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R. van Oostveen, William Muirhead and William M. Goodman
This study aims to examine the experience of 31 university students who were issued tablet PCs for their use during an academic year. The primary research problem which drove this…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the experience of 31 university students who were issued tablet PCs for their use during an academic year. The primary research problem which drove this project revolved around the student perceptions of the benefits of technology to provide opportunities to restructure their learning experiences.
Design/methodology/approach
The students were surveyed twice during the year and they were invited to participate in either individual interviews or a series of focus groups. A number of lectures were also visited and observed. The survey results provided quantitative data regarding student usage of the technology. The interviews, focus groups and observed classes provided data around the reasons why the students used the technology in the ways they did.
Findings
Little evidence was found to support a contention that meaningful learning with technology had occurred and, in spite of their comfort and familiarity with the technology, there is no evidence of changing attitudes with respect to meaningful learning on the part of the students surveyed in this study.
Research limitations/implications
A major application of this should be directed towards similar studies focused on combining the redefinition usage potential of new touch interface‐driven devices, such as the iPad, with a new pedagogical approaches to support learners to use the technology as cognitive tools.
Originality/value
It is important to note that the introduction of a new technology, even if it makes a wide variety of affordances available for use, cannot by itself, instigate redefinition of learning tasks to allow for meaningful learning to occur.
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Online education with Internet technology has been used extensively in post‐secondary education, but it is relatively new in schools. It has considerable potential for enhancing…
Abstract
Online education with Internet technology has been used extensively in post‐secondary education, but it is relatively new in schools. It has considerable potential for enhancing teaching/learning in both traditional schools and home‐schooling. Describes research conducted in Alberta where online education in schools is more common than in any other Canadian province. Semi‐structured interviews were held with 13 teachers from four online schools. Although they reported increased workloads and stress associated with added responsibilities for authoring online courses, providing technological support, and enhancing their technological skills, the teachers perceived many benefits of online education. However, improvements in the scope and reliability of technology and better access to digital educational content are required to realize the full potential of online education in schools. The information presented has relevance to school systems in many countries. It also relates to the rapidly evolving role of technology in education for all ages.
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The food standards of the Indiana State Board of Health, which appear on another page, show that it is quite possible to lay down official definitions of various articles of food;…
Abstract
The food standards of the Indiana State Board of Health, which appear on another page, show that it is quite possible to lay down official definitions of various articles of food; and a study of these regulations may be of assistance to those authorities who are striving to arrive at some form of order out of the chaos which at present exists in this country in matters relating to food standards. With reference to milk, it will be seen that not only is the question of composition dealt with, but strict directions are given that milk derived from a cow which can in any way be considered as diseased is regarded as impure, and must therefore, says the Board, be considered as adulterated. In regard to butter and margarine, limits are given for the total amount of fat—which must consist entirely of milk‐fat in the case of the former substance—water, and salt; and not only are all preservatives forbidden, but the colouring matters are restricted, only certain vegetable colouring matters and some few coal‐tar colours being permitted. All cheese containing less than 10 per cent, of fat derived from milk must be plainly labelled as “ skim‐milk cheese”; and if it contains fat other than milk‐fat, it must be described as “ filled cheese.” Some exception is taken to the use of preservatives in cheese, inasmuch as it appears that cheese may contain a preservative if the name of such preservative is duly notified upon the label ; and the rules for the colouring of cheese are the same as those which apply to butter and margarine. All articles of food containing preservatives are considered as adulterated unless the package bears a label, printed in plain type and quite visible to the purchaser, stating that a preservative is present, and also giving the name of the preservative which has been used. Articles of confectionery must not contain any ingredient deleterious to health, such as terra alba, barytes, talc, or other mineral substance, nor may they contain poisonous colours or flavours.
It's probably been at least a decade since any strategist actually believed he'd spend the rest of his career plotting the campaign of a great corporate army—from a nearby ridge.
The Librarians of Glasgow University since 1641 are identified, andtheir periods of office summarised and assessed as far as informationallows. The terms of appointment in early…
Abstract
The Librarians of Glasgow University since 1641 are identified, and their periods of office summarised and assessed as far as information allows. The terms of appointment in early years and pattern of town and university alternating nominations are outlined, and the gradual development of the post into that of a professional librarian in the twentieth century is illustrated.
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Juleigh Muirhead Clark and Karen Cary
Many traditional library practices are currently being re‐examined in response to the technological changes that are taking place in libraries. Additionally, pervasive budget…
Abstract
Many traditional library practices are currently being re‐examined in response to the technological changes that are taking place in libraries. Additionally, pervasive budget reductions require the scrutiny of service patterns in an effort to find those that most efficiently and best serve the user. No area is more affected by these pressures than public services—both technology and budget restrictions are challenging traditional reference service. Asking why we do what we do in regard to the ready reference collection is a good place to start rethinking our libraries' practices.
OUR article on Colonial Libraries in the March issue has been much appreciated and has already led to a good deal of correspondence on the subject. A letter has reached us from…
Abstract
OUR article on Colonial Libraries in the March issue has been much appreciated and has already led to a good deal of correspondence on the subject. A letter has reached us from Mr. H. Rutherford Purnell, of the Public Library of South Australia at Adelaide, which proves how very deeply he is interested in our affairs over here. We print it on another page and trust that somebody will take it upon themselves to answer his many queries in the same kindly spirit as they are asked.
Mr Geoffrey Pitt, M.B.E., has been appointed Traffic Director of the British Airports Authority. From 1946 to 1961, Mr Pitt was with the Eagle Group of Companies and became Sales…
Abstract
Mr Geoffrey Pitt, M.B.E., has been appointed Traffic Director of the British Airports Authority. From 1946 to 1961, Mr Pitt was with the Eagle Group of Companies and became Sales Director, and after‐wards was General Manager (Britain) for Aer Lingus.
IN the nature of things the Library Association Conference this year cannot have the spectacular character of the jubilee one of 1950; but that does not mean it will be less…
Abstract
IN the nature of things the Library Association Conference this year cannot have the spectacular character of the jubilee one of 1950; but that does not mean it will be less effective or less useful. Edinburgh is the second city of the United Kingdom, at least in appeal to bookmen, and probably Scots would object to our order of the hierarchy. Apart from the public libraries, a place that has the National Library of Scotland, the Advocates, the Signet and the University libraries, to name only the principal ones, with many associations and treasures, must have great attractions. On looking over conference reports generally, one can infer that the one institution in a town that is not frequented by librarians in the week is the public library. The obstacle is no doubt occupation with the meetings, which many delegates are naturally unwilling to miss. But we do suggest that library visits by newcomers to Edinburgh might be quite as important, in present impression and lasting effect, as most ordinary meetings can be. Since it must be admitted that our business at Edinburgh is to attend meetings, restraint is essential, but at least the Central Library and the fine Leith Library should be squeezed into the personal programme.