VIURRSpace (Royal Roads University and Vancouver Island University)
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The physical classroom environment: a key to inclusion and student engagement
No full textThe physical environment of the classroom has a significant impact on students. This impact is even more significant for students with learning difficulties. Understanding how the classroom environment impacts inclusion and engagement is an important aspect of creating schools that meet the needs of all students. Educators can benefit from having more insight and examples of evidence-based practices that help to create more engaging and inclusive classroom environments. This project focuses on various aspects of the physical environment and how they affect student engagement and inclusion, with the goal of answering the guiding question, “What do teachers need to know about how the physical classroom environment impacts student engagement and inclusivity?” A thorough literature review summarizes the most current studies related to the physical environment and its impact on students, specifically in the areas of classroom seating, arrangement, wall colour, and ambient conditions. The key take-aways from this literature review have been included in an educational website that I have developed for teachers. The website provides recommendations and evidence-based practices in simple, jargon-free language for educators. More detailed information related to the studies that support these recommendations has also been provided on the website.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/26901/Storey.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Apprenons ensemble à connaître nos émotions!!! Un programme socio-émotionnel pour la maternelle à la deuxième année: an authentic operational curriculum for SEL in French Immersion K-2 classrooms
No full textThe dynamics of French Immersion (FI) classrooms are changing at a rapid pace and teachers need to be provided with the authentic resources and tools to support quality learning at the FI level. The purpose of this Major Project evolved from the beginning design phase that aimed to create eight to twelve French lessons focused on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skill development into the creation of an SEL curriculum designed for French Immersion students. It is unique in that it is not a direct translation of an already-created program in English. The process began by asking the question “How can I best support SEL learning in my French Immersion classroom at the early elementary level?” The goal was to do this in an authentic way by creating learning experiences that were developed with the FI student language abilities in mind. While researching to find available French resources it became clear that there was a large gap in this area. The answer to my question became clearer and led me to research curriculum development and what makes SEL programs effective. The project led to the creation of a research-based operational French SEL curriculum. It is complete with outcomes developed to increase ability and skill acquisition from kindergarten through to the end of grade two, a teacher planning guide, assessment tools developed and created to be used with the curriculum, detailed lesson plans, an accompanying French SEL resource tool kit, and a teacher workshop to provide professional development and to help support the implementation of the curriculum. The curriculum also integrates Indigenous perspectives by incorporating the Seven Sacred Teachings and relating them to SEL skill development and acquisition.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27354/Evans.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Mapping Soil and Plant Communities: Shifting Western Culture’s Perspectives of Ecological Land Management
No full text2023Civilizations historically share a common trajectory of soil degradation through cyclical technological advancements and soil productivity. A living soil food web provides a holistic approach to eco-regenerative properties as an expression of the soil microbial community (SMC) in relationship to plants and other organisms. Acknowledging soil ecology’s identification of plant-SMC-plant signalling, this study’s mixed methodology addressed the question of how an eco-centred perspective of living soil and plant relationships can contribute to this understanding. Using quantitative field analysis, Cornus alternifolia was identified to curate a SMC at a lower than anticipated fungal:bacterial (F:B) ratio, across three different seral stages in a southwestern Ontario mixed deciduous forest. Qualitative interviews and analyses of three land management industry discussion groups, using Grounded Theory methodology, affirmed a variable understanding of a SMC-plant eco-context, and identified challenges and leverage potentials for industry eco-regeneration focused on land management and cultural changes, as well as ecology
Remedial options analysis : sustainable remediation of residential heating oil contamination
