Group Cognition in Problem Solving Dialogues: Analyzing differences between voice and computer transcripts

This project shadows the work of student groups in Math 110, a quantitative literacy class, engaged in exploratory learning excercises. An instructor monitors these groups by both walking around the room and observing group conversation at another computer. Our goal is to put this exercise online, and as a result leave the entire monitoring process up to the computer, assuming the role that the instructor traditionally assumes. Using annotation techniques to decipher meaning in dialogue of students working in groups for a Math 110, we try to see how students collaborate to solve problems together. “Bits of realization”, conversation, and problem solving tags are sorted out and gathered to identify the main points that are expressed during the problem solving of the two-person game, Poison. Expanding upon previous research done by other students, we are able to add bits of realization that students encounter in their work. Our first effort is to explore the differences between voice recorded dialogue and computer-mediated chat dialogue

Direct Democracy: The Right of the People to Make Fools of Themselves; The Use and Abuse of Initiative and Referendum, A Local Government Perspective

The Framers of the United States Constitution did not embrace direct, populist democracy. They rejected the Swiss model of direct legislation\u27 and chose a system of representative-republican, not democratic-government that would, as James Madison wrote, enlarge the public views by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial [partisan] considerations. Representative democracy presumes that an informed electorate will choose wise legislators. Direct democracy, by extension, demands that citizens themselves demonstrate wisdom enough to discern the true interest of their country as opposed to their self-interest, and that they love justice enough to eschew mere partisanism. One form of direct democracy is direct legislation-legislation by initiative and referendum. Today, direct legislation is increasingly popular-and increasingly destructive as serious proposals have been made to adopt and implement it at the federal level. This Article addresses the problems of direct legislation, focusing on two general themes. First, it briefly traces the history of the initiative and referendum in the United States, addressing problems with the process, particularly with the local-government exercise of the process, and proposing reforms that might improve the quality of citizen-made legislation. Second, the Article examines some fundamental causes for and difficulties with the use of direct legislation. The experience of Whatcom County, Washington, is considered throughout as an illustrative case study of the enthusiasm for and the failure of direct democracy. The experience of other jurisdictions is also considered and compared to this local experience

Transitions in the Mental Health Field\u27s System of Professions from WWII until the Present: The Case of Dubville

A case study of one mental health field in a medium-sized, steel-belt city over a 50 year period is presented. Through interviews and archive data, the narrative elucidates the transitions that occurred in regards to which professions are dominant, and which services count as mental health services, in different eras and under different science and governmental regimes. The dissertation focuses on four professional categories in particular: psychoanalytic psychiatrists, neurological psychiatrists, research psychologists, and clinical psychologists. It also focuses, primarily, on three institutions: a large psychiatric research hospital, a university psychology department, and a psychoanalytic institute. Through tracing the dynamics of the professional transitions undergone by these professions and institutions, four major conclusions are reached: (1) The transitions in mental health were not just scientific advancements, but changes in the object over which mental health professionals are considered to have expertise. (2) Sidestepping the total person has resulted in a radical transition in the very hierarchy of the mental health system of professions. (3) The problem of the total person continues to complicate efforts in mental health, despite having ostensibly been sidestepped. (4) Totality has become an area of technocratic expertise for those working in private practice psychotherapy. However, totality is no longer exclusively conceptualized through a psychoanalytic lens, while the ground to make a claim on totality is still grounded in clinical experience

Direct Democracy: The Right of the People to Make Fools of Themselves; The Use and Abuse of Initiative and Referendum, A Local Government Perspective

The Framers of the United States Constitution did not embrace direct, populist democracy. They rejected the Swiss model of direct legislation\u27 and chose a system of representative-republican, not democratic-government that would, as James Madison wrote, enlarge the public views by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial [partisan] considerations. Representative democracy presumes that an informed electorate will choose wise legislators. Direct democracy, by extension, demands that citizens themselves demonstrate wisdom enough to discern the true interest of their country as opposed to their self-interest, and that they love justice enough to eschew mere partisanism. One form of direct democracy is direct legislation-legislation by initiative and referendum. Today, direct legislation is increasingly popular-and increasingly destructive as serious proposals have been made to adopt and implement it at the federal level. This Article addresses the problems of direct legislation, focusing on two general themes. First, it briefly traces the history of the initiative and referendum in the United States, addressing problems with the process, particularly with the local-government exercise of the process, and proposing reforms that might improve the quality of citizen-made legislation. Second, the Article examines some fundamental causes for and difficulties with the use of direct legislation. The experience of Whatcom County, Washington, is considered throughout as an illustrative case study of the enthusiasm for and the failure of direct democracy. The experience of other jurisdictions is also considered and compared to this local experience