Language Learners as Digital Bricoleurs: Exploring Independent Learning in Individual Digital Ecologies

Though there is a wealth of digital resources available for independent computerassisted language learning, language teachers may find mixed success in supporting learners in using it. Teachers need to understand their learners and how educational information-communication technology and the target language are integrated in their lives. We present the concepts of digital ecology and digital bricolage. Building on a prior survey study on English learner technology use at a Korean college, this qualitative case study explores ways that four Korean college students integrated technology and English into their lives. Drawing on a priori and emergent themes from interviews, we explore students’ digital ecologies and their processes of digital bricolage. We found that types of technology use varied across these cases, suggesting the value of digital ecologies for thinking about student technology use. Further, variations of technology use across the cases suggest that learners draw selectively from their available digital ecologies based on their perceptions of what it means to learn English and their personal priorities. We propose a framework for understanding language learner digital bricolage based on formality and instrumentality. This framework is of value to researchers and teachers who want to support students in digitally mediated self-directed language learning

The digital ecologies of Korean college students: An exploration of digital self-directed learning

The wealth of readily available online digital English language learning resources presents vast opportunities for students to engage in self-directed language learning. The extent to which such resources are known to students, however, let alone how they are being utilized, typically remains largely unknown to teachers. In order to design a curriculum that maximizes student learning opportunities by guiding them towards online digital resources that afford self-directed learning, it is essential for teachers to first develop an intimate understanding of the students’ relationships with such resources. This may include awareness, patterns of use, and the variables that constrain them from using the resources more extensively. To accomplish this objective, the Self-Directed Digital Study Instrument (SDDSI) was developed and implemented to survey 197 Korean college students. While the results of this study are indicative of a reality in which digital resources are being underused, they also point towards an area of great potential for pedagogical change in Korean post-secondary English learning education. In contrast to the traditional pedagogical model, the results suggest that self-directed learning or even self-determined learning models, facilitated via various digital resources, can present students with opportunities for more deeply engaging, individualized, and self-directed approaches to language learning

Effect of Facial Encumbrance on Excimer Formation and Charge Resonance Stabilization in Model Bichromophoric Assemblies

Excimer formation and charge resonance stabilization in covalently linked bichromophoric systems with flexible spacers are important processes relevant to biochemistry and functional materials. Requiring a π-stacked cofacial arrangement of a pair of aromatic molecules at a van der Waals contact, the underlying geometrical reorganization that accompanies these events continues to be debated. Here we use a variety of methods including two-color resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy (2CR2PI), ion yield measurements, hole-burning spectroscopy (HB), and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) excitation and emission spectroscopy to compare the gas-phase spectroscopy and dynamics of the van der Waals dimers of fluorene, 9-methylfluorene (MF), and 9,9′-dimethylfluorene (F1). The goal of this work is to probe the influence of methyl substitution on the dynamics of excimer formation and charge resonance (CR) stabilization. The fluorene dimer, (F)2, displays lifetime broadened electronic spectra and the dominance of excimer emission, consistent with a rapid (picoseconds) formation of a π-stacked excimer upon electronic excitation. Ion yield measurements of (F)2 reveal a lowering of the ionization potential (IP) by some 0.38 eV relative to the monomer, reflecting significant CR stabilization. These trends are mirrored in the 9-methylfluorene dimer, (MF)2, as one face of the π-system remains open. In contrast, the electronic spectrum of the dimethyl-substituted dimer, (F1)2, shows narrow features representing a single band system, and analysis of the torsional structure in dispersed fluorescence spectra identifies this as emission from the locally excited state of a tilted (non-π-stacked) dimer, with no evidence of excimeric emission. The structure of this dimer reflects the increased importance of C–H/π interactions in the dimethyl-substituted system, as increased steric constraints block a cofacial approach. The IP of (F1)2 shows CR stabilization which is roughly 1/2 of that in π-stacked (F)2 dimer. Extensive theoretical calculations support these findings and show the importance of sandwich-type configurations for excitonic delocalization and CR stabilization

First Experimental Evidence for the Diverse Requirements of Excimer vs Hole Stabilization in π-Stacked Assemblies

Exciton formation and charge separation and transport are key dynamical events in a variety of functional polymeric materials and biological systems, including DNA. Beyond the necessary cofacial approach of a pair of aromatic molecules at van der Waals contact, the extent of overlap and necessary geometrical reorganization for optimal stabilization of an excimer vs dimer cation radical remain unresolved. Here, we compare experimentally the dynamics of excimer formation (via emission) and charge stabilization (via threshold ionization) of a novel covalently linked, cofacially stacked fluorene dimer (F2) with the unlinked van der Waals dimer of fluorene, that is, (F)2. Although the measured ionization potentials are identical, the excimeric state is stabilized by up to ∼30 kJ/mol in covalently linked F2. Supported by theory, this work demonstrates for the first time experimentally that optimal stabilization of an excimer requires a perfect sandwich-like geometry with maximal overlap, whereas hole stabilization in π-stacked aggregates is less geometrically restrictive

Cofacially Arrayed Polyfluorenes: Spontaneous Formation of π-Stacked Assemblies in the Gas Phase

Understanding geometrical and size dependencies of through-space charge delocalization in multichromophoric systems is critical to model electron transfer and transport in materials and biomolecules. In this work, we examine the size evolution of hole delocalization in van der Waals clusters of fluorene (i.e., (F)n), where a range of geometries are possible, reflecting both π-stacking and C–H/π interactions. Using mass-selected two-color resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy (2CR2PI), we measure electronic spectra and vertical ionization potentials (IPs) in the gas phase. Results are compared with model covalently linked assemblies (denoted Fn), exhibiting a sterically enforced cofacial (i.e., π-stacked) orientation of chromophores. For both systems, an inverse size dependence (i.e., 1/n) of IP vs cluster size is found. Surprisingly, the values for the two sets fall on the same line! This trend is examined via theory, which emphasizes the important role of π-stacking, and its geometrical dependencies, in the process of hole delocalization in multichromophoric assemblies

The chickpea book : a technical guide to chickpea production

The area of chickpea production in Australia has expanded rapidly in recent years especially in south-western Australia. This has been partly brought about by the keen interest of farmers and a concerted research effort and industry development by Agriculture Western Australia, The Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA) and other institutions, in partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation and other industry funding bodies. Private consultants, grain traders and other industry groups have also contributed to the expansion of the industry. Much of the local knowledge generated by these research and development projects has been published in various experimental summaries, Tech notes, Farm notes, magazine articles, \u27On the Pulse\u27 newsletters, conference and workshop proceedings, and scientific papers. This book collates much of this research and development in the one document, together with experience and knowledge from the eastern states and overseas. It is a comprehensive publication, much more than simply how to grow the crop in Western Australia. It describes much of the scientific data behind our recommendations and highlights the role of chickpea production in maximising whole farm profits.https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/bulletins/1212/thumbnail.jp

π-π stacking vs. C–H/π interaction: Excimer formation and charge resonance stabilization in van der Waals clusters of 9,9′-dimethylfluorene

Studies of exciton and hole stabilization in multichromophoric systems underpin our understanding of electron transfer and transport in materials and biomolecules. The simplest model systems are dimeric, and recently we compared the gas-phase spectroscopy and dynamics of van der Waals dimers of fluorene, 9-methylfluorene (MF), and 9,9′-dimethylfluorene (F1) to assess how sterically controlled facial encumbrance modulates the dynamics of excimer formation and charge resonance stabilization (CRS). Dimers of fluorene and MF show only excimer emission upon electronic excitation, and significant CRS as evidenced in a reduced ionization potential for the dimer relative the monomer. By contrast, the dimer of F1 shows no excimeric emission, rather structured emission from the locally excited state of a tilted (non π-stacked) dimer, evidencing the importance of C–H/π interactions and increased steric constraints that restrict a cofacial approach. In this work, we report our full results on van der Waals clusters of F1, using a combination of theory and experiments that include laser-induced fluorescence, mass-selected two-color resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy, and two-color appearance potential measurements. We use the latter to derive the binding energies of the F1 dimer in ground, excited, and cation radical states. Our results are compared with van der Waals and covalently linked clusters of fluorene to assess both the relative strength of π-stacking and C–H/π interactions in polyaromatic assemblies and the role of π-stacking in excimer formation and CRS

Comparison of Pitching from Flat Ground vs. 10-Inch Mound Regarding Elbow Varus Torque and Arm Speed

