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Educational leadership theory is a dynamic and multifaceted subject that emerged from enterprise leadership perspectives, but it necessitates alignment with the practical aspects of educational management. To comprehensively grasp the evolution and present research status of this theory, content analysis is employed in this study to systematically analyze and quantify pertinent information. The key findings are as follows: Firstly, empirical research serves as the predominant research method in studying educational leadership theory. Within this field, qualitative and quantitative research methods are employed simultaneously. Moreover, case studies play a crucial role in advancing the development of issues and the construction of theories. Additionally, the distributed leadership theory has gained significant prominence within the realm of educational leadership. Current research methods employed in this theory are still in a stage of maturity, relying primarily on qualitative research to uncover underlying patterns among social phenomena through examination of specific cases. Finally, the primary focus of educational leadership theory lies in studying school managers and teachers. In light of the influence stemming from distributed leadership theory, teacher leadership has garnered increasing attention from scholars and has emerged as a burgeoning area of interest. This study contributes to the field by presenting a comprehensive framework for cognitive educational leadership theory through an extensive content analysis, thereby offering valuable insights into its overall developmental trajectory. These findings provide a macro-level perspective on educational leadership theory, particularly beneficial for subsequent researchers, especially those new to the field, seeking to grasp the broader landscape of this discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to compile studies related to the educational value of Kutadgu Bilig, and to examine and evaluate relevant research based on certain characteristics. The research was conducted using the document analysis, and the "Content Analysis" technique was employed for analyzing the data. Through a literature review conducted on TR Index and National Thesis Center databases, a search for studies published on Kutadgu Bilig's educational value resulted in the identification of 21 articles, 8 master's theses, and 2 doctoral theses. The obtained data were categorized under 5 different headings and presented in tables. As a result of the research, it was determined that studies on the educational value of Kutadgu Bilig were mostly concentrated between 2017 and 2021. In many of these studies, research and analysis methods were not specified; those that were mentioned were predominantly designed qualitatively. Additionally, it was found that the data collected in these studies were analyzed through content analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited research exists on the prevalence of undergraduate research participant pools (URPs) in psychology departments or guidelines surrounding their use. Objective: The aim of the current study was to replicate older studies on the prevalence of URPs in the United States and the procedures and guidelines related to those requirements. Method: Psychology department chairs in the U.S. were recruited by email and via the Association of Heads of Departments of Psychology listserv. A total of 604 department chairs participated in the online study by completing a series of assessments related to URP use in their department. Results: Most 4-year institutions (67.7%), but few 2-year institutions (6.3%) had a URP. Of the 4-year institutions with a URP, 83.7% had a research requirement for students enrolled in their introduction to psychology courses. Most departments (84.0%) did not assess the educational value of research participation. Conclusion: Most psychology departments have a URP, but few examined the educational value of research participation. Teaching Implications: Psychology departments should identify learning objectives for research participation, assess outcomes, and identify practices that optimize achieving those objectives. Research requirements should be consistent with ethical principles and empirical evidence of learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The core issue of the construction of the rural teaching staff in China is how to retain its localism and highlight its modernity, that is, new localism with the characteristics of the times, while strengthening its professional orientation. This is a kind of modern rural culture characteristics derived from the rural society under the traction of external cultural forces and its own intrinsic cultural inertia, in which tradition and modernity coexist. ciety under the traction of the exogenous cultural forces and its own endogenous cultural inertia. New localism is the endogenous force of rural teachers to serve the country, take root in the country, and be loyal to the cause of rural education. The educational value of rural teachers' new localism is mainly manifested in three aspects: " cultivating oneself " based on self life awakening, " cultivating others " based on cultivating others' life awakening, and " cultivating society " based on understanding rural social culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study involves Portuguese, Spanish and Greek pre-service primary teachers (n = 210) and pre-service kindergarten teachers (n = 195) and identifies through a questionnaire a) their personal opinions and b) perception of the didactic value of eight performances