445 research outputs found
Does use of touch screen computer technology improve classroom engagement in children?
Many studies have shown that the use of technology in the classroom may influence pupil
engagement. Despite the recent widespread use of tablet technology, however, very little research has
been carried out into their use in a primary school setting. We investigated the use of tablet computers,
specifically Appleâs âiPadâ, in an upper primary school setting with regard to childrenâs engagement.
Cognitive, emotional and general engagement was higher in lessons based on iPads than those which
were not. There was no difference in behavioral engagement. Of particular significance was the increase
in engagement seen in boys, which resulted in their engagement levels increasing to levels comparable
to those seen in girls. These findings suggest that tablet technology has potential as a tool in the
classroom setting
The impact, cost and cost-effectiveness of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review of modelling contributions and way forward
Introduction: Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a new form of HIV prevention being considered for inclusion in national prevention portfolios. Many mathematical modelling studies have been undertaken that speak to the impact, cost and cost-effectiveness of PrEP programmes. We assess the available evidence from mathematical modelling studies to inform programme planning and policy decision making for PrEP and further research directions. Methods: We conducted a scoping review of the published modelling literature. Articles published in English which modelled oral PrEP in sub-Saharan Africa, or non-specific settings with relevance to generalised HIV epidemic settings, were included. Data were extracted for the strategies of PrEP use modelled, and the impact, cost and cost-effectiveness of PrEP for each strategy. We define an algorithm to assess the quality and relevance of studies included, summarise the available evidence and identify the current gaps in modelling. Recommendations are generated for future modelling applications and data collection. Results and discussion: We reviewed 1,924 abstracts and included 44 studies spanning 2007 to 2017. Modelling has reported that PrEP can be a cost-effective addition to HIV prevention portfolios for some use cases, but also that it would not be cost-effective to fund PrEP before other prevention intervention are expanded. However, our assessment of the quality of the modelling indicates cost-effectiveness analyses failed to comply with standards of reporting for economic evaluations and the assessment of relevance highlighted that both key parameters and scenarios are now outdated. Current evidence gaps include modelling to inform service development using updated programmatic information and ex post modelling to evaluate and inform efficient deployment of resources in support of PrEP, especially among key populations, using direct evidence of cost, adherence and uptake patterns. Conclusions: Updated modelling which more appropriately captures PrEP programme delivery, uses current intervention scenarios, and is parameterised with data from demonstration and implementation projects is needed in support of more conclusive findings and actionable recommendations for programmes and policy. Future analyses should address these issues, aligning with countries to support the needs of programme planners and decision makers for models to more directly inform programme planning and policy
âI think it fits inâ: Using Process Drama to Promote Agentic Writing with Primary School Children
Set against the backdrop of children being âalienatedâ from their writing (Lambirth 2016), this paper is taken from a UKLA sponsored project where primary school teachers were trained to use process drama in order to give children more agency in their writing across the curriculum. Here we use discourse analysis (Gee 2010) to think about the childrenâs historical creative writing in relation to the drama lessons which are differently framed (Bernstein 2000) by the teachers. Building upon a theoretical model of drama as âblended spaceâ (Duffy 2014) and writing as problem-solving (Bereiter and Scardamalia 1986), a case is made that process drama can lead to what we term âagentic writingâ. Agentic writing, we demonstrate, involves children actively translating their embodied experience of the blended space into writing by making a range of intertextual borrowings. These borrowing serve both to capture and transform their embodied experience as the children gain agency by âstanding outside languageâ to achieve âdouble voicednessâ (Bakthin 1986). Seeing the relationship between process drama and writing in this light, we argue, provides a means of reconnecting children to the act of writing
Terahertz third harmonic generation in c-axis LaSrCuO
Terahertz nonlinear optics is a viable method to interrogate collective
phenomena in quantum materials spanning ferroelectrics, charge-density waves,
and superconductivity. In superconductors this includes the Higgs amplitude and
Josephson phase modes. We have investigated the nonlinear c-axis response of
