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Developing student connectedness under remote learning using digital resources: A systematic review
No full textOnline learning is negatively associated with student connectedness. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Higher Education (HE) institutions have pivoted to blended and online learning. Subsequently, HE institutions have seen a shift in student connectedness resulting in loneliness, isolation, social and psychological distance. Consequently, it is essential for teacher practitioners to respond with innovative digital learning resources that aim to develop student connectedness. The current systematic review aimed to explore the research question: what are the characteristics of effective digital teaching resources when the aim of the resource is to build student connectedness? This systematic literature review was conducted in line with published guidance for undertaking reviews (Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, 2009). Successively, 17 papers met the inclusion criteria and were analysed using a thematic synthesis approach. Results identified five key themes that are important when designing digital resources to build connectedness: usability; teacher interaction; immediacy; synchronicity; and community. The findings of this research are expected to provide a template to assist teacher practitioners in creating innovative digital resources that facilitate connectedness
Teacher identity in crisis
No full textThe chapter uses Weinreich's (2003) Identity Structure Analysis (ISA) to explicate the nature of the teacher identity in crisis. It explores how through a combination approach, ISA and mentoring can help develop and enhance professional identity by providing insights into issues, conflicts and concerns that trainee teachers can work through with the help of a mentor. The chapter builds on previous work that considered how the combined approach can help trainee teachers develop their professional identity during their training. In its consideration of a combined ISA and mentoring approach to identity crisis, the chapter also explores the psychology of stress and how knowledge of professional identity can be applied to mediate the negative effects of high stress in the workplace. This is also discussed in terms of professional development programmes and mentoring schemes which aim to increase the retention of qualified teachers, currently experiencing a crisis within the United Kingdom, suggesting that the use of ISA can provide more structure and impact
An Overview of Wind Resource Assessments With Special Reference to The Emirate of Ajman, UAE
No full textThe continuous increase in clean energy demand and reduced CO2emissions in the UAE and specifically the Emirate of Ajman has put an extreme challenge to the Government. Ajman is one of the seven emirates constituting the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ajman is located along the Arabian Gulf on its West and bordered by the Emirate of Sharjah on its North, South, and East. The government is taking huge steps in including sustainability principles and clean energy in all of its developments. Successful implementation of green architecture law decree No 10 of 2018 effectively is a sign of such an initiative. Renewable energy sources in this country have had two folds of interest in solar and wind. Recent research works supported the feasibility of using wind energy as an alternative clean source of energy. Site-specific and accurate wind speed information is the first step in the process of bankable wind potential and wind Atlas. This study has compared how wind speed and its distribution varies for similar offshore and onshore locations between two different mesoscale data sources. Also, discussed the main environmental characteristics of Ajman that would influence the implementation of a major wind energy project. In addition, the study made a brief critical overview of the major studies undertaken in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region on wind resource assessment. Finally, based on the results, the study makes conclusions, recommendations and a way forward for a bankable wind resources assessment in the Emirate of Ajman. This paper would alert the wind energy industry about the consequence of not considering the best error corrected site specific suitable wind resource data along with other environmental characteristics. The study results show that for offshore, there is 2.9 m/s and for Onshore 4.9 m/s variations in wind speed at the same location between ECMWF Reanalysis (ERA-5) and NASA Satellite data. Hence It is concluded that error corrected site-specific wind resource assessment is mandatory for assessing the available bankable wind potential since there are considerable variations in wind speed distributions between mesoscale data sets for similar locations. The study also identifies that the Emirate of Ajman has limited space for onshore wind farms; hence the offshore site seems to have good potential that can be utilised for energy generation. However, individual wind turbines can be installed for exploiting the available site-specific onshore wind energy. Finally, the study recommends a way forward for a comprehensive wind resource assessment to help the Emirate of Ajman form a sustainable wind power generation policy
