Development of an Instrument for Measuring Learner–Teacher Transactional Distance

An instrument was developed to assess the perceived learner–teacher transactional distance in the context of the Hellenic Open University and to provide psychometric evidence of reliability and validity of the interpretation of the scores derived from the scale. First, an elicitation study gathered information on students’ beliefs and feelings about their teachers’ behavior. Two dimensions of learner–teacher transactional distance, namely, co-understanding and awareness, were revealed. Then, an item pool was developed and the preliminary questionnaires (one for each dimension) were field tested on 60 postgraduate students who commented on their clarity. Reliability and validity were then tested using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis with two samples of 220 and 201 postgraduate students. The confirmatory factor analysis results indicated good model fit for the dimensions of co-understanding and awareness. Univariate F tests showed no significant difference between males and females for (a) co-understanding of cognitive skills and aptitudes, (b) co-understanding of emotional state, (c) awareness of cognitive skills and aptitudes, and (d) awareness of emotional state. A final questionnaire included ten items for the co-understanding dimension and fifteen items for the awareness dimension.     

Assessment of energy expenditure in children using the RT3 accelerometer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of the RT3 accelerometer in young children, compare its accuracy with heart rate monitoring, and develop an equation to predict energy expenditure from RT3 output. Forty-two volunteers (mean age 12.2 years, s = 1.1) exercised at two horizontal and graded walking speeds (4 and 6 km.h(-1), 0% grade and 6% grade), and one horizontal running speed (8 km.h(-1), 0% grade), on a treadmill. Energy expenditure and oxygen consumption (VO2) served as the criterion measures. Comparison of RT3 estimates (counts and energy expenditure) demonstrated significant differences at 4, 6, and 8 km.h(-1) on level ground (P < 0.01), while no significant differences were noted between horizontal and graded walking at 4 and 6 km.h(-1). Correlation and regression analyses indicated no advantage of vector magnitude over the vertical plane (X) alone. A strong relationship between RT3 estimates and indirect calorimetry across all speeds was obtained (r = 0.633-0.850, P < 0.01). A child-specific prediction equation (adjusted R2 = 0.753) was derived and cross-validated that offered a valid energy expenditure estimate for walking/running activities. Despite recognized limitations, the RT3 may be a useful tool for the assessment of children's physical activity during walking and running.     

Classroom assessment in Greek primary schools

ABSTRACT

This paper briefly presents some of the main findings concerning the implementation of assessment in Greek primary classrooms, from a study which explored the relation between teaching, learning and assessment in the primary classroom. It examines the assessment practices used; the purposes teachers attempted to fulfil when assessing; and the content of these assessments. The broader aim of the study was to present a general picture of assessment procedures in a typical Greek primary classroom. Classroom observations, a questionnaire and informal interviews with observed teachers and pupils provided rich data regarding teachers’ practices and their views of assessment.     

Bridging distant technological domains: A longitudinal study of the determinants of breadth of innovation diffusion

The diffusion of innovations is identified as an important aspect of technological and social change. Innovations diffuse through segmented networks of knowledge that limit the flow of knowledge from any one technological domain to any other. Despite this segmentation, some organizations are capable of developing pieces of knowledge that overcome these limitations. Within this context, we develop four hypotheses regarding specific R&D strategies that affect a firm’s ability to develop inventions that diffuse beyond the firm’s technological boundaries. Specifically, we examine how a firm's scientific intensity, technological collaborations, technological diversity, and internal focus impact breadth of innovation diffusion. We use two of the main determinants of innovation diffusion, namely, the relative advantage and the observability, as theoretical mechanisms to build our arguments. We empirically test our hypotheses on longitudinal data from the industries of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and chemicals. Our findings show that the extent to which the knowledge embedded in a firm’s inventions diffuses in distant technological areas is positively related to the firm’s scientific intensity and to its extent of collaboration, but it is negatively related to its technological diversity.     

Football fan culture and politics in modern Greece: the process of fandom radicalization during the austerity era

The article explores the intersection between politics and football focusing on political activism in football fandom starting from its origin in late 1970s to the contemporary mass protests against austerity policies. The analysis focused on ideological conflicts between fascist and anti-fascist fans within football lifeworlds and the ways organized fans use current political circumstances to negotiate and re-interpret their identities. In the context of the Greek economic crisis, the intersection between fandom and political activism as well the newly emerged political formations that come from football elites and big business signify an important turn towards the ‘footballization’ of Greek politics. This trend reflects the growing disillusionment of Greeks towards a discredited political system and their anxious seeking of some savours come from outside the politics, as a magical solution to the social pressures and deadlocks of a society in crisis.     

A Learning Experience in Inquiry-Based Physics with Immersive Virtual Reality: Student Perceptions and an Interaction Effect Between Conceptual Gains and Attitudinal Profiles

Journal of Science Education and Technology - The integration of immersive virtual reality (VR) in authentic science classrooms can result in a totally new learning experience for the students....