more easily. Examples of the use of this statistical technique are provided in order to facilitate better understanding.     

The effects of amount and type of teacher-child interaction on child-child interaction during free-play

Social interactions between preschool behaviorally handicapped children were measured under three experimental conditions during free-play: (a) active teacher involvement in free-play, (b) no teacher involvement in free-play, and (c) teacher structured free-play. Significantly more child-child interactions occurred during teacher structured free-play than in either of the other two conditions, with the no teacher involvement condition producing significantly more child-child interactions when compared to the active teacher involvement condition. Additionally, significantly more teacher-child interactions occurred during the active teacher involvement condition than in either of the other two conditions, with nonsignificant differences in teacher-child interaction between the no teacher involvement and the teacher structured conditions. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for ameliorating social interaction deficits among young behaviorally handicapped children.     

The effects of teacher-delivered social reinforcement on the task persistent behavior of educable mentally retarded children

The effects of teacher-delivered social reinforcers on the task persistent behavior of children enrolled in an intermediate class for the educable mentally retarded were studied. These children were grouped with a regular fourth grade class during a social studies period in which the study was conducted. The special education children were randomly divided into two groups, with seven children in each group. Using a reversal design, social reinforcers were delivered contingent upon the task persistent behavior of the seven target children. The seven youngsters in the control, or nonreinforcement, group were essentially ignored as they engaged in appropriate task-related behaviors. The results clearly show that increases in the level of task persistent behavior and the administration of social reinforcement were functionally related. The level of task persistent behavior emitted by the control children was not affected by reinforcement delivered to their peers.     

The effects of dependent and interdependent group contingencies on socially appropriate responses in classes for emotionally handicapped children

The effects of group dependent and group interdependent reinforcement contingencies on the level of socially appropriate behaviors emitted by emotionally handicapped elementary school students were examined. The investigation employed an ABAC design with a systematic replication (ACAB) across a second classroom. The findings suggested that: (a) Both group dependent and group interdependent reinforcement contingencies were effective in incieasing the level of socially appropriate behaviors. (b) For Classroom II, group interdependent reinforcement contingencies more often resulted in higher rates of responding for individual subjects than did group dependent reinforcement contingencies. (c) Group interdependent contingencies were shown to set the occasion for cooperative behavior among class members designed to help each other achieve individual but interdependent goals.     

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE OF EDUCATIONAL GERONTOLOGY: INTERDISCIPLINARY GERIATRIC EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS: THE DEVELOPMENT,IMPLEMENTATION, AND EVALUATION OF PROGRAMS IN THE RHODE ISLAND GERIATRIC EDUCATION CENTER

The interest around intergenerational programs and the fostering of intergenerational relationships is growing internationally. However, studies on the profile and functions of intergenerational program managers are still scarce. Furthermore, available approaches to the traits and functions of intergenerational program managers have not highlighted which features are distinctive of these professionals. Through a Delphi study undertaken in Spain, with participation of 18 intergenerational program managers and 12 intergenerational specialists, consensus was reached around characteristics of both the general profile of intergenerational program managers and the specificities of this occupational role. On the one hand, being able to work on a team, having skills for observation and contextual analysis, and being skilled at managing resources were identified as the most important general characteristics. On the other hand, being good at promoting contacts, social relationships, interactions, and bonds was deemed to be the most distinctive feature of this profile. After contrasting our results with international guidelines and standards for intergenerational work, the need to develop and reinforce further the relational nature of this professional figure is argued.     

Gender differences among sagittal plane knee kinematic and ground reaction force characteristics during a rapid sprint and cut maneuver

Women are more prone to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during cutting sports than men. The purpose of this study was to examine knee kinematic and ground reaction forces (GRF) differences between genders during cutting. Male and female athletes performed cutting trials while force platform and video data were recorded (180 Hz). Differences (p < . 05) were observed between groups for knee flexion at contact and GRF at maximum knee flexion. Women averaged 5.8 degrees less flexion at contact and 1.0 N. (kg x m x s(-1))(-1) greater GRF at maximum flexion. Knee range of motion and peak GRF variables were not significantly different, but women had greater values. Women exhibited technique characteristics believed to increase ACL injury risk, but men exhibiting similar characteristics were also observed and could also be at risk.     

What English Language Teachers from the Peoples’ Republic of China find Surprising about Information Technology: Thoughts on How to Address the Need for Change

Recent educational reforms in China are placing increasing emphasis on the integration of new technologies in the English language curriculum. At the same time, a debate has begun concerning the effectiveness of Information Technology (IT) usage in transforming language pedagogy in the Chinese context. In response to points made in the discussions published to date, this paper describes an attempt to instill new ways of viewing the potential of IT with a group of practicing teachers studying for a Post‐graduate Diploma in English Language Teaching in Singapore. End‐of‐course survey data were used to identify what the trainees found surprising about the course. This method uncovered some of their hopes and fears about using IT in their future classes and provided clues as to how to bring about positive learning outcomes with IT. Discussion of the results shows that Chinese teachers share similar challenges as their counterparts in the West when it comes to using IT for the first time. The paper ends with a string of suggestions about how to begin the process of innovation with IT, both in and beyond China.     

Action Learning for Citizenship Education

The paper examines how the author has used what he calls action learning to encourage pupils to learn about citizenship in a secondary school. The paper argues that citizenship can be learnt by engaging young people in projects and other activities, which encourage them to develop an understanding of the responsibilities and skills needed to become citizens in society. The paper goes on to describe a small-scale research project which sought to assess the pupils' reactions to action learning. The young people's responses bring to life what they have learnt from their involvement in the action learning projects and how it has helped them to develop as citizens.