Interdisciplinarity in Technology Enhanced Learning: An Interview Study

This paper explores the influence of the concept of interdisciplinarity on the work of educational technologists and others involved in technology-enhanced learning (TEL) research. There is a growing recognition of the need for interdisciplinarity in solving complex research problems in many areas of science. Technology-enhanced learning is a relatively young area of research adopting a multidisciplinary approach to investigating the use of technologies for learning. This makes it a field that is worthy of exploration in terms of how the ways of working developed by its practitioners inform our understanding of the challenges of the field as well as its benefits. This paper reporting on work commissioned by the Joint Research Councils’ programme on Technology Enhanced Learning provides a discussion of the growing literature on this topic, and a study of the working practices of academics in TEL research. An interview study of 18 participants was conducted as part of the project. The paper reports on the key findings from the interviews and concludes with some practical suggestions to help participants deal with the challenges posed by interdisciplinary working in TEL research

Macular Pigment and Diabetes Mellitus

The macula is a specialised part of the retina responsible for detailed central and colour vision. The carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin are uniquely concentrated in the inner and central layers of the primate macula, where they are collectively known as macular pigment (MP). Macular pigment confers potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the eye. Many studies have suggested that these carotenoids are lower in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and that increased levels of MP may confer protection against AMD, especially the late form of the disease. Research is now beginning to focus on MP optical density (MPOD) and carotenoid intake in diabetes mellitus, a condition which similar to AMD, is known to cause oxidative damage and inflammation in the retina. Methods The optical density of MP was measured in a group of participants with diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) and findings compared with normal healthy controls. A comprehensive review was performed to investigate the putative causal mechanisms and metabolic perturbations associated with lower MP in diabetes. Surrogate biomarkers for the prediction of low MP in participants with Type 2 diabetes and older adults free of ocular pathology, including clinical [blood pressure], plasma [lipoproteins, inflammatory markers] and anthropometric [waist (cm), hip (cm), height (cm), weight (kg)] parameters, were investigated and identified as part of a large randomly selected sample from the Republic of Ireland (as part of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing [TILDA]). 2 Results The optical density of MP was lower among Type 2 diabetes subjects (0.33 ± 0.21) compared with Type 1 subjects (0.49 ± 0.23) and normal controls (0.48 ± 0.35) (p= 0.01). A comprehensive review of MP and diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, in particular, revealed that MP may become depleted through at least four possible causal mechanisms in this condition including overweight/obesity, dyslipidaemia, oxidative stress and inflammation. Research performed on the TILDA cohort confirmed that participants with Type 2 diabetes had significantly lower MPOD compared with non diabetic controls (p=0.047). In-depth analysis on this Type 2 diabetes cohort revealed that MP was significantly lower in diabetes participants who were deficient in plasma vitamin D (/L) (p=0.006); who had a raised triglyceride (TG) over high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (TG/HDL) [\u3e1.74 mmol/L; p=0.039]; who had hypertension (p=0.043); who were current smokers (p=0.022); or who had cataracts (p=0.049). Among older adults who were free of ocular pathology (i.e. AMD, glaucoma, diabetes, pre-diabetes), MPOD was significantly lower among participants with an elevated waist circumference (WC) (p=0.034), those who had low plasma HDL (p=0.038), those with a raised plasma TG/HDL ratio (p=0.003) and those with a raised total cholesterol (TC) over HDL ratio (TC/HDL) (p=0.030). Conclusion Overall, our findings suggest that individuals with Type 2 diabetes have lower MP relative to healthy controls. The metabolic correlates associated with Type 2 diabetes, in particular, i.e. oxidative stress, inflammation, overweight/obesity and dyslipidaemia, may have important implications for MPOD in the retina. Surrogate biomarkers associated with lower MP in Type 2 diabetes include low plasma levels of 3 vitamin D (25(OH) D), dyslipidaemia (i.e. raised TG/HDL ratio), hypertension, cataracts and smoking. While an altered lipoprotein profile (i.e. low HDL, raised TG/HDL ratio, raised TC/HDL ratio), may affect the transport, uptake, and stabilisation of carotenoids in the retina of older adults free of ocular pathology, it appears that WC is a more robust predictor of lower MPOD in this patient cohort. However, its effect size appears to be small and therefore its clinical applicability is questionable

