The changing nature and role of the head of department

There is little doubt that devolution of responsibility to schools and the growth of school-based management have impacted upon the role and workload of school leaders. Not only Principals have been affected by these changes as Welch (1996) argues that Principals of public secondary schools have passed responsibility down to Deputy-principals and to Heads of Department. As such, the Head of Department role, like other school administration positions, has undergone significant change. Of interest to this paper is the changing role of Heads of Department in secondary schools. This study reports on the findings of semi-structured interviews with eight Heads of Department from four public secondary schools and Principals from each of these schools in South East Queensland. Four years after the first set of interviews, two heads of department were reinterviewed. Both sets of interviews focused upon the role, change, and the importance of leadership. The research generated eight specific themes each of which was considered consistent with the nature of the role in a period of significant cultural change. These were the difference in perceptions regarding the Head of Department role, held by Principals and Heads of Department; Head of Department leadership in terms of a curriculum framed department or whole school leadership; how individuals perceived leadership, and how they learned of leadership; the impact of the changing culture upon the individual Head of Department; the growing influence of situational factors upon the role; the impact of managerialism; the changing nature of a secondary school department; and a growing and more complex workload, and the need for different skills. Furthermore, the findings pointed towards the need for effective change processes and a reconceptualized head of department role. The paper concludes with some implications for the ongoing professional development needs of Heads of Department.

Managing the airspace: A task analysis of Australian air traffic control

The aim of this study was to examine the way Australian air traffic controllers manage their airspace. Fourteen controllers ranging from 7 to 30 years experience were sampled from the Brisbane air traffic control centre. All had previously been endorsed for en route radar sectors. Five static pictures varying in workload level (low, medium and high) were presented to participants. Controllers were asked to work through the scenarios and describe aloud how they would resolve any potential conflicts between the aircraft. Following this controllers were asked a set of probe questions based on the critical decision method, to extract further information about the way they manage their airspace. A content analysis was used to assess patterns in the way controllers scan, strategies used in conflict detection and conflict resolution and the effect of workload on strategy choice. Findings revealed that controllers use specific strategies (such as working in a left to right scan or prioritising levels) when managing their airspace. Further analyses are still planned however a model based on the processes controllers used to resolve conflicts has been developed and will be presented as a summary of the results.

OS DESAFIOS DO PROFESSOR COORDENADOR PEDAGÓGICO NA FORMAÇÃO CONTINUADA DOS DOCENTES DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL: O CASO DA REGIÃO DO VALE DO RIBEIRA/SP

O presente estudo realiza uma análise sobre as funções de trabalho do Professor Coordenador Pedagógico da Rede Pública Estadual de Ensino, considerando os desafios e as contribuições da ação coordenadora e, principalmente, como esse profissional do ensino articula a formação continuada dos docentes e a sua própria formação como educador. As questões norteadoras da pesquisa são: 1. De que forma o Professor Coordenador Pedagógico consegue dar conta da formação dos docentes, durante as reuniões de HTPC Horário de Trabalho Pedagógico e Coletivo? 2.Como consegue cuidar de sua própria formação continuada, diante dos inúmeros entraves e obstáculos, das múltiplas resistências, dos conflitos, das emergências, dos imediatismos e da sobrecarga de trabalho, tendo em vista as relações interpessoais no seio da Escola? O trabalho analisa os pontos comuns e os diferenciais da ação coordenadora e a forma como ela interfere na construção de um ensino de melhor qualidade, bem como o papel do Professor Coordenador Pedagógico como mediador e articulador desse processo. Os referenciais teóricos que fundamentam esta pesquisa encontram-se no legado de Paulo Freire (1982a/1982b/1983/1991/1997/2000), com a reintegração das dimensões do homem que o fazem humano, pessoal e social, o compromisso do profissional com a Sociedade, a formação continuada; a conscientização e a mudança necessária em Educação; e de outros autores que tratam das temáticas que envolvem a Coordenação Pedagógica, formação de docentes, HTPC e relações interpessoais, como: Placco (2008), Vasconcellos (2010ª/2010b/2010c), Bruno (2008), Libâneo (1993), Rios (2001), Thurler (2002), Sergiovanni (1976), Teixeira (1977), Perrenoud (1999)/ Perrenoud et al. (2002), Nidelcoff (1983), Araújo(2002), entre outros. A pesquisa de campo, de cunho qualitativo e que pretende contribuir para o debate das questões da Educação Pública, foi realizada com Professores Coordenadores Pedagógicos de escolas estaduais da Diretoria de Ensino de Miracatu, região do Vale do Ribeira/SP, especificamente no município de Itariri, com a aplicação de questionário e realização de entrevistas de aprofundamento e os resultados apontam para o fato de que o Professor Coordenador Pedagógico consegue (ou não) exercer as atribuições que lhe são conferidas conforme forem as relações interpessoais estabelecidas no cotidiano escolar.

