bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do portable classrooms impact teaching and learning?
Authors: Cheung Chan Tak 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the possible impact portable classrooms have on the teaching and learning process by exploring current related literature.Design/methodology/approachThis paper takes a synthesis approach, analyzing current studies to assess the impact of portable classrooms on teaching and learning.FindingsNo significant impact of portable classrooms on teacher perception, teacher morale, teacher job satisfaction, student achievement, and behavior is detected. Negative student attitude is found in one of the studies reviewed. Technical testing shows negative relationships between portable classrooms and health and safety conditions, but the permanent structures are sometimes worse.Research limitations/implicationsAn experimental study on the impact of portable classrooms on teaching and learning is needed. Analysis of current studies indicate that the impact of portable classrooms on teaching and learning is not as negative as assumed. Still, the negative effects of deterioration or lack of maintenance cannot be underestimated; making implementation strategies, maintenance schedules, relocation plans, and plans for ultimate replacement vital.Originality/valueThis paper represents the first of its kind to synthesize the findings of current studies on portable classrooms. Results are of great value to educational decision makers.
Spending on school infrastructure: does money matter?
Authors: Crampton Faith E. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to further develop an emerging thread of quantitative research that grounds investment in school infrastructure in a unified theoretical framework of investment in human, social, and physical capital.Design/methodology/approachTo answer the research question, what is the impact of investment in human, social, and physical capital on student achievement, the author uses canonical analysis, a multivariate statistical approach that allows for multiple independent and dependent variables. The null hypothesis is selected given the limited body of research on this question, and the state is selected as the unit of analysis. Level of student poverty is added as a control variable given an extensive body of research that supports its negative impact on achievement. Descriptive statistics are generated as well as a Pearson product moment correlation matrix to diagnose and address potential issues of multicollinearity and simultaneity. Three national databases are used: United States Census Bureau, US Department of Education's National Assessment of Educational Progress test score data, and the US Department of Education's Common Core of Data. Years analyzed are 2003, 2005, and 2007.FindingsThe results of the canonical analysis are robust, statistically significant, and consistent over time. Investment in human, social, and physical capital accounts for between 55.8 and 77.2 percent of the variation in student achievement in fourth and eighth grade Reading and Mathematics. Investment in human capital is consistently the largest influence on student achievement followed by social and physical capital. The null hypothesis is rejected.Originality/valueThis study advances the use of theory in explaining the impact of investment in school infrastructure on student achievement, a feature which distinguishes it from much previous research in this domain. The use of a theory also addresses a major weakness of traditional, atheoretical education production function research. In addition, utilization of canonical analysis rather than multiple regression to operationalize the theoretical model and analyze the data represents an advance in research design and statistical analysis for this type of research question.
Building schools, rethinking quality? Early lessons from Los Angeles
Authors: Fuller Bruce , Dauter Luke , Hosek Adrienne , Kirschenbaum Greta , McKoy Deborah , Rigby Jessica , Vincent Jeffrey M. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeNewly designed schools for centuries have projected fresh ideals regarding how children should learn and how human settlements should be organized. But under what conditions can forward‐looking architects or education reformers trump the institutionalized practices of teachers or the political‐economic constraints found within urban centers? The purpose of this paper is to ask how the designers of newly built schools in Los Angeles – midway into a $27 billion construction initiative – may help to rethink and discernibly lift educational quality. This may be accomplished via three causal pathways that may unfold in new schools: attracting a new mix of students, recruiting stronger teachers, or raising the motivation and performance of existing teachers and students.Design/methodology/approachWe track basic indicators of student movement and school quality over a five‐year period (2002‐2007) to understand whether gains do stem from new school construction. Qualitative field work and interviews further illuminate the mechanisms through which new schools may contribute to teacher motivation or student engagement.FindingsInitial evidence shows that many students, previously bussed out of the inner city due to overcrowding, have returned to smaller schools which are staffed by younger and more ethnically diverse teachers, and benefit from slightly smaller classes. Student achievement appears to be higher in new secondary schools that are much smaller in terms of enrollment size, compared with still overcrowded schools.Originality/valueWe emphasize the importance of tracking student movement among schools and even across neighborhoods before attributing achievement differences to specific features of new schools, that is, guarding against selection bias. Whether new schools can hold onto, or attract new, middle‐class families remains an open empirical question. Future research should also focus on the magnitude and social mechanisms through which new (or renovated) schools may attract varying mixes of students and teachers, and raise achievement.
