The Effects of Audio- visual Recorded and Audio Recorded Listening Tasks on the Accuracy of Iranian EFL Learners’ Oral Production

&lt;p&gt;The ways in which task in classrooms has developed and proceeded have receive great attention in the field of language teaching and learning in the sense that they draw attention of learners to the competing features such as accuracy, fluency, and complexity. English audiovisual and audio recorded materials have been widely used by teachers and students, and have been the important resources of teaching and self-study. Nowadays, the environment we are living in is abundant with audio visual input and we as teachers ,thus, should be aware of the fact that environment can change students’ behavior towards language and language learning .What effects do these materials have on English speaking ability? The objective of this study is to find out whether there is difference in Iranian EFL learners’ accuracy in both audiovisual recorded (videos, movies ,etc.) and audio recorded tasks. For this purpose, 40 students of intermediate level were chosen and then were randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups each of which was under different listening tasks. (Audio visual- and audio only). Data analysis showed that the group which was trained under AV listening tasks showed different effects on students’ accuracy, compared to the other group positioned using audio recorded. Based on the results of this study, it is imperative that teachers consider the types of activities and methods that can have influence over language learners’ speaking ability.&lt;/p&gt;</jats:p

EFL Learners’ Note Taking: The Effect of Listening Questions and Activities

In this comparative study, an attempt was made to examine the effects of two types of listening questions and activities on the quantity of note taking of intermediate EFL learners. In so doing, the researchers selected a sample of 30 intermediate English language learners randomly assigned to two comparison groups—Multiple-choice Group and True-false Group. The instrument for data collection was note taking papers of students from which the total number of words for each language learner was calculated. Results showed that the True-false Group gained higher scores in note taking quantity as compared with Multiple-choice Group. Based on the results of this study, it is imperative that EFL teachers pay serious attention to the types of activities and questions used in class as they can have an influence on the ways foreign language learners use note taking as a learning strategy.</jats:p

An abdominal active can defibrillator may facilitate a successful generator change when a lead failure is present

Aims: Defibrillator generator changes are frequently performed on patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in an abdominal pocket. These patients usually have epicardial patches or older endocardial lead systems. At the time of a defibrillator generator change defibrillation may be unsuccessful as a result of lead failure. We tested the hypothesis that an active can defibrillator implanted in the abdominal pocket could replace a non-functioning endocardial lead or epicardial patch. Methods and Results: An abdominal defibrillator generator change was performed in 10 patients, (mean age= 67 ± 13 years, nine men). Initially, a defibrillation threshold (DFT) was obtained using a passive defibrillator and the chronic endocardial or epicardial lead system. DFTs were then performed using an active can emulator and one chronic lead to simulate endocardial or epicardial lead failure. We tested 30 lead configurations (nine endocardial and 21 epicardial). Although a DFT of 7·3 ± 4·2 joules was obtained with the intact chronic lead system, the active can emulator and one endocardial or epicardial lead still yielded an acceptable DFT of 19·9 ± 6-1 joules. In addition, a successful implant (DFT ≤24 joules) could have been accomplished in 28 of 30 (93%) lead configurations. Conclusion: An active can defibrillator in an abdominal pocket may allow for a successful generator change in patients with defibrillator lead malfunction. This would be simpler than abandoning the abdominal implant and moving to a new pectoral device and lead or tunnelling a new endocardial electrode. However, loss of defibrillation capability with a particular complex lead may be a warning of impending loss of other functions (eg. sensing and/or pacing). © 1999 The European Society of Cardiology

A great mystery solved : being a continuation of and conclusion to The mystery of Edwin Drood, the unfinished work of Charles Dickens /

Mode of access: Internet