Online discussion compensates for suboptimal timing of supportive information presentation in a digitally supported learning environment

This study used a sequential set-up to investigate the consecutive effects of timing of supportive information presentation (information before vs. information during the learning task clusters) in interactive digital learning materials (IDLMs) and type of collaboration (personal discussion vs. online discussion) in computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) on student knowledge construction. Students (N = 87) were first randomly assigned to the two information presentation conditions to work individually on a case-based assignment in IDLM. Students who received information during learning task clusters tended to show better results on knowledge construction than those who received information only before each cluster. The students within the two separate information presentation conditions were then randomly assigned to pairs to discuss the outcomes of their assignments under either the personal discussion or online discussion condition in CSCL. When supportive information had been presented before each learning task cluster, online discussion led to better results than personal discussion. When supportive information had been presented during the learning task clusters, however, the online and personal discussion conditions had no differential effect on knowledge construction. Online discussion in CSCL appeared to compensate for suboptimal timing of presentation of supportive information before the learning task clusters in IDLM

Production of Milky Way structure by the Magellanic Clouds

Previous attempts at disturbing the galactic disk by the Magellanic Clouds relied on direct tidal forcing. However, by allowing the halo to actively respond rather than remain a rigid contributor to the rotation curve, the Clouds may produce a wake in the halo which then distorts the disk. Recent work reported here suggests that the Magellanic Clouds use this mechanism to produce disk distortions sufficient to account for both the radial location, position angle and sign of the HI warp and observed anomalies in stellar kinematics towards the galactic anticenter and LSR motion.Comment: 8 pages, uuencoded compressed PostScript, no figures, html version with figures and mpeg simulations available at http://www-astro.phast.umass.edu/Preprints/martin/martin1/lmc_online.htm

How IBD patients cope with IBD: A systematic review

AbstractObjectiveInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can have a significant impact on psychological wellbeing and quality of life. How one responds to and copes with IBD may be an important determinant of psychological wellbeing. We aimed to systematically review all published literature regarding coping strategies of IBD patients.MethodsOvid and Pubmed databases were searched over 6months. All articles about coping strategies of IBD patients were included.ResultsThirty-nine articles using twenty-two survey instruments were found, of which twenty-six were adult exclusive, eleven were children exclusive, and two had both adults and children. Two were interventional, four were longitudinal, and the rest were cross-sectional studies. Four studies were qualitative while the rest used quantitative measures. Variance in research designs and coping instruments led to inconsistent results. The most common theme was that emotion-focused coping was associated with worse psychological outcomes, while the effect of problem-focused coping was less consistently associated with better psychological outcomes.ConclusionsMore longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to causally link coping strategies with psychological outcomes in IBD patient