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of throwing surface and distance on varus elbow torque and arm speed. Methods: 11 male collegiate baseball pitchers (age = 20.73 ± 1.56 years, height = 175.26 ± 9.03 cm, mass = 70.31 ± 9.03 kg) participated in this study. Varus elbow torque and distance were measured using a 3D motion sensor housed in a spandex sleeve at the medial joint line of the elbow. Participants were instructed to complete their normal warmup routine as if they were about to pitch in a bullpen session or a game. Participants were then fitted with the sleeve and 3D motion sensor and then instructed to throw 5 maximum effort fastballs at both 60 feet 6 inches and 50 feet 6 inches from a 10-inch mound and 5 maximum effort fastballs at both 60 feet 6 inches and 50 feet 6 inches from flat ground. A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to analyze the differences in elbow varus torque and arm speed when pitching from 60 feet 6 inches and 50 feet 6 inches from a 10-inch mound and from flat ground. Tests of significance were carried out at an alpha level p \u3c 0.05. Results: Significant differences in elbow varus torque were found when throwing from a 10-inch mound compared to flat ground (10-inch mound = 46.99 ± 2.36, Flat ground = 42.67 ± 3.14). No significant differences in elbow varus torque were found when throwing from 60 feet 6 inches compared to 50 feet 6 inches regardless of surface (60 feet 6 inches = 45.38 ± 2.96, 50 feet 6 inches = 44.28 ± 2.59). No significant differences in arm speed were found regardless of surface or distance. Conclusions: Throwing from a 10-inch mound appears to place more torque on the elbow than throwing from flat ground. Clinicians should be mindful of this fact when progressing patients through throwing programs

Rural Or Underserved Practice Interest Among Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students. Do Clinical Education Experiences Change Opinions?

Background and Purpose: People living in rural and underserved areas are poorly served by our country\u27s healthcare system. The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy reports that approximately 18% of people in the United States live in rural areas. Within the physician and nursing literature the largest reported predictor of rural practice is having a rural background. Mandated rural medical rotations during training have been shown to positively alter interest in rural practice and employment. While nursing and medical students have been thus studied, limited evidence exists for physical therapists. The objective of this study was to determine how rural or underserved full time clinical education experiences completed by physical therapy students affect their interest in rural or underserved employment. Subjects: Students (64) were recruited from a single physical therapy program of which 51 responded. Among them, 14 participated in full-time rural clinical education experiences, 32 in underserved, and 5 in settings considered both rural and underserved. Methods: Pre- and post-full-time clinical education experience surveys, modified from the SOMERS Index of Rural Career Choice Likelihood, were administered online to the students within one week before and one week after their first rural or underserved clinical education experience. Surveys included questions on demographics, interest in practicing in rural, underserved, and urban locations following graduation, perceived barriers and benefits of practicing in these locations, and overall perception of the clinical education experience in which they participated. Results: Students who participated in rural or underserved full-time clinical education experiences had a statistically significant increase in interest for seeking rural employment (0-7 scale with higher scores indicating greater interest; rural pre-interest = 3.96 ± 1.60, rural post-interest = 4.41 ± 1.81, p = 0.012), and a positive trend was observed in seeking underserved employment (underserved pre-interest = 4.88 ± 1.26, post-interest = 5.16 ± 1.39, p = 0.07). Students with intent to complete a rural or underserved clinical education experience regardless of curriculum requirements reported significantly higher satisfaction (6.46 ± 0.64) compared to those without such intent (5.35 ± 2.17, p = 0.012). Upbringing in rural or underserved areas was not associated with interest in employment in these settings (Rural rs = 0.26, p = 0.07; Underserved rs = 0.11, p = 0.44). Interest in rural and underserved employment post-graduation was significantly associated with previous experience in that setting (Rural rs = 0.36, p = 0.009; Underserved rs = 0.38, p = 0.006). Discussion: Student interest in seeking rural or underserved employment was higher among students who participated in rural or underserved full time clinical education experiences. Student intention to participate in rural or underserved full time clinical education experiences and previous experience in a rural setting appear to be linked to higher student satisfaction with their clinical education experiences and future intention to work in rural settings respectively. This study illustrates the importance of clinical education experience satisfaction in the recruitment of physical therapists in rural and underserved practice. Data gathered from our study may help educational administrators, employers and healthcare organizations to make informed decisions regarding curricular design changes, recruitment, and retention of physical therapists to improve the availability of health services in rural and underserved areas in the state of Nevada