The construct validity of Institutional Commitment: A confirmatory factor analysis

The present study examined the underlying structure of the variable Institutional Commitment by testing for the convergence, or lack thereof, among different indicators of the construct as represented by three theoretical frameworks (Tinto, 1975, 1987; Bean, 1985; Huselid and Day, 1991). Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that Institutional Commitment could be decomposed into two multiple indicators of the same latent construct: a general factor that groups items related to institutional quality, practical value of an education, utility of an education, fit between student and institution, and loyalty to the institution and another factor represented by items indicating similarity of values (Affinity of Values). Moreover, the study established the predictive validity of each subcomponent on different outcomes related to student persistence. While Institutional Commitment was found to have a significant direct effect on both students' intents to persist and actual persistence behavior, Affinity of Values was not as equally predictive of measures of student retention.Paper presented before the 1991 ASHE Annual Meeting. Boston, Massachusetts.     

The Entrepreneurial University: a Fine Answer to a Difficult Problem?

The recent changes in the relationship between universities and society and the change of attitudes of governments towards higher education institutions are analysed. The different possible reactions of the institutions to the more demanding attitude of society as a whole are discussed. The authors present a critical view of the concept of entrepreneurial universities based on the work of Burton Clark and on the results of the quality audits of the Association of European Universities (CRE), and offer some comments about their applicability and usefulness to European higher education systems.     

Intercultural Communication and the Central States Region

This reflection essay describes the Central States Region as an area rich in intercultural communication. González describes Mexican American migrant farmworker organizing as an intercultural activity since the union activists attempted to influence both Mexican heritage and European heritage audiences. González also describes the many interculturalists working in the Midwest who influenced his early research.     

Ecole et communaute au Portugal

Résumé Depuis 1974 le Portugal a fait l'expérience de changements spectaculaires dans les pratiques de l'enseignement au niveau local. L'école a été ouverte à la communauté et la communauté à l'école. Le programme de formation des enseignants comprend maintenant une nouvelle matière: l'étude de la communauté afin de les préparer au rôle actif d'ouvrir l'école à la communauté et de les aider à mieux comprendre les différents milieux sociaux dont sont issus leurs élèves. Parmi les innovations il convient de noter la publication de journaux ou bulletins d'information locale qui aide les enseignants et les élèves à mieux comprendre la communauté à laquelle ils appartiennent. La création d'un jardin scolaire où les élèves cultivent fleurs et légumes jette un pont supplémentaire entre l'école et la communauté. Autres exemples d'action de la communauté: les classes d'alphabétisation des adultes, la création de mouvements volontaires de femmes, l'organisation de clubs de jeunes, la constitution de coopératives, les initiatives locales comme d'acheter un vieux tramway pour le transformer en bibliothèque. Une des innovations les plus importantes a été l'introduction de 'l'Education Civique et Polytechnique' à l'école (classes de 13 à 16 ans). Deux heures par semaine devaient être consacrées à une intervention active de l'école dans la communauté locale, à l'engagement des jeunes, agents d'évolution, dans la vie de la société, à l'articulation entre les études scolaires et l'application pratique, au travail social et productif, et à la participation des jeunes à la solution des problèmes nationaux, en partant d'une connaissance concrète de la vie locale et régionale. Cependant, depuis 1976, la politique de l'enseignement au Portugal a pris une tournure plus conservatrice et ce n'est que dans localités où le consensus du corps enseignant a été très fort que les relations nouvelles entre l'école et la communauté ont pu être maintenues.

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Since 1974 Portugal has experienced some dramatic changes in educational practices at the local level. The school has been opened to the community and the community to the school. Teacher education now includes community studies, designed to prepare teachers for an active role in this process and for the better understanding of the social background of pupils. One new practice is the publication of local newspapers or news-sheets to enhance the understanding of the community by teachers and pupils. The development of a school garden for the cultivation of flowers and vegetables serves as another bridge between school and community. Other examples of community action are adult literacy classes, the creation of voluntary organisations for women, the running of youth clubs, the formation of co-operatives, and local projects like the purchase of an old tram-car to be converted into a library. The introduction of Civic and Polytechnic Education for 13–16 year olds was an important innovation. One half-day a week was to be devoted to the integration of the school with the locality, young people's participation in society as agents of change, the linking of study and productive work, and the involvement of young people in the solution of national problems, working from a concrete knowledge of local and regional life. However, since 1976 there has been a more conservative approach, and only in places with a strong consensus amongst teachers has the new relationship between school and community been maintained.

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Zusammenfassung Ab 1974 hat Portugal auf örtlicher Ebene ein paar dramatische Veränderungen in der Bildungspraxis erfahren. Die Schule wurde für das Gemeinwesen aufgeschlossen und das Gemeinwesen für die Schule. Nunmehr umfaßt die Lehrerbildung Studien des Gemeinwesens, dazu bestimmt, die Lehrer auf eine aktive Rolle in diesem Prozeß und auf ein besseres Verständnis für die soziale Herkunft der Schüler vorzubereiten. Eine der neuen Praktiken ist die Veröffentlichung lokaler Zeitungen oder Mitteilungsblätter, damit Lehrer und Schüler das Gemeinwesen gründlicher verstehen lernen. Eine weitere Brücke zwischen Schule und Gemeinwesen schlägt die Anlage eines Schulgartens zur Anzucht von Blumen und Gemüse. Andere Beispiele von Aktivitäten für das Gemeinwesen sind Klassen zur Alphabetisierung Erwachsener, der Betrieb von Jugendklubs, die Schaffung von Kooperativen und örtliche Projekte wie der Ankauf eines alten Straßenbahnwagens, um ihn in eine Bibliothek umzuwandeln. Die Einführung einer staatsbürgerlichen und polytechnischen Bildung für 13- bis 16-jährige war eine wichtige Neuerung. In jeder Woche sollte ein halber Tag der Integration der Schule in die örtliche Umwelt gewidmet sein, der Mitwirkung junger Leute in der Gesellschaft als Agenten des Wandels, der Verknüpfung des Lernens mit der produktiven Arbeit und der Beteiligung junger Menschen an der Lösung nationaler Probleme aufgrund einer konkreten Kenntnis des örtlichen und regionalen Lebens. Allerdings kam es ab 1976 zu einem konservativeren Ansatz, und nur dort blieb die Neue Beziehung zwischen Schule und Gemeinwesen aufrechterhalten, wo ein starker Konsens der Lehrer untereinander bestand.

