Making it add up : an examination of the preparation of undergraduates to teach mathematics at CSUMB

Elementary teachers’ lack of conceptual knowledge negatively affects their confidence, beliefs and teaching ability. The implementation of earlier exposure to teaching mathematics in the undergraduate career can benefit the pre-service teacher’s future career by giving them the opportunity to examine their beliefs and attitudes towards math and gain confidence in their teaching. Interviews were conducted with teachers at California State University Monterey Bay who instruct Math 308 and Math 309 as well as a professor at the credential program. These interviews gave insight into the goals of the classes, the effectiveness of the classes and the teachers’ thoughts and opinions on a service-learning component in the classroom. Preliminary data analyses indicated that the curriculum and class structure help students experience math in a different way that develops a deeper understanding of the content. All teachers interviewed agree early exposure to teaching math is beneficial in developing student’s confidence and skills as a teacher

Disclosure and Reporting of Governance Practices by Australian Residential Aged Care Providers: Accountability to Stakeholders

The Residential Aged Care (RAC) Sector in Australia is significant in terms of the ageing population (consistent with most developed countries), and the fact that it will affect the majority of the population in terms of the need for RAC at some stage in their lives. Having access to information for stakeholders to make informed and timely decisions regarding the comparison of RAC providers is often difficult due to there being higher demand than supply, small timeframe to make decisions with a high emotional content and the difficulty in changing providers. Information was gathered from the RAC provider\u27s website, reports and other publicly available information, to determine their level of governance disclosure, over a three year period. It was found that the RAC providers should not just be limited to their legal reporting requirements (mandatory), but instead should also endeavour to disclose additional voluntary information, in order for their stakeholders to make informed decisions. In addressing the Australian RAC Sector\u27s stakeholder governance information needs, a governance framework (RAC Sector Governance Framework) and the G-CARD (Governance Checklist Aged Residential Disclosure) Model were developed for this sector to improve governance disclosure. This research provides new insights and a basis for further research to determine whether the Australian RAC Sector have improved their consistency and adequacy of their governance disclosure through the use of the proposed G-CARD Model and associated framework

The Labyrinth of International Governance Codes: The Quest for Harmonization

The background to this research is based on the considerable debate as to whether there will ever be one international currency, one “business” language spoken or one set of accounting standards applicable to all businesses listed in various countries stock exchanges. Governance principles are no different! Is it possible to create one set of rules or principles to guide all businesses across borders? This research compares the governance standards and regimes across the globe, from China, to the Nordic region (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland & Finland), Europe, Asia-Pacific (New Zealand, Australia) and the United States of America. Using archival data, governance codes from around the world are compared and contrasted. The findings show that across borders governance codes are very similar, with the opportunity to create a Global Governance Standard (GGS), applicable to any business in any country. The Global Governance Standard (GGS) is a one-size-fits-all regime applicable to businesses listing on stock exchanges. The GGS is not unlike the harmonisation of accounting standards. The “one-size-fits-all” GGS could potentially apply to any large business, listed on any stock exchange, creating efficiencies and ease of comparison for potential stakeholders interested in businesses. The “BOARDSS” model can be used by listed companies, in order to satisfy corporate governance codes from across the globe. Board: to ensure the board are selected carefully. Open: The make sure that the board is transparent and accountable. Auditor Independence: ensure accounts are audited by an independent auditor. Remuneration: the CEO and executive staff are reviewed, and supported by a smaller remuneration committee. Directors are selected for their ability to “add-value” to the strategic direction of the company, and the support of the CEO. Directors’ performance should be reviewed annually. Reducing the labyrinth of governance codes to just one GGS would create a uniform approach to governance, supported by government and stock exchanges around the world. A GGS would be the final evolution in the notion of governance since the codes of conduct of Hammurabi of 1800 BC. Let the borders be gone, and the Global Governance Standard (GGS) left standing as the final chapter in governance evolution

Financial Disclosure by Australian Residential Aged Care Providers: Are They Suffering Dementia?

