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Assessment is an important element of any effective teaching and learning strategy. Designing an appropriate assessment strategy is a continual challenge for instructors because the assessment structure must be well aligned with the intended learning outcomes. Technological advances have led to an expansion of online and distance modes of course delivery and brought new challenges, such as accessibility and legality, identity security and academic dishonesty. This study describes the application of an oral examination as a form of assessment in the online context. The findings demonstrate that oral examination can assist in overcoming some of the challenges associated with online learning. However, careful planning is required to ensure that it meets the principles fundamental to a successful assessment strategy: validity, reliability and fairness.

In this article, we explore the drivers of students' success in a first-year university statistics course. Using a unique sample from Westminster International University in Tashkent, we discover that student engagement with their studies is reflected in their class attendance and in the use of online resources, which continue to play an important role in their academic performance. Moreover, we discovered that socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, marital status, employment, and language of instruction of prior schooling are significant in explaining student academic outcomes. These factors have important policy implications for both the university and the broader national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The post-communist transition of urban public transport in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is examined in this paper through the unique case of transport development in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The paper discusses legislative changes and changes in governance, and the evolution of the major modes of transport in terms of ownership, scale and reliability. Political economy constraints and socio- economic considerations have played an important role in how the reforms were approached and enforced both in early stages and Later as a response to negative spilllover effects from earlier reforms. Policy recommendations are made concerning the problems of transition to a post-independence urban transport system in Tashkent. Comparative Economic Studies (2011) 53, 721-755. doi: 10.1057/ces.2011.18; published online 7 July 2011 Keywords: Urban transport, municipal transport, Tashkent, post-communist countries, transition, Uzbekistan JEL Classifications: P21, P25, L91, L98, INTRODUCTION The late 1980s and early 1990s brought about a historical transformation to the people of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, both politically and economically. The fall of the Eastern [...]

To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8500.2009.00635.x Byline: Brian Dollery (*), Alexandr Akimov (*), Joel Byrnes (*) Keywords: efficiency; local government; shared services Abstract: Widespread enthusiasm amongst Australian policy elites for structural reform in local government has evaporated as disappointing outcomes of council amalgamation programs became evident. As a consequence, emphasis has now shifted towards shared serviced models as a means of enhancing service provision and reducing costs. However, a disturbing feature of the current debate on shared services has been the absence of a well-articulated economic and political rationale for this form of service delivery, a lack of analysis of alternative models of shared service provision and a neglect of available empirical evidence. This article seeks to remedy these deficiencies by considering the analytical foundations of shared local services, conducting a review of alternative models as vehicles for shared services and evaluating available empirical evidence. Author Affiliation: (*)University of New England

Ensuring universal and affordable water supply is a central objective of government. An efficient water supply sector plays a primary role in ensuring this objective is met. Scale economies and capital‐intensive immobile assets means monopoly emerges as the dominant organizational form, and when combined with an essential character, a strong case exists for economic and technical regulation. Yet diversity in water service provider scale means economic regulation, which is costly, is not always viable. A comprehensive performance monitoring and reporting regime for water service providers is thus crucial. It is crucial for oversight of unregulated entities, and for regulated entities in generating competition by comparison. In this article, we undertake an expansive literature review and summarize approaches to performance measurement by the water industry. Academic literature reveals researchers have centered their approach using comprehensive methods such as data envelopment analysis and stochastic frontier analysis. With the exception of the Victorian Essential Services Commission, the Australian Industry persists with partial indicators. Given water and sewerage price increases of more than 100% in real terms from 2005 to 2014, we find a strong case for implementing advanced methods to address the task of providing a holistic picture of utility performance. This article examines water utility performance measurement practices in Australia. Based on a comprehensive review of academic literature and international industry best practice on water utility benchmarking both in Australia and globally, we critique the existing state of affairs and offers suggestions for improvement of performance measurement practices at the national and state levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major problems involved in the transformation process of former command economies in Eastern Europe particularly in the financial sector are discussed. The design of the financial system, the pace and scope of financial reform, and the sequencing of financial sector liberalization are discussed.

Evolution of the financial system of Uzbekistan is analyzed. Issues posed to the country during the structural overhauling of its financial system, are also discussed.