Teachers' and Administrators' Use of Evidence of Student Learning to Take Action: Conclusions Drawn from a Special Issue on Formative Assessment

In common-item equating the anchor block is generally built to represent a miniature form of the total test in terms of content and statistical specifications. The statistical properties frequently reflect equal mean and spread of item difficulty. Sinharay and Holland (2007) suggested that the requirement for equal spread of difficulty may be too restrictive. They suggested that an anchor test with representative content coverage and equal mean item difficulty but a smaller spread of item difficulty (miditest) may provide the same or better results for equating while decreasing the pressure to find very hard and very easy items to include in the anchor. Analyses to date have concentrated on the results of equating the scores from one form to another with findings that are supportive of the Sinharay and Holland concept (Sinharay &; Holland, 2006a, 2006b, 2007; Liu, Sinharay, Holland, Feigenbaum, &; Curley, 2009). These studies do not address longer chains of equating. It is important to monitor the possibility of scale drift over forms. The current research begins to address this issue.     

Networking From the Inside Out: Understanding Learners' Processes,Activities, and Experiences

Research to date has demonstrated that networking can be an effective strategy for supporting meaningful learning. However, studies have shown that learners encounter difficulties using it. In an attempt to understand and thus reduce these difficulties, this study examined learners' underlying cognitive processes and activities while networking. Detailed process, observational, and post-activity interview data were gathered on 14 participants during and after their networking of an 800-word text. The study showed that learners must possess several forms of prior knowledge, and devote appropriate time and effort in order to derive benefits from networking. The instructional implications of the process and the methodological contribution of this study are discussed.     

“Do I Really Belong Here?”: The Stigma of Being a Community College Transfer Student at a Four-Year University

ABSTRACT

Students who begin their educational journeys in community college face many obstacles trying to complete their bachelor’s degrees. Much research has been dedicated to identifying academic factors that predict successful transfer and degree attainment, but relatively little research investigates how the community college experience affects these students once enrolled at the four-year university. Here, we present the results of a qualitative study that explored the challenges faced by 14 community college students during and after transfer. Specifically, we focus on student reports of a sense of stigma from having attended community college and how students overcame these feelings. Recommendations are provided for how community colleges and four-year universities can better equip their students with the knowledge and resources to combat this perception of stigma.     

Supporting the Learning Process with Collaborative Concept Mapping Using Computer-Based Communication Tools and Processes

University students are too often challenged by their limited skills in application, investigation, relational thinking, and communication of ideas. In this study, we have combined 3 tools that potentially can support and foster students’ development in the above mentioned areas through student collaboration, concept mapping, and electronic technologies. The participants in this study were 26 students in two intact classes in learning theories. In groups of 3 to 5 students, they were asked to generate 3 concept maps and accompanying prose over the term on 3 major issues in the field of learning. Through the use of interviews, questionnaires, and student generated concept maps, students reportedly enjoyed concept mapping for its organizational and relational properties but preferred sharing their concept maps and dialoguing with one another in a synchronous mode where immediate feedback and flow of thinking could be maintained when involved in constructing maps. Moreover, they did not like the redundancy offered by both prose and concept map outputs, suggesting that while concept mapping can be an arena for generating and generally structuring ideas, prose can be a means of communicating such ideas in a form that is common to most people. This is particularly important for teachers and students who have difficulty navigating through maps alone.     

Purchasing of Electronic Backfiles: Results of a Survey

Publishers have been digitizing their journal backfiles and have been offering these backfiles for purchase to libraries in various packages. Serials and acquisitions librarians were surveyed to evaluate four types of backfile packages, and to determine the selection criteria being considered when making these purchases.     

Change Management in Public Libraries: Seven Recommendations from Copenhagen Libraries

Abstract

Shifts in the media landscape and user behavior mean that changes are made rapidly today. Taking a proactive stance on changes, new solutions and service design is therefore central to libraries of the 21st century. The development pushes the need for sharing knowledge about change management in libraries. This article details the experiences of the library system of Copenhagen, Denmark as a case study for change and change management. How did the libraries effect change? What was the process for determining the necessary changes and implementing them? This article distills the experiences of Copenhagen Libraries into seven recommendations for all practitioners of change management in public libraries.     

Lessening the Load of Misconceptions: Design-Based Principles for Algebra Learning

The current study examined the effectiveness of self-explanation prompts, visual signaling cues, and a combination of the two features on middle school students’ (N = 202) algebra learning. Also explored were the differential effects of features for students with faulty conceptual knowledge (evidenced by a higher prevalence of making errors during problem solving) on learning. That is, we assessed whether students who make prevalent conceptual errors predictive of algebra performance differentially benefit from design features. Participants were randomly assigned to complete 1 of 4 sets of worked example assignments supplemented with self-explanation prompts (n = 51), visual signaling cues (n = 49), both features (n = 51), or neither feature (n = 51). Worked examples supplemented with either self-explanation prompts or signaling cues led to greater learning from pre- to posttest in comparison to the worked example control, with practically meaningful effects. The effect of assignments supplemented with signaling cues was moderated by error prevalence. Those who made errors more frequently demonstrating misunderstanding of algebraic concepts (e.g., the meaning of a coefficient) benefited significantly more from visual signaling cues alone than self-explanation prompts alone or control assignments. These findings highlight the importance of considering differential effects of design features when used in combination or in isolation, particularly for struggling students.     

Resilience at University: the development and testing of a new measure

While measures of resilience have been applied in university settings, progress has been hindered by the lack of a consistent measure of resilience. Additionally, results from these measures cannot be easily translated into practical curriculum-based initiatives which support resilience development. Resilience is linked to student mental health and well-being, as well as academic engagement and achievement. This positions resilience as a key skill for students. A survey was administered to 410 Australian undergraduate students. The survey consisted of an adapted version of the Resilience at Work (RAW) scale, the Subjective Happiness Scale and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. Data were subject to principal component analysis and scale reliability analysis. Results yielded a six-factor structure which closely replicated the seven-factor structure of the RAW scale. The research contributes to the development of a reliable and valid instrument of resilience for use in university. The new Resilience at University (RAU) scale shows promise as a valid and reliable measure of student resilience. Development and validation of the RAU scale is in its early stages and further research is required to explore the psychometric properties of the scale to ascertain whether it can be usefully applied in a university setting.     

Framing equity through a closer examination of critical science agency

Cultural Studies of Science Education - Science for all has been touted as the primary path to equity in science education in the USA. We argue that without attention to the power imbalances that...