Bird Migration Through A Mountain Pass Studied With High Resolution Radar, Ceilometers, And Census

Autumnal migration was studied with high-resolution radar, ceilometer, and daily census in the area of Franconia Notch, a major pass in the northern Appalachian Mountains. Under synoptic conditions favorable for migration, broadfront movements of migrants toward the south passed over the mountains, often above a temperature inversion. Birds at lower elevations appeared to be influenced by local topography. Birds moving southwest were concentrated along the face of the mountain range. Birds appeared to deviate their flights to follow local topography through the pass. Specific migratory behavior was not associated with species or species groups. Under synoptic conditions unfavorable for southward migration, multimodal movements probably associated with local flights were as dense as the southward migrations described above. Avian migrants reacting to local terrain may result in concentrations of migrants over ridge summits or other topographic features

Against information literacy

This article argues that advocates of “information literacy” (IL) within the library profession are guilty of grossly exaggerating its importance. It presents several, referenced examples of hyperbole in recent literature and shows how this is partly a consequence of a conflation of IL with lifelong learning. Identifies a tendency amongst IL proponents to write about information-seeking in generic, abstract terms and to over-emphasise its complexity. Criticises the lack of debate within the UK IL movement and notes its failure to respond to the discourse of Web 2.0. The article proposes a more modest and practical model of information skills, closer to the librarian’s traditional role of guiding and advising students and researchers

The dependency diagram of a mixed integer linear programme

The Dependency Diagram of a Linear Programme (LP) shows how the successive inequalities of an LP depend on former inequalities, when variables are projected out by Fourier- Motzkin Elimination. This is explained in a paper referenced below. The paper, given here, extends the results to the Mixed Integer case (MILP). It is shown how projection of a MILP leads to a finite disjunction of polytopes. This is expressed as a set of inequalities (mirroring those in the LP case) augmented by correction terms with finite domains which are subject to linear congruences

Maximising the potential of ICT to provide authentic summative assessment opportunities

This paper reports on elements of a study that was conducted in Western Australia to explore the potential of various forms of digitally based external assessments for senior secondary school courses. One problem that needed addressing was how to provide students with authentic assessment opportunities, particularly in subjects in which performance is an integral component. Traditionally, assessment in many of these subjects was by way of a three-hour paper examination. This established a dichotomy for teachers in which the pedagogy of the subject was very different from the method of assessment. In wanting to maximise their student’s potential for success, many teachers taught to the examination, consequently sacrificing a practical performance approach to the subject for a more theoretical form of delivery

Engineering: good for technology education?

Recent curriculum changes in the educational system of Australia have resulted in study options being available in Engineering for senior secondary students to use for university entrance. In other educational systems, Engineering is playing an increasingly important role, either as a stand-alone subject or as part of an integrated approach to Science, Mathematics and Technology. These developments raise questions about the relationship between Engineering and Technology education, some of which are explored in this paper