Mothers' Experiences of a Women's Health and Empowerment Program for Mothers of a Child with a Disability.

PubMed

Bourke-Taylor, Helen M; Jane, Fiona M

2018-06-01

Substantial research identifies mothers of children with a disability as a vulnerable group with compromised health outcomes and restrictions for their own self-care, social, economic and leisure participation. This study investigated perceptions and experiences of mothers following attendance at health education and empowerment workshops (Healthy Mothers Healthy Families). Mixed methods evaluated mothers' experiences. A pragmatic qualitative approach was applied to data analysis of interviews with mothers (N = 19). Four themes emerged: Changes for me; Changes for my family; Wisdom gained; and Worthwhile workshops. Mothers described feeling validated and empowered in this facilitated group intervention and valued education about women's health, tailored research findings, individualised goal setting, time to learn and share with other mothers, and the workshop environment.

Simulation teaching method in Engineering Optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Qieni; Wang, Yi; Li, Hongbin

2017-08-01

We here introduce a pedagogical method of theoretical simulation as one major means of the teaching process of "Engineering Optics" in course quality improvement action plan (Qc) in our school. Students, in groups of three to five, complete simulations of interference, diffraction, electromagnetism and polarization of light; each student is evaluated and scored in light of his performance in the interviews between the teacher and the student, and each student can opt to be interviewed many times until he is satisfied with his score and learning. After three years of Qc practice, the remarkable teaching and learning effect is obatined. Such theoretical simulation experiment is a very valuable teaching method worthwhile for physical optics which is highly theoretical and abstruse. This teaching methodology works well in training students as to how to ask questions and how to solve problems, which can also stimulate their interest in research learning and their initiative to develop their self-confidence and sense of innovation.

Enhancing an introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience at free medical clinics.

PubMed

Morello, Candis M; Singh, Renu F; Chen, Karen J; Best, Brookie M

2010-02-01

The aim of the study was to assess and improve first-year student pharmacists' satisfaction and learning experience in a Student-Run Free Medical Clinic Project (SFMCP) providing medical care to an underserved population. Two consecutive classes of first-year student pharmacists at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences participated in an Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) at the UCSD SFMCP. This IPPE involved two inter-professional evening free clinics which provide medical care to an underserved population and opportunities for healthcare professional training and service. Year 1 students completed a self-assessment survey instrument and year 2 students completed the survey instrument plus a new competency checklist tool. Average scores from the self-assessment survey instrument were compared between years 1 and 2. Initial survey results showed that students felt the SFMCP was worthwhile; however, they did not experience enough involvement in the patient assistance programme or non-pharmacy-related clinic activities. After the competency checklist tool implementation, overall student pharmacist satisfaction of the SFMCP IPPE remained high (88%), participation in identified weak areas improved and students agreed that the tool helped focus their clinic experience. Areas of improvement were identified with the survey instrument and the competency checklist tool increased achievement of learning objectives. Overall, student pharmacists felt the SFMCP IPPE was a good learning experience. Practising pharmacists can employ these or similar tools in specific practice settings, to evaluate and help ensure that student pharmacists or interns are achieving applicable learning objectives.

Motivating Students to Read in the Content Classroom: Six Evidence-Based Principles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brozo, William G.; Flynt, E. Sutton

2008-01-01

Teachers who plan content area instruction with evidence-based principles of reading engagement in mind will seek ways of making learning interesting and worthwhile; will create learning contexts that maximize participation in reading, writing, and thinking; and will always account for motivation and engagement when considering students' classroom…

The Worthwhile Risk of Education: From Initiation to Co-Belonging in and through Pedagogical Encounters

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davids, Nuraan; Waghid, Yusef

2016-01-01

This article explores the idea of the worthwhile risk of education, as necessarily involving a transition from one of initiation and risk to that of co-belonging. We commence by considering a contention that while education is a human activity whereby an individual might be initiated into various encounters, the potential experience thereof is as…

A Reflection on "The Language Learning Potential" of Written CF

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bitchener, John

2012-01-01

For more than 30 years, different opinions about whether written corrective feedback (CF) is a worthwhile pedagogical practice for L2 learning and acquisition have been voiced. Despite the arguments for and against its potential to help L2 learners acquire the target language and the inconclusive findings across studies that have sought answers to…

What Is Mathematics? An Exploration of Teachers' Philosophies of Mathematics during a Time of Curriculum Reform

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White-Fredette, Kimberly

2009-01-01

Current reform in mathematics teaching and learning is rooted in a changing vision of school mathematics, one that includes constructivist learning, student-centered pedagogy, and the use of worthwhile tasks (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1989, 1991, 2000). This changing vision not only challenges teachers' beliefs about mathematics…

Grandparents and learning.

PubMed

Strom, R; Strom, S

1989-01-01

The educational needs of grandparents have been overlooked. They deserve access to a curriculum that can help them adjust to their changing role and illustrate how to build satisfying family relationships. In order to identify appropriate topics and instructional procedures for grandparent education, weekly meetings were held for a semester with 400 grandmothers and grandfathers. The resulting program includes experiences in sharing feelings and ideas with peers; listening to the views of younger people; studying lifespan growth and adjustment; acquiring intergenerational communication skills; and focusing self-evaluation. A fieldtest involving several hundred participants, equally divided into experimental and control groups, is underway to determine the worthwhileness of this approach to family development.

A Case Study of Teacher Reflection: Examining Teacher Participation in a Video-Based Professional Learning Community

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Steeg, Susanna M.

2016-01-01

Professional learning communities (PLCs) constitute worthwhile spaces in which to study teacher participation in the reflective practices that have potential to shift their teaching. This qualitative case study details the interactions between dual-language and ELL teachers in a grade-level PLC as they met together to confer over video-clips of…

Language Play in Y2K: Morphology Brought to You by Pokemon.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nilsen, Alleen Pace; Nilsen, Don L. F.

2000-01-01

Suggests that teachers can take advantage of children's interest in the Pokemon game to teach worthwhile lessons about how words are developed. Shows how, by analyzing Pokemon names, kids can learn the linguistic concept of morphology. (SR)

Learning and Digital Portfolios

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moran, Wendy; Vozzo, Les; Reid, Jo-Anne; Pietsch, Marilyn; Hatton, Caroline

2013-01-01

Utilising appropriate Information Communication Technologies (ICT) as instructional tools in teacher education can be a challenging yet worthwhile endeavour. This paper reports the difficulties and benefits of a recent inter-university project requiring preservice primary teachers to construct professional digital portfolios using the support of…

Introducing Twitter as an assessed component of the undergraduate nursing curriculum: case study.

PubMed

Jones, Ray; Kelsey, Janet; Nelmes, Pam; Chinn, Nick; Chinn, Teresa; Proctor-Childs, Tracey

2016-07-01

To ask: (i) is it feasible to include Twitter as an assessed element of the first-year nursing curriculum; (ii) how should it be introduced and assessed; and (iii) do students think it worthwhile and learn anything from its use? Nursing students need to use social media professionally, avoiding pitfalls but using learning opportunities. This case study (2014-2015) comprised: (i) pilot introduction of Digital Professionalism (including Twitter) with second- and third-year students; (ii) introduction and assessment with a first cohort of 450 first-year students. Based on feedback, methods were revised for; (iii) a second cohort of 97. Students received a face-to-face lecture, two webinars, used chat rooms and were asked to create course Twitter accounts and were assessed on their use. Few second and third year students started optional Twitter use whereas nearly all first years used it. Most students (70·1% first, 88·0% second cohort) thought inclusion of Twitter was worthwhile. Changes from first to second cohort included better peer-peer support, more contextualization and more emphasis on nursing communities. More second cohort students learned from Twitter (44·4% vs. 70·8%) and used Twitter recently (43·3% vs. 81·6%). Students gained wider perspectives on nursing, better understanding of social media, 'being student nurses' and topics like health promotion. Students mostly followed not only online nursing communities but also patient organizations. Including Twitter as an assessed element for first-year nursing students was feasible, students think it worthwhile and other nursing schools should consider introducing it in the broader context of Digital Professionalism. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Mentoring for population health in general practice divisions.

PubMed

Moss, John R; Mickan, Sharon M; Fuller, Jeffrey D; Procter, Nicholas G; Waters, Barb A; O'Rourke, Peter K

2006-02-01

This paper describes the implementation and evaluation of a three-way model of service development mentoring. This population health mentoring program was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing to enable staff from eight Divisions of General Practice in South Australia to gain a sound understanding of population health concepts relevant to their workplace. The distinguishing features of service development mentoring were that the learning was grounded within an individual's work setting and experience; there was an identified population health problem or issue confronting the Division of General Practice; and there was an expectation of enhanced organisational performance. A formal evaluation found a consensus among all learners that mentoring was a positive and worthwhile experience, where they had achieved what they had set out to do. Mentors found the model of learning agreeable and effective. Division executive officers recognised enhanced skills among their "learner" colleagues, and commented positively on the benefits to their organisations through the development of well researched and relevant projects, with the potential to improve the efficiency of their population health activities.

Barriers to the implementation of management systems: lessons from the past.

PubMed

Gardner, D

2000-01-01

There is a substantial body of evidence, both empirical and anecdotal, concerning factors associated with the success and failure of management systems. Given the increasing interest in management systems for occupational health and safety, quality, and the environment, it is worth looking at some of these factors in order to learn from them and plan for the future. One of the most comprehensive sources of information about factors that can make a management system succeed or fail lies in the material written about systems that improve the quality of products and services. Such systems were extremely widespread during the 1970s and 1980s but are now much less often cited or studied by Australian organisations. One of the reasons underlying the present relative lack of emphasis is that such programs, both here and overseas, experienced a failure rate of between 85% and 95%. While it may seem unlikely that occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management systems will experience similar failure rates, it is still worthwhile to look at what went wrong with other systems and to learn from these experiences.

Clinical and ethical implications of placebo effects: enhancing patients' benefits from pain treatment.

PubMed

Klinger, Regine; Flor, Herta

2014-01-01

Expectancy and learning are the core psychological mechanisms of placebo analgesia. They interact with further psychological processes such as emotions and motivations (e.g., anxiety, desire for relief), somatic focus, or cognitions (e.g., attitudes toward the treatment). The development of placebo responsiveness and the actual placebo response in a person is the result of the complex interaction between factors traced back to the individual learning history related to analgesic drugs or treatments and factors of the current context referring to the analgesic or placebo treatment. The aim of this chapter is to depict these complex interactions in a new model of analgesic placebo effects. It joins aspects of the learning history (preexisting experiences and preexisting expectations) of a patient with aspects of the current context (current expectation as a result of external and internal situation in which a pain medication/treatment/placebo is taken, e.g., current information about pain medication, current specific context/cues, desire for pain relief, certainty about upcoming pain relief, current expectation about pain reducing course, current selective attention, increased pain experience, or decreased pain experience). In order to exploit placebo efficacy for an analgesic treatment it is worthwhile to assess in which direction each of these factors exerts its influence in order to maximize placebo effects for a specific patient. By applying placebo mechanisms in this differentiated way, the efficacy of pain treatment can be deliberately boosted.

Time Management. Revised.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Halverson, Don E.

This booklet presents concepts and applications of effective time management to help administrators learn to utilize their time most effectively, thereby accomplishing their most worthwhile objectives in the shortest amount of time. Although the booklet is designed to be self-administered, the greatest benefits should be derived in a group setting…

The Surgical Learning and Instructional Portfolio (SLIP) as a self-assessment educational tool demonstrating practice-based learning.

PubMed

Webb, Travis P; Aprahamian, Charles; Weigelt, John A; Brasel, Karen J

2006-01-01

Time constraints on the teaching and evaluation of residents continue to alter the way in which medical knowledge must be imparted and assessed. Lifelong learning is a component of the practice-based learning competency. A portfolio is one way to assess practice-based learning, but its use is unfamiliar to most surgical programs. The authors describe the evolution of the Surgical Learning and Instructional Portfolio (SLIP) into a worthwhile educational tool. In March 2001, the authors began a program to encourage residents to develop a case-based portfolio to document their experience and demonstrate acquisition of knowledge in caring for a variety of surgical diseases. The monthly case topic was chosen by the resident and reported using a template: case history, supporting diagnostic studies, differential diagnosis, final diagnosis with ICD-9 coding, management options, treatment used, 3 lessons learned, embellishment of 1 lesson, and 2 articles supporting the experience. Initially, cases were submitted to the program coordinator and reviewed every 6 months with a faculty advisor to provide feedback. After the first 18 months of this program, resident compliance was less than 50%, satisfaction was low, and formal review did not occur. In July 2004, a single faculty member became responsible for evaluating and providing feedback on the monthly SLIPs. The assignments were handled electronically with feedback delivered within the month via e-mail. SLIP quality as measured by resident compliance and satisfaction improved. These SLIPs have matured into a valuable educational tool satisfying multiple ACGME competencies. This portfolio system required direct faculty feedback to become successful.

Small Business Pedagogic Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Billett, Stephen; Hernon-Tinning, Barnie; Ehrich, Lisa

2003-01-01

Understanding how learning for small businesses should best proceed constitutes a worthwhile, yet challenging, pedagogic project. In order to maintain their viability, small businesses need to be able to respond to new practices and tasks. Yet small businesses seem neither attracted to nor to value the kinds of taught courses that are the standard…

Learning about Bird Species on the Primary Level

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Randler, Christoph

2009-01-01

Animal species identification is often emphasized as a basic prerequisite for an understanding of ecology because ecological interactions are based on interactions between species at least as it is taught on the school level. Therefore, training identification skills or using identification books seems a worthwhile task in biology education, and…

The Entry-Level System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pepper, Mark

2012-01-01

Assessment of performance, when national standards are required, has to be sustained by confidence. Confidence in the learner that they are engaged in learning that will provide them with a qualification that is worthwhile, and the confidence of the end user that the assessment is rigorous, equitable institution to institution, and accurate.…

Upper Elementary Math Lessons: Case Studies of Real Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Graeber, Anna O.; Valli, Linda; Newton, Kristie Jones

2011-01-01

Engaging students in worthwhile learning requires more than a knowledge of underlying principles of good teaching. It demands considerable practice as well as images of what good teaching in particular situations and for particular purposes might look like. This volume provides these images. These cases were written from authentic, unrehearsed…

Comprehension through cooperation: Medical students and physiotherapy apprentices learn in teams - Introducing interprofessional learning at the University Medical Centre Mannheim, Germany.

PubMed

Mette, Mira; Dölken, Mechthild; Hinrichs, Jutta; Narciß, Elisabeth; Schüttpelz-Brauns, Katrin; Weihrauch, Ute; Fritz, Harald M

2016-01-01

In order to better prepare future health care professionals for interprofessional cooperation, interprofessional learning sessions for medical students and physiotherapy apprentices were developed at the University Medical Centre Mannheim, Germany. The experience gained from designing, implementing and evaluating these learning sessions is presented and discussed. A total of 265 medical students and 43 physiotherapy apprentices attended five interprofessional learning sessions. Of these, 87-100% responded to closed and open-ended questions on a self-developed questionnaire (24 items). The responses regarding self-reported learning gains, benefit, motivation and satisfaction with the sessions were analyzed separately by professions. The learning sessions were well received by both groups. More than 75% of all participants were of the opinion that they could not have learned the new material in a better way. Significant differences between the medical students and the physiotherapy apprentices were mainly found with regard to perceived learning gains, which physiotherapy apprentices reported as being lower. Positive aspects of interprofessionalism were most often emphasized in the responses to the open-ended questions. Most frequently criticized were organizational aspects and a lack of perceived learning gains. The introduction of interprofessional learning entails great effort in terms of organizational and administrative challenges. However, the project is considered worthwhile because the interprofessional aspects of the learning sessions were indeed valued by the participants. Permanently including and expanding interprofessional learning in the curricula of both professions longitudinally is therefore something to strive for.

A Weighted Deep Representation Learning Model for Imbalanced Fault Diagnosis in Cyber-Physical Systems.

PubMed

Wu, Zhenyu; Guo, Yang; Lin, Wenfang; Yu, Shuyang; Ji, Yang

2018-04-05

Predictive maintenance plays an important role in modern Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) and data-driven methods have been a worthwhile direction for Prognostics Health Management (PHM). However, two main challenges have significant influences on the traditional fault diagnostic models: one is that extracting hand-crafted features from multi-dimensional sensors with internal dependencies depends too much on expertise knowledge; the other is that imbalance pervasively exists among faulty and normal samples. As deep learning models have proved to be good methods for automatic feature extraction, the objective of this paper is to study an optimized deep learning model for imbalanced fault diagnosis for CPSs. Thus, this paper proposes a weighted Long Recurrent Convolutional LSTM model with sampling policy (wLRCL-D) to deal with these challenges. The model consists of 2-layer CNNs, 2-layer inner LSTMs and 2-Layer outer LSTMs, with under-sampling policy and weighted cost-sensitive loss function. Experiments are conducted on PHM 2015 challenge datasets, and the results show that wLRCL-D outperforms other baseline methods.

A Weighted Deep Representation Learning Model for Imbalanced Fault Diagnosis in Cyber-Physical Systems

PubMed Central

Guo, Yang; Lin, Wenfang; Yu, Shuyang; Ji, Yang

2018-01-01

Predictive maintenance plays an important role in modern Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) and data-driven methods have been a worthwhile direction for Prognostics Health Management (PHM). However, two main challenges have significant influences on the traditional fault diagnostic models: one is that extracting hand-crafted features from multi-dimensional sensors with internal dependencies depends too much on expertise knowledge; the other is that imbalance pervasively exists among faulty and normal samples. As deep learning models have proved to be good methods for automatic feature extraction, the objective of this paper is to study an optimized deep learning model for imbalanced fault diagnosis for CPSs. Thus, this paper proposes a weighted Long Recurrent Convolutional LSTM model with sampling policy (wLRCL-D) to deal with these challenges. The model consists of 2-layer CNNs, 2-layer inner LSTMs and 2-Layer outer LSTMs, with under-sampling policy and weighted cost-sensitive loss function. Experiments are conducted on PHM 2015 challenge datasets, and the results show that wLRCL-D outperforms other baseline methods. PMID:29621131

Computer-Assisted Text-Analysis for ESL Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reid, Joy; And Others

1983-01-01

Reports an investigation into possibilities of using word processors and text analysis software with English as second language (ESL) students to determine (1) if foreign students can learn to use computer equipment, (2) if students feel time invested is worthwhile, and (3) if ESL students' problems with writing American academic prose can be…

How Good Is Good Enough?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wiggins, Grant

2014-01-01

Education has a long-standing practice of turning worthwhile learning goals into lists of bits. One might even say that this practice is the original sin in curriculum design: take a complex whole, divide it into small pieces, string those together in a rigid sequence of instruction and testing, and call completion of this sequence…

Cognitive Models: The Missing Link to Learning Fraction Multiplication and Division

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Castro, Belinda V.

2008-01-01

This quasi-experimental study aims to streamline cognitive models on fraction multiplication and division that contain the most worthwhile features of other existing models. Its exploratory nature and its approach to proof elicitation can be used to help establish its effectiveness in building students' understanding of fractions as compared to…

Exploring the Impact of TeachME™ Lab Virtual Classroom Teaching Simulation on Early Childhood Education Majors' Self-Efficacy Beliefs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bautista, Nazan Uludag; Boone, William J.

2015-04-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a mixed-reality teaching environment, called TeachME™ Lab (TML), on early childhood education majors' science teaching self-efficacy beliefs. Sixty-two preservice early childhood teachers participated in the study. Analysis of the quantitative (STEBI-b) and qualitative (journal entries) data revealed that personal science teaching efficacy and science teaching outcome expectancy beliefs increased significantly after one semester of participation in TML. Three key factors impacted preservice teachers' (PST) self-efficacy beliefs in the context of participation in TML: PSTs' perceptions of their science content knowledge, their familiarity with TML technology and avatars, and being observed by peers. Cognitive pedagogical mastery (TML practices), effective/actual modeling, cognitive self-modeling, and emotional arousal were the primary sources that increased the PSTs' perceived self-efficacy beliefs. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the TML is a worthwhile technology for learning to teach in teacher education. It provides a way for PSTs to have a highly personalized learning experience that enables them to improve their understanding and confidence related to teaching science, so that ideally someday they may translate such an experience into their classroom practices.

Comprehension through cooperation: Medical students and physiotherapy apprentices learn in teams – Introducing interprofessional learning at the University Medical Centre Mannheim, Germany

PubMed Central

Mette, Mira; Dölken, Mechthild; Hinrichs, Jutta; Narciß, Elisabeth; Schüttpelz-Brauns, Katrin; Weihrauch, Ute; Fritz, Harald M.

2016-01-01

Aim: In order to better prepare future health care professionals for interprofessional cooperation, interprofessional learning sessions for medical students and physiotherapy apprentices were developed at the University Medical Centre Mannheim, Germany. The experience gained from designing, implementing and evaluating these learning sessions is presented and discussed. Method: A total of 265 medical students and 43 physiotherapy apprentices attended five interprofessional learning sessions. Of these, 87-100% responded to closed and open-ended questions on a self-developed questionnaire (24 items). The responses regarding self-reported learning gains, benefit, motivation and satisfaction with the sessions were analyzed separately by professions. Results: The learning sessions were well received by both groups. More than 75% of all participants were of the opinion that they could not have learned the new material in a better way. Significant differences between the medical students and the physiotherapy apprentices were mainly found with regard to perceived learning gains, which physiotherapy apprentices reported as being lower. Positive aspects of interprofessionalism were most often emphasized in the responses to the open-ended questions. Most frequently criticized were organizational aspects and a lack of perceived learning gains. Conclusion: The introduction of interprofessional learning entails great effort in terms of organizational and administrative challenges. However, the project is considered worthwhile because the interprofessional aspects of the learning sessions were indeed valued by the participants. Permanently including and expanding interprofessional learning in the curricula of both professions longitudinally is therefore something to strive for. PMID:27280142

Virtual patients in continuing medical education and residency training: a pilot project for acceptance analysis in the framework of a residency revision course in pediatrics.

PubMed

Lehmann, Ronny; Hanebeck, Benjamin; Oberle, Stephan; Simon, Anke; Choukair, Daniela; Tönshoff, Burkhard; Huwendiek, Sören

2015-01-01

Virtual patients (VPs) are a one-of-a-kind e-learning resource, fostering clinical reasoning skills through clinical case examples. The combination with face-to-face teaching is important for their successful integration, which is referred to as "blended learning". So far little is known about the use of VPs in the field of continuing medical education and residency training. The pilot study presented here inquired the application of VPs in the framework of a pediatric residency revision course. Around 200 participants of a pediatric nephology lecture ('nephrotic and nephritic syndrome in children') were offered two VPs as a wrap-up session at the revision course of the German Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ) 2009 in Heidelberg, Germany. Using a web-based survey form, different aspects were evaluated concerning the learning experiences with VPs, the combination with the lecture, and the use of VPs for residency training in general. N=40 evaluable survey forms were returned (approximately 21%). The return rate was impaired by a technical problem with the local Wi-Fi firewall. The participants perceived the work-up of the VPs as a worthwhile learning experience, with proper preparation for diagnosing and treating real patients with similar complaints. Case presentations, interactivity, and locally and timely independent repetitive practices were, in particular, pointed out. On being asked about the use of VPs in general for residency training, there was a distinct demand for more such offers. VPs may reasonably complement existing learning activities in residency training.

Prevent: A Fragmented Counter-Terrorism Strategy

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-21

Seminar Leader David M. Wood , COL...David M. Wood for the guidance and support during this process. The learning curve has been steep but worthwhile and your efforts have made the...Mirror Online, “Muslim Worshippers: It’s Madness; Exclusive Army To Scots Cadets: Don’t Wear Uniform near Mosque in Case You Offend,” Muslims, accessed

Placements: An Underused Vehicle for Quality Enhancement in Higher Education?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kettis, Asa; Ring, Lena; Gustavsson, Maria; Wallman, Andy

2013-01-01

Placements have the potential to contribute more effectively to the quality of higher education. The aim of this article is to discuss how placements can be made more worthwhile for individual students, while also contributing to the overall quality of teaching and learning at HEIs as well as to the development of workplace cultures that are…

Music, the Brain, and Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Warren Puffer

2005-01-01

This article focuses on role of music education. If the society has changed how it values music, it is certainly worthwhile to reevaluate the role music should play in the education and development of a child. Children are not predisposed to be able to understand one style of music over another. Rather they learn traits of the style of their…

We Care about You: Incorporating Pet Characteristics with Educational Agents through Reciprocal Caring Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Zhi-Hong

2012-01-01

Although different educational agents have been proposed to facilitate student learning, most of them operate from a "smart" (i.e., intelligent and autonomous) perspective. Recently, a so-called "non-smart" perspective is also attracting increasing interest, and is now regarded as a topic worthwhile of researching. To this end,…

Learner Behaviour in a MOOC Practice-Oriented Course: In Empirical Study Integrating TAM and TPB

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Hsi-Hsun; Su, Chung-Ho

2017-01-01

Few practice-oriented courses are currently integrated into online learning platforms, such as OpenCourseWare, Khan Academy, and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). It is worthwhile to explore how learners respond to information technology and new teaching methods when practice-oriented course are placed online. Therefore, this study probes…

'Peace' and 'life worthwhile' as measures of spiritual well-being in African palliative care: a mixed-methods study.

PubMed

Selman, Lucy; Speck, Peter; Gysels, Marjolein; Agupio, Godfrey; Dinat, Natalya; Downing, Julia; Gwyther, Liz; Mashao, Thandi; Mmoledi, Keletso; Moll, Tony; Sebuyira, Lydia Mpanga; Ikin, Barbara; Higginson, Irene J; Harding, Richard

2013-06-10

Patients with incurable, progressive disease receiving palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa experience high levels of spiritual distress with a detrimental impact on their quality of life. Locally validated measurement tools are needed to identify patients' spiritual needs and evaluate and improve spiritual care, but up to now such tools have been lacking in Africa. The African Palliative Care Association (APCA) African Palliative Outcome Scale (POS) contains two items relating to peace and life worthwhile. We aimed to determine the content and construct validity of these items as measures of spiritual wellbeing in African palliative care populations. The study was conducted at five palliative care services, four in South Africa and one in Uganda. The mixed-methods study design involved: (1) cognitive interviews with 72 patients, analysed thematically to explore the items' content validity, and (2) quantitative data collection (n = 285 patients) using the POS and the Spirit 8 to assess construct validity. (1) Peace was interpreted according to the themes 'perception of self and world', 'relationship to others', 'spiritual beliefs' and 'health and healthcare'. Life worthwhile was interpreted in relation to 'perception of self and world', 'relationship to others' and 'identity'. (2) Conceptual convergence and divergence were also evident in the quantitative data: there was moderate correlation between peace and Spirit 8 spiritual well-being (r = 0.46), but little correlation between life worthwhile and Spirit 8 spiritual well-being (r = 0.18) (both p < 0.001). Correlations with Spirit 8 items were weak to moderate. Findings demonstrate the utility of POS items peace and life worthwhile as distinct but related measures of spiritual well-being in African palliative care. Peace and life worthwhile are brief and simple enough to be integrated into routine practice and can be used to measure this important but neglected outcome in this population.

Overnight call: a survey of medical student experiences, attitudes, and skills.

PubMed

Corriere, Mark D; Hanson, Janice L; Hemmer, Paul A; Denton, Gerald D

2013-01-01

Residency work hour restrictions in 2003 changed medical student participation in overnight call. The goal is to compare experiences, attitudes, and skills between medical students who did and did not participate in overnight call. Using a retrospective cohort design, all students at one medical school received a survey at the end of their 3rd-year internal medicine clerkship. Students at 3 clerkship sites were required to take overnight call, and students at 2 sites were not. One hundred four of 167 (62%) students participated. Sixty-one of 104 (59%) took overnight call. Overnight call students reported improved team relationships and were able to evaluate more unstable "cross-cover" patients. Students who took overnight call were more likely to state it was worthwhile (58% vs. 34%; p = .034). Overnight call led to fatigue and the perception of interference with didactics. Overnight call within the internal medicine clerkship has positive and negative effects. With new residency work hour restrictions, schools may consider innovative ways to preserve the positive experiences while working to minimize fatigue and interference with learning.

Breaking bad news - an interdisciplinary curricular teaching-concept.

PubMed

Simmenroth-Nayda, Anne; Alt-Epping, Bernd; Gágyor, Ildikó

2011-01-01

The concerns of patients suffering from life-threatening disease and end-of-life care aspects have gained increasing attention in public perception. The increasing focus on palliative medicine questions can be considered to be paradigmatic for this development. Palliative medicine became a compulsory subject of the undergraduate curriculum in Germany to be implemented until 2013. The preexisting conditions and qualifications at the medical faculties vary, though. We describe the conceptual process, didactic background, and first experiences with the new interdisciplinary course "Delivering bad news" as a compulsory part of the palliative medicine curriculum. Since autumn 2009, this course has been taught at the University Medical Center Göttingen, consisting of two double lessons in the final year of medical education. Considering the curriculum-based learning goals in Göttingen, the focus of this course is to impart knowledge, attitudes and communication skills relating to "bad news". Although the seminar requires adequate staff and is time-consuming, students have accepted it and gave high marks in evaluations. In particular, the teachers' performance and commitment was evaluated positively. We describe the first experiences with a new course. Didactic structure, theoretical contents, role-plays and usage of media (film, novel) are well- suited to communicate topics such as "bad news". Additional experiences and evaluations are necessary. According to the progressive nature of learning, it might be worthwhile to repeat communication- centered questions several times during medical studies.

Teacher Research Experiences: What We Have Learned and What We Need to Know

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scowcroft, G. A.; Knowlton, C. W.

2006-12-01

The immersion of teachers in scientific research is an effective model for science teacher professional development that builds the capacity of teachers to engage students in scientific inquiry. Most science teachers have had little opportunity to "practice" science. Yet national and state science education standards expect teachers to provide these kinds of experiences for their students. Through the renewal and enhancement that a teacher research experience (TRE) offers, teachers become more capable and motivated to challenge their classes through inquiry-based activities. Although TREs are believed to be successful, there is little published research on their impacts to teaching practice and student science competencies. Research shows that teacher expertise can account for approximately 40 percent of the variance in student learning in reading and mathematics achievement more than any other single factor including student background. Other studies show a similar correlation between teacher expertise and student achievement across the subject areas. There is a critical need for empirical research on the impacts of TREs on science education. Future research could guide funding agencies in setting priorities for the professional development of science teachers as it fine tunes the TRE model to achieve the maximum impact. This presentation will review some of the available literature on TREs and accepted best practices. It will also point to future directions that the TRE community can take to optimize these worthwhile opportunities for teachers.

The Revival of Research Circles: Meeting the Needs of Modern Aging and the Third Age

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ostlund, Britt

2008-01-01

This article provides evidence that it is worthwhile to reconsider the traditional research circle method as a means of involving people in the third age in fulfilling their needs to participate in learning activities and make their voices heard. The findings are based on three cases of research circles consistently driven by the interests of the…

Professional Update and Practitioner Enquiry: Old Wine in New Bottles?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Humes, Walter

2014-01-01

Starting in August 2014, all registered teachers in Scotland are now required to engage in a process of Professional Update (PU) managed by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). The aim is to ensure that teachers at every stage of their careers participate in worthwhile professional learning, which can take a variety of forms. PU is,…

Inviting School Success: A Self-Concept Approach to Teaching, Learning, and Democratic Practice. Third Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Purkey, William Watson; Novak, John M.

Invitational education is a general framework for thinking and acting about what is believed to be worthwhile in schools. It centers on five basic principles: (1) people are able, valuable, and responsible, and should be treated accordingly; (2) educating should be a collaborative, cooperative activity; (3) the process is the product in the…

What Middle School Students Need from Their General Music Class (and How We Can Help)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davis, Virginia Wayman

2011-01-01

The middle school general music class is a course that holds many possibilities and challenges. In this research-based article, teachers are encouraged to "teach for transfer," to create worthwhile learning activities that prepare students for music making in the adult community. Three needs of the middle school music student are discussed:…

Has the Bologna Process Been Worthwhile? An Analysis of the Learning Society-Adapted Outcome Index through Quantile Regression

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fernandez-Sainz, A.; García-Merino, J. D.; Urionabarrenetxea, S.

2016-01-01

This paper seeks to discover whether the performance of university students has improved in the wake of the changes in higher education introduced by the Bologna Declaration of 1999 and the construction of the European Higher Education Area. A principal component analysis is used to construct a multi-dimensional performance variable called the…

What Makes a Good History Essay? Assessing Historical Aspects of Argumentative Writing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Monte-Sano, Chauncey

2012-01-01

Teaching students to write standard arguments in history classes is certainly worthwhile; teaching them to write historical arguments is even more so. Learning historical writing is something that a range of students can do. But what does it mean to write a good history essay and what might students' attempts to do so look like? Here, the author…

Transcripts of the Presentations at the Workshop on NDE of Adhesive Bond Strength Held in Orlando, Florida on 13-14 April 1988

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-04-01

also to 3 incorporate into it some of the lesson learned perhaps as a result of the initial study that we did of the problems and over time as more and...by the Air Force and DARPA in the mid to late 70’s and I thought it would be worthwhile just going through what was done there, what was learned and so...course was what we learned about adhesive bonding; the second thing that was illuminating were the jokes that are in some of the proceedings of 3 those

Bringing together best practices and best acceptance with real resources: AP Physics 1 and 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stewart, Gay

2015-04-01

The road to the new AP Physics 1 and 2 courses has been long, but the journey has been worthwhile. The courses are constructed to be a careful balance of best practices in physics education and what can be sustained with the resources available to provide the best experience in learning physics to the most students. Experts in content and learning science worked together through several layers of committees to develop a model that was then refined through focus group processes with state-level curriculum experts who had to see how to fit the courses into their students' schedules, high school faculty who had to deliver the courses within their resources, and higher education faculty who had to make decisions on acceptance. The best practices course was amazingly robust to the considerations of each of these audiences. In this interactive talk, I will outline the process and answer questions. I would like to express my gratitude to the National Science Foundation for helping support the College Board's work on their science courses.

Introducing students to patient safety through an online interprofessional course.

PubMed

Blue, Amy V; Charles, Laurine; Howell, David; Koutalos, Yiannis; Mitcham, Maralynne; Nappi, Jean; Zoller, James

2010-01-01

Interprofessional education (IPE) is increasingly called upon to improve health care systems and patient safety. Our institution is engaged in a campus-wide IPE initiative. As a component of this initiative, a required online interprofessional patient-safety-focused course for a large group (300) of first-year medical, dental, and nursing students was developed and implemented. We describe our efforts with developing the course, including the use of constructivist and adult learning theories and IPE competencies to structure students' learning in a meaningful fashion. The course was conducted online to address obstacles of academic calendars and provide flexibility for faculty participation. Students worked in small groups online with a faculty facilitator. Thematic modules were created with associated objectives, online learning materials, and assignments. Students posted completed assignments online and responded to group members' assignments for purposes of group discussion. Students worked in interprofessional groups on a project requiring them to complete a root cause analysis and develop recommendations based on a fictional sentinel event case. Through project work, students applied concepts learned in the course related to improving patient safety and demonstrated interprofessional collaboration skills. Projects were presented during a final in-class session. Student course evaluation results suggest that learning objectives and content goals were achieved. Faculty course evaluation results indicate that the course was perceived to be a worthwhile learning experience for students. We offer the following recommendations to others interested in developing an in-depth interprofessional learning experience for a large group of learners: 1) consider a hybrid format (inclusion of some face-to-face sessions), 2) address IPE and broader curricular needs, 3) create interactive opportunities for shared learning and working together, 4) provide support to faculty facilitators, and 5) recognize your learners' educational level. The course has expanded to include students from additional programs for the current academic year.

Introducing students to patient safety through an online interprofessional course

PubMed Central

Blue, Amy V; Charles, Laurine; Howell, David; Koutalos, Yiannis; Mitcham, Maralynne; Nappi, Jean; Zoller, James

2010-01-01

Interprofessional education (IPE) is increasingly called upon to improve health care systems and patient safety. Our institution is engaged in a campus-wide IPE initiative. As a component of this initiative, a required online interprofessional patient-safety-focused course for a large group (300) of first-year medical, dental, and nursing students was developed and implemented. We describe our efforts with developing the course, including the use of constructivist and adult learning theories and IPE competencies to structure students’ learning in a meaningful fashion. The course was conducted online to address obstacles of academic calendars and provide flexibility for faculty participation. Students worked in small groups online with a faculty facilitator. Thematic modules were created with associated objectives, online learning materials, and assignments. Students posted completed assignments online and responded to group members’ assignments for purposes of group discussion. Students worked in interprofessional groups on a project requiring them to complete a root cause analysis and develop recommendations based on a fictional sentinel event case. Through project work, students applied concepts learned in the course related to improving patient safety and demonstrated interprofessional collaboration skills. Projects were presented during a final in-class session. Student course evaluation results suggest that learning objectives and content goals were achieved. Faculty course evaluation results indicate that the course was perceived to be a worthwhile learning experience for students. We offer the following recommendations to others interested in developing an in-depth interprofessional learning experience for a large group of learners: 1) consider a hybrid format (inclusion of some face-to-face sessions), 2) address IPE and broader curricular needs, 3) create interactive opportunities for shared learning and working together, 4) provide support to faculty facilitators, and 5) recognize your learners’ educational level. The course has expanded to include students from additional programs for the current academic year. PMID:23745069

Podcasts in Higher Education: Students' and Lecturers' Perspectives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carvalho, Ana A.; Aguiar, Cristina; Santos, Henrique; Oliveira, Lia; Marques, Aldina; Maciel, Romana

This paper reports the use of podcasts in blended-learning at the University of Minho, in Portugal. Six lecturers created their own podcasts with different purposes in order to support their undergraduate and graduate courses and their students’ (n=318) learning. The reported study belongs to a broader project about the impact of podcasts in blended-learning and it reports data from two semesters. Results give evidence of students’ acceptance regarding podcasts although they do not yet make use of the advantages of media and mobile technologies. The lecturers considered podcasts worthwhile for teaching and for students to learn, but they are time-consuming and there is no institutional recognition. In spite of this, they intend to continue using podcasts in their courses.

Experiments to Generate New Data about School Choice: Commentary on "Defining Continuous Improvement and Cost Minimization Possibilities through School Choice Experiments" and Merrifield's Reply

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berg, Nathan; Merrifield, John

2009-01-01

Benefiting from new data provided by experimental economists, behavioral economics is now moving beyond empirical tests of standard behavioral assumptions to the problem of designing improved institutions that are tuned to fit real-world behavior. It is therefore worthwhile to consider the potential for new experiments to advance school choice…

That's not what you expect to do as a doctor, you know, you don't expect your patients to die." Death as a learning experience for undergraduate medical students.

PubMed

Smith-Han, Kelby; Martyn, Helen; Barrett, Anthony; Nicholson, Helen

2016-04-14

Experiencing the death of a patient can be one of the most challenging aspects of clinical medicine for medical students. Exploring what students' learn from this difficult experience may contribute to our understanding of how medical students become doctors, and provide insights into the role a medical school may play in this development. This research examined medical students' responses of being involved personally in the death of a patient. Ten undergraduate medical students were followed through their three years of clinical medical education. A total of 53 individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. Grounded theory analysis was used to analyze the data. Students illustrated a variety of experiences from the death of a patient. Three main themes from the analysis were derived: (i) Students' reactions to death and their means of coping. Experiencing the death of a patient led to students feeling emotionally diminished, a decrease in empathy to cope with the emotional pain and seeking encouragement through the comfort of colleagues; (ii) Changing perceptions about the role of the doctor, the practice of medicine, and personal identity. This involved a change in students' perceptions from an heroic curing view of the doctor's role to a role of caring, shaped their view of death as a part of life rather than something traumatic, and resulted in them perceiving a change in identity including dampening their emotions; (iii) Professional environment, roles and responsibilities. Students began to experience the professional environment of the hospital by witnessing the ordinariness of death, understanding their role in formalizing the death of a patient, and beginning to feel responsible for patients. Along with an integrative approach to facilitate students learning about death, we propose staff development targeting a working knowledge of the hidden curriculum. Knowledge of the hidden curriculum, along with the role staff play in exercising this influence, is vital in order to facilitate translating the distressing experiences students face into worthwhile learning experiences. Finally, we argue that student learning about death needs to include learning about the social organization and working life of clinical settings, an area currently omitted from many medical education curricula.

Characteristics and experiences of interns in strength and conditioning.

PubMed

Read, Paul; Hughes, Jonathan D; Blagrove, Richard; Jeffreys, Ian; Edwards, Mike; Turner, Anthony N

2017-02-01

Student coaches undertake internships to develop practical skills and gain experience to improve employability prospects. The characteristics of the coaches who undertake these internships, their experiences and the nature of the work being performed are currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to report the characteristics of strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches who have undertaken internships and their experiences during their respective placements. A total of 113 men and 6 women completed an online survey. Placements generally lasted 6-12 months (66%), were unpaid (93%) and took place at professional teams (63%). All respondents had a standard of experience prior to commencement (82%); a higher-education degree (bachelor's degree 56%; master's degree 18%) and others were qualified S&C coaches (16%). Activities consisted largely of coaching (47%), data collection (22%) and equipment set-up (25%) but lacked provision of appropriate training. Mentors were allocated to interns; however, often developmental objectives were not discussed, meetings were rarely documented, and in some cases, no meetings took place. This study suggests that internships offer worthwhile experiences and assistance in skill development to progress in S&C. However, clearer guidelines are required to define the responsibilities of employers and interns, to maximise these experiential learning opportunities and avoid the exploitation of willing students.

Crossing professional barriers with peer-assisted learning: undergraduate midwifery students teaching undergraduate paramedic students.

PubMed

McLelland, Gayle; McKenna, Lisa; French, Jill

2013-07-01

Peer assisted learning (PAL) has been shown in undergraduate programmes to be as effective as learning from instructors. PAL is a shared experience between two learners often with one being more senior to the other but usually both are studying within the same discipline. Interprofessional education occurs when two or more professionals learn with, from and about each other. Benefits of PAL in an interprofessional context have not been previously explored. As part of a final year education unit, midwifery students at Monash University developed workshops for second year undergraduate paramedic students. The workshops focused on care required during and after the birth of the baby. To investigate the benefits of an interprofessional PAL for both midwifery and paramedic students. Data for this project were obtained by both quantitative and qualitative methods. Questionnaires were distributed to both cohorts of students to explore experiences of peer teaching and learning. Results were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Focus groups were conducted separately with both cohorts of students and transcripts analysed using a thematic approach. Response rates from the midwifery and paramedic students were 64.9% and 44.0% respectively. The majority of students regardless of discipline enjoyed the interprofessional activity and wanted more opportunities in their curricula. After initial anxieties about teaching into another discipline, 97.3 (n = 36) of midwifery students thought the experience was worthwhile and personally rewarding. Of the paramedic students, 76.9% (n = 60) reported enjoying the interaction. The focus groups supported and added to the quantitative findings. Both midwifery and paramedic students had a new-found respect and understanding for each other's disciplines. Midwifery students were unaware of the limited knowledge paramedics had around childbirth. Paramedic students admired the depth of knowledge displayed by the midwifery students. This study indicates both educational and professional benefits for undergraduate students from different disciplines having shared PAL activities. Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Open access for freight railroads : worthwhile or wasteful disruption, final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-01-01

This study compares the experience of the freight railroads in North America, Europe and : Australia with required access. Europe and Australia have pursued very different network access : strategies than the United States and Canada. Both the Europe...

A community continuity programme: volunteer faculty mentors and continuity learning.

PubMed

McGeehan, John; English, Richard; Shenberger, Keith; Tracy, Gerald; Smego, Raymond

2013-02-01

Longitudinal generalist preceptorship experiences early in medical education can have beneficial effects on how students practise the art and science of medicine, regardless of their eventual career choices. We evaluated the first 2 years of implementation of an integrated, regional campus-based, early clinical experience programme, the Community Continuity Program, at our new community-based medical school that is under the supervision of volunteer primary care faculty members acting as continuity mentors (CMs). Curricular components for years 1 and 2 consisted of three annual 1-week community-based experiences with CMs, extensive physical diagnosis practice, interprofessional learning activities, a multigenerational family care experience, a mandatory Community Health Research Project (CHRP) in year 1 and a mandatory Quality Improvement Project in year 2. Outcome measures included student, faculty member and programme evaluations, student reflective narratives in portal-based e-journals, a Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) self-study student survey and serial level-of-empathy surveys.   Students found all elements of this integrated community experience programme beneficial and worthwhile, especially the CMs and the use of standardised and real-life patients. CMs noted effective and professional student-patient interactions. The number of reflective e-journal postings per student during year1 ranged from 14 to 81 (mean, 47). Serial empathy questionnaires administered over 2 years demonstrated preservation of student empathy, and students believed that the programme had a positive effect on their personal level of empathy.   An integrative, longitudinal, community-based, early clinical experience programme driven by volunteer CMs provides patient-centered instruction for preclinical students in the clinical, social, behavioural, ethical and research foundations of medicine. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2013.

Is the Use of Video Conferencing and Supporting Technologies a Feasible and Viable Way to Woo Farmers Back into Farmer Education?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Margaret; Fraser, Tom

2011-01-01

North Dakota State University (USA) have been using video conferencing as a delivery mode for farmer education for about twenty years and report that their farmers find this delivery method both practical and worthwhile. With the number of New Zealand farmers attending learning events decreasing, due mainly to time and cost, maybe it is time to…

What Should Count as Worthwhile Knowledge in Determining a Curriculum for Supporting Out-of-school Children and Youth?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nampota, Dorothy Cynthia

2009-01-01

Due to the increasing number of children and youth dropping out of school, the Malawi government came up with a strategy to address their learning needs through non-formal means in its Education for All (EFA) plan. This resulted in the introduction of a three-year cycle pilot programme known as Complementary Basic Education (CBE). Funded by GTZ, a…

Into the deep end: incorporating a global health governance and diplomacy experience in graduate public health training.

PubMed

Wipfli, Heather; Kotlewski, Jennifer A

2014-01-01

Global health governance benefits from participants well-versed in the realities of international policy-making. Consequently, educational programmes must establish more opportunities for students to engage in global health policy development. This paper examines a unique global health governance and diplomacy practicum programme at the University of Southern California, designed for Master of Public Health candidates. Through the programme, students act as official non-governmental delegates to the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland through organisational partnerships. Students and collaborating organisations were asked to complete an online post-participation survey examining the perceived quality of the experience. Through the survey, students indicated reinforcement of classroom learning, continued or heightened interest in global health policy and enthusiasm in recommending the programme to other students. Organisations perceived students to be adequately prepared and indicated their continued desire to work with students in the programme. The data collected suggest that the programme was successful in providing students with a worthwhile experience that developed skills in global health diplomacy and promoted interest and critical thinking concerning international policy-making processes. A discussion of strengths and challenges serves as a blueprint for the creation of future practicum programmes.

Evaluation of a residency program's experience with a one-week emergency medicine resident rotation at a medical liability insurance company.

PubMed

Houry, D; Shockley, L W

2001-07-01

The authors' residency program implemented a one-week rotation at the office of a medical liability insurance company. Residents examined 30 closed malpractice claims cases and sat in on settlement discussions. To review the residents' evaluations of their experiences and to determine whether this was a worthwhile addition to the emergency medicine (EM) residency curriculum. This was a five-year retrospective study that reviewed residents' annual evaluations from 1994 to 1999 regarding the medical liability rotation. A five-point scale was used to score specific categories in the rotation and an open-ended section was used to collect general comments. A total of 179 resident evaluations were reviewed. The quality of teaching ranked in the 80th percentile, the clinical caseload ranked in the 85th percentile, and level of responsibility ranked in the 79th percentile for all EM rotations. Specific comments included "All MDs should do this in their training"; "Quite an eye opener"; and "Good exposure to legal aspects of EM." Overall, EM residents found the one-week rotation to be invaluable and a good learning experience. This rotation ranked above average when compared with all of our other EM residency rotations.

