An investigation of the learning which nursing students derive from a play program experience.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit

The effects of a school intervention on year 10 students : a cognitive and attitudinal perspective : thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Education (Guidance)

This study examined the effectiveness of a school's new intervention called The Diploma Programme, which aimed to increase academic achievement by encouraging students to develop into self-regulated learners. The programme monitored and rewarded the study skills punctuality and attendance, social co-operation, class-work and homework completion, and bringing correct equipment, by awarding credits towards a diploma. Participants were 33 self-selected Year 10 students who were placed in three groups based on the Year 10 PAT reading comprehension class percentiles. A questionnaire administered before The Diploma Programme and at the end of the school year, examined students' self-reported changes in study skills, as well as in the attitudinal factors academic motivation, locus of control, and self-efficacy. Diploma credits were also examined for significant difference over the year, within and between the three groups. Results indicated that The Diploma Programme was initially effective in encouraging study skills across reading skill levels, but dropped in effectiveness over the year. Results also indicated that while reading skill level influences both study skills and academic achievement, the internal locus of control factor 'effort' can modify levels of performance. The group with high reading skills achieved the highest academically, tended to use the most study skills and to exhibit the highest levels of academic self-efficacy. However, the group with low reading skills, who reported using more 'effort' than the other groups, achieved higher academically and tended to use more study skills by the end of the year than the group with moderate reading skills. Recommendations made to develop and maintain the effectiveness of The Diploma Programme over the year included changes within The Diploma Programme, as well as changes in classrooms and the wider school

A New Look at Translation: Teaching tools for language and literature

Does translation have a place in the modern language or literature classroom? This article argues that as long as translation is recognized as a distinct skill rather than a path to language acquisition it can and should play a role in language instruction. The rising popularity of Web-based machine translation (WBMT) sites among students points to a need to help foreign language learners better understand the translation process. Along with a discussion of how instructors can minimize inappropriate use of WBMT, the article provides examples of how translation in the proper context can be used productively to teach both language and literature. It also shows that teachers have much to gain by supporting translation and interpretation as professional options for advanced language learners. Examples are given in Spanish

High Rate Fracture Toughness Measurement of Laminated Composites

The aim of this research is to understand and analyse the behaviour of specimens used to measure fracture toughness in laminated composites when loaded at high displacement rates. Finite element (FE) analysis is used as a tool to investigate dynamic behaviour of rapidly loaded mode I intralaminar specimens and to investigate of the data reduction strategy. Finally, using knowledge from current literature and experience gathered from the FE analysis, an experimental test procedure for the measurement of intra-laminar fracture toughness at high loading rates is designed and evaluated. To gain confidence in the dynamic FE modelling the behaviour of a mode I interlaminar double-cantilever beam specimen loaded at high rates was analysed. The findings were compared to experimental observations and a data reduction strategy from the published literature was assessed. FE modelling was then used to investigate the behaviour of an intralaminar compact tension (CT) test performed at high rates and a data reduction strategy was developed which does not require the measurement of the applied load. A CT specimen for measurement of interlaminar fracture toughness at high loading rates was also developed which can be analysed using the same data reduction strategy. Experiments were carried out at displacement rates between 0.2 mm/min and 15 m/s to determine the effects of test velocity and crack growth velocity on inter- and intralaminar fracture toughness. Results from the dynamic experimental tests were filtered to remove the noise in the data. Critical energy release rates were calculated using the filtered and unfiltered data and the results were used to assess the accuracy of the filtering procedure. Results are then presented in terms of the trend of critical energy release rate, GIc, with test velocity and average crack speed. The findings are discussed with reference to micrographs of the fracture surfaces of specimens at each test speed. The intralaminar specimens showed a possible decrease in GIc with test speed and average crack speed, but the range of values fell within the scatter in the results. The interlaminar test results suggest interlaminar GIc is constant with test. The increase in interlaminar GIc with crack speed was also within the range of the scatter in the results

Assessment of International Economic Policy Models and Measures: Lessons for Canada

We consider a typology of four social and economic policy models each pertaining to different groups of countries. These four policy systems namely the Nordic model, the Anglo-Saxon model, the Continental model, and the Mediterranean model, are described individually and in terms of selected public policies. In particular, we review the Swedish economic experience in promoting flexible labour markets and reforming its education sector, the French regulatory reforms in telecommunications and health care sectors, the competitive compulsory tendering and best value reforms in the United Kingdom, and the recent economic growth led by trade in Chile. Finally, we draw important lessons for reforms in Canada. Nous analysons quatre systèmes socio-économiques qui représentent différents groupes de pays. Ces modèles socio-économiques incluant le modèle nordique, l’anglo-saxon, le continental et le méditerranéen sont décrits à travers quelques politiques publiques instaurées dans certains pays. En particulier, nous étudions les réformes de la Suède dans les secteurs de l’éducation et du marché du travail, de la France dans les télécommunications et la santé, du Royaume-Uni dans l’attribution des contrats dans le secteur public, et du Chili pour son expansion économique liée au commerce. Suite à cette analyse, nous identifions des leçons importantes et quelques avenues de réformes pour le Canada.Nordic economic model, Anglo-Saxon economic model, continental economic model, mediterranean economic model, economic reforms, Canada., Modèle socio-économique nordique, modèle socio-économique anglo-saxon, modèle socio-économique continental, modèle socio-économique méditerranéen, réformes économiques, Canada.

