Feel American,Watch American,Eat American? Remote Acculturation,TV, and Nutrition Among Adolescent–Mother Dyads in Jamaica

Globalization prompts remote acculturation toward U.S. culture in Jamaica; this study used a bioecological systems approach to examine its proximal impact on nutrition through U.S. cable TV consumption, and maternal influences in the home. Overall, 330 randomly selected adolescent–mother dyads from schools in Kingston, Jamaica (M_{adolescent_age} = 13.8 years, SD_{adolescent_age} = 1.8) completed questionnaires reporting American identity and behavioral preferences, daily time spent watching U.S.‐produced TV programs, and frequency of eating unhealthy foods. Actor–partner interdependence models revealed that girls’ American identity/behavior directly predicted their unhealthy eating, whereas girls’ mothers and boys’ American identity/behavior indirectly predicted unhealthy eating as mediated by their U.S. TV hours. Additionally, mothers’ American identity/behavior predicted daughters’ unhealthy eating as mediated by mothers’ U.S. TV hours. Remote acculturation theory may facilitate more targeted research and prevention/intervention.     

Program evaluation of a school consultation program

The results of a school psychological and social work program are presented on children referred for behavioral and learning problems. Through the consultation service, the average student objective for learning problems was achieved to 85% of criterion, and the average objective for behavioral problems was achieved to 82% of criterion during a 10-week period. An analysis of the consultation activities was made in relation to the accomplishment of the objectives for both learning and behavioral problems. No clear evidence was found for any single activity being related to success. Also analyzed was the time spent on each consultation activity and the accomplishment of the student objectives. There was a positive relationship between total consultation time and student outcomes on learning problems, but there was no significant relationship between total consultation time and the accomplishment of objectives for behavioral problems. General findings show that consultation activities can be conducted with small investments of time and with a high degree of student accomplishment of objectives. A case is presented for the merits of program improvement by monitoring psychological and social work services.     

Using multiple intelligence theory to transform a first-grade health curriculum

This article begins with a theoretical background for a teacher-research project, using the framework of transformational curriculum. The authors designed a first-grade health unit incorporating Gardner's (1987) multiple intelligences. This article details the process two classroom teachers used to translate theory into practice.     

Technical processing of electronic journals in libraries

Electronic journals portend tremendous advantages to libraries. Patron access is swift and sure; these journals are never missing from the shelves, and they need not be delayed for technical processing because they can be ‘sent’ to public display and serials maintenance almost simultaneously. However, how will library users know what journals are available to them? They should be able to find electronic journals through the same means they find information in all other formats—through libraries’ online catalogs. The phrase ‘mark it and park it’ has not lost its relevance in the virtual library environment.     

The development of thinking processes in postsecondary education: Application of a working model

Disciplines in postsecondary education have traditionally used different models to describe the thinking processes required in their field. From a review of the models used in different disciplines, a working model of thinking processes was developed and was tested for appropriateness of fit in six pure and applied matched disciplines. The professors testing the working model applied the model to their courses in different ways and gave a variety of examples of the instructional methods they used to do this.     

A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE STATE OF EVALUATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN CANADA

This paper reviews some of the major recent developments in evaluation in Canadian universities and colleges, and identifies the factors which contribute to the success of these procedures. Programme evaluation, criteria of excellence, and evaluation of student learning are each considered in turn and the major issues discussed. The problems involved are clearly delineated and inevitably complex, particularly as they involve the twin questions of accountability and autonomy, but evaluation procedures are necessary in all three areas if rational decision‐making is to be typical of higher education.     

Graduate Capabilities: a Framework for Assessing Course Quality 1

Three propositions about quality learning when linked to the concept of graduate capability provide a framework for examining the extent to which learning outcomes are embedded within the provision of authentic learning environments, a focus on global issues, and the development of skills to support life‐long learning. A case study in nursing at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is used to illustrate a student learning experience that addresses graduate capabilities, develops an authentic learning environment, addresses global issues, and fosters the development of skills to support life‐long learning.

     

Building support for language and early literacy in preschool classrooms through in-service professional development: Effects of the Literacy Environment Enrichment Program (LEEP)

There is a substantial and persistent gap in achievement between children from different backgrounds [National Center for Education Statistics. (2002). Children's reading and mathematics achievement in kindergarten and first grade. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office] that can be traced to the preschool years [Snow, C. E., Burns, M. S., & Griffin, P. (Eds.). (1998). Preventing reading difficulties in young children. Washington, DC: National Research Council, National Academy Press], highlighting the importance of ensuring that preschools that serve low-income populations provide strong support for children's language and early literacy development. The current project sought to improve program quality in Head Start classrooms throughout New England with the Literacy Environment Enrichment Program (LEEP), an in-service intervention that was delivered in the form of a credit-bearing course. The impact of LEEP was studied using a wait-list comparison group strategy to determine whether intervention group teachers (n = 30) showed more fall–spring growth in measures of classroom support for literacy than did comparison group teachers (n = 40). Multiple hierarchical regression analyses that controlled for background measures and fall scores on classroom measures revealed moderate to large positive effects on all measures of classrooms support for language and early literacy with the exception of writing, for which only a small effect was found.