Factors promoting and hindering data-based decision making in schools

Although data-based decision making can lead to improved student achievement, data are often not used effectively in schools. This paper therefore focuses on conditions for effective data use. We studied the extent to which school organizational characteristics, data characteristics, user characteristics, and collaboration influenced data use for (1) accountability, (2) school development, and (3) instruction. The results of our hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) analysis from this large-scale quantitative study (N = 1073) show that, on average, teachers appear to score relatively high on data use for accountability and school development. Regarding instruction, however, several data sources are used only on a yearly basis. Among the factors investigated, school organizational characteristics and collaboration have the greatest influence on teachers’ data use in schools.     

Hypoplasticmodeling of soil-structure interfaces in offshore applications

Cyclic and monotonic loaded offshore structures (e.g. piles, pipelines, cables, and suction-buckets) must be designed and calculated considering the effects of the soil-structure interaction. An advanced constitutive soil model must be used, but a simplified Mohr-Coulomb friction law is applied for the soil-structure interface. The Mohr- Coulomb model is a simple bilinear friction model that cannot take into account monotonic and cyclic interface phenomena. These include hardening, softening, and stiffness degradation under loading. However, we propose two advanced hypoplastic interface models for fine- and coarse-grained soils with intergranular strain concept. The intergranular strain concept has been proven to be an efficient way to model the small-strain deformation and un/reloading behavior of soils. The intergranular strain concept is therefore used to enhance the prediction capabilities of the hypoplastic interface models. Differences of the recent model formulation compared with previous versions are presented and discussed based on simulation. This is followed by an application of different models in finite-element simulations. The new models are used to simulate cyclic direct shear interface tests. Furthermore, the advanced interface model is used for simulation of a torodial penetrometer penetration problem. Several aspects, which are particularly important for offshore structures, are compared with the simple Mohr-Coulomb friction model.     

THE CHALLENGE OF INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE: DIALOGUE AND INTERACTIVE STEERING

With reference to the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, the author elaborates the argument that universities are capable of anticipating social and economic change, that indeed it is their duty not only to adapt to these changes but to anticipate and to influence them. A brief outline of the history of universities is given, and the situation of universities in western Europe, specifically in the Netherlands, is contrasted with that in eastern and central Europe, specifically Hungary. Currently, European universities, West and East, are headed towards the same future. This future is being influenced by a number of external factors, particularly technological change, which places a premium on strategic planning, interdisciplinarity with regard to research and teaching, and interuniversity co‐operation at national and international levels.