Lessons learned about spaceflight and cell biology experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hughes-Fulford, Millie

2004-01-01

Conducting cell biology experiments in microgravity can be among the most technically challenging events in a biologist's life. Conflicting events of spaceflight include waiting to get manifested, delays in manifest schedules, training astronauts to not shake your cultures and to add reagents slowly, as shaking or quick injection can activate signaling cascades and give you erroneous results. It is important to select good hardware that is reliable. Possible conflicting environments in flight include g-force and vibration of launch, exposure of cells to microgravity for extended periods until hardware is turned on, changes in cabin gases and cosmic radiation. One should have an on-board 1-g control centrifuge in order to eliminate environmental differences. Other obstacles include getting your funding in a timely manner (it is not uncommon for two to three years to pass between notification of grant approval for funding and actually getting funded). That said, it is important to note that microgravity research is worthwhile since all terrestrial life evolved in a gravity field and secrets of biological function may only be answered by removing the constant of gravity. Finally, spaceflight experiments are rewarding and worth your effort and patience.

Biotechnology Apprenticeship for Secondary-Level Students: Teaching Advanced Cell Culture Techniques for Research

PubMed Central

Lewis, Jennifer R.; Kotur, Mark S.; Butt, Omar; Kulcarni, Sumant; Riley, Alyssa A.; Ferrell, Nick; Sullivan, Kathryn D.; Ferrari, Mauro

2002-01-01

The purpose of this article is to discuss small-group apprenticeships (SGAs) as a method to instruct cell culture techniques to high school participants. The study aimed to teach cell culture practices and to introduce advanced imaging techniques to solve various biomedical engineering problems. Participants designed and completed experiments using both flow cytometry and laser scanning cytometry during the 1-month summer apprenticeship. In addition to effectively and efficiently teaching cell biology laboratory techniques, this course design provided an opportunity for research training, career exploration, and mentoring. Students participated in active research projects, working with a skilled interdisciplinary team of researchers in a large research institution with access to state-of-the-art instrumentation. The instructors, composed of graduate students, laboratory managers, and principal investigators, worked well together to present a real and worthwhile research experience. The students enjoyed learning cell culture techniques while contributing to active research projects. The institution's researchers were equally enthusiastic to instruct and serve as mentors. In this article, we clarify and illuminate the value of small-group laboratory apprenticeships to the institution and the students by presenting the results and experiences of seven middle and high school participants and their instructors. PMID:12587031

Biotechnology apprenticeship for secondary-level students: teaching advanced cell culture techniques for research.

PubMed

Lewis, Jennifer R; Kotur, Mark S; Butt, Omar; Kulcarni, Sumant; Riley, Alyssa A; Ferrell, Nick; Sullivan, Kathryn D; Ferrari, Mauro

2002-01-01

The purpose of this article is to discuss small-group apprenticeships (SGAs) as a method to instruct cell culture techniques to high school participants. The study aimed to teach cell culture practices and to introduce advanced imaging techniques to solve various biomedical engineering problems. Participants designed and completed experiments using both flow cytometry and laser scanning cytometry during the 1-month summer apprenticeship. In addition to effectively and efficiently teaching cell biology laboratory techniques, this course design provided an opportunity for research training, career exploration, and mentoring. Students participated in active research projects, working with a skilled interdisciplinary team of researchers in a large research institution with access to state-of-the-art instrumentation. The instructors, composed of graduate students, laboratory managers, and principal investigators, worked well together to present a real and worthwhile research experience. The students enjoyed learning cell culture techniques while contributing to active research projects. The institution's researchers were equally enthusiastic to instruct and serve as mentors. In this article, we clarify and illuminate the value of small-group laboratory apprenticeships to the institution and the students by presenting the results and experiences of seven middle and high school participants and their instructors.

Home Banking Experiments: Do the Advantages Outweigh the Increased Costs for Customers?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Immel, A. Richard

1984-01-01

Reviews services available through home banking via a personal computer, and discusses cash management, whether these services are worthwhile, and if they'll be successful. Two home banking services--Chemical Bank's Pronto and Bank of America's Homebanking--are described. (MBR)

'The nice thing about doctors is that you can sometimes get a day off school': an action research study to bring lived experiences from children, parents and hospice staff into medical students' preparation for practice.

PubMed

Spalding, Jessica; Yardley, Sarah

2016-12-01

Patient and public involvement in healthcare is important to ensure services meet their needs and priorities. Increasingly, patient experiences are being used to educate healthcare professionals. The potential contribution to medical education of children and parents using hospice services has not yet been fully explored. (1) To explore perceptions of what medical students must learn to become 'good doctors' among children, parents and staff in a hospice. (2) To collaborate with children/parents and staff to develop educational materials based on their lived experiences for medical students. (3) To assess feasibility of student-led action research in a children's hospice to develop research skills. Prospective ethical approval received. Volunteer children (n=7), parents (n=5) and staff (n=6) were recruited from a children's hospice. Data were generated in audio-recorded semistructured focus groups, individual interviews and/or activity workshops. Participants discussed what newly qualified doctors' needed to care for children with life-limiting conditions. Audio data were transcribed and combined with visual data for thematic analysis. Findings were refined by participant feedback. This paper presents thematic findings and educational material created from the project. Thematic analysis identified six learning themes: (1) treat children as individuals; (2) act as a person before being a doctor; (3) interpersonal communication; (4) appreciate the clinical environment; (5) learn from children, parents and other staff; (6) how to be a doctor as part of a team. The student researcher successfully developed qualitative research skills, coproducing materials with participants for sharing learning derived from lived experiences. All participants were willing and able to make valuable contributions, and believed that this was a worthwhile use of time and effort. Further work is required to understand how best to integrate the experiences of children in hospices into medical education. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

'It teaches you what to expect in future . . . ': interprofessional learning on a training ward for medical, nursing, occupational therapy and physiotherapy students.

PubMed

Reeves, Scott; Freeth, Della; McCrorie, Peter; Perry, David

2002-04-01

This paper presents findings from a multimethod evaluation of an interprofessional training ward placement for medical, nursing, occupational therapy and physiotherapy students. Unique in the UK, and following the pioneering work at Linköping, the training ward allowed senior pre-qualification students, under the supervision of practitioners, to plan and deliver interprofessional care for a group of orthopaedic and rheumatology patients. This responsibility enabled students to develop profession-specific skills and competencies in dealing with patients. It also allowed them to enhance their teamworking skills in an interprofessional environment. Student teams were supported by facilitators who ensured medical care was optimal, led reflective sessions and facilitated students' problem solving. Data were collected from all groups of participants involved in the ward: students, facilitators and patients. Methods included questionnaires, interviews and observations. Findings are presented from each participating group, with a particular emphasis placed on the perspective of medicine. The study found that students valued highly the experiential learning they received on the ward and felt the ward prepared them more effectively for future practice. However, many encountered difficulties adopting an autonomous learning style during their placement. Despite enjoying their work on the ward, facilitators were concerned that the demands of their role could result in 'burn-out'. Patients enjoyed their ward experience and scored higher on a range of satisfaction indicators than a comparative group of patients. Participants were generally positive about the training ward. All considered that it was a worthwhile experience and felt the ward should recommence in the near future.

A Followup Study on Non-Traditional Students Who Have Attempted University Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Degen, Gene

1985-01-01

Reports subjective impressions of the impact of university exposure on the lives of 26 Canada Natives from northern Manitoba. Considers economic/employment, social, family, individual, and geographic aspects. Finds majority believe university experience was most positive/worthwhile for personal growth and development. (NEC)

Standardized Patient Encounters Improved Athletic Training Students' Confidence in Clinical Evaluations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Armstrong, Kirk J.; Jarriel, Amanda J.

2015-01-01

Context: Researchers have reported that interacting with standardized patients (SPs) is a worthwhile and realistic experience for athletic training (AT) students. These encounters enhance students' interviewing skills, confidence as a clinician, clinical skill development, and interpersonal communication. Objective: To determine how SP encounters…

Scope for more genetic testing in learning disability. Case report of an inherited duplication on the X-chromosome.

PubMed

Robertshaw, B A; MacPherson, J

2006-08-01

There have been major advances in the past few years in our understanding of the X-linked learning disabilities. The most common of these is the fragile-X syndrome, but the number of other gene defects that are now recognised to be linked with learning disability is increasing year on year. We describe one family displaying a family displaying a rare X-linked abnormality. Repeat genetic testing was requested for a family member with mild learning disability when, following chromosomal analysis for her brother, it became known that he had a genetic defect. The genetic defect 46, Xdup(X) (p22.13 p22.31) was identified. To our knowledge this is the first time this precise configuration has been demonstrated. We conclude that genetic testing for individuals with learning disability is worthwhile, even when there may be only a low index of suspicion.

The Effect of Trail Pheromone and Path Confinement on Learning of Complex Routes in the Ant Lasius niger

PubMed Central

Czaczkes, Tomer J.; Weichselgartner, Tobias; Bernadou, Abel; Heinze, Jürgen

2016-01-01

Route learning is key to the survival of many central place foragers, such as bees and many ants. For ants which lay pheromone trails, the presence of a trail may act as an important source of information about whether an error has been made. The presence of trail pheromone has been demonstrated to support route learning, and the effect of pheromones on route choice have been reported to persist even after the pheromones have been removed. This could be explained in two ways: the pheromone may constrain the ants onto the correct route, thus preventing errors and aiding learning. Alternatively, the pheromones may act as a ‘reassurance’, signalling that the learner is on the right path and that learning the path is worthwhile. Here, we disentangle pheromone presence from route confinement in order to test these hypotheses, using the ant Lasius niger as a model. Unexpectedly, we did not find any evidence that pheromones support route learning. Indeed, there was no evidence that ants confined to the correct route learned at all. Thus, while we cannot support the ‘reassurance’ hypothesis, we can rule out the ‘confinement’ hypothesis. Other findings, such as a reduction in pheromone deposition in the presence of trail pheromones, are remarkably consistent with previous experiments. As previously reported, ants which make errors on their outward journey upregulate pheromone deposition on their return. Surprisingly, ants which would go on to make an error down-regulate pheromone deposition on their outward journey, hinting at a capacity for ants to gauge the quality of their own memories. PMID:26959996

SU-F-E-12: Elective International Rotations in Medical Physics Residency Programs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brown, D; Mundt, A; Einck, J

Purpose: The purpose of this educational program is to motivate talented, intelligent individuals to become stakeholders in the global effort to improve access to radiotherapy. Methods: The need to improve global access to radiotherapy has been clearly established and several organizations are making substantial progress in securing funding and developing plans to achieve this worthwhile goal. The incorporation of elective international rotations in residency programs may provide one possible mechanism to promote and support this future investment. We recently incorporated an elective 1-month international rotation into our CAMPEP accredited Medical Physics residency program, with our first rotation taking place inmore » Vietnam. A unique aspect of this rotation was that it was scheduled collaboratively with our Radiation Oncology residency program such that Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics residents traveled to the same clinic at the same time. Results: We believe the international rotation substantially enhances the educational experience, providing additional benefits to residents by increasing cross-disciplinary learning and offering a shared learning experience. The combined international rotation may also increase benefit to the host institution by modeling positive multidisciplinary working relationships between Radiation Oncologists and Medical Physicists. Our first resident returned with several ideas designed to improve radiotherapy in resource-limited settings – one of which is currently being pursued in collaboration with a vendor. Conclusion: The elective international rotation provides a unique learning experience that has the potential to motivate residents to become stakeholders in the global effort to improve access to radiotherapy. What better way to prepare the next generation of Medical Physicists to meet the challenges of improving global access to radiotherapy than to provide them with training experiences that motivate them to be socially conscious and equip them with the clinical and problem solving skills required to deliver effective treatments in resource limited settings?.« less

English and the Mass Media.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bear, Andrew

1969-01-01

Despite an excess of materials available today on classroom approaches to the mass media, few English teachers have either the training or experience to determine which studies are relevant and worthwhile or how to utilize them in the classroom. A survey of some of this literature, therefore, can help interested teachers make selections…

The Counselor and Coronary Heart Disease

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ottens, Allen J.

1977-01-01

It is clear that steps can be taken for heart disease prevention and that counselors must give thought to adapting existing ideas and techniques and to developing and experimenting with new and innovative preventive tactics. Of utmost importance is the belief that behavioral intervention is both warranted and worthwhile. (Author)

TOWARD AN ENRICHED CULTURAL FUTURE.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

New York City Board of Education, Brooklyn, NY.

DEVELOPMENT OF INTEREST IN WORTHWHILE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN ONE OF IMPORTANT EMPHASES OF THE HIGH HORIZONS PROGRAM. THE CULTURAL ENRICHMENT TEACHER HAS HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR TEACHING MUSIC AND/OR ART IN ADDITION TO CORRELATING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WITH ALL FACETS OF THE CURRICULUM TO PROVIDE INSPIRATION AND NEW EXPERIENCES AS WELL AS TO…

We got a new digital electric meter. Our usage went up 123%. Our Bill went up 65%

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Honebein, Peter C.

2010-03-15

There is no question that smart meters are a benefit to utilities, in terms of operational efficiency. But headlines like this one are frightening. They suggest a significant misunderstanding of the technology, marketing, and customer experience surrounding this worthwhile innovation. (author)

Impact of an international workplace learning placement on personal and professional development.

PubMed

Davies, Kerryn; Curtin, Michael; Robson, Kristy

2017-04-01

Workplace learning (WPL) placements are a mandatory part of occupational therapy courses. There is some evidence that suggests WPL placements in international settings are beneficial for students' learning, and personal and professional development. The aim of this study was to explore the impact an international WPL placement in Vietnam had on the perceived personal and professional development of a group of Australian occupational therapy graduates. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to explore the perceptions of how participation in the Charles Sturt University School of Community Health's Vietnam placement influenced the personal and professional development of occupational therapy graduates. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine graduates who participated in the Vietnam placement when they were final year occupational therapy students. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and individually analysed to identify key themes. Two major themes emerged from the analysis: becoming resourceful, resilient and confident, and becoming respectful of difference. The participants indicated that participation in the Vietnam placement had a positive impact on their personal and professional development. Participants indicated that the Vietnam placement enabled them to develop their resourcefulness, resilience, reasoning skills, cultural competence, confidence and independence, beyond what they felt would have achieved on a domestic placement. For these reason these participants found the placement a beneficial and worthwhile experience. © 2016 Occupational Therapy Australia.

A fourth-year medical school rotation in quality, patient safety, and population medicine.

PubMed

Dysinger, Wayne S; Pappas, James M

2011-10-01

Quality improvement and population medicine are skills that are increasingly important for physicians to possess. Methods to achieve foundational acquisition of these skills in medical school have not been well described in the past. The primary goal of this project is to provide hands-on, experiential learning in full-cycle population-based care. A description is given of a 4-week, team-based, rapid-cycle quality improvement project embedded in a required fourth-year medical school rotation. Over the course of 4 years a nonspecialty generic Ambulatory Care rotation was converted to a population-based learning rotation. For the last 3 years this rotation has required students to participate in teams of three to four students to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate a quality improvement project. Between 2008 and 2010 a total of 510 students completed the rotation. During this time the project component of the rotation received a 53% average rating of "excellent" or "above average." Qualitative evaluation indicates the project to be an acceptable and worthwhile educational experience for medical students, adding new insights and occasionally career-changing perspectives. Although experiential team-based quality improvement projects are a new format for learning in the medical school environment, it can be implemented in a format that is acceptable and beneficial to future physicians and healthcare systems. Copyright © 2011 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

These Pipes Are "Happening"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Skophammer, Karen

2010-01-01

The author is blessed with having the water pipes for the school system in her office. In this article, the author describes how the breaking of the pipes had led to a very worthwhile art experience for her students. They practiced contour and shaded drawing techniques, reviewed patterns and color theory, and used their reasoning skills--all while…

Friction Coefficient Determination by Electrical Resistance Measurements

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tunyagi, A.; Kandrai, K.; Fülöp, Z.; Kapusi, Z.; Simon, A.

2018-01-01

A simple and low-cost, DIY-type, Arduino-driven experiment is presented for the study of friction and measurement of the friction coefficient, using a conductive rubber cord as a force sensor. It is proposed for high-school or college/university-level students. We strongly believe that it is worthwhile planning, designing and performing Arduino…

Using Evidence to Create Next Generation High Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, US Department of Education, 2016

2016-01-01

Next Generation High Schools are schools that redesign the high school experience to make it more engaging and worthwhile for high school students. In order to create such Next Generation High Schools, schools, districts, and States should utilize evidence-based strategies to transform high schools in ways that engage students and help prepare…

Defining worthwhile and desired responses to treatment of chronic low back pain.

PubMed

Yelland, Michael J; Schluter, Philip J

2006-01-01

To describe patients' perceptions of minimum worthwhile and desired reductions in pain and disability upon commencing treatment for chronic low back pain. Descriptive study nested within a community-based randomized controlled trial on prolotherapy injections and exercises. A total of 110 participants with chronic low back pain. Interventions. Prior to treatment, participants were asked what minimum percentage reductions in pain and disability would make treatment worthwhile and what percentage reductions in pain and disability they desired with treatment. Minimum worthwhile reductions and desired reductions in pain and disability. Median (inter-quartile range) minimum worthwhile reductions were 25% (20%, 50%) for pain and 35% (20%, 50%) for disability. This compared with desired reductions of 80% (60%, 100%) for pain and 80% (50%, 100%) for disability. The internal consistency between pain and disability responses was high (Spearman's coefficient of association of 0.81 and 0.87, respectively). A significant association existed between minimum worthwhile reductions and desired reductions, but no association was found between these two factors and patient age, gender, pain severity or duration, disability, anxiety, depression, response to treatment, or treatment satisfaction. Inquiring directly about patients' expectations of reductions in pain and in disability is important in establishing realistic treatment goals and setting benchmarks for success. There is a wide disparity between the reductions that they regard as minimum worthwhile and reductions that they hope to achieve. However, there is a high internal consistency between reductions in pain and disability that they expect.

Getting started in business: from fantasy to reality.

PubMed

Finnigan, S

1996-01-01

Numerous theories and concepts of business management are available in the authoriatative literature. Some of the important lessons for getting started in business, and more important, staying in business may not, however, be found there. The practical business realities that influence success are the real-life lessons. They include examining worthwhile motives, applying commonsense approaches, demonstrating value to the customer, and achieving early and sustained profitability. Such lessons and other principles of entrepreneurship must be learned to create a successful beginning and long-term business viability.

Experience of Wellness Recovery Action Planning in Self-Help and Mutual Support Groups for People with Lived Experience of Mental Health Difficulties

PubMed Central

Pratt, Rebekah; MacGregor, Andy; Reid, Susan; Given, Lisa

2013-01-01

The main aim of this research was to assess the relevance and impact of wellness recovery action planning (WRAP) as a tool for self-management and wellness planning by individuals with mental health problems from pre-existing and newly formed groups, where the possibilities for continued mutual support in the development of WRAPs could be explored. Interviews and focus groups were conducted and pre-post recovery outcome measures completed (Recovery Assessment Scale and Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale). 21 WRAP group participants took part in the research. The WRAP approach, used in groups and delivered by trained facilitators who could also share their lived experience, was very relevant and appeared to have a positive impact on many of the participants. The impact on participants varied from learning more about recovery and developing improved self-awareness to integrating a WRAP approach into daily life. The apparent positive impact of WRAP delivered in the context of mutual support groups indicates that it should be given serious consideration as a unique and worthwhile option for improving mental health. WRAP groups could make a significant contribution to the range of self-management options that are available for improving mental health and well-being. PMID:23365542

Task-switching cost and repetition priming: two overlooked confounds in the first-set procedure of the Sternberg paradigm and how they affect memory set-size effects.

PubMed

Jou, Jerwen

2014-10-01

Subjects performed Sternberg-type memory recognition tasks (Sternberg paradigm) in four experiments. Category-instance names were used as learning and testing materials. Sternberg's original experiments demonstrated a linear relation between reaction time (RT) and memory-set size (MSS). A few later studies found no relation, and other studies found a nonlinear relation (logarithmic) between the two variables. These deviations were used as evidence undermining Sternberg's serial scan theory. This study identified two confounding variables in the fixed-set procedure of the paradigm (where multiple probes are presented at test for a learned memory set) that could generate a MSS RT function that was either flat or logarithmic rather than linearly increasing. These two confounding variables were task-switching cost and repetition priming. The former factor worked against smaller memory sets and in favour of larger sets whereas the latter factor worked in the opposite way. Results demonstrated that a null or a logarithmic RT-to-MSS relation could be the artefact of the combined effects of these two variables. The Sternberg paradigm has been used widely in memory research, and a thorough understanding of the subtle methodological pitfalls is crucial. It is suggested that a varied-set procedure (where only one probe is presented at test for a learned memory set) is a more contamination-free procedure for measuring the MSS effects, and that if a fixed-set procedure is used, it is worthwhile examining the RT function of the very first trials across the MSSs, which are presumably relatively free of contamination by the subsequent trials.

Friction coefficient determination by electrical resistance measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tunyagi, A.; Kandrai, K.; Fülöp, Z.; Kapusi, Z.; Simon, A.

2018-05-01

A simple and low-cost, DIY-type, Arduino-driven experiment is presented for the study of friction and measurement of the friction coefficient, using a conductive rubber cord as a force sensor. It is proposed for high-school or college/university-level students. We strongly believe that it is worthwhile planning, designing and performing Arduino and compatible sensor-based experiments in physics class in order to ensure a better understanding of phenomena, develop theoretical knowledge and multiple experimental skills.

Investing in Higher Education Abroad: The Experience of Chinese Postgraduate Students in Britain

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Monk, Des

2012-01-01

This paper presents the results of an examination of the value of business postgraduate courses undertaken by Chinese students at UK universities: such courses cost many thousands of pounds in tuition fees alone. It seemed worthwhile to attempt to assess the benefits that might accrue to such students, especially in terms of their subsequent…

English Teachers and Theatre: Sacrifices and Rewards of a Natural Combination.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ridgway, Craig S.

1986-01-01

Elaborates on directing theater while teaching English. States that working in an unfamiliar field with different students, materials, and skills is difficult, and the opportunity to sacrifice time, energy, and personal life for low pay and a chance to flop are disadvantages. But the academic and personal rewards make the experience worthwhile.…

Using group learning to promote integration and cooperative learning between Asian and Australian second-year veterinary science students.

PubMed

Mills, Paul C; Woodall, Peter F; Bellingham, Mark; Noad, Michael; Lloyd, Shan

2007-01-01

There is a tendency for students from different nationalities to remain within groups of similar cultural backgrounds. The study reported here used group project work to encourage integration and cooperative learning between Australian students and Asian (Southeast Asian) international students in the second year of a veterinary science program. The group project involved an oral presentation during a second-year course (Structure and Function), with group formation engineered to include very high, high, moderate, and low achievers (based on previous grades). One Asian student and three Australian students were placed in each group. Student perceptions of group dynamics were analyzed through a self-report survey completed at the end of the presentations and through group student interviews. Results from the survey were analyzed by chi-square to compare the responses between Asian and Australian students, with statistical significance accepted at p < 0.05. There were too few Asian students for statistical analysis from a single year; therefore, the results from two successive years, 2004 (N = 104; 26% Asian) and 2005 (N = 105; 20% Asian), were analyzed. All participating students indicated in the interviews that the project was worthwhile and a good learning experience. Asian students expressed a greater preference for working in a group than for working alone (p = 0.001) and reported more frequently than Australian students that teamwork produces better results (p = 0.01). Australian students were more likely than Asian students to voice their opinion in a team setting (p = 0.001), while Asian students were more likely to depend on the lecturer for directions (p = 0.001). The results also showed that group project work appeared to create an environment that supported learning and was a successful strategy to achieve acceptance of cultural differences.

Association Between Dental Student-Developed Exam Questions and Learning at Higher Cognitive Levels.

PubMed

Gonzalez-Cabezas, Carlos; Anderson, Olivia S; Wright, Mary C; Fontana, Margherita

2015-11-01

New dental accreditation standards emphasize that graduates must be competent in the use of critical thinking (a high cognitive-level skill). Despite this new standard, most written assessments in dental school courses are still based on low cognitive-level questions. The aim of this study was to determine if an exercise that allows students to collaboratively write exam questions would help cultivate higher cognitive levels of learning. To evaluate this exercise at one U.S. dental school, the cognitive level (according to Bloom's taxonomy) of multiple-choice exam questions and students' scores across two cohorts in a cariology course were compared. This evaluation took place using a control group in which questions were instructor-generated and an intervention group in which students worked in groups to develop questions. All students in one first-year class participated in the intervention group (n=104); all students in the first-year class two years earlier served as the control group (n=106). Among students in the intervention group, the response rate to a post-intervention survey measuring students' attitudes about the experience was 70% (N=73). The results showed that the students generating their own assessments developed higher cognitive-level exam questions than the instructor-generated assessments. The intervention group (with student-generated assessments) also performed as well or better on tests compared to the control group (with instructor-generated assessments). In the intervention group survey, the vast majority of students agreed that the exercise was helpful for their overall learning experience, but working in teams was said to be the least valuable component of the activity for their learning. This study suggests that student-driven, collaborative assessments can be an important tool for building critical thinking skills in dental classrooms and that it may be worthwhile to expand this type of exercise into other courses.

CD-ROM: towards a strategy for teaching and learning.

PubMed

Aarvold, J; Walton, G

1992-12-01

Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) represents an exciting innovation in nurse education yet paradoxically has a potential to induce disillusionment and frustration. Purchasers of systems may well find that their investment does not bring the benefits they had been lead to expect. CD-ROM systems have the capacity to generate huge quantities of data on an equally large number of nursing topics. Arguably this very capability ensures certain 'built-in' problems. The purpose of this articles is to provide nurse teachers with information about CD-ROM, to highlight the resource implications of CD-ROM use and to consider the relative merits of various teaching and learning methods. To be worthwhile, strategies developed must be part of an information retrieval skills programme.

Smallest worthwhile effect of land-based and water-based pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD.

PubMed

McNamara, Renae J; Elkins, Mark R; Ferreira, Manuela L; Spencer, Lissa M; Herbert, Robert D

2015-05-01

This study aimed to determine the smallest worthwhile effect of land-based and water-based pulmonary rehabilitation on 6-min walk distance among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Using a benefit-harm trade-off method, people with COPD who had completed two baseline 6-min walk tests at the commencement of outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation were presented with two scenarios: 8 weeks of land-based and 8 weeks of water-based pulmonary rehabilitation. Participants were guided through an iterative process allowing them to progressively refine their estimates of the smallest improvement due to each form of rehabilitation that would outweigh the associated costs, risks and inconvenience presented in the scenario. 100 people with COPD participated (mean±sd age 72±9 years, forced expiratory volume in 1 s 54±16% predicted and baseline 6-min walk distance 377±101 m). For land-based pulmonary rehabilitation, the median smallest worthwhile effect was 20 m (95% CI 15-37 m). For water-based pulmonary rehabilitation, the median smallest worthwhile effect was 26 m (95% CI 15-33 m). These estimates did not differ significantly (p=0.10). People with COPD typically perceive that pulmonary rehabilitation would be worthwhile if it increased the 6-min walk distance by about 6%. The smallest worthwhile effects of land- and water-based pulmonary rehabilitation were similar.

Teaching strategies for coping with stress--the perceptions of medical students.

PubMed

Pereira, Maria Amelia Dias; Barbosa, Maria Alves

2013-04-08

The undergraduate medical course is a period full of stressors, which may contribute to the high prevalence of mental disorders among students and a decrease in life's quality. Research shows that interventions during an undergraduate course can reduce stress levels. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the Strategies for Coping with Professional Stress class offered to medical students of the Federal University of Goiás, at Goiânia, Goiás, in Brazil. Qualitative research, developed with medical students in an elective class addressing strategies for coping with stress after a focal group (composed of nine of the 33 students taking this course) identified stress factors in the medical course and the coping strategies that these students use. Analysis of the results of the class evaluation questionnaire filled out by the students on the last day of class. Stress factors identified by students in the focus group: lack of time, excessive class content, tests, demanding too much of themselves, overload of extracurricular activities, competitiveness among students and family problems. Coping strategies mentioned in the focus group: respecting one's limits, setting priorities, avoiding comparisons, leisure activities (movies, literature, sports, meeting with friends and family). Results of the questionnaires: class content that was considered most important: quality of life, strategies for coping with stress, stress factors, assertiveness, community therapy, relaxation, cognitive restructuring, career choice, breathing, social networking, taking care of the caregiver, music therapy and narcissism. Most popular methodologies: relaxation practice, drawing words and discussion them in a group, community therapy, music therapy, simulated jury, short texts and discussion. Meaning of the class: asking questions and reinforcing already known strategies (22.6%), moment of reflection and self-assessment (19.4%), new interest and a worthwhile experience (19.4%), improvement in quality of life (16.1%), expression's opportunity (9.7%), other (6.4%). The stressors perceived by the medical students are intense and diverse, and the coping strategies used by them are wide-ranging. Most students felt that the class was a worthwhile learning experience, incorporated new practices for improving quality of life and recognized the importance of sharing and reflecting on one's stressors and life choices.

Online patient safety education programme for junior doctors: is it worthwhile?

PubMed

McCarthy, S E; O'Boyle, C A; O'Shaughnessy, A; Walsh, G

2016-02-01

Increasing demand exists for blended approaches to the development of professionalism. Trainees of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland participated in an online patient safety programme. Study aims were: (1) to determine whether the programme improved junior doctors' knowledge, attitudes and skills relating to error reporting, open communication and care for the second victim and (2) to establish whether the methodology facilitated participants' learning. 208 junior doctors who completed the programme completed a pre-online questionnaire. Measures were "patient safety knowledge and attitudes", "medical safety climate" and "experience of learning". Sixty-two completed the post-questionnaire, representing a 30 % matched response rate. Participating in the programme resulted in immediate (p < 0.01) improvement in skills such as knowing when and how to complete incident forms and disclosing errors to patients, in self-rated knowledge (p < 0.01) and attitudes towards error reporting (p < 0.01). Sixty-three per cent disagreed that doctors routinely report medical errors and 42 % disagreed that doctors routinely share information about medical errors and what caused them. Participants rated interactive features as the most positive elements of the programme. An online training programme on medical error improved self-rated knowledge, attitudes and skills in junior doctors and was deemed an effective learning tool. Perceptions of work issues such as a poor culture of error reporting among doctors may prevent improved attitudes being realised in practice. Online patient safety education has a role in practice-based initiatives aimed at developing professionalism and improving safety.

OC48 - Hurtology: an online course.

PubMed

Frechette, Casey; Frechette, Barbara

2016-05-09

Theme: School health. The prevalence of anxiety and depression suggests a need to improve on the mental health education of young people. The school setting can provide a venue for offering such knowledge to adolescents. This study explored whether a video game enhances lessons designed to help adolescents become more receptive to learning about mental health concepts. This study used a quantitative between-subjects design. The first group experienced a set of computer-based lessons. The second group received the same content, but also played a video game designed to reinforce topics explored in the other materials. The findings showed that game players demonstrated deeper learning on at least one measure. Helping adolescents develop better ways to understand the relevance of emotional health is a worthwhile endeavour. New technologies can be used to improve learning and help young people become more receptive to addressing mental health concerns.

Student satisfaction with a Website designed for three nursing courses.

PubMed

Zwolski, K

2000-01-01

The website described was not designed to replace classroom teaching, but to serve as an additional tool for students attending a traditional course. Based on my experience and the data obtained from the evaluation questionnaire, the following points can be made: students are enthusiastic about the Internet and will access a web page that accompanies a particular course or courses a website can allow for objectives, not normally engendered by traditional methods, to be achieved. These may include, for instance, fostering a sense of community, providing new means of communication between professor and student and serving as a portal to the vast resources of the Internet. A single-theme website can effectively address the learning needs of students at different levels, in this case both undergraduate and graduate students A well-designed website can increase the visibility of the educational institution that sponsors it It is not easy to measure a website's effectiveness in helping students achieve traditional course objectives or its impact on student learning. The questionnaire results confirm students' satisfaction with the website and their belief that it was an important and useful learning tool. This is significant and positive. Future research is needed to measure the degree to which a website can increase learning in a particular area. The site required about 150 hours to construct and about 6-8 hours per week to maintain. This is a considerable amount of faculty time. Although I cannot speak for others, I firmly believe that this is a worthwhile investment. The website is clearly appreciated by students, and it seems logical to conclude that it is fulfilling some learning needs that may not be met by other methods. In addition, it provides the educator with a new vehicle for communication. It is exhilarating to create with new formats and to use expertise in a given area to reach students, foster community, and establish a presence beyond the classroom. Creating and maintaining a web page is labor intensive, but it is, in my opinion, worth the effort. I strongly urge nurse educators to explore the possibilities of developing websites to accompany individual courses and to consider even more interactive web pages that include online discussion groups and provide space for posting student work. An active website needs frequent maintenance and updates. I recommend that academic administrators recognize web authoring as a valid and legitimate activity and provide nursing faculty with necessary support. This might include workshops on web authoring or Internet use, released time or credited time for initial website design, and credit allocation for site maintenance. The Internet is the most extensive collection of information available. As webmaster and pathophysiology expert, I am guiding my students; as a teacher, I am both assuming and recognizing a new role. As a teacher, I need to assume the responsibility for guiding students to worthwhile resources in the subject area. The website is a portal to the world, but a portal that I oversee.

Smallest worthwhile effect of land-based and water-based pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD

PubMed Central

Elkins, Mark R.; Ferreira, Manuela L.; Spencer, Lissa M.; Herbert, Robert D.

2015-01-01

This study aimed to determine the smallest worthwhile effect of land-based and water-based pulmonary rehabilitation on 6-min walk distance among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Using a benefit–harm trade-off method, people with COPD who had completed two baseline 6-min walk tests at the commencement of outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation were presented with two scenarios: 8 weeks of land-based and 8 weeks of water-based pulmonary rehabilitation. Participants were guided through an iterative process allowing them to progressively refine their estimates of the smallest improvement due to each form of rehabilitation that would outweigh the associated costs, risks and inconvenience presented in the scenario. 100 people with COPD participated (mean±sd age 72±9 years, forced expiratory volume in 1 s 54±16% predicted and baseline 6-min walk distance 377±101 m). For land-based pulmonary rehabilitation, the median smallest worthwhile effect was 20 m (95% CI 15–37 m). For water-based pulmonary rehabilitation, the median smallest worthwhile effect was 26 m (95% CI 15–33 m). These estimates did not differ significantly (p=0.10). People with COPD typically perceive that pulmonary rehabilitation would be worthwhile if it increased the 6-min walk distance by about 6%. The smallest worthwhile effects of land- and water-based pulmonary rehabilitation were similar. PMID:27730130

Learned helplessness, attributional style, and depression in epilepsy. Bozeman Epilepsy Surgery Consortium.

PubMed

Hermann, B P; Trenerry, M R; Colligan, R C

1996-07-01

We wished to examine the relevance of the theory of learned helplessness in general, and attributional style in particular, to the understanding of depression among patients with epilepsy. Patients with lateralized temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) (right = 73, left = 70) were administered two self-report depression inventories [Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D)]. Depression scores were examined in relation to a key component of the revised theory of learned helplessness (attributional style) using the Optimism/Pessimism Scale. Attributional style was significantly associated with increased self-reported depression and remained significant when the effects of several confounding variables were controlled [age, age at onset, laterality of TLE, sex, and method variance]. The results indicate that the concept of learned helplessness in general, and attributional style in particular, are related to the genesis of depression in epilepsy. Because they are known to be related to depression in the general population, and because specific techniques for intervention and prevention are available, greater consideration of learned helplessness and attributional style in the genesis of depression in epilepsy may be worthwhile.

LOCUS: immunizing medical students against the loss of professional values.

PubMed

Carufel-Wert, Donald A; Younkin, Sharon; Foertsch, Julie; Eisenberg, Todd; Haq, Cynthia L; Crouse, Byron J; Frey Iii, John J

2007-05-01

The Leadership Opportunities with Communities, the Underserved, and Special populations (LOCUS) program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is a longitudinal, extracurricular experience for medical students who wish to develop leadership skills and expand their involvement in community health activities during medical school. The program consists of a core curriculum delivered through retreats, workshops, and seminars; a mentor relationship with a physician who is engaged in community health services; and a community service project. On-line surveys and interviews with current and past participants as well as direct observations were used to evaluate the effects of the program on participants. Participants indicated that the program was worthwhile, relevant, and effective in building a community of like-minded peers and physician role models. Participants also reported that the program sustained their interest in and commitment to community service and allowed them to cultivate new skills during medical school. The curriculum and structure of the LOCUS program offers a successful method for helping medical students learn important leadership skills and maintain an altruistic commitment to service.

Drug-target interaction prediction using ensemble learning and dimensionality reduction.

PubMed

Ezzat, Ali; Wu, Min; Li, Xiao-Li; Kwoh, Chee-Keong

2017-10-01

Experimental prediction of drug-target interactions is expensive, time-consuming and tedious. Fortunately, computational methods help narrow down the search space for interaction candidates to be further examined via wet-lab techniques. Nowadays, the number of attributes/features for drugs and targets, as well as the amount of their interactions, are increasing, making these computational methods inefficient or occasionally prohibitive. This motivates us to derive a reduced feature set for prediction. In addition, since ensemble learning techniques are widely used to improve the classification performance, it is also worthwhile to design an ensemble learning framework to enhance the performance for drug-target interaction prediction. In this paper, we propose a framework for drug-target interaction prediction leveraging both feature dimensionality reduction and ensemble learning. First, we conducted feature subspacing to inject diversity into the classifier ensemble. Second, we applied three different dimensionality reduction methods to the subspaced features. Third, we trained homogeneous base learners with the reduced features and then aggregated their scores to derive the final predictions. For base learners, we selected two classifiers, namely Decision Tree and Kernel Ridge Regression, resulting in two variants of ensemble models, EnsemDT and EnsemKRR, respectively. In our experiments, we utilized AUC (Area under ROC Curve) as an evaluation metric. We compared our proposed methods with various state-of-the-art methods under 5-fold cross validation. Experimental results showed EnsemKRR achieving the highest AUC (94.3%) for predicting drug-target interactions. In addition, dimensionality reduction helped improve the performance of EnsemDT. In conclusion, our proposed methods produced significant improvements for drug-target interaction prediction. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Risk and value analysis of SETI

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Billingham, J.

1990-01-01

This paper attempts to apply a traditional risk and value analysis to the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence--SETI. In view of the difficulties of assessing the probability of success, a comparison is made between SETI and a previous search for extraterrestrial life, the biological component of Project Viking. Our application of simple Utility Theory, given some reasonable assumptions, suggests that SETI is at least as worthwhile as the biological experiment on Viking.

The EdD and One Bedtime Story More! An Exploration of the Third-Space Inhabited by Mothers Working in Educational Leadership Whilst Studying for a Professional Doctorate

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gibson, Poppy; Shanks, Rehana; Dick, Suzie

2017-01-01

This article focuses on the ever-present pressures, tensions and opportunities for women leaders in education, and the link between identity, pursuit of excellence and the pursuit of a complete, worthwhile life. It highlights the experience of three women in educational leadership who are undertaking Doctoral studies while balancing the needs of…

The "let-it-grow" treatment for timber -- Is it economically worthwhile?

Treesearch

David P. Worley; David P. Worley

1970-01-01

One way to treay a timber stand is to ignore it--simply let it grow. This treatment will in time produce usable timber. And this is how many small woodlands in the Northeast are treated today. The question is: How well does this treatment work in returning a profit to the owner? As a guide for forest managers, the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station has made an...

Risk and value analysis of SETI.

PubMed

Billingham, J

1990-01-01

This paper attempts to apply a traditional risk and value analysis to the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence--SETI. In view of the difficulties of assessing the probability of success, a comparison is made between SETI and a previous search for extraterrestrial life, the biological component of Project Viking. Our application of simple Utility Theory, given some reasonable assumptions, suggests that SETI is at least as worthwhile as the biological experiment on Viking.

Directly Imaged Giant Planets: What Do We Hope to Learn?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marley, Mark

2015-01-01

As we move into an era when GPI and SPHERE are (hopefully) discovering and characterizing new young giant planets, it is worthwhile to step back and review our science goals for young giant planets. Of course for individual planets we ideally would hope to measure mass, radius, atmospheric composition, temperature, and cloud properties, but how do these characteristics fit into our broader understanding of planetary system origin and evolution theories? In my presentation I will review both the specifics of what we hope to learn from newly discovered young worlds as well as how these characteristics inform our broader understanding of giant planets and planetary systems. Finally I will consider the limitations realistic datasets will place on our ability to understand newly discovered planets, illustrating with data from any new such worlds that are available by the conference date.

Inside Out: Active learning in fluid dynamics in and out of the classroom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaye, Nigel; Benson, Lisa; Sill, Ben

2014-11-01

Active learning can be broadly defined as any activity that engages students beyond just listening. But is it worth the effort, when we can just lecture and tell students all they need to know? Learning theories posit that students remember far more of what they say and do than of what they hear and see. The benefits of active learning include increased attendance (because class is now something different and attending is more worthwhile) and deeper understanding of concepts (because students get to practice answering and generating questions). A recent meta-analysis of research on active learning has summarized evidence of real outcomes of active learning. Research is showing that students' performance on exams are higher and that they fail at lower rates in classes that involve active learning compared to traditional lecturing. Other studies have shown evidence of improved performance in follow-on classes, showing that the improved learning lasts. There are some topics and concepts that are best taught (or at least introduced) through lecturing, but even lecturing can be broken up by short activities that engage students so they learn more effectively. In this presentation, we will review the findings of the meta study and provide examples of active learning both inside and outside the classroom that demonstrate simple ways of introducing this approach in fluid dynamics classes.

What Makes a Scientific Research Question Worth Investigating? Students' Epistemic Criteria and Considerations of Contribution

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berson, Eric Bruckner

2012-01-01

This dissertation introduces the construct of "worthwhileness" as an important aspect of students' "practical" epistemologies of science (Sandoval, 2005). Specifically, it examines how students conceptualize what makes a scientific research question worthwhile, through a close analysis of the criteria they use for…

On the Worthwhileness of Theoretical Activities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hand, Michael

2009-01-01

R.S. Peters' arguments for the worthwhileness of theoretical activities are intended to justify education per se, on the assumption that education is necessarily a matter of initiating people into theoretical activities. If we give up this assumption, we can ask whether Peters' arguments might serve instead to justify the academic curriculum over…

Problem-based learning and the workplace: do dental hygienists in Hong Kong continue to use the skills acquired in their studies?

PubMed

Cheng, Brenda Siu Shan

2009-08-01

Problem-based learning (PBL) has been implemented in the dental hygiene program at the University of Hong Kong since 2001, but research is lacking to address the level of retention in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to explore whether dental hygienists continue to use their PBL skills and how well those skills are being applied in the workplace. A total of eighteen dental hygienists from the 2006 program were invited to participate in this study. A survey was conducted and follow-up group interviews carried out in 2008. The results revealed that dental hygienists continue to use the PBL skills of communication with the patient, patient education, and independent learning, but seldom use dental knowledge, teamwork, and communication with colleagues. Critical thinking, self-evaluation, and lifelong learning skills showed contradictory results. Besides, stressors under individual work environments, including certain Chinese cultural values, affect the way in which dental hygienists utilize PBL skills. This study concludes that the PBL approach is a worthwhile learning process for dental hygiene. However, many different variables affect the effectiveness of applying PBL skills after academic training, especially under the influence of Chinese culture in Hong Kong.

A meta-ethnographic synthesis on phenomenographic studies of patients’ experiences of chronic illness

PubMed Central

Röing, Marta

2015-01-01

Phenomenography is a qualitative research approach developed within an educational framework, focusing on the qualitative experience of learning. It is also being used, to a lesser degree, in healthcare research. In the present study, we conducted a meta-ethnographic synthesis of phenomenographic studies on chronic illness, in order to give a broader perspective of how chronic illness can be experienced. Our aim was not to describe patients’ various individual experiences of illness, but instead to identify the different ways chronic illness can be experienced by patients. Our synthesis and phenomenographic interpretation of 12 selected articles found that patients’ experiences of chronic illness can be described in terms of a different lived body, a struggle with threat to identity and self-esteem, a diminished lifeworld, and a challenging reality. These experiences relate to each other in a process of recurring loops, where the different ways of experiencing continue to influence each other over time. According to these findings, the use of phenomenography as a research approach has the potential to add to the understanding of how chronic illness can be experienced. Patients may benefit from seeing that their illness can be experienced in many different ways and that it has many aspects, which then can lead to a better understanding and coping with their illness. We suggest that it may be worthwhile to expand the scope of phenomenography outside pedagogics. This presupposes a revision of the application to include a wider and more comprehensive description, for instance, of the different ways illness and healthcare phenomena can be experienced, and how these different ways are related to each other, with less focus on hierarchical relations. PMID:25690674

A survey of medical students on the impact of a new digital imaging library in the dissection room.

PubMed

Turmezei, T D; Tam, M D B S; Loughna, S

2009-09-01

Radiology has a recognised role in undergraduate anatomy education. The recent digitalisation of radiology has created new learning opportunities involving techniques such as image labelling, 3D reconstruction, and multiplanar reformatting. An opportunity was identified at the University of Nottingham to create a digital library of normal radiology images as a learner-driven adjunct in anatomy dissection sessions. We describe the process of creating a de novo digital library by sourcing images for presentation at computer workstations. Students' attitudes towards this new resource were assessed using a questionnaire which used a 5 point Likert scale and also offered free text responses. One hundred and forty-one out of 260 students (54%) completed the questionnaire. The most notable findings were: a positive response to the relevance of imaging to the session topics (median score 4), strong agreement that images should be available on the university website (median score 5), and disagreement that enough workstations were available (median score 2). About 24% of respondents suggested independently that images needed more labeling to help with orientation and identification. This first phase of supplying a comprehensive imaging library can be regarded as a success. Increasing availability and incorporating dynamic labeling are well recognized as important design concepts for electronic learning resources and these will be improved in the second phase of delivery as a direct result of student feedback. Hopefully other centers can benefit from this experience and will consider such a venture to be worthwhile.

Investing in learning and training refugee doctors.

PubMed

Ong, Yong Lock; Trafford, Penny; Paice, Elisabeth; Jackson, Neil

2010-06-01

Medically qualified refugees seek to build a new life and return to clinical medicine. The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK needs to develop a workforce to meet the needs of the communities it serves, and refugee doctors have the potential to contribute to the NHS, using their experience and skills to benefit patients. Fifty-four per cent of refugee doctors in the UK live in London, so in response, the London Deanery (Postgraduate Department of Medical and Dental Education, London University) has undertaken a series of initiatives over the past 8 years assisting refugee doctors back into medical employment. Clinical attachments, supernumerary 6-month posts and general practitioner (GP) training rotations have been offered. The projects, doctors involved, educational provision and outcomes are reported. The obstacles and barriers to returning to substantive posts in medicine are also discussed. Fifty-six per cent of the refugee doctors were known to be working after the schemes, 52 per cent gained substantive posts and 39 per cent entered training grades. Investing in innovative and creative work-based training programmes for refugee doctors is worthwhile, but needs to be adequately resourced if refugee doctors are to bring ultimate benefit to the NHS. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2010.

