6,784 research outputs found

    Strategies for Early Learners

    Get PDF
    Welcome to learning about how to effectively plan curriculum for young children. This textbook will address: • Developing curriculum through the planning cycle • Theories that inform what we know about how children learn and the best ways for teachers to support learning • The three components of developmentally appropriate practice • Importance and value of play and intentional teaching • Different models of curriculum • Process of lesson planning (documenting planned experiences for children) • Physical, temporal, and social environments that set the stage for children’s learning • Appropriate guidance techniques to support children’s behaviors as the self-regulation abilities mature. • Planning for preschool-aged children in specific domains including o Physical development o Language and literacy o Math o Science o Creative (the visual and performing arts) o Diversity (social science and history) o Health and safety • Making children’s learning visible through documentation and assessmenthttps://scholar.utc.edu/open-textbooks/1001/thumbnail.jp

    Gasificação direta de biomassa para produção de gás combustível

    Get PDF
    The excessive consumption of fossil fuels to satisfy the world necessities of energy and commodities led to the emission of large amounts of greenhouse gases in the last decades, contributing significantly to the greatest environmental threat of the 21st century: Climate Change. The answer to this man-made disaster is not simple and can only be made if distinct stakeholders and governments are brought to cooperate and work together. This is mandatory if we want to change our economy to one more sustainable and based in renewable materials, and whose energy is provided by the eternal nature energies (e.g., wind, solar). In this regard, biomass can have a main role as an adjustable and renewable feedstock that allows the replacement of fossil fuels in various applications, and the conversion by gasification allows the necessary flexibility for that purpose. In fact, fossil fuels are just biomass that underwent extreme pressures and heat for millions of years. Furthermore, biomass is a resource that, if not used or managed, increases wildfire risks. Consequently, we also have the obligation of valorizing and using this resource. In this work, it was obtained new scientific knowledge to support the development of direct (air) gasification of biomass in bubbling fluidized bed reactors to obtain a fuel gas with suitable properties to replace natural gas in industrial gas burners. This is the first step for the integration and development of gasification-based biorefineries, which will produce a diverse number of value-added products from biomass and compete with current petrochemical refineries in the future. In this regard, solutions for the improvement of the raw producer gas quality and process efficiency parameters were defined and analyzed. First, addition of superheated steam as primary measure allowed the increase of H2 concentration and H2/CO molar ratio in the producer gas without compromising the stability of the process. However, the measure mainly showed potential for the direct (air) gasification of high-density biomass (e.g., pellets), due to the necessity of having char accumulation in the reactor bottom bed for char-steam reforming reactions. Secondly, addition of refused derived fuel to the biomass feedstock led to enhanced gasification products, revealing itself as a highly promising strategy in terms of economic viability and environmental benefits of future gasification-based biorefineries, due to the high availability and low costs of wastes. Nevertheless, integrated techno economic and life cycle analyses must be performed to fully characterize the process. Thirdly, application of low-cost catalyst as primary measure revealed potential by allowing the improvement of the producer gas quality (e.g., H2 and CO concentration, lower heating value) and process efficiency parameters with distinct solid materials; particularly, the application of concrete, synthetic fayalite and wood pellets chars, showed promising results. Finally, the economic viability of the integration of direct (air) biomass gasification processes in the pulp and paper industry was also shown, despite still lacking interest to potential investors. In this context, the role of government policies and appropriate economic instruments are of major relevance to increase the implementation of these projects.O consumo excessivo de combustíveis fósseis para garantir as necessidades e interesses da sociedade conduziu à emissão de elevadas quantidades de gases com efeito de estufa nas últimas décadas, contribuindo significativamente para a maior ameaça ambiental do século XXI: Alterações Climáticas. A solução para este desastre de origem humana é de caráter complexo e só pode ser atingida através da cooperação de todos os governos e partes interessadas. Para isto, é obrigatória a criação de uma bioeconomia como base de um futuro mais sustentável, cujas necessidades energéticas e materiais sejam garantidas pelas eternas energias da natureza (e.g., vento, sol). Neste sentido, a biomassa pode ter um papel principal como uma matéria prima ajustável e renovável que permite a substituição de combustíveis fósseis num variado número de aplicações, e a sua conversão através da gasificação pode ser a chave para este propósito. Afinal, na prática, os combustíveis fósseis são apenas biomassa sujeita a elevada temperatura e pressão durante milhões de anos. Além do mais, a gestão eficaz da biomassa é fundamental para a redução dos riscos de incêndio florestal e, como tal, temos o dever de utilizar e valorizar este recurso. Neste trabalho, foi obtido novo conhecimento científico para suporte do desenvolvimento das tecnologias de gasificação direta (ar) de biomassa em leitos fluidizados borbulhantes para produção de gás combustível, com o objetivo da substituição de gás natural em queimadores industriais. Este é o primeiro passo para o desenvolvimento de biorrefinarias de gasificação, uma potencial futura indústria que irá providenciar um variado número de produtos de valor acrescentado através da biomassa e competir com a atual indústria petroquímica. Neste sentido, foram analisadas várias medidas para a melhoria da qualidade do gás produto bruto e dos parâmetros de eficiência do processo. Em primeiro, a adição de vapor sobreaquecido como medida primária permitiu o aumento da concentração de H2 e da razão molar H2/CO no gás produto sem comprometer a estabilidade do processo. No entanto, esta medida somente revelou potencial para a gasificação direta (ar) de biomassa de alta densidade (e.g., pellets) devido à necessidade da acumulação de carbonizados no leito do reator para a ocorrência de reações de reforma com vapor. Em segundo, a mistura de combustíveis derivados de resíduos e biomassa residual florestal permitiu a melhoria dos produtos de gasificação, constituindo desta forma uma estratégia bastante promissora a nível económico e ambiental, devido à elevada abundância e baixo custo dos resíduos urbanos. Contudo, devem ser efetuadas análises técnico-económicas e de ciclo de vida para a completa caraterização do processo. Em terceiro, a aplicação de catalisadores de baixo custo como medida primária demonstrou elevado potencial para a melhoria do gás produto (e.g., concentração de H2 e CO, poder calorífico inferior) e para o incremento dos parâmetros de eficiência do processo; em particular, a aplicação de betão, faialite sintética e carbonizados de pellets de madeira, demonstrou resultados promissores. Finalmente, foi demonstrada a viabilidade económica da integração do processo de gasificação direta (ar) de biomassa na indústria da pasta e papel, apesar dos parâmetros determinados não serem atrativos para potenciais investidores. Neste contexto, a intervenção dos governos e o desenvolvimento de instrumentos de apoio económico é de grande relevância para a implementação destes projetos.Este trabalho foi financiado pela The Navigator Company e por Fundos Nacionais através da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT).Programa Doutoral em Engenharia da Refinação, Petroquímica e Químic