A FORMAÇÃO INICIAL E O ESTÁGIO SUPERVISIONADO: AS REPRESENTAÇÕES DE ALUNOS SOBRE A PRÁTICA DO ESTÁGIO DE UM CURSO DE LETRAS A DISTÂNCIA

O estágio supervisionado é uma etapa primordial a ser cumprida pelos alunos de um curso de licenciatura, pois é durante seu cumprimento que o aluno poderá, de fato, experimentar sua profissão docente a partir da unidade teoria/prática. Contudo, muitas vezes, o estágio é visto apenas como uma questão burocrática do curso e não como uma ferramenta pedagógica, sendo o momento em que é possível observar as práticas em sala de aula, compará-las e refazê-las, além de ser uma experiência que contribui para a formação inicial desse aluno enquanto futuro professor. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivos verificar qual a representação que o aluno estagiário tem sobre o estágio, desvelando quais saberes docentes são adquiridos por meio dessa prática e como é estabelecida a relação entre a lei de estágio, o curso investigado e o aluno estagiário. Para tal, realizou-se uma pesquisa de revisão da literatura a fim de se obter um aprofundamento no referencial teórico e, posteriormente, uma pesquisa documental envolvendo estudos sobre os aspectos legais do estágio e sobre o Projeto Pedagógico do Curso. Com a intenção de constatar quais representações os alunos têm sobre o estágio, realizou-se uma pesquisa de campo com aplicação de um questionário a dezesseis alunos de um curso de Letras a distância de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior localizada na Grande São Paulo. As análises dos dados foram realizadas a partir da criação de cinco categorias de análise: As representações sobre a escola pública, As representações sobre os professores, As representações sobre o estágio, A carga horária e A relação teoria e prática. Os resultados apontam para representações bastante positivas sobre o estágio, representações estas que revelam no discurso dos alunos a valorização do professor e da escola pública, a aquisição de saberes docentes e o estágio enquanto momento de observação, reflexão e práxis docente. Além disso, embora a maioria dos estagiários considere excessiva a carga horária legalmente exigida, reconhecem a importância e relevância desse momento para sua formação acadêmica e profissional.

QUALIDADE DE VIDA DE PROFESSORES DA REDE PÚBLICA DE SÃO BERNARDO DO CAMPO

A presente dissertação de mestrado teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade de vida e a saúde mental de 154 professores do ensino fundamental da rede publica de São Bernardo do Campo. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo do tipo transversal e os dados foram coletados nas escolas onde lecionam nos horários de HTPC. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: WHOQOL-bref, Questionário sócio-demográfico, Questionário de avaliação de nível sócio-econômico, Questionário de Morbidade Psiquiátrica de adultos - QMPA e o SF-36. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a qualidade de vida dos professores (WHOQOL-bref) tende a ser regular, no SF-36 a qualidade de vida na capacidade funcional, aspecto físico e aspectos sociais tendem a ser positivas. Mas, os indicadores das facetas: dor, estado geral de saúde, aspectos emocionais, saúde mental e principalmente vitalidade tendem a ser negativos. Os dados obtidos no questionário de morbidade psiquiátrica indicaram morbidade psiquiátrica em 33% dos professores. As correlações estabelecidas mostraram que quanto maior os indicadores psicopatológicos (QMPA) pior a qualidade de vida (WHOQOL-bref e SF-36). Concluiu-se nesse estudo que um professor com a qualidade de vida e com saúde mental é um professor com uma jornada de trabalho não extensa, que garanta um tempo para o descanso e momentos de lazer. Os professores mais velhos que diminuíram sua carga de trabalho apresentam melhor qualidade de vida e ausência de morbidade psiquiátrica

Managing people and performance:An evidence based framework applied to health service organizations

People and their performance are key to an organization's effectiveness. This review describes an evidence-based framework of the links between some key organizational influences and staff performance, health and well-being. This preliminary framework integrates management and psychological approaches, with the aim of assisting future explanation, prediction and organizational change. Health care is taken as the focus of this review, as there are concerns internationally about health care effectiveness. The framework considers empirical evidence for links between the following organizational levels: 1. Context (organizational culture and inter-group relations; resources, including staffing; physical environment) 2. People management (HRM practices and strategies; job design, workload and teamwork; employee involvement and control over work; leadership and support) 3. Psychological consequences for employees (health and stress; satisfaction and commitment; knowledge, skills and motivation) 4. Employee behaviour (absenteeism and turnover; task and contextual performance; errors and near misses) 5. Organizational performance; patient care. This review contributes to an evidence base for policies and practices of people management and performance management. Its usefulness will depend on future empirical research, using appropriate research designs, sufficient study power and measures that are reliable and valid.

