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Intergenerational Aid in the 21st Century
No full textAs digital immigrants of the 21st century, the current elderly always seem to have difficulty catching up with today's technologies. When day-to-day services like banking, healthcare, travel, etc., become entirely digitized without giving seniors the required time, education, or support to get on board, it gradually chips at their independence, dignity, and agency. To keep afloat in this rapidly digitizing world, most seniors find themselves relying on assistance from the people around them, such as younger family members, neighbors, friends, and community volunteers. This research explores the various facets and multitudes of digital support that younger persons commonly provide seniors. What factors influence this intergenerational digital support between seniors and younger generations? What is the role of technology and its design in this context?
Through qualitative interviews and participatory workshops, this thesis delves into the perspectives and lived experiences of various stakeholders like seniors, younger generations, community volunteers, tech coaches, etc. The research is also fundamentally informed by my experience as a regular volunteer at the West End Seniors' Network, an NGO offering social and community support for seniors in Vancouver. After a thorough thematic analysis of the data gathered, the paper derives key insights about intergenerational digital support under the following themes - (1) A Generational Divide, (2) The 'Why,' (3) The 'How,' (4) Benefits, and (5) Barriers.
With these insights, the research attempts to situate the role of intergenerational aid in the broader picture of digital inclusivity for seniors. Intergenerational support is only a facet of this wicked problem; other stakeholders like family, community, government, private companies, etc., also share responsibility in keeping seniors apace with the digital world. This research is then applied to cohesively map out potential best practices for multiple stakeholders to improve digital literacy for seniors. However, while this is a more significant systemic change proposed for the long run, we could now take small steps and solutions to contribute towards the larger goal, like capitalizing on the benefits of this already widespread intergenerational digital support. In light of this, a mobile application is designed and prototyped to facilitate digital aid between seniors and younger persons with ease, efficiency, and warmth.User interface designGerontechnologyWarm technologyWarm expertsDesign for agingParticipatory researchInclusive designAccessible designUser experience desig
"It takes a village": Integrating nurse practitioners in childhood mental health care
No full textThis literature review analyses how nurse practitioners can assist childhood mental health as led by the research question “What interventions can be implemented by NPs in a primary care setting for children 0-5 years old that are exhibiting internalizing/externalizing behaviours?” To answer this question, 10 research studies were analysed using a literature review matrix as guided using the steps of problem identification, literature search, data evaluation, data analysis, and presentation, which focuses on the interpretation of the findings, discussion, and recommendations for practice. Final recommendations are based around the two themes of parental change and health promotion through education and screening. Parental change is implemented through parenting classes, regular attendance of appointments and classes, and using local or online resources. Health promotion through education of childhood milestones and internalizing and externalizing behaviours and the consistent use of screening tools in well-child visits. This review emphasizes the benefits of an NP being involved in childhood mental health care
Development of a dual-functional adsorbent for simultaneous removal of cationic and anionic nutrients from contaminated waste streams
No full textThis work investigated the potential of various natural, modified, and synthetic adsorbent materials for the removal of both cationic (e.g., NH4+) and anionic (e.g., PO43-) nutrients from contaminated waste streams. Among all the studied adsorbents, a commercially available synthetic adsorbent, namely Umix, with 101.6 mg total-P/g, and natural clinoptilolite (NZ) with 17.9 mg total-N/g adsorption capacities demonstrated the best performances in capturing phosphorous-P and nitrogen-N species from aqueous solutions. Zirconium-modified clay (ZrC) also showed a high capacity in adsorbing P species, and eventually, two adsorbent mixtures, including ‘ZrC+NZ’ and ‘Umix+NZ’ were selected for exploring the simultaneous removal of N and P species from bisolute solutions. The effect of various operational parameters, including adsorbent dosage, solution pH, initial nutrient concentrations, and contact time were studied. In an optimum adsorbent (g): solution (ml) loading ratio of 1:300 for ZrC and Umix, and 1:60 for NZ, with 24 h contact time, and using a synthetic NH4-PO4 solution with concentration and pH similar to the targeted wastewater (i.e., dairy farm wastewater), we could achieve 96% total-P and 26% NH4-N removals using ‘ZrC+NZ’, and 94% total-P and 29% NH4-N removals using ‘Umix+NZ’. The pseudosecond-order kinetic model best fitted with experimental data, indicating that chemisorption was the predominant mechanism in bi-solute adsorption processes. A cross-linking reaction between sodium alginate and barium chloride fabricated granules of the powdered adsorbent mixtures. Applying 0.5 g of each of the ‘ZrC/NZ’ and ‘Umix/NZ’ granules in 30 mL of dairy farm wastewater resulted in 20% and 60% total-P and 1.3% and 13% NH4-N removals, respectively. The obtained results showed that the developed granules could be used as dual-functional adsorbent materials to remove cationic and anionic nutrients from contaminated waste streams
An elementary school’s engagement with restitution, restorative practices, and circles
No full textCanadian schools have long employed punitive discipline, a colonial paradigm that is hierarchical and exclusionary. Using Participatory Action Research, two Indigenous and nine non-Indigenous educators collaborated to implement a restorative model into an elementary school in northern British Columbia. Our hybrid of Restitution and Restorative Practices (RRP) and Circles included regional Indigenous protocols. A thematic analysis of participant
interviews revealed patterns in the key areas of belonging, cultural safety, trauma informed practice, shame, and decolonizing education. RRP was experienced as an egalitarian model and Indigenous protocols supported community building during Circle practice. Implementation of RRP and Circles (RRP/C) did not represent enough structural change to decolonize discipline, but this hybrid was a relational and holistic model that integrated the
