Search

Formal and informal systems of evaluation are commonly used by school divisions and districts to monitor teaching staff, measure teacher quality, inform staffing decisions, and plan professional development opportunities. Criticism from educators and supervisors of traditional and nontraditional evaluation systems has raised questions regarding the effectiveness of teacher evaluation in aiding teachers to improve their practices and achieve higher levels of professional growth. When implemented effectively, both formal and informal systems of evaluation have the capacity to support significant improvements in the quality of teaching and learning, and greater success is possible when the core components and guiding principles that form the foundation of the system are fully understood.

Effective models of co-teaching enhance the quality of instruction in dynamic classrooms, contribute to increases in student achievement, and assist teachers in building their capacity to meet the diverse needs of students in today's classrooms. Additionally, co-teaching provides teachers with regular opportunities for collaboration, expertise sharing and reflection. When executed as a mutually beneficial and valued partnership, co-teaching should be considered as an effective professional development model for teacher enhancement.

Research about the brain has affected the education community and transformed the way that educators think about learning. The field of brain-based education looks at making connections between the latest research findings of neuroscientists and the most effective teaching practices for the enhancement of instruction and learning. Educators who are armed with knowledge of the working system of the brain, and who employ the latest brain-based learning strategies in their instruction, may find themselves to be one step closer in their search for the most effective teaching methods.

Crossing genetically distant forms is widely used in breeding programs and allows the introduction of beneficial features from the wild into cultivated species. In this study, agronomic traits of two F2 segregating populations derived from crosses in both directions between A. sativa cv. Sam and A. fatua ‘51532’, as well as their parental forms, were phenotyped and statistically compared. Almost all mean values of the analysed features in the populations ranged between the values of the two parental forms. In both F2 populations, high variability of the traits was observed. The plant height was strongly correlated with the length of the first inernode below the panicle in all populations except parental form ‘51532’. An intermediate correlation between the plant height and the panicle length could be observed only for ‘Sam’ and ‘Sam’ × ‘51532’. The segregation of non-shattering to shattering phenotypes of the progeny confirmed a single gene inheritance of the trait. Additionally, in both combinations, transgressive forms in terms of some phenotypic traits were observed. The direction of crosses had no impact on the values of characterised parameters. During the interspecific crosses, new breeding lines and cultivars are obtained, enriched with specific qualitative and quantitative properties. The genetic distinctness between crossed species often prevents the formation of desired hybrids but also enables obtaining superior genotypes with traits exceeding the parental forms. Even though efficient crossbreeding with A. fatua is demanding, looking for new germplasm in wild ancestors is crucial for expanding the Avena genetic pool and developing long-term strategies beneficial to modern oat breeding.

During 120 years of Polish breeding of oats (Avena sativa L.), dozens of new varieties have been developed. This study was undertaken to investigate the diversity and population structure of 72 Polish oat cultivars released since 1893. The analysis was based on pedigree data as well as ISSR and REMAP marker polymorphisms. The ancestry of common oat cultivars was traced back to 124 cultivars, breeding lines, and landraces. The five most common progenitors were ‘Markische Landsorte’, ‘selection from Ligowo oat’, ‘Fransk Svarthavre’, ‘Blanche de Siberie’, and ‘selection from Schleswig-Holstein landrace’. We found that at least one of them was present in 78% of analysed objects. The studied cultivars were assigned to four groups according to the period of their breeding (before 1945, 1945–1969, 1970–2000, and after 2000) and six groups according to the breeding company (Strzelce Plant Breeding Company, DANKO Plant Breeding, Station of Plant Breeding in Rogaczewo, Małopolska Plant Breeding Company, Station of Plant Breeding in Borów, and other). A decrease in observed heterozygosity within the groups was observed only in the postwar period (1945–1969). As a result of breeders’ efforts and extensive crosses with foreign materials initiated in 1970 and 1980, new alleles were provided to the oat gene pool. The highest number of new varieties came from the Strzelce and DANKO breeding companies. There were no significant differences between modern cultivars derived from different breeding companies. However, very early breeding centres functioning before 1945 had significantly different materials from the modern ones. The population genetic structure of the studied group of cultivars appeared to be quite simple. It was shown that their genetic makeup consisted of two or three distinct gene pools, depending on the method of polymorphism assessment. The performed research proved that Polish oat breeding using traditional breeding methods—such as selection or intraspecific and interspecific crosses—although focused on improving yield and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress, did not significantly narrow the oat gene pool and has been releasing cultivars that are competitive in the European market.

