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A comparison of traditional teaching versus an information technology approved in educating dyslexic students.
No full textThe increasing progress and development in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in combination with computer and Internet expansion has created new needs and trends. The introduction of Information and Communication Technologies in school routine/ school activities has opened new horizons as far as teaching methodology is concerned. The use of computers in special education contributes substantially to the development of educational programs and to the creation of new learning forms, with which students can discover their potential and develop their abilities to the maximum (Paraskevopoulos, 2002).Prompted by these data, we attempted to compare two teaching methods ( a traditional teaching method in spelling and a teaching method in spelling using IT) by using quantitative and qualitative measurements. This research examines and compares the learning of spelling in two-syllable words for primary school students with dyslexia. The traditional method used the game of hangman and the IT teaching method used a computer programme designed to teach spelling. Analyzing the test results and through interviews with students, we conclude that both methods are equally effective; however, the process of new technologies is the one preferred by students since they find it more enjoyable and relaxing
A reappraisal of Kelsen’s rejection of the natural-law doctrine
No full textKelsen’s article ‘The Natural Law Doctrine before the Tribunal of Science’ was published in 1949. It amounted to a powerful attack on the natural law doctrine. Among other things, Kelsen argued that the natural law doctrine inevitably relies on the existence of God or a similar supreme, transcendental being. This claim seems to be based on a number of inter-related assertions: first, that the natural law doctrine attempts to provide a definitive answer to the question of what justice requires; second, that it attempts to derive this answer from the nature of reality and that this is only possible if nature has a will and intelligence which, in turn, suggests a ‘superhuman’ being underlying nature; third, that the rules of ethics or jurisprudence are norms which could only be derived, ultimately, from a general norm willed by a human or superhuman being and that, because humans have different opinions about what justice requires, we must assume that the authority issuing the norm is a superhuman being if the general norm is to have an absolute value; and, fourth, if we do not assume that there is a divine will in the reality from which we attempt to derive normative values, we are reduced to trying to derive an ought from an is. Kelsen also asserts that such reliance on God, or other superhuman being, is not acceptable before the tribunal of science. In this paper, I explore and challenge these claims. I argue that, while they may be true of some conceptions of the natural law doctrine, they are not true of all versions and that Kelsen’s arguments are based on a partial account of the natural law tradition
Facebook use in the learning environment: do students want this?
No full textThe Net Generation (those born in or after 1980) rely heavily on ICTs for social and professional interactions, and it has been suggested that they have the expectation that technology will be an integral part of their education. At the same time, it is argued that Facebook has educational potential, and that today's learners should be encouraged and supported to use Web 2.0 technologies for learning in formal education. However, there is growing evidence that the value of Facebook in the educational context does not relate to formal learning at all, but to the ‘social networking’ elements of the site. This Viewpoint article discusses the results of a study to explore students' views towards the use of Facebook in the university setting, especially with regard to learning and integration into university life. The findings suggest support for informal rather than formal learning use of Facebook within the university setting
Andrew Voyce in conversation with Jerome Carson
No full textPurpose - This paper aims to provide a profile of Andrew Voyce.
Design/methodology/approach - Andrew gives a short biography and is then interviewed by Jerome. Areas covered in the interview include the central role of Mrs Thatcher in closing down the old asylums, homelessness, education, benefits and digital art.
Findings - Andrew's recovery from long term mental health problems has seen him return to higher education. He failed to get his undergraduate degree, but decades later and with the encouragement of workers in the community, he completed both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. He talks of the negative impact of asylum care, especially the terrible side effect of akathisia, which resulted from the depot neuroleptic medication.
