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Invisible Students: Challenges to Evaluation in Prison Higher Education
Get PDFThe challenge: This paper examines the state of knowledge and evaluation in prison higher education. Little is known about its efforts, outcomes, and impact or about the students enrolled in such efforts. Potential consequences: Incarcerated college students are a disenfranchised population with restricted autonomy. Without understanding prison higher education efforts and outcomes, colleges and universities run the risk of further marginalizing this group of students. Description/analysis/methods: Using the first comprehensive national survey of prison higher education programs, we assess whether and how data are collected on incarcerated college students and whether these data are used for student tracking and/or outcomes evaluation. We then elucidate a variety of challenges that help explain the current lack of quality data. Rationale/reflection/replication: We find that current data collection among prison higher education programs is extremely limited; most programs are unable to provide basic information about their students, instructors, or key student success metrics such as persistence and completion. We conclude with recommendations for program administrators, colleges and universities, and policymakers involved in the work of prison higher education, equity, and access to higher education
Evaluating Heru, Inc. Virtual Reality Technology as a Visual Field Diagnostic Tool
Get PDFPurpose: This study evaluated the clinical accuracy of the Heru, Inc. virtual reality (HVR) headset relative to the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (HFA). Secondary goals included independent product evaluation of HVR utility and limitations and consideration of how this technology can be used in various clinical scenarios where perimetry capabilities are limited.Methods: Participants were tested with HFA and HVR at one appointment with order of testing by each device randomized to the extent possible based largely on clinic schedule. 9 patients were tested with HFA before and 15 patients with HFA after HVR testing. Patient age, mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), numerical chart values, and test duration were recorded. Average HVR test time was measured externally by a stopwatch due to the unreliability of time reported by the device. Average HFA test time was determined from machine output. Data were organized and analyzed in Microsoft Excel using paired t-tests and descriptive statistics.Results: 45 eyes of 24 patients were included, 24 right (OD) and 21 left (OS). The average age was 67.8±11.9 years. The average absolute difference between HFA and HVR for MD and PSD, was found to be 2.22 and 1.71 dB OD and 1.61 and 1.36 dB OS, respectively. 17/24 (71%) and 12/21 (57%) of MD values and 16/24 (67%) and 13/21 (63%) of PSD values for OD and OS, respectively, were found to be greater when measured with HVR than with HFA. No statistically significant difference was found between MD (p=0.06 OD, 0.48 OS) and PSD (p=0.28 OD, 0.67 OS). The VF defects observed were qualitatively similar between the HVR and HVR. The average test time per eye (min:sec) was 6:46 for the HVR and 3:06 for the HVF (p=5.63x10-15).Conclusions: The HVR can be utilized in settings in which the HFA cannot, such as emergency departments or mobile clinics, and has lower up-front costs, thereby potentially improving access to visual screening technology for populations with otherwise limited resources. These results show no statistically significant differences between HFA and HVR MD and PSD.Testing duration, software reliability, and internet connection can be limiting for the HVR relative to the HFA. Small sample size is a limiting factor in this study. Further analysis of individual sectors of the VF can be performed to ensure those differences are also not significant quantitatively
Enhancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Social Work Licensing and Credentialing Process
No full textThis paper examines the critical need for enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the social work licensing and credentialing process. Recent analyses have revealed significant disparities in pass rates for licensing exams among underrepresented groups, including African American, Latinx, and older social work candidates. These inequities raise ethical concerns and challenge the foundational values of the social work profession, which is rooted in principles of social justice and empowerment. By analyzing structural barriers and biases within the licensing process, this paper identifies key areas for reform, including the need for inclusive exam content, cultural competence training for test developers, and comprehensive support systems for non-traditional candidates. Furthermore, the paper explores how technology and artificial intelligence can play a transformative role in addressing DEI issues, such as bias detection, personalized learning experiences, and improved accessibility for diverse candidates. Ultimately, the paper argues that a commitment to DEI in the licensing process is not only a moral imperative but also essential for fostering a social work profession that truly reflects and serves the diverse communities it aims to support. By implementing targeted reforms and leveraging technological innovations, the profession can advance its ethical mission and promote equity in the path to licensure
An Analytical Examination of VoiceThread Engagement Patterns of Pre-and In-Service Teachers in an ESL Graduate Course: Investigating Posting Frequencies, Response Modalities, and Demographic Influences
No full textThis study analyzes graduate students’ engagement with VoiceThread, a multimodal discussion platform that blends audio, video, and text. Drawing on data from 94 pre- and in-service teachers enrolled in an eight-week online English Language Development course, we examined three dimensions of participation: posting frequency, response length, and modality choice. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and ANOVA were employed to analyze 1,128 student comments across six sections. Results revealed a strong preference for audio contributions, which comprised 83% of postings and totaled more than 40 hours of discourse. A small but significant correlation indicated that frequent posting was associated with slightly longer responses, while variation in audio length across sections indicates the influence of instructor presence. High-engagement sections, where instructors modeled active use of the platform, yielded richer and longer contributions compared to low-engagement sections. These findings suggest that while VoiceThread’s affordances facilitate interaction, meaningful engagement is shaped less by the tool itself than by instructional design and teaching presence
Editor’s Introduction: Resilient Neighborhoods Around Us Calling for Community Democracy
No full textThe Illuminating Lamp: A Four-Step Model for Islamic Chaplaincy in North America
No full textThis article presents a four-step framework for Islamic chaplaincy in North America, derived directly from the Qurʾānic description of the Prophet Muhammad as a witness, bearer of good news, warner, and beacon of light (Qurʾān 33:45–46). Rooted in foundational Islamic sources, this model offers Muslim chaplains a structured sequence of actions that build upon one another, providing a focused approach to spiritual care. The model emphasizes a God-centered, holistic vision that integrates service (khidma), compassion (raḥma), love (maḥabba), and ongoing self-purification (tazkiya), while honoring the sanctity of the care seeker’s physical, emotional, and spiritual journey. By following the four-step progression—witnessing, affirming goodness, offering gentle correction, and inviting toward divine connection—chaplains can align their technique and interventions with the Prophetic example while also engaging thoughtfully with contemporary chaplaincy practices. The framework encourages chaplains to cultivate presence (ḥuḍūr), ethical restraint , and compassion, equipping them to serve with theological integrity and pastoral wisdom. Rather than treating psychological relief as an endpoint, Islamic chaplaincy orients care toward holistic well-being in this world and the Hereafter. The article concludes by affirming the necessity of mentorship, accountability, and continuous self-refinement for Muslim chaplains, ensuring that their work remains a sincere reflection of the Prophetic model of service. In offering this framework, the authors seek to contribute a distinct and faithful paradigm to the broader field of spiritual caregiving, one that is both rooted in Islamic tradition and responsive to the diverse realities of contemporary practice