Inferring teacher epistemological framing from local patterns in teacher noticing

In this work we use research from science education on teacher framing and work from mathematics education on teacher noticing to develop new approaches to modeling teacher cognition. The framing literature proposes a dynamic cognitive model of teaching in which teacher epistemological framing, or moment‐to‐moment understanding of what is going on with respect to knowledge and learning in the classroom, drives much of teacher practice. The teacher noticing literature documents patterns and trends in teachers' attention during instruction. We suggest first that noticing patterns, particularly local noticing patterns, can be leveraged to make inferences about teacher framing that maintain sensitivity to its dynamics but are also more reliable than existing analytic approaches. Second, we suggest that understanding noticing as driven by framing requires researchers to anticipate, allow for, and capitalize on the fact that teachers are capable of multiple, internally consistent variations in noticing at any given time. To illustrate these claims we present an analysis of one high school biology teacher who implemented a new digital recording technology in her classroom. Using the data from that implementation we identify two distinct local patterns in the teacher's noticing and from those patterns infer two different epistemological frames, one that she adopts during lab work and another during class discussions. We also discuss implications of these multiple framings for the study and training of teacher noticing more broadly. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 50:284–314, 2013     

The Influence of Communication Apprehension on Superiors' Propensity for and Practice of Participative Decision Making

This investigation examined if traitlike communication apprehension (CA) serves as a significant predictor of superiors' propensity for and practice of participative decision making (PDM)—that is, involving others in decision-making processes. A total of 219 superiors recruited from a variety of organizations served as participants in this study. Results revealed that traitlike CA is a significant determinant of variation in superiors' inclination for, as well as their actual practice of, PDM. These findings suggest that superiors with lower CA possess favorable perceptions of PDM and are more inclined to involve others in decision-making processes than their colleagues with higher CA. Conversely, results suggest that superiors with higher CA typically possess less favorable perceptions of PDM and are less likely to involve others when making decisions. Theoretical and practical implications underpinning these results are explored. Future research directions are also proposed.     

The porous structure of paper in relation to drying and impregnation

It is shown that water adsorbed by paper cannot be completely removed by pumping while immersed in an impregnating compound which wets the paper.A theory which explains this effect is presented, according to which the equilibrium moisture content of paper pumped under these conditions does not correspond to the external pressure but to one $\text{2λ}\text{R}$ greater than this where λ is the surface tension of the impregnant and R the effective pore radius.The application of these findings and the theory to the preparation of experimental samples of impregnated paper of controlled moisture content; to the determination of moisture in impregnated paper; to the drying and impregnation of paper and to the investigation of the pore structure of solids is discussed.     

The context for reinforcement: Modulation of the response-reinforcer relation by concurrently available extraneous reinforcement

Learning & Behavior - Right-lever presses by hooded rats in three groups produced reinforcers at variable-intervals that differed over five conditions. The groups differed by virtue of the...     

Invented Science: A Framework for Discussing a Persistent Problem of Practice

A central goal of science education reform is for students to participate in scientific sense making rather than to merely acquire science facts. However, even in classrooms utilizing reform-based pedagogies, students are typically allowed to construct knowledge only insofar as they construct expected knowledge. In this report and reflection, we use activity theory to demonstrate how this pervasive tension between learning correct ideas and constructing one’s own ideas often results in unacknowledged slippage between competing activity systems within reform efforts. We use an analogy to the domain of spelling to introduce invented science—a framework for describing the activity of science learning that reduces this slippage by giving knowledge construction true priority over the canon. We describe the origins and purposes of invented spelling to theorize the nature of learning in invented science. We conclude by articulating the theoretical and practical implications of this analogy for science teaching and learning.     

Raising the achievement of African heritage pupils: a case study of good practice in British schools

The aim of this paper is to investigate how pupils from black African backgrounds are helped to achieve high standards in schools and to identify the factors that contribute to the success of raising achievement. Two complementary methodological approaches were adopted, each contributing a particular set of data to the study. First, General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) empirical investigation was undertaken to draw lessons from the last seven years by examining in detail the attainment of black African pupils in the authority. This was followed by detailed case‐study research to illuminate how the complex interactions of context, organization, policy and practice helps generate effective practice in raising the attainment of black African pupils. Five case‐study schools were selected. A structured questionnaire was used to interview headteachers, staff, governors, parents and pupils to gather evidence of African heritage pupil achievement. The main findings of the research show that in all schools black African pupils are performing above national average, and in the case‐study schools 79% of black African pupils achieved five+ A*–C GCSEs compared to 48% nationally and 57% in the authority schools. The study has also identified a number of good practices in successful schools. Among the key features that contribute to the success of raising the achievement in the case‐study schools are: African parents value education very highly and respect the authority of schools; strong leadership; effective use of performance data for school self‐evaluation; diversity in the workforce; a highly inclusive curriculum that meets the needs of African heritage pupils; a strong link with the community; well coordinated support and guidance; good parental support and high expectation of their children; and teachers’ high expectation of African heritage pupils and a strong commitment to equal opportunities. The final section gives policy implications for school improvement.     

The effect of towing a range of relative resistances on sprint performance

The aim of this study was to compare sprint performance over 10 and 20 m when participants ran while towing resistances, weighing between 0 and 30% of body mass. The sample of 33 participants consisted of male rugby and soccer players (age 21.1 +/- 1.8 years, body mass 83.6 +/- 13.1 kg, height 1.82 +/- 0.1 m; mean +/- s). Each participant performed two sets of seven sprints over 20 m using a Latin rectangular design. The times were recorded at 10 and 20 m using electronic speed gates. The sprints of 13 players were video-recorded to allow calculation of stride length and frequency. For both sprints, a quadratic relationship was observed between sprint time and resistance as sprint time increased from 2.94 s to 3.80 s from 0 to 30% resistance. This relationship was statistically significant but considered not to be meaningful for performance because, over the range of resistances used in this study, the quadratic model was never more than 1% (in terms of sprint time) from the linear model. As resistance increased, the stride length shortened, with mean values of 1.63 +/- 0.13 m at 0% body mass and 1.33 +/- 0.13 m at 30% of body mass. There was no significant change in stride frequency with increasing resistance. The results show that in general there is an increase in sprint time with an increase in resistance. No particular resistance in the range tested (0 - 30%) can be recommended for practice.     

Quantifying the effects of load carriage and fatigue under load on sacral kinematics during countermovement vertical jump with IMU-based method

We present a method for quantifying sacral kinematics during countermovement jumping (CMJ) using an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The IMU-derived sacral kinematic trajectories reproduced motion capture acceleration, velocity, and displacement to within mean (standard deviation) differences of 0.024 (0.088) m/s², 0.023 (0.026) m/s, and 0.003 (0.032) m, respectively, across 252 jumps performed by 14 subjects. The method also quantified differences in maximum sacral displacement to within 1 % and differences in maximum propulsive velocity to within 0.7 % of motion capture estimates. This builds upon existing IMU-based methods for quantifying jump performance, which do not provide sacral kinematic trajectories. The utility of this method is demonstrated by its ability to discriminate jump performance metrics across a diverse subject population. In particular, we found that 21 participants adopted multiple strategies to maximize jump height in unloaded and loaded fresh conditions, but converged to a common strategy when jumping fatigued and under load. Changes in kinematic parameters were evident across conditions, and several changes were significantly associated with changes in jump performance (i.e., height). These parameters include changes in the depth of the countermovement, duration of the propulsive phase and maximum propulsive velocity. Collectively, these results point toward the future use of this method in naturalistic environments and for multiple objectives including biomechanical performance assessment and tracking, fatigue assessment, and jump training.