Finding the Right Fit: Exploring ESL Teachers and Students’ Perceptions of iLit ELL, a Technology-based Literacy Program’s Use with High School English Language Learners

The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences ESL secondary teachers and their perceptions towards the use, effects and integration of iLit ELL, a technology-based language program designed for English Language Learners, as well as, the perceived effects the program had on students’ motivation and attitudes towards learning English. Data were collected using teacher interviews, student focus groups and final reflections, as well as my observations and field notes. The collected data were analyzed through the steps of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to broaden the breadth and depth of the content and complexity of each narrative independently. Data were then compared across individual experiences and interpreted in a dynamic and active process, that involved double hermeneutics, which focuses on two interpretations: first, the participants’ interpretations of their own experience, followed by the researcher’s interpretation of the participants’ interpretations (Smith, Flowers & Larkin, 2009). Based on the data collected over the course of the study, major findings indicated that technology integration is affected by teachers’ adaptability to change; teacher mindset effects teachers’ acceptance, integration and effective use of technology; when applied purposefully, technology and differentiated instruction increases student motivation and teachers’ efficiency; and, technology with embedded scaffolds can enhance student autonomy and motivate student learning. From the emerging themes, the following recommendations are suggested for stakeholders and future research: differentiated professional development for teachers; applying consistent school and system-wide supports and beliefs on technology; adopting a universal designs method to teaching; further exploring teacher perceived efficacy and actual performance of technology integration; and a comparative study exploring best instructional models

Influence of physician, patient, and health care system characteristics on the use of outpatient mastectomy‏

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. Breast cancer surgeries can be performed on either an inpatient or ambulatory basis. This systematic review of literature on outpatient mastectomy examines what is known about the factors that influence the use of this procedure, existing public policies, and strategies to promote the appropriate use of outpatient mastectomy. METHODS: Factors associated with the utilization of outpatient mastectomy were categorized and discussed under the following headings: ‘‘patient level,’’ ‘‘physician level,’’ and ‘‘system level.’’ RESULTS: Potential contributing factors to the use of outpatient mastectomy at the patient level were race, educational level, comorbid conditions, cancer stage, and health insurance. Contributing factors at the provider level were demographics, surgeon specialty, and whether physician is an American or international graduate. The associated factors at the system level were state policy and legislation and hospital characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence in the research literature suggests that the use of outpatient mastectomy is a function of interactions between patient and physician characteristics, managed care influences, and the state policies and law

Today nursing need for emotional intelligence: Integrative review of literature‏

Introduction: Emotional intelligence capabilities play a key role in determining an individual’s success in health care organizations. These skills enable individuals to think properly in difficult conditions and prevent wasting emotions such as anger, anxiety and fear and thus calm themselves and open new gateways for insight and self reflection and creative ideas. Therefore, considering the undeniable role of emotional intelligence in the success of nurses is very important. Aim:The purpose of this study is that emotional intelligence and nursing response What is the use? Method: This study is a systematic review, with using key words education, emotional intelligence and nursing, among about 100 research and review papers in Persian and English in the field of nursing and health, has been used electronic databases CINAHL ،science direct ،Ovid ،Scopus ، SID ، Magiran ،Pubmed , Google scholar and 30 article assessed finally. This study has been in 15- year period from 1997 to 2012. Finally, 30 articles in Persian and English, include keywords, which were peer review published in ISI journals, were selected and assessed. Results: The results of this study show that emotional intelligence training is considered as a revolution and vital need in nursing, because it creates a sustainable guideline for developing creativity in the nurse-client relationship and widens personal and professional limits and leads to the wise control of relationships between the nurse and the patient, and causes the nurse to have a human viewpoint about the patient, Hence, emotional intelligence training should be incorporated in nursing programs. Conclusion: : Analysis of results of studies indicate that emotional intelligence to gain skills, with a tremendous impact in improving services to patients, families and entire communities will not only prevent loss of financial resources But fundamental changes in perspective and attitude of nurses towards patients, and their jobs as a professional skill, creates, can also promote and enhance the profession. Therefore, to gain emotional intelligence skills for nurses, is need for nowadays nursing and requirements of today’s professional activities related to nursing personnel and other employees in the health system. Nursing managers obtain EQ skills, with a tremendous impact in improving the services provided to patients, families and the entire community will not only prevent the waste of financial and human resources professionals is improving

Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program Team: Perspectives from the Principal

The Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten (FDK) Program has expanded the role of the principal and has altered the dynamics of the classroom with the introduction of an early years team (teacher and ECE). I conducted a qualitative study investigating how principals perceive their role and the role of the early years team in FDK. I studied the lived experiences of the principals using semi-structured interviews and analyzed the data through Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The themes, Program Awareness, Role as a Leader and Learning Partner, Informal Assessment and Evaluation, Navigating the Roles of Educators and Building a Team Culture emerged from the data. The themes present a general conception of how principals identify their leadership role while providing evidence of their supportive nature within the classroom. Issues in building team relationships and in delineating the roles of the educators in the FDK program continue to be an area of concern

Influence of training about carcinogenic effects of hookah smoking on the awareness, attitude, and performance of women