    The Adirondack Chronology

    Get PDF
    The Adirondack Chronology is intended to be a useful resource for researchers and others interested in the Adirondacks and Adirondack history.https://digitalworks.union.edu/arlpublications/1000/thumbnail.jp

    Examining the Impact of Personal Social Media Use at Work on Workplace Outcomes

    Get PDF
    A noticable shift is underway in today’s multi-generational workforce. As younger employees propel digital workforce transformation and embrace technology adoption in the workplace, organisations need to show they are forward-thinking in their digital transformation strategies, and the emergent integration of social media in organisations is reshaping internal communication strategies, in a bid to improve corporate reputations and foster employee engagement. However, the impact of personal social media use on psychological and behavioural workplace outcomes is still debatebale with contrasting results in the literature identifying both positive and negative effects on workplace outcomes among organisational employees. This study seeks to examine this debate through the lens of social capital theory and study personal social media use at work using distinct variables of social use, cognitive use, and hedonic use. A quantitative analysis of data from 419 organisational employees in Jordan using SEM-PLS reveals that personal social media use at work is a double-edged sword as its impact differs by usage types. First, the social use of personal social media at work reduces job burnout, turnover intention, presenteeism, and absenteeism; it also increases job involvement and organisational citizen behaviour. Second, the cognitive use of personal social media at work increases job involvement, organisational citizen behaviour, employee adaptability, and decreases presenteeism and absenteeism; it also increases job burnout and turnover intention. Finally, the hedonic use of personal social media at work carries only negative effects by increasing job burnout and turnover intention. This study contributes to managerial understanding by showing the impact of different types of personal social media usage and recommends that organisations not limit employee access to personal social media within work time, but rather focus on raising awareness of the negative effects of excessive usage on employee well-being and encourage low to moderate use of personal social media at work and other personal and work-related online interaction associated with positive workplace outcomes. It also clarifies the need for further research in regions such as the Middle East with distinct cultural and socio-economic contexts

