Shock avoidance by discrimination learning in the shore crab (Carcinus maenas) is consistent with a key criterion for pain

Nociception allows for immediate reflex withdrawal whereas pain allows for longer-term protection via rapid learning. We examine here whether shore crabs placed within a brightly lit chamber learn to avoid one of two dark shelters when that shelter consistently results in shock. Crabs were randomly selected to receive shock or not prior to making their first choice and were tested again over 10 trials. Those that received shock in trial 2, irrespective of shock in trial 1, were more likely to switch shelter choice in the next trial and thus showed rapid discrimination. During trial 1, many crabs emerged from the shock shelter and an increasing proportion emerged in later trials, thus avoiding shock by entering a normally avoided light area. In a final test we switched distinctive visual stimuli positioned above each shelter and/or changed the orientation of the crab when placed in the chamber for the test. The visual stimuli had no effect on choice, but crabs with altered orientation now selected the shock shelter, indicating that they had discriminated between the two shelters on the basis of movement direction. These data, and those of other recent experiments, are consistent with key criteria for pain experience and are broadly similar to those from vertebrate studies. © 2013. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Inclusive teaching practice in the Jewish day school: general studies teachers' experiences /

Little research has been done on inclusive education in the context of the Jewish day school general studies classroom. This qualitative case study research examines the inclusive teaching experiences of 2 general studies teachers in their respective grade 4 classrooms in 2 traditionally structured dual curriculum Jewish day schools. Data analysis of qualitative open-ended interviews, classroom observations, postobservation discxissions, and school and formal curriculum documents yielded understandings about the participants' inclusive practice and the challenges of the traditional Jewish day school structure. Eight themes that emerged related to understandings and questions about time limitations, an emphasis on efficiency, the day school structure, inclusion models, the need for increased teacher collaboration, and tension between curriculum-as-plan and curriculum-as-lived. Discussion of the findings suggests the need for further research in inclusion and integrated curriculimi in order to better understand possible restructuring of the traditional Jewish day school fi-om the time efficiency constrained dual curriculiun structure to a more flexible structure conducive of a meaningful and dynamic lived curriculum.

Self-directed learning, lifelong learning and transformative learning in the Society for Creative Anachronism

This study examines the connection between leisure group participation and learning activities undertaken by participants in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), a medieval recreationist group. The thesis of this connection was developed through the researcher's observations during SCA participation. The intent of this study is to understand adult learning from the self-directed learning, lifelong learning, and -transformative learning components derived from participant's SCA experiences. This qualitative study was conducted by interviewing eight active SCA participants, two in each participation theme of historical research, artistic representation, performance, and martial skills. Informants' responses demonstrated an integration of their leisure activity with learning. The contextualization of learning a s both a primary activity and a necessary support to participation, places learning a t the heart of participants' SCA related activities. The positive descriptions of learning activities, descriptive terms of ownership, and situating learning as an enjoyable activity engaged for the pleasure of the experience, provides adult educators with a fascinating glimpse of willing and engaged adult learners pursuing lifelong learning outside of the traditional educational structure. Two themes emerged during the interviews. First, bonding with others provided the motivation to continue their activities. Secondly, a feeling of commitment and helonging defined their enjoyment and satisfaction with SCA participation. The clear implications are that adult educators can create effective learning communities by developing educational structures that engage adult learners wi th meaningful social interaction.

Adult Learning in the Transformational Environments of the Digital Revolution: Connecting Theory and Practice