Macular Pigment: Practical Implications for Optometric Practice in Preventative Health Care and Visual Performance Enhancement

The macula is a specialised part of the retina responsible for detailed central and colour vision. The carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin are uniquely concentrated in the inner and central layers of the primate macula, where they are known as macular pigment (MP). It has been shown that MP is entirely of dietary origin and that lutein and zeaxanthin levels in serum, diet and retina correlate. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a disease of the macula and results in loss of central vision. MP, because of its optical filtration and antioxidant properties, may have an important role in the prevention or delay of AMD, and also in the enhancement and preservation of visual performance in healthy individuals

Technology-enhanced learning as a site for interdisciplinary research

This briefing on Interdisciplinary Research is the fifth publication of its kind emerging from the Technology Enhanced Learning Research programme (TEL). TEL is a £12m programme running from 2007-2012 with eight large interdisciplinary projects aiming to combine technological and pedagogical expertise to improve outcomes for learners. The programme is funded jointly by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. TEL also commissions analyses of key theoretical, practical and policy issues across and beyond the eight projects, and in the wider TEL field

Can Protanopia Be Correctly Diagnosed in Clinical Practice? An Evaluation of Diagnosis by Four Screening Tests

SIGNIFICANCE Protanopia is a color vision deficiency (CVD) that is unacceptable for certain occupations. This study compares simultaneously for the first time the ability of three recently revised or developed clinical tests of color vision with the Ishihara test to diagnose protanopia from other color vision deficiencies. PURPOSE The objectives were to examine the ability of four clinical tests to differentiate (1) between protan and deutan CVDs in patients with protanopia and deuteranopia, and (2) protanopes and deuteranopes as “strong” deficiencies. METHODS The Hardy-Rand-Rittler (4th ed.), City University (3rd ed.), Ishihara, and Mollon-Reffin tests were evaluated against the Oculus Heidelberg Multi-Color anomaloscope for 18 protanopes and 9 deuteranopes. Diagnosis by anomaloscopy was subsequent to administration of screening tests. RESULTS The Ishihara test misdiagnosed all 18 protanopes as having a deutan deficiency. In contrast, the Hardy-Rand-Rittler and Mollon-Reffin tests correctly identified protan CVD in 100% of protanopes. No screening test was able to reliably diagnose protanopia on the basis of a strong protan CVD. CONCLUSIONS The Ishihara test is not suitable for screening for protanopia; its failure to diagnose protanopes as having a protan CVD was far greater than that in previous studies. The Hardy-Rand-Rittler and Mollon-Reffin are the most reliable tests for this purpose. None of the screening tests were able to reliably differentiate dichromacy from strongly anomalous trichromacy

From design to narrative: the development of inquiry-based learning models

The University of Nottingham and the Open University are partners in a ca. £1.2m project to help school students learn the skills of modern science. The three-year project, Personal Inquiry (PI) (funded by the UK ESRC and EPSRC research councils), is developing a new approach of 'scripted inquiry learning', where children investigate a science topic with classmates by carrying out explorations between their classroom, homes and discovery centres, guided by a personal computer. This paper describes our progress to date on the development of four models for inquiry-based learning, as part of the PI project. These are being used as the basis for the development of educational scenarios and associated scripts to explore the use of mobile technologies in supporting an inquiry-based approach to teaching Scientific thinking across formal and informal learning

A review of the putative causal mechanisms associated with lower macular pigment in diabetes mellitus

