1,720,984 research outputs found
Improving a tutor’s feedback assessment tool: transforming Open Mentor following two recent deployments
No full textEvidence shows the vital role that the quality of feedback plays on students' performance and on the overall increase of learning opportunities that good feedback creates for students. Based on this evidence, the Open University developed Open Mentor (OM), a system to support tutors enhance their feedback practice. Open Mentor Technology transfer (OMTetra), a JISC funded project, took OM and deployed it in two Higher Education institutions with the purpose of evaluating the process of transferability and continue the development of the tools available to tutors within the system. This paper describes the original OM and the enhancements identified after use and evaluations from tutors of the institutions involved
Towards a framework for games and simulations in STEM subject assessments
No full textCurrently, providing games and simulations to address specific educational objectives in STEM subjects is a craft activity, requiring custom-built applications and hence making difficult-to-share and difficult to-reuse solutions. To address this we propose a framework for the creation of Pedagogically Effective Games & Simulations (PEGS). The framework supports the construction and machine-processable expression of an educational intention which can be turned into a computer deliverable serious game, simulation, or adaptive formative assessment with an element of pedagogical validity
Computational approaches to the dynamics and activation mechanism of Toll-like receptor 4
No full text1 p.Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors involved in innate immunity. In particular, TLR4 binds to lipopolysaccharides (LPS), a membrane constituent of Gram-negative bacteria and, together with MD-2 protein, forms a heterodimeric complex which leads to the activation of the innate immune system response. TLR4 activation has been associated with certain autoimmune diseases, noninfectious inflammatory disorders, and neuropathic pain,suggesting a wide range of possible clinical settings for the application of TLR4 antagonists,while TLR4 agonists would be useful as adjuvants in vaccine development and in cancer immunotherapy.[1,2] Specific molecular features of extracellular, transmembrane, and
cytoplasmic domains of TLR4 are crucial for coordinating the complex innate immune signaling pathway. Although structural and biochemical data is currently available for the independent TLR4 domains, this only provides a partial fragmented view, because full-length proteins are flexible entities and dynamics play a key role in their functionality. Therefore, many structural and dynamical features of the TLR4 mode of action remain largely unknown.[3]Computational studies of the different independent domains composing the TLR4 were undertaken, using ab-initio calculations, homology modeling, protein-protein docking, all-atom
molecular dynamics simulations, and thermodynamics calculations, to understand the differential domain organization of TLR4. From the information gathered from our independent TLR4 domains studies, we have modeled, by all-atom MD simulations, the structural assembly of plausible full-length TLR4 models embedded into realistic plasma membranes, with different chemical compositions, accounting for the active (agonist) state of the TLR4. We have also applied computational techniques to characterize, at the atomic level, the molecular recognition processes by reported TLR4 modulators, thus proposing a mechanism for their biological activity. These observations unveil relevant molecular aspects involved in the mechanism of
receptor activation, and adaptor recruitment in the innate immune pathways, and will promote the discovery of new TLR4 modulators and probes.Peer reviewe
VRIC-Virtual Research Integration Collaboration: A VRE aimed at creating a framework to manage the research life cycles of basic science and clinical research
No full textTranslational research aims to provide a transition between basic science and clinical research trials in a streamlined process. Within a hospital context, this would be represented by a medical student conducting an investigation that does not require patients involvement and evolving it into a full clinical trial study using the basic science project as platform. The difficulties to achieve such goal are multiple, one of which being the effort required to preserve the processes and documentation regarding a study in an environment that allows for materials to be re-used and re-purposed. In addition, the need to maintain a database of those people collaborating in multiple studies simultaneously at times, and maintain a record of the roles played in a particular study proves a challenging task for hospital organisation and medical researchers. The aim of the project is to build a framework for the integration of basic science and clinical research to manage research lifecycles and allow for the integration of scientific approaches throughout these lifecycles into the everyday work practice of the consortia that manage translational clinical research at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH). In order to meet those aims, the user community participates as co-designers of the virtual framework providing input in relation to the inherent characteristics of medical research. The VRE integrates both with the RNOH institutional systems, research life cycle, and with the national systems such as the National Health Service (NHS)
Profiling the Educational Value of Computer Games
No full textThere are currently a number of suggestions for educators to include computer games in formal teaching and learning contexts. Educational value is based on claims that games promote the development of complex learning. Very little research, however, has explored what features should be present in a computer game to make it valuable or conducive to learning. We present a list of required features for an educational game to be of value, informed by two studies, which integrated theories of Learning Environments and Learning Styles. A user survey showed that some requirements were typical of games in a particular genre, while other features were present across all genres. The paper concludes with a proposed framework of games and features within and across genres to assist in the design and selection of games for a given educational scenario
Improving a tutor’s feedback assessment tool: transforming Open Mentor following two recent deployments
No full textRecent changes in higher education have increased pressure on institutions to engage students in more reflective learning, alongside increased involvement in the assessment process through effective use of feedback and feedback opportunities. The paper presents the results of a technology transfer study where an innovation aimed at enhancing assessment practices through the qualitative analysis of tutor’s feedback, Open Mentor, is deployed in two higher education institutions. The study involved a first-round deployment of Open Mentor, followed by evaluation, a development phase and a second-round deployment, with a final evaluation of the technology focusing on the pedagogical potential of Open Mentor. The interest raised by Open Mentor provides a clear direction for future technologies to support tutors in the creation and delivery of quality feedback. It also shows the demand from tutors for support in this vital component of the teaching/learning transaction. Finally, theoretical and practical contributions from tutors offer a development path for Open Mentor, which promotes transfer of Open Mentor across institutions and academic department
Effectiveness of management approaches and organisational factors on nurse sensitive outcomes
No full textThis review is the second of two reviews to inform the safe staffing guideline. The first review investigated three broad questions 1) which patient safety outcomes are associated with nurse and healthcare assistant staffing levels and skill mix 2) how the ward environment, including physical layout and diversity of clinical disciplines, affect safe staffing requirements and 3) what patient factors affect nurse and healthcare assistant staffing requirements at different times during the day.The second review aims to explore evidence to inform guidance related to the following twosets of questions, as set out in the scope (NICE, 2013).1. What management approaches affect nurse and healthcare assistant staffing requirements? a. What nursing staff supervisory approaches and/or team management approaches are required? As supervisory approaches the following are considered:i. Supervisory ward staffii. Leadership approachesiii. Systems of organising nursing workb. What approaches for identifying required nurse staffing levels and skills mix are effective, and how frequently should they be used?2. What organisational factors influence staffing at a ward level? This includes: a. Management structures and approachesb. Organisational cultur
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