Changing my life one step at a time – using the Twelve Step program as design inspiration for long term lifestyle change

To explore how people manage and maintain life style change, we conducted interviews with eight members of different Twelve Step Fellowships with 2-23 years of recovery about how they maintain and develop their recovery in everyday life. They reported how identification, sharing, and routines are keys to recovery. Our lessons for design concerns how these concepts support recovery in a long term perspective: Sharing to contribute in a broader sense to the fellowship and to serve as an example for fellow members created motivation even after 20 years of recovery; reflecting over routines in recovery was essential since life is constantly changing and routines need to fit into everyday life; concrete gestures were helpful for some of the abstract parts of the recovery work, such as letting go of troubling issues. Design aimed to support maintenance of lifestyle change needs to open up for ways of sharing that allow users to contribute their experiences in ways that create motivation, and support users in reflecting over their routines rather than prompting them on what to do

Information scraps: how and why information eludes our personal information management tools

In this paper we describe information scraps -- a class of personal information whose content is scribbled on Post-it notes, scrawled on corners of random sheets of paper, buried inside the bodies of e-mail messages sent to ourselves, or typed haphazardly into text files. Information scraps hold our great ideas, sketches, notes, reminders, driving directions, and even our poetry. We define information scraps to be the body of personal information that is held outside of its natural or We have much still to learn about these loose forms of information capture. Why are they so often held outside of our traditional PIM locations and instead on Post-its or in text files? Why must we sometimes go around our traditional PIM applications to hold on to our scraps, such as by e-mailing ourselves? What are information scraps' role in the larger space of personal information management, and what do they uniquely offer that we find so appealing? If these unorganized bits truly indicate the failure of our PIM tools, how might we begin to build better tools? We have pursued these questions by undertaking a study of 27 knowledge workers. In our findings we describe information scraps from several angles: their content, their location, and the factors that lead to their use, which we identify as ease of capture, flexibility of content and organization, and avilability at the time of need. We also consider the personal emotive responses around scrap management. We present a set of design considerations that we have derived from the analysis of our study results. We present our work on an application platform, jourknow, to test some of these design and usability findings

Making the best use of new technologies in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey: a review

.Background Dietary assessment is of paramount importance for public health monitoring. Currently in the UK, the population’s diets are examined by the National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (NDNS RP). In the survey, diet is assessed by a four-day paper-based dietary diary, with accompanying interviews, anthropometric measurements and blood and urine sampling. However, there is growing interest worldwide in the potential for new technologies to assist in data collection for assessment of dietary intake. Published literature reviews have identified the potential of new technologies to improve accuracy, reduce costs, and reduce respondent and researcher burden by automating data capture and the nutritional coding process. However, this is a fast-moving field of research, with technologies developing at a rapid pace, and an updated review of the potential application of new technologies in dietary assessment is warranted. This review was commissioned to identify the new technologies employed in dietary assessment and critically appraise their strengths and limitations in order to recommend which technologies, if any, might be suitable to develop for use in the NDNS RP and other UK population surveys. Objectives The overall aim of the project was to inform the Department of Health of the range of new technologies currently available and in development internationally that have potential to improve, complement or replace the methods used in the NDNS RP. The specific aims were: to generate an itinerary of new and emerging technologies that may be suitable; to systematically review the literature and critically appraise new technologies; and to recommend which of these new technologies, if any, would be appropriate for future use in the NDNS RP. To meet these aims, the project comprised two main facets, a literature review and qualitative research. Literature review data sources The literature review incorporated an extensive search of peer-reviewed and grey literature. The following sources were searched: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE), Web of Science Core Collection, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process, Embase, NHS EED (Economic Evaluation Database), National Cancer Institute (NCI) Dietary Assessment Calibration/Validation Register, OpenGrey, EPPI Centre (TRoPHI), conference proceedings (ICDAM 2012, ISBNPA 2013, IEEE Xplore, Nutrition Society Irish Section and Summer Meetings 2014), recent issues of journals (Journal of Medical Internet Research, International Journal of Medical Informatics), grants registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, BBSRC, report), national surveys, and mobile phone application stores. In addition, hand-searching of relevant citations was performed. The search also included solicitation of key authors in the field to enquire about Making the best use of new technologies in the NDNS: a review 4 as-yet unpublished articles or reports, and a Bristol Online Survey publicised via social media, society newsletters and meetings. Literature review eligibility criteria Records were screened for eligibility using a three-stage process. Firstly, keyword searches identified obviously irrelevant titles. Secondly, titles and abstracts were screened against the eligibility criteria, following which full-text copies of papers were obtained and, in the third stage of screening, examined against the criteria. Two independent reviewers screened each record at each stage, with discrepancies referred to a third reviewer. Eligibility criteria were pre-specified and agreed by the project Steering Group (Section 1.6). Eligible records included: studies involving technologies, new to the NDNS RP, which can be used to automate or assist the collection of food consumption data and the coding of foods and portion sizes, currently available or beta versions, public domain or commercial; studies that address the development, features, or evaluation of new technology; technologies appropriate for the requirements of the NDNS RP in terms of nutritional analysis, with capacity to collect quantifiable consumption data at the food level; primary sources of information on a particular technology; and journal articles published since the year 2000 or grey literature available from 2011 onwards. The literature search was not limited to Englishlanguage publications, which are included in the itinerary, although data were not extracted from non-English studies. Literature synthesis and appraisal New technologies were categorised into eleven types of technology, and an itinerary was generated of tools falling under each category type. Due to the volume of eligible studies identified by the literature searches, data extraction was limited to the literature focussing on selected exemplar tools of five technology categories (web-based diet diary, web-based 24- hour recall, handheld devices (personal digital assistants and mobile phones), nonautomated cameras to complement traditional methods, and non-automated cameras to replace traditional methods). For each category, at least two exemplars were chosen, and all studies involving the exemplar were included in data extraction and synthesis. Exemplars were selected on the basis of breadth of evidence available, using pre-specified criteria agreed by the Steering Group. Data were extracted by a single reviewer and an evidence summary collated for each exemplar. A quality appraisal checklist was developed to assess the quality of validation studies. The checklist was piloted and applied by two independent reviewers. Studies were not excluded on the basis of quality, but study quality was taken into account when judging the strength of evidence. Due to the heterogeneity of the literature, meta-analyses were not performed. References were managed and screened using the EPPI Reviewer 4 systematic review software. EPPI Reviewer was also used to extract data

