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Developing Physical Literacy and Self-Efficacy: Supporting Student Autonomy in High School Physical Education Through Assessment
No full text2024This study addresses concerns surrounding the decline in engagement in optional physical education programs. To enhance student engagement, the study aimed to align physical education courses with principles of self-determination theory, focusing on the role of competence in supporting autonomy. The intervention involved the assessment of competence through various fitness tests. Particular instruments, such as the Vertical Jump and 30 Meter Sprint Tests observed high levels of student preference and perceived significance. Interestingly, while the Multistage Fitness Test was identified by students as a reliable indicator of physical fitness, it garnered limited student selection. Additionally, the study incorporated movements from the Functional Movement ScreenTM to cultivate student awareness of common movement pattern intricacies. While specific movement recommendations are not outlined, the findings underscore several noteworthy considerations. Notably, various factors influence student choices in student-selected fitness assessments, and purpose-driven fitness assessments can contribute to student motivation. The study's insights provide valuable guidance for structuring physical education programs to foster engagement and autonomy among students. Lastly, this study highlights the potential of alternative methods such as co-teaching and amalgamation to deliver responsive and differentiated physical education instruction, addressing resource limitations, and promoting enhanced student engagement and skill development
The Heart of the Matter: Nonpositional Leadership and Psychological Safety in Cardiothoracic Programs
No full text2023Psychological safety in healthcare supports individual well-being, team performance, and patient quality of care. This study asked, “How might I foster psychological safety as a frontline healthcare professional in a nonpositional leadership role within the context of a cardiothoracic program?” I applied a first-person-focused action research methodology and utilized daily journaling and semistructured interviews with research participants. Thematic analysis identified themes that captured the relationship between self-perception, self-worth, and social interaction and its influence on individual experiences of psychological safety. Findings suggested self-reflection, emotional intelligence, and self-compassion can enhance individual awareness of positive attributes, contributing to a sense of connectedness at the team level. This research offered recommendations for supporting self-empowerment and self-worth in healthcare workers, encouraging their active participation in creating high-quality relationships. Future research implications explore the potential dynamic and synergistic relationship between self-compassion and psychological safety
Shifting Trust: How Generation Z Canadians Determine Trust and Credibility in Online News and Information
Get PDF2024Amidst a declining global trust in news media, this research focuses on the unique media consumption habits and skepticism of this digitally native cohort in Canada. Utilizing semi-structured, qualitative, smart device, content elicitation interviews, the study provides insight into the thought processes, decision-making strategies, and judgements young people make when they come across news. This study reveals key factors influencing trust: first-hand accounts, proof and evidence, and journalistic rigor – and key factors influencing credibility: expertise, accountability, positionality, and transparency. Findings indicate that while Generation Z exhibits general skepticism towards mainstream and social media, they demonstrate a strong sense of civic responsibility to cross-check and verify information themselves. The analysis explains the impact of digital immersion on news consumption, highlights a shift from passive consumption to active interrogation of news, and paints a clearer picture of Canada’s declining trust dilemma. This research suggests strategies for mainstream, independent, and citizen journalism to foster trust, ensure credibility, and engage effectively with younger audiences
Heating Up the Conversation on Climate Change Storytelling in Canada
Get PDF2024The urgency for storytelling as an environmental communication and climate justice strategy is becoming clearer and louder as the climate crisis unfolds disastrously around the world. This qualitative study explored how eleven storytellers in Canada are responding to this need and how intersectional storytelling on climate change can shape environmental communication in Canada. The study was guided by ecofeminist and intersectional theory. Data was collected through semi-structured individual interviews and then subjected to thematic analysis. My goal was to fill a gap in the literature about how climate change storytelling can evolve in Canada and produce a set of recommendations on what kind of climate change storytelling is needed in Canada right now to catalyze a socially and ecologically just future
Fostering collaboration, and connection through a self-study in an elementary school environment
No full textThe purpose of this self-study is to examine and analyze my practice when considering the ability to foster a sense of belonging and collaboration in an elementary school setting. This study was supported by an in-depth literature review of research in the field and an anonymous survey. I wrote reflections based on my interactions and experiences to address concerns about family and community engagement levels. This study was rooted in the belief that there are current theories that support community engagement, but that the perspective needs to shift from being solely one party’s responsibility or another to being a collective and collaborative effort in finding the best support for students. By using the self-study methodology and reflecting on indigenous principles, this research, and its findings, make an important contribution to the field of education by bridging the gap between theory and practice, as well as addressing the barriers families may face when interacting in the school environment. This study advocates for further consideration of reflective practices and increasing the appreciation of the expertise that families, community members, and school staff can collate when meaningfully and efficiently collaborating
