Motivational Strategies and Student Participation

The lives of today’s students are filled with video games, tablets, HD television, tweets, Facebook, smart phones, and ever increasing technologies. They have grown accustomed to the immediate feedback that technology provides and struggle to complete academic tasks that require persistence. Capturing and holding the attention of students is a daily goal of many educators yet the shrinking attention span and decrease in motivation in the school setting makes teaching and learning more difficult each year. This study explores strategies to motivate students and increase participation. It postulates that when students are actively engaged in the lesson, academic achievement and understanding increases. This four week research project was conducted in a ninth grade mathematics classroom with focused observation on four students. Measurable and observable data was collected and used to determine a student’s level of motivation and participation in class. Some characteristics of student behaviors included: whether the students put their head down, gave up on the assigned task, were off-task, asked and/or answered questions. Surveys of parents, teachers, and students revealed activities found to be motivating which were ranked and then utilized in the classroom study. Activities that increased student motivation and participation were noted. Positive behaviors were observed in all four students, such as asking relevant questions and answering questions, and increased when a motivating activity was implemented. Although the data did not change dramatically, there was a consistent change noted among all of the students involved. Conclusions affirm the use of motivational strategies to increase student participation

Retaining New Graduate Nurses: Creating A Model Inpatient Transition To Practice Program In A Large Healthcare System

Abstract Retaining New Graduate Nurses: Creating a Model Inpatient Education to Practice Program in a Large Healthcare SystemPurpose: The purpose of this study is to address the persistent challenge of high turnover rates among New Graduate Nurses (NGNs) by implementing and evaluating a Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) model in a large hospital. The DEU aims to provide intensive support and training to NGNs during their transition to clinical practice, with a focus on improving retention rates and enhancing patient care quality. Background: New Graduate Nurse turnover rates have reached alarming levels, impacting healthcare organizations\u27 stability and patient outcomes. Traditional postgraduate programs have failed to adequately address the emotional and psychological needs of NGNs during their transition to practice. The DEU model offers a novel approach by creating a structured learning environment with trained preceptors to support NGNs\u27 professional growth and development. Methods: The implementation of the DEU involved developing a dedicated medical-surgical unit equipped with trained nurse preceptors and recruiting NGNs for four-week rotations. Preceptors received training using the Socratic teaching method to facilitate critical thinking and skill acquisition among NGNs. The Casey Fink survey was utilized to assess NGNs\u27 perceptions and experiences before and after participating in the DEU program. Results: Preliminary results from the DEU pilot program showed positive outcomes, with NGNs reporting improvements in core nursing skills, confidence levels, and comfort in their roles. However, challenges such as changes in NGN hiring timing and preceptor fatigue impacted program implementation and evaluation. Despite limitations in sample size, qualitative feedback indicated the potential effectiveness of the DEU model in supporting NGNs\u27 transition to clinical practice. Conclusion: The DEU model represents a promising solution to address NGN turnover and enhance patient care quality by providing targeted support and training during the transition to practice. Key findings underscore the importance of leadership commitment, clear communication, and preceptor engagement in the success of the DEU program. Further evaluation and refinement are needed to optimize the DEU model and scale its implementation across healthcare systems, with a focus on improving nurse retention and patient outcomes

Direct and indirect selection on flowering time, water-use efficiency (WUE, δ (13)C), and WUE plasticity to drought in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Flowering time and water-use efficiency (WUE) are two ecological traits that are important for plant drought response. To understand the evolutionary significance of natural genetic variation in flowering time, WUE, and WUE plasticity to drought in Arabidopsis thaliana, we addressed the following questions: (1) How are ecophysiological traits genetically correlated within and between different soil moisture environments? (2) Does terminal drought select for early flowering and drought escape? (3) Is WUE plasticity to drought adaptive and/or costly? We measured a suite of ecophysiological and reproductive traits on 234 spring flowering accessions of A. thaliana grown in well-watered and season-ending soil drying treatments, and quantified patterns of genetic variation, correlation, and selection within each treatment. WUE and flowering time were consistently positively genetically correlated. WUE was correlated with WUE plasticity, but the direction changed between treatments. Selection generally favored early flowering and low WUE, with drought favoring earlier flowering significantly more than well-watered conditions. Selection for lower WUE was marginally stronger under drought. There were no net fitness costs of WUE plasticity. WUE plasticity (per se) was globally neutral, but locally favored under drought. Strong genetic correlation between WUE and flowering time may facilitate the evolution of drought escape, or constrain independent evolution of these traits. Terminal drought favored drought escape in these spring flowering accessions of A. thaliana. WUE plasticity may be favored over completely fixed development in environments with periodic drought

