Construction of an Inexpensive Response Timer

Abstract

The previous paper by Professors Hutton and Doolittle uses a rather controversial methodology for evaluating electromyography signals. Of course one of the purposes of “Research Notes” is to publish approaches that are non-traditional. However, I felt it was important to identify questions that might be raised about Hutton and Doolittle's methodology. Thus, I requested the following short response by Professor Yates and then a response by Hutton and Doolittle. I invite additional responses to either Hutton or Doolittle and Yates.

Jerry R. Thomas

Editor-in-Chief     

Developing the developers: Some ethical dilemmas in changing times

Abstract

Universities in Australia, like those in many Western countries, currently are being pushed to find for themselves an increasing share of their own budgets and to consider themselves as service providers to students, their ‘customers’. These students, having paid fees, may well expect to get what they have paid for and, in current labour market conditions, that may amount to a degree rather than an education. That is, universities are now under‐funded and, frequently, far from being seen as educational institutions, are seen as businesses whose role is to provide adequate service at optimum price. By and large, educational development staff do not teach students so they do not contribute directly to the income of the enterprise. The position of such staff and the units in which they are located is thus increasingly coming under threat as ‘economies’ are sought by academic ‘managers’. One poignantly pointed issue, then, is the extent to which educational developers might appropriately change the style and substance of their activities to assist in the evolution of universities to embrace and perhaps to thrive in the new environment. Would this amount to collusion or to co‐operation? Developers have, in the past, often attempted to develop themselves by embracing the model of reflective practice and implementing it both while carrying out their work (a kind of action learning) and at conferences and in journals and books of various kinds. However developers, and their clients (actual and potential), are under increasing pressure and for many survival, not thriving, may be the main issue. The issue for developers may well be the identity of their clients ‐ the university; its management; its teaching staff; its students (the university's supposed ‘customers'). In this paper I focus on the ethical dilemmas which may arise when educational developers try to develop themselves to serve various possible clients.     

Exploring the values of chaplains in government primary schools

Minimal prior research has examined the school chaplaincy programme in Australia. This exploratory study sought to identify the values primary school chaplains feel are the most important to them personally, and in their role as chaplain. Eight chaplains working in government primary schools were interviewed. Inductive thematic analysis was used to determine key themes evident within the data. Results suggested that chaplains identified understanding, tolerance, inclusion, care, compassion, honesty, trustworthiness and integrity as most important to them personally and professionally. Chaplains noted clear boundaries in their work and emphasised that to proselytise or evangelise would be to contravene their role. Of some concern were the information gathering techniques some chaplains employed before referring on to appropriately trained school staff. As the federally funded chaplaincy programme has been controversial in Australia, this study provides valuable insight into chaplains’ values and their role which can help governments and communities make informed choices regarding school chaplaincy programmes.     

Motion Pictures

Leonard Maltin's Movie Comedy Teams (Signet W4453, $1.50)

Edward Wagenknecht's The Movies in the Age of Innocence (Originally issues in 1962 by University of Oklahoma Press, re-issued by Ballantine at $2.95)

Jay Leyda's Films Begat Film (originally issued in 1964, re-issued by Hill & Wang at $1.95 paper and $4.95 hardback)

Rachel Madcluy, Stirling Sillipaant and Neil D. Isaacs' Fiction into Film: A Walk in the Spring Rain (University of Tennessee Press, $10.50)

Charles Sweeting, A Film Course Manual (McCutchan Publishing Corp., 2526 Grove St., Berkeley, Calif. 94704, $2.25)