Assessing floral trait variation in Platanthera dilatata (Orchidaceae) across an elevational gradient
Get PDFThis article was originally published as: Plendl, M., van der Voort, G.E., & Janes, J.K. (2024). Assessing floral trait variation in Platanthera dilatata (Orchidaceae) across an elevational gradient. Discover Plants, 1, Article 63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-024-00071-6/Flower morphology often changes over altitude, although the patterns themselves can be variable, with flowers being either smaller or larger. Floral trait variation is often considered in the context of pollinator-mediated selection. However, other explanations, including underlying genetics and plasticity, resource availability and floral enemies have been proposed. Here, we assess 10 floral traits in Platanthera dilatata var. dilatata across an elevational gradient on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, to determine if floral traits vary with altitude. We find that floral traits are larger at the lowest elevation site. However, much of the floral trait variation appears to be driven by temperature, which is not necessarily correlated with the altitudinal gradient. Given the intrinsic link between climate and resource availability, we suggest that resource availability confers a local selection pressure on floral trait size that may be balanced at larger spatial scales by antagonistic pressure from shared pollinators. Direct investigations of the environmental and genetic factors driving floral trait variation are recommended.This research was supported by Canada Summer Jobs (2021) and a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Discovery Grant (RGPIN-2020-04475) to JKJ. GEV was funded by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Undergraduate
Student Research Award (2022) through Vancouver Island University
Equitable climate action: Integrating climate equity and justice in local climate action plans
No full textClimate change poses many challenges to local communities, threatening social, environmental, and economic systems. In response, local governments have developed Climate Action Plans (CAPs) to mitigate and respond to climate change vulnerabilities. These CAPs have predominantly focused on protecting physical infrastructure and economic resilience, often overlooking crucial equity and justice considerations in policy and plan implementation which are essential for addressing systemic disparities and social vulnerabilities experienced by frontline communities. This research explores the integration of climate equity and justice principles within existing CAPs and identifies climate equity frameworks that can inform just climate action. Ultimately, this thesis presents key recommendations for local governments to collaboratively create equitable CAPs through community recognition, empowerment and capacity building to address both environmental and social vulnerabilities to climate change.Major project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Community Planning in the Department of Community Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, Vancouver Island University
Walk with me - Equipping changemakers: Exploring North Island College's potential to spur culture, community, and systems change in response to the toxic drug crisis - Comox Valley report
No full textSince labelled a provincial emergency in 2016, the toxic drug poisoning crisis in B.C. has claimed over 14,000 lives. Government, health, and community service providers alike have struggled to find solutions to the crisis, developing numerous interventions aimed to reduce deaths, harm, and stigma. Despite these efforts, toxic drug deaths have continued to climb each year. “Walk With Me – NIC” is a research and community action project, developed in the Comox Valley, B.C. as a partnership between Comox Valley Art Gallery’s Walk With Me project, North Island College (NIC), Thompson Rivers University, and AVI Health & Community Services that aims to develop humanist and systems-based solutions to this crisis. The project brings people impacted by the crisis together for story and insight-sharing, and disseminates key findings outward—to policy-makers, systems leaders, and community members at-large. This publication explores North Island College’s current and potential role in responding to the crisis. We aim to illuminate ways forward for community and systems transformation
Agricultural Land Regulations as They Affect Farmers’ Business Opportunities in British Columbia
Get PDF2024This thesis examines the impact of Agricultural Land Reserve regulations on farmers' business opportunities in British Columbia, focusing on how these regulations affect farmers' ability to diversify their income streams and business opportunities. Utilizing document reviews, case study analysis, and interviews with stakeholders, the research explores the challenges farmers encounter when engaging with the process of the Agricultural Land Commission's decision-making and the local government’s reviews.The findings reveal that a gap between the Agricultural Land Commission Act and its superordinate statutes, and a lack of enforcement have been a significant weakness since the ALR's inception, along with procedural issues in the ALC’s decision-making. Approximately 40% of BC Supreme Court lawsuits involving the ALC resulted in overturned decisions due to procedural unreasonableness. Farmers' dissatisfaction arises from the minimal consideration of their economic viability within the regulatory framework, compounded by the unpredictability of ALC rulings and the perceived lack of support for non-traditional agricultural ventures, such as food services. The study underscores the need for regulatory reforms that better balance the preservation of agricultural land with farmers' pursuit of economic opportunities. Key recommendations include clearer guidelines for business diversification, stronger enforcement of existing regulations, more consistent and transparent decision-making processes, and more public engagement to rebuild trust between farmers and the ALC
Nature-based solutions for climate resilient cities
Get PDFThis article was originally published as: Osborne, C., & Alexander, D. (2024). Nature-based solutions for climate resilient cities. Planning West, 66(3), 22-23.This article is based on a session at the recent BC Land Summit that Don Alexander organized, where both Don and Chris Osborne presented - along with Paul Chapman, ED of the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust, and Roy Brooke, ED of the Natural Assets Initiative