with live animals. The results were compared by course among countries and between courses in the same country. Globally, the pre-service teachers neither showed a great personal interest, nor recognized great didactic relevance in these shows. Pre-kindergarten teachers from Portugal and Spain tend to value them more positively as a way to bring children closer to animals. Shows with aquatic mammals received the greatest appreciation in both dimensions, especially in the Greek sample; birds of prey shows were valued more by the Iberian participants. Violent shows, such as fighting animals and bullfighting, were very negatively viewed. Shows with pets and birds of prey were viewed frequently as more detrimental to animals than they are. The results show that a better understanding of the impact of each show on animals is needed, if pre-service teachers are to make informed decisions in their professional future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prerequisite for red stories to be fully effective in educating people lies in clarifying the value, advantages and transformation ways of red stories as an educational resources. As a red resource, red stories have educational values of promoting the construction of a socialist core value system, leading individuals in the right direction of socialization, and cultivating positive feelings of love for the Communist Party of China (CPC) and country. As an educational resource, the advantages of red stories lie in the fact that the main objective is to educate people; the subject of teaching is diversified; the content is derived from life; the form is enjoyable. In school education, the ways in which red stories can be used to implement education includes classroom teaching with red stories to promote awareness, practical activities with red stories to promote practice, and an environment with red stories to nurture people implicitly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Minimally invasive surgery is a rising trend in colorectal surgery and is on its way to becoming the gold standard due to the benefits it provides for patients. This study aims to test the efficacy for educational purposes by evaluating the videos published on YouTube (www.youtube.com) channel for low anterior resection procedure in rectum surgery.Methods: We searched YouTube on October 17, 2020 to choose video clips that included relevant information about laparoscopic low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer.Results: We included 25 academics and 75 individual videos in this study. The teaching quality of the videos was evaluated according to academic and individual videos, and it was seen that the teaching quality scores of academic videos were higher and this result was statistically significant (P = .03). The modified Laparoscopic Surgery Video Educational Guidelines (LAP-VEGaS) criteria were found that the score was higher in individual videos (P = .014). The median Video Power Index (VPI) value was 1.50 (range .05-347) and the mean ratio was 7.01 ± 3.52. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P = .443).Discussion: Video-based surgical learning is an effective method for surgical education. Our study showed that the video quality and educational content of most of the videos about the low anterior resection procedure on YouTube were low. The videos of academic origin seem more valuable than individual videos. As far as video popularity is concerned, YouTube viewers are not selective. For this reason, training videos to be used for educational purposes must be passed through a standardized evaluation filter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educational apps offer a wide range of opportunities to foster children's early competency development during preschool age. However, due to inconsistent evaluation criteria, comparing the educational value of different apps is challenging, and conclusive data on children's and parent's preferences in choosing educational apps for preschoolers is lacking. In the present study, we analyse differences and agreements between the assessments of educational apps by scientific experts, parents, and their children, and compare their assessments with children's actual usage times. In sum, N = 400 children aged between 51 and 75 months (M = 60.9; SD = 4.5) obtained tablets to use at home for 10 consecutive months, with educational apps specifically developed to foster preschool children's cognitive, mathematical, and linguistic competences. Scientific experts rated children's apps according to the evaluation criteria by Hirsh-Pasek et al. (2015), while parents and children rated the respective apps with school grades, data was assessed at t1 (after 5 months) and t2 (after 10 months). Results show that children are less likely to play with apps with a higher educational value and rate them lower compared to ratings by scientific experts. Significant associations were found between the app ratings of parents and their children. With these findings, the present study provides insights into children's app preferences und usage behaviour especially in the context of family environment. The results highlight the importance of thoroughly researching and considering the perspectives of both parents and children to design apps that are enjoyable and played for extended periods. • Educational apps with a higher educational value are less appealing to children and played less often. • While parents and their children agree on their app preferences, both show different preferences than scientific experts. • The learning content was not decisive for children's app ratings, but rather the way the content