Developing a model for e‐prints and open access journal content in UK further and higher education

A study carried out for the UK Joint Information Systems Committee examined models for the provision of access to material in institutional and subject‐based archives and in open access journals. Their relative merits were considered, addressing not only technical concerns but also how e‐print provision (by authors) can be achieved – an essential factor for an effective e‐print delivery service (for users). A ‘harvesting’ model is recommended, where the metadata of articles deposited in distributed archives are harvested, stored and enhanced by a national service. This model has major advantages over the alternatives of a national centralized service or a completely decentralized one. Options for the implementation of a service based on the harvesting model are presented.     

Religious broadcasting on UK television: Policy,public perception and programmes

This chapter assesses the developments in UK religious broadcasting over the last 20 years in both the BBC and independent television. Debate about the role and purpose of religious broadcasting is nothing new. However, the debate has taken on new significance recently in the light of wider consideration by broadcasting bodies and the government about the meaning and purpose of public service broadcasting in a multi‐channel television environment.

The first part of the chapter maps developments in broadcasting policy, with particular reference to statements issued by the BBC's and Independent Television Commission's advisory body, the Central Religious Advisory Committee. The chapter also highlights the impact of the changing religious make‐up of the UK, and the advent of dedicated religious television channels on the content of religious broadcasting.

The second part looks at the audience. Research findings may initially suggest that religious programmes are seen primarily as being for ‘other people’. However, closer examination of the audience shows that religious programmes are still watched by the majority of the adult population. And although viewers over 55 are well represented in the audience for many programmes, the audience for religious television is in reality more diverse than public and broadcasting industry perceptions would suggest.

Programmes are the focus of the third part of the chapter. While the amount of time devoted to religious programmes on BBC1 and ITV has remained at similar levels, the scheduling of religious programmes has moved away from peak time on both channels, but particularly so on ITV. Both channels have reduced the amount of religious programme time devoted to acts of worship. The official figures for amounts of religious broadcasting do not tell the whole story, however. Discussion continues both about the definition of ‘religious’ programmes and the future of religious broadcasting departments.

The challenge for religious broadcasting is to redefine itself for the digital age, without narrowing its scope.     

The Effectiveness of Video as a Learning Tool in On‐line Multimedia Modules

The Broadnet Project produced on‐line interactive multimedia training modules in order to support local small and medium sized (SME) businesses. Two of these modules used videos which were incorporated into the modules and were designed to stream over the Broadnet network. These videos were produced by several different contributors to the project. This report examines the producers’ views and SME trainees’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the videos as training material. Findings suggests that it is the interactive nature of the videos with the clips and questions, and the use of narrative incorporating the information which these trainees found most useful for learning.     

如果我们都不用睡觉?

Lindsay Lohan's and Paris Hilton's all-nighters would be no big deal. We'd be like, "You stayed up all night? So what. So did my grandma."There would be no need of Starbucks.     

Movement planning reflects skill level and age changes in toddlers

Kinematic measures of children's reaching were found to reflect stable differences in skill level for planning for future actions. Thirty-five toddlers (18-21 months) were engaged in building block towers (precise task) and in placing blocks into an open container (imprecise task). Sixteen children were retested on the same tasks a year later. Longer deceleration as the hand approached the block for pickup was found in the tower task compared with the imprecise task, indicating planning for the second movement. More skillful toddlers who could build high towers had a longer deceleration phase when placing blocks on the tower than toddlers who built low towers. Kinematic differences between the groups remained a year later when all children could build high towers.     

You’re doing what? Students’ experiences of advice from a New Zealand university

This case study explores student perceptions and experiences of advising at a New Zealand university. It considers the implications arising from the students’ responses and also investigates the influence of students’ demographic characteristics on perceptions of advice. Both first‐ (n = 191) and final‐ (n = 171) year cohorts of students were surveyed to determine why they chose particular courses, what advice they received and how aware they were of various support services. Although students were happy overall with the advice received, many had little or no expectations of the type of advice they should be receiving. The main sources of advice were the University enrolment pack, family and University School’s Liaison Officers. Academic advisers were less well used as a source of advice, even during later years of study. Advisers need to be educated about particular advising issues related to first‐generation students, part‐time students and international students. Many students had a career path in mind so it is important to provide holistic developmental academic advice that includes future career options.