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Delivering Specialist Study Skills Tutorials via Remote Working Tools (RWTs). An Investigation of Specialist Study Skills Tutors’ Views
Get PDF(RWTs). An Investigation of Specialist Study Skills Tutors’ Views
Ivan Newman and John Conway
Background
This investigation is based on one element of broader, doctoral research which
examines the effects of changes in Disabled Students Allowances (DSA) on specialist
one-to-one study skills support delivered to HE students in receipt of DSA, notably, but
not exclusively, those with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs).
This report concerns one of the changes introduced to specialist one-to-one Study Skills
Support (aka as Band 4 Non-Medical Helper Provision), namely that the delivery of
remote (i.e. not physically present) support tutorials using communications tools, such
as Skype is, from March 2016, subject to explicit recommendation by Needs Assessors
(DSA-QAG, March 2016(a), pp. 17, 24)3
. Once published, the guideline in question was
subject to much debate, often passionate, on the email forum for members, typically
specialist study skills tutors, of the Association of Dyslexia Specialists in Higher
Education (ADSHE).
In order to offer a research-based response to the March guideline, a short series of
questions relating to the use of communications tools, such as Skype, was appended to
the wider survey, and publicised over the ADSHE email forum in June-July 2016.
In August 2016, the Department for Education published an Update containing the
following statement, “We recognise that on occasion the student may wish to receive
their support remotely, for example if they are on a field trip abroad, or not able to attend
the usual place of delivery for a particular session.” (DfE, 2016). The data in this report
was gathered prior to the DfE’s August update.
The lead author of this report is a qualified and registered Specialist Study Skills Tutor
and Diagnostic Assessor for SpLDs and is a quality assured member of ADSHE in
addition to other professional organisations. The doctoral research project is
supervised by Dr John Conway, Head of Disability Services at the Royal Agricultural
Universit
Effect of dose and timing of application of different plant growth regulators on lodging and grain yield of a Scottish landrace of barley (Bere) in Orkney, Scotland
Get PDFThe effects of dose and the timing of the application of three different types of plant growth regulators on lodging and grain yield of a landrace of barley (Bere) were investigated. Results indicated that the application of full dose of plant growth regulators at Zadoks growth stage 31 had improved lodging resistance by reducing the stem length. Amongst plant growth regulators Upgrade caused the highest reduction in stem length and lodging index compared with other plant growth regulators while Adjust was the least effective plant growth regulator. The results indicated that Upgrade was less effective in lodging control at the higher nitrogen level (90 kg ha-1). Although this plant growth regulator improved lodging resistance, grain yield was not enhanced in any of the trials. This outcome was due to a delayed lodging and/or absence of severe lodging in the control plots. Further investigations on the effect of timing of lodging incidence on grain yield would be useful extension of the present study. A separate trial investigating the effectiveness of Upgrade in lodging control under a range of nitrogen levels is recommended
Dietary Diversity on the Swahili Coast: The Fauna from Two Zanzibar Trading Locales
No full textOccupants of coastal and island eastern Africa�now known as the �Swahili coast��were involved in long�distance trade with the Indian Ocean world during the later first millennium CE. Such exchanges may be traced via the appearance of non�native animals in the archaeofaunal record; additionally, this record reveals daily culinary practises of the members of trading communities and can thus shed light on subsistence technologies and social organisation. Yet despite the potential contributions of faunal data to Swahili coast archaeology, few detailed zooarchaeological studies have been conducted. Here, we present an analysis of faunal remains from new excavations at two coastal Zanzibar trading locales: the small settlement of Fukuchani in the north�west and the larger town of Unguja Ukuu in the south�west. The occurrences of non�native fauna at these sites�Asian black rat (Rattus rattus) and domestic chicken (Gallus gallus), as well as domestic cat (Felis catus)�are among the earliest in eastern Africa. The sites contrast with one another in their emphases on wild and domestic fauna: Fukuchani's inhabitants were economically and socially engaged with the wild terrestrial realm, evidenced not only through diet but also through the burial of a cache of wild bovid metatarsals. In contrast, the town of Unguja Ukuu had a domestic economy reliant on caprine herding, alongside more limited chicken keeping, although hunting or trapping of wild fauna also played an important role. Occupants of both sites were focused on a diversity of near�shore marine resources, with little or no evidence for the kind of venturing into deeper waters that would have required investment in new technologies. Comparisons with contemporaneous sites suggest that some of the patterns at Fukuchani and Unguja Ukuu are not replicated elsewhere. This diversity in early Swahili coast foodways is essential to discussions of the agents engaged in long�distance maritime trad
Early Islam on the East African Coast (750 -1200)
No full textThe East African coast was inhabited by both hunter-gatherers and fishing and farming communities who had access to maritime technology well before the arrival of Islam. While The Periplus of Erythreaen Sea describes a flourishing trade between southern Arabia and East Africa in the first century, the first secure documentary evidence for the presence of Islam dates to the early tenth century. In the late tenth or early eleventh century, the fortunes of the East African towns changed again. Accurate dating for Islam on the East African coast can be obtained through Islamic burials, early mosques, and locally minted coins with Islamic inscriptions from the late eighth century. By being part of the Islamic world, the East African coastal towns had much in common with their most important trading partners. However, they did not simply adopt Islamic forms as slavish copies of Middle Eastern forms but often developed their own styles
Causal factors of oral versus locomotor stereotypy in the horse
Get PDFStereotypic behaviors are commonly observed in domestic equids as they are in a range of
captive nondomesticated species. Estimates suggest that 19.5%-32.5% of horses perform a
stereotypy. The presence of these behaviors is thought to indicate suboptimal welfare
status and can result in secondary physical pathologies, such as colic, ligament strain, and
incisor wear. Relatively little is understood about the etiologies of oral and locomotor
stereotypies. Seemingly disparate causal factors have been proposed, including gastric
pathology, neural adaptation, and genetic predisposition. In this review, we propose a
model of causality that presents separate pathways to the development and continuation of
oral behaviors such as crib-biting, compared with locomotor alternatives (i.e., weaving). The
word stereotypy has alarmingly negative connotation among horse keepers. Stereotypic
behaviors are often viewed as vices, and therefore, a number of horse owners and
establishments attempt to physically prevent the behavior with harsh mechanical devices.
