Community entomology: insects, science and society

Educative outreach programmes have been found to be effective ways in which to raise awareness around basic scientific concepts. The Biological Control Research Group (BCRG) in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at Rhodes University, South Africa, is involved in community engaged initiatives that aim to be interactive and informative around entomology, and more specifically, the use of biological control against invasive alien plants. As a higher education institution, Rhodes University has a civic responsibility to engage with local communities and work with them around local challenges. Three groups of activities undertaken by the BCRG in partnership with local schools and other community partners are described and assessed in this paper as a way of assessing them and exploring future research areas around the aims and outcomes of these programmes

Leading the Leaders: Embedded Educational Leadership Initiatives at the University of Windsor

This project explored the impact and scope of embedded educational leadership initiatives (EELIs) at the University of Windsor. EELIs are programs through which individual members of the campus community autonomously and often collaboratively develop and pursue educational improvement projects within their own contexts. Such initiatives are quite common at Canadian universities, and can include, for example, small grants schemes, teaching chairs, and peer observation of teaching networks. They serve many needs at universities, and are widely believed to be an effective approach to improving teaching and learning, driving innovation, building leadership capacity, and communicating the value institutions place on quality teaching. There has been comparatively little empirical research on the outcomes of these programs, and infrastructure for their evaluation for improvement of productivity or strategic alignment tends to be limited. Moreover, despite their strong potential, without a coordinated approach, it is hard to capitalize on the expertise created over time, to bring groups together to address joint concerns through collaborative initiatives, or to establish mechanisms to identify and further support projects whose expansion or duplication would be of benefit to other units on campus.https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/ctlreports/1002/thumbnail.jp

EU–originated MOOCs, with focus on multi- and single-institution platforms

No abstract available

Teaching fundamental computer science concepts utilizing manipulatives

This thesis presents innovative pedagogical approaches to teach fundamental Computer Science (CS) concepts, such as abstraction, representation, algorithms, and computation utilizing manipulatives, which are physical objects that students interact with to teach or reinforce a concept. Teaching and learning with manipulatives has a long history in science and mathematics education, but the development of and research on manipulatives to teach CS concepts is less common. Through observational field notes from a 6th-grade classroom and an interview with the teacher, this thesis discusses the affordances and drawbacks of the different approaches and manipulatives. We found that utilizing manipulatives led to increased student engagement and participation with the material, along with making teaching the material more exciting and engaging for the teacher. In addition, we found that manipulatives provided a way for student misunderstandings and errors to be more apparent through tinkering with the physical objects, along with the teacher being able to connect and further enforce multiple CS concepts through activities. However, we also observed drawbacks when implementing different manipulatives, specifically the algorithmic scaffolding restricted the ability for an algorithm to be created and designed in unique a way by a student, which could lead to less algorithmic creativity and freedom.Keywords: Computer Science, Manipulatives, Abstraction, Algorithms, Representation, Computation, Computer Science Educatio

Improving Oncology Worldwide

This open access book describes strategies and experiences of highly skilled professionals in improving oncology care worldwide. The book is structured into three main sections with several chapters each, reflecting the authors' individual, real-life experiences. It explores ways to improve oncology education and scientific training, how to set up and run a clinical research facility ethically and efficiently in low- and middle-income settings, addressing the challenges that the workforce encounters in the real world. The main challenges of today’s oncologists seem to be the ever-growing patient care and administrative workload and the risk of burn-out. What are the best strategies to maintain a healthy work-life for the benefit of the patients, the physicians and society, taking into account the different needs, depending on factors like peace, social and gender equality? This book addresses oncologists all over the world and their allies throughout the associated industries to highlight the importance of shared and sustainable education, clinical research and global cancer care

Lao People’s Democratic Republic National Committee for the Control of AIDS

Lao People’s Democratic Republic is unique in its HIV situation, and can be considered as the only country in the Greater Mekong Region that has maintained a low HIV prevalence in the general population. However Lao PDR’s low prevalence does not mean low risk. As Laos ’ commitment to economic expansion transitions the country from “a landlocked to a land‐linked country ” the risk to HIV vulnerabilities is evident. Increased mobility across borders coupled with the existing sex worker‐ client vulnerabilities and the several emerging high‐risk groups, places Lao PDR on a continued alert of a new HIV threat. In response to its precarious HIV situation the Government of Lao PDR has provided strong political commitment to support a multi‐sectoral response. The role of key international and national partners has been invaluable, and coordination and collaboration have strengthened greatly since the first UNGASS Country Progress report. Lao PDR recognizes that the UNGASS Country Progress Report is an opportunity to reflect on advancements and scrutinize gaps to plan for remedial actions. The process of developing this report has served as a first step in the evaluation of the current National Strategic and Action Plan for HIV/AIDS (NSAP) 2006 ‐2010 which is coming to close

Enabling climate science use to better support resilience and adaptation practice : rapid evidence assessment for the CLARE programme

The report summarises expert analysis and key findings from climate science information provision. The gulf, or “Valley of Death,” that exists between providers and users of information is a key focus of this report. The climate and resilience research framework programme (CLARE) in partnership with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), will provide evidence and innovation needed to climate-inform the Department for International Development (DFID) and other UK Government investments threatened by climate change, particularly in Africa. Active engagement with the kind of climate science that is needed to enable adaptive management remains limited.UK Department for International Developmen

Volume 5 #2 Full Issue

Volume 5 #2 Full Issu

State of the World's Volunteerism Report: Universal Values for Global Well-being

The focus of this report is on the universal values that motivate people the world over to volunteer for the common good and on the impact of volunteer action on societies and individuals. The authors advocate the power of volunteering to promote cooperation, encourage participation and contribute to the well-being of individuals and of society as a whole