Showing papers by "Kaye Academic College of Education published in 2014"

The beliefs that underlie autonomy-supportive and controlling teaching: A multinational investigation

Abstract: We investigated the role of three beliefs in predicting teachers’ motivating style toward students—namely, how effective, how normative, and how easy-to-implement autonomy-supportive and controlling teaching were each believed to be. We further examined national collectivism–individualism as a predictor of individual teachers’ motivating style and beliefs about motivating style, as we expected that a collectivistic perspective would tend teachers toward the controlling style and toward positive beliefs about that style. Participants were 815 full-time PreK-12 public school teachers from eight different nations that varied in collectivism–individualism. All three teacher beliefs explained independent and substantial variance in teachers’ self-described motivating styles. Believed effectiveness was a particularly strong predictor of self-described motivating style. Collectivism–individualism predicted which teachers were most likely to self-describe a controlling motivating style, and a mediation analysis showed that teachers in collectivistic nations self-described a controlling style because they believed it to be culturally normative classroom practice. These findings enhance the literature on the antecedents of teachers’ motivating styles by showing that teacher beliefs strongly predict motivating style, and that culture informs one of these beliefs—namely, normalcy.

Adherence to Accelerometry Measurement of Community Ambulation Poststroke

Abstract: Background The step activity monitor (SAM) quantifies steps taken in the home and community by patient populations. Although the SAM has been used to study individuals after stroke, adherence to the use of SAMs has not been addressed. Participants' adherence to wearing the monitor is critical for obtaining accurate assessments. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of and predictors for inferred adherence to the use of the SAM after stroke. Design A cross-sectional design was used. Methods Community-dwelling individuals (n=408) 2 months after stroke with moderate-to-severe gait impairment (gait speed of ≤0.8 m/s) were studied. Step activity was assessed for 2 days with the SAM. Inferred adherence was established in 3 periods: 6:00 am to 12:00 pm, 12:01 pm to 6:00 pm, and 6:01 pm to 12:00 am. Adherence was defined as activity recorded in all 3 periods. The percentage of participant adherence for the first day, second day, both days, and either day was calculated. Demographic and clinical characteristics of adherers and nonadherers were compared. Independent adherence predictors were identified by means of stepwise logistic regression. Results Inferred adherence rates for the first day, second day, both days, and either day were 68%, 61%, 53%, and 76%, respectively. Upper and lower extremity impairment, balance control, and endurance were significantly different between adherers and nonadherers. On the other hand, older age, greater balance self-efficacy, and better walking endurance were significant predictors of adherence. Limitations Participants were individuals with subacute stroke. Therefore, the findings of this study may not be generalized to individuals during the acute and chronic phases of stroke recovery. Conclusions Strategies to improve adherence are needed when collecting data for more than 1 day and in samples with younger individuals and those with low levels of balance self-efficacy and walking endurance.

Consanguineous Marriage and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities among Arab Bedouins Children of the Negev Region in Southern Israel: A Pilot Study