Originality/value - This paper shows a remarkable journey of recovery, from a life of being a "revolving door'' patient, to homelessness, to re-establishing an ordinary life in the community. The inmate's perspective is one that has largely been absent from narratives of asylum care
Study of the pH and physical performance characteristics of silver-treated absorbent wound dressings
No full textIn this study, two common nonwoven fibrous dressings, based on carboxymethylcellulose and alginate, and their silver-treated forms were evaluated in order to compare their performance characteristics including fluid handling capacity, the mechanical properties, and the thermal behavior. The effect of immersing the dressings in the two fluids (solution A and distilled water) on pH was also studied. The results show some clear differences between the untreated and silver-treated dressings, for example the fluid handling and the swelling values of the dressings were reduced due to silver treatment. More considerably, changes were observed in the tensile properties which were decreased when these dressing were treated with the silver. There was no considerable effect on the thermal characteristics of the dressings upon the silver treatment. Statistically significant differences were observed in the pH over time for all tested specimens and also for both test fluids
The educational consequences of Bateson's economy of flexibility
No full textPurpose
– The education system worldwide is regulated through the dominant paradigm of planning and enactment, but the representations of curricula and lesson plans underpinning the paradigm are poorly correlated to classroom practice. This paper aims to understand how despite this the paradigm remains dominant and explores the implications of its continued success for the current educational practice.
Design/methodology/approach
– Bateson's concept of the economy of flexibility is applied to the education. Genetic control is mapped onto the formal specification of learning activities, while somatic control is mapped onto teachers' improvisatory practice. The conflicting regulatory messages generated within the dominant paradigm are discussed in terms of Bateson's double bind theory.
Findings
– The success of the dominant paradigm is comprehensible when conceived of as an economy of flexibility. However, the analysis indicates that this success is dependent on two conditions: that sufficient flexibility is maintained in classroom practice, and that there should be a weak but reliable channel whereby innovations in classroom can filter through to the level of planning. Current developments in educational technology and management practice threaten both these conditions, by increasing the ability of managers to monitor educational activities, and by providing technocratic solutions to pedagogic questions. Flexibility is squeezed out of the system, and the contradictions of the dominant paradigm are increasingly enforced to place teachers in a double bind.
Originality/value
– The analysis provides a model for relating the problems experienced by teachers in their practice to changes in technology, policy and institutional organisation
Intention, supremacy and judicial review
No full textTwo competing theories have emerged as providing the constitutional basis for judicial review in the English courts: the ultra vires theory and the common law theory. Both attempt to rationalise the operation of judicial review in a way which is consistent with the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty. They differ in their conceptions of what the doctrine requires. It is inherent in the ultra vires theory that sovereignty requires adherence to Parliament's assumed intent whereas under the common law theory it simply requires adherence to Parliament's legislation. The supporters of the former theory submit that we must assume Parliament intends the standards of good administration to apply to statutorily derived public power; indeed, that this is the only plausible assumption to make. I examine these claims. I argue that we cannot accurately ascribe any intention to Parliament and, consequently, we cannot claim that a particular assumption about Parliament's intent is the only one we can plausibly make. I also challenge the argument that we must assume Parliament intends the standards of good administration to apply to statutorily derived public power. I contend that this assumption is only necessary if sovereignty does indeed require adherence to Parliament's presumed intent but that this is not how we usually think of the doctrine; rather, parliamentary sovereignty is traditionally taken to prohibit the courts from acting contrary to Parliament's legislation, not its intention. Finally, I argue that reliance on legislative intent brings possible disadvantages
Novel ZnO nanorod films by chemical solution deposition for planar device applications
No full textSmooth and continuous ZnO films consisting of densely packed ZnO nanorods (NRs) were synthesized using hydro-thermo-chemical solution deposition method which can be used for electronic device fabrication. These devices would have the novelty of high performance benefiting from the unique properties of the nanomaterials and can be fabricated on these films using conventional low cost planar process, as they have very smooth surfaces. Photoluminescence measurements showed that the nanorod films have much stronger band-to-band emissions than those from discrete ZnO NRs, hence have the potential for the development of ZnO light emission diodes and lasers etc. The nanorod films have been used to fabricate large area planar surface acoustic wave devices by conventional photolithography and demonstrated two well-defined resonant peaks and their potential for large area device applications. The chemical solution deposition method is a simple, reproducible, scalable and economic method. These nanorod films are suitable for large scale production and synthesis on cost-effective substrates promising for various fields such as sensing systems, renewable energy and optoelectronic applications