    A psychobiographical study of the life story of Ellen Pakkies

    Get PDF
    Ellen Pakkies’ memoir highlights numerous psychosocial issues, such as child abuse, gender based violence, sexual abuse, child neglect and, in particular, the aftermath of substance abuse. The overarching aim of this study was to describe and interpret the unique and complex development process of Ellen Pakkies across her lifespan and to understand her traumatic life experiences and that as a caregiver of a methamphetamine addict, as well as the resilient outcome of her ordeal. Ellen’s development over her lifespan and the resilient outcome displayed was primarily guided by Kümpfer’s (2002) transactional resilience model and supplemented by Baltes’ (1987) lifespan development perspective theory. This was a single case, qualitative psychobiographical study of the life of Ellen Pakkies. Ellen was chosen as the research subject of this psychobiographical study due to the uniqueness and complexity of her life story. Life history material in the form of the book Dealing in Death, radio interviews, speeches, and court transcripts aided in creating a biographical sketch of Ellen’s life. This study suggests that a single factor cannot be ascribed to the tragic occurrence of Ellen strangling her son to death. It is rather the amalgamation of traumatic experiences and prolonged abuse that Ellen was subjected to from childhood to adulthood that contributed to her reaching her limit.PsychologyM.A. (Psychology

    Managing global virtual teams in the London FinTech industry

    Get PDF
    Today, the number of organisations that are adopting virtual working arrangements has exploded, and the London FinTech industry is no exception. During recent years, FinTech companies have increasingly developed virtual teams as a means of connecting and engaging geographically dispersed workers, lowering costs, and enabling greater speed and adaptability. As the first study in the United Kingdom regarding global virtual team management in the FinTech industry, this DBA research seeks answers to the question, “What makes for the successful management of a global virtual team in the London FinTech industry?”. Straussian grounded-theory method was chosen as this qualitative approach lets participants have their own voice and offers some flexibility. It also allows the researcher to have preconceived ideas about the research undertaking. The research work makes the case for appreciating the voice of people with lived experiences. Ten London-based FinTech Managers with considerable experience running virtual teams agreed to take part in this study. These Managers had spent time working at large, household-name firms with significant global reach, and one had recently become founder and CEO of his own firm, taking on clients and hiring contract staff from around the world. At least eight of the other participants were senior ‘Heads’ of various technology teams and one was a Managing Director working at a ‘Big Four’ consultancy. They had all (and many still did) spent years running geographically distributed teams with members as far away as Pacific Asia and they were all keen to discuss that breadth of experience and the challenges they faced. Results from these in-depth interviews suggested that there are myriad reasons for a global virtual team, from providing 24 hour, follow-the-sun service to locating the most cost-effective resources with the highest skills. It also confirmed that there are unique challenges to virtual management and new techniques are required to help navigate virtual managers through them. Managing a global virtual team requires much more than the traditional management competencies. Based on discussion with the respondents, a set of practical recommendations for global virtual team management was developed and covered a wide range of issues related to recruitment and selection, team building, developing standard operating procedures, communication, motivation, performance management, and building trust

    Exploring individual characteristics related to community-based sentence compliance: Is there an association between neuropsychological functioning, traumatic brain injury, and non-compliance with a community-based sentence?

