Virtual learning community: A student exit survey and qualitative framework

As the mystery and intrigue surrounding technology use in higher education dissipates, the time has come to bring technological initiatives, such as distance education, into the fold with the rest of campus in terms of assessment, accountability, and policy. Although online education shows promise for setting the collegiate learning experience free from the confines of the lecture hall, new challenges are emerging. For example, attrition rates for courses delivered via the Internet are higher than average, typically ten percentage points higher in online courses than in the traditional campus classroom. In an era of declining resources and renewed interest in accountability of higher education, high attrition rates are troublesome; Funding sources continue to press for accountability and higher education administrators require tools for evaluating campus programs. Since learning communities, as a course design strategy, have proven successful in confronting the challenges associated with attrition and retention, faculty may be able to meet these challenges by building learning communities within their online courses. This study chronicles a five-stage research project for designing a valid and reliable measure of an Online Learning Community. Using exploratory factor analysis, a three-element theoretical construct emerged. Data from this study is used to create a student exit survey for use by faculty leaders and program administrators to evaluate their own online courses and distance programs. Information from this survey can also be used as a data point in a comprehensive institutional assessment formula used to inform stakeholders, including policy makers

Information-Wise

At Maastricht University (UM), the importance of information literacy (IL) is widely recognised – students require structured support in dealing independently with (academic) information, and encouragement to develop creative and critical approaches when faced with complex questions and sources. IL is especially significant in a problem-based learning (PBL) environment such as that offered by UM, which advocates a constructive, contextual, collaborative, and self-directed approach toward learning and knowledge creation. The project Information-Wise launched in February 2019 and resulted in an evidence-informed IL programme for bachelor students. The ADDIE model (analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation) was adopted to organise the development process of the programme. The analysis phase was conducted by gathering qualitative and quantitative evidence. Two literature reviews and a university-wide survey with responses from over 600 bachelor students and about 100 staff teachers resulted in recommendations for an IL programme at UM. The design phase consisted of the development of an IL framework that embraces the PBL vision of UM. The framework consists of four dimensions: 1) Resource Discovery, 2) Critical Assessment, 3) Organising Information, 4) Creation & Communication. In order to translate the conceptual research outcomes and framework dimensions into educational practices, the project team created a developmental rubric with intended learning outcomes (ILOs). In the development phase, a five-step piloting approach was used to design teaching activities and assessments that support students in achieving these rubric ILOs. The constructive alignment approach helped to align these activities with the content of the subject courses in which these pilots took place. Part of the IL programme is an online curriculum consisting of generic and discipline-specific online modules. For the implementation phase, this report presents Do’s, Don’ts, and Don’t knows, which outline the future integration of the IL programme into faculty curricula. The evaluation phase still has to be done

Towards Responsible Data Analytics: A Process Approach

The big data movement has been characterised by highly enthusiastic promotion, and caution has been in short supply. New data analytic techniques are beginning to be applied to the operational activities of government agencies and corporations. If projects are conducted in much the same carefree manner as research experiments, they will inevitably have negative impacts on the organisations conducting them, and on their employees, other organisations and other individuals. The limited literature on process management for data analytics has not yet got to grips with the risks involved. This paper presents an adapted business process model that embeds quality assurance, and enables organisations to filter out irresponsible applications

Occupational Therapy Perspective in the Management of Lymphedema

Problem: Lymphedema is a collection of excess water, interstitial fluid, plasma proteins, bacteria, and cellular waste products in the interstitial tissues as a result of an impaired lymphatic system due to disease or trauma (Cheville, McGarvey, Petrek, Russo, Taylor, & Thiadens, 2003). This fluid typically collects in a person\u27s upper and/or lower extremities. Lymphedema is a chronic condition and can be progressive if not managed properly. Lymphedema may result in significant impairments to the person, which results in functional limitations and a decrease in quality of life (Konecne & Perdoma, 2004). Treatment of lymphedema can be costly, timely, and overwhelming for many patients. Patients\u27 occupations are often impacted and compliancy with recommended treatment techniques is a significant indicator of successful outcomes. Methodology: An extensive literature review is completed to investigate alternative treatment strategies for lymphedema management. The author of a textbook was contacted and gave his permission for material usage within this scholarly project (see Appendix A). The professional clinical experience of the author as a certified lymphedema therapist and occupational therapist provided additional perspective on the management of lymphedema. The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance (Fearing, Law & Clark, 1997) is the theoretical basis for this scholarly project. Findings and Product: A comprehensive lymphedema program is developed to provide an individualized approach for the prevention and management of lymphedema for patients seen by occupational therapists in medical and/or community settings. The product encompasses three phases of lymphedema management. Part I is for the client diagnosed with lymphedema and includes occupational-based evaluation, treatment and follow through with managing this complex condition with as minimal impact on the client\u27s daily roles and routines. Part II is a PowerPoint® presentation for the education and training of other health care professionals on lymphedema. Part III is a tertiary, preventive program to educate clients at risk for developing lymphedema. Overall, the comprehensive lymphedema program will attempt to minimize the impact of lymphedema on clients\u27 meaningful occupations for improved physical and psychosocial well-being

Taming the Suburban Amoeba in the Ecosystem Age: Some Do\u27s and Don\u27ts

Urban central cities present a host of environmental problems including, but not limited to, industrial pollution, brownfields, smog, and environmental injustice. Rural and agricultural areas also experience environmental degradations such as pesticide runoff, wetlands conversion, and overgrazing. Between these different bands of lifestyle and land use lie the suburbs, which present their own set of environmental policy issues. This Article focuses on one of those problems: the growth of suburban land area and what it means for emerging notions of ecosystem management and sustainable development at the local land use scale. Part I of the Article provides the demographic and legal backgrouid of the suburban and ecosystem phenomena that are sweeping America today. These are both forces of tremendous magnitude, but have ambiguous parameters. Part II of the Article provides some suggested guidelines for the difficult task of designing law and policy to manage these forces in concert

2014 GREAT Day Program

SUNY Geneseo’s Eighth Annual GREAT Day.https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/program-2007/1008/thumbnail.jp

Human Resource in International Business

The purpose of this study was to try to pin point what makes an overseas assignment successful. Using studies conducted in the past, I discovered that human resource has a lot to do with the success or failure of an assignment. The information here may not be the solution for everyone, but it does offer some alternatives. I guess the one thing to remember is that we all have different values and beliefs that make us individual: so do organizations around the world have their own missions and strategic plans

How to be an effective lobbyist: a handbook

The primary purpose of this research project was to develop a handbook for novice lobbyists that will acquaint them with the art of lobbying as it applies to the state of New Jersey. The handbook examines the professional relationship that exists between legislators and lobbyists. An analysis of the behavior and practices of lobbyists as they interact with legislators was conducted along with the interacting roles the two professions play in the legislative process. A review of several sources of information such as political science literature, political journals, practitioner essays and several newspaper sources were conducted to supplement the research. Interviews were conducted during a six-month period with 15 legislators and lobbyists representing the two major parties, Democratic and Republican. These legislators were representative of both houses of the Legislature, the General Assembly and the Senate. Both groups of lobbyists and legislators were interviewed as to their experiences in the legislative process. Most interviews ran approximately one-half hour. Different topics were discussed with different lobbyists depending upon their activities and interests. A tape recorder was used during these interviews to supplement any notes taken. The major conclusion of the project was that there is no substitute for the lobbying experience and the issues that are affected by the activity. It is determined that lobbyists do contribute a great deal to the legislative process in Trenton