8 research outputs found
Designing online learning environments for professional development
No full textInternet-based technologies have expanded the range of options for teacher professional development. This chapter focuses on the design of online learning environments for teacher professional development. The empirical foundations of the work are based on online courses that the author has designed and taught to science teachers. The course participants have been practicing teachers with at least 2 years of experience. The theoretical foundations of the course design are grounded in assumptions about adult learners. Malcolm Knowles (The modern practice of adult education, 1980) identified several key characteristics of adult learners. Among them are the following: (1) adult learners are autonomous, self-directed, and strongly goal oriented; (2) adult learners have accumulated a foundation of life experiences and knowledge and have a need to connect learning to this knowledge and experience base; and (3) adult learners are practical and have a strong preference for learning that is most useful to their work. In addition to that, it has been recognized that teachers are usually isolated and have a professional need to interact and learn from fellow practitioners The new technologies afford opportunities for creating communities of practice among geographically dispersed practitioners (Fishman and Davis, The Cambridge handbook of the learning sciences, 535-550, 2006)
An analysis of the statutory alternative labour dispute resolution mechanisms in South Africa and Zimbabwe : a comperative perspective
No full textLLM, North-West University, Mahikeng CampusThe Purpose of the study was to analyze the statutory alternative labour dispute
resolution in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Due to the common law heritage of both
countries, the thesis's aim was also to compare the statutory alternative labour dispute
resolution in the two given countries. Additionally, current problems facing the two
dispute resolution systems were also discussed. Under this title, the study calls attention
to the problems that affect the institutions that engage in alternative dispute resolution
namely the CCMA and the Ministry of Labour in South Africa and Zimbabwe
respectively. Furthermore, the dispute resolution procedures were also discussed. In this
regard, conciliation, mediation and arbitration were seen as the best tools to settle labour
disputes as they avoid negative consequences of excessive judicialization. Apart from
outlining the alternative dispute resolution procedures, the researcher also traced the birth
of the first regulatory frameworks that sought to regulate labour relations and hence_the
chapter on historical perspective. In order to hence the discussion, the review of
arbitration awards both in South Africa and Zimbabwe also formed part of the thesis.
Based on the above considerations, it is argued that, to the extent that conflicts may have
a negative effect on work places, the state cannot remain indifferent and passive.
Therefore, it is recommended that adequate criteria be adopted that help to overcome
conflict in a positive way, such that labour relations after the conflict will have improved
when compared with the situation before the dispute arose. Presently, the implementation
of all the labour dispute resolution systems in both South Africa and Zimbabwe is rather
deficient. This is a_prevailing regional problem and hence it is contended that countries
should work together to harness this proble
Stepping beyond linguistic boundaries in multilingual Science education: Lecturer’s perceptions of the use of translanguaging
No full textThe aim of the study is to investigate the views and perceptions of lecturers from the science disciplines – maths, statistics, physics and computer science – on the use of translanguaging for pedagogical purposes. Perceptions from these lecturers would assist to find ways of convincing them to accept and use translanguaging in their teaching for the benefit of the students. Using an open-ended questionnaire, responses from lecturers were solicited and recurring themes were used to analyse the data. Results show that science lecturers at the university recognise the value of translanguaging and they use it for teaching; however, some still uphold the high status of English given that it is the only language used for teaching and learning as well as assessment at this university. I have argued elsewhere, and I still argue, that the use of translanguaging should not be relegated to language lectures, rather all members of the faculty should be sensitised to this matter and they need to participate in using translanguaging for the benefit of students
Incorporating interactive demonstration applets into the mathematics classroom
No full textPlan B Paper. 2012. Master of Science in Education-Secondary Mathematics--University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Mathematics Department. ii + 108 leaves. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-98).Recognizing that the incorporation of technology into the modern mathematics classroom often falls far behind the ideal, the author outlines the history and reasons for the delay and lists some of the difficulties and concerns with the full implementation of technology in the classroom. She then conducts an exploration of the types of technology that are available for use in the classroom. This is followed up with a brief investigation of web-based technology types and a description of their strengths and weaknesses. The author then highlights research supporting the use of these technologies and the benefits for learning that they can provide. After identifying a digital library of dynamic visualization applets designed by teachers for use in the classroom, the Wolfram Demonstrations Project (Wolfram, 2012a), the author conducts an in-depth search of the website. The author uses this online digital library to construct a catalog of applets suitable for use in basic developmental college mathematics courses, as well as for intermediate and college algebra. The author gives descriptions of these applets, lists the courses that they might be suitable for, and rates the applets as to appropriateness, accuracy, interactivity, clarity, and ability to enhance understanding. She includes these findings along with a discussion as to the strengths and weaknesses of the different types of applications. Along with suggestions for uses of the applications in the classroom, the author also offers several lesson plans that incorporate inquiry-based and constructivist methods in order to utilize the applets in a classroom situation in a format recommended to optimize learning benefits for the students
Restaurando la dignidad de las mujeres mediante la reparación de fístulas: Una exploración de los desafíos y soluciones de las mujeres de Zimbabue
