Engineering Advanced Training Environment for Crisis Management: The Pandora Project

The paper describes the technical framework of a near real-life training environment for learning activities suitable for training in crisis scenarios. The underlying architecture features a design that makes provision for a learning environment capable of training collaborative, as well as independent, decision making skills among crisis managers in potential crisis situations. Modelling the training scenarios takes into consideration both the pragmatic nature of responding to crisis, as well as the human behavioural factors involved in dealing with situations of chaos and uncertainty. This work is part of ongoing research on the Pandora1 project, which aims to provide a near-real training environment at affordable cost

Learning when out and about

[Introduction] Mobile digital devices such as tablet computers and smartphones (mobile phones that can run apps and access the Internet), enable learners to access learning materials while out and about during their daily lives. This enables networked digital learning to move from beyond the classroom and to become part of everyday routines. Smartphones and tablets are increasingly likely to be the first devices a wide range of people will turn to for technology enhanced learning, incorporated into their everyday activities and carried with them. Learning becomes ubiquitous, making use of ‘domesticated’ technologies that serve a variety of purposes in daily life. In this chapter, we consider how smartphones can trigger location specific learning resources to support adults learning languages when out and about, and consider two projects, MASELTOV and SALSA. There has been increased interest in exploring the potential of ‘smart cities’ – urban environments with high-tech infrastructures – to support learning. We look at an example, the SALSA project, where a combination of smartphones, location-based technologies and learning resources has been used to prompt language learners, and to understand whether this motivates them to extend their learning

Using Progressive Pedagogies to Enhance Learner Autonomy

In this presentation I firstly review different approaches and methods that have been used to teaching English. Based on these approaches and methods, our understanding of how students learn their second language has been greatly enhanced. However, students in the 21st Century have more demands and needs than previously and we now have to use more progressive pedagogies to teach them. Some features of a progressive pedagogical approach are: learners are active participants; teachers are facilitators and guides; there is shared decision-making by the group; learning is seen as part of real-life experiences; and learning is conceptualized as a spiral where knowledge is constructed through experience and social interaction (Peters, 2012). This type of pedagogical approach is student-centred and lends itself to the promotion of learner autonomy. By way of an example I will talk about a university level English for Science course I have been involved in developing and teaching over the past five years. Keywords: Progressive pedagogies, learner autonomy, project learning

Scaffolding, organisational structure and interpersonal interaction in musical activities with older people

The research reported here focuses on the organizational structure and facilitator strategies observed in musical activities with older people. The observations formed one part of the Music for Life Project, funded by the ESRC New Dynamics of Ageing Programme (http://www.newdynamics.group.shef.ac.uk/), which investigated the social, emotional and cognitive benefits of participation in community music making, amongst older people. Three hundred and ninety eight people aged 50+ were recruited from three case study sites offering diverse musical activities. Observations of 33 groups were analysed. Approximately half of the observed time was spent with participants engaged in practical music-making, supported by facilitators who sang or played along, conducted or accompanied. Facilitators spent a relatively small amount of time providing non-verbal modelling and very little participant discussion or facilitator attributional feedback was observed. The findings suggested that facilitators could develop their practice by a) making more extensive use of non-verbal modelling; b) creating space for open questioning and discussion, where participants are encouraged to contribute to setting goals; c) making more extensive use of attributional feedback that empowers learners to control their own learning; and d) vary the organizational structure and style in order to meet a range of diverse needs within groups of older learners

Teaching adult students who are apprehensive about making art

Many adults stopped making art while they were children and are now fearful and apprehensive of taking up art again. These individuals believe that only talented artists are allowed to create art. This study follows students through experimental art classes proving that they can learn art-making successfully. Difficulties and adaptations to teaching this population are discussed as well as the importance of teaching to the learning style of each student. From the history of how art began as a functional part of everyday life to how art exists today on a metaphorical pedestal is studied. All individuals who desire to become competent in art-making can learn and take part in all the benefits art-making can provide

