Designing an elearning space to teach about elearning - how hard can it be?

This paper supports a session given at the annual learning and teaching conference at Nottingham Trent University in April 2009. It considers the implementation of a Masters-level 30 credit module: PDEP43129 E-learning and teaching in Higher Education. Our focus here is on the design of a virtual learning space for the module. Our design is informed by the literature and reflection on our own practice. It was implemented under the auspices of the University’s VLE policy and strategy. Both the module and the learning environment in which it was implemented were new in September 2008. This posed some interesting challenges which will be explored in the paper. The module was developed in response to a perceived need for colleagues to experience, study and reflect on e-learning. Development work was supported by a CASQ secondment. We have now had one complete run through of the module (September 2008 to January 2009) and have started on the second. Together, we developed the module and are the only tutors teaching on it at this time. Much of the development work was undertaken during the academic year 2007-08, but the learning space was set up in September 2008. A unique feature of this module is that, apart from an introductory face to face session, it takes place entirely online. In this paper we discuss what we wanted to do (content and tools), how we wanted to do it (including layout and tools), the constraints that the new VLE imposed and the opportunities that it offered. We want to reflect on what people have said about the module in their evaluations and also in their formative comments in the orientation unit. We can also draw from many rich sources of primary data, both quantitative and qualitative, much of which derive from the VLE and its associated tools eg document access statistics, copies of Chat sessions, records of Discussions, and Blogs. In addition, of course, we have our own experiences and personal blogs to draw from. The guiding principle behind the learning and teaching strategy is one of construction of knowledge through discussion. The module uses the discussion forum tool in particular along with other collaborative technologies – both synchronous and asynchronous. The ethical considerations in presenting such a paper will require us to anonymised content or seek permission from participants. At the time of writing, it is still too early to draw firm conclusions though we can state now that it has been time-consuming, exciting, challenging and frustrating. We have learned a great deal from implementing the module for its first run at the same time as the launch of NOW and this paper will, we hope, inform colleagues on the generalisable aspects of the use of the learning space

Virtual Reality and the Tourism Product Substitution or Complement?

this paper describes a small empirical study aimed at attempting to give an answer to the question: “will virtual reality provide a substitute for the tourism product”? It identifies that the development of VR (virtual reality) [1] has enormous potential both for the companies that operate in the tourism sector and for the consumers of their services. It applied the methodology of hypothesis testing using two distinct sample groups: VR researchers who develop and program VR systems, and a cross section of the general public. The findings seem to suggest that virtual holidays are not perceived as an adequate and suitable alternative to ‘real’ holidays, but have the potential to provide a complement to them. They also show that virtual holidays could play an important role for the disabled and elderly holidaymakers. Several other potential advantages were identified. It is important to reiterate that this was only a small experimental study, but an analysis of its limitations could point the way for further research in this area

A study comparing the primary stability of two uncemented, modular titanium femoral stems

As the annual incidence of revision total hip replacement (THR) rises so too do the technical, biomechanical and socioeconomic challenges it presents. This thesis investigated many of the key clinical and pre-clinical aspects of this surgery. Improving implant stability was addressed through biomechanical analyses and the cost and complications of revision THR were explored. The biomechanical investigation compared two designs of tapered, fluted, modular, titanium-alloy stems. The Redapt® stem featured a novel flute configuration and chamfered tip. It was hypothesised that this would improve axial and rotational stability compared to the Modular Restoration® control stem. Each stem was implanted into one of 7 matched pairs of human cadaveric femora with simulated proximal bony defects. A photoelastic coating compared surface strains in the medial femoral cortex for the intact and operated femora. Under incremental static loads each operated bone showed marked stress-shielding with a statistically significant reduction in strain. This effect was diminished with the Redapt® stem because of reduced distal endosteal contact (‘fill’) as confirmed by radiographic analysis. Primary stability was measured using micromotion transducers and radiostereometric analysis. Under cyclical loading both stems were stable by agreed standards at x1 body weight. As load increased 85% of the Redapt stems remained stable compared to 100% of the Restoration (p=0.055). Overall transducer recorded axial subsidence was 0.1 mm for the Redapt and 0.17 mm for the Restoration. Both stems achieved results commensurate with their expected successful application in revision cases with extensive bony defects. Clinical and financial data was collected from 305 consecutive revision THRs between 1999-2008 performed at our institution. Analysis revealed a large variation in costs by indication from £10893 (SD £5476) for dislocation to £21937 (SD £10965) for septic revisions. A large shortfall in reimbursement was found questioning the ability of smaller units to continue providing this service

What are the views of adults with an intellectual disability (AWID), carers and healthcare professionals on a community falls management programme for AWID: a qualitative interview study in the UK