Grapeseed Oil (Vitis vinifera L.) Treatment on Polyester-Based Fabrics to develop Antibacterial and Physiologically Comfortable Health Care and Hygiene Textiles
No full textHealthcare and hygiene products in the medical sector uphold a prime responsibility to prevent the passage of bacteria or other harmful organisms from non-sterile to sterile areas. This has been currently possible with increased awareness and concern about the healthcare/hospital textiles. Along with protection, various products are accommodated with several functional properties such as comfort, odour-free, and hygiene aspects. This manuscript presents an insight into the development of such textiles by application of the grapeseed oil (Vitis viniferaL.), a by-product of the winemaking industry. The fabric structures chosen for the study are relevant to the end uses of textile products in the medical applications such as 100% texturized polyester, 100% micro-polyester, polyester/viscose, and polyester/cotton woven fabrics. All polyester fabric samples have been pre-treated with an optimized concentration of trichloroacetic acid-methylene chloride (TCA-MC) solvent and further treated with four different grapeseed oil concentrations (5, 10, 15, and 20%). The antibacterial and comfort properties of the treated fabric samples have been evaluated and analysed. The treated fabric samples show the substantial antibacterial activity of 49 and 40%, respectively, againstS. aureusandE. colibacteria after 50 home laundry washing cycles
Artificial intelligence in mental health: the novel use of chatbots to support trainee counsellors and recovering addicts
No full textChatbots are programmed conversational agents that emulate communication systematically using natural language processing. They can be programmed to assume a range of roles where regular human interaction occurs. Within mental health services, they are not as well represented as in other areas of healthcare, with research suggesting that uptake has been hindered by concerns over the accuracy of the information they provide, undeveloped technology, lack of adherence to an ethical framework, and the unconvincing portrayal of human authenticity. Technological improvements have addressed some of these concerns, and as the resultant solution choice increases, the potential for chatbots within mental health is receiving greater attention. In this chapter, two novel uses for chatbots are showcased. Foxbot, a recovery friend, accessible at the point of need to help mitigate some of the common risk factors to sustaining addiction recovery; and ERIC, a counselling client who allows trainee counsellors to practise their counselling skills without having to enlist an actual client
The Changing Nature of Happiness. Explorations of Happiness in the town of Bolton and beyond
No full textThis study has examined happiness using data from self-reported perceptions from residents of the northern town of Bolton. The aim was to replicate the 1938 Mass Observation Worktown Happiness questionnaire in Bolton, in 2014. The data collected from the replication was compared with that from 1938 to examine if, and how, happiness perceptions had changed during a time of considerable economic and social change? Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyse the data. The key findings from 2014, were that Boltonians were not happier than residents some 76 years earlier and that the majority of respondents were happier away from the town and found it easier to be happy at weekends, in contrast to their predecessors. In ranking Ten Aspects of Happiness, Boltonians valued Good Humour and Leisure more favourably than Worktowners and Religion which had been in the top 3 in 1938, moved down to 10th place. Economic Security was the only aspect of happiness to remain in the top three. There was no change in the proportion of participants who regarded Luck as important for happiness. A qualitative analysis of letters from1938 and comments from 2014, revealed that ‘peace of mind and contentment,’ paramount in 1938, did not feature in 2014, when people were happiest undertaking chosen ‘activities’ in their free time. Personal relationships were important in both periods, expressed as ‘family and friends’ in 2014 and ‘family and home’, and ‘giving to and helping others’ in 1938. Since the days of Worktown, leisure has become more individualised and centred in the home rather than in the town’s community.These findings are a snapshot of happiness in one town from the late 1930s and 2010s.This unique study adds to existing knowledge on happiness perceptions by highlighting similarities and differences across a 76-year period. This is unique in the world research literature on happiness. As self-reported happiness had not increased in the town despite improvements in standards of living, it lends some support to the Easterlin Paradox, that as countries become richer, their citizens do not necessarily experience enhanced happiness.The high frequency of personal and family ‘activities’ in 2014 to generate happiness, provides information for the study of leisure developments. The replication of the Mass Observation questionnaire in 2014 and its use in other later studies demonstrate that there is now an additional tool, a template questionnaire for happiness research. The values of Worktown, ‘contentment and peace of mind’ could contribute to well-being and to contemporary Positive Psychology material. The research process, the analysis, publications and contribution to knowledge are discussed within the commentary and in the conclusions, to justify the award of a doctorate by publication
