Bildung in der Dritten Welt

Educational expansion in the Third World has very often produced disappointing results. In contrast to neo-Marxist dependency theory, the causes for this are to a large extent of an indigenous nature and not primarily determined from outside. Educational systems in developing nations have frequently fallen prey to group self-interest among the ruling élite. This, and over-valuing the benefits of education, has paralyzed educational together with overall development and brought about distortions in the systems of production and employment. Educational reform alone will not suffice to alter the situation for the better. Considerable changes in the prevailing socio-economic and political conditions are also needed.     

Evaluating the usability and instructional design quality of Interactive Virtual Training for Teachers (IVT-T)

Educational technology research and development - Simulation offers unique affordances over traditional training (e.g., remote access, mastery learning experiences, immediate feedback) relevant to...     

Estimating the Impact of Instructional Practices on Student Achievement in Science

This study used a hierarchical linear model (HLM) to estimate direct and indirect effects of instructional practices recommended by the National Science Education Standards on individual achievement. Three pedagogical reforms—namely, providing more opportunities for laboratory inquiry, increasing emphasis on critical thinking, and reducing the amount of teacher‐centered instruction—were expected to account for variability in school mean achievement and explain why gender, racial‐ethnic status, and socioeconomic status have more influence on achievement of students in some schools than in others. Results suggest that whereas the instructional policies recommended by the authors of the Standards may be associated with higher achievement overall, they are equally likely to have the unintended consequence of contributing to greater achievement gaps among students with different demographic profiles. Theoretical expectations about the impact of instructional practices on academic excellence and equity require further evaluation. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 36: 1110–1126, 1999     

Film Industry Studies

Gary Prebula and Mario Berguiristain: INSTRUCTOR'S MANUAL—A COMPLETE COURSE OUTLINE FOR THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER (Hollywood: The Hollywood Reporter, 1983—$10.00).

John P. Driscoll's COMMUNICATING ON FILM (available from Stipes Publishing Company, 10-12 Chester Street, P.O. Box 526, Champaign, Illinois 61820—$4.80, paper).

Peter Von Arx, FILM DESIGN (New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1983—$40.50).

Marc Sigoloff's THE FILMS OF THE SEVENTIES: A FILMOGRAPHY OF AMERICAN, BRITISH, AND CANADIAN FILMS 1970-1979 (McFarland & Company, Box 611, Jefferson, North Carolina 28640—$29.95).

THE OFFICIAL HOLLYWOOD HANDBOOK (New York: Pocket Books, 1984- $6.95, paper).     

Caffeine ingestion enhances perceptual responses during intermittent exercise in female team-game players

We examined the influence of caffeine supplementation on cognitive performance and perceptual responses in female team-game players taking low-dose monophasic oral contraceptives of the same hormonal composition. Ten females (24 ± 4 years; 59.7 ± 3.5 kg body mass; 2–6 training sessions per week) took part in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover-design trial. A 90-min intermittent treadmill-running protocol was completed 60 min following ingestion of a capsule containing either 6 mg ? kg^?1 anhydrous caffeine or artificial sweetener (placebo). Perceptual responses (ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), feeling scale (FS), felt arousal scale (FAS)), mood (profile of mood states (POMS)) and cognitive performance (Stroop test, choice reaction time (CRT)) were completed before, during and after the exercise protocol, as well as after ~12 h post exercise. Caffeine ingestion significantly enhanced the ratings of pleasure (P = 0.008) and arousal (P = 0.002) during the exercise protocol, as well as increased vigour (POMS; P = 0.007), while there was a tendency for reduced fatigue (POMS; P = 0.068). Caffeine ingestion showed a tendency to decrease RPE (P = 0.068) and improve reaction times in the Stroop (P = 0.072) and CRT (P = 0.087) tests. Caffeine supplementation showed a positive effect on perceptual parameters by increasing vigour and a tendency to decrease fatigue during intermittent running activity in female games players taking low-dose monophasic oral contraceptive steroids (OCS).     

Villainy,incompetence, and foolishness: Correspondence study in fiction

Like other professions and vocations, correspondence study has provided the inspiration and setting for works of fiction. Novelists and short story writers have used correspondence study to convey broad humour, satire, and tragedy. They have also used it for such genre writings as murder mysteries and science fiction. For the most part, fictional portrayals are negative and exaggerated, with many characters drawn from stereotypes. In spite of this, correspondence study and distance education instructors and administrators should find these portrayals of themselves and their work enjoyable, and perhaps even useful.     

The School and the Reduction of Inequality∗

ABSTRACT

The need to develop reasoning skills in children through discussion is generally acknowledged by curriculum aims. There is, however, a lack of any definite teaching strategy to fulfil this need. Matthew Lipman's Philosophy for Children programme has had success in this area. As with other ‘collaborative enquiry‐based’ approaches to learning, it depends upon a teaching strategy which enhances children's self‐esteem. This seems a necessary ingredient for the development of rationality, critical awareness and autonomy in children. Inadequate teacher training is suggested as a major reason for the failure of ‘collaborative’ approaches greatly to influence educational practice. With a shift away from the ‘authority/knowledge‐based’ paradigm and the provision of effective teacher training, it is considered that our educational institutions could become more democratically organised, and we would move closer to realising the liberal ideal of developing human potential to the full.