Методичні вказівки до практичних занять та самостійної роботи з курсу англійської мови за темою "Телефонні розмови та електронне спілкування"

Дані методичні вказівки призначені для самостійної та аудиторної роботи студентів І курсу факультетів економічного та бізнесу та фінансів очної форми навчання. Методичні вказівки спрямовані на оволодіння необхідним граматичним, лексичним матеріалом з англійської мови за темами "Ділові телефонні розмови" та "Повідомлення". Робота складається з двох уроків (Unit), в яких вивчаються правила мовленнєвої поведінки під час телефонних переговорів (Unit 1 "On The Phone"), використання електронної пошти та вміння залишати та фіксувати будь-яке повідомлення (Unit 2 "Messaging"). З метою найкращого опанування лексичного матеріалу в методичних вказівках пропонується розділ "Завдання для самостійного опрацювання", тестові завдання та англо-український словник до кожного розділу

It\u27s just part of what we do : Adolescent interactions with multimodal texts across social spaces

This dissertation explores how adolescents are interacting with text across shifting social spaces, and how they learn to be literate across a range of social, academic, print, and digital contexts. The intent of the study is to help articulate the boundedness and fluidity of multiple discourses, and to better clarify how teens maneuver across these boundaries successfully. My research approach incorporates ethnographic methodology with a framework of critical sociocultural theory, drawing heavily upon Gee\u27s (2005) work in discourse analysis. New technologies have broken down bounded spaces and dichotomous views of what it means to be literate, creating interrelationships among literacies and modalities (Kress, 2003). They have complicated notions of adolescent literacy, shifting definitions away from static and print-centric views toward a contextualized framing of multiple literacies, using the tools and texts within situated contexts (Kress, 2000a, 2003; Luke 2000; Maybin, 2000). This study examines the embeddedness of these tools and texts in the literacy experiences of today\u27s Digital Natives (Prensky 2001a, 2001b). Because this study asks about lived experiences of participants, I chose an ethnographic approach (Agar, 2006a, 2006b; Schram, 2006; Silverman, 2007), relying on observations and interviews of student and teacher participants. My conceptual framework lies within critical sociocultural theory (Keller, 1995; Lewis, Enciso, and Moje, 2007; Moje and Lewis, 2007), with a consideration of the role of agency within dynamics of power. This work also deconstructs notions of literacy, discourse, context and text, and discusses the complications of these terms brought about by new Web 2.0 media. Major findings include the following: (1) Although teens are entrenched in a range of interactions with social digital text, they appreciate the value of academic literacies, and of teachers as conveyors of this knowledge. (2) While schools set rules that define appropriate behaviors with social digital networks, students and teachers frequently negotiate the boundaries through relationships founded on trust. (3) Teens are able to articulate and understand the boundedness of multiple discourse systems. This work explores pedagogical implications and delves into the complex issue of shifting power dynamics occurring in schools today

Electronic swallowing intervention package to support swallowing function in patients with head and neck cancer: development and feasibility study

