Evaluating a virtual learning environment in the context of its community of practice

The evaluation of virtual learning environments (VLEs) and similar applications has, to date, largely consisted of checklists of system features, phenomenological studies or measures of specific forms of educational efficacy. Although these approaches offer some value, they are unable to capture the complex and holistic nature of a group of individuals using a common system to support the wide range of activities that make up a course or programme of study over time. This paper employs Wenger's theories of 'communities of practice' to provide a formal structure for looking at how a VLE supports a pre-existing course community. Wenger proposes a Learning Architecture Framework for a learning community of practice, which the authors have taken to provide an evaluation framework. This approach is complementary to both the holistic and complex natures of course environments, in that particular VLE affordances are less important than the activities of the course community in respect of the system. Thus, the VLE's efficacy in its context of use is the prime area of investigation rather than a reductionist analysis of its tools and components. An example of this approach in use is presented, evaluating the VLE that supports the undergraduate medical course at the University of Edinburgh. The paper provides a theoretical grounding, derives an evaluation instrument, analyses the efficacy and validity of the instrument in practice and draws conclusions as to how and where it may best be used

Records management capacity and compliance toolkits : a critical assessment.

This article seeks to present the results of a project that critically evaluated a series of toolkits for assessing records management capacity and/or compliance. These toolkits have been developed in different countries and sectors within the context of the e-environment and provide evidence of good corporate and information governance. Design/methodology/approach - A desk-based investigation of the tools was followed by an electronic Delphi with toolkit developers and performance measurement experts to develop a set of evaluation criteria. Different stakeholders then evaluated the toolkits against the criteria using cognitive walkthroughs and expert heuristic reviews. The results and the research process were reviewed via electronic discussion. Findings - Developed by recognised and highly respected organisations, three of the toolkits are software tools, whilst the fourth is a methodology. They are all underpinned by relevant national/international records management legislation, standards and good practice including, either implicitly or explicitly, ISO 15489. They all have strengths, complementing rather than competing with one another. They enable the involvement of other staff, thereby providing an opportunity for raising awareness of the importance of effective records management. Practical implications - These toolkits are potentially very powerful, flexible and of real value to organisations in managing their records. They can be used for a "quick and dirty" assessment of records management capacity or compliance as well as in-depth analysis. The most important criterion for selecting the appropriate one is to match the toolkit with the scenario. Originality/value - This paper aims to raise awareness of the range and nature of records management toolkits and their potential for varied use in practice to support more effective management of records

Ecological Constraints and the Evolution of Cooperative Breeding

Cooperative breeding is a social behaviour in which certain individuals will opt to delay or forgo their own reproduction in order to help other individuals. Cooperative breeding is one of the most conspicuous examples of cooperation in nature. However, theoretical understanding of why this behaviour occurs is lacking and contradictory. In this thesis, I examine the role played by ecological constraints on the emergence of cooperative breeding. Contrary to previous results, I find that ecological constraints do matter, provided the population dynamics are properly accounted for. I also examine the long-term evolutionary dynamics of cooperative breeding, and obtain the optimal helping strategy from the perspective of both the helper and breeder. I relate existing emergence theory to the predicted trajectory of the optimal strategy, and examine the role of ecology and ecological constraints upon the optimal helping strategy

First Record from Nebraska of the Clam Shrimp \u3ci\u3eEulimnadia diversa\u3c/i\u3e (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Conchostraca)

This paper reports the first record from Nebraska of the conchostracanEulimnadia diversa (Crustacea: Branchiopoda), which was collected in a shallow pond in Thomas County, Nebraska, USA

Trait Parochial Empathy Scale (TPES)

Trait Parochial Empathy Scale (TPES) Lauren McLeod, Dept. of Psychology, and David Lansdell, with Dr. Jennifer Joy-Gaba, Dept. of Psychology The goal of the research was to build and test a new scale regarding parochial empathy - a previously un-measured aspect of social interaction. Parochial empathy is the tendency to exhibit intergroup empathy bias (greater empathic concern for members of one\u27s ingroup). Thus, the Parochial Empathy scale (TPES) measures how much an individual aids members of an outgroup compared to their willingness to aid their ingroup. Upon scale design, the TPES went through several validation measures. In the current study, participants were shown a pair of scripted videos given by college Democrat and Republican groups. Ostensibly, these groups were located on campus and were vying for donations from the participants. After viewing the message, participants were asked to determine how much money should be given to each group. Results revealed that the TPES suggests that participants donated more money toward their reported political identification (i.e., their ingroup) compared to the outgroup.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1377/thumbnail.jp

Tonsillectomy is not a procedure of limited value - the unseen costs of tonsillitis and quinsy on hospital bed consumption.

Objectives To assess the impact of the introduction of the SIGN Clinical guidelines in 1999 and subsequent revision in 2005 on tonsillectomy, hospital admission with tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess rates in four countries. Methods Retrospective analysis using English, Welsh, Australian and New Zealand National healthcare hospital admission databases between 2000 and 2013. Primary outcomes measures included tonsillectomy rates and hospital admission rates for tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess. Secondary outcome measures included bed‐day usage in England and Wales. Linear forecasting was used to identify the potential impact of any trends. Results Following guideline introduction for tonsillectomy, a significant decline in tonsillectomy rates in England (P < 0.01) and Wales (P < 0.05) was seen. Hospital admissions for acute tonsil infections increased in England (P < 0.01) and Wales (P < 0.01). In Australia and New Zealand, tonsillectomy and admission for tonsillitis rates both increased (P < 0.01). During this time, the increased rate of admission for tonsillitis in England and Wales was significantly greater than Australasia (P < 0.01). Conclusions Following the introduction of these Clinical guidelines, there was a decrease in the rate of tonsillectomy in England and Wales and a presumed associated increase in admissions with tonsillitis. This did not occur in Australasia where tonsillectomy rates rose over time. If these trends continue, it is likely that they will have a significant deleterious impact on healthcare spending in the future

Toward Modernization: Using Strategic Development to Address Deficits in the Juvenile Justice System

The Juvenile Justice System was established on the premise of rehabilitative action for behaviors that have led youth to the criminal justice system. However, the system has increasingly moved away from this original concept toward a punitive model. The authors present how this movement resulted in the devolution of human rights for the youth involved, a decrease in public safety, and a radical departure from fiscal responsibility related to the theoretical origins of rehabilitation. Studies on topics ranging from costs of correctional centers to trauma experienced by youth in these systems, along with many others, are compared to identify specific areas for renovation. Evidence-based pathways are presented to address these concerns along with pragmatic strategies for utilization of a constructed theory focused on the relationship between diversionary policies, attrition, and growth through the reinvestment of existing resources

Bronze Birch Borer Management in South Dakota

The bronze birch borer (Agrilus anxius) is a serious pest of birch trees throughout the United States. It is prevalent in South Dakota where birches occur naturally – in the Black Hills and in Roberts County – and also is found wherever birch trees have been planted in the state

Zimmerman Pine Moth Control in South Dakota

The Zimmerman pine moth is a serious pest of pines throughout the United States. There actually are three different species of insects referred to as Zimmerman pine moth: Dioryctria zimmermani, D. tumicolella, and D. ponderosae. Dioryctria zimmermani and D. tumicolella are the two most commone Zimmerman pine moths in South Dakota, particularly in the eastern half of the state. The two insects have a similar life cycle and appearance. The following information relates to these two insects, not to D. ponderosae