The Electronic Campus: the First Decade

Many universities are beginning to consider how information technology could influence teaching, research, administration and communications on and off campus. This article reviews the development of the 'electronic campus' in the USA over the last decade and finds three distinct phases of development. Change in the UK has been slower but is noticeable. Five case studies, drawn from both sides of the Atlantic are considered. Finally, some implications and opportunities for the future are discussed; the author notes that the case for the massive investment necessary to bring the electronic campus to reality across the university sector has yet to be properly formulated.     

Ability emotional intelligence,trait emotional intelligence,and academic success in British secondary schools: A 5 year longitudinal study

This study examines the long-term effects of ability- and trait EI on academic performance for British adolescents. The sample comprised 413 students from three secondary schools in the North-West of England. Students completed tests of ability EI, trait EI, personality, and cognitive ability in Year 7 (mean age = 11 years 2 months). Performance data at the end of Year 11 (mean age = 15 years 10 months) were collected. Structural Equation Modelling examined the longitudinal relationships between latent variables of these constructs. Results show that the importance of ability EI resides in the fact that it moderates the effect of cognitive ability on performance in Year 11. Trait EI has a direct effect on Year 11 performance for boys only. This suggests that initiatives that help to develop ability EI and increase trait EI offer educators opportunities to improve educational achievement.     

General Communications

SELF, SYMBOLS & SOCIETY: AN INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATION by Stanley J. Baran, et al. (Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 1984---price not given, paper)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN CRISIS: THE FIRST AMENDMENT, TECHNOLOGY, AND DEREGULATION by Edwin Diamond, et al. (Cato Institute, 224 Second St., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20003---$6.00, paper)

MEDIA INSURANCE: PROTECTING AGAINST HIGH JUDGEMENTS, PUNITIVE DAMAGES, AND DEFENSE COSTS (Practising Law Institute, 810 Seventh Ave., New York, N.Y. 10019---$35.00, paper)

LAW OF MASS COMMUNICATIONS: FREEDOM AND CONTROL OF PRINT AND BROADCAST MEDIA by Harold L. Nelson and Dwight L. Teeter, Jr. (Mineola, N.Y.: Foundation Press, 1982---$19.75)

A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR ADVERTISING by Burleigh Gardner (Chicago: Crain Books, 1982---price not given)

MASS COMMUNICATION REVIEW YEARBOOK, VOLUME 4 edited by Ellen Wartella and D. Charles Whitney (Beverly Hills, Calif.: Sage Publications, 1983---price not given)     

Evaluating Flexible Delivery across a Tertiary Institution

An institutional evaluation of flexible delivery can lead to improvements in education practice, and gives the institution the opportunity to re-focus its strategic intent and correct practices that are contrary to that intent. In this paper, flexible delivery as a strategic emphasis of Universal College of Learning (UCOL) is outlined. The evaluation of the strategy's implementation is then described through the process, results and future directions of flexible delivery at UCOL. Flexible delivery was evaluated across the institution by interviewing heads of faculty and lecturers and mailing a questionnaire to students. The results are discussed not only in relation to distinct areas for improvement but also to the concept of drift from the original strategy. It is suggested that all tertiary institutions aiming to improve their practice when using flexible forms of course delivery should undertake similar evaluations on a regular basis.     

Review Essay: Five Books About Religion,Young Adults,And Secondary Education

The authors believe that schools are an under-utilized resource for one of the most important dimensions of religious education: meaningful mentoring relationships between teenagers and adults. This article reviews five recent books that are helpful for surveying the rocky, yet fertile, land that is the ground upon which religious education and schools meet. This intersection can be a valuable ecological resource for the respective missions of religious education, youth ministry, and democratic society. The Schools Task Force believes that the educational and institutional nature of schools can be a leading voice in the contemporary challenge to create environments conducive to spiritual growth in souls.     

Optimization of oar blade design for improved performance in rowing

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to find a more optimal blade design for rowing performance than the Big Blade, which has been shown to be less than optimal for propulsion. As well as the Big Blade, a flat Big Blade, a flat rectangular blade, and a rectangular blade with the same curvature and projected area as the Big Blade were tested in a water flume to determine their fluid dynamic characteristics at the full range of angles at which the oar blade might present itself to the water. Similarities were observed between the flat Big Blade and rectangular blades. However, the curved rectangular blade generated significantly more lift in the angle range 0 – 90° than the curved Big Blade, although it was similar between 90 and 180°. This difference was attributed to the shape of the upper and lower edges of the blade and their influence on the fluid flow around the blade. Although the influence of oar blade design on boat speed was not investigated here, the significant increases in fluid force coefficients for the curved rectangular blade suggest that this new oar blade design could elicit a practically significant improvement in rowing performance.