Australia’s Residential Aged Care (RAC) Sector is significant in terms of its ageing population, which is consistent with most developed countries. It is therefore vital for stakeholders to have access to RAC providers’ financial information to make informed and timely decisions. It is often difficult for stakeholders to accurately compare the financial information of RAC providers due to there being a small timeframe to make decisions with a high emotional content. This research will enable RAC providers and their stakeholders to consider the current level of disclosure required and the level of voluntary disclosures providers in the sector choose to disclose, and whether this level of disclosure is adequate for stakeholders to make informed decisions. Information was gathered from the RAC provider\u27s annual and/or financial reports, to determine their level of financial disclosure, over a three year period. It was found that the RAC providers’ level of financial disclosure could be more consistent and adequate by complying with the Australian Financial Reporting Framework, including an independent Audit Report. Hence, this research provides new insights and a basis for further research to determine whether the Australian RAC Sector have improved their consistency and adequacy of their financial disclosures through the use of the proposed RAC GPFR Framework

Injection Drug Use-Associated Infective Endocarditis

Injection drug use-associated presents is a unique entity. The demographics of those affected and the clinical presentation are markedly different from those with endocarditis due to other causes. This group presents with a high proportion of right sided valve involvement, distinct pathophysiology, and a more varied array of infectious causes. The best management of these patients regarding medications and surgery remain hotly contested. The increased use of oral antibiotics and novel treatment techniques may expand safe and effective treatment for this group of patients

Strategies for Enhancing Diverse Mentoring Relationships in STEM Fields

Developing effective opposite-race mentorships in the STEM fields may contribute to minority student retention. Paying attention to the dynamics of race within the protégé’s professional and psychosocial growth may positively influence academic advancement and professional longevity. The current paper will provide mentors with a suggested mentorship style and self-assessment activities to help uncover their typical broaching style when exploring racial issues with protégés. The evaluations provided are not diagnostic; rather, the activities afford mentors a self-reflection opportunity, which should contribute to the mentor’s own growth, and could positively impact the development of a successful, cross-race mentorship

DOES HAND SPEED RELATE TO CLUB HEAD SPEED OR BALL SPEED DURING A GOLF SWING?

Many golf swing analyses use club or ball speed to indicate performance, although these are difficult to obtain using motion capture. This study examined the relationship between hand speed and club head and ball speeds to examine if hand can indicate performance and if different capturing frequencies affect these relationships. A 10-camera Vicon system recorded golfers performing eight golf swings (500 Hz n=11, 100 Hz n=15). A TrackMan system recorded club head and ball speed. The resultant hand speed was calculated at peak velocity, the lowest position of the hands, and at ball impact. Hand speed at ball impact and club head speed had the strongest relationship (r=0.501, p\u3c0.001), though most correlations were r\u3c0.400. Higher capturing frequency had better relationships with the performance outcomes, and the ball impact was the best time point for analysis

Fostering student engagement through a real-world, collaborative project across disciplines and institutions

Ample research has identified several features of a learning experience likely to enhance student learning, including collaboration, open-ended exploration, and problem-based learning in real-life scenarios. Missing is a model of how instructors might combine these elements into a single project that works flexibly across disciplines and institutions. This article fills this gap by offering such a model and reporting on its effectiveness in fostering student engagement. It describes a project that instructors at four colleges and universities in Flint, Michigan (USA) piloted during the height of the Flint water crisis. The project asked students to apply class content to the real-world problem unfolding around them, and offered students an opportunity to collaborate with peers. We collected qualitative and quantitative data on students’ reactions to the project, and found that the project succeeded in engaging students. We offer recommendations for how instructors can create similar projects in their own classrooms

The Ohio State University Dispute Resolution in Special Education Symposium Panel

Published in cooperation with the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolutio