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These 12 papers represent different perspectives concerning internationalization of vocational education and training (VET) in Europe. The papers are: (1) "Internationalisation of Vocational Training in Europe" (Margrethe Vestager); (2) "International Employees Plead for Education and Assistance in Adjusting to Living in Foreign Cultures" (Jean R. McFarland); (3) "Globalisation and Internationalisation: Two Conflicting Discourses? Towards a Multilingual, Ethically Reflective Intercultural Competence" (Karen Risager); (4) "Trends in the Internationalisation of Qualifications" (Tim Oates); (5) "Internationalisation--What Are the Possibilities?" (Jorn Sogaard); (6) "Education and Training in Times of Globalization" (Michael Brater); (7) "The International Challenge for VET" (Kim Moller); (8) "Qualification Development of Internationally Active Skilled Workers--From Mobility of Labour to 'Virtual Mobility'" (Peter Wordelmann); (9) "Trainer Exchanges: A Staff Development Opportunity" (Marilyn Young); (10) "Internationalisation as a Challenge for Vocational Colleges in Europe" (Ronald Monch); (11) "The Internationalisation of VET: The Australian Experience" (Tony Crooks); and (12) "All of Us Must Have a Dream..." (Riccardo Petrella, interviewed by Norbert Wollschlaeger). Each paper contains references. (YLB)

Government regulations require businesses to improve their processes and products/services in a green and sustainable manner. For being environmentally friendly, businesses should invest more on eco-innovation practices. Firms eco-innovate to promote eco-efficiency and sustainability. This paper evaluates the eco-innovation performance of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries with data envelopment analysis (DEA). Data were gathered from the world bank database and global innovation index report. Findings show that for most OECD countries, energy use and ecological sustainability are more important than other inputs and outputs for enhancing eco-innovation. [For full proceedings, see ED571459.]

The advent of Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) has led to the availability of large educational datasets collected from diverse international audiences. Little work has been done on the impact of cultural and geographic factors on student performance in MOOCs. In this paper, we analyze national and cultural differences in students' performance in a large-scale MOOC. We situate our analysis in the context of existing theoretical frameworks for cultural analysis. We focus on three dimensions of learner behavior: course activity profiles; quiz activity profiles; and most connected forum peer or "best friends." We conclude that countries or associated cultural clusters are associated with differences in all three dimensions. These findings stress the need for more research on the internationalization in online education and greater intercultural awareness among MOOC designers.

This paper explores the PISA [Programme for International Student Assessment] achievement of twenty countries in light of some of their demographic differences. SES [student socioeconomic status], nuclear family, gender, home language, and native status were predictive of achievement for every country. Demographics accounted for as little as 8 percent to as much as 22 percent of individual score variance depending on the country and subject. Being male was almost a universal advantage in math, but was a far greater disadvantage in reading for every country. The relative performance of some countries changed when scores were adjusted for demographic differences; however, the Asian countries and Finland remained on top. Instructional strategies related to countries performing above expectations were explored.

We are delighted to welcome you to the International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT) 2016, taking place in Lisbon, Portugal, from 30 of April to 2 of May, 2016. Psychology, nowadays, offers a large range of scientific fields where it can be applied. The goal of understanding individuals and groups (mental functions and behavioral standpoints), from this academic and practical scientific discipline, is aimed ultimately to benefit society. This International Conference seeks to provide some answers and explore the several areas within the Psychology field, new developments in studies and proposals for future scientific projects. The goal is to offer a worldwide connection between psychologists, researchers and lecturers, from a wide range of academic fields, interested in exploring and giving their contribution in psychological issues. The conference is a forum that connects and brings together academics, scholars, practitioners and others interested in a field that is fertile in new perspectives, ideas and knowledge. There is an extensive variety of contributors and presenters, which can supplement the view of the human essence and behavior, showing the impact of their different personal, academic and cultural experiences. This is, certainly, one of the reasons there are nationalities and cultures represented, inspiring multi-disciplinary collaborative links, fomenting intellectual encounter and development. InPACT 2016 received 332 submissions, from 37 different countries, reviewed by a double-blind process. Submissions were prepared to take form of Oral Presentations, Posters, Virtual Presentations and Workshops. It was accepted for presentation in the conference 96 submissions (29% acceptance rate). The conference also includes: (1) A keynote presentation from Prof. Dr. Richard Bentall (Institute of Psychology, Health & Society of the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom); (2) Three Special Talks, one from Emeritus Professor Carlos Amaral Dias (University of Coimbra, Director of Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Vice-President of the Portuguese Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Private practitioner of psychiatry and psychoanalysis, Portugal) and Prof. Clara Pracana (Full and Training member of the Portuguese Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Portugal), another from Emeritus Professor Michael Wang (University of Leicester, United Kingdom), and a third one from Dr. Conceição Almeida (Founder of the Portuguese Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy, and Vice-President of the Board. Member of the Teaching Committee, Portugal); (3) An Invited Talk from Dr. Ana Vasconcelos (SAMS--Serviços de Assistência Médico-Social do Sindicato dos Bancários de Sul e Ilhas, founding member of the Portuguese Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, and member of NPA-Neuropshycanalysis Association, Portugal). Thus, we would like to express our gratitude to all our invitees. This volume is composed by the abstracts of the International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT 2016), organized by the World Institute for Advanced Research and Science (W.I.A.R.S.). This conference addresses different categories inside Applied Psychology area and papers fit broadly into one of the named themes and sub-themes. To develop the conference program six main broad-ranging categories had been chosen, which also cover different interest areas: (1) In CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: Emotions and related psychological processes; Assessment; Psychotherapy and counseling; Addictive behaviors; Eating disorders; Personality disorders; Quality of life and mental health; Communication within relationships; Services of mental health; and Psychopathology. (2) In EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: Language and cognitive processes; School environment and childhood disorders; Parenting and parenting related processes; Learning and technology; Psychology in schools; Intelligence and creativity; Motivation in classroom; Perspectives on teaching; Assessment and evaluation; and Individual differences in learning. (3) In SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY: Cross-cultural dimensions of mental disorders; Employment issues and training; Organizational psychology; Psychology in politics and international issues; Social factors in adolescence and its development; Social anxiety and self-esteem; Immigration and social policy; Self-efficacy and identity development; Parenting and social support; and Addiction and stigmatization. (4) In LEGAL PSYCHOLOGY: Violence and trauma; Mass-media and aggression; Intra-familial violence; Juvenile delinquency; Aggressive behavior in childhood; Internet offending; Working with crime perpetrators; Forensic psychology; Violent risk assessment; and Law enforcement and stress. (5) In COGNITIVE AND EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: Perception, memory and attention; Decision making and problem-solving; Concept formation, reasoning and judgment; Language processing; Learning skills and education; Cognitive Neuroscience; Computer analogies and information processing (Artificial Intelligence and computer simulations); Social and cultural factors in the cognitive approach; Experimental methods, research and statistics; and Biopsychology. (6) In PSYCHOANALYSIS AND PSYCHOANALYTICAL PSYCHOTHERAPY: Psychoanalysis and psychology; The unconscious; The Oedipus complex; Psychoanalysis of children; Pathological mourning; Addictive personalities; Borderline organizations; Narcissistic personalities; Anxiety and phobias; Psychosis; Neuropsychoanalysis. The proceedings contain the results of the research and developments conducted by authors who focused on what they are passionate about: to promote growth in research methods intimately related to Psychology and its applications. It includes an extensive variety of contributors and presenters by sharing their different personal, academic and cultural experiences. Authors will be invited to publish extended contributions for a book to be published by inScience Press. We would like to express thanks to all the authors and participants, the members of the academic scientific committee, partners and, of course, to the organizing and administration team for making and putting this conference together. (Individual papers contain references.) [Abstract modified to meet ERIC guidelines.]

Expert reports about integrated learning (IL) and vocational-technical education (VTE) activities in Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD) English speaking member countries, on France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, Finland, papers of the relevant OECD seminars in Phoenix, Arizona, and in Marseille, France were reviewed and synthesized. The synthesis focused on the following topics: aims and motives of IL in the context of history and educational policy, IL at the macrolevel of schools and training centers and at the intermediate level of educational pathways, and IL at the microlevel of learning and teaching in selected OECD countries. Although the exact definition of IL varied slightly in the different countries examined, in most countries discussion of IL concentrated on two topics: (1) reform and renewal of educational approaches in schools were rigid subject boundaries are broken down and schools are opened up to the real world; and (2) adoption of new teaching methods concentrating on exploiting students' potential and building pathways to work. Educational conditions were found to be generally unfavorable to IL for several reasons, including the frequent absence of collective responsibility for education and training by both firms and schools and reinforcement of traditional views by institutions. It was recommended that school systems work to develop systems of IL that will overcome the rivalry and separation between VTE and general education. (Contains 10 references.) (MN)

The Commission on International Adult Education (CIAE) of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) provides a forum for the discussion of international issues related to adult education in general, as well as adult education in various countries around the globe. The following purposes summarize the work of the Commission: (1) To develop linkages with adult education associations in other countries; (2) To encourage exchanges between AAACE and associations from other countries; (3) To invite conference participation and presentations by interested adult educators around the world; and (4) To discuss how adult educators from AAACE and other nations may cooperate on projects of mutual interest and benefit to those served. The Commission holds its annual meeting in conjunction with the AAACE conference. The following papers are presented at the 2012 CIAE Pre-Conference: (1) Religious Rites and Celebrations As Frameworks for Lifelong Learning in Traditional Africa (Mejai B.M. Avoseh); (2) A Confucian Model for Scholarly Development (Elizabeth Anne Erichsen and Qi Sun); (3) The Use of Learning the Contract Within a University Setting in an Italian University (Monica Fedeli, Ettore Felisatti, and Mario Giampaolo); (4) The Cross-Culture Readiness Exposure Scale (CRES) (Emmanuel Jean Francois); (5) International History and Philosophy of Andragogy: Abbreviated for 2012 with Newer Perspective and Insights (John A. Henschke); (6) Exploring Cross-Cultural Learning Styles Differences of African and American Adult Learners (Alex Kumi-Yeboah and Waynne James); (7) An Educational Preparatory Program for Active Aging: Preliminary Results Based on Proactive Coping Theory (Ya-Hui Lee, Hui-Chuan Wei, Yu Fen Hsiao, Liang-Yi Chang, and Chen-Yi Yu); (8) Global Work Competencies and the Identification and Selection of Candidates for Expatriate Assignments (Arthur Ray McCrory); (9) Adult Education/Learning in South Africa: Promises and Challenges (Matata Johannes Mokoele); (10) Cross-Cultural Use of Surveys and Instruments in International Research: Lessons Learned From A Study in Turkey and the United States (Claudette M. Peterson, Anita Welch, Mustafa Cakir, and Chris M. Ray); (11) English Only? English-Only Policies, Multilingual Education and its Ramifications on Global Workforce Productivity (Orlando A. Pizana and Alex Kumi-Yeboah); (12) Reflections On A Research Experience at an International Treasure: The Alexander N. Charters Library of Resources for Educators of Adults (Lori Risley); (13) Bridging Adult Education Between East and West: Critical Reflection and Examination of Western Perspectives on Eastern Reality (Qi Sun and Elizabeth Anne Erichsen); (14) The Challenges and Prospects of Adult Education Programmes in Nigerian Universities (Nneka A. Umezulike); (15) The Perceived Impact of Women for Women International (WFWI) Non-formal Learning Programmes for Rural Women in Nigeria (Loretta C. Ukwuaba and Nneka A. Umezulike); (16) Perceptions of Needed Attitudinal Competencies Compared by Geographical Region (Helena Wallenberg-Lerner and Waynne B. James); (17) Identifying Intercultural Sensitivity Competencies Through Focus Group Research (Melanie L. Wicinski and Arthur Ray McCrory); and (18) Measuring Intercultural Sensitivity at the Army Medical Department Center and School: The IRB Process--Challenges and Lessons Learned (Roberta E. Worsham and Melanie L. Wicinski). Individual papers contain figures, tables, references and footnotes.

This document contains the second volume of the proceedings of the 30th Annual Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education. Conference presentations are centered around the theme "Mathematics at the Centre." This volume features 60 research reports by presenters with last names beginning between Abr and Dri: (1) The Odds of Understanding the Law of Large Numbers: A Design for Grounding Intuitive Probability in Combinatorial Analysis (Dor Abrahamson and Rose M. Cendak); (2) Imaginary-Symbolic Relations, Pedagogic Resources and the Constitution of Mathematics for Teaching in In-Service Mathematics Teacher Education (Jill Adler and Zain Davis); (3) Relationship between Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers' Teaching and Learning Beliefs and Their Practices (Hatice Akkoc and Feral Ogan-Bekiroglu); (4) Teachers' Awareness of Dimensions of Variation: A Mathematics Intervention Project (Thabit Al-Murani); (5) The Student Teacher and the Others: Multimembership on the Process of Introducing Technology in the Classroom (Nelia Amado and Susana Carreira); (6) Improving Student Teachers' Understanding of Fractions (Solange Amorim Amato); (7) Autodidactic Learning of Probabilistic Concepts through Games (Miriam Amit and Irma Jan); (8) Graduate Students' Processes in Generating Examples of Mathematical Objects (Samuele Antonini); (9) Reasoning in an Absurd World: Difficulties with Proof by Contradiction (Samuele Antonini and Maria Alessandra Mariotti); (10) Will Penelope Choose Another Bridegroom? Looking for an Answer through Signs (Ferdinando Arzarello, Luciana Bazzini, Francesca Ferrara, Ornella Robutti, Cristina Sabena, and Bruna Villa); (11) Motivation and Perceptions of Classroom Culture in Mathematics of Students across Grades 5 to 7 (Chryso Athanasiou and George N. Philippou); (12) Deductive Reasoning: Different Conceptions and Approaches (Michal Ayalon and Ruhama Even); (13) The Tendency to Use Intuitive Rules among Students with Different Piagetian Cognitive Levels (Reuven Babai); (14) Coming to Appreciate the Pedagogical Uses of CAS (Lynda Ball and Kaye Stacey); (15) Students' Conceptions of "m" and "c": How to Tune a Linear Function (Caroline Bardini and Kaye Stacey); (16) A Contradiction between Pedagogical Content Knowledge and Teaching Indications (Ibrahim Bayazit and Eddie Gray); (17) Identifying and Supporting Mathematical Conjectures through the Use of Dynamic Software (David Benitez Mojica and Manuel Santos Trigo); (18) Students Constructing Representations for Outcomes of Experiments (Palma Benko and Carolyn A. Maher); (19) Logarithms: Snapshots from Two Tasks (Tanya Berezovski and Rina Zazkis); (20) Trying to Reach the Limit--The Role of Algebra in Mathematical Reasoning (Christer Bergsten); (21) Semiotic Sequence Analysis--Constructing Epistemic Types Empirically (Angelika Bikner-Ahsbahs); (22) Service Teaching: Mathematical Education of Students of Client Departments (Erhan Bingolbali, John Monaghan, and Tom Roper); (23) Students' Thinking about the Tangent Line (Irene Biza, Constantinos Christou, and Theodossios Zachariades); (24) Habermas' Theory of Rationality as a Comprehensive Frame for Conjecturing and Proving in School (Paulo Boero); (25) Extending Students' Understanding of Decimal Numbers via Realistic Mathematical Modeling and Problem Posing (Cinzia Bonotto); (26) Different Media, Different Types of Collective Work in Online Continuing Teacher Education: Would You Pass the Pen, Please? (Marcelo C. Borba and Rubia B. A. Zulatto); (27) Reformulating "Mathematical Modelling" in the Framework of the Anthropological Theory of Didactics (Marianna Bosch, Fco. Javier Garcia, Josep Gascon, and Luisa Ruiz Higueras); (28) Students' Impressions of the Value of Games for the Learning of Mathematics (Leicha A. Bragg); (29) The Transition from Arithmetic to Algebra: To Reason, Explain, Argue, Generalize and Justify (Trygve Breiteig and Barbro Grevholm); (30) Resisting Reform Pedagogy: Teacher and Learner Contributions (Karin Brodie); (31) Manifestations of Affordances of a Technology-Rich Teaching and Learning Environment (TRTLE) (Jill P. Brown); (32) Types of Representations of the Number Line in Textbooks (Alicia Bruno and Noemi Cabrera); (33) Educational Neuroscience: New Horizons for Research in Mathematics Education (Stephen R. Campbell); (34) Variability in a Probability Context: Developing Pre-Service Teachers' Understanding (Daniel L. Canada); (35) Implementing a Reform-Oriented Mathematics Syllabus: A Survey of Secondary Teachers (Michael Cavanagh); (36) Student's Modelling with a Lattice of Conceptions in the Domain of Linear Equations and Inequations (Hamid Chaachoua, Marilena Bittar, and Jean-Francois Nicaud); (37) Using Reading and Coloring to Enhance Incomplete Prover's Performance in Geometry Proof (Ying-Hao Cheng and Fou-Lai Lin); (38) Aspects of Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Decimals (Helen Chick, Monica Baker, Thuy Pham, and Hui Cheng); (39) Collaborative Action Research on Implementing Inquiry-Based Instruction in an Eighth Grade Mathematics Class: An Alternative Mode for Mathematics Teacher Professional Development (Erh-Tsung Chin, Yung-Chi Lin, Yann-Tyng Ko, Chi-Tung Chien, and Hsiao-Lin Tuan); (40) Routine and Novel Mathematical Solutions: Central-Cognitive or Peripheral-Affective Participation in Mathematics Learning (Mei-Shiu Chiu); (41) The Role of Self-Generated Problem Posing in Mathematics Exploration (Victor V. Cifarelli and Jinfa Cai); (42) A Longitudinal Study of Children's Mental Computation Strategies (Barbara Clarke, Doug M. Clarke, and Marj Horne); (43) Assessing Fraction Understanding Using Task-Based Interviews (Doug M. Clarke, Michal Sukenik, Anne Roche, and Annie Mitchell); (44) Evaluation of a Teaching Concept for the Development of Problem Solving Competences in Connection with Self-Regulation (Christina Collet and Regina Bruder); (45) Developing Probability Thinking in Primary School: A Case Study on the Constructive Role of Natural Language in Classroom Discussions (Valeria Consogno, Teresa Gazzolo, and Paulo Boero); (46) Collaboration with Teachers to Improve Mathematics Learning: Pedagogy at Three Levels (Tom J. Cooper, Annette R. Baturo, and Edlyn J. Grant); (47) "Aim High--Beat Yourself": Effective Mathematics Teaching in a Remote Indigenous Community (Tom J. Cooper, Annette R. Baturo, Elizabeth Warren, and Edlyn J. Grant); (48) Development of Children's Understanding of Length, Area, and Volume Measurement Principles (Margaret Curry, Michael Mitchelmore, and Lynne Outhred; (49) Mathematics-for-Teaching: The Cases of Multiplication and Division (Brent Davis, Elaine Simmt, and Dennis Sumara); (50) Generative Concept Images (Gary E. Davis and Catherine A. Pearn); (51) Developmental Assessment of Data Handling Performance Age 7-14 (Pauline Davis, Maria Pampaka, Julian Williams, and Lawrence Wo); (52) The Effect of Different Teaching Tools in Overcoming the Impact of the Intuitive Rules (Eleni Deliyianni, Eleni Michael, and Demetra Pitta-Pantazi); (53) Investigating Social and Individual Aspects in Teacher's Approaches to Problem Solving (Fien Depaepe, Erik De Corte, and Lieven Verschaffel); (54) Maths Avoidance and the Choice of University (Pietro Di Martino and Francesca Morselli); (55) Primary Students' Reasoning about Diagrams: The Building Blocks of Matrix Knowledge (Carmel M. Diezmann); (56) Integrating Errors into Developmental Assessment: "Time" for Ages 8-13 (Brian Doig, Julian Williams, Lawrence Wo, and Maria Pampaka); (57) Vygotsky's Everyday Concepts/Scientific Concepts Dialectics in School Context: A Case Study (Nadia Douek); (58) Creating Mathematical Models with Structures (Katherine Doyle); (59) Mechanisms for Consolidating Knowledge Constructs (Tommy Dreyfus, Nurit Hadas, Rina Hershkowitz, and Baruch Schwarz); and (60) Reconciling Factorizations Made with CAS and with Paper-and-Pencil: The Power of Confronting Two Media (Paul Drijvers, Carolyn Kieran, Andre Boileau, Fernando Hitt, Denis Tanguay, Luis Saldanha, and Jose Guzman). (Individual papers contain references.)

This document contains 19 papers and case studies, in English and Korean, from a conference on national strategies for developing human resources through technical and vocational education and training. The following are representative: "The Need to Innovate and Optimize Resources [Keynote]" (Wataru Iwamoto); "School to Work Transition in Australia" (Katrina Ball); "Main Issues for Effective Transition System from Initial Education to Working Life in Korea" (Hojin Hwang); "School to Work Transition of the Graduates in the Trade Technical-Vocational Institutions in the Philippines" (Renato Sorolla); "Vocational and Technical Education and Training in Vietnam and Issues of School-to-Work Transition" (Hoang Ngoc Vinh); "Effective Reskilling for Adults [Germany]" (Gisela Dybowski);"Adult Reskilling in Korea" (Young-Hyun Lee); "The National Qualification System for Linking Schools and Workplace in Indonesia" (Masriam Bukit); "The National Qualification System for Linking Schools and Workplace" (Annie Bouder); "The Current Status of National Qualification System in Korea" (Jeong-yoon, Cho); "The National Skill Qualification System Framework in Malaysia" (Sahar Darusman); and "National Human Resource Planning: Issues and Problems" (Kioh Jeong). Papers include abstracts, and, in some cases, reference lists. Included are the welcoming remarks, conference program, and participant list. (KC)

A comparative analysis of family policy in various nations looks at state financial support for families and in particular how professional women in academia fare internationally with respect to state support for their families. The analysis includes a review of the general development of family support through the industrial revolution and the 20th century, analysis of family policy in the United States, and a comparative analysis of the family policy of other nations. The comparative analysis notes that, in European countries, family benefits are regarded as a right. Policies are analyzed for the following countries: Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, Belgium, Zambia, Mozambique, Ghana, India, Singapore, Peoples Republic of China, Chile, Australia, and the United States. The final portion of the analysis examines the positive and negative aspects of state support of the family. Positive aspects found include support for the initial phase of parenting, family solidarity, and equal support to all families. Negative aspects of state support, state intervention in family life, economic costs, discrimination against women; were found to be not compelling. The analysis concludes that the United States should adopt a national family support policy. (Contains 20 references.) (JB)

In many countries throughout the world, efforts to articulate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of workers have translated into the development of organizations with the specific charter to establish industry-based skill standards with attendant new and/or expanded forms of certification of competencies. The new emphasis on skill standards may be traced to many factors, including shifts in production processes and occupations, recognition of the fact that production must accommodate the environment, and the realities of the labor pool. Throughout the world, systems of initial preparation for work are undergoing significant change, and recognition that education and learning must take place in both schools and the workplace is increasing. The system in place to keep workers prepared for work (including lifelong learning, distance education, continuing professional development, and job training) is arguably the weakest link in almost every country's strategy to ensure a skilled work force. Australia's new system of occupational and industrial core and technical standards and eight competency levels provides a framework for accomplishing the following: identifying and developing transferable skills across industries; elaborating career paths within industries; and ensuring correspondence between earning a degree and acquiring the types of competencies required for working at various levels. (MN)

We are delighted to welcome you to the International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends 2013, taking place in Madrid, Spain, from 26 to 28 of April. Our efforts and active engagement can now be rewarded with these three days of exciting new developments about what we are passionate about: Psychology and its connections. We take pride in having been able to connect and bring together academics, scholars, practitioners and others interested in a field that is fertile in new perspectives, ideas and knowledge. We counted on an extensive variety of contributors and presenters, which can supplement our view of the human essence and behavior, showing the impact of their different personal, academic and cultural experiences. This is, certainly, one of the reasons we have many nationalities and cultures represented, inspiring multi-disciplinary collaborative links, fomenting intellectual encounter and development. InPACT 2013 received over more 338 submissions, from 37 different countries, reviewed by a double-blind process. Submissions were prepared to take form of Oral Presentations, Posters, Virtual Presentations and Workshops. The conference also includes a keynote presentation from an internationally distinguished researcher Prof. Howard S. Schwartz, from Oakland University, U.S.A.. There will be also two Special Talks, one by Michael Wang, Professor of Clinical Psychology in the School of Psychology, College of Medicine, University of Leicester and also Director of the Doctoral Clinical Psychology Training Course at Leicester, UK, and the other by Clara Pracana, founding member of Portuguese Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Portugal, to whom we express our most gratitude. This volume is composed by the proceedings of the International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT 2013), organized by the World Institute for Advanced Research and Science (W.I.A.R.S.) and co-sponsored by the respected partners we reference in the dedicated page. This conference addressed important topics in four main fields taken from Applied Psychology: Clinical, Educational, Social, Legal