was conveyed in the app. • Integrating all stakeholders' perspectives is crucial in the process of designing and selecting educational apps for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collective interest in global health training during US obstetrics/gynecology (Ob/Gyn) residency has grown over the past decade. The benefits of participation in global health electives have been well described. This review seeks to determine what literature exists regarding the use of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Milestones in Ob/Gyn residency as an assessment tool to evaluate global health programs. The PubMed database was searched from July 14, 2020 to August 20, 2021, using six search phrases: “global health curriculum(s) and ACGME”; “international health and ACGME”; “global health and Ob/Gyn residency”; “international health and Ob/Gyn residency”; “global health and Ob/Gyn residents”; and “global health curriculum(s) and Ob/Gyn residency.” Publications that described global health programming outside of residency, within other medical specialties, and/or at non-US institutions were excluded from this review. In total, 259 publications resulted from the preliminary search. Five articles described US global health residency training in Ob/Gyn in some capacity. Only one publication described a specific global health elective and its evaluation with respect to ACGME Milestones. Despite growing popularity of global health electives among residency programs, few are assessing the educational value of these offerings using ACGME Milestones or describing these efforts in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mantra in UsadaWarigaDalem is an example of a cultural tradition written on palm leaves that still survives as traditional medicine in Bali. This study aims to see the linguistic meaning, function and value of education from the Mantra in UsadaWarigaDalem. The analysis is carried out by applying Leech's theory of meaning, which divides meaning into seven types of meaning: conceptual, connotative, social, affective, reflective, collocative, and thematic meanings. In terms of educational values it refers to character education. This research uses descriptive-qualitative methods. Regarding the meaning and function of the mantra in UsadaWarigaDalem it is influenced by Balinese culture and Hinduism. Besides that, it also contains educational values, namely character education, it is found that religious values and social care / cooperation. Regarding the function of mantras in UsadaWarigaDalem related to social functions, namely in medicine and strengthening good relationship with others. In addition, it can be used as teaching material because it contains educational elements that are useful for educating the nation's future generations through literary works of heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research in outdoor education and more specifically on wilderness expeditions has almost exclusively focused on short-term benefits (<5yrs) despite their findings suggesting these are "life-changing" experiences. This study examined long-term outcomes (40 years later) of three (month-long) adventurous school expeditions to mainland Europe, by staff and pupils from a high school (11-to 16-year-olds) in Scotland in the 1970s. The investigation was initiated by a call for life stories from 45 participants, followed by 10 interviews at a school reunion. The interviews revealed a transference of learning qualities attributed to the expedition, indicating a long-term impact on participants' personal and/or professional lives, with individuals still drawing upon their expedition experiences some 40 years later. Significant themes emerging were planning and preparation, confidence, and feelings of gratefulness, which led to participants wanting to undertake service that contributes back into society for young peoples' benefit. This study adds to the knowledge of long-range educational outcomes from school expeditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italy's museums possess an enormous patrimony of historical scientific artefacts. This raises important questions regarding the conservation and safeguard of such materials and prompts reflection as to the utility of current modalities of popularising science. The collections housed in scientific museums were created in order to promote scientific education by making science more accessible and more comprehensible. The authors ask whether this heritage can still be used for educational purposes today, and examine a collection of preparations on the ossification of human bones in the Anatomical Museum of the University of Siena. They conclude that such materials can still be of educational value if they are made part of exhibitions that meet the needs of the public and of students in training. Indeed, it is essential to bear witness to the long pathway of the development of scientific knowledge and, in particular, to the value of the research on which this knowledge is based. Through the implementation of ad hoc exhibitions, this precious historical scientific patrimony can continue to play an important role in presenting medical/healthcare issues of topical interest without losing sight of the relevance of past experience to basic teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the initial experience of four experienced vitreoretinal surgeons, in France, with a three-dimensional (3-D) system, and to explore the potential advantages and disadvantages of this technology. We also report anatomical surgical outcomes of full-thickness idiopathic macular holes (MH) and primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), by