Dynamics of affective states during complex learning

We propose a model to explain the dynamics of affective states that emerge during deep learning activities. The model predicts that learners in a state of engagement/flow will experience cognitive disequilibrium and confusion when they face contradictions, incongruities, anomalies, obstacles to goals, and other impasses. Learners revert into the engaged/flow state if equilibrium is restored through thought, reflection, and problem solving. However, failure to restore equilibrium as well as obstacles that block goals trigger frustration, which, if unresolved, will eventually lead to boredom. The major hypotheses of the model were supported in two studies in which participants completed a 32-35 min tutoring session with a computer tutor. Their affective states were tracked at approximately 110 points in their tutoring sessions via a retrospective affect judgment protocol. Time series analyses confirmed the presence of confusion-engagement/flow, boredom-frustration, and confusion-frustration oscillations. We discuss enhancements of the model to address individual differences and pedagogical and motivational strategies that are inspired by the model.     

The basis of liability for broadcasting defamatory remarks

In an article that appeared in Winter 1958–1959 issue of the Journal of Broadcasting, Profesor Gordon Greb added a new contender for the title of “oldest station in the nation.”; As a result, KQW has joined KDKA, WHA and WWJ as a candidate for the honor of primacy in American radio broadcasting. Although Greb's article created as much interest and controversy as any that has appeared in the Journal, it did not—and could not—still the confidence of the other claimants.

In the instant article, Mr. R. Franklin Smith does the field of historical radio research a service by setting forth, for the first time, a logical set of criteria by which to judge these conflicting claims. To illustrate he has utilized early records of WHA. Using these criteria, it is shown that WHA cannot claim to have been a true broadcasting station before the latter part of 1920. Comparison of the claims of the several contenders is outside the scope of this article. However, it would be extremely interesting if these criteria were applied to the conflicting claims by persons having access to the detailed station records and other data necessary for thorough analysis.

Perhaps Mr. Smith has given us the impetus and the tools necessary for determining which station really was the “oldest in the nation.”     

Legislative Branch: House

Stephen Heath, QUESTIONS OF CINEMA (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1981—$22.50/$9.95)

Rick Altman, ed., GENRE: THE MUSICAL (London: Routledge and Regan Paul, 1981—$19.95)

A.J. Prats, THE ALTIONOMOUS IMAGE: CINEMATIC NARRATION AND HUMANISM (Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 1981—$14.50)

Thomas Allen Nelson, KUBRICK: INSIDE A FILM ARTIST'S MAZE (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1982—$37.50/$9.95)

Ingmar Bergman can be found in Paisley Livingston, INGMAR BERGMAN AND THE RITUALS OF ART (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1982—$19.95)

Annette Kuhn, WOMEN'S PICTURES: FEMINISM AND CINEMA (London: Routledge Et Kegan Paul, 1982—$9.95 paper)

Herbert Eagle ( ed . ) , RUSSIAN FORMALIST FILM THEORY (Av ailable from Michigan Slavic Publications, 3040 MLB, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor'48109 —no price given)

Robert Edmonds, THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF CINEMA AND TELEVISION: HOW THE AESTHETIC EXPERIENCE INFLUENCES OUR FEELINGS (New York: Teachers College Press, 1982—no price given)

Gerald Mast, HOWARD HAWKS, STORYTELLER (New York: Oxford University Press, 1982—$29 95)

John R. May and Michael Bird (ed.), RELIGION IN FILM (Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1982—$16.50/$7.95)     

By Comparison: A Procession of Incomes. What Do You Really Mean?

The Family Expenditure Survey provides details of household incomes. This article looks at income distribution afresh and what is meant by the mean.     

Print Media and PR

Sidney L. Jackson's Libraries and Librarianship in the West: A Brief History (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1974---price not given, hardback)

Barbara Nykoruk (ed.) Authors in the News (Detroit, Mich.: Gale Research Co., 1976---$24.00)

Doug Newsom and Alan Scott's This is PRI The Realities of Public Relations (Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth, 1976---$12.95 1 with an instructor's manual available as well)

Richard Weiner's Professional's Guide to Publicity (Richard Weinter, Inc., 888 Seventh Ave., New York 10019---$6.95, paper)

Richard Weiner's Syndicated Columnists (hardbound, 154 pages, $20.00)     

Benefits of collaborative action research for the beginning teacher

Beginning teachers are confronted with many issues as they begin their teaching careers, issues, such as classroom management, individual differences, behaviour problems, dealing with parents, and so on. Many beginning teachers take professional development seminars in an attempt to deal with these and other issues. Professional development seminars, however, may not address the specific issues faced by beginning teachers but rather focus on approaches that are more global. In this paper, we argue that the best approach to professional development is through a collaborative action research model. By extending the partnerships established between student teachers, mentor teachers and university supervisors during student teaching into the beginning teachers' career, many of the everyday problems can be confronted within a supportive network. Several recommendations are offered for beginning and maintaining productive CAR relationships.     

Non-physical approaches to counteract age-related functional deterioration: Applications for rehabilitation and neural mechanisms

Normal and pathological ageing are associated with several motor impairments that reduce quality of life and represent a general challenge for public healthcare systems. Consequently, over the past decades, many scientists and physiotherapists dedicated their research to the development and improvement of safe and costless methods to counteract the progressive decline of motor functions with age. The urgency of finding new and easy to implement methods is even more paramount in case of acute pathologies (e.g. stroke or hip surgery). The frailty of older population makes it difficult or even impossible to use traditional physical therapy at an early stage after the occurrence of a pathology. To that purpose, non-physical approaches such as cognitive training (e.g. memory, attention training) and mental techniques (e.g. motor imagery) have grown in popularity for the elderly. Such methods, involving individual and/or group exercises, have shown particular effects on increasing or maintaining cognitive functions, as well as physical performances. Improving the motor function (especially in older age) requires an improvement of motor execution, i.e. the pathway from the brain motor areas to the muscle but also higher cognitive control. The present work reviews different non-physical interventions that can be used as a complementary approach by asymptomatic or frail older adults, and the effects thereof on functional performance. The use of cognitive training or motor imagery protocols is recommended when physical practice is limited or not possible. Finally, insights into the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms are proposed.