No full textHeating oil remediation typically includes excavating and transporting contaminated soils to an off-site disposal facility, resulting in a large carbon footprint. This paper evaluates, on a preliminary basis, whether heating oil contamination can be remediated more sustainably and discusses the properties of heating oil, potential alternative options, and the sustainability of suitable alternatives. The shortlisted technologies include bioventing, on-/off-site biopiles, on-/off-site soil washing, and on-/off-site low temperature thermal desorption (LTTD). The preliminary evaluation was completed using the International Standards Organization (ISO) 18504 on the sustainable remediation of soil as a framework. After considering the economic, social, and environmental aspects, bioventing performed the best overall but comes with the most uncertainty regarding its effectiveness. Off-site soil washing was the most cost effective but performed the worst for other sustainability indicators. The off-site biopile currently represents the technology that best balances overall sustainability, costs, and certainty. Both on-site LTTD and soil washing appear to offer upside, but more research is recommended to support the preliminary findings
Mental health literacy in the middle school classroom
No full textMiddle school is a time when students learn a greater understanding of the world, create a sense of independence, develop new interests and skills, and make new friends. It is a crucial time where students need to learn valuable coping strategies and life skills in conjunction with academics. The emotional effects of COVID-19 have intensified the need for social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies and mental health literacy (MHL) to be taught in schools. Many teachers are lacking knowledge around mental health, which leaves them unaware of how to support their students. The goal of this study was to determine if teaching a mental health literacy program elicited any changes to teachers’ knowledge, understanding, and attitudes towards mental health. This study used both qualitative and quantitative data, in the form of reintervention and post-intervention surveys, participant journals, and a focus group interview, from three teacher participants to better understand the effects of teaching the Elementary Mental Health Literacy Resource (EMHLR). The results of this mixed methods study showed that there was little to no change in teacher’s attitudes towards mental health, a mental health literacy program was valuable for increasing teachers’ knowledge of mental health, there was concern around the terminology associated with mental health and stigma, and finally, the three teacher participants were able to critically reflect about the state of their own mental health and wellbeing and make changes accordingly.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27349/Bevan.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Improving access, understanding, and dignity during miscarriage recovery in British Columbia, Canada
No full textApproximately 15–25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, with more than 15,000 miscarriages occurring annually in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Despite the significant rates of loss, research and health care services for pregnancy loss remain scarce in BC. This research took a patient-oriented methodological approach alongside people with lived/living experiences of miscarriage recovery in BC to evaluate access to health care during pregnancy loss, societal understanding of miscarriage, and treatment options that foreground dignity. The mixed methods design of this research included policy research on prenatal care guidelines, policy research on provincial and territorial employment legislation for bereavement leave, semi-structured interviews (n = 27), and a discovery action dialogue (n = 4). The findings of this research demonstrate the need for improved prenatal care guidelines for early pregnancy loss, follow-up care after a miscarriage, mental health screening and supports, and bereavement leave legislation. This article includes recommendations to improve equitable access to pregnancy loss care, bereavement leave legislation, and future research in this area
Plan Canada - Volume 63, Number 3 (Fall 2023)
No full textShaping our future cities|Façonner nos villes de demain / Ray Tomalty & Rylan Graham -- CIP honours and awards|L'ICU honneurs et prix -- Are Canadian metropolitan areas showing smarter growth? / David Gordon -- Carrots, sticks and populism: Why smart growth is still relevant today / David Gordon -- The livable region smart growth plan that shaped Metro Vancouver's sustainable future / Ken Cameron, Christine DeMarco, Susan Haid, Hugh Kellas, & Richard White -- Smart growth: A BC check-in / Mark Holland -- Capitalizing on record population growth to achieve compact development in Moncton, New Brunswick: What will the market bear? / Jeffrey Biggar, Harpal Singh, & Jacob Fenchak -- Ottawa's approach to implementing and strengthening 15-minute neighbourhoods / Jocelyn Cadieux & Natalie Pulcine -- Protecting affordable housing in transit-served areas / Ren Thomas -- Rectifying the challenges with downtown intensification in a mid-sized city / Rylan Graham & Pierre Fillion -- Errors and omissions: Smart growth's blind spot to industrial jobs and lands / Eric Aderneck -- From smart growth to fast growth / Katherine Perrott & Jill L. Grant -- Ontario Government relegates smart growth to the dust bin / Victor Doyle -- Ain't no valley low enough: A case for smart decline / Rachel Barber, Maxwell Hartt, & Justin B. Hollander -- Is regional planning dead?