Quantum Spacetime: Mimicry of Paths and Black Holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spaans, Marco

2015-08-01

Since its inception, general relativity has been unreceptive to a marriage with the quantum aspects of our universe. Following the ideas of Einstein, one may pursue an approach that allows spacetime itself to take center stage. The quantum properties of matter are then carried by the dynamics of spacetime shape and connectivity. This monograph introduces the reader to the foundations of quantum spacetime in a manner accessible to researchers and students. Likewise, interested laymen that lack a strong background in quantum mechanics or spacetime studies but are keen to learn will find this book worthwhile. It is shown from first principles how spacetime is globally built up by paths which constitute entire histories in four dimensions. The central physical idea is that the collective existence of observers and observed derives from one mimicking the other unremittingly, thereby inducing tangible reality. This world of identity by mimicry creates a multitude of interacting histories. Throughout the text, thought experiments are used to derive physical principles. Obtained results are therefore intuitive and accessible to non-experts. This monograph also discusses consequences of quantum spacetime for black holes, dark energy, inflation, the Higgs boson, and the multiverse.

Airborne measurements of solar and planetary near ultraviolet radiation during the NASA/ESA CV-900 spacelab simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sivjee, G. G.

1977-01-01

Results from a comparative study of the feasibility of employing experiment operators on the space shuttle to acquire scientifically worthwhile data are presented. The experiments performed during these tests included spectral observations of the Sun and Venus in the near ultraviolet region. The solar measurements were analyzed to determine ozone abundance in the terrestrial atmosphere. Using a detailed spectral matching technique to compare airborne solar UV measurements with synthetic spectral profiles of sunlight, it is deduced that in winter the total atmospheric ozone abundance is about 0.33 atm/cm at midlatitudes in the northern hemisphere.

Using complexity theory to develop a student-directed interprofessional learning activity for 1220 healthcare students.

PubMed

Jorm, Christine; Nisbet, Gillian; Roberts, Chris; Gordon, Christopher; Gentilcore, Stacey; Chen, Timothy F

2016-08-08

More and better interprofessional practice is predicated to be necessary to deliver good care to the patients of the future. However, universities struggle to create authentic learning activities that enable students to experience the dynamic interprofessional interactions common in healthcare and that can accommodate large interprofessional student cohorts. We investigated a large-scale mandatory interprofessional learning (IPL) activity for health professional students designed to promote social learning. A mixed methods research approach determined feasibility, acceptability and the extent to which student IPL outcomes were met. We developed an IPL activity founded in complexity theory to prepare students for future practice by engaging them in a self-directed (self-organised) learning activity with a diverse team, whose assessable products would be emergent creations. Complicated but authentic clinical cases (n = 12) were developed to challenge student teams (n = 5 or 6). Assessment consisted of a written management plan (academically marked) and a five-minute video (peer marked) designed to assess creative collaboration as well as provide evidence of integrated collective knowledge; the cohesive patient-centred management plan. All students (including the disciplines of diagnostic radiology, exercise physiology, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physiotherapy and speech pathology), completed all tasks successfully. Of the 26 % of students who completed the evaluation survey, 70 % agreed or strongly agreed that the IPL activity was worthwhile, and 87 % agreed or strongly agreed that their case study was relevant. Thematic analysis found overarching themes of engagement and collaboration-in-action suggesting that the IPL activity enabled students to achieve the intended learning objectives. Students recognised the contribution of others and described negotiation, collaboration and creation of new collective knowledge after working together on the complicated patient case studies. The novel video assessment was challenging to many students and contextual issues limited engagement for some disciplines. We demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of a large scale IPL activity where design of cases, format and assessment tasks was founded in complexity theory. This theoretically based design enabled students to achieve complex IPL outcomes relevant to future practice. Future research could establish the psychometric properties of assessments of student performance in large-scale IPL events.

Experimental Study of Oxygen-Assisted Crack Growth in Alloy 718 and Alloy TI-1100

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-02-01

Ghonem et al [21 proposed that the crack growth rate increases as the grain boundary area exposed to oxygen penetration increases Consequently, the grain...recent work by Chang and al is worthwhile to be mentioned to this respect [3]. These authors used a modified heat treatment to produce a coarser grain...interesting experiment was carried out in the work of Ghonem et al [8] on a fine grain size (20-50jurm) Alloy 718. They carried out crack growth

Student perceptions of a video-based blended learning approach for improving pediatric physical examination skills.

PubMed

Lehmann, Ronny; Seitz, Anke; Bosse, Hans Martin; Lutz, Thomas; Huwendiek, Sören

2016-11-01

Physical examination skills are crucial for a medical doctor. The physical examination of children differs significantly from that of adults. Students often have only limited contact with pediatric patients to practice these skills. In order to improve the acquisition of pediatric physical examination skills during bedside teaching, we have developed a combined video-based training concept, subsequently evaluating its use and perception. Fifteen videos were compiled, demonstrating defined physical examination sequences in children of different ages. Students were encouraged to use these videos as preparation for bedside teaching during their pediatric clerkship. After bedside teaching, acceptance of this approach was evaluated using a 10-item survey, asking for the frequency of video use and the benefits to learning, self-confidence, and preparation of bedside teaching as well as the concluding OSCE. N=175 out of 299 students returned survey forms (58.5%). Students most frequently used videos, either illustrating complete examination sequences or corresponding focus examinations frequently assessed in the OSCE. Students perceived the videos as a helpful method of conveying the practical process and preparation for bedside teaching as well as the OSCE, and altogether considered them a worthwhile learning experience. Self-confidence at bedside teaching was enhanced by preparation with the videos. The demonstration of a defined standardized procedural sequence, explanatory comments, and demonstration of infrequent procedures and findings were perceived as particularly supportive. Long video segments, poor alignment with other curricular learning activities, and technical problems were perceived as less helpful. Students prefer an optional individual use of the videos, with easy technical access, thoughtful combination with the bedside teaching, and consecutive standardized practice of demonstrated procedures. Preparation with instructional videos combined with bedside teaching, were perceived to improve the acquisition of pediatric physical examination skills. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Exploring dental student participation in interdisciplinary care team conferences in long-term care.

PubMed

Huynh, Jeremy; Donnelly, Leeann R; Brondani, Mario A

2017-06-01

The purpose of this study was to explore how the participation of dental hygiene students in interdisciplinary care conferences conducted in long-term care (LTC) facilities influenced the staff's awareness of oral health, the student's provision of care as well as the student's ability to work on an interdisciplinary team. Oral health in LTC continues to be poor despite many educational and clinical interventions. The care of a frail elder requires an interdisciplinary team approach, yet dental professionals are often absent from these teams. As an educational intervention, dental hygiene students, in addition to providing clinical care to residents and education to staff in a LTC facility, have been participating in interdisciplinary care conferences for 4 years. Nine LTC facility staff and eight students participated in two focus groups and five personal interviews to discuss their experiences of the care conferences. Narratives were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was conducted. Four major themes emerged that described the essence of the experience of involving dental professionals within interdisciplinary care conference: (i) addressing oral health, (ii) reciprocal learning, (iii) dealing with complexity and (iv) impact of collaborative care. Overall, students found the educational intervention to be worthwhile that allowed for the development of interdisciplinary skills and a greater understanding of dental geriatrics. The dental support in care conferences was welcomed by the staff as it facilitated a new way of exchanging knowledge and experiences so that a more holistic approach to care could be undertaken by all. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S and The Gerodontology Association. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Parents' experience of undertaking an intensive cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) group for children with cerebral palsy.

PubMed

Jackman, Michelle; Novak, Iona; Lannin, Natasha; Froude, Elspeth

2017-05-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) who participated in an intensive cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) group program addressing child chosen goals. Participants were six parents of children with CP who participated in a CO-OP upper limb task-specific training program. Parents participated in semi-structured interviews conducted via phone. A grounded theory approach was used. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded to identify categories and overarching themes of the parent experience of CO-OP. The theory of CO-OP for children with CP was one of offering a unique and motivating learning experience for both the child and the parent, differing from other therapeutic approaches that families had previously been involved in. Five categories were identified: the unique benefits of CO-OP; the importance of intensity; the child's motivation; challenging the parent role; and the benefits and challenges of therapy within a group context. Parents felt that CO-OP was a worthwhile intervention that leads to achievement of goals involving upper limb function and had the capacity to be transferred to future goals. Intensity of therapy and a child's motivation were identified as important factors in improvements. Further studies using quantitative research methods are warranted to investigate the benefits of CO-OP for children with neurological conditions. Implications for rehabilitation The cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) is a promising upper limb cognitive motor training intervention for children with cerebral palsy. In a small sample, parents perceived that CO-OP leads to achievement of upper limb goals. Intensity of therapy, the child's motivation and the parents' ability to "step-back" were identified as important to the success of CO-OP.

Lessons from tobacco control for advocates of healthy transport.

PubMed

Mindell, J

2001-06-01

Many parallels can be drawn between cigarettes and motor vehicles, smoking and car driving, and the tobacco and the auto/oil industries. Those promoting healthy and sustainable transport policies can learn lessons from tobacco control activities over the past 50 years. Evidence-based legislation is more effective than negotiated voluntary agreements between industry and government. Media advocacy is crucial to reframe the issues to allow changes in national policies that facilitate healthier choices. Worthwhile public health policies seen as a threat by multinational companies will be opposed by them but active national and international networks of healthcare professionals, voluntary organizations, charities and their supporters can match the political power of these industries.

Remittent hyperammonemia in congenital portosystemic shunt.

PubMed

Ferrero, Giovanni Battista; Porta, Francesco; Biamino, Elisa; Mussa, Alessandro; Garelli, Emanuela; Chiappe, Francesca; Veltri, Andrea; Silengo, Margherita Cirillo; Gennari, Fabrizio

2010-03-01

Congenital portosystemic shunts (PSS) are rare vascular anomalies with different gross anatomy. Persistent patent ductus venosus (PDV) represents an uncommon cause of intrahepatic PSS. The diagnosis of this condition may not be obvious because of its wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic to life-threatening disease. We report the case of three boys with neuropsychological symptoms associated with mild fasting hyperammonemia. An oral protein load allowed the detection of a detoxication defect due to PSS related to PDV. This simple procedure can be worthwhile of attention in patients with mental retardation, behavior disturbances, and learning difficulties after exclusion of common causes of inherited hyperammonemia, namely, urea cycle disorders, organic acidemias, and fatty acid oxidation defects.

Evaluation of the e-Learning material developed by EMERALD and EMIT for diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy.

PubMed

Aitken, Victoria; Tabakov, Slavik

2005-09-01

Two Leonardo projects, EMERALD and EMIT, have developed in a partnershipof university and hospital departments (the consortia) e-Learning materials in X-ray diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for medical physics graduates and other healthcare professionals. These e-Learning materials are described in a separate paper in this issue. To assess the effectiveness and relevance of the e-Learning material, a series of evaluations by student users groups plus experts in medical physics education and training were undertaken. The students, with backgrounds in physics and clinical ultrasound, reviewed the e-Learning material using an evaluation form developed by the consortia. The student feedback was favourable with students commenting that their level of knowledge had increased having completed the tasks. Areas identified for development were a reduction in text volume and an increase in the time allowed for completion of some tasks. The feedback from the experts was positive with an overall appreciation of the value of the learning material as a resource for students in medical physics field across Europe and identified other disciplines in which the access to the learning material could be useful contribution to their learning. Suggestions made for improvements ranged from grading the tasks into basic and advanced topics to increasing the interactive nature of the material. These early evaluation of the e-Learning material look promising and provide a framework for further developments in the field. Insight into users and providers views is important if developers are to provide relevant and worthwhile educational learning opportunities.

Feasibility Study for a Plasma Dynamo Facility to Investigate Fundamental Processes in Plasma Astrophysics. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Forest, Cary B.

The scientific equipment purchased on this grant was used on the Plasma Dynamo Prototype Experiment as part of Professor Forest's feasibility study for determining if it would be worthwhile to propose building a larger plasma physics experiment to investigate various fundamental processes in plasma astrophysics. The initial research on the Plasma Dynamo Prototype Experiment was successful so Professor Forest and Professor Ellen Zweibel at UW-Madison submitted an NSF Major Research Instrumentation proposal titled "ARRA MRI: Development of a Plasma Dynamo Facility for Experimental Investigations of Fundamental Processes in Plasma Astrophysics." They received funding for this project and the Plasma Dynamomore » Facility also known as the "Madison Plasma Dynamo Experiment" was constructed. This experiment achieved its first plasma in the fall of 2012 and U.S. Dept. of Energy Grant No. DE-SC0008709 "Experimental Studies of Plasma Dynamos," now supports the research.« less

Peer-led prenatal breast-feeding education: a viable alternative to nurse-led education.

PubMed

Rempel, Lynn A; Moore, Katrina C J

2012-02-01

To evaluate a prenatal breast-feeding class developed and facilitated by peer Breast-feeding Buddies. Non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental study comparing participants of the peer-led class (PLC) to those attending an established hospital-based breast-feeding nurse-led class (NLC). A brief questionnaire was completed immediately prior to the class, and telephone interviews were conducted approximately one week following the class, and one and six months post partum. 54 expectant mothers who registered for the community PLC and 55 expectant mothers who registered for the NLC. Breast-feeding intentions were measured at all time-points. Class evaluations, breast-feeding experiences, and breast-feeding support were measured at all post-class interviews. Both classes were considered worthwhile, but the PLC class was rated as more helpful and participants appreciated learning from the peers' personal experiences. Mothers taught by peers were more likely to access peer breast-feeding support. PLC participants initially decreased their prenatal breast-feeding duration intentions but had significantly stronger intentions to continue breast feeding at six months than did NLC mothers. A peer-led prenatal breast-feeding class is as effective as a traditional model of breast-feeding education and is a valuable tool to promote and support successful breast feeding. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Peer-led breast-feeding classes should be provided to enhance the accessibility of breast-feeding education and support for expectant mothers. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Report of the Plasma Physics and Environmental Perturbation Laboratory (PPEPL) working groups. Volume 3: Magnetospheric experiments working group

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

A number of general studies that were proposed for the PPEPL-SHUTTLE program are considered in qualitative detail from both the theoretical and practical points of view. The selection of experimental programs was restricted to those which may be considered active as opposed to refinements of the passive observational programs done previously. It is concluded that, while these new studies were scientifically worthwhile and could be performed in principle, in most cases insufficient attention was paid to the practical details of the experiments. Several specific areas of study, stressing in particular the practical feasibility of the proposed experiments, are recommended. In addition, recommendations are made for further theoretical study, where appropriate. For Vol. 1, see N74-28169; for Vol. 2, see N74-28170.

An Exploratory Study of a Robotics Educational Platform on STEM Career Interests in Middle School Students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hinton, Tracy Barger

With the large expected growth in STEM-related careers in American industries, there are not enough graduates to fill these positions (United States Department of Labor, 2015). Increased efforts are being made to reform STEM education from early childhood to college level studies, mainly through increased efforts to incorporate new technologies and project-based learning activities (Hegedorn & Purnamasari, 2012). At the middle school level, a robotics educational platform can be a worthwhile activity that provides hands-on learning as students learn basic programming and engineering skills (Grubbs, 2013). Based on the popularity of LEGO toys, LEGO Education developed an engaging and effective way to learn about computer programming and basic engineering concepts (Welch & Huffman, 2011). LEGO MINDSTORMS offers a project-based learning environment that engages students in real-life, problem-solving challenges. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the instructional use of a robotics educational curriculum on middle school students' attitudes toward and interests in STEM and their experiences with LEGO Robotics activities. Participants included 23 seventh grade students who were enrolled in a Career Cluster Technologies I class in a suburban middle school. Data for the study were collected from three focus group interviews, open-ended surveys, classroom observations, and the Career Cruising program. Findings revealed that the robotics activities led to an increased interest and higher self-efficacy in STEM tasks. If students continue to nurture and develop their STEM interests, it is possible that many of them may develop higher confidence and eventually set personal goals related to STEM classes and careers. While other studies have been conducted on similar topics, this qualitative research is unique because it contributed to the gap in research that investigates the impact of an in-class robotics curriculum on middle school students' attitudes and interests in STEM. Throughout the robotics unit, students exhibited positive reactions, including much excitement and enjoyment as they solved the robotics challenges. In addition, students demonstrated a greater interest in STEM courses and careers as a result of this hands-on activity. Middle school teachers should incorporate STEM-based activities such as robotics to help students gain hands-on STEM skills.

Teaching Business Demography Using Case Studies.

PubMed

Swanson, David A; Morrison, Peter A

2010-02-01

Many faculty members consider using case studies but not all end up using them. We provide a brief review of what cases are intended to do and identify three ways in which they can be used. We then use an example to illustrate how we have used the case study method in teaching business demography. Among other benefits, we note that the case studies method not only encourages the acquisition of skills by students, but can be used to promote "deep structure learning," an approach naturally accommodates other features associated with the case studies method-the development of critical thinking skills, the use of real world problems, the emphasis of concepts over mechanics, writing and presentation skills, active cooperative learning and the "worthwhileness" of a course. As noted by others, we understand the limitations of the case study method. However, given its strengths, we believe it has a place in the instructional toolbox for courses in business demography. The fact that courses we teach is a testament to our perceived efficacy of this tool.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bales, Benjamin B; Barrett, Richard F

In almost all modern scientific applications, developers achieve the greatest performance gains by tuning algorithms, communication systems, and memory access patterns, while leaving low level instruction optimizations to the compiler. Given the increasingly varied and complicated x86 architectures, the value of these optimizations is unclear, and, due to time and complexity constraints, it is difficult for many programmers to experiment with them. In this report we explore the potential gains of these 'last mile' optimization efforts on an AMD Barcelona processor, providing readers with relevant information so that they can decide whether investment in the presented optimizations is worthwhile.

Basics of robotics and manipulators in endoscopic surgery.

PubMed

Rininsland, H H

1993-06-01

The experience with sophisticated remote handling systems for nuclear operations in inaccessible rooms can to a large extent be transferred to the development of robotics and telemanipulators for endoscopic surgery. A telemanipulator system is described consisting of manipulator, endeffector and tools, 3-D video-endoscope, sensors, intelligent control system, modeling and graphic simulation and man-machine interfaces as the main components or subsystems. Such a telemanipulator seems to be medically worthwhile and technically feasible, but needs a lot of effort from different scientific disciplines to become a safe and reliable instrument for future endoscopic surgery.

Undergraduate training in the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach--an activity report.

PubMed

Mickenautsch, S; Rudolph, M J

2002-09-01

The Division of Public Oral Health at the University of the Witwatersrand conducted a 2-week ART training course for 5th year dental students in the School of Oral Health Sciences. Students were taught both theoretical knowledge and clinical skills in ART. Course evaluation showed that the course achieved its aims and objectives and was considered a worthwhile experience by students. However, there were some limitations to the format of the programme. We recommend that ART should be integrated as part of clinical student training in the BDS curriculum.

Promoting science for all by way of student interest in a transformative undergraduate microbiology laboratory for nonmajors.

PubMed

Marbach-Ad, Gili; McGinnis, J Randy; Dai, Amy H; Pease, Rebecca; Schalk, Kelly A; Benson, Spencer

2009-01-01

In this study, we investigated a pedagogical innovation in an undergraduate microbiology course, Microbes and Society, for non-microbiology majors and education majors. The aim was to improve students' understanding by connecting their science experience to their areas of interest. Based on this idea of teaching, we redesigned the laboratory portion of a microbiology course. We had students in the laboratory component choose their areas of interest and use the areas as a framework for understanding science and how it influences and shapes the world around them. This course was part of a longitudinal project (Project Nexus) which prepares, supports, and sustains upper elementary and middle-level specialist science teachers. We used a battery of data collection instruments. We analyzed all data in several dimensions including using active-learning techniques, forming linkages between science and teaching, and connecting science and society. Our hypothesis was that we could promote science for all by connecting the diverse students' areas of interest in science to the laboratory's curriculum. We assessed the success of achieving our goal by using researchers' observations, the instructors' perspectives, and students' feedback. Our findings suggested that this course was appreciated by the students, especially education majors, who recognized the innovations as engaging and worthwhile.

Promoting Science for All by Way of Student Interest in a Transformative Undergraduate Microbiology Laboratory for Nonmajors†

PubMed Central

Marbach-Ad, Gili; McGinnis, J. Randy; Dai, Amy H.; Pease, Rebecca; Schalk, Kelly A.; Benson, Spencer

2009-01-01

In this study, we investigated a pedagogical innovation in an undergraduate microbiology course, Microbes and Society, for non-microbiology majors and education majors. The aim was to improve students’ understanding by connecting their science experience to their areas of interest. Based on this idea of teaching, we redesigned the laboratory portion of a microbiology course. We had students in the laboratory component choose their areas of interest and use the areas as a framework for understanding science and how it influences and shapes the world around them. This course was part of a longitudinal project (Project Nexus) which prepares, supports, and sustains upper elementary and middle-level specialist science teachers. We used a battery of data collection instruments. We analyzed all data in several dimensions including using active-learning techniques, forming linkages between science and teaching, and connecting science and society. Our hypothesis was that we could promote science for all by connecting the diverse students’ areas of interest in science to the laboratory’s curriculum. We assessed the success of achieving our goal by using researchers’ observations, the instructors’ perspectives, and students’ feedback. Our findings suggested that this course was appreciated by the students, especially education majors, who recognized the innovations as engaging and worthwhile. PMID:23653691

Medical students learning the pelvic examination: comparison of outcome in terms of skills between a professional patient and a clinical patient model.

PubMed

Siwe, Karin; Wijma, Klaas; Stjernquist, Martin; Wijma, Barbro

2007-11-01

To compare two models of learning the pelvic examination (PE) for medical students, with professional patients (PP) or with clinical patients (CP), by measuring perceived distress and learning outcome in terms of skills. Prospective longitudinal study. Assessments of self-perceived distress on four occasions at the prospect of performing a PE. Evaluation of the learning session (LS) and clinical clerkship concerning outcome of palpation skills. During the LS, students in the PP model (PP students) received enough guidance from their coaches, were certain they had palpated the uterus and at least one ovary, and were less distressed afterwards compared with students who were instructed using the CP model (CP students). During the clinical clerkship, the PP students performed twice as many PEs as CP students did and had more often confirmed palpating the uterus and an ovary. PP students were more skilful in palpating the uterus and ovaries and performed more PEs during the clinical clerkship than did CP students. Engaging healthy and voluntary women as PPs takes time and effort. It is, however, worthwhile as it increases the confidence of students who perform PEs, makes them more competent, and ultimately improves their skills in performing the examination during their clinical clerkship.

Protein remote homology detection based on bidirectional long short-term memory.

PubMed

Li, Shumin; Chen, Junjie; Liu, Bin

2017-10-10

Protein remote homology detection plays a vital role in studies of protein structures and functions. Almost all of the traditional machine leaning methods require fixed length features to represent the protein sequences. However, it is never an easy task to extract the discriminative features with limited knowledge of proteins. On the other hand, deep learning technique has demonstrated its advantage in automatically learning representations. It is worthwhile to explore the applications of deep learning techniques to the protein remote homology detection. In this study, we employ the Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BLSTM) to learn effective features from pseudo proteins, also propose a predictor called ProDec-BLSTM: it includes input layer, bidirectional LSTM, time distributed dense layer and output layer. This neural network can automatically extract the discriminative features by using bidirectional LSTM and the time distributed dense layer. Experimental results on a widely-used benchmark dataset show that ProDec-BLSTM outperforms other related methods in terms of both the mean ROC and mean ROC50 scores. This promising result shows that ProDec-BLSTM is a useful tool for protein remote homology detection. Furthermore, the hidden patterns learnt by ProDec-BLSTM can be interpreted and visualized, and therefore, additional useful information can be obtained.

Global Observations and Understanding of the General Circulation of the Oceans

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

The workshop was organized to: (1) assess the ability to obtain ocean data on a global scale that could profoundly change our understanding of the circulation; (2) identify the primary and secondary elements needed to conduct a World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE); (3) if the ability is achievable, to determine what the U.S. role in such an experiment should be; and (4) outline the steps necessary to assure that an appropriate program is conducted. The consensus of the workshop was that a World Ocean Circulation Experiment appears feasible, worthwhile, and timely. Participants did agree that such a program should have the overall goal of understanding the general circulation of the global ocean well enough to be able to predict ocean response and feedback to long-term changes in the atmosphere. The overall goal, specific objectives, and recommendations for next steps in planning such an experiment are included.

The Association Between Effective Dose of Magnesium and Mild Compulsive Exercise on Spatial Learning, Memory, and Motor Activity of Adult Male Rats.

PubMed

Hajizade Ghonsulakandi, Shahnaz; Sheikh, Mahmuod; Dehghan Shasaltaneh, Marzieh; Chopani, Samira; Naghdi, Nasser

2017-08-01

One of the most important survival mechanisms is learning and memory processes. To emphasize the role of physical exercises and magnesium (Mg) in improvement of cognitive performance, we planned to investigate the effect of Mg and mild compulsive exercise on spatial learning and memory of adult male rats. Accordingly, we divided male Wistar rats into four groups: (I) control, (II) Mg treatment, (III) exercise, and (IV) Mg-exercise in the different dosages of Mg (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mmol/kbw) were injected in the form of gavage during 1 week. Also, 1-week mild running on treadmill was used for exercise treatment. The Morris water maze (MWM) test and open field tool were used to evaluate spatial learning, memory, and motor activity, respectively. Our results clearly showed that 1 mmol/kbw Mg was applied as an effective dosage. Strikingly, 1-week mild exercise on treadmill had no significant effect on spatial motor activity, learning, and memory. Feeding 1 mmol/kbw Mg for a week showed a significant difference in learning and exploration stages. Compared to control animals, these results reveal exercise and Mg simultaneously had effect on learning and reminding. As a consequence, although mild exercise had no effect on motor activity and memory, Mg intake improved spatial learning, memory, and locomotor activity. The Mg feeding could be a promising supplemental treatment in the neurodegenerative disease. It is worthwhile to mention consumption of Mg leads to enhancement of memory, so animals find the hidden platform with the highest velocity.

The Experiences of Registered Nurses Who are Injured by Interpersonal Violence While on Duty in an Emergency Department.

PubMed

Wright-Brown, Salena; Sekula, Kathleen; Gillespie, Gordon; Zoucha, Rick

A successful career as an emergency department registered nurse (RN) requires the ability to respond quickly to a wide variety of potentially life-threatening illnesses and injuries. The unpredictable nature of this work can evoke emotional and physical stress on the RN beyond that which might be experienced by nurses who work in more stable, controlled, and predictable environments. Emergency healthcare is predicated on unexpected illness or injury leading to unscheduled episodic work. Additional stress is placed on the RN by the potential for violence that occurs in emergency departments. This mixed method pilot study describes the experiences of RNs who have been injured by violence while working in an emergency department. The study included an assessment of the job satisfaction of RNs in the emergency department based on Porter's Need Satisfaction Scale. This scale addresses need fulfillment in five categories: security, social, esteem, autonomy, and self-actualization. The self-actualization subscale measures satisfaction with personal growth, worthwhile accomplishments, and self-fulfillment. During the second strand of the study, phenomenological informed interviews were held with RNs who had been injured while on duty in an emergency department. The findings indicate that the largest reported gaps between the current state and the desired state were found in the area of security and self-actualization. RNs in the emergency department who answered the survey indicated that they desired a safe, secure worksite where they could achieve personal growth, worthwhile accomplishments, and self-fulfillment; but they were not satisfied with their current status in these areas.

A search for experiments to exploit the space shuttle environment, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fenn, J. B.

1979-01-01

A search for worthwhile experiments in pure and applied physics and chemistry which might take advantage of conditions achievable aboard the space shuttle is documented. Of particular interest were the very large pumping speeds at high or ultra high vacuum, the highly nonequilibrium composition of the ambient atmosphere, and the relative absence of gravitational effects. Ideas and suggestions were solicated in the course of visits to 31 research establishments in Western Europe, India, and Japan; conversations with over 90 scientists; and presentations at 3 international meetings. Intriguing possibilities emerged in the following arenas: (1) spectroscopy of the transition state in chemical reactions; (2) flame structure and analysis; (3) solid propellant combustion; (4) analysis of atmospheric composition; (5) turbulence effects on aerosol coagulation.

San Marco C-2 (San Marco-4) Post Launch Report No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

The San Marco C-2 spacecraft, now designated San Marco-4, was successfully launched by a Scout vehicle from the San Marco Platform on 18 February 1974 at 6:05 a.m. EDT. The launch occurred 2 hours 50 minutes into the 3-hour window due co low cloud cover at the launch site. All spacecraft subsystems have been checked and are functioning normally. The protective caps for the two U.S. experiments were ejected and the Omegatron experiment activated on 19 February. The neutral mass spectrometer was activated as scheduled on 22 February after sufficient time to allow for spacecraft outgassing and to avoid the possibility of corona occurring. Both instruments are performing properly and worthwhile scientific data is being acquired.

Triangulation of written assessments from patients, teachers and students: useful for students and teachers?

PubMed

Gran, Sarah Frandsen; Braend, Anja Maria; Lindbaek, Morten

2010-01-01

Many medical students in general practice clerkships experience lack of observation-based feedback. The StudentPEP project combined written feedback from patients, observing teachers and students. This study analyzes the perceived usefulness of triangulated written feedback. A total of 71 general practitioners and 79 medical students at the University of Oslo completed project evaluation forms after a 6-week clerkship. A principal component analysis was performed to find structures within the questionnaire. Regression analysis was performed regarding students' answers to whether StudentPEP was worthwhile. Free-text answers were analyzed qualitatively. Student and teacher responses were mixed within six subscales, with highest agreement on 'Teachers oral and written feedback' and 'Attitude to patient evaluation'. Fifty-four per cent of the students agreed that the triangulation gave concrete feedback on their weaknesses, and 59% valued the teachers' feedback provided. Two statements regarding the teacher's attitudes towards StudentPEP were significantly associated with the student's perception of worthwhileness. Qualitative analysis showed that patient evaluations were encouraging or distrusted. Some students thought that StudentPEP ensured observation and feedback. The patient evaluations increased the students' awareness of the patient perspective. A majority of the students considered the triangulated written feedback beneficial, although time-consuming. The teacher's attitudes strongly influenced how the students perceived the usefulness of StudentPEP.

Efficacy of a benzocaine lozenge in the treatment of uncomplicated sore throat.

PubMed

Chrubasik, Sigrun; Beime, Beate; Magora, Florella

2012-02-01

Benzocaine lozenges are popular in symptomatic treatment of acute sore throat. The aim of this study was to evaluate if sucking a benzocaine lozenge was superior to a placebo lozenge in patients with pain while swallowing. Volunteers with acute, uncomplicated sore throat received randomly and double-blind either a benzocaine 8 mg or a placebo lozenge. Pain was assessed on a numerical visual rating scale. The primary outcome measure was the sum of the pain intensity differences (SPID) over 2 h. Secondary outcome measures included the number of patients who reported 50% or more of their baseline pain score (responders) and those with worthwhile and complete pain relief, the times to worthwhile/complete pain relief and to pain recurrence and the occurrence of any adverse effects. A predefined interim analysis after including 50 patients revealed the superiority of benzocaine versus placebo in the SPID (p = 0.0086). At this time, a total of 165 patients had been recruited (full analysis set, FAS) and underwent statistical analysis. In the FAS, median SPID had significantly more decreased in patients receiving benzocaine compared to placebo (-12 vs. - 5, p = 0.001). There were significantly more responders and patients with worthwhile pain relief in group benzocaine. The number of patients with complete pain relief was very small. Median time to worthwhile pain relief was 20 min (benzocaine) and >45 min (placebo). Adverse events were not observed. Benzocaine lozenges are superior to placebo lozenges and a useful, well-tolerated treatment option to reduce painful pharyngeal discomfort.

Necessary conditions for morally responsible animal research.

PubMed

DeGrazia, David; Sebo, Jeff

2015-10-01

In this article, we present three necessary conditions for morally responsible animal research that we believe people on both sides of this debate can accept. Specifically, we argue that, even if human beings have higher moral status than nonhuman animals, animal research is morally permissible only if it satisfies (1) an expectation of sufficient net benefit, (2) a worthwhile-life condition, and (3) a no-unnecessary-harm/qualified-basic-needs condition. We then claim that, whether or not these necessary conditions are jointly sufficient for justified animal research, they are relatively demanding, with the consequence that many animal experiments may fail to satisfy them.

It's a wonderful life: a career as an academic scientist.

PubMed

Vale, Ronald D

2010-01-01

Many years of training are required to obtain a job as an academic scientist. Is this investment of time and effort worthwhile? My answer is a resounding "yes." Academic scientists enjoy tremendous freedom in choosing their research and career path, experience unusual camaraderie in their lab, school, and international community, and can contribute to and enjoy being part of this historical era of biological discovery. In this essay, I further elaborate by listing my top ten reasons why an academic job is a desirable career for young people who are interested in the life sciences.

[Current states and future aspects of graduate schools for adult graduate students: experiences of the master's course as a medical technologist].

PubMed

Obara, Takehiro; Suwabe, Akira

2012-12-01

The educational system for medical technologists (MTs) has gradually shifted from a three-year technical school system to a four-year university system. It is worthwhile for MTs to advance to a graduate school, in order to improve their routine-work skills, performances, and also to advance their own research as well as to learn how to direct younger MTs. Recently, MTs who advance to the graduate school as adult graduate students are increasing. In this article, the current states and future aspects of the graduate school of Iwate Medical University are reported. In our Department of Central Clinical Laboratory in Iwate Medical University Hospital, three of my colleagues have completed the master's course of the graduate school as adult graduate students, and three are currently attending the school. Nevertheless, none of them has advanced to the doctor's course yet. The primary reason why they do not advance is the heavy burden on any adult graduate students physically, mentally, and financially to study in the graduate school and carry out routine duties at the same time. Thus, in order to encourage MTs to go or to graduate school education, it is important to arrange systems which will enable MTs to advance to the graduate school as adult graduate students. I believe there are three key elements to make this possible. Firstly, prepare easier access to curriculums for MTs to study special fields and learn special skills. Secondly, arrange an increase in the salary scheme depending on the degree attained from the graduate school. Thirdly, provide financial support for graduate school expenses. In conclusion, it is expected that a large number of MTs will advance to the graduate school if these changes for a better educational environment are made.

A journal club as a teaching and learning strategy in nurse teacher education.

PubMed

Sheehan, J

1994-03-01

An account of the operation of a journal club in a Postgraduate Certificate in Education course for teachers of nursing is reported here. The paper is based on three issues: the background to journal clubs, the process involved in the operation of the club concerned, and the expected outcomes. The origins of journal clubs and the reading habits of nurses are considered in the background section through a review of some of the relevant literature. The negotiation involved, the frequency of meetings and the ethos in which they were conducted are discussed in the section on the processes involved. In the final section, both the tangible and personal outcomes are discussed and the conclusion reached is that a journal club is a worthwhile educational activity.

[The practice and discussion of the physical knowledge stepping into genetics teaching].

PubMed

Luo, Shen; Luo, Peigao

2014-09-01

Genetics, one of the core courses of biological field, play a key role in biology teaching and research. In fact, there exists high similarity between many genetic knowledge and physical knowledge. Due to strong abstract of genetic contents and the weak basis of genetics, some students lack of interests to study genetics. How to apply the strong physical knowledge which students had been learned in the middle school in genetics teaching is worthwhile for genetics teachers. In this paper, we would like to introduce an infiltrative teaching model on applying physical knowledge into genetic contents by establishing the intrinsic logistic relationship between physical knowledge and genetic knowledge. This teaching model could help students more deeply understand genetic knowledge and enhance students' self-studying ability as well as creating ability.

Parenting classes: focus on discipline.

PubMed

Campbell, J M

1992-01-01

Nurses in community settings have an opportunity to provide instruction related to health and life-style needs. An important consideration is the parental role. A particularly controversial and opinion-laden aspect of parenting is disciplining children. Discipline provides children with the security of clearly enforced rules to help them learn self-control and social standards. Parenting classes are worthwhile for people who have little formal or informal preparation. A survey of middle-class elementary school district parents' and childrens' attitudes toward discipline was conducted to develop meaningful parenting classes. Parents' feelings about being a mother or father were surprisingly negative. A parent educational program was developed to cover child growth and development and disciplinary practices. Parent evaluations led to continuation and an expansion of this program to other schools within the area.

Democratic population decisions result in robust policy-gradient learning: a parametric study with GPU simulations.

PubMed

Richmond, Paul; Buesing, Lars; Giugliano, Michele; Vasilaki, Eleni

2011-05-04

High performance computing on the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is an emerging field driven by the promise of high computational power at a low cost. However, GPU programming is a non-trivial task and moreover architectural limitations raise the question of whether investing effort in this direction may be worthwhile. In this work, we use GPU programming to simulate a two-layer network of Integrate-and-Fire neurons with varying degrees of recurrent connectivity and investigate its ability to learn a simplified navigation task using a policy-gradient learning rule stemming from Reinforcement Learning. The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we want to support the use of GPUs in the field of Computational Neuroscience. Second, using GPU computing power, we investigate the conditions under which the said architecture and learning rule demonstrate best performance. Our work indicates that networks featuring strong Mexican-Hat-shaped recurrent connections in the top layer, where decision making is governed by the formation of a stable activity bump in the neural population (a "non-democratic" mechanism), achieve mediocre learning results at best. In absence of recurrent connections, where all neurons "vote" independently ("democratic") for a decision via population vector readout, the task is generally learned better and more robustly. Our study would have been extremely difficult on a desktop computer without the use of GPU programming. We present the routines developed for this purpose and show that a speed improvement of 5x up to 42x is provided versus optimised Python code. The higher speed is achieved when we exploit the parallelism of the GPU in the search of learning parameters. This suggests that efficient GPU programming can significantly reduce the time needed for simulating networks of spiking neurons, particularly when multiple parameter configurations are investigated.

An Exploratory Study on Application of Multimedia Technology in College English Teaching and Learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Aiqin

Nowadays, the application of multimedia technology is most widely used in College English teaching and learning in China. Considerable money had been invested to better the technical equipments, such as multimedia classroom, computers recently, which meet each student needs. The effectiveness of multimedia has been made obvious by many teachers and students, however, it remains a controversial issue. The advantages and disadvantages in the use of multimedia technology are always being argued. It seems urgent and necessary to evaluate this new teaching mode, so the writer designed a questionnaire to seek the students' attitudinal data concerning the multimedia effectiveness. The data collected from the subjects of 150 non-English majors students, using the Experiencing English learning system and College English Integrated Course (New Edition) on CD-ROM. After statistical analysis to the valid questionnaires, the results are as follows: the students prefer multimedia to traditional teaching mode which indicate it is useful and helpful; but they do not have multimedia as a worthwhile replacement of traditional teaching modes; they generally perceive the learning on the system effective, but it will have a long way to go and attain to maturity, because the complex relationships between the teachers and the courseware, the students and courseware should be coordinated, producing a compound object among the teacher-student as well as the courseware.

Students' perceptions of a blended learning pharmacy seminar course in a Caribbean school of pharmacy.

PubMed

Extavour, Rian Marie; Allison, Gillian L

2018-04-01

Blended learning (BL) integrates face-to-face and online instructional methods, with applications in pharmacy education. This study aimed to assess pharmacy students' perceptions of BL in a pharmacy seminar course at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus, Trinidad and Tobago. Topics based on the use of medicines and public health were presented by student groups during live seminars, supplemented with online activities. An online survey of students' perceptions was administered at the end of the course. The usefulness of learning resources and course activities were assessed using 5-point Likert-like scales (1 = not helpful to 5 = very helpful). The effectiveness of the instructor, blended delivery, time value, and development of critical-thinking were rated on a 5-point Likert scale for agreement (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Topics that were most instructive and additional topics of interest were also identified. Approximately 51% of students (37/72) completed the questionnaire; 73% were female and mean age was 24 years. The learning resources and most course activities were generally helpful (median = 4) in facilitating learning. There was strong agreement (median = 5) on the ease of navigating the online platform, and instructor encouraging interest in pharmacy issues. Students agreed (median = 4) that the course facilitated critical thinking, the BL approach was effective, and the time spent was worthwhile. The most instructive topics included medication errors, antibiotic resistance, and medicines in children and the elderly. BL in pharmacy seminars is a valuable approach to engage students learning about pharmacy and public health. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Perceptions of an educational programme for registered nurses who work at non-major trauma services in Victoria, Australia: The Nursing Emergency eXternal Trauma Programme.

PubMed

Ireland, Sharyn; Cross, Rachel; Decker, Kelly; Mitra, Biswadev

2017-08-01

Emergency nurses working in non-Major Trauma Service (non-MTS) facilities face the challenge of providing immediate care to seriously injured patients, despite infrequent presentations at their workplace. A one-day education programme endorsed by the Australian College of Nursing was developed to provide contemporary trauma education for nurses. The aim of this study was to report participants' perceptions of their experience of this programme. Peer reviewed lesson plans were developed to guide educational activities. Of 32 participants, 24 consented to and completed pre and post-programme surveys. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were used to report study findings. Most participants were nurses with greater than two years' experience in Emergency Nursing (92%). Trauma patient transfers each year from a non-MTS to a Major Trauma Service occurred infrequently; eight nurses (33.3%) reported greater than10 trauma transfers per year. Participant expectations of the programme included personal growth, knowledge acquisition, increased confidence and a focus on technical skills. Participants reported the day to be worthwhile and valuable; improved confidence, increased knowledge, and the opportunity to discuss current evidence based practice were highly regarded. Recommendations for future programmes included extending to two days and include burns and more complex pathophysiology. With centralisation of trauma care to major trauma services, frequent and continuing education of nurses is essential. Nurses from non-Major Trauma Service facilities in Victoria found this programme worthwhile as they gained knowledge and skills and increased confidence to care for trauma patients. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pharmacologic treatments for dry eye: a worthwhile investment?

PubMed

Novack, Gary D

2002-01-01

To determine whether investment in a novel pharmacologic agent for the treatment of dry eye would be worthwhile from a financial perspective. Estimates were made of the cost and time required to develop a novel pharmacologic treatment of dry eye and the potential revenues for the product. These estimates were used to compute the value of the investment, adjusting for the time value of money. Development was estimated to cost $42 million and to take 55 months from investigational new drug exemption filing to new drug application approval. The potential market for this treatment was estimated at $542 million per year at year 5. Adding in the cost of development and marketing as well as other costs, net present value was very positive at the 5, 8, 10, and 40% cost of financing. The internal rate of return was 90%. In summary, if there were a successful pharmacologic treatment of dry eye and if a firm could manage the cash flow during the development, then the market potential approaches that of other treatment of chronic ophthalmic conditions (e.g., glaucoma), and it would be a worthwhile investment.

Enhancing ASTRO101 Student Engagement Using Student-Created ScienceSKETCHES

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slater, Timothy F.; Slater, Stephanie

2016-01-01

As astronomy teaching faculty are changing their teaching strategies from those less desirable approaches that allow students to passively listen to professor-centered, information-lectures to more desirable, active-student engagement classrooms characterized by active learning, ASTRO 101 professors are looking for more ways to help students learn to participate in authentic scientific practices. This is consistent with notion advocated by the NRC that students should practice scientific thinking, scientific discourse, and scientific practices while learning science. Noticing that much informal scientific discussion is mediated by sketches—such as those occasionally lively discussions held after hours during scientific conferences—scholars at the CAPER Center for Astronomy & Physics Education Research have been piloting a series of active learning tasks where students are challenged to create scientific drawings to illustrate their understanding of astronomical phenomena or structures. Known informally as ScienceSKETCHES, examples of these tasks challenge students to illustrate: the spectral curve differences between high and low mass stars; the differences among galaxy shapes; the distribution of stars for the Andromeda Galaxy in terms of luminosity versus temperature; old and young planetary surfaces; or the relationships between distances and speeds of orbiting objects. Although our initial testing has focused on predominately on paper and pencil tasks, with the occasional cell phone picture of a ScienceSKETCH being texted to the professor, the electronic-based teaching world is nearly ready to support these sorts of drawing tasks. Already, the ability to complete and submit scientific sketches is becoming commonplace across electronic learning platforms, including shared white-boarding in many desktop videoconferencing systems, and handheld device learning systems for interactive classrooms, like those from Learning Catalytics, among many others. Our initial results suggest that this strategy is worthwhile line of research and development for a wide range of astronomy education researchers and curriculum developers.

Army Training Study: Training Effectiveness Analysis (TEA) Summary. Volume 3. REDEYE Weapons System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-08-08

gunners provide Air Defense. At night, when the unit moves, the gunners must go also. This tires the gunner extremely fast , which makes him less astute in...Army AIT is the Lanier " Slow Comet," which has a 75" wing span and is 43" long. The craft provides a profile which is representative of a small prop...that what you are doing in the Ariv is worthwhile or not? a. I am certain it is vworthwhile. b. I think it is worthwhile. c. I don’t t) hink it is

Planetary exploration - Earth's new horizon /12th von Karman Lecture/. [ground based and spaceborne

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schurmeier, H. M.

1975-01-01

The article gives an account of the history of unmanned exploration of the planets of the solar system, including both earthbound exploration and exploration with spacecraft. Examples of images of the Martian surface are presented along with images obtained in Jupiter and Mercury flybys. Data are presented on the growth of US launch vehicle performance capability, navigation performance, and planetary data rate capability. Basic information regarding the nature of the scientific experiments aboard the Pioneer and Viking spacecraft is given. A case is put forward for the ongoing exploration of the planets as a worthwhile endeavor for man.

Considering whether Medicaid is worth the cost: revisiting the Oregon Health Study.

PubMed

Muennig, Peter A; Quan, Ryan; Chiuzan, Codruta; Glied, Sherry

2015-05-01

The Oregon Health Study was a groundbreaking experiment in which uninsured participants were randomized to either apply for Medicaid or stay with their current care. The study showed that Medicaid produced numerous important socioeconomic and health benefits but had no statistically significant impact on hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or diabetes. Medicaid opponents interpreted the findings to mean that Medicaid is not a worthwhile investment. Medicaid proponents viewed the experiment as statistically underpowered and, irrespective of the laboratory values, suggestive that Medicaid is a good investment. We tested these competing claims and, using a sensitive joint test and statistical power analysis, confirmed that the Oregon Health Study did not improve laboratory values. However, we also found that Medicaid is a good value, with a cost of just $62 000 per quality-adjusted life-years gained.

What Makes a Scientific Research Question Worth Investigating? Students' Epistemic Criteria and Considerations of Contribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berson, Eric Bruckner

This dissertation introduces the construct of worthwhileness as an important aspect of students' practical epistemologies of science (Sandoval, 2005). Specifically, it examines how students conceptualize what makes a scientific research question worthwhile, through a close analysis of the criteria they use for evaluating scientific research questions. Elementary (n=21) and high school students (n=21) participated in this study. As part of semi-structured interviews, students engaged in three novel tasks designed to elicit the epistemic criteria they use to evaluate scientific research questions in a variety of contexts. Findings indicate that elementary and high school students alike could engage in the practice of evaluating the worth of scientific questions. The criteria they employed included degree of interest, difficulty, and the contribution of questions to knowledge or to solving a problem. The criteria students considered varied by context. Several key differences emerged between the reasoning of the two grade cohorts. High school students tended to place more weight on the contribution of the research question. Also, the criteria reflected in the high school students' judgments of the scientific value of individual questions more closely accorded with the criteria they identified retrospectively as the basis of their judgments. Furthermore, the older cohort more often rationalized the selection and sequence of research questions within a single domain on the basis of epistemic contingency between questions. How students conceptualize what makes a scientific research question worthwhile constitutes a key aspect of students' epistemic reasoning. It is particularly important to understand how students judge the worthwhilness of scientific research questions given the central epistemic role of research questions in scientific inquiry.

