Communication within on-line forums: the opportunities, the constraints and the value of a communicative approach

This paper is an investigation of the nature and the value of asynchronous on-line discussion within small groups of learners. It draws on research into the experiences of adult learners within short courses and formal post degree settings in which it was found that learners valued on-line discussion but experienced several constraints on participation. It is suggested that the nature of the medium means that there is a high threshold for many to cross before entering discussion. The paper explores the attributes of on-line forums in depth and describes how these attributes may be seen by different learners. It discusses how forums afford communication including the exchange of personal information (e.g. introductions between members of a group) and of sustained reflection on course readings and other learners' writings (e.g. peer review of essays). The paper goes on to argue that there is a particular educational value in a communicative approach to on-line discussion which draws both on knowledge gained from practical experience and that gained from theoretical insight.     

Discrepancy between predicted and obtained WAIS–R IQ scores discriminates between traumatic brain injury and insufficient effort.

This study examines how well the discrepancy between predicted and obtained Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Revised (WAIS–R) scores discriminate between insufficient effort (IE) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The 27 IE patients performed significantly more poorly on the WAIS–R than the 48 moderate-severe TBI patients. Premorbid IQs were calculated with formulae that use demographics (Barona Index) or demographics and WAIS–R performance (Best-3 and the Oklahoma Premorbid Intelligence Estimation). Predictions were similar on the Barona, but IE patients' predicted IQs were lower than TBIs for measures with a performance component. IE patients demonstrated a greater discrepancy score (i.e., predicted IQ—obtained IQ) than TBIs; variable levels of sensitivity and specificity were obtained when discriminate functions were developed on these scores. The potential advantage of using discrepancy scores versus performance-based measures to detect insufficient effort is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

探索国际化经营需求的成人外语培训模式

阐述在国际化经营需求下的成人外语培训模式 ;即 :以学为中心开展教学 ;构建系统的英语知识框架 ;以人为本抓好教学管理。     

Validities of short WAIS batteries.

Several short forms of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale based upon several different rationales have been developed in recent years. The present study presents results of a cross-validation of 49 different short forms. Unlike previous studies, the short forms are cross-validated on both a psychiatric and on a nonpsychiatric population. Results revealed that for both the psychiatric and the nonpsychiatric populations (a) the mean estimated and the mean Full Scale scores were significantly different in only 3 of 98 comparisons; (6) correlations between estimated and obtained Full Scale scores were in the high .80's or .90's; (c) in the great majority of instances subjects were placed within one classification of their intelligence classification as revealed by scores on the total test. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Energy deployment and achievement.

The basic hypothesis of the study was that the capacity for directed and focused expenditure of energy is an essential part of academic and extra-curricular achievement. 38 undergraduates of comparable intelligence were administered the Digit Symbol subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) under neutral and stress conditions. High achievers were found to demonstrate a relatively stable pattern of greater Digit Symbol productivity with less pressure of writing, as indicated by the number of carbons upon which impressions of writing were visible. This pattern was evident after stress as well. Important individual differences in capacity to effectively channel one's energies into an assigned task is suggested, and these differences are discussed as important determinants of achievement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Movement and distribution of Sitophilus zeamais adults and relationship between their density and trapping frequency in wheat bulks under different grain temperatures and moisture contents

Movement and distribution of Sitophilus zeamais adults and relationship between their trapping frequency and insect density were determined in one tonne wheat with 11.5 ± 0.2, 12.5 ± 0.1 and 13.5 ± 0.2% moisture contents (wet basis) inside cylindrical bins at 20, 25 and 30 °C. The introduced adult densities were 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 adults/kg wheat (A/kg). Inside each bin, 15 probe traps were vertically installed in three layers. In each layer, five traps were installed at the center and half radii of the bin individually. The trapped adults were counted daily up to 7 d, and then 15 kg wheat was sampled at each trap location. The insect number in each sample was counted.The recovered adults in the top layer were less than that in the middle layer, while no significant difference between at middle and bottom layers. In each layer, adults preferred the center location at 0.5 A/kg, while this trend was unidentified at other densities. There was an autocorrelation of insect densities at adjacent locations at ≥ 1.0 A/kg, while no autocorrelation in the vertical direction. The adults had an aggregation distribution at any temperature, moisture content and adult density. The normal and Poisson model could not be used to describe the distribution of the count frequency of the adults in the samples, while the negative binomial model could describe this distribution in 18 out of 27 sampling sets at ≤ 1.0 A/kg. The trapping frequency was strongly influenced by the trapping period and increased with the increase of insect densities. The relationship between adult densities and trapping frequencies at the sampling locations had a significant difference at different grain temperatures, while no difference at different moisture contents, grain depths, and locations.     

Research with the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Adults.

The past 5 years of research with the adult Wechsler scales is critically reviewed. Most investigators used the most recently developed scale, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Topical coverage includes: comparative validity; short forms; special populations and applications; refinements and critiques; personality correlates; investigations of diagnostic value; special diagnostic groups; and scatter, patterns, and diagnosis. The 197 articles reviewed show that there is no diminution in the number of researches in the area. While the quality of the research has improved, too many investigators repeat the errors contained in earlier studies, despite the periodic publication of these critical reviews. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender difference in web search perceptions and behavior: Does it vary by task performance?

This study investigates Chinese students' gender differences in their actual use of the web for online information seeking. One hundred and seven Chinese university students responded to questionnaires regarding their perceptions about the use of the web for learning purposes. Afterwards, all the participants were asked to search online to answer two questions about bees' decision for hive location. As they searched, the online system logged participants' search activities during the search, including the type of activities during search, the frequency of each activity and the time spent on each activity. Participants were compared by gender in terms of their web search efficacy, web search anxiety, frequency counts of different web search activities, time spent on each search activity and search task performance. Web search efficacy levels varied by gender but not by performance levels. Anxiety did not vary by gender or performance levels. The interaction effect between gender and performance level was found in several search process variables: significant gender differences were only found in medium-performing students wherein males were engaged in more search activities than females, as seen in the larger number of searches, search queries, and times male students updated the search queries. One factor that could explain the significant gender differences in the medium-level group was their web search efficacy. The more confident medium-performing male students were in web search, the less need they perceived to access information to solve the task. This pattern was reversed for medium-performing females. The high- and low-performing males did not differ much from females in their search activities. It appeared that students' perceptions of their web search ability did not contribute much to their search activities in these two groups. Implications of the findings were also discussed.