No full textObjectiu. Aquest estudi identifica i analitza l’impacte de la reparació de la fístula en el restabliment de la dignitat de les dones i les seves estratègies d’afrontament o mètodes d’adaptació a la societat. L’estudi és fonamental donats els efectes negatius de la fístula en la identitat de les dones i els seus éssers estimats. Materials i mètodes. L’estudi es va basar en un estudi de casos qualitatiu que va utilitzar un mostreig intencional per a seleccionar a les participants de les entrevistes en profunditat amb 7 dones (d’entre 17 i 42 anys). Les dades es van agrupar en temes i es van analitzar. L’anàlisi temàtica va identificar com a temes principals: l’experiència negativa, l’estigma i les estratègies d’afrontament positives que faciliten l’adaptació adequada. Discussió i conclusions. L’estigma social continua fins i tot després de la intervenció quirúrgica i és el principal repte amb el qual els participants han de lidiar diàriament, afectant el nivell d’integració en la comunitat. També afecta el grau en què les supervivents de la fístula poden ser percebudes i es perceben a si mateixes com a «dignes». Les participants es van enfrontar a problemes de salut mental com la ira, la tristesa, la depressió, l’ansietat, l’estrès i la vergonya. No obstant això, les participants van reconèixer que, gràcies al suport de la família, els programes d’empoderament i el suport de la comunitat, estaven tornant a poc a poc a la seva vida normal.Objective. This study identifies and analyses the impact of fistula repair towards the restoration of women’s dignity and their coping strategies or methods of adjustment to society. The study is critical given the negative effects of fistula on the identities of women and their loved ones. Materials And Methods. The study employed a qualitative case study which used purposive sampling to select participants for in-depth interviews with seven women (age range 17 to 42). Data were grouped into themes and analysed. Thematic analysis identified the main themes as; negative experience, stigma and positive coping strategies facilitating proper adjustment. Discussion And Conclusions. Social stigma continues even after surgery and is the major challenge that participants have to deal with daily affecting the level of integration into the community. It also threatened the extent to which fistula survivors can be perceived and perceive themselves as ‘dignified’. Participants faced mental health challenges like anger, sadness, depression, anxiety, stress and shame. However, participants acknowledged that through family support, empowerment programmes and community support, they were slowly getting back to their normal lives.Objetivo. Este estudio identifica y analiza el impacto de la reparación de la fístula en el restablecimiento de la dignidad de las mujeres y sus estrategias para afrontar dicha patología o los métodos de adaptación a la sociedad. El estudio es fundamental dados los efectos negativos de la fístula en la identidad de las mujeres y sus seres queridos. Materiales y métodos. La investigación se basó en un estudio de casos cualitativo que utilizó un muestreo intencional para seleccionar a las participantes de las entrevistas en profundidad con 7 mujeres (de entre 17 y 42 años). Los datos se agruparon en temas y se analizaron. El análisis temático identificó como temas principales: la experiencia negativa, el estigma y las estrategias de afrontamiento positivas que facilitan la adaptación adecuada. Discusión y conclusiones. El estigma social continúa incluso después de la intervención quirúrgica y es el principal reto con el que los participantes tienen que lidiar a diario, afectando al nivel de integración en la comunidad. También amenazó el grado en que las supervivientes de la fístula pueden ser percibidas y se perciben a sí mismas como «dignas». Las participantes se enfrentaron a problemas de salud mental como la ira, la tristeza, la depresión, la ansiedad, el estrés y la vergüenza. Sin embargo, los participantes reconocieron que, gracias al apoyo de la familia, los programas de empoderamiento y el apoyo de la comunidad, estaban volviendo poco a poco a su vida normal
Mobile power generation system based on biomass gasification
No full textDisaster-hit and/or un-electrified remote areas usually have electricity accessibility issues and an abundance of plant-derived debris and wood from destroyed wooden structures; this can be potentially addressed by employing a decentralized ultra-small biomass-fed gasification power generating system. This paper presents an assessment of the technical viability of an ultra-small gasification system that utilizes densified carbonized wood pellets/briquettes. The setup was run continuously for 100 h. A variety of biomass was densified and carbonized by harnessing fugitive heat sources before charging into the reactor. Carbonized briquettes and furnished blends exhibited inferior gasification performance compared to the carbonized pellets. In the absence of tar blockage problems, steady-state conditions were achieved when pre-treated feedstock was used. Under steady-state conditions for carbonized pellets gasification operated at an equivalence ratio of 0.32, cold gas efficiency and carbon conversion achieved 49.2% and 70.5%, respectively. Overall efficiency and maximum power output of 20.3% and 21 kW were realised, respectively. It was found that the system could keep stable while the low heating valve of syngas was over 4 MJ/m3 on condition that avoiding tar blocking issues. The results indicate that the proposed compact ultra-small power generation system is a technically feasible approach to remedy power shortage challenge. In addition, process simulation considering carbonized wood gasification combined power generation was formulated to produce syngas and electricity. Woody pellets with the flow rate of 20 kg/h could generate a 15.18 kW power at the air flow rate of 40 Nm3/h, which is in a good agreement with 15 kW in the 100 h operation. It is indicated that the gasification combined power generation cycle simulated by Aspen simulator could achieve reliable data to assist the complicated experiment operation. © 2022, The Author(s).Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, STCSM: 20PJ1402800; Ministry of Defence, MOD; National Key Research and Development Program of China, NKRDPC: 2021YFE0108900The authors thank for the project of the National Key Research and development (R&D) Program and International Science and Technology Innovation Project between Governments (2021YFE0108900) and Pujiang Talent Program Supported by Fund of Shanghai Science and Technology Committee (project code: 20PJ1402800). This work has been supported by Innovative Science and Technology Initiative for Security (Ministry of Defence, Japan)
Independent and combined effects of improved water, sanitation, and hygiene, and improved complementary feeding, on child stunting and anaemia in rural Zimbabwe: a cluster-randomised trial.
