Exploring features that affect the difficulty and functioning of science exam questions for those with reading difficulties

This research explored the measurement characteristics of two science examinations and the potential to use access arrangements data to investigate how students requiring reading support are affected by features of exam questions. For two science examinations, traditional and Rasch analyses provided estimates of difficulty and information on item functioning. For one examination, the performance of students eligible for support from a reader in exams was compared to a ‘norm’ group. For selected items a sample of student responses were analysed. A number of factors potentially making questions easier, more difficult or potentially contributing to problems with item functioning were identified. A number of features that may particularly influence those requiring reading support were also identified.     

Higher education leadership in Russia: a case study of mid-level academic management at an elite State university

This paper analyzes the Head of Department (HoD) role at an elite State university in Russia. It draws upon documentary analysis of government texts and focus groups with both HoDs and lecturers. It concludes that most HoDs are invited to apply for the role by more senior university colleagues. Once in post, they are offered a range of helpful courses, but also learn from experience and by observing others. The primary purpose of the role is seen as clarifying and interpreting central university expectations, though there is scope for influencing the departmental vision. Whilst the role is very time-consuming, it does not seem to generate the kind of managerialist ‘values' conflict reported elsewhere. The paper ends with a tentative framework for explaining how certain contextual factors (motivation, mode of appointment, perceived level of surveillance and previous experience of higher and/or lower levels of centralized control) might increase or decrease ‘values' conflict.     

The role of hurtful and healing messages on eating disorder symptomology and recovery

This study analyzed how clinically diagnosed women with eating disorders described the hurtful messages from parents, siblings, and peers that triggered eating disorder symptomology as well as the healing messages that assisted with coping and recovery. Three themes overlapping across all groups were revealed for hurtful messages: 1) critical, 2) social modeling, and 3) direct comparison. Our findings show that fathers, siblings, and peers similarly used teasing. Other points of distinction were uncovered for fathers: aggressive messages and denial of eating disorder. Competition with female siblings and friends was also a triggering factor for young females with eating disorders. Four distinct categories of healing messages were identified: 1) emotional, 2) instrumental, 3) informational, and 4) appraisal. Point of distinction for friends’ and siblings’ healing messages was absence of negative comments about weight and appearance. Results were able to encapsulate both helpful/supportive and hurtful/unsupportive messages, and these findings will be helpful for treatment centers who may incorporate them in recovery programs.     

Patterns and organizing perspectives: A view of expertise

This paper presents two theoretical conceptualizations of mastery. The first, based on an information-processing approach, emphasizes hierarchically structured knowledge and its linear application to solve problems. The second, an intuitive approach, considers mastery as the elaboration of knowledge of situations. This knowledge is defined in terms of understanding the patterns of critical relationships present in situations, and in which appropriate behavior is an integral part of the pattern. Empirical findings comparing novices and experts in various domains, including teaching, are briefly reviewed. A summary follows of two conceptual models of the progression from novice to expert, those of Anderson, and Dreyfus and Dreyfus. The author proposes a scale of mastery of teaching based on a synthesis of the above models.     

Expert Teams in the Academic Library: Going Beyond Subject Expertise to Create Scaffolded Instruction

This article explores the way librarians define, leverage, and amplify expertise in a twenty-first century academic library. An expert team comprised of a nursing librarian, online learning librarian, information-literacy librarian, and assessment librarian sorted the learning outcomes from the Information-Literacy Competency Standards for Nursing created by the Health Sciences Interest Group taskforce of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) by grade-levels. Results found distinguishing experts within a library supports the customization of scaffolded instruction. Additionally, using expert teams in academic libraries supports the larger mission of universities to integrate libraries into teaching and research.     

在国际合作背景下促进科普教育——科罗廖夫太空博物馆

乌克兰拥有约5000家博物馆。作为现代社会发展背景下的一种需求,博物馆能否对大众产生真正的吸引力？科罗廖夫太空博物馆作为乌克兰国内处于领先地位的太空博物馆,其作为教育和文化中心的发展战略恰能满足这一需求。科学教育能使博物馆,特别是科技博物馆与普通公众的联系更密切,并可以带给公众积极的影响。开展国际合作将有助于借鉴世界各地的经验,并能促进博物馆发展成为普及科学的中心。     

A Comprehensive Model for Addressing Severe and Persistent Mental Illness on Campuses: The New Diversity Initiative

In response to the increase in severity and prevalence of student‐presented mental disorders on college campuses, a comprehensive campuswide identification and intervention program titled “The New Diversity Initiative” was developed to help college counselors and student personnel staff address students with severe mental disorders. Details of the program and recommendations for college counselors interested in implementing such a program are provided.