NRL tethered balloon measurements at San Nicolas Island during FIRE IFO 1987

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gerber, Hermann; Gathman, Stuart; James, Jeffrey; Smith, Mike; Consterdine, Ian; Brandeki, Scott

1990-01-01

An overview is given of the tethered balloon measurements made during the First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) marine stratocumulus intensive field observations (IFO) at San Nicolas Island in 1987. The instrument utilized on the balloon flights, the 17 flights over a 10 day period, the state of the data analysis, and some preliminary results are described. A goal of the measurements with the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) balloon was to give a unique and greatly improved look at the microphysics of the clear and cloud-topped boundary layer. For this goal, collocated measurements were made of turbulence, aerosol, cloud particles, and meteorology. Two new instruments which were expected to make significant contributions to this effort were the saturation hygrometer, capable of measuring 95 percent less than RH 105 percent (with an accuracy of 0.05 percent near 100 percent) and used for the first time in clouds; and the forward scatter meter which gives in situ LWC measurements at more than 10 Hz. The data set, while unfortunately only partially simultaneous with the bulk of the FIRE stratocumulus observations, is unique and worthwhile in its own right. For the first time accurate RH measurements near 100 percent have been made in-cloud; although, the use of the saturation hygrometer reflected a learning experience which will result is substantially better performance the next time. These measurements were made in conjunction with other microphysical measurements such as aerosol and cloud droplet spectra, and perhaps most important of all, they were all collocated with bivane turbulence measurements thus permitting flux calculations. Thus the analysis of this data set, which consisted of about 50 percent stratocumulus cases including increasing and decreasing partial cloud cover, should lead to new insights on the physical mechanisms which drive the boundary-layer/cloud/turbulence system.

Integrated Curriculum and Subject-based Curriculum: Achievement and Attitudes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casady, Victoria

The research conducted for this mixed-method study, qualitative and quantitative, analyzed the results of an academic year-long study to determine whether the use of an integrated fourth grade curriculum would benefit student achievement in the areas of English language arts, social studies, and science more than a subject-based traditional curriculum. The research was conducted based on the international, national, and state test scores, which show a slowing or lack of growth. Through pre- and post-assessments, student questionnaires, and administrative interviews, the researcher analyzed the phenomenological experiences of the students to determine if the integrated curriculum was a beneficial restructuring of the curriculum. The research questions for this study focused on the achievement and attitudes of the students in the study and whether the curriculum they were taught impacted their achievement and attitudes over the course of one school year. The curricula for the study were organized to cover the current standards, where the integrated curriculum focused on connections between subject areas to help students make connections to what they are learning and the world beyond the classroom. The findings of this study indicated that utilizing the integrated curriculum could increase achievement as well as students' attitudes toward specific content areas. The ANOVA analysis for English language arts was not determined to be significant; although, greater growth in the students from the integrated curriculum setting was recorded. The ANOVA for social studies (0.05) and the paired t-tests (0.001) for science both determined significant positive differences. The qualitative analysis led to the discovery that the experiences of the students from the integrated curriculum setting were more positive. The evaluation of the data from this study led the researcher to determine that the integrated curriculum was a worthwhile endeavor to increase achievement and attitudes in fourth grade students.

Evaluation of an established learning portfolio.

PubMed

Vance, Gillian; Williamson, Alyson; Frearson, Richard; O'Connor, Nicole; Davison, John; Steele, Craig; Burford, Bryan

2013-02-01

The trainee-held learning portfolio is integral to the foundation programme in the UK. In the Northern Deanery, portfolio assessment is standardised through the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) process. In this study we aimed to establish how current trainees evaluate portfolio-based learning and ARCP, and how these attitudes may have changed since the foundation programme was first introduced. Deanery-wide trainee attitudes were surveyed by an electronic questionnaire in 2009 and compared with perceptions recorded during the pilot phase (2004-2005).  Many trainees continue to view the e-portfolio negatively. Indeed, significantly fewer trainees in 2009 thought that the e-portfolio was a 'good idea' or a 'worthwhile investment of time' than in 2005. Trainees remain unconvinced about the educational value of the e-portfolio: fewer trainees in 2009 regarded it as a tool that might help focus on training or recognise individual strengths and weaknesses. Issues around unnecessary bureaucracy persist. Current trainees tend to understand how to use the e-portfolio, but many did not know how much, or what evidence to collect. Few supervisors were reported to provide useful guidance on the portfolio. ARCP encouraged portfolio completion but did not give meaningful feedback to drive future learning.   Continued support is needed for both trainees and supervisors in portfolio-building skills and in using the e-portfolio as an educational tool. Trainee-tailored feedback is needed to ensure that portfolio-based assessment promotes lifelong, self-directed and reflective learners. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2013.

Productive activity and life satisfaction in Korean elderly women.

PubMed

Kim, Ju-Hyun

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study is to explain the effect of participation in productive activities on life satisfaction and its implications for social evaluation of productive aging. This study uses data collected from 1,250 elderly women living in urban areas. The regression model was used to examine the influence of elderly women's participation in productive activities on their life satisfaction. Elderly women who participate in volunteer work, learning, and social group activities commonly recognized their activities as meaningful, feeling like worthwhile members of society, and evaluated such activities as very positive. In contrast, elderly women who participated in household chores and family care activities expressed a negative life satisfaction. The difference in life satisfaction regarding productive activities stems not only from the physical and environmental differences but also from the gap between the official social value underpinned by the recognition of surrounding people, their support, and the value of productive activities.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Walker, La Tonya Nicole; Malczynski, Leonard A.

DYNAMO is a computer program for building and running 'continuous' simulation models. It was developed by the Industrial Dynamics Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for simulating dynamic feedback models of business, economic, and social systems. The history of the system dynamics method since 1957 includes many classic models built in DYANMO. It was not until the late 1980s that software was built to take advantage of the rise of personal computers and graphical user interfaces that DYNAMO was supplanted. There is much learning and insight to be gained from examining the DYANMO models and their accompanying research papers.more » We believe that it is a worthwhile exercise to convert DYNAMO models to more recent software packages. We have made an attempt to make it easier to turn these models into a more current system dynamics software language, Powersim © Studio produced by Powersim AS 2 of Bergen, Norway. This guide shows how to convert DYNAMO syntax into Studio syntax.« less

Using a Scoring Rubric to Assess the Writing of Bioethics Students.

PubMed

Stoddard, Hugh A; Labrecque, Cory A; Schonfeld, Toby

2016-04-01

Educators in bioethics have struggled to find valid and reliable assessments that transcend the "reproduction of knowledge" to target more important skill sets. This manuscript reports on the process of developing and grading a minimal-competence comprehensive examination in a bioethics master's degree program. We describe educational theory and practice for the creation and deployment of scoring rubrics for high-stakes performance assessments that reduce scoring inconsistencies. The rubric development process can also benefit the program by building consensus among stakeholders regarding program goals and student outcomes. We describe the Structure of the Observed Learning Outcome taxonomy as a mechanism for rubric design and provide an example of how we applied that taxonomy to define pass/fail cut scores. Details about domains of assessment and writing descriptors of performance are also presented. Despite the laborious work required to create a scoring rubric, we found the effort to be worthwhile for our program.

The use of change theory to facilitate the consolidation of two diverse Bachelors of Science in Nursing programs.

PubMed

Pawl, Jean D; Anderson, Lori S

Consolidation of resources, programs, and even universities are measures that university systems consider for economic reasons. The transformation and restructuring of two diverse nursing programs utilized an organizational change tool to guide the consolidation efforts. Insights on how to use an organizational change model and lessons learned are shared for higher education units that may face consolidation. The ADKAR Change Management Model, one of many organizational change resources, was advantageous in consolidating two diverse nursing programs when two universities were mandated to become one. Change is inevitable yet when faced with transition and transformation, thoughtful and strong, committed leaders who portray open transparent communication are an absolute requirement for sustained change. To guide the process, the ADKAR Change Management Model is an insightful and worthwhile resource. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reflections: Volunteering at Home.

PubMed

Hu, Amanda

2016-08-01

Many young people look forward to volunteering abroad and overlook the ample volunteer opportunities at home. There are several advantages to volunteering at home: you help people in your own community; you can make a long-term commitment; and you have continuity of care for your patients. There are >1200 free clinics in the United States whose main goal is to provide care to the indigent population. These free clinics are always looking for volunteers with specialized medical training. This article reviews the medically related and unrelated volunteer opportunities available in the United States. Volunteering at home is a worthwhile experience, and I encourage the otolaryngology community to explore these opportunities. © American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2016.

Planning for Action Research: Looking at Practice through a Different Lens

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hahn, Heidi A.

2012-08-03

It has been my experience that behavioral science practitioners, including myself, often 'back into' action research. That is, we start out doing a process improvement or intervention and discover something along the way - generalizable knowledge - that seems worthwhile to share with our community of practice. What if, instead of looking at these projects from the point of view of practitioners, we looked at them as research from the outset? Would that change the outcome or generate additional knowledge? This paper compares and contrasts process improvement and action research methods, and illustrates how use of a research 'lens' canmore » enhance behavioral science interventions and the knowledge that may result from them.« less

Democratic Population Decisions Result in Robust Policy-Gradient Learning: A Parametric Study with GPU Simulations

PubMed Central

Richmond, Paul; Buesing, Lars; Giugliano, Michele; Vasilaki, Eleni

2011-01-01

High performance computing on the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is an emerging field driven by the promise of high computational power at a low cost. However, GPU programming is a non-trivial task and moreover architectural limitations raise the question of whether investing effort in this direction may be worthwhile. In this work, we use GPU programming to simulate a two-layer network of Integrate-and-Fire neurons with varying degrees of recurrent connectivity and investigate its ability to learn a simplified navigation task using a policy-gradient learning rule stemming from Reinforcement Learning. The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we want to support the use of GPUs in the field of Computational Neuroscience. Second, using GPU computing power, we investigate the conditions under which the said architecture and learning rule demonstrate best performance. Our work indicates that networks featuring strong Mexican-Hat-shaped recurrent connections in the top layer, where decision making is governed by the formation of a stable activity bump in the neural population (a “non-democratic” mechanism), achieve mediocre learning results at best. In absence of recurrent connections, where all neurons “vote” independently (“democratic”) for a decision via population vector readout, the task is generally learned better and more robustly. Our study would have been extremely difficult on a desktop computer without the use of GPU programming. We present the routines developed for this purpose and show that a speed improvement of 5x up to 42x is provided versus optimised Python code. The higher speed is achieved when we exploit the parallelism of the GPU in the search of learning parameters. This suggests that efficient GPU programming can significantly reduce the time needed for simulating networks of spiking neurons, particularly when multiple parameter configurations are investigated. PMID:21572529

Immunomodulatory effect of morphine: therapeutic implications.

PubMed

Dinda, Amit; Gitman, Michael; Singhal, Pravin C

2005-07-01

The immunosuppressive as well as modulatory effects of morphine have been known in clinical medicine for > 100 years. Recent developments in molecular immunology, including experiments in mu (mu) opioid receptor knockout mice has led to a better understanding of central and peripheral mechanisms involved in this process. Though there is a large volume of literature documenting adverse effects of immunosupression following the use of morphine, several reports confirm its potential usefulness as an immunomodulator. In vitro and in vivo animal experiments have demonstrated wide-spectrum effects of morphine, including anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, antitumour, cardioprotective and renoprotective. Immunomodulation is an important field in modern medicine with rapid advancement in recent years. Though a final statement regarding the clinical relevance of morphine-induced immunomodulation cannot be made at this juncture, nevertheless, it is worthwhile to review current developments. It may encourage further clinical studies to elucidate the influence of morphine treatment on immune regulation in different specialties of medicine.

The Quake Catcher Network: Cyberinfrastructure Bringing Seismology into Schools and Homes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lawrence, J. F.; Cochran, E. S.

2007-12-01

We propose to implement a high density, low cost strong-motion network for rapid response and early warning by placing sensors in schools, homes, and offices. The Quake Catcher Network (QCN) will employ existing networked laptops and desktops to form the world's largest high-density, distributed computing seismic network. Costs for this network will be minimal because the QCN will use 1) strong motion sensors (accelerometers) already internal to many laptops and 2) nearly identical low-cost universal serial bus (USB) accelerometers for use with desktops. The Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing (BOINC!) provides a free, proven paradigm for involving the public in large-scale computational research projects. As evidenced by the SETI@home program and others, individuals are especially willing to donate their unused computing power to projects that they deem relevant, worthwhile, and educational. The client- and server-side software will rapidly monitor incoming seismic signals, detect the magnitudes and locations of significant earthquakes, and may even provide early warnings to other computers and users before they can feel the earthquake. The software will provide the client-user with a screen-saver displaying seismic data recorded on their laptop, recently detected earthquakes, and general information about earthquakes and the geosciences. Furthermore, this project will install USB sensors in K-12 classrooms as an educational tool for teaching science. Through a variety of interactive experiments students will learn about earthquakes and the hazards earthquakes pose. For example, students can learn how the vibrations of an earthquake decrease with distance by jumping up and down at increasing distances from the sensor and plotting the decreased amplitude of the seismic signal measured on their computer. We hope to include an audio component so that students can hear and better understand the difference between low and high frequency seismic signals. The QCN will provide a natural way to engage students and the public in earthquake detection and research.

Aura phenomena during syncope.

PubMed

Benke, T; Hochleitner, M; Bauer, G

1997-01-01

We studied the frequency and clinical characteristics of aura phenomena in 60 patients with cardiac and 40 subjects with vasovagal syncopes. The majority (93%) of all syncope patients recalled having experienced an aura. Aura phenomena were similar in both groups and were mostly compound auras comprising epigastric, vertiginous, visual, or somatosensory experiences, but were more detailed in the noncardiac group. The localizing significance of auras preceding a syncope was generally poor. Although hard to distinguish from epileptic auras from their structure and shape, syncope-related auras lacked symptoms that are commonly reported after epileptic seizures such as tastes, smells, déjà vu phenomena, scenic visual perceptions, and speech impairments. A detailed anamnestic exploration of auras seems worthwhile in unexplained disorders of consciousness.

[The reaction to viewing slides on tropical medicine. Evaluation study].

PubMed

Gateff, C; Merouze, F; Gaud, R; Bourrel, P

1985-01-01

A series of slides on health priorities in Africa was shown to an audience of 123 people, of which 19 were not medical specialists. The authors of this experiment wanted to verify that the objectives set by the producers were met. The study, conducted in the form of a questionnaire, asked the people questioned to give their opinion on the objectives, the kind of public aimed at, the standard of the various subjects covered and the usefulness and cost-efficiency ratio of the type of audio-visual equipment used. Although the analysis of collected data reveals certain discrepancies as to the professional status of those questioned, the vast majority of participants considered this documentary support to be extremely worthwhile.

A Survey on Sentiment Classification in Face Recognition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Jingyu

2018-01-01

Face recognition has been an important topic for both industry and academia for a long time. K-means clustering, autoencoder, and convolutional neural network, each representing a design idea for face recognition method, are three popular algorithms to deal with face recognition problems. It is worthwhile to summarize and compare these three different algorithms. This paper will focus on one specific face recognition problem-sentiment classification from images. Three different algorithms for sentiment classification problems will be summarized, including k-means clustering, autoencoder, and convolutional neural network. An experiment with the application of these algorithms on a specific dataset of human faces will be conducted to illustrate how these algorithms are applied and their accuracy. Finally, the three algorithms are compared based on the accuracy result.

Using discrepant events in science demonstrations to promote student engagement in scientific investigations: An action research study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mancuso, Vincent J.

Students' scientific investigations have been identified in national standards and related reform documents as a critical component of students' learning experiences in school, yet it is not easy to implement them in science classrooms. Could science demonstrations help science teachers put this recommendation into practice? While demonstrations are a common practice in the science classroom and research has documented some positive effects in terms of student motivation and engagement from their use, the literature also shows that, as traditionally presented, science demonstrations do not always achieve their intended outcomes. This, in turn, suggested the value of investigating what design elements of demonstrations could be used to promote specific instructional goals. Employing action research as a methodology, the proposed study was developed to explore how science demonstrations can be designed so as to most effectively promote student engagement in scientific investigations. More specifically, I was interested in examining the effects of using a discrepant event as part of the demonstration, as a way to create cognitive conflict and, thus, increase interest and engagement. I also investigated the relative merit of the well-researched POE (Predict, Observe, Explain) design versus employing demonstrations that appear to the student to be unplanned (what I will refer to as NOE, or a Naturally Occurring Experience). This study was informed by Constructivism, Situated Cognition and Conceptual Change as theoretical frameworks. The project included the design, implementation and study of an intervention consisting of three instructional units designed to support students' learning of the concepts of density, molecular arrangement of gas particles, and cohesion, respectively. In each of these units, lasting a total of two 80-minute class periods, students were asked to design and conduct an investigation to gain a better understanding of the concept under study. In one case, though, the investigation was preceded by a discrepant event demonstration using POE, in another case the investigation was preceded by an NOE discrepant event demonstration, and in the third case the student investigation was preceded by an interactive lecture (Lecture/Inquiry, or LA) instead of a demonstration. The intervention took place in Fall 2009 in three sections of the same middle school science course I taught. Data from these experiences were collected and analyzed to evaluate the impact of each unit on (a) students' interest in learning more about the scientific phenomenon under study; and (b) how students designed, conducted and interpreted their own investigation to explain the event. These findings were further compared across experiences to identify similarities and differences connected with the three design approaches utilized --- i.e., inquiry following a discrepant event demonstration using POE, an NOE discrepant event demonstration, or an interactive lecture. Data sources included: audiotapes of each lesson, students' written work, teacher's written reflections, observer's field notes, audiotapes of a final class reflection and semi-structured student interviews. Qualitative analysis was employed to analyze the data with the goal of revealing emerging themes addressing each research question. Findings from this study show that discrepant event demonstrations can indeed generate student interest and inform worthwhile student-led science investigations without requiring great time commitment. Furthermore, each lesson design used (POE, NOE, L/I) offered distinct benefits in the classroom, influencing student engagement and learning outcomes in valuable and distinct ways. This, in turn, suggests that science teachers should choose specific design elements when planning to use demonstrations to achieve specific objectives.

A Physics Exploratory Experiment on Plasma Liner Formation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thio, Y. C. Francis; Knapp, Charles E.; Kirkpatrick, Ronald C.; Siemon, Richard E.; Turchi, Peter

2002-01-01

Momentum flux for imploding a target plasma in magnetized target fusion (MTF) may be delivered by an array of plasma guns launching plasma jets that would merge to form an imploding plasma shell (liner). In this paper, we examine what would be a worthwhile experiment to do in order to explore the dynamics of merging plasma jets to form a plasma liner as a first step in establishing an experimental database for plasma-jets driven magnetized target fusion (PJETS-MTF). Using past experience in fusion energy research as a model, we envisage a four-phase program to advance the art of PJETS-MTF to fusion breakeven Q is approximately 1). The experiment (PLX (Plasma Liner Physics Exploratory Experiment)) described in this paper serves as Phase I of this four-phase program. The logic underlying the selection of the experimental parameters is presented. The experiment consists of using twelve plasma guns arranged in a circle, launching plasma jets towards the center of a vacuum chamber. The velocity of the plasma jets chosen is 200 km/s, and each jet is to carry a mass of 0.2 mg - 0.4 mg. A candidate plasma accelerator for launching these jets consists of a coaxial plasma gun of the Marshall type.

Space Traveler Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Instructor, 1981

1981-01-01

Describes the winners of the Space Traveler Project, a contest jointly sponsored by Rockwell International, NASA, and this magazine to identify worthwhile elementary science programs relating to the Space Shuttle. (SJL)

Twenty-five years of the international Bled course for teachers of family medicine in Europe: Glancing back and looking forward.

PubMed

Klemenc-Ketis, Zalika; Svab, Igor; Petek-Ster, Marija; Bulc, Mateja; Buchanan, Josephine; Finnegan, Henry; Correia de Sousa, Jaime; Yaphe, John

2016-12-01

The international Bled course for teacher training has played a central role in faculty development in family medicine for the past 25 years. The course was originally designed to promote faculty development for family medicine teachers in the new academic discipline of family medicine in Slovenia in 1990 and to introduce new topics into the family medicine curriculum. In this background paper, we perform a SCOT analysis (strengths, challenges, opportunities, and threats) of the current course, evaluating participant feedback and reviewing past topics and their impact on local and international teaching programmes. We also review the place of the course in the context of other teacher-training programmes in family medicine in Europe. We found that the structure and learning aims of the Bled course have remained stable over 25 years. It provides a safe, well-structured learning environment for the participants even though the course topic is different every year. The course has had a significant impact on curriculum development and teacher training in Slovenia as well as in many other countries in Europe and beyond. Because of the positive impact of the course and the high degree of satisfaction of the participants and course directors, it seems worthwhile to continue this endeavour. New directions for the course will depend on the learning needs of the participants and the evolving medical curricula in the countries they represent.

How the medical practice employee can get more from continuing education programs.

PubMed

Hills, Laura Sachs

2007-01-01

Continuing education can be a win-win situation for the medical practice employee and for the practice. However, in order education programs must become informed consumers of such programs. They must know how to select the right educational programs for their needs and maximize their own participation. Employees who attend continuing education programs without preparation may not get the full benefit from their experiences. This article suggests benchmarks to help determine whether a continuing education program is worthwhile and offers advice for calculating the actual cost of any continuing education program. It provides a how-to checklist for medical practice employees so they know how to get the most out of their continuing education experience before, during, and after the program. This article also suggests using a study partner system to double educational efforts among employees and offers 10 practical tips for taking and using notes at a continuing education program. Finally, this article outlines the benefits of becoming a regular student and offers three practical tips for maximizing the employee's exhibit hall experience.

Pursuit of psychological well-being (ikigai) and the evolution of self-understanding in the context of caregiving in Japan.

PubMed

Yamamoto-Mitani, Noriko; Wallhagen, Margaret I

2002-12-01

Using the Japanese concept of ikigai, which describes a certain state of psychological well-being, this study explores how Japanese family caregivers of elderly parents with dementia pursue, maintain, or attempt to regain their psychological well-being in the face of the hardship of caregiving. Using constant comparative methodology, twenty-six Japanese women who were caring for an elderly demented parent or parent-in-law were interviewed. Based on the analysis of interview data, we define ikigai as certain life experiences and/or the positive emotion felt through those experiences that allow the caregiver to judge her life as good and meaningful, and to feel that it is worthwhile to continue living. Caregivers use various different means to pursue their ikigai depending on the context of care. The types of their pursuit of ikigai are examined in varying contexts of caregiving. Because the data suggest that ikigai experience influences how the caregivers' self-understanding changes over time, the notion of ikigai is further explored in relation to the construct of self-understanding.

Involving Undergraduates and K-14 Teachers in Research: Measuring and Modeling Crustal Deformation in Southern California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fryxell, J. E.; Hams, J.; Barley, M.; Hobart, K.; Ramirez, J.; McGill, S.; Lyzenga, G.

2003-12-01

With funding from the NSF OEDG, we initiated a project to: (1) involve undergraduate students and K-14 teachers to research in geology, and (2) use GPS to monitor deformation across the plate boundary zone in southern California, and to model partitioning on specific faults that account for that deformation in the upper crust. Starting in July 2002, we collected campaign-style GPS data twice a year from 13 sites along a line across the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults near CSUSB. Our field crews have included 43 students and teachers in our three campaigns to date. These include 30 undergraduate and 3 graduate students, 1 middle school and 8 high school teachers, and 1 community college professor. We are also modeling site velocities from the SCEC Crustal Deformation Velocity Map. Our preliminary results are presented in session ED14 at this meeting. Our most recent campaign (June 2003) was expanded to include workshops. As before, the field crews got one day of hands-on training in setup and operation of the geodetic-quality receivers and antennae. In addition, we held a one-day workshop before the campaign on the active tectonics of southern California, elastic rebound theory, and the scientific goals of the project. After the campaign another one-day workshop was held to plot GPS position results from previous campaigns for a station crew members had occupied during the campaign, and to estimate a velocity for that station. Participants also tried modeling SCEC site velocity data from a transect across the San Andreas, San Jacinto and Elsinore faults. Four of the co-authors on this abstract were campaign participants, and have continued to work with faculty on processing our data and on modeling SCEC data. Students (geology and other majors) felt that participation in the campaign stimulated their interest in geology, and that their participation was a worthwhile experience. Most students are interested in participating in upcoming campaigns, and would recommend the program to other students. The ethnicities of the students include: African American (including Jamaican-American) 3; Hispanic 11; Native American 1; Pacific Islander 1; Asian 1; White 16. Over half of the teachers felt that their participation in the project would very much help them to inspire students to become interested in the Earth Sciences, and all said they would recommend this program to other teachers. All of the teachers felt that their participation was a worthwhile experience, and most would like to participate again. The ethnicities of the teachers include: African American 1; Hispanic 1; Asian 1; White 7. These teachers come from schools in which 20-90% of the students are from ethnic groups that are under-represented in the geosciences. The GPS campaigns and workshops successfully involved students and teachers in active research. Almost all of the participants had a positive experience. One-dimensional modeling of geodetic data from transects across the plate boundary allows students to see how well a particular model fits the data, thus providing a good introduction to the modeling process. One student is learning to use Simplex to conduct further modeling. Another student is using Auto-GIPSY to process our GPS data. The K-14 teacher involvement is forging closer ties with their schools and their students, which we anticipate will help unveil geology as a potential career.

Environmental metabolomics with data science for investigating ecosystem homeostasis.

PubMed

Kikuchi, Jun; Ito, Kengo; Date, Yasuhiro

2018-02-01

A natural ecosystem can be viewed as the interconnections between complex metabolic reactions and environments. Humans, a part of these ecosystems, and their activities strongly affect the environments. To account for human effects within ecosystems, understanding what benefits humans receive by facilitating the maintenance of environmental homeostasis is important. This review describes recent applications of several NMR approaches to the evaluation of environmental homeostasis by metabolic profiling and data science. The basic NMR strategy used to evaluate homeostasis using big data collection is similar to that used in human health studies. Sophisticated metabolomic approaches (metabolic profiling) are widely reported in the literature. Further challenges include the analysis of complex macromolecular structures, and of the compositions and interactions of plant biomass, soil humic substances, and aqueous particulate organic matter. To support the study of these topics, we also discuss sample preparation techniques and solid-state NMR approaches. Because NMR approaches can produce a number of data with high reproducibility and inter-institution compatibility, further analysis of such data using machine learning approaches is often worthwhile. We also describe methods for data pretreatment in solid-state NMR and for environmental feature extraction from heterogeneously-measured spectroscopic data by machine learning approaches. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Learning About Bird Species on the Primary Level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Randler, Christoph

2009-04-01

Animal species identification is often emphasized as a basic prerequisite for an understanding of ecology because ecological interactions are based on interactions between species at least as it is taught on the school level. Therefore, training identification skills or using identification books seems a worthwhile task in biology education, and should already start on the primary level. On the primary level, however, complex interactions could not be taught but pupils are often interested in basic knowledge about species. We developed a hands-on, group-based and self-determined learning phase organized in workstations. About 138 pupils (2nd-4th graders) participated in this study. The two groups received an identification treatment with six different bird species. These were presented either as soft toys or as taxidermy specimen. Both groups scored similar prior and after the treatment (posttest 1) and with a delay of 6-8 weeks (posttest 2). More complex general linear modeling revealed a significant influence of prior knowledge, treatment and of grade (2nd, 3rd or 4th grade) on the first posttest while in the retention test gender differences emerged. We suggest that soft toys may be of equal value for teaching species identification on the primary level compared to natural taxidermic specimen, especially when considering pricing, insensitivity to handling, and contamination with agents used for preservation.

Linear Mathematical Model for Seam Tracking with an Arc Sensor in P-GMAW Processes

PubMed Central

Liu, Wenji; Li, Liangyu; Hong, Ying; Yue, Jianfeng

2017-01-01

Arc sensors have been used in seam tracking and widely studied since the 80s and commercial arc sensing products for T and V shaped grooves have been developed. However, it is difficult to use these arc sensors in narrow gap welding because the arc stability and sensing accuracy are not satisfactory. Pulse gas melting arc welding (P-GMAW) has been successfully applied in narrow gap welding and all position welding processes, so it is worthwhile to research P-GMAW arc sensing technology. In this paper, we derived a linear mathematical P-GMAW model for arc sensing, and the assumptions for the model are verified through experiments and finite element methods. Finally, the linear characteristics of the mathematical model were investigated. In torch height changing experiments, uphill experiments, and groove angle changing experiments the P-GMAW arc signals all satisfied the linear rules. In addition, the faster the welding speed, the higher the arc signal sensitivities; the smaller the groove angle, the greater the arc sensitivities. The arc signal variation rate needs to be modified according to the welding power, groove angles, and weaving or rotate speed. PMID:28335425

Linear Mathematical Model for Seam Tracking with an Arc Sensor in P-GMAW Processes.

PubMed

Liu, Wenji; Li, Liangyu; Hong, Ying; Yue, Jianfeng

2017-03-14

Arc sensors have been used in seam tracking and widely studied since the 80s and commercial arc sensing products for T and V shaped grooves have been developed. However, it is difficult to use these arc sensors in narrow gap welding because the arc stability and sensing accuracy are not satisfactory. Pulse gas melting arc welding (P-GMAW) has been successfully applied in narrow gap welding and all position welding processes, so it is worthwhile to research P-GMAW arc sensing technology. In this paper, we derived a linear mathematical P-GMAW model for arc sensing, and the assumptions for the model are verified through experiments and finite element methods. Finally, the linear characteristics of the mathematical model were investigated. In torch height changing experiments, uphill experiments, and groove angle changing experiments the P-GMAW arc signals all satisfied the linear rules. In addition, the faster the welding speed, the higher the arc signal sensitivities; the smaller the groove angle, the greater the arc sensitivities. The arc signal variation rate needs to be modified according to the welding power, groove angles, and weaving or rotate speed.

The patient experience of high technology medical imaging: a systematic review of the qualitative evidence.

PubMed

Munn, Zachary; Jordan, Zoe

When presenting to an imaging department, the person who is to be imaged is often in a vulnerable state, and out of their comfort zone. It is the role of the medical imaging technician to produce a high quality image and facilitate patient care throughout the imaging process. Qualitative research is necessary to better inform the medical imaging technician and to help them to understand the experience of the person being imaged. Some issues that have been identified in the literature include fear, claustrophobia, dehumanisation, and an uncomfortable or unusual experience. There is now a small but worthwhile qualitative literature base focusing on the patient experience in high technology imaging. There is no current qualitative synthesis of the literature on the patient experience in high technology imaging. It is therefore timely and worthwhile to produce a systematic review to identify and summarise the existent literature exploring the patient experience of high technology imaging. To identify the patient experience of high technology medical imaging. Studies that were of a qualitative design that explored the phenomenon of interest, the patient experience of high technology medical imaging. Participants included anyone who had undergone one of these procedures. The search strategy aimed to find both published and unpublished studies, and was conducted over a period from June - September 2010. No time limits were imposed on this search strategy. A three-step search strategy was utilised in this review. All studies that met the criteria were selected for retrieval. They were then assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological validity prior to inclusion in the review using standardised critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument. Data was extracted from papers included in the review using the standardised data extraction tool from the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument. Research findings were pooled using the Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument. Following the search and critical appraisal processes, 15 studies were identified that were deemed of suitable quality to be included in the review. From these 15 studies, 127 findings were extracted, forming 33 categories and 11 synthesised findings. These synthesised findings related to the patient experience, the emotions they felt (whether negative or positive), the need for support and information, and highlighted the importance of imaging to the patient. The synthesised findings in this review highlight the diverse, unique and challenging ways in which people experience imaging with MRI and CT scanners. All health professionals involved in imaging need to be aware of the different ways each patient may experience imaging, and provide them with ongoing support and information. The implications for practice are derived directly from the results of the meta-synthesis, and each of the 11 synthesised findings. There is still scope for further high methodological qualitative studies to be conducted in this field, particularly in the field of nuclear medicine imaging and Positron Emission Tomography. Further studies may be conducted in certain patient groups, and in certain age ranges. No studies were found assessing the experience of children undergoing high technology imaging.

Evidence and experience with onabotulinumtoxinA in chronic migraine: Recommendations for daily clinical practice.

PubMed

Gago-Veiga, A B; Santos-Lasaosa, S; Cuadrado, M L; Guerrero, Á L; Irimia, P; Láinez, J M; Leira, R; Pascual, J; Sanchez Del Río, M; Viguera, J; Pozo-Rosich, P

2017-11-20

OnabotulinumtoxinA has been demonstrated to be effective as a preventive treatment in patients with chronic migraine (CM). Five years after the approval of onabotulinumtoxinA in Spain, the Headache Study Group of the Spanish Society of Neurology considered it worthwhile to gather a group of experts in treating patients with CM in order to draw up, based on current evidence and our own experience, a series of guidelines aimed at facilitating the use of the drug in daily clinical practice. For this purpose, we posed 12 questions that we ask ourselves as doctors, and which we are also asked by our patients. Each author responded to one question, and the document was then reviewed by everyone. We hope that this review will constitute a practical tool to help neurologists treating patients with CM. Copyright © 2017 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

The value of Web-based library services at Cedars-Sinai Health System.

PubMed

Halub, L P

1999-07-01

Cedars-Sinai Medical Library/Information Center has maintained Web-based services since 1995 on the Cedars-Sinai Health System network. In that time, the librarians have found the provision of Web-based services to be a very worthwhile endeavor. Library users value the services that they access from their desktops because the services save time. They also appreciate being able to access services at their convenience, without restriction by the library's hours of operation. The library values its Web site because it brings increased visibility within the health system, and it enables library staff to expand services when budget restrictions have forced reduced hours of operation. In creating and maintaining the information center Web site, the librarians have learned the following lessons: consider the design carefully; offer what services you can, but weigh the advantages of providing the services against the time required to maintain them; make the content as accessible as possible; promote your Web site; and make friends in other departments, especially information services.

Snapshots of mathematics teacher noticing during task design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choy, Ban Heng

2016-09-01

Designing a mathematically worthwhile task is critical for promoting students' reasoning. To improve task design skills, teachers often engage in collaborative lesson planning activities such as lesson study. However, to learn from the process of lesson study, it is important for teachers to notice productively the concepts, students' confusion and the design of the task. But what researchers mean by productive noticing varies. In this article, I present the FOCUS Framework which highlights two characteristics of productive noticing: having an explicit focus for noticing and focusing noticing through pedagogical reasoning. Using these two characteristics, I develop snapshots of noticing as a representation of practice to present a fine-grained analysis of teacher noticing. Through vignettes of teachers discussing the design of a task to teach fractions, I illustrate how two teachers' noticing can be analysed and represented using snapshots of noticing. To conclude, I highlight what snapshots of noticing tell us about a teacher's noticing and suggest ways to use these snapshots in future studies of noticing.

The value of Web-based library services at Cedars-Sinai Health System.

PubMed Central

Halub, L P

1999-01-01

Cedars-Sinai Medical Library/Information Center has maintained Web-based services since 1995 on the Cedars-Sinai Health System network. In that time, the librarians have found the provision of Web-based services to be a very worthwhile endeavor. Library users value the services that they access from their desktops because the services save time. They also appreciate being able to access services at their convenience, without restriction by the library's hours of operation. The library values its Web site because it brings increased visibility within the health system, and it enables library staff to expand services when budget restrictions have forced reduced hours of operation. In creating and maintaining the information center Web site, the librarians have learned the following lessons: consider the design carefully; offer what services you can, but weigh the advantages of providing the services against the time required to maintain them; make the content as accessible as possible; promote your Web site; and make friends in other departments, especially information services. PMID:10427423

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic heart failure: two muscle diseases?

PubMed

Troosters, Thierry; Gosselink, Rik; Decramer, Marc

2004-01-01

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure are two increasingly prevalent chronic diseases. Although care for these patients often is provided by different clinical teams, both disease conditions have much in common. In recent decades, more knowledge about the systemic impact of both diseases has become available, highlighting remarkable similarities in terms of prognostic factors and disease management. Rehabilitation programs deal with the systemic consequences of both diseases. Although clinical research also is conducted by various researchers investigating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic heart failure, it is worthwhile to compare the progress in relation to these two diseases over recent decades. Such comparison, the purpose of the current review, may help clinicians and scientists to learn about progress made in different, yet related, fields. The current review focuses on the similarities observed in the clinical impact of muscle weakness, the mechanisms of muscle dysfunction, the strategies to improve muscle function, and the effects of exercise training on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic heart failure.

Report of the Plasma Physics and Environmental Perturbation Laboratory (PPEPL) working groups. Volume 1: Plasma probes, wakes, and sheaths working group

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

It is shown in this report that comprehensive in-situ study of all aspects of the entire zone disturbance caused by a body in a flowing plasma resulted in a large number if requirements on the shuttle-PPEPL facility. A large amount of necessary in-situ observation can be obtained by adopting appropriate modes of performing the experiments. Requirements are indicated for worthwhile studies, of some aspects of the problems, which can be carried out effectively while imposing relatively few constraints on the early missions. Considerations for the desired growth and improvement of the PPEPL to facilitate more complete studies in later missions are also discussed. For Vol. 2, see N74-28170; for Vol# 3, see N74-28171.

A guide for digitising manuscript climate data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brönnimann, S.; Annis, J.; Dann, W.; Ewen, T.; Grant, A. N.; Griesser, T.; Krähenmann, S.; Mohr, C.; Scherer, M.; Vogler, C.

2006-10-01

Hand-written or printed manuscript data are an important source for paleo-climatological studies, but bringing them into a suitable format can be a time consuming adventure with uncertain success. Before digitising such data (e.g., in the context a specific research project), it is worthwhile spending a few thoughts on the characteristics of the data, the scientific requirements with respect to quality and coverage, the metadata, and technical aspects such as reproduction techniques, digitising techniques, and quality control strategies. Here we briefly discuss the most important considerations according to our own experience and describe different methods for digitising numeric or text data (optical character recognition, speech recognition, and key entry). We present a tentative guide that is intended to help others compiling the necessary information and making the right decisions.

A guide for digitising manuscript climate data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brönnimann, S.; Annis, J.; Dann, W.; Ewen, T.; Grant, A. N.; Griesser, T.; Krähenmann, S.; Mohr, C.; Scherer, M.; Vogler, C.

2006-05-01

Hand-written or printed manuscript data are an important source for paleo-climatological studies, but bringing them into a suitable format can be a time consuming adventure with uncertain success. Before starting the digitising work, it is worthwhile spending a few thoughts on the characteristics of the data, the scientific requirements with respect to quality and coverage, and on the different digitising techniques. Here we briefly discuss the most important considerations and report our own experience. We describe different methods for digitising numeric or text data, i.e., optical character recognition (OCR), speech recognition, and key entry. Each technique has its advantages and disadvantages that may become important for certain applications. It is therefore crucial to thoroughly investigate beforehand the characteristics of the manuscript data, define the quality targets and develop validation strategies.

An audit of hysterectomies in young women at the Queen Victoria Hospital, 1984-1994.

PubMed

Hanson, J; Khong, T Y

1996-11-01

A retrospective audit of hysterectomies in young women (age 30 years and under) was conducted. Forty-one hysterectomies, representing 4% of all hysterectomies at the hospital, were performed in women of this age group. The main clinical indications were abnormal uterine bleeding (44%), pelvic pain (20%) and endometriosis (15%). None were performed for invasive malignant conditions. Most women had some prior therapy for their symptoms. Thirty-seven of the operations were total abdominal hysterectomies and 4 women had a unilateral oophorectomy. Complications were found in 17 women. Causal pathology, though not always what was predicted clinically or on the basis of operative findings, was identified. Further studies would be worthwhile to document the experience from other institutions and to provide long-term follow-up.

A cross-sectional survey of calcium intake in relation to knowledge of osteoporosis and beliefs in young adult women.

PubMed

Chang, Shu-Fang

2006-02-01

This investigation found that young adult women (n = 265) were very likely (80.6%) to have accurate knowledge about osteoporosis but also typically had a low calcium intake (454 mg/day). The women in this study believed that they were at risk of osteoporosis but felt that prevention was difficult. Meanwhile, they held the opinion that osteoporosis is not serious and that taking preventative measures would not be worthwhile. The factors that most strongly affected the intake of calcium by women were, in order, knowledge, number of children, self-rated health score, Body Mass Index, graduation from high school, experience of bone density examination and family history. These seven items accounted for 31.8% of the variation in calcium intake.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Medicines

MedlinePlus

... If My Kidneys Fail? Clinical Trials Managing Chronic Kidney Disease If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), ... hard, but it’s worthwhile. Ten ways to manage kidney disease Control your blood pressure Meet your blood ...

Identification of successful ridesharing strategies.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1989-01-01

Ridesharing offers a relatively low-cost solution to the problems associated with high commuting costs, traffic congestion, unmet parking demands, energy shortages, and excessive air pollutants. Accordingly, it is worthwhile to develop a list of stra...

Changes in the personal dignity of nursing home residents: a longitudinal qualitative interview study.

PubMed

Oosterveld-Vlug, Mariska G; Pasman, H Roeline W; van Gennip, Isis E; Willems, Dick L; Onwuteaka-Philipsen, Bregje D

2013-01-01

Most nursing home residents spend the remainder of their life, until death, within a nursing home. As preserving dignity is an important aim of the care given here, insight into the way residents experience their dignity throughout their entire admission period is valuable. To investigate if and how nursing home residents' personal dignity changes over the course of time, and what contributes to this. A longitudinal qualitative study. Multiple in-depth interviews, with an interval of six months, were carried out with 22 purposively sampled nursing home residents of the general medical wards of four nursing homes in The Netherlands. Transcripts were analyzed following the principles of thematic analysis. From admission onwards, some residents experienced an improved sense of dignity, while others experienced a downward trend, a fluctuating one or no change at all. Two mechanisms were especially important for a nursing home resident to maintain or regain personal dignity: the feeling that one is in control of his life and the feeling that one is regarded as a worthwhile person. The acquirement of both feelings could be supported by 1) finding a way to cope with one's situation; 2) getting acquainted with the new living structures in the nursing home and therefore feeling more at ease; 3) physical improvement (with or without an electric wheelchair); 4) being socially involved with nursing home staff, other residents and relatives; and 5) being amongst disabled others and therefore less prone to exposures of disrespect from the outer world. Although the direction in which a resident's personal dignity develops is also dependent on one's character and coping capacities, nursing home staff can contribute to dignity by creating optimal conditions to help a nursing home resident recover feelings of control and of being regarded as a worthwhile person.

Using Remote Sensing Technology, Web Casts, and Participation in a Valuable Research Project to Jazz Teachers and Excite Students About Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benko, T. M.; Czajkowski, K. P.; Struble, J.; Zhao, L.

2002-12-01

Scientific education of primary and secondary school children has become a topic of concern in Ohio and throughout the United States. So with that in mind, how do you get students excited about learning science? One route is to inform and jazz teachers about current technology! The University of Toledo has hosted three one-week, NASA and OhioView sponsored professional development institutes entitled, Observing Earth from Space, for teachers from grades K-12 during July 2000, 2001, and 2002. Sixty-seven teachers from the Upper Midwest and Kansas with Earth Science, Social Studies, and Physics backgrounds attended. Each participant acquired new ideas, plenty of educational materials, and posters of satellite imagery. The teachers received basic training in remote sensing, global positioning systems, digital elevation models, and weather observing techniques and learned about useful remote sensing applications. This instruction was conducted through: 1) presentations given by research scientists, 2) integration of the learned content into authentic, hands-on lesson plans, and 3) participation in a learning adventure, where their students collected real-time earth science data at their respective schools while university research scientists gathered corresponding satellite imagery. The students observations were submitted via a simple Web interface: www.remotesensing.utoledo.edu. One of the very exciting platforms used to communicate with the teachers and students throughout the school year were live Web Casts sponsored by NASA Glenn Research Center. The students data have successfully assisted in the validation of cloud/snow remote sensing algorithms, and next year the students observations will include various surface temperature readings. The participation in a cutting-edge technology workshop and in an important global climate change research project, applicable in the classroom, has added another worthwhile dimension to the learning process and career awareness for both the teachers and their students.

Why simulation can be efficient: on the preconditions of efficient learning in complex technology based practices.

PubMed

Hofmann, Bjørn

2009-07-23

It is important to demonstrate learning outcomes of simulation in technology based practices, such as in advanced health care. Although many studies show skills improvement and self-reported change to practice, there are few studies demonstrating patient outcome and societal efficiency. The objective of the study is to investigate if and why simulation can be effective and efficient in a hi-tech health care setting. This is important in order to decide whether and how to design simulation scenarios and outcome studies. Core theoretical insights in Science and Technology Studies (STS) are applied to analyze the field of simulation in hi-tech health care education. In particular, a process-oriented framework where technology is characterized by its devices, methods and its organizational setting is applied. The analysis shows how advanced simulation can address core characteristics of technology beyond the knowledge of technology's functions. Simulation's ability to address skilful device handling as well as purposive aspects of technology provides a potential for effective and efficient learning. However, as technology is also constituted by organizational aspects, such as technology status, disease status, and resource constraints, the success of simulation depends on whether these aspects can be integrated in the simulation setting as well. This represents a challenge for future development of simulation and for demonstrating its effectiveness and efficiency. Assessing the outcome of simulation in education in hi-tech health care settings is worthwhile if core characteristics of medical technology are addressed. This challenges the traditional technical versus non-technical divide in simulation, as organizational aspects appear to be part of technology's core characteristics.

Communicating risks and benefits about ethically controversial topics: the case of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.

PubMed

Longstaff, Holly; McDonald, Michael; Bailey, Jennifer

2013-08-01

Many are supportive of approaches that incorporate lay citizens into policy making and risk management decisions. However, a great deal of learning must first take place about how citizen engagement for controversial topics is best accomplished. Online risk communication efforts are increasing in popularity but there is little empirical evidence accrued to demonstrate the effectiveness of such methods. The intention of our overall study is to create a powerful method for in-depth two-way communication with the public and expert communities about complex and sensitive issues at the heart of stem cell (SC) research. The fundamental objective is to raise awareness of SC science with lay citizens by fostering more holistic or "all things considered" ethical judgments. Our risk communication study demonstrates that lay citizens are both interested in, and capable of learning about, complex scientific issues provided the right tools are used to convey information and assess understanding. Our results show that it is worth the time and effort for SC researchers to continue posting podcasts and FAQ's about their work for non-expert communities to view. In addition, despite having increased our participants' risk perceptions about induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell research, almost all were very supportive of this type of research in Canada by the end of the survey. In other words, participants understood that this research did in fact pose some risks and learned a great deal about both the risks and benefits of iPS cell research, and still thought this research was worthwhile to pursue.

Validation of electronic medical record-based phenotyping algorithms: results and lessons learned from the eMERGE network.

PubMed

Newton, Katherine M; Peissig, Peggy L; Kho, Abel Ngo; Bielinski, Suzette J; Berg, Richard L; Choudhary, Vidhu; Basford, Melissa; Chute, Christopher G; Kullo, Iftikhar J; Li, Rongling; Pacheco, Jennifer A; Rasmussen, Luke V; Spangler, Leslie; Denny, Joshua C

2013-06-01

Genetic studies require precise phenotype definitions, but electronic medical record (EMR) phenotype data are recorded inconsistently and in a variety of formats. To present lessons learned about validation of EMR-based phenotypes from the Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) studies. The eMERGE network created and validated 13 EMR-derived phenotype algorithms. Network sites are Group Health, Marshfield Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University. By validating EMR-derived phenotypes we learned that: (1) multisite validation improves phenotype algorithm accuracy; (2) targets for validation should be carefully considered and defined; (3) specifying time frames for review of variables eases validation time and improves accuracy; (4) using repeated measures requires defining the relevant time period and specifying the most meaningful value to be studied; (5) patient movement in and out of the health plan (transience) can result in incomplete or fragmented data; (6) the review scope should be defined carefully; (7) particular care is required in combining EMR and research data; (8) medication data can be assessed using claims, medications dispensed, or medications prescribed; (9) algorithm development and validation work best as an iterative process; and (10) validation by content experts or structured chart review can provide accurate results. Despite the diverse structure of the five EMRs of the eMERGE sites, we developed, validated, and successfully deployed 13 electronic phenotype algorithms. Validation is a worthwhile process that not only measures phenotype performance but also strengthens phenotype algorithm definitions and enhances their inter-institutional sharing.

