“If You Don’t Know Who They Are, You Don’t Know How to Support Them”: A Qualitative Study Exploring How Educators Perceive and Support Canadian Military-Connected Students

To date, American research has provided the foundation for what is known about the educational experiences of students living in military families. Given contextual differences that exist between the United States and Canada, it is unclear how representative the American findings are of the Canadian experience. Using semi-structured interviews, this phenomenological study collected data from six educators to better understand how the needs of military-connected students are addressed within Canadian secondary schools. Participants generally had a good understanding of the military lifestyle and its associated challenges for students. However, many participants were unaware of any formal mechanisms used to identify military-connected students, any professional development opportunities for educators, or any collaborations that exist between schools and the military to support such students. Given the current lack of Canadian research, this study will help contribute to the building of knowledge and capacity in the Canadian context.À ce jour, les recherches américaines ont posé les bases de ce que l’on sait des expériences éducatives des étudiants vivant dans des familles de militaires. Étant donné les différences contextuelles qui existent entre les États-Unis et le Canada, une ambiguïté plane concernant la mesure dans laquelle les conclusions américaines sont représentatives de l’expérience canadienne. À l’aide d’entrevues semi-structurées, cette étude phénoménologique a recueilli des données auprès de six éducateurs afin de mieux comprendre comment les besoins des élèves provenant de familles de militaires sont pris en compte dans les écoles secondaires canadiennes. Les participants avaient généralement une bonne compréhension du mode de vie militaire et des défis que rencontrent ces étudiants. Cependant, de nombreux participants n’étaient au courant d’aucun mécanisme formel utilisé pour identifier les étudiants provenant de familles de militaires, des possibilités de développement professionnel pour les éducateurs ou d’une quelconque collaboration existant entre les écoles et l’armée pour soutenir ces étudiants. Étant donné le manque actuel de recherches canadiennes sur le sujet, cette étude contribuera au développement des connaissances et des compétences dans le contexte canadien

Using Cluster Analysis to Target Educational Messages to Consumers

Cluster analysis is a common marketing tool for identifying groups of customers, clients, or consumers similar enough in demographics, behaviors, or attitudes to warrant specialized methods for targeting them with a desired message. We used cluster analysis on data from an integrated pest management (IPM) survey of the general public to categorize groups by their similarities with regard to IPM-related attitudes and behaviors. We describe how we used these data to target critical IPM messages in ways most likely to elicit positive behavior change. The methods we used could be applied in many disciplines to target Extension educational messages to diverse client groups

Blended vs. lecture learning : outcomes for staff development

Knowledge of pharmacology is crucial to safe patient management for nurses orienting to critical care areas. Traditionally this education has been offered as a classroom lecture for new nurses. However, adult learning theory identifies the benefit of self-directed, self-paced learning to build on individual knowledge and experience. A review of prior research indicates a lack of studies considering alternative teaching methods for nursing continuing education. The intent of this study was to provide experimentally derived evidence relating to the effectiveness of blended (online with discussion) vs. traditional lecture format education. To examine learning outcomes, nurses new to critical care were randomized into a blended or lecture format with subsequent cognitive knowledge outcomes compared using a pretest, posttest design. Demographics were obtained from participants and analyzed to determine their impact related to the method of learning. In addition, effectiveness of each format was evaluated by the learner using a Likert scale survey and small focus group discussions. Results indicate no statistically significant difference in learning outcomes between the blended and lecture formats. Further, test results were equivalent regardless of participant age, gender, nursing experience, degree or prior online learning experience. A focus group comparison of satisfaction with teaching methods indicates overall positive findings for both blended and lecture learning. However, more positive themes were expressed by the blended group participants, especially relating to convenience, self-pacing and use of time. Implications include the opportunity to provide effective staff development education in blended or lecture format based on class availability, student choice, learning style, prior experience, unit requirements and desire for flexibility. Further considerations include cost-effectiveness of the blended format relating to instructor salary and staff paid time. Alternative methods for critical care pharmacology education enhance the educator’s options to provide learning in effective and timely formats

The Social Determinants of Health and the Decline in U.S. Life Expectancy: Implications for Appalachia

For the past century, life expectancy in industrialized countries has increased, and the U.S. has shared in that progress. However, beginning in the 1980s, advances in U.S. life expectancy began to lose pace with peer countries. By 1998, U.S. life expectancy had fallen below the average for Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development nations. U.S. life expectancy peaked in 2014 and has been decreasing for three consecutive years, a trend not been seen since the influenza pandemic a century ago. Put simply, U.S. health is in decline

The Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Determine Differences in Vegetation Cover: A Tool for Monitoring Coastal Wetland Restoration Schemes

