Individualized study systems in theory and practice

After a short characterization of individualized study systems (ISS) and a survey of the number and subject fields of individualized courses in the USA and Europe, the construction and evaluation of an ISSystem in freshman mathematics at the Twente University of Technology is discussed. On the basis of their own experience and data received from others, the authors present a scheme in which the main characteristics of successful ISSystems are outlined

Teaching and learning for the future

This is the final report of the Committee on MultiMedia in Teacher Training (COMMITT), which offers a strategic framework to support efforts of teacher training institutes in the Netherlands to develop their own plans for enhancing the teaching and learning process as well as its outcomes through the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The purpose of the plan of action, called "a leap for the future," is to serve as a catalyst for teacher training institutes, elementary and secondary schools, and universities to work together on a common goal: improving teaching and learning through the application of ICT. This report consists of seven chapters. The first chapter is an introduction to the initiative to revitalize teacher training and the committee's activities. Chapter 2 describes an analysis of the transformation of society and consequences for learning in the future. Chapter 3 discusses key elements in the teaching and learning process. A conceptual model is presented which serves as a frame of reference for COMMITT. The role of ICT in teaching and learning is also discussed. Chapter 4 outlines the scope of COMMITT and provides examples illustrating the impact of ICT as a medium for education. Chapter 5 describes the challenges, opportunities and possible threats of implementing ICT in the education system and teacher training institutes. Guidelines for a program of action are elaborated in Chapter 6. The role of government, vision underlying the program, strategy and program of action, management and organization, and budget are discussed. Chapter 7 includes concluding remarks with a special emphasis on issues and factors which are expected to influence the implementation of the "leap for the future." Appendices present a list of the COMMITT members; a discussion on the Dutch education system; Committee statements; statements developed and judged by ICT coordinators; and different types of use of ICT as a medium. (AEF

The Heritability of Aptitude and Exceptional Talent Across Different Domains in Adolescents and Young Adults

The origin of individual differences in aptitude, defined as a domain-specific skill within the normal ability range, and talent, defined as a domain specific skill of exceptional quality, is under debate. The nature of the variation in aptitudes and exceptional talents across different domains was investigated in a population based twin sample. Self-report data from 1,685 twin pairs (12–24 years) were analyzed for Music, Arts, Writing, Language, Chess, Mathematics, Sports, Memory, and Knowledge. The influence of shared environment was small for both aptitude and talent. Additive and non-additive genetic effects explained the major part of the substantial familial clustering in the aptitude measures with heritability estimates ranging between .32 and .71. Heritability estimates for talents were higher and ranged between .50 and .92. In general, the genetic architecture for aptitude and talent was similar in men and women. Genetic factors contribute to a large extent to variation in aptitude and talent across different domains of intellectual, creative, and sports abilities

Imaging the nanoscale organization of peptidoglycan in living Lactococcus lactis cells

Peptidoglycans provide bacterial cell walls with mechanical strength. The spatial organization of peptidoglycan has previously been difficult to study. Here, atomic force microscopy, together with cells carrying mutations in cell-wall polysaccharides, has allowed an in-depth study of these molecules