Formative peer assessment in a CSCL environment

In this case study our aim was to gain more insight in the possibilities of qualitative formative peer assessment in a computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environment. An approach was chosen in which peer assessment was operationalised in assessment assignments and assessment tools that were embedded in the course material. The course concerned a higher education case-based virtual seminar, in which students were asked to conduct research and write a report in small multidisciplinary teams. The assessment assignments contained the discussion of assessment criteria, the assessment of a group report of a fellow group, and writing an assessment report. A list of feedback rules was one of the assessment tools. A qualitative oriented study was conducted, focussing on the attitude of students towards peer assessment and practical use of peer assessment assignments and tools. Results showed that students’ attitude towards peer assessment was positive and that assessment assignments had added value. However, not all students fulfilled all assessment assignments. Recommendations for implementation of peer assessment in CSCL environments as well as suggestions for future research are discussed

Designing electronic collaborative learning environments

Electronic collaborative learning environments for learning and working are in vogue. Designers design them according to their own constructivist interpretations of what collaborative learning is and what it should achieve. Educators employ them with different educational approaches and in diverse situations to achieve different ends. Students use them, sometimes very enthusiastically, but often in a perfunctory way. Finally, researchers study them and—as is usually the case when apples and oranges are compared—find no conclusive evidence as to whether or not they work, where they do or do not work, when they do or do not work and, most importantly, why, they do or do not work. This contribution presents an affordance framework for such collaborative learning environments; an interaction design procedure for designing, developing, and implementing them; and an educational affordance approach to the use of tasks in those environments. It also presents the results of three projects dealing with these three issues

First-line gemcitabine with cisplatin or epirubicin in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase III trial

The purpose of our study was to compare progression-free survival and quality of life (QOL) after cisplatin-gemcitabine (CG) or epirubicin-gemcitabine (EG) in chemotherapy-naive patients with unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer. Patients (n = 240) were randomised to receive gemcitabine 1125 mg m(-2) (days 1 and 8) plus either cisplatin 80 mg m(-2) (day 2) or epirubicin 100 mg m(-2) (day 1) every 3 weeks for a maximum of five cycles. Eligible patients had normal organ functions and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status less than or equal to2. QOL was measured with European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and LC13 questionnaires. There were no significant differences in median progression-free survival (CG 26 weeks, EG 23 weeks), median overall survival (CG 43 weeks, EG 36 weeks), or tumour response rates (CG 46%, EG 36%). Toxicity was mainly haematologic. In the EG arm granulocytopenia occurred more frequently, leading to more febrile neutropenia. Also, elevation of serum transaminases, mucositis, fever, and decline in LVEF were more common in the EG arm. In the CG arm, more patients experienced elevated serum creatinine levels, sensory neuropathy, nausea, and vomiting. Global QOL was not different in both arms. Progression-free survival, overall survival, response rate, and QOL were not different between both arms; however, overall toxicity was more severe in the EG arm

EXPERIENCES OF DRUG USERS IN IIA CLASS JAIL YOGYAKARTA

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that about 149-272 million people or 3.3 % - 6.1 % of world population aged 15-64 years used drugs (even once) during their life time. This estimation will increase with time (BNN, 2011). The number of prisoners suffering HIV/AIDS in recent years were increasing as well if compared to its numbers in the year 2011 from 787 people to 1042 people. It was estimated that in the year 2015, the number of drug users in Indonesia would increase to 5.8 million people, since the number of drug users at the present time were reached 4 million people. For the time being, in Yogyakarta second A class drug jail , the number of drug users were 256 people; this number were constant; its mean that if there was prisoner got his / her freedom, another prisoner was incoming. Data from BNN in August 2013 years, 70% of 4 million drug users in Indonesia were workers (productive aged). Aim; To discovered population research experiences that cause them used drugs and depend on its. Research method: This was qualitative research with phenomenological approach. Data gathering technique were deep interview and FGD toward 30 respondents. Data were analyzed using reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing/verification. The majority of respondents mentioned that they used drugs because of they wanted to know and the influence of friends. Drugs, kinds of sabu, used to increase energy and ganja were used to obtain peacefulness. Drugs users wanted to use its forever; therefore, they wanted to stop because of punishment to be in jail not because of the drugs had negative effects to the body. The majority of respondents mentioned that to stop using drugs must be self motivated; on the contrary, the obstacle to stop using drugs because of missing sensation to use it. They named it suggest. Using drugs were conducted by research population because of environmental influence, to increase energy and to obtain peacefulness. Keywords : The experiences of drug use

Multilevel analysis in CSCL Research

Janssen, J., Erkens, G., Kirschner, P. A., & Kanselaar, G. (2011). Multilevel analysis in CSCL research. In S. Puntambekar, G. Erkens, & C. Hmelo-Silver (Eds.), Analyzing interactions in CSCL: Methods, approaches and issues (pp. 187-205). New York: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-7710-6_9CSCL researchers are often interested in the processes that unfold between learners in online learning environments and the outcomes that stem from these interactions. However, studying collaborative learning processes is not an easy task. Researchers have to make quite a few methodological decisions such as how to study the collaborative process itself (e.g., develop a coding scheme or a questionnaire), on the appropriate unit of analysis (e.g., the individual or the group), and which statistical technique to use (e.g., descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, correlation analysis). Recently, several researchers have turned to multilevel analysis (MLA) to answer their research questions (e.g., Cress, 2008; De Wever, Van Keer, Schellens, & Valcke, 2007; Dewiyanti, Brand-Gruwel, Jochems, & Broers, 2007; Schellens, Van Keer, & Valcke, 2005; Strijbos, Martens, Jochems, & Broers, 2004; Stylianou-Georgiou, Papanastasiou, & Puntambekar, chapter #). However, CSCL studies that apply MLA analysis still remain relatively scarce. Instead, many CSCL researchers continue to use ‘traditional’ statistical techniques (e.g., analysis of variance, regression analysis), although these techniques may not be appropriate for what is being studied. An important aim of this chapter is therefore to explain why MLA is often necessary to correctly answer the questions CSCL researchers address. Furthermore, we wish to highlight the consequences of failing to use MLA when this is called for, using data from our own studies

Does Reviewing Lead to Better Learning and Decision Making? Answers from a Randomized Stock Market Experiment

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Circulating endothelial cells in oncology: pitfalls and promises

Adequate blood supply is a prerequisite in the pathogenesis of solid malignancies. As a result, depriving a tumour from its oxygen and nutrients, either by preventing the formation of new vessels, or by disrupting vessels already present in the tumour, appears to be an effective treatment modality in oncology. Given the mechanism by which these agents exert their anti-tumour activity together with the crucial role of tumour vasculature in the pathogenesis of tumours, there is a great need for markers properly reflecting its impact. Circulating endothelial cells (CEC), which are thought to derive from damaged vasculature, may be such a marker. Appropriate enumeration of these cells appears to be a technical challenge. Nevertheless, first studies using validated CEC assays have shown that CEC numbers in patients with advanced malignancies are elevated compared to healthy controls making CEC a potential tool for among other establishing prognosis and therapy-induced effects. In this review, we will address the possible clinical applications of CEC detection in oncology, as well as the pitfalls encountered in this process

Prognostic value and kinetics of circulating endothelial cells in patients with recurrent glioblastoma randomised to bevacizumab plus lomustine, bevacizumab single agent or lomustine single agent. A report from the Dutch Neuro-Oncology Group BELOB trial

Background:Angiogenesis is crucial for glioblastoma growth, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents are widely used in recurrent glioblastoma patients. The number of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) is a surrogate marker for endothelial damage. We assessed their kinetics and explored their prognostic value in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.Methods:In this side study of the BELOB trial, 141 patients with recurrent glioblastoma were randomised to receive single-agent bevacizumab or lomustine, or bevacizumab plus lomustine. Before treatment, after 4 weeks and after 6 weeks of treatment, CECs were enumerated.Results:The number of CECs increased during treatment with bevacizumab plus lomustine, but not during treatment in the single-agent arms. In patients treated with lomustine single agent, higher absolute CEC numbers after 4 weeks (log 10 CEC hazard ratio (HR) 0.41, 95% CI 0.18-0.91) and 6 weeks (log 10 CEC HR 0.16, 95% CI 0.05-0.56) of treatment were associated with improved overall survival (OS). Absolute CEC numbers in patients receiving bevacizumab plus lomustine or bevacizumab single agent were not associated wit