First general methods toward aldehyde enolphosphates.

PubMed

Barthes, Nicolas; Grison, Claude

2012-02-01

We herein report two innovative methods toward aldehyde enolphosphates and the first saccharidic aldehyde enolphosphates. Aldehyde enolphosphate function is worthwhile to be considered as a good phosphoenolpyruvate analogue. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Balint groups - helping trainee psychiatrists make even better use of themselves.

PubMed

McKensey, Andrew; Sullivan, Leonie

2016-02-01

The paper presents a pilot study of Balint group work to establish it as a potential training tool in psychiatry. The aim was to test whether, in the training setting, it was possible for a cohesive group to form, such that trainees could make use of a Balint group experience. Nine psychiatry trainees were offered three 90-minute Balint sessions and provided written feedback. The trainees reported unanimously that group participation was a positive and worthwhile experience. They began to feel supported by their colleagues and experienced the method as an effective way to manage stress and anxiety. They reported that they experienced doctor-patient interactions in a different way, which appeared to correspond with a greater understanding of the patient's experience. The pilot suggested that, within the public health training setting, a cohesive group could form such that trainees were able to make use of a Balint group experience. It suggested that this practice could be beneficial in managing the stresses, isolation and intense feelings of working with patients in this setting. The feedback indicated that the group helped trainees 'think differently' by fostering self-awareness and so furthered their development of psychodynamic skills. © The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2015.

Strategizing to Make Pornography Worthwhile: A Qualitative Exploration of Women's Agentic Engagement with Sexual Media.

PubMed

Chadwick, Sara B; Raisanen, Jessica C; Goldey, Katherine L; van Anders, Sari

2018-03-01

Women often expect to encounter negative, problematic content when they consume pornography, yet many women use and enjoy pornography anyway. Some research has centered content type (e.g., sexist/violent vs. nonsexist/women-focused) as a key determinant of women's pornography experiences, but this precludes the notion that women are active, engaged consumers of pornography and minimizes women's role in shaping their own experiences. In the present study, we explored how a sample of sexually diverse women in the U.S. (aged 18-64; N = 73) worked toward positive experiences with pornography via active negotiation with negative content, using a secondary analysis of focus group data on women's sexual pleasure. We found that, although women often experienced pornography as risky, many women used it anyway and actively employed strategies to increase the likelihood of having a positive experience. Women's strategies were similar across sexual identity and age groups, but the heteronormative, youth-oriented portrayals of sexuality in mainstream pornography presented unique concerns for heterosexual, queer, and older women. Results have implications for how women can be conceptualized as active, rather than passive, consumers of pornography as well as for how women's agency might influence women's arousal responses to sexually explicit stimuli in research.

Protecting Lear in a Storm.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elliott, Cynthia

2002-01-01

Presents students' responses when the author asked whether or not it was worthwhile to study King Lear. Recognizes that she could not sell Shakespeare to her students and that most of them will never read another of his plays. (SG)

The Teacher: Bright Sun or Black Hole?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haywood, Bruce

1983-01-01

Discusses the impact that the "Age of Specialization" has had upon college and public school teachers. Points out that the public tends to respect or deem worthwhile only those forms of work that demonstrate a specialized activity. (FL)

Teaching ASTRO 101 Students the Art of Scientific Argumentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schleigh, Sharon P.; Slater, Stephanie; Slater, Timothy F.

2016-01-01

Going beyond asking students to simply memorize facts about the universe, a longstanding challenge in teaching astronomy centers on successfully teaching students about the nature of science. As introductory astronomy survey courses, known widely as ASTRO 101, can sometimes be the last science course non-science majoring undergraduates take, many faculty hope to emphasize the scientific enterprise as a broad field in inquiry making valuable contributions to civilization as a whole, rather than as an isolated study of objects far from Earth. Scholars have long proposed that an understanding of the nature of science as a human endeavor requires explicit instruction. In other words, students successfully learning the facts of astronomy does not in any way ensure that students will learn anything about the nature of how astronomy is done. In a purposeful effort to improve students' understanding about the practices and discourse of astronomy, scholars working with the CAPER Center for Astronomy & Physics Education research are developing a suite of carefully designed instructional sequences—called Scientific Argumentation—focused on teaching students the differences between data and evidence, how to communicate and defend evidence-based conclusions, and how to be informed skeptics of scientific claims. Early results show students moving from naïve understandings of scientific practices to more informed understandings as well as demonstrating enhanced value for science in general as an worthwhile human endeavor with far reaching benefits.

Strong and Flexible: Developing a Three-Tiered Curriculum for the Regional Central America Field Epidemiology Training Program

PubMed Central

Traicoff, Denise A.; Suarez-Rangel, Gloria; Espinosa-Wilkins, Yescenia; Lopez, Augusto; Diaz, Anaite; Caceres, Victor

2017-01-01

Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) are recognized worldwide as an effective means to strengthen countries’ capacity in epidemiology, surveillance, and outbreak response. FETPs are field-based, with minimum classroom time and maximum time in the field, providing public health services while participants achieve competency. The Central America FETP (CAFETP) uses a three-level pyramid model: basic, intermediate, and advanced. In 2006, a multidisciplinary team used a methodical process based on adult learning practices to construct a competency-based curriculum for the CAFETP. The curriculum was designed based on the tasks related to disease surveillance and field epidemiology that public health officers would conduct at multiple levels in the system. The team used a design process that engaged subject matter experts and considered the unique perspective of each country. The designers worked backwards from the competencies to define field activities, evaluation methods, and classroom components. The 2006 pyramid curriculum has been accredited for a master’s of science in field epidemiology by the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and has been adapted by programs around the world. The team found the time and effort spent to familiarize subject matter experts with key adult learning principles was worthwhile because it provided a common framework to approach curriculum design. Early results of the redesigned curriculum indicate that the CAFETP supports consistent quality while allowing for specific country needs. PMID:28702503

Evaluation of trauma service orientation.

PubMed

Schott, Eric

2010-02-01

Orientation of residents to clinical services may be criticized as cumbersome, dull, and simplytoo much information. With the mandated resident-hour restrictions, the question arose: Do residents perceive the orientation to our trauma service as worthwhile? Residents attend a standardized orientation lecture on the first day of the rotation. Three weeks later, an eight-item, five-point Likert-scale survey is distributed to assess the residents' perceptions of the value of the orientation. Responses to each item were examined. Fifty-four (92%) of the residents completed the questionnaire between September 2005 and August 2006. Most indicated that orientation was helpful (85%), the Trauma Resuscitation DVD was informative (82%), the review of procedures was helpful (82%), and the instructor's knowledge was adequate (94%). Most (92%) disagreed with the statement that orientation should not be offered. Careful attention to orientation content and format is important to the perception that the orientation is worthwhile.

Prepare to publish.

PubMed

Price, P M

2000-01-01

"I couldn't possibly write an article." "I don't have anything worthwhile to write about." "I am not qualified to write for publication." Do any of these statements sound familiar? This article is intended to dispel these beliefs. You can write an article. You care for the most complex patients in the health care system so you do have something worthwhile to write about. Beside correct spelling and grammar there are no special skills, certificates or diplomas required for publishing. You are qualified to write for publication. The purpose of this article is to take the mystique out of the publication process. Each step of publishing an article will be explained, from idea formation to framing your first article. Practical examples and recommendations will be presented. The essential components of the APA format necessary for Dynamics: The Official Journal of the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses will be outlined and resources to assist you will be provided.

Mothering at a Distance: what incarcerated mothers value about a parenting programme.

PubMed

Rossiter, Chris; Power, Tamara; Fowler, Cathrine; Jackson, Debra; Hyslop, Deirdre; Dawson, Angela

2015-01-01

Children with incarcerated mothers experience adverse health, social and emotional circumstances, and are a particularly vulnerable group. Mothers in custody face significant challenges in parenting their children. The study aimed to identify participants' views on impact of a parenting support programme for incarcerated mothers in NSW Australia. The mixed-methods study examined 134 responses to open and closed questions on a questionnaire for programme participants. Participants found the programme worthwhile, engaging and relevant. It enhanced their parenting knowledge and confidence. Open-ended responses highlighted program elements which participants valued, specifically support for their parenting role in complicated circumstances, greater understanding of child development and perspectives, and practical strategies for facilitating connections with their children during their incarceration. The study informs nurses working with women who have experienced incarceration and their children, both in custodial and community settings.

Prioritizing Positivity: An Effective Approach to Pursuing Happiness?

PubMed Central

Catalino, Lahnna I.; Algoe, Sara B.; Fredrickson, Barbara L.

2017-01-01

A decade of research reveals the benefits of positive emotions for mental and physical health; however, recent empirical work suggests the explicit pursuit of happiness may backfire. The present study hypothesized that the pursuit of happiness is not inherently self-defeating; in particular, individuals who seek positivity, as exemplified by how they make decisions about how to organize their day-to-day lives, may be happier. This individual difference is labeled prioritizing positivity. In a community sample of young to older adults (N = 233), prioritizing positivity predicted a host of well-being outcomes (positive emotions, depressive symptomology). In addition, people high in prioritizing positivity have greater resources, and these links are explained by more frequent experiences of positive emotions. In sum, the present study suggests that seeking happiness, although a delicate art, may be a worthwhile pursuit. PMID:25401290

Use of an Online Game to Evaluate Health Professions Students' Attitudes toward People in Poverty.

PubMed

Richey Smith, Carriann E; Ryder, Priscilla; Bilodeau, Ann; Schultz, Michele

2016-10-25

Objective. To determine baseline attitudes of pharmacy, physician assistant studies, and communication science and disorders students toward people in poverty and to examine the effectiveness of using the online poverty simulation game SPENT to affect these attitudes. Methods. Students completed pre/postassessments using the validated Undergraduate Perceptions of Poverty Tracking Survey (UPPTS). Students played the online, open access, SPENT game alone and/or in pairs in a 50-minute class. Results. Significant improvements in scale scores were seen in students after playing SPENT. Quartile results by prescore indicated that students with the lowest attitudes towards patients in poverty improved the most. Results suggested that most students found the experience worthwhile for themselves and/or for their classmates. Conclusions. The results of this study suggest SPENT may improve perspectives of undergraduate pharmacy and other health professions students.

Prioritizing positivity: an effective approach to pursuing happiness?

PubMed

Catalino, Lahnna I; Algoe, Sara B; Fredrickson, Barbara L

2014-12-01

A decade of research reveals the benefits of positive emotions for mental and physical health; however, recent empirical work suggests the explicit pursuit of happiness may backfire. The present study hypothesized that the pursuit of happiness is not inherently self-defeating; in particular, individuals who seek positivity, as exemplified by how they make decisions about how to organize their day-to-day lives, may be happier. This individual difference is labeled prioritizing positivity. In a community sample of young to older adults (N = 233), prioritizing positivity predicted a host of well-being outcomes (positive emotions, depressive symptomology). In addition, people high in prioritizing positivity have greater resources, and these links are explained by more frequent experiences of positive emotions. In sum, the present study suggests that seeking happiness, although a delicate art, may be a worthwhile pursuit.

Studies in remote sensing of Southern California and related environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bowden, L. W.

1971-01-01

A summary is presented of the research activities in southern California to determine whether meaningful geographic information was obtainable by use of remote sensing in an area already well documented or if the techniques and methodology could be transferred to related environments. Several broad characteristics of the regional geography were investigated with regards to their feasibility to be studied by aircraft and spacecraft sensors to improve the inventory and understanding of resources and environmental circumstances and to serve as models for future geographic analysis of other regions when using remote sensing devices. Sample activities are described in detail and three experiments producing worthwhile results are highlighted: mapping montane vegetation with color IR imagery, analysis of urban residual environment using color IR aerial photography, and regional agricultural land use mapping tested against color IR photography.

Love Story: Oxygen in Organic Chemistry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roberts, John D.

1974-01-01

Significant discoveries and developments regarding oxygen and organic compounds are recounted to show that research in this specific area is worthwhile and relevant and to point out that research in other areas of organic chemistry deserves continued encouragement as well. (DT)

Teaching pathology in the 21st century. An experimental automated curriculum delivery system for basic pathology.

PubMed

Woods, J W; Jones, R R; Schoultz, T W; Kuenz, M; Moore, R L

1988-08-01

In late 1984, the "General Professional Education of the Physician" (GPEP) report recommended, among other things, that medical curricula be revised to rely less on lectures and more on independent study and problem solving. We seem to have anticipated, in 1980, the findings of the GPEP panel by formulating and starting to test the hypothesis that certain "core" information in medical curricula can be as effectively delivered by technology-based self-study means as by lecture or formal laboratory. We began, at that time, to prepare a series of self-study materials using, at first, videotape and then computer-controlled optical videodiscs. The content area selected for study was basic microscopic pathology. The series was planned to cover the following areas of study: cellular alterations and adaptations, cell injury, acute inflammation, chronic inflammation and wound healing, cellular accumulations, circulatory disturbances, necrosis, and neoplasia. All are intended to provide learning experiences in basic pathology. The first two programs were released for testing in 1983 as a two-sided videodisc accompanied by computer-driven pretests, study modules, and posttests that used Apple computers and Pioneer (DiscoVision) videodisc players. An MS DOS (eg, IBM) version of the computer programs was released in 1984. The first two programs are now used in 57 US, Canadian, European, and Philippine health professions schools, and over 1300 student and faculty evaluations have been received. Student and faculty evaluations of these first two programs were very positive, and, as a result, the others are in production and will be completed in 1988. Only when a critical mass of curriculum is available can we really test our stated hypothesis. In the meantime, it is worthwhile to report the evaluation of the first two programs.

International Space Station (ISS) Risk Reduction Activities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fodroci, Michael

2011-01-01

As the assembly of the ISS nears completion, it is worthwhile to step back and review some of the actions pursued by the Program in recent years to reduce risk and enhance the safety and health of ISS crewmembers, visitors, and space flight participants. While the ISS requirements and initial design were intended to provide the best practicable levels of safety, it is always possible to reduce risk -- given the determination and commitment to do so. The following is a summary of some of the steps taken by the ISS Program Manager, by our International Partners, by hardware and software designers, by operational specialists, and by safety personnel to continuously enhance the safety of the ISS. While decades of work went into developing the ISS requirements, there are many things in a Program like the ISS that can only be learned through actual operational experience. These risk reduction activities can be divided into roughly three categories: (1) Areas that were initially noncompliant which have subsequently been brought into compliance or near compliance (i.e., Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris [MMOD] protection, acoustics) (2) Areas where initial design requirements were eventually considered inadequate and were subsequently augmented (i.e., Toxicity Level 4 materials, emergency hardware and procedures) (3) Areas where risks were initially underestimated, and have subsequently been addressed through additional mitigation (i.e., Extravehicular Activity [EVA] sharp edges, plasma shock hazards) Due to the hard work and cooperation of many parties working together across the span of nearly a decade, the ISS is now a safer and healthier environment for our crew, in many cases exceeding the risk reduction targets inherent in the intent of the original design. It will provide a safe and stable platform for utilization and discovery.

Health-related quality of life before and after pediatric epilepsy surgery: the influence of seizure outcome on changes in physical functioning and social functioning.

PubMed

Titus, Jeffrey B; Lee, Amy; Kasasbeh, Aimen; Thio, Liu Lin; Stephenson, Jennifer; Steger-May, Karen; Limbrick, David D; Smyth, Matthew D

2013-06-01

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important outcome in pediatric epilepsy surgery, but there are few studies that utilize presurgical ratings to assess the effect of surgery on HRQOL. We collected parental ratings on the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy (QOLCE) questionnaire for 28 children who participated in neuropsychological assessment before and after epilepsy surgery. Our results revealed significant improvements in overall HRQOL after surgery, especially in physical and social activities. These changes were apparent despite generally unchanged intellectual and psychological functioning. Children with better seizure outcome had more improvement in HRQOL; however, improvements were not statistically different among children with Engel class I, II, and III outcomes. Our results suggest that children can experience significant improvements in HRQOL following epilepsy surgery even when neuropsychological functioning remains unchanged. Moreover, improvements in HRQOL appear evident in children who experience any worthwhile improvement in seizure control (Engel class III or better). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

On Primatology and Ethics: When Monkeys and Apes Are Informants.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

King, Barbara J.

1993-01-01

Comments to a previous article focusing on power and method in linguistic research. It is suggested that the method advocated is worthwhile, modifiable for other disciplines, and should be read and discussed by scholars from many fields. (VWL)

32 CFR 85.4 - Policy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Department of Defense OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PERSONNEL, MILITARY AND CIVILIAN HEALTH PROMOTION... promotion program. (b) Foster an environment that enhances the development of healthful lifestyles and high... distributors for worthwhile programs benefiting military personnel when no advertised cooperation between the...

Talking with Young Children about Their Dreams: How to Listen and What to Listen For.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rousso, June; Gross, Augusta

1988-01-01

Addresses aspects of talking with young children about their dreams. Explains why dreams are worthwhile topics of conversation with young children and what approaches are effective in facilitating discussion of dreams in class. (BB)

The virtue of multiculturalism: personal transformation, character, and openness to the other.

PubMed

Fowers, Blaine J; Davidov, Barbara J

2006-09-01

The social, intellectual, and moral movement known as multiculturalism has been enormously influential in psychology. Its ability to reshape psychology has been due to its ethical force, which derives from the attractiveness of its aims of inclusion, social justice, and mutual respect. The cultivation of cultural competence, presented as a developmental process of acquiring self-awareness, cultural knowledge, and skills, is an important emphasis in the multicultural literature. The authors place the cultural competence literature in dialogue with virtue ethics (a contemporary ethical theory derived from Aristotle) to develop a rich and illuminating way for psychologists to understand and embody the personal self-examination, commitment, and transformation required for learning and practicing in a culturally competent manner. According to virtue ethics, multiculturalism can be seen as the pursuit of worthwhile goals that require personal strengths or virtues, knowledge, consistent actions, proper motivation, and practical wisdom. The authors term the virtue of multiculturalism openness to the other and conclude by describing how attention to cultural matters also transforms virtue ethics in important and necessary ways. ((c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessing the Benefits of NASA Category 3, Low Cost Class C/D Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bitten, Robert E.; Shinn, Steven A.; Mahr, Eric M.

2013-01-01

Category 3, Class C/D missions have the benefit of delivering worthwhile science at minimal cost which is increasingly important in NASA's constrained budget environment. Although higher cost Category 1 and 2 missions are necessary to achieve NASA's science objectives, Category 3 missions are shown to be an effective way to provide significant science return at a low cost. Category 3 missions, however, are often reviewed the same as the more risk averse Category 1 and 2 missions. Acknowledging that reviews are not the only aspect of a total engineering effort, reviews are still a significant concern for NASA programs. This can unnecessarily increase the cost and schedule of Category 3 missions. This paper quantifies the benefit and performance of Category 3 missions by looking at the cost vs. capability relative to Category 1 and 2 missions. Lessons learned from successful organizations that develop low cost Category 3, Class C/D missions are also investigated to help provide the basis for suggestions to streamline the review of NASA Category 3 missions.

Using professional interpreters in undergraduate medical consultation skills teaching

PubMed Central

Bansal, Aarti; Swann, Jennifer; Smithson, William Henry

2014-01-01

The ability to work with interpreters is a core skill for UK medical graduates. At the University of Sheffield Medical School, this teaching was identified as a gap in the curriculum. Teaching was developed to use professional interpreters in role-play, based on evidence that professional interpreters improve health outcomes for patients with limited English proficiency. Other principles guiding the development of the teaching were an experiential learning format, integration to the core consultation skills curriculum, and sustainable delivery. The session was aligned with existing consultation skills teaching to retain the small-group experiential format and general practitioner (GP) tutor. Core curricular time was found through conversion of an existing consultation skills session. Language pairs of professional interpreters worked with each small group, with one playing patient and the other playing interpreter. These professional interpreters attended training in the scenarios so that they could learn to act as patient and family interpreter. GP tutors attended training sessions to help them facilitate the session. This enhanced the sustainability of the session by providing a cohort of tutors able to pass on their expertise to new staff through the existing shadowing process. Tutors felt that the involvement of professional interpreters improved student engagement. Student evaluation of the teaching suggests that the learning objectives were achieved. Faculty evaluation by GP tutors suggests that they perceived the teaching to be worthwhile and that the training they received had helped improve their own clinical practice in consulting through interpreters. We offer the following recommendations to others who may be interested in developing teaching on interpreted consultations within their core curriculum: 1) consider recruiting professional interpreters as a teaching resource; 2) align the teaching to existing consultation skills sessions to aid integration; and 3) invest in faculty development for successful and sustainable delivery. PMID:25473325

First Impressions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coen, Frank

1969-01-01

The unreliability of first impressions and subjective judgments is the subject of both Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" and Lionel Trilling's "Of This Time, Of That Place"; consequently, the works are worthwhile parallel studies for high school students. Austen, by means of irony and subtle characterization, dramatizes the…

48 CFR 15.603 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... research and development or other efforts supporting the Government mission, and often represent a substantial investment of time and effort by the offeror. (b) Advertising material, commercial item offers, or... Government support could be worthwhile and the proposed work could benefit the agency's research and...

Analysis of Gold Ores by Fire Assay

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blyth, Kristy M.; Phillips, David N.; van Bronswijk, Wilhelm

2004-01-01

Students of an Applied Chemistry degree course carried out a fire-assay exercise. The analysis showed that the technique was a worthwhile quantitative analytical technique and covered interesting theory including acid-base and redox chemistry and other concepts such as inquarting and cupelling.

Many Ways of Knowing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Canipe, Martha; Tolbert, Sara

2016-01-01

As institutions, science and science education alike have rarely included the perspectives and contributions of indigenous peoples pertaining to the natural world. Yet, people worldwide have benefited from the traditional ecological knowledge of indigenous communities. Western science and technology, though broadly worthwhile, have been a source…

Butter battles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edwards, Nick

2013-02-01

Your article on academia-industry collaborations ("A clean solution", January pp44-45) was extremely interesting, and I wish Durham University and Procter & Gamble every success in their challenging and worthwhile project - which, as the article described, is partly aimed at improving the formulation of biological washing powders.

Physiological Characteristics of Projected Starters and Non-Starters in the Field Positions from a Division I Women’s Soccer Team

PubMed Central

RISSO, FABRICE G.; JALILVAND, FARZAD; ORJALO, ASHLEY J.; MORENO, MATTHEW R.; DAVIS, DESHAUN L.; BIRMINGHAM-BABAUTA, SAMANTHA A.; STOKES, JOHN J.; STAGE, ALYSSA A.; LIU, TRICIA M.; GIULIANO, DOMINIC V.; LAZAR, ADRINA; LOCKIE, ROBERT G.

2017-01-01

NCAA soccer features different substitution rules compared to FIFA-sanctioned matches, with a greater availability of players who can enter the game. This could influence the physiological characteristics of the field position starters (ST) and non-starters (NST) within a collegiate women’s team, which has not been previously analyzed. Thus, 22 field players from the same Division I women’s soccer squad completed: vertical and standing broad jumps; 30-meter (m) sprint (0–5, 0–10, 0–30 m intervals); pro-agility and 60-yard shuttle; and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1. Players were defined into ST (n=10) and NST (n=12) by the coaching staff. A one-way ANOVA derived any significant (p≤0.05) between-group differences, and effect sizes were used for a magnitude-based inference analysis. Z-scores were also calculated to document worthwhile differences above or below the squad mean for the groups. The results showed no significant between-group differences for any of the performance tests. ST did have a worthwhile difference above the squad mean in the 0–10 and 0–30 m sprint intervals, while NST had a worthwhile difference below the squad mean in the 0–30 m interval. Physiological characteristics between ST and NST from the analyzed Division I squad were similar, although ST were generally faster. The similarities between ST and NST may be a function of the team’s training, in that all players may complete the same workouts. Nonetheless, if all players exhibit similar physiological capacities, with appropriate substitutions by the coach a collegiate team should be able to maintain a high work-rate throughout a match. PMID:28674601

Time loss injuries compromise team success in Elite Rugby Union: a 7-year prospective study.

PubMed

Williams, Sean; Trewartha, Grant; Kemp, Simon P T; Brooks, John H M; Fuller, Colin W; Taylor, Aileen E; Cross, Matthew J; Stokes, Keith A

2016-06-01

A negative association between injuries and team success has been demonstrated in professional football, but the nature of this association in elite Rugby Union teams is currently unclear. To assess the association between injury burden measures and team success outcomes within professional Rugby Union teams. A seven-season prospective cohort design was used to record all time-loss injuries incurred by English Premiership players. Associations between team success measures (league points tally and Eurorugby Club Ranking (ECR)) and injury measures (injury burden and injury days per team-match) were modelled, both within (changes from season to season) and between (differences averaged over all seasons) teams. Thresholds for the smallest worthwhile change in league points tally and ECR were 3 points and 2.6%, respectively. Data from a total of 1462 players within 15 Premiership teams were included in the analysis. We found clear negative associations between injury measures and team success (70-100% likelihood), with the exception of between-team differences for injury days per team-match and ECR, which was unclear. A reduction in injury burden of 42 days (90% CI 30 to 70) per 1000 player hours (22% of mean injury burden) was associated with the smallest worthwhile change in league points tally. Clear negative associations were found between injury measures and team success, and moderate reductions in injury burden may have worthwhile effects on competition outcomes for professional Rugby Union teams. These findings may be useful when communicating the value of injury prevention initiatives within this elite sport setting. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Sources of Variability in Performance Times at the World Orienteering Championships.

PubMed

Hébert-Losier, Kim; Platt, Simon; Hopkins, William G

2015-07-01

An improvement equal to 0.3 of the typical variation in an elite athlete's race-to-race performance estimates the smallest worthwhile enhancement, which has not yet been determined for orienteers. Moreover, much of the research in high-performance orienteering has focused on physical and cognitive aspects, although course characteristics might influence race performance. Analysis of race data provides insights into environmental effects and other aspects of competitive performance. Our aim was to examine such factors in relation to World Orienteering Championships performances. We used mixed linear modelling to analyze finishing times from the three qualification rounds and final round of the sprint, middle-distance, and long-distance disciplines of World Orienteering Championships from 2006 to 2013. Models accounted for race length, distance climbed, number of controls, home advantage, venue identity, round (qualification final), athlete identity, and athlete age. Within-athlete variability (coefficient of variation, mean ± SD) was lower in the final (4.9% ± 1.4%) than in the qualification (7.3% ± 2.4%) rounds and provided estimates of smallest worthwhile enhancements of 1.0%-3.5%. The home advantage was clear in most disciplines, with distance climbed particularly impacting sprint performances. Small to very large between-venue differences were apparent. Performance predictability expressed as intraclass correlation coefficients was extremely high within years and was high to very high between years. Age of peak performance ranged from 27 to 31 yr. Our results suggest that elite orienteers should focus on training and strategies that enhance performance by at least 1.0%-3.5% for smallest worthwhile enhancement. Moreover, as greater familiarity with the terrain likely mediated the home advantage, foreign athletes would benefit from training in nations hosting the World Orienteering Championships for familiarization.

Acceptability of Family-Centered Advanced Care Planning for Adolescents With HIV

PubMed Central

Kimmel, Allison; Wilkins, Megan L.; Rana, Sohail; Garcia, Ana; Cheng, Yao I.; Wang, Jichuan; Lyon, Maureen E.

2016-01-01

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Small pilot studies support the appropriateness of engaging adolescents with chronic or life-limiting illnesses in pediatric advance care planning (pACP). We do not yet know if pACP is acceptable, feasible, and worthwhile, even if emotionally intense, in a fully powered randomized controlled trial. METHODS: We conducted a prospective 2-arm randomized controlled trial at 6 US urban hospitals. Adolescent/family member dyads were randomized to receive the 1-session-a-week 3-session FAmily-CEntered Advance Care Planning (FACE) pACP intervention (1, ACP Survey; 2, Goals of Care Conversation/Treatment Preferences; 3, Completion of Advance Directive) or active comparator (1, Developmental History; 2, Safety Tips; 3, Nutrition/Exercise). The Satisfaction Questionnaire was administered to participants independently after each session by a blinded research assistant. RESULTS: We enrolled 53% of eligible participants and intervened with 97 adolescent/family dyads. Adolescents ranged in age from 14 to 21 years; 54% were male individuals; 93% African American; and 73% perinatally infected. Attendance was 99% for all 3 sessions in each arm. At session 3, FACE adolescents and family dyad members, respectively, found the session useful (98%, 98%) and helpful (98%, 100%), despite feelings of sadness (25%, 17%). FACE adolescents’ improvement in the total subscale A score (useful, helpful, like a load off my mind, satisfied, something I needed to do, courageous, worthwhile) was better than control adolescents at session 3 (β = 1.16, P = .02). There were no adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: FACE enabled worthwhile conversations, while simultaneously eliciting intense emotions. No participants withdrew, 99% of those enrolled completed each session, and there were no adverse events, evidence of pACP’s feasibility, acceptability, and safety. PMID:27940700

Visual analogue scales for interstitial lung disease: a prospective validation study.

PubMed

Yates, Helen; Adamali, Huzaifa I; Maskell, Nick; Barratt, Shaney; Sharp, Charles

2018-05-16

Visual analogue scales (VAS) are simple symptom assessment tools which have not been validated in interstitial lung disease (ILD). Simple measures of ILD disease burden would be valuable for non-specialist clinicians monitoring disease away from ILD specialist centres. To validate VAS to assess change in dyspnoea, cough and fatigue in ILD, and to define the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for change in these. 64 patients with ILD completed VAS for dyspnoea, cough and fatigue. Baseline King's Brief ILD questionnaire (K-BILD) scores, lung function and 6-minute walk test results were collected. Tests were repeated 3-6 months later, in addition to a 7-point Likert scale. The MCID was estimated using median change in VAS in patients who reported "small but just worthwhile change" in symptoms at follow-up. Methods were repeated in a validation cohort of 31 ILD patients to confirm findings. VAS scores were significantly higher for patients who reported a "small but just worthwhile change" in symptoms versus "no change" or "not worthwhile change" (p < 0.01). The MCID for VAS Dyspnoea was estimated as 22.0mm and 14.5mm for VAS Fatigue. These results were reproducible in the validation cohort. Results were not significant for VAS Cough. Change in VAS Dyspnoea correlated with change in K-BILD (r=-0.51, p < 0.01), forced vital capacity (r=-0.32, p = 0.01) and 6-minute walking distance (r=-0.37, p = 0.01). The VAS is valid for assessing change in dyspnoea and fatigue in ILD. The MCID is estimated as 22.0mm for dyspnoea and 14.5mm for fatigue. This could be used to monitor disease in settings away from ILD specialist review.

Integrative, Interdisciplinary Learning in Bermuda Through Video Projects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fox, R. J.; Connaughton, M.

2017-12-01

Understanding an ecosystem and how humans impact it requires a multidisciplinary perspective and immersive, experiential learning is an exceptional way to achieve understanding. In summer 2017 we took 18 students to the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) as part of a Washington College two-week, four-credit summer field course. We took a multi-disciplinary approach in choosing the curriculum. We focused on the ecology of the islands and surrounding coral reefs as well as the environmental impacts humans are having on the islands. Additionally, we included geology and both local and natural history. Our teaching was supplemented by the BIOS staff and local tour guides. The student learning was integrated and reinforced through student-led video projects. Groups of three students were tasked with creating a 5-7 minute video appropriate for a public audience. We selected video topics based upon locations we would visit in the first week and topics were randomly assigned. The project intention was for the students to critically analyze and evaluate an area of Bermuda that is a worthwhile tourist destination. Students presented why a tourist should visit a locale, the area's ecological distinctiveness and complexity, the impact humans are having, and ways tourists can foster stewardship of that locale. These projects required students to learn how to make and edit videos, collaborate with peers, communicate a narrative to the public, integrate multi-disciplinary topics for a clear, whole-system perspective, observe the environment from a critical viewpoint, and interview local experts. The students produced the videos within the two-week period, and we viewed the videos as a group on the last day. The students worked hard, were proud of their final products, and produced excellent videos. They enjoyed the process, which provided them opportunities to collaborate, show individual strengths, be creative, and work independently of the instructors.

Oxytocin and the biopsychology of performance in team sports.

PubMed

Pepping, Gert-Jan; Timmermans, Erik J

2012-01-01

Little is known about the biopsychological underpinnings of expert performance in team sports. In this paper we show that there is a vast support for oxytocin as a neuropeptide involved in the encouragement of important processes linked to greater team performance in sport. We argue that oxytocin is related to biopsychological processes aimed at convergence of emotions and moods between people, and in doing so it is a critical neuropeptide involved in the shaping of important team processes in sport such as trust, generosity, altruism, cohesion, cooperation, and social motivation, and also envy and gloating. Future research should examine the role of oxytocin in these essential components of sport performance. In particular, the link between oxytocin, emotional contagion and the cultivation of experiences of positive emotions is a worthwhile line of investigation for sport participation and development as well as high performance in sport.

Oxytocin and the Biopsychology of Performance in Team Sports

PubMed Central

Pepping, Gert-Jan; Timmermans, Erik J.

2012-01-01

Little is known about the biopsychological underpinnings of expert performance in team sports. In this paper we show that there is a vast support for oxytocin as a neuropeptide involved in the encouragement of important processes linked to greater team performance in sport. We argue that oxytocin is related to biopsychological processes aimed at convergence of emotions and moods between people, and in doing so it is a critical neuropeptide involved in the shaping of important team processes in sport such as trust, generosity, altruism, cohesion, cooperation, and social motivation, and also envy and gloating. Future research should examine the role of oxytocin in these essential components of sport performance. In particular, the link between oxytocin, emotional contagion and the cultivation of experiences of positive emotions is a worthwhile line of investigation for sport participation and development as well as high performance in sport. PMID:22997498

Specimen preparation for NanoSIMS analysis of biological materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grovenor, C. R. M.; Smart, K. E.; Kilburn, M. R.; Shore, B.; Dilworth, J. R.; Martin, B.; Hawes, C.; Rickaby, R. E. M.

2006-07-01

In order to achieve reliable and reproducible analysis of biological materials by SIMS, it is critical both that the chosen specimen preparation method does not modify substantially the in vivo chemistry that is the focus of the study and that any chemical information obtained can be calibrated accurately by selection of appropriate standards. In Oxford, we have been working with our new Cameca NanoSIMS50 on two very distinct classes of biological materials; the first where the sample preparation problems are relatively undemanding - human hair - but calibration for trace metal analysis is a critical issue and, the second, marine coccoliths and hyperaccumulator plants where reliable specimen preparation by rapid freezing and controlled drying to preserve the distribution of diffusible species is the first and most demanding requirement, but worthwhile experiments on tracking key elements can still be undertaken even when it is clear that some redistribution of the most diffusible ions has occurred.

Job experiences of personal assistants employed in a consumer-directed personal assistance services programs.

PubMed

Clark, Mary J; Hagglund, Kristofer J; Stout, Brian J

2004-01-01

The demand for personal assistants for persons with disabilities is outpacing the supply. The objective of this pilot project was to describe the training and supervision needs of personal assistants, the nature of the assistant-consumer relationship, and the job satisfaction associated with being employed as a personal assistant. Telephone interviews were conducted with 24 personal assistants. All of the participants reported being competent and well trained in their work and 79% of the participants reported being very satisfied with their work as a personal assistant. All also reported they had an opportunity to accomplish something worthwhile in their jobs. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with their relationship with their employers and with their jobs in general, despite dissatisfaction with low wages. Further research is needed to identify strategies for increasing the supply of personal assistants, who are pivotal to helping consumers maintain their independence.

Approach to Learning of Sub-Degree Students in Hong Kong

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chan, Yiu Man; Chan, Christine Mei Sheung

2010-01-01

The learning approaches and learning experiences of 404 sub-degree students were assessed by using a Study Process Questionnaire and a Learning Experience Questionnaire. While the learning approaches in this study meant whether students used a deep learning or surface learning approach, the learning experiences referred to students' perceptions…

Worthwhile Work? Childcare, Feminist Ethics and Cooperative Research Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andrew, Yarrow; Corr, Lara; Lent, Connie; O'Brien, Maeve; Osgood, Jayne; Boyd, Margaret

2018-01-01

Interdisciplinary research collaborations are often encouraged within higher education while the practicalities of such collaborations are glossed over. This project specifically addresses the praxis of research collaborations, exploring how feminist academics within different countries and disciplines came together to explore their mutual concern…

Of What Use Are the Humanities?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoffman, Robert

1982-01-01

The criteria of practical benefit and objectivity applied to the humanities cannot keep them from their rightful place alongside mathematics and sciences as a worthwhile endeavor. These criteria are misleading. The humanities forge a sense of beauty, compassion, honor, humor, and shape love, friendship, and enmity. (MSE)

Education for Development: A Worthwhile Investment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Agnew, David; Fincham, Kathleen

2004-01-01

People live in an increasingly interdependent world with fluid borders. With advances in transportation and communications technologies, increased migration, and the profound influence of global business and international organizations, all parts of the planet are linked in a complex web of relationships, including economic, political, social and…

Implementation of emergency department transfer communication measures in Minnesota critical access hospitals.

PubMed

Klingner, Jill; Moscovice, Ira; Casey, Michelle; McEllistrem Evenson, Alex

2015-01-01

Previously published findings based on field tests indicated that emergency department patient transfer communication measures are feasible and worthwhile to implement in rural hospitals. This study aims to expand those findings by focusing on the wide-scale implementation of these measures in the 79 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in Minnesota from 2011 to 2013. Information was obtained from interviews with key informants involved in implementing the emergency department patient transfer communication measures in Minnesota as part of required statewide quality reporting. The first set of interviews targeted state-level organizations regarding their experiences working with providers. A second set of interviews targeted quality and administrative staff from CAHs regarding their experiences implementing measures. Implementing the measures in Minnesota CAHs proved to be successful in a number of respects, but informants also faced new challenges. Our recommendations, addressed to those seeking to successfully implement these measures in other states, take these challenges into account. Field-testing new quality measure implementations with volunteers may not be indicative of a full-scale implementation that requires facilities to participate. The implementation team's composition, communication efforts, prior relationships with facilities and providers, and experience with data collection and abstraction tools are critical factors in successfully implementing required reporting of quality measures on a wide scale. © 2014 National Rural Health Association.

Other ways of measuring `Big G'

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rothleitner, Christian

2016-03-01

In 1798, the British scientist Henry Cavendish performed the first laboratory experiment to determine the gravitational force between two massive bodies. From his result, Newton's gravitational constant, G, was calculated. Cavendish's measurement principle was the torsion balance invented by John Michell some 15 years before. During the following two centuries, more than 300 new measurements followed. Although technology - and physics - developed rapidly during this time, surprisingly, most experiments were still based on the same principle. In fact, the most accurate determination of G to date is a measurement based on the torsion balance principle. Despite the fact that G was one of the first fundamental physical constants ever measured, and despite the huge number of experiments performed on it to this day, its CODATA recommended value still has the highest standard measurement uncertainty when compared to other fundamental physical constants. Even more serious is the fact that even measurements based on the same principle often do not overlap within their attributed standard uncertainties. It must be assumed that various experiments are subject to one or more unknown biases. In this talk I will present some alternative experimental setups to the torsion balance which have been performed or proposed to measure G. Although their estimated uncertainties are often higher than most torsion balance experiments, revisiting such ideas is worthwhile. Advances in technology could offer solutions to problems which were previously insurmountable, these solutions could result in lower measurement uncertainties. New measurement principles could also help to uncover hidden systematic effects.

Keeping Track of Our Treasures: Managing Historical Data with Relational Database Software.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gutmann, Myron P.; And Others

1989-01-01

Describes the way a relational database management system manages a large historical data collection project. Shows that such databases are practical to construct. States that the programing tasks involved are not for beginners, but the rewards of having data organized are worthwhile. (GG)

Critical Data and Rhetorical Theory (Commentary).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacAloon, John J.

1989-01-01

Argues that, in terms of demography of attention, broadcast economics, the excitation of wide public commentary, and First and Third World media dependency issues, American Olympic television is a worthwhile object of scrutiny for mass communication researchers. Appraises two studies by Thomas Farrell and Eric Rothenbuhler (same issue). (SR)

Business Advisory Committee for Vocational Special Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Irving Independent School District, TX.

This packet contains materials about and by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) for Vocational Special Education of the Irving Independent School District (IISD), Texas. It discusses benefits to the business sector, both corporately and individually: introduction of management to an untapped resource, employee involvement in worthwhile programs,…

The New Human Condition and Climate Change: Humanities and Social Science Perceptions of Threat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holm, Poul; Travis, Charles

2017-09-01

Thinking, no doubt, plays an enormous role in every scientific enterprise, but it is the role of a means to an end; the end is determined by a decision about what is worth-while knowing and this decision cannot be scientific.

Eye Exam: Is a Laser Retina Scan Worthwhile?

MedlinePlus

Healthy Lifestyle Adult health Is a laser retina scan necessary? My eye care provider offers the test, but I'm not sure if I need it. Answers from Alaina ... Softing Hataye, O.D. For most people, a laser retina scan isn't necessary. If you choose ...

Factors Contributing to Volunteer Practitioner-Faculty Vitality.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beck, Diane E.; And Others

1993-01-01

The first stage of a longitudinal study of volunteer pharmacy practitioner-faculty (n=835) investigated motivations to serve as clerkship preceptors. Results indicated that, although the volunteers felt it was worthwhile to participate and were motivated primarily by "internal satisfaction," they were neutral about whether they felt appropriately…

An evaluation of lithographed forest stereograms.

Treesearch

David A. Bernstein

1961-01-01

Aerial photo stereograms are valuable for showing neophyte photo interpreters the stereoscopic appearance of common objects and conditions. They are also useful for instruction in measuring heights, horizontal distances, and angles on photos. Collections of stereograms of known conditions are worthwhile reference material for interpretation work in unknown areas.

Considerations in Change Management Related to Technology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luo, John S.; Hilty, Donald M.; Worley, Linda L.; Yager, Joel

2006-01-01

Objective: The authors describe the complexity of social processes for implementing technological change. Once a new technology is available, information about its availability and benefits must be made available to the community of users, with opportunities to try the innovations and find them worthwhile, despite organizational resistances.…

What Is Learned when Concept Learning Fails?--A Theory of Restricted-Domain Relational Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wright, Anthony A.; Lickteig, Mark T.

2010-01-01

Two matching-to-sample (MTS) and four same/different (S/D) experiments employed tests to distinguish between item-specific learning and relational learning. One MTS experiment showed item-specific learning when concept learning failed (i.e., no novel-stimulus transfer). Another MTS experiment showed item-specific learning when pigeons'…

Team-building through sailing: effects on health status, job satisfaction and work performance of health care professionals involved in organ and tissue donation.

PubMed

Ponzin, Diego; Fasolo, Adriano; Vidale, Enrico; Pozzi, Annalaura; Bottignolo, Elisa; Calabrò, Francesco; Rupolo, Giampietro

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a team-building learning project on job satisfaction, psychological wellbeing, and performance of health care workers involved in the process of organ and tissue donation. The project was conducted between June and September 2011 and consisted of two one-day meetings and a one week sailing, involving 20 staff members. GHQ-12, MBI-HSS, and 25 items taken from the Multidimensional Organizational Health Questionnaire (MOHQ) were used to assess health status, burnout, and job satisfaction. Results of the descriptive analyses were expressed as mean ± SD and as counts and percentages; Chi-square test was used to evaluate statistical significance of differences before and after the initiative. 6 (30,0%) participants showed the likelihood to suffering from anxiety and depression (i.e. recognized as 'cases' by the GHQ-12), 3 (15.0%) of them at baseline and 3 (15.0%), different from the previous ones, in the post-intervention. The presence of stress was revealed in 9 (45.0%) and 12 subjects (60.0%) before and after the experience, respectively (6 subjects showed the presence of stress in both circumstances). We documented 4 burnout cases, 3 (15.0%) at baseline and 1 (5.0%) after the experience. Nevertheless, about 80% of the participants showed a high degree ofjob satisfaction, in terms of positive influence of job in the professional satisfaction and of clear satisfaction for the organization, during both evaluation. In respect to 2010, the number of organ donors and that of ocular tissue donors improved of about 16% and 10%, respectively, during the year of the project and in the following year (mean value). We recognize that our team-building project for personnel involved in the stressful and demanding setting of organ and tissue donation, worthwhile and recompensing at the same time, possibly influenced the personal commitment and the quality of job provided. The high level of stress showed by participants should be appropriately targeted in order to prevent burnout.

The challenges of interventions to promote healthier food in independent takeaways in England: qualitative study of intervention deliverers' views.

PubMed

Goffe, Louis; Penn, Linda; Adams, Jean; Araujo-Soares, Vera; Summerbell, Carolyn D; Abraham, Charles; White, Martin; Adamson, Ashley; Lake, Amelia A

2018-01-27

Much of the food available from takeaways, pubs and restaurants particularly that sold by independent outlets, is unhealthy and its consumption is increasing. These food outlets are therefore important potential targets for interventions to improve diet and thus prevent diet related chronic diseases. Local authorities in England have been charged with delivering interventions to increase the provision of healthy food choices in independent outlets, but prior research shows that few such interventions have been rigorously developed or evaluated. We aimed to learn from the experiences of professionals delivering interventions in independent food outlets in England to identify the operational challenges and their suggestions for best practice. We used one-to-one semi-structured qualitative interviews to explore the views and experiences of professionals who were either employees of, or contracted by, a local authority to deliver interventions to increase the provision of healthier food choices in independent food outlets. Purposive sampling was used to recruit a sample which included men and women, from a range of professional roles, across different areas of England. Interviews were informed by a topic guide, and proceeded until no new themes emerged. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the Framework method. We conducted 11 individual interviews. Participants focussed on independent takeaways and their unhealthy food offerings, and highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of intervention delivery methods, their evaluation and impact. The main barriers to implementation of interventions in independent takeaways were identified as limited funding and the difficulties of engaging the food outlet owner/manager. Engagement was thought to be facilitated by delivering intensive, interactive and tailored interventions, clear and specific information, and incentives, whilst accounting for practical, primarily financial, constraints of food businesses. Alternative intervention approaches, targeting suppliers or customers, were suggested. Participants emphasised independent takeaways as particularly challenging, but worthwhile intervention targets. Participants perceived that interventions need to take account of the potentially challenging operating environment, particularly the primacy of the profit motive. Upstream interventions, engaging suppliers, as well as those that drive consumer demand, may be worth exploring. Rigorous, evidence-informed development and evaluation of such interventions is needed.

Changes in the Personal Dignity of Nursing Home Residents: A Longitudinal Qualitative Interview Study

PubMed Central

Oosterveld-Vlug, Mariska G.; Pasman, H. Roeline W.; van Gennip, Isis E.; Willems, Dick L.; Onwuteaka-Philipsen, Bregje D.

