Multi-agency training and the artist (Sharing our experience, Practitioner-led research 2008-2009; PLR0809/032)

The Multi-Agency Team Project approached issues of multi-agency training indirectly by using an artist as a catalyst in a group exercise examining movement and sound in relation to early childhood. The aim of the research was to run an experiential non-traditional training programme based on using an artist as a catalyst to promote inter-agency dialogue in one setting, Woodlands Park Nursery and Children’s Centre, and to analyse the findings. Eleven participants used this common experiential focus to frame collective research both as a focus group and as individual fieldworkers. The research demonstrated shared professional discourse but also collected judgements relevant to policy issues based on collaborative professional reflection triggered by the exercise. The findings are presented theoretically in terms of critical discourse analysis using the interpretation-supporting software ATLASti. We next take a further look at the role play exercise in which the group constituted itself as a ‘House of Commons Select Committee’ before summarizing what theoretical insights might be brought to bear and attempting to draw some provisional conclusions. Some evidence is presented suggesting there is a degree of tension and ambiguity between alterative models of multi-agency working

Teaching employability skills through simulation games

This paper examines the use of a business simulation game to test its effectiveness in promoting the awareness of employability skills in undergraduate students. A mixed approach using an-online survey tool was used to record student perceptions of how their employability skills were developed across ten courses and three faculties. The survey was conducted before the unit started, and on completion. Key emerging themes show that students demonstrated an increased awareness and development of their employability skills. They acquired and developed their skills by learning how to operate a small business start-up using a business simulation game. This research project was limited to one core unit in the curriculum, and the project is university specific. A cross university research project would add further value to the research project. Students are able to articulate the skills they have acquired and developed thus showing elements of self-awareness. An increase in student’s social capital is likely to enhance their career decisions. This paper will be of value to institutions wishing to evaluate the use of serious business simulation games to embed employability skills into the curriculum

A critical analysis of interpretive research studies in cooperative education and internships

Much research in co-op has utilized a quantitative or experimental approach within a positivist paradigm. Here we present a critical analysis of interpretive/qualitative studies in terms of output, diversity, quality, along with an overview of the topics investigated. Our analysis suggests that interpretive work is a substantial part of co-op research output, and that is spans a wide range of programs, disciplines and geographical locations. Similar themes to those investigated by a quantitative approach are investigated by interpretive researchers, but there is emphasis in interpretive work on understanding more details of co-op issues in relation to the educational context

Feedback for future learning: delivering enhancements and evidencing impacts on the student learning experience

Enhancing the student learning experience through the provision of improved student feedback is both challenging and complex. ‘Feedback for Future Learning’ was a Glasgow Caledonian University(GCU)-wide project intended to enhance feedback practices from both the student and staff perspectives; to ensure greater awareness of, and reflection upon, feedback by students; and to encourage greater use of feedback to inform future student learning. The design, implementation and evaluation of approaches to ‘Feedback for Future Learning’ are described with an emphasis on STEM disciplines. The conceptualisation, design and implementation of a range of student feedback tools and approaches aimed to develop understanding of learning processes, reinforce learning and improve performance. This was achieved through collaboration with the GCU Students’ Association and the establishment of the University Feedback Enhancement Group. A series of generic and bespoke seminars, workshops, individual programme interventions and competitions were used to enhance comprehension of the perception, experience and use of formative and summative assessment feedback by students.   Providing opportunities for reflection and evaluation together with qualitative and quantitative metrics have demonstrated 93% satisfaction with student feedback enhancement workshops, a trebling of engagement with memorable feedback survey initiatives and a 9% increase in National Student Survey assessment and feedback satisfaction. A 16% rise in student satisfaction with the promptness of feedback, a 14% improvement in satisfaction with the detailed comments received and an 8% increase in satisfaction with the helpfulness of comments received were achieved. The lessons learned inform the continuing and sustainable enhancement of the student learning experience for STEM students and the wider University community. Keywords: Feedback, future learning, dialogue, engagement, reflection, enhancemen

Ethical Documentation at the End of Life

Patient autonomy is a basic tenet of ethical decision making in medicine. Individuals who are unable to participate in decision making at the end of life present a unique challenge to delivering ethical patient-­centered care. To ensure patient autonomy is upheld, providers are encouraged to use healthcare directives to guide clinical decision-­making. Healthcare directives are designed to uphold patient autonomy by indicating the desired scope of care at the end of life. While a particular type of healthcare directive, the advance care directive, is widely accepted, there are two common issues concerning its use: interpretation and accessibility. Issues with advance care directives have been largely circumvented by a new method of documentation: the physician order for life sustaining treatment (POLST). In addition to a review of the ethical issues pertaining to healthcare directives, this paper will outline a multi-­methodological study proposal developed with support from the Lindmark Fellowship in Ethics

The Effect of a Dropout Prevention Program for Black High School Males in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District

There is a new endangered species in this country - the black male. The education of the black male in the United States has recently garnered much-needed national attention. Two national reports in 2010 have heightened the awareness of the fact that the black male student is not successfully navigating our public school systems, often dropping out. Unfortunately, it now appears that this chorus of pessimism has entrenched itself in the minds of black boys, teachers, and even parents. At the very least, there are economic and moral reasons as to why we must help our black male students graduate from high school. The future of an entire race hangs in the balance of this crisis, as well as the economic devastation that results from the numbers of black males that are not becoming productive, wage earning citizens - but rather populating our penal system in disproportionate rates. This study will examine the effectiveness of a targeted intervention for this targeted population. The first cohort to participate in this intervention graduated June, 2011 after having participated for four years while in high school. This study is comprised of a mixed method research design, as there will be a clear quantitative data analysis comparing pre-intervention data to post-intervention data. Complementing that analysis will be documented anecdotal interviews with some of the students in this initial cohort. The quantitative analysis will show whether the intervention was effective or not, while the documented voices of the participants will reveal salient themes or variables related to the intervention. If confirmed that the fundamental logic of this type of program is sound, then the information will prove to be invaluable for districts across the natio

The Effect of a Dropout Prevention Program for Black High School Males in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District

There is a new endangered species in this country - the black male. The education of the black male in the United States has recently garnered much-needed national attention. Two national reports in 2010 have heightened the awareness of the fact that the black male student is not successfully navigating our public school systems, often dropping out. Unfortunately, it now appears that this chorus of pessimism has entrenched itself in the minds of black boys, teachers, and even parents. At the very least, there are economic and moral reasons as to why we must help our black male students graduate from high school. The future of an entire race hangs in the balance of this crisis, as well as the economic devastation that results from the numbers of black males that are not becoming productive, wage earning citizens - but rather populating our penal system in disproportionate rates. This study will examine the effectiveness of a targeted intervention for this targeted population. The first cohort to participate in this intervention graduated June, 2011 after having participated for four years while in high school. This study is comprised of a mixed method research design, as there will be a clear quantitative data analysis comparing pre-intervention data to post-intervention data. Complementing that analysis will be documented anecdotal interviews with some of the students in this initial cohort. The quantitative analysis will show whether the intervention was effective or not, while the documented voices of the participants will reveal salient themes or variables related to the intervention. If confirmed that the fundamental logic of this type of program is sound, then the information will prove to be invaluable for districts across the natio

Before and Beyond Representation: Towards an enactive conception of the Palaeolithic image\ud

For most archaeologists the meaning of prehistoric art appears to be grounded upon, if not synonymous with, the notion of representation and symbolism. This paper explores the possibility that the depictions we see already 30,000 years before present, for instance, at the caves of Chauvet and Lascaux, before and beyond representing the world, they first bring forth a new process of acting within this world and at the same time of thinking about it. It is argued that the unique ability of those early depictions to disrupt or question the ways the world is experienced under normal conditions makes possible for the visual apparatus to interrogate itself and thus acquire a sense of perceptual awareness not previously available. \u