Computer conferencing: Choices and strategies

Computer conferencing permits meeting through the computer while sharing a common file. The primary advantages of computer conferencing are that participants may (1) meet simultaneously or nonsimultaneously, and (2) contribute across geographic distance and time zones. Due to these features, computer conferencing offers a viable meeting option for distributed business teams. Past research and practice is summarized denoting practical uses of computer conferencing as well as types of meeting activities ill suited to the medium. Additionally, effective team strategies are outlined which maximize the benefits of computer conferencing

Development, implementation, evaluation and validation of a haemophilia nurses’ education program in South Africa

Haemophilia is a rare, inherited bleeding disorder found in all races and ethnic groups. Intervention regimens are more complicated in developing countries, such as South Africa, where numerous challenges present impediments to effective health care. This study investigated the value of the Haemophilia Nurses’ Education Program (HNEP) in the South African context where no comparable program of training for haemophilia nurses exists. The HNEP has been in operation in South Africa for some fifteen years. The researcher, as one of the key instigators of the HNEP, was keen to determine whether the course was delivering the outcomes that had been hoped for. Accordingly, a three part research study was designed to determine the course’s effectiveness. The epistemology utilised was constructionism and the theoretical framework was based on Leininger’s Cultural Care Theory, Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, Knowles’ Theory of Adult Learning, and Kirkpatrick’s four levels of evaluation. To Kirkpatrick’s theory a fifth level was added which considered Return on Investment, identified as important by Phillips. The conceptual design of the research was one of action research which finds its basis on the work of McNiff, Lomax and Whitehead. The methodology chosen was action research and mixed method, and the tools for data collections were surveys, focus group and individual interviews, and document examination. The study consisted of three parts. The first part revolved around obtaining opinions about the course from the three haemophilia coordinators who resourced all of the South African provinces. The second part gathered data from haemophilia nurses who had previously participated in the HNEP. The third part consisted of forwarding all HNEP materials to experts for comprehensive evaluation. Together, the three parts of the study helped to provide an important overview of the effectiveness of the HNEP and provided valuable ideas and information for inclusion in the next iteration of the HNEP. Results indicated that in the main, expert nurse educators considered the program to have merit in terms of its design, contextual relevance, and delivery strategies. It was also found that the program was efficacious for training nurses to address the needs of persons with haemophilia. Nurses reported a higher degree of job satisfaction as a result of having completed the program, with many reporting feelings of empowerment and respect, and greater confidence and competence after having completed the HNEP. It was further found that people with haemophilia received better care and education about haemophilia and exhibited improved self-care as a result of their carers having participated in the program. Although not directly transferable, it was concluded that the program as a subspecialty is likely to have application in other developing countries. Recommendations for the improvement of the HNEP are made

Supporting Ethnically Diverse Students to be themselves: Culturally Inclusive Practices of Visual Arts Teachers in New Zealand

New Zealand a small nation in the South Pacific is one of the highest migrant-receiving countries in the world Paralleling the 2013 New Zealand Census statistics for the adult population visual arts teachers in its largest city Auckland are predominantly European In contrast the youthful population under 20 years now comes from ethnically diverse groups This article reports on research conducted in ten Auckland secondary schools in 2015 which investigated the effects of this contrasting demographic on visual arts programs A significant finding was that European visual arts teachers are using culturally inclusive approaches to support their ethnically differing 15-to-18 year old students to be themselves Conveyed through the teachers voices the students artworks speak of the multiple ways in which they express their ethnic identities through the visua

Academic and Demographic Patterns of Students Placed in Early Algebra I Acceleration

