THE EFFECT OF DATA-DRIVEN FEEDBACK AND COACHING USING A MIXED-REALITY SIMULATION IN A PRESERVICE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM

This research focused on the inquiry skill of questioning used as a teaching tool and how undergraduate preservice teacher-preparatory program. The instructional strategy of questioning took place in a classroom that used a mixed-reality simulation system. The research design was a mixed-methods procedure. The quantitative aspect included a quasi-experimental design with a treatment group (those who received data-driven feedback and coaching, n = 15) and a comparison group (those who did not receive data-driven feedback/coaching, n = 15). A comparison of self-efficacy means between groups, indicated no differences before or after the treatment. A Chi-Square procedure and Sign follow-up tests were used to analyze these questioning data. The Chi-Square analysis revealed a significant difference between questioning performance between the treatment and comparison groups, (chi-square(1) = 47.56, p \u3c .01). The Sign tests showed statistically significant change in performance in creating Higher-order Thinking (HOT) questions across all three pairwise sessions, for the treatment group p ranged between .002-.005. The comparison group had no significant differences between any sessions. Qualitative data were collected during feedback and coaching sessions with treatment-group participants after each presented a lesson in a mixed-reality simulation environment. Participants from both groups were interviewed at the end of the study. The themes that emerged were data-driven feedback and coaching improves self-efficacy, planning for a lesson requires reflection, lesson performance is enhanced by reflection, and data-driven feedback and coaching improves questioning skills. This study describes how to improve modern preservice teacher-preparatory programs as they shift toward connecting well-established skills with new-age training technology

Frédérique Aït-Touati, Fictions of the Cosmos: Science and Literature in the Seventeenth Century

Oxford French Literature Professor Frédérique Aït-Touati’s book Fictions of the Cosmos: Science and Literature in the Seventeenth Century is packed full of information—perhaps too packed with information—about all sorts of interesting subjects relating to the interplay of science and literature in the seventeenth century. The book explores literary aspects of science writing, the history of astronomy and optics, and the history of the relationship between fiction and knowledge, especially in the early modern period. Her overall aim in this exploration is to instruct us on the value of fiction in science and the value of science in fiction. To accomplish this, she focuses much of her book around the theme of cosmological voyages written by the likes of Johannes Kepler, Francis Godwin, John Wilkins, Cyrano de Bergerac, Robert Hooke, Margaret Cavendish, Christiaan Huygens, and Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle. She then utilizes her expertise in literary theory and her studies in the history and philosophy of science to explicate the various literary techniques used in their works

The Consequences of Repealing Health Care Reform in Early 2013

This Article evaluates the consequences of an early 2013 repeal of the enacted Health Care Reform. We consider the Act\u27s significant provisions that will have taken effect by 2013. For implemented provisions, we review their current effect on coverage, costs, and care. We then evaluate the practical consequence of the loss of those provisions. For provisions that have not yet taken effect, but will before 2013, we evaluate their projected effects in considering the consequences of repeal. Finally, for provisions that will not take effect before 2014, but where significant funds and effort will be expended prior to 2014, we evaluate those costs in considering the consequences of repeal. We conclude that the loss of many provisions would cause a significant impact. However, not all segments of the population would be equally affected by a pre-2014 repeal. Americans with basic coverage stand to lose the most. For example, changes such as the extension of dependent coverage and restrictions on annual limits have greatly increased the value of basic coverage for those who have it. Medicare recipients would similarly stand to lose from a 2013 repeal. But for those unable to afford basic comprehensive coverage, a 2013 repeal would comparatively have less effect-though a repeal after 2014 would significantly impact this group