Background: Many patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) experience significant swallowing difficulties, and there is some evidence that swallowing exercises may improve outcomes, including quality of life. This feasibility study developed an evidence-based, practical Swallowing Intervention Package (SiP) for patients undergoing chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) for HNC. As part of the study, an electronic version of SiP (e-SiP) was concurrently developed to support patients to self-manage during treatment. This paper reports on the e-SiP component of this work. Objective: To develop and conduct preliminary evaluation of an electronic support system (e-SiP) for patients undergoing CRT for head and neck cancer. Methods: The study involved health professionals and patients who were undergoing CRT for head and neck cancer. The scoping stage of e-SiP development involved investigated the potential usefulness of e-SiP, exploring how e-SiP would look and feel and what content would be appropriate to provide. Patient and carer focus groups and a health professionals’ consensus day were used as a means of data gathering around potential e-SiP content. A repeat focus group looked at an outline version of e-SIP and informed the next stage of its development around requirements for tool. This was followed by further development and a testing stage of e-SiP involved the coding of a prototype which was then evaluated using a series of steering group meetings, semi-structured interviews with both patients and health care professionals, and analysis of e-SiP log data. Results: Feedback from focus groups and health professional interviews was very positive and it was felt e-SiP use would support and encourage patients in conducting their swallowing exercises. However, of the ten patients offered e-SIP, only two opted to use it. For these patients, aspects of the e-SIP application were considered useful, in particular the ease of keeping a diary of exercises performed. Interviews with users and non-users suggested significant barriers to its use. Most significantly the lack of flexibility of platform on which e-SiP could be accessed appeared a dominant factor in deterring e-SiP use. Conclusions: Results suggest a need for further research to be conducted around the implementation of e-SiP. This involves evaluating how e-SiP can be better integrated into usual care, and through patient training and staff engagement, can be seen as a beneficial tool to help support patients in conducting swallowing exercises

'Sand in the hand': young people's relationships with commercial media in the digital age

This thesis explores young people's experiences of contemporary, commercial media. It aims to provide a holistic understanding of new and more traditional media use.The study draws its theoretical framework from the fields of communication studies, consumer behaviour, cultural studies, marketing, sociology and social psychology. Despite several studies investigating young people and new media, a richer understanding of media consumption is needed, located within an ever more commercialised landscape. Assumptions of new media participation are frequently taken for granted, with limited critical analysis of the consumer experience. Studies from a marketing perspective have focused exclusively on managerial effectiveness to the detriment of consumer realities. Moving beyond media effects, it takes an active consumer-centered approach, contextualising new media consumption within the everyday lives of young people. It compares and contrasts practitioner tactics with young people's lived experiences of new and traditional media.Multiple methods of enquiry were used, informed by an interpretive approach. The initial fieldwork consisted of 15 interviews with 'expert' agency practitioners, investigating perceptions of youth marketing and the tactics deployed. Following a pilot study, the main consumer phase explored the mediated experiences of adolescents aged 13-17. A total of 175 secondary school pupils from three diverse school settings participated. Each completed a self-completion questionnaire, a smaller sample also contributing a time-based diary. 45 pupils participated in the qualitative phase, guided by the principles of phenomenology. Photo-elicitation and psycho-drawing techniques were utilised to enrichen discussions.The new media experiences of young people in this study were indeed bound up in their everyday lives. Young people were found to have a complex range of 'newmedia' experiences, embedded in their 'in home' and 'out of home' lifestyles. Their active use of the internet, for mood enhancement, experiential learning, escapism and communication, rarely encompassed commercial motivations. Of several barriers to new media use, online practitioner tactics caused the greatest concern. For many young people, such actions were deeply de-motivating, constituting an unwanted intrusion, in contrast to the symbiotic relationship synonymous with traditional advertising. Their consequent elusiveness is epitomised through the metaphor "sand in the hand"

Mobile Application for Personal Journal/Diary

For centuries, diary has been seen as a tool of learning and reflection. Many studies have shown that not only diary is an excellent tool to capture author‟s thoughts and life experiences but also yield significant health benefits such as coping with stress and depression. However, in recent years, changes in lifestyle and boom of technology cause the practice of diary writing to fall out of favour. The fact that people are facing health problems often associated with work stress and lack of focus as well as organization indicates the need to preserve the culture of diary writing. Introduction of smartphone to the world opens up the opportunity to incorporate diary writing in the form of mobile application. In this research, the author discusses on the importance and value of expressive writing in diary writing that makes it a valuable learning and reflection tool. The interest of this research is to develop a suitable diary mobile application that matches the current lifestyle and enhance the experience of diary writing on the go as people are spending more time on their smartphone than ever. The scope of the study will be on Android operating system and the development will undergo incremental and iterative development based on modern mobile application architecture