483 research outputs found

    Leading from a Distance with Lessons from Online Teaching to Engage a Remote Workforce

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    With many organizations and institutions now operating remotely due to the global coronavirus pandemic, leaders are now finding themselves in a position where they have to effectively lead and manage people and projects from a distance. Some are predicting that remote work may be a new normal for many organizations, with companies offering work-from-home opportunities permanently (Kelly, 2020). Because of the long-term implications for remote working, leaders will need competencies to successfully engage remote workers using new and creative strategies, techniques, and technologies. The field of online pedagogy has useful applications for engaging remote teams particularly in areas of communication, community-building, and retention. This chapter presents some lessons from online teaching that can be applied to leading a remote workforce. Women leaders in higher education institutions who have had to shift to leading teams remotely can find useful applications from the field of online teaching to their own remote workplace contexts, particularly from the literature of online student engagement

    Testing the impact of flow-based, moderate-intensity yoga on executive functioning and stress among low active working adults with symptoms of stress

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    In the past decade, research on effects of yoga on cognitive functioning has increased, but most studies have investigated the impact of low-intensity yoga postures. There is growing consensus among researchers regarding the need for exploring the effects of different styles of yoga. However, there is no evidence whether flow-based, moderate-intensity forms of yoga can deliver cognitive and psychosocial benefits. The purpose of the study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of an eight-week, moderate-intensity, flow-based yoga intervention, on cognitive functioning and psychosocial stress, as compared to a waitlist control group. The sample was full-time working adults with symptoms of stress. The intervention included postures and movements, followed by breathing and relaxation, and was conducted 3 times/week for ~50 minutes. It was titrated in terms of supervision, starting with individual and group sessions taught by a certified instructor on Zoom, and ending with self-guided sessions. Attendance for the self- guided sessions was assessed using Fitbit and post-sessions logs. Overall attendance was 75.1%. Results showed an improvement in working memory with the yoga group had higher accuracy as compared to the control group (Ms±SD = 7.30±3.05 vs. 6.11±2.70). There was a reduction in stress and anxiety (Ms±SD = 34.97±10.34 vs. 39.36±11.96) in the yoga group as compared to the control group. Reduction in stress from baseline to week four mediated the improvement in working memory. Additionally, there was an improvement in yoga self-efficacy (ηp2 = 0.059), self-regulation (ηp2 = 0.066), positive psychological well-being, and physical activity frequency (ηp2 = 0.076), as compared to the control group. Participants enjoyed the intervention (100%) and liked to learn through video guided instruction (95%). Overall, this study is one of the first studies to show that regular moderate-intensity flow-based yoga may improve cognitive functioning. The yoga intervention decreased stress and anxiety, and improved well-being. This further augment the growing evidence of cognitive and psychosocial benefits of yoga among working adults with stress and low physical activity. The mediation analysis provides evidence for the hypothesized stress reduction mechanism underlying cognitive change. The results suggest that it is feasible to learn yoga through video instructions, and has implications for designing more video-guided yoga studies, and encouraging self-guided practice, to increase accessibility to yoga for different populations. This results provide support for the role of Social Cognitive Theory in impacting behavior change techniques related to physical activity, and provide support for a gradually titrated intervention in terms of supervision. This is one of the few studies to add to the literature that yoga improves aspects of positive psychological well- being. More research is needed to extend and replicate these findings across larger and varied samples. Future studies should examine the efficacy in comparison with other physical and mind-body activities, to investigate the unique impact of moderate-intensity flow-based yoga. Future studies should focus on aspects such as exploring more mechanisms underlying cognitive and stress change, implement more behavior change techniques for sustained engagement in the intervention, and tailor technology based on accessibility for different populations

    Shared User Interfaces of Physiological Data: Systematic Review of Social Biofeedback Systems and Contexts in HCI

