Reading Place: Bodies and Spaces in Québécois Adolescent Literature

This paper examines two Canadian (Québécois) novels for young adults, translated from French to English in Canada: The Road to Chlifa by Michèle Marineau, and Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras. We examine the representation of adolescent bodies in space and movement, and how these coming of age narratives play out in relation to discourses about nationality and citizenship. This paper suggests that there are subtle differences in sensibilities in works published in French by Québécois writers and publishers, and that there is evidence of a lingering solitude in relation to young adult literature in Canada. We argue that we need to understand and continue to explicate the complex set of cultural readings and re-readings engendered by these and other coming of age novels that cross real and imagined boundaries of federation and language; that is, we encourage educators to examine representations of adolescent protagonists in relation to the production and reception of literary works that travel within and across our borders.     

Students' Critiques as Motivation

Motivation research could profitably represent students as critics of schooling, rather than simply "active" learners of the lessons presented to them or perceivers of classroom climate, and engage students in dialogue about the nature and ends of education. We review complementary interview and ethnographic research on but one of the many topics that could be addressed from this perspective: students' interpretations of classroom tests and test-like assignments and their conceptions of fair and effective practices for implementing tests. Conceptions of testing change with age, whereas theories about the role of testing seem to reflect the existing school context. Students' critiques of school activities can be considered motivation rather than cognitions that mediate motivation. Research of this type might be of value to educators who seek to involve students more fully in the construction of the purposes that govern their own education.     

A Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Improving Basketball Performance

Abstract

The purpose of the present experiment was to replicate and extend previous developmental modeling research by examining the qualitative as well as quantitative aspects of motor performance. Eighty females of two age groups (5–0 to 6–6 and 7–6 to 9–0 years) were randomly assigned to conditions within a 2 × 2 × 2 (Age x Model Type x Rehearsal) factorial design. Children received either verbal instructions only (no model) or a visual demonstration with experimenter-given verbal cues (verbal model) of a five-part dance skill sequence. Children were either prompted to verbally rehearse before skill execution or merely asked to reproduce the sequence without prompting. Both quantitative (order) and qualitative (form) performances were assessed. Results revealed a significant age main effect for both order and form performance, with older children performing better than younger children. A model type main effect was also found for both order and form performance. The verbal model condition produced better qualitative performance, whereas the no model condition resulted in better quantitative scores. These results are discussed in terms of differential coding strategies that may influence task components in modeling.     

Social Support and Recovery from Sport Injury: Elite Skiers Share Their Experiences

Abstract

Research suggests that social support can be an important coping resource for athletes recovering from sport injury. Few studies have investigated this claim, however: To address this gap in the literature, 10 elite downhill skiers who had recovered from serious sport injuries were interviewed about the sources of stress associated with injury and the role of social support in recovery from sport injury. This paper presents the social support findings that emerged from this research¹. Content analyses of the social support data revealed that the skiers needed various types of emotional, informational, and tangible support from the occurance of injury through the return to full activity. Members of the treatment team, the ski team, and the skiers' home support networks provided social support throughout these phases. In general, the skiers were satisfied with the support received, indicating that it reduced distress and kept them motivated throughout recovery. The findings from this research have implications for the design of sport injury interventions.     

The Psychometric Properties of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Exercise Questionnaire

The current study aims to test the reliability and validity of the Leader–Member Exchange (LMX 7) scale with regard to coach–player relationships in sports settings. A total of 330 professional soccer players from the Turkish Super League as well as from the First and Second Leagues participated in this study. Factor analyses were performed to test the construct validity of the LMX 7. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a one-factor solution for the LMX 7. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit indices (χ²₍₁₄₎ = 31.36; p = .001; χ²/df = 2.24; GFI = .95; CFI = .97; SRMR = .05). Cronbach`s alpha (α = .84) and construct reliability (CR = .85) indicated that the reliability of the LMX 7 was quite good. Factorial Invariance (Δχ²_diff = 4.49; p > .05) across samples provided cross-validation using Multi-Group Confirmatory Analysis (MGCFA). The MGCFA supported the model of league invariance. Evidence of cross validation and configural, metric, and scalar invariance tests suggested that the LMX 7 scale preserves its factor structure, factor loadings, factor variances, and item uniqueness equally well. Chi-square difference tests revealed full invariance (Δχ²₍₆₎ = 11.45; p > .05) and partial scalar invariance (Δχ²₍₆₎ = 9.46; p > .05). Overall, these results show that the LMX 7 scale is reliable and valid for examining coach–player relationships.     

