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Context, history and Twitter data:Some methodological reflections
No full textTo what extent can, or should, discursive psychologists and microanalysts of online data ignore the social and technological context of the communication they are studying? In this chapter I discuss briefly the debate around context in conversation analysis before considering the role of archived material in both discussion forums and Twitter, as well as the clearly visible social detail that arrives with each post and tweet. I finish with a detailed case study of communication on Twitter between a British celebrity and his followers, in which the public identity of the individual, and his well-documented history, is an unavoidable part of the discursive context. In conclusion, I suggest that the extent to which we draw on this context is largely determined by our subjective motivations as researchers
A general theory of objectivity: contributions from the Reformational philosophy tradition
No full textObjectivity in the sciences is a much-touted yet problematic concept. It is sometimes held up as characterising scientific knowledge, yet operational definitions are diverse and call for such paradoxical genius as the ability to see without a perspective, to predict repeatability, to elicit nature’s own self-revelation, or to discern the structure of reality with inerrancy. Here we propose a positive and general definition of objectivity based on work in the Reformational philosophy tradition. We recognise a suite of relation-frames–ways in which things function and relate to each other, which can be analytically distinguished in the process of conceptual abstraction. These relation-frames also ground the diverse aspects of scientific analysis within which relationships and properties may be abstracted from entities and systems. We argue that objectivity can be understood as characteristic of representations that attempt to portray a subject in an earlier relation-frame than that in which it characteristically functions. In short, objectivity is projection. This proposal is exemplified from mathematics and the natural sciences and some possible objections to it are considered, as well as its extension to the social sciences
Cultivating learners who 'think like professionals':signature pedagogies, technology and vocational learning
No full textThe author is Teaching and Learning Manager at the college with responsibility for observation of all teaching staff and their professional development. This research looks at differing concepts of pedagogy through an investigation of observation data and an analysis of ‘blended learning sessions’ at a college that is at the forefront of using technology as a tool for learning.Located in South Central England this is a relatively small vocational college with two sites in Hampshire. The observation data collected was analysed using the concepts of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK), Signature Pedagogies and expansive vocational education to see how these concepts applied to practice.The conclusion shows that whilst there were differences in the pedagogical content approach, the concept of signature pedagogies was strong across all the curriculum areas looked at. It also highlights the possibility of further international research into post compulsory online learning using this college as an example of good practice. Finally, it observes that the college has the capacity in terms of a dedicated team of technologists to really improve the TPCK of the teachers further, together with a comprehensive digital strategy that encompasses a coherent and planned curriculum using ‘joined up’ schemes of work. In this way the PCK and the TPCK of teachers will be strengthened
Geochemical changes in obsidian outcrops with elevation at Hatis volcano (Armenia) and corresponding artifacts from Nor Geghi 1
No full textMost descriptions of obsidian-bearing rhyolitic lava flows and domes are largely based on relatively simple cases of tectonic plate subduction in North America, but Armenian geologists proposed since the 1960s that these models are less suitable for describing rhyolitic volcanism in their research area. Obsidian-producing volcanoes that lie in the Armenian Highlands, they argued, are more complex in form and stratification. Hatis volcano in central Armenia is one such example. As we document, Hatis is highly unusual, perhaps unique, in that its obsidian changes in composition with elevation. Prior studies of Hatis obsidian recognized the existence of two different chemical types. Here, though, we report a series of four obsidian chemical types and their spatial distributions across the slopes. Our findings were enabled by the use of portable XRF during our field surveys of Hatis. Additionally, we recognized each of these four chemical types of Hatis obsidian at the Lower Palaeolithic site of Nor Geghi 1, where thousands of obsidian artifacts reflect Pleistocene hominin behaviors from Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 (~424–374 ka) to 9 (~337–300 ka). Thus, all four types of Hatis obsidian are archaeologically significant despite the fact that their outcrops span more than 500 m (from <1600 to greater than 2100 m asl) in elevation on the volcanic slopes, thereby enabling future studies on links between altitude and hominin toolstone acquisition behaviors over hundreds of millennia
Multinational survey on living with an ostomy: prevalence and impact of peristomal skin complications.
No full textBackground:Peristomal skin complications (PSCs) impair life for people with an ostomy. Visual signs of PSCs include discolouration, but sensation symptoms like pain, itching, and burning are equally important and under-reported.Aim:To provide improved understanding of PSC prevalence and associated challenges in the communities of ostomy patients and ostomy care nurses.Methods:The Ostomy Life Study 2019 encompassed a patient survey (completed by 5187 people with an ostomy) and a nurse survey (completed by 328 ostomy care nurses).Findings:In total, 88% of patients experienced PSCs and 75% experienced PSC symptoms in the absence of discolouration. Eighty per cent of nurses considered ostomy-related issues to be the main reason for PSCs, and a correlation between PSC severity and number of nurse consultations was demonstrated.Conclusion:This study revealed a remarkably high PSC incidence in the absence of discolouration and highlighted direct consequences of having compromised skin and the health-economic consequences
Technology support for remote teaching, learning and assessment
No full textThis book is a response to the loss of learning experienced by children and young people during the Covid-19 crisis. It examines the measures which were taken to fix the disruption of education and their limitations particularly in reaching marginalised groups.Drawing on data and experiences from around the world, the book examines education systems as ecosystems with interdependencies between many different components which need to be considered when change is contemplated. Chapters explore the challenges involved ensuring continuity of education for all learners in times of crisis and disruption and set out practical solutions that are relevant when preparing for natural disasters and disasters caused by humans as well as for climate change challenges and future pandemics. The focus throughout is on building the sustainability of learners’ education into education systems to ensure educational continuity for all learners in times of disruption and crisis.Including tools for planning, prompts for reflection, and future possibilities to consider, Education for All in Times of Crisis will be valuable reading for school leaders, educators and policy makers
Social Influences on Flood Preparedness and Mitigation Measures Adopted by People Living with Flood Risk
No full textThis paper aims to analyse evidence, based on one of the largest and most representative samples of households previously flooded or living with flood risk to date, of social patterns in a range of flood resilience traits relating to preparedness prior to a flood (e.g., property adaptations, contents insurance, etc.) and mitigations enacted during and immediately following a flood (e.g., receiving a warning, evacuation into temporary accommodation, etc.). The data were collected from a 2006 survey of 1223 households from a variety of locations across Scotland between one and twelve years after major local floods. Our analysis identifies remarkably few social differences in flood preparedness and mitigation measures, although some aspects of demography, housing and length of residence in an area, as well as personal flood history, are important. In light of this finding, we argue that social differences in vulnerability and resilience to flooding arise from deep-seated socio-economic and socio-spatial inequalities that affect exposure to flood risk and ability to recover from flood impacts. The engrained, but well-meaning, assumption in flood risk management that impoverished households and communities are lacking or deficient in flood preparedness or mitigation knowledge and capabilities is somewhat pejorative and misses fundamental, yet sometimes invisible, social stratifications play out in subtle but powerful ways to affect households’ and communities’ ability to avoid and recover from floods. We argue that general poverty and inequality alleviation measures, such as tax and welfare policy and urban and community regeneration schemes, are likely to be as, if not more, important in alleviating social inequalities in the long-term impacts of floods than social targeting of flood risk management policy. View Full-Tex