and Cognitive and Experimental Psychology. The areas can, of course, be object of discussion, but extended abstracts were presented in 56 topics within these fields of research: (1) Clinical Psychology: Emotions and related psychological processes; Assessment; Psychotherapy and counseling; Addictive behaviors; Eating disorders; Personality disorders; Quality of life and mental health; Communication within relationships; Services of mental health; and Psychopathology. (2) Educational Psychology: Language and cognitive processes; School environment and childhood disorders; Parenting and parenting related processes; Learning and technology; Psychology in schools; Intelligence and creativity; Motivation in classroom; Perspectives on teaching; Assessment and evaluation; and Individual differences in learning. (3) Social Psychology: Cross-cultural dimensions of mental disorders; Employment issues and training; Organizational psychology; Psychology in politics and international issues; Social factors in adolescence and its development; Social anxiety and self-esteem; Immigration and social policy; Self-efficacy and identity development; Parenting and social support; and Addiction and stigmatization. (4) Legal Psychology: Violence and trauma; Mass-media and aggression; Intra-familial violence; Juvenile delinquency; Aggressive behavior in childhood; Internet offending; vi Working with crime perpetrators; Forensic psychology; Violent risk assessment; and Law enforcement and stress. (5) Cognitive and Experimental Psychology: Perception, memory and attention; Decision making and problem-solving; Concept formation, reasoning and judgment; Language processing; Learning skills and education; Cognitive Neuroscience; Computer analogies and information processing (Artificial Intelligence and computer simulations); Social and cultural factors in the cognitive approach; Experimental methods, research and statistics; and Biopsychology. The proceedings contain the results of the research and developments conducted by authors who focused on what they are passionate about: Psychology and its multi-disciplinary connections. It includes an extensive variety of contributors and presenters, who will extend our view of the human psyche and behavior, by sharing with us their different personal, academic and cultural experiences. This is certainly one of the reasons we have so many nationalities and cultures represented, inspiring collaborative links and fostering intellectual encounters. Educational Psychology oral presentations include: (1) Investigation of Primary School Students' Optimism Level and their School Perception (Esra Çalik Var and Selahiddin Ögülmüs); (2) The Effect of Communication Skills-Psychoeducation Program on the Communication Skills of the Police Academy Students (Sevgi Sezer); (3) Working with Shy Adolescents: Effectiveness of Life Skills Group Training (Lancy D'Souza); (4) Transition In Transition Out (TITO): Using Peer Mentoring to Assist Graduating Students Transition Beyond University (Sophia Xenos, Andrea Chester and Lorelle Burton); (5) Personality and Academic Dishonesty: Evidentes from an Exploratory Pilot Study (Dan Florin Stanescu and Elena Madalina Iorga); (6) How to Improve the Writing of Opinion Essays? - The Role of Self-Regulated Strategies Development (Catarina Araújo, Ana Paula Martins and António Osório); (7) Early Intervention and Fragile X Syndrome (Ana Apolónio and Vítor Franco); (8) Chronopsychology Assessment of the Type of Time Organization Applied in Algerian Schools (Louisa Marouf, Rachid Khelfane and François Testu); (9) Perfectionism and School Performance in Children (Lauriane Drolet, Philippe Valois and Jacques Forget); (10) A General Overview on Parental Emotional Socialization Behaviors (Sukran Kilic); (11) Family Unpredictability and Social Support Reported by Families in Early Intervention Programs versus Community Families (Teresa Sousa Machado and Iolanda Correia); (12) Toxic Environment: Outcomes of Parental Methamphetamine Addiction on Child Psychological Health (Comfort B. Asanbe, Charlene Hall and Charles Bolden); (13) Parental Involvement and Inclusive Contexts (Sara Alexandre Felizardo and Esperança Jales Ribeiro); (14) The Effect of Group Counseling Experiences to Counselor Trainees' Group Leadership Characteristics (Bahar Mete Otlu); (15) The Role of Big Ideas in Technology-Mediated Curricula (Theodore R. Prawat and Richard S. Prawat); (16) Cognitive Features of Students with Different Level of Research Potential and Success in Learning (Nina Bordovskaia); (17) Associations of Unhealthy Behaviors and Depressive Symptoms with School Difficulties and Role of Socioeconomic Factors in Early Adolescence (Kénora Chau, Michèle Baumann, Jean-Charles Vauthier, Bernard Kabuth and Nearkasen Chau); and (18) Expanding Borders: Teachers Motivation (Claus Dieter Stobäus, Juan Mosquera and Bettina Steren dos Santos). Educational Psychology poster presentations include: (1) Peruvian Teachers' Perceptions about Autism and Implications for Educational Practice (Joyce Echegaray-Bengoa and Manuel Soriano-Ferrer); (2) Giftedness: Peruvian Teachers' Perception (Joyce Echegaray-Bengoa and Manuel Soriano-Ferrer); (3) Work Satisfaction and Social Well-Being of Teachers according to Headmasters' Support and Teachers' Personality Traits (Anna Janovská, Olga Orosová and Beata Gajdošová); (4) Early Intervention in Childhood: Study on the Evaluation of the Satisfaction of Families (Esperança Jales Ribeiro, Sandra Gonçalves and Sara Alexandre Felizardo); (5) Socio-Emotional Competences in Portuguese Youngsters: Developing of Assessment Tools for Parents (Heldemerina Pires, Adelinda Candeias, Nicole Rebelo, Diana Varelas and António M. Diniz); (6) The SET GAME® and its Cognitive Aspects (Sandreilane Cano da Silva and Lino de Macedo); (7) Teachers' Notions about Types of Communicative Behavior and Levels of Communicative Culture (Galina Glotova and Angelika Wilhelm); and (8) Reading Comprehension Difficulties - Comparison of Poor and Good Comprehenders using Neuropsychological Tasks (Helena Vellinho Corso, Tânia Mara Sperb and Jerusa Fumagalli de Salles). Author index is included. (Individual papers contain references.) [Abstract modified to meet ERIC guidelines.]

