Background: In typical development, primarily contextual factors at the family level are clearly associated with child developmental outcomes. In contrast, knowledge about the contextual factors influencing the developmental characteristics of children (0-12 years) with severe to profound intellectual disability is scarce. Method: Through…

Background: The front-line management role in services for people with intellectual disabilities remains rather under-researched. The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of registered managers in services for adults with intellectual disability who exhibit challenging behaviour. Method: Interviews, primarily focussed upon staff…

This study explored and analyzed a purposeful sample size of five teachers from four districts on the perceptions of teachers in first and second grade regarding their participation in whether or not professional development provided through Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) grant activities influenced their implementation of…

Within the past decade, the introduction of computerized medical records into the business and practice of health care has created a need for effective training. The implementation of computerized medical records into a health care organization has been often associated with increased costs and decreased productivity. Although existing human…

This study examined the influence of attachment styles and mentoring experiences on willingness to mentor in the future in a formal mentoring program in China. For both mentors and proteges, avoidance and anxiety dimensions of attachment styles and their interaction had a significant influence on willingness to mentor in the future. Mentoring…

Background: Positive behavioural support is increasingly viewed as the preferred service approach for people who challenge, but skills are insufficiently widespread. The need for effective staff training has been highlighted as a key factor in high quality service provision, with investigators recommending a multidimensional approach to increase…

Background: The working culture surrounding challenging behaviour may have a strong effect on staff behaviour. As a first step to influencing staff talk about challenging behaviour, the aim of the present study was to explore whether a 1-day training workshop could have an effect on staff causal explanations. Methods: Fifty-four front line staff,…

Background: This study sought to gather information about the impact of extended training in positive behaviour support on staff knowledge, causal attributions and emotional responses. Methods: Students completed questionnaires at the beginning, middle and end of a University Diploma course to measure changes in their knowledge of challenging…

Individual characteristics influencing workplace learning and development include psychological presence, social cognition and schema, and habitual methods of conduct. Organizational factors include routinization of work, organizational roles, resolution of role conflict, and institutional structures. Both individuals and organizations need the…

This handbook sets out a clear organisational rationale of coaching and mentoring and provides structured activities for self-reflection or groups. It will be particularly suitable for Higher Education institutions which are considering the development of mentoring as part of their effective professional relationships and working practices. This…

A survey was conducted of 338 professional members of the National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS) to identify deterrents to participation in continuing professional education. The four top ranked factors in deterring participation were cost, work constraints, lack of quality, and lack of benefit, followed by family constraints and…

A new staff development model postulates that teachers' beliefs and attitudes change as a result of changes in learning results, which in turn stem from changed classroom practices. Evidence supporting this model is summarized, and implications for staff development practice are discussed. (MCG)

Influencing educational decision makers requires creating ongoing relationships, keeping everyone informed, and developing persuasive skills. Persuasion requires preparation, refinement, hard work, and a sound understanding of the people being lobbied. Lobbying must be factual and relevant to the audience. The article looks at influence from the…

Describes a study that examined block scheduling's effects on student and teacher performance and attitudes at a large Texas high school. While the 2-hour Algebra I block had a higher failure rate than the traditional 50-minute algebra class, the block classes were comprised of students who have traditionally struggled in mathematics. Maximizing…

A study investigated the influence of information technology (IT)-industry-sponsored credentials from both organizational and individual perspectives. A senior-level human resource (HR) executive from each of 33 organizations with 500 or more employees completed a paper-and-pencil questionnaire (response rate=66% of the 50 organizations comprising…