Promoting good mental health in children

Feelings, moods, emotions and behaviours are all inextricably linked. They influence how we function and respond to the demands of day-to-day life. They also help us shape our sense of wellbeing, or our ‘mental health’. The foundations for mental health are formed within the early infant-parent and caregiver relationships (Centre for Community Child Health, 2009). When the foundations are secure and no major trauma is experienced by the child or the family, the child’s development usually continues on a healthy trajectory. Over time, with the parents’ help to master the developmental challenges of each new age and stage, the child develops a robust capacity to manage life’s pains and disappointments and to embrace life’s joys. A healthy child enjoys: exploring the world around them learning new things being part of a family making friends taking part in school and community life However, there are many ways in which a child’s trajectory toward healthy social and emotional development can be disrupted. When this occurs, all the domains of a child’s development – physical, intellectual/ cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual – can be affected. Early detection and recognition of any developmental disruption is vital for the child and the family

Engaging blended learning students: an evolving approach to engaging students through the VLE

Students taking part-time, distance or blended learning units who are also in employment face high commitment demands of work, life and family in addition to their study. They do not have time to face the additional challenge of making sense of difficult to access learning materials. These students are also often highly discerning, and will talk with their feet ââ¬â failing to complete units that donââ¬â¢t engage. At Southampton Solent University, we recognise the need to make online or blended units accessible and supportive. In order to engage students on these, we have developed a set of institutional standards for online course development that aim to make materials intuitive, easy access, clearly introduced and well signposted. The standards also identify levels of support and collaboration in order for students to feel both engaged in and to gain maximum benefit from the learning processes. At the same time we have established a Flexible Delivery Development and Support Team which collaborates with academic staff in course planning, writing and delivery. This team works with tutors to achieve the standards while aligning learning outcomes and assessment with online and blended learning activity. This workshop explores the stages that led to establishing our institutional standards for online course development and the scope of activities for the FDDST. We shall explore ways in which the activities of the team have been responsive and adaptive to student experiences, and illustrate some of the impact of these developments on both actual an anticipated student engagement, achievement and retention

Designing learning experiences together with children

Children’s participation in early childhood education context has attracted considerable attention in recent years. Participation means involving and enabling children to take part in decision-making processes about their everyday life. Educators are supporters and enablers of participatory practices. The process of planning activities is an important part of educator’s profession in early childhood education and it can be viewed as a designing learning process. But not only as adults designing children’s learning, but also children’s participation should be designed and finally children should be taken to take part in designing their own learning. In this paper we focus on children’s chances to participate the design learning process in Finnish day care groups. The research data was collected from teams of educators working in day care groups via survey. It was found that children’s participation to the design learning process is average: In evaluation of activities they can participate more than in planning or implementing activities.Peer reviewe

BUGINESE ETHNOMATHEMATICS: BARONGKO CAKE EXPLORATIONS AS MATHEMATICS LEARNING RESOURCES

Mathematics is still viewed as a culture-free subject. This forms a negative perception for students on mathematics. Most students assume that mathematics and culture are not related. This may occur because mathematics taught in school is not contextual and far from the reality of everyday life. Historically, mathematics has become a part of everyday life. As a maritime nation, Indonesia has a diverse culture. But many teachers are not yet aware of the integration of the culture into mathematics learning. Barongko cake is one of the Buginese cultural heritages. Buginese people have unconsciously been practicing mathematics in making these cakes. Therefore, this research aims to explore activities in making Barongko cakes in the Buginese community that involves mathematical concepts. This research is a qualitative descriptive with an ethnographic approach. The data collection methods are carried out through observation, documentation, interview with an expert in making Barongko cake. This research found that Barongko making process involves mathematics in the concept of division, congruence, and similarity, as well as a triangular prism, and half sphere. This cake has the potential to be used as a source of contextual mathematics learning in schools