Blended learning environments to foster self-directed learning

This book on blended learning environments to foster self-directed learning highlights the focus on research conducted in several teaching and learning contexts where blended learning had been implemented and focused on the fostering of self-directed learning. Several authors have contributed to the book, and each chapter provides a unique perspective on blended learning and self-directed learning research. From each chapter, it becomes evident that coherence on the topics mentioned is established. One of the main aspects drawn in this book, and addressed by several authors in the book, is the use of the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework when implementing teaching and learning strategies in blended learning environments to foster self-directed learning. This notion of focusing on the CoI framework is particularly evident in both theoretical and empirical dissemination presented in this book. What makes this book unique is the fact that researchers and peers in varied fields would benefit from the findings presented by each chapter, albeit theoretical, methodological or empirical in nature – this, in turn, provides opportunities for future research endeavours to further the narrative of how blended learning environments can be used to foster self-directed learning

Blended learning environments to foster self-directed learning

This book on blended learning environments to foster self-directed learning highlights the focus on research conducted in several teaching and learning contexts where blended learning had been implemented and focused on the fostering of self-directed learning. Several authors have contributed to the book, and each chapter provides a unique perspective on blended learning and self-directed learning research. From each chapter, it becomes evident that coherence on the topics mentioned is established. One of the main aspects drawn in this book, and addressed by several authors in the book, is the use of the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework when implementing teaching and learning strategies in blended learning environments to foster self-directed learning. This notion of focusing on the CoI framework is particularly evident in both theoretical and empirical dissemination presented in this book. What makes this book unique is the fact that researchers and peers in varied fields would benefit from the findings presented by each chapter, albeit theoretical, methodological or empirical in nature – this, in turn, provides opportunities for future research endeavours to further the narrative of how blended learning environments can be used to foster self-directed learning

The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure

The organization of a state highway department for the state of Texas

Thesis (Civil Engineer)--University of Illinois, 1916.Typescript.Includes bibliographical references

Design of a gravity railroad switching yard

Thesis (B.S.)--University of Illinois, 1908.Typescript

Exploring changes in non-organised physical activity participation from childhood to adolescence: an interdisciplinary approach

Background Physical activity (PA) participation among youth tends to decline with age. Information about longitudinal changes in domains of PA may provide a more nuanced understanding of how this decline occurs, which may lead to more specific behavioural targets for intervention. The overall aim of this thesis was to explore changes in PA domains during the transition from childhood to adolescence and the factors that may influence those changes, with a particular focus on non-organised PA. Non-organised PA includes unstructured and freely-chosen activities that occur for their own sake (e.g. active playground games or informal sports). Methods A mixed-method sequential explanatory research design was adopted. Firstly, a systematic literature review investigated longitudinal trends in organised PA, non-organised PA, active transport and active chores/work during childhood and adolescence. Following this, a quantitative research phase used national data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). Domain-specific PA participation was measured at 11y (2010), 13y (2012) and 15y (2014) using a 24-hour time-use diary. Analyses included multilevel mixed-effects models, regression models, and two-stage cluster analysis. Finally, a qualitative research phase was conducted with young adults (18-22y) who reported withdrawing from non-organised PA and overall PA between 11y and 15y. Interview participants were recruited from undergraduate/vocational classes and churches in the Illawarra region, Australia. Recruitment was stratified by sex and socioeconomic status to promote diversity of voices. Data analysis was supported by concept and pattern coding. Results The systematic review included 23 studies which cumulatively reported data from 27,231 participants. Few studies had a low risk of bias (n=6). Only two studies had reported data for non-organised PA in the transition from childhood to adolescence, and the overall synthesis of these studies was inconclusive. The quantitative phase revealed a large quadratic decline in non-organised PA between 11y, 13y and 15y (-48 min/d, p\u3c0.001) and this was similar to the decline in overall PA (n=4,108). Participation in other domains of PA either increased slightly or remained stable between 11y and 15y. Non-organised PA at 13y was positively predicted by PA enjoyment (OR=1.36, p=0.007) and number of siblings (OR=1.11, p\u3c0.001), and negatively predicted by sex (females) (OR=0.66, p\u3c0.001) and home computer use at 11y (OR=0.98, p=0.002) (n=3,193). Non-organised PA was more likely to decline between 11y and 13y among those from low socioeconomic backgrounds (OR=0.92, p=0.047) and those who consumed more sugary drinks at 11y (OR=1.06, p=0.033). Finally, two segments were identified among youth who reduced their non-organised PA between 11y and 13y (κ = 0.66, n=1,043). The ‘Social Screens’ segment (n=143) had large increases in texting, emailing, social media use (+56 min/day, p\u3c0.001) and other internet use (+32 min/day, p\u3c0.001) between 11y and 13y. Conversely, ‘the Mainstream’ segment (n=900) had smaller increases in a wider range of activities and were more likely to participate in PA. In the qualitative phase (n=22), themes included adult modelling/influence, concern about being childish, puberty, identity, adult choices and responsibilities, and changing life circumstances. Barriers to non-organised PA included peer judgement and rejection. Enablers of non-organised PA included safe people and places, accessible games and, for girls, having an identity that supported challenging gender norms. Discussion The domain of non-organised PA has been scarcely investigated among adolescents, and this thesis fills several research gaps. This thesis includes the first simultaneous longitudinal exploration of four domains of PA (organised PA, non-organised PA, active transport, active chores/work) between childhood and adolescence. Other research gaps that have been filled include testing a number of potential predictors of non-organised PA that had not been explored in this context before; identifying segments of youth based on longitudinal changes in activities that may compete with non-organised PA; and exploring age-related norms connected with nonorganised PA during adolescence. The findings of this thesis may guide social marketing strategies to promote nonorganised PA in the transition from childhood to adolescence in Australia. Future studies may seek to explore and develop potential intervention strategies to promote non-organised PA in this context. Particular intervention approaches may include ‘reframing’ childhood play activities for adolescent audiences and developing ‘identity congruent’ types of PA. These strategies may be targeted at particular population groups such as girls, adolescents without siblings or those with higher computer usage. Such approaches may support youth to participate in intrinsically enjoyable and motivating types of PA

