When is an exploration exploratory? A comparative analysis of geometry lessons

This paper presents a comparative analysis of two textbook lessons on the same topic from U.S. textbooks to learn how differently - designed “exploratory” lessons may structure content to enable or constrain student inquiry. One lesson, representative of a “reform - based” textbook, contains investigations of conditions of triangle congruence. The second is a “technology lab” on triangle congruence fro m a "traditional" textbook, the design of which is atypical for that textbook. Framing a lesson as a mathematical story, this analysis exposes three distinct ways that these lessons are different: (a) the proportion of the lesson in which mathematical questions remain unanswered, (b) the manner in which content unfolds to address each question, and (c) the way in which open mathematical questions overlap to increase the dynamically - changing number of questions that are pursued. This contrast of the two lessons illuminates how a lesson structure can prevent an "exploration" from being exploratory

The visibility of mission agencies in general and USPG in particular among recently ordained Anglican clergy : an empirical enquiry

Attitudes toward mission agencies in general, and toward the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (USPG) in particular, were assessed using two 10-item scales completed by 833 recently ordained Anglican clergy from the UK. Clergy were generally positive toward mission agencies and willing for their churches to engage with them, but more reluctant to form personal links. Most clergy felt agencies should give priority to the relief of poverty and to development needs, rather than to spreading specifically Christian beliefs. Results for the USPG indicated more uncertain responses than for mission agencies generally, which probably indicated a lower visibility for this agency among some clergy, especially evangelicals

The psychological temperament of Anglican clergy in ordained local ministry (OLM) : the conserving, serving pastor?

This study draws on psychological type theory as originally proposed by Jung (1971) and psychological temperament theory as proposed by Keirsey and Bates (1978) to explore the hypothesis that ordained local ministers (OLMs) within the Church of England reflect a psychological profile more in keeping with the profile of Church of England congregations than with the profile of established professional mobile clergy serving in the Church of England. Data provided by 135 individuals recently ordained as OLMs (79 women and 56 men) supported the hypothesis. Compared with established professional mobile clergy there is a higher proportion of the Epimethean Temperament (SJ) among OLMs. Oswald and Kroeger (1988) characterise SJ religious leaders as ‘the conserving, serving pastor’. The implications of these findings are discussed for the evolving ministry of the Church of England

Attitude toward homosexuality among Anglicans in England: the effects of theological orientation and personality

Disapproval of homosexuality (homonegativity) was assessed using a four-item summated scale in a sample of 7,295 readers of the Church Times who were regular worshippers at Anglican churches in England. The theological orientation of respondents was assessed on three scales measuring preference for liberal or conservative, catholic or evangelical, and charismatic or non-charismatic expressions of faith. Individual differences in personality were assessed using the abbreviated form of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised (EPQR-A). Scores on the homonegativity scale were generally high, indicating disapproval of same-sex intercourse, same-sex marriage and the ordination or consecration of practising homosexuals. After allowing for sex and age, the main predictors of homonegativity were the three measures of individual theological orientation, each having an independent and additive effect. All four scales of the EPQR-A predicted homonegativity to some extent, but the most important relationships were a negative correlation with the psychoticism scale and a positive correlation with the lie scale. In liberal catholic and broad churches, it appeared that those who were psychologically most susceptible to social conditioning were most likely to be homonegative, but this was not the case in conservative evangelical churches

All in the mind? : psychological, social and religious predictors of civic volunteerism among churchgoers in England

A number of studies have shown links between volunteerism and a range of sociological and religious variables, mostly based on work from the USA. This study of volunteering among 5220 lay Anglicans in England tested the idea that individual differences in personality could predict civic participation even after allowing for the effects of socio-demographic and religious variables on civic participation. Extraversion significantly increased the probability of civic participation, and the number of different areas of activity among those who did participate. Emotional stability (Neuroticism scale) also significantly increased the chances of volunteering, but not the number of areas of activity among participants. Tender- versus tough-mindedness (Psychoticism scale) had no influence on civic participation in what was a generally tender-minded sample. The results suggest that while socio-demographic factors may affect the opportunities for civic participation, personality and theological orientation may affect the propensity of individuals to participate

Exposing the mathematical differences between enactments of the same written lesson

In this paper we respond to Huntley and Heck’s 2014 call for new conceptual frameworks that recognize mathematical differences between enactments of the same written lessons that stick “closely” to the textbook. We use a mathematical story framework to describe differences in the mathematical development of three enactments of the same algebra 1 lesson by three different experienced teachers. We find and document differences in how the lessons raise questions, sustain inquiry (or not), and progress toward resolution of the questions. These differences influence the overall mathematical and temporal structure of the enactments, which, in turn, affect the student experience and potentially affect student opportunities to learn

The plot thickens: The aesthetic dimensions of a captivating mathematics lesson

We present an analysis of a sixth-grade mathematics lesson in which an aesthetically-rich moment of mathematical surprise, inspired by a decontextualized integer addition problem, spurred students to ask mathematical questions and actively sustain inquiry into the lesson’s central ideas. In order to understand how the unfolding mathematical content enabled this moment, we interpret the lesson as a mathematical story. Using this narrative framework, we describe the aesthetic dimensions of the story including its plot, density, coherence, and rhythm, and connect them to the unfolding mathematical content. This analysis demonstrates how these aesthetic elements of a lesson can be recognized and how they help explain the students’ productive engagement. This framework offers a potential tool for researchers and practitioners who seek to understand, design, and enact captivating mathematical experiences.Accepted manuscrip

THE ECONOMICS OF FLOW ENHANCEMENT VS. NUTRIENT CONTROLS IN MEETING WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

This paper explores the economics of using enhanced flow as part of a strategy to meet water quality standards. We begin by briefly sketching the relevant economic theory, which we then apply to a case study of a dissolved oxygen impaired stream segment in Georgia's Flint River Basin. Results show that meeting targeted water quality standards with strategies that include enhanced flow is significantly less costly than relying only on agricultural management practices.Environmental Economics and Policy,

Statistics for evidence-based policy in the Church of England : predicting diocesan performance

This study computed the percentage changes recorded on six separate performance indicators between 1991 and 2000 in order to calculate the effect of the Decade of Evangelism on the mainland dioceses of the Church of England. The performance indicators were usual Sunday attendance, Easter Sunday communicants, Christmas communicants, electoral roll membership, total baptism figures, and total confirmation figures. Statistical procedures (including cluster analysis, analysis of variance, canonical correlation analysis, and multiple regression) were then employed in order to identify from the range of variables routinely collected by the central church authorities policy-related factors associated with church growth (or at least reduced decline) over this period. These analyses identified four areas, concerned with expanding non-stipendiary ministry, with encouraging the ordination of women, with resisting church closure, and with promoting a financial policy that includes planned subscriptions and charitable giving. These conclusions are offered as an applied example of using statistics as a tool for mission and as the basis for evidence-based policy