Measuring measuring: Toward a theory of proficiency with the Constructing Measures framework

This paper is relevant to measurement educators who are interested in the variability of understanding and use of the four building blocks in the Constructing Measures framework (Wilson, 2005). It proposes a uni-dimensional structure for understanding Wilson’s framework, and explores the evidence for and against this conceptualization. Constructed and fixed choice response items are utilized to collect responses from 72 participants who range in experience and expertise with constructing measures. The data was scored by two raters and was analyzed with the Rasch partial credit model using ConQuest (1998). Guided by the 1999 Testing Standards, analyses of validity and reliability evidence provide support for the construct theory and limited uses of the instrument pending item design modifications

NERSC Cyber Security Challenges That Require DOE Development andSupport

Traditional security approaches do not adequately addressall the requirements of open, scientific computing facilities. Many ofthe methods used for more restricted environments, including almost allcorporate/commercial systems, do not meet the needs of today's science.Use of only the available "state of the practice" commercial methods willhave adverse impact on the ability of DOE to accomplish its sciencegoals, and impacts the productivity of the DOE Science community. Inparticular, NERSC and other high performance computing (HPC) centers havespecial security challenges that are unlikely to be met unless DOE fundsdevelopment and support of reliable and effective tools designed to meetthe cyber security needs of High Performance Science. The securitychallenges facing NERSC can be collected into three basic problem sets:network performance and dynamics, application complexity and diversity,and a complex user community that can have transient affiliations withactual institutions. To address these problems, NERSC proposes thefollowing four general solutions: auditing user and system activityacross sites; firewall port configuration in real time;cross-site/virtual organization identity management and access control;and detecting security issues in application middleware. Solutions arealsoproposed for three general long term issues: data volume,application complexity, and information integration

Science-Driven Network Requirements for ESnet

The Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) is the primary providerof network connectivity for the US Department of Energy Office ofScience, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physicalsciences in the United States. In support of the Office of Scienceprograms, ESnet regularly updates and refreshes its understanding of thenetworking requirements of the instruments, facilities and scientiststhat it serves. This focus has helped ESnet to be a highly successfulenabler of scientific discovery for over 20 years. In August, 2002 theDOE Office of Science organized a workshop to characterize the networkingrequirements for Office of Science programs. Networking and middlewarerequirements were solicited from a representative group of scienceprograms. The workshop was summarized in two documents the workshop finalreport and a set of appendixes. This document updates the networkingrequirements for ESnet as put forward by the science programs listed inthe 2002 workshop report. In addition, three new programs have beenadded. Theinformation was gathered through interviews with knowledgeablescientists in each particular program or field

Examinando formas de hacer evaluación: Un acercamiento desde la teoría de respuesta del ítem para educadores de profesores

El presente estudio examina como distinguir de manera significativa y sistemática los niveles de evaluación de conocimiento en aula entre profesores practicantes, utilizando un marco de progresión del aprendizaje. Guiados por principios nacionalmente reconocidos sobre el desarrollo y adquisición de evaluación en aula (CAL por sus siglas en inglés), el instrumento fue usado para identificar las diferencias cualitativas y cuantitativas sobre evaluación de aula de educadores principiantes. Los resultados de rendimiento en la escala presenta nuevas direcciones para modelar el entrenamiento de los profesores practicantes y sus progresiones en este complejo ámbito. Los descubrimientos preliminares resultan relevantes para educadores que utilicen evaluaciones y estén interesados en usos diagnósticos y formativos del instrumento presentado para evaluar el crecimiento de los profesores practicantes

Magellan at NERSC Progress Report for June 2010

The Magellan Project was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to investigate the applicability of cloud computing for the Department of Energy's Office of Science (DOE-SC). This report covers the progress for the Magellan Project at NERSC since it began in September 2009 and focuses on the research aspects of the project

Magellan at NERSC Progress Report for June 2010

The Magellan Project was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to investigate the applicability of cloud computing for the Department of Energy's Office of Science (DOE-SC). This report covers the progress for the Magellan Project at NERSC since it began in September 2009 and focuses on the research aspects of the project

Magellan at NERSC Progress Report for June 2010

The Magellan Project was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to investigate the applicability of cloud computing for the Department of Energy's Office of Science (DOE-SC). This report covers the progress for the Magellan Project at NERSC since it began in September 2009and focuses on the research aspects of the project

NERSC Strategic Implementation Plan 2002-2006

This strategic proposal presents NERSC's vision for its activities and new directions over the next five years. NERSC's continuing commitment to providing high-end systems and comprehensive scientific support for its users will be enhanced, and these activities will be augmented by two new strategic thrusts: support for Scientific Challenge Teams and deployment of a Unified Science Environment. The proposal is in two volumes, the Strategic Plan and the Implementation Plan