Government policy on public support for private schools in Sweden, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, The Netherlands, France and Malta, and Canada is reviewed. In Sweden virtually all schools are government schools funded by local and national grants; only a handful of private schools exist and they receive no government funds. The United States directly funds only government-operated elementary and secondary schools. Australia's constitution contains a clause forbidding the government from establishing a religion, but in recent years the courts have approved government funding for private schools. Recently in Hong Kong government support has been extended to private schools that must abide by the Code of Aid (no discrimination on the basis of religion in hiring or dismissal of staff). The Netherlands shifted from a government system of public schools before 1920 to a system of predominantly private schools that are fully government funded. In France and Malta the government recently made demands that could have placed private schools under government control. Massive demonstration in France forced withdrawal of the plan; in Malta it is still unresolved and private schools have closed in protest. Ontario and other provinces of Canada are unusual in that private schools are operated by the government. (MD)

These proceedings contain presentations and summaries of papers presented at a Wheat Competitiveness Conference. They begin with two presentations--"The Wheat Prototype Study within an Overall Conceptual Framework of Competitiveness" (James Langley) and "U.S. Competitiveness in the World Wheat Market: A Prototype Study" (Jerry Sharples). The 23 summaries of contributing reports are divided into four groups. Papers in the section on aggregate analysis of export supply and demand in world wheat markets are "Patterns and Trends in World Wheat Competitiveness" (Mathew Shane), "Measuring Economic Competitiveness in Trade" (Peter Perkins), "Revealed Competitive Advantage for Wheat" (Thomas Vollrath), and "Potential Growth in the World Wheat Market: The Impact of Factors Underlying Demand" (Mervin Yetley). The section on major factors affecting supply, demand, and trade on world wheat markets contains "Forces That Could Expand U.S. Wheat Exports: Estimates from a World Wheat Trade Model" (Jerry Sharples, Praveen Dixit), "Shortrun Impact of U.S. Macroeconomic Policy on the U.S. Wheat Market" (Mark Denbaly), "The Value of the Dollar and Competitiveness of U.S. Wheat Exports" (Stephen Haley, Barry Krissoff), "Protection and Liberalization in World Wheat Markets" (Nicole Ballenger, Cathy Jabara), "International Transportation and the Competitiveness of U.S. Wheat Exports" (Kay McLennan), "Enhancing the International Competitiveness of U.S. Wheat through Agricultural Research" (Ira Branson, Yao-chi Lu), "The Green Revolution for Wheat in Developing Countries" (Gary Vocke), and "Variability in Wheat Land Values of Major Exporting Countries" (John Sutton). In the section on wheat export markets and factors affecting supply, demand, and trade are "Summary of Export Markets" (John Sutton, Ron Trostle) and these summaries: "The U.S. Wheat Market" (William Lin, Robert McElroy), "The Canadian Wheat Market" (Pat Weisgerber, et al.), "The Australian Wheat Market" (Paul Johnston), "The French Wheat Market" (Mark Newman), and "The Argentine Wheat Market" (Jorge Hazera). In the section on wheat import markets and factors affecting supply, demand, and trade are "Summary of Import Markets" (James Langley, Gene Mathia) and these summaries: "The Mexican Wheat Market" (Myles Mielke), "The Brazilian Wheat Market" (Edward Allen), "The Conduct of Wheat Marketing in North Africa" (George Gardner, David Skully), "The Dynamics of China's Wheat Trade" (Frederic Surls), "The Soviet Wheat Market" (Emily Moore), and "The East European Wheat Market" (Robert Cummings). Other contents include a conference summary and comments by review panels of trade and university economists. (YLB)