INQUIRE: a case study in evaluating the potential of online MCQ tests in a discursive subject

There has been a wealth of investigation into the use of online multiple-choice questions as a means of summative assessment, however the research into the use of formative MCQs by the same mode of delivery still remains patchy. Similarly, research and implementation has been largely concentrated within the Sciences and Medicine rather than the more discursive subjects within the Humanities and Social Sciences. The INQUIRE (Interactive Questions Reinforcing Education) Evaluation Project was jointly conducted by two groups at the University of Oxford-the Said Business School and the Academic Computing Development Team to evaluate the use of online MCQs as a mechanism to reinforce and extend student learning. This initial study used a small set of highly focused MCQ tests that were designed to complement an introductory series of first-year undergraduate management lectures. MCQ is a simple and well-established technology, and hence the emphasis was very much on situating the tests within the student experience. The paper will cover how the online MCQs are intended to fit into the Oxford Undergraduate study agenda, and how a simple evaluation was executed and planned to investigate their usage and impact. The chosen method of evaluation was to combine focus groups with automated online methods of tracking, and the paper discusses the findings of both of these

Culinary Postcards: An Arts-Based Heuristic Inquiry on the Therapeutic Experience of Cooking

Using an arts-based heuristic approach, this research examines the therapeutic experience of cooking. A review of literature highlights the sensory and creative qualities inherent in food, comparing these qualities with the methods, materials and psychodynamic theories inherent in the art therapy process. The researcher’s own reflective process is described, modeling how cooking and art making is a self-affirming and regulatory process which could be used by art therapists as a personal reflection process, to increase self-awareness and wellbeing. Derived from this heuristic investigation, themes related to the therapy process emerged that are then woven into personal experience and relevant literature to ultimately suggest how a community kitchen setting could function as a safe and inclusive place, where participants could experience cooking and art making within a creative arts therapies framework. Finally, it is suggested that these public homeplaces already being adapted for therapeutic benefit within community settings are also natural sites for an expansion of art therapy methods for, what the author calls, “cooking therapy groups.

Introducing TaCEM and the TIAALS Software

This paper introduces the TaCEM project (Technology and Creativity in Electroacoustic Music), funded for 30 months by the Arts and Humanities Research Council in the UK, investigating the relationship between technological innovation and creative practice in electroacoustic music of the last 40 years (http://www.hud.ac.uk/research/researchcentres/tacem/). It is a collaborative project between the universities of Huddersfield and Durham in the UK and outputs from the project will include a book and freely available interactive software. This paper explains the context for the project and its goals, and discusses some of the generic software that is being developed as part of the project, intended not only for use in the project itself but also to be freely available for others to use in the study of any electroacoustic work as appropriate

Paper Session I-C - Robotics for Interstellar Missions

This paper discusses the requirements for robotics in future interstellar missions and describes the various robotic development activities at NASA KSC that are laying the basis for the robotics of the future. The first longduration interstellar missions, which might occur at the end of the 21 st century, would probably be preceded by trips to outer planets in the Solar System and by near-Solar interstellar probe missions. The time span, dangers, and uncertainties involved would almost certainly decree that the first missions be unmanned. If an interstellar mission involved a surface landing, all initial exploration would be performed by robots or other autonomous devices. These robots of the next century must possess true autonomy: onboard intelligence; sensor systems to provide information on the visual scene, temperature, radiation, task forces, and torques; stable locomotion; self-maintenance and repair capabilities; and so on. The varied sensor data must be integrated into an intelligent understanding of the environment to support decisions concerning that environment—for example, avoiding collisions or other dangers, or selecting areas of interest for exploration. The capability to store and transmit data, and to modify behavior based on experience, would also be required. Many of these capabilities are in their infancy today. However, NASA is expanding the state-of-the-art of robotics in directions which, while supporting near-term endeavors, will eventually lay the necessary foundation for the interstellar missions of the next century. For instance, the NASA KSC robotics program is making very meaningful contributions in areas of robot mobility, collision avoidance, vision systems, and special endeffectors. One example of this activity concerns the KSC Thermal Protection System robot, which provides an autonomous mobile platform and special end-effectors and vision systems for navigation, inspection, and positioning tasks. The robot can also store task data for downloading at a later date. Other developments at KSC include special mechanisms and controls for robotic space vehicle cleaning and component inspection, and the development of self-diagnostics for automated systems. In summary, while we are presently a long way from achieving the robotics capabilities to support interstellar missions, present-day robotics development activities at KSC and at other NASA centers are laying the groundwork for these exciting future endeavors

Taijiquan the 'Taiji World' way: Towards a cosmopolitan vision of ecology.

In this article, we present a case study analysis of data gathered on the practice of the art of Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) in one UK context. Our interest in looking at this physical culture was in exploring if/how physical cultures of shared embodied experience and practice may help “sow the seeds of environmental awareness”. In so doing, we illustrate certain affinities between this interpretation of the art and Beck’s idea of a “cosmopolitan vision of ecology”. We present an analysis of documentary and interview data of one English Taijiquan organisation and how it currently promotes the idea of interconnectedness, wellbeing and an alternative meta-narrative for living through the practice of Taijiquan. We conclude that, while further research is needed, there is evidence that a cosmopolitan vision for ecology is emerging in physical cultures such as Taijiquan

ENGAGEMENT MATTERS: An exploration of public engagement and its futures in Toronto

As public engagement gains momentum as a mechanism for engaging residents in a changing political climate, its effectiveness is more important than ever. This study, divided into three volumes, explores matters related to public engagement for city-building decisions. Volume 1 is a primer on public engagement, meant to support municipal public servants to understand the basics of public engagement. This Volume is informed by user and expert interviews, ethnographic observation, and system mapping tools conducted during the first phase of this research. Volume 2 builds on insights developed during the first phase of this research, to explore the futures of public engagement in 2033 using strategic foresight. Written for public servants familiar with the field of public engagement, Volume 2 is an exploration of key trends impacting the futures of public engagement and possible future scenarios. These scenarios were developed using a collective scenario process, which Volume 3 describes in detail, in the hopes that foresight and public engagement practitioners might find use in iterating and utilizing this process to explore participatory future-focused conversations

Relational care and co-operative endeavour:Reshaping dementia care through participatory secondary data analysis

Dementia is emerging from the shadows of societal exclusion and stigma. The engagement within society for people who are marginalised is coconstructed through the everyday practices that take place between them and those around them. However, this is inherently political, positioning people as active and activist in the relationship of their lives with their communities. The research aimed to interrogate an existing qualitative dataset in partnership with people living with dementia to inform the development of a way of working with people with dementia that is empowering. In this qualitative secondary data analysis project, we (1) analysed data through two theoretical lenses: Douglas’ cultural theory of risk and Tronto’s Ethic of Care, and (2) co-analysed the data together with people living with dementia during 14 workshops. The design involved cycles of presenting, interpreting, representing and reinterpreting the data and findings between multiple stakeholders. We identified a granular understanding of the way relationships change for people with dementia and how subtle factors and nuanced behaviour contribute to social exclusion, or support social inclusion. The results support relational care through the co-operative endeavour (of co-operative communication, cooperative action and co-operative care) in promoting the inclusion of people living with dementia

Paper Session I-C - Advanced Vision and Robotic Systems for Hazardous Environments

This paper describes work performed at the Rockwell Space Division, Downey, California, and at Fluor Daniel Inc. Irvine, California, related to task performance in remote hazardous environments through advanced robotic and vision systems. These environments could be in space, for example related to the Space Shuttle, Space Station and outer space and planetary environments. In addition, the environments could be on earth, for example areas contaminated by chemical or radioactive waste. In both instances, the task is most efficiently performed when the environment has been designed from the very beginning for remote task performance. While this is often not the case, much is being done in the development of two important related remote technologies: environmental characterization and inspection; and remote handling and manipulation. Important work has already taken place in developing robust systems for remote characterization, inspection and manipulation, for example, at the facilities of NASA and the Department of Energy. NASA is already integrating and testing a mobile robot system for inspection and re-waterproofing of thermal protection system tiles on the Space Shuttle. Other NASA efforts include micro-rovers, robotic devices for ground emergency responses, robots with local autonomy for ground characterization, and small, highly dexterous robots for visual inspection. In addition, the Department of Energy has many efforts to develop characterization, inspection and robotic systems for radiation areas. Notable examples include mobile systems for inspection of exterior and interior acreage sites, reactor vessels, pipes, drums, and various devices and special end-effectors for waste excavation, size reduction, manipulation, decontamination, and decommissioning. To support these activities, we have taken a systematic approach to developing some of the basic technologies necessary for remote operations in hostile environments. Our major thrust has been to develop a modular, re-configurable robotics laboratory test bed, and then to use this test bed to support advances in the following areas: simulation and engineering analysis for development and verification of remote tasks; special vision systems; and vibration isolation to stabilize and enhance remote manipulators

Draft genome sequence of Raoultella ornithinolytica P079F W, isolated from the feces of a preterm infant

Here, we describe the draft genome sequence of Raoultella ornithinolytica P079F W, isolated from the feces of an infant residing in a neonatal intensive care unit during an ongoing study to characterize the neonate gut microbiota. P079F W will be used in studies investigating the role of the microbiome in neonatal infections

Development of a bespoke motion capture system allowing real-time biofeedback of movement for use in the clinical environment

A biomechanical model was developed which removes an aspect of the technical inaccessibility of current commercially available motion capture systems. The model allows output of kinematics and visual feedback of movement to the patient and clinician. Currently, flexion/extension, internal/external rotation and ab/adduction angles can be displayed for all joints. Shank/thigh to vertical angle and pelvic, tilt, obliquity and rotation can also be displayed