Managed realignment (MR) sites are being implemented to compensate for the loss of natural saltmarsh habitat due to sea level rise and anthropogenic pressures. However, MR sites have been recognised to have lower morphological variability and coverage of saltmarsh vegetation than natural saltmarsh sites, which have been linked with the legacy of the historic (terrestrial) land use. This study assesses the relationship between the morphology and vegetation coverage in three separate zones, associated with the legacy of historic reclamation, of a non-engineered MR site. The site was selected due to the phased historical reclamation, and because no pre-breaching landscaping or engineering works were carried out prior to the more recent and contemporary breaching of the site. Four vegetation indices (Excess Green Index, Green Chromatic Coordinate, Green-Red Vegetation Index, and Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index) were calculated from unmanned aerial vehicle imagery; elevation, slope, and curvature surface models were calculated from a digital surface model (DSM) generated from the same imagery captured at the MR site. The imagery and DSM summarised the three zones present within the MR site and the adjacent external natural marsh, and were used to examine the site for areas of differing vegetation cover. Results indicated statistically significant differences between the vegetation indices across the three zones. Statistically significant differences in the vegetation indices were also found between the three zones and the external natural saltmarsh. However, it was only in the zone nearest the breach, and for three of the four indices, that a moderate to strong correlation was found between elevation and the vegetation indices (r = 0.53 to 0.70). This zone was also the lowest in elevation and exhibited the lowest average value for all indices. No relationship was found between the vegetation indices and either the slope or curvature in any of the zones. The approach outlined in this paper provides coastal managers with a relatively low-cost, low-field time method of assessing the areas of vegetation development in MR sites. Moreover, the findings indicate the potential importance of considering the historic morphological and sedimentological changes in the MR sites. By combining data on the areas of saltmarsh colonisation with a consideration of the site’s morphological and reclamation history, the areas likely to support saltmarsh vegetation can be remotely identified in the design of larger engineered MR sites maximising the compensation for the loss of saltmarsh habitat elsewhere

Burnout in therapy radiographers in the UK

The 2007 UK National Radiotherapy Advisory Group report indicated that the number and type of staff available is one of the “rate-limiting” steps in improving productivity in radiotherapy departments. Retaining well-trained, satisfied staff is key to meeting the objectives of the report; burnout is an important factor linked to satisfaction and attrition. The results of a survey measuring burnout in a sample of radiotherapists (therapy radiographers) are presented and considered against norms for the health sector and burnout in therapists from Canada and the USA. Case study methodology was used studying six radiotherapy departments selected because of close geographical proximity and differing vacancy rates for radiotherapists. An anonymous survey of radiotherapists used the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and other workforce-related measures (e.g. job satisfaction scales, measures of professional plateau, intentions to leave, job characteristics and demographic data); the results of the burnout questionnaire alone are presented in this paper. A total of 97 completed questionnaires were returned (representing a 28% response rate). The average score for emotional exhaustion was higher than the MBI norms, with 38% of respondents reporting emotional exhaustion (an element of burnout). The data presented support and validated a previous qualitative study, and highlighted key areas of concern requiring further study. A correlation between burnout and job dissatisfaction and intention to leave was identified; managers may want to consider encouraging role extension and good leadership qualities in treatment unit leaders to minimise the potential for burnout

The rational design of polymeric EUV resist materials by QSPR modelling

We present the initial results of the development of a qualitative structure property relationship (QSPR) model to guide in the design and synthesis of high-sensitivity, non-CAR materials for EUV lithography. The model was developed using the fragmentation data of low molecular weight species at 70 eV using a mass spectrometer (MS) with an electron ionization source as the input parameter. The preliminary model has highlighted a number of structural elements which will be important in the future design of resists, however, limitations with the current set of input data for molecules which fragment readily have been identified and these are currently being addressed. Additionally, a correlation between gamma (1 MeV) and EUV (92 eV) radiolysis of selected polymers has been established and it is proposed that the higher energy (1 MeV) irradiation source is a suitable model process for EUV and can, therefore, be used in the future screening of polymeric materials

Recommendations for Child Care Centers

Design guide for planning, programming and designing different types of child care facilities. Includes 115 patterns for the policy, planning and design of large centers, neighborhood centers and family day-care homes. Based on current research information. Highly illustrated with photographs and sketches. Received an Award for Applied Research from Progressive Architecture, 1980, and received the 1980 UWM Foundation Research Award. Reprinted 1981, with new photographs in 1984, 1988 and in 1991. Revised edition 1994.https://dc.uwm.edu/caupr_mono/1032/thumbnail.jp