using traditional microscopy and heads-up method. Methods: Four French retinal surgeons performed several types of ophthalmic surgeries with this new technology. To compare the 3-D system with ocular viewing, ergonomics, educational value, image sharpness, depth perception, field of view, technical feasibility, advantages and disadvantages, and expectations for the future, were assessed using a questionnaire. We also compared the same questionnaire with the answers of six Brazilian experienced vitreoretinal surgeons. For treating MHs, the surgeons performed 88 surgeries (44 with microscopy and 44 with 3-D). They performed 100 PPV for treating primary RRD (50 with ocular viewing and 50 with 3-D). The visualization method for each patient, as well as the assignment of each surgeon for a specific patient, were all randomly selected. Results: On the questionnaire, 3-D was preferred to traditional microscopy, except for technical feasibility; the type of surgery benefitting most from the 3-D was macula surgery and the least was anterior segment surgery; the most used by all is the black and white filter in patients with atrophic RPE during ILM peeling. Eighty-one (92.1%) MHs was successfully closed with one surgery and out of the 100 eyes with a primary RRD, the anatomical success after 3 months of follow-up was 91%, with no statistical significance between 3-D and ocular viewing. Conclusions: The surgeons in this study preferred 3-D to ocular viewing. Vitrectomy surgery to treat MHs and RRDs can be performed using the 3-D with the same efficiency as microscopy. Digital integration of 3-D and iOCT can be useful in some cases. With continuous refinement to improve the ability to visualize inside of the eye, this promising technology may enhance what we do as surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers often rely on undergraduate students to participate in psychological studies and so ethical guidelines state that there must be educational value to their participation. In previous studies that have asked undergraduates whether they felt they learned something new from participating in research, students have generally said yes. However, we know relatively little about what specifically they are learning. The current study aimed to extend previous research by asking undergraduate participants (N = 479), who had all taken part in at least one psychology study, to indicate whether and what they learned about the research process, themselves, or other people as a result of their participation. Participants were also asked to recommend ways to make participating in studies more educational. Our findings suggest that the majority of participants are learning from their participation, most often about the design or process of research but also sometimes about their own psychology or that of other people. Based on students' feedback, we provide specific recommendations for further improving the educational potential of studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is aiming at developing aesthetic learning design with a systemic approach to achieve educational value in performing arts. The study was conducted by employing research & development approach, consisting of stages, i.e. (1) identifying learning objectives, preceding by need assessments, (2) doing learning analysis, (3) analyzing students' behavior and characteristics, (4) identifying specific learning objectives, (5) developing learning outcomes assessment tool, (6) developing learning strategy, (7) selecting and developing learning material, (8) designing and evaluating formative learning design, and (9) designing and conducting summative evaluations. The results of this study are a set of aesthetic learning implementation plan with a systemic approach that meets the development criteria. The aesthetic learning design has been tested and tried out; and is effectively able to achieve the learning objectives of the aesthetic course in university; namely, students are able to find the value of education in performing arts and foster aesthetic sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the initial experiences of several vitreoretinal surgeons in Brazil, both experienced and beginners, with a three-dimensional (3D) system, and to report the advantages and disadvantages of this technology. We also report surgical manipulations performed using the heads-up method in porcine eyes. For full-thickness idiopathic macular holes (MHs), we analyzed the times required for pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and internal limiting membrane (ILM) rhexis by using traditional microscopy and 3D system, and to evaluate anatomical surgical results.Methods: During experimental vitreoretinal surgery on porcine eyes, two retinal surgeons applied the heads-up method. In clinical surgery, 14 retinal surgeons performed almost all types of vitreoretinal surgeries in association with facectomy, Ahmed glaucoma valve implant, or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery using an iStent®. The Ngenuity® 3D Visualization System was digitally integrated with intraoperative optical coherence tomography, the Verion™ Image-Guided System, and an endoscope (with a modified GoPro® camera). To compare the 3D system with traditional microscopy, ergonomics, educational value, image sharpness, depth perception, field of view, advantages and disadvantages, and technical feasibility were assessed using a questionnaire. One year later, the 14 surgeons answered the same questionnaire again, in order to assess whether they became more comfortable or not with 3D. For treating MHs, four surgeons (surgeon 1, fellows 1, 2, 3) performed