R2D2 goes to work: the design and development of a first-year art foundations course

This dissertation tells the story of the design and development of an experimental first-year art foundations course at Iowa State University. This instructional design (ID) project used an instructional design model that is based on a constructivist theory of learning and an interpretivist philosophy of science. The R2D2 ID model uses three principles---recursion, reflection, and participation---to guide the design and development process rather than a set of prescriptive steps that are typically found in traditional ID models.;The classroom environment was structured around the constructivist teaching strategies of cognitive apprenticeship and problem-based learning. Each of the studio problems were written as scenarios, which the researcher/instructor solved along with the students. The website that was created for the course included a discussion group, a course calendar, examples of successful student work, and student-created course notes.;Evaluation in the form of student focus groups, external evaluator comments, and researcher reflections discusses successful aspects of the project and identifies potential areas for improvement

Caring for our caregivers in body, mind and spirit during the COVID-19 pandemic

New York City became the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. The surge of critically ill patients combined with widespread social distancing measures created extraordinary challenges for healthcare workers. Many frontline workers experienced significant physical, psychological, and emotional distress. They faced demanding patient care responsibilities while managing personal obligations and health concerns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was imperative that NewYork-Presbyterian care for its workforce’s physical, psychological and emotional needs, not only because of our commitment to our colleagues as people, but also because of our obligation to continue to deliver high quality care and experience to the patients, families and communities we serve. Research shows there is a vital link between employee experience and patient experience. Employees who feel supported will be more engaged, which leads to higher quality care and a better patient experience. At NewYork-Presbyterian, we supported our workforce holistically in body, mind and spirit so they could remain strong for the journey ahead and continue to serve our patients, families and communities throughout and at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. We learned that proactively communicating, supporting physical health and mental health needs and acknowledging bereavement was critical to responding to this crisis. Experience Framework This article is associated with the Staff & Provider Engagement lens of The Beryl Institute Experience Framework. (http://bit.ly/ExperienceFramework) Access other PXJ articles related to this lens. Access other resources related to this lens

Predicting Compliance in Voice Therapy using the Voice Handicap Index

Research indicates that it is not uncommon for patients to cancel or postpone scheduled appointments for speech therapy designed to improve the voice, i.e., voice therapy. The purpose of this study is to determine if patient perceptions of their voice and vocal problems will predict which patients exhibit noncompliance with a voice therapy program. The present study also analyzed the effects of demographic variables (i.e. age, gender, occupation, etc.) on patient compliance with voice therapy.   Twenty-five patient participants were included in this study. Before undergoing voice therapy, these participants were asked to complete the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) in order to obtain a subjective measure of how their vocal "problems" have affected their everyday lives: physically, emotionally, and functionally. The VHI is a standardized patient attitude rating scale that has been shown to document similar issues with patient compliance. Prior to this study, however, variables including occupation, type of insurance coverage, and driving distance from the clinic were not included in those analyses. The individual questions of the VHI were also analyzed in comparison to adherence to therapy recommendations. Descriptive analyses of the data revealed that the VHI scores and responses to individual VHI questions provided no practical significance in predicting patient compliance or noncompliance to voice therapy. In addition, analyses of demographic variables did not offer information that had practical significance regarding patient compliance or noncompliance to therapy.M.S

Creating a Library Orientation Card Game to Reach New Transfer Students

Librarians and staff at a public university drew upon previous experience with instructional games to develop, implement, and assess a card game as a library orientation activity for new transfer students. This project was shaped by a desire to meet transfer students’ unique needs as well as the logistical constraints associated with the university’s transfer student orientation. The card game, modeled after Apples to Apples, presented information about the campus library system in a fun, informal way that allowed transfer students to socialize with each other while learning. Survey responses indicated that students found the game both enjoyable and helpful

Play Your Cards Right: Creating a Library Orientation Game (poster)

A team of four librarians and staff drew upon previous experience with game-based learning to develop an orientation activity for transfer students. Apples to Apples -style cards were created using a free online card generator. The game exposed transfer students to information about the campus library system in a low-key way that allowed players with different knowledge levels to socialize and compete against one another on an equal basis

From Writer to Teacher: The Gradual Release of Responsibility in an Early Childhood Education Writing Course for Pre-Service Teachers

Teaching students to become confident, capable writers is imperative in today’s world. Growing attention has been paid to the amount and kinds of writing students are experiencing in schools with an urgent plea for more time and attention given to writing instruction (Nagin, 2003; National Commission on Writing, 2003). Yet, few teachers feel well prepared to teach writing. In this special issue on writing methods courses, we discuss the evolution of our writing methods course for early childhood preservice teachers (PK-5). Specifically, we examine the current pedagogical practices within the course to support preservice teachers’ experiential learning. This piece examines how a gradual release of responsibility model with multiple units of study supports preservice teachers as writers and as future teachers of writers

Apple Slices: A Card-Matching Party Game about the Library

Inspired by the popular party games Apples to Apples and Cards Against Humanity, this is a fun and flexible small group activity developed for use in library orientation sessions

Farm Resiliency Education for At-Risk Coastal Areas in the Chesapeake Bay

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) in collaboration with its partners, the Land Trust Alliance, Sustainable Chesapeake, and The Nature Conservancy, explored and refined questions critical for advising and guiding landowners who farm within coastal areas that are vulnerable to sea level rise and saltwater intrusion, and ultimately, loss of arable cropland in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. While the questions posed are those that agricultural experts across the coastal zones are struggling with, this effort focused on identifying the current state of the science and informational gaps; building current, best professional guidance for landowner conservation program choices; and developing a research framework for improving our understanding and building capacity to maximize, incentivize, and secure ecosystem services beyond food provision at the farm-scape scale