     

Exploring emotional climate in preservice science teacher education

Classroom emotional climates (ECs) are interrelated with students’ engagement with university courses. Despite growing interest in emotions and EC research, little is known about the ways in which social interactions and different subject matter mediate ECs in preservice science teacher education classes. In this study we investigated the EC and associated classroom interactions in a preservice science teacher education class. We were interested in the ways in which salient classroom interactions were related to the EC during lessons centered on debates about science-based issues (e.g., nuclear energy alternatives). Participants used audience response technology to indicate their perceptions of the EC. Analysis of conversation for salient video clips and analysis of non-verbal conduct (acoustic parameters, body movements, and facial expressions) supplemented EC data. One key contribution that this study makes to preservice science teacher education is to identify the micro-processes of successful and unsuccessful class interactions that were associated with positive and neutral EC. The structure of these interactions can inform the practice of other science educators who wish to produce positive ECs in their classes. The study also extends and explicates the construct of intensity of EC.     

Instrumental Variables Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) vs. Maximum Likelihood Structural Equation Modeling of Causal Effects in Linear Regression Models

In the presence of omitted variables or similar validity threats, regression estimates are biased. Unbiased estimates (the causal effects) can be obtained in large samples by fitting instead the Instrumental Variables Regression (IVR) model. The IVR model can be estimated using structural equation modeling (SEM) software or using Econometric estimators such as two-stage least squares (2SLS). We describe 2SLS using SEM terminology, and report a simulation study in which we generated data according to a regression model in the presence of omitted variables and fitted (a) a regression model using ordinary least squares, (b) an IVR model using maximum likelihood (ML) as implemented in SEM software, and (c) an IVR model using 2SLS. Coverage rates of the causal effect using regression methods are always unacceptably low (often 0). When using the IVR model, accurate coverage is obtained across all conditions when N = 500. Even when the IVR model is misspecified, better coverage than regression is generally obtained. Differences between 2SLS and ML are small and favor 2SLS in small samples (N ≤ 100).     

Transgenic learning for STEAM subjects and virtual containers for OER

Abstract

Transgenic learning is a disruptive approach in education. It encourages modification of moving parts of the educational chain. This article provides a view of transgenic learning focused on the delivery of enriched learning contents in STEAM areas. It discusses the mutagenic role that the virtual containers may play in current distance education. We focus on the containers’ technology and how it can bridge students, computing resources, teachers and specific IT needs. We also present an experiment carried out at UNIR University where we describe the transition from using conventional software distribution methods to the use of containers. Thanks to this virtualization approach, it is possible to deliver the necessary software-based lab scenarios. The results show that the participation and satisfaction of the students increased over time. Our experience shows that the combination of open educational resources, containers, and modern distribution channels can play a significant role in STEAM education.     

Survey on the implementation of the Bologna process in Portugal

For several years Portuguese higher education institutions have been waiting for the legislation framework necessary for the implementation of the Bologna process. Such legislation was passed quite recently (2006) and has resulted in an unexpected flood of proposals presented at very short notice by higher education institutions to the Ministry. It is possible that such fast implementation rate corresponds to implementation “in form” rather than “in substance”, thus softening tensions between the European and the national and local levels. This hypothesis will be tested by analysing the outcomes of a survey conducted in all higher education institutions that have presented proposals of Bologna-type degree programmes or adaptations of old degree programmes to the new Bologna-type structure.     

Reliability and stability of anthropometric and performance measures in highly-trained young soccer players: effect of age and maturation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess both short-term reliability and long-term stability of anthropometric and physical performance measures in highly-trained young soccer players in relation to age and maturation. Data were collected on 80 players from an academy (U13–U18, pre- (n = 14), circum- (n = 32) and post- (n = 34) estimated peak height velocity, PHV). For the reliability analysis, anthropometric and performance tests were repeated twice within a month. For the stability analysis, these tests were repeated 12 times over a 4-year period in 10 players. Absolute reliability was assessed with the typical error of measurement, expressed as a coefficient of variation (CV). Relative reliability and long-term stability were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). There was no clear age or maturation effect on either the CVs or ICCs: e.g., Post-PHV vs. Pre-PHV: effect size = –0.37 (90% confidence limits (CL):-1.6;0.9), with chances of greater/similar/lower values of 20/20/60%. For the long-term stability analysis, ICCs varied from 0.66 (0.50;0.80) to 0.96 (0.93;0.98) for 10-m sprint time and body mass, respectively. The short-term reliability of anthropometry and physical performance measures is unlikely to be affected by age or maturation. However, some of these measures are unstable throughout adolescence, which questions their usefulness in a talent identification perspective.