No full textBACKGROUND: Child stunting reduces survival and impairs neurodevelopment. We tested the independent and combined effects of improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and improved infant and young child feeding (IYCF) on stunting and anaemia in in Zimbabwe. METHODS: We did a cluster-randomised, community-based, 2 × 2 factorial trial in two rural districts in Zimbabwe. Clusters were defined as the catchment area of between one and four village health workers employed by the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care. Women were eligible for inclusion if they permanently lived in clusters and were confirmed pregnant. Clusters were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to standard of care (52 clusters), IYCF (20 g of a small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement per day from age 6 to 18 months plus complementary feeding counselling; 53 clusters), WASH (construction of a ventilated improved pit latrine, provision of two handwashing stations, liquid soap, chlorine, and play space plus hygiene counselling; 53 clusters), or IYCF plus WASH (53 clusters). A constrained randomisation technique was used to achieve balance across the groups for 14 variables related to geography, demography, water access, and community-level sanitation coverage. Masking of participants and fieldworkers was not possible. The primary outcomes were infant length-for-age Z score and haemoglobin concentrations at 18 months of age among children born to mothers who were HIV negative during pregnancy. These outcomes were analysed in the intention-to-treat population. We estimated the effects of the interventions by comparing the two IYCF groups with the two non-IYCF groups and the two WASH groups with the two non-WASH groups, except for outcomes that had an important statistical interaction between the interventions. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01824940. FINDINGS: Between Nov 22, 2012, and March 27, 2015, 5280 pregnant women were enrolled from 211 clusters. 3686 children born to HIV-negative mothers were assessed at age 18 months (884 in the standard of care group from 52 clusters, 893 in the IYCF group from 53 clusters, 918 in the WASH group from 53 clusters, and 991 in the IYCF plus WASH group from 51 clusters). In the IYCF intervention groups, the mean length-for-age Z score was 0·16 (95% CI 0·08-0·23) higher and the mean haemoglobin concentration was 2·03 g/L (1·28-2·79) higher than those in the non-IYCF intervention groups. The IYCF intervention reduced the number of stunted children from 620 (35%) of 1792 to 514 (27%) of 1879, and the number of children with anaemia from 245 (13·9%) of 1759 to 193 (10·5%) of 1845. The WASH intervention had no effect on either primary outcome. Neither intervention reduced the prevalence of diarrhoea at 12 or 18 months. No trial-related serious adverse events, and only three trial-related adverse events, were reported. INTERPRETATION: Household-level elementary WASH interventions implemented in rural areas in low-income countries are unlikely to reduce stunting or anaemia and might not reduce diarrhoea. Implementation of these WASH interventions in combination with IYCF interventions is unlikely to reduce stunting or anaemia more than implementation of IYCF alone. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UK Department for International Development, Wellcome Trust, Swiss Development Cooperation, UNICEF, and US National Institutes of Health.The SHINE trial is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1021542 and OPP113707); UK Department for International Development; Wellcome Trust, UK (093768/Z/10/Z, 108065/Z/15/Z and 203905/Z/16/Z); Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation; US National Institutes of Health (2R01HD060338-06); and UNICEF (PCA-2017-0002)
Prognostic model to predict postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery based on a national prospective observational cohort study.
No full textBACKGROUND: Acute illness, existing co-morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. METHODS: This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2-week blocks over a continuous 3-month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. RESULTS: A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c-statistic 0·65). DISCUSSION: Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability
