Science policy in the Arab world

The paper gives an overview of recent trends in the development of policies and technology in the Arab world. It describes the problems that Arab policy-makers must address in order to set the Arab world on the road to scientific and technological self-reliance, with special emphasis on the shortcomings of the Arab education system and the problem of the brain drain. It also discusses the development of Arab policies on science and technology in the context of the need to democratize Arab society as a prerequisite to real advancement. And finally it surveys the efforts that Arab policy-makers have made in recent years to formulate coherent inter-Arab policies on science and technology. Arab national policy on science and technology for development must be formulated in accordance with the concepts of international co-operation and take full advantage of the vehicles for co-operation that exist today.

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Zusammenfassung Der Bericht gibt einen Überblick über jüngste Tendenzen in politischen und technologischen Richtungen der arabischen Länder. Er geht ein auf die Probleme, denen sich arabische Politiker zuwenden müssen, um die arabische Welt auf den Pfad zur wissenschaftlichen und technischen Selbstverantwortung zu führen. Dabei werden besonders die Unzulänglichkeiten im arabischen Erziehungs-system und das Problem desBrain Drain berücksichtigt. Im Rahmen der als notwendig erachteten Demokratisierung der arabischen Gesellschaft wird die Entwicklung der arabischen Wissenschaftspolitik als Voraussetzung für einen realen Fortschritt diskutiert. Anschließend wird ein Überblick gegeben über die jüngsten Bestrebungen arabischer Politiker, eine kohärente Politik der Wissenschaft und Technik zu entwickeln. Die nationale arabische Politik der Wissenschaft und Technik für Entwicklung muß gemäß den Konzepten der internationalen Zusammenarbeit formuliert und von Hilfsmitteln für die Zusammenarbeit, wie sie heute bestehen Gebrauch machen.

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Résumé Cet article donne un panorama des tendances récentes du développement des politiques et de la technologie dans le monde arabe. Il décrit les problèmes auxquels les hommes politiques arabes se heurtent pour mettre le monde arabe en route vers l'indépendance scientifique et technologique, en plaçant un accent spécial sur les insuffisances du système éducatif arabe et le problème de l'exode des cerveaux. Il examine également le développement des politiques arabes en matière de science et technologie dans le contexte de la nécessité de démocratisation de la société arabe en tant que condition sine qua non d'un réel progrès. On y étudie les efforts que les hommes politiques arabes ont faits au cours des dernières années pour formuler des politiques inter-arabes en matière de science et de technologie. On remarque dans cet article que l'établissement d'une démocratie dans la vie arabe est une nécessité si l'on veut asseoir une véritable politique arabe en matière de science et de technologie dans le monde arabe. C'est à cette fin que l'on cite dans ce document quelques principes généraux qui peuvent guider la politique arabe en matière de recherche scientifique et de technologie. Le développement de la politique nationale arabe dans ce domaine doit être formulé d'après les concepts de la coopération internationale et bénéficier des véhicules de coopération qui existent déjà.

     

A practical guide for the fabrication of microfluidic devices using glass and silicon

This paper describes the main protocols that are used for fabricating microfluidic devices from glass and silicon. Methods for micropatterning glass and silicon are surveyed, and their limitations are discussed. Bonding methods that can be used for joining these materials are summarized and key process parameters are indicated. The paper also outlines techniques for forming electrical connections between microfluidic devices and external circuits. A framework is proposed for the synthesis of a complete glass/silicon device fabrication flow.     

