University of Guelph hosted OJS journals
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Integration of play-based learning into the instructional delivery of tutors and lecturers in Ghana
No full textIn this study, we explored the integration of play-based learning into the instructional delivery of tutors/lecturers in Ghana. Sixteen tutors/lecturers (12 males; 4 females) selected through homogenous sampling technique completed this current study. The findings indicated tutors/lecturers generally perceived play-based learning as an engaging and effective medium for teaching and learning. Tutors/lecturers affirmed play was crucial in motivating learners, fostering active participation, and connecting abstract ideas to real-world experiences. Relative to the application of play-based learning, tutors/lecturers had a preference for the guided approach. They primarily assumed a facilitator role during play-based learning and encouraged exploration, collaboration, and active learning. Limited use of play-based usage in assessment, classroom space constraints, time limitations, and large class sizes were some inhibitory factors impeding the application of play-based learning. Despite these challenges, tutors/lecturers recognize the potential of play-based learning to facilitate enjoyable, self-directed, and effective learning experiences and advocated for its broader adoption
Judith Slaying Holofernes
No full textJudith Slaying Holofernes is a work modelled after a painting of the same name by Artemisia Gentileschi made in 1620. Gentileschi, a female artist, depicted the Biblical character of Judith, a female figure, in a radically empowering way contrary to depictions of the same story created by her male contemporaries. This work mirrors Gentileschi’s painting but depicts two young women focused on their studies. Their work lay in front of them; they face another struggle, one more relevant to our time. Women’s education is becoming increasingly common in our age; however, the struggles they face simply because of their gender are still present in terms of support received, opportunities given, and spaces they are welcomed into. This gendered barrier can be difficult to notice to all but those experiencing it. This paralleled composition evokes the power that Gentileschi put on the strength of female contributions, placing them now on the power of a woman when given access to education. The story of women told by women carries a weight that cannot be replicated, in Gentileschi’s time, as much as our own
The Privy Made Public: Concealed Birth in Eighteenth to Nineteenth Century Britain
No full textThe Privy Made Public explores legal and cultural frameworks surrounding concealed birth in Britain during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This quantitative and qualitative analysis of the Proceedings of the Old Bailey centres on the cases of Sarah Harwood (1729) and Matilda Hewson (1847). The privy, or outhouse, is an isolated, dirty, stigmatized space. In this period, it became an unfortunately common place for mothers to give birth and bury stillborn illegitimate children. This paper examines personal, legal, and communal responses to concealed birth and infanticide, and how they reflected shifting societal attitudes toward gender, illegitimacy, and motherhood. Sarah and Matilda were isolated by their pregnancies, destabilized in their communities, and subjugated by the carceral space. This analysis recognizes women’s agency and recenters men in the conversation of culpability. It is important to note that this case study is limited to young, working-class, (likely) white women. It is beyond the scope of this paper to address the crucial influences of the intersectionality of age, class, race, and ethnicity on the experience of accusations of infanticide. As such, the author encourages all readers to engage critically with her work, reflecting on these questions
Examining Priority Contaminants and Farmer Interventions in Private Water Wells: A Scoping Review
No full textGroundwater from private wells is a vital resource for agricultural productivity, rural livelihoods, and drinking water in North America. However, contaminants such as nitrates, pesticides, heavy metals, pathogens, and emerging pollutants like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose significant threats to water quality and public health. This research aims to examine the prevalence of these contaminants, evaluate farmer-led interventions, and identify knowledge gaps to inform sustainable water management practices.
Using a scoping review methodology, guided by the PRISMA-ScR framework, the project systematically reviews literature published in the last decade. The study focuses on agricultural regions in North America, where private well reliance is high, and contamination risks are prevalent. It evaluates interventions such as maintenance, filtration systems, and runoff management while identifying barriers to implementation, particularly in resource-constrained rural communities.
Although still preliminary, this project has identified significant research gaps, including the long-term health effects of emerging contaminants and the accessibility of mitigation technologies for rural users. Initial findings emphasize the importance of proactive policies, community engagement, and innovative technologies to safeguard groundwater resources.
This ongoing work will advance knowledge on the intersection of agriculture and water quality management, promoting actionable solutions to enhance rural resilience and sustainable groundwater use. The symposium presentation will highlight the study\u27s objectives, methodology, and initial findings while outlining future directions for this critical area of research.
