Designing an instructional game: reflections on ‘Quest for Independence’

Certain design opportunities stretch the boundaries of established procedure and when members of a working party on ‘After Care’ came to us seeking a computer component for a multimedia package we were confronted with just such a challenge. Faced with the unusual instructional goal of training indpendent-living skills, an unusual target population of low-literacy youth, and hardware limitations of lowest-common-denominator microcomputers, naturally, we developed a computer game. Using a cognitive approach, we developed ‘Quest for Independence’, a computer-based simulation game to develop independent-living skills. In this paper we discuss the approach, the resulting game and the current status.     

Stereotype threat and gender differences in chemistry

Stereotype threat theory (STT) offers one explanation for achievement differences in math and science for both women and minority students. Specifically, STT posits that the perceived risk of confirming a negative stereotype about an individual’s identity group acts as a psychological burden that negatively impacts performance. This study examined the impact of stereotype threat (ST) on gender differences in chemistry achievement, self-efficacy, and test-anxiety using a four-group, quasi-experimental design. 153 introductory-level college chemistry students were randomly assigned to one of four ST conditions including an explicit ST condition, an implicit ST condition, a reverse ST condition, and a nullified condition. Results indicated that there were no gender differences by ST condition; however, overall, the men had higher self-efficacy and lower test-anxiety than the women. An analysis of open-ended questions asking students about their intent to major in chemistry, beliefs regarding barriers to their achievement on the chemistry test, and gender differences in opportunities and mental capacity to achieve in chemistry provided insight into the quantitative results. Implications of our findings for future research on ST are discussed.     

When the same is different. A comparison of the information processing strategies of deaf and hearing people.

In this study, the information processing strategies of Gallaudet University students who are profoundly and prelingually deaf were evaluated. The subjects demonstrated the highest levels of recognition to the left and right of the fixation point, often referred to as a reading strategy when found in hearing people. Additionally, they demonstrated higher levels of recognition at positions in the top right quadrant of the display, a pattern not found in hearing people. A main effect was found: subjects whose primary and secondary school backgrounds were oral and manual combined had significantly higher levels of recognition overall than did subjects from oral-only educational backgrounds. Differences in background did not interact with strategy use in this study. These findings lead to the conclusion that the information processing strategies of deaf people need to be evaluated closely before general conclusions can be made. Alternative means for evaluating these types of findings are suggested.     

Characterizing Science Classroom Discourse Across Scales

Research in Science Education -     

努力学习,你也能送比萨饼

我是一位拥有3个小孩,年已43岁的母亲,拥有理学硕士学位.我也是靠外送比萨饼维持生计.在家和孩子们一起呆了4年后我才干起这行.在家整天照看自己的孩子对于许多女人而言是梦寐以求的机会,但它对我并不合适.我开始感到消沉,决定找一份工作这样才能更好体现我的价值.我上夜班时,丈夫就会在家,所以我们不必托人照顾孩子了.     

Lenghth of Maternity Leave and Quality of Mother-Infant Interactions

The aim of this study was to assess the association between the length of maternity leave and the quality of mother-infant interactions; 198 employed mothers of 4-month-old infants were interviewed and videotaped in their homes during a feeding time. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated a direct association between shorter length of leave and more negative affect and behavior in maternal interactions with their infants. Infant and mother stressor/protective variables added significantly in predicting the quality of the mother-infant relationship. There were also significant interaction effects between the length of leave and these variables. Mothers who either reported more depressive symptoms or who perceived their infant as having a more difficult temperament and who had shorter leaves, compared with mothers who had longer leaves, were observed to express less positive affect, sensitivity, and responsiveness in interactions with their infants. The public policy implications of the relation between length of maternity leave, maternal and infant individual differences, and the quality of mother-infant interactions are discussed.     

The differential influence of instructional context on the academic engagement of students with behavior problems

The teacher–student interactions of 39 students exhibiting high externalizing behavior problems and 59 students exhibiting average behavioral adjustment from urban elementary schools were directly observed. Comparisons between these students within four different instructional contexts indicated that levels of student engagement were significantly related to both behavior and classroom context. Although teachers’ use of behavioral management strategies was minimal, it was significantly related to the type of instructional context in which it occurred. Findings are discussed in terms of how different instructional contexts place unique demands and offer distinct affordances for students with behavior problems. A more comprehensive understanding of the influence of these environmental contexts can allow teachers to scaffold task demands to bring them within the domains of the student's ability.     

Relationship quality in higher education marketing: the role of social media engagement

The landscape in consumer marketing is changing due to the rise in popularity of social media. This shift has also affected how higher education institutions build relationships with their stakeholders. This study explores how social media engagement impacts relationship quality between the university and one of its key stakeholder groups, students. Data were collected via an online survey and analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test, regression and the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results indicated a positive association between students following a university via social media and the perception of having a high-quality relationship with their university, and that following a university on multiple social media sites leads to an even higher perception of relationship quality. The results provide important and timely implications for both universities and higher education marketers. Our findings suggest that higher education marketers should invest resources in social media communications to form high-quality relationships with their stakeholders.     

Developing a Cancer-Focused Library Survey — Assessing the Current Environment and Planning for the Future

The primary goal of this project is to understand how each National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center library, and all libraries that support cancer research, function within their institutions. Through an in-depth survey focused on three major areas (staff, content and tools procurement, and user services), the research team hopes to determine how a cancer-centric library can be successful in supporting quality patient care, research excellence, and education. Additionally, the survey will examine the necessary minimum staffing levels for librarians and information professionals based on organizational size and degree of research focus. The survey will seek out the new skills librarians will need to deliver optimal services. The survey will also explore how content libraries purchase reflects and maps to constituents’ current medical and research activities. Libraries within a research intense environment have a responsibility to align with researchers and health care professionals to provide resources and services that support their workflows. Cancer libraries need to be attuned to their institutions’ missions, whether that includes excellent patient care, research endeavors, or cutting-edge educational programs. The information gathered from the survey will provide data for this research team to define the vision and standards of excellence for a cancer specialized research library.