\u27Social screens\u27 and \u27the mainstream\u27: longitudinal competitors of non-organized physical activity in the transition from childhood to adolescence

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) tends to decline during late childhood and adolescence. In Australia, this decline has been shown to occur particularly in non-organized PA (e.g. active play and informal sport). Using a social marketing approach, segments of youth may be identified and targeted based on their profile of alternative activities that compete with non-organized PA during the transition to adolescence. The objectives of this study were to identify and describe segments of youth whose participation in non-organized PA declined between 11 and 13 years, based on changes in other potential competing activities during this period. METHODS: Data were sourced from Waves 4 and 5 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Participation in non-organized PA and thirteen alternative activities (e.g. video games, homework, sleep) were measured using 24-h time-use diaries. Analyses were limited to participants whose non-organized PA had declined between 11 and 13 years (n = 1043). Two-stage cluster analysis was conducted and segments were described using chi-square and t-tests. RESULTS: Among the analytic sample, average non-organized PA participation declined by 87 min/day between 11y and 13y (p \u3c 0.001). Two segments were identified (κ = 0.66). The \u27Social Screens\u27 segment (n = 143) had large increases in texting, emailing and social media use (+ 56 min/day, p \u3c 0.001) and other internet use (+ 32 min/day, p \u3c 0.001). Conversely, \u27the Mainstream\u27 segment (n = 900) had smaller increases in a wider range of activities, including other PA (organized PA, active transport, active chores/work) (+ 16.0 min/day, p \u3c 0.001), homework/study (+ 9.5 min/day, p \u3c 0.001) and electronic gaming (+ 6.7 min/day, p \u3c 0.05). \u27Social Screens\u27 were more likely to attend public school, live in urban areas and have more advanced pubertal development (girls only). \u27The Mainstream\u27 were more likely to participate in PA and out-of-school activities. CONCLUSIONS: The \u27Social Screens\u27 segment had a much larger increase in texting, emailing, social media and other internet use, and lower participation in overall PA and out-of-school activities, compared with \u27the Mainstream\u27. Future research may trial PA promotion strategies to replace benefits that this segment may seek in competing activities (e.g. social PA apps)

Participation in domains of physical activity among australian youth during the transition from childhood to adolescence: A longitudinal study

Background: Information about the domains of physical activity (PA) that are most prone to decline between late childhood (11 y), early adolescence (13 y), and mid-adolescence (15 y) may support more targeted health promotion strategies. This study explored longitudinal trends in nonorganized PA, organized PA, active transport and active chores/work between childhood and adolescence, and potential sociodemographic moderators of changes. Methods: Data were sourced from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (n = 4108). Participation in PA domains was extracted from youth time-use diaries. Potential moderators were sex, Indigenous status, language spoken at home, socioeconomic position, and geographical remoteness. Results: A large quadratic decline in nonorganized PA (-48 min/d, P \u3c .001) was moderated by sex (β = 5.55, P = .047) and home language (β = 8.55, P = .047), with girls (-39 min/d) and those from a non-English speaking background (-46 min/d) declining more between 11 and 13 years. Active chores/work increased between 11 and 13 years (+4 min/d, P \u3c .001) and then stabilized. Active transport increased among boys between 11 and 13 years (+6 min/d, P \u3c .001) and then declined between 13 and 15 years (-4 min/d, P \u3c .001). Organized PA remained stable. Conclusions: The longitudinal decline in PA participation may be lessened by targeting nonorganized PA between childhood and adolescence. Future interventions may target girls or those from non-English speaking backgrounds during this transition

Sports participation, health behaviours, and body fat during childhood and early adolescence: a multiple mediation

Objectives: The aim of this study was to simultaneously explore multiple pathways through which sports participation during childhood and adolescence may be associated with adiposity over time. Design: Data were drawn from the Kindergarten cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. A total of 4286 children provided sports participation data at age 10 years and were followed up 24 and 48 months later. Method: Time spent in organised sports at age 10 years and time spent in physical activity at age 12 years were measured via parental-reported time-use diary. Dietary behaviours were self-reported at age 12 years. Screen time was parent-reported. Body fat was measured at age 14 using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Two parallel multiple mediation models were tested to examine the longitudinal associations between sport participation at age 10 and body fat at age 14 via the mediating variables of physical activity, screen time, and dietary behaviours. One model was run for all participants, and a second model was run only for those participants who reported participating in organised sports. Results: There were no significant indirect relationships between sports participation and body fat via any of the mediating variables in the total sample, or among sport participants. Conclusions: There is a dearth of evidence to support substantial rhetoric and policy to promote organised sports programs as public health initiatives in their current form during childhood and adolescence. Better quality evidence is needed, however, modifications to sport programs may be necessary to elucidate meaningful benefits for adiposity