Teachers\u27 Perspectives of the Common Core State Standards and Computer-Based Standardized Testing

Theorist Jean Piaget in the 1920\u27s abandoned standardized testing which he viewed as, forcing children to respond into artificial channels of set questions and answers (as cited in Crain, 2011, p. 119). Piaget decided to create a different type of assessment which included an open-ended interview, which encourages the flow of spontaneous tendencies (as cited in Crain, 2011, p. 119). John Locke (2003), believed that an individual learns through experiences. Jean Rousseau (2003), believed more in the natural child-centered, and experience-based learning. Pestalozzi (2003), believed that children learn by doing, and that children should be educated physically, emotionally, and mentally (Henson, 2003). The purpose of the study was to explore the developmentally appropriate implementation of both the Common Core State Standards and the computer-based standardized testing for students in grades third through sixth. The FlyDAC questionnaire was distributed through email, to teachers who teach grades third through sixth. Seven participants answered demographic and developmentally appropriate Common Core State Standards, and computer-based standardized testing questions as well as open-ended questions. The demographics, the developmentally appropriate Common Core State Standards, and computer-based standardized testing data, were analyzed using frequencies. Qualitative analysis found three themes. 1) Developmental appropriate standards. 2) Teachers do not know what his or her students are being tested on. 3) Keyboards as a tool for written responses for students in the grades third through sixth. Further research should expand on the developmentally appropriate implementation of both the standards and computer-based testing by including more school districts. In addition, future researchers could compare the possible educational gaps which may exist due to the differences from one school district that uses iPads as an educational tool, compared to other school districts who do not have enough access to computers within the same region

The work of the Association for Sandwich Education and Training (ASET)Research Network UK

I am an experienced manager having worked in manufacturing, IT, customer services and local government. I joined the University of Huddersfield in 2005 to project manage ‘Student employability and Good practice in Placement Provision’. In 2006 I became responsible for a programme 17 teaching and learning projects. I have recently been appointed to be Teaching and Learning Institute – Administration Manager. My own interest in WIL started as a placement student on my Maths degree where I became ‘hooked’ upon manufacturing. I believe wholeheartedly in the value of work placements. Since joining academia I have been an active member of ASET and WACE. I am very interested in the research agenda. I joined the first ASET Research network, which sadly never really got going. At the 2009, I found a group of researchers who were keen to restart the research network and quickly rejoined. I am interested in WIL research and practice on both a national and international stage. I would like to represent the research network at the conference and look for ways of working with other international delegates with an interest in research

Celecoxib decreases prostaglandin E\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e concentrations in nipple aspirate fluid from high risk postmenopausal women and women with breast cancer

Background Celecoxib inhibits PGE2 production in cancerous tissue. We previously reported that PGE2 levels in nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) and plasma were not decreased in women at increased breast cancer risk who received celecoxib 200 mg twice daily (bid). The endpoints of the current study were to determine if a short course of celecoxib 400 mg bid would decrease PGE2 levels in women 1) at increased breast cancer risk, and 2) with established breast cancer. Methods NAF and plasma samples were collected before, 2 weeks after taking celecoxib 400 mg bid, and two weeks after washout from 26 women who were at increased breast cancer risk. From 13 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, NAF from the incident breast and plasma were collected before and on average 2 weeks after taking celecoxib. Additionally, in nine of the 13 women with breast cancer, NAF was collected from the contralateral breast. Results No consistent change in NAF or plasma PGE2 levels was noted in high risk premenopausal women. NAF PGE2 levels decreased after celecoxib administration in postmenopausal high risk women (p = 0.02), and in both the NAF (p = 0.02) and plasma (p = 0.03) of women with breast cancer. Conclusion Celecoxib 400 mg bid taken on average for 2 weeks significantly decreased NAF, but not plasma, PGE2 levels in postmenopausal high risk women, and decreased both NAF and plasma PGE2 levels in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. PGE2 levels may predict celecoxib breast cancer prevention and treatment efficacy. Our observations are preliminary, and larger studies to confirm and extend these findings are warranted

Teaching family medicine residents how to answer clinical questions using QUIPs

Background: “Questions in Practice” (QUIP) rounds are used to encourage residents to quickly find, evaluate, and incorporate information into clinical practice. It is an opportunity for residents to identify a clinical question, research the answer, present the evidence, and discuss how to apply it to practice. The value of using this method to teach residents has not been evaluated. Methods: A sampling of all first and second-year family medicine residents enrolled in the Memorial University Family Medicine program were invited to participate in the survey. The survey gathered information about the residents’ current experiences with answering clinical questions, their experience during QUIP rounds, and the value of an interdisciplinary approach. Results: The response rate was 91% (42/46). Medical websites (45%) and journal article indexes (34%) were most often used. Through QUIPs, 50% of the students identified new methods to retrieve answers, 80% considered it a useful learning experience, 75% had improved confidence, and clinical knowledge improved in 97%. Conclusions: Residents are familiar with many general sources of medical information, and QUIPs helped improve confidence in their knowledge and ability to answer questions. QUIPs appear to be a useful tool for teaching information resources and how to interpret and apply evidence to clinical situations

Kumjian-Pask algebras of locally convex higher-rank graphs

The Kumjian-Pask algebra of a higher-rank graph generalises the Leavitt path algebra of a directed graph. We extend the definition of Kumjian-Pask algebra to row-finite higher-rank graphs $\Lambda$ with sources which satisfy a local-convexity condition. After proving versions of the graded-uniqueness theorem and the Cuntz-Krieger uniqueness theorem, we study the Kumjian-Pask algebra of rank-2 Bratteli diagrams by studying certain finite subgraphs which are locally convex. We show that the desourcification procedure of Farthing and Webster yields a row-finite higher-rank graph $\tilde{\Lambda}$ without sources such that the Kumjian-Pask algebras of $\tilde{\Lambda}$ and $\Lambda$ are Morita equivalent. We then use the Morita equivalence to study the ideal structure of the Kumjian-Pask algebra of $\Lambda$ by pulling the appropriate results across the equivalence.Comment: Minor changes made. This version is to appear in the Journal of Algebr

The Food Standards Agency: making a difference?

The governance of food in Britain has been in a state of flux in recent years. For over a decade, from the mid 1980s to the late 1990s, the then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) found itself mired in a series of food controversies. Eventually, partly overwhelmed by its inability to reassure consumers or the food industry on the safety of food in Britain the Ministry was replaced by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). In this paper, we briefly review the background to the formation of the FSA and its formal role. We then describe how the creation of the FSA has changed the interrelationships between organisations and how these patterns have shifted the nature of food governance in Britain. To analyse the changing nature of food governance two models are outlined; one coercive and the other partnership based. An assessment of the extent to which the FSA works with one or other of these models is then made by exploring how key FSAs activities, especially its approach to enforcement, are shaping its relationships with other organisations and its policy outcomes. The paper draws heavily on material made available by the FSA through its website and a set of key person interviews with those with an interest along the whole food supply chain

Depression during pregnancy: detection, comorbidity and treatment

Depression during pregnancy is common (∼15%). Routine prenatal depression screening coupled with the use of physician collaborators to assist in connecting women with care is critical to facilitate treatment engagement with appropriate providers. Providers should be aware of risk factors for depression – including a previous history of depression, life events, and interpersonal conflict – and should appropriately screen for such conditions. Depression during pregnancy has been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia, insufficient weight gain, decreased compliance with prenatal care, and premature labor. Current research has questioned the overall benefit of treating depression during pregnancy with antidepressants when compared to the risk of untreated depression for mother and child. Published guidelines favor psychotherapy above medication as the first line treatment for prenatal depression. Poor neonatal adaptation or withdrawal symptoms in the neonate may occur with fetal exposure in late pregnancy, but the symptoms are mild to moderate and transient. The majority of mothers who decide to stop taking their antidepressants during pregnancy suffer relapsing symptoms. If depression continues postpartum, there is an increased risk of poor mother–infant attachment, delayed cognitive and linguistic skills in the infant, impaired emotional development, and behavioral problems in later life. Bipolar depression, anxiety and substance use disorders, and/or presence of severe psychosocial stress can lead to treatment-resistance. Modified and more complex treatment algorithms are then warranted. Psychiatric medications, interpersonal or cognitive-behavioral therapy, and adjunctive parent–infant/family treatment, as well as social work support, are modalities often required to comprehensively address all issues surrounding the illness.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/79238/1/j.1758-5872.2010.00051.x.pd

Development and evaluation of a real-time PCR assay for the detection of Acarapis woodi (tracheal mites) in Apis mellifera

International audienceAbstractThe tracheal mite, Acarapis woodi, is an obligate endoparasite of honeybees and a regulated pest in countries where these mites are absent. This work describes the development of a real-time PCR method for detecting tracheal mites in honeybees. The real-time PCR was evaluated for specificity, sensitivity and speed to detect A. woodi, compared to the standard manual thoracic disc method (TDM). The assay detected A. woodi down to a 1 % incidence level in bees and 1000 copies of the target DNA when using plasmid standards. Initial testing showed no cross-reaction with the other two Acarapis species from different geographical regions or with other species of mites associated with bees. However, during extensive testing of bees, a rare population of Acarapis externus mite was identified that did cross-react with the assay. Despite this cross-reaction, the assay has been shown to be a useful screening tool and results are reliable if the TDM is used as a backup to screen hives where a positive signal is obtained

Walking and Jogging for Fitness (GHC)

This Grants Collection for Walking and Jogging for Fitness was created under a Round Seven ALG Textbook Transformation Grant. Affordable Learning Georgia Grants Collections are intended to provide faculty with the frameworks to quickly implement or revise the same materials as a Textbook Transformation Grants team, along with the aims and lessons learned from project teams during the implementation process. Documents are in .pdf format, with a separate .docx (Word) version available for download. Each collection contains the following materials: Linked Syllabus Initial Proposal Final Reporthttps://oer.galileo.usg.edu/health-collections/1006/thumbnail.jp