Agreement among classroom observers of children's stylistic learning behaviors

Standardized and reliable rating scales have an important role in educational assessment and behavioral classroom intervention. The Learning Behaviors Scale (LBS) is a standardized behavior rating scale designed to report how individual students respond to classroom learning situations. This study investigated the interobserver agreement of the LBS with the use of linear and intraclass correlation methods. The methods jointly assessed the three salient aspects of observer judgments—severity level, rank order, and directionality. Participants were 72 students enrolled in special education programs as observed by 16 educators in eight self-contained classrooms. Both linear and intraclass coefficients were substantial (averages = .83 and .84, respectively). No significant observer effect was found. Moreover, the LBS produced comparable levels of differential learning styles for assessments of individual children. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Self-determination theory and physical activity among breast cancer survivors

The study aim was to examine constructs of autonomy support and competence as well as the motivation continuum from the self-determination theory (SDT) as a framework for understanding physical activity (PA) motivation and behavior in breast cancer survivors. Questionnaires assessing demographics, medical factors, PA, motivation continuum, perceived autonomy support, and competence were completed by 558 breast cancer survivors. Results showed that lymphedema (chi2 = 7.9, p < .01) (chi2 = 4.6, p < .05) were associated with meeting PA guidelines. Moreover, survivors meeting PA guidelines reported more identified regulations and intrinsic motivation (p < .01), autonomy support (p < .01), and competence (p < .01). Forced entry hierarchical regression analysis showed that SDT constructs explained 20.2% (p < .01) of the PA variance. Significant independent SDT predictors included identified regulation (Beta = .14, p < .05) and competence (Beta = .23, p < .01), with autonomy support approaching significance (Beta = .9, p = .057). SDT may be a useful model for understanding PA motivation and behavior in breast cancer survivors.     

Children with autism and peer group support: using 'circles of friends'

Philip Whitaker (Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist, Leicestershire Educational Psychology Service with specialist responsibility in autism) and members of the Leicestershire Autism Outreach Team describe the rationale and process of establishing 'circles of friends' to support seven youngsters with autistic spectrum disorders, six of whom were attending mainstream schools.     

Buddhist and arts-based practices for addressing racial oppression: building upon Cleveland and Tobin’s mindfulness in education

Cultural Studies of Science Education - In this response to Richard Cleveland’s review of the Special Issue on Mindfulness in Education by Kenneth Tobin (Learn Res Pract 4(1):112–125,...     

Strange things happen at sea: training and new technology in a multi-billion global industry

It is not unusual to find that employers operating in low-pay sectors are reluctant to provide vocational training. Frequently they fear benefitting competitors as better-skilled employees command a more competitive position in the labour market and may choose to leave one employer and take their newly acquired skills elsewhere. However, in contrast the expectation might reasonably be that employers in more skilled sectors would be more enthusiastic about such training particularly when the financial, environmental and human costs, of errors are high. This paper therefore analyses vocational training provision in the more skilled sector of professional seafaring. In this sector, accidents may cause massive environmental damage and loss of life, and may incur substantial fines and financial penalties. Using a mix of qualitative and quantitative data, the paper focuses upon the adequacy of the training that is provided to seafarer officers in relation to the introduction of new technology aboard their vessels.