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Negotiating the Digital Maze of Information Literacy: a Review of Literature
No full textRapid change in technology, conflicting definitions and perspectives, and competing models make it difficult to develop a consistent and coherent understanding of information literacy. A comprehensive search of 50 peer-reviewed articles between 2004 and 2014 was conducted to identify major research themes in understanding information literacy. Five key areas associated with information literacy were reviewed, including evolutionary history, proposed definitions, foundational learning theories, digital literacy, and previous information literacy models. Based on a detailed content analysis of previous research, a 4Ps framework (planning, picking, processing, and producing) was developed and analyzed to synthesize the results
Empowering Adult Learners through Blogging with iPads and iPods
No full textCurrent statistics indicate that 48 per cent of Canadians over the age of 16 struggle with low literacy skills (Canadian Council on Learning, 2008). The federal government has deemed the development of digital literacy proficiencies amongst Canadians a national priority as this country moves toward a digital economy (Government of Canada, 2012). This research project examined whether adult learners with literacy challenges would feel empowered as a result of creating content for a blog through the use of digital technology. The researcher attempted to understand the impact that blogging and using different types of technology could have on an individual’s self-esteem and whether those feelings of empowerment would encourage an adult learner to pursue further education. Although this research project only ran for a period of six days at a literacy program, there was a noticeable difference in how the participants viewed themselves after they created digital content. Further findings from this project also indicated that there is a gap in research dealing with the impact of digital technology on adult literacy
Newcomer Women\u27s Experience of Immigration and Precarious Work in Toronto
No full textCanada\u27s immigration policy encourages immigrants with education and job skills. They are awarded points for specific skills and admitted in the economic class. This system is held up as a model of a modern immigration policy, but it incorporates misogynistic norms that give male applicants a strong economic advantage over women. The policy divides applicants into primary applicants and dependents. Only the skills of the primary applicant, usually the husband in a family unit, are assessed. Thus women\u27s potential economic contribution is not considered. This study of 30 newcomer women in Toronto found that they remained in low-paid precarious work, were vulnerable to workplace exploitation, sacrificed their careers to support their husbands, suffered economic and health repercussions, and had difficulty getting better work due to unpaid household labor and lack of social supports. This paper shows the connection between the marginalization of these women and Canadian immigration polic
Editor\u27s Introduction
No full textSpecial Issue: Women and Precarious Work: Health ImplicationsSpecial Issue Editor: Leslie Nichol
Technology Use in Early Childhood Education: a Review of Literature
No full textThis paper provides a review of the literature from 2009 to 2014 on student use of technology in early childhood education. Previous efforts to synthesize the literature are somewhat dated, non-specific about age range, and focus almost exclusively on literacy. Thirty peer-reviewed articles from 11 countries, selected from a comprehensive search of the literature, were organized under five main categories: literacy, engagement, social interactions, mathematics, and miscellaneous topics. The overall effect size, based on only 12 studies and 33 measures was moderately high (d= 0.71, SD=0.60). Considerable qualitative and quantitative evidence indicated that technology had a significant impact on literacy development. Fewer studies, mostly qualitative in design and small in sample size, reported that technology had a positive impact on engagement, social interactions, and mathematics skills. A handful of studies provided qualitative evidence that technology had a positive impact on sequencing, visual perception, creative thinking, and fine motor capability. Methodological concerns included limited sample sizes and descriptions, not documenting the consistency and accuracy data of collection tools, the extent of adult intervention, and the limited range of technology tools used
Welfare States, Cultural Values and Women\u27s Precarious Work:: Insights from Welfare State and Cultural Values Theory
No full textWhile it is well-established that Canadian women are more likely to experience precarious work and the prevalence of this is increasing, greater attention needs to be paid to the contributions that social theory can make to both understanding and responding to this issue. This paper considers recent developments in both welfare state and cultural values theory to provide a framework to explain and respond to women\u27s precarious work situations. Canada\u27s being a liberal welfare state contributes to this problematic situation, but cultural values concerning women\u27s roles may also shapes and maintains this condition. Drawing upon theoretical insights from Esping-Andersen on the welfare state and Pfau-Effinger on cultural values, various means of both understanding and improving the situation are presented
Intersectionality Analysis, the Welfare State and Women\u27s Health
No full textThis article applies intersectionality analysis to consider women\u27s health and well-being in Canada\u27s welfare state with attention to those occupying vulnerable social locations. Political and economic structures and processes associated with different forms of the welfare state are responsible for producing these vulnerabilities as they differentially distribute economic and social resources amongst the population. Inequities in these distributions create the social inequalities that act through the social determinants of health to spawn health inequalities. The liberal welfare state -- with its dominant institution being the marketplace -- has higher levels of these inequalities than social democratic and conservative welfare states with rather less public policy effort to reduce them. In addition, the acceptance of neoliberalism as a governing ideology has seen Canadian and other governments further reducing the State role in managing the economy and providing economic and social security to citizens. This has had particular implications for those occupying vulnerable social locations such that the intersectionality concept -- combined with welfare state analysis -- provides a lens which can both explan these social and health inequalities and suggest means to reduce them
Institutionalized Childcare in Canada, Sweden, and Finland and Women’s Health: The Intersection of Welfare State with Cultural Beliefs
No full textThis study considers how the role of culture and the structure of public policies relating to the care industry influence the choices both a society and women make regarding the provision and uptake of institutionalized childcare. This paper looks at how the welfare state and cultural beliefs of a society towards women’s roles in Canada, Sweden and Finland shapes these issues. Based on the welfare state models developed by Esping-Andersen (1990, 1999) and cultural models by Pfau-Effinger (2005) a three-way classification of family models is developed to consider the variations in uptake and attitude towards institutionalized childcare in Canada, Sweden and Finland. This paper finds it is not only public policy that influences the uptake of institutionalized childcare, but that culture is an important factor that is often overlooked. Based on the three types of care models I argue that the relationship between cultural values and institutional arrangements are multifactorial and conclude that culture is an important driving factor in the development and uptake of welfare state policies.Â
Health Care Discrimination Experiences of Middle Eastern Women
No full textThis study examined the types of discriminatory behaviors that Middle Eastern American (MEA) women experience in health care settings. The framework of systemic racism and more specifically, the white racial frame was used to interpret the data. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 MEA women to gather insight into their discrimination-related experiences in the U.S. health care system. Participants reported numerous examples of both covert and overt discrimination and anti-Middle Eastern racial framing among physicians. Several themes related to the possible triggers of the discrimination emerged, specifically names, language, and accent; national origin; lack of cultural awareness; and appearance. Findings suggest that discrimination in health care settings greatly affects health outcomes; for instance, in this study, reported lack of compliance with follow-up appointments or medication was a major result of perceived discriminatory attitudes and behaviors of physicians. Culturally sensitive care recommendations and a reframing of health care providers attitudes toward minority patients are needed to address the discriminatory attitudes and behaviors reported in this study.
Keywords: Middle Eastern American women, discrimination, health care, systemic racism, white racial fram