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Pupil participation in Scottish schools: How far have we come?
No full textThe United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN, 1989), which applies to all children under the age of 18, established the overarching principles guiding pupil participation. In most European states, signatories to the Convention have enacted policies to promote the voice of the child or young person in decisions that affect them. In education systems strategies to enhance pupil participation are an increasing feature of deliberation on education for citizenship, curriculum flexibility, pedagogical approaches and assessment for learning. Despite the positive policy context and professional commitment to principles of inclusion, translating policy intentions so that the spirit of the legislation is played out in the day-to-day experiences of pupils is a constant challenge. This article reports on research that examines how pupil participation is understood and enacted in Scottish schools. It considers how the over-laying of diverse policies presents mixed messages to practitioners
[Retracted]: Next Generation IoT and Blockchain Integration
No full textThe Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the interconnection of smart devices to collect data and make intelligent decisions. However, a lack of intrinsic security measures makes Next generation IoT more vulnerable to privacy and security threats. With its “security by design,” Blockchain (BC) can help in addressing major security requirements in IoT. Blockchain is an ever-growing list of records that are linked and protected using cryptographic methods. It offers its users the flexibility to conduct transactions with lower costs and faster speeds. Blockchain ledgers are also decentralized and a ledger is maintained at each node in the network.Blockchain’s security and adaptability helps in making even entire systems on it a much easily task with the benefit of decentralization. BC capabilities like immutability, transparency, auditability, data encryption and operational resilience can help solve most architectural shortcomings of IoT. In the vision of the Internet of Things, traditional devices are becoming smarter and more autonomous. This vision is becoming reality as technology advances but there are still challenges to be resolved. This is especially true in a security domain like data trust & with the expected evolution of the IoT in the coming years, it is important to ensure that this great source of data arrives.This paper began with an overview of blockchain and IoT, as well as explore the IoT blockchain application challenges.This article also focuses review the most relevant tasks to analyse how IoT blockchain can be improved and examined current research concerns and developments in the use of blockchain-related techniques and technologies in the context of IoT security in depth. One of the best parts of working or learning about blockchain and its application is the curiosity about how it can impact the things that we have been accustomed to without trying to improve and make things more efficient and productive
Supervision of supervisory practice: From idea to practice
No full textLittle is known about how social work supervisors can be equipped and supported. A qualitative evaluation of a supervision of supervisory practice (SOSp) training programme with nine supervisors with 2 years of experience was done. Benefits for the supervisors were the application of knowledge and skills that improved the supervisory practice, and the opportunity to receive feedback. However, lack of time was a major obstacle for quality supervision. Supervisees reported experiencing a more collaborative supervision and an increase in confidence and perception of competence in case management. This exploratory study highlights the importance of developing competencies in the education and support functions of supervision
Examination of confidence levels of taxpayers transitioning to making tax digital by industry sector in the UK
No full textThe purpose of this study is to utilise social cognitive theory to investigate and establish through empirical study, the confidence levels of taxpayers with 'Making Tax Digital' and further to facilitate an assessment of the readiness of taxpayers to be compliant with making tax digital requirements by industrial sector. This study used a survey instrument to collect data from 202 businesses in the Northwest of the United Kingdom. The data were analysed statistically through descriptive statistics and inferential analysis using SPSS. The result from the study suggests and supports the notion that a transition to Making Tax Digital is industry sensitive and therefore any reform must consider the specific taxpayers in each industry. Consistent with prior research, the authors also find changes to a tax system are sensitive and need to be assessed against a practical criterion to gauge its full impact. Furthermore, this study finds that multi-industry sectors need clearer guidance on compliance. This has to be backed by a strong anti-avoidance business support system for sole proprietary businesses to enable them adapt to new way of reporting and paying taxes. It is further recommended that HMRC develops a strong communication strategy that encourages and helps sole trader overcome challenges of Making Tax Digital. This is one of the few studies aimed to explore the impact on how well different industrial sectors will transition to Making Tax Digital. This study carries out a comparison to ascertain if there is a significant difference in the levels of confidence between industry sectors transitioning to Making Tax Digital
Counselling as a calling: Meaning in life and perceived self-competence in counselling students
No full textBoth meaning in life (MIL) and perceived self-competence (PSC) have been linked to a sense of calling, and better well-being. To the authors' knowledge, no study has examined MIL or PSC in counselling students. Current counselling students (N = 292) were asked whether studying counselling brought them MIL, and completed the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and an adapted Perceived Competence Scale for Counselling Students (PCS-CS). Results showed that students with a higher sense of MIL had a higher level of PSC. Over 95% of participants found meaning in their study of counselling, implying that many found it to be a calling. The PCS-CS was found to be reliable, and implications include its potential usefulness in future research on PSC in counselling populations. With MIL and PSC being linked to better workplace wellbeing, this study implies that trainee counsellors have high levels of these protective factors, with further research warranted to establish whether this is also the case for counselling professionals
Resisting that Fascist Groove Thang - Sheffield as the epicentre for electronic music (1973-2020)
No full textTo the casual observer, late 1970s Sheffield was a grim place, littered with the charred decaying remnants of post-industrialisation and humming with the urban renewal of brutalist post-war dystopian architecture. Framed by the harsh northern landscape, it was seen as either the spectre of a dire past, or the vision of a romantic, technological future.Drawing inspiration from this environment and fuelled on a cocktail of Roxy Music and A Clockwork Orange, electronic musical pioneers Cabaret Voltaire and the Human League appeared. These bands would establish a music lineage encompassing bands, clubs and labels through to the 21st century and placing Sheffield at the centre of the UK’s electronic music story
Acute medicine and pandemics: getting it right next time! Guest Editorial
No full textFor those of you who are not aware of what GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time) is, let me start by saying it is a brilliant idea, genius perhaps. The vision of its founder, Professor Tim Briggs CBE, was to optimise orthopaedic care by using the most clinically and cost effective treatments, minimising waste, reducing variation and eliminating poor practice. Since 2014 in orthopaedics alone, operational and financial opportunities to save the NHS £696 million have been generated. Acute medicine, coupled with general medicine, has been part of the GIRFT programme since 2017. The mischievous reader might question the name, as clearly this is about getting things right at the second time of asking at the very earliest. Apart from that pedantic note, GIRFT is a force for good
Be honest – why did YOU decide to study Psychology? A recent graduate and a professor reflect
No full textUnderstanding student motivation is key to unlocking higher student satisfaction and allowing teachers to meet the expectations of their students. Psychology students have their own unique motivations. Using autoethnographic methods, a recent graduate and a professor of psychology come together to recall our own experiences from the classroom. From these, we arrive at definitions for two psychology student motivations that have stood out to us. We suggest how understanding motivations such as these can be beneficial for students and teachers alike. We discuss the benefits and limitations of using autoethnography to give our first-hand accounts, demonstrating the potential of this lesser-known methodology as a valid way to bring educational experiences into journals
Effects of water and chemical solutions ageing on the physical, mechanical, thermal and flammability properties of natural fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites
No full textBiocomposites comprising a combination of natural fibres and bio-based polymers are good alternatives to those produced from synthetic components in terms of sustainability and environmental issues. However, it is well known that water or aqueous chemical solutions affect natural polymers/fibres more than the respective synthetic components. In this study the effects of water, salt water, acidic and alkali solutions ageing on water uptake, mechanical properties and flammability of natural fibre-reinforced polypropylene (PP) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were compared. Jute, sisal and wool fibre- reinforced PP and PLA composites were prepared using a novel, patented nonwoven technology followed by the hot press method. The prepared composites were aged in water and chemical solutions for up to 3 week periods. Water absorption, flexural properties and the thermal and flammability performances of the composites were investigated before and after ageing each process. The effect of post-ageing drying on the retention of mechanical and flammability properties has also been studied. A linear relationship between irreversible flexural modulus reduction and water adsorption/desorption was observed. The aqueous chemical solutions caused further but minor effects in terms of moisture sorption and flexural modulus changes. PLA composites were affected more than the respective PP composites, because of their hydrolytic sensitivity. From thermal analytical results, these changes in PP composites could be attributed to ageing effects on fibres, whereas in PLA composite changes related to both those of fibres present and of the polymer. Ageing however, had no adverse effect on the flammability of the composites
Family caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic: factors associated with anxiety and depression of carers for community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong
No full textBackground The COVID-19 pandemic disrupts the daily routine and increases the caregiving load of the family carers of older adults. This study examined how the pandemic may impact mental health and investigated the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in family carers of older people. Methods Two hundred and thirty-six family carers of older adults participated in this cross-sectional survey study. Outcome measures included their symptoms of anxiety and depression, pandemic-related psychosocial factors, external factors, and the practice of preventive behaviours. Results Caseness prevalence of anxiety and depression among family carers was 25 and 56% respectively. Working carers were more depressed than non-working, while younger carers reported more anxiety and depression symptoms than older. Hand hygiene and getting drugs from the hospital positively predicted depression while healthy lifestyle negatively predicted depression. These variables, together with perceived risk and severity and the worry of getting infected, predicted anxiety. Conclusions The prevalence of mental health symptoms was alarming. Telemedicine practice, including online pharmaceutical services and the Internet Hospital plus Drug Delivery platform, could be a solution in alleviating the burden and worry of infection of family carers. Tailored-made interventions by age and working status of the family carers are recommended