Psycho-physical theatre practice as embodied learning for young people with learning disabilities

In a dominant Western tradition that reveres cerebral learning, embodied learning approaches have received limited research attention – and less in education than other disciplines. This paper draws on previously reported empirical data from a five-year Creative Partnerships study to argue that psycho-physical theatre practice can promote embodied cognition, has particular value for young people with learning disabilities in special schools and has potential for inclusive education in mainstream schools. The paper describes a psycho-physical actor training process developed with, and for, actors with learning disabilities. Its application within special educational contexts, which we call ‘mimetics’, has focused more keenly upon physicalised interaction as the core communication. In this form of communication, reading, interpreting and responding to the individuality of others happen through the development of non-verbal dialogue. This focus has illuminated the importance of an intuited or ‘felt’ understanding which is generated by and recognises such communications. In special education settings, being different is inherent, and physicalised interaction more routine, so ways of working different from the mainstream are required. The paper suggests that such settings are rich sites for research to develop, value and recognise the significance of embodied cognition and realise its potential for special and inclusive education

Construct-it: A board game to enhance built environment students’ understanding of the property life cycle

This article investigates the development of a board game entitled ‘Construct-it’ as an innovative pedagogical approach (as proof of concept) to augmenting the applied knowledge and understanding of built environment students studying property life cycle analysis. A largely qualitative and inductive methodological approach is conducted to identify and investigate the various pertinent theoretical frameworks that could be adopted; conduct a critical synthesis of extant literature; and develop Construct-it, a game intuitively grounded in practice-based knowledge. The study reveals that games provide a fun, engaging and challenging means of educating students at higher education institutions. It also notes a significant dearth of literature in terms of applying games to students enrolled on built environment programmes. Construct-it can enhance the student’s learning experience and knowledge of pertinent industry practice and standards and can complement traditional classroom teaching approaches. The study concludes with directions for the future work required to enhance the development of the novel pedagogical proof of concept presented. Such work will require robust testing and validation of the game to measure its impact on the student learning experience. </jats:p

An Investigation Into The Role Of The Quantity Surveyor In The Value Management Workshop Process

Purpose: This research investigates the value management workshop process and specifically identifies the roles and responsibilities of the Quantity Surveyor within this. Information accrued is then used to develop a novel template value management workshop that provides a platform for educating future Quantity Surveying and other construction professionals. Research Approach: This research adopts a mixed philosophical epistemological design that utilises interpretivism with elements of postpositivism. Specifically, a cross sectional study of extant literature informs the development of a structured questionnaire that is posed to focus group participants (consisting of experienced industrial practitioners) to secure qualitative feedback and validate the template. Findings: Research findings reveal that the roles and responsibilities of the Quantity Surveyor in the value management workshop process has hitherto received scant academic attention. Additionally, literature has revealed that available information on workshop content is limited leading to ineffective studies. There has also been a miscommunication among construction practitioners in relation to the Quantity Surveyor’s role in the workshop process. Following extensive research, a novel template has been created which identifies the content of each workshop session alongside the roles and responsibilities of the Quantity Surveyor (and other construction professionals) which can be used for educational purposes. Originality: Literature revealed that scant academic and professional governing body(ies) attention has been paid to the education and training of future generations of Quantity Surveyors involved in value management. Specifically, there is limited applied case study evidence to investigate this phenomena and hence, the workshop curricular presented advances knowledge in this respect and provides a practical template solution

Post-fledging habitat selection in a rapidly declining farmland bird, the European turtle dove Streptopelia turtur

Post-fledging survival plays a vital role in the dynamics of bird populations and yet is the least studied avian life-stage. Habitat requirements post-fledging may have important implications for behaviour and survival, especially for declining populations in landscapes that have undergone wide-scale anthropogenic modification, resulting in an altered distribution and composition of habitats. The European Turtle Dove is a widespread but rapidly declining species both within the UK and across Europe. Reduced seed food availability is thought to influence breeding success of this species, but it is not known whether post-fledging survival may also be influenced by seed availability. Here, we use leg-ring radio-tag attachments to monitor post-fledging survival and movements in 15 Turtle Dove nestlings from eight nests monitored during 2014 as part of a wider autecological study. Fledglings remained in close proximity to their nest for three weeks post-tagging, spending more than half their time in the immediate vicinity (within ∼ 20 m) of the nest. 95% of foraging trips during this period were within 329 m of the nest and fledglings selected seed-rich habitat (semi-natural grassland, low-intensity grazing, fallow and quarries). Fledglings that were heavier and in better body condition at seven days old were more likely to survive for 30 days post-fledging, and the proportion of available seed-rich habitat was a strong predictor of nestling weight and condition at seven days old. Whilst our sample size is modest, this study highlights the crucial role of food availability in juvenile survival, both while adults are feeding nestlings, and to recently fledged young, and the potential for agri-environment schemes providing foraging and nesting habitats in close proximity to provide important benefits

