French Immersion: Are We Getting our Just Desserts?

In this paper, I will not focus my comments on the relative merit of the various potential entry points into French Immersion. Rather, I will discuss some of the benefits of bilingualism and explain my thinking about matters I believe to be equity issues in French Immersion. My perspective is that of a mother attempting to make informed decisions about her children’s schooling options. While I raise some pointed questions, I do so with humility as I am only beginning to familiarize myself with the related literature.Dans cet article, plutôt que de me pencher sur les mérites respectifs des différents niveaux d’entrée possibles dans les programmes d’immersion française, je vais discuter des points forts du bilinguisme et expliquer mon point de vue sur ce qui m’apparaît être une question d’équité dans ces programmes. J’adopte la perspective d’une mère qui tente de prendre des décisions éclairées touchant les options éducatives qui s’offrent à ses enfants. Bien que les questions soulevées soient très pointues, je les aborde avec l’humilité qui sied à une personne qui en est à la phase de familiarisation avec les travaux disponibles

Experiences of Newcomers to Fransaskois Schools: Opportunities for community collaboration

Recently, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of Francophone immigrants to Anglo-dominant provinces in Canada. This paper presents results of an appreciative inquiry-based study into the experiences of newcomers to one Francophone community in a linguistic minority context (Saskatchewan). Transcripts of interviews with twenty-seven participants were analysed to identify potential barriers to inclusion in the Francophone school community. Recommendations are offered as to how culturally reciprocal collaboration and mentoring may be used to address identified challenges.Il y a eu récemment une augmentation sans précédent du nombre d’immigrants francophones dans les provinces à prédominance anglophone au Canada. Cet article présente les résultats d’une étude par investigation appréciative auprès de nouveaux-venus au sein d’une communauté francophone dans un contexte de minorité linguistique (Saskatchewan). Les comptes-rendus de vignt-sept participants ont été analysés afin d’identifier les obstacles potentiels à leur inclusion dans la communauté scolaire francophone. Des recommandations sont formulées, expliquant de quelle manière la collaboration mutuelle entre les cultures et le mentorat peuvent aider à résoudre les problématiques identifiées

Defining Excellence in Graduate Studies

This article provides an analysis of definitions of excellence in graduate study provided by Master’s degree and doctoral candidates, identified by their department as “excellent,” and by chairs of graduate programs (n = 43) at two western Canadian universities. Faculty members’ definitions tended to focus primarily on external markers of success rather than on personal characteristics of graduate students. Both graduate faculty respondents (n = 20) and graduate student interview participants (n = 23) mentioned the importance of visibility in the department and the community. The graduate student participants made infrequent mention of external indicators, such as grades and ability to garner funding, and attributed their identification as excellent to their own actions and internal attributes. External factors frequently mentioned by graduate students were the cutting edge nature of their research and the importance of the supervisory relationship. Further exploration is needed to develop a working definition of “excellence” in graduate study and explore the factors involved in its attainment. This paper offers a rudimentary framework for how excellence in graduate study is currently defined, makes preliminary recommendations, and discusses possible directions for future research into excellence in graduate studies

An Autoethnographic Reflection from Two Black Women Ph.D.’s and Their White Woman Advisor on the Use and Impact of Sista Circle Methodology in the Dissertation Process

Black Women doctoral students experience the journey as “outsiders within” (Collins, 1986), navigating how to excel and thrive while being on the margins (hooks, 1991). The authors of this manuscript reflect upon the impact of adopting a culturally relevant methodology and method, integrating various forms of Black Women’s art, and challenging tenets of traditional western research. An auto-ethnographic exercise illuminated the critical need for Nathan and Love to insert their Black Womanhood into their dissertation research process using Sista Circle Methodology, an active decision to decolonize research. Carlson provided a critical link to ensuring Nathan and Love graduated and provides her reflective learning about the methodology, methods, and advising Black Women using a Black Feminist lens

Relational Theory and Intergenerational Connectedness: A Qualitative Study

Relational theory encourages women to be connected in relationships. The authors used qualitative methodology to explore the interactions of a nonfamilial intergenerational group of 7 female adolescents (13-15 years) and 5 older women (62-80 years) in a structured retreat. Findings indicated that the participants experienced increased connectivity and feminine identity. © 2010 by the American Counseling Association. All rights reserved

ISway: a sensitive, valid and reliable measure of postural control

BACKGROUND: Clinicians need a practical, objective test of postural control that is sensitive to mild neurological disease, shows experimental and clinical validity, and has good test-retest reliability. We developed an instrumented test of postural sway (ISway) using a body-worn accelerometer to offer an objective and practical measure of postural control. METHODS: We conducted two separate studies with two groups of subjects. Study I: sensitivity and experimental concurrent validity. Thirteen subjects with early, untreated Parkinson’s disease (PD) and 12 age-matched control subjects (CTR) were tested in the laboratory, to compare sway from force-plate COP and inertial sensors. Study II: test-retest reliability and clinical concurrent validity. A different set of 17 early-to-moderate, treated PD (tested ON medication), and 17 age-matched CTR subjects were tested in the clinic to compare clinical balance tests with sway from inertial sensors. For reliability, the sensor was removed, subjects rested for 30 min, and the protocol was repeated. Thirteen sway measures (7 time-domain, 5 frequency-domain measures, and JERK) were computed from the 2D time series acceleration (ACC) data to determine the best metrics for a clinical balance test. RESULTS: Both center of pressure (COP) and ACC measures differentiated sway between CTR and untreated PD. JERK and time-domain measures showed the best test-retest reliability (JERK ICC was 0.86 in PD and 0.87 in CTR; time-domain measures ICC ranged from 0.55 to 0.84 in PD and from 0.60 to 0.89 in CTR). JERK, all but one time-domain measure, and one frequency measure were significantly correlated with the clinical postural stability score (r ranged from 0.50 to 0.63, 0.01 < p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we recommend a subset of the most sensitive, reliable, and valid ISway measures to characterize posture control in PD: 1) JERK, 2) RMS amplitude and mean velocity from the time-domain measures, and 3) centroidal frequency as the best frequency measure, as valid and reliable measures of balance control from ISway

Setting the Future of Digital and Social Media Marketing Research: Perspectives and Research Propositions

in pressThe use of the internet and social media have changed consumer behavior and the ways in which companies conduct their business. Social and digital marketing offers significant opportunities to organizations through lower costs, improved brand awareness and increased sales. However, significant challenges exist from negative electronic word-of-mouth as well as intrusive and irritating online brand presence. This article brings together the collective insight from several leading experts on issues relating to digital and social media marketing. The experts' perspectives offer a detailed narrative on key aspects of this important topic as well as perspectives on more specific issues including artificial intelligence, augmented reality marketing, digital content management, mobile marketing and advertising, B2B marketing, electronic word of mouth and ethical issues therein. This research offers a significant and timely contribution to both researchers and practitioners in the form of challenges and opportunities where we highlight the limitations within the current research, outline the research gaps and develop the questions and propositions that can help advance knowledge within the domain of digital and social marketing.Peer reviewe