Authentic Literacy in the Classroom: America and Middle East Connections

Authentic Literacy in the classroom Authentic literacy in the classroom is becoming a more common practice amongst educators. Research has indicated that activities which center around real-world experiences can increase student motivation, literacy learning, and instill a purpose for learning rather than instruction which is centered around isolated activities with no real purpose or relevance to their real lives. Middle Eastern culture and relevant literature were used in this study as a focus on implications of authentic lessons to foster connections between American students and the Middle East, increase student motivation, and track changes in previously held biases. The results of this study suggest that authentic literacy can be used to support literacy processes, increase student motivation, and shift student thinking towards a more tolerant and open-minded view of societies in general. Authentic Literacy in the Classroom: America and Middle Eastern connections A common complaint or challenge that is faced with school teachers and authentic literacy is the lack of time allowed between the standardized tests and core curriculum, lack of support from administration (in order to permit students participation in authentic activities), and most commonly-teachers do not know how to implement it in the classroom and make it part of their daily instruction. According to Purcell-Gates, Duke, and Martinea

Using Skype interactive book talks to support literacy learning in young children? SKYPE INTERACTIVE BOOK TALKS AND LITERACY LEARNING 2

Abstract This study focuses on how Skype interactive book talks support literacy learning in young children. The research conducted was observing kindergarten students during four Skype sessions, sending out parent questionnaires and interviewing students. The findings show technology enhances student learning by motivating students to learn and engaging them in diverse activities that integrate different learning styles. Teachers should increase their use of technology in the classroom to advance student learning and provide the necessary skills that students need to function in a technological society. SKYPE INTERACTIVE BOOK TALKS AND LITERACY LEARNING

Mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

The genetic make-up of an individual contributes to the susceptibility and response to viral infection. Although environmental, clinical and social factors have a role in the chance of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and the severity of COVID-191,2, host genetics may also be important. Identifying host-specific genetic factors may reveal biological mechanisms of therapeutic relevance and clarify causal relationships of modifiable environmental risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and outcomes. We formed a global network of researchers to investigate the role of human genetics in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. Here we describe the results of three genome-wide association meta-analyses that consist of up to 49,562 patients with COVID-19 from 46 studies across 19 countries. We report 13 genome-wide significant loci that are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe manifestations of COVID-19. Several of these loci correspond to previously documented associations to lung or autoimmune and inflammatory diseases3,4,5,6,7. They also represent potentially actionable mechanisms in response to infection. Mendelian randomization analyses support a causal role for smoking and body-mass index for severe COVID-19 although not for type II diabetes. The identification of novel host genetic factors associated with COVID-19 was made possible by the community of human genetics researchers coming together to prioritize the sharing of data, results, resources and analytical frameworks. This working model of international collaboration underscores what is possible for future genetic discoveries in emerging pandemics, or indeed for any complex human disease

Analysis of Outcomes in Ischemic vs Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation A Report From the GARFIELD-AF Registry

IMPORTANCE Congestive heart failure (CHF) is commonly associated with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF), and their combination may affect treatment strategies and outcomes