CAN MIMETICS, A THEATRE BASED PRACTICE, OPEN POSSIBILITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES -A CAPABILITY APPROACH? МОЖЕТ ЛИ ПАНТОМИМА, ИСПОЛЬЗУЕМАЯ В ТЕАТРАЛЬНОЙ ПРАКТИКЕ, ОТКРЫТЬ ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ ДЛЯ ПОДРОСТКОВ С ПРОБЛЕМАМИ В ОБУЧЕНИИ? ПОДХОД, ОСН

Non-verbal communication; learning disability, drama, special education, capability approach Whilst the signiicance of the social model of disability for articulating inclusive approaches in education is recognised, the application of capability theory to education is less developed. We consider how a particular theatre based practice, here described as «mimetics», can alter and extend the aspirations and achievements of children and young people with learning disabilities, and might be understood as applied capability theory or «capability practice». Mimetics has been crafted from experimental psycho-physical actor-training processes by Open Theatre Company working in collaboration with actors with learning disabilities, and adapted to support the learning and development of young people with learning disabilities. We draw upon an action research project set up by Creative Partnerships with Open Theatre Company and a special school, where children demonstrated increased motivation and capacity for communication and socialisation, improved well-being, learning and wider achievement. To illustrate the process we offer the case of one child with an autistic spectrum disorder. Невербальная коммуникация; проблема с обучаемостью, драма, специальное образование, подход способности Пока значение социальной модели нетрудоспособности для озвучивания содержащих подходов в образовании признано, приложение теории способности к образованию менее разработано. Мы рассматриваем, как особый театр базировал практику, здесь описанную как «способность к подражанию», может изменить и расширить стремления и достижения детей и молодых людей с проблемами с обучаемостью, и мог бы быть понят как примененная теория способности или «практика способности». способность к подражанию, как метод, был обработан в экспериментальных психофизических процессах в учебных условиях актером Open Theatre Company, работающим в сотрудничестве с актерами с проблемами с обучаемостью, метод был адаптирован, чтобы поддержать изучение и развитие молодых людей с проблемами в развитии. Мы разработали проект исследования в целях выработки мер, между творческим сотрудничеством с Open Theatre Company и специальной школой, где дети продемонстрировали повышенную мотивацию и способность к коммуникации и социализации, улучшенному благосостоянию, учась и более широкому успеху. Чтобы иллюстрировать процесс, мы предлагаем случай одного ребенка с расстройством аутического спектра

Landscape effects on nest site selection and nest success of Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus in lowland wet grasslands

Capsule: Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus avoid nesting close to small woodland patches but nest predation rates do not vary with distance to woodland patches, either because risky areas are avoided or perceived nest predation risk does not reflect actual risk. Aims: To explore the effects of woodland patches in wet grassland landscapes on nest distribution and success of Lapwings. Methods: We quantified the effect of woodland patches on the distribution and outcome of Lapwing nests across four wet grassland sites by mapping nest distribution and monitoring nest outcomes. Results: Lapwing nested significantly further from woods than expected by chance. Neither nest predation rates nor the probability of predation occurring at night (thus primarily mammalian predators) or day (primarily avian predators) varied in relation to distance from woodland patches. Conclusions: High levels of nest and chick predation in wet grassland landscapes limit the capacity for breeding wader populations to be self-sustaining. Consequently, identifying manageable landscape features that influence predation rates is an important focus of conservation research. Lapwing avoid breeding close to woodland but, as nest predation rates do not vary with distance from woodland patches, their removal may increase the area of suitable nesting habitat but is unlikely to substantially influence productivity