Drawing on the Past: Reflecting on the Future

This paper examines the connections between the training models of late 19th century Schools of Design (Art) as exemplified by the first municipal School of Art (Margaret Street, Birmingham) and the current preparation of specialist teachers of Art and Design. A recurrent theme is the paradox of objective, measurable standards, pitted against notions of subjective independent learning, individual relevance and choice. Consistent with other papers from this author, the thrust of the perspective is questioning the compatibility of an examination–dominated agenda and opportunities for experimentation, creative risk taking and forms of supported, purposeful play. Continuing research explores the concept and purpose of drawing in an increasingly technological, global information society.     

Assessing the impact of the Graduate Certificate in Anatomical Sciences Instruction: A post‐degree survey

There are few graduate programs available for pursuing a doctorate in anatomy where students gain specific training in gross anatomy dissection and the responsibilities of a medical educator. In light of this fact, the University of Kentucky created a Graduate Certificate in Anatomical Sciences Instruction in 2006. This 12‐credit hour curriculum includes detailed training in gross anatomy and/or neuroscience courses, practicum experiences, a seminar class in pedagogical literature, and a course in educational strategies for the anatomical sciences. The award of certificate completion affirms that the candidate has demonstrated faculty‐supervised proficiency in anatomy dissection, instruction in anatomy topics, and teaching strategies for anatomy. Seventeen graduate students have earned the certificate since its inception; nine students accepted teaching positions in anatomy following their graduate training and currently nine certificate graduates have assistant (six) or associate (three) professor positions in academia. In 2016, an anonymous survey including Likert‐style and open‐ended questions was emailed to all certificate graduates. Graduates favorably responded (each question averaged 4.4 or greater out of 5) that the certificate increased their awareness of teaching‐faculty responsibilities, adequately prepared them for teaching‐related duties, and positively contributed toward their first employment. Graduates indicated that the lecturing and dissection experience, awareness of faculty responsibilities, and job preparation (e.g., teaching philosophy development) were the most helpful aspects of the certificate. These results indicate that the Graduate Certificate in Anatomical Sciences Instruction is viewed by its graduates and their employers as a valuable teaching credential that can be attained alongside a basic science degree. Anat Sci Educ 11: 516–524. © 2018 American Association of Anatomists.     

The Costs and Benefits of Early Sport Specialization: A Critical Review of Literature

ABSTRACT

There is a growing trend toward specialization in American youth sport, evident in the number of elite youth competitions and position statements from major medical organizations. Despite growing interest on this topic for kinesiology professionals within higher education, there is a dearth in research regarding the relationship between specialization and athlete health outcomes, especially psychosocial outcomes. This critical review describes specialization theory and the limited extant research on the costs and benefits of single-sport specialization. Topics include: (a) the proposed benefits of specialization from the performance perspective; (b) early specialization and alternative sport participation pathways; (c) the posited psychosocial and physical health risks of sport specialization; (d) ethical concerns; and (e) methodological issues and recommendations for future research. Deeper understanding of the costs and benefits of sport specialization has significant practical implications for youth athletes’ performance and well-being and for other relevant stakeholders in the youth sport system.     

Meeting Challenges in the Data World: RDAP 2017

The Global Postcards column is pleased to publish two contributions from Joshua Finnell and his colleagues. The first contribution with Brian Cain documents the themes and conversations of the Research Data Access and Preservation Summit (RDAP) in April 2017. The second contribution from Joshua with Stacy Konkiel documents the creation and sustainment of the Library Pipeline, a grassroots library organization. Finally, coeditor Robin Kear provides a personal synopsis of her attendance at the IFLA World Library & Information Congress (WLIC) in Wroclaw Poland in August 2017.

We always welcome contributions. If you would like to send a submission, please contact either of the column's coeditors: Jacqueline Solis, jsolis@email.unc.edu, and Robin Kear, rlk25@pitt.edu.     

David F. Treagust: congenial soul, science educator, and international research leader

For almost a half century David F. Treagust has been an exemplary science educator who has contributed through his dedication and commitments to students, curriculum development and collaboration with teachers, and cutting edge research in science education that has impacted the field globally, nationally and locally. A hallmark of his outstanding career is his collaborative style that inspires others to produce their best work.     

