The perceived impact of agricultural advice in Ethiopia

Purpose: We examine the impact of advice given by extension agents to Ethiopian farmers, as perceived by the farmers themselves. Design/methodology/approach: Using survey data from 2014, we analyze the perceived impact of advice on farmers’ incomes and crop yields. We use a bootstrapped instrumental variable (IV) estimator and the conditional mixed process estimator. Theoretical implications: The impact of advice will depend upon its relevance and whether and how efficiently it is implemented by the farmer. This in part depends upon the farmer’s ability and on the impact of fully implemented advice on output, which will vary from farm to farm. Findings: There is a positive perceived impact of most advice on both crop yields and income. However, some advice works better in drought-affected areas and other in non-drought-affected areas. Fertilizers have more impact on crop yields than income, possibly reflecting cost factors. There is evidence that the farmers’ ability to implement the advice increases with their level of education and that advice is being tailored to the needs of the individual. Practical implications: Advice has a positive impact on both crop yields and income. However, not all advice is equally effective and effectiveness varies according to farmer and farm characteristics. There is little evidence of credit advice having a positive impact. Originality/value: The paper is one of only a few to analyze farmers’ perceptions of advice impact and, as far as we are aware, is the first to analyze how advice effectiveness varies according to farmer and farm characteristics.     

The question of sign-language and the utility of signs in the instruction of the deaf: two papers by Alexander Graham Bell (1898)

Alexander Graham Bell is often portrayed as either hero or villain of deaf individuals and the Deaf community. His writings, however, indicate that he was neither, and was not as clearly definite in his beliefs about language as is often supposed. The following two articles, reprinted from The Educator (1898), Vol. V, pp. 3-4 and pp. 38-44, capture Bell's thinking about sign language and its use in the classroom. Contrary to frequent claims, Bell does not demand oral training for all deaf children--even if he thinks it is the superior alternative--but does advocate for it for the semi-deaf and the semi-mute. In regard to the others, he writes, I am not so sure. Although he clearly voices his support for oral methods and fingerspelling (the Rochester method) over sign language, Bell acknowledges the use and utility of signing in a carefully-crafted discussion that includes both linguistics and educational philosophy. In separating the language used at home from that in school and on the playground, Bell reveals a far more complex view of language learning by deaf children than he is often granted. (M. Marschark).     

Friction reduction using self-waxing alpine skis

A continuously waxed ski has been developed that releases a thin film of lubricant under the base of a ski. This replicates the melt water layer observed in snow skis which is caused by frictional and solar heating. The system is particularly effective on artificial (dry) slopes where skiers slide on plastic bristles rather than snow. Speeds comparable to those achieved on snow are achieved using this system and this improves the experience for the skier. Speed enhancements on plastic slopes of up to 50?% have been achieved using solutions of polyethylene glycol in water. There is speed enhancement of approximately 9?% on artificial snow and 2?% on fresh alpine snow. The latter value is highly significant as it can be the difference between winning a medal in ski competitions and finishing outside the top ten. In addition to the quantitative data, qualitative athlete perceptions were also recorded and show that a feel like snow can be achieved on artificial surfaces. Because the lubrication system is attached to the ski, it allows personal performance enhancement irrespective of a water misting system being in operation or not. The design complies with the equipment regulations of the skiing??s international governing body so it can be used in competition.     

Listening – the Cinderella profile component of English

This article investigates the role of listening in English. The importance of ‘reading with the ear’ is discussed, as is research into the views of teachers and pupils on this topic. Practical suggestions are made for according to listening a more meaningful place in English. Originally English was conceived as listening and reading, talking and writing. It would enrich the conception of English as a subject to uncouple listening from talking and instead give it its place as a profile component in its own right.     

On the Impact of Learning Cycle Teaching on Austrian High School Students’ Emotions,Academic Self-Concept,Engagement, and Achievement

Research in Science Education - Over the past several decades, empirical support for inquiry-based forms of science teaching has accumulated. Critical voices, however, also exist, claiming that...     

Using a Diagnosis-Based Approach to Individualize Instructional Explanations in Computer-Mediated Communication

To maximize the effectiveness of instructional explanations, they should be tailored to an individual learner. However, instructors are often not able to collect diagnostically relevant information about a learner to individualize their explanations. This is particularly true in computer-mediated settings where it is more difficult to thoroughly assess a learner’s understanding. We present an approach that provides instructors in asynchronous and text-based computer-mediated communication settings with information about a learner’s understanding that has sufficient diagnostic power to enable them to generate learner-tailored explanations. A series of experiments testing this approach suggest several conclusions. First, instructors need information about a learner to individualize explanations. Second, instructors are able to design explanations that are specifically adapted to a learner’s individual understanding. Third, learner-tailored explanations facilitate the processing of new information and make instructional communication more efficient. Fourth, learner-tailored explanations enhance a deep understanding of the information processed and make instructional communication more effective.     

Sensory processing disorder in a primate model: evidence from a longitudinal study of prenatal alcohol and prenatal stress effects

Disrupted sensory processing, characterized by over- or underresponsiveness to environmental stimuli, has been reported in children with a variety of developmental disabilities. This study examined the effects of prenatal stress and moderate-level prenatal alcohol exposure on tactile sensitivity and its relationship to striatal dopamine system function in thirty-eight 5- to 7-year-old rhesus monkeys. The monkeys were from four experimental conditions: (a) prenatal alcohol exposed, (b) prenatal stress, (c) prenatal alcohol exposed + prenatal stress, and (d) sucrose controls. Increased D(2) receptor binding in the striatum, evaluated using positron emission tomography neuroimaging, was related to increased withdrawal (aversion) responses to repetitive tactile stimuli and reduced habituation across trials. Moreover, prenatal stress significantly increased overall withdrawal responses to repetitive tactile stimulation compared to no prenatal stress.     

Preschool Children’s Social Play and Involvement in the Outdoor Environment

Research Findings: The primary purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between social play and involvement in the outdoor preschool environment. The study included 173 children ranging in age from 3 to 6 years (M_age = 3.95, SD = 0.82) and attending 19 preschools in the Basque Country (Spain). A total of 51 teachers (50 women, 1 man) also participated. Our results indicated that there is a relationship between social participation and involvement and that group play is the type of play that best predicts greater involvement. No significant differences in levels of involvement were found between boys and girls, although gender was found to have a moderating effect on the relationship between the type of group play and involvement. Practice or Policy: The results are discussed with reference to the need to implement innovations in the outdoor preschool environment that have a positive effect on child development. The outdoor environment should promote social participation as well as gender equality and inclusion, and consequently it should be designed to offer both access to a natural environment and multiple opportunities for play.