Teaching and Learning Centres (TLCs) play a role in the professional development of faculty, staff and teaching assistants in higher education institutions. One of the functions of many TLCs is that of outreach, not only to the individuals within their institutions who are their primary clientele but also to the greater higher education community. This paper presents an introductory review of Canadian TLCs' use of social media, seeking to address questions regarding the extent to which Canadian TLCs use social media and the ways in which these are used. Based on frequency of accounts, and on the content of posts in these accounts, the authors found that social media are used by nearly half of all Canadian TLCs to a wide range of purposes. Areas for further inquiry are suggested.

Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka (Hacq.) Meusel & Kästner) is one of the rarest plant species of Central and Eastern Europe and is under strict protection in this region. In view of the unfavourable tendency for the C. acanthifolia subsp. utzka population to decrease, this study attempts to assess the danger to its habitats. Polish and Ukrainian populations representing the north-western distribution limits of the species were studied. All habitat features, such as the area, number of specimens, being overgrown by trees and shrubs, or dead biomass quantity, were varied and, according to the guidelines for natural habitat monitoring, most of these parameters had an unsatisfactory index. A molecular analysis of specimens representing these habitats was performed using the ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) method. The results of the molecular survey revealed a very low genetic diversity of C. acanthifolia subsp. utzka. Moreover, 95% of the observed genetic variability was due to variation among groups. The significant difference in the level of genetic variation was ascertained between Polish and Ukrainian populations. The lack of intrapopulation diversity indicates that the analysed populations presumably reproduce using apomixis, and rare polymorphism is the result of somatic mutations rather than facultative sexual process. This reinforces the hypothesis that unfavourable environmental and stressful conditions are natural triggers for expressing apomixis. Genetic intrapopulation uniformity makes C. acanthifolia subsp. utzka especially susceptible to climatic fluctuation. Climate changes also affect xerothermic grasslands, i.e. areas where this species occurs. In Europe, xerothermic calcareous grasslands are restricted to small extra-zonal stands and are threatened by extinction. The best method of protecting grassland areas and, consequently, C. acanthifolia subsp. utzka is the extensive grazing of mostly small ruminants. However, this method of land management cannot be used systematically. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the causes of extinction as well as develop other effective strategies for the conservation of this rare and endangered species.

An upper-year undergraduate practical examination is presented that utilizes the EcoScale (a semi-quantitative tool) and several established mass metrics to assess student understanding of green chemistry principles. This activity focuses on the straightforward preparation of a benzodiazepine via three different catalytic methods, and the analysis of individual experimental data during laboratory time. Students learn about the structure of the EcoScale, apply it as a simplistic life cycle assessment, and critique it as a scientific model. The examination complements more traditional expository and self-design experiments within a synthetic course where green chemistry and sustainability are central themes.

This article describes the integration of a cocurricular "Community" into a first-year undergraduate chemistry course at the University of Toronto. The Community has been in existence since 2006, with over 700 students being involved. Its broad objectives have been three-fold: to inform course members about departmental resources and their significance, to teach skills and provide tips away from formal class content, and to promote the importance of undergraduate research/highlight available opportunities. The Community has received very positive feedback over a number of years and has resulted in a large increase in the number of students enrolling in second- and fourth-year undergraduate science research courses.

