An Empirical Study to Examine for Androgynous Mentoring Behaviour in the Field of Education

Abstract

This empirical study focuses upon mentoring behaviour in the context of schools and colleges and is a continuation of an earlier empirical study which posited the theory that mentors will display androgyny—high levels of instrumental and expressive behaviour—whilst in their mentoring role. Sixteen mentors were invited to partake in a study that was designed to deploy both qualitative and quantitative methods in a complementary manner. Mentors reported the complementary nature of the mentoring role and other roles they performed and noted the positive, reciprocal nature of mentoring: such resulted in the mentors not seeing their role as a particularly demanding one. Evidence of mentors displaying expressive—or stereotypically feminine—behaviour within their role was apparent. The levels of instrumentality that the mentors felt others expected them to display were waived in favour of expressiveness when actual mentoring behaviour was reported: this was not mitigated by the gender of the mentor. Further, evidence emerged that the mentors would not alter their behaviour whether in a same or cross‐gender mentoring situation. The study concludes that mentors in education do not display androgynous behaviour whilst mentoring; rather they display high levels of expressive behaviour. Such would place mentoring as a stereotypically feminine role. The study further questions those who perceive cross‐gender mentoring as problematic, with mentor‐mentee age difference of possibly more concern. In order to allow full consideration of claims made, details of the previous study are given.     

An analysis of group processes in farmer learning: the Australian experience

Abstract

Extension is increasingly using groups in Australia on the assumption that it increases the efficiency and impact of extension. In this study, group extension was studied to explore a connection between expected outcomes and the contributing internal processes. The data used for this study indicated that there were some inconsistencies between group type and the achievement of outcomes. This study aims to identify these inconsistencies with a view to clarifying appropriate success and hindrance factors. The usefulness of this work is that group type can then be actively chosen to achieve a desired outcome.     

LEARNING THE SOCIAL WAY: ENHANCING LEARNING IN A TRADITIONAL SETTING

This article explores the link between pedagogical approaches to learning and the redevelopment of existing spaces. It focuses upon trends in social learning and the need for libraries to respond to these in positive and proactive ways, placing the learner at the centre of developments. Not all universities and their libraries are in a position to extensively renovate or rebuild; the case study here provides an in-depth exploration of a ‘minor’ redevelopment that has had a major impact on learners. It concludes with considerations for the library and information profession in terms of their role in the development and management of learning spaces.     

Changing television in Greece the commercialization of creek TV and the historical,legal, economic and social environment

It was just seven years ago when a commercial television station broadcast on the Greek airwaves for the first time. Today, 1997, the number of these stations has risen to 160. The formation of hundreds of commercial TV and radio stations resulted in Greece being one of the most dense media environments on the planet.

Commercial television in Greece was born on 20 November 1989, when Mega Channel began broadcasting in the greater Athens area. By 1996 commercial television channels in Greece had captured approximately 90 per cent of the total viewing audience and 95 per cent of TV advertising revenue.

This paper investigates the historical, legal, economic, political, and international phenomena which led to the birth of commercial television in Greece, the changes that television itself went through, the effects of these changes on Greek society, and the future prospects for Greek TV.