Learning journeys: sharing resources for embedding progressive learning development

Following on from work done on integrating learning development into the curriculum (Hill and Tinker, 2013), we have since concentrated on specific aspects of student progression, and in particular how the ‘forgotten’ second year of study (Tobolowsky, 2008) can be used to bridge the gap between first and final years. Through focus groups with students, staff and learning developers, we have established where perceptions of a multi-layered learning journey merge and diverge. Using voices from the focus groups, this presentation identifies shared themes of progressive learning development, but also illustrates the complexity and conflict inherent in these perceptions. The challenge for learning developers is to acknowledge these tensions and design curricula resources and timely interventions which balance the expectations of both teachers and learners. We will showcase a new website resource, developed with ALDinHE, which provides materials to encourage and support learning developers to collaborate with subject specialists in embedding academic, information literacy and employability skills progressively within the curriculum. These materials include a searchable database of case studies, a bank of research literature, and audio, video and workshop resources. Experiences, ideas and concerns of learning developers, captured at the ALDinHE Embedding Skills Day (June 2012), are also incorporated

The Power of Voice: Using Audio Podcasts to Teach Vocal Performance and Digital Communication

Today’s students often speak through mediated technologies. Thus, understanding how nonverbal cues impact meaning-making is key to understanding effective communication across mediums. This case study explores a group project where students created audio podcasts to teach others about a specific aspect of communication studies while considering the way sound and vocal performance affect the transference of the message. This article examines the use of audio podcasts as a vehicle for teaching university students about the power of paralinguistic and chronemic nonverbal behaviors

Graphic Design ATM

Summer 2024, Graphic Design ATM In my Graphic Design course, I will teach the principles of observation, inference, and judgment through a structured peer review process

Food for Thought: ConstructingMultimodal Identities through Recipe-Creation with Homeless Youth

This paper considers the practical and theoretical methodologies of the com- munity literacy project, “The Recipe of Me,” conducted with homeless youth in Orlando, Florida. In this project, youth created personal, mediatized narratives in a storytelling residency aimed at examining the role of digital storytelling in fostering confidence, autonomy, and literacy awareness. The project allowed the youth to create narratives as artists, encouraging not only the creation of a work of art but also the formulation of an artistic voice

Chemistry related to the actives sites of the [Fe]- and [FeFe]-hydrogenases

Hydrogenases are an important group of enzymes found in a range of microorganisms. There are three phylogenetically distinct classes of hydrogenase all of which feature iron-containing complexes. The work contained in this thesis has two main focuses: the synthesis and characterization of novel mimics of the [Fe]-hydrogenase active site, and spectroscopic studies on the interaction of iron-sulfur clusters with CO and CN− relevant to the biosynthesis of the H-cluster of [FeFe]-hydrogenase. The mechanism by which the [Fe]-hydrogenase functions is not fully understood, and biomimetic models currently offer limited insight. This emphasises the need to explore the fundamental organometallic chemistry of biologically relevant mono-iron complexes. Here, novel ferracyclic complexes featuring abiological ligands were synthesised, extending an existing family of mimics. Examination of the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of these systems demonstrated that none are redox active in a range relevant to the enzyme. The route by which microorganisms convert {4Fe4S} precursors into the {2Fe2S} assembly of the H-cluster of [FeFe]-hydrogenase is currently attracting significant scientific attention, in particular how the Fe(CO)(CN) moiety of the subsite is assembled. Here, the reaction of CO and CN− with synthetic iron-sulfur clusters was used to seek out chemical precedence for the generation of this motif. It is clearly shown that Fe4S4 clusters can be functionalised with CO and CN− groups. Crucially, whilst good spectroscopic evidence for a complex featuring moiety A Fe(CO)(CN) was obtained this was not the case for an independent cluster featuring only moiety B Fe(CO)2(CN). However, there is some evidence for the formation of a cluster bearing both groups simultaneously

Streamlining the Response to Positive Mental Health Concerns on the Air Force Web-Based Periodic Health Assessment

The Air Force requires each airman (service member) accomplish a Web-based periodic health assessment (Web-PHA) yearly. This is a well-established health assessment program mandated and well-embedded within the Air Force that includes the Air National Guard. The Web-PHA is an on-line, self-administered health questionnaire. The questions were developed by a Department of Defense team guided by nationally recognized health screening and counseling recommendations. At the 140th Medical Group at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado, “trained” health technicians run the Web-PHA program. After an in-depth review of the current processes, it was found the Air Force, including this Air National Guard unit, did not provide any formal mental health education and training specific to the Web-PHA program. Nor did the 140th Medical Group have a unit-specific protocol to address mental health concerns. The purpose of this process improvement project was to improve the processes associated with the current mental health portion of the 140th Medical Group’s Web-PHA program. The aim was to obtain information from a panel of experts using the Delphi technique to advise and guide current and future training practices of health technicians running the program. This occurred in three phases. The first phase was targeted at developing an education program. The second phase included the development of a iv protocol and algorithm described by the Air Force Instruction (AFI 44-108, 2014). Finally, the third phase described a future pilot study not part of this capstone project and was for planning purposes only. To evaluate this project, both pre and post education tests were administered with an improvement from 44% (pre) to 85.2% (post)--a 41.2% increase. Feedback on both the education and Web-PHA mental health protocol (MHP) was all positive. Overall, this capstone project recognized the lack of mental health education, identified the current Web-PHA process, and developed a successful, much-needed streamlined approach for education and a Web-PHA MHP for the trained health technician to follow

Feasibility of a Co-operative Winery

The number of operating wineries in the United States has doubled during the past decade. Most of this growth has been due to a large number of entrepreneurial landowners developing their own small acreage vineyards and trying to branch into winemaking. However, wineries are capital-intensive enterprises which require high initial investment and experience lagged cash flow associated with the time between the purchase of grapes and initial wine sales. Additionally, the availability of local grape production often limits the production capabilities of an entrepreneur’s small winery. As a result, some vineyard owners consider establishing co-operative wineries. This paper describes a feasibility assessment tool developed to assist vineyard owners in examining the potential for a co-operative winery and provides an example of how this tool can be used to examine a number of co-operative operating scenarios.co-operative, feasibility template, qualified and nonqualified stock, revolving equity, winery, Agribusiness, Financial Economics,

Positive birth experiences: a systematic review of the lived experience from a birthing person’s perspective

YesBackground: Positive birth (PB) experiences assist with successful transition into parenthood and psychological growth. Identifying contributing factors, which assist in the achievement of such experiences, could inform birth workers and maternity service providers and improve experiences for future parents. Objective: To undertake a systematic review of factors which the birthing person perceived as contributing to their PB experience. Search strategy: Six databases were searched with English language restriction. Grey literature sources and relevant journal content were searched. Main results: Sixty-eight participants were included from studies conducted in Norway, Sweden, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK). The major themes of the thematic synthesis were: strength through preparation; a positive mental attitude; feeling safe and connected through autonomy; the presence of others; and fond memories that were formulated. Findings informed birth workers that their authentic presence is valued by birthing people, and that a person’s or provider’s birthing culture impacts on a person’s perception of their birth experiences. In order to experience PB, maternity services should support individualised care. Conclusions: A PB experience matters to families, and enables self-esteem and confidence to be felt as a new parent. The unique individualised care and authentic presence of the birth workers provided strength, reassurance and encouragement during the birth process.The author’s master’s was supported by funding from the Yorkshire and Humberside Strategic Health Authority