2013-01-01

Background Most nursing home residents spend the remainder of their life, until death, within a nursing home. As preserving dignity is an important aim of the care given here, insight into the way residents experience their dignity throughout their entire admission period is valuable. Aim To investigate if and how nursing home residents’ personal dignity changes over the course of time, and what contributes to this. Design A longitudinal qualitative study. Methods Multiple in-depth interviews, with an interval of six months, were carried out with 22 purposively sampled nursing home residents of the general medical wards of four nursing homes in The Netherlands. Transcripts were analyzed following the principles of thematic analysis. Results From admission onwards, some residents experienced an improved sense of dignity, while others experienced a downward trend, a fluctuating one or no change at all. Two mechanisms were especially important for a nursing home resident to maintain or regain personal dignity: the feeling that one is in control of his life and the feeling that one is regarded as a worthwhile person. The acquirement of both feelings could be supported by 1) finding a way to cope with one’s situation; 2) getting acquainted with the new living structures in the nursing home and therefore feeling more at ease; 3) physical improvement (with or without an electric wheelchair); 4) being socially involved with nursing home staff, other residents and relatives; and 5) being amongst disabled others and therefore less prone to exposures of disrespect from the outer world. Conclusion Although the direction in which a resident’s personal dignity develops is also dependent on one’s character and coping capacities, nursing home staff can contribute to dignity by creating optimal conditions to help a nursing home resident recover feelings of control and of being regarded as a worthwhile person. PMID:24069235

Learning to make things happen: Infants' observational learning of social and physical causal events.

PubMed

Waismeyer, Anna; Meltzoff, Andrew N

2017-10-01

Infants learn about cause and effect through hands-on experience; however, they also can learn about causality simply from observation. Such observational causal learning is a central mechanism by which infants learn from and about other people. Across three experiments, we tested infants' observational causal learning of both social and physical causal events. Experiment 1 assessed infants' learning of a physical event in the absence of visible spatial contact between the causes and effects. Experiment 2 developed a novel paradigm to assess whether infants could learn about a social causal event from third-party observation of a social interaction between two people. Experiment 3 compared learning of physical and social events when the outcomes occurred probabilistically (happening some, but not all, of the time). Infants demonstrated significant learning in all three experiments, although learning about probabilistic cause-effect relations was most difficult. These findings about infant observational causal learning have implications for children's rapid nonverbal learning about people, things, and their causal relations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

In real time: exploring nursing students' learning during an international experience.

PubMed

Afriyie Asenso, Barbara; Reimer-Kirkham, Sheryl; Astle, Barbara

2013-10-11

Abstract Nursing education has increasingly turned to international learning experiences to educate students who are globally minded and aware of social injustices in local and global communities. To date, research with international learning experiences has focused on the benefits for the students participating, after they have completed the international experience. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how nursing students learn during the international experience. The sample consisted of eight nursing students who enrolled in an international learning experience, and data were collected in "real time" in Zambia. The students were observed during learning activities and were interviewed three times. Three major themes emerged from the thematic analysis: expectations shaped students' learning, engagement facilitated learning, and critical reflection enhanced learning. Implications are discussed, related to disrupting media representations of Africa that shape students' expectations, and educational strategies for transformative learning and global citizenship.

Evaluating Assessment Using N-Dimensional Filtering.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dron, Jon; Boyne, Chris; Mitchell, Richard

This paper describes the use of the CoFIND (Collaborative Filter in N Dimensions) system to evaluate two assessment styles. CoFIND is a resource database that organizes itself around its users' needs. Learners enter resources, categorize, then rate them using "qualities," aspects of resources which learners find worthwhile, the n…

Self-Esteem and Narcissism: Implications for Practice. ERIC Digest.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Katz, Lilian G.

While the development of children's self-esteem is a worthwhile goal in early education, many practices designed to reach this goal may instead be encouraging narcissism. Such practices include those that direct children's attention to their own inner gratifications, or encourage children to believe their specialness is dependent on trivial…

Socratic Self-Examination and Its Application to Academic Advising

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kuhtmann, Marlene S.

2005-01-01

Nussbaum (1998) proposed that Socratic activity is a worthwhile pursuit with regard to academic advising relationships. While it offers the promise of certain benefits, such as the development of critical thinking skills, Socratic activity arguably cannot be universally applied to all advising relationships. In presenting and analyzing issues…

Loggers' Views on Training After Attending a Three-Day Educational Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reeb, James E.

1996-01-01

Surveyed 120 loggers who attended a 3-day educational program on first aid and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation, forest ecology and silviculture, woods safety, and small business management. Results indicate that the training was worthwhile to the participants and they would be willing to attend additional training. (JRH)

A durability test of wood posts in Hawaii...third progress report

Treesearch

Roger G. Skolmen

1971-01-01

Round posts of 10 Hawaii-grown wood species were treated with copper chromate-copper arsenate by the double-diffusion process. These and untreated posts were exposed for 10 years. Except with two coniferous species, the treatment did not lengthen service life enough to be judged worthwhile.

The Importance of Instrumentality Beliefs in the Prediction of Organizational Citizenship Behavior.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Levy, Paul E.; Haworth, Chera L.

2001-01-01

Using expectancy theory, analysis of data from 113 subjects found that perceptions of procedural justice and the performance appraisal system in organizations interact with organizational citizenship behavior. Those who believe that organizaitonal citizenship behaviors are worthwhile, influenced by direct and indirect rewards, will do more of…

Paul Goodman, Anarchism, and Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vaughan, William

Goodman's notoriety as a romantic critic has tended to overshadow the positive and constructive dimensions to be found in his libertarian vision of a worthwhile world. Attention should focus on those constructive elements in Goodman's social thought which provide a dynamic framework for human association, i.e., the libertarian community. The…

Hand's Academy Challenge: Some Starter Questions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gardner, Peter

2014-01-01

Michael Hand has recently challenged certain religious organisations that run Academies in the United Kingdom to devise and pursue their own faith-based curricula in their schools. In this short article I examine some of the problems Hand's challenge might encounter, including whether religious conceptions of worthwhile activities and of human…

Encouraging Reluctant Writers in the Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tyler, Barbara

Certain settings and activities can be initiated in the classroom to encourage reluctant writers to write. The classroom environment should be structured so that writing efforts produce positive reinforcement. Sharing ideas with peers or the teacher prior to writing will enable students to feel that their ideas are worthwhile. Children can be…

The Elementary Institute of Science 1964-1970

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watts, Thomas H.

1970-01-01

Describes an elementary science institute intended to provide children with scientific training in such a way that science becomes a worthwhile and significant pursuit. The institute is financed by local donations, is staffed mostly by parents, and serves approximately 70 children four days a week after school and on Saturday. (BR)

Overseas Teachers and Assistants--Making Their Stay Worthwhile.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, James; Sarre, Winifred

1993-01-01

Presents general comments outlining the major features of the needs of teachers and assistants from overseas and discusses in-school needs and roles of such teachers and assistants separately. These comments touch on salary, social networks, family support, accommodation, general induction, the position of the native-speaking teacher, important…

"The False Witness": Artistic Research on Stage

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simhoni, Orit

2008-01-01

Sharing research findings with others is a fundamental concern of researchers. Qualitative research results may be disseminated in conventional (e.g., scholarly text or presentation) or innovative (e.g., art, drama, or poetry) forms. Given that researchers should select the best form of presentation of their work, it is worthwhile to explore…

Math in Action. Number-Sense Fun: Solving Riddles, Making Change.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bresser, Rusty; Sheffield, Stephanie; Burns, Marilyn, Ed.

1997-01-01

Presents two activities for teaching elementary level mathematics by immersing students in worthwhile literature (the Hello Math Reader series) while introducing them to real-life mathematics. The primary level activity teaches students to use number relationships to solve math riddles. The intermediate level activity has students explore…

A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestral Profession

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Corkhill, David

2005-01-01

Through interviews with ten conservatoire students and ten professional orchestral musicians teaching at conservatoires, this paper seeks to establish whether young people regard the orchestral music profession as a worthwhile ambition. If so, are teachers preparing students sufficiently for their careers and passing on the benefits of their…

The Communication Audit: A Framework for Teaching Management Communication.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shelby, Annette N.; Reinsch, N. Lamar, Jr.

1996-01-01

Describes a communication audit project used in a graduate-level management communication course. Reviews literature concerning communication audits, explains why and how an audit project is used in the author's classes, and describes specific audit-related assignments. Concludes that, although a challenging assignment, the audit is worthwhile.…

The American Slave Narrative: Dramatic Resource Material for the Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Polsky, Milton E.

Examples from American slave narratives offer demonstrative evidence that slave biographies and autobiographies deal with the worthwhile theme of the denial of and struggle for freedom and contain exciting adventure plots consisting of mystery, romance, risk-taking and disguises. Characters striving for freedom exhibit positive traits such as…

Public vs. Private: Time for an Honest Discussion That Could Benefit All Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DeBlois, Robert

1997-01-01

Notes there are many worthwhile educational programs serving a cross-section of students featuring elements of both public and private sectors. Reform initiatives recognize that schools need to form real partnerships with local businesses, community-based organizations, universities, and other organizations. Maintains that although Education…

On Endogenous Competitive Business Cycles

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-01-01

Equilibria Part II. Properties of Bequest Equilibria" by Debraj Ray and Douglas Bernheim. Reports in this Series . • . ■ 1J20. "On the Existence...or equivalently by the map W. It ray be worthwhile to end up this section with a simple graphical illustration of the backward dynamics associated to

Phenomenology and Physical Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stolz, Steven A.

2013-01-01

Physical education is often justified within the curriculum as academic study, as a worthwhile activity on a par with other academic subjects on offer and easy to assess. Part of the problem has been that movement studies in physical education are looked upon as disembodied and disconnected from its central concerns which are associated with…

Alcohol Dispenser Training in Amherst Massachusetts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riccelli, Carlene

1986-01-01

Reviews efforts of the Alcohol Dispenser Training program in Amherst, Massachusetts over a five-year period. Evaluations indicate that participants agree that training is worthwhile, that they are more aware of the effects of alcohol on their patrons, and that they have better knowledge of appropriate strategies for preventing intoxication of…

Using NSSE to Assess and Improve Undergraduate Education: Lessons from the Field

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Survey of Student Engagement, 2009

2009-01-01

Assessment is a worthwhile undertaking when meaningful data are generated, evidence-based improvement initiatives are thoroughly considered and discussed, and results are ultimately used to improve educational effectiveness. National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) results are oriented toward such practical use. Each year, more campuses use…

Reading Aloud: A Worthwhile Investment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lesesne, Teri S.

2006-01-01

Reading aloud is often considered an elementary classroom activity, but think again. Lesesne offers research and classroom evidence that confirm reading aloud as a valid strategy for all ages of students. She also includes annotated lists of professional books that provide rationales and suggestions for teachers, as well as books, recent and…

Building Evidence for Music Education Advocacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shorner-Johnson, Kevin

2013-01-01

The economic challenges facing public schools and music education are immense. In this context, music teachers and supporters will need to engage in persuasive advocacy to protect resource allocations to music programs. It is worthwhile to consider the model of music education advocacy that allowed music to be adopted into the Boston Public…

Crazy-Proofing High School Sports

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tufte, John E.

2012-01-01

"Crazy-Proofing High School Sports" examines the often troubling high school sports phenomenon in two parts. Part one focuses on the problems facing educators, students, and parents as they struggle to make high school sports worthwhile. Few if any strategies for improvement in education are effective without first knowing what the real reasons…

Is Shared Leadership Right for Your School District?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Poff, Joni C.; Parks, David J.

2010-01-01

Despite the lack of evidence supporting the direct effects of shared leadership on student achievement, there is evidence that shared leadership may have very positive effects on school culture variables that, in turn, affect student achievement. These indirect effects are sufficient to make shared decision making a worthwhile school reform…

Altered neurotransmission and signal transduction: targets for nicergoline treatment.

PubMed

Winblad, B

1997-01-01

Although we do not yet have a complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, it is clear that a drug such as nicergoline, which may have both acute and longer-term effects on the disease, could offer a beneficial and worthwhile approach to treatment.

Exploring Students' Perceptions of Service-Learning Experiences in an Undergraduate Web Design Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Sang Joon; Wilder, Charlie; Yu, Chien

2018-01-01

Service-learning is an experiential learning experience where students learn and develop through active participation in community service to meet the needs of a community. This study explored student learning experiences in a service-learning group project and their perceptions of service-learning in an undergraduate web design course. The data…

Investigating the Retention and Time-Course of Phonotactic Constraint Learning From Production Experience

PubMed Central

Warker, Jill A.

2013-01-01

Adults can rapidly learn artificial phonotactic constraints such as /f/ only occurs at the beginning of syllables by producing syllables that contain those constraints. This implicit learning is then reflected in their speech errors. However, second-order constraints in which the placement of a phoneme depends on another characteristic of the syllable (e.g., if the vowel is /æ/, /f/ occurs at the beginning of syllables and /s/ occurs at the end of syllables but if the vowel is /I/, the reverse is true) require a longer learning period. Two experiments question the transience of second-order learning and whether consolidation plays a role in learning phonological dependencies. Using speech errors as a measure of learning, Experiment 1 investigated the durability of learning, and Experiment 2 investigated the time-course of learning. Experiment 1 found that learning is still present in speech errors a week later. Experiment 2 looked at whether more time in the form of a consolidation period or more experience in the form of more trials was necessary for learning to be revealed in speech errors. Both consolidation and more trials led to learning; however, consolidation provided a more substantial benefit. PMID:22686839

The Impact of an Authentic, Simulated Learning Activity on Student Preparedness for Work-Integrated Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nicola-Richmond, Kelli; Richards, Kieva; Britt, Kellie

2016-01-01

Student preparation for work-integrated learning using simulated learning experiences is an under researched field in occupational therapy. In 2013 the Deakin University occupational therapy degree introduced a simulated learning experience for students aimed at preparing them for work-integrated learning experiences. The session gave students an…

The role of nocturnal vision in mate choice: females prefer conspicuous males in the European tree frog (Hyla arborea)

PubMed Central

Gomez, Doris; Richardson, Christina; Lengagne, Thierry; Plenet, Sandrine; Joly, Pierre; Léna, Jean-Paul; Théry, Marc

2009-01-01

Nocturnal frog species rely extensively on vocalization for reproduction. But recent studies provide evidence for an important, though long overlooked, role of visual communication. In many species, calling males exhibit a conspicuous pulsing vocal sac, a signal bearing visually important dynamic components. Here, we investigate female preference for male vocal sac coloration—a question hitherto unexplored—and male colour pattern in the European tree frog (Hyla arborea). Under nocturnal conditions, we conducted two-choice experiments involving video playbacks of calling males with identical calls and showing various naturally encountered colour signals, differing in their chromatic and brightness components. We adjusted video colours to match the frogs' visual perception, a crucial aspect not considered in previous experiments. Females prefer males with a colourful sac and a pronounced flank stripe. Both signals probably enhance male conspicuousness and facilitate detection and localization by females. This study provides the first experimental evidence of a preference for specific vocal sac spectral properties in a nocturnal anuran species. Vocal sac coloration is based on carotenoids and may convey information about male quality worthwhile for females to assess. The informative content of the flank stripe remains to be demonstrated. PMID:19324736

Uncalculating cooperation is used to signal trustworthiness.

PubMed

Jordan, Jillian J; Hoffman, Moshe; Nowak, Martin A; Rand, David G

2016-07-20

Humans frequently cooperate without carefully weighing the costs and benefits. As a result, people may wind up cooperating when it is not worthwhile to do so. Why risk making costly mistakes? Here, we present experimental evidence that reputation concerns provide an answer: people cooperate in an uncalculating way to signal their trustworthiness to observers. We present two economic game experiments in which uncalculating versus calculating decision-making is operationalized by either a subject's choice of whether to reveal the precise costs of cooperating (Exp. 1) or the time a subject spends considering these costs (Exp. 2). In both experiments, we find that participants are more likely to engage in uncalculating cooperation when their decision-making process is observable to others. Furthermore, we confirm that people who engage in uncalculating cooperation are perceived as, and actually are, more trustworthy than people who cooperate in a calculating way. Taken together, these data provide the first empirical evidence, to our knowledge, that uncalculating cooperation is used to signal trustworthiness, and is not merely an efficient decision-making strategy that reduces cognitive costs. Our results thus help to explain a range of puzzling behaviors, such as extreme altruism, the use of ethical principles, and romantic love.

Uncalculating cooperation is used to signal trustworthiness

PubMed Central

Jordan, Jillian J.; Hoffman, Moshe; Nowak, Martin A.; Rand, David G.

2016-01-01

Humans frequently cooperate without carefully weighing the costs and benefits. As a result, people may wind up cooperating when it is not worthwhile to do so. Why risk making costly mistakes? Here, we present experimental evidence that reputation concerns provide an answer: people cooperate in an uncalculating way to signal their trustworthiness to observers. We present two economic game experiments in which uncalculating versus calculating decision-making is operationalized by either a subject’s choice of whether to reveal the precise costs of cooperating (Exp. 1) or the time a subject spends considering these costs (Exp. 2). In both experiments, we find that participants are more likely to engage in uncalculating cooperation when their decision-making process is observable to others. Furthermore, we confirm that people who engage in uncalculating cooperation are perceived as, and actually are, more trustworthy than people who cooperate in a calculating way. Taken together, these data provide the first empirical evidence, to our knowledge, that uncalculating cooperation is used to signal trustworthiness, and is not merely an efficient decision-making strategy that reduces cognitive costs. Our results thus help to explain a range of puzzling behaviors, such as extreme altruism, the use of ethical principles, and romantic love. PMID:27439873

Re-Imagining Learning through Art as Experience: An Aesthetic Approach to Education for Life

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grierson, Elizabeth M.

2017-01-01

This paper investigates what it may mean to re-imagine learning through aesthetic experience with reference to John Dewey's "Art as Experience" (1934). The discussion asks what learning might look like when aesthetic experience takes centre stage in the learning process. It investigates what Dewey meant by art as experience and aesthetic…

Evidence for view-invariant face recognition units in unfamiliar face learning.

PubMed

Etchells, David B; Brooks, Joseph L; Johnston, Robert A

2017-05-01

Many models of face recognition incorporate the idea of a face recognition unit (FRU), an abstracted representation formed from each experience of a face which aids recognition under novel viewing conditions. Some previous studies have failed to find evidence of this FRU representation. Here, we report three experiments which investigated this theoretical construct by modifying the face learning procedure from that in previous work. During learning, one or two views of previously unfamiliar faces were shown to participants in a serial matching task. Later, participants attempted to recognize both seen and novel views of the learned faces (recognition phase). Experiment 1 tested participants' recognition of a novel view, a day after learning. Experiment 2 was identical, but tested participants on the same day as learning. Experiment 3 repeated Experiment 1, but tested participants on a novel view that was outside the rotation of those views learned. Results revealed a significant advantage, across all experiments, for recognizing a novel view when two views had been learned compared to single view learning. The observed view invariance supports the notion that an FRU representation is established during multi-view face learning under particular learning conditions.

What Is It that Entrepreneurs Learn from Experience?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin, Frank; Smith, Ronnie

2010-01-01

The issue of whether or not entrepreneurs really learn from experience has been one of the key themes of entrepreneurship research. If they do learn from experience, what do they learn? The importance of knowledge and learning to the performance of a business has been highlighted by many authors, who emphasize the role of life cycle, learning from…

The Interrelationship between Student Learning Experience and Study Behaviour

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ning, Hoi Kwan; Downing, Kevin

2011-01-01

This study examined the interrelationship between student learning experiences and study behaviour in explaining academic achievement. The participants were 541 final year students from a university in Hong Kong. Students' learning experiences and study behaviour were measured using the Course Experience Questionnaire and the Learning and Study…

A Mastery Learning Experiment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson, Stephen A.; And Others

Yale Public Schools (Yale, Michigan) conducted a field experiment in implementing mastery learning. The purpose of the experiment was to provide a hands-on experience for teachers in the implementation of mastery learning and to use students as their own controls in order to compare the results of the implementation of mastery learning both in…

Selection as a learning experience: an exploratory study.

PubMed

de Visser, Marieke; Laan, Roland F; Engbers, Rik; Cohen-Schotanus, Janke; Fluit, Cornelia

2018-01-01

Research on selection for medical school does not explore selection as a learning experience, despite growing attention for the learning effects of assessment in general. Insight in the learning effects allows us to take advantage of selection as an inclusive part of medical students' learning process to become competent professionals. The aims of this study at Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands, were 1) to determine whether students have learning experiences in the selection process, and, if so, what experiences; and 2) to understand what students need in order to utilize the learning effects of the selection process at the start of the formal curriculum. We used focus groups to interview 30 students admitted in 2016 about their learning experiences in the selection process. Thematic analysis was used to explore the outcomes of the interviews and to define relevant themes. In the selection process, students learned about the curriculum, themselves, their relation to others, and the profession they had been selected to enter, although this was not explicitly perceived as learning. Students needed a connection between selection and the curriculum as well as feedback to be able to really use their learning experiences for their further development. Medical school selection qualifies as a learning experience, and students as well as medical schools can take advantage of this. We recommend a careful design of the selection procedure, integrating relevant selection learning experiences into the formal curriculum, providing feedback and explicitly approaching the selection and the formal curriculum as interconnected contributors to students' development.

Experience, Reflect, Critique: The End of the "Learning Cycles" Era

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seaman, Jayson

2008-01-01

According to prevailing models, experiential learning is by definition a stepwise process beginning with direct experience, followed by reflection, followed by learning. It has been argued, however, that stepwise models inadequately explain the holistic learning processes that are central to learning from experience, and that they lack scientific…

Analyzing a Service-Learning Experience Using a Social Justice Lens

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tinkler, Barri; Hannah, C. Lynne; Tinkler, Alan; Miller, Elizabeth

2014-01-01

This mixed methods study explores a service-learning experience embedded in a social foundations course in a teacher education program. The authors differentiate learning outcomes for social justice and charity service-learning, and utilize this framework to examine whether the service-learning experience fosters a social justice perspective. The…

The Influence of Experience, Ability and Interest on e-Learning Effectiveness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haverila, Matti; Barkhi, Reza

2009-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a research conducted to evaluate the effect of learning preconceptions, prior e-learning experience, ability and interest of students on their perceptions regarding the process of e-learning. We study the effectiveness of e-learning as it relates to the level of e-learning experience. The…

Sanity, Science, and Survival: A Conservation with Marvin L. Goldberger.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davidson, Mark

1985-01-01

The president of the California Institute of Technology speaks out against the arms race. He discusses worthwhile scientific-technological projects that could be pursued with money presently used for weapons. There are no technical solutions to arms control issues. The solution depends upon a change of human attitude. Education's role is…

The Bayesian Evaluation of Categorization Models: Comment on Wills and Pothos (2012)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vanpaemel, Wolf; Lee, Michael D.

2012-01-01

Wills and Pothos (2012) reviewed approaches to evaluating formal models of categorization, raising a series of worthwhile issues, challenges, and goals. Unfortunately, in discussing these issues and proposing solutions, Wills and Pothos (2012) did not consider Bayesian methods in any detail. This means not only that their review excludes a major…

The Evaluation of Forms of Assessment Using N-Dimensional Filtering

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dron, Jon; Boyne, Chris; Mitchell, Richard

2004-01-01

This paper describes the use of the CoFIND (Collaborative Filter in N Dimensions) system to evaluate two assessment styles. CoFIND is a resource database which organizes itself around its users' needs. Learners enter resources, categorize, then rate them using "qualities," aspects of resources which learners find worthwhile, the n dimensions of…

Assisting Pupils in Mathematics Achievement (The Common Core Standards)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ediger, Marlow

2011-01-01

Mathematics teachers must expect reasonably high standards of achievement from pupils. Too frequently, pupils attain at a substandard level and more optimal achievement is necessary. Thus, pupils should have self esteem needs met in the school and classroom setting. Thus, learners feel that mathematics is worthwhile and effort must be put forth to…

A Mixed Methods Study of Participant Reaction to Domestic Violence Research in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clark, Cari Jo; Shahrouri, Manal; Halasa, Louma; Khalaf, Inaam; Spencer, Rachael; Everson-Rose, Susan

2012-01-01

Research on domestic violence against women has increased considerably over the past few decades. Most participants in such studies find the exercise worthwhile and of greater benefit than emotional cost; however, systematic examination of participant reaction to research on violence is considerably lacking, especially in the Middle East region.…

Cultural practices in Appalachian hardwood sapling stands--are they worthwhile?

Treesearch

Gary W. Miller

1986-01-01

Forest managers often question the economic feasibility of cultural practices in hardwood sapling stands. Investment factors, including initial treatment cost, required rate of return, investment period, and stand response to treatment are discussed in terms of how they affect the outcome of early investments in even-aged hardwood stands. Attention is focused on...

Inquiry and Critical Thinking in an Elementary Art Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lampert, Nancy

2013-01-01

Critical thinking is thought-focused on how to solve a well-defined problem when several alternatives solutions to the problem exist. Because critical thinking may help to build tolerance toward others, the author believes it is a worthwhile subject to investigate, given that people are living in an increasingly multicultural society full of…

Contingent Fees in Medical Malpractice Litigation—A Qualitative Assessment

PubMed Central

Ottensmeyer, David J.; Smith, Howard L.; Porter, James

1983-01-01

The medical profession has experienced high liability insurance premiums accompanied by widespread use of contingent fees in medical malpractice litigation. It is worthwhile, therefore, to assess qualitatively the merits of contingent fees, the evidence suggesting that they are associated with unjustified litigation and their implications for the medical and legal professions. PMID:6636743

Johnson-O'Malley Indian Education Program Evaluation 1982-83.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oklahoma State Dept. of Education, Oklahoma City.

The 1982-1983 Oklahoma State Department of Education Johnson-O'Malley program was very worthwhile. The program successfully provided supplemental education programs to meet the special educational needs of most of the 8,559 eligible Indian students in 122 school districts with average budgets in 28 Eastern Oklahoma counties. The students…

Problem Solving by 5-6 Years Old Kindergarten Children in a Computer Programming Environment: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fessakis, G.; Gouli, E.; Mavroudi, E.

2013-01-01

Computer programming is considered an important competence for the development of higher-order thinking in addition to algorithmic problem solving skills. Its horizontal integration throughout all educational levels is considered worthwhile and attracts the attention of researchers. Towards this direction, an exploratory case study is presented…

The Project Approach Catalog 2 by the Project Approach Study Group.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Helm, Judy Harris, Ed.

Projects are in-depth studies of a topic undertaken by a class, a group, or an individual child. Projects are intended to strengthen children's dispositions to be interested, absorbed, and involved in in-depth observation, investigation, and representation of worthwhile phenomena in their own environments. This Catalog on the Project Approach, the…

Shoe Box Circuits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sandifer, Cody

2009-01-01

Students' eyes grow wide with wonder as they get a motor to work or make a bulb light for the first time. As these daunting feats of electrical engineering remind us, teaching electricity is invariably rewarding and worthwhile. In this inquiry-based science project, elementary students work in pairs to design and wire a shoe box "room" that meets…

Preventing Substance Use among High School Athletes: The ATLAS and ATHENA Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldberg, Linn; Eliot, Diane

2005-01-01

This article will provide information about two worthwhile programs that deal with education of high school athletes about use and abuse of steroids and other areas. Based on rationale and expressed need, program descriptions will be provided including summaries of relevant program results. Guidelines for what practitioners need to consider when…

Macro-Focused Social Work Dissertations: A Preliminary Look at the Numbers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fogel, Sondra J.; Ersing, Robin

2016-01-01

Dissertation research is an important indicator of practice trends and emerging issues. The social work profession relies on this scholarship to build its knowledge base thus reducing reliance on cognate fields. It is worthwhile to note how many dissertations are being completed and to review the categories being pursued in dissertation products…

Finding a larger newsletter audience. For New York Methodist, new approach is worthwhile.

PubMed

Botvin, J D

2001-01-01

New York Methodist Hospital met the challenges of intense competition in the Brooklyn, N.Y., market by switching its quarterly newsletter to an insert in the local editions of national publications. By so doing, it multiplied distribution tenfold, improved its credibility and freed up staff time for other projects.

Getting tough with home health accounts receivable.

PubMed

Cantone, L; Bullock, A

2000-04-01

Home health organizations seeking to improve the performance of their accounts receivable should concentrate first on establishing practices that promote the greatest percentage of clean claims and reviewing payments received to be sure rates paid are optimal. They also may find it worthwhile to survey their business office operations for potential improvements to key areas.

NSWC Library of Mathematics Subroutines

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-01-01

sufficiently many zero elements for it to be worthwhile to use special techniques that avoid storing and operating with the zeros.U The scheme adopted by the... general purpose numerical mathematics subroutines began. The subroutines are written in ANSI standard Fortran. This manual describes the subroutines in...PLCOPYDPCOPY ............ ...................... 113 Addition of Polynomials - PADD ,DPADD ............. .................. I.... 115 Subtraction of

Nurturing Democracy: The Contribution of Distributed Leadership to a Democratic Organizational Landscape

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woods, Philip A.; Gronn, Peter

2009-01-01

This article reviews the comparative merits of distributed leadership and democratic leadership as understandings of, and preferred alternatives to, the leadership of and in organizations. It is particularly concerned that, while distributed leadership may provide a welcome and worthwhile respite from and alternative to the kind of heroic…

Career Maturity: The Construct's Validity, Vitality, and Viability.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Raskin, Patricia M.

1998-01-01

Suggests that counselors need to integrate personality and decision-making style into research on career maturity as well as give more than a passing nod to developmental theory. Variance in individual career development accounted for by context and change may be so great that longitudinal research on individuals may not be worthwhile. (Author/MKA)

How Do Teachers Legitimize their Classroom Interactions in Terms of Educational Values and Ideals?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Kan, Carlos A.; Ponte, Petra; Verloop, Nico

2013-01-01

An important dimension of teachers' professional judgments is connected to their educational values and ideals. Teachers' professional judgments are not only informed by instrumental considerations but also affected by what they consider to be educationally worthwhile, that is, what teachers consider to be in their pupils' best interest. This…

Developing an Effective Instrument for Assessing the Performance of Public University Presidents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lester, Dennis

2010-01-01

Conducting a worthwhile assessment of the performance of senior leaders such as university presidents poses unique challenges for public institutions of higher education. One of the most difficult issues is determining the "content" and "format" of the assessment instrument. Due to the breadth and complexity of the job, the…

A cost comparison of five midstory removal methods

Treesearch

Brian G. Bailey; Michael R. Saunders; Zachary E. Lowe

2011-01-01

Within mature hardwood forests, midstory removal treatments have been shown to provide the adequate light and growing space needed for early establishment of intermediate-shade-tolerant species. As the method gains popularity, it is worthwhile to determine what manner of removal is most cost-efficient. Th is study compared five midstory removal treatments across 10...

Elliptical Orbit [arrow right] 1/r[superscript 2] Force

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prentis, Jeffrey; Fulton, Bryan; Hesse, Carol; Mazzino, Laura

2007-01-01

Newton's proof of the connection between elliptical orbits and inverse-square forces ranks among the "top ten" calculations in the history of science. This time-honored calculation is a highlight in an upper-level mechanics course. It would be worthwhile if students in introductory physics could prove the relation "elliptical orbit" [arrow right]…

High School Students' Views on History

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grever, Maria; Pelzer, Ben; Haydn, Terry

2011-01-01

The article reports the outcomes of a survey of 678 Dutch, English, and French students in multicultural high schools located in three urban areas, with the aim of developing insight into the sort of history they consider worthwhile. The research was undertaken in the context of widespread concern about the effects of recent migration patterns on…

Inter-Cultural Contact and Flow in a Task-Based Japanese EFL Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aubrey, Scott

2017-01-01

Flow represents a state of complete involvement and heightened intensity that leads to improved performance on a task (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975, 1990). The notion of flow has the potential to provide worthwhile insights into the area of task engagement, yet the construct has received relatively little empirical attention by second language…

Enterprise Education: The Frustration of a Pure Contest

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Colin

2007-01-01

Purpose: This paper seeks to discuss the development of a strategy game for enterprise education. It is argued that requiring students to initially struggle with the game's rules and strategies results in a worthwhile test of their persistence and ability to manage ambiguity. Further, that in the absence of uncertainty, students will not benefit…

Three Decades of School-Funding Litigation: Has It Been Worthwhile and When Will It End?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dayton, John

2002-01-01

Reviews state school-funding litigation since the California Supreme Court's 1971 decision in "Serrano v. Priest." Assesses the impact and evolution of state funding litigation; discusses the subsequent erosion of local control; describes potential future funding litigation involving rural schools, local sales taxes, and urban schools.…

Do wire fences stop ground fires?

Treesearch

James L. Murphy; Harry E. Schimke

1965-01-01

Five meshes (1/8 to 1 inch) of 16-gauge steel wire fences, 3 feet high, were tested as possible ground fire barriers in 4 fuel types. The 1/8-inch mesh stopped only 1 test fire but retarded others; 1/4-inch mesh retarded some. The results suggest that further trials may be worthwhile.

Using Technology in Gifted and Talented Education Classrooms: The Teachers' Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zimlich, Susan L.

2012-01-01

New technologies emerge frequently. Administrators and teachers have to decide which technologies are worthwhile investments of both limited funds and instructional time. Standards from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and the International Society for Technology in Education encourage educators to teach skills that will help students adapt…

The Contribution of VET Student Placement to Innovation in Host Organisations. NCVER Research Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hodge, Steven; Smith, Raymond; Field, Jenny; Flynn, Matthew

2017-01-01

With innovation seen as critical to Australia's economy, it is worthwhile to ask about the contribution of the Australian vocational education and training (VET) system to innovation. Previous research has highlighted a number of ways VET can contribute to innovation, including through knowledge diffusion, skills development and networks, and…

Organising geometric computations for space telerobotics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cameron, Stephen

1989-01-01

A truly intelligent system that interacts with the physical world must be endowed with the ability the compute with shapes: despite this, spatial reasoning is rarely regarded as part of mainstream artificial intelligence. Here, researchers argue that the study of intelligent spatial algorithms is a worthwhile activity, and give opinions and suggestions for the way forward.

What Works for Women in Undergraduate Physics?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whitten, Barbara L.; Dorato, Shannon R.; Foster, Suzanne R.; Duncombe, Margaret L.

2005-10-01

The physics community in the U.S. has been concerned about the low participation by women for many years. Although some progress has been made, the percentage of undergraduate women in physics is still less than half that in mathematics and chemistry. While the percentage of women in physics declines at every step up the academic ladder, the largest decrease occurs in the undergraduate years. Therefore it is worthwhile to look at how undergraduate physics departments might make women students comfortable. We have conducted a study of undergraduate physics departments in order to learn "what works" in attracting and retaining women in the undergraduate physics major. With a team of women physicists, we visited nine undergraduate physics departments, five with high participation by women and four with average participation. We also visited six departments in women's colleges, which are known for producing accomplished women in all fields, including science. Three of the 15 schools are historically Black colleges, which produce disproportionate numbers of African-American women scientists. We found that the most important factor in a female-friendly physics department is a warm and inclusive culture that reaches out to introductory students. We also discuss the effects of curriculum, pedagogy, and institutional policy.

A controlled single-case treatment of severe long-term selective mutism in a child with mental retardation.

PubMed

Facon, Bruno; Sahiri, Safia; Rivière, Vinca

2008-12-01

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the efficacy of combining two operant learning procedures--shaping and fading--for treating selective mutism. The participant was a 12-year-old boy with mental retardation presenting a severe long-term selective mutism. The treatment was aimed at increasing the loudness of his vocalizations in an increasingly social milieu. The treatment was conducted over the course of about 20 weeks, with four 15-minute sessions per week. A gradual increase in speech loudness was observed. Data indicated a close correspondence between the changes in speech loudness and the criteria for reinforcement successively applied by the therapist, thereby confirming the causal link between the child's progress and the changes in reinforcement contingencies. In addition, good generalization was noted during the stimulus fading phase. Six-month follow up showed that loudness of verbalizations was still satisfactory in the classroom despite a change of school and peer group. The impressive improvement of the child's verbal behavior shows that the implementation of a treatment package including both shaping and stimulus fading is a worthwhile therapeutic option, even in the case of severe long-term selective mutism associated with mental retardation.

We'll Make You a Better Teacher: Learning from Guitar Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greenbowe, Thomas J.

2008-02-01

It is worth noting that there are more resources and more uses of technology available world-wide to help individuals become better guitar players than there are resources available to help individuals become better science teachers. Providing resources and services to help individuals become effective chemistry teachers and improve their chemistry teaching and expand their range of techniques is a worthwhile endeavor. This commentary proposes that a new magazine should be developed and designed to complement and augment the Journal of Chemical Education , the Examinations Institute, the BCCEs, and programming at regional, national, and international meetings. We need to be making use of the expertise of chemical educators from around the world to convey the best practices of teaching chemistry. This magazine would feature topics directly relating to teaching chemistry in the classroom and it would include master teachers explaining and discussing chemistry education techniques. A Web site and perhaps a DVD would have digital movies of master chemistry teachers illustrating how they implement a specific technique with students. The Web site would serve as a repository for resources. It would serve as an alternative site for professional development.

[Use of supportive autogenic training in multiple morbidity in geriatric psychiatry patients].

PubMed

Kircher, T; Stetter, F; Wormstall, H

1997-01-01

23 multimorbid, geronto-psychiatric patients, aged 60 years or older, participated in a "supportive" course of autogenic training according to Schultz. Participating in the course an average of 7 +/- 3 weeks, 17 (76%) of the subjects were able to learn the training. In general, subjects reported a better general condition after the training sessions, measured with visual analogue scales (p < 0.001). The psychopathological status improved significantly during the time of the course (BPRS: p < 0.001; GDS: p < 0.001). No significant change was found in the cognitive state (MMSE) and the statements on the "list of complaints" ("Beschwerdenliste"). The global training success was better in the psychopathological less affected than in the more severely ill (BPRS prior r = 0.64, p = 0.001, GDS prior r = 0.46, p < 0.05). No correlation was found between training success and age, number of somatic diseases, number of medication, MMSE and the "Beschwerdenliste". Autogenic training is a useful component in psychotherapeutic and psychiatric therapy for elderly multimorbid in- and outpatients. A half-open group, two therapy sessions per week, reciting the training formulae aloud, a structured, simple setting and co-therapists proved to be worthwhile.

Supplementary searches of PubMed to improve currency of MEDLINE and MEDLINE In-Process searches via Ovid.

PubMed

Duffy, Steven; de Kock, Shelley; Misso, Kate; Noake, Caro; Ross, Janine; Stirk, Lisa

2016-10-01

The research investigated whether conducting a supplementary search of PubMed in addition to the main MEDLINE (Ovid) search for a systematic review is worthwhile and to ascertain whether this PubMed search can be conducted quickly and if it retrieves unique, recently published, and ahead-of-print studies that are subsequently considered for inclusion in the final systematic review. Searches of PubMed were conducted after MEDLINE (Ovid) and MEDLINE In-Process (Ovid) searches had been completed for seven recent reviews. The searches were limited to records not in MEDLINE or MEDLINE In-Process (Ovid). Additional unique records were identified for all of the investigated reviews. Search strategies were adapted quickly to run in PubMed, and reviewer screening of the results was not time consuming. For each of the investigated reviews, studies were ordered for full screening; in six cases, studies retrieved from the supplementary PubMed searches were included in the final systematic review. Supplementary searching of PubMed for studies unavailable elsewhere is worthwhile and improves the currency of the systematic reviews.

Supplementary searches of PubMed to improve currency of MEDLINE and MEDLINE In-Process searches via Ovid

PubMed Central

Duffy, Steven; de Kock, Shelley; Misso, Kate; Noake, Caro; Ross, Janine; Stirk, Lisa

2016-01-01

Objective The research investigated whether conducting a supplementary search of PubMed in addition to the main MEDLINE (Ovid) search for a systematic review is worthwhile and to ascertain whether this PubMed search can be conducted quickly and if it retrieves unique, recently published, and ahead-of-print studies that are subsequently considered for inclusion in the final systematic review. Methods Searches of PubMed were conducted after MEDLINE (Ovid) and MEDLINE In-Process (Ovid) searches had been completed for seven recent reviews. The searches were limited to records not in MEDLINE or MEDLINE In-Process (Ovid). Results Additional unique records were identified for all of the investigated reviews. Search strategies were adapted quickly to run in PubMed, and reviewer screening of the results was not time consuming. For each of the investigated reviews, studies were ordered for full screening; in six cases, studies retrieved from the supplementary PubMed searches were included in the final systematic review. Conclusion Supplementary searching of PubMed for studies unavailable elsewhere is worthwhile and improves the currency of the systematic reviews. PMID:27822154

Learning from Experience: Creating Leadership Capabilities through Computer Simulated Leadership Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stewart, Alice C.; Black, Sylvia Sloan; Smith-Gratto, Karen; Williams, Jacqueline A.

2007-01-01

Leadership is often described as something that is learned from experience. However, experiences do not often occur within a controlled environment where learning and its impact can be evaluated. In this paper, we investigate the efficacy of two types of learning experiences. University students received leadership training of equal length through…

Teachers' Experiences with Integrating Play-Based Learning into Standards-Driven Curriculum: A Phenomenological Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nugent, Mary Beth Anderson

2017-01-01

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe kindergarten teachers' experiences with integrating play-based learning into standards-based academic curriculum in a school district in South Carolina. Play-based learning experiences were defined as instances which allow children to engage in active, social learning experiences in…

The Impact of a Service-Learning Experience in Mentoring At-Risk Youth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wasburn-Moses, Leah; Fry, Jay; Sanders, Kari

2014-01-01

Service-learning experiences for college students are increasing in popularity. Although youth mentoring is thought to be a significant service-learning experience for students, data in this area are lacking. This study evaluates a unique school-based service-learning mentoring experience at a midsized Midwestern university. Data were collected…

Integrating Service-Learning Pedagogy for Preservice Elementary Teachers' Science Identity Development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, Rachel E.; Bradbury, Leslie U.; McGlasson, Martha A.

2015-04-01

The purpose of this article is to explore how preservice elementary teachers (PSETs) interpreted their service-learning experiences within a pre-methods environmentally focused course and how their interpretations shaped their science teaching identities. Along a continuum of service-learning experiences were events that emphasized science learning, that focused on science teaching, and that were transitional, with elements of both science learning and science teaching. These various service-learning experiences were designed to be "boundary experiences" for professional identity development (Geijsel & Meijers in Educational Studies, 3(4), 419-430, 2005), providing opportunities for PSETs to reflect on meanings in cultural contexts and how they are related to their own personal meanings. We analyzed written reflections and end-of-course oral reflection interviews from 42 PSETs on their various service-learning experiences. PSETs discussed themes related to the meanings they made of the service-learning experiences: (a) experiencing science in relation to their lives as humans and future teachers, (b) interacting with elementary students and other PSETs, and (c) making an impact in the physical environment and in the community. The connections that PSETs were making between the discursive spaces (service-learning contexts) and their own meaning-making of these experiences (as connected to their own interests in relation to their future professions and daily lives) shows evidence of the potential that various types of science service-learning experiences have for PSETs in developing inbound science teaching identity trajectories (Wenger in Communities of practice: Learning, meaning, and identity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998). The findings of this study point to positive outcomes for PSETs when they participate in structured service-learning experiences along a learning to teaching continuum (246).

You see what you have learned. Evidence for an interrelation of associative learning and visual selective attention.

PubMed

Feldmann-Wüstefeld, Tobias; Uengoer, Metin; Schubö, Anna

2015-11-01

Besides visual salience and observers' current intention, prior learning experience may influence deployment of visual attention. Associative learning models postulate that observers pay more attention to stimuli previously experienced as reliable predictors of specific outcomes. To investigate the impact of learning experience on deployment of attention, we combined an associative learning task with a visual search task and measured event-related potentials of the EEG as neural markers of attention deployment. In the learning task, participants categorized stimuli varying in color/shape with only one dimension being predictive of category membership. In the search task, participants searched a shape target while disregarding irrelevant color distractors. Behavioral results showed that color distractors impaired performance to a greater degree when color rather than shape was predictive in the learning task. Neurophysiological results show that the amplified distraction was due to differential attention deployment (N2pc). Experiment 2 showed that when color was predictive for learning, color distractors captured more attention in the search task (ND component) and more suppression of color distractor was required (PD component). The present results thus demonstrate that priority in visual attention is biased toward predictive stimuli, which allows learning experience to shape selection. We also show that learning experience can overrule strong top-down control (blocked tasks, Experiment 3) and that learning experience has a longer-term effect on attention deployment (tasks on two successive days, Experiment 4). © 2015 Society for Psychophysiological Research.

e-Learning Continuance Intention: Moderating Effects of User e-Learning Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Kan-Min

2011-01-01

This study explores the determinants of the e-learning continuance intention of users with different levels of e-learning experience and examines the moderating effects of e-learning experience on the relationships among the determinants. The research hypotheses are empirically validated using the responses received from a survey of 256 users. The…

A Psychometric Evaluation of the Anatomy Learning Experiences Questionnaire and Correlations with Learning Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Choi-Lundberg, Derek L.; Williams, Anne-Marie M.; Zimitat, Craig

2017-01-01

The Anatomy Learning Experiences Questionnaire (ALEQ) was designed by Smith and Mathias to explore students' perceptions and experiences of learning anatomy. In this study, the psychometric properties of a slightly altered 34-item ALEQ (ALEQ-34) were evaluated, and correlations with learning outcomes investigated, by surveying first- and…

Weaving the tapestry of learning: simulation, standardized patients, and virtual communities.

PubMed

Holland, Brian; Landry, Karen; Mountain, Angela; Middlebrooks, Mary Alice; Heim, Deborah; Missildine, Kathy

2013-01-01

Using situated cognition learning theory, nursing faculty developed simulated clinical learning experiences integrating virtual communities and standardized patients. These learning experiences provide authenticity and realism not easily achieved using the individual techniques in isolation. The authors describe the process of weaving these strategies into a rich learning experience for students.

High School Students' Experiences of Learning through Research on the Internet

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ellis, R. A.; Goodyear, P.; Bliuc, A.-M.; Ellis, M.

2011-01-01

One of the challenges that school educators face today is the need to integrate learning technologies into the learning experience in a meaningful and sustainable way. The current research focuses on how students' experience learning through new technologies in high schools across New South Wales, Australia, specifically when they learn by…

Young children's fast mapping and generalization of words, facts, and pictograms.

PubMed

Deák, Gedeon O; Toney, Alexis J

2013-06-01

To test general and specific processes of symbol learning, 4- and 5-year-old children learned three kinds of abstract associates for novel objects: words, facts, and pictograms. To test fast mapping (i.e., one-trial learning) and subsequent learning, comprehension was tested after each of four exposures. Production was also tested, as was children's tendency to generalize learned items to new objects in the same taxon. To test for a bias toward mutually exclusive associations, children learned either one-to-one or many-to-many mappings. In Experiment 1, children learned words, facts (with or without incidental novel words), or pictograms. In Experiment 2, children learned words or pictograms. In both of these experiments, children learned words slower than facts and pictograms. Pictograms and facts were generalized more systematically than words, but only in Experiment 1. Children learned one-to-one mappings faster only in Experiment 2, when cognitive load was increased. In Experiment 3, 3- and 4-year-olds were taught facts (with novel words), words, and pictograms. Children learned facts faster than words; however, they remembered all items equally well a week later. The results suggest that word learning follows non-specialized memory and associative learning processes. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Selection as a learning experience: an exploratory study

PubMed Central

de Visser, Marieke; Laan, Roland F; Engbers, Rik; Cohen-Schotanus, Janke; Fluit, Cornelia

2018-01-01

Introduction Research on selection for medical school does not explore selection as a learning experience, despite growing attention for the learning effects of assessment in general. Insight in the learning effects allows us to take advantage of selection as an inclusive part of medical students’ learning process to become competent professionals. The aims of this study at Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands, were 1) to determine whether students have learning experiences in the selection process, and, if so, what experiences; and 2) to understand what students need in order to utilize the learning effects of the selection process at the start of the formal curriculum. Materials and methods We used focus groups to interview 30 students admitted in 2016 about their learning experiences in the selection process. Thematic analysis was used to explore the outcomes of the interviews and to define relevant themes. Results In the selection process, students learned about the curriculum, themselves, their relation to others, and the profession they had been selected to enter, although this was not explicitly perceived as learning. Students needed a connection between selection and the curriculum as well as feedback to be able to really use their learning experiences for their further development. Discussion Medical school selection qualifies as a learning experience, and students as well as medical schools can take advantage of this. We recommend a careful design of the selection procedure, integrating relevant selection learning experiences into the formal curriculum, providing feedback and explicitly approaching the selection and the formal curriculum as interconnected contributors to students’ development. PMID:29785147

Comfort and experience with online learning: trends over nine years and associations with knowledge.

