Implementing Schema-Based Instruction in the Elementary Classroom (Project)

Solving mathematical word problems is an ongoing problem for students with both reading and math learning disabilities (Powell, 2011). As more and more students with learning disabilities are included in the general education classroom, teachers must differentiate instruction to benefit all learners. The current strategies emphasized in textbooks are misleading and too general for students who struggle (Jitendra, 2008). Schema-based instruction is an alternative problem solving strategy, which requires students to identify the underlying structure (schema) which each word problem belongs, to translate important information to a diagram, and then to solve the problem. This project uses cognitive theory as a theoretical framework and analyzes the effects of schema-based instruction on students with learning disabilities and their general education peers. Enhancement materials for implementing schema-based instruction were created so that teachers in a small, urban, parochial school could meet the mathematical needs of a diverse population of students. The key features of the enhancement materials include descriptions of each schema, directions for delivering explicit instruction, example and practice word problems, and student reference materials/manipulatives

Supporting siblings of children with a special educational need or disability : an evaluation of Sibs Talk, a one‐to‐one intervention delivered by staff in mainstream schools

A group often overlooked for specific supports in schools are siblings of children with a disability, special educational needs or a serious long‐term condition (SEND). In this article we review the current sibling research and identify a lack of literature on interventions, particularly within a school context. We then present a description of Sibs Talk, an example of a new school‐based intervention to support siblings. Sibs Talk is a ten‐session, one‐to‐one intervention approach for schools to complete with Key Stage 2 children who have a brother or sister with SEND. Finally, we present an initial evaluation of the effectiveness of Sibs Talk, using a pre and post evaluation format with a sample of 55 children from 11 schools. The data presented in this evaluation indicate that Sibs Talk may have contributed to positive outcomes for participating children

Assessing Variability and Uncertainty in Green Infrastructure Planning Using a High-Resolution Surface-Subsurface Hydrological Model and Site-Monitored Flow Data

Green infrastructure (GI) is increasingly being used in urban areas to supplement the function of conventional drainage infrastructure. GI relies on the “natural” hydrological processes of infiltration and evapotranspiration to treat surface runoff close to where it is generated, alleviating loading on the conventional infrastructure systems. This research addresses growing interest in identification and quantification of uncertainties with distributed, infiltration-based stormwater control measures, retrofitted on private and public properties and in right-of-ways in existing urban areas. We identify four major sources of variability and uncertainty in cumulative performance of systems that rely on extensive implementation of distributed GI: non-additive effects of individual best management practices (BMPs) at the catchment scale; the spatial configuration of fine-scale land use and land cover changes; performance changes due to climate change; and noise levels present in urban flow monitoring programs. Using a three-dimensional coupled surface-subsurface hydrological model of a residential sewershed in Washington DC, we find that prolonged, large-magnitude rain events affect various spatial configurations of GI networks differently. Runoff peaks and volumes can both be influenced by the spatial permutations of infiltration opportunities in addition to the absolute magnitude of treated area. However, the magnitude of the last source of uncertainty—noise levels in urban flow monitoring programs—may be larger than sources of variability associated with spatial changes in fine-scale land use and land cover. Changes associated with climate change– more frequent and larger rainfall events– will likely intensify performance differences between spatial configurations of GI but also increase noise levels in urban flow monitoring programs

Sparse tree search optimality guarantees in POMDPs with continuous observation spaces

Partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDPs) with continuous state and observation spaces have powerful flexibility for representing real-world decision and control problems but are notoriously difficult to solve. Recent online sampling-based algorithms that use observation likelihood weighting have shown unprecedented effectiveness in domains with continuous observation spaces. However there has been no formal theoretical justification for this technique. This work offers such a justification, proving that a simplified algorithm, partially observable weighted sparse sampling (POWSS), will estimate Q-values accurately with high probability and can be made to perform arbitrarily near the optimal solution by increasing computational power

The Effects of Sports Simulation on Motor Competency: Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory

The constant growth of video games allows concept innovations such as sports simulation, incorporating realism into video games. In line with this, a study suggests that digital sports can be a tool to improve motor skills, to which Bandura\u27s Social Cognitive of Observational Learning (BCST) became the key concept in both. Therefore, the researchers focused on studying the effects of sports simulation in enhancing motor competencies through BCST. In attaining this, the researchers aim to discover the effects of NBA2k22 on the fundamental basketball skills of novice players and identify how Bandura\u27s Theory contributes to the motor learning and competency of an individual through sports simulation games. For the study, the researchers utilized a sequential explanatory design—a quasi-experimental and simple case study design for the quantitative and qualitative portion of the study, respectively. Three individuals were gathered to perform three tests. Namely, the accuracy pass test, speed dribble test, and bounce pass test for both the pre-test and post-test to assess their skill levels for each movement. The subjects underwent a 2-week intervention wherein each individual played two hours of NBA2k22 MyCareer. Afterward, the subjects were put in a semi-structured interview, further assessing their improvement. The findings of the study support the hypothesis that sports simulation video games have an effect on the dribbling and passing skills of novice basketball players

Navigation between states in ecological communities by taking shortcuts, with application to control

Many community ecology problems can be framed in terms of controlling the transition from an initial state to a desired state. However, it is often unclear what action sequence (if any) would yield the desired state. Here we develop a simple approach for navigating to desired states, applicable when the costs and outcomes of actions are known. We find lowest-cost action sequences (adding a species, removing a species, changing the environment, waiting) via A* search on a state diagram. Lowest-cost sequences usually are indirect and leverage waiting for natural transitions caused by competitive exclusion. In tests on simulated and empirical data across taxa, our approach provides ~50% probability of substantial cost improvement relative to nominal approaches. As an example, numerous successes are predicted in gut microbial communities for removing the pathogen Clostridium difficile. This work thus provides a conceptual foundation for efficient state transitions in species-rich communities

Improving readiness for recruitment through simulated trial activation: the Adjuvant Steroids in Adults with Pandemic influenza (ASAP) trial

Background: Research in public health emergencies requires trials to be set up in readiness for activation at short notice and in anticipation of limited timelines for patient recruitment. We conducted a simulated activation of a hibernating pandemic influenza clinical trial in order to test trial processes and to determine the value of such simulation in maintaining trial readiness. Methods: The simulation involved the Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, one participating hospital, one manufacturing unit and the Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) supplier. During the exercise, from 15 September 2015 to 2 December 2015, clinical staff at the participating site completed the trial training package, a volunteer acting as a patient was recruited to the study, ‘dummy’ IMP was prescribed and follow-up completed. Results: Successful activation of the hibernating trial with patient recruitment within 4 weeks of ‘arousal’ as planned was demonstrated. A need for greater resilience in anticipation of staff absenteeism was identified, particularly in relation to key trial procedures where the potential for delay is high. A specific issue relating to the IMP Stock Control System was highlighted as a potential source of error that could compromise the randomisation sequence. The simulation exercise was well received by site investigators and increased their confidence in being able to meet the likely demands of the trial when activated. The estimated cost of the exercise was £1995; 90% of this being staff costs. Conclusions: Simulated activation is useful as a means to test, and prepare for, the rapid activation of ‘hibernating’ research studies. Whether simulation exercises can also help reduce waste in complex clinical trial research deserves further exploration