Eight guidelines for the design of instructional videos for software training

Purpose: Video has become a popular means for delivering "how to" information about a wide variety of software tasks. With video rapidly becoming a major instructional method, the question arises of their effectiveness for software training. This paper provides a set of eight guidelines for the construction of instructional videos for software training. Method: The guidelines present a concise view on how to design an instructional video for software training. They are based on a considerable body of research on how people process visual and verbal information and how to support these processes. Each guideline is described, illustrated, and supported with research findings from various disciplines. Results: The guidelines were tested in three consecutive empirical studies. In these studies a set of instructional videos for Word's formatting options were designed. The effects of the video instructions were compared with a paper tutorial (Van der Meij & Van der Meij, in preparation). We found that the video instructions yielded more favorable appraisals for motivation, higher skills proficiency immediately after training, and better skills retention after a one-week delay. Conclusions: The guidelines offer patterns that could further advance the theory and practice of the design of instructional videos for software training. A limitation of the study is that we concentrated on instructional video that serve a tutorial function. For video that function as a reference guide not all the guidelines are equally important, and also some new guidelines may be called for

Animated pedagogical agents effects on enhancing student motivation and learning in a science inquiry learning environment

This study focuses on the design and testing of a motivational animated pedagogical agent (APA) in an inquiry learning environment on kinematics. The aim of including the APA was to enhance students’ perceptions of task relevance and self-efficacy. Given the under-representation of girls in science classrooms, special attention was given to designing an APA that would appeal to the female students. A review of the literature suggested that the best design solution would be an agent who was female, young, attractive, and “cool”. An experiment compared three conditions: agent (image and voice), voice (no image), and control (no image and no voice). The research question was whether students’ motivation and knowledge changed over time as they worked in the inquiry learning environment, and whether condition and gender affected such changes. Participants were 61 third-year students (mean age 14.7 years) from a secondary school. Gender was distributed evenly within and across conditions. A significant main effect of time on self-efficacy was found, with self-efficacy beliefs increasing significantly for both boys and girls. In addition, there was a significant interaction between time, condition, and gender for self-efficacy. About halfway during training, girls’ self-efficacy beliefs significantly increased in both experimental conditions and decreased in the control condition. For boys the opposite pattern was found. Girls also gave higher appraisals for the agent. Students in all three conditions realized significant knowledge gains, which did not differ by gender. The discussion critically considers the need for, and design of motivational scaffolding in inquiry learning environment

Establishing an evidenced-based dietetic model of care in haemodialysis using implementation science

To establish an evidence-based dietetics service in an in-centre haemodialysis unit utilising implementation science.The service was developed through the Knowledge-to-Action Framework. The steps of the Action Cycle were addressed through a literature review, identification of evidence-based guidelines, benchmarking and local staff engagement. The theoretical domains framework (TDF) was used to identify barriers/enablers, and behaviour change wheel to determine appropriate interventions. To monitor, evaluate outcomes and assess sustained knowledge use we employed multidisciplinary team engagement and database use. Audit data were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months on nutrition assessment (Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment), intervention timeliness and alignment to dietetic workforce recommendations. Descriptive statistics, McNemar tests and a linear mixed model were applied.Barriers existed in the knowledge, skills, environmental context and resources TDF domains. Suitable interventions were identified with training on nutritional management of haemodialysis patients delivered to 148 nurses, and nutrition management recommendations summarised into local procedural resources. A database to prompt and monitor outcome measures was created and indicated that over 18 months post-service commencement, eligible patients received nutrition assessment at least 6-monthly, aligning with recommendations. Prevalence of malnutrition was 28% (n = 9/32) at baseline, 23% (n = 5/22) at 6 months and 20% (n = 4/20) at 12 months (P = 0.50).We demonstrated benefits to service development and implementation with implementation science providing a structured and methodical approach to translating guidelines into practice. Development of training, resources and prompts for outcome measures has supported the establishment of an evidence-based dietetics service in a haemodialysis unit

Creating room for citizen perspectives in ‘smart city’ Amsterdam through interactive theatre