Improving the quality of school facilities through building performance assessment
Authors: Walbe Ornstein Sheila , Saraiva Moreira Nanci , Ono Rosaria , Limongi França Ana J.G. , Nogueira Roselene A.M.F. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe paper describes the purpose of and strategies for conducting post‐occupancy evaluations (POEs) as a method for assessing school building performance. Set within the larger context of global efforts to develop and apply common indicators of school building quality, the authors describe research conducted within the newest generation of São Paulo's schools.Design/methodology/approachThe various methods of POE, including expert walkthroughs, physical measurements, observations, behavioral mapping, user interviews, focus groups, and survey questionnaires were applied within a purposefully selected case study school.FindingsThe POE carried out at Fernando Gasparian High School revealed limitations in the building's design, particularly in light of the neighborhood context, thus raising significant concerns about safety and security. Users gave the construction quality of the building, a generally positive evaluation, however, there were some important aspects of the building design judged as deficient. In particular, researchers observed a significant mismatch between the building design and the realities of the surrounding community. This sort of incongruity introduced important challenges to principals, teachers, and staff, as they worked to ensure the safety of students who attend the school.Originality/valueThe research explores the effectiveness of POE methods in capturing user and expert assessments of overall building quality, as well as the degree to which building designs assist educators and community members in realizing Brazil's larger educational reform goals.
Measuring school facility conditions: an illustration of the importance of purpose
Authors: Roberts Lance W. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to argue that taking the educational purposes of schools into account is central to understanding the place and importance of facilities to learning outcomes. The paper begins by observing that the research literature connecting facility conditions to student outcomes is mixed. A closer examination of this literature suggests that when school facilities are measured from an engineering perspective, little connection to learning outcomes is evident. By contrast, when school facilities are rated in terms of educational functions, a connection to learning outcomes is apparent.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides an empirical test of the educational relevance of how school facilities are measured. Using the schools in a Canadian division, the condition of school facilities was measured in two ways, including both conventional, engineering tools and a survey capturing principals' assessments. School facility ratings using these alternate measurement methods were correlated with schools' quality of teaching and learning environments (QTLE).FindingsTwo central findings emerge. First, engineering assessments of facilities are unrelated to the QTLE in schools. Second, educators' assessments of school facilities are systematically related to the QTLE in schools.Originality/valueThe findings indicate that more research needs to be directed at developing sound tools for measuring school facilities in terms of their educational relevance. In addition, school administrators need to reconsider policies that devalue the contribution that facilities make to learning outcomes.
The walls still speak: the stories occupants tell
Authors: Uline Cynthia L. , Tschannen‐Moran Megan , DeVere Wolsey Thomas 
Published: May 2009

PurposeAccompanying the recent concern for the quality of our nation's educational infrastructure, a growing body of research connects the quality of school facilities to both student outcomes including achievement, behavior, and attitude as well as to teacher attitude and behavior. Less is known about the mechanisms of these relationships. This paper aims to examine the link between school building quality and student outcomes through the mediating influence of school climate. Results build upon those of a recent study that confirmed a link between the quality of school facilities and student achievement in both English and Mathematics, as well as the mediating role of school climate. This qualitative follow‐up study explores the complicated intricacies of how a school building's physical properties influence teaching and learning.Design/methodology/approachThe study is structured according to a collective, instrumental case study design. Individual, focus group, walk‐through and photo‐interviews, as well as observations inform the inquiry. Two high‐poverty schools are identified from the earlier quantitative study because the ratings of the quality school facilities by their faculties fall within the upper quartile. These two schools, one urban and one rural, are selected purposefully for this study, maximizing learning from cases rich in information.FindingsResults of the research indicate that ongoing interactions between the original design, the day‐to‐day reality of the built environment, and the occupants of that environment help to define the learning climate of these schools. Reciprocally, the climate helps to shape the interactions that take place, fostering environmental understanding, competence and control and supporting academic learning. From the data, several broad themes related to building quality emerge as central to this interaction between the built environment and building occupants, including movement, aesthetics, play of light, flexible and responsive classrooms, elbow room, and security.Originality/valueThrough the stories told by occupants of these two schools, we gain further understanding of the interactions between certain building conditions and design features and how these reinforce and enhance the social environment of school, helping to foster a sense of belonging within a place, a sense of control and competence, and a sense of collective commitment to the place and its purposes. As school designers balance considerations of durability with flexibility, the voices of these occupants may serve to argue for the inclusion of design features that allow occupants some measure of control over comfort and use factors. The broad themes related to building quality that emerge from the data include movement, aesthetics, the play of light, flexible and responsive classrooms, elbow room, as well as safety and security.