    Get PDF
    Non-compliance with a community-based sentence can result in serious consequences for an individual, including imprisonment. Probation officers, who supervise those on community sentences, play an essential role in supporting compliance and determining how to respond when non-compliance occurs; however, little research has explored how probation officers use their discretion. Neuropsychological dysfunction and a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are overrepresented amongst incarcerated offenders and associated with poorer outcomes (recidivism, treatment attrition, disciplinary infractions). However, much less is known about the neuropsychological function and history of TBI amongst community-based offenders (i.e., supervisees). Thus, this research project sought to understand probation officers’ perspectives on and responses to non-compliance and explore the association between a supervisee’s compliance and current neuropsychological functioning and recent TBI. The first study involved two focus groups with 17 New Zealand probation officers; the aim was to explore probation officers’ views on compliance and how they practice supervision. All probation officers reported using ‘social worker’ type, evidenced-based practices such as building quality relationships and using motivational interviewing. Probation officers viewed problems with cognitive skills as a key barrier to sentence compliance and reported using various strategies to support the compliance of supervisees with cognitive issues. The second study, involved 106 adult men (n = 82, 77.4%) and women (n = 24, 22.6%) on community sentences who participated in an initial interview that included a screen for a history of TBI and consent to collect compliance (arrests, sentence violations) and related variables (e.g., risk scores) from the New Zealand Department of Corrections database and police records over six months. At the conclusion of the initial interview, supervisees were invited to return and complete neuropsychological tests. Sixty-four men (n = 47, 73.4%) and women (n = 17, 26.5%) returned and completed the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), the Comprehensive Trail Making Test, and Color-Word Inference Test, and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function- Adult Version (BRIEF-A). Twenty-six probation officers, whose supervisees participated in the study, were interviewed regarding their supervisees’ compliance. The first manuscript from this study focused on the executive functioning of this sample compared to a normative sample and investigated the association between executive functioning and compliance with sentence conditions. The results indicated that the community-based sample had significantly poorer executive functioning compared to a normative sample. Still, contrary to what was expected, those supervisees who complied with their sentence conditions had poorer executive functioning than those who were non-compliant. However, exploratory analyses showed that those with poorer executive functioning received more probation officer support to comply with sentence conditions. The second manuscript described the sample’s neuropsychological function compared to a normative sample and investigated the association between sustaining a TBI in the last year (i.e., within the year prior to joining the study) and current neuropsychological function. We then explored if a TBI in the last year or current neuropsychological function were associated with compliance with sentence conditions and compliance with the law (i.e., being arrested). The results indicated that the community-based sample’s neuropsychological functioning was significantly poorer than a normative sample. Our findings also suggested that a TBI in the last year was a significant predictor of arrest, even when controlling for risk of reconviction and current substance use. However, a recent TBI was not associated with non-compliance with sentence conditions nor with poorer performance on the neuropsychological tests. In addition, no significant associations were found between performance on the neuropsychological tests and either measure of non-compliance. Overall, the results from this thesis suggested that individual characteristics like TBI and neuropsychological functioning impact compliance with a community-based sentence in different ways: A recent TBI was predictive of re-arrest while serving a community sentence, and poorer neuropsychological functioning was significantly associated with increased support from the probation officer to comply. The main implications of this research for corrections departments are that supervisees on a community sentence with poor neuropsychological functioning or a recent TBI may need additional monitoring or support to reduce the risk of non-compliance and reoffending. While further research needs to be undertaken to inform any changes in policy or practices, the results from this thesis suggest that community corrections would benefit from the implementation of services and screens to target important responsivity issues like TBI and poor neuropsychological functioning. Corrections departments attention to these issues may help alleviate the risk of individuals getting trapped in the criminal justice system for non-criminal activities (e.g., not attending an appointment)

    A History of Psychological Boredom: The Utility of Boredom in the Practice of Psychological Science

    Get PDF
    The 100-year plus history of psychologists attempting to establish boredom as a quantifiable construct provides insight into the problems associated with how psychology adopts its subject matter. By borrowing terms from the public and assuming they represent universal aspects of human nature, the discipline has spurred critical inquiry regarding the practices hidden assumptions and theory. In particular, boredom, with its associations with both existential and trivial concerns, exposes the limitations of the practice of scientific psychology and reflects the disciplines own conflicted identity. In order to facilitate an examination of these theoretical issues, this historical examination focuses on the failed attempts by 1970s personality psychology and 1990s positive psychology to domesticate the concept. With the inclusion of the publics boredom discourse during these decades, the cultural influence on these disciplines theorizing is excavated. These influences complicate attempts by psychologists to practice as a science and provide a reason to take pause amid repeated calls to unify the discipline
    corecore