Comparison of Linear Functions in Middle Grades Textbooks from Singapore and the United States

Many U.S. students do not perform well on mathematics assessments with respect to algebra topics such as linear functions, a building-block for other functions. Poor achievement of U.S. middle school students in this topic is a problem. U.S. eighth graders have had average mathematics scores on international comparison tests such as Third International Mathematics Science Study, later known as Trends in Mathematics and Science Study, (TIMSS)-1995, -99, -03, while Singapore students have had highest average scores. U.S. eighth grade average mathematics scores improved on TIMMS-2007 and held steady onTIMMS-2011. Results from national assessments, PISA 2009 and 2012 and National Assessment of Educational Progress of 2007, 2009, and 2013, showed a lack of proficiency in algebra. Results of curriculum studies involving nations in TIMSS suggest that elementary textbooks in high-scoring countries were different than elementary textbooks and middle grades texts were different with respect to general features in the U.S. The purpose of this study was to compare treatments of linear functions in Singapore and U.S. middle grades mathematics textbooks. Results revealed features currently in textbooks. Findings should be valuable to constituencies who wish to improve U.S. mathematics achievement. Portions of eight Singapore and nine U.S. middle school student texts pertaining to linear functions were compared with respect to 22 features in three categories: (a) background features, (b) general features of problems, and (c) specific characterizations of problem practices, problem-solving competency types, and transfer of representation. Features were coded using a codebook developed by the researcher. Tallies and percentages were reported. Welch's t-tests and chi-square tests were used, respectively, to determine whether texts differed significantly for the features and if codes were independent of country. U.S. and Singapore textbooks differed in page appearance and number of pages, problems, and images. Texts were similar in problem appearance. Differences in problems related to assessment of conceptual learning. U.S. texts contained more problems requiring (a) use of definitions, (b) single computation, (c) interpreting, and (d) multiple responses. These differences may stem from cultural differences seen in attitudes toward education. Future studies should focus on density of page, spiral approach, and multiple response problems.

Examination and Critique of Codebook for Textual Analysis

The researcher presents the details, findings, and critique of a pre-pilot study conducted on a codebook created for a textbook comparison. She used Cohen’s alpha and percent agreement to determine inter-rater reliabilities for coding categories. These values revealed changes needed in the coding scheme and in the coder training process for the future comparison study.

Textbook on contract law

This edition of the guide to the law of contract takes account of the implications of Internet contracting and includes discussion of the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000. Where appropriate, reference is made, for reasons of comparison, to the principles contained in thePrinciples of European Contract Law (PECL) and the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts.;Significant developments in contract law, both statutory and case law, are discussed, including the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, the Electronic Communications Act 2000 andthe House of Lords' decisions in Alfred McAlpine Construction Ltd v Panatown Ltd and Attorney General V Blake. Other important decisions covered in this revised edition are Royal Bank of Scotland v Etridge, Barclays Bank Plc v Coleman, Barclays Bank Plc v Boulter, Avon Insurance v Swire, Zanzibar vBritish Aerospace (Lancsaster House) Ltd and Nutt v Read. In addition, there is discussion of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 and the European Commission's Review of the Unfair Terms Directive, as well as coverage of Director General of Fair Trading v First National Bank. Other decisions on illegality, onerous terms, constructionand repudiation of contract are included.

Nokia- The surprising success of textbook wisdom

What is the secret behind Nokia’s phenomenal success in mobile phones? More generally, how to succeed in a turbulent high technology market? Historical and comparative studies bring understanding not only about past phenomena, but also insights about current and coming ones. In this paper we compare Ford and General Motors in the 1920s and 1930s with Motorola and Nokia in the 1980s and 1990s. The insight from this comparison is how reinvention of the product, category, relative to the market incumbent’s market conceptualization, is a recipe for success. Nokia’s success in the 1990s was based on following the guidelines pioneered by General Motors in the 1920s: market segmentation, embracing the latest technological advances, and brand management in the pursuit of consumer repurchases. The article tells how Nokia addresses both GM’s legacy and changes in the business environment. At the end of our paper, we disuss the generalizability of our findings.

Experimental studies on comparison of microwave curing and thermal curing of epoxy resins used for alternative mould materials

In this present work attempts have been made to study the glass transition temperature of alternative mould materials by using both microwave heating and conventional oven heating. In this present work three epoxy resins, namely R2512, R2515 and R2516, which are commonly used for making injection moulds have been used in combination with two hardeners H2403 and H2409. The magnetron microwave generator used in this research is operating at a frequency of 2.45 GHz with a hollow rectangular waveguide. In order to distinguish the effects between the microwave and conventional heating, a number of experiments were performed to test their mechanical properties such as tensile and flexural strengths. Additionally, differential scanning calorimeter technique was implemented to measure the glass transition temperature on both microwave and conventional heating. This study provided necessary evidences to establish that microwave heated mould materials resulted with higher glass transition temperature than the conventional heating. Finally, attempts were also made to study the microstructure of microwave-cured materials by using a scanning electron microscope in order to analyze the morphology of cured specimens.