An Australian study comparing the use of multiple-choice questionnaires with assignments as interim,summative law school assessment

To the author’s knowledge, this is the first Australian study to empirically compare the use of a multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ) with the use of a written assignment for interim, summative law school assessment. This study also surveyed the same student sample as to what types of assessments are preferred and why. In total, 182 undergraduate property law students participated in this study. Results showed that scores for the MCQ (assessing five topics) and assignment (assessing one topic) followed a similar distribution. This indicates that an MCQ does not necessarily skew students towards higher grades than an assignment. Results also showed significant but low correlations of test scores across instruments. When asked which instrument best assessed their knowledge of property law, students expressed a strong preference for an assignment over an MCQ or examination. Comments revealed a strong belief that, because lawyers write, law schools must assess legal writing – a skill not captured by MCQs. This study is important as many Australian law schools face increasing marking loads due to higher student numbers and compulsory mid-term assessments. This article endorses the use of MCQs but only as part of a diverse suite of law school assessment.     

Developing national scholarly information infrastructure ‐ some Australian experiences

This paper explores some aspects of the collaborative achievement by Australian university libraries, documents the benefits accrued collectively to the clients of Australian academic libraries and overviews the contributions of some key bodies to the development of Australia's scholarly communication and information infrastructure.     

Low Cost but Effective: Staff Development Activities in Community College Student Affairs

This study examines staff development practices in community college student affairs. Nineteen interviews were conducted with supervisors in a variety of departments at community colleges. We found that supervisors frequently used multiple practices such as conducting staff meetings, attending institutional training, or viewing topical webinars were frequently used by supervisors to provide professional development opportunities. We also highlight distinct approaches including the concept of active listening and after-hours activities. Finally, we explore implications for staff development in community colleges and identify potential future practices and improvements.     

Identifying Essential Topics in General and Special Education Introductory Assessment Textbooks

We reviewed the five top-selling introductory assessment textbooks in both general and special education to identify topics contained in textbooks and to determine the extent of agreement among authors regarding the essentialness of topics within and across discipline. Content analysis across the 10 assessment textbooks yielded 73 topics related to 13 categories: Decisions, Law, Technical Adequacy, Plan Assessment, Create Assessment, Score Assessment, Assessment Target, Assessment Type, Assessment Method, Interpret Assessment, Communicate Assessment Results, Assessment Population, and Computer-Assisted Assessment. Many of the topics identified were consistent with traditional assessment expectations of general and special education environments, while other, arguably important, topics were not identified as essential. The idea of core assessment topics for all teachers is introduced.     

坏孩子

判逆的青春期,我们的身边总是会出现这样或那样的坏孩子,我们真的了解他们吗?……     

Leadership practices for student engagement in challenging conditions

Student Engagement is the investment of time, effort and other relevant resources by both students and their institutions intended to optimise the student experience and enhance the learning outcomes and development of students, and the performance and reputation of the institution. As such, it has affective, behavioural and cognitive dimensions, which may manifest congruently or oppositionally. The current popularity of the concept derives from a large body of evidence suggesting that student engagement improves a range of desirable outcomes. A study funded by the Leadership Foundation to uncover leadership practices that enhanced student engagement revealed the importance of climate, resourcing, communication and values. The article concludes with some suggestions of how the findings might usefully be applied in a higher education setting.     

A Comparison of Students' Evaluations of a Peer-delivered Sex Education Programme and Teacher-led Provision

This article reports data from the process evaluation of a randomised controlled trial of peer-led sex education in English secondary schools. Data from 52 focus group discussions in 19 schools and selected items from a questionnaire survey completed by 7770 students in 1998/99 are used to compare student views on teacher- and peer-led sex education. Questionnaire data show that a significantly greater proportion of students taught by peer educators than teachers felt that sex education was enjoyable, engaging and useful to them. Data also show that a slightly greater proportion of students taught by teachers felt the classroom was well controlled. Data from an analysis of the focus group discussions are used to explore and illustrate factors which students associated with the acceptability and satisfaction of the peer-led intervention. The importance of peer educator empathy and similarity with students is highlighted and data show how these characteristics are associated with peer educators' choice of teaching methods, the content of lessons and the sexual values and attitudes they espouse. The influence of contextual factors like student prior expectations and experiences of relationships with teachers, school environment and norms are considered along with the potential influence of the research process on responses.     

Collaborative Assistance in a Highly Prescribed School Reform Model: The Case of Success for All

This article focuses on how the Success for All Foundation (SFAF)—the nonprofit intermediary organization that promotes Success for All—works with educators in schools to increase capacity for learning and instruction. Success for All is a comprehensive school reform model that primarily centers on early literacy intervention. Building on research on intermediary organizations and situated learning, we examine how SFAF structures professional development and the types of relationships the organization cultivates with practitioners. At a glance, although much of the theory, strategy, and tools driving the SFAF's approach to school reform seem technically oriented and highly prescribed, our investigation indicates that the deeper process of creating knowledge for school improvement is a collaborative, situated endeavor. Moreover, the study reveals that the process of learning and professional development within the program is a result of the ongoing, dynamic interplay among the SFAF, local conditions, and the broader policy context. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.