The Effect of the Mastery Learning Approach on Student Motivation in Middle Level Science

The research question addressed was, How does mastery learning approach affect the motivation of students in a middle level science classroom? The project studied a group of 7th grade students\u27 motivation as they completed a science unit using the mastery learning approach. Data were collected through pre- and post-surveys, observation, and assessment of benchmarks. The collected data showed that students had an increase in motivation after the mastery learning approach. Students\u27 self reported motivation increased. The observed behaviors indicating motivation occurred more frequently. In the assessments, over seventy percent of all students showed mastery of the benchmarks. This paper provides detail about how the mastery learning approach can increase student motivation

An intelligent tutoring system for space shuttle diagnosis

An Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) transcends conventional computer-based instruction. An ITS is capable of monitoring and understanding student performance thereby providing feedback, explanation, and remediation. This is accomplished by including models of the student, the instructor, and the expert technician or operator in the domain of interest. The space shuttle fuel cell is the technical domain for the project described below. One system, Microcomputer Intelligence for Technical Training (MITT), demonstrates that ITS's can be developed and delivered, with a reasonable amount of effort and in a short period of time, on a microcomputer. The MITT system capitalizes on the diagnostic training approach called Framework for Aiding the Understanding of Logical Troubleshooting (FAULT) (Johnson, 1987). The system's embedded procedural expert was developed with NASA's C-Language Integrated Production (CLIP) expert system shell (Cubert, 1987)

Intermittent immersion vessel apparatus and process for plant propagation

A plant micropropagation apparatus and process is provided in which a support platform for vessels containing a liquid growth media are periodically pivoted which brings about an intermittent immersion of the plant tissue/growth substrate in the growth media. The motion of the support platform may optionally be used to engage a piston operated dispenser for supplying aseptic media to the sealed vessel. The intermittent immersion also provides for an improved method of separating viable embryos from culture materials using a separation matrix in conjunction with the intermittent wave motion of the plant media when suspended in a liquid culture

Access to Effective Teaching for Disadvantaged Students

Recent federal initiatives in education, such as Race to the Top, the Teacher Incentive Fund, and the flexibility policy for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act are designed in part to ensure that disadvantaged students have equal access to effective teaching. The initiatives respond to the concern that disadvantaged students may be taught by less effective teachers and that this could contribute to the achievement gap between disadvantaged students and other students. To address the need for evidence on this issue, the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education initiated a study to examine access to effective teaching for disadvantaged students in 29 diverse school districts. Mathematica Policy Research and its partner, the American Institutes for Research, conducted the study, which focused on English/ language arts (ELA) and math teachers in grades 4 through 8 from the 2008 -- 2009 to the 2010 -- 2011 school year

Preparing for the Pacific Century: Fostering Technology Transfer in Southeast Asia

This article discusses a number of considerations that are central to structuring a successful technology transfer or investment in Southeast Asia. Most of the discussion examines these considerations from the perspective of an MNC that is a potential technology transferor, investor, or vendor in the region. However, this article should also be of interest to those responsible for formulating government policies to encourage technology transfer, since it is important to do so with the MNC\u27s perspective in mind. Clearly, for a technology transfer to be successful over the long term, a balance must be achieved between the goals of the Southeast Asian nation in attracting foreign investment and technology, and the need of the MNC to profit from and protect its investment and technology

Preparing for the Pacific Century: Fostering Technology Transfer in Southeast Asia

This article discusses a number of considerations that are central to structuring a successful technology transfer or investment in Southeast Asia. Most of the discussion examines these considerations from the perspective of an MNC that is a potential technology transferor, investor, or vendor in the region. However, this article should also be of interest to those responsible for formulating government policies to encourage technology transfer, since it is important to do so with the MNC\u27s perspective in mind. Clearly, for a technology transfer to be successful over the long term, a balance must be achieved between the goals of the Southeast Asian nation in attracting foreign investment and technology, and the need of the MNC to profit from and protect its investment and technology

Investing in Neighborhood Entrepreneurs: Private Foundations as Community Development Venture Capitalists

Entrepreneurs in low-income and minority neighborhoods encounter numerous problems in securing capital. To address this capital gap this paper considers a new role for private foundations as community development venture capitalists (CDVCs). It is suggested that through grant making and program-related investments, foundations may assume an equity stake in neighborhood-based entrepreneurs and acting as CDVCs apply lessons from the value-added component of private equity financing, including drawing on their expertise, professional contacts and financial resources to contribute to entrepreneurial efforts in the inner city

Effects of Lightning on Trees: A Predictive Model Based on in situ Electrical Resistivity

The effects of lightning on trees range from catastrophic death to the absence of observable damage. Such differences may be predictable among tree species, and more generally among plant life history strategies and growth forms. We used field‐collected electrical resistivity data in temperate and tropical forests to model how the distribution of power from a lightning discharge varies with tree size and identity, and with the presence of lianas. Estimated heating density (heat generated per volume of tree tissue) and maximum power (maximum rate of heating) from a standardized lightning discharge differed 300% among tree species. Tree size and morphology also were important; the heating density of a hypothetical 10 m tall Alseis blackiana was 49 times greater than for a 30 m tall conspecific, and 127 times greater than for a 30 m tall Dipteryx panamensis. Lianas may protect trees from lightning by conducting electric current; estimated heating and maximum power were reduced by 60% (±7.1%) for trees with one liana and by 87% (±4.0%) for trees with three lianas. This study provides the first quantitative mechanism describing how differences among trees can influence lightning–tree interactions, and how lianas can serve as natural lightning rods for trees

Equal or Just? Intergenerational Allocations within Family Farm Businesses

A multi-disciplinary literature review was conducted in order to integrate multiple perspectives pertaining to family farm business transfer. Factors affecting perceptions of equality in family farm transfers were identified. Preliminary survey results analyze perceptions of equality within farm families and how these perceptions affect family farm transfer planning and implementation.family farm succession, intergenerational transfer, Farm Management, Q10, Q12,

Parental Motivation in Family Farm Intergenerational Transfers

An intergenerational transfer model incorporating both altruism and exchange is presented for family farm transfers. A simulation study is conducted to test parental motivation in intergenerational transfers of family farm businesses. Results indicated that family farm intergenerational transfers are altruistically motivated.Family Farms, Intergenerational Transfer, Family Farm Succession, Consumer/Household Economics, Farm Management, Q10, Q12,