Teacher Perceptions Of The Implementation Of The Common Core State Standards In The Schools Of The Florida Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists: A Qualitative Case Study

Problem This qualitative case study focused on educators who teach in the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and their perceptions regarding the adequacy of the Professional Development to support the implementation of the CCSS; how they are implementing the CCSS in the classroom in terms of planning, teaching, and assessing; and their perceptions regarding the impact of the CCSS on student learning. Method The study included six participants who taught in six different schools from the various regions where the Florida Conference schools are located. The participants varied in age, ethnicity, number of years in the classroom, and the size of their schools as indicated by the number of teachers at the school. In-depth interviews were conducted and two in-school visitations and classroom observations allowed for collections of field data. Results Data analysis of the interviews and classroom observations resulted in multiple codes or categories of perceptions. The study revealed that participants took part in a variety of professional learning but they did not receive adequate or formal training to support the implementation of the CCSS nor did they receive adequate planning to teach the Mathematics in the context of the shifts of the CCSS. However, once participants received introductory training from the conference, they continued with their own study and research about the CCSS which contributed to their having a positive impact on their teaching and student learning. Conclusions An investigation of the heart of the various categories yielded three themes: An array of learning- experiences in a variety of learning opportunities; a call for specificity in learning–the need for coherence between training and the CCSS adoption; and a drive for effectiveness in learning and teaching- to ensure teachers and learners success

Implementation of an Ultrasonic, Adhesive Bond Test Bed: Sample Problems: Aluminum to Aluminum and Honeycomb Structures

The complex problems of predicting adhesive bond strength for both adhesive and cohesive defects have been studied using an ultrasonic, experimental test bed system. This experimental test bed incorporates the ultrasonic and computer equipment necessary to acquire and process data from various types of adhesively bonded test specimens. The computer hardware and software have been developed to allow the design of reliable pattern recognition algorithms for the prediction of adhesive bond strength. Two different types of adhesive bonded structures were studied. First, the problem of inspecting the adhesive bond joint in an aluminum to aluminum step-lap specimen to predict the bond strength that could be affected by adhesive or cohesive defects was studied. A set of 164 bond specimens was used to design an algorithm that is 91% reliable for separating the specimens into a good class or a weak class. A Fisher Linear Discriminant function was selected by the test bed system as the optimal pattern recognition routine for the classification problem. The second structure studied is the honeycomb configuration. Specimens were acquired that contained many of the typical adhesive defects common to honeycomb structures. A feasibility study was conducted to determine the test bed\u27s potential for solving honeycomb inspection problems

Anesthetic Implications of Robotic Gynecologic Surgery

Surgery using robotic techniques is becoming more and more common. One of the specialties at the fore-front of robotic surgery has been gynecology, much like it was at the fore-front a generation ago in bringing laparoscopy into the operating room. New considerations have been noted and new techniques have been learned on both sides of the drape in order to ensure a successful outcome for the patient undergoing robotic gynecologic surgery. The purpose of this article is to bring, to light the concerns facing the anesthesiologist in regards to robotic procedures. We discuss the problems facing anesthesiologists, when a patient is experiencing both intraabdominal insufflation and steep Trendelenburg position, and also the intraoperative management of such a patient

Launch Facility Requirements for a Liquid Fluorine Upper Stage

In a parallel activity to the development of a liquid fluorine upper stage vehicle, the problems associated with the launch facility must be addressed. This paper describes the factors that must be considered in the design and operation of such a facility. Among the factors discussed are general fluorine system requirements, launch facility requirements, safety considerations, and modification costs. Specific attention is given to storage and transfer, vapor disposal, leak detection, spills, aborts, range safety, and personnel protection

Visual-Vestibular Habituation and Balance Training for Motion Sickness

Background and Purpose. This case report describes physical therapy for motion sickness in a 34-year-old woman. The purpose of the report is twofold: (1) to provide an overview of the literature regarding motion sickness syndrome, causal factors, and rationale for treatment and (2) to describe the evaluation and treatment of a patient with motion sickness. Case Description and Outcomes. The patient initially had moderate to severe visually induced motion sickness, which affected her functional abilities and prevented her from working. Following 10 weeks of a primarily home-based program of visualvestibular habituation and balance training, her symptoms were alleviated and she could resume all work-related activities. Discussion. Although motion sickness affects nearly one third of all people who travel by land, sea, or air, little documentation exists regarding prevention or management

Creation and manipulation of Feshbach resonances with radio-frequency radiation

We present a simple technique for studying collisions of ultracold atoms in the presence of a magnetic field and radio-frequency radiation (rf). Resonant control of scattering properties can be achieved by using rf to couple a colliding pair of atoms to a bound state. We show, using the example of 6Li, that in some ranges of rf frequency and magnetic field this can be done without giving rise to losses. We also show that halo molecules of large spatial extent require much less rf power than deeply bound states. Another way to exert resonant control is with a set of rf-coupled bound states, linked to the colliding pair through the molecular interactions that give rise to magnetically tunable Feshbach resonances. This was recently demonstrated for 87Rb [Kaufman et al., Phys. Rev. A 80:050701(R), 2009]. We examine the underlying atomic and molecular physics which made this possible. Lastly, we consider the control that may be exerted over atomic collisions by placing atoms in superpositions of Zeeman states, and suggest that it could be useful where small changes in scattering length are required. We suggest other species for which rf and magnetic field control could together provide a useful tuning mechanism.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures, submitted to New Journal of Physic

Strategies for Managing Large Online Classes

Online classroom instruction is an exciting technology and continues to draw the attention of students, instructors and administrators working or studying in educational settings. Large numbers of faculty are currently involved in teaching online or hybrid courses within their educational institutions. At the present time, very large online classes are usually defined as 150 students and above. Many instructors are now experimenting with making online learning options available to even larger audiences and online class sizes are increasing rapidly. This paper presents guidelines for managing large online courses. Among key elements important in meeting the needs of the distant learner through large online course design are: effective communication, use of teaching assistants and multiple sections, teaching techniques successful in large online sections and professional practice in the online classroom. This paper will discuss these elements and corresponding suggestions for the instructors of large to very large online courses