Missing Pieces in the Service Learning Puzzle

The increasing popularity in the schools for sponsoring service learning or community service reflects the grave concern that more has to be done to teach youth to participate in a democratic society. The declining voting turnout and the reported low involvement of adults in community groups are often cited as a need for the schools to counter the current apathy and cynicism about government and political leaders. Whether there really is a decline in civic involvement is open to question but the national debate on promoting civic education and social responsibility is reflected in state and local communities requiring students\u27 participation in community service

Application of the Method of Least Squares to a Solution of the Matched Field Localization Problem with a Single Hydrophone

The single hydrophone localization problem is considered. Single hydrophone localization is a special case of matched field localization where measurements from only one hydrophone are available. The time series of the pressure at the hydrophone is compared with predicted times series calculated using an ocean acoustic propagation model for many different source locations. The source location that gives the best match between the predicted time series and the measurement is assumed to be the correct source location. Single hydrophone localization algorithms from the literature are reviewed and a new algorithm is introduced. The new algorithm does not require knowledge of the source signal and does not assume the use of a particular ocean acoustic model, unlike some algorithms in the literature. Source location estimates calculated from the new algorithm are compared with ground truth using simulated ocean acoustic measurements and experimental measurements. Source location estimates calculated using other algorithms from the literature are shown for comparison. The simulated measurements use three source signals with bandwidths of 10 Hz, 100 Hz, and 200 Hz and the ocean is modeled as a Pekeris waveguide. The new algorithm estimates the source location accurately for all three source signals when several of the localization algorithms from the literature give inaccurate estimates. Gaussian white noise signals are added to the measured signals to test the impact of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on the algorithm. Four signal-to-noise ratios of 60 dB, 40 dB, 20 dB, and 0 dB are used. The new algorithm gives accurate source location estimates down to an SNR of 20 dB for two of the source signal bandwidths. Source location estimates using other algorithms from the literature break down at either 20 dB or 0 dB. Source location estimates are calculated using two hydrophone measurements taken at different depths in an experiment conducted near the Bahamas. The new algorithm accurately estimates the source location in both cases. In one case, only two other localization algorithms from the literature locate the source accurately. In the other case, only one other localization algorithm succeeds

Is service learning a good idea? Data from the National Longitudinal Study of 1988.

Service learning is an integral part of social studies that aims to instill social responsibility among students. According to the National Longitudinal Study of 1988, a significant percentage of high school students participated in community work during the previous two years and that this involvement in community service was greatest in church or church-related groups. However, the survey showed that students favor diversity in their choice of community work and that social action is not their top priority. Furthennore, there is confusion about the difference between service and community learning

Yes we can! Improving medical screening for intimate partner violence through self-efficacy

BACKGROUND: Because individual practitioner's commitment to routine screening for IPV is the greatest predictor that women will be screened and referred for services, it is vital that screeners are dedicated, knowledgeable, and confident in their ability to recognize and assist victims of violence. Self-efficacy has been consistently linked in the literature with successful outcomes. Objectives: Intimate partner violence (IPV) constitutes a major public health problem. In the absence of Federal or State regulation, individual hospitals and systems are left to develop their own policies and procedures. This paper describes the policies and procedures developed by an American domestic violence counseling and resource center. Design: Post test surveys were used. Settings: Hospitals, medical offices, and medical schools surrounding an urban area in Pennsylvania participated. Participants: 320 nurses and medical students participated in training provided by a domestic violence center. METHODS: Post test surveys measured self-efficacy, the perceived usefulness of screening the accessibility of victim services, understanding of obstacles faced by victims, and knowledge-level regarding local IPV services. Participants also self-reported their gender, age, race, and position with the hospital system. RESULTS: Nurses and medical interns exhibit a wide range of self-efficacy regarding their ability to screen victims of intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence (IPV) training yielded participants who were better informed about IPV services and the obstacles faced by victims. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of uniform screening guidelines, hospitals, systems, and individual practitioners must be vigilant in screening procedures. Partnerships with women's centers may provide valuable resources and training that may ultimately improve patient care