Roma Education in Serbia: The Implications of Prejudice and Ethnic Conflict and the Potential for Change

Cultural, religious and ethnic divisions are nothing new to the Slavic people of the southwest Balkans. The region once known as Yugoslavia has experienced periods of assimilation and peaceful coexistence as well as ethnic hatred and aggression. In recent years, the majority of this has been concentrated inside Serbia, the nucleus of the former Yugoslavia. While it may appear that Serbia has overcome the ethnic hatred that has plagued its social and political culture, there continues to be ethnic discrimination in both the social sphere and government institutions. This prejudice is most evident in the relationship between the Serbian majority population and the minorities living within Serbia. This paper aims to illuminate several angles, and varying perspectives, of the situation of ethnic hatred that exists as an oppressive force against the Roma minority in Serbia in the education system. While the Serbian government has developed initiatives with the supposed goal of creating equality within the education system, the initiatives have failed because they have been developed in an atmosphere of extreme nationalism and ethnic discrimination. This type of attitude, which pervades much of the country, is considerably detrimental to the advancement of education within Roma’s population. In turn, it can be assumed rather easily that the lack of education corresponds with the Roma people’s lowly status within Serbia. Although some of the most recent developments in the education system have the potential to benefit the Roma minority, the Serbian government has a blatant neglect for their plight, however muffled and unrepresented their voice may be

Where Do I Go from Here?: A Handbook for New Believers

Salvation is only the first step in a new Christian\u27s life journey. What comes next? Dave Branon\u27s user-friendly guidebook helps new Christians feel welcome and useful in God\u27s family, and helps them grow in their new found faith.https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/alum_books/1236/thumbnail.jp

STEMs on the Ground: A Graduate Teaching Fellows Case Study of Science Communication in Implementation

poster abstractGK-12 provides funding for graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines to bring their research practice and findings into K-12 learning settings, and in particular, allows them to gain the skills to communicate STEM subjects to non-technical audiences. Through collaborations with other graduate Fellows and faculty from STEM disciplines, and teachers and students in K-12 environments, Fellows can gain a deeper understanding of their own research and place it within a societal and global context. As part of our evaluation of the GK-12 initiative, the Center for Urban and Multicultural Education has taken a multi-method approach to assessing Fellows’ science communication and its development over time. Our evaluation includes the utilization of a new, novel survey approach to assessing communication skills (Baram-Tsabari & Lewenstein, 2012), such as having Fellows’ identify science concepts that should be defined when speaking with (or writing for) a nontechnical audience via the communication skills survey, and quantifying jargon use in descriptions of scientific phenomena. Other methods applied to assess Fellows’ science communication skills include classroom observations, interviews with Fellows’ advisors, and focus groups with classroom partner teachers. Pre-test survey results show that prior to their participation in GK-12, the vast majority of Fellows (81.8%) have never received any training in communicating science to non-specialist audiences. Pre-tests measuring Fellow’s ability to describe their own research in a nontechnical manner suggested that GK-12 Fellows had much room for improvement in terms of communicating their research to the general public. We anticipate the findings of this study will provide insight into the potential for graduate training to incorporate communication, teaching, and presentation skills that will enhance STEM scientists’ communication – thus providing for a more useful dialogue with the general public and the potential for a more informed citizenry

