Working toward transformational leadership in higher education

Before colleges and universities can develop leaders, they must develop a coherent vision of what leadership is. A reflection on James MacGregor Burns's concepts of transformational leadership suggests where that discussion might begin.     

Schedule-induced polydipsia contrast in the rat

Schedule-induced polydipsia was studied using a behavioral contrast paradigm. Food pellets were delivered to food-deprived rats on a response-independent FT 1-min schedule. Licking on a tube produced water on a MULT FR 10 FR 10, MULT FR 10 EXT, or MIXED FR 10 EXT for three rats (Experiment 1) and on a MULT VI VI, MULT VI EXT, or MIXED VI EXT schedule for three other rats (Experiment 2). On the FR schedules, rats could drink more water by increasing lick rates, but on the VI schedules the amount of drinking was fixed by the schedule parameters and was relatively unaffected by lick rates. Relative to MULT FR FR, positive polydipsia contrast was clearly demonstrated on MULT and MIXED FR EXT; but relative to MULT VI VI, contrast was not demonstrated on MULT and MIXED VI EXT. These data suggest that polydipsia contrast occurs only if increased licking permits increased drinking.     

Are they ready?

Patsy Allen has taught in and directed preschool, secondary, and college early childhood education programs. Currently, she is writing, consulting, and practicing her parenting skills with her three children in El Paso, Texas.     

Intervention fidelity in participatory research: a framework

ABSTRACT

In community interventions more generally, the concept of fidelity refers to the degree to which a program is delivered as intended. The present paper discusses ways in which fundamental aspects of participatory research challenge the concept of fidelity and differ from more traditional science-dominated approaches. We begin with a discussion of the fidelity concept and some of its strengths and limitations. We then discuss both social problems and proposed solutions as representing complex problems defying simple or permanent solutions. We suggest that three prominent aspects of participatory research highlight this complexity and pose challenges in assessing fidelity. First, in participatory research, the goal is not only scientific but also social action on a local issue as well. Second, the participatory process among varied partners is itself part of the intervention itself to be understood as affecting both processes and outcomes. Third, the goals of participatory research include community-level as well as individual-level changes. These issues are illustrated in a discussion of how culture is conceptualized and acknowledged in fidelity assessment. We conclude with some recommendations for approaching fidelty in participatory research in a way that appreciates its differences from more traditional paradigms underlying community interventions.     

Ways to say thank you!

Patsy Allen has taught in and directed preschool, secondary, and college early childhood education programs. Currently, she is writing, consulting, and practicing her parenting skills with her three children in Friona, TX.     

Studieren an der Berufsakademie oder an der Universität, Fachhochschule oder Pädagogischen Hochschule?

Beim übergang von der Schule auf die Universit?t müssen sich Abiturienten u.a. für einen bestimmten Hochschultypus entscheiden. Der Fokus in diesem Beitrag liegt auf der sogenannten Berufsakademie, die in einigen Bundesl?ndern eine interessante, aber wenig beachtete Alternative zu Universit?t, Fachhochschule und P?dagogischer Hochschule darstellt. Anhand einer gro?en L?ngsschnittstudie, die in Baden-Württemberg durchgeführt wird, werden der Leistungsstand, der famili?re Hintergrund, die beruflichen Interessen und die Studienwahlmotive von (künftigen) Studierenden an den verschiedenen Hochschultypen untersucht. Berufsakademien erwiesen sich insbesondere für Abiturienten mit weniger günstigem famili?ren Hintergrund und dem Wunsch, rasch finanziell unabh?ngig zu sein, sowie für Absolventen beruflicher Gymnasien als attraktive Alternative zur Universit?t. Berücksichtigt man die schulische Herkunft (berufliches vs. allgemeinbildendes Gymnasium), so fanden sich ?hnliche kognitive Eingangsvoraussetzungen bei Studierenden wirtschaftswissenschaftlicher F?cher an Berufsakademie, Fachhochschule und Universit?t.     

The Impact of Student Learning Outcomes Assessment on Technical and Professional Communication Programs

Because of accreditation, budget, and accountability pressures at the institutional and program levels, technical and professional communication faculty are more than ever involved in assessment-based activities. Using assessment to identify a program's strengths and weaknesses allows faculty to work toward continuous improvement based on their articulation of learning and behavioral goals and outcomes for their graduates. This article describes the processes of program assessment based on pedagogical goals, pointing out options and opportunities that will lead to a meaningful and manageable experience for technical communication faculty, and concludes with a view of how the larger academic body of technical communication programs can benefit from such work. As ATTW members take a careful look at the state of the profession from the academic perspective, we can use assessment to further direct our programs to meet professional expectations and, far more importantly, to help us meet the needs of the well-educated technical communicator.     

Freiwilligenarbeit und politische Engagementbereitschaft in der Adoleszenz

In diesem Beitrag wird der Frage nachgegangen, unter welchen Bedingungen die Freiwilligenarbeit Jugendlicher einen Einfluss auf die Bereitschaft zu politischer Partizipation besitzt. Theoretisch wird die Frage mit Bezug auf die Theorie gemeinnütziger T?tigkeit beantwortet. Diese besagt, dass nicht prim?r das soziale Engagement, sondern die beim Engagement gemachten Erfahrungen relevant sind für das Ausma? politischer Beteiligungsbereitschaft. Diese Annahme wird durch zwei Untersuchungen (N₁ = 222; N₂ = 1.431) bei Jugendlichen geprüft. Die Befunde beider Studien stützen die These, dass Freiwilligenarbeit nicht direkt, sondern vermittelt über die im Zuge des Engagements entwickelte Prosozialit?t und die gemachten Erfahrungen das Ausma? politischer Beteiligungsbereitschaft vorhersagt.