Thursday, December 14, 2006

Theory into Practice: A Bridge Too Far - Joseph Defazio, AACE Journal. This article proposes a research agenda that addresses the gap between theory and practice in the area of instructional theory. It reflects the beliefs of this writer and attempts to address current issues in the field of instructional technology. Citing Online Learning Update, December 15, 2006. [Conversation] [Stephen's Web ~ by Stephen Downes ~ Edu_RSS Most Recent - RSS old] 10:12:14 PM      Google It!.

Scientists Decry Political Interference. RamblingMan writes "According to the BBC, the American Union of Concerned Scientists has put out a statement about the misrepresentation of date and a list of such interference by the U.S. government in scientific research. Besides the usual slew of Nobel Laureate signatories, they provide a number of examples besides the well-known example of the EPA's Global Warming Report." From the BBC article: "'It's very difficult to make good public policy without good science, and it's even harder to make good public policy with bad science,' said Dr Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security. 'In the last several years, we've seen an increase in both the misuse of science and I would say an increase of bad science in a number of very important issues; for example, in global climate change, international peace and security, and water resources.'"[Slashdot] 8:36:51 PM      Google It!.

Are controlled clinical studies "cruel?". Clinician Dr. Louann Brizendine is quoted in the New York Times as saying that she doesn't do research because "I don't want to give patients a placebo. It's cruel." The interviewer pushes her on the issue, pointing out that in the long term, controlled studies are necessary in order to determine the efficacy of treatments. Her reply: "I am glad someone does it, but I'd rather help each female brain that walks into my clinic walk out in better shape." Adam Kolber wonders if something might have been lost in the transcription of the interview, but I don't doubt that Brizendine's sentiments may have been perfectly expressed in her statement. In a former life, I did back-end work on clinical cancer studies, and I saw a lot of data. There were "compassionate" doctors who lost patients because they didn't want to see them "suffer" through chemotherapy. There were doctors who would only agree to participate if they were assured their patients wouldn't be in the control group. Some of the med Cognitive Daily, December 14, 2006. [Conversation] [Stephen's Web ~ by Stephen Downes ~ Edu_RSS Most Recent - RSS old] 12:46:36 PM      Google It!.

Is Internet Addiction a Medical Condition?. PreacherTom writes "Arising from such cases as a recent lawsuit with IBM over employee termination due to online sex chatting at work, recent debate over whether Internet abuse is a legitimate addiction, akin to alcoholism, is heating up. From the article: 'Attorneys say recognition by a court [~] whether in this or some future litigation [~] that Internet abuse is an uncontrollable addiction, and not just a bad habit, could redefine the condition as a psychological impairment worthy of protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act.' The condition could even make it into the next edition of the American Psychiatric Association's DSM, making it a full-blown neurosis. It wouldn't be a huge surprise, with a recent Stanford study showing that 14% of people state it would be 'hard to stay away from the Net for even a few days in a row."[Slashdot] 11:35:49 AM      Google It!.