Predictors of Grade 2 Word Reading and Vocabulary Learning from Grade 1 Variables in Spanish‐Speaking Children: Similarities and Differences

We examined the components of first (L1) and second language (L2) phonological processing that are related to L2 word reading and vocabulary. Spanish‐speaking English learners (EL) were classified as average or low readers in grades 1 and 2. A large number of children who started out as poor readers in first grade became average readers in second grade while vocabulary scores were more stable. Binary logistic regressions examined variables related to classifications of consistently average, consistently low, or improving on reading or vocabulary across grades. Good L2 phonological short‐term memory and phonological awareness scores predicted good reading and vocabulary scores. L1 and L2 measures differentiated consistently good performers from consistently low performers, while only L2 measures differentiated children who improved from children who remained low performers. Children who are EL should be screened on measures of pseudoword repetition and phonological awareness with low scorers being good candidates for receiving extra assistance in acquiring L2 vocabulary and reading. This study suggests measures that can be used to select children who have a greater likelihood of experiencing difficulties in reading and vocabulary.     

THE TEACHER INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES OF PROSPECTIVE HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS TEACHERS

Nine prospective secondary mathematics teachers were interviewed about their teaching internship experience. The results of these interviews revealed that 7 of the 9 participants professed to value reform-oriented teaching and conceptual understanding in mathematics, yet all were paired with cooperating teachers who seemed to value traditional instruction and procedural understanding in mathematics. We explored the reasons that some of these student interns had positive experiences with their cooperating teachers and university supervisors while others had negative experiences. We found that the participants valued (a) critical feedback that was constructive and contained concrete recommendations for improvement, (b) freedom to use their own teaching methods, and (c) a friendly and supportive relationship with their mentors. The differing teaching philosophies of student teachers and their cooperating teachers contributed to negative experiences only when student teachers were not allowed freedom in their teaching methods.     

Refinements in mathematics undergraduate students’ reasoning on completed infinite iterative processes

This paper reports a teaching experiment in which two students engaged in tasks that challenged them to describe a final state for a variety of infinite iterative processes. The results from the study indicate that the students used multiple reasoning strategies for addressing these tasks. Refinements in the students’ reasoning occurred as students constructed relationships between the problems they were solving and problems they had solved previously, applying some of the reasoning strategies that they used for one problem to make sense of or solve another problem. We discuss how these findings relate to the existing body of research on infinite iterative processes.     

The path to information in the public domain: Official publications in Spain

Official publications are aimed towards editing and spreading the messages created by governments and other bodies of the public domain. At the beginning, the aim of this activity is twofold: on the one hand, fulfilling the principle of publicity of the norms, as it constitutes a basis for the efficiency of those, and, on the other hand, fulfilling a general function of information about the activities of public authorities. As the action of government generalises, this function of communication between those governing and those governed has extended to other fields of activity, thus, free and pay materials, both printed and electronic, are published.     

Surface changes upon high-frequency plasma treatment of heritage photographs

Recent research, concerning the application of high-frequency cold plasma in restoration and preservation of the cultural heritage, has included the objects derived from organic materials, which are highly sensitive to microclimate factors. Historical photographs made on paper base and covered with various emulsions belong to this category of heritage objects, and make the purpose of the present study. Plasma treatment was used to enhance the aesthetic aspect of the photographs by a cleaning treatment involving either physical and/or chemical etching, which did not cause major physicochemical changes on the plasma-treated surface. The photographs before and after plasma treatments were analysed by optical and atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, colour, gloss and contact angle measurements.