Background: Wrong attitudes and beliefs about the less carcinogenic effects of hookah smoking comparing to cigarette, easy availability, low cost, and other factors have caused that the usage of hookah smoking increase a lot in our country. Objective: This study has been done with the purpose of examining the influence of education about carcinogenic effects of hookah smoking on the awareness, attitude, and performance of women who refer to the healthcare and medical treatment centers. Materials and Methods: At this semi experimental study, 60 women who refer to the medical and hygienic centers of Bushehr were placed in 3 educational groups based on simple accidental sampling. The tool for data collection was a questionnaire including demographic features, awareness, attitude, and performance measurement. Results: according to the results, the amount of awareness in the majority (48%) of participants about carcinogenic effects of hookah smoking was in an average level. 100% of the participants had the awareness of over 33.1% and their attitude toward hookah smoking was 100% positive that after the intervention it was reported 5%. The participants’ performance in hookah smoking before the intervention was only 25% desirable that after the intervention it was reported 73.3%. The results of Kolmogorov–Smirnov test also showed that the distribution of awareness, attitude, and performance was quite normal. Conclusion: according to the results, it’s the society’s basic need to warn people about carcinogenic effects of hookah smoking by increasing people’s awareness through media, holding training courses, showing movies, and training booklets

Comparison of the Effects of Concept Mapping and Conventional Teaching Methods on Critical Thinking of Nursing Students‏

Introduction: Development of critical thinking and Procedural skills has remained a serious and considerable challenge throughout the nursing educational system in Iran. Conventional methods of teaching such as lecture, as the dominant method used in higher educational systems, is a passive style which ignores critical thinking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of instruction by concept-mapping and conventional methods in fundamentals of nursing on critical thinking skills in Tehran nursing students in 2014. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out on 70 nursing students, who were selected through convenient sampling method, then divided randomly into two equal experimental and control groups, in the Clinical Skills Center of Tehran Nursing and Midwifery School. Educational content was presented in the forms of concept-mapping for the experimental group and lecture in the control group. Data collection included a demographic information and California Critical Thinking Skills (form B) questionnaire; They were filled at the beginning and end of the fourth week of the Instructional period. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (v. 21), using descriptive and analytical statistics, at the significance level of 0.05. Results: Before the intervention, the mean of the total critical thinking skill score was 9.71 ± 2.66 in the concept mapping group and 9.64 ± 2.14 in the lecture group, and the difference was not significant (P = 0.121); but, after the intervention, the critical thinking skill score was 15.20 ± 2.71 in the intervention group and 10.25 ± 2.06 in the control group, which had a significant difference (P = 0.003). Conclusions: Using concept mapping strategy in the education of nursing students may lead to developing critical thinking skills as one of the important missions of higher level education. Therefore, it is recommended to employ this method in clinical nursing education. Keywords: Concept mapping, Critical Thinking Skills, Fundamentals of Nursing, Nursing Student

Risk Factors of Smoking Among Health Care Professionals

Background: Health care professionals (HCPs) play a vital role at various levels of smoking cessation programs to reduce tobacco use in general populations. However, their smoking habits may limit their ability to intervene with their patients who smoke. Aims: To determine prevalence rates of current smoking and examine sociodemographic and work-related factors associated with current smoking among HCPs. Methods: A statewide survey was conducted in a representative sample of 4 groups of HCPs, physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and occupational therapists, with active licenses in Texas in 2003. Weighted prevalence estimates of current smoking rates were computed. Survey logistic regression analysis was used to investigate associations between individual characteristics and current smoking. Results: There were 3600 HCPs included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of current smoking was 9% with the highest prevalence (16%) recorded among respiratory therapists and the lowest prevalence (3%) recorded among physicians. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis non-Hispanic white HCPs were almost 4 times as likely to be current smokers (adjusted odds ratio= 3.95, 95% confidence interval = 1.24-12.59) and those working for 50 hours or more per week were twice as likely to be current smokers (adjusted odds ratio = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.20-3.57). Compared with physicians, all other HCP groups had significantly greater odds of currently smoking. HCPs who were female and resided or worked in rural settings had higher smoking rates in univariable analysis only (P < .05). Conclusions: Smoking is prevalent among certain HCP groups. Working long hours was identified as an important occupational factor associated with current smoking

Physical Activity of Medical and Nonmedical University Students‏

Background: The role of regular and contagious physical activity are widely recognized in decreases the risk of coronary heart disease, various cancers, obesity, osteoporosis and other health problems. Because investigations suggest that physical activity levels fall significantly during the period between adolescence and adulthood, there is considerable concern about youth physical activity. Since university students represent a significant sector of young adults and form a prominent sector of society from which the policy makers, their physical activities are of particular interest. The present study was carried out and compared physical activity status among Tabriz medical and nonmedical sciences university students. Methods: A descriptive comparative design was carried out with 384 Tabriz medical and 384 nonmedical science university students. Data concerning demographic and physical activity variables were collected by a self reported questionnaire. Independent sample t-test were conducted to compare of mean scores of physical activity and two way ANOVA test were conducted to determine whether socio demographic variables were associated with physical activity. Results: The finding study showed that 39.8% of medical and 37.2% of nonmedical science university students had risky physical activity status and only 6.5% of medical and 5.9% of nonmedical science university students had good risky physical activity status. No significant differences between mean scores of physical activity among two groups. 81.3% of medical and 85.2% of nonmedical science university students had tend to increase levels of their physical activity. Conclusions: It can be concluded that both medical and nonmedical science university students did have not appropriate condition regarding to physical activity and medical science students education and training had no influenced on physical activity of medical science university students. Therefore, universities should implement programs to increase student’s level of physical activity