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Towards new heights in teaching excellence: reflections on recognition
No full textAs a multinational group of teaching fellows, we consider the highs and lows of our individual and collective journeys towards teaching excellence. The panel will explore the dynamics and challenges of being recognised for excellence in teaching and learning whilst simultaneously unravelling the difficult spaces we learn to operate in. How excellence is defined and conceptualised frames our discussion. Gunn and Fisk (2013) are clear in their literature review that the concept of excellence in teaching lacks consensus. Though certainly in the UK, governmental stakeholder agenda setting is having an impact on the definitions with the rise of metric based teaching excellence framework. Currently some national and institutional surveys (eg UK National Student Survey (NSS 2014, Australian Graduate Survey, 2016, USA National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) 2016, Irish Survey of Student Engagement (ISSE) 2016) alongside progression data and participation rates. Do these indicators act as drivers and what other performance indicators of excellence exist? Little and Locke (2001, 19) state that "A teaching mission necessarily embraces both a concern for teaching and a concern for the end product of the teaching process that is: the student learning experience" but do we sufficiently take into account of that experience when we are defining excellence and how does it impact on the metrics? As a panel we seek to explore the issues and questions around identifying and recognising markers/signs of excellence across disciplines, countries and cultures, the role and impact of teaching fellows, institutional support for the development of teaching fellows and the aspirations of future teaching fellows as we continue our mission/climb to the peak of our metaphoric mountain range of teaching excellence. We also seek to discuss whether we can ever truly reach the zenith of teaching excellence and stay there! Building on the work of Frame et al (2007) and examining whether teaching fellowships are an award or reward for teaching excellence international scholars and SoTL practitioners will present their stories and reflect upon the journeys travelled so far. The audience will have the opportunity to explore the concept of excellent teaching, engage with dialogue and reflect on international perspectives and recognise the terrain and territories teaching fellows have navigated and are continuing to chart
“You sort of go down a rabbit hole...you’re just going to keep on searching”: A qualitative study of searching online for pregnancy-related information during pregnancy
No full textBackground: The Web is becoming increasingly popular for gaining information on medical or health issues; with women in particular likely to search online for this type of information and support. Despite the increased use of the Web for health-related information, we need to question whether the Web and the ease of seeking health information that it provides leads to more (patient) empowerment. As well as being a time of joy and expectations, pregnancy can be a worrying time for women, especially first time mums-to-be, with unfamiliar experiences and symptoms and concerns for the baby as well as the self.Objective: Our aim was to explore how and why pregnant women use the Web to gain information and support during pregnancy and what they consider a reliable source.Methods: To meet the objectives of the study, a qualitative approach was required to gather information on the experiences of currently pregnant women who use the Web to gain information and support during their pregnancy. Sixteen pregnant women took part in a semistructured interview, either face-to-face or via telephone. The interviews took place from January to March 2016, all participants were from England, and the health professionals are all employed by the National Health Service (NHS).Qualitative analytical procedures were employed using inductive thematic analysis supported by NVivo software (QSR International).Results: Pregnant women found reassurance from the experiences of others. This reassurance resulted in them feeling less alone, as well as enabling them to normalize any symptoms or experiences they were undergoing. The women understood that caution was needed at times while reading the stories of others, acknowledging the potential for extreme cases or worst case scenarios.This is particularly pertinent to the Web, as this wide range of stories may not be as easily accessible if stories where confined to those in a woman’s offline social circle. The interviews provide insights into how and why pregnant women search online for information and perhaps more so, support while pregnant.Conclusions: Searching for health information and advice online during pregnancy is viewed as quick, easy, and accessible.The affordances of the Web have provided women the opportunity to go online as a first port of call. Knowing they were not alone and reading the experiences or symptoms of other pregnant women enabled women to normalize their experience and was ultimately reassuring for pregnant women
Editor’s Introduction and Summary of Chapters
No full textThe editorial introduction summarizes the other chapters in the book. It notes the increasing interest in human happiness in the 21st century with initiatives from the United Nations and other national and international organizations to enhance happiness in the world. European politicians have included the subject in their rhetoric and policies. In Britain the Office of National Statistics was directed to collect data and publish reports. The debate on the relationship between wealth and happiness is introduced. What is happiness? The question of definition is explored supporting a link between happiness and general well-being. How can happiness be measured? These questions are considered with reference to the Mass Observation study in 1938 and that by The University in the town of Bolton in 2014
Resource Reservation protocol Tunnelling Extension in MPLS for sustainable Mobile Wireless Networks
