Internet-mediated intercultural English language education in China's higher education institutions

In the information age, the advent of Internet technologies has made it possible to transform language learning and teaching, through online intercultural exploration and exchange. The role of English as an international language in global communication is recognised in China's latest national guidelines for tertiary language curricula, which seek to develop professionals possessing both sound language proficiency and intercultural competence, alongside other goals such as information literacy and learner autonomy. This thesis examines the actual delivery of an intercultural dimension mediated by Internet technologies. To this end, this thesis reports an investigation into the situation of Internet-mediated intercultural English language teaching and learning at China's higher education institutions conducted between 2008 and 2009. Multi-stage and multi-site fieldwork combined a survey approach and a collective case study approach. The researcher being the primary data collection tool, data obtained from questionnaire survey, interview (and informal conversation), observation and document collection instruments have been combined. The survey findings thus not only have breadth, but also provide materials for in-depth studies of sample cases. Four cases, demonstrating a variety of institutional, individual, pedagogical and technological factors, are analysed at greater length to explore whether evidenced Internet-mediated practices might facilitate an intercultural approach to teaching and learning. Comparisons suggest that, despite their differing characteristics and contexts, there are some commonalities in terms of Internet-mediated activities entailing elements of an intercultural approach. These elements are synthesised and mapped out in an original pedagogical framework for Internet-mediated intercultural teaching and learning, with a set of guiding principles. This framework advocates establishing an Internet-mediated intra-class community as the basis for undertaking intercultural language activities, complementing the prevailing telecollaborative model for the development of intercultural communicative competence. This outcome contributes to a fuller understanding of the design of Internet-mediated intercultural language activities

Designing a Patient-Centered Clinical Workflow to Assess Cyberbully Experiences of Youths in the U.S. Healthcare System

Cyberbullying or online harassment is often defined as when someone repeatedly and intentionally harasses, mistreats, or makes fun of others aiming to scare, anger or shame them using electronic devices [296]. Youths experiencing cyberbullying report higher levels of anxiety and depression, mental distress, suicide thoughts, and substance abuse than their non-bullied peers [360, 605, 261, 354]. Even though bullying is associated with significant health problems, to date, very little youth anti-bullying efforts are initiated and directed in clinical settings. There is presently no standardized procedure or workflow across health systems for systematically assessing cyberbullying or other equally dangerous online activities among vulnerable groups like children or adolescents [599]. Therefore, I developed a series of research projects to link digital indicators of cyberbullying or online harassment to clinical practices by advocating design considerations for a patient-centered clinical assessment and workflow that addresses patients’ needs and expectations to ensure quality care. Through this dissertation, I aim to answer these high-level research questions:RQ1. How does the presence of severe online harassment on online platforms contribute to negative experiences and risky behaviors within vulnerable populations? RQ2. How efficient is the current mechanism of screening these risky online negative experiences and behaviors, specifically related to cyberbully, within at-risk populations like adolescent in clinical settings? RQ3. How might evidence of activities and negative harassing experiences on online platforms best be integrated into electronic health records during clinical treatment? I first explore how harassment is presented within different social media platforms from diverse contexts and cultural norms (study 1,2, and 3); next, by analyzing actual patient data, I address current limitations in the screening process in clinical settings that fail to efficiently address core aspect of cyberbullying and their consequences within adolescent patients (study 4 and 5); finally, connecting all my findings, I recommend specific design guidelines for a refined screening tool and structured processes for implementation and integration of the screened data into patients’ electronic health records (EHRs) for better patient assessment and treatment outcomes around cyberbully within adolescent patients (study 6)

'Marruma ginyaang ngurra ngarra' (creating a better place through knowing)

Despite the vast amount of funding and services currently targeting Aboriginal people in current day Australia, the impacts of invasion, assimilation and cultural unsafety continue across generations, undermining the wellbeing of Aboriginal people mind, body and spirit. This thesis incorporates an exegesis, 'Australians all let us rejoice: Using story as a catalyst for transformation and improved wellbeing', and a creative project - a fictional work, Consequence. Both works aim to explore a central question relating to how storytelling can communicate and engender a greater understanding of Aboriginal Lore and culture as expressed in the form of young adult fiction - and do so in a way that educates and entertains young adult readers (Indigenous and non-Indigenous), with a hope they better understand the causal factors of the problems facing Aboriginal people today and hence support a healing process inclusive of all Australians. The novel uses the creative elements of character, setting, plot, dialogue, theme, connection, conflict, and resolution to provide storylines that raise several points of reflection including respecting Mother earth, the importance of family, respecting women, learning from Aboriginal spirituality, depression and mental health, the consequences of not embracing our responsibilities and the importance of listening. It is my hope that the novel will make a valuable contribution to the growing field of Aboriginal young adult fiction works, enabling the reader (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) to reflect on their internal world (their personal story) and the external world (other people's story) in a way that supports a more harmonious and culturally safe Australian society. The exegesis explains why the novel is considered the most appropriate creative form in which to service the objectives of the thesis; why it is in the form of a young adult fictional work; the organisation involved in developing the creative work (including decisions on architecture, story arc, content, literacy style and techniques); the research, shared cultural knowledge, and family and personal knowledge that I have drawn on in writing the novel; my review of other Aboriginal authors and writing styles; the methodology I have used to draft and write this work; what I have learned in this process; and the challenges I have overcome to complete this project. Through examination of the novelistic form and technique, my awareness of the importance of storytelling throughout the traditional history of Aboriginal people, and my research of diverse fields of discourse and endeavour to create knowledge that adds to the ongoing conversation in creative practice and scholarship, I have developed two integrated works that aim to increase social understanding, and the opportunity for reconciliation, between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia. As a 'Loreman', I have a responsibility 'to care for my place and all things in my place.' By sharing some of the knowledge I have been given by my Elders, I hope to demonstrate to the reader, the significance and accessibility of Aboriginal culture to all who live in this country. By bringing the two worlds together, we all win

Informational Technology and Its Impact on American Education

A report by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "examines both the demands that the information revolution will make on education and the opportunities afforded by the new information technologies to meet those demands" (p. iii)