Improving student outcomes in high‐enrollment statistics classes with the structured writing approach

The article describes an assignment that makes writing‐to‐learn feasible in high‐enrollment statistics classes. It combines the principles of structured writing with Bloom's taxonomy. The assignment helped improve related exam scores and was easy to implement and grade for instructors.     

Riskante Entscheidungen in der Sozialpädagogik

Jugendliche, die sich von den gesellschaftlich legitimierten Sozialisationsinstanzen Familie, Schule und Jugendhilfe abgewandt haben und für die stattdessen die Szenen an Bahnh?fen und anderen urbanen Orten zur dominanten Sozialisationsinstanz geworden sind, leben unter dem Risiko einer „Hyperinklusion“ in Milieus, die durch erhebliche soziale und gesundheitliche Gef?hrdungspotentiale gekennzeichnet sind. Die Frage nach der Legitimit?t und Angemessenheit sozialp?dagogischer Nicht-/Interventionen erh?lt hier eine besondere Brisanz. Eine theoretische Antwort auf diese Problemstellung l?sst sich aus Brumliks Konzeption der advokatorischen Ethik beziehen. Dort wird das Postulat begründet, dass p?dagogisches Handeln grunds?tzlich gleicherma?en an den Prinzipien der Integrit?t und der Bemündigung der Edukanden auszurichten sei; über die situative Realisierung dieser paradoxen Anforderung bestimme der Takt. Takt offenbart sich hier als L?sungsformel, mit der die P?dagogik den für sie typischen Handlungsparadoxien begegnet. Im Hinblick auf die konkrete sozialp?dagogische Praxis und die Gestaltung ihrer Bedingungen l?sst der Verweis auf den Takt jedoch viele Fragen offen. Der Beitrag versucht, den Begriff des Takts im Rahmen einer konkretisierenden Bestimmung von Randbedingungen, Handlungsmaximen und Gütekriterien sozialp?dagogischen Entscheidens n?her auszubuchstabieren. Die vorgeschlagenen L?sungen liegen in der Maximierung von Partizipation, Reflexivit?t, Variet?t und Reversibilit?t sowie in einer fortlaufenden Evaluierung von Entscheidungen unter Beteiligung der Betroffenen.     

How autonomy support mediates the relationship between self-efficacy and approaches to learning

Abstract

The significant interplay between self-efficacy, autonomy support and approaches to learning in adolescent students is widely recognized. However, less is known about whether substantial differences exist between early and middle adolescent students from schools with different environments. To close this research gap, this study used latent mean comparison and multigroup structural equation modeling with questionnaire data from a sample of German adolescent students (N?=?1153; M_AgeT1?=?13.97, SD = 1.37; M_AgeT2?=?14.27, SD = 1.25) in two waves. Multigroup structural equation modeling reveals that autonomy functions as a mediator in the association between self-efficacy and approaches to learning only for students from schools with a student-centered learning environment based on competence-matrices in contrast to a teacher-directed learning environment, particularly for early adolescent students. More specifically, adolescents’ approaches to learning can be enhanced through autonomy-supportive learning independently of their self-efficacy.     

Globalised student achievement? A longitudinal and cross-country analysis of convergence in mathematics performance

ABSTRACT

With the aid of longitudinal country-level data from five IEA TIMSS assessments (1995–2011), the current study addresses the issue of the globalisation of curricula and achievement. To explore the hypothesis of global convergence, we study performance in four subdomains of mathematics. Using regression with fixed effects for countries, we consider whether the variation of subdomain scores decreases globally over time. Additionally, we explore qualitative differences in performance profiles using latent class analysis. Our results provide little evidence for a global harmonisation of student achievement. Rather, for regions with a similar language and culture, we observe similar strengths and weaknesses in mathematics content areas. Furthermore, these patterns remain stable over time. Directions for future research include the exploration of global trends in aspects of attained curricula for other subjects, and the use of information on school achievement.     

Cognitive processing rates among disabled and normal reading young adults: A nine year follow-up study

Forty adults who had been diagnosed as reading disabled when they were children and 40 adults from a matched control group of normal readers were tested to assess the diagnostic utility of a newly developed set of tests as well at to ascertain whether or not reading disability persists into early adulthood. The new measures, designed to examine cognitive processing rates in disabled and normal adult readers, included expressive verbal fluency, confrontation naming, and perceptual speed. Evidence for significantly slower cognitive processing rates and persistent problems in reading and spelling was apparent among the young adult disabled readers. Spatial and mathematical ability levels were well within the normal range.     

Biomechanics of elite recumbent handcycling: a case study

In the presented research, a kinematic and electromyographic study was performed on one world-class male elite handbiker (UCI class H3.2). Activity of 14 muscles of the upper body were measured with surface electromyography (EMG), and a motion analysis of the athlete’s movement was performed concurrently for different backrest positions, crank lengths, and crank heights at three power levels (130, 160 and 190 W). Kinematics in terms of elbow and wrist angle, muscular on-off timing, EMG amplitudes, and integrated EMG were calculated. Results showed that little changes occurred for kinematic parameters and changes in position led to a shift in muscular timing. However, no indication for immediate improvement to the athlete’s preferred original position could be observed.     

Der Zusammenhang von Schulleitungshandeln,Unterrichtsgestaltung und Lernerfolg

Indicators and instruments for determining and measuring school quality within inspection systems are usually based on frameworks for inspection. These frameworks rely heavily upon school and teacher effectiveness research. Thus, a central assumption is that the effectiveness and improvement-oriented school conditions, as measured within an inspection, are related to student achievement. It is unclear if this assumption really holds true, as empirical evidence is still lacking. This study uses data from a random sampling of schools (n = 37) and teachers (n = 1663) and the achievement data from students (n = 23,943) to validate the interpretations and uses of school inspection results regarding the factor school leadership. The study follows Kane’s argument-based approach for validation. Results reveal that principals of schools with recurrent high student achievement very often demonstrate instructional leadership. It is evident that these principals are also leading in a fundamentally different way from principals in schools with lower achievement in that they lead with the specific school context in mind. The study demonstrates that it is possible to make inferences from scores provided by school inspections and to generalize from them. However, this generalizability does not extend to making extrapolations or decisions based on these scores. The analyses make it clear that providing feedback solely on the strengths and weakness of a school is insufficient when it comes to stimulating school improvement through inspection.     

Diagnosing Decay Mechanisms at the Porta Nocera Necropolis,Pompeii: The First Step Towards Effective Preventive Conservation

ABSTRACT

Aspects of preventive conservation are central to the long-term preservation of archaeological sites such as Pompeii. Mitigating moisture ingress and its manifold effects on decay mechanisms such as salt degradation are of critical importance when planning durable conservation strategies. A suite of non-destructive techniques was used to diagnose decay mechanisms at an ancient tomb monument at the Porta Nocera Necropolis. Rising damp and salt contamination are shown to be actively contributing to on-going deterioration of the plaster surfaces. An existing shelter is shown to be inadequate in its protection. These initial results are used to inform a more in-depth, long-term survey as well as the design of a holistic preventive strategy.     

Time to stop talking about ‘predatory journals’

Key points

• The term ‘predatory journal’ hides a wide range of scholarly publishing misconduct.
• The term ‘predatory journal’ unhelpfully bundles misconduct with poor quality.
• The term ‘predatory journal’ blinds us to important possibilities, needs, and questions arising in the developing scholarly landscape.
• The current scholarly publishing environment cannot rely on such a simplified classification of journals into predatory or not.