PubMed

Cook, David A; Thompson, Warren G

2014-07-01

Some evidence suggests that attitude toward computer-based instruction is an important determinant of success in online learning. We sought to determine how comfort using computers and perceptions of prior online learning experiences have changed over the past decade, and how these associate with learning outcomes. Each year from 2003-2011 we conducted a prospective trial of online learning. As part of each year's study, we asked medicine residents about their comfort using computers and if their previous experiences with online learning were favorable. We assessed knowledge using a multiple-choice test. We used regression to analyze associations and changes over time. 371 internal medicine and family medicine residents participated. Neither comfort with computers nor perceptions of prior online learning experiences showed a significant change across years (p > 0.61), with mean comfort rating 3.96 (maximum 5 = very comfortable) and mean experience rating 4.42 (maximum 6 = strongly agree [favorable]). Comfort showed no significant association with knowledge scores (p = 0.39) but perceptions of prior experiences did, with a 1.56% rise in knowledge score for a 1-point rise in experience score (p = 0.02). Correlations among comfort, perceptions of prior experiences, and number of prior experiences were all small and not statistically significant. Comfort with computers and perceptions of prior experience with online learning remained stable over nine years. Prior good experiences (but not comfort with computers) demonstrated a modest association with knowledge outcomes, suggesting that prior course satisfaction may influence subsequent learning.

Small passive student experiments on G324 261 individual quests for student knowledge

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicholson, James H.; Tempel, Carol A.; Ashcraft, Ruth; Rutherford, Robin

1995-01-01

The Charleston County School District CAN DO Project payload on STS-57 had a primary goal of photographing the Earth with the GeoCam camera system. In addition, the payload carried 261 passive student experiments representing the efforts of several thousand students throughout the district and in four other states. These experiments represented the individual concepts of teams ranging in age from pre-school to high school. Consequently, a tremendous variety of samples from collard green seeds to microscopic 'water bears' were flown. Each prospective team was provided a simple kit equipped with five vials. Each student team submitted five coded samples, one for space flight and four control samples. The control samples were exposed to radiation, cold and centrifugation respectively while one negative control sample was passively stored. The students received the samples back still coded so that they were unaware of which samples were flown. They then investigated their samples according to their individual research protocols. The results were presented in poster and platform form at a student research symposium. Space Trees grown from tree seeds flown in the payload have been planted at all district schools, and at many guest schools. These seeds represented another way in which to involve additional classes and students. Both the passive experiments and the space trees were housed in what otherwise would have been wasted space within the payload. They extended the GAS programs worthwhile ballast concept to another level. The opportunity to fly an experiment in space is too previous not to be extended to the greatest number of students possible.

Occupational necessity and educational invention: resident teaching of radiologic technologists.

PubMed

Gunderman, Richard B; Fraley, Ronald; Jackson, Valerie; Robinson, Susan; Williamson, Kenneth

2003-04-01

Radiology faces a severe and growing shortage of radiologic technologists. One way of redressing this problem is to improve the quality of education provided to radiologic technology students. Yet growing clinical demands increasingly erode faculty time for teaching. This study examined whether radiology residents could provide equivalent instruction in radiologic technology at lower cost, and whether such experience could enhance residents' interest in teaching as part of their careers. Course evaluation forms completed by the students in a required radiologic pathology course were reviewed, and student-reported faculty and resident performances in teaching were compared. Residents also were surveyed for their reactions to the experience of teaching this course. Ninety percent of students (27 of 30) either agreed or strongly agreed that the course was well taught by radiology faculty members, and 97% (29 of 30) either agreed or strongly agreed that the course was well taught by radiology residents. The total direct cost of instruction by radiology residents was 73% lower than the cost of instruction by faculty. Residents who participated in teaching found the experience worthwhile, and they described a wide variety of personal and educational benefits. Involving radiology residents in teaching can help redress the growing shortage of radiologic technologists, relieve some of the pressure on faculty time, and contribute to the professional development of the next generation of radiologists.

Outcomes of Integrated Behavioral Health with Primary Care.

PubMed

Balasubramanian, Bijal A; Cohen, Deborah J; Jetelina, Katelyn K; Dickinson, L Miriam; Davis, Melinda; Gunn, Rose; Gowen, Kris; deGruy, Frank V; Miller, Benjamin F; Green, Larry A

2017-01-01

Integrating behavioral health and primary care is beneficial to patients and health systems. However, for integration to be widely adopted, studies demonstrating its benefits in community practices are needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate effect of integrated care, adapted to local contexts, on depression severity and patients' experience of care. This study used a convergent mixed-methods design, merging findings from a quasi-experimental study with patient interviews conducted as part of Advancing Care Together, a community demonstration project that created an innovation incubator for practices implementing evidence-based integration strategies. The study included 475 patients with a 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score ≥10 at baseline, from 5 practices. Statistically significant reductions in mean PHQ-9 scores were observed in all practices, ranging from 2.72 to 6.46 points. Clinically, 50% of patients had a ≥5-point reduction in PHQ-9 score and 32% had a ≥50% reduction. This finding was corroborated by patient interviews that demonstrated positive experiences with behavioral health clinicians and acquiring new skills to cope with adverse situations at work and home. Integrating behavioral health and primary care, when adapted to fit into community practices, reduced depression severity and enhanced patients' experience of care. Integration is a worthwhile investment; clinical leaders, policymakers, and payers should support integration in their communities. © Copyright 2017 by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Post-Surgical Pain, Physical Activity and Satisfaction with the Decision to Undergo Hernia Surgery: A Prospective Qualitative Investigation

PubMed Central

Powell, Rachael; McKee, Lorna; King, Peter M.; Bruce, Julie

2013-01-01

Surgical repair is a common treatment for inguinal hernias but a substantial number of patients experience chronic pain after surgery. As some patients are pain-free on presentation, it is important to investigate whether patients perceive the treatment to be beneficial. The present study used qualitative methods to explore experiences of pain, activity limitations and satisfaction with treatment as people underwent surgery and recovery. Twenty-nine semi-structured interviews were conducted. Seven participants were interviewed longitudinally: before surgery and two weeks and four months post-surgery. Ten further participants with residual pain four months post-surgery were interviewed once. Semi-structured interviews included experience and perception of pain; activity limitations; reasons for having surgery; satisfaction with the decision to undergo surgery. A thematic analysis was conducted. Pain did not cause concern when perceived as part of the usual surgery and recovery processes. Activity was limited to avoid damage to the hernia site rather than to avoid pain. None of the participants reported dissatisfaction with the decision to have surgery; reducing the risk of life-threatening complications associated with untreated hernias was considered important. These findings suggest that people regarded surgical treatment as worthwhile, despite chronic post-surgical pain. Further research should ascertain whether patients are aware of the actual risk of complications associated with conservative rather than surgical management of inguinal hernia. PMID:26973903

PREDICTING CORONAL MASS EJECTIONS USING MACHINE LEARNING METHODS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bobra, M. G.; Ilonidis, S.

Of all the activity observed on the Sun, two of the most energetic events are flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Usually, solar active regions that produce large flares will also produce a CME, but this is not always true. Despite advances in numerical modeling, it is still unclear which circumstances will produce a CME. Therefore, it is worthwhile to empirically determine which features distinguish flares associated with CMEs from flares that are not. At this time, no extensive study has used physically meaningful features of active regions to distinguish between these two populations. As such, we attempt to domore » so by using features derived from (1) photospheric vector magnetic field data taken by the Solar Dynamics Observatory ’s Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager instrument and (2) X-ray flux data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite’s X-ray Flux instrument. We build a catalog of active regions that either produced both a flare and a CME (the positive class) or simply a flare (the negative class). We then use machine-learning algorithms to (1) determine which features distinguish these two populations, and (2) forecast whether an active region that produces an M- or X-class flare will also produce a CME. We compute the True Skill Statistic, a forecast verification metric, and find that it is a relatively high value of ∼0.8 ± 0.2. We conclude that a combination of six parameters, which are all intensive in nature, will capture most of the relevant information contained in the photospheric magnetic field.« less

Teaching and Learning Science for Transformative, Aesthetic Experience

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girod, Mark; Twyman, Todd; Wojcikiewicz, Steve

2010-11-01

Drawing from the Deweyan theory of experience (1934, 1938), the goal of teaching and learning for transformative, aesthetic experience is contrasted against teaching and learning from a cognitive, rational framework. A quasi-experimental design was used to investigate teaching and learning of fifth grade science from each perspective across an entire school year including three major units of instruction. Detailed comparisons of teaching are given and pre and post measures of interest in learning science, science identity affiliation, and efficacy beliefs are investigated. Tests of conceptual understanding before, after, and one month after instruction reveal teaching for transformative, aesthetic experience fosters more, and more enduring, learning of science concepts. Investigations of transfer also suggest students learning for transformative, aesthetic experiences learn to see the world differently and find more interest and excitement in the world outside of school.

Undergraduate engineering students' experiences of interdisciplinary learning: a phenomenographic perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, Ming-Chien

Engineers are expected to work with people with different disciplinary knowledge to solve real-world problems that are inherently complex, which is one of the reasons that interdisciplinary learning has become a common pedagogical practice in engineering education. However, empirical evidence on the impact of interdisciplinary learning on undergraduates is lacking. Regardless of the differences in the scope of methods used to assess interdisciplinary learning, frameworks of interdisciplinary learning are imperative for developing attainable outcomes as well as interpreting assessment data. Existing models of interdisciplinary learning have been either conceptual or based on research faculty members' experiences rather than empirical data. The study addressed the gap by exploring the different ways that undergraduate engineering students experience interdisciplinary learning. A phenomenographic methodological framework was used to guide the design, data collection, and data analysis of the study. Twenty-two undergraduate engineering students with various interdisciplinary learning experiences were interviewed using semi-structured protocols. They concretely described their experiences and reflected meaning associated with those experiences. Analysis of the data revealed eight qualitatively different ways that students experience interdisciplinary learning, which include: interdisciplinary learning as (A) no awareness of differences, (B) control and assertion, (C) coping with differences, (D) navigating creative differences, (E) learning from differences, (F) bridging differences, (G) expanding intellectual boundaries, and (H) commitment to holistic perspectives. Categories D through H represent a hierarchical structure of increasingly comprehensive way of experiencing interdisciplinary learning. Further analysis uncovered two themes that varied throughout the categories: (i) engagement with differences and (ii) purpose and integration. Students whose experiences lie outside of the hierarchical structure need to engage difference in a positive manner and also have a purpose in engaging differences in order to experience interdisciplinary learning in a more comprehensive way. The results offer insights into the design of curriculum and classroom interdisciplinary experiences in engineering education.

Pre-Service Teachers' Experiences and Views on Project-Based Learning Processes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dag, Funda; Durdu, Levent

2017-01-01

Project-based learning (PjBL) has been promoted as an effective and frequently used student-centered learning approach for various learning environments. To have various learning experiences with PjBL is an important requirement for pre-service teachers (PSTs). The purpose of the study was to investigate the experiences PSTs had with group work…

Do Classroom Experiments Increase Learning in Introductory Microeconomics?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dickie, Mark

2007-01-01

Interest in using classroom experiments to teach economics is increasing whereas empirical evidence on how experiments affect learning is limited and mixed. The author used a pretest-posttest control-group design to test whether classroom experiments and grade incentives that reward performance in experiments affect learning of introductory…

Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners' Experiences in High School Chemistry Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flores, Annette; Smith, K. Christopher

2013-01-01

This article reports on the experiences of Spanish-speaking English language learners in high school chemistry courses, focusing largely on experiences in learning the English language, experiences learning chemistry, and experiences learning chemistry in the English language. The findings illustrate the cognitive processes the students undertake…

`Learning Experience' Provided by Science Teaching Practice in a Classroom and the Development of Students' Competences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopes, J. Bernardino; Branco, Julia; Jimenez-Aleixandre, Maria Pilar

2011-11-01

According to the literature, there is a very important corpus of knowledge that allows for the investigation of some dimensions of `learning experience' provided to students, in relation to epistemic, pedagogical and meta-cognitive practices. However, in the literature, there is little investigation into the invariance (or not) of the characteristics of students' learning experience while being taught a scientific subject by the same teacher. This paper suggests that the relationship between the learning experience provided and the competences developed is not properly highlighted. This paper analyses the learning experience provided to students in epistemic, pedagogical and meta-cognitive terms. The students were taught the proprieties and applications of light by one teacher, in three classes, over 7 weeks. We analysed the data in each referred learning experience, using a pre-defined category system. The students' competences were evaluated by a competence test. The epistemic demand of each item and the students' performances were also analysed. Our findings point to the non invariance of learning experiences provided to students and the influence of some dimensions of learning experiences provided in the development of certain competences. These findings and their implications are contextualized and discussed.

Transformative Learning Experiences of International Graduate Students from Africa

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kumi-Yeboah, Alex

2014-01-01

This article examines factors that influence transformative learning experiences of international graduate students from Africa. In general, 84.8% of the participants experienced transformative learning while 15.2% reported no transformative experiences. For those who experienced transformative learning, 26.1% of the transformative experiences…

A "Uses and Gratification Expectancy Model" to Predict Students' "Perceived e-Learning Experience"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mondi, Makingu; Woods, Peter; Rafi, Ahmad

2008-01-01

This study investigates "how and why" students' "Uses and Gratification Expectancy" (UGE) for e-learning resources influences their "Perceived e-Learning Experience." A "Uses and Gratification Expectancy Model" (UGEM) framework is proposed to predict students' "Perceived e-Learning Experience," and…

What makes rating systems tick

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vories, R.

How can home buyers tell how much they are going to have to spend on utilities when they buy houses How can a lender determine if a home should be rewarded for its energy efficiency potential How can a real estate agent show a buyer the energy features of a home Home energy rating system (HERS) are one of the most-effective and comprehensive ways of addressing the problem of how to make energy efficiency and its economic impacts more visible and understandable. They attract participation because they make it easier for everyone involved to recognize energy efficiency and weigh itmore » into their decision-making processes. This article describes seven HERS created by localities interested in helping community members better compare the energy efficiency of their current homes or homes for sale. All seven systems were developed primarily for existing homes. Not all are still alive, but their experience is nevertheless worthwhile. Comparing them to each other reveals factors that makes HERS effective. 1 ref.« less

Footsteps on the road to a positive psychology.

PubMed

Gillham, J E; Seligman, M E

1999-07-01

We have argued that psychology as a field has been preoccupied with the negative side of life and has left us with a view of human qualities that is warped and one-sided. Psychology is literally 'half-baked'. We need to bake the other half now. It is time for us to become equally concerned with the qualities and experiences that make life most worthwhile. A balance is needed between work that strives to relieve damage and work that endeavors to build strength. This balance is beautifully exemplified by Jack Rachman's work over the past 40 years. As an astute and compassionate clinician and researcher, Jack developed and evaluated effective treatments for some of the most debilitating anxiety disorders. At the same time, he was impressed by the resiliency of his clients and the courage they exhibited daily. His observations and studies of courage have helped to launch a systematic science of human strengths. They are giant footsteps on the road to a positive psychology.

The remarkable life of Erwin Schrödinger's What Is Life?

PubMed

Margo, Curtis E; Harman, Lynn E

2015-01-01

In the seven decades since Schrödinger's book was published, it has gone through stages of differing appraisal, starting with guarded approbation in the 1940s. When several luminaries in molecular biology described the work as influencing their careers, the book's renown increased. In What Is Life?, Schrödinger examined genetics from the perspective of a theoretical physicist, and conjured up ideas that dilettantes admired and experts slighted. Schrödinger sowed his most important ideas in terms of metaphors, allowing readers considerable latitude for interpretation. Some found nothing worthwhile in the book, only chemical naivete and ignorance of work that had already been done. Others found deep inspiration and a desire to understand biological reproduction, even if it required new paradigms of physical science. What Is Life?--like the ancient parable of the blind men and an elephant--is an example of the ineffable nature of truth, pitting subjective experience against the totality of the reality. The legacy of What Is Life? may ultimately be respect for different opinions.

[BCG vaccination in low risk tuberculosis; first experiences after the suspension of BCG vaccination of newborns in Czechoslovakia].

PubMed

Trnka, L; Danková, D

1989-01-01

With the steadily declining risk of tuberculosis infection in CSR the question arose whether vaccination of infants remains worthwhile considering not only resources spent but also complications to vaccination vis-a-vis benefits derived. A prospective study has been designed in which BCG vaccination of newborns is discontinued in an area with 30,000 newborns yearly. In the period from April 1, 1986 to January 31, 1988 there were not vaccinated 43,428 children (84.8% of the newborns). The collaboration of mothers was good. The one year old non-vaccinated children were tested with 2 TU PPD RT 23 with Tween 80. The distribution of positive tuberculin reactions appears unimodal, relatively large reactions being absent. 8 children had reactions with 6 or more mm induration. That corresponds to a risk of infection of 0.04%. The project continues in the research area and might be extended to another area.

How do general practice registrars learn from their clinical experience? A critical incident study.

PubMed

Holmwood, C

1997-01-01

This preliminary study of RACGP registrars in the period of subsequent general practice experience examines the types of clinical experiences from which registrars learn, what they learn from the experiences and the process of learning from such experiences. A critical incident method was used on a semi structured interview process. Registrars were asked to recall clinical incidents where they had learnt something of importance. Data were sorted and categorised manually. Nine registrars were interviewed before new categories of data ceased to develop. Registrars learnt from the opportunity to follow up patients. An emotional response to the interaction was an important part of the learning process. Learning from such experiences is haphazard and unstructured. Registrars accessed human resources in response to their clinical difficulties rather than text or electronic based information sources. Registrars should be aware of their emotional responses to interactions with patients; these emotional responses often indicate important learning opportunities. Clinical interactions and resultant learning could be made less haphazard by structuring consultations with patients with specific problems. These learning opportunities should be augmented by the promotion of follow up of patients.

Evidence of Learning: Applying the Collegiate Learning Assessment to Improve Teaching and Learning in the Liberal Arts College Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council of Independent Colleges, 2008

2008-01-01

This report highlights the experiences of the 33 members of CIC's (Council of Independent Colleges) Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) Consortium over the past three years as they used the CLA to measure student learning outcomes. The CLA instrument assesses how the college experience helps students develop such "higher order" cognitive skills…

(Re)Counting Meaningful Learning Experiences: Using Student-Created Reflective Videos to Make Invisible Learning Visible during PjBL Experiences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Shaunna

2016-01-01

This ethnographic case study investigated how the process of learning during a yearlong after-school, project-based learning (PjBL) experience could be documented by student-created reflective videos. Guided by social constructivism, constant comparative analysis was used to explore the meaningful learning that took place in addition to the…

An Examination of Game-Based Learning from Theories of Flow Experience and Cognitive Load

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lai, Chih-Hung; Chu, Chih-Ming; Liu, Hsiang-Hsuan; Yang, Shun-Bo; Chen, Wei-Hsuan

2013-01-01

This study aims to discuss whether game-based learning with the integration of games and digital learning could enhance not only the flow experience in learning but achieve the same flow experience in pure games. In addition, the authors discovered that whether the game-based learning could make learners to reveal higher cognitive load. The…

Comfort and experience with online learning: trends over nine years and associations with knowledge

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Some evidence suggests that attitude toward computer-based instruction is an important determinant of success in online learning. We sought to determine how comfort using computers and perceptions of prior online learning experiences have changed over the past decade, and how these associate with learning outcomes. Methods Each year from 2003–2011 we conducted a prospective trial of online learning. As part of each year’s study, we asked medicine residents about their comfort using computers and if their previous experiences with online learning were favorable. We assessed knowledge using a multiple-choice test. We used regression to analyze associations and changes over time. Results 371 internal medicine and family medicine residents participated. Neither comfort with computers nor perceptions of prior online learning experiences showed a significant change across years (p > 0.61), with mean comfort rating 3.96 (maximum 5 = very comfortable) and mean experience rating 4.42 (maximum 6 = strongly agree [favorable]). Comfort showed no significant association with knowledge scores (p = 0.39) but perceptions of prior experiences did, with a 1.56% rise in knowledge score for a 1-point rise in experience score (p = 0.02). Correlations among comfort, perceptions of prior experiences, and number of prior experiences were all small and not statistically significant. Conclusions Comfort with computers and perceptions of prior experience with online learning remained stable over nine years. Prior good experiences (but not comfort with computers) demonstrated a modest association with knowledge outcomes, suggesting that prior course satisfaction may influence subsequent learning. PMID:24985690

Education and the Adequacy of Options: An Interview with John White

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sardoc, Mitja; White, John

2018-01-01

Mitja Sardoc's interview with John White discusses a neglected aspect of the educational goal of equipping learners to lead a life of autonomous well-being--trying to ensure that they have adequate options from which to choose worthwhile activities and relationships. Following a brief account of the nature of autonomous well-being, White outlines…

Does Money Matter for Schools? CEE DP 105

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holmlund, Helena; McNally, Sandra; Viarengo, Martina

2009-01-01

In the UK, education is the third largest area of government spending (of which school spending has the largest share). Since 2000, school expenditure has increased by about 40 per cent in real terms for both primary and secondary schools (see Figure 1). The question as to whether such investment is worthwhile is of central importance. The…

Are Career Centers Worthwhile?: Predicting Unique Variance in Career Outcomes through Career Center Usage

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brotheridge, Celeste M.; Power, Jacqueline L.

2008-01-01

Purpose: This study seeks to examine the extent to which the use of career center services results in the significant incremental prediction of career outcomes beyond its established predictors. Design/methodology/approach: The authors survey the clients of a public agency's career center and use hierarchical multiple regressions in order to…

In the Shadow of Celebrity? World-Class University Policies and Public Value in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cremonini, Leon; Westerheijden, Don F.; Benneworth, Paul; Dauncey, Hugh

2014-01-01

The growing popularity of the concept of world-class universities raises the question of whether investing in such universities is a worthwhile use of public resources. Does concentrating public resources on the most excellent universities improve the overall quality of a higher education system, especially if definitions of excellence and…

Developing a Capacity to Make "English for Everyone" Worthwhile: Reconsidering Outcomes and How to Start Achieving Them

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wedell, Martin

2008-01-01

Past decades have seen a growing assumption worldwide that national governments should provide "English for Everyone" (EFE) as a core component of their school curricula. Personal and national benefits expected from such English provision are generally expressed in terms of developing learners' abilities to communicate in English. Despite enormous…

Principles for Analyzing and Communicating Student Ratings of Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cui, Ying-Yu; Li, Si-Guang

2014-01-01

Students' rating of teaching is widely used by university administrators to manage and evaluate teaching in China today. However, it is worthwhile to discuss and rethink carefully how to use this tool. Fifty students majoring in seven-year clinical medicine were asked to rate the class teaching of an integrated course for which the teaching reform…

Stretching and Young Children: Should We or Shouldn't We?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mally, Kristi K.

2006-01-01

The purpose of this article is to continue the discussion of "should we or shouldn't we?" Specifically, this article addresses whether or not young children need to spend time participating in static stretching activities during physical education class. Is it a worthwhile use of already limited time to ask young children to stretch? Do they need…

Recent Developments in Computational Techniques for Applied Hydrodynamics.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-12-07

by block number) Numerical Method Fluids Incompressible Flow Finite Difference Methods Poisson Equation Convective Equations -MABSTRACT (Continue on...weaknesses of the different approaches are analyzed. Finite - difference techniques have particularly attractive properties in this framework. Hence it will...be worthwhile to correct, at least partially, the difficulties from which Eulerian and Lagrangian finite - difference techniques suffer, discussed in

Sandy Point Fun Run: A Context for Understanding and Using Scale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roche, Anne

2013-01-01

In the middle years of school, it is important that mathematics is challenging, engaging and focuses on worthwhile mathematics. In this article, Anne Roche describes a lesson that seemed to have all three of these characteristics, as students grappled with issues of scale to create a fun run, given a range of challenging mathematical constraints.…

Determinants of the Safety Performance of Private Multi-Storey Residential Buildings in Hong Kong

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yau, Yung; Ho, Daniel Chi Wing; Chau, Kwong Wing

2008-01-01

Given the high population and development density in Hong Kong, building failures can result in catastrophic consequences. It is thus worthwhile identifying those dilapidated buildings, and this explains why the Hong Kong government has considered launching a mandatory building inspection scheme in the city. Apart from the measurement of building…

Effects of School-Wide Positive Behavior Support on Internalizing Problems: Current Evidence and Future Directions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McIntosh, Kent; Ty, Sophie V.; Miller, Lynn D.

2014-01-01

School-wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) has a large evidence base for preventing and addressing externalizing problem behavior, but there is little research examining its effects on internalizing problems, such as anxiety and depression. Given the prevalence of internalizing problems in today's children and youth, it is worthwhile to examine…

Twenty Common Testing Mistakes for EFL Teachers to Avoid

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henning, Grant

2012-01-01

To some extent, good testing procedure, like good language use, can be achieved through avoidance of errors. Almost any language-instruction program requires the preparation and administration of tests, and it is only to the extent that certain common testing mistakes have been avoided that such tests can be said to be worthwhile selection,…

Researching Hispanic Fans: Professional Sports' Use of Spanish Language on the Internet

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bodey, Kimberly J.; Judge, Lawrence W.; Steward, Marshall; Gobel, Tamara

2009-01-01

With buying power exceeding $850 billion and tendencies toward brand loyalty, Hispanic consumers are a desirable market. Yet, at a time when North American professional sport leagues and teams have expanded to international territories to increase revenue, market share, and fan base, it is worthwhile to study the extent leagues and teams reach…

Is Instructional Technology All Worthwhile? I'm Retiring in the Next Decade.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balajthy, Ernest

This paper surveys issues that draw together instructional technology (IT) with the goals of the traditional classroom curriculum. Ways that IT serves to further the traditional educational goals of developing lifelong learners who function with skills, knowledge, and wisdom are examined, as well as the potentials and challenges of IT. The first…

Curriculum Integration in the General Music Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Munroe, Angela

2015-01-01

Arts integration is a topic that has been researched and discussed by music educators and general educators alike. Some feel this is a worthwhile endeavor in both the arts classroom and the general classroom, while others feel that we should be spending what little time we have in the music classroom focusing on music goals. This article will…

Leisure Role of Public Libraries: A Historical Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hayes, Emma; Morris, Anne

2005-01-01

Leisure has been contested as a valid role of public libraries in the UK since their introduction in 1850 yet it has been a major reason for the public's use of libraries. Where the educational role and information provision function of libraries have been seen as purposeful and worthwhile, the leisure role has been generally valued less with the…

An Evaluation of Top Notch Fundamentals B: A Four Phase Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ahmadi, Marzie

2016-01-01

Textbooks play an important role in educational contexts especially in EFL contexts their role are more highlighted. Textbook evaluation in any type, predictive or retrospective, is a necessary part of curriculum design and in this sense is a worthwhile means of conducting research. Recently, Top Notch series have become widely used in Iranian…

Selective Citation Mars Conclusions about Test Validity and Predictive Bias

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kuncel, Nathan R.; Sackett, Paul R.

2007-01-01

Comments on the article by Vasquez and Jones, in which they put forward the argument that standardized tests do not evaluate much of anything worthwhile and do not assess merit. The current authors argue that Vasquez and Jones support their argument only through highly selective citations from the literature, and they discuss Vasquez and Jones'…

Project Lefty: More Bang for the Search Query

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Varnum, Ken

2010-01-01

This article describes the Project Lefty, a search system that, at a minimum, adds a layer on top of traditional federated search tools that will make the wait for results more worthwhile for researchers. At best, Project Lefty improves search queries and relevance rankings for web-scale discovery tools to make the results themselves more relevant…

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Resources and Strategies for the Use of Writing Projects in Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Latulippe, Joe; Latulippe, Christine

2014-01-01

As an often recommended but under-utilized pedagogical strategy, writing in mathematics has many benefits for students. However, creating and grading worthwhile writing projects can be more time-consuming than utilizing more traditional forms of assessment. This paper provides a concrete example of a writing project prompt, questions, directions,…

Postcolonial Foldings of Space and Identity in Science Education: Limits, Transformations, Prospects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zembylas, Michalinos; Avraamidou, Lucy

2008-01-01

The four essays reviewed here constitute a worthwhile attempt to discuss various aspects of postcolonial theory, and offer constructive ideas to ongoing academic as well as public conversations with respect to whether science education can meet the challenges of educating an increasingly diverse population in the 21st century. These essays are…

Implementing Army Training Programs: An Overview for Managers. Research Report 1382.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gray, Wayne D.

The place and importance of implementation in the life cycle of Army training programs is frequently misunderstood. Typically, a program's life cycle is thought of as research, development, and use. If implementation is thought of at all, it is regarded as an event, not a process. Many worthwhile programs have failed because the implementation…

Transition to College and Students with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: Strategy Considerations for School Counselors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dipeolu, Abiola O.; Storlie, Cassandra; Johnson, Carol

2014-01-01

There are limited school counseling resources that address the unique post high school transition issues faced by students with High-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HASD). While many school counselors have excellent skills in assessment, advising, and career planning, it is worthwhile to expand these to include working with students with…

[Research progress of thermal control system for extravehicular activity space suit].

PubMed

Wu, Z Q; Shen, L P; Yuan, X G

1999-08-01

New research progress of thermal control system for oversea Extravehicular Activity (EVA) space suit is presented. Characteristics of several thermal control systems are analyzed in detail. Some research tendencies and problems are discussed, which are worthwhile to be specially noted. Finally, author's opinion about thermal control system in the future is put forward.

Aftershocks of Chile's Earthquake for an Ongoing, Large-Scale Experimental Evaluation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moreno, Lorenzo; Trevino, Ernesto; Yoshikawa, Hirokazu; Mendive, Susana; Reyes, Joaquin; Godoy, Felipe; Del Rio, Francisca; Snow, Catherine; Leyva, Diana; Barata, Clara; Arbour, MaryCatherine; Rolla, Andrea

2011-01-01

Evaluation designs for social programs are developed assuming minimal or no disruption from external shocks, such as natural disasters. This is because extremely rare shocks may not make it worthwhile to account for them in the design. Among extreme shocks is the 2010 Chile earthquake. Un Buen Comienzo (UBC), an ongoing early childhood program in…

Teaching and Learning Science for Transformative, Aesthetic Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Girod, Mark; Twyman, Todd; Wojcikiewicz, Steve

2010-01-01

Drawing from the Deweyan theory of experience (1934, 1938), the goal of teaching and learning for transformative, aesthetic experience is contrasted against teaching and learning from a cognitive, rational framework. A quasi-experimental design was used to investigate teaching and learning of fifth grade science from each perspective across an…

The ICCE Framework: Framing Learning Experiences Afforded by Games

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Foster, Aroutis; Shah, Mamta

2015-01-01

There is a need for game-based learning frameworks that provide a lens for understanding learning experiences afforded in digital games. These frameworks should aim to facilitate game analyses, identification of learning opportunities, and support for learner experiences. This article uses the inquiry, communication, construction, and expression…

Road to Success: Service Learning Enhances Tech Ed Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howell, Robert T.

2008-01-01

Service learning, a form of experiential learning, is not a new idea. Students learn through participation in thoughtfully organized service experiences that meet real community needs are are coordinated in collaboration with schools/faculty and community organizations. the service experiences are integrated into the students' academic curriculum,…

Blending Student Technology Experiences in Formal and Informal Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lai, K.-W.; Khaddage, F.; Knezek, Gerald

2013-01-01

In this article, we discuss the importance of recognizing students' technology-enhanced informal learning experiences and develop pedagogies to connect students' formal and informal learning experiences, in order to meet the demands of the knowledge society. The Mobile-Blended Collaborative Learning model is proposed as a framework to…

Undergraduate Student Self-Efficacy and Perceptions of Virtual World Learning Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stanton, Lorraine May

2017-01-01

Virtual worlds are innovative teaching and learning methods that can provide immersive and engaging learning experiences (Lu, 2010). Though they have potential benefits, students sometimes experience a steep learning curve and discomfort with the technology (Warburton, 2009). This study explored how students in two American Studies classes using…

Opportunities for and Barriers to Powerful and Transformative Learning Experiences in Online Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bolger, Benjamin B.; Rowland, Gordon; Reuning-Hummel, Carrie; Codner, Stephen

2011-01-01

Powerful and transformative learning experiences display characteristics in common with each other. Emerging communication technologies may increase opportunities for powerful and transformative learning experiences. To explore this question, there are four sections to this article. First, it is observed that there are many interesting synergies…

Learning Experiences in a Giant Interactive Environment: Insights from The Cube

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stoodley, Ian; Sayyad Abdi, Elham; Bruce, Christine; Hughes, Hilary

2018-01-01

In November 2012, Queensland University of Technology in Australia launched a giant interactive learning environment known as "The Cube". This article reports a phenomenographic investigation into visitors' different experiences of learning in The Cube. At present very little is known about people's learning experience in spaces…

Learning from Experience. Empowerment or Incorporation?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fraser, Wilma

Based on a Making Experience Count (MEC) project, this book examines current trends in learning from experience. Chapter 1 discusses key theoretical elements that underpin work in the field of experiential learning and analyzes the contribution of the andragogic approach to adult learning. Chapter 2 offers an alternative model--gynagogy--and…

A Comparison of Learning Outcomes for Adult Students in On-Site and Online Service-Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwehm, Jeremy S.; Lasker-Scott, Tennille; Elufiede, Oluwakemi

2017-01-01

As noted by Kolb's (1984) experiential learning theory, adults learn best through experiences. Typically delivered in a traditional, face-to-face classroom setting, service-learning integrates the knowledge learned in the classroom with real-world experience and community service. E-service-learning, service-learning delivered in part or entirely…

The Experimental Research on E-Learning Instructional Design Model Based on Cognitive Flexibility Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Xianzhong; Wang, Feng; Zheng, Zhongmei

The paper reports an educational experiment on the e-Learning instructional design model based on Cognitive Flexibility Theory, the experiment were made to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of the model in promoting the learning quality in ill-structured domain. The study performed the experiment on two groups of students: one group learned through the system designed by the model and the other learned by the traditional method. The results of the experiment indicate that the e-Learning designed through the model is helpful to promote the intrinsic motivation, learning quality in ill-structured domains, ability to resolve ill-structured problem and creative thinking ability of the students.

Lessons learned from England's Health Checks Programme: using qualitative research to identify and share best practice.

PubMed

Ismail, Hanif; Kelly, Shona

2015-10-20

This study aimed to explore the challenges and barriers faced by staff involved in the delivery of the National Health Service (NHS) Health Check, a systematic cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and management program in primary care. Data have been derived from three qualitative evaluations that were conducted in 25 General Practices and involved in depth interviews with 58 staff involved all levels of the delivery of the Health Checks. Analysis of the data was undertaken using the framework approach and findings are reported within the context of research and practice considerations. Findings indicated that there is no 'one size fits all' blueprint for maximising uptake although success factors were identified: evolution of the programme over time in response to local needs to suit the particular characteristics of the patient population; individual staff characteristics such as being proactive, enthusiastic and having specific responsibility; a supportive team. Training was clearly identified as an area that needed addressing and practitioners would benefit from CVD specific baseline training and refresher courses to keep them up to date with recent developments in the area. However there were other external factors that impinged on an individual's ability to provide an effective service, some of these were outside the control of individuals and included cutbacks in referral services, insufficient space to run clinics or general awareness of the Health Checks amongst patients. The everyday experiences of practitioners who participated in this study suggest that overall, Health Check is perceived as a worthwhile exercise. But, organisational and structural barriers need to be addressed. We also recommend that clear referral pathways be in place so staff can refer patients to appropriate services (healthy eating sessions, smoking cessation, and exercise referrals). Local authorities need to support initiatives that enable data sharing and linkage so that GP Practices are informed when patients take up services such as smoking cessation or alcohol harm reduction programmes run by social services.

Long-Term International Space Station (ISS) Risk Reduction Activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fodroci, M. P.; Gafka, G. K.; Lutomski, M. G.; Maher, J. S.

2012-01-01

As the assembly of the ISS nears completion, it is worthwhile to step back and review some of the actions pursued by the Program in recent years to reduce risk and enhance the safety and health of ISS crewmembers, visitors, and space flight participants. While the initial ISS requirements and design were intended to provide the best practicable levels of safety, it is always possible to further reduce risk - given the determination, commitment, and resources to do so. The following is a summary of some of the steps taken by the ISS Program Manager, by our International Partners, by hardware and software designers, by operational specialists, and by safety personnel to continuously enhance the safety of the ISS, and to reduce risk to all crewmembers. While years of work went into the development of ISS requirements, there are many things associated with risk reduction in a Program like the ISS that can only be learned through actual operational experience. These risk reduction activities can be divided into roughly three categories: Areas that were initially noncompliant which have subsequently been brought into compliance or near compliance (i.e., Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris [MMOD] protection, acoustics) Areas where initial design requirements were eventually considered inadequate and were subsequently augmented (i.e., Toxicity Hazard Level- 4 [THL] materials, emergency procedures, emergency equipment, control of drag-throughs) Areas where risks were initially underestimated, and have subsequently been addressed through additional mitigation (i.e., Extravehicular Activity [EVA] sharp edges, plasma shock hazards) Due to the hard work and cooperation of many parties working together across the span of more than a decade, the ISS is now a safer and healthier environment for our crew, in many cases exceeding the risk reduction targets inherent in the intent of the original design. It will provide a safe and stable platform for utilization and discovery for years to come.

Long-Term International Space Station (ISS) Risk Reduction Activities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forroci, Michael P.; Gafka, George K.; Lutomski, Michael G.; Maher, Jacilyn S.

2011-01-01

As the assembly of the ISS nears completion, it is worthwhile to step back and review some of the actions pursued by the Program in recent years to reduce risk and enhance the safety and health of ISS crewmembers, visitors, and space flight participants. While the initial ISS requirements and design were intended to provide the best practicable levels of safety, it is always possible to further reduce risk given the determination, commitment, and resources to do so. The following is a summary of some of the steps taken by the ISS Program Manager, by our International Partners, by hardware and software designers, by operational specialists, and by safety personnel to continuously enhance the safety of the ISS, and to reduce risk to all crewmembers. While years of work went into the development of ISS requirements, there are many things associated with risk reduction in a Program like the ISS that can only be learned through actual operational experience. These risk reduction activities can be divided into roughly three categories: Areas that were initially noncompliant which have subsequently been brought into compliance or near compliance (i.e., Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris [MMOD] protection, acoustics) Areas where initial design requirements were eventually considered inadequate and were subsequently augmented (i.e., Toxicity hazard level-4 materials, emergency procedures, emergency equipment, control of drag-throughs) Areas where risks were initially underestimated, and have subsequently been addressed through additional mitigation (i.e., Extravehicular Activity [EVA] sharp edges, plasma shock hazards). Due to the hard work and cooperation of many parties working together across the span of more than a decade, the ISS is now a safer and healthier environment for our crew, in many cases exceeding the risk reduction targets inherent in the intent of the original design. It will provide a safe and stable platform for utilization and discovery for years to come.

The Surgery Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Program (SIEDP): An Experiential Learning Program for Surgery Faculty to Ideate and Implement Innovations in Health care.

PubMed

Servoss, Jonathan; Chang, Connie; Olson, David; Ward, Kevin R; Mulholland, Michael W; Cohen, Mark S

2017-10-05

Surgeons are continually engaged in the incorporation of new technologies in their practice. In the operating room and beyond, they combine technical skill with creative problem solving to improve tools and techniques for patient care, making them natural innovators. However, despite their innovative tendencies, education on entrepreneurship and commercialization is severely lacking. Moreover, with increasing pressure to meet productivity metrics, their availability to learn the complexities of commercialization is limited. To address these challenges, we designed the Surgery Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Program (SIEDP) with the objective to advance faculty innovations, develop new departmental innovation initiatives, and improve faculty education in the area of innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization. The SIEDP is a first-of-its-kind experiential learning program specifically designed for busy clinical and research faculty in a major academic surgery department. Participants ideated and formed teams around health care innovations as they progressed through a 9-month curriculum of expert guest lectures and interactive workshops. A postprogram evaluation and outcome tracking method was used to evaluate attainment of educational objectives and project development milestones. The Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Eleven surgery faculty of varying academic rank and surgical subspecialties. The program generated 2 faculty startup companies, 1 departmental commercial product, 3 patent disclosures, and 3 innovations that received additional funding. All participants in the program reported a significant increase in their understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship and that participation was a worthwhile faculty development activity. Despite the various challenges and time constraints of surgical practices, programs like SIEDP can educate surgeons and other academicians on innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization and add value to the academic mission of providing excellent education, research, and clinical care. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Identification of lesion images from gastrointestinal endoscope based on feature extraction of combinational methods with and without learning process.

PubMed

Liu, Ding-Yun; Gan, Tao; Rao, Ni-Ni; Xing, Yao-Wen; Zheng, Jie; Li, Sang; Luo, Cheng-Si; Zhou, Zhong-Jun; Wan, Yong-Li

2016-08-01

The gastrointestinal endoscopy in this study refers to conventional gastroscopy and wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE). Both of these techniques produce a large number of images in each diagnosis. The lesion detection done by hand from the images above is time consuming and inaccurate. This study designed a new computer-aided method to detect lesion images. We initially designed an algorithm named joint diagonalisation principal component analysis (JDPCA), in which there are no approximation, iteration or inverting procedures. Thus, JDPCA has a low computational complexity and is suitable for dimension reduction of the gastrointestinal endoscopic images. Then, a novel image feature extraction method was established through combining the algorithm of machine learning based on JDPCA and conventional feature extraction algorithm without learning. Finally, a new computer-aided method is proposed to identify the gastrointestinal endoscopic images containing lesions. The clinical data of gastroscopic images and WCE images containing the lesions of early upper digestive tract cancer and small intestinal bleeding, which consist of 1330 images from 291 patients totally, were used to confirm the validation of the proposed method. The experimental results shows that, for the detection of early oesophageal cancer images, early gastric cancer images and small intestinal bleeding images, the mean values of accuracy of the proposed method were 90.75%, 90.75% and 94.34%, with the standard deviations (SDs) of 0.0426, 0.0334 and 0.0235, respectively. The areas under the curves (AUCs) were 0.9471, 0.9532 and 0.9776, with the SDs of 0.0296, 0.0285 and 0.0172, respectively. Compared with the traditional related methods, our method showed a better performance. It may therefore provide worthwhile guidance for improving the efficiency and accuracy of gastrointestinal disease diagnosis and is a good prospect for clinical application. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development pathways in learning to be a physiotherapist.

PubMed

Lindquist, Ingrid; Engardt, Margareta; Garnham, Liz; Poland, Fiona; Richardson, Barbara

2006-09-01

Few studies have examined the experiences of students' professional socialization in physiotherapy. This international longitudinal study aimed to study experiences of situated learning and change in a student cohort during a physiotherapy education programme. A phenomenographic design with semi-structured interviews was carried out with a cohort of physiotherapy students from two sites, strategically selected for variation in gender, age, educational background, work experience and academic level. Interviews were carried out after each of the first five semesters in the programme by a team of researchers. Seventy-six interviews explored students' learning experiences. Analysis identified the variation in experiences seen as important to becoming a physiotherapist. Distinct perceptions of professional growth and progression are identified in four pathways of development: 'Reflecting on Practice'; 'Communicating with Others'; 'Performing Skills'; and 'Searching Evidence'. These pathways demonstrate qualitative differences in the focus of learning experiences and preferred learning context, and include learning in a context which supports reflection, learning as agreed by others in a context with patients and other professionals, learning physiotherapy skills in a practice context and learning formal knowledge in a context where theory can be linked with practice. In a cohort of students professional growth can be seen in a variety of development pathways. Each shows progress of professional growth in the 'what' as changes in experiences and the 'how' as ways of learning from them. In addition, the pattern of pathways in a cohort may change from one semester to another suggesting individuals may adopt different learning pathways throughout their education. Teaching staff are challenged to consider how they recognize a variation in development pathways in their student cohorts and how they purposefully ensure experiences to guide students through different learning pathways in socialization to become a physiotherapist.

Experiential Learning Theory as One of the Foundations of Adult Learning Practice Worldwide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dernova, Maiya

2015-01-01

The paper presents the analysis of existing theory, assumptions, and models of adult experiential learning. The experiential learning is a learning based on a learning cycle guided by the dual dialectics of action-reflection and experience-abstraction. It defines learning as a process of knowledge creation through experience transformation, so…

Learning Together: The Role of the Online Community in Army Professional Education

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-05-26

Kolb , Experiential Learning : Experience as the Source of Learning and Development... Experiential Learning One model frequently discussed is experiential learning .15 Kolb develops this model through analysis of older models. One of the...observations about the experience. Kolb develops several characteristics of adult learning . Kolb discusses his model of experiential learning

What Students Really Learn: Contrasting Medical and Nursing Students' Experiences of the Clinical Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liljedahl, Matilda; Boman, Lena Engqvist; Fält, Charlotte Porthén; Bolander Laksov, Klara

2015-01-01

This paper explores and contrasts undergraduate medical and nursing students' experiences of the clinical learning environment. Using a sociocultural perspective of learning and an interpretative approach, 15 in-depth interviews with medical and nursing students were analysed with content analysis. Students' experiences are described using a…

Can You Do It? How Preschoolers Judge Whether Others Have Learned

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sobel, David M.

2015-01-01

Two experiments investigated how preschoolers judge whether learning has occurred. Experiment 1 showed that 3- and 4-year-olds used an individual's ability to demonstrate knowledge to judge whether he/she had learned something, regardless of that individual's claim about whether he/she had learned. Experiment 2 considered whether children…

Making It Personal: The Importance of Student Experience in Creating Autonomy-Supportive Classrooms for Millennial Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Conklin, Thomas A.

2013-01-01

This article reviews andragogy as the philosophy resident in the broad arena of experience-based learning. Beneath the umbrella of experience-based learning lie the specific classroom orientations of student-centered learning, problem-based learning, and classrooms as organizations. These orientations contribute to the creation of…

A Rasch Analysis on Total Learning Experience of UKM Engineering Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aziz, Azrilah Abdul; Khatimin, Nuraini; Mastor, Khairul Anwar; Zaharim, Azami; Yasin, Siti Hanani Mat

2013-01-01

Learning experience has always been influenced by not only the academic materials presented to students, but also others factors within the surroundings of the students. Assessment is conducted to monitor the students' total learning experience (TLE) throughout their academic tenure-ship at the higher learning institution. UKM has taken the…

The Implementation of Service-Learning in Graduate Instructional Design Coursework

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stefaniak, Jill E.

