The importance of collegiality and reciprocal learning in the professional development of beginning teachers

This paper discusses factors which enhance induction experiences for beginning teachers. It reports the findings from case studies which explore the impact of new entrants to the teaching profession in Scotland. The data suggest that the most supportive induction processes mix both formal and informal elements, but that the informal elements such as collegiality, good communication and a welcoming workplace environment should not be underestimated. The study also highlights the potential benefits of a more collegiate environment for teachers across the career phases. Experienced teachers and new entrants had a range of experience to offer each other, thus creating more cohesive professional working which was supportive of early career teachers while encouraging reflection on practice among the more experienced professionals

The positive soundscape project : a synthesis of results from many disciplines

This paper takes an overall view of ongoing findings from the Positive Soundscape Project, a large inter-disciplinary soundscapes study which is nearing completion. Qualitative fieldwork (soundwalks and focus groups) and lab-based listening tests have revealed that two key dimensions of the emotional response are calmness and vibrancy. In the lab these factors explain nearly 80% of the variance in listener response. Physiological validation is being sought using fMRI measurements, and these have so far shown significant differences in the response of the brain to affective and neutral soundscapes. A conceptual framework which links the key soundscape components and which could be used for future design is outlined. Metrics are suggested for some perceptual scales and possibilities for soundscape synthesis for design and user engagement are discussed, as are the applications of the results to future research and environmental noise policy

Evaluating Accomplished Teaching: Report of a Pilot Study into Means of Investigating the Impact of Accomplished Teaching on Pupils’ Learning in the Context of the Chartered Teacher Initiative in Scotland

No abstract available

The Growing Climate Divide

Climate change has reached the level of a scientific consensus, but has not yet reached the level of a social consensus. The major obstacle towards achieving that end is the increasing partisan and ideological polarization between conservatives/Republicans and liberals/Democrats over interpretations of climate science.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136184/1/1351_Hoffman.pd

Computerised speechreading training for deaf children: A randomised controlled trial

Purpose: We developed and evaluated in a randomised controlled triala computerised speechreading training programme to determine a) whether it is possible to train speechreading in deaf children and b) whether speechreading training results in improvements in phonological and reading skills.Previous studies indicate a relationship between speechreading and reading skill and further suggest this relationshipmay be mediated by improved phonological representations. This is important since many deaf children find learning to read to be very challenging. Method: Sixty-six deaf 5-7 year olds were randomised into speechreading and maths training arms. Each training programme was comprised of10 minutesessionsa day, 4 days a week for 12 weeks. Children were assessed on a battery of language and literacy measures before training, immediately after training, 3 months and 10 months after training. Results: We found no significant benefits for participants who completed the speechreading training, compared to those who completed the maths training, on the speechreading primary outcome measure. However, significantly greater gains were observed in the speechreading training group on one of the secondary measures of speechreading. There was also some evidence of beneficial effects of the speechreading training on phonological representations, however these effects were weaker. No benefits were seen toword reading. Conclusions: Speechreading skill is trainable in deaf children. However, to support early reading, training may need to be longer or embedded in a broader literacy programme. Nevertheless, a training tool that can improve speechreading is likely to be of great interest to professionals working with deaf children

Projections of climate change on the behaviour of clays in the UK

The impact of expected climate change on clay cuttings and embankments used for roads and railways is not well understood. Volume sensitive clays respond to seasonal variations in climate through vertical and horizontal displacements. These cause a variety of impacts at differing temporal and spatial scales, for example short term changes such as seasonal displacement of railway tracks or long term progressive failure of the slope. Daily changes in soil moisture content in the surface layers of a clay slope are simulated using a water balance model and expressed as soil moisture deficit and potential for surface runoff. Model results are validated against a 10 year run of field data in the UK. The impacts of anticipated climate change on soil water contents and equivalent pore water pressures are evaluated using stochastic climatic data over the 21st century based on the UK Climate Impacts Programme. Results indicate that recent summers considered to be exceptionally dry are likely to become the average condition later in the 21st century. Although winter rainfall is predicted to increase, average winter runoff will remain the same, although extreme wet events are still likely to occur. The implications for the design and maintenance of clay slopes and embankments are dis-cussed