The ‘smart city’ vision is popular, but it lacks citizen perspectives. The aim of this study was to gain insight into whether and how art-based citizen engagement can create more room for citizen perspectives in smart cities by developing and testing an art-based citizen engagement project in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. To that end, a combination of interactive theatre, interaction design and social research methods was used to bring together diverse publics and innovation professionals for joint exploration of increased dataveillance in cities. The events were studied through observations, and through interviews with participants and organisers. Data analysis was guided by the outcomes, processes and challenges of the responsible innovation dimensions: inclusion, reflexivity, anticipation and responsiveness (Stilgoe et al., 2013). The most important achievements of art-based citizen engagement were: engaging people who would not have engaged with the topic otherwise, encouraging participants to question common phrases and assumptions, exploring future social implications of technologies, and staging meaningful interactions between citizens and professionals. The most significant challenge was to involve citizens in a way that could influence innovation trajectories

Bestrijding van de volwassen taxuskever (Otiorhynchus sulcatus): Middelenonderzoek

Taxuskevers vormen al jaren een belangrijke plaag in veel boomkwekerijgewassen. Met name de vraat van de larven aan de wortels zorgt voor problemen. Om de plaag goed te kunnen beheersen wordt aangeraden om zowel de kevers als de larven te bestrijden. Voor de bestrijding van de larven zijn meerdere mogelijkheden (aaltjes, BIO1020, Exemptor), maar voor de bestrijding van de volwassen kevers is alleen Steward beschikbaar (in vaste planten alleen in bedekte teelt, in boomkwekerij zowel in bedekte als onbedekte teelt). Om de kans op resistentieontwikkeling te beperken is het van belang om meerdere middelen beschikbaar te hebben. Het doel van de bestrijding van volwassen taxuskevers is om zo min mogelijk larven te krijgen in de herfst. In dit onderzoek werden hiervoor de volgende subdoelen geformuleerd: 1. Het vinden van een nieuw gewasbeschermingsmiddel tegen de volwassen taxuskever . 2. Het ontwikkelen van een snellere bestrijding (voor dat eileg begint) van de volwassen taxuskever

Screening van herbiciden voor de boomkwekerij (in deze openbare versie worden de niet toegelaten middelen onder code vermeld) : resultaten praktijkproeven 2007-2009

In de boomteelt en ook die van vaste planten blijft onkruidbeheersing één van de belangrijkste kostenposten. Er zijn de afgelopen jaren veel ontwikkelingen geweest op het gebied van mechanische onkruidbestrijding en afdekmaterialen, maar vaak is het bedrijfseconomisch niet interessant om onkruid mechanisch de baas te blijven. Daarnaast is het resultaat van mechanische onkruidbestrijding sterk weersafhankelijk en is het niet op elk bedrijf mogelijk om (grote) machines in te zetten. Redenen waarom tot nu toe onkruid vaak chemisch bestreden wordt. In de afgelopen jaren is het middelenpakket aan herbiciden er niet groter op geworden. Door strengere toelatingseisen, die voortvloeien uit de nieuwe EU-verordening voor het op de markt brengen van gewasbeschermingsmiddelen, komen er minder middelen op de markt. Het beschermingsniveau voor het oppervlaktewater en voor niet-doelwitorganismen wordt versterkt en daarmee wordt het zelfs voor het huidige middelenpakket moeilijk om middelen op de markt te houde

Засади та історія становлення соціального вчення Українського католицизму

In equine medicine the use of Botox® is experimental. Dosages are determined from human treatment-protocols and limited numbers of equine studies. Determination of target-muscle volume can be helpful to extrapolate human dosages. The aim of the study was to calculate a formula enabling the estimation of the deep digital flexor muscle (DDFM) volume based on distances between anatomical landmarks. Nineteen cadaveric limbs were collected and distance A (top of olecranon to Os carpi accessorium) and B (circumference of limb) were measured. Converting mathematical formulas, C was calculated: π × (((0.5B)/π)(2)) × A. DDFM volume was determined by water displacement. Linear Regression Analysis was used to analyse data. The line best fitting the observed points was: Ln(volume[ml]) = -1.89 + 0.98 × Ln(value C[cm(3)]). Correlation was highest when natural logarithm was applied to both variables and was 0.97. The calculated formula enables estimating DDFM volume of a living horse. This estimated volume can be useful to apply human Botox® treatment-protocols