2015-01-01

This paper describes the design of service-learning experiences with a graduate-level instructional design course. Service-learning provides students with real-life experiences in a situated-learning environment. Students were tasked with working on an instructional design project in a real-world setting to gain consultative experience. This paper…

The M-Learning Experience of Language Learners in Informal Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sendurur, Emine; Efendioglu, Esra; Çaliskan, Neslihan Yondemir; Boldbaatar, Nomin; Kandin, Emine; Namazli, Sevinç

2017-01-01

This study is designed to understand the informal language learners' experiences of m-learning applications. The aim is two-folded: (i) to extract the reasons why m-learning applications are preferred and (ii) to explore the user experience of Duolingo m-learning application. We interviewed 18 voluntary Duolingo users. The findings suggest that…

Learning in Context: Linguistic and Attentional Constraints on Children's Color Term Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Hanlon, Catherine G.; Roberson, Debi

2006-01-01

Three experiments investigated whether linguistic and/or attentional constraints might account for preschoolers' difficulties when learning color terms. Task structure and demands were equated across experiments, and both speed and degree of learning were compared. In Experiment 1, 3-year-olds who were matched on vocabulary score were taught new…

Assessing the Unassessable: Making Learning Visible in Undergraduates' Experiences of Scientific Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, Anna; Howitt, Susan; Higgins, Denise

2016-01-01

We suggest that academics involved in the provision of research experiences to undergraduate science students may benefit by reconceptualising these experiences as work-based learning. In particular, drawing on the widespread use of reflective practice in work-based learning allows for a more effective focus on process-related learning. We…

Culturally and linguistically diverse healthcare students' experiences of learning in a clinical environment: A systematic review of qualitative studies.

PubMed

Mikkonen, Kristina; Elo, Satu; Kuivila, Heli-Maria; Tuomikoski, Anna-Maria; Kääriäinen, Maria

2016-02-01

Learning in the clinical environment of healthcare students plays a significant part in higher education. The greatest challenges for culturally and linguistically diverse healthcare students were found in clinical placements, where differences in language and culture have been shown to cause learning obstacles for students. There has been no systematic review conducted to examine culturally and linguistically diverse healthcare students' experiences of their learning in the clinical environment. This systematic review aims to identify culturally and linguistically diverse healthcare students' experiences of learning in a clinical environment. The search strategy followed the guidelines of the Centre of Reviews and Dissemination. The original studies were identified from seven databases (CINAHL, Medline Ovid, Scopus, Web of Science, Academic Search Premiere, Eric and Cochrane Library) for the period 2000-2014. Two researchers selected studies based on titles, abstracts and full texts using inclusion criteria and assessed the quality of studies independently. Twelve original studies were chosen for the review. The culturally and linguistically diverse healthcare students' learning experiences were divided into three influential aspects of learning in a clinical environment: experiences with implementation processes and provision; experiences with peers and mentors; and experiences with university support and instructions. The main findings indicate that culturally and linguistically diverse healthcare students embarking on clinical placements initially find integration stressful. Implementing the process of learning in a clinical environment requires additional time, well prepared pedagogical orientation, prior cultural and language education, and support for students and clinical staff. Barriers to learning by culturally and linguistically diverse healthcare students were not being recognized and individuals were not considered motivated; learners experienced the strain of being different, and faced language difficulties. Clinical staff attitudes influenced students' clinical learning experiences and outcomes. Additional education in culture and language for students and clinical staff is considered essential to improve the clinical learning experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse healthcare students. Further studies of culturally and linguistically diverse healthcare students' learning experiences in the clinical environment need to be conducted in order to examine influential aspects on the clinical learning found in the review. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evoked prior learning experience and approach to learning as predictors of academic achievement.

PubMed

Trigwell, Keith; Ashwin, Paul; Millan, Elena S

2013-09-01

In separate studies and research from different perspectives, five factors are found to be among those related to higher quality outcomes of student learning (academic achievement). Those factors are higher self-efficacy, deeper approaches to learning, higher quality teaching, students' perceptions that their workload is appropriate, and greater learning motivation. University learning improvement strategies have been built on these research results. To investigate how students' evoked prior experience, perceptions of their learning environment, and their approaches to learning collectively contribute to academic achievement. This is the first study to investigate motivation and self-efficacy in the same educational context as conceptions of learning, approaches to learning and perceptions of the learning environment. Undergraduate students (773) from the full range of disciplines were part of a group of over 2,300 students who volunteered to complete a survey of their learning experience. On completing their degrees 6 and 18 months later, their academic achievement was matched with their learning experience survey data. A 77-item questionnaire was used to gather students' self-report of their evoked prior experience (self-efficacy, learning motivation, and conceptions of learning), perceptions of learning context (teaching quality and appropriate workload), and approaches to learning (deep and surface). Academic achievement was measured using the English honours degree classification system. Analyses were conducted using correlational and multi-variable (structural equation modelling) methods. The results from the correlation methods confirmed those found in numerous earlier studies. The results from the multi-variable analyses indicated that surface approach to learning was the strongest predictor of academic achievement, with self-efficacy and motivation also found to be directly related. In contrast to the correlation results, a deep approach to learning was not related to academic achievement, and teaching quality and conceptions of learning were only indirectly related to achievement. Research aimed at understanding how students experience their learning environment and how that experience relates to the quality of their learning needs to be conducted using a wider range of variables and more sophisticated analytical methods. In this study of one context, some of the relations found in earlier bivariate studies, and on which learning intervention strategies have been built, are not confirmed when more holistic teaching-learning contexts are analysed using multi-variable methods. © 2012 The British Psychological Society.

Preceptors' Experience of Nursing Service-Learning Projects.

PubMed

Voss, Heather C

2016-03-01

Service-learning is a teaching-learning strategy in higher education that provides hands-on experiences in authentic clinical environments. Mutual decision making, shared goals, reciprocity, and tangible benefits to organizations and the people they serve are hallmarks of service-learning. However, the literature is sparse pertaining to preceptor experiences with service-learning projects, the extent of reciprocity, or the projects' impact on those who received the service. A small phenomenological study was conducted to better understand the experiences of four community-based health professionals who worked with nursing students on service-learning projects. Four themes emerged from face-to-face interviews and written reflections: (a) reciprocity among preceptor, clinical faculty, and student, (b) intentional planning and project clarity, (c) meaningful and authentic experience, and (d) valued and beneficial contributions that addressed a need. Insight gained from the experiences of the four preceptors in this study suggest that through careful planning and reciprocity, service-learning can have a positive impact on community-based organizations and the people they serve. Copyright 2016, SLACK Incorporated.

The Learning Context: Influence on Learning to Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Govender, Irene

2009-01-01

In this paper the influence of the learning context is considered when learning to program. For the purposes of this study, the lectures, study process, previous knowledge or teaching experience and tests comprised the learning context. The article argues that students' experiences of the learning context have important implications for teaching…

Medical school clinical placements - the optimal method for assessing the clinical educational environment from a graduate entry perspective.

PubMed

Hyde, Sarah; Hannigan, Ailish; Dornan, Tim; McGrath, Deirdre

2018-01-05

Educational environment is a strong determinant of student satisfaction and achievement. The learning environments of medical students on clinical placements are busy workplaces, composed of many variables. There is no universally accepted method of evaluating the clinical learning environment, nor is there consensus on what concepts or aspects should be measured. The aims of this study were to compare the Dundee ready educational environment measure (DREEM - the current de facto standard) and the more recently developed Manchester clinical placement index (MCPI) for the assessment of the clinical learning environment in a graduate entry medical student cohort by correlating the scores of each and analysing free text comments. This study also explored student perceptionof how the clinical educational environment is assessed. An online, anonymous survey comprising of both the DREEM and MCPI instruments was delivered to students on clinical placement in a graduate entry medical school. Additional questions explored students' perceptions of instruments for giving feedback. Numeric variables (DREEM score, MCPI score, ratings) were tested for normality and summarised. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to measure the strength of the association between total DREEM score and total MCPI scores. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the free text comments. The overall response rate to the questionnaire was 67% (n = 180), with a completed response rate for the MCPI of 60% (n = 161) and for the DREEM of 58% (n = 154). There was a strong, positive correlation between total DREEM and MCPI scores (r = 0.71, p < 0.001). On a scale of 0 to 7, the mean rating for how worthwhile students found completing the DREEM was 3.27 (SD 1.41) and for the MCPI was 3.49 (SD 1.57). 'Finding balance' and 'learning at work' were among the themes to emerge from analysis of free text comments. The present study confirms that DREEM and MCPI total scores are strongly correlated. Graduate entry students tended to favour this method of evaluation over the DREEM with the MCPI prompting rich description of the clinical learning environment. Further study is warranted to determine if this finding is transferable to all clinical medical student cohorts.

Student Reflections on an LIS Internship from a Service Learning Perspective Supporting Multiple Learning Theories

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cooper, Linda Z.

2013-01-01

This paper presents a case study that examines an internship as service learning and participating students' perceptions of their learning in two learning environments. The internship experience in this situation is first examined to ascertain that it qualifies as service learning. At the conclusion of this service learning internship experience,…

The Nature of Self-Directed Learning and Transformational Learning in Self-Managing Bipolar Disorder to Stay Well

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Francik, Wendy A.

2012-01-01

The purpose of the research was to explore the self-directed learning and transformational learning experiences among persons with bipolar disorder. A review of previous research pointed out how personal experiences with self-directed learning and transformational learning facilitated individuals' learning to manage HIV, Methicillan-resitant…

Knowledge Transfer in Health Care Through Digitally Collecting Learning Experiences - Results of Witra Care.

PubMed

Behrends, Marianne; Kupka, Thomas; Schmeer, Regina; Meyenburg-Altwarg, Iris; Marschollek, Michael

2016-01-01

The goal of the project Witra Care was to investigate how far the use of mobile technology is suitable to collect experience-based knowledge of nurses. Nine new employees and seven experienced nurses received for six weeks a mobile phone or a tablet pc with a mobile application that allowed them to collect learning object as pictures, videos, audio files or notes. In Witra Care the nurses created 303 learning objects. They have found the collecting of learning experiences was helpful for their learning processes. The learning objects demonstrate various aspects of daily routines in nursing. The results of Witra Care show that the documentation of learning experiences with mobile devices helps to gather information about the practical knowledge in the daily work of nurses, identifies individual learning needs of the employees and supports them in their personal learning processes.

The Relationship Between Levels of Fidelity in Simulation, Traditional Clinical Experiences and Objectives.

PubMed

Gore, Teresa

2017-06-15

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of baccalaureate nursing students' (BSN) perceived learning effectiveness using the Clinical Learning Environments Comparison Survey of different levels of fidelity simulation and traditional clinical experiences. A convenience sample of 103 first semester BSN enrolled in a fundamental/assessment clinical course and 155 fifth semester BSN enrolled in a leadership clinical course participated in this study. A descriptive correlational design was used for this cross-sectional study to evaluate students' perceptions after a simulation experience and the completion of the traditional clinical experiences. The subscales measured were communication, nursing leadership, and teaching-learning dyad. No statistical differences were noted based on the learning objectives. The communication subscale showed a tendency toward preference for traditional clinical experiences in meeting students perceived learning for communication. For student perceived learning effectiveness, faculty should determine the appropriate level of fidelity in simulation based on the learning objectives.

Operating characteristics of the implicit learning system supporting serial interception sequence learning.

PubMed

Sanchez, Daniel J; Reber, Paul J

2012-04-01

The memory system that supports implicit perceptual-motor sequence learning relies on brain regions that operate separately from the explicit, medial temporal lobe memory system. The implicit learning system therefore likely has distinct operating characteristics and information processing constraints. To attempt to identify the limits of the implicit sequence learning mechanism, participants performed the serial interception sequence learning (SISL) task with covertly embedded repeating sequences that were much longer than most previous studies: ranging from 30 to 60 (Experiment 1) and 60 to 90 (Experiment 2) items in length. Robust sequence-specific learning was observed for sequences up to 80 items in length, extending the known capacity of implicit sequence learning. In Experiment 3, 12-item repeating sequences were embedded among increasing amounts of irrelevant nonrepeating sequences (from 20 to 80% of training trials). Despite high levels of irrelevant trials, learning occurred across conditions. A comparison of learning rates across all three experiments found a surprising degree of constancy in the rate of learning regardless of sequence length or embedded noise. Sequence learning appears to be constant with the logarithm of the number of sequence repetitions practiced during training. The consistency in learning rate across experiments and conditions implies that the mechanisms supporting implicit sequence learning are not capacity-constrained by very long sequences nor adversely affected by high rates of irrelevant sequences during training.

Learning style and laparoscopic experience in psychomotor skill performance using a virtual reality surgical simulator.

PubMed

Windsor, John A; Diener, Scott; Zoha, Farah

2008-06-01

People learn in different ways, and training techniques and technologies should accommodate individual learning needs. This pilot study looks at the relationship between learning style, as measured with the Multiple Intelligences Developmental Assessment Scales (MIDAS), laparoscopic surgery experience and psychomotor skill performance using the MIST VR surgical simulator. Five groups of volunteer subjects were selected from undergraduate tertiary students, medical students, novice surgical trainees, advanced surgical trainees and experienced laparoscopic surgeons. Each group was administered the MIDAS followed by two simulated surgical tasks on the MIST VR simulator. There was a striking homogeny of learning styles amongst experienced laparoscopic surgeons. Significant differences in the distribution of primary learning styles were found (P < .01) between subjects with minimal surgical training and those with considerable experience. A bodily-kinesthetic learning style, irrespective of experience, was associated with the best performance of the laparoscopic tasks. This is the first study to highlight the relationship between learning style, psychomotor skill and laparoscopic surgical experience with implications for surgeon selection, training and credentialling.

Enhancing E-Learning through Teacher Support: Two Experiences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gaudioso, E.; Hernandez-del-Olmo, F.; Montero, M.

2009-01-01

Teachers in e-learning play a crucial role as facilitators of the students' learning experiences. To this end, a teacher needs to monitor, understand and evaluate the activity of the students in the course. What is more, e-learning can be enhanced if tools for supporting teachers in this task are provided. In this paper, two experiences are…

Grounded Learning Experience: Helping Students Learn Physics through Visuo-Haptic Priming and Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Shih-Chieh Douglas

2013-01-01

In this dissertation, I investigate the effects of a grounded learning experience on college students' mental models of physics systems. The grounded learning experience consisted of a priming stage and an instruction stage, and within each stage, one of two different types of visuo-haptic representation was applied: visuo-gestural simulation…

A Student's Experience and View on College Teaching and Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Atkinson, Kristin

2013-01-01

Through my college experience and my reflection on The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Reconsidered, I have come to recognize several ideas that have greatly impacted me, my views on learning, and my actual learning. My overall experience in college has been beneficial because of the teachers who approached teaching with a more conscious…

Online or Face-to-Face? Students' Experiences and Preferences in E-Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paechter, Manuela; Maier, Brigitte

2010-01-01

Which aspects of e-learning courses do students experience as being favorable for learning? When do students prefer online or face-to-face learning components? These questions were the subject of a research study in a sample of 2196 students from 29 Austrian universities. The students completed a questionnaire on their experiences attending an…

Creating Ripples: An Exploration of Sansei Women's Experiences of Expressive Practices in a Holistic Approach to Learning about Oppression and Privilege

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaya, Katherine

2013-01-01

Although much has been written recently about holistic orientations to transformative learning, including its theoretical foundations and frameworks for designing learning experiences that engage multiple epistemologies, little is known about learners' experiences and about how engaging multiple epistemologies can foster learning that is…

A Qualitative Investigation into the Experiences of Having a Parent with a Learning Disability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hewitt, Olivia; Clarke, Angela

2016-01-01

Background: More people with a learning disability are becoming parents. Little is known about the lived experiences of the children who have a parent with a learning disability. Methods: This study uses interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to understand the lived experiences of people who have a parent with a learning disability. Five…

CHILDSPLA: a collaboration between children and researchers to design and animate health states.

PubMed

Abrines Jaume, N; Abbiss, M; Wray, J; Ashworth, J; Brown, K L; Cairns, J

2015-11-01

The children's health state preferences learnt from animation (CHILDSPLA) project developed an interactive application presented on a touch screen device using an animated character to collect information from children about their health. The underlying hypothesis was that health information could be directly collected from children as young as 4 years old by the use of animated characters. This paper describes in detail how children were involved in the development of the application, and recounts both the challenges and benefits of that process. A child psychologist and an animation filmmaker worked closely with children to design a character and to animate it to represent different health states. Children were recruited from a local primary school (n = 38) and a paediatric specialist hospital (n = 36). Diverse interactive activities were organized to help children give feedback and guide the design process. The activities for each session were adjusted to the children's needs, based on the experience of previous sessions. The character and the animations were modified according to the feedback provided by the children. Developing the CHILDSPLA app in collaboration with children was a worthwhile and enriching experience, despite the required iteration and extension of the design process, as it enabled us to adjust the tool to the children's needs. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Albrecht Ludwig Berblinger--inventor of the spring prosthesis and hang-glider (1811).

PubMed

Harsch, Viktor; Kriebel, Juergen

2006-10-01

Albrecht Ludwig Berblinger (1770-1829), known as the "Flying Tailor of Ulm", started with flight experiments in Ulm, Germany, in the early 19th century. He gained experience in downhill gliding with a maneuverable airworthy semi-rigid hang-glider and then attempted to cross the Danube River at Ulm's Eagle's Bastion on the 31st of May 1811. The tricky local winds caused him to crash and he was rescued by fishermen, making him the first survivor of a water immersion accident of a heavier-than-air manned "flight machine". Though he failed in his attempt to be the first man to fly, Berblinger can be regarded as one of the significant aviation pioneers who applied the "heavier than air" principle and paved the way for the more effective glide-flights of Otto Lilienthal (1891) and the Wright Brothers (1902). Less known are Berblinger's significant contributions to the construction of artificial limbs for medical use, as well as the spring-application in aviation. His invention of a special mechanical joint was also used for the juncture of the wings of his "flying machine". Because of his worthwhile contributions to medicine and flight, in 1993 the German Academy of Aviation Medicine named an annual award for young scientists in the field of aerospace medicine in his honor.

Is Exposure to an Effective Contingency Management Intervention Associated with More Positive Provider Beliefs?

PubMed Central

Kirby, Kimberly C.; Carpenedo, Carolyn M.; Stitzer, Maxine L.; Dugosh, Karen L.; Petry, Nancy M.; Roll, John M.; Saladin, Michael E.; Cohen, Allan J.; Hamilton, John; Reese, Karen; Sillo, Gina R.; Stabile, Patricia Quinn; Sterling, Robert C.

2011-01-01

This study empirically examined opinions of treatment providers regarding Contingency Management (CM) programs while controlling for experience with a specific efficacious CM program. In addition to empirically describing provider opinions, we examined whether the opinions of providers at the sites that implemented the CM program were more positive than those of matched providers at sites that did not implement it. Participants from 7 CM treatment sites (n = 76) and 7 matched non-participating sites (n = 69) within the same nodes of NIDA's Clinical Trials Network completed the Provider Survey of Incentives (PSI), which assesses positive and negative beliefs about incentive programs. An intent-to-treat analysis found no differences in the PSI summary scores of providers in CM program vs. matched sites, but correcting for experience with tangible incentives showed significant differences, with providers from CM sites reporting more positive opinions than those from matched sites. Some differences were found in opinions regarding costs of incentives and these generally indicated that participants from CM sites were more likely to see the costs as worthwhile. The results from the study suggest that exposing community treatment providers to incentive programs may itself be an effective strategy in prompting the dissemination of CM interventions. PMID:22116009

Community-based, Experiential Learning for Second Year Neuroscience Undergraduates

PubMed Central

Yu, Heather J.; Ramos-Goyette, Sharon; McCoy, John G.; Tirrell, Michael E.

2013-01-01

Service learning is becoming a keystone of the undergraduate learning experience. At Stonehill College, we implemented a service learning course, called a Learning Community, in Neuroscience. This course was created to complement the basic research available to Stonehill Neuroscience majors with experience in a more applied and “clinical” setting. The Neuroscience Learning Community is designed to promote a deep understanding of Neuroscience by combining traditional classroom instruction with clinical perspectives and real-life experiences. This Neuroscience Learning Community helps students translate abstract concepts within the context of neurodevelopment by providing students with contextual experience in a real-life, unscripted setting. The experiential learning outside of the classroom enabled students to participate in informed discussions in the classroom, especially with regard to neurodevelopmental disorders. We believe that all students taking this course gain an understanding of the importance of basic and applied Neuroscience as it relates to the individual and the community. Students also have used this concrete, learning-by-doing experience to make informed decisions about career paths and choice of major. PMID:24319392

Field Trips as Valuable Learning Experiences in Geography Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Krakowka, Amy Richmond

2012-01-01

Field trips have been acknowledged as valuable learning experiences in geography. This article uses Kolb's (1984) experiential learning model to discuss how students learn and how field trips can help enhance learning. Using Kolb's experiential learning theory as a guide in the design of field trips helps ensure that field trips contribute to…

An Exploration of Middle School Teachers' Essences of Participation in Service-Learning Activities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cochran Holmes, Ashlee Elizabeth

2013-01-01

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the essence of middle school service-learning teachers' experiences with service-learning. Service-learning is "a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility,…

Enhanced Experience Replay for Deep Reinforcement Learning

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-01

ARL-TR-7538 ● NOV 2015 US Army Research Laboratory Enhanced Experience Replay for Deep Reinforcement Learning by David Doria...Experience Replay for Deep Reinforcement Learning by David Doria, Bryan Dawson, and Manuel Vindiola Computational and Information Sciences Directorate...

In Search of Eminence: A Personal Brand-Building Perspective on the Achievement of Scholarly Prominence in Marketing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Noble, Charles H.; Bentley, John P.; Campbell, David; Singh, Jatinder J.

2010-01-01

In marketing, as in many other academic disciplines, new scholars are often taught a simple formula for the achievement of professional success: the single-minded pursuit of "A"-level journal publications. Although the goal of producing high-quality research that is ultimately published in top level journals is certainly worthwhile, the attainment…

Making Science Worthwhile: Still Seeking Critical, Not Cosmetic, Changes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tonso, Karen L.

2014-01-01

Tonso's commentary on Sinnes and Løken's paper links what they found to empirical research done in science and engineering career settings. Sinnes and Løken's findings are a welcome addition to a literature dedicated to pointing out, yet again, some of the reasons we have made so little progress reversing gender inequities in the…

The Art of Pianism Meets Science, Sustainable Performance: Use of Arm Weight

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

James, Barbara

2012-01-01

Playing the piano can result in intense muscular activity with the potential to cause injury to the hand and fingers. It was reasoned some time ago that technique had to be made sustainable. This resulted in the exploration of ways to make muscular use more economic in playing because even small energy savings are worthwhile in making technique…

The Role of Foundation Programmes in Science Education: The UNIFY Programme at the University of Limpopo, South Africa

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mabila, T. E.; Malatje, S. E.; Addo-Bediako, A.; Kazeni, M. M. M.; Mathabatha, S. S.

2006-01-01

Since its inception in 1992, the University of the North's, Science Foundation Year (UNIFY) Programme has provided access to higher education to over 1500 previously disadvantaged students. However, there has always been doubt about whether the concept of a foundation programme is a worthwhile endeavour. To date, government has not yet fully…

Sobre la ensenanza de la literatura hispanoamericana (The Teaching of Hispanoamerican Literature).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ellis, Keith

There are three main problems in teaching Latin American literature: (1) It is difficult to maintain a regional overview, while, at the same time, including a sense of the literary history of Latin America; (2) It is necessary to teach literature so that the material seems worthwhile in its own right and not only as a complement to other…

Birch management on New Hampshire state lands

Treesearch

Sargent Goodhue

1969-01-01

Paper birch occurs on New Hampshire's state forests in association with almost all other upland species. The quality wood is found as far south as the Sunapee Range and the Lake Winnipesaukee area. In this northern zone, there is a ready market that recognizes grade and makes paper birch management worthwhile. In the white pine area in the southeastern part of the...

Teacher Competence as a Basis for Teacher Education: Comparing Views of Teachers and Teacher Educators in Five Western Balkan Countries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pantic, Natasa; Wubbels, Theo; Mainhard, Tim

2011-01-01

Orientation of teacher preparation toward the development of competence has recently been suggested as a worthwhile direction of change in teacher education in the Western Balkan countries. In this study, 2,354 teachers, teacher educators, and student teachers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia responded to a…

Protection motivation theory: is this a worthwhile theory for physical activity promotion?

PubMed

Plotnikoff, Ronald C; Trinh, Linda

2010-04-01

This article reviews the published studies in the physical activity domain, which include novel hypothesis from our laboratory, that have tested Rogers' Protection Motivation Theory. Across the various population groups, the theory's coping appraisal is generally supported; however, there is limited support for the theory's threat components. Implications of these findings are discussed from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

Is Job Sharing Worthwhile? A Cost-Benefit Analysis in UK Universities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harris, Geoff

1997-01-01

Data from a survey of personnel directors in United Kingdom universities were used to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of job sharing from the institutions' perspective. Results show a 5% rise in productivity would raise the ratio of benefits to cost to 14.3 to 1. Retention of staff, reduction of stress, and reduced unemployment are also benefits.…

Bodacious Berry, Potency Wood and the Aging Monster: Gender and Age Relations in Anti-Aging Ads

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Calasanti, Toni

2007-01-01

This paper situates age discrimination within a broader system of age relations that intersects with other inequalities, and then uses that framework to analyze internet advertisements for the anti-aging industry. Such ads reinforce age and gender relations by positing old people as worthwhile only to the extent that they look and act like those…

Is Moral Philosophy an Educationally Worthwhile Activity? Toward a Liberal Democratic Theory of Teacher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin, Christopher

2017-01-01

This paper looks at the case of moral philosophy in order to assess the extent to which and ways in which teacher education should respond to the liberal principle of justification. This principle states that moral and political decisions made by citizens with special kinds of influence and other coercive powers should be accountable to other…

Linkage disequilibrium levels in Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle using medium and high density SNP chip data and different minor allele frequency distributions

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Linkage disequilibrium (LD), the observed correlation between alleles at different loci in the genome, is a determinant parameter in many applications of molecular genetics. With the wider use of genomic technologies in animal breeding and animal genetics, it is worthwhile revising and improving the...

Rethinking the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge: A Case Study of Teaching the Environment in Science Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Mijung; Roth, Wolff-Michael

2008-01-01

In this paper we argue that scientific literacy ought to be rethought in that it involves ethics as its core element. Considering the fact that science education has addressed ethical dilemmas of Science, Technology, Society and Environment (STSE) issues, it is worthwhile to question what the ethics of scientific knowledge mean in terms of their…

An Empirical Investigation of the Financial Value of a College Degree

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lobo, Bento J.; Burke-Smalley, Lisa A.

2018-01-01

We generate selection-adjusted NPV and IRR estimates for a bachelor's degree in the U.S. which account for time-to-graduation, debt financing and tuition levels. We find that a college degree is generally worthwhile, but the private value of the investment is a declining function of time-to-graduation. Selection-adjustments show that for students…

Pre-registration nursing student's quality of practice learning: Clinical learning environment inventory (actual) questionnaire.

PubMed

Shivers, Eleanor; Hasson, Felicity; Slater, Paul

2017-08-01

Clinical learning is a vital component of nurse education and assessing student's experiences can provide useful insights for development. Whilst most research in this area has focused on the acute setting little attention has been given to all pre-registration nurses' experience across the clinical placements arenas. To examine of pre-registration nursing students (first, second and third year) assessment of their actual experiences of their most recent clinical learning clinical learning experience. A cross sectional survey involving a descriptive online anonymous questionnaire based on the clinical learning environment inventory tool. One higher education institution in the United Kingdom. Nursing students (n=147) enrolled in an undergraduate nursing degree. This questionnaire included demographic questions and the Clinical Learning Environment Inventory (CLEI) a 42 item tool measuring student's satisfaction with clinical placement. SPPS version 22 was employed to analyse data with descriptive and inferential statistics. Overall students were satisfied with their clinical learning experience across all placement areas. This was linked to the 6 constructs of the clinical learning environment inventory; personalization, innovation, individualization, task orientation, involvement, satisfaction. Significant differences in student experience were noted between age groups and student year but there was no difference noted between placement type, age and gender. Nursing students had a positive perception of their clinical learning experience, although there remains room for improvement. Enabling a greater understanding of students' perspective on the quality of clinical education is important for nursing education and future research. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Effects of Learning Experience on Forgetting Rates of Item and Associative Memories

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Jiongjiong; Zhan, Lexia; Wang, Yingying; Du, Xiaoya; Zhou, Wenxi; Ning, Xueling; Sun, Qing; Moscovitch, Morris

2016-01-01

Are associative memories forgotten more quickly than item memories, and does the level of original learning differentially influence forgetting rates? In this study, we addressed these questions by having participants learn single words and word pairs once (Experiment 1), three times (Experiment 2), and six times (Experiment 3) in a massed…

Effectiveness of Personalised Learning Paths on Students Learning Experiences in an e-Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Santally, Mohammad Issack; Senteni, Alain

2013-01-01

Personalisation of e-learning environments is an interesting research area in which the learning experience of learners is generally believed to be improved when his or her personal learning preferences are taken into account. One such learning preference is the V-A-K instrument that classifies learners as visual, auditory or kinaesthetic. In this…

Auditory and motor imagery modulate learning in music performance

PubMed Central

Brown, Rachel M.; Palmer, Caroline

2013-01-01

Skilled performers such as athletes or musicians can improve their performance by imagining the actions or sensory outcomes associated with their skill. Performers vary widely in their auditory and motor imagery abilities, and these individual differences influence sensorimotor learning. It is unknown whether imagery abilities influence both memory encoding and retrieval. We examined how auditory and motor imagery abilities influence musicians' encoding (during Learning, as they practiced novel melodies), and retrieval (during Recall of those melodies). Pianists learned melodies by listening without performing (auditory learning) or performing without sound (motor learning); following Learning, pianists performed the melodies from memory with auditory feedback (Recall). During either Learning (Experiment 1) or Recall (Experiment 2), pianists experienced either auditory interference, motor interference, or no interference. Pitch accuracy (percentage of correct pitches produced) and temporal regularity (variability of quarter-note interonset intervals) were measured at Recall. Independent tests measured auditory and motor imagery skills. Pianists' pitch accuracy was higher following auditory learning than following motor learning and lower in motor interference conditions (Experiments 1 and 2). Both auditory and motor imagery skills improved pitch accuracy overall. Auditory imagery skills modulated pitch accuracy encoding (Experiment 1): Higher auditory imagery skill corresponded to higher pitch accuracy following auditory learning with auditory or motor interference, and following motor learning with motor or no interference. These findings suggest that auditory imagery abilities decrease vulnerability to interference and compensate for missing auditory feedback at encoding. Auditory imagery skills also influenced temporal regularity at retrieval (Experiment 2): Higher auditory imagery skill predicted greater temporal regularity during Recall in the presence of auditory interference. Motor imagery aided pitch accuracy overall when interference conditions were manipulated at encoding (Experiment 1) but not at retrieval (Experiment 2). Thus, skilled performers' imagery abilities had distinct influences on encoding and retrieval of musical sequences. PMID:23847495

Rejecting salient distractors: Generalization from experience.

PubMed

Vatterott, Daniel B; Mozer, Michael C; Vecera, Shaun P

2018-02-01

Distraction impairs performance of many important, everyday tasks. Attentional control limits distraction by preferentially selecting important items for limited-capacity cognitive operations. Research in attentional control has typically investigated the degree to which selection of items is stimulus-driven versus goal-driven. Recent work finds that when observers initially learn a task, the selection is based on stimulus-driven factors, but through experience, goal-driven factors have an increasing influence. The modulation of selection by goals has been studied within the paradigm of learned distractor rejection, in which experience over a sequence of trials enables individuals eventually to ignore a perceptually salient distractor. The experiments presented examine whether observers can generalize learned distractor rejection to novel distractors. Observers searched for a target and ignored a salient color-singleton distractor that appeared in half of the trials. In Experiment 1, observers who learned distractor rejection in a variable environment rejected a novel distractor more effectively than observers who learned distractor rejection in a less variable, homogeneous environment, demonstrating that variable, heterogeneous stimulus environments encourage generalizable learned distractor rejection. Experiments 2 and 3 investigated the time course of learned distractor rejection across the experiment and found that after experiencing four color-singleton distractors in different blocks, observers could effectively reject subsequent novel color-singleton distractors. These results suggest that the optimization of attentional control to the task environment can be interpreted as a form of learning, demonstrating experience's critical role in attentional control.

Perception of risks and benefits of in vitro fertilization, genetic engineering and biotechnology.

PubMed

Macer, D R

1994-01-01

The use of new biotechnology in medicine has become an everyday experience, but many people still express concern about biotechnology. Concerns are evoked particularly by the phrases genetic engineering and in vitro fertilization (IVF), and these concerns persist despite more than a decade of their use in medicine. Mailed nationwide opinion surveys on attitudes to biotechnology were conducted in Japan, among samples of the public (N = 551), high school biology teachers (N = 228), scientists (N = 555) and nurses (N = 301). People do see more benefits coming from science than harm when balanced against the risks. There were especially mixed perceptions of benefit and risk about IVF and genetic engineering, and a relatively high degree of worry compared to other developments of science and technology. A discussion of assisted reproductive technologies and surrogacy in Japan is also made. The opinions of people in Japan were compared to the results of previous surveys conducted in Japan, and international surveys conducted in Australia, China, Europe, New Zealand, U.K. and U.S.A. Japanese have a very high awareness of biotechnology, 97% saying that they had heard of the word. They also have a high level of awareness of IVF and genetic engineering. Genetic engineering was said to be a worthwhile research area for Japan by 76%, while 58% perceived research on IVF as being worthwhile, however 61% were worried about research on IVF or genetic engineering. Japanese expressed more concern about IVF and genetic engineering than New Zealanders. The major reason cited for rejection of genetic manipulation research in Japan and New Zealand was that it was seen as interfering with nature, playing God or as unethical. The emotions concerning these technologies are complex, and we should avoid using simplistic public opinion data as measures of public perceptions. The level of concern expressed by scientists and teachers in Japan suggest that public education "technology promotion campaigns" will not reduce concern about science and technology. Such concern should be valued as discretion that is basic to increasing the bioethical maturity of a society, rather than being feared.

Training future health providers to care for the underserved: a pilot interprofessional experience.

PubMed

Hasnain, Memoona; Koronkowski, Michael J; Kondratowicz, Diane M; Goliak, Kristen L

2012-01-01

Interprofessional teamwork is essential for effective delivery of health care to all patients, particularly the vulnerable and underserved. This brief communication describes a pilot interprofessional learning experience designed to introduce medicine and pharmacy students to critical health issues affecting at-risk, vulnerable patients and helping students learn the value of functioning effectively in interprofessional teams. With reflective practice as an overarching principle, readings, writing assignments, a community-based immersion experience, discussion seminars, and presentations were organized to cultivate students' insights into key issues impacting the health and well-being of vulnerable patients. A written program evaluation form was used to gather students' feedback about this learning experience. Participating students evaluated this learning experience positively. Both quantitative and qualitative input indicated the usefulness of this learning experience in stimulating learners' thinking and helping them learn to work collaboratively with peers from another discipline to understand and address health issues for at-risk, vulnerable patients within their community. This pilot educational activity helped medicine and pharmacy students learn the value of functioning effectively in interprofessional teams. Given the importance of interprofessional teamwork and the increasing need to respond to the health needs of underserved populations, integrating interprofessional learning experiences in health professions training is highly relevant, feasible, and critically needed.

Science Teachers' Perceptions of the Relationship Between Game Play and Inquiry Learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mezei, Jessica M.

The implementation of inquiry learning in American science classrooms remains a challenge. Teachers' perceptions of inquiry learning are predicated on their past educational experiences, which means outdated methods of learning may influence teachers' instructional approaches. In order to enhance their understanding and ultimately their implementation of inquiry learning, teachers need new and more relevant models. This study takes a preliminary step exploring the potential of game play as a valuable experience for science teachers. It has been proposed that game play and inquiry experiences can embody constructivist processes of learning, however there has been little work done with science teachers to systematically explore the relationship between the two. Game play may be an effective new model for teacher education and it is important to understand if and how teachers relate game playing experience and knowledge to inquiry. This study examined science teachers' game playing experiences and their perceptions of inquiry experiences and evaluated teacher's recognition of learning in both contexts. Data was collected through an online survey (N=246) and a series of follow-up interviews (N=29). Research questions guiding the study were: (1) What is the nature of the relationship between science teachers' game experience and their perceptions of inquiry? (2) How do teachers describe learning in and from game playing as compared with inquiry science learning? and (3) What is the range of similarities and differences teachers articulate between game play and inquiry experiences?. Results showed weak quantitative links between science teachers' game experiences and their perceptions of inquiry, but identified promising game variables such as belief in games as learning tools, game experiences, and playing a diverse set of games for future study. The qualitative data suggests that teachers made broad linkages in terms of parallels of both teaching and learning. Teachers mostly articulated learning connections in terms of the active or participatory nature of the experiences. Additionally, a majority of teachers discussed inquiry learning in concert with inquiry teaching which led to a wider range of comparisons made based on the teacher's interpretation of inquiry as a pedagogical approach instead of focusing solely on inquiry learning. This study has implications for both research and practice. Results demonstrate that teachers are interested in game play as it relates to learning and the linkages teachers made between the domains suggests it may yet prove to be a fruitful analogical device that could be leveraged for teacher development. However, further study is needed to test these claims and ultimately, research that further aligns the benefits of game play experiences to teacher practice is encouraged in order to build on the propositions and findings of this thesis.

A meta-analytic review of corridor effectiveness.

PubMed

Gilbert-Norton, Lynne; Wilson, Ryan; Stevens, John R; Beard, Karen H

2010-06-01

Using corridors for conservation is increasing despite a lack of consensus on their efficacy. Specifically, whether corridors increase movement of plants and animals between habitat fragments has been addressed on a case-by-case basis with mixed results. Because of the growing number of well-designed experiments that have addressed this question, we conducted a meta-analysis to determine whether corridors increase movement; whether corridor effectiveness differs among taxa; how recent changes in experimental design have influenced findings; and whether corridor effectiveness differs between manipulative and natural experiments. To conduct our meta-analysis, we analyzed 78 experiments from 35 studies using a conservative hierarchical Bayesian model that accounts for hierarchical and sampling dependence. We found a highly significant result that corridors increase movement between habitat patches by approximately 50% compared to patches that are not connected with corridors. We found that corridors were more important for the movement of invertebrates, nonavian vertebrates, and plants than they were for birds. Recent methodological advances in corridor experiments, such as controlling for the area added by corridors, did not influence whether corridors increased movement, whereas controlling for the distance between source and connected or unconnected recipient patches decreased movement through corridors. After controlling for taxa differences and whether studies controlled for distance in experimental design, we found that natural corridors (those existing in landscapes prior to the study) showed more movement than manipulated corridors (those created and maintained for the study). Our results suggest that existing corridors increase species movement in fragmented landscapes and that efforts spent on maintaining and creating corridors are worthwhile.

Patient Preferences for Pain Management in Advanced Cancer: Results from a Discrete Choice Experiment.

PubMed

Meads, David M; O'Dwyer, John L; Hulme, Claire T; Chintakayala, Phani; Vinall-Collier, Karen; Bennett, Michael I

2017-10-01

Pain from advanced cancer remains prevalent, severe and often under-treated. The aim of this study was to conduct a discrete choice experiment with patients to understand their preferences for pain management services and inform service development. Focus groups were used to develop the attributes and levels of the discrete choice experiment. The attributes were: waiting time, type of healthcare professional, out-of-pocket costs, side-effect control, quality of communication, quality of information and pain control. Patients completed the discrete choice experiment along with clinical and health-related quality of life questions. Conditional and mixed logit models were used to analyse the data. Patients with cancer pain (n = 221) and within palliative care services completed the survey (45% were female, mean age 64.6 years; age range 21-92 years). The most important aspects of pain management were: good pain control, zero out-of-pocket costs and good side-effect control. Poor or moderate pain control and £30 costs drew the highest negative preferences. Respondents preferred control of side effects and provision of better information and communication, over access to certain healthcare professionals. Those with lower health-related quality of life were less willing to wait for treatment and willing to incur higher costs. The presence of a carer influenced preferences. Outcome attributes were more important than process attributes but the latter were still valued. Thus, supporting self-management, for example by providing better information on pain may be a worthwhile endeavour. However, service provision may need to account for individual characteristics given the heterogeneity in preferences.

The importance of aerodynamics for prosthetic limb design used by competitive cyclists with an amputation: An introduction.

PubMed

Dyer, Bryce

2015-06-01

This study introduces the importance of the aerodynamics to prosthetic limb design for athletes with either a lower-limb or upper-limb amputation. The study comprises two elements: 1) An initial experiment investigating the stability of outdoor velodrome-based field tests, and 2) An experiment evaluating the application of outdoor velodrome aerodynamic field tests to detect small-scale changes in aerodynamic drag respective of prosthetic limb componentry changes. An outdoor field-testing method is used to detect small and repeatable changes in the aerodynamic drag of an able-bodied cyclist. These changes were made at levels typical of alterations in prosthetic componentry. The field-based test method of assessment is used at a smaller level of resolution than previously reported. With a carefully applied protocol, the field test method proved to be statistically stable. The results of the field test experiments demonstrate a noticeable change in overall athlete performance. Aerodynamic refinement of artificial limbs is worthwhile for athletes looking to maximise their competitive performance. A field-testing method illustrates the importance of the aerodynamic optimisation of prosthetic limb components. The field-testing protocol undertaken in this study gives an accessible and affordable means of doing so by prosthetists and sports engineers. Using simple and accessible field-testing methods, this exploratory experiment demonstrates how small changes to riders' equipment, consummate of the scale of a small change in prosthetics componentry, can affect the performance of an athlete. Prosthetists should consider such opportunities for performance enhancement when possible. © The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2014.

Learning Experiences in Medical Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leggat, Peter A.

2000-01-01

Discusses the learning experience from both traditional and computer-assisted instructional methods. Describes the environments in which these methods are effective. Focuses on learning experiences in medical education and describes educational strategies, particularly the 'SPICES' model. Discusses the importance of mentoring in the psychosocial…

Learning and Retention through Predictive Inference and Classification

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sakamoto, Yasuaki; Love, Bradley C.

2010-01-01

Work in category learning addresses how humans acquire knowledge and, thus, should inform classroom practices. In two experiments, we apply and evaluate intuitions garnered from laboratory-based research in category learning to learning tasks situated in an educational context. In Experiment 1, learning through predictive inference and…

Web-based learning in professional development: experiences of Finnish nurse managers.

PubMed

Korhonen, Teija; Lammintakanen, Johanna

2005-11-01

The aim of this article is to describe the nurse managers' expectations, attitudes and experiences on web-based learning before and after participation in a web-based course. Information technology has rapidly become more common in health care settings. However, little is known about nurse managers' experiences on web-based learning, although they have a crucial role in promoting the professional development of their staff. Diagnostic assignments (n = 18) written before and interviews (n = 8) taken after the web-based education. The data were analysed by inductive content analysis. Nurse managers found web-based education to be a suitable and modern method of learning. On the basis of their experience they found multiple ways to utilize web-based learning environments in health care. Information technology skills, equipment, support and time were considered essential in web-based learning. Additionally, they found that their own experience might lead to more widespread implementation of web-based learning in health care settings. Information technology skills of nurse managers and staff need to be developed in order to use information technology effectively. In order to learn in a web-based environment, everyone needs the opportunity and access to required resources. Additionally, nurse managers' own experiences are important to promote wider utilization of web-based learning.

Exploring the Role of Flow Experience, Learning Performance and Potential Behavior Clusters in Elementary Students' Game-Based Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsieh, Ya-Hui; Lin, Yi-Chun; Hou, Huei-Tse

2016-01-01

Well-designed game-based learning can provide students with an innovative environment that may enhance students' motivation and engagement in learning and thus improve their learning performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among elementary school students' flow experience and learning performances. We also…

Students' Reflections on the Relationships between Safe Learning Environments, Learning Challenge and Positive Experiences of Learning in a Simulated GP Clinic

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Young, J. E.; Williamson, M. I.; Egan, T. G.

2016-01-01

Learning environments are a significant determinant of student behaviour, achievement and satisfaction. In this article we use students' reflective essays to identify key features of the learning environment that contributed to positive and transformative learning experiences. We explore the relationships between these features, the students'…

Learning Experiences Reuse Based on an Ontology Modeling to Improve Adaptation in E-Learning Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hadj M'tir, Riadh; Rumpler, Béatrice; Jeribi, Lobna; Ben Ghezala, Henda

2014-01-01

Current trends in e-Learning focus mainly on personalizing and adapting the learning environment and learning process. Although their increasingly number, theses researches often ignore the concepts of capitalization and reuse of learner experiences which can be exploited later by other learners. Thus, the major challenge of distance learning is…

A multidimensional approach to examine student interdisciplinary learning in science and engineering in higher education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spelt, Elisabeth Jacoba Hendrika; Luning, Pieternelleke Arianne; van Boekel, Martinus A. J. S.; Mulder, Martin

2017-11-01

Preparing science and engineering students to work in interdisciplinary teams necessitates research on teaching and learning of interdisciplinary thinking. A multidimensional approach was taken to examine student interdisciplinary learning in a master course on food quality management. The collected 615 student experiences were analysed for the cognitive, emotional, and social learning dimensions using the learning theory of Illeris. Of these 615 experiences, the analysis showed that students reported 214, 194, and 207 times on, respectively, the emotional, the cognitive, and the social dimension. Per learning dimension, key learning experiences featuring interdisciplinary learning were identified such as 'frustrations in selecting and matching disciplinary knowledge to complex problems' (emotional), 'understanding how to apply theoretical models or concepts to real-world situations' (cognitive), and 'socially engaging with peers to recognise similarities in perceptions and experiences' (social). Furthermore, the results showed that students appreciated the cognitive dimension relatively more than the emotional and social dimensions.

Experiences from psychiatric rotation for pre-registration house officers: contributions to subjective learning.

PubMed

Sørensen Høifødt, Tordis; Sexton, Hal; Olstad, Reidun

2004-04-01

The clinical experience and the subjective learning of pre-registration house officers who completed 4 months' psychiatric rotation are described. The study was cross-sectional and based on self-report. The participants had responded to an anonymous questionnaire at the completion of their 4 months' psychiatric rotation in the period 1999-2001. Of those eligible (n = 137), 85 (61%) completed the questionnaire. The relationships between individual background variables, different factors of the learning environment, and good learning outcome were explored. The subjective learning benefit and positive learning environment were most related to the amount of practical experience, the degree of tailoring of the tasks to the house officers' competence, and to the formal intramural teaching programme. Supervision, gender, previous experience, and prior interest in psychiatry did not have significant impact on subjective learning. The findings are discussed in terms of the learning model that was developed.

Interprofessional education and collaboration: A simulation-based learning experience focused on common and complementary skills in an acute care environment.

PubMed

Cunningham, S; Foote, L; Sowder, M; Cunningham, C

2018-05-01

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore from the participant's perspective the influence of an interprofessional simulation-based learning experience on understanding the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals in the acute care setting, interprofessional collaboration, and communication. Participating students from two professional programs completed the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) prior to and following the simulation experience to explore the influence of the simulation experience on students' perceptions of readiness to learn together. A Wilcoxon signed rank analysis was performed for each of the four subscales of the RIPLS: shared learning (<.001), teamwork and collaboration (<.001), professional identity (.042), and roles and responsibilities (.001). In addition, participating students were invited to participate in focus group interviews to discuss the effectiveness of the simulation experience. Three key themes were discovered: interprofessional teamwork, discovering roles and responsibilities, and increased confidence in treatment skills. The integration of interprofessional education through a simulation-based learning experience within the nursing and physical therapy professional programs provided a positive experience for the students. Simulation-based learning experiences may provide an opportunity for institutions to collaborate and provide additional engagement with healthcare professions that may not be represented within a single institution.