Digital competence – an emergent boundary concept for policy and educational research

Digital competence is an evolving concept related to the development of digital technology and the political aims and expectations of citizenship in a knowledge society. It is regarded as a core competence in policy papers; in educational research it is not yet a standardized concept. We suggest that it is a useful boundary concept, which can be used in various contexts. For this study, we analysed 76 educational research articles in which digital competence, described by different terms, was investigated. As a result, we found that digital competence consists of a variety of skills and competences, and its scope is wide, as is its background: from media studies and computer science to library and literacy studies. In the article review, we found a total of 34 terms that had used to describe the digital technology related skills and competences; the most often used terms were digital literacy, new literacies, multiliteracy and media literacy, each with somewhat different focus. We suggest that digital competence is defined as consisting of (1) technical competence, (2) the ability to use digital technologies in a meaningful way for working, studying and in everyday life, (3) the ability to evaluate digital technologies critically, and (4) motivation to participate and commit in the digital culture.     

Challenges to minority counselling: Arabs in Israel

Speech delivered at the International Round Table for the Advancement of Counselling. University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands, July 1985.     

Predictive Role of Physical Education Motivation

In this study we examined adolescents’ physical activity (PA) stability as well as individual differences in PA across grades 7–9. In addition, we tested the predictive role of adolescents’ self-determination and goal orientations in physical education at grade 6 in relation to their PA development. Adolescents’ (N = 812) self-reported PA was measured five times and physical education motivation once. Results revealed a decreasing trajectory of PA, with individual differences diminishing over time. Although boys’ showed a consistently higher PA level, gender did not moderate the change in PA. Finally, self-determination and task orientation (boys only) predicted PA levels but did not predict change in PA.     

Need Assessment of Computer Science and Engineering Graduates

This case study considered the syllabus of the first and second year studies in computer science. The aim of the study was to reveal which topics covered in the syllabi were really needed during the following years of study or in working life. The program that was assessed in the study was a Masters program in computer science and engineering at a university of technology in Finland. The necessity of different subjects for the advanced studies (years 3?–?5) and for working life was assessed using four content analyses: (a) the course catalog of the institution where this study was carried out, (b) employment reports that were attached to the applications for internship credits, (c) masters theses, and (d) job advertisements in a newspaper. The results of the study imply that the necessity of physics for the advanced study and work was very low compared to the extent to which it was studied. On the other hand, the necessity for mathematics was moderate, and it had remained quite steady during the period 1989?–?2002. The most necessary computer science topic was programming. Also telecommunications and networking was needed often, whereas theoretical computer science was needed quite rarely.     

Learning science content through socio-scientific issues-based instruction: a multi-level assessment study

Science educators have presented numerous conceptual and theoretical arguments in favor of teaching science through the exploration of socio-scientific issues (SSI). However, the empirical knowledge base regarding the extent to which SSI-based instruction supports student learning of science content is limited both in terms of the number of studies that have been conducted in this area and the quality of research. This research sought to answer two questions: (1) To what extent does SSI-based instruction support student learning of science content? and (2) How do assessments at variable distances from the curriculum reveal patterns of learning associated with SSI-based instruction? Sixty-nine secondary students taught by three teachers participated in the study. Three teachers implemented an SSI intervention focused on the use of biotechnology for identifying and treating sexually transmitted diseases. We found that students demonstrated statistically and practically significant gains in content knowledge as measured by both proximal and distal assessments. These findings support the claim that SSI-based teaching can foster content learning and improved performance on high-stakes tests.     

Case studies of learning objects used in school settings

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role and characteristics of virtual learning objects in selected classroom cases. Four Finnish cases represented such pedagogical approaches as student‐centeredness, process orientation and collaborative inquiry. The case study approach enabled the investigation of concrete practices in using learning objects in ordinary classroom settings. The goal of the study was to examine the interrelatedness of the teachers’ pedagogical practices with characteristics and affordances of the learning objects, in order to understand how learning objects can support the development of advanced pedagogical practices in schools. The data used were qualitative, consisting of the participating teachers’ agendas, and observations and video recordings during classroom sessions. The results indicate that the learning objects were mostly used as exploration tools, information sources, assessment models and objects of discussion. An expert‐like use of knowledge was characteristic in the pedagogical settings, especially when the teacher was experienced in using ICT in teaching. However, not all the learning objects supported such practices, thus preventing a teacher from reaching intended pedagogical aims.