Learning opportunities and diversity of engineering students’ background in interdisciplinary group projects
No full textDesign/methodology/approach This research has measured, using National Student Survey (NSS) criteria, student experiences on an interdisciplinary project on a civil engineering programme. It benchmarks the quality of learning and student understanding and perceptions of learning. The method is based upon a literature review and questionnaire survey of students.Purpose In line with business goals of customer satisfaction, higher education institutions of learning consider excellent student experience a priority. Teaching and learning are important aspects of satisfaction that are monitored annually by universities using tools such as the NSS. NSS results are useful for educational planning and informing consumer choices. This research measured undergraduate student experiences on an interdisciplinary project using the NSS framework. Hinged on diversity, the purpose was to investigate whether full time, part time and degree apprenticeship students with varied work experience enhance their learning studying together on an interdisciplinary project.Findings Results indicate good amounts of peer influence on learning in a simulated interdisciplinary team setting supported by a mix of diverse work experience in students’ background.Originality/value Sections of the NSS are extended with additional questions to capture the impact that full-time, part-time and degree apprenticeship study modes, closely associated with students’ background of job experience, have on teaching and learning
Social media use for supporting mental health (SMILE)
No full textPurpose: The SMILE study (Social Media as Informal support for people with mental illness: an Exploratory study) aimed to explore how people with mental health issues use and value social media as a support mechanism.Methodology: A systematic search of Facebook and Twitter identified groups and pages relating to mental health issues. 203 users over the age of 18 were recruited via Facebook and Twitter. Any user who considered themselves to experience mental health problems could opt to participate and no exclusion criteria were applied. A mixed-methods online survey retrieved demographic and qualitative data by asking users to describe their personal experiences when using social media for mental health support.Findings: Users perceive Facebook and Twitter as useful online resources to gain informational and emotional support and to share experiences. The benefits were; ease of access, anonymity and personal control over engagement levels. Users had subjective experiences of engagement, however, overall these were deemed positive. Using Facebook and Twitter for mental health provided users with a sense of connectedness and reduced feelings of isolation.Originality: The qualitative methodology allowed participants to share their experiences and views, with positive implications for services. Social media was discussed as a prospective tool for raising awareness and reducing stigma. The study highlights scope for mental health service providers to tap into the social media consumer market and provide quality online support provision
Every cloud has a silver lining : short-term psychological effects of COVID-19 on British university students.
No full textThere are widespread concerns about the mental health implications of the pandemic, particularly among university students, an already at-risk population for poor mental health. This study looked at 1,281 UK university students, recruited through the Prolific website. Participants were asked to complete the Attitudes towards COVID-19 Scale, the CORE-10, the PERMA Profiler, the GAD-7 and the Office for National Statistics wellbeing questions (ONS4). The first survey was conducted between May 14th and 16th, when the UK was in national lockdown.The second survey was carried out between June 26th and July 15th.There was only an 11% attrition rate between the two time points. Wellbeing improved overall between the two time points. Some findings were contradictory as overall well-being, anxiety and levels of flourishing improved, but reports of psychological distress increased. It is also important to note that levels of positivity about the pandemic increased as time went on. There was evidence that higher levels of positivity were linked to better mental health outcomes. Encouraging a positive mindset and outlook in students, probably through positive psychology-based interventions, might act as a protective factor against severe mental illness. The wider relevance and practical implications for higher education are discusse