the total of 40 surgeries. Each one performed 10 surgeries (5 with traditional microscopy and 5 with 3D visualization). The completion time for PPV and ILM rhexis were determined by using both methods.Results: In porcine eyes, disabling the color channels allowed better visualization of the ILM, either with Brilliant Blue G (BBG), indocyanine green chorioangiography (ICG), or açai dye; transillumination through the sclera was also better without a color channel, but visualization of the peripheral vitreous was better with a blue channel. Regarding clinical experience, the questionnaire responses showed that the respondents generally favored the heads-up method compared with traditional microscopy (p < 0.05); however, despite a slightly higher average score, the 3D system was not statistically significantly preferred in terms of technical feasibility (p = 0.1814). Answering again the same questionnaire 1 year later, the 14 surgeons felt more comfortable with 3D (p < 0.05). The type of surgery benefitting most from the 3D system was peeling of the ILM or epiretinal membrane (p < 0.001), and that receiving the least benefit was anterior segment surgery (p < 0.001). In addition, surgeons did not report benefits of color channels, preferring to disable it (p < 0.001). Comparisons between the average time for full PPV and ILM rhexis by using the two methods were non-significant, neither in each individual case of 3D surgery for each surgeon. Surgeon 1 had always been faster than his fellows. Thirty-six (90%) full-thickness MHs were successfully closed with one surgery.Conclusions: The 3D system was preferred to traditional microscopy. The 3D system was especially helpful for certain specific types of surgeries and served as an educational tool, having reduced illumination and allowing precise focusing. Concerning MH surgery, heads-up method was similar to traditional microscopy regarding length of time and anatomical surgical results. As a digital platform, it will be amenable to constant upgrades and may ultimately become the new standard for ophthalmic surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the opinion of urologists and their audience regarding patient safety and educational value of live surgical demonstrations (LSD) and semi-live surgical demonstrations (semi-LSD).Methods: Following the ‘2017 Challenges in Endourology’ meeting, a survey addressing patient safety and the educational value of LSD and semi-LSD was disseminated online to all participants. Survey outcomes of LSD and semi-LSD were compared. Results: All 279 respondents attended both LSD and semi-LSD. Overall, 53% of said respondents stated that patient safety was always the highest priority for LSD, while 74% noted the same for semi-LSD. The complication risk in LSD was perceived equal by 57% of the respondents when compared to cases of similar difficulty in routine practice, while 38% perceived it as a greater risk. For semi-LSD, the complication risk was perceived equal by 84%, while 5% perceived it to be a greater risk in comparison to general practice. On a scale from 0 (no value) to 10 (highly valuable), the average educational value of LSD and semi-LSD was rated 8.4 and 8.3, respectively. A substantial percentage of the surgeons who perform LSD express concerns that live surgery is not the optimal setting to ensure patient safety.Conclusions: LSD remains a popular tool for surgical education among urologists and their audience. However, patient safety remains a concern and is perceived less of a concern for semi-LSD. The educational value of LSD and semi-LSD was scored equally high. Therefore, we should consider to advocate the use of semi-LSD more often. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited research exists on enhancing the educational value of research participation among undergraduate research participants.The aim of the current studies was to examine the impact of extended debriefings and incentives on actual learning and perceptions of research participation.Three undergraduate samples were recruited from introductory psychology courses. A total of 943 students participated across the three studies by completing a series of assessments online.Findings from this series of studies suggest that extended video debriefings, especially when combined with instructions that incentivize attending to debriefing content, may be an effective tool to increase the educational value of undergraduate research participation.Extended debriefings and incentives may enhance learning associated with research participation among undergraduates.Psychology departments could consider using extended debriefings and incentives to enhance learning and quizzes to assess learning outcomes associated with research participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A models-based approach has been advocated as a means of overcoming the serious limitations of the traditional approach to physical education. One of the difficulties with this approach is that physical educators have sought to use it to achieve diverse and sometimes competing educational benefits, and these wide-ranging aspirations are rarely if ever achieved. Models-based practice offers a possible resolution to these problems by limiting the range of learning outcomes, subject matter and teaching strategies appropriate to each pedagogical model and thus the arguments that can be used for educational value. In this article, two examples are provided to support a case for educational value. This case is built on an examination of one established pedagogical model, Sport Education, which is informed by a perspective on ethics. Next, I consider Physical Literacy