Harnessing the power of film in the primary classroom

This paper explores one way that teachers can develop creativity within potentially limiting confines and pressures of curriculum guidelines. The researcher considers the inclusion of film as a creative, engaging and effective strategy for teaching reading using data from a small‐scale research project. Hypotheses are based on analysis of activities that use moving image as an alternative text to printed books. During the project's teaching sequence, children are familiarised with film as a moving image, ideas are captured, the teacher demonstrates the use of techniques in meaning making, before the children finally show their understanding through their work. In this instance, the children were involved in making their own films, acting as directors, film crew, sound technicians, illustrators and narrators. As the partial purpose of the study was to explore the practical logistics of developing a creative teaching style within a structured curriculum, tight timings were an essential aspect of the validity of the work. All the teaching was completed within the normal hourly lesson for literacy, and the basic structure of lessons was maintained – an introduction with whole‐class work, followed by individual/paired or group work and concluded with a plenary. The researcher values the creative use of film as a powerful experience in itself and the study aimed to substantiate these beliefs by exploring both the accessibility and the results of harnessing the power of film within literacy teaching.     

Selection procedures in sports: Improving predictions of athletes’ future performance

The selection of athletes has been a central topic in sports sciences for decades. Yet, little consideration has been given to the theoretical underpinnings and predictive validity of the procedures. In this paper, we evaluate current selection procedures in sports given what we know from the selection psychology literature. We contrast the popular clinical method (predictions based on overall impressions of experts) with the actuarial approach (predictions based on pre-defined decision rules), and we discuss why the latter approach often leads to superior performance predictions. Furthermore, we discuss the “signs” and the “samples” approaches. Taking the prevailing signs approach, athletes’ technical-, tactical-, physical-, and psychological skills are often assessed separately in controlled settings. However, for predicting later sport performance, taking samples of athletes’ behaviours in their sports environment may result in more valid assessments. We discuss the possible advantages and implications of making selection procedures in sports more actuarial and sample-based.     

Changing Conceptions of Careers Guidance and a Proposed Model for Singapore Schools

The paper examines the evolution of the concept of careers guidance from an international perspective. A four-stage model encompassing information, interview, curriculum and integration is proposed to explain how various patterns of careers guidance have emerged. The proposed model for careers guidance in Singapore is then described in terms of philosophy, delivery, roles, resources and training. Some suggestions are made as to how difficulties with this model can be overcome.