State political culture and the affordability of higher education : a multivariate analysis of the impact of state higher education systems on the cost of attending college.

The purpose of this study was to understand variance in state system performance in affordability using variables describing the state political environment and the higher education governance structure. Understanding how the political culture of states affects higher education illuminates agendas, priorities, and motivations of key decision-makers in higher education. The dependent variable was affordability of higher education measured by the National Council on Public Policy in Higher Education Measuring Up (2000) grade. Independent variables were the impact of special interest groups, the state higher education governance structure, legislative professionalization, and the institutional strength of the governor. Pearson product-moment correlations and multiple regression analysis provided the data analysis. The results of this study indicated that the combination of political culture and governance structure variables contributed 19% to the variance in affordability grades. Each independent variable contributed some unique variance to the prediction of affordability. The conclusion of this research elucidated the need for state and campus officials to collaborate on issues of affordability and higher education performance. The study echoed calls by numerous researchers and analysts to work together in establishing comprehensive policies that bridge state appropriations, local tuition prices, and financial aid

Prototype testing for the Yucca Mountain Project

The US Department of Energy, through its Yucca Mountain Project Office, has been conducting prototype activities in welded and non-welded tuff. These activities are in preparation for characterization of the Yucca Mountain area, which is under consideration as a site for a geologic repository in which high-level nuclear waste could be safely stored. Investigators from organizations that will conduct the site investigation have been afforded opportunity, through the prototype program, to test, evaluate, and develop instruments, equipment, and methods. The Exploratory Shaft Facility will be used to collect significant amounts of underground site characterization data. The prototype tests are conducted under similar conditions. 3 refs., 4 figs

QAA Shared Modules Collaborative Enhancement Project: Shared modules literature review

Modules taught to students on more than one degree programme, henceforth referred to as shared modules, are a common feature across the Higher Education (HE) landscape. Yet, a gap exists in the definition and study of shared modules in the HE literature and in designing pedagogical tools to support the construction of shared modules. To elicit the distinctiveness of shared modules and their implications for curriculum design, this literature review first draws on selective literature related to modularisation in HE, disciplinary identity, interdisciplinarity, interprofessional education and curriculum frameworks. From the insights gained, the second part of the review proposes a definition and typology of shared modules that includes the challenges they present. The review highlighted the institutional forces underneath the development of shared modules in HE, and the conflicting identities (disciplinary, student, teacher) and heterogeneity that emerge as a result. The review also revealed insights into issues involving a convoluted articulation between disciplinary boundaries, interaction with other disciplines and integration across disciplines. Challenges associated with shared disciplines include academic isolation and alienation, disciplinary protectionism, curricular incoherence and intractable administrative arrangements that take module sharing for granted. However, shared modules offer opportunities to highlight the potential of disciplinary interaction in the curriculum and for collaborative curriculum design and team teaching which can ultimately enhance the quality of learning. Thus, there is a need for a distinction between the process of module sharing and the shared module as a vehicle for learning and creation of interdisciplinary students. Understanding and approaching the design of shared modules to promote inclusive education requires a nuanced approach that recognizes the variations in the shared modules universe and associated issues. A typology is developed which defines and differentiates between implanted, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary and interprofessional shared modules, highlighting the challenges that are associated with each. Just as important for understanding the nature of module sharing are the student pathways that underpin module sharing. Based on this review, we are proposing the following possibilities for such pathways.  • Shared by students on different programmes or pathways in the same disciplinary area  • Shared by students from different disciplinary areas which are within the same school or faculty  • Shared by students from different disciplinary areas which are in different schools or faculties  • Can be selected by students on a combined honours programme  Each of these has different implications for students’ experience, particularly in terms of identity and belonging. There is little attention in the literature to how students’ characteristics are brought into curriculum design and the learning environment in the case of shared modules

Educational interventions to improve handover in health care: an updated systematic review

Effective handovers (handoffs) are vital to patient safety. Educational interventions to improve handovers were previously investigated through a systematic review in 2010.1 The number of publications on handover education has increased substantially in recent years, so an update review was undertaken. Studies involving educational interventions to improve handover amongst undergraduate or postgraduate health professionals in acute care settings were considered. A standardized search of online databases was carried out independently by two authors and consensus reached. Data extraction and quality assessment were also completed independently, after which a content analysis of interventions was conducted and key themes extracted. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria, with all but two based in the US. Interventions most commonly used single-patient exercises based on simulation and role-play. Many discussed multi-professional working, but were largely taught in single professional contexts. Analysis of interventions revealed themes in three major areas: facilitating information management, reducing the potential for errors and improving confidence in participating in handovers. The majority of studies assessed Kirkpatrick’s outcomes of knowledge and skill improvement. The strength of conclusions was generally weak. Despite increased interest and publications on handover, the quality of published research remains poor. Inadequate reporting of interventions, especially as it relates to educational theory, pedagogy, curricula, and resource requirements, continues to impede replication. Weaknesses in quality of study, length of follow up and scope of impact evaluation persist. Future work is vital to address these issues, and to consider the role of multi-professional and multi-patient handovers

View of [Halls] Hawkins Orchard in Lawrence County, Indiana

The [Halls] Hawkins Orchard was located in Lawrence, County Indiana. This view shows the trees and workers with draft animals working in the orchard.The original nitrate negative was copied with funds provided by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission in 1990. This digital image was created from that copy. The copy prints and negatives are stored in Microfiche Number order. The Interpositives are stored in PAN number order

Governor Edward L. Jackson Visiting the First Christian Church in Bedford, Indiana, ca. 1925

The First Christian Church in Bedford, Indiana was formed in 1846 and the first minister came in 1852. Construction on a two-story brick building began in 1854 and was completed by 1863. By the 1890s the congregation had grown so that a new church was needed. In 1900 the cornerstone was laid and the dedication service was held in May 1901. At the time this photograph was taken in 1925 the membership was over 2,000. The photograph documents a visit to the church by Indiana Governor Edward L. Jackson; he is standing to the right of the tallest man in the group of men wearing suits near the center of the image. Jackson served as governor from 1925 to 1929. Unfortunately, his administration was plagued with scandals involving the Ku Klux Klan. The church is located at 1101 15th Street. The building across the street on the far left is the Elks Lodge.The original nitrate negative was copied with funds provided by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission in 1990. This digital image was created from that copy. The copy prints and negatives are stored in Microfiche Number order. The interpositives are stored in PAN number order

Shawswick Township Consolidated School, Lawrence County, Indiana, ca. 1925

In the fall of 1925 The Shawswick Consolidated School opened the school year with a new two story brick building. The building had twelve rooms, one for each of the grades 1 through 12. Previous to this students in the township attended several small schools around the township and high school students had to go elsewhere to attend schools at Tunnelton, Oolitic, or Bedford. J.B. Fagan was the first principal of Shawswick. This view shows the students and teachers outside the school building with school buses at the ready.The original nitrate negative was copied with funds provided by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission in 1990. This digital image was created from that copy. The copy prints and negatives are stored in Microfiche Number order. Interpositives are stored in PAN number order

Family Reunion in Lawrence County

This image is a preservation copy made from an unstable original nitrate negative

Corn Stacks and Pumpkins in Lawrence County

This image is a preservation copy made from an unstable original nitrate negative