Abstract: In this article, we present data from two special education schools that serve the Arab Bedouin population in the Negev region in southern Israel Data were collected on 221 children (538% female and 462% male) with moderate and severe intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) in order to assess the extent of consanguineous background in these children Findings showed that 615% of all the participants were offspring of parents who were biologically related, both first and second cousins Almost 70% of the participants were diagnosed with moderate IDD, 20% with severe IDD, and 10% diagnosed with other developmental disorders It is recommended to further investigate this population for a more detailed history and specific genetic disorders for appropriate genetic counseling for those already married and also to focus public health efforts to decrease the rate of marriages between relatives Consanguinity is a well-known risk factor for genetic disorders, including diseases and syndromes that present with intellectual and developmental disabilities This is due to autosomal recessive disorders and also other inherited disorders The vast majority of the behavioral genetics studies, which for the most part have focused on twins and adoptees (1, 2) have been conducted in highly industrialized western societies such as the United States and Northern European countries Despite the important and influential research undertaken on the impact of genetics and consanguineous marriage and the extent to which public awareness has been raised by these findings, only a limited number of investigations have been carried out in collective, non-western societies (eg, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East) and there is scant empirical evidence regarding the genetic influence of consanguineous marriage in these societies In these societies, consanguineous marriage is a common feature There is, for example, a long tradition of such marriages in Japan, India, Sudani tribes, and Arab societies (3–8) Consanguineous marriage is also commonplace in the population of about 200,000 Bedouin Arabs living in the Negev desert in the south of Israel Studies conducted in Indian rural and urban populations showed a higher frequency of consanguineous marriages in rural compared with urban communities (9, 10) One study (11) showed that about 50% of all marriages in the rural population were consanguineous marriages with 526% of these consanguineous marriages involving first cousin; whereas, in the urban area, consanguineous marriages accounted for about 30% of the total number of marriages, with 609% of these marriages involving first cousin relationships Research indicates that a large segment of the world population practices certain forms of “inbreeding” According to Bittles (5), 20–50% of all marriages occur between biologically related people in parts of Central, South, and West Asia and North Africa The most popular matches are between first cousins, double first cousins (where the spouses share both sets of grandparents), or uncles and nieces Although less than 1% of marriages are consanguineous in North America and Europe, up to 10% of marriages in East and West Africa and South America are between kin The percentages could also be high in rapidly growing populations in Middle Africa, the Caribbean, Central America, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, for which no reliable figures exist Changes in culture and the influence of the Western World also affect the rate of consanguineous marriage resulting in a decrease today (12) Among parents of 14,237 newborns in Bahrain in 2008–2009, the total consanguinity and first cousin marriage rates over a period of 4 months in 2008 were 109 and 69% respectively; while during all of 2009 the rates were 114 and 68% respectively (12) Compared with earlier data, first cousin marriage rates in Bahrain declined from 24% to nearly 7% (12)

“I can Almost Remember it Now”: Between Personal and Collective Memories of Massive Social Trauma

Abstract: This article explores the psycho-social space between autobiographical and collective memory concerning massive social traumas. It is conceptualized that there is a third type of memory image, termed “my-their.” Individuals appear to “remember” autobiographical memories of elder family members, even though they could not, either because they were born after the trauma happened or because the autobiographers were extremely young at the time of the experience. These emotional “memories” furthermore connect to collective memories of social traumas of ethnic/national groups. Examples from memories of the Holocaust and al Naqba are examined. Furthermore, the roles that “my-their” memory images can play in peace building and reconciliation are discussed.

Mathematical Challenge in the Eyes of the Beholder: Mathematics Teachers’ Views

Abstract: This study is based on our belief that mathematics should be challenging in any classroom and that mathematical challenge is among the central factors that determine the quality of mathematics lessons. Choosing challenging mathematical problem for the students is central in teachers’ work while their conception of mathematical challenge can determine the quality of a mathematics lesson. At the same time, little is known about teachers’ views on mathematical challenge. Thus, we explored conceptions of mathematical challenge in two groups of experienced mathematics teachers. The first group (N1 = 9) was asked to define the notion of mathematical challenge and give examples of challenging mathematical tasks. Later the members of the group discussed these examples and definitions. A written response questionnaire was administered to a second group of teachers (N2 = 41) based on answers given by teachers in the first group. We found that the teachers have a broad conception of mathematical challenge an...

Teachers Living with Contradictions: Social Representations of Inclusion, Exclusion and Stratification in Israeli Schools

Abstract: This paper describes part of an ethnographic research study that examined the Social Representations of inclusion and stratification within Israeli elementary schools. These concepts derive from separate theoretical sources. Inclusion is a central concept in educational thinking and research; stratification is a frequently used term in sociology. Two other closely related concepts are exclusion, derived from critical political research and teachers' differential behavior, an individual-centered concept derived from psychological approaches. The use of Social Representations Theory (SRT) enabled us to examine everyday life situations in schools through the prisms of sociological and psychological approaches combining the collective and individual, and facilitate a new perspective. The findings revealed a dichotomy in school life between inclusion and stratification. The declared school ideology was that of inclusion and of objection to exclusion and to stratification, whereas the daily discourse and the main school practice served the purpose of stratification. To cope with these incompatible representations, the teachers developed different kinds of camouflage strategies expressed in their school practice and daily discourse. Their strategies helped them deal with, solve or ignore the gap between these two goals without seemingly choosing one goal over another. In the discussion I argue that these strategies structure the teacher’s world in order to reduce the discomfort arising from this incompatibility, to turn the unfamiliar to familiar and to create camouflaged reality in which they can live.