Indigenous values of consensus building, interconnection, and harmony. Concerns with the model and its implementation included cultural racism, resistance, vulnerability, shame, and safety
Teachers’ perceptions of teacher turnover in inner-city schools
No full textThe public K-12 education system poses many challenges that cause teachers to relocate schools or leave the profession altogether. Inner-city schools face an increasing and alarming rate of teacher turnover. Factors influencing teacher turnover also influence student learning and teacher wellbeing. This phenomenological study examines four teachers’ perspectives of the factors that made them leave or stay in inner-city schools. Through data analysis, the findings of the study suggest that teachers leave inner-city schools due to a lack of resources, negative school community, and lack of support, and that they choose to stay in inner-city schools for reasons related to positive relationships and positive school community. Recommendations related to improving teacher retention within inner-city schools include providing more staffing and resources to those hired into inner-city schools, particularly new teachers. More research should be done to explore professional development and training for teachers working in schools with students with diverse needs, especially those with mental health concerns and trauma.mental healthinner-cityteacher turnoverretentionsupportteacher perspectivesteacher wellbeingtraum
Relationships and collaborations between elementary school teachers and education assistants
No full textThis qualitative research paper explores the perceptions and experiences of three teachers and three educational assistants (EAs) regarding collaboration, relationships, and support in their work. This paper aimed to guide teachers and EAs around collaborating in the classroom. These valuable perspectives discussed how collaboration in the classroom enabled us to better understand the actual experiences of both classroom members. Participants spoke openly about their positive and negative working relationship experiences and connections with classroom collaboration. Using a phenomenological method, participants were interviewed using six open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive coding and three themes emerged: collaboration, relationships, and support. This study's limitations included a small sample size, possible biases, and time constraints. Despite these limitations, the study's findings provided insight into the critical role of collaboration, relationships, and support in enhancing education quality. The implications of these findings for practice and future research include the prioritizing of relationship building between teachers and EAs, districts providing paid collaboration time, and teachers and EAs focusing on building clear communication within the classroom.education assistantsinterpersonal relationshipinclusionteamworkroleteacher collaborationelementary school teacher
How does nicotine withdrawal manifest itself?
No full textIn this paper, I sought to understand how nicotine withdrawal symptoms manifest, both psychologically and physiologically, with the goal of better understanding how these factors contribute to the maintenance of nicotine addiction. Previous research has found nicotine withdrawal to affect variables such as the intensity of nicotine cravings, emotional regulation, and cognitive performance. In this current case study, I tested the strength of these relationships by examining naturalistic daily changes in their variables longitudinally over a period of one week. Nicotine intake was measured by calculating the total dosage (ml/mg) of nicotine consumed each day, while self-report scales were used to assess craving intensity, emotional regulation levels, and subjective cognitive functioning by a cognitive self-assessment. The results of this study found significant correlations of nicotine amount with emotional regulation and craving levels, but not with cognitive functioning levels. These findings suggest that nicotine withdrawal manifests as intense cravings and difficulties with regulating emotions; however, no relationship with cognitive function was established. A possible practical application of these findings could be the use of craving and emotional regulation levels as indicators of relapse risk. Future research should build upon this study by making some improvements to the design and methodology, such as using a larger sample size to increase generalizability, use objective measures such as physiological or neuroimaging techniques to provide more accurate and reliable data, and extend the study duration, to examine the long-term effects of withdrawal on the variables of interest.Supervising Instructor & Course Number: Michael Pollock, Psyc 245 (“Drugs & Behavior”
Kootenay Advanced Manufacturing Resource Package
No full textAdvanced ManufacturingThe Kootenays' Advanced Manufacturing Secto
Re-creating Recreation: Climbing Replicas and their Effects on the Sport
No full textRock climbing is a sport with a contentious relationship to technology. Technical innovation has improved safety for participants creating new styles of climbing. This allows for a wider range of climbs to be set up on natural rock that are also less invasive to the environment itself. Since it is a sport born of the outdoor movement with philosophical roots in Romanticism, technology is often regarded suspiciously. It detracts from the experience. But technology breeds innovation, and 3D scanning, and CNC technology means that increasingly, outdoor climbs are replicated out of indoor holds. A practice-based study, coupled with research into existing replica use, was undertaken with the goal of understanding how replicas are made as well as how they affect the experience of rock climbing.
When climbing outdoors, participants interact with the rocks as the shape of the rock guides their movement. Through the act of climbing, they build a relationship to the rock, however brief that may be. As indoor climbing became more popular, indoor holds became abstract from natural stone. This means climbers interact much more with hold shapers and route setters.
Through 3D scanning, and CNC technologies, we can now near perfectly recreate popular outdoor routes out of indoor holds, bringing outdoor rock back into the gym. Replicas can invite participants to consider the rock more thoughtfully but fall short of emulating the entire experience of climbing outdoors. Ultimately, nature can’t be faked, but the replica forces the climber to consider the real outdoor stone which can help guide them to a more authentic experience. However, replicas can still ease the transition from gym to crag, remove barriers to trying climbs that might be otherwise difficult to access, and preserve climbs that might be threatened by excessive erosion or rock fall.Rock climbingBoulderingClimbingCNC manufacturing3D scannin