The purpose of this study was to investigate the learning preferences and the post-secondary educational experiences of a group of Net-Gen adult learners, aged between 18 and 35, currently working in the knowledge economy workplace, and their assessment of how adequately they were prepared to meet the requirements of the knowledge economy workplace. This study utilized an explanatory mixed-method research design. Participants completed a questionnaire providing information on their self-reported learning style preferences, their use of digital tools for formal and informal learning, their use of digital technologies in postsecondary educational experiences, and their use of digital technologies in their workplace. Four volunteers from the questionnaire respondents were selected to participate in interviews based on the diversity of their experiences in higher education, including digital environments, and the diversity of their knowledge economy workplaces. Data collected from the questionnaire were analyzed for descriptive and demographic statistics, and categorized so that common patterns could be identified from information gathered from the online questionnaire and interviews. Findings based on this study indicated that these Net-Gen adult learners were fluent with all types of digital technologies in collaborative environments, expecting their educational experiences to provide a similar experience. Participants clearly expressed an understanding that digital/collaborative aptitudes are essential to successful employment in the knowledge economy workplace. The findings of this study indicated that the majority of participants felt that their post-secondary educational experiences did not adequately prepare them to meet the expectations of this type of working environment.

E-Resources in the Engineering College Libraries of Kerala: Problems towards Sustainable Collection Development

Electronic resources have become a vital part of an academic library especially in universities and higher education institutions. The availability of electronic resources and the acceptance of the fonnat among the academics are rising day by day. As far as engineering students are concerned, they are much techno-savy and are more used to electronic resources. So it has become necessary for the libraries of engineering institutions to subscribe and provide access to electronic resources to satisfy its user community. Many studies have identified that academics are much preferring online journals and databases than their print counter-parts

A practical guide to teaching history in the secondary school.

En el aprendizaje de enseñar historia, el profesor en formación experimentara unas preocupaciones, que cambian a lo largo de los años de formación, y algunas de ellas son de carácter general para todas las materias, pero otras son específicas de la historia. En este sentido, este texto trata de ser una guía práctica que ofrezca orientación para ayudar a superar estas inquietudes, aunque, es importante contar con la labor de los docentes en ejercicio que también tienen experiencia en trabajar como tutores con los alumnos.

A practical guide to teaching citizenship in the secondary school.

Está planteado para desarrollar habilidades básicas de enseñanza y desarrollar o reforzar el conocimiento y comprensión de la materia de la educación para la ciudadanía en profesores en formación, aunque también puede ser de utilidad a recién titulados y profesores principiantes. Proporciona muchas actividades prácticas y materiales que ofrecen la oportunidad de analizar el aprendizaje y el rendimiento.

A practical guide to teaching science in the secondary school.

Proporciona a los estudiantes de magisterio, profesores en formación y recién diplomados los consejos, orientación y recursos que pueden necesitar para desarrollar la práctica docente y planificar las lecciones. Además, incluye estudios de casos, ejemplos de trabajos de alumnos, una serie de estrategias de enseñanza ya probadas y actividades para ayudar a los estudiantes de magisterio de ciencias a analizar su aprendizaje y rendimiento.

A practical guide to teaching music in the secondary school.

Es un recurso para los profesores de música que se adapta al plan de estudios revisado de la etapa 3 (key stage 3) en las escuelas de secundaria. Incluye el aprendizaje musical personalizado; la enseñanza creativa y la promoción de la creatividad; el trabajo multidisciplinar con otras materias; la utilización de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (ICT) en el aula y la evaluación para el aprendizaje de la música.

Teaching mathematics in the primary school.

Este título da ideas sobre cómo los profesores pueden mejorar la comprensión de las matemáticas en la enseñanza primaria y la capacidad de utilizarlas en una variedad de contextos. Cubre las siguientes áreas: las matemáticas como una materia de enseñanza-aprendizaje, recursos, organización y gestión, evaluación y planificación; la igualdad de oportunidades y necesidades educativas especiales; la coordinación de las matemáticas.

A practical guide to teaching ICT in the secondary school.

Es una guía práctica para la enseñanza de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) destinada a los profesores de secundaria, que proporciona una gran riqueza de actividades y materiales. También, trata cuestiones pedagógicas importantes que surgen durante la experiencia escolar: la dirección de la clase y el entorno de aprendizaje, diferentes formas de explicar los aspectos de un tema que los alumnos encuentran problemáticos, y comprensión por los alumnos de conceptos erróneos.