A key role of teaching and learning centres at postsecondary education institutions is to provide professional development for faculty and staff. A challenge for teaching and learning centre staff is to design, develop, and deliver professional development programs that are engaging and relevant to participants. This Report of Practice describes how two programs--a "Certificate in University Teaching for Faculty and Staff" and a parallel "Certificate in University Teaching for Teaching Assistants"--were developed and delivered. Factors that led to their success are also discussed. The use of a constructivist approach to teaching and learning, coupled with a blended design for course delivery and a flexible approach to the application of learning technologies all contributed to the success of these programs. Lessons learned and future directions for the program are also explored.

This paper explores how the popular use of the expression “hitting the ground running” in reference to beginning social work practice draws upon military imagery and reflects neo-conservative expectations of first-year social workers. Discussion of the international and Canadian definitions of social work, key social work values, the neo-conservative paradigm, and the role of language in understanding human experiences provides context to this analysis. Ultimately, it is argued that it is in the best interests of the social work profession for the phrase hitting the ground running to be abandoned (or used critically) when making reference to first-year social workers, and a new metaphor is suggested that could take its place in the social work lexicon.

The work is devoted to the study of the biologically active components and the oxidation stability of oils made from non-traditional raw materials such as walnuts and pumpkin seeds. The characteristics that have been determined are the content of phospholipids, carotenoids, chlorophylls, tocopherols, and sterols, the composition of fatty acids and tocopherol homologues, the acidity and oxidation stability of walnut and pumpkin-seed oils. Walnut and pumpkin-seed oils contain a significant amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular, walnut oil contains linolenic acid and has the ratio ω-3:ω-6 of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which is close to the recommended ratio. The linoleic (polyunsaturated, ω-6) and oleic (monounsaturated) fatty acids dominated in the fatty acid composition of pumpkin-seed oil, and the sum of saturated fatty acids was three times as high as that in walnut oil. An important property of walnut oil is a very high ratio of ω-3:ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, 1:5, which is almost what is recommended by dietitians for the human diet. The difference in the total tocopherol content of the two oil samples was slight, but the composition of tocopherol homologues was very distinctive, i. e. β-tocopherol was the main homo;ogue in the walnut oil and α-tocopherol in the pumpkin-seed oil, respectively. The acidity of the oil samples increased quite rapidly, reaching the value close to 4 mg KOH/g of in 63 days for walnut oil, and in 70 days for pumpkin-seed oil. The oxidative stability of the two oil samples was estimated by changes of the peroxide value during 98 days of oil storage. It has been shown that the induction period of walnut oil oxidation, defined as the start of an increase of the peroxide index, was 56 days, in spite of a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly, linolenic acid. The duration of the induction period of pumpkin-seed oil oxidation and the shelf life of this oil were 70 and 98 days, respectively, while the shelf life of walnut oil was about 90 days. The higher resistance of pumpkin-seed oil to oxidative damage is primarily due to the fatty acid composition of this oil, namely to a high content of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and almost twice as low a content of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to that of walnut oil. Both oils can be recommended as a valuable source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins for human nutrition.

The most widespread and damaging fungal disease of the oat plant is crown rust. Resistance to the crown rust pathogen, Puccinia coronata Cda. f. sp. avenae (Pca), at the seedling stage of Avena sterilis accessions from the Polish national genebank was characterised by five North American and Polish pathotypes of Pca of diverse pathogenicity. Pca pathogenicity was determined on a series of 34 differential lines carrying known seedling resistance genes. Seventy-five percent of studied accessions showed a heterogeneous infection pattern, 17% behaved as homogenous susceptibles, and 7% of tested genotypes could be unambiguously described as resistant. This study proved that A. sterilis accessions preserved in a genebank as complex populations could be a very valuable source of resistance to crown rust. The complexity of analysed populations was ascertained by a detailed variance analysis of transformed resistance/susceptibility data. We demonstrate here that hidden sources of resistance may be discovered in accessions with general susceptibility.