which, I suggest, is an existentialist philosophical perspective that could form the basis of a new pedagogical model. It is argued, in conclusion, that a models-based approach along with a reconstructed notion of educational value may offer a possible future for physical education that is well grounded in various philosophical arguments and the means to facilitate a wide range of diverse individual and social educational ‘goods’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The Surgical Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) conference is considered the golden hour of surgical education. However, evaluation methods for ensuring that quality M&M presentations efficiently contribute to resident education have not been clearly defined. To provide surgical trainees with the skills required to present a quality M&M presentation it is essential to have a robust tool to measure presentation skill and guide formative feedback. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted to develop an assessment tool for M&M conference. Literature review and expert consensus provided content for tool development. The tool, created using the situation, background, assessment, and recommendation format, was refined successively based on assessor feedback and assessed for reliability (internal consistency, interassessor reliability) and construct validity. Results: Three successive iterations of the tool were developed. Internal consistency and interassessor reliability improved from the first to third versions. A trend also was shown for increasing construct validity with the third iteration of the tool. Conclusions: A psychometrically robust assessment tool based on the situation, background, assessment, and recommendation format was developed and validated to identify and improve the overall quality and educational value of the surgical M&M conference. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The use of games in educational contexts has recently received growing attention; however, many teachers struggle with finding a right context to adopt games in the classroom. To strengthen teachers' beliefs about the educational value of games, this article explains the similarities and differences between new literacies and gaming literacy and defines gaming literacy from the "play" and "design" perspectives. This article presents examples of game use that will help teachers cultivate learners' new literacies through gaming, understand how the game debriefing process can help scaffold students' learning, and identify factors affecting the adoption of games in educational contexts. The audience for this article includes teachers and teacher educators who would like greater clarification regarding gaming literacy and its positive effects on the learning and development of new literacies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown that the majority of school students combine full-time education with part-time employment. To date educationalists have paid little attention to this, in part due to the negative views about the 'quality' of such work and its effect on educational attainment. In this research, a case study approach is used to explore the potential range and breadth of activities carried out by such employees. A range of alternative data-gathering techniques were used including event recording and work place observations. The findings highlight between job and within job category differences and suggest that many jobs are demanding and can result in skill attainment. The results are discussed in the context of debates about the potential educational value of such employment experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, twenty six short stories had been evaluated written in the period from Tanzimat (Turkish Reorganization) to the present day. The presences of Turkish or literature teachers among the characters in the narratives were evaluated on the basis of educational values in terms of the educational programs in the primary education. The short stories have been analyzed considering that educational values stated in primary education curriculum and the skills tried to bring into students in Turkish lessons. In the research, it has been determined that which educational values and language arts are tried to be given to readers in those short stories. In conclusion of the determinations, they have been reached the results related various dimension of the issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the state of assessment in simulation and gaming over the past 40 years. While assessment has come slowly to many disciplines, members of the simulation and gaming community have been assessing the educational effectiveness of their experiential activities for years, in part because of skepticism from more traditional quarters that gaming and simulation are appropriate techniques to use in the classroom. These past efforts to demonstrate educational value usually went by names other than "assessment." This article reviews research published in this journal using the keyword "assessment" plus a sample of pre-1990 meta-studies on evidence of educational effectiveness. The authors conclude with a discussion of two games, one familiar (SIMSOC) and one new (GLOBAL JUSTICE GAME) that may assist the reader in thinking about assessment strategies and related issues that need to be considered, in particular the role of agency versus structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A critical look at the content we select for teaching and the criteria for that selection may help us to establish a theoretical framework for studying the quality of teaching and