Safety and Efficacy of Mobility Interventions in Patients with Femoral Catheters in the ICU: A Prospective Observational Study

Introduction

There are limited data describing mobility interventions provided to patients with femoral catheters. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of femoral catheter related adverse effects during physical therapy (PT) sessions in a cardiovascular intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

This was a prospective, observational study and included patients with at least one femoral catheter. Data were collected after each PT session.

Results

There were 77 subjects with a total of 92 femoral catheters (50 arterial, 15 central venous, and 27 dialysis) treated. A total of 210 separate PT sessions occurred with 630 mobility activities including sitting on side of bed, standing at the bedside, transfers to stretcher chair or regular chair, and walking. There were no catheter related mechanical or thrombotic complications during any of the PT sessions.

Conclusions

Physical therapy sessions, including standing and walking were feasible and safe in cardiovascular ICU patients with femoral catheters who met the criteria for mobility interventions. The results from this study support the hypothesis that early mobilization in patients with femoral catheters is important to minimize functional decline and provide evidence that the presence of femoral catheters alone should not be a reason to limit progressive mobility interventions.Key Words: physical therapy, ICU, early mobilization, femoral catheter     

Welche bildungswissenschaftlichen Inhalte sind wichtig in der Lehrerbildung?

In reviews of university teacher training, the parts of the curriculum based on educational science are often criticized as missing practical relevance and being non-cumulative. At the same time, uncertainty exists regarding which educational science based content is important for teacher candidates. The objective of the Delphi study presented here was the identification of core educational science content in university training. To this aim, a survey was carried out amongst 49 experts from different subject areas and phases of teacher training in three rounds using a standardized questionnaire. In the first round, 213 topics were specified, which were then assessed by experts regarding their importance for various aspects of the teaching profession. In the second and third rounds, which had the objective of reducing the number of topics, the experts chose a limited number of topics based on their relevance for university teacher training and for the practical success of teaching itself. The results show that the original list was comprehensive and that there is a consensus among most of the experts on their respective importance for teaching training.     

The Enjoyment of Formal and Informal Recreation and Leisure Activities: A comparison of school‐aged children with and without physical disabilities

Despite the fairly extensive literature on the developmental benefits of youth's participation in organised, out‐of‐school activities, little is known about the participation of school‐aged children with physical disabilities in formal recreation and leisure activities, both in comparison with their participation in informal activities and with children who are typically developing. Enjoyment of formal and informal activities was examined for 427 children with physical disabilities and 354 children without disabilities, aged 6–14 years. It was predicted that children without disabilities would report significantly greater enjoyment of formal than informal activities, whereas this would not be the case for children with disabilities. This prediction was confirmed. Children with disabilities also participated in significantly fewer formal and informal activities, and participated in these activities less intensely than did children without disabilities. The mechanisms responsible for psychological engagement, enjoyment, and the developmental benefits of participation in activities are discussed, along with implications for research and clinical practice.     

Motivational Factors Underlying College Students' Decisions to Resume Their Educational Pursuits in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

This study explored college student persistence at a historically Black university affected by Hurricane Katrina. Predictor variables including sex, residence status, Pell Grant status, campus housing status, college grade point average, attendance before Hurricane Katrina, and attendance at the university by parents or another close relative were used to predict educational aspirations, campus environment, and financial aid eligibility status as the reasons college students continued their education after Hurricane Katrina.