Autonomy enhances running efficiency

Performer autonomy has been shown to contribute to effective motor performance and learning. Autonomy support is therefore a key factor in the OPTIMAL theory of motor learning (Wulf, G., & Lewthwaite, 2016). The purpose of the present study was to examine whether supporting individuals’ need for autonomy by giving them choices would increase movement efficiency. Such a finding would be consistent with the OPTIMAL theory prediction that autonomy facilitates the coupling of goals and actions. Participants (N = 32) were asked to run at a submaximal intensity (65% of VO₂ max) for 20 minutes. Before the run, participants in a choice group were able to choose 5 of 10 photos as well as the order in which they would be shown to them on a computer screen during the run. Control group participants were shown the same photos, in the same order, chosen by their counterparts in the choice group. Throughout the run, oxygen consumption and heart rate were significantly lower in the choice group than the control group. Thus, providing autonomy support resulted in enhanced running efficiency. The present findings are in line with the notion that autonomy facilitates goal-action coupling.     

Market information approaches, product innovativeness, and firm performance: An empirical study in the fashion industry

In this study the authors propose a distinction between two approaches to market information, rooted in the marked-based learning theory. The two approaches are conceptualized and operationalized on the basis of their differences along three processes: generation, dissemination and use of market information. In the retrospective approach, the generation process is based on expressed customer needs and extant market relations; the dissemination is based on formal mechanisms; the use process is more instrumental. In the forward-looking approach, the generation process is based on latent customer needs and on the evolutionary patterns of the future market relations; the dissemination process is more informal; the use of information is more conceptual. A series of hypotheses concerning the relationships between these approaches, product innovativeness and firm performance are tested on a sample of Italian fashion firms. Results suggest that the two approaches are complementary for firm performance, but have opposite effects on product innovativeness: while a forward-looking approach is positively related to product innovativeness, a retrospective approach seems to be negatively related. The results also shed light on how market information approaches and product innovativeness jointly affect firm performance.     

Self-controlled feedback is effective if it is based on the learner's performance

The study follows up on the contention that self-controlled feedback schedules benefit learning because they are more tailored to the performers' needs than externally controlled feedback schedules (Chiviacowsky & Wulf, 2002). Under this assumption, one would expect learning advantages for individuals who decide whether they want to receive feedback after a trial rather than before a trial. Participants practiced a sequential timing task, and all could decide the trials on which they received feedback. One group ("self-after") decided after every trial whether they wanted to receive feedback for that trial while another group ("self-before") made that decision before each trial The self-after group showed learning benefits on a delayed transfer test (novel absolute timing requirements) with regard to overall timing and relative-timing accuracy. Thus, self-controlled feedback was more effective when the learner could make a decision about receiving feedback after the trial. This seems to support the view that self-controlled feedback benefits learning, because learners can make a decision about feedback based on their performance on a given trial.     

Die Mitwirkungsbefugnisse der Betriebsratsvorsitzenden im Universit?tsrat

Mit dem Universit?tsrechts-?nderungsgesetz 2009, BGBl 2009/81, wurden die Mitwirkungsrechte der Betriebsr?te im Universit?tsrat gest?rkt. Zweck dieser Neuerung war es die Betriebsr?te in die Lage zu versetzen, ihre arbeitsverfassungsrechtlichen Befugnisse gegenüber der Universit?tsleitung noch wirksamer als bisher vertreten zu k?nnen. Die neuen Instrumente umfassen das Recht auf Einladung und Teilnahme an den Sitzungen und das Recht auf Stellung von Antr?gen, das freilich gewissen Einschr?nkungen unterliegt. Neu hinzugekommen ist auch die Befugnis, zus?tzliche Punkte auf die Tagesordnung der Sitzungen des Universit?tsrats setzen zu lassen sowie ein diesbezügliches Stimmrecht. Dieses ist jedoch an die Kompetenzen des Universit?tsrats und die bestehenden arbeitsverfassungsrechtlichen Befugnisse der Betriebsr?te geknüpft. Schlie?lich haben Betriebsr?te nun auch ein Recht auf Zustellung von Protokollabschriften. Insgesamt handelt es sich um nicht unerhebliche neue Kontrollbefugnisse mit pr?ventiver Funktion. Der folgende Beitrag untersucht die neue Rechtslage rechtsdogmatisch und zeigt die Inhalte, aber auch die Grenzen der neuen Mitwirkungsbefugnisse auf.     

Expert and preservice secondary teachers’ competencies for noticing student thinking about modelling

Educational Studies in Mathematics - This study examined how expert and novice (preservice) teachers solved mathematical modelling tasks as well as how they noticed written artifacts of student...     

Creativity in students’ modelling competencies: conceptualisation and measurement

Educational Studies in Mathematics - Modelling competencies are currently included in numerous curricula worldwide and are generally accepted as a complex, process-oriented construct. Therefore,...     

Development of Prospective Teachers’ Noticing Skills Within Initial Teacher Education

International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education - Although the effects of professional development programs on teachers’ noticing skills have attracted considerable interest among...     

Student Engagement in a Flipped Secondary Mathematics Classroom

International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education - Many students are becoming increasingly disengaged in school, particularly in mathematics. This is an important problem as lack of...