Measuring Farmland Loss: Synthesising Data from 2000 - 2021
No full textA robust and vibrant agri-food sector in Ontario is dependent on a stable agricultural land base. Across the province, much of this land is under threat of development related to urban expansion or sprawl. Farmland preservation strategies, such as the Greenbelt, rely on land use planning measures that prohibitnon-farm land uses. Land outside of the protected countryside is often restricted through local planning policies but are also under threat of development. Given urban development pressure, much land in Southern Ontario has been converted to non-farm land uses. This poster will provide an update the conversion of farmland through official plan amendments, highlighting trends from 2000 - 2021
Siblings and Their Impact on Rural Youth
No full textA lot has been written about the effect of family on youth decisions, especially for youth in rural areas. Families provide support and resources for youth; resources that allow them to stay or to leave, and to return to their home community in times of stress. Much of the research on families in rural areas has focused on parents; their attitudes, their levels of education, their encouragement of further education, and more generally the resources they do (or do not) have available for their children. However, most youth have at least one sibling; many have more than one. Siblings provide an important part of the context in which rural youth make decisions about their education and geographic mobility, yet we know little about the role of siblings in these decisions.This paper provides some detailed information about siblings and how a sample of youth in rural and urban Nova Scotia describe their relationships with their siblings and the impact siblings had on their life course decisions. Data are from a longitudinal survey of youth, who provided information at ages 17, 21 and 29. Detailed qualitative quotes complement the numeric survey data from these participants. Preliminary results show that 95% of the youth have siblings; two thirds have an older sibling. Just under a half have a sibling who has attended or is attending some form of post-secondary education. Thus, siblings are a rich source of information (accurate or inaccurate) about the advantages and disadvantages of various post-secondary options.Understanding the impact of siblings can help rural families and those advising rural families to better identify options for rural youth that will feed their success as well as (hopefully) the wellbeing of their home community in the long run
Growth Trajectory and Support Needs of the Food Artisan Economy: Insights from Rural BC
No full textFood artisans play a critical role in rural diversification by turning local resources into consumable products using traditional practices. This paper describes a study of BC’s food artisan sector including: a definition and description of food artisans, growth in consumer demand and business, distribution mechanisms and markets, contributions to employment, future business plans and challenges to growth. The study found that consumer demand for products has been increasing whereby 80% of artisans indicated increased demand for their products over the past 3 years, Demand was generated from both resident markets (70%) and visitor markets (30%). Similarly, 85% of artisans indicated business growth over the past 3 years and 86% indicated that their future plans were continued growth. Businesses generated 100% of employment income for 48% of the artisans, with another 40% earning at least 50% of their income from their business. Employment generated by the artisan businesses was more likely to be full time and permanent, with little fluctuation in the averages by season. Artisans used a diverse distribution strategy with the top mechanisms being in local shops, farm markets, local grocery stores and restaurants. The top challenges impacting business growth were difficulties in distributing products, marketing, and accessing capital for expansion. The study provides those involved in economic development, food tourism, and business development new insights on the relative importance of the food artisan sector and its role in place making
Measuring Rural Well-being to Foster Collaboration: A Meta-analysis of Sustainability Indicator-based Monitoring Initiatives in Rural and Resource-based Regions
No full textThe proposed presentation will discuss the potential for sustainability indicators to support more participatory governance in rural and resource-based regions. Sustainability indicators (SIs) are a widely-used tool for communities and regions to identify locally-defined measures of well-being and monitor their progress over time. However, their use in rural communities is limited, with most SI frameworks originating from urban areas or international tools. One positive outcome of many SI initiatives, including those in rural and resource-based regions, is the initiation of dialogue among diverse stakeholders in communities where indicators are developed, often leading to improved relationships, trust, and social learning. In this way, SIs have much in common with the concept of collaborative governance, an approach to shared decision-making that is well suited for supporting regional-scale rural development based on collaboration between different communities, sectors, and levels of government. The primary focus of the presentation will be on discussing the results of a meta-analysis that examines SI initiatives in rural communities and regions of North America. This meta-analysis includes existing examples of local monitoring initiatives that have used indicators of sustainability in rural and resource-based regions. The presentation will discuss the analytical framework that was developed to examine these initiatives, which draws from literature on governance, social learning, and sustainability monitoring. Preliminary findings of the meta-analysis will also be shared, with an emphasis on initiatives that were effectively integrated into local governance processes
The "Love Life. Love Work." Initiative: Featuring The Tourism Industry in The Kootenays as The Best Place to Work In
No full textFrom challenges in finding skilled workers, employee housing crisis and poor perceptions of tourism as a prime source of employment and promising career opportunities, labour challenges are a real barrier to delivering outstanding visitor experience and growing our region as a world-class travel destination. With the baby boomers rapid departure from the workforce, combined with industry growth, labour shortages in our region are expected to increase drastically over the next few years. Kootenay Rockies Tourism, the Regional Destination Management Organization, is stepping up to address labour challenges in the region through a number of exciting initiatives and strategic partnerships, namely with go2HR, the provincial organization responsible for tourism HR. The ‘Love Life. Love Work’ initiative is set to showcase the significant perks of working in tourism and hospitality in the Kootenay Rockies region and feature the diverse and promising career opportunities the industry offers as well as the very unique lifestyle, passionate community and rich mountain culture. The initiative is also set to connect industry stakeholders with the future workforce from inside and outside the region
Value Added: Partnerships for Prosperity
No full textPartnerships can be pursued with the purpose of strengthening invested efforts in dealing with challenges in rural, northern and indigenous communities such as capacity building, economic development and good governance. These partnerships focus on building value added partnerships that are mutually beneficial to all partners. The partnerships are built upon an understanding that there are shared values among the stakeholders such as access to education and investment in community infrastructure. Pursuing these shared values together provides for future prosperity. This panel will share with you to best practices for value added partnerships within broad range of stakeholders including; universities, indigenous communities, business and government