optimally doped LaSrCuO using high-field THz time domain
spectroscopy (THz-TDS) at field strengths up to 80 kV/cm. With increasing
field, we observe a distinct red-shift of the Josephson plasma edge and
enhanced reflectivity (above the plasma edge) arising from third harmonic
generation. The non-monotonic temperature dependent response is consistent with
nonlinear drive of the Josephson Plasma Mode (JPM) as verified with comparison
to theoretical expectations. Our results add to the understanding that, using
THz light, the JPM (in addition to the Higgs mode) provides a route to
interrogate and control superconducting properties
Teachers as writers: a systematic review
This paper is a critical literature review of empirical work from 1990-2015 on teachers as writers. It interrogates the evidence on teachersâ attitudes to writing, their sense of themselves as writers and the potential impact of teacher writing on pedagogy or student outcomes in writing. The methodology was carried out in four stages. Firstly, educational databases keyword searches located 438 papers. Secondly, initial screening identified 159 for further scrutiny, 43 of which were found to specifically address teachersâ writing identities and practices. Thirdly, these sources were screened further using inclusion/exclusion criteria. Fourthly, the 22 papers judged to satisfy the criteria were subject to in-depth analysis and synthesis. The findings reveal that the evidence base in relation to teachers as writers is not strong, particularly with regard to the impact of teachersâ writing on student outcomes. The review indicates that teachers have narrow conceptions of what counts as writing and being a writer and that multiple tensions exist, relating to low self-confidence, negative writing histories, and the challenge of composing and enacting teacher and writer positions in school. However, initial training and professional development programmes do appear to afford opportunities for reformulation of attitudes and sense of self as writer
Antiretroviral Therapy outcomes among adolescents and youth in rural Zimbabwe
Around 2 million adolescents and 3 million youth are estimated to be living with HIV worldwide. Antiretroviral outcomes for this group appear to be worse compared to adults. We report antiretroviral therapy outcomes from a rural setting in Zimbabwe among patients aged 10-30 years who were initiated on ART between 2005 and 2008. The cohort was stratified into four age groups: 10-15 (young adolescents) 15.1-19 years (adolescents), 19.1-24 years (young adults) and 24.1-29.9 years (older adults). Survival analysis was used to estimate rates of deaths and loss to follow-up stratified by age group. Endpoints were time from ART initiation to death or loss to follow-up. Follow-up of patients on continuous therapy was censored at date of transfer, or study end (31 December 2008). Sex-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios for different age groups. 898 patients were included in the analysis; median duration on ART was 468 days. The risk of death were highest in adults compared to young adolescents (aHR 2.25, 95%CI 1.17-4.35). Young adults and adolescents had a 2-3 times higher risk of loss to follow-up compared to young adolescents. When estimating the risk of attrition combining loss to follow-up and death, young adults had the highest risk (aHR 2.70, 95%CI 1.62-4.52). This study highlights the need for adapted adherence support and service delivery models for both adolescents and young adults
Developing a Theoretical Framework for Response: Creative Writing as Response in the Year 6 Primary Classroom
Focusing on the creative writing of Year 6 boys as they make the transition to Year 7, this article establishes a theoretical model for creative writing as response. In line with Bakhtinâs notion of utterances as âinterpersonalâ (1986), the model demonstrates the complexity of creative writing â the text is influencing of and influenced by an authorâs participation in âfigured worldsâ (Holland, Lachicotte, Skinner and Cain 1998), but also influencing of and influenced by future respondents. This article suggests that âweaker framingâ (Bernstein 2000) in creative writing pedagogy has the potential to alter boysâ identities and refigure their worlds
School librarians as literacy educators within a complex role
Librarians in schools are expected to play an important role as literacy educators, and have a positive impact on young peopleâs literacy learning. However in the context of their diverse workload, relatively little is known about how this aspect of their role sits within its competing demands, and the exact scope of the literacy educator requirements. Using a hybrid approach to content analysis, this article analyses 40 recent job description documents to identify the nature and prevalence of different aspects of the role, and to explore the literacy educator aspect of this profession. Findings suggest that while the literacy educator aspect is one of the most common role requirements, it sits within a complex workload, and the literacy educator aspect is itself multi-faceted and demanding
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