Teacher-Training Across Cultures: A Workshop Given in the People\u27s Republic of China

This paper deals with a specific teacher training workshop which was given in an English for Special Purposes (ESP) Program to Chinese ESL teachers for a period of six weeks in the People\u27s Republic of China. Both the Chinese teachers and foreign teachers worked together in language teams and provided English training to Chinese professionals who were going to go on training programs in English speaking countries. Although well-versed in ESL theory and teaching styles, the teachers lacked the ability to connect their passive knowledge of teach­ing with the reality of teaching in the classroom. This workshop aimed to have teachers gain an in­ depth look at their own teaching, what they wanted to accomplish, and how they might attempt to do it. The first part of the paper will primarily present the background, rationale, and objectives of the work­ shop. The second part will give an actual account of the workshop along with reactions to each particular day of the workshop. Finally, a summary of the work­ shop experience in addition to applications to other teacher-training situations will be presented

Origin of gold mineralization in the Borden Mine and a new tectonic model for the Kapuskasing Structural Zone, Ontario, Canada

The Kapuskasing Structural Zone (KSZ) containing high–pressure granulites is one of the best exposed mid–to–lower crustal sections in the world. However, the timing and mechanism for its formation/exhumation remain highly controversial. Previous studies of the KSZ and its neighboring Wawa Gneiss Domain (WGD) focused predominantly on Proterozoic brittle deformation in the Ivanhoe Lake Deformation Zone (ILDZ), with tectonic models restricted to political boundaries. In this study, the KSZ and WGD are proposed as a continental metamorphic core complex (MCC) with the high–grade footwall of the former exhumed in comparison to the southern Superior Province, and the latter as the hanging–wall, high–strain listric regional structure. The KSZ exposes granulite–facies ductile sinistral strike–slip shear zones and amphibolite–facies brittle–ductile sinistral and dextral shear zones that predate the ILDZ. Neoarchean oblique collision between the Minnesota River Valley terrane and southern Superior Province formed the Pontiac subprovince accretionary prism and equivalents in the “Quiet Zone” by ca. ≥2667 Ma. The formation and exhumation of the WGD and KSZ as a MCC were synchronous with retrograde amphibolite–facies metamorphism by at least ca. ≥2630 Ma. Plutonism and continued transtension, rotation, and related folding continued to ca. 2600 Ma with magmatism ceasing by ca. 2580 Ma. The enigmatic Borden Mine (4.17 Mt at an average grade of 6.38 g/t Au) in the Chapleau Belt within the southern KSZ is hosted in sillimanite–garnet–biotite gneisses or schists within metamorphosed mafic and felsic volcanic rocks (with mid–ocean ridge basalt and arc affinities), and banded iron formations. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICPMS) analysis of zircon in sillimanite–garnet–biotite gneiss from the Discovery Trench of the Borden Mine yielded three age populations: 2703.9±7.3, 2667.1±7.2 and 2590±17 Ma. The oldest population represents magmatic crystallization that formed the volcanic protolith of the sillimanite–garnet–biotite gneiss, while the latter two record prolonged high–grade metamorphism. Gold mineralization in the Borden Mine most likely formed initially as part of syn–volcanic seafloor hydrothermal alteration and was remobilized throughout prograde upper amphibolite– to– granulite–facies metamorphism during orogenesis and retrograde amphibolite–facies metamorphism during exhumation

Lack of Genetic Diversity in Newly Sequenced Porcine Circovirus Type 1 Strains Isolated 20 Years Apart

The complete genome sequences of a porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) strain isolated in 1990 and one isolated in 2011 were obtained and compared to the sequences of other available PCV1 isolates. Phylogenetic analyses revealed very low genetic diversity among these viruses, indicating an advanced state in the evolution of PCV1

Investigating Latina/o Mathematics Students\u27 Perceptions Of Interpersonal Relationships In College Mathematics

It is known that interpersonal relationships are significant to the success of the Latina/o mathematics learner. Unfortunately, interpersonal relationships in mathematics are understudied. For this reason, this study seeks to answer the following question: How do Latina/o mathematics students perceive their interpersonal relationships with their mathematics professors, peers in mathematics, and families with respect to mathematics? To explore the role of such relationships in Latinas/os experiences in mathematics, I define a meaningful relationship in mathematics education (MRIME) as interactions between two parties in which one party acknowledges the other party as a sociocultural being and fosters their mathematics identity. This definition draws from research on care, mathematics identity and mathematics students as sociocultural beings. This study was done using case studies. Four Latina/o students who were mathematics majors or had a bachelor\u27s degree in mathematics were recruited using a Facebook page. The data collection took place over a period of one year. Three hour-long telephone interviews were conducted with each participant. Analysis of the interviews was based on identifying evidence of components of MRIME including the fostering of the participants mathematics identity and acknowledgement of the participant as social and cultural beings. The results showed that the participants felt that their relationships with their mathematics professors and peers in mathematics with the most meaningful while their relationships with their families were the least meaningful when the focus was on mathematics. The results also showed that the interpersonal relationships that the participants had were the weakest when it came to the sociocultural element of MRIME. The results of this study imply that there exist factors, which are possibly connected to mathematics students\u27 perceptions of interpersonal relationships, which may contribute to persistence in mathematics. The data also suggest that further research should be conducted on interpersonal relationships in mathematics educational settings