Leisure Attitudes of Varsity Athletes vs. NonVarsity Athletes

Abstract

Students (N = 104) enrolled in four low fitness, one middle fitness, and one high fitness class in basic physical education classes at the University of Connecticut participated in a 4-week program of isometric exercises done with an adjustable nylon belt which was stabilized against various body segments. Low, middle, and high fitness classes were compared in the amount of improvement made in the 5 items in which significant gains had been made. The MWF classes which did 30 min. of isometric exercises for 12 class meetings were compared to the TTh classes which met for 8 class meetings and which did the same isometric exercise program and in addition did stretching exercises and ran a mile.

When all groups were treated together, mean gains of 1.1 in. in the vertical jump, .74 sec. in the agility run, .17 sec. in the 30-yd. dash, 151.9 lb. in the leg lift, and 57.0 lb. in the back lift were made. These were all significant at the 0.005 to the 0.0005 level. Small but significant gains were made in right and left grip, the Fait endurance hang, and the 380-yd. run. The low fitness classes made greater improvements in the leg lift, the vertical jump, and the agility run than did the middle or high fitness groups. The high fitness class made greater improvements in the back lift and in the 30-yd. dash than did the low or middle fitness classes. The classes which did only isometric exercises for a half-hour three times each week for 4½ weeks made greater mean gains in the vertical jump, the agility run, the 30-yd. dash and the back lift than did the classes which met for 60-min. periods twice each week for 4½ weeks and did stretching exercises and running in addition to the isometric exercises. However, the latter made greater gains in the leg lift.     

What’s in a name? Preschoolers’ noun learning performance in relation to their risk for reading disability

This paper reports the findings of an investigation aimed at gaining a clearer understanding of the nature of vocabulary difficulties associated with dyslexia and associated risk status. Three studies were conducted to examine preschoolers’ access and mastery of syntactic- and phonological-based processes believed to support word learning. Results are reported for 82 participants whose (reading) risk status was assessed from a composite of measures known to be related to reading development. As expected, risk status correlated positively with participants’ ability to recall the phonological form of novel nouns. No relationship was found between risk status and participants’ use of syntactic form-class cues in interpreting the noun class of novel names in isolation. However, the ability to use form-class cues was impaired for at-risk participants on a task that required them to learn both the phonological form and noun class. Findings are discussed in relation to the suggestion that limitations in processing resources such as working memory rather than in the availability of language structures may be at the root of the reported poor performance by at-risk children on vocabulary and other linguistic measures.

EVINCE: The value of information in developing nursingknowledge and competence

The aims of the EVINCE research projectincluded examination of the impact of information on the clinical knowledge and practice ofnurses, midwives and health visitors. EVINCE (Establishing the Value of Information to NursingContinuing Education) was funded by the British Library R&D Department for 1 year, from 1November 1995 to 31 October 1996. The methods employed (based on those used in the Valueproject) included a critical incident type study to establish patterns of information need and useamong a random sample of nursing professionals. The nature of the impact of informationobtained on present and future competencies was assessed from a survey of the searches andrequests presented to library and information services. Nurses, midwives and health visitors didvalue the information (96% of respondents agreed that there was, or would be an effect onfuture practice through enhanced competence in one or more areas). The impact findings can beused to guide a more precise assessment of information needs.     

Distributed Cognition as a Lens to Understand the Effects of Scaffolds: The Role of Transfer of Responsibility

Problem solving is an important skill in the knowledge economy. Research indicates that the development of problem solving skills works better in the context of instructional approaches centered on real-world problems. But students need scaffolding to be successful in such instruction. In this paper I present a conceptual framework for understanding the effects of scaffolding. First, I discuss the ultimate goal of scaffolding—the transfer of responsibility—and one way that scholars have conceptualized promoting this outcome (fading). Next, I describe an alternative way to conceptualize transfer of responsibility through the lens of distributed cognition and discuss how this lens informs how to promote transfer of responsibility. Then I propose guidelines for the creation of problem solving scaffolds to support transfer of responsibility and discuss them in light of the literature.