Using the United States Census Data to Introduce Differential Equations

Abstract

This article describes a method for using the United States Census data to open a differential equations course. The question of finding a model for the United States population data gives students a first experience with creating a model using differential equations, and also understanding derivatives, what they mean, and how to calculate them in the context of real data. This model-building start motivates further exploration in many of the standard differential equations topics: the method of separation of variables, slope fields, autonomous equations, equilibria, and stability.     

The social and educational impacts of the first national Down Syndrome support group in the UAE

Although there is a fairly extensive literature on social and educational inclusion of individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) in many countries, very little is produced on the life and education of such individuals in the United Arab Emirates. There is an apparent lack of societal interest in the quality of lives of people with DS. The condition of DS is nearly a taboo subject in this part of the world. With only a handful of pupils with DS included in regular schools, and with many myths and misconceptions surrounding the syndrome and individuals, particularly children with the syndrome, the first ever national support group for individuals with DS, their families and their carers was formed in late 2004 in the United Arab Emirates. This paper examines and evaluates the social and educational impact of the support group. The study particularly focuses on the role of such group in promoting social inclusion and inclusion of pupils with DS in regular schools in the UAE. Members (mainly parents of individuals with DS) of the newly-established group participated in two interviews six months apart and the researcher observed group meetings, recorded activities and events over the same period. Views of individuals with DS on the effects and the activities of the group were also gathered through semi-structured interviews.
Participants reported significant benefits from participating in the group, particularly in the areas of promoting social acceptance for individuals with DS. The study found that the group also helped in eliminating and correcting some of the myths surrounding the syndrome and played a role in promoting social and educational inclusion of such individuals. The study ends with a discussion of the findings and recommendations for future practice.     

论美国高等学校收费偏高的现状、成因和后果

自20世纪80年代以来,美国高校学费偏高问题逐渐凸显出来,并成为美国高等教育财政改革的中心议题之一。文章建构了由9个指标组成的高等学校收费评价指标体系,并对美国高校收费作了具体的评价和分析。高校收费偏高对美国高等教育机会均等和高等教育质量产生了严重的负面效应。     

柳亚子陈英士关系论

柳亚子与陈英士同为南社成员，又同是同盟会中的骨干分子。辛亥革命前后，柳亚子主要以南社为基地，以文学为武器，宣传革命思想；而陈英士则以同盟会为组织，开展武装斗争。他们文武互补，密切配合，结下了深厚的革命情谊。     

美国"迷路的孩子们"

美国当代著名女作家乔伊斯·卡罗尔·奥茨对美国"迷路的孩子们"所倾注的关心和同情,以及对他们精神蜕变的社会原因的探索,具有重要的意义.     

美国早期关于古典教育的辩论

北美殖民地创建之初,古典教育①占据着教育系统的主导地位。在美国立国后,急于为美利坚探寻新路的改革者们对传统的古典教育发起了挑战,他们认为,随着时代的演进,古代语言和知识已经失去了原先存在的实用功能价值。这引起了支持古典教育者的不满,他们发文维护古典语言和文化的权威地位。双方掀起了美国立国后关于古典传统教育的大辩论。由于这场辩论发生在美国国家建构的语境下,所以从学术讨论上升到了政治论争的层面。在这场论争中,反对者和辩护者双方表达了对共和国公民素质和教育功能的考量,以及明确对未来社会的发展方向的思考,辩论为日后美国教育和社会的变革预留了重要的思想和话语资源,推动了教育多元化的发展趋势。这场关于古典教育的讨论对于当代教育的发展而言有着重要的意义。     

简析美国高等院校认证的基本过程

文章以美国中北部地区大学与中学协会为例，对高等院校认证的基本过程——合格资格程序、实地考察程序、委员会评估程序、结果判定程序、引导和复评程序进行了细致具体的描述，在此基础上，分析了其认证过程的三个特点：严格的自评、长期的互动和广泛的公开。     

A cross-cultural examination of use of corporal punishment on children: a focus on Sweden and the United States

It appears that Sweden and the United States may be a study in contrasts regarding the sanction and use of corporal punishment on children. A 1979 study of American parents noted that 81% of them employed corporal punishment with children. A different study done in Sweden in 1978 noted that only 26% of parents used corporal punishment with children. What points to the differences in these parenting patterns within the two countries? In addition, a 1977 U.S. Supreme Court case entitled Ingraham vs. Wright ruled that “schools are empowered to carry out corporal punishment.” This court case involved two high school boys in Florida who had been repeatedly struck with wooden paddles. In contrast, Sweden had statutes which prohibited corporal punishment of children in their secondary schools as early as the 1920s. In 1957, the country passed a law which defined corporal punishment as unacceptable for small children in the schools. Then, in 1979, the Swedish government passed a statute prohibiting corporal punishment by parents. Are there differences in the way the two countries view law and its uses? Or, do the cultures sanction violence in general or just violence against children in different ways? This article examines some of the similarities and differences found in American and Swedish treatment of children and proposes what appear to be extreme differences in the way the countries and their people approach corporal punishment.     

工作死胡同的结束——2005年英国技能白皮书及其启示

2005年3月,英国政府在2003年国家技能战略的基础之上,颁布了《技能:在企业中进步,在工作中提高》(Skills:Getting on in business,getting on at work)的白皮书,目的是为了确保雇主获得促进企业发展的技能,帮助个人获得就业和自我发展所需的技能,加强英国作为世界主要经济国的地位。本文简要分析了该白皮书颁布的社会背景、主要内容,以及对我国应对技能短缺问题的启示。