Revisioning teacher preparation for mobility : dual imperatives

Widespread availability of smartphones and similar devices with connection to the Internet is influencing the evolution of higher education across disciplines. For teacher educators there is an additional consideration of how to prepare teachers to use such devices in their own practice once they graduate. This paper will address some related issues and report results from a study conducted in two Australian universities. The evidence confirms that obtaining the best results from adoption of mobile technologies in teacher education will require adjustments to course design and to the behaviors of both pre-service teachers and teacher educators

Learning at times and places chosen by the learner : adapting to study with mobile digital devices

There has been substantial research into the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in higher education but, as mobile access to the Internet becomes the norm, there is a need to explore how mLearning can offer the flexibility expected by increasing numbers of undergraduate university students. This DEHub funded project, conducted by two Queensland Universities, investigated the potential of mobile devices to enhance student learning by increasing time on task at times and locations more convenient for the learner. This paper describes the conceptual background and approaches and reports some initial findings. The key finding is that the presentation of study materials and learning activities requires adjustment to support effective mobile access

Genome-wide association study of preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm)

BACKGROUND: Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) is defined as a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) <80% predicted and FEV1/forced vital capacity ≥0.70. PRISm is associated with respiratory symptoms and comorbidities. Our objective was to discover novel genetic signals for PRISm and see if they provide insight into the pathogenesis of PRISm and associated comorbidities. METHODS: We undertook a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of PRISm in UK Biobank participants (Stage 1), and selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reaching genome-wide significance for replication in 13 cohorts (Stage 2). A combined meta-analysis of Stage 1 and Stage 2 was done to determine top SNPs. We used cross-trait linkage disequilibrium score regression to estimate genome-wide genetic correlation between PRISm and pulmonary and extrapulmonary traits. Phenome-wide association studies of top SNPs were performed. RESULTS: 22 signals reached significance in the joint meta-analysis, including four signals novel for lung function. A strong genome-wide genetic correlation (rg) between PRISm and spirometric COPD (rg=0.62, p<0.001) was observed, and genetic correlation with type 2 diabetes (rg=0.12, p=0.007). Phenome-wide association studies showed that 18 of 22 signals were associated with diabetic traits and seven with blood pressure traits. CONCLUSION: This is the first GWAS to successfully identify SNPs associated with PRISm. Four of the signals, rs7652391 (nearest gene MECOM), rs9431040 (HLX), rs62018863 (TMEM114) and rs185937162 (HLA-B), have not been described in association with lung function before, demonstrating the utility of using different lung function phenotypes in GWAS. Genetic factors associated with PRISm are strongly correlated with risk of both other lung diseases and extrapulmonary comorbidity