Processes involved in an examination linked, teacher based curriculum innovation in secondary education

This study centres on an investigation of one example of grassroots curriculum innovation: the implementation by teachers of CSE Mode III examinations in physical education in one examination board. The aim was to identify the important processes, particularly those related to the teacher, operating in the development and implementation of curriculum innovation. The method adopted was a case study using participant observation techniques. A modified subjectivist orientation allowed appropriate strategies to be developed to analyse documents and proceedings of informal contacts and meetings with examination board officials and teachers, and formal interviews with teachers. Implementing the examination course resulted in major modifications to the physical education curriculum and teacher's role. In addition, system standardization associated with a developing national climate of accountability began to be imposed. Mainly because of this and the effects of economic restraints and falling pupil rolls, a plateau was reached in the number of schools implementing the courses. Despite the growing constraints and reduced teacher autonomy the commitment and personal career satisfaction of some teachers has been maintained. The gratification gained from teaching exceptionally responsive pupils and the excitement stemming from involvement in curriculum innovation were identified as being significant rewards for developing and implementing the course. Four categories of response to the implementation experience and increasing standardization were identified: acceptance, accommodation, retreat and alternative outlet. The conclusions are that open systems based on process principles should be encouraged in the implementation of curriculum innovation, particularly with changes currently being proposed for examination linked, teacher based developments at 16+ and in vocational preparation courses. This implies broadening examiners' perspectives to be more sympathetic to subjective, interactive procedures, and improving teacher education in the principles and practices of assessment in order to manage the flexibility effectively

The Effects of Canopy Structure on Photosynthesis in Sphagnum Mosses

In open habitats, Sphagnum grows with a dense architecture to retain water; mosses adapted to survive in shade persist in looser canopies. It is unknown if there is a physiological advantage of such rough canopies in the shade, but they may have enhanced photosynthesis at low light angles as would occur during spring or fall. It was hypothesized that the rough canopies would have enhanced rates of photosynthesis at lower angles. To test this, a photosynthesis system interfaced with a custom chamber was used to generate light response curves. Preliminary results of the study found no difference in photosynthesis with light normal to the canopy, compared with light at 45° in naturally formed core samples-- a leaf surface would decline with the cosine of the angle. Experimental data using rough and smooth canopies showed no significant difference in photosynthesis between rough and smooth canopies (p=0.09) at all angles tested (90°, 45°, and 22.5°). Among angles, photosynthesis significantly decreased with the angle of incident light, but outperformed predicted declines. Other factors that influence light transmission within the canopy independent of roughness may account for these results

Mars manned fusion spaceship

Fusion Propulsion has an enormous potential for space exploration in the near future. In the twenty-first century, a usable and efficient fusion rocket will be developed and in use. Because of the great distance between other planets and Earth, efficient use of time, fuel, and payload is essential. A nuclear spaceship would provide greater fuel efficiency, less travel time, and a larger payload. Extended missions would give more time for research, experiments, and data acquisition. With the extended mission time, a need for an artificial environment exists. The topics of magnetic fusion propulsion, living modules, artificial gravity, mass distribution, space connection, and orbital transfer to Mars are discussed. The propulsion system is a magnetic fusion reactor based on a tandem mirror design. This allows a faster, shorter trip time and a large thrust to weight ratio. The fuel proposed is a mixture of deuterium and helium-3. Helium-3 can be obtained from lunar mining. There will be minimal external radiation from the reactor resulting in a safe, efficient propulsion system

Taking Stock: Securities Markets and the Division of Powers

Recent developments in Canada\u27s securities markets highlight their national character and call for a fresh consideration of the question of federal securities regulation. Developments in the constitutional case law have changed the legal context, such that the trade and commerce and the peace, order and good government powers under the Constitution Act, 1867 would likely support federal securities legislation. The securities question, important in its own right, also serves as a case study for how the Supreme Court of Canada conducts division of powers analysis for matters that have undergone substantive change. The authors contend that competence over a provincial matter should be reassigned to Parliament only when that matter has changed so substantially that untenable legal fictions are required to keep it \u27Within the province, no benefits associated with the values of federalism arise from continuing provincial jurisdiction, and uniform interprovincial cooperation is required for effective regulation. The existing level of interprovincial cooperation regarding securities shows the need for national regulation and raises concerns about influence based on market and not democratic power: by virtue of its market dominance, Ontario exerts a significant extra-territorial influence over other provinces\u27 securities regulators. While a reorganization of Canada\u27s securities regulation would clearly require negotiation between the two levels of government, the increasing strength of the legal case for federal regulation, in terms of changes in the securities markets and in the constitutional case law, would influence such negotiations

CubeSat Constellation for Interplanetary Market Intelligence and Private Claims in Space

Mission Objectives Deployment of Beacons, each rendezvous with NEAs\u27 Small-Body Orbit Data Collection comprising a universal cadastre Sensors/Instrumentation: Geolocations and In-Space Activity Capture Integration with Service Providers through API Cooperation with Domestic and International Regulatory Agencie

The Art or Non-Art of Writing

The science of graphology ( the study and analysis of handwriting) has traditionally been applied to delineate personality traits. Some of the results have been invalidated, although we believe the field can be expanded into broader categories. Specifically, this study analyzes the handwriting of artistic and non-artistic subjects. Our working hypothesis (with results still being compiled) is that our artistic informants will display a less formal type of handwriting compared to our non-artistic informants

Environmental indicators for the sustainable management of freshwater

The Ministry for the Environment is developing a core set of nationally standardised environmental indicators that will help to assess the state of the environment and help to monitor the effectiveness and suitability of regional and national environmental policy and legislation. The purpose of this report is to suggest an approach to and some examples of indicators for the sustainable management of freshwater. In this report, the emphasis is on indicators of life supporting capacity/ecosystem health because the indicators of human uses and values are relatively well established. It is recognised that indicators of ecosystem health will overlap with other groups of indicators to be developed later as part of the Ministry for the Environment's indicator programme. Management objectives of the agencies responsible for monitoring may vary with the site to be monitored and the region. Therefore the indicators selected for monitoring will be influenced by particular waterbody and the objectives for management