Developing expertise for network intrusion detection
Authors: Goodall John R. , Lutters Wayne G. , Komlodi Anita 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe paper seeks to provide a foundational understanding of the socio‐technical system that is computer network intrusion detection, including the nature of the knowledge work, situated expertise, and processes of learning as supported by information technology.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a field study to explore the work of computer network intrusion detection using multiple data collection methods, including semi‐structured interviews, examination of security tools and resources, analysis of information security mailing list posts, and attendance at several domain‐specific user group meetings.FindingsThe work practice of intrusion detection analysts involves both domain expertise of networking and security and a high degree of situated expertise and problem‐solving activities that are not predefined and evolve with the dynamically changing context of the analyst's environment. This paper highlights the learning process needed to acquire these two types of knowledge, contrasting this work practice with that of computer systems administrators.Research limitations/implicationsThe research establishes a baseline for future research into the domain and practice of intrusion detection, and, more broadly, information security.Practical implicationsThe results presented here provide a critical examination of current security practices that will be useful to developers of intrusion detection support tools, information security training programs, information security management, and for practitioners themselves.Originality/valueThere has been no research examining the work or expertise development processes specific to the increasingly important information security practice of intrusion detection. The paper provides a foundation for future research into understanding this highly complex, dynamic work.
Ensembles: understanding the instantiation of activities
Authors: González Víctor M. , Nardi Bonnie , Mark Gloria 
Published: May 2009

PurposeAn ensemble is an intermediate unit of work between action and activity in the hierarchical framework proposed by classical activity theory. Ensembles are the mid‐level of activity, offering more flexibility than objects, but more purposeful structure than actions. The paper aims to introduce the notion of ensembles to understand the way object‐related activities are instantiated in practice.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents an analysis of the practices of professional information workers in two different companies using direct and systematic observation of human behavior. It also provides an analysis and discussion of the activity theory literature and how it has been applied in areas such as human‐computer interaction and computer‐supported collaborative work.FindingsThe authors illustrate the relevance of the notion of ensembles for activity theory and suggest some benefits of this conceptualization for analyzing human work in areas such as human‐computer interaction and computer‐supported collaborative work.Research limitations/implicationsThe notion of ensembles can be useful for the development of a computing infrastructure oriented to more effectively supporting work activities.Originality/valueThe paper shows that the value of the notion of ensembles is to close a conceptual gulf not adequately addressed in activity theory, and to understand the practical aspects of the instantiation of objects over time.
“Constructing the users” in open source software development
Authors: Iivari Netta 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report findings from an interpretive case study on user participation in the open source software (OSS) development context.Design/methodology/approachThrough an empirical, interpretive case study and a literature review utilising the metaphor of text in the analysis, this paper provides a refined conceptualisation of user participation in OSS development.FindingsThe paper reveals that different kinds of meanings have been attached to users and to their participation. User participation is both direct and indirect in the OSS development context. Some user groups actively take part in OSS development, while others are merely represented in it. Different kinds of intermediaries “representing the users” are identified.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is based on one case study on a small but active OSS project with an interest in users. Other kinds of OSS projects should be analysed. The analysis was focused on a discussion forum, but users can take part in OSS development by other means as well. Paths for future work should include the gathering of more varied empirical data.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate that users can provide feedback to the development through discussion forums in the distributed environment, but there is a need to support the users in doing so and the developers in analysing the data. The importance of different kinds of intermediaries “representing the users” is highlighted.Originality/valueThe paper provides thorough empirical insights and a refined conceptualisation of user participation addressing the currently weakly empirically explored OSS development context.