learning. The discussion of such criteria is central to the German and Nordic didaktik tradition. The criteria for content selection reveal how educational content is related to student learning, and how the teacher appears a mediator of that relation. It reveals a distinction between an academic discipline and its corresponding educational content, and between knowing that subject matter and teaching it. Research designs founded on such a theoretical framework may contribute significantly to facilitate bottom-up studies of educational quality for the benefit of academic staff as well as for administrators and quality agencies. It can throw light on the development of written curricula and standards as well as on day-to-day teaching in our institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Students’ satisfaction with the educational quality of a surgical clerkship is influenced by their experiences at assigned clinical sites. We sought to identify key variables perceived by students to be associated with educationally valued clerkship sites. Methods: Between 1998 and 2002, third-year medical students completed a surgery site survey for each of the 2 sites on which they rotated during their required 2-month surgery rotation, representing a total of 16 sites. Students rated each site using a Likert scale on 8 educational variables as well as the overall educational value of the site. Students recorded the hours per week of direct instructional contact with attendings and, in the 2001/2002 academic year, provided narrative comments regarding site-specific strengths and weaknesses. The relationship between site variables and overall educational value across all sites was examined by stepwise multiple regression analysis. Content analysis of narrative responses was performed to surface major strengths and weaknesses associated with site-specific educational value. Results: From 1,377 completed surveys, representing an 87% completion rate, a statistically significant relationship was identified between sites’ overall educational value and 6 variables. The most significant variables were as follows: “direct instructional contact with attendings in the operating room” and “quality of house staff teaching” (accounted for 33% and 13% of the total variance in educational value, respectively). Content analysis from 359 narrative responses, representing a 92% response rate, revealed 5 major categories, with operating room experience receiving the most “strength” comments (28.8%). Conclusions: Specific variables influencing the perceived educational quality of clerkship sites can be identified. The single largest influence emerging independently from both the quantitative and qualitative analyses was the students’ experiences in the operating room. Emphasis on the educational experience in the operating room should be a priority when seeking to improve the educational value of clerkship sites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Cultural ecosystem services are undervalued, particularly scientific value. • We created 11 novel indicators to quantify scientific value. • New indicators of scientific value tested on coastal ecosystems in Singapore. • Mangroves, reefs and open water have the highest scientific value in Singapore. • Scientific value is spatially explicit and differs between sites. Coastal ecosystems provide a broad range of ecosystem services, which can be used to justify habitat conservation. The cultural ecosystem services of coastal ecosystems are generally underappreciated, and this is particularly the case when quantifying their scientific value. We created a tiered set of indicators to quantify scientific value spatially, and tested them using the case study of the island nation of Singapore. We conducted a systematic review of research papers, book chapters, conference reports and academic theses produced across 10 coastal ecosystems in Singapore, including mangroves, seagrasses, coral reefs, beaches and artificial coastal structures. At least 656 articles have been produced on Singapore's coastal zone, with 2201 unique observations, showing that scientific value is spatially variable along Singapore's coastline. Novel indicators such as the Site Impact Factor are able to differentiate scientific value between sites. This method has shed light on an under-recognised, but important cultural ecosystem service, and is applicable to other spatially-bounded coastal, marine and terrestrial landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1924 prof. K. R egelis, the first director of Kaunas Botanical Garden, began building the museum which at that time was a teaching exposure of Botany Cabinet. From the exhibits of that time still remained only cones which prof. K. R egelis brought from Switzerland (Saxifraga oppositifolia, Abies nordmanniana), in 1930 from Brazil (Araucaria araucana, Anona sp.) and from Norway (Cladonia alpestris). The museum exhibits were also supplied by other researchers of Botanical Garden: K. Grybauskas, prof. T. Ivanauskas, prof. A. Minkevičius, prof. J. Dagys. In 1958 from Michurinsk fruit moulages, among them presently defunct Lithuanian aquatic plant Trapa natans were purchased. Herbarium has a high educational, cognitive value, in particular -- the two herbarium books with shrubs, trees, herbaceous plant samples collected in Caucasus by an unknown author in 1888-1889. The text was written in Polish providing plant names in Latin, sometimes in Russian. Currently the museum of Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University has herbarium containing more than 1708 exhibits (excl. herbarium). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]