A European Union Approach to Material Deprivation using EU-SILC and Eurobarometer data

The paper discusses methodological issues raised by the construction of indicators on material deprivation, which is defined here as an enforced lack of a combination of items depicting some aspects of living conditions related to housing conditions, possession of durables and capacity to afford basic requirements. More specifically, its focus is on the selection of items, their dimensional structure, their aggregation in a synthetic measure and their weighting. The paper also puts in perspective material deprivation and income-based poverty indicators to emphasise the complementarity of the two approaches. It covers the European Union countries available in the 2007 Community Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) users’ data base.Material deprivation ; EU-SILC ; Eurobarometer ; Poverty ; European Union

Income poverty and material deprivation in European countries

Since 2009, the European Union (EU) portfolio of commonly agreed social in-dicators includes measures of material deprivation. The rationale for this inclu-sion is that if purely income-based indicators of poverty and inequality are es-sential, they are nevertheless not sufficient to satisfactorily reflect the diversity of living conditions in the EU, especially since the 2004 and 2007 enlarge-ments. The paper analyses the relationship between income poverty and mate-rial deprivation in 25 European countries (24 EU Member States plus Norway) and aims at identifying the most important factors that determine the risk of being income poor and/or materially deprived. It is based on the 2007 cross-sectional data of the EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) users? data base.material deprivation; income poverty; European Union; Eu-SILC; open method of coordination; social inclusion

Estimation of reference intervals from small samples: an example using canine plasma creatinine

Background: According to international recommendations, reference intervals should be determined from at least 120 reference individuals, which often are impossible to achieve in veterinary clinical pathology, especially for wild animals. When only a small number of reference subjects is available, the possible bias cannot be known and the normality of the distribution cannot be evaluated. A comparison of reference intervals estimated by different methods could be helpful. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare reference limits determined from a large set of canine plasma creatinine reference values, and large subsets of this data, with estimates obtained from small samples selected randomly. Methods: Twenty sets each of 120 and 27 samples were randomly selected from a set of 1439 plasma creatinine results obtained from healthy dogs in another study. Reference intervals for the whole sample and for the large samples were determined by a nonparametric method. The estimated reference limits for the small samples were minimum and maximum, mean +/-2 SD of native and Box–Cox-transformed values, 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles by a robust method on native and Box–Cox-transformed values, and estimates from diagrams of cumulative distribution functions. Results: The whole sample had a heavily skewed distribution, which approached Gaussian after Box–Cox transformation. The reference limits estimated from small samples were highly variable. The closest estimates to the 1439-result reference interval for 27-result subsamples were obtained by both parametric and robust methods after Box–Cox transformation but were grossly erroneous in some cases. Conclusion: For small samples, it is recommended that all values be reported graphically in a dot plot or histogram and that estimates of the reference limits be compared using different methods

Developing effective child death review : a study of ‘early starter’ child death overview panels in England

Aim This qualitative study of a small number of child death overview panels aimed to observe and describe their experience in implementing new child death review processes, and making prevention recommendations. Methods Nine sites reflecting a geographic and demographic spread were selected from Local Safeguarding Children Boards across England. Data were collected through a combination of questionnaires, interviews, structured observations, and evaluation of documents. Data were subjected to qualitative analysis. Results Data analysis revealed a number of themes within two overarching domains: the systems and structures in place to support the process; and the process and function of the panels. The data emphasised the importance of child death review being a multidisciplinary process involving senior professionals; that the process was resource and time intensive; that effective review requires both quantitative and qualitative information, and is best achieved through a structured analytic framework; and that the focus should be on learning lessons, not on trying to apportion blame. In 17 of the 24 cases discussed by the panels, issues were raised that may have indicated preventable factors. A number of examples of recommendations relating to injury prevention were observed including public awareness campaigns, community safety initiatives, training of professionals, development of protocols, and lobbying of politicians. Conclusions The results of this study have helped to inform the subsequent establishment of child death overview panels across England. To operate effectively, panels need a clear remit and purpose, robust structures and processes, and committed personnel. A multiagency approach contributes to a broader understanding of and response to children’s deaths