The association between dividend payout and outside directorships
Authors: Al‐Najjar Basil , Hussainey Khaled 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether the number of outside directors on the board of directors and dividend payout are substitutes or complements mechanisms applied by UK firms to control agency conflicts of interest within the firm.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use tobit and logit regression models to examine the extent to which firms with a majority of outside directors on their boards experience significantly lower or higher dividend payout after controlling for insider ownership, profitability, liquidity, asset structure, business risk, firm size, firms' growth rate and borrowing ratio.FindingsBased on a sample of 400 non‐financial firms listed at London Stock Exchange for the period from 1991 to 2002, it was found that dividend payout is negatively associated with the number of outside directors on the board of directors.Originality/valueThe results suggest that firms pay lower dividends when higher number of outside directors is employed on the board. This evidence is consistent with the substitution hypothesis, which indicated that firms with weak corporate governance need to establish a reputation by paying dividends. In other words, dividends substitute for independent directors on the board. This finding offers novel insights to policy makers interested in agency conflicts of interest within the firm. It also provides evidence on the use of different substitute mechanisms for reducing agency costs.
The impact of IFRS on the European Union
Authors: Callao Susana , Ferrer Cristina , Jarne José I. , Laínez José A. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of the this paper is to discover the quantitative impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on financial reporting of European countries and evaluate if this impact is connected with the traditional accounting system in which each country is classified, either the Anglo‐Saxon or the continental‐European accounting system.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the authors quantify the IFRS impact on each country and make a comparative analysis of that impact among countries. Then, the authors apply a cluster analysis in order to group European countries on the basis of the different effects of IFRS application.FindingsThe results obtained show that the first application of IFRS has had different effects on the financial reporting among countries. The cluster analysis identifies four groups which show that the impact of IFRS on financial statements of European firms is not related to traditional accounting systems.Originality/valueThe main contribution of the paper is that it studies the impact of mandatory IFRS application for several European countries and shows a comparative analysis, grouping the countries on the basis of that impact. Previous literature mainly gathers research related to specific countries, individually considered, or to different IFRS effects that do not reflect quantitative impacts.
Determinants of audit report lag
Authors: Afify H.A.E. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThere are three main purposes of this study which are: first, to review the literature on audit report lag (ARL) and its determinants; second, to measure the extent of ARL in a developing country, Egypt; and third, to empirically examine the impact of corporate governance (CG) characteristics on ARL in Egypt.Design/methodology/approachThe literature on determinants of ARL motivated the author to investigate about the impact of CG characteristics and audit‐related characteristics on ARL especially in emerging capital markets, such as the Cairo and Alexandria Stock Exchange (CASE) for a sample (85 companies) of Egyptian listed companies. Further, the study includes explanatory variables relating to CG characteristics, which have not previously been considered (i.e. board independence, duality of chief executive officer (CEO), and existence of an audit committee), that may shed more light on the structure and dynamics of the ARL.FindingsThe ARL for each of the 85 listed sample companies ranged from a minimum interval of 19 days to a maximum interval of 115, and Egyptian listed companies take approximately two months on average. A regression analysis indicates that board independence, duality of CEO, and existence of an audit committee significantly affect ARL. But on the other hand, ownership concentration has insignificant affect on ARL. Also, three control variables (company size, industry and profitability) significantly affected ARL. The adjusted R2 indicate that 57.10 per cent of the variation in the dependent variable in the regression model is explained by variations in the independent variables.Originality/valueThis study of Egyptian companies listed on the CASE represents the initial comprehensive examination of ARL, and it is consider the first study to provide a thorough examination of the association between CG characteristics and ARL.