Shifting Priorities: Reflections on Teaching Qualitative Research Methods

The purpose of this paper is to describe pedagogical approaches to qualitative methodology by an instructor of educational psychology at a large research university. The essay begins with an overview of how my graduate training influenced my orientation to empirical study. Next, I will focus on the obstacles encountered when instructing graduate students who are currently practicing school teachers, counselors, and administrators. Specifically, I will detail how I approach teaching qualitative research methods, ways I deal with resistance from students, and methods for introducing apprehensive learners to the ways of interpretist design. Finally, I conclude with a discussion of how I use my classroom as a rich training ground for future qualitative researchers

Facilitating Children’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in After-School Settings

As educators, we must establish a safe space for children to develop positive social skills. A warm, yet firm, environment will increase feelings of belongingness, positive behavior, and academic performance. For after-school staff, bridging the gap between the classroom and home environment is a critical component of their charge. In this poster session, I will discuss sociocultural variables and specific models for increasing students’ social and emotional learning in extended day settings

Alien Registration- Booker, Mary C. (Fairfield, Somerset County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/8601/thumbnail.jp

Robust and stable transcriptional repression in Giardia using CRISPRi.

Giardia lamblia is a binucleate protistan parasite causing significant diarrheal disease worldwide. An inability to target Cas9 to both nuclei, combined with the lack of nonhomologous end joining and markers for positive selection, has stalled the adaptation of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genetic tools for this widespread parasite. CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) is a modification of the CRISPR/Cas9 system that directs catalytically inactive Cas9 (dCas9) to target loci for stable transcriptional repression. Using a Giardia nuclear localization signal to target dCas9 to both nuclei, we developed efficient and stable CRISPRi-mediated transcriptional repression of exogenous and endogenous genes in Giardia. Specifically, CRISPRi knockdown of kinesin-2a and kinesin-13 causes severe flagellar length defects that mirror defects with morpholino knockdown. Knockdown of the ventral disk MBP protein also causes severe structural defects that are highly prevalent and persist in the population more than 5 d longer than defects associated with transient morpholino-based knockdown. By expressing two guide RNAs in tandem to simultaneously knock down kinesin-13 and MBP, we created a stable dual knockdown strain with both flagellar length and disk defects. The efficiency and simplicity of CRISPRi in polyploid Giardia allows rapid evaluation of knockdown phenotypes and highlights the utility of CRISPRi for emerging model systems

Hydrological impacts of floodplain restoration: a case study of the River Cherwell, UK

International audienceThis paper investigates the impacts on floods of hypothetical changes to river channel geometry by construction or removal of embankments to prevent water spreading onto the floodplain at high flows. A numerical model is applied to the River Cherwell between Oxford and Banbury to simulate changes to flood hydrographs. Embanking the river increases the peak flows downstream by 50-150%. Restoring the river channel through the floodplain to pre-engineered dimensions reduces peak flow by around 10-15% and increases peak water levels within the floodplain by 0.5-1.6 m. These results suggest that floodplain rehabilitation, in terms of embankment removal or returning the channel to pre-engineered dimensions, can be a valuable part of the flood management strategy of a catchment. Both measures lead to increased inundation of the floodplain, which can be positive for ecological restoration. Keywords: floodplains, hydrological impacts, rehabilitation, flood frequenc

The Effects of Diversity Training on Faculty and Students’ Classroom Experiences

In response to the changing face of postsecondary education, efforts have been made to provide faculty and staff with training in multicultural and diverse perspectives. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of faculty participation in a Summer Diversity Training Institute. Focus group interviews were conducted with both faculty participants and the students of faculty attendees to determine the impact of the Institute on classroom dynamics, instruction, and assessment. Findings revealed that faculty participation in the Institute was beneficial in the sense that instructors’ personal growth was most frequently evidenced through attitudinal and curricular changes. Students experienced a greater sense of community, personal growth, and conflict resolution skills by being in the classes taught by faculty trained in multicultural course development. As the demographics of higher education change to include more diverse populations, research must determine the effects of multicultural programming and training on both faculty and student participants

Authenticity and Diversity: Enhancing Australian Hepatitis C Prevention Messages

Despite two decades of prevention activities and education, rates of hepatitis C infection remain high among people who inject drugs. In this article we draw on the findings of an extensive review of the content of print hepatitis C prevention materials circulating in Australia, examining these data in light of Petraglia’s (2009) theory of “authenticity” in social marketing. We identify three main areas in which resources could be redesigned: closer attention to language and terminology, a critical engagement with common concepts of the individual, and more acknowledgement of the role of social and structural factors in shaping injecting practice. To achieve a stronger sense of authenticity, and in turn become more equitable and efficient, future resources could address these issues using insights from social marketing literature

Developing a cultural competence assessment tool for people in recovery from racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds: the journey, challenges and lessons learned.

In 1997, Maryland implemented a new managed care mental health system. Consumer satisfaction, evaluation and cultural competency were considered high priorities for the new system. While standardized tools for measuring consumer satisfaction were readily available, no validated, reliable and standardized tool existed to measure the perception of people from minority groups receiving mental health services. The MHA*/MHP* Cultural Competency Advisory Group (CCAG) accepted the challenge of developing a consumer assessment tool for cultural competency. The CCAG, composed of people in recovery, clinicians and administrators used their collective knowledge and experiences to develop a 52-item tool that met standards for validity and reliability. Consultation from a researcher helped to further develop the tool into one possessing tremendous potential for statewide implementation within Maryland's Public Mental Health System. Recognizing the limitations of the study and the need for further research, this instrument is a work in progress. Strategies to improve the instrument are currently underway with the Mental Hygiene Administration's Systems Evaluation Center of the University of Maryland and several national researchers