Supply issues for science academics in Australia: now and in the future     

Daniel Edwards  T. Fred Smith 《Higher Education》2010,60(1):19-32

Australia, like the rest of the developed world, is in the midst of dealing with notable issues related to the age structure of its academic workforce. These issues are widespread and have been articulated in the Australian context most comprehensively by Hugo (2008). This paper investigates issues with demographic change and other key factors related to the desirability of a science or mathematics academic career within Australian universities. It draws on the findings of a research project undertaken in 2008 for the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The findings show that while demographic issues are not as dire for science academics compared to the entire sector, issues relating to tenure, workload and retaining young science academics in Australia are a threat to the long-term sustainability of science faculties in Australian universities.  相似文献   

Bases of competence: an instrument for self and institutional assessment     

Iris Berdrow  Frederick T. Evers 《Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education》2010,35(4):419-434

The Bases of Competence model provides a general framework for learner‐centred skill development and programme‐focused outcomes assessment. Based on previous research, the Bases of Competence model describes 17 skills and four base competencies important to graduates to achieve high performance in the workplace. Taking this work from research to relevant educational application as a tool for student self‐assessment and institutional outcomes assessment is the focus of this paper. Results from a multi‐year, multi‐course assessment initiative indicate that students rate themselves stronger in the foundation base competencies of Communicating and Managing Self, and weaker in more complex competencies of Managing People and Tasks and Mobilising Innovation and Change. Comparisons of skill confidence within each base competence as well as between year, student level, gender and beginning versus end of semester are presented as well. These results are discussed and suggestions made for programme design.  相似文献   

A multifaceted approach to teacher induction   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

Dana L. Bickmore  Steven T. Bickmore 《Teaching and Teacher Education》2010

The purpose of this study was to determine the implementation and effectiveness of the components of two middle school induction programs through the perceptions of three participant groups – new teachers, mentor teachers, and principals. Effectiveness was defined as a systematic processes embedded in a healthy school climate that met new teachers' personal and professional needs. Data indicated that each element of the induction program – principal and new teacher interaction; mentor teachers; collaborative structures; professional development; and new teacher orientation – met different needs of the new teacher. This multifaceted approach appeared to effectively support new teachers.  相似文献   

Implementation fidelity of MyTeachingPartner literacy and language activities: Association with preschoolers’ language and literacy growth   总被引：2，自引：0，他引：2  

Bridget K. Hamre  Laura M. Justice  Robert C. Pianta  Carolyn Kilday  Beverly Sweeney  Jason T. Downer  Allison Leach 《Early childhood research quarterly》2010

There is surprisingly little empirical research examining issues of fidelity of implementation within the early childhood education literature. In the MyTeachingPartner project, 154 teachers were provided with materials to implement a supplemental classroom curriculum addressing six aspects of literacy and language development. The present study examines the degree of variability in three aspects of implementation fidelity – dosage, adherence, and quality of delivery – and whether these components of fidelity were associated with children's growth in language and literacy skills across the preschool year. Findings indicate that teachers reported using the curriculum fairly often (dosage) and that they were observed to generally follow curricular lesson plans (adherence). In contrast, the quality of delivery, defined as the use of evidence-based teacher–child interactions for teaching literacy and language, was much lower. Children in classrooms in which activities were observed to last for longer (dosage) and in which teachers exhibited higher quality of delivery of literacy lessons made significantly greater gains in early literacy skills across the preschool year. Also, teachers’ use of higher quality language interactions was associated with gains for children who did not speak English at home. Results have implications for teacher professional development and the supports provided to ensure that curricula are delivered most effectively.  相似文献   

The effect of sex and localised fatigue on triceps surae musculoarticular stiffness     

Aurélio Faria  Ronaldo Gabriel  Helena Moreira  Tanya Camacho  Rui Brás  Massimiliano Ditroilo 《European Journal of Sport Science》2018,18(4):483-490