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    As an emerging interaction paradigm, physiological computing is increasingly being used to both measure and feed back information about our internal psychophysiological states. While most applications of physiological computing are designed for individual use, recent research has explored how biofeedback can be socially shared between multiple users to augment human-human communication. Reflecting on the empirical progress in this area of study, this paper presents a systematic review of 64 studies to characterize the interaction contexts and effects of social biofeedback systems. Our findings highlight the importance of physio-temporal and social contextual factors surrounding physiological data sharing as well as how it can promote social-emotional competences on three different levels: intrapersonal, interpersonal, and task-focused. We also present the Social Biofeedback Interactions framework to articulate the current physiological-social interaction space. We use this to frame our discussion of the implications and ethical considerations for future research and design of social biofeedback interfaces.Comment: [Accepted version, 32 pages] Clara Moge, Katherine Wang, and Youngjun Cho. 2022. Shared User Interfaces of Physiological Data: Systematic Review of Social Biofeedback Systems and Contexts in HCI. In CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI'22), ACM, https://doi.org/10.1145/3491102.351749

    Supporting Special Education Online Learners’ Social and Emotional Wellbeing

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    At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools closed for in person instruction and began remote learning. All students were impacted by the school closures but no students were as heavily impacted as students with disabilities. Parents reported a rise in tantrums, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation among young children during remote learning. The social and emotional wellbeing of children promotes increased participation, positive outlook about school, improves peer relationships, and increases the likelihood of academic success. The purpose of this school improvement project is to detail the importance of supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of online learners, specifically students with disabilities. This school improvement project details a professional development seminar where teachers will learn about the importance of social and emotional development, will receive strategies to support the social and emotional wellbeing of their online learners, and will learn about a protocol to address the needs of students on IEPs who are struggling with behaviors that may result from an issue with a child’s social and emotional wellbeing

    MANTRAM FOR MAMAS: A PILOT STUDY FOR POSTPARTUM WOMEN

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    Objective: This pilot study launched an online Mantram Repetition Program (oMRP) using a virtual health portal that aimed to explore online portal accessibility, oMRP acceptance, and overall interface satisfaction among a sample of postpartum women. Background: Postpartum depression remains one of the most common and severe childbirth complications, affecting more than 13% of women during the first three months after childbirth. Cognitive or behavioral talk therapy sessions and medication are the most frequently recommended treatments to alleviate symptoms. Although effective, women tend not to enroll or adhere to these modalities, suggesting they need alternative treatment plans. A possible alternative, mirroring the adoption of online platforms and patient portals in many areas of healthcare delivery, is to examine if an online treatment method is acceptable for women in the postpartum period. Methods: To explore whether newly postpartum women would log on, navigate the portal, accept the virtual program, and enjoy the overall experience, participants were invited to access four oMRP learning modules through a HIPAA-compliant portal during a 30-day study period. Participants provided sociodemographic data and completed satisfaction surveys throughout the study. Questions from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8), in combination with open-ended questions, were used to evaluate participant acceptance and satisfaction with the technology, portal, and program. Results: Among this sample of seven women, five completed the program in its entirety, shared their satisfaction, and even expressed gratitude for the program. The women accepted the technology as indicated by a 6.0 mean TAM score (out of a possible 7.0) and had moderate to high levels of program satisfaction indicated by a 27 mean CSQ score (out of a possible 32). The qualitative and quantitative results indicated that the pilot study positively impacted its participants. Conclusion: The oMRP for postpartum women has the potential to be a patient-centered modality to treat postpartum symptoms and support overall well-being. This study provided a foundational empirical understanding of the acceptability and use of the oMRP interface, resulting in recommendations for future research, interface design, and clinical implementation

    A TRANSCENDENTAL PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY ON PERSISTENCE IN ONLINE MINDFULNESS PROGRAMS

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    A TRANSCENDENTAL PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY ON PERSISTENCE IN ONLINE MINDFULNESS PROGRAM

    Mindful Fathering: An Investigation and Curriculum

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    This two-part paper explores the current state of fathering in the United States of America, and aims at highlighting the importance of active fatherly engagement in the lives of children. Statistics from the United States Census (2010) show that 29.5 percent of children under the age of 18 in the United States of America live in fatherless homes. When a father is engaged in the life of a child, developmental outcomes increase (Roopnarine, 2015). This signals a need to investigate solutions to this problem. Mindfulness is offered as a remedy, and mindfulness programs like Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindful Parenting courses offer teachings that promote non-judgment and awareness. No programs have been found by this author that promote fatherly engagement through Mindfulness. The first half of this paper includes a personal narrative from the author that explores his own personal journey discovering mindfulness as a father, the sociocultural factors that contribute to the current state of engagement in the United States of America, and the limitations that prevent all men from being fully engaged with their children. It goes on to explain the benefits that being a fully engaged father can have on a child, and the negative effects that stress can have on children. When fathers can be made aware of the benefits and risks to their children, the author suggests that this creates a responsibility and opportunity for fathers to assume leadership roles by modeling awareness and non-reactivity to the many stresses that occur within family life. A mindfulness practice can help fathers to become aware of their own suffering, and begin to see that it is part of the human condition. Having a basic understanding of how Buddhism has brought the concept of mindfulness to the United States America, and learning ways in which it can be applied as a father can be helpful to maintaining a practice during these busy moments of life. The second half of this paper includes the Mindfulness for New Fathers Curriculum. Mindfulness for New Fathers encourages fathers to begin a mindfulness practice in their lives that focuses on presence, beginning again, self-compassion, managing parental stress, and communicating mindfully. The themes all concentrate on fatherly mindful engagement with their children

    Engaging the Adult Learner: An Action Research Study on Delivering Effective Online Learning Experiences

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    Since the pandemic of 2020, there has been a vast increase of adults learning online. Today, online learning is the most popular learning approach among adult learners. However, many adults have faced obstacles and challenges when learning online, resulting in a poor learning experience. Online learning is a modality that has become the forefront of learning in our society and continues to grow more and more popular, which makes it a critically important research area. This paper discusses adult learners and their most common challenges and obstacles when learning online and suggestions on how to avoid them. A positionality statement of my own experience as an instructional designer is included as well as peer-reviewed literature on relevant methodologies and learning theories. Interviews were conducted using open-ended questioning with adult learners from different backgrounds and levels of computer skills to learn about their positive and negative online learning experiences. Instructional designers were surveyed to capture insight on their experiences on implementing online learning modalities. The paper concludes with a list of recommendations and best practices that instructional designers can utilize to assist them in producing effective online learning experiences for adult learners

    Exploring the effect of yoga on depression and anxiety in people with cancer : a mixed methods investigation

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    Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. A diagnosis of cancer can affect a person’s physical, psychological, spiritual, and social well-being. The unique psychosocial concerns (e.g. depression and anxiety) faced by people with cancer can have a significant impact on wellbeing, quality of life and survival, and are often under-detected and under-treated. Current treatments for anxiety and depression encompass pharmacological and psychological interventions. However, questions related to efficacy, side effects, cost effectiveness, individual choice, suitability for different people, barriers and access to services, compliance, ethics and long-term benefits, are common. This together with the significant health impacts of the disorders, constitutes a compelling case for finding safe and effective treatments for anxiety and depression in people with cancer. There is increasing interest in the potential role of integrative interventions, including yoga, for a range of health concerns, including mental health. The popularity of yoga is increasing across the world and is an appealing choice for many people as it has low rates of adverse events and can be used in conjunction with other treatments without concerns of interaction effects. Moreover, positive impacts on depression and anxiety symptoms in people without comorbid conditions as well as those with cancer have been demonstrated. This project was designed to review the current literature in the field, then develop and evaluate the effects of a yoga program on the mental health of people with cancer. The effects of yoga interventions on self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms in people with cancer was investigated via a systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 clinical trials. Results revealed evidence for significant medium effects of yoga for reducing depression (N = 1,486, g = -0.419, 95% CI -0.558 to -0.281, p < 0.001) and anxiety (N = 977, g = -0.347, 95% CI -0.473 to -0.221, p < 0.001) symptoms compared to controls. Subgroup analyses for depressive symptoms revealed significant effects for all analyses performed (type of cancer, type of control, treatment status, duration of intervention or frequency of yoga sessions), with effect sizes being comparable between subgroups. Similar findings were found for anxiety symptoms except for treatment status, where the only significant effect was found when yoga was delivered during active treatment. Thus, this review provided evidence that in people with cancer, yoga-based interventions are associated with amelioration of depression and anxiety symptoms and therefore a promising therapeutic modality for their management
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