Elaborating a Model for Teacher Professional Learning to Sustain Improvement in Teaching Practice

: Effective professional learning is acknowledged as a key lever to improve teacher practice. However, many studies report significant variation in the effectiveness of the types of programs on offer. Recently, there has been a move from the traditional single-event, passive approach to more collaborative and ongoing forms of professional learning. Interestingly, researchers have paid little attention to understanding the experience of professional learning from the teachers’ viewpoint. This research sought to develop this understanding by following the attitudes and behaviours of a group of secondary teachers as they participated in an ongoing professional learning program. This professional learning program tracked teachers as they participated in workshops and then applied the learning to their classrooms. Our results suggest five interacting characteristics that contributed to improvements in teaching practice. These findings underpin the development of a process model of professional learning, that we call the Iterative Model of Professional Learning (IMPL)

What gynaecologists need to master : Consensus on medical expertise outcome of pan-European postgraduate training in obstetrics and gynecology

Non peer reviewe

Science teacher educator partnerships with schools (STEPS): developing an interpretive framework for primary science teacher education

The STEPS Project responds to international concern about primary teachers’ lack of science knowledge and confidence to teach science, and recent questioning of the effectiveness of traditional approaches to teacher education. The project reviews and builds on established, innovative and successful practices at five universities, to develop and promote a framework supporting school‐based approaches to pre‐service teacher education. This paper will outline the processes involved in developing an Interpretive Framework, which will be a key outcome of the project. The Interpretive Framework identifies key elements to assist teacher educators in planning, implementing and sustaining school-based approaches to teacher education

2017 update of the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) performance standards for the practice of colposcopy

A refinement of quality indicators (Qls) is described whereby the quality of care can be measured across colposcopy services in different countries and healthcare settings. A five-round Delphi process was conducted at successive satellite meetings from 2011 to 2015 of leading European colposcopists to refine the most high-scoring Qls relevant to colposcopic practice. A review and refinement of the wording of the standards and their criteria was undertaken by national society representatives. Six quality indicators were identified and refined. "Documentation of whether the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ) has been visible or not" was changed into "for cervical colposcopy transformation zone (TZ) type (1, 2 or 3) should be documented". The standard "percentage of cases having a colposcopic examination prior to treatment for abnormal cytology" was changed to "percentage of cases having a colposcopic examination prior to treatment for abnormal cervical screening test". The standard "percentage of all excisional treatments/conizations containing CIN2+ (cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia grade two or worse)" was changed into "percentage of excisional treatments/conizations having a definitive histology of CIN2+. Definitive histology is highest grade from any diagnostic or therapeutic biopsies". The standard "percentage of excised lesions/conizations with clear margins" was unchanged. The remaining two Qls define the minimum caseloads required for colposcopists. However, "cytology" was replaced by "screening results"to acknowledge the introduction of human papillomavirus testing to European screening programmes. Six Qls were identified to define good practice in colposcopy. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Knowledge mobilisation for policy development: Implementing systems approaches through participatory dynamic simulation modelling

Background: Evidence-based decision-making is an important foundation for health policy and service planning decisions, yet there remain challenges in ensuring that the many forms of available evidence are considered when decisions are being made. Mobilising knowledge for policy and practice is an emergent process, and one that is highly relational, often messy and profoundly context dependent. Systems approaches, such as dynamic simulation modelling can be used to examine both complex health issues and the context in which they are embedded, and to develop decision support tools. Objective: This paper reports on the novel use of participatory simulation modelling as a knowledge mobilization tool in Australian real-world policy settings. We describe how this approach combined systems science methodology and some of the core elements of knowledge mobilisation best practice. We describe the strategies adopted in three case studies to address both technical and socio-political issues, and compile the experiential lessons derived. Finally, we consider the implications of these knowledge mobilisation case studies and provide evidence for the feasibility of this approach in policy development settings. Conclusion: Participatory dynamic simulation modelling builds on contemporary knowledge mobilisation approaches for health stakeholders to collaborate and explore policy and health service scenarios for priority public health topics. The participatory methods place the decision-maker at the centre of the process and embed deliberative methods and co-production of knowledge. The simulation models function as health policy and programme dynamic decision support tools that integrate diverse forms of evidence, including research evidence, expert knowledge and localized contextual information. Further research is underway to determine the impact of these methods on health service decision-making

Assessing Peracetic Acid Application Methodology and Impacts on Fluidized Sand Biofilter Performance

Nitrifying biofilters oxidize harmful ammonia excreted by fish into less toxic nitrate within recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Biofilter performance and resulting RAS water quality largely depend on a robust microbiome that effectively converts nitrogenous wastes; however, occasional use of water disinfectants may also be necessary to reduce or eliminate specific fish pathogens. Disinfectants and sanitizers such as peracetic acid (PAA) work by disrupting microbial activity and could unintentionally alter the microbially-driven nitrification biofiltration process if allowed to circulate within an RAS. Furthermore, the target concentration and application method of PAA may influence the level of biofilter disruption. For this study, 12 replicated experimental-scale fluidized sand biofilters were dosed with PAA to achieve target concentrations ranging from 1.0-–2.5 mg/L, a typical low-dose treatment range to reduce or eliminate opportunistic pathogens. Two application methods were compared, including (i) a single pulse of PAA added every other day for five days, and (ii) smaller doses of PAA added every five minutes over four hours. The PAA decay was monitored and predosing and postdosing water quality parameters were assessed. Regardless of the target concentration or application method, PAA addition within the tested range did not cause significant disruption to the biofilters’ nitrification processes. This research demonstrates that PAA may be a viable water sanitizer for the RAS industry, although further research to refine safe application protocols is necessary.Assessing Peracetic Acid Application Methodology and Impacts on Fluidized Sand Biofilter PerformancepublishedVersio

Understanding employers' graduate recruitment and selection practices. BIS Research Paper 231.