Shifting Perspectives: A Travelling, Interactive Installation Educating Youth

If I were to ask a group of people to explain what countries make up the Middle East, they likely wouldn’t be able to list more than a few. Despite the internet, technology, and social media being within reach, it is still common to see generalizations about groups of people, their origins, and the boundaries of those origins. This leads me to wonder why. Is this an issue within our educational system? Is this due to lack of accessible information? Or maybe information isn’t presented in a way that is easily understood and digested? An abundance of information remains just that. Useless until it is transformed into curiosity, awareness, and empathetic understanding. This leads me to my next question - How can educational environments begin to expand and shape people’s perspectives? This thesis aims to explore three areas of research including K-5 education, installation design, and Middle Eastern studies. Firstly, by focusing on K-5 education, it exposes children to knowledge they otherwise don’t get in school. For many students, the end of the school day is the end of time spent intentionally learning. Students only spend around 20% of their waking hours in a classroom. How students spend their time outside of a classroom has a significant impact on their learning and knowledge. Children are the seeds of our future, so expanding their world view both inside and outside of school is essential for their growth. Secondly, the installation design will optimize assembly and disassembly to allow full mobility and transportability. The temporary nature to the installation allows it to reach varying communities including urban, suburban and rural areas within the US. By not being constrained to a particular site, this installation will reach communities that otherwise don’t have the opportunity or access to this information. Lastly, the content within the installation being discussed is Middle Eastern studies. Why you may ask? The existence of the Arab American population in the US is not celebrated, let alone acknowledged. I mean this quite literally – we don’t have a Middle Eastern and North African category option in the US census. This lack of visibility over an entire community can be highlighted through architecture. Interactive aspects within the installation will illuminate this group that has been pushed to the outskirts of US history. By using architecture as a tool through an interactive, travelling, and educational installation, this thesis will result in exposure and illumination of the Arab American community in the United States. This thesis advocates for understanding. It aims for anyone who experiences the installation to leave with new knowledge and a broader understanding

Stand Firm: 48 Life-Guides from Philippians

The book of Philippians may be 2,000 years old, but throughout its pages Paul gives us clues about living that are just as valid for us today as they were for the believers in the ancient city of Philippi. “We need to hear from a guy who was beaten, jailed, shipwrecked, threatened, and mistreated due to his allegiance to Jesus as he tells us how to stand firm and experience peace,” says author Dave Branon.Digging into the meaning and teaching of Paul’s letter, Stand Firm Provides easy-to-read and engaging narrative Challenges Christians to secure their faith and experience God’s peace Includes questions for personal reflection and discussion Featuring 48 life lessons written in a down-to-earth style, this creative commentary-and-devotional combination brings clarity to Scripture and challenges us to be grounded in Christ no matter what happens in life. Perfect for individual or small group study.https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/alum_books/1398/thumbnail.jp

Beyond the Valley: Finding Hope in Life\u27s Losses

Where is God when the bottom drops out? The easy answers may be true enough, but when loss and sorrow come our way, when the pain goes deeper than we ever thought possible, its hard to find comfort in the thought of a loving God. Yet there is a light beyond the darkness, and hope for hopelessly broken hearts to find peace. Dave Branon knows. When his 17-year-old daughter, Melissa, died in a car crash, Dave found himself on a journey through a wasteland of grief. Out of his struggles emerged insights into the Scriptures that brought him through and strengthened his walk with God. In Beyond the Valley, Branon shares frank, practical devotions for those who suffer. If you or someone you know wrestles with one of life\u27s inevitable losses, this book is for you. Including questions for personal reflection, Beyond the Valley points the way to healing for life\u27s deep wounds, and renewed confidence in Gods love for you.https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/alum_books/1243/thumbnail.jp

“Relación de los medios de comunicación con el embarazo adolescente. Hospital MINSA II-2 Tarapoto, periodo Julio – Noviembre 2016”

