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Evaluating Empathy and Understanding in Caregivers of Persons with Dementia- A Pre and Post Assessment of Dementia Simulation Participation
No full textBackground: The prevalence of dementia is rising globally. Individuals with dementia rely on informal caregivers for long-term support. Research supports that empathy enhances caregiver well-being. Significance: Caregiver burden can lead to burnout, negatively affecting care quality. Enhanced cognitive empathy reduces burnout and improves caregiver relationships. Investigating interventions that enhance caregivers’ empathy is essential. Purpose: This study evaluates the Virtual Dementia Tour® (VDT), an immersive simulation program, in increasing empathy and understanding among dementia caregivers. Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were recruited via online advertisements and word of mouth. Participants completed a demographic survey and the Empathy and Understanding in Dementia Index (EUDI), which was used to measure empathy and understanding. Participants completed the VDT and a facilitated debriefing and then repeated the EUDI. Paired t-tests were used to compare pre and post results for the EUDI and the three domains of the tool. Results: There was a significant increase in post-intervention EUDI totals (mean=65.5, SD=8.52) compared to pre-intervention (mean=54.6, SD=11.09), t(24)=-6.575, p\u3c0.001. Significant increases were also demonstrated in the empathetic understanding of the impact of dementia domain, (mean=29.7, SD=4.8) compared to pre-intervention totals (mean=22.6, SD=6.7), t(24)=-5.917, p\u3c0.001. Discussion: The VDT increased caregiver empathy demonstrated by significant increases in the EUDI scores. Enhanced empathy may reduce caregiver burden and improve care quality. Study limitations include: a small sample size, mostly female, and all non-hispanic participants. Some participants in the study were non-family caregivers. Conclusions: This study supports immersive simulations for improving caregiving experiences. Specifically, the ability to understand and share the experience of dementia and the ability to provide person-centered care. Further research is needed to explore the applicability in other caregivers
Juvenile Record Expungement Policy in Illinois
No full textThis policy paper explores juvenile expungement policies and their broader societal impact. Research suggests that lenient expungement laws help prevent discrimination in education, housing, employment, and military service, aiding rehabilitated youth offenders\u27 reintegration. Conversely, restrictive policies may increase juvenile incarceration and recidivism rates, though further research is needed. Due to inconsistent national data on juvenile expungement and recidivism, reliable correlations cannot be drawn. Similarly, while incarceration rates appear loosely tied to expungement policies, more research is required. The paper begins with a historical overview of Illinois juvenile law, highlighting its shift from punitive to rehabilitative approaches. It then examines key legislation, including the Juvenile Court Act, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, and Youth Opportunity and Fairness Act. Illinois’ juvenile expungement laws are analyzed, covering eligibility, process, and timeline. A comparative analysis follows, contrasting Illinois’ policies with California and Florida, emphasizing differences in process speed, eligibility, and administrative burden. Insights from legal professionals across Illinois highlight areas for reform, offering recommendations for policymakers. While Illinois has advanced juvenile reintegration efforts, further improvements are needed. One key recommendation is incentivizing judges and law enforcement to prioritize expungement assistance, increasing public awareness of rights and opportunities. Additionally, upcoming policy changes, such as Senate Bill 3463, will expand eligibility and improve access to juvenile record expungement, reinforcing Illinois’ commitment to rehabilitation
Heterogenous vs. Homogeneous Grouping: Student Engagement in Math Instruction
No full textToday, teachers may let their students choose partners during activities in the elementary classroom, but that might not be the best way for students to gain as much knowledge as they can. This research study focuses specifically on differentiated grouping and how well students can stay on task during mathematics instruction. Murphy et. al. (2017) found that putting students into heterogeneous groups rather than homogeneous groups is much more effective for deep learning and can even support struggling learners. The classroom data collected for this research study consisted of student surveys, anecdotal notes, student work samples, and even self reflections. These data sources have been collected throughout one semester of student teaching at a rural elementary school. Research findings highlight the beneficial impacts of heterogeneous grouping brings an overall improvement in student engagement, as well as student enjoyment. Because of this, it has been recommended that the students stay in their heterogeneous groups for the remainder of the year. The significance of this study is to find out the significance of placing students in heterogeneous groups, in comparison to homogeneous groups, to see how their on-task ability is affected
Understanding the past by looking to the present: The benefits of integrating current events in the history classroom
No full textAny successful history education is meant to help equip students with the critical thinking skills needed to make sense of their present world through lessons from the past. However, this can get lost in translation when students are left feeling alienated from the content they are exposed to in the Social Studies classroom. What happens if we practice giving students a framework to apply historical thinking to present situations? This self-study research project examines the impact of integrating current events into the curriculum of four different Freshman year World History classes at a large urban high school. Data was gathered through student surveys, class discussions, and student work. Additionally, educational databases were mined to create a comprehensive literature review that compiled existing scholarship on the integration of current events and provide a theoretical framework built around the importance of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy (CRP) The literature review and research findings aim to show that the inclusion of contemporary issues does in fact foster student engagement and a more relevant learning experience. Additionally, contextualizing historical content with modern parallels will hopefully improve student comprehension and encourage students to become informed citizens
That’s The Secret: It All Hurts
No full text“That’s The Secret: It All Hurts” is a chapbook of disability poetry based on the daily experiences of the poet, who lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia, Complex-PTSD, and Type II Bipolar Disorder. It covers the lived experiences, including symptoms, triggers, and grief, utilizing a variety of poetic forms. Some of these include a “disjointed pantoum,” acrostic, free verse, and blackout poems using state disability application forms and legislation from the Americans with Disabilities Act. The material thus far is deeply emotional, showcasing the rawness that is part and parcel to the American Disabled experience. But it also aims to communicate that experience powerfully to audiences unfamiliar with such experience