Finding a voice? Narrating the female self in mathematics

If mathematics is a male domain, where does this leave women who do mathematics? In a world where there is little or no discursive space in which to be female, women who enter in must do identity work in order to achieve what is often an uneasy presence. This paper builds on recent research which suggests that some undergraduate women are however finding new spaces for belonging in the world of mathematics through critical reflection and collective challenge to dominant discourses. Focussing on an analysis of two women’s narratives of their success in mathematics, it explores their multi-voiced accounts of self through the lens of Bakhtin’s dialogism. It discusses the scope of reflexivity in creating new identity spaces in refigured worlds.     

Evaluation of an evolving virtual high school

The aim of this paper is to describe the dominant schools of thought in relation to learning theories and how computermediated technologies can be integrated in relation to these theories. A framework is proposed for integrating the learning theories, situating the use of these learning theories in different instructional contexts. Hence, instead of regarding the learning theories as discordant, it is rather proposed that human cognition is complex and that there is a role for behaviourist, cognitivist, constructivist and social constructivist models of learning based on the objectives and context of learning. Moreover, computer-mediated instructional technologies can also be appropriated accordingly based on the different contexts of learning and instruction. Théories de l’apprentissage et technologies numériques. Cet article tente de décrire les différentes écoles de pensées relatives aux théories de l'apprentissage et de l'intégration des nouvelles technologies numériques. Nous proposons de situer les diverses applications de ces théories dans divers contextes d'enseignement. Sans mettre en opposition ces théories, nous tentons de démontrer la complexité de la connaissance humaine, tout en montrant le rôle des divers modèles d'apprentissage, behavioristes, cognitivistes ou socio-constructivistes et dans quelles mesures l'usage des technologies numériques peut s'y intégrer. Lerntheorien und computervermittelte Unterrichtstechniken. Das Ziel dieses Beitrags ist, die dominierenden Denkschulen in Bezug auf Lerntheorien und wie computervermittelte Techniken in diese Theorien eingefügt werden können, zu beschreiben. Wir schlagen einen Rahmen vor, in den die Lerntheorien integriert sind, und der ihre Verwendung in verschiedenen Unterrichtskontexten darlegt. Daher schlagen wir vor, statt die Lerntheorien als disharmonisch zu betrachten, lieber darauf abzustellen, dass menschliches Erkennungsvermögen komplex ist, und dass dabei Platz für Behavioristen, Kognitivisten, Konstruktivisten und Sozialkonstruktivisten ist, ihre Lernmodelle auf die Ziele und den Kontext des Lernens anzusetzen. Außerdem können computervermittelte Unterrichtstechniken auch angemessen auf Grundlage der verschiedenen Kontexte von Lehren und Lernen reflektiert werden.     

Beyond the “Like”: How People Respond to Negative Posts on Facebook

New features of social network platforms afford users the ability to navigate potentially sensitive situations in ways they could not before. This study surveyed 260 Facebook users to uncover how people are using this social media platform’s new “reaction” buttons to respond to others’ posts about negative topics such as traumatic life situations, catastrophic current or past events, and interpersonal crises. Results suggest that users do not perceive the reaction buttons as adequate tools to help them interact with those that are close to them. Instead, these new paralinguistic digital affordances seem to help users engage in social grooming.     

Choosing a University: Important Attributes Used by Access Students in South Africa

Universities in South Africa are operating in an increasingly competitive environment with each institution aiming to attract the best students and meet their enrolment targets. The Department of Education’s (DoE’s) strategy to address the inadequacies of the past and the shortage of skills in maths and science in South Africa has also affected how universities operate. In responding to the DoE’s strategy to address past inadequacies many universities offer access programmes to students from previously disadvantaged schools. This paper highlights the factors or attributes that are important, specifically to access students, in their selection of which university to attend for their tertiary studies and makes recommendations in terms of a marketing strategy for universities targeting this group whose background and needs are different to students who come from more advantaged schools. Marketing implications for access programmes are provided.     