Cognition, ocular accommodation, and cardiovascular function in emmetropes and late-onset myopes

PURPOSE. To investigate objectively and noninvasively the role of cognitive demand on autonomic control of systemic cardiovascular and ocular accommodative responses in emmetropes and myopes of late-onset. METHODS. Sixteen subjects (10 men, 6 women) aged between 18 and 34 years (mean ± SD: 22.6 ± 4.4 years), eight emmetropes (EMMs; mean spherical equivalent [MSE] refractive error ± SD: 0.05 ± 0.24 D) and eight with late-onset myopia (LOMs; MSE ± SD: -3.66 ± 2.31 D) participated in the study. Subjects viewed stationary numerical digits monocularly within a Badal optical system (at both 0.0 and -3.0 D) while performing a two-alternative, forced-choice paradigm that matched cognitive loading across subjects. Five individually matched cognitive levels of increasing difficulty were used in random order for each subject. Five 20-second, continuous-objective recordings of the accommodative response measured with an open-view infrared autorefractor were obtained for each cognitive level, whereas simultaneous measurement of heart rate was continuously recorded with a finger-mounted piezoelectric pulse transducer for 5 minutes. Fast Fourier transformation of cardiovascular function allowed the relative power of the autonomic components to be assessed in the frequency domain, whereas heart period gave an indication of the time-domain response. RESULTS. Increasing the cognitive demand led to a significant reduction in the accommodative response in all subjects (0.0 D: by -0.35 ± 0.33 D; -3.0 D: by -0.31 ± 0.40 D, P < 0.001). The greater lag of LOMs compared with EMMs was not significant (P = 0.07) at both distance (0.38 ± 0.35 D) and near (0.14 ± 0.42 D). Mean heart period reduced with increasing levels of workload (P < 0.0005). LOMs exhibited a relative elevation in sympathetic system activity compared to EMMs. Within refractive groups, however, accommodative shifts with increasing cognition correlated with parasympathetic activity (r = 0.99, P < 0.001), more than with sympathetic activity (r = 0.62, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS. In an equivalent workload paradigm, increasing cognitive demand caused a reduction in accommodative response that was attributable principally to a concurrent reduction in the relative power of the parasympathetic component of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The disparity in accommodative response between EMMs and LOMs, however, appears to be augmented by changes in the sympathetic nervous component of the systemic ANS. Copyright © Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Using quantitative analysis to implement autonomic IT systems

The software underpinning today’s IT systems needs to adapt dynamically and predictably to rapid changes in system workload, environment and objectives. We describe a software framework that achieves such adaptiveness for IT systems whose components can be modelled as Markov chains. The framework comprises (i) an autonomic architecture that uses Markov-chain quantitative analysis to dynamically adjust the parameters of an IT system in line with its state, environment and objectives; and (ii) a method for developing instances of this architecture for real-world systems. Two case studies are presented that use the framework successfully for the dynamic power management of disk drives, and for the adaptive management of cluster availability within data centres, respectively.

A study of adaptive load balancing algorithms for distributed systems

With the advent of distributed computer systems with a largely transparent user interface, new questions have arisen regarding the management of such an environment by an operating system. One fertile area of research is that of load balancing, which attempts to improve system performance by redistributing the workload submitted to the system by the users. Early work in this field concentrated on static placement of computational objects to improve performance, given prior knowledge of process behaviour. More recently this has evolved into studying dynamic load balancing with process migration, thus allowing the system to adapt to varying loads. In this thesis, we describe a simulated system which facilitates experimentation with various load balancing algorithms. The system runs under UNIX and provides functions for user processes to communicate through software ports; processes reside on simulated homogeneous processors, connected by a user-specified topology, and a mechanism is included to allow migration of a process from one processor to another. We present the results of a study of adaptive load balancing algorithms, conducted using the aforementioned simulated system, under varying conditions; these results show the relative merits of different approaches to the load balancing problem, and we analyse the trade-offs between them. Following from this study, we present further novel modifications to suggested algorithms, and show their effects on system performance.

