Winning hearts and minds: A critical analysis of independent media development in Afghanistan

ABSTRACT

Utilizing a political economic framework, this study investigates the development and expansion of independent media in Afghanistan, focusing on one of the largest private media companies in the country, Moby Group. The company's approach to producing media is tied to its complex location as a translocal/transnational media entity. The company serves a unique population and navigates complex relationships locally and globally (operating in an emerging democratic state negotiating neoliberal market imperatives). This paper argues American-backed development of state-independent media and the rise of private companies such as Moby Group are part of larger geopolitical practices that further U.S. interests and the neoliberal agenda globally.     

From Lester Frank Ward to John Dewey: The Three Universal Curriculums

The writings of Lester Frank Ward (1841–1913) on education over the last two decades of the 19th century were almost lost until they were brought to the attention of John Dewey (1859–1952). Ward had prophesied that the 20th century would require three universal curriculums to meet the American democratic prospect. Ward acknowledged that nobody knew what structure or form the three universal curriculums would take. It would be left to John Dewey and his fellow experimentalists to provide the answer.     

Intra-abdominal pressures during activity in women using an intra-vaginal pressure transducer

Abstract

Strenuous physical activity has been linked to pelvic floor disorders in women. Using a novel wireless intra-vaginal pressure transducer, intra-abdominal pressure was measured during diverse activities in a laboratory. Fifty-seven women performed a prescribed protocol using the intra-vaginal pressure transducer. We calculated maximal, area under the curve and first moment of the area intra-abdominal pressure for each activity. Planned comparisons of pressure were made between levels of walking and cycling and between activities with reported high pressure in the literature. Findings indicate variability in intra-abdominal pressure amongst individuals doing the same activity, especially in activities that required regulation of effort. There were statistically significant differences in maximal pressure between levels of walking, cycling and high pressure activities. Results for area under the curve and first moment of the area were not always consistent with maximal pressure. Coughing had the highest maximal pressure, but had lower area under the curve and first moment of the area compared to most activities. Our data reflect novel findings of maximal, area under the curve and first moment of the area measures of intra-abdominal pressure, which may have clinical relevance for how physical activity relates to pelvic floor dysfunction.     

Considering the Role of Affect in Learning: Monitoring Students' Self-Efficacy,Sense of Belonging,and Science Identity

While emphasis is often placed on assessing students'' conceptual knowledge, less has been placed on investigating affective aspects of student biology learning. In this paper, we explore self-efficacy, sense of belonging, and science identity, as well as emerging assessment tools to monitor these dimensions of students'' learning.     

Structure Matters: Twenty-One Teaching Strategies to Promote Student Engagement and Cultivate Classroom Equity

A host of simple teaching strategies—referred to as “equitable teaching strategies” and rooted in research on learning—can support biology instructors in striving for classroom equity and in teaching all their students, not just those who are already engaged, already participating, and perhaps already know the biology being taught.     

The Costs of Experience Corps® in Public Schools

Objective: To describe the annual operational costs of a mature Experience Corps® program in elementary schools in the Baltimore City Public School System. Methods: Systematic records of expenditures kept by the community partner, Greater Homewood Community Corporation, to be reported to funders were made available for analysis. Expenditures were aggregated to the level of fiscal year and grouped in categories in consultation with the community partner. Results: Expenditures to provide reimbursement to volunteers and to administer this complex volunteer program in an environment in which the school district needed additional management resources for such a program dominate the total expenditures. In the 2008 fiscal year, the program provided 158,305 hours of older adult volunteer service to public elementary schools in Baltimore City and the cost per volunteer hour was $9.79; in the 2009 fiscal year the program provided 157,238 hours of older adult volunteer service and the cost per volunteer hour was $9.60. This suggests consistency and may also suggest that the program is becoming more efficient over time. Conclusion: The costs presented represent the costs of running a mature program after an initial investment has been made. These costs would need to be compared with the short-term and long-term benefits to the older adult volunteers, the school children, other school personnel, and the schools' and volunteers' communities to perform a comprehensive benefit-cost analysis to inform public policy.