In the United States, there had been a push for Algebra for All in the early 1990’s in an effort to increase performance on international assessments and provide equity for low-income students and students of color. As the number of students in eighth grade Algebra I increased, a small number of students enrolled in seventh grade Algebra I also increased. The purpose of this quantitative study is to identify and evaluate demographic and academic patterns of students placed in this early acceleration at the middle school level looking at the continuation of acceleration, higher achievement, and an increase in the number of students successfully completing calculus by their senior year within a suburban Midwest public school district. Approximately 4712 students were included in the study. There were 237 students who were enrolled in seventh grade Algebra I, 1634 enrolled in eighth grade Algebra I, and 2841 enrolled in ninth grade Algebra I. During this time the enrollment in seventh grade Algebra I went from 4 students to 123 students. The expected course pathway completion, ACT mathematics score, and EOC levels were examined over a six-year period. Patterns in demographics such as gender, racial groups, socio-economic groups, along with programs and services such as special education and gifted programs were identified and reported. It was found that minority and low socio-economic groups were underreported in the accelerated Algebra I courses, however were able to show higher than average performance, and lower than average expected course pathway completion. Additionally, as the enrollment increased in the seventh grade Algebra I, performance decreased in all groups

Curriculum, Assessment and Pedagogy: How These Dimensions are Enriching Visual Arts Education for Ethnically Diverse Students in New Zealand Secondary Schools

This article reports on findings from two complementary research projects conducted in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Both projects were motivated by changing demographic statistics from a largely European-ethnic student population in secondary schools in the past, to an ethnically diverse one in the present. Each project focused upon the nature of New Zealand’s national curriculum and assessment policies for visual arts education, and the pedagogical practices of art teachers. European-ethnic art teachers comprise the majority in secondary schools, thus the research in 2015 centred on how these teachers are working alongside ethnically diverse students. Given that there is a growing population of Asian-ethnic students in secondary schools, the follow-up project in 2018 focused on how art teachers of Asian ethnicity are supporting these students to engage in experiences that express their cultural identities. The findings provide evidence of how art teachers are using the curriculum, assessment policies and culturally responsive pedagogies to enrich the nature of visual arts education for students of all ethnicities in secondary schools in this country. The findings are exemplified through the ‘voices’ of a sample of art teachers, and ‘artworks’ by 15-18 year old students which encapsulate the role of images as a powerful form of data

Analysis of Healthcare Miscommunication and How to Effectively Improve Communication Outcomes: An Integrative Review

Healthcare workers convey client information regularly to provide essential and safe care. Errors in communication have been linked to a decrease in client satisfaction and an increase in medical errors. Both the Joint Commission and the World Health Organization have recommended using a standard communication tool, SBAR, to increase client satisfaction and decrease medical errors. A review of 52 research articles determined effective SBAR training should be conducted utilizing simulations to improve the healthcare providers’ self-confidence and usage of the SBAR tool. This integrative review also concluded the number and length of SBAR simulation sessions have no consequence on the effectiveness of training. Successful communication training increases SBAR self-confidence and usage, which has been linked to fewer communication errors

AGRICULTURAL ADAPTATION TO URBANIZATION IN SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Most agricultural output in the northeastern United States comes from counties that have experienced significant development. A mail survey, with 300 responses, was conducted in southeastern Pennsylvania to determine farmer adaptation to urbanization in this region. Despite development, traditional agriculture still predominates. Changes in land use were examined using multinomial logit models. Results show that change in population density and farm preservation policies have an influence, as increased population density reduced total land operated and having land in an agricultural security area increased it. Both differential assessment and agricultural security areas increased the cultivation of traditional, land extensive crops.Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development,

LOCATIONAL EFFECTS OF URBANIZATION ON AGRICULTURE IN SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Most agricultural output in the northeastern United States comes from counties that have experienced significant development. A mail survey, with 300 responses, was conducted in southeastern Pennsylvania to determine farmer adaptation to urbanization in this region. Despite development, traditional agriculture still predominates. Changes in land use were examined using multinomial logit models. Results show that changes in population density and farm preservation policies have an influence, as increased population density reduced total land operated and having land in an agricultural security area increased it. Other measures of urbanization, such as proximity to a city or inter-state highway had no statistically significant effect on farm practices. Keywords: Agricultural adaptation, rural development, off-farm income, urbanization, land useAgricultural adaptation, rural development, off-farm income, urbanization, land use, Land Economics/Use,