This research examined the approach to graduate recruitment adopted by employers and how this has evolved in recent years. In particular the study aimed to explore patterns in graduate recruitment, behaviours of graduate employers and interactions between graduate employers and universities. It therefore provides a picture of long-term trends in practice from pre-recruitment activities through to entry, induction and beyond, and before, during and after the recession; and indicates the ways in which employers’ thinking about recruitment and selection have, and are, changing and developing. The research was driven by a need to update the evidence and understanding of recruitment practice as the population of graduates has increased dramatically and become more heterogeneous; the labour market has changed, emerging from difficult economic conditions; and there is increasing policy interest in diversity and particularly in social mobility.Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

School-based pedagogies and partnerships in primary science teacher education: the Science Teacher Education Partnerships with Schools (STEPS) project

The STEPS project responds to international concern about primary teachers\u27 lack of science knowledge and confidence to teach science, and recent questioning of the effectiveness of traditional approaches to teacher education.It will review and build on established, innovative and successful practices at five universities, to develop and promote a framework supporting school-based approaches to pre-service teacher education.The models involve partnerships between universities and primary schools to engage pre-service primary teachers in classroom teaching and learning that effectively connects theory with practice.Through critical appraisal of these and similar models, the project will identify key features of the approach and the critical success factors required to establish and maintain strong working relationships with schools and build student capacity.The principles, framework, and resources together with exemplifying case studies, will be designed and disseminated to promote uptake of these innovative practices in the sector.This website documents the nature of the project, the emerging Interpretive Framework, principles and resources, case studies, and other project outputs

Knowledge mobilisation for policy development: Implementing systems approaches through participatory dynamic simulation modelling

Background Evidence-based decision-making is an important foundation for health policy and service planning decisions, yet there remain challenges in ensuring that the many forms of available evidence are considered when decisions are being made. Mobilising knowledge for policy and practice is an emergent process, and one that is highly relational, often messy and profoundly context dependent. Systems approaches, such as dynamic simulation modelling can be used to examine both complex health issues and the context in which they are embedded, and to develop decision support tools. Objective This paper reports on the novel use of participatory simulation modelling as a knowledge mobilisation tool in Australian real-world policy settings. We describe how this approach combined systems science methodology and some of the core elements of knowledge mobilisation best practice. We describe the strategies adopted in three case studies to address both technical and socio-political issues, and compile the experiential lessons derived. Finally, we consider the implications of these knowledge mobilisation case studies and provide evidence for the feasibility of this approach in policy development settings. Conclusion Participatory dynamic simulation modelling builds on contemporary knowledge mobilisation approaches for health stakeholders to collaborate and explore policy and health service scenarios for priority public health topics. The participatory methods place the decision-maker at the centre of the process and embed deliberative methods and co-production of knowledge. The simulation models function as health policy and programme dynamic decision support tools that integrate diverse forms of evidence, including research evidence, expert knowledge and localised contextual information. Further research is underway to determine the impact of these methods on health service decision-making.This research was funded through The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, which receives funds from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) through its partnership centre grant scheme (Grant ID: GNT9100001) with NSW Health, ACT Health, The Australian Government Department of Health and the Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Research Foundatio

Blood pressure self-monitoring in pregnancy (BuMP) feasibility study; a qualitative analysis of women's experiences of self-monitoring

Background Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity worldwide. Raised blood pressure (BP) affects 10% of pregnancies worldwide, of which almost half develop pre-eclampsia. The proportion of pregnant women who have risk factors for pre-eclampsia (such as pre-existing hypertension, obesity and advanced maternal age) is increasing. Pre-eclampsia can manifest itself before women experience symptoms and can develop between antenatal visits. Incentives to improve early detection of gestational hypertensive disorders are therefore strong and self-monitoring of blood pressure (SMBP) in pregnancy might be one means to achieve this, whilst improving women’s involvement in antenatal care. The Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring in Pregnancy (BuMP) study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of SMBP in pregnancy. Methods To understand women’s experiences of SMBP during pregnancy, we undertook a qualitative study embedded within the BuMP observational feasibility study. Women who were at higher risk of developing hypertension and/or pre-eclampsia were invited to take part in a study using SMBP and also invited to take part in an interview. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at the women’s homes in Oxfordshire and Birmingham with women who were self-monitoring their BP as part of the BuMP feasibility study in 2014. Interviews were conducted by a qualitative researcher and transcribed verbatim. A framework approach was used for analysis. Results Fifteen women agreed to be interviewed. Respondents reported general willingness to engage with monitoring their own BP, feeling that it could reduce anxiety around their health during pregnancy, particularly if they had previous experience of raised BP or pre-eclampsia. They felt able to incorporate self-monitoring into their weekly routines, although this was harder post-partum. Self-monitoring of BP made them more aware of the risks of hypertension and pre-eclampsia in pregnancy. Feelings of reassurance and empowerment were commonly reported by the women in our sample