Rest for the Heart: Respite Care Training for Interns

Jacob’s Heart Children Cancer Support Services is a local nonprofit agency that provides support for families of children that have been diagnosed with cancer. Due to the complicated treatment processes and their effects, families of children with cancer experience high levels of psychological distress. To support these families, Jacob’s Heart intends on providing a respite care program. However, interns at Jacob’s Heart are unprepared to provide respite care to families experiencing a cancer diagnosis. An educational intervention was utilized to prepare interns to confidently provide quality, compassionate respite care to families of children with cancer. The training curriculum developed has four main foci: cultural humility, compassion and empathy, listening, and speaking. As expected, the curriculum was approved by staff for future implementation. Alternative recommendations to address psychological distress among families include developing a base of long-term volunteers to provide consistent respite care

An Analysis of Income Inequality Reduction in Brazil Under President Lula da Silva

This thesis analyzes trends in income inequality reduction across different regions of Brazil from 2000 to 2010. This period was selected because it was a period of consistent economic growth and national inequality reduction, as measured by the GINI Index, as well as a period that witnessed the introduction of new government policies by President Lula da Silva. This thesis provides extensive background information about Lula’s presidency and income inequality in Brazil before conducting an economic analysis of the trends in income inequality reduction through the country. This thesis concludes that the trend of inequality reduction favored certain regions of the country and also favored municipalities that were more adept at encouraging participation in the formal sector. This means that although the North and Northeastern regions of the country received the highest amount of new government benefit payments, the regions were still less successful at reducing income inequality than the more historically wealthy regions of the country. The ramifications of this research show that although income inequality generally decreased during this time, greater national effort is needed to address the structural and historic factors that perpetuate regional inequality in Brazil

Morita Therapy for Depression and Anxiety: Intervention Optimisation and Feasibility Study

Background. Depression and anxiety are common and debilitating disorders, and at least one third of patients do not respond to available interventions. Morita Therapy, a Japanese psychological therapy which contrasts with established Western approaches, is currently untested in the UK and may represent a potentially effective alternative approach. Aim. To optimise and investigate the feasibility and acceptability of Morita Therapy as a treatment for depression and anxiety in the UK. Design. Three studies were undertaken in line with the MRC framework (2008) for complex interventions. Study One: scoping and systematic review to describe the extent, range and nature of Morita Therapy research activity reported in English. Study Two: intervention optimisation study, integrating literature synthesis with qualitative research, to develop the UK Morita Therapy outpatient protocol. Study Three: mixed methods feasibility study encompassing a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) and embedded qualitative interviews to prepare for a fully-powered RCT of Morita Therapy versus treatment as usual (TAU). Results. Study One: 66 papers meeting the inclusion criteria highlighted heterogeneity in the implementation of Morita Therapy, and an absence of both UK-based research and relevant unbiased RCTs. Study Two: a potentially deliverable and acceptable therapy protocol and tailored therapist training programme were developed for a UK population. Study Three: 68 participants were recruited and 94% retained at four month follow-up; 70.6% of Morita Therapy participants adhered to the minimum treatment dose, and 66.7% achieved remission in depressive symptoms (compared to 30.0% in TAU). Qualitative and mixed methods findings indicated that Morita Therapy was broadly acceptable to therapists and participants, and highlighted potential moderators of acceptability, treatment adherence and outcomes. Conclusions. Patients in the UK can accept the premise of Morita Therapy and find the approach beneficial. It is feasible to conduct a large-scale UK-based trial of Morita Therapy with minor modifications to the pilot trial protocols.University of Exeter Medical Schoo

Connecting Historical Thinking and Technology in the Classroom

The motivation behind the Social Studies @ CSU summer blog series is to encourage discussion among teachers about connecting historical thinking and technology with the content of their Social Studies courses. Many teachers are unaware of how to integrate critical thinking skills into their Social Studies courses, leaving students unable to use those skills to guide their own academic careers. Using the current model of Ohio Social Studies content standards and research completed by Sam Wineburg and Daisy Martin as a framework, the Social Studies @ CSU summer blog series provides technological and lesson planning resources and methods for integrating technology and historical thinking with Social Studies content. The results were seventeen blog postings that provide online resources and ideas that help teachers connect the content of the current Social Studies standards with modern technologies. Also featured are games and interviews with students and teachers that give practical advice and strategies about employing unconventional teaching methods to increase student engagement in Social Studies courses. In conclusion, the discussion about connecting historical thinking and technology in the classroom is ongoing, but research and current technologies are helping teachers integrate historical and critical thinking methods into their content more and more each day.https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/u_poster_2014/1023/thumbnail.jp

Who joins the Canadian Forces? : developing a framework for analysis using Bourdieu, Habermas and Giddens

This thesis presents the results of an exploratory study aimed at developing an understanding of Canadian Forces demographics and linking those demographics to current bodies of sociological theory. The background and literature review provide a starting point for sociological analysis; the study begins with a detailed review of existing literature in Canadian and United States military sociology, utilizing an exploratory approach that incorporates key elements from Bourdieu’s concepts of field and habitus, Habermas’s lifeworld and structure, and Giddens’s notion of structuration. Once the key sociological theories are isolated, research methods and methodologies are developed. Data are collected from the 2006 Canada Census and the demographics of Canadian Forces members are explored through a logistic regression model. Data are interpreted within a sociological framework based on an integration of select theories from Bourdieu, Habermas and Giddens. This research identifies weak relationships between demographic characteristics and CF membership, along with socioeconomic factors and Canadian Forces membership. The completed research provides a starting point for future analyses in Canadian military sociology. Given that demographic and socioeconomic factors demonstrate weak correlation with Canadian Forces membership, future studies can focus on the motivations of Canadian Forces members knowing that background characteristics do not predetermine service. Although the Canadian Forces is primarily composed of Caucasian males, this accounts for only a small portion of variance in the Canadian Forces membership variable