Individual differences in human-computer interaction

This thesis initially presents an 'assay' of the literature pertaining to individual differences in human-computer interaction. A series of experiments is then reported, designed to investigate the association between a variety of individual characteristics and various computer task and interface factors. Predictor variables included age, computer expertise, and psychometric tests of spatial visualisation, spatial memory, logical reasoning, associative memory, and verbal ability. These were studied in relation to a variety of computer-based tacks, including: (1) word processing and its component elements; (ii) the location of target words within passages of text; (iii) the navigation of networks and menus; (iv) command generation using menus and command line interfaces; (v) the search and selection of icons and text labels; (vi) information retrieval. A measure of self-report workload was also included in several of these experiments. The main experimental findings included: (i) an interaction between spatial ability and the manipulation of semantic but not spatial interface content; (ii) verbal ability being only predictive of certain task components of word processing; (iii) age differences in word processing and information retrieval speed but not accuracy; (iv) evidence of compensatory strategies being employed by older subjects; (v) evidence of performance strategy differences which disadvantaged high spatial subjects in conditions of low spatial information content; (vi) interactive effects of associative memory, expertise and command strategy; (vii) an association between logical reasoning and word processing but not information retrieval; (viii) an interaction between expertise and cognitive demand; and (ix) a stronger association between cognitive ability and novice performance than expert performance.

Behavioural correlates of ocular accomodation and the autonomic nervous system

The binding issue of th is thesis was the examination of workload, induced by relinotopic and spatiotopic stimuli, on both the ocu lomotor and cardiovascular systems together with investigating the covariation between the two systems - the 'eye-heart' link. Further, the influence of refractive error on ocular accommodation and cardiovascular function was assessed. A clinical evaluation was undertaken to assess the newly available open-view infrared Shin-Nippon NVision-K 5001 optometer, its benefit being the capability to measure through pupils = 2.3 mm. Measurements of refractive error taken with the NVision-K were found to be both accurate (Difference in Mean Spherical Equivalent: 0.14 ± 0.35 D; p = 0.67) and repeatable when compared to non-cycloplegic subjective refraction. Due to technical difficulties, however, the NVision-K could not be used for the purpose of the thesis, as such, measures of accommodation were taken using the continuously recording Shin-Nippon SRW-5000 openview infrared optometer, coupled with a piezo-electric finger pulse transducer to measure pulse. Heart rate variability (HRV) was spectrally analysed to determine the systemic sympathetic and parasympathetic components of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). A large sample (n = 60), cross-sectional study showed late-onset myopes (LOMs) display less accurate responses when compared to other refractive groups at high accommodative demand levels (3 .0 0 and 4.0D). Tonic accommodation (TA) was highest in the hypermetropes, fo llowed by emmetropes and early-onset myopes while the LOM subjects demonstrated statistically significant lower levels of TA. The root-meansquare (RMS) value of the accommodative response was shown to amplify with increased levels of accommodative demand. Changes in refractive error only became significant between groups at higher demand levels (3.0 D and 4.0 D) with the LOMs showing the largest magnification in oscilIations. Examination of the stimulus-response cross-over point with the unit ratio line and TA showed a correlation between the two (r = 0.45, p = 0.001), where TA is approximately twice the dioptric value of the stimulus-response cross-over point. Investigation of the relationship between ocular accommodation and systemic ANS function demonstrated covariation between the systems. Subjects with a faster heart rate (lower heart period) tended to have a higher TA value (r = -0.27, p < 0.05). Further, an increase in accommodative demand accompanies a faster heart rate. The influence of refractive error on the cardiovascular response to changes in accommodative demand, however, was equivocal. Examination of the microfluctuations ofacconunodation demonstrated a correlation between the temporal frequency location of the accommodative high Frequency component (HFC) and the arterial pulse frequency. The correlation was present at a range of accommodative demands from 0.0 D to 4.0 D and in all four refractive groups, suggesting that the HFC was augmented by physiological factors. Examination of the effect of visual cognition on ocular accommodation and the ANS confirmed that increasing levels of cognition affect the accommodative mechanism. The accommodative response shifted away from the subject at both near and far. This shift in accommodative response accompanied a decay in the systemic parasympathetic innervation to the heart. Differences between refractive groups also existed with LOMs showing less accurate responses compared to emmetropes. This disparity, however, appeared to be augmented by the systemic sympathetic nervous system. The investigations discussed explored Ihe role of oculomotor and cardiovascular fu nction in workload enviromnents, providing evidence for a behavioural link between the cardiovascular and oculomotor systems.

