Taking Action on Usability Testing Findings: Simmons College Library Case Study

Simmons College Library conducted in-person and remote usability testing to observe how students retrieve full text when using Library Search, its discovery service system powered by EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS). Testing was conducted as a collaborative study with a consultant associated with EBSCO Information Services User Research Group. This testing found that students expect direct access to full text, have an unfavorable impression of Interlibrary Loan (ILL), and are unsure, based on terminology, which links provide direct access to full text. Steps taken by the library in response to the findings include local customization of EDS, improvements to ILL messaging, updates to user education regarding full text formats and terminology, and requests to EBSCO to update terminology to support users’ direct access to full text. Study findings also validated decisions the library made during the initial set up of its discovery service system.     

History of mathematics and history of science reunited?

For some years now, the history of modern mathematics and the history of modern science have developed independently. A step toward a reunification that would benefit both disciplines could come about through a revived appreciation of mathematical practice. Detailed studies of what mathematicians actually do, whether local or broadly based, have often led in recent work to examinations of the social, cultural, and national contexts, and more can be done. Another recent approach toward a historical understanding of the abstractness of modern mathematics has been to see it as a species of modernism, and this thesis will be tested by the raft of works on the history of modern applied mathematics currently under way.     

The impact of COVID‐19 on the UK publishing industry: Findings and opportunity

• Challenges of the current environment are balanced by opportunities – more digital delivery, more efficient systems, greater collaboration.
• Consumption has not reduced, but delivery mechanisms need adaptation to ensure the right products in the right media are offered and delivered.
• Changes to the cost base by redeploying staff and rethinking premises are underway and support improved resource allocation.
• Leadership is required to accommodate adaptive and flexible remote working.
• Ensuring access and implementing licences that permit non‐commercial use is both a moral and a practical response.

     

Factor structure of child behavior scale scores in peruvian preschoolers

Behavior rating scales aid in the identification of problem behaviors, as well as the development of interventions to reduce such behavior. Although scores on many behavior rating scales have been validated in the United States, there have been few such studies in other cultural contexts. In this study, the structural validity of scores on a Spanish translation of the six‐factor Child Behavior Scale (CBS) was assessed in a sample of 265 Peruvian preschool children who ranged from 2 to 6 years in age. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a four‐factor structure, and reliability estimates for scores on the four factors were adequate. The authors suggest replicating the study and examining the utility of CBS scores in predicting future problem behaviors in this population. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Sustaining collaboration: English-as-a-second-language, and content-area teachers

This research is an investigation into English as a Second Language (ESL) and content area teachers’ perceptions of collaboration after they completed a joint professional development program called the Collaborative Teaching Institute (CTI). The overall objective of the study was to identify how CTI and other joint professional development programs for ESL and content area teachers could better support sustained teacher collaboration. The study yielded information on the key actors, opportunities, tensions and conflicts in the collaboration between the two sets of teachers. The researchers also sought to identify specific types of activities that emerged when the teachers were successful in working together.     

Comparative efficacy of group and individual feedback in gross anatomy for promoting medical student professionalism

Professionalism is a core competency of medical training that requires students to develop the skills of providing and receiving feedback. Our study evaluated the effectiveness of delivering feedback in a group setting compared with an individual setting. The first‐year class of Mayo medical students (n = 49) enrolled in gross anatomy (in dissection teams), completed weekly anonymous evaluations of themselves and their teammates regarding seven aspects of professionalism (altruism, compassion, respect, honesty/integrity, responsibility, commitment to excellence, and self‐reflection). Professionalism scores from these surveys were calculated using a six‐point Likert scale. Students were also asked to comment on strengths and possible areas for improvement on each peer. At the midpoint of the course, peer comments and professionalism scores were shared with students in debriefing sessions either individually or with their team. Analysis of preintervention and postintervention professionalism scores indicated that the students receiving feedback in a one‐on‐one setting (student and instructor) were more likely to demonstrate higher scores on subsequent evaluations as compared with those students receiving feedback in a group setting (all team members and one instructor). Our findings suggest that providing feedback to first‐year medical students on an individual basis is the best way to improve professional attitudes and behaviors. Anat Sci Educ 3: 64–72, 2010. © 2010 American Association of Anatomists.     

流行文化

在西班牙叫茶点,在阿拉伯叫加济勇士,在中国叫可乐：世界上有很多词汇,而不变的是对碳酸饮料的渴求。自1997年起,碳酸饮料在东欧的人均消费量几乎翻倍。2008年可口可乐在全球200个国家有销售苏打饮料的记录。真力时国际工业总监说,即使全球经济不景气,也只是让制造商更加依赖促销和廉价的社交广告而已。     

如何阅读3500万个博客?

“科学技术是第一生产力”,伟人不愧是伟人,论断一针见血,不服不行。传媒业越来越感受到科技的力量。这力量,对不同的媒体而言,有些是“压力”,有些是“动力”。科技在拉大差距。在科技力量的作用下,不同类的媒体呈现出不同的发展态势和前景,同类媒体之间的发展分化也在加剧。科技又在消除差距。体现在两个方面:一是国内国外的新闻媒体越来越多地面对越来越多的相同或相似的问题,这背后很重要的因素就是科技的作用;二是科技的发展,无形中降低了很多“门槛”,给市场参与者以更多公平竞争的机会,不管是老媒体还是新媒体,不管是大媒体还是小媒体,都可以借助科技而胜出。如果说过去传媒业的竞争、发展主要考虑“传媒—读者—市场”的关系,今天,今后,则要把“科技”加进来。因为,过去,科技基本上是传媒的“家务事”,其力量基本上体现在采编、印刷等设备更新上,属“辅助性”的力量;现在则不然了,它成了一种“决定性”的力量——不仅对媒体自身,而且对读者和市场。