Re-thinking typologies of multiple murders: the missing category of serial-mass murder and its theoretical and practical implications.

Abstract: The concept of multiple murders (mm) is as old as humanity itself, but it has only become prevalent in academic thought within the last three decades. Over this period scholars have introduced two main attitudes regarding multiple murders. Some argue that multiple murders are, theoretically and empirically, one concept that includes different sub-types: mass murder, spree murder, and serial murder. Other scholars claim that those "sub categories", are a whole different phenomenon, which are worthy and needed a separate examination and discussion because its uniqueness. To my opinion, this argument is more a semantic one than a fundamental one, as long as we consider each type of these murders as a unique phenomenon, with its own and unique characteristics. In addition both parties agree that the concept of multiple murders is differentiated into the same three main sub-categories. My argument is that a fourth sub-category of mm exists which goes unrecognized by most scholars. This sub-category, named "serial-mass murder," will help to differentiate the sub-categories more accurately and will more clearly define each of the remaining sub-categories.

Learning Argumentation Practices in School with a Graphical Synchronous Discussion Tool

Abstract: Several computerized representation tools have been developed to enhance collective argumentation in schools. The authors describe Digalo1, a graphical synchronous e-discussion tool (Schwarz & Glassner, 2007). They focus on how Digalo was used in a program (the Kishurim program) dedicated to foster dialogic and dialectic thinking among students in lessons centered on scientific and social issues. The studies undertaken on the use of Digalo suggest important lessons that moderators of e-discussions should keep in mind while designing, moderating, and evaluating small-group e-discussions. Amnon Glassner The Kaye Academic College of Education, Israel

Graduate Follow-up Studies as a Means to Advance and Improve a Program for Excellent Students

Abstract: This article describes a program for excellent students that views research as an inseparable part of its development, and utilizes research findings as a means to aid formulation and implementatio...

Two Social Representations Studies of One Social Group: Social and Methodological Aspects

Abstract: This paper brings together two separate studies that investigated identity representations of members of a minority group in Israeli society known as Religious Zionists. The studies were carried out by different researchers a decade apart, so that each was influenced by a different social context. Each researcher adopted Emda Orr's approach to social research that urges using SR theory to enhance understanding of social issues in Israel and pinpoint possible applications of such understanding. The paper highlights similarities and differences in the findings of these two researchers who used different methodologies to examine issues of group identity in general and identity of Religious Zionists in particular. We believe that because of their inherent differences, the two studies can be usefully presented in tandem to provide a wider and more complex picture of the group's social representations and illuminate their identity negotiating process. In conclusion we consider implications of this methodology of bringing such different studies together for identity issues and for social representations theory.

Mass Media Reference to Hit-and-Run Accidents in Israel: 'Moral Panic' or 'Media Hype'?

Abstract: This study examines the phenomenon of 'moral panic', a term coined by Cohen in the 1970s, in light of its advantages and the criticism toward it nowadays. The major criticism of this term today is that it is no longer relevant, or that it is significantly different from its past usages. One the reasons for this criticism stems from the fact that postmodern society is more heterogeneous than ever and has much less consensus regarding norms and values. The mass media plays a pivotal role in creating 'moral panic' by molding certain events or depicting specific groups, by alarming the public. In turn, the public demands more social control and that definitive action be taken against so-called 'deviant' behaviors or groups. Following criticism of the exaggerated use of the term 'moral panic' and its use as a label in almost every mass media context, numerous articles and much research have been generated in an attempt to distinguish between 'moral panic' and 'media hype'. This paper proposes a model that integrates both types of panic: moral and media, by analyzing two cases related to the hit-and-run [henceforth: HR] phenomenon. The main motivation for this paper and research stems from the fact that, despite the decrease in the number of fatal casualties in HR accidents in Israel, the media coverage of this phenomenon continues to gain momentum. This study uses a qualitative research method and provides content analyses of a variety of mass media tools in Israel.