The learning impact of a 4-dimensional digital construction learning environment

This paper addresses a virtual environment approach to work integrated learning for students in construction-related disciplines. The virtual approach provides a safe and pedagogically rigorous environment where students can apply theoretical knowledge in a simulated real-world context. The paper describes the development of a 4-dimensional digital construction environment and associated learning activities funded by the Australian Office for Learning and Teaching. The environment was trialled with over 1,300 students and evaluated through questionnaires, observational studies and coursework analysis. Results demonstrate a positive impact on students’ technical learning and collaboration skills, but there is need for further research in relation to critical thinking skills and work-readiness

Medical imaging for plantar heel pain:a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Medical imaging can be used to assist with the diagnosis of plantar heel pain. The aim of this study was to synthesise medical imaging features associated with plantar heel pain. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis conducted searches in MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Embase and the Cochrane Library from inception to 12th February 2021. Peer-reviewed articles of cross-sectional observational studies written in English that compared medical imaging findings in adult participants with plantar heel pain to control participants without plantar heel pain were included. Study quality and risk of bias was assessed using the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. Sensitivity analyses were conducted where appropriate to account for studies that used unblinded assessors. RESULTS: Forty-two studies (2928 participants) were identified and included in analyses. Only 21% of studies were rated ‘good’ on quality assessment. Imaging features associated with plantar heel pain included a thickened plantar fascia (on ultrasound and MRI), abnormalities of the plantar fascia (on ultrasound and MRI), abnormalities of adjacent tissue such as a thickened loaded plantar heel fat pad (on ultrasound), and a plantar calcaneal spur (on x-ray). In addition, there is some evidence from more than one study that there is increased hyperaemia within the fascia (on power Doppler ultrasound) and abnormalities of bone in the calcaneus (increased uptake on technetium-99 m bone scan and bone marrow oedema on MRI). CONCLUSIONS: People with plantar heel pain are more likely to have a thickened plantar fascia, abnormal plantar fascia tissue, a thicker loaded plantar heel fat pad, and a plantar calcaneal spur. In addition, there is some evidence of hyperaemia within the plantar fascia and abnormalities of the calcaneus. Whilst these medical imaging features may aid with diagnosis, additional high-quality studies investigating medical imaging findings for some of these imaging features would be worthwhile to improve the precision of these findings and determine their clinical relevance. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13047-021-00507-2

How sustainable is collective memory? Broken Hill's search for a future beyond mining

Since the 1980s, fly-in/fly-out commuting has largely replaced the construction of residential townships at remote mining operations in countries like Australia and Chile. This trend is symptomatic of the difficulties faced by existing mining communities in often remote and inhospitable areas. Drawing on the work of Halbwachs and Nora, this paper examines the link between mining activity and collective memory. The focus then shifts to the role of collective memory in economic and institutional restructuring, with reference to the recent nomination of the mining city of Broken Hill for inclusion in the Australian National Heritage List. The paper concludes by reflecting on the management model proposed at Broken Hill and the future viability of the community once the mines eventually close

Assessing the tourism potential of an Australian industrial icon

In 2015, the remote mining community of Broken Hill became the first Australian city to be inscribed on the National Heritage List. The City Council’s strategic plans reflect an expectation that the inscription will lead to an increase in tourism. A better understanding of the core dimensions of a successful and sustainable cultural heritage tourism product would enhance the effectiveness of this planning process. There are, however, few instruments designed to assess the tourism potential of complex and extensive industrial heritage landscapes like Broken Hill. Building on previous work by McKercher and Ho (2006), this paper identifies five core value dimensions for such an instrument – cultural, physical, product, experience and sustainability. The instrument is then tested on Broken Hill and three comparable industrial World Heritage sites. While Broken Hill’s cultural, physical and sustainability dimensions rate strongly, the product and experience dimensions rate poorly effectively precluding the city from functioning as a viable attraction in its current state. The city’s remoteness and isolation from other attractions, the complexity and deterioration of mining infrastructure, and the lack of a major mining-related tourist attraction exacerbate the weaknesses

Governance innovation and the volunteer: the Janus face of heritage-beyond-the-state

Volunteering within cultural heritage settings is a subject of growing interest. Research to date has focussed either on the factors that motivate people to volunteer or the consequences of volunteering, particularly in terms of health benefits. As a form of participatory governance with implications for the management of heritage value, volunteering has received limited attention. Drawing on Swyngedouw’s critique of governance-beyond-the-state, this paper reports on a case study of the volunteer program at Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site. The data reveals a robust connection to the heritage of site but an opportunity to strengthen volunteer engagement with the managing organisation

A framework for sustainable heritage management: A study of UK industrial heritage sites

In 2002, the World Heritage Committee declared heritage to be 'an instrument for the sustainable development of all societies'. The term 'sustainable development', however, is inscribed with a complex economic, environmental and social agenda that challenges contemporary World Heritage management practice. This paper draws on a content analysis of six industrial UK World Heritage Site management plans. The analysis focuses on the extent that each plan integrates four key sustainability dimensions. Findings indicate that the planning frameworks and collaboration processes in operation at each site ensure conservation of the historical physical fabric but limit the development of a sustainable local cultural economy. A sustainable heritage management framework is presented based on the adoption of a long-term strategic orientation and extensive local community participation in decision making. The framework is relevant to other complex heritage sites such as historic towns and cultural landscapes