Such interventions can result in chronic stress and be further detrimental to equine welfare.
Stereotypy has been proposed to be a stress coping mechanism. However, firm evidence of
coping function has proven elusive. This review will explore management options directed
at both prophylaxis and remediation
Double-edged effect? Impact of dual edge proximity on the distribution of ancient woodland indicator plant species in a fragmented habitat.
Get PDFThe influence of edge proximity on woodland plants is a well-established research area, yet the influence of dual edge exposure has rarely been investigated. This novel research aims to establish whether proximity to two edges has any additive influence on Ancient Woodland Indicator (AWI) species presence relative to proximity to a single edge. Several AWI species are threatened and thus specific conservation priorities, while Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) itself is often highly fragmented: almost half of remnant patches are less than 5ha, which increases the potential for dual edge effects. Here, systematic mapping of herbaceous AWI species was conducted in 310 vegetation plots in two formerly-connected ASNW fragments in South-West England. Linear regression modelling revealed that distance to nearest edge and distance to second nearest edge were both univariately positively correlated with AWI species richness. After distance from nearest edge was entered into a multivariate model first, distance from second edge was entered in a second optional step after meeting stepwise criteria. The resultant multivariate model was more significant, and explained more variance, than either variable in isolation, indicating an additive effect of dual edge exposure. Likewise, binary logistic regression modelling showed presence of individual AWI species (Anemone nemorosa, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Lamiastrum galaeobdolon and Paris quadrifolia) was significantly related not only to distance from the nearest and second nearest edges in isolation, but significantly more strongly by the additive effect of distance from both edges in a single model. We discuss the implications of these findings from community ecology and conservation perspectives.
Abbreviations: AWI – Ancient Woodland Indicator, ASNW – Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland
Nomenclature: IPNI (2015) The International Plant Names Index http://www.ipni.org
Green infrastructure
Get PDFFuture smart cities require ‘green infrastructure’ (GI). Features of GI are long established including urban parks and landscaping. More recently, GI terminology has become normalised and internationalised. Hence, a significant task for the second chapter is to clarify GI definitions, functions, benefits and emphases. This chapter also provides the necessary background to GI and gives a particular focus to the linkages and connectivity within the GI systems. These connective linkages are attributed a primary function within the context of place and their social, environmental and economic impacts. The ability and requirements to maximise other benefits are then explored, ultimately aiming for connective GI that optimises multi-functional benefits within the parameters of its primary function, be that for example a cycleway or flood management drainage system. GI has a recognised role to play in promoting sustainable approaches to urban development, and in tandem with provision of ecosystem services. We consider the role of GI at different scales, and different opportunities of retrofitting for existing developments or new developments. Rather than providing a best practice guideline, we illuminate key GI issues in relation to on-going management and future proofing via a case study
Effect of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, plant growth regulator and artificial lodging on grain yield and grain quality of a landrace of barley
Get PDFLandraces of different crops are still preferred due to their stable yields under low inputs and adverse climatic conditions to which most modern varieties are not adapted. In the UK, a landrace of barley called Bere is currently grown in extreme climatic conditions of Orkney to which most of the modern varieties are not adapted. Although this landrace is probably the oldest barley under cultivation in the UK, very little research has been conducted. In this paper the effects of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, plant growth regulator and artificial lodging on grain yield and quality of Bere were investigated in the Orkney’s short growing season. Higher nitrogen application resulted in a higher lodging incidence but grain yield was not reduced by the severity of lodging. The artificial lodging applied at Zadoks growth stage 77 resulted in the greatest yield losses which indicated that control measures may be required to avoid lodging at this critical growth stage. Phosphorous and potassium had no significant effect on lodging resistance. Whilst plant growth regulator improved lodging resistance it was less effective in controlling lodging at the highest nitrogen level (90 kg ha-1). The trials indicated that higher level of N caused marginal increase in grain yield when nitrogen level was raised from 45 kg to 90 kg ha-1. This tended to suggest the use of medium N-level (45 kg N ha-1) for producing Bere. Plant growth regulator increased lodging resistance but had an inconsistent effect on grain yield. This study recommended the use of plant growth regulator as a means of easing harvesting rather than for enhancing yield and quality. The study concluded that phosphorous and potassium could be used to improve disease resistance and grain yield but not for lodging control