Dynamic QoS management and optimisation in service-based systems

Service-based systems that are dynamically composed at run time to provide complex, adaptive functionality are currently one of the main development paradigms in software engineering. However, the Quality of Service (QoS) delivered by these systems remains an important concern, and needs to be managed in an equally adaptive and predictable way. To address this need, we introduce a novel, tool-supported framework for the development of adaptive service-based systems called QoSMOS (QoS Management and Optimisation of Service-based systems). QoSMOS can be used to develop service-based systems that achieve their QoS requirements through dynamically adapting to changes in the system state, environment and workload. QoSMOS service-based systems translate high-level QoS requirements specified by their administrators into probabilistic temporal logic formulae, which are then formally and automatically analysed to identify and enforce optimal system configurations. The QoSMOS self-adaptation mechanism can handle reliability- and performance-related QoS requirements, and can be integrated into newly developed solutions or legacy systems. The effectiveness and scalability of the approach are validated using simulations and a set of experiments based on an implementation of an adaptive service-based system for remote medical assistance.

The importance of optical coherence tomography examination of normal fellow eyes in neovascular age-related macular degeneration monitoring clinics

Purpose: To demonstrate the importance of OCT examination of fellow, normal eyes in unilateral nAMD follow up clinics. Methods: The authors present three cases of unilateral nAMD who were undergoing treatment with ranibizumab, in whom OCT evaluation of the previously unaffected, asymptomatic fellow eye allowed early diagnosis, treatment and preservation of vision. Fundus examination had previously failed to demonstrate abnormality. Results: Intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment for nAMD has caused a sharp increase in the number of subjects attending macular clinics, frequently overburdening the system. It may sometimes be tempting for hospitals to reduce the workload by for example, concentrating only on OCT examination of the affected eye in cases of unilateral nAMD. The three reported cases demonstrate that OCT scanning of the fellow, previously unaffected eye is essential in detecting asymptomatic nAMD, which gives a better chance of preservation of vision. Conclusions: Patients with unilateral neovascular AMD undergoing review in macular clinics should always undergo OCT scanning of normal, fellow eyes, as otherwise asymptomatic, “invisible” choroidal neovascular membranes may be missed.

Patients’ and health professionals’ views and experiences of atrial fibrillation and oral-anticoagulant therapy:a qualitative meta-synthesis

Objective - Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients are prescribed oral-anticoagulant (OAC) therapy, often warfarin, to reduce stroke risk. We explored existing qualitative evidence about patients’ and health professionals’ experiences of OAC therapy. Methods - Systematic searches of eight bibliographic databases were conducted. Quality was appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool and data from ten studies were synthesised qualitatively. Results - Four third-order constructs, emerged from the final step in the analysis process: (1) diagnosing AF and the communication of information, (2) deciding on OAC therapy, (3) challenges revolving around patient issues, and (4) healthcare challenges. Synthesis uncovered perspectives that could not be achieved through individual studies. Conclusion - Physicians’ and patients’ experiences present a dichotomy of opinion on decision-making, which requires further exploration and changes in practice. Outcomes of workload pressure on both health professionals and patients should be investigated. The need for on-going support and education to patients and physicians is critical to achieve best practice and treatment adherence. Practice implications - Such research could encourage health professionals to understand and attend better to the needs and concerns of the patient. Additionally these findings can be used to inform researchers and healthcare providers in developing educational interventions with both patients and health professionals.

A simulation study of the shift system at a UK police communications centre

The UK Police Force is required to operate communications centres under increased funding constraints. Staff represent the main cost in operating the facility and the key issue for the efficient deployment of staff, in this case call handler staff, is to try to ensure sufficient staff are available to make a timely response to customer calls when the timing of individual calls is difficult to predict. A discrete-event simulation study is presented of an investigation of a new shift pattern for call handler staff that aims to improve operational efficiency. The communications centre can be considered a specialised case of a call centre but an important issue for Police Force management is the particularly stressful nature of the work staff are involved with when responding to emergency calls. Thus decisions regarding changes to the shift system were made in the context of both attempting to improve efficiency by matching staff supply with customer demand, but also ensuring a reasonable workload pattern for staff over time.