Implementing the OPTIMAL model : the impact on students' motivation in an elementary school games environment

Optimal challenge occurs when an individual perceives the challenge of the task to be equaled or matched by his or her own skill level (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). The purpose of this study was to test the impact of the OPTIMAL model on physical education students' motivation and perceptions of optimal challenge across four games categories (i. e. target, batting/fielding, net/wall, invasion). Enjoyment, competence, student goal orientation and activity level were examined in relation to the OPTIMAL model. A total of 22 (17 M; 5 F) students and their parents provided informed consent to take part in the study and were taught four OPTIMAL lessons and four non-OPTIMAL lessons ranging across the four different games categories by their own teacher. All students completed the Task and Ego in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ; Duda & Whitehead, 1998), the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI; McAuley, Duncan, & Tanmien, 1987) and the Children's Perception of Optimal Challenge Instrument (CPOCI; Mandigo, 2001). Sixteen students (two each lesson) were observed by using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time tool (SOFTT; McKenzie, 2002). As well, they participated in a structured interview which took place after each lesson was completed. Quantitative results concluded that no overall significant difference was found in motivational outcomes when comparing OPTIMAL and non-OPTIMAL lessons. However, when the lessons were broken down into games categories, significant differences emerged. Levels of perceived competence were found to be higher in non-OPTIMAL batting/fielding lessons compared to OPTIMAL lessons, whereas levels of enjoyment and perceived competence were found to be higher in OPTIMAL invasion lessons in comparison to non-OPTIMAL invasion lessons. Qualitative results revealed significance in feehngs of skill/challenge balance, enjoyment and competence in the OPTIMAL lessons. Moreover, a significance of practically twice the active movement time percentage was found in OPTIMAL lessons in comparison to non-OPTIMAL lessons.

Effects of computer-mediated communication and face-to-face communication on the quantity and quality of discourse produced by English as a second language students /

The effects oftwo types of small-group communication, synchronous computer-mediated and face-to-face, on the quantity and quality of verbal output were con^ared. Quantity was deiSned as the number of turns taken per minute, the number of Analysis-of-Speech units (AS-units) produced per minute, and the number ofwords produced per minute. Quality was defined as the number of words produced per AS-unit. In addition, the interaction of gender and type of communication was explored for any differences that existed in the output produced. Questionnaires were also given to participants to determine attitudes toward computer-mediated and face-to-face communication. Thirty intermediate-level students fi-om the Intensive English Language Program (lELP) at Brock University participated in the study, including 15 females and 15 males. Nonparametric tests, including the Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Friedman test were used to test for significance at the p < .05 level. No significant differences were found in the effects of computer-mediated and face-to-face communication on the output produced during follow-up speaking sessions. However, the quantity and quality of interaction was significantly higher during face-to-face sessions than computer-mediated sessions. No significant differences were found in the output produced by males and females in these 2 conditions. While participants felt that the use of computer-mediated communication may aid in the development of certain language skills, they generally preferred face-to-face communication. These results differed fi-om previous studies that found a greater quantity and quality of output in addition to a greater equality of interaction produced during computer-mediated sessions in comparison to face-to-face sessions (Kern, 1995; Warschauer, 1996).

Optimal and Robust Designs of Step-stress Accelerated Life Testing Experiments for Proportional Hazards Models

Accelerated life testing (ALT) is widely used to obtain reliability information about a product within a limited time frame. The Cox s proportional hazards (PH) model is often utilized for reliability prediction. My master thesis research focuses on designing accelerated life testing experiments for reliability estimation. We consider multiple step-stress ALT plans with censoring. The optimal stress levels and times of changing the stress levels are investigated. We discuss the optimal designs under three optimality criteria. They are D-, A- and Q-optimal designs. We note that the classical designs are optimal only if the model assumed is correct. Due to the nature of prediction made from ALT experimental data, attained under the stress levels higher than the normal condition, extrapolation is encountered. In such case, the assumed model cannot be tested. Therefore, for possible imprecision in the assumed PH model, the method of construction for robust designs is also explored.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff stating the total quantity of timber plank in the Port Robinson Bridge at Chippawa

Letter to S.D. Woodruff stating the total quantity of timber plank in the Port Robinson Bridge at Chippawa. This is signed by Fred Holmes, Oct. 6, 1857.

List showing the quantity of excavation from lot no.5 to Marshville Culvert

List showing the quantity of excavation from lot no.5 to Marshville Culvert, n.d.

Chart of approximate quantity of excavation in slides in the deep cut

Chart of approximate quantity of excavation in slides in the deep cut, July 1, 1848.

Abstract of quantity of excavation for lock no.12

Abstract of quantity of excavation for lock no.12, July 4, 1854.

General return (copy) showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending January 5th 1857 (Port Robinson)

General return (copy) showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending January 5th 1857 (Port Robinson) (2 pages), 1857.

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending 1857 and the amount of tolls collected thereon (Port of Maitland)

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending 1857 and the amount of tolls collected thereon (Port of Maitland) (2 page, printed blank), 1857.

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending December 31st, 1858

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending December 31st, 1858 and the amount of tolls collected thereon (Port of Maitland). This is signed by William Turner, collector (2 page, printed blank), 1858.

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending on the 31st of December 1858

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending on the 31st of December 1858 and the tolls collected thereon (office at Port Robinson) (2 pages), 1858.

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal (Port Robinson)

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal (Port Robinson) during the year ending on the 31st of December 1860 and the amount of tolls collected thereon, 1860.

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending the 31st of December 1860 and the amount of tolls collected thereon

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending the 31st of December 1860 and the amount of tolls collected thereon. This document was mouldy (now inactive). This does not affect the text. It is signed by William Turner, collector (office at Port Maitland), 1860.

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending the 31st of December 1861

General return showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending the 31st of December 1861 (office at Port Maitland) (2 pages), 1861.

General return (copy) showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending the 31st of December 1861

General return (copy) showing the quantity of each article transported on the Welland Canal during the year ending the 31st of December 1861 and the amount of tolls collected thereon (office at Port Robinson), 1861.