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la relación de los medios de comunicación con el embarazo adolescente, Hospital MINSA II- 2 Tarapoto, periodo Julio-Noviembre 2016, estudio no experimental, cuantitativo, descriptivo, correlacional, de corte transversal cuya muestra estuvo conformada por 300 adolescentes gestantes y no gestantes; como técnica se utilizó la encuesta y como instrumento el cuestionario. Los resultados fueron: El 55% de las adolescentes gestantes y no gestantes oscilan entre 14 a 18 años de edad, el 45,4% tienen nivel secundaria incompleta; el internet en un 37% y las redes sociales con el 30,3%, son los más usados; el 64,6% ven televisión 3 horas diarias, el 68,8% escuchan 4 horas la radio, el 44,1% usan de 3 horas al día el internet y el 70,3% y 8,8% (79,1%) usan 3 y 4 al horas las redes sociales; el 37% indicó que los programas de entretenimiento y un 6,7% programas para adultos, son de su mayor agrado; el 66% opina que ocasionalmente los medios de comunicación transmiten contenidos sexuales; el 66,7% usan el Facebook, seguido de un 22% el Whats App; el fin de uso, un 42,3% es hacer amigos; el internet (p=0,001) y la radio (p=0,009) tienen una relación estadísticamente significativa con el embarazo adolescente. En conclusión: existe relación significativa al 5% de los medios de comunicación con el embarazo adolescente, es decir, a mayor consumo de éstos, inicio temprano del acto sexual y mayor posibilidad de embarazo adolescente. Palabras Claves: medios de comunicación, embarazo adolescente.The following study main objetive was to determine the relationship of communication media with adolescent pregnancy, Tarapot MINSA II-2 Hospital, period July-November 2016; this was a non-experimental, quantitative, descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study with a simple of 300 pregnant and non-pregnant teenagers. As a technique the survey was used and as a questonnaire instrument. The result were 55% of pregnant and non-pregnant teenagers the ages of 14 to 18 years old, 45.4% had incomplete secondary education; The Internet in 37% and social networks with 30.3%, are the most used; 64.6% watch televisión 3 hours a day, 68.8% listen to radio 4 hours, 44.1% use the internet 3 hours a day and 70.3% and 8.8% (79.1%) use social networks for along 3 and 4 hours; 37% indicated that entertainment programs and 6.7% adult programs are to their preferences; 66% believe that media communication occasionally transmit sexual content; 66.7% use Facebook, followed by a 22% Whats App; the end of use; 42.3% is to make friends; The internet (p=0.001) and radio (p=0.009) have a statistically significant relationship with teenager pregnancy. In conclusión, there is a significant relationship to 5% of the media with teenager pregnancy, that is tos ay, to higher consumption of these, early onset of sexual intercourse and greater possiblility of adolescent pregnancy. Keywords: media, teenage pregnancy.Tesi

Thinking and Acting at Scale for Internal University Services

Chapter of the following book: Moving Horizontally: The New Dimensions of At-Scale Learning at the Time of COVID-19, edited by Yakut Gazi and Nelson BakerIt is too early to understand the total impact of COVID-19 on higher education. For many institutions in the United States, the pandemic meant an almost immediate move to remote instruction, using online delivery at a scale previously considered impossible. Online learning is no longer new, but many psychological and cultural barriers to adoption have fallen as the mode became a necessity to survive. Universities have always served as mechanisms to scale education. As societal needs shift, our concept of scale must shift once again. Online learning has created an opportunity to rethink universities and position all aspects of our work so that educational equity can be increased. To be successful, we must consider scale beyond courses and degrees

