Motivational Signage Increases Physical Activity on a College Campus

Objective: The authors evaluated whether motivational signage influenced rates of stair use relative to elevator use on a college campus. Participants: In March and April 2004, the authors observed students, faculty, staff, and any visitors accessing a college campus building. Methods: During Phase I, the authors monitored ascending stair and elevator use at the same time each weekday (Monday-Friday). During Phase II, the authors placed motivational signs encouraging stair use at the bottom of the stairs and outside and inside the elevators. During the third week (Phase III), the authors removed the signs. Results: The authors observed 18,389 ascending trips during the 3 weeks of the study. Motivational signs significantly contributed to an 18.6% increase in stair use in the second week, which was maintained in the following week. Conclusions: The signage intervention successfully enhanced physical activity on a college campus by providing educational health tips that may have served as motivation to choose the stairs.     

芦荻劲草：台湾成人解放教育的行动实验

保罗·弗雷勒长期致力于社会教育,主张透过教育使民众觉醒,透过实践改变整个状态.在他的教育思想影响下,台湾学者夏林清教授带领的团队,结合行动研究理论创建了芦荻社区大学.芦荻被视为“行动试验场”,进入芦荻的每一位都被视为行动者,在尊重主体性,建构和谐主体间性的行动实践中,芦获走出一条“我-他或群-社会”的学习发展路径,实现了助己助人,做公民的教育目标.     

虚假诉讼研究

虚假诉讼行为既包括虚构事实或者法律关系的诉讼行为,也包括虽有足够的事实和法律依据但以诉讼的方式追求诉讼请求以外的其他目的的诉讼行为。虚假诉讼的实施主体包括一方当事人、双方当事人等不同类型,有时裁判机构工作人员也可能参与虚假诉讼行为。依据虚假诉讼虚假的内容并结合其参与主体,虚假诉讼可以划分为恶意诉讼、滥用程序以及串通诉讼三种类型。虚假诉讼基于不法目的而提起,根据不法目的,虚假诉讼可以划分为侵害型、解除型、掩盖型、确定型四种类型。虚假诉讼的认定,应当结合国情考虑公共政策等因素综合进行。     

In search of the mechanisms conducive to class differentials in educational choice: a mixed method research

This paper inquires into the mechanisms conducive to social class differentials in educational choice in Flanders (the Northern, Dutch‐speaking part of Belgium) using both quantitative data gathered from parents (N = 1339) and qualitative data gathered during two focus groups with pupils (N = 16). Unlike most of the previous studies, this study takes into consideration all three theoretical perspectives that have driven research on class differentials in educational choice so far, namely cultural reproduction theory, rational action theory and the notion of social capital. Logistic regression analysis shows that self‐selection does also occur in Flanders and that the effect of parental SES cannot be explained by a specific measure of cultural capital centred on knowledge of the educational system, nor by measures of social capital. What emerges most clearly from this study is that pupils' perception of their choice process is powerfully framed by deep‐rooted conceptions about the educational alternatives available to them. Furthermore, children's choices seem to be delimited by parents' opinions of which educational alternatives were acceptable, and which ones not. Our study calls for future research to take the wider context of decision‐making processes more explicitly into account.     

Twilight's Children

The following article describes conditions in South Africa just as the "dismantling of apartheid" was beginning in earnest at the start of this decade. Thus it provides something of a baseline by which to compare changes which have taken place in that country since then. However, its greater contribution may be its evocation of the atmosphere of the time. As such it provides a unique perspective and a useful addition to the historical record of South African social welfare as well as a testament to those who struggled and continue to struggle to serve the nation's children.     

Under the Cover of Books

There are any number of factors in the political economy of the social work profession which may inhibit or encourage social action activities among its members. In Canada, the precalence of government funding for advocacy organizations, a high level of unionization among social workers, and professional commitment to social action as expressed in the Canadian Code of Social Work Ethics are some of the factors that affect the profession's capacity to engage in social action.     

The Community Action Framework in Practice: An Illustration Based on the Ready by 21 Coalition of Austin/Travis County

The field of positive youth development has expanded focus from articulating and measuring desired manifestations of positive well-being to assembling the environmental conditions known to promote these desired outcomes. Evidence of the effectiveness of community-level efforts promoting positive youth development is still emerging, in particular theory-driven examples of community-driven youth development. This study examined the Community Action Framework, one theory-based community youth development model, through the experiences of the Ready by 21 Austin/Travis County coalition (RB21). The coalition connects youth-serving organizations and also regional coalitions, while promoting the positive development of area youth. Participant observation, interviewing, and archival strategies were integrated to capture information related to the complex and dynamic coalition. Results indicated that RB21 represents a practical and meaningful application of the Community Action Framework. Specific examples and recommendations are provided as guidance for other community level youth development efforts.     

Community-Based Research and Participatory Change: A Strategic,Multi-Method Community Impact Assessment

This article presents a community impact assessment that was triggered by a proposed land development project that had the potential to dramatically change the social fabric and quality of life in a neighborhood whose history dated back several generations. Developers of the project never asked, “How would this project impact the surrounding neighborhood?” Community planning faculty and student researchers embarked on a 5-month effort to answer this question. This case study presents this research and points to the usefulness of community impact assessments for neighborhoods that are faced with development where the future of their community is at stake.     

Participatory Action Research with Youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina

SUMMARY

Sparked by a global UNICEF initiative, Bosnia and Herzegovina launched a participatory action research process in which 75 young people in three towns explored local understandings, needs, and actions about HIV/AIDS, drug use, human rights, and other issues. This article chronicles the research process, the action recommendations generated by young people, and the current status of the project. It reflects on the commitments and efforts which are required when large, adult-directed organizations decide to promote youth participation, and on the institutional changes necessary to support sustained youth participation that benefits ordinary youth rather than a selected few.     

Opening Doors to Disability

ABSTRACT

This paper describes and analyzes a community intervention class project in a university community that led to the establishment of an officially recognized campus organization, Open D.O.O.R.S. (Disability Organization for Opportunity, Resources, and Services), to address issues of people with disabilities. It emphasizes the need for providing students knowledge of community strategies at a time when the profession is facing increased social problems and fewer social resources.