Developing a model for e‐prints and open access journal content in UK further and higher education

A study carried out for the UK Joint Information Systems Committee examined models for the provision of access to material in institutional and subject‐based archives and in open access journals. Their relative merits were considered, addressing not only technical concerns but also how e‐print provision (by authors) can be achieved – an essential factor for an effective e‐print delivery service (for users). A ‘harvesting’ model is recommended, where the metadata of articles deposited in distributed archives are harvested, stored and enhanced by a national service. This model has major advantages over the alternatives of a national centralized service or a completely decentralized one. Options for the implementation of a service based on the harvesting model are presented.     

The impact of task-based professional development on teachers’ practices and beliefs: a design research study

The paper describes a design research study with experienced mathematics teachers of post-16 low-attaining students. The study explored the use of generic collaborative mathematics tasks in promoting professional development. I describe the theoretical basis for the design of the tasks, the tasks themselves and a professional development programme in which they were used by teachers drawn from 44 colleges. Teachers that used many of the tasks reported profound changes to their practices and this was confirmed student reports and classroom observation. Teachers’ beliefs about mathematics, teaching and learning both constrained the ways the tasks were implemented and were challenged by the affective and cognitive outcomes. The variation in these outcomes are examined and explained from the evidence.     

Transcending widgets: the nature of technical services

This paper was presented as the keynote address at the Ohio Library Council, Technical Services Division conference,“Technical Services, 2003: Inspiration, Example, Synthesis” at Mohican State Park, Ohio, May 7, 2003. The keynote was to fill the role of “inspiration.” The author considers why technical services personnel may feel isolated, misunderstood, or dispensable; why technical services personnel may be misunderstood or underappreciated by others; the nature and mission of librarianship and how technical services relates to them; the consequences of having a bad image and a bad self-image; and how harmful opinions and actions might be countered.     

The impact of gastrostomy feeding tubes on the early childhood education and care of young children

This article explores how gastrostomy feeding tubes can impact the early childhood education and care (ECEC) experiences of children. It presents findings from a small-scale study, which utilised the perspectives of early years educators and parents. The findings indicate that feeding tubes have both an opportunistic and restrictive impact within ECEC. Opportunity was evident through improved nutrition and health, which allowed familial respite and an increased attendance of ECEC. This enabled opportunities for social and explorative interactions. However, the complexities of having and supporting a feeding tube made accessing types of play and exploration challenging. Collaboration between the educators and parents was a crucial tool for success. Educators felt with experience and teamwork they could ensure the needs of children were met innovatively and safely. However, it was concluded clearer advice for attending ECEC settings with a feeding tube would benefit all involved and instil a sense of readiness.     

Analysis of macroethics teaching practices and perceptions in engineering: a cultural comparison

ABSTRACT

Students must be taught to understand the ethical issues associated with engineering and technology, which includes microethics and macroethics. This research examined the influence of cultural environment by comparing ethics-related education outcomes between educators in (1) the United States, (2) non-US Anglo, and (3) Western European countries who teach engineering students. In an increasingly globalised world where companies and projects draw from talent across countries, it is important to understand how different cultures educate future engineers about their ethical responsibilities. Survey results revealed that a majority of educators in all three groups viewed undergraduate and postgraduate education on ethics as insufficient. A higher percentage of non-US Anglo and Western European educators taught sustainability and environmental issues in their courses compared to US respondents. US educators taught codes of ethics, ethics in design, and safety more than those in Western Europe. Open-ended responses illuminated challenges and opportunities to improve ethics education.