Sports Devotional Bible: New International Version

Get in Great Spiritual Shape - Quotes from famous athletes - One year of faith-building devotions - #1 best-selling Bible translation Sports Stories That Take You to the Heart of God\u27s Story No wonder the Bible uses sports to illustrate its principles---the sports world is filled with stunning, powerful metaphors for Biblical truths! The Sports Devotional Bible will open your eyes to the spiritual lessons contained in the sports you love. From the stamina and speed of Olympic racing, to the raw combat of pro football, to the beauty and grace of figure skating, this Bible brings God\u27s Word to life with dramatic insights from the lives of professional athletes, coaches, and announcers. Drawing from Sports Spectrum magazine\u27s vast storehouse of information on Christian athletes, editor Dave Branon presents a devotional best-of-the-best from the exploits and testimonies of popular sports figures. The Sports Devotional Bible includes: A year\u27s-worth of daily insights and weekend readings designed to drive home the lessons of Scripture with inspiring stories from all corners of the world of sports Special feature articles showing how virtues such as character, trust, perspective, discipline, and faith make both great athletes and strong Christians \u27Time Out\u27 articles that illustrate Biblical principles or explain verses \u27Power Verses\u27 listing athletes\u27 favorite verses \u27Power Verse Plus\u27 featuring thoughts from famous athletes on passages of Scripture Full-color inserts with photos and biographies of sports stars Book introductions, topical index, and reading plans . . . and more! The riveting stories of hundreds of great Christian athletes and sports figures unlock the Bible\u27s teachings on faith in God and life on earth. It\u27s easy to see how athletes can get down and depressed. They live with failure every day. Take for example the troubles that plagued professional golfer Jackie Gallagher-Smith in 1997. She had worked hard in 1996 to get her Tour card, which would have enabled her to compete on the LPGA Tour in 1997. She finished 13th in qualifying school, which was good enough to put her on the Tour in 1997. So what happened to her when the 1997 season opened? While playing the first hole of the first event of the season, she tried to extricate her ball from a bunker. Her club head slammed into the lip of the bunker, and she injured her hand. As a Christian, she had a choice. She could get angry at God, blame him for her troubles and sink into despair. Or she could continue to lean on him---which is what she did. Later, she told a Sports Spectrum magazine writer about that decision, saying, \u27God builds your character through troubled times, and he wants you to draw closer to him when you have difficulties. People tend to push God away because they think he doesn\u27t care, but those are the times God really wants you to cling to him.\u27 With Jackie\u27s story in mind, let\u27s look back at the difficulties the psalmist faced in Psalm 88: \u27My soul is full of trouble.\u27 (verse 3) \u27My life draws near the grave.\u27 (verse 3) \u27I am like a [person] without strength.\u27 (verse 4) \u27You have taken from me my closest friends.\u27 (verse 8) It seems that, like Jackie, the psalmist faced what seemed to be unfair circumstances. And although there is a continuing sadness in the psalmist\u27s story of affliction, there is an important similarity to Jackie\u27s story. Both continued to lean on God and depend on him. Jackie talked about clinging to God, and the psalmist, by his writing, shows that he was continuing to pray to God. He knew that cutting off communication with God while in a crisis was disastrous, and he continued to hold on to the only one who could see him through.---From the \u27Weekend: Extra Points\u27 for Psalm 88 Includes full-color inserts featuring Michelle Akers on Troubles/Trials (Romans 8:28) Jean Driscoll on Life at Its Fullest (2 Corinthians 1:8--9) Dave Szott on Fatherhood (Psalms 127, 128) Frank Tanana on Salvation (John 3) Wendy Ward on Joy (Psalm 81:1) Kurt Warner on Giving (2 Corinthians 8:14--15) Danny Wuerffel on Prayer (Matthew 6:9--13) Plus: Leah Amico, Rico Brogna, Bobby Clampett, Josh Davis, Sal Fasano, LaVonna Martin-Floreal, Chris Godfrey, Tracy Hanson, Kedra Holland-Corn, Ken Hutcherson, Scott Mendes, Mike Moye, Frank Pastore, Frank Reich, Jay Riemersma, Bobby Richardson, Charlotte Smithhttps://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/alum_books/1052/thumbnail.jp

Undefeated: Catching Inspiration and Hope Thrown by Athletes of Integrity

Curt Schilling. Laura Wilkinson. Shaun Alexander. These athletes have something in common, but what is it? They’ve all excelled at their sport -- gone above and beyond what many of their peer competitors have done -- but their goal to be number one is not the only thing tying these athletes together. They all believe that God is the reason for their success, and they’re not shy about admitting it. Many sports figures today are too concerned with being on top -- no matter what it takes to get there. Drug abuse, inappropriate behavior, and greed run rampant in the world of sports. It takes a lot of faith to stand strong in a world where you’re criticized for doing the right thing. Dave Branon acknowledges dozens of sports figures who know they’re not in this world alone. Each of these athletes has made a firm decision to stand for what is right in a world gone wrong - they really are the undefeated ones.https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/alum_books/1242/thumbnail.jp