The development of a photo therapy tool for educational psychologists within the South African context

The study reports on the development of a photo therapy tool for educational psychologists within the South African context. A literature study explores the nature, advantages, characteristics and the application of photo therapy with clients in a therapeutic setting. The developmental intervention research design guided the practical development of an electronic photo therapy tool that can be applied by educational psychologists in a therapy setting with clients. The empirical research is qualitative in nature, as the effectiveness of the newly developed photo therapy tool is evaluated by emerging adults and educational psychologists as an intervention strategy. In order to accomplish this purpose, emerging adults, as well as educational psychologists shared their perceptions of the newly developed photo therapy tool. Thus the usefulness of the photo therapy tool was investigated as an intervention approach. Qualitative data generation techniques, focus group interviews and photographs were utilised. The research results show that the newly developed electronic photo therapy tool has the potential, as a modern therapeutic tool, to be used by educational psychologists as an intervention strategy. The developmental intervention research design is a continuous process, and as the life world is forever changing, improvements to the photo therapy tool can always be added according to new suggestions and ideas. The findings allow theorisation about the significance of the photo therapy tool. The study further determines that there is definite potential in the electronically created photo therapy tool, as both the young adults and the educational psychologists perceived the photo therapy tool as a possible and valuable tool in the therapeutic intervention process.Psychology of EducationD. Ed. (Educational Psychology

Reconceptualising education support services in South Africa

Inclusive education has been phased in in South Africa since 2001, but relies heavily upon adequate support services to support learners and teachers experiencing barriers to learning and development. This book focuses on the different levels of support provided in South African education – from School-based Support Teams to District-based Support Teams through to special and full-service schools, and how these could be reconceptualised to provide improved support to learners and teachers. Current research indicates that inclusive education is being implemented in varied and fragmented forms across the country, and the point of departure of this work is that education support services need to be improved and reconceptualised to ensure better support for inclusive education

Reconceptualising education support services in South Africa

Inclusive education has been phased in in South Africa since 2001, but relies heavily upon adequate support services to support learners and teachers experiencing barriers to learning and development. This book focuses on the different levels of support provided in South African education – from School-based Support Teams to District-based Support Teams through to special and full-service schools, and how these could be reconceptualised to provide improved support to learners and teachers. Current research indicates that inclusive education is being implemented in varied and fragmented forms across the country, and the point of departure of this work is that education support services need to be improved and reconceptualised to ensure better support for inclusive education

Adapted full-face snorkel masks as an alternative for COVID-19 personal protection during aerosol generating procedures in South Africa

INTRODUCTION : SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in increased worldwide demand for personal protective equipment (PPE). With pressure from ongoing epidemic and endemic episodes, we assessed an adapted snorkel mask that provides full-face protection for healthcare workers (HCWs), particularly during aerosol-generating procedures. These masks have a custom-made adaptor which allows the fitment of standard medical respiratory filters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fit, seal and clinical usability of these masks. METHODS : This multicentre, non-blinded in-situ simulation study recruited fifty-two HCWs to don and doff the adapted snorkel mask. Negative pressure seal checks and a qualitative fit test were performed. The HCWs completed intubation and extubation of a manikin in a university skills training laboratory, followed by a webbased questionnaire on the clinical usability of the masks. RESULTS : Whilst fit and usability data were generally satisfactory, two of the 52 participants (3.8%) felt that the mask did not span the correct distance from the nose to the chin, and 3 of 34 participants (8.8%) who underwent qualitative testing with a Bitrex test failed. The majority of users reported no fogging, humidity or irritation. It was reportedly easy to speak while wearing the mask, although some participants perceived that they were not always understood. Twenty-one participants (40%) experienced a subjective physiological effect from wearing the mask; most commonly a sensation of shortness of breath. DISCUSSION : A fit-tested modified full-face snorkel mask may offer benefit as a substitute for N95 respirators and face shields. It is, however, important to properly select the correct mask based on size, fit testing, quality of the three-dimensional (3D) printed parts and respiratory filter to be used. Additionally, HCWs should be trained in the use of the mask, and each mask should be used by a single HCW and not shared.APPENDIX A. SUPPLEMENTARY DATA. APPENDIX B. Fig. B1: A. The SEAC Libera full face snorkel mask, and B. The Mares Sea Vu Care full face snorkel masks, used in this study. Fig. B2: Adapter for A: SEAC Libera Med+ mask and B: Mares Sea Vu Care. Fig. B3: Clear-Guard 3 Breathing Filter used in this study