8,122 research outputs found

    An exploration of the attitudes and beliefs of teacher trainers and teacher trainees concerning the use of the L1 in the EFL classroom

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    One important conflict within English language teaching methodology is concerning the use or exclusion of learners’ first languages (L1) when learning English. Perspectives on the topic range from those in favour of complete avoidance of the L1 in the EFL classroom, constantly striving for an exclusively L2 classroom to those who believe in the value and learning benefit of allowing and, to some extent, encouraging the use of all manner of languages available to the learner. This thesis conducted interviews and surveys in order to provide an in-depth exploration of the attitudes and beliefs of teacher trainers and teacher trainees in North Rhine Westphalia concerning the use of the L1, as well as other potential languages, in the English language classroom. Although the two groups of participants held many similar attitudes and beliefs concerning L1 use, some significant and interesting differences were found. Teacher trainees showed themselves to be more open concerning the use of the L1 than their more experienced counterparts. It remains, however, unclear what exactly the reason for these differences is. A further aspect which became apparent is how the pressures of language choice and of exclusive L2 instruction in the EFL classroom during observed and examination lessons is felt by teacher trainees. This is potentially adding to the overall burden of the teacher training period in NRW. The thesis concludes that an increase in evidence-based teacher education, concerning not only the aspect of L1 use in the EFL classroom but also many other aspects of language teaching could be prudent in the continued development of well-informed best-practice approaches. This thesis holds the standpoint that complete eradication of the L1 in the EFL classroom is counterproductive to successful language learning. Judicious use of the L1 and the development of a more plurilingusitic attitude to language learning, enabling learners to make use of any available linguistic resources, can offer both learners and teachers helpful scaffolding which can facilitate the successful learning of further languages

    China-US Competition

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    This open access edited book brings together a closer examination of European and Asian responses to the escalating rivalry between the US and China. As the new Cold War has surfaced as a perceivable reality in the post-COVID era, the topic itself is of great importance to policymakers, academic researchers, and the interested public. Furthermore, this manuscript makes a valuable contribution to an under-studied and increasingly important phenomenon in international relations: the impact of the growing strategic competition between the United States and China on third parties, such as small and middle powers in the two arguably most affected regions of the world: Europe and East Asia. The European side has been under-studied and explicitly comparative work on Europe and East Asia is extremely rare. Given that the manuscript focuses heavily on recent developments—and because many of these developments have been quite dramatic—there are very few publications that cover the same topics

    Trade in times of conflict and sanctions : A gravity model analysis on the trade between the Scandinavian countries and Russia during the Russian-Ukrainian conflict

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    In this thesis we study trade flows between the Scandinavian countries Denmark, Norway and Sweden and Russia. Particularly, we investigate the trade flows in light of the Russian- Ukrainian conflict and the following sanctions against Russia imposed by the EU. We look at data on exports, imports and total trade between the Scandinavian countries and Russia and how they have developed in the period from 2012 till third quarter of 2022. Insights in this development are interesting and important, both to evaluate the effectiveness of the sanctions already imposed, and what implications these findings may have for future policy work. To answer the research question, we have used both descriptive statistics and regression analysis. We have used an augmented gravity model when evaluating the development of trade flows. To estimate the relationship between trade flows and conflict and sanction, we have added dummy variables to the traditional gravity model that adhere to important events in the period. Our main findings are that the exports from the Scandinavian countries to Russia tend to decrease from the first sanctions are imposed in 2014, mainly explained by the Russian import embargo on food effective from August of 2014. Further, imports from Russia have not significantly changed until second quarter of 2022, when the EU put Russia under a strict and wide-ranging sanction regime as a respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Our main explanation for why it has not decreased earlier is that the goods the Scandinavian countries imported to Russia were not directly included in the sanction programs. We do not see any change in trade in periods where new sanctions are not imposed.nhhma

    2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

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    2023-2024 undergraduate catalog for Morehead State University

    Impact of Homeostasis Disruption on the Structure and Function of Murine Articular Cartilage

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    Articular cartilage plays a vital role in facilitating pain-free movement and load distribution in synovial joints, such as the knee. Owing to its complex structure-functional requirements and limited regenerative capacity, articular cartilage is particularly vulnerable to deterioration triggered by intrinsic and extrinsic insults. For instance, abnormal loading, trauma and aging can disrupt cellular, anatomical, and functional homeostasis within the knee joint and/or articular cartilage microenvironment, contributing to the pathogenesis of tissue degradation and degenerative joint diseases, particularly osteoarthritis (OA). In this context, it is essential to understand how cartilage and the joint microenvironment respond to differential levels of tissue homeostatic disruption and the resulting implication on remodeling and repair outcomes. In this multifaceted study, I employed several transgenic mouse models in conjunction with histological, imaging, and mechanical testing modalities to deepen our understanding of structural and functional changes associated with degeneration and regeneration of murine articular cartilage

