Sustaining advocacy and action on women��s participation and gender equality in adult education

This article gives an overview of the development of gender equality and women??s participation in adult learning and education in the history of the International Conferences on Adult Education (CONFINTEA). Though the equality of rights was highlighted throughout the various conferences, the first Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE) observed that a gender gap in the participation in adult learning and education still persisted in 2009. This is especially remarkable with regard to the impact of CONFINTEA V in 1997, because it focused on the issue of women??s participation and gender equality. A review of the CONFINTEA VI programme elements and the national reports prepared by UNESCO Member States in 2008 reveals that gender issues have to some extent moved from the centre of attention to the periphery. This article therefore tries to explore how gender principles are acknowledged in CONFINTEA VI and its follow-up.     

Globalisation: An annotated bibliography for the readers of Assessment in Education

This paper takes the form of an annotated bibliography providing a synopsis of the work of some influential writers on globalisation, and presenting an indication of the wide-ranging nature of debate in the field. The selection of works is intended to inform and interest readers with a background in education and assessment.     

Strength in numbers? Women and mathematics

Two studies were conducted to test the link between numerical distinctiveness, stereotype threat and mathematical performance among women. In the first study, stereotype threat was measured with a stereotype activation task. Women in a solo, non-solo or control condition completed word fragments and a mathematical activity. Solo women, rather than their non-solo counterparts showed mathematical performance deficits. Evidence did not support the mediating role of stereotype activation. In the second study, stereotype anxiety was assessed. According to analyses, solo women reported greater stereotype-related anxiety than non-solo women. A link between stereotype anxiety and mathematical performance deficits was also uncovered. Finally, mathematical underperformance was associated with greater interest in feminine activities. Strategies to buffer the effects of stereotype threat are discussed.     

Peer Learning and Assessment

Various forms of peer, collaborative or cooperative learning, particularly small group activities, are increasingly used within university courses to assist students meet a variety of learning outcomes. These include working collaboratively with others, taking responsibility for their own learning and deepening their understanding of specific course content. The potential benefits of peer learning have long been recognised and are especially relevant today. However, many existing assessment practices act to undermine the goals of peer learning and lead students to reject learning cooperatively. If assessment gives students the message that only individual achievement is valued, and that collaborative effort is akin to cheating, then the potential of peer learning will not be realised. Inappropriate assessment practices may also lead to unhelpful forms of competition within and between groups that prevent groups functioning effectively. This paper examines some of the main assessment issues in connection with peer learning and suggests ways in which the benefits of this approach can be maintained while still meeting the formal assessment requirements of the course. It discusses the use of group assessment, peer feedback and self‐assessment, assessment of participation and negotiated assessment and concludes with the identification of a number of issues which remain to be addressed.     

Interaktive Visualisierung und Simulation zur Planung chirurgischer Eingriffe

Zusammenfassung. Der vorliegende Artikel beschreibt aktuelle Ans?tze zur Visualisierung und weiteren Bearbeitung medizinischer Volumendaten. Die Methodik verfolgt das Ziel, die pr?operative Planung chirurgischer Eingriffe zu unterstützen, in dem Volumendaten interaktiv visualisiert und Gewebe wie auch funktionelle Einheiten simuliert werden. Eingebettet in ein Radiologiesystem kann der Benutzer mit den Visualisierungen im dreidimensionalen Raum interagieren. Ein hybrider Ansatz erlaubt die Integration von oberfl?chen- und volumenorientierten Objektmodellen. Die Client/Server Architektur erlaubt die Nutzung zentraler, leistungsf?higer Ressourcen zur Berechnung der Volumenvisualisierung und Methoden der Bildverarbeitung. Eingegangen am 11. Juli 1998 / Angenommen am 7. Januar 1999