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of fatigue on musculoarticular stiffness (MAS) of the ankle joint across sexes. Methods: Twenty-seven males and 26 females participated in the study. After baseline assessment of MAS and related variables, localised fatigue was induced in triceps surae using the standing heel-rise test during which the subjects were instructed to lift and drop the heel at a frequency of 0.5?Hz. When subjects were unable to continue due to exhaustion the test was terminated and another MAS test was performed soon after. Results: Significant higher triceps surae MAS was found in men compared to women (p?p??1 and from 14.5 to 13.9?KN?m^?1 in men and women, respectively. Percentage changes revealed, however, that in relative terms the changes in all the variables evaluated were similar (p?>?.01) between sexes, with MAS less than 5%. Conclusion: Despite the sex-related differences at baseline, fatigue seems to affect biomechanical properties of the ankle joint similarly in men and women.  相似文献   

Taking risks with a growth mindset: long-term influence of an elementary pre-service after school science practicum     

T. J. Cartwright  B. Hallar 《International Journal of Science Education》2018,40(3):348-370

In this study, we present the long-term influence of an after school science practicum associated with an elementary science methods course. The practicum or field experience could be considered a community-based service learning programme as it is situated both within and for the community. Study participants included eight third- and fifth-grade teachers who had participated in elementary science methods courses; four of these teachers participated in the after school teaching practicum while four participants experienced a more traditional observation-based elementary science practicum. All of these teachers were in their second or third year teaching which was 3–4 years after taking the methods course. Investigation methods included questionnaires, field observations and semi-structured, individual interviews. Teachers more regularly utilised reform-based teaching strategies and cited the after school teaching practicum as preparing them to use these strategies in their own classrooms. All teachers exhibited a growth mindset to some degree, but the after school practicum participants did demonstrate a wider use of reformed-based teaching strategies and a higher growth mindset. Elementary teachers perceive risk associated with these key aspects of instruction: (1) managing instruction and classroom management, (2) teaching science through guided inquiry, and (3) overcoming adoptions in other ‘mandated’ curriculum like math and reading.  相似文献   

Anhydrobiosis     

T. Ramakrishna Rao 《Resonance》2018,23(5):545-553

In aquatic and moist soil environments subjected to periodic drying, a diverse group of organisms (mostly microscopic) have evolved extreme desiccation tolerance through a physiological adaptation called ‘anhydrobiosis’. Notable among such organisms are tardigrades, bdelloid rotifers, and nematodes. Anhydrobiosis also allows these organisms to tolerate extreme temperatures and ionizing radiation. In this article, the signi-cance and some mechanisms of anhydrobiosis are described.  相似文献   

Trophic Cascades     

T Ramakrishna Rao 《Resonance》2018,23(11):1205-1213

In many ecosystems, apex consumers (top predators) play a crucial role in food web dynamics. Their top-down impacts are known to spread downwards through the food webs in a cascading fashion. Trophic cascades manifest when top predators are excluded from an ecosystem or introduced into a system lacking them. Two such case studies are described here. Trophic cascades are generally more pronounced in the aquatic than in the terrestrial ecosystems, which in turn is related to the differences in the average body sizes of herbivores relative to the plant resources they feed upon and in the structure of their food webs. Scientists express concern that human activities have been leading to planet-wide trophic downgrading (loss of apex consumers) which could affect vital ecological processes of the biosphere.  相似文献   

Editorial     

Pratibha Jolly  T. N. C. Vidya 《Resonance》2018,23(3):245-248

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An intensification approach to double-block algebra: A pilot implementation of Intensified Algebra in a large urban school district     

Simon T. Tidd  Timothy M. Stoelinga  Angela M. Bush-Richards  Donna L. De Sena  Theodore J. Dwyer 《The Journal of educational research》2018,111(1):95-107

Double-block instruction has become a popular strategy for supporting struggling mathematics students in algebra I. Despite its widespread adoption, little consistent evidence supports the attributes of a successful double-block design or the effectiveness of this instructional strategy. In this study, the authors examine a pilot implementation of a double-block strategy—instantiated in the program Intensified Algebra—that combines core algebra content with insights from research on how students learn mathematics and explicit noncognitive supports focused on key attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors essential to student success. The results of the study show that, when implemented with fidelity, participation in the program significantly increased student achievement on the state end-of-course algebra I assessment.  相似文献