    Exploratory case study of teachers finding support from the global educator Facebook group during the emergency school closures of the Covid-19 pandemic

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    The emergency school closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic impacted students and teachers across the globe. This study explored how the Global Educator Collaborative Facebook group, with over 125,000 members, supported teachers as they adapted to distance learning instruction amid emergency school closures. Through the Facebook group, teachers built a community to share questions, challenges, and seek support from their peers. This study explored how teachers participated in the Facebook group between February 2020 and December 2021 and whether their participation represented Wenger’s criteria for a community of practice (Lave & Wenger, 1991; Wenger, 1998). An exploratory case study design (Yin, 2018) allowed for an in-depth study using artifacts of the Global Educator Collective Facebook group. Through a stratified two-step sampling process, artifacts for analysis were selected from a keyword search of technology challenges, technology support, technology win, or technology support within four identified phases (February-March 2020, April-July 2020, August 2020-March 2021, and April-December 2021). Eighty posts and associated comments were selected for thematic analysis, which found teachers posting for assistance on the teaching and learning environment, classroom management, instructional, and technology support. Through the associated comments, fellow members offered advice, suggested an application or tool, and/or offered to further the conversation off the Facebook page. A total of 1,320 passages were coded across all four phases with 68% or 904 posts and associated comments focused on instruction and classroom management. Additionally, 17% or 228 posts and associated comments were seeking or providing technology support. The findings showed how the needs changed across the four phases. While Phase 1 posts and comments focused on providing instructional and technology support as teachers shifted to distance learning; by Phase 3 the focus was more concerned with classroom management and technology support as teachers confronted hybrid and a return to in-person learning environments. This study affirms that teachers embraced a virtual community and used it to integrate new tools into their instruction, however it was not a true community of practice as defined by Wenger because it lacked the development of deep connections, shared resources, and widespread commitment among members

    Offene-Welt-Strukturen: Architektur, Stadt- und Naturlandschaft im Computerspiel

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    Welche Rolle spielen Algorithmen für den Bildbau und die Darstellung von Welt und Wetter in Computerspielen? Wie beeinflusst die Gestaltung der Räume, Level und Topografien die Entscheidungen und das Verhalten der Spieler_innen? Ist der Brutalismus der erste genuine Architekturstil der Computerspiele? Welche Bedeutung haben Landschaftsgärten und Nationalparks im Strukturieren von Spielwelten? Wie wird Natur in Zeiten des Klimawandels dargestellt? Insbesondere in den letzten 20 Jahren adaptieren digitale Spielwelten akribischer denn je Merkmale der physisch-realen Welt. Durch aufwändige Produktionsverfahren und komplexe Visualisierungsstrategien wird die Angleichung an unsere übrige Alltagswelt stets in Abhängigkeit von Spielmechanik und Weltlichkeit erzeugt. Wie sich spätestens am Beispiel der Open-World-Spiele zeigt, führt die Übernahme bestimmter Weltbilder und Bildtraditionen zu ideologischen Implikationen, die weit über die bisher im Fokus der Forschung stehenden, aus anderen Medienformaten transferierten Erzählkonventionen hinausgehen. Mit seiner Theorie der Architektur als medialem Scharnier legt der Autor offen, dass digitale Spielwelten medienspezifische Eigenschaften aufweisen, die bisher nicht zu greifen waren und der Erforschung harrten. Durch Verschränken von Konzepten aus u.a. Medienwissenschaft, Game Studies, Philosophie, Architekturtheorie, Humangeografie, Landschaftstheorie und Kunstgeschichte erarbeitet Bonner ein transdisziplinäres Theoriemodell und ermöglicht anhand der daraus entwickelten analytischen Methoden erstmals, die komplexe Struktur heutiger Computerspiele - vom Indie Game bis zur AAA Open World - zu verstehen und zu benennen. Mit "Offene-Welt-Strukturen" wird die Architektonik digitaler Spielwelten umfassend zugänglich

    Using Large Language Models to Simulate Multiple Humans and Replicate Human Subject Studies

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    We introduce a new type of test, called a Turing Experiment (TE), for evaluating how well a language model, such as GPT-3, can simulate different aspects of human behavior. Unlike the Turing Test, which involves simulating a single arbitrary individual, a TE requires simulating a representative sample of participants in human subject research. We give TEs that attempt to replicate well-established findings in prior studies. We design a methodology for simulating TEs and illustrate its use to compare how well different language models are able to reproduce classic economic, psycholinguistic, and social psychology experiments: Ultimatum Game, Garden Path Sentences, Milgram Shock Experiment, and Wisdom of Crowds. In the first three TEs, the existing findings were replicated using recent models, while the last TE reveals a "hyper-accuracy distortion" present in some language models.Comment: Added Turing Experiment (TE) framing and Wisdom of Crowds T
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