|La planification régionale est-elle mort? / Pamela Sweet -- Planner's bookshelf|L'étagère du planificateur -- Planning research digest|Condensé de recherches en urbanismeSmart growth|Croissance intelligenteShaping our future cities|Façonner nos villes de demain / Ray Tomalty & Rylan Graham -- CIP honours and awards|L'ICU honneurs et prix -- Are Canadian metropolitan areas showing smarter growth? / David Gordon -- Carrots, sticks and populism: Why smart growth is still relevant today / David Gordon -- The livable region smart growth plan that shaped Metro Vancouver's sustainable future / Ken Cameron, Christine DeMarco, Susan Haid, Hugh Kellas, & Richard White -- Smart growth: A BC check-in / Mark Holland -- Capitalizing on record population growth to achieve compact development in Moncton, New Brunswick: What will the market bear? / Jeffrey Biggar, Harpal Singh, & Jacob Fenchak -- Ottawa's approach to implementing and strengthening 15-minute neighbourhoods / Jocelyn Cadieux & Natalie Pulcine -- Protecting affordable housing in transit-served areas / Ren Thomas -- Rectifying the challenges with downtown intensification in a mid-sized city / Rylan Graham & Pierre Fillion -- Errors and omissions: Smart growth's blind spot to industrial jobs and lands / Eric Aderneck -- From smart growth to fast growth / Katherine Perrott & Jill L. Grant -- Ontario Government relegates smart growth to the dust bin / Victor Doyle -- Ain't no valley low enough: A case for smart decline / Rachel Barber, Maxwell Hartt, & Justin B. Hollander -- Is regional planning dead?|La planification régionale est-elle mort? / Pamela Sweet -- Planner's bookshelf|L'étagère du planificateur -- Planning research digest|Condensé de recherches en urbanism
Enhancing diversity and inclusion at Fair Vote Canada : transforming organizational culture
No full textThis action-oriented research inquiry explored how Fair Vote Canada (FVC) might enhance diversity and improve inclusivity throughout the non-profit organization. Framed through a system-thinking lens of transformational change and applying the participatory and appreciative action and reflection (PAAR) methodology, the inquiry engaged volunteers from FVC in an ideation workshop and a modified future search workshop. Participants shared perspectives on the present state of the organization, co-created ideas of the ideal future state, and suggested strategies to implement transformational change within FVC. Thematic analysis of data insights suggests opportunities for leadership at all levels of the organizational hierarchy, in such aspects as communications, volunteer recruitment, orientation and engagement, external partnerships, education and training, and organizational culture. Five recommendations emerged from these conclusions providing specific calls to action with illustrative examples. Finally, the inquiry recommends further applied research on communication and engagement strategies as related to successful diversity and inclusion initiatives, the impacts of participatory research on volunteer engagement, and the further expansion of the PAAR methodology
Strengthening the indomitable spirit of nurses: Piloting targeted resilience education
No full textThis pilot project aimed to test the effectiveness of a resilience education program for nurses. Building & sustaining a strong foundation of resilience & well-being are key for nurses to maintain mental health, cope with work-related stressors, & effectively respond to various work (& life) challenges.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/26104/StrengtheningTheIndomitableSpiritOfNurses.pdf?sequence=3This research was supported with funds from Engage, and Inquiry, grants from the Centre for Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity - Vancouver Island University
Addressing gender bias in access to special education
No full textThis project seeks to address teacher knowledge of the issue of gender bias in special education. For many years, educators have been aware that there is an issue of over-referral for racial and ethnic minority groups and there is a substantial literature base that demonstrates this. However, a newer topic of interest is the under-referral of female students to special education. This work addresses why this gender bias exists, the greater context of referral bias within the education system, and how it can be addressed through increased understanding of Response to Intervention (RTI) by classroom teachers.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/25835/Tan.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=