A self-directed independent synthesis experiment was developed for a third-year undergraduate organic laboratory. Students were provided with the CAS numbers of starting and target compounds and devised a synthetic plan to be executed over two 4.5 h laboratory periods. They consulted the primary literature in order to develop and carry out an azlactone synthesis incorporating green chemistry principles and techniques without detailed guidance from course instructors. Final products were analyzed via proton NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and melting point analysis to determine if students were successful in forming their assigned material. Extremely positive feedback about the experiment was collected and is presented.

This article describes the successful implementation of an oral examination format in the organic chemistry curriculum at the University of Toronto. Oral examinations are used to replace traditional written midterm examinations in several courses. In an introductory organic class, each student is allotted 15 min to individually discuss one pre-selected "named" reaction with the course instructors. To stimulate further learning, students must choose a particular reaction that has not been presented during lecture or performed in the laboratory. In upper-level courses, students review selected literature syntheses of either a drug molecule or natural product. The oral examination format provides a dynamic assessment approach that can be individualized to facilitate an in-depth analysis of student comprehension. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

Naked oat refers to a variety of Avena sativa with lemma and palea separating from the grains. Its spikelets are multiflorous and morphologically different from the husked oat. Problems with preharvest sprouting, threshability, rancidity, a wide range of kernel sizes, as well as its relatively low tolerance to limited soil water content, are its main drawbacks. Nevertheless it could be an alternative to a conventional oat. Unfortunately, its genetic variation is still poorly recognized. In the given study a set of 26 naked oat cultivars and lines were analyzed with 25 inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) primers that amplified as many as 429 DNA fragments among which 204 were polymorphic. The average number of markers amplified per primer pair and polymorphism information content (PIC) value equaled to eight and 0.23, respectively. Forty four unique PCR products were identified for different genotypes. While Unweighted Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic Mean failed to distinguish the materials into main clusters it demonstrated that cultivars ‘Akt’, ‘Polar’, ‘Cacko’, ‘Siwek’, ‘Nagus’ and most of the DC lines were within a single group. Moreover, the cultivars that were closely related based on their breeding pedigree (related to ‘Akt’) were close to each other. Principal Coordinate Analysis explained 54.1% of variance and was in good agreement with the UPGMA. ISSR markers could be used for the evaluation of genetic similarity of cultivars and lines as well as the differentiation of individual genotypes. This study demonstrated that the available A. sativa naked type genetic pool is relatively wide and have the potential for further breeding progress.

Rdza koronowa, powodowana przez grzyb Puccinia coronata, jest jedną z najpowszechniej występujących chorób grzybowych owsa w Polsce. Do tej pory u owsa zidentyfikowano ponad 100 genów odporności na ten patogen, jednak są one szybko przełamywane przez nowe patotypy Puccinia coronata. Celem pracy była ocena efektywności genów warunkujących odporność na izolaty Puccinia coronata skolekcjonowane w centralnej i południowo-wschodniej Polsce w latach 2010-2011. W badaniach wykorzystano 31 linii referencyjnych owsa z pojedynczymi genami odporności na rdzę koronową. Analizy przeprowadzono z wykorzystaniem testów żywiciel-patogen w oparciu o 6 izolatów Puccinia coronata. Izolaty pochodzące z różnych rejonów uprawy owsa różniły się między sobą wirulencją w stosunku do 21 z 31 linii referencyjnych. Przeprowadzone badania wykazały, że najbardziej efektywne w stadium siewki są geny Pc14, Pc39, Pc51, Pc52, Pc53, Pc57, Pc60, Pc68, Pc71 i Pc91.

Students prepare a tertiary amine antifungal analog in an upper-level undergraduate organic laboratory. A microscale Petasis reaction is performed to generate a liquid compound readily characterized via IR and proton NMR spectroscopy. The biological relevance of the product is highlighted, with the tertiary amine scaffold being an important treatment option for resistant bacterial and fungal infections. The procedure allows for postlaboratory discussion of nitrogen as a stereocenter in an ammonium ion, along with principles of combinatorial chemistry and green chemistry. Deliberation of potential mechanisms for the Petasis reaction provides another valuable learning opportunity for students. (Contains 2 figures and 2 schemes.)