Linking complex problem solving to opportunity identification competence within the context of entrepreneurship

Today’s working life is increasingly characterized by entrepreneurial challenges. Entrepreneurial challenges start at an individual level with the identification of entrepreneurial opportunities, which is acknowledged as one of the key competencies for lifelong learning. Since the identification of entrepreneurial opportunities relies heavily on the opportunity identification competence (OIC) of individuals, understanding the meaning of OIC is relevant. Until now, OIC has been explored in the young entrepreneurship research field. However, entrepreneurship researchers until now have not fully explored OIC. According to several authors, the research on complex problem solving (CPS) in the cognitive research field might contribute to understanding OIC. In this paper, we review the link between OIC and CPS by comparing the cognitive and entrepreneurship research fields. We argue that those who excel in identifying opportunities share core characteristics with high-level complex problem-solvers. We propose to conduct empirical research in the future to investigate the relation between OIC and CPS within a work context in order to gain more insight into OIC. We believe that the cognitive research field contributes to the entrepreneurship research field and provides a deeper understanding of the initial steps of the entrepreneurial process.     

Intensity-dependent reductions in resting blood pressure following short-term isometric exercise training

To reduce resting blood pressure, a minimum isometric exercise training (IET) intensity has been suggested, but this is not known for short-term IET programmes. We therefore compared the effects of moderate- and low-intensity IET programmes on resting blood pressure. Forty normotensive participants (22.3 ± 3.4 years; 69.5 ± 15.5 kg; 170.2 ± 8.7 cm) were randomly assigned to groups of differing training intensities [20%EMG_peak (~23%MVC, maximum voluntary contraction, or 30%EMG_peak (~34%MVC)] or control group; 3 weeks of IET at 30%EMG_peak resulted in significant reductions in resting mean arterial pressure (e.g. ?3.9 ± 1.0 mmHg, P < 0.001), whereas 20%EMG_peak did not (?2.3 ± 2.9 mmHg; P > 0.05). Moreover, after pooling all female versus male participants, IET induced a 6.9-mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure in female participants, but only a 1.5-mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure in male participants, although the difference was not significant. An IET intensity between 20%EMG_peak and 30%EMG_peak is sufficient to elicit significant resting blood pressure reductions in a short-term training period (3 weeks). In addition, sexual dimorphism may exist in the magnitude of reductions, but further work is required to confirm this possibility, which could be important in understanding the mechanisms responsible.     

Compelling diversities,educational intersections: policy,practice, parity

The ninth international Gender and Education Association Conference Compelling Diversities, Educational Intersections hosted by the Weeks Centre for Social and Policy Research, London South Bank University engages with key debates surrounding the interplay between dynamics of education, work, employment and society in the context of crisis, upheaval and cutbacks, which reconfigure axes of intersectional inequalities. In considering diversity in education, this conference looks at the relationship between new equality regimes and continued educational inequalities, exploring organisational ambivalence, change and resistance. Participants will be asking important questions about the role of feminist research at a time when education, and its variously placed subjects (academics, pupils, students, and policy-makers), wrestle with the commitments and contentions in doing diversity and being diverse. This brief commentary piece probes at what – and who – is being compelled into, through and for diversity and explores the promises, pay-offs and pains of diversity when siphoned off from equality, justice and parity as policy and practice goals.     

Physicians' Involvement with the New York State Health Care Proxy

This study examined physicians' attitude, involvement, and perceived barriers with the health care proxy. A cross sectional, correlational design was used to survey practicing physicians (N = 70). Physicians had positive attitudes toward the health care proxy and indicated that the most significant barriers to health care proxy completion were patient discomfort in discussing the topic, patient knowledge about the health care proxy, and timing of discussions. Physician involvement with the health care proxy included supporting patients' wishes on the health care proxy, initiating discussions with patients about the New York State (NYS) health care proxy, and advocating for patients' rights about the health care proxy. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to understand the factors that predicted overall physician involvement. End-of-life training was a significant predictor. Implications for training and education of physicians and multidisciplinary work with health care professionals, including social workers and nurses, are discussed.