Assessing the Incidence of Public Works Programmes: Using Propensity Score Matching Techniques to Assess the Poverty Targeting of Employment in Two Public Works Programmes in South Africa

This paper explores the socio-economic identity of Public Works Programme (PWP) participants in two programmes in South Africa, in order to establish the incidence of PWP participation, a question which is central to assessing the social protection impact of PWPs, but which is frequently omitted from programme analysis, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The paper focuses on an analysis of the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of PWP participants. As in many PWPs, no baseline data on participants in these programme were collected. Therefore, it is not possible to ascertain a priori who the beneficiaries of the programmes are, a situation which fundamentally challenges any attempt to or to assess incidence or the social protection impact of such an intervention. The research interrogates the assumption that the 'less eligibility criteria' central to the design of PWPs (the work requirement and low wages) will lead to participation of the poorest, thereby reducing the likelihood of inclusion errors, attempting first to ascertain who the participants in the programmes are. The question is explored using survey data gathered in 2003 on two case study PWPs implemented simultaneously in South Africa, which adopt different design and targeting approaches. Programme incidence is then considered in relationship to targeting and programme objectives, and the conclusion drawn that in order for PWPs to reach the poorest in a given community, reliance on self targeting through the work requirement and a low wage is not adequate, and explicit targeting measures are needed during participant selection.

Making real the learning to learn (L2L) rhetoric embedded in an ITE learning and teaching strategy

Building on current research at Chester into the promotion of reflection as a tool for helping students to become more strategically aware of their learning, the project explores the value of introducing college tutors to ideas about learning to learn in its broader sense. Emphasis will be placed upon Claxton's 4Rs: resilience; resourcefulness; reflectiveness and reciprocity as a model of what good learning does look like (Smith, 2004

Technological Innovations Tackling Biodiversity Loss: Solutions or Misdirection?

open access articleUsing original data derived from the thematic analysis of three international agreements and the 2016 Conference of the Parties (COP) and Meeting of the Parties (MOP) Decisions, this article examines the incorporation of technology and technological innovation in the biological diversity regime. It finds that that the biodiversity regime incorporates discourses of ecological modernisation and prioritises technological innovation for biodiversity loss, particularly in the 2016 COP and MOP Decisions. The empirical analysis indicates that themes regarding progress, ‘improving’ the environment and the role of technology in mediating economic growth and development are embedded in references to technology and technological innovation. Drawing on an ecofeminist perspective, this article examines how these themes highlight the prioritisation of technological innovation to prevent biodiversity loss. The author concludes that this prioritisation inhibits opportunities to fully engage with developing alternative approaches towards resolving environmental problems as these approaches require a re-evaluation of the societal institutions and practices that exploit and destroy the non-human environment

Drivers for change in primary care of diabetes following a protected learning time educational event: interview study of practitioners

Background: A number of protected learning time schemes have been set up in primary care across the United Kingdom but there has been little published evidence of their impact on processes of care. We undertook a qualitative study to investigate the perceptions of practitioners involved in a specific educational intervention in diabetes as part of a protected learning time scheme for primary health care teams, relating to changing processes of diabetes care in general practice. Methods: We undertook semistructured interviews of key informants from a sample of practices stratified according to the extent they had changed behaviour in prescribing of ramipril and diabetes care more generally, following a specific educational intervention in Lincolnshire, United Kingdom. Interviews sought information on facilitators and barriers to change in organisational behaviour for the care of diabetes. Results: An interprofessional protected learning time scheme event was perceived by some but not all participants as bringing about changes in processes for diabetes care. Participants cited examples of change introduced partly as a result of the educational session. This included using ACE inhibitors as first line for patients with diabetes who developed hypertension, increased use of aspirin, switching patients to glitazones, and conversion to insulin either directly or by referral to secondary care. Other reported factors for change, unrelated to the educational intervention, included financially driven performance targets, research evidence and national guidance. Facilitators for change linked to the educational session were peer support and teamworking supported by audit and comparative feedback. Conclusion: This study has shown how a protected learning time scheme, using interprofessional learning, local opinion leaders and early implementers as change agents may have influenced changes in systems of diabetes care in selected practices but also how other confounding factors played an important part in changes that occurred in practice

Do mobile learning devices enhance learning in higher education anatomy classrooms?

Recently there has been an increased volume of research and practice of mobile Learning (mLearning) and in particular of the tablet device. The question of how, when and where to best incorporate the tablet device into the learning environment in Higher Education remains largely unanswered. The article presents the findings of an empirical study that examined the effect of integrating mobile learning tablet devices into first year University anatomy seminars in a group of Sport and Exercise students. Data on student achievement, attendance and feedback was collected over two academic years and two cohorts, comparing seminar groups taught with tablet devices (iPads) integrated with traditionally taught anatomy seminars. The results indicate that the iPads had a positive effect on attendance, achievement and progression, highlighting the need for a framework as to how the tablet should be incorporated to maximise the learner experience. This article offers insight into the implications of successful mLearning using tablets and into how we, as educators might use the tablet device as a tool to provide a more engaging, successful learning environment which positively impacts on student achievement and independent truly mobile learning outside of the classroom

Obesity and cardiovascular risk factors: results of a unique approach to NHS health checks

The aim of the study was to evaluate health check data from an inner London borough. Haringey have taken a unique approach to NHS health checks, pairing up with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation (THF) to offer the health checks outside of traditional GP surgeries. Between March 2014 and July 2015, 3000 health checks were carried out by the THF community health check practitioner at 25 locations in the east of the Borough. The whole group data (n=2254) were analysed, comprising of 23.4% females (50.2±8.0 years) and 76.6% males (49.4±8.0 years). Alcohol consumption in males was significantly greater in the underweight compared to all other BMI groups. The underweight/normal BMI groups had significantly lower total cholesterol levels than the overweight/obese. Blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the underweight compared to overweight/obese. QRISK2 score was significantly lower in normal and underweight compared to overweight/obese males. Blood glucose levels and QRISK2 were significantly greater in the inactive/moderately inactive groups compared to the active groups. Interventions must be sought to address diet and activity in the borough, particularly in the 40–60-year-old age group. Females and the underweight should not be forgotten. Keywords: NHS health check, Cardiovascular disease, Lifestyle risk, Obesit