Objectives The aim of this study was to refine a draft of the ACTiON FALLS LD programme based on the views of adults with an intellectual disability (AWID), carers and healthcare professionals (HCPs). Design, setting and participants The semistructured interview study included HCP as well as AWID and carers supporting AWID living in the community. Community settings included sheltered living, supported living, AWID living at home with family carers or independently. The interview study explored the first draft of the ACTiON FALLS LD programme as well as the wider falls management for AWID. Interviews with AWID were developed to include a range of approaches (eg, case studies, pictures) to support inclusive participation. Individual interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. Researcher notes were used during interviews with AWID. All data were analysed using the principles of framework analysis. Results 14 HCP, 8 carers and 13 AWID took part in the interview process. Five key themes were identified: programme components, programme design, programme approach, who would use the programme and programme delivery. Conclusions The views of AWID, HCP and carers showed the need to consider the impact of risk perception, anxiety and fear of falling in the adaption of the ACTiON FALLS programme. The programme needs to be accessible and support the inclusion of AWID in managing falls and ultimately fulfil the requirement for a proactive and educational tool by all.</p

A systematic review of the evidence for single stage and two stage revision of infected knee replacement

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic infection about the knee is a devastating complication that may affect between 1% and 5% of knee replacement. With over 79 000 knee replacements being implanted each year in the UK, periprosthetic infection (PJI) is set to become an important burden of disease and cost to the healthcare economy. One of the important controversies in treatment of PJI is whether a single stage revision operation is superior to a two-stage procedure. This study sought to systematically evaluate the published evidence to determine which technique had lowest reinfection rates. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases with the aim to identify existing studies that present the outcomes of each surgical technique. Reinfection rate was the primary outcome measure. Studies of specific subsets of patients such as resistant organisms were excluded. RESULTS: 63 studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. The majority of which (58) were reports of two-stage revision. Reinfection rated varied between 0% and 41% in two-stage studies, and 0% and 11% in single stage studies. No clinical trials were identified and the majority of studies were observational studies. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence for both one-stage and two-stage revision is largely of low quality. The evidence basis for two-stage revision is significantly larger, and further work into direct comparison between the two techniques should be undertaken as a priority

Oral health and elite sport performance

While the research base is limited, studies have consistently reported poor oral health in elite athletes since the first report from the 1968 Olympic Games. The finding is consistent both across selected samples attending dental clinics at major competitions and more representative sampling of teams and has led to calls from the International Olympic Committee for more accurate data on oral health. Poor oral health is an important issue directly as it can cause pain, negative effects on appearance and psychosocial effects on confidence and quality of life and may have long-term consequences for treatment burden. Self-reported evidence also suggests an impact on training and performance of athletes. There are many potential challenges to the oral health of athletes including nutritional, oral dehydration, exercise-induced immune suppression, lack of awareness, negative health behaviours and lack of prioritisation. However, in theory, oral diseases are preventable by simple interventions with good evidence of efficacy. The consensus statement aims to raise awareness of the issues of oral health in elite sport and recommends strategies for prevention and health promotion in addition to future research strategies

Re-Infection Outcomes following One- and Two-Stage Surgical Revision of Infected Hip Prosthesis:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The two-stage revision strategy has been claimed as being the "gold standard" for treating prosthetic joint infection. The one-stage revision strategy remains an attractive alternative option; however, its effectiveness in comparison to the two-stage strategy remains uncertain.To compare the effectiveness of one- and two-stage revision strategies in treating prosthetic hip infection, using re-infection as an outcome.Systematic review and meta-analysis.MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, manual search of bibliographies to March 2015, and email contact with investigators.Cohort studies (prospective or retrospective) conducted in generally unselected patients with prosthetic hip infection treated exclusively by one- or two-stage revision and with re-infection outcomes reported within two years of revision. No clinical trials were identified.Data were extracted by two independent investigators and a consensus was reached with involvement of a third. Rates of re-infection from 38 one-stage studies (2,536 participants) and 60 two-stage studies (3,288 participants) were aggregated using random-effect models after arcsine transformation, and were grouped by study and population level characteristics.In one-stage studies, the rate (95% confidence intervals) of re-infection was 8.2% (6.0-10.8). The corresponding re-infection rate after two-stage revision was 7.9% (6.2-9.7). Re-infection rates remained generally similar when grouped by several study and population level characteristics. There was no strong evidence of publication bias among contributing studies.Evidence from aggregate published data suggest similar re-infection rates after one- or two-stage revision among unselected patients. More detailed analyses under a broader range of circumstances and exploration of other sources of heterogeneity will require collaborative pooling of individual participant data.PROSPERO 2015: CRD42015016559