Beyond Floodplain Analysis: A Modeler’s Experience Using HEC-RAS 2D for Spillway Assessments and Designs

HEC-RAS 5.0 (2D) has been increasingly used by the dam safety community for performing dam breach and other hydraulic analyses since its debut in 2015. While this two-dimensional hydraulic modeling software has wide applications in dam breach analysis and urban flood simulation, its ability to analyze complex multidirectional flow problems can also be used as a design tool for spillways, overtopping protection, and other hydraulic structures. In this manuscript, the authors discussed their experience using HEC-RAS and other two-dimensional hydraulic models to design and assess various hydraulic structures. This includes: 1) sizing spillway outlet channels and assessing the hydraulic adequacy of training dikes, especially where non-linear or super-elevated flow conditions are anticipated; 2) using depth, velocity, and shear stress outputs to design erosion/overtopping protection for vegetated spillways, lined channels, and earthen embankments; 3) designing temporary diversions to facilitate construction within rivers, reservoirs, or other waterways; and 4) identifying and assessing potential failure modes (e.g. erosion and headcutting of vegetated spillways). Insights are shared to help the audience understand when a two-dimensional modeling approach is effective and appropriate

Akin House Curriculum Development and Living History Programming

This unit plan is comprised of a variety of inquiry-based lessons that explore the culture and way of life of the Native Americans who occupied New England. After studying the Akin house documents, materials, and narratives, I chose to focus my unit on the land and the people who came before the Akin family so that students will learn the long-view of our rich New England history

Attentional Focus During Balance Training in Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease (PD): A Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of various attentional focus strategies on balance in people with PD. Forty-nine adults with idiopathic PD were randomized into one of four groups (internal focus, external focus, no focus, and control). The three intervention groups participated in a month-long balance program. The outcomes measured were the Sensory Organization Test, Berg Balance Scale, self selected gait velocity, Dynamic Gait Index, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale and obstacle course completion time. These outcomes were measured at baseline, post intervention, 2-weeks post intervention, and 8-weeks post intervention. Statistical analyses yielded no significant differences among the groups. This study demonstrated that attentional focus instructions may not have a long-term effect on balance in individuals with PD. It also suggests that a standardized balance program including treadmill training, an obstacle course, and standing balance activities may not be sufficient to improve gait and balance in people with PD

Facilitating Change in NORS:Context, Training Needs & Staff Perceptions of NRP

UK organ retrieval is in the midst of large-scale technical transformation, driven by persistent organ shortage and attempts to improve organ quality for transplant recipients. To inform future innovation efforts in organ retrieval, this study explored the context, structures, and NRP implementation experience of a UK-based abdominal organ retrieval team. Methods: Thorough familiarisation with context and settings of organ retrieval was gained through field visits, informal conversations, observation, and attendance at local and national NORS meetings. A qualitative description methodology was employed, and data were obtained through the means of semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically in a NORS abdominal centre. Results: The sample (n=6) comprised of senior surgeons (NORS lead surgeons; n=3), a junior surgeon (n=1), and theatre practitioners (n=2). Descriptive data revealed a unique combination of procedural, psychological, and practical demands placed on organ retrieval staff. Results demonstrated that uncertainty (e.g., call-outs, training opportunities, team composition, location, local team support, delays) was one of the key context factors and challenges for staff, and highlighted the critical role of psychological factors for successful innovation in organ retrieval. In addition, the study identified team’s training needs and challenges, alongside practice and research-led potential solutions to improve training for new and existing staff. Discussion: The data demonstrate that alongside efforts to advance technological aspects of organ preservation, maximise efficiency of the service and refine surgical techniques, development in organ retrieval requires close attention to psychological context for successful implementation of new practice. Although the small sample size limits the ability to generalise the findings, it enabled the views and experiences of participants to be studied more in-depth, resulting in a rich dataset with high information power, established through prolonged engagement and rigorous analysis