The Art of Knowledge Exchange: A Results-Focused Planning Guide for Development Practitioners

Designing and implementing knowledge exchange initiatives can be a big undertaking. This guide takes the guesswork out of the process by breaking it down into simple steps and providing tools to help you play a more effective role as knowledge connector and learning facilitator

An Investigation of the Testing Effect on Motor Learning

Optimization of learning processes is the goal many educators strive to achieve with their students. One of the potential methods used towards optimizing this process is what’s known as the testing effect. The testing effect is the improved performance on a retention test as a result of prior testing during some period of practice. Previously, the testing effect was investigated using mostly cognitive tasks such as the learning of a number of words. In this paper, we examine the impact the testing effect has on learning the motor skill of putting. The study used a 2 x 2 mixed design, where the within-subjects factor had two levels of pre- and post-tests, and the between-subjects factor had two levels of practice and practice-test groups. A total of 24 participants were used in the study, all novice golfers (handicap 14+) who were asked to practice and learn a 10 foot putting task. The task was to be learned over 5 blocks of putting, where 15 putts per block were provided. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1) Practice and 2) Practice-test, with the difference between groups being the perception of being tested or simply practicing. The primary dependent variables of interest were arousal level (salivary -amylase), putting stroke kinematics (acceleration and face-to-path), and end point error (absolute error and variance). Results from the study revealed a significant main effect for Test F (1, 22) = 8.452, p \u3c .05 looking at variance in the y-measure direction (i.e., long or short of the target) across pre- post-tests. Additionally, when looking at variance in the z-measure direction (composite of x and y measures) a significant main effect for Test F (1, 22) = 9.033, p \u3c .05 was found. Although not statistically significant, a trend towards a significant Group x Test interaction F (4, 88) = 2.469, p = .057 was seen in the reduced variance across each of the 5 practice blocks. There were no significant results to report from the analyses examining the accuracy of putting. In conclusion, the testing effect did not produce results any different to that of the traditional practice method used in the study. This suggests that for novice golfers, there are no added benefits of using testing during practice to improve their putting

Pressie, Aaron

Co B. 1319th Engineer General Service Regiment, Camp Sutton, NChttps://dh.howard.edu/prom_members/1065/thumbnail.jp

2002-2003 Spectacular Trumpets

https://spiral.lynn.edu/conservatory_otherseasonalconcerts/1081/thumbnail.jp

Opinions about the most appropriate surgical management of diabetes-related foot infection: a cross-sectional survey

Background There is a lack of high quality evidence to guide the optimal management of diabetes-related foot infection, particularly in cases of severe diabetes-related foot infection and diabetes-related foot osteomyelitis. This study examined the opinions of surgeons about the preferred management of severe diabetes-related foot infection. Methods Vascular and orthopaedic surgeons in Australia and New Zealand were invited to complete an online survey via email. The survey included multi-choice and open-ended questions on clinical management of diabetes-related foot infection. Responses of vascular surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons were compared using non-parametric statistical tests. Open-text responses were examined using inductive content analysis. Results 29 vascular and 20 orthopaedic surgeons completed the survey. One-third (28.6%) used best-practice guidelines to assist in decisions about foot infection management. Areas for guideline improvement identified included more specific advice regarding the indications for available treatments, more recommendations about non-surgical patient management and advice on how management can be varied in regions with limited health service resource. The probe-to-bone test and magnetic resonance imaging were the preferred methods of diagnosing osteomyelitis. Approximately half (51.2%) of respondents indicated piperacillin combined with tazobactam as the preferred antibiotic choice for empirical treatment of severe diabetes-related foot infection. Negative pressure wound therapy was the most common way of managing a wound following debridement. All vascular surgeons (100%) made revascularisation decisions based on the severity of ischemia while most orthopaedic surgeons (66.7%) were likely to refer to vascular surgeons to make revascularisation decisions. Vascular surgeons preferred using wound swabs while orthopaedic surgeons favoured tissue or bone biopsies to determine the choice of antibiotic. Respondents perceived a moderate variation in management decisions between specialists and supported the need for randomised controlled trials to test different management pathways. Conclusions Most vascular and orthopaedic surgeons do not use best-practice guidelines to assist in decisions about management of diabetes-related foot infection. Vascular and orthopaedic surgeons appear to have different preferences for wound sampling to determine choice of antibiotic. There is a need for higher quality evidence to clarify best practice for managing diabetes-related foot infection