Macular pigment (MP) confers potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects at the macula, and may therefore protect retinal tissue from the oxidative stress and inflammation associated with ocular disease and ageing. There is a body of evidence implicating oxidative damage and inflammation as underlying pathological processes in diabetic retinopathy. MP has therefore become a focus of research in diabetes, with recent evidence suggesting that individuals with diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, have lower MP relative to healthy controls. The present review explores the currently available evidence to illuminate the metabolic perturbations that may possibly be involved in MP’s depletion. Metabolic co-morbidities commonly associated with type 2 diabetes, such as overweight/obesity, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance, may have related and independent relationships with MP. Increased adiposity and dyslipidaemia may adversely affect MP by compromising the availability, transport and assimilation of these dietary carotenoids in the retina. Furthermore, carotenoid intake may be compromised by the dietary deficiencies characteristic of type 2 diabetes, thereby further compromising redox homeostasis. Candidate causal mechanisms to explain the lower MP levels reported in diabetes include increased oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, overweight/ obesity and dyslipidaemia; factors that may negatively affect redox status, and the availability, transport and stabilisation of carotenoids in the retina. Further study in diabetic populations is warranted to fully elucidate these relationships

Normative data on the foveal avascular zone in a young healthy Irish population using optical coherence tomography angiography

Purpose: To establish normative data on the size, shape and vascular profile of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in a young, healthy, Irish population, using the Cirrus 5000 HD-OCT. Certain diseases may alter FAZ appearance. Normative databases provide normal baseline values for comparison, thus improving diagnostic ability. Methods: One hundred and fifty-four subjects aged 18–35 years old were recruited. Superficial FAZ area, diameter, circularity, ganglion cell layer, central macular thickness (CMT), vascular perfusion and density were measured using the Cirrus 5000. Axial length was measured with the IOL Master and blood pressure was measured using the Omron sphygmomanometer. Results: Mean FAZ area was 0.22±0.07 mm2, mean CMTwas 263.08±18.73μm. Both were larger in females than males (p =0.022, p=0.000). Mean vessel density and perfusion central were 14.11±2.77 mm/mm2 and 24.70±4.96% respectively. Both were lower in females (p =0.010, p=0.019). Vessel density and perfusion inner correlated positively with minimum ganglion cell layer plus inner plexiform layer (GCL+IPL) thickness (p=0.001, p=0.019). CMT correlated positively with vessel density and perfusion central (p =0.000 for both) and negatively with FAZ area (p =0.000). Conclusions: This study provides normative data for FAZ appearance and vascularity for the first time in a young, healthy, Irish population, using the Cirrus 5000 HD-OCT. Establishing machine and population specific normative data, particularly in relation to vessel density and perfusion is paramount to the early identification of ocular disease using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Identification of Surrogate Biomarkers for the Prediction of Patients at Risk of Low Macular Pigment in Type 2 Diabetes

Purpose: This cross-sectional study compared macular pigment (MP) levels among persons with Type 2 diabetes relative to healthy controls. Additionally, a range of behavioral, anthropometric, clinical and serum measures were explored as possible predictors of low MP optical density (MPOD) in diabetes

Internationalsation in the Classroom

Multicultural societies require multicultural universities and internationalisation is a powerful influence within higher education. Conceptual understandings of internationalisation and practical activities have evolved significantly to prepare students for global workplaces, social cohesion and personal development (Higher Education Strategy Group, 2011). Internationalisation benefits the development of interculturally competent graduates who can participate in diverse, global labour markets, yet, international students require support while adjusting to new learning environments. A student-centred approach to learning is superseding traditional pedagogy in order to support the most diverse range of learning preferences that are characteristic of multicultural groups (Vita, 2001). Educators are encouraged to expand their teaching portfolios with tools that support international students, while also benefiting their domestic counterparts (Arkoudis, 2006. Seery, 2014). Adapting teaching methods for culturally mixed groups helps to address barriers to learning, to value cultural diversity and to encourage inclusive and supportive engagement. International students may need explicit instruction on assessable activities to help develop their own understanding of topics and to avoid plagiarism (Carroll, 2008). Constructive feedback for international students should consider their additional cognitive loads as they broaden their learning and develop new academic writing and referencing skills. To support lecturers, this project considers the impact of policy and core pedagogical categories of learning preferences, teaching methods, technology and assessment as they relate to internationalisation. It aims to offer some practical advice and to illustrate some examples to help address the needs of international students, alongside their domestic colleagues, in learning environments that are increasingly multicultural