Investigating the quality of interactions and public engagement around scientific papers on Twitter

This study explores science communication on Twitter by investigating a sample of tweets referring to academic papers in five different scientific fields. The specifications of science communicators on Twitter, the characteristics of those who initiate actions (by tweeting), the extent and quality of reactions (retweeting), individual and group interactions, and the distribution of tweets across types of engagement in the process of science communication (i.e., dissemination, consultation, and evaluation) were explored. A broad array of actors is involved in the communication of science on Twitter, with individual citizens and individual researchers playing an important role. In principle, this is promising for creating direct interaction, which can be difficult through more traditional mass media. The vast majority of communication activities regarding academic papers is undigested dissemination with almost no sign of debate, contestation, or collective reflection. Another general finding of this study is that bot accounts play a major role in the science communication landscape on Twitter.     

Reactivity without legitimacy? Online consumer reviews in the restaurant industry

In recent years, web sites where individual consumers can rate and review goods and services have mushroomed all over the Internet. Restaurants are particularly affected by online reviewing. If the impact of online consumer reviews (OCRs) on the demand side of markets is now well understood and measured, few studies examine the reception of this new evaluation method by those who are assessed. Based on interviews with French restaurant managers, our research shows that OCRs systems reconfigure relations of accountability in the restaurant industry. We use the notion of reactivity to describe the mechanisms through which the new evaluation system transforms the activity of restaurants. We also examine the affects surrounding the reception of ratings and reviews by restaurant managers and the moral criteria that accompany their discourses on online reviews. Many restaurants consider online reviews as a brutal and hypocritical mode of judgment. The judgment produced by online ratings and reviews is not easily borne by restaurant managers, because it challenges the conventions of quality they had previously internalized as legitimate, that is, those produced by professional experts. We interpret this ambivalent reception as the unfinished movement of transforming a performative reputation device into a legitimate evaluation institution.     

Citizens as planners: Harnessing information and values from the bottom-up

In this paper, we focus on understanding the critical role of everyday citizen in planning and policy-related issues in their city enabled by the newly emerging technological platforms such as mobile-based application and internet-based participatory platforms. The interest and capability of citizens to use and benefit from such online platforms that facilitate urban planning has grown in recent times, which makes it important to study the nature of these platforms and civic engagement that is facilitated through them. We study three such platforms and provide policy recommendations to urban planners based on our analyses of the platforms.     

How can pre-service primary teachers' perspectives contribute to a pedagogy that problematises the ‘practical’ in teacher education?

This study examined pre-service primary teachers' perspectives on teaching and learning experiences within college-based courses in ‘practical’ subject areas within a teacher education programme. Following three individual lectures (one each in art, music and physical education), pre-service teachers (n=11) participated in focus group interviews sharing their perspectives on the teaching and learning experiences. These data were analysed thematically and supported by teacher educators' (n=3) planning and reflection documentation. Although the problematic nature of the ‘practical’ suggests appeal and peril of the ‘practical’, the important nature of negotiating the ‘practical’ to enhance student learning is apparent. Students emphasised the value of practical engagement and expressed a strong preference for working in groups to create a safe learning environment to develop confidence and competence. These insights suggest key aspects of a pedagogy of teacher education in these ‘practical’ areas. The importance of being aware of and, in some cases, challenging student perspectives on how they learn best in these curricular areas is discussed.     

家庭公益教育的障碍及其破解机制研究

开展公益教育是时代环境变化、社会转型的客观要求。家庭公益教育是公益教育的有机组成部分,是突破当前“应试型”教育模式,构建“家庭-学校-社区”三联动下系统、多元的公益教育模式的关键环节。我国家庭公益教育的开展存在诸多障碍。调查发现,这些障碍主要为家长认知障碍、家庭公益行动障碍及制度性障碍。针对这些障碍,在借鉴美国家庭公益教育经验的基础上,提出了破解之策。     

消费者权益保护法的价值及其实现途径

消费者权益保护法的价值是消费者权益保护法的灵魂,对于消费者权益保护法的制定以及正确实施都有着非常重大的意义。从法的一般价值出发,可以对消费者权益保护法的价值进行较为全面的探讨。但是,仅仅认识到消费者权益保护法的价值还是不够的,更为重要的是消费者权益保护法的价值实现。     

Leveraging events to ensure enduring benefits: The legacy strategy of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup is the largest soccer event on the Asian continent. Australia hosted the 2015 AFC Asian Cup which provided the nation with an opportunity to not only celebrate the sport of soccer, but also leverage the event to deliver enduring legacies. This case study examines the three key legacies of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup which were tourism, trade and investment, and multicultural engagement, and considers the leveraging strategies that were implemented to achieve the stated legacies.