No full textTraffic Engineering (TE) is most effective in networks where some links are heavily utilized and have little or no bandwidth available while others carry little or no traffic. It is of great importance to the recent development of mobile and wireless technologies. Without the process of TE, there is possibilities of having under-utilization and over-utilization problems along the links. It is necessary to consider the implementation that would avoid the goal of network and unguaranteed bandwidth delivery. Therefore, the operators and service providers require seamless combination of network protocols with an improved quality of service (QoS). This paper will be focusing on Resource Reservation Protocol Tunnelling Extension Multiprotocol Layer Switching (RSVP-TE MPLS) for sustainable mobile wireless networks. This will make provision of bandwidth allocation possible by implementing the configurations of the dynamic and static LSPs (Label Switching Paths). The network model designed will be used for this purpose by using simulation approach. The verification of the MPLS model will be presented. It will eventually maximize bandwidth utilization, minimize operation cost and improve QoS
Modification of organo-montmorillonite with disodium H-phosphonate to develop flame retarded polyamide 6 nanocomposites
No full textMontmorillonite (Mt) hold a great potential in improving inflammability of polyamide nanocomposites. This paper presents research on a novel class of flame retardants prepared by adsorption of disodium H-phosphonate (DHP) on the sodium montmorillonite (Mt) and organophilized montmorillonite (OMt) - clay surface. Using instrumental analyses including X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cone calorimetry, limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 technique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the influence of DHP and Mt or OMt in PA6 on the thermal stability and fire reaction properties of PA6 was investigated. The adsorption of DHP on Mt and OMt delayed the onset of the degradation temperature of PA6 by 8 and 23 °C, respectively. The flame resistance of nanocomposite with 0.75 wt% of DHP stabilizer adsorbed on OMt surface was significantly improved as 59% reduction in maximum peak of heat release rate compared to neat PA6 was observed. The UL-94 and cone calorimeter results have shown that the tested materials burn differently, which are reported here as three behaviors during combustion. Based on these results it was found that the surface-modified Mt protects the polymeric material against the degradation within the temperature range used by formation of phosphorus-mineral char
Learning analytics and policy (LAP) international aspirations, achievements and constraints
No full textThe Learning Analytics and Policy (LAP) workshop explores and documents the ways in which policies at national and regional level are shaping the development of learning analytics. It brings together representatives from around the world who report on the circumstances in their own country. The workshop is preceded by an information gathering phase, and followed by the authoring of a report. The aspirations, achievements and constraints in the different countries are contrasted and documented, providing a valuable resource for the future development of learning analytics
On gravitational chirality as the genesis of astrophysical jets
No full textIt has been suggested that single and double jets observed emanating from certain astrophysical objects may have a purely gravitational origin. We discuss new classes of plane-fronted and pulsed gravitational wave solutions to the equation for perturbations of Ricci-flat spacetimes around Minkowski metrics, as models for the genesis of such phenomena. These solutions are classified in terms of their chirality and generate a family of non-stationary spacetime metrics. Particular members of these families are used as backgrounds in analysing time-like solutions to the geodesic equation for test particles. They are found numerically to exhibit both single and double jet-like features with dimensionless aspect ratios suggesting that it may be profitable to include such backgrounds in simulations of astrophysical jet dynamics from rotating accretion discs involving electromagnetic fields
Structural and compositional changes in single wall carbon nanotube ensemble upon exposure to microwave plasma
No full textMicrowave plasma treatment of single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) films called bucky papers(BPs) resulted in changes in the relative proportion of different chiralities of SWNTs present in theBP and the production of vertical microstructures on the surface of BP. The plasma was createdusing H2 gas mixed with Ar or CH4, at a temperature of 900 �C and a pressure of 70 Torr. Radialbreathing mode spectra of the BPs revealed that the preferential sputtering by plasma is not withrespect to the diameter or the metallic nature of SWNTs. We propose that the lengths of SWNTsinfluence how they interact with plasma. Longer tubes will have higher dielectric constants andhence will be polarized more strongly by the electric field of the plasma sheath. This in turn resultsin greater ion bombardment and sputtering. Finite element method was used to find the strengths ofthe induced electric fields on model SWNT surfaces. Microscopy, Raman, and X-ray photoelectronspectroscopy were used to study the effect of plasma on the crystallinity of the surviving SWNTs.Structural integrity of SWNTs was preserved after the plasma treatment
Recent advances in three-dimensional pressure relieving cushions for the prevention of pressure ulcers
No full textPolyurethane (PU) foam is one of the most common materials used in the development of pressure relieving cushions. However, it suffers from reduced efficiency in terms of thermophysiological comfort, cost, recycling and importantly, creating a suitable environment for the prevention of pressure ulcers. The paper presents research carried out at the University of Bolton, in the development of pressure relieving cushion applications using three-dimensional (3D) warp knitted spacer fabrics. Three properties, pressure distribution, air permeability, and heat resistance of 3D warp knitted spacer fabrics are focused on, with particular emphasis on pressure distribution in the development of improved performance and efficacy of cushion applications. This research includes the development of a novel technique for measuring pressure distribution while under simulated loading conditions.Using this system, fully patented novel and smart 3D knitted spacer Airospring® cushions were developed, with the following features:1. The introduction of a shaped/contoured surface interface was able to re-distribute high pressure points normally located in vulnerable areas of an immobile and seated person.2. They are much better at reducing peak pressures than PU foam cushions and distribute pressure evenly over a much larger area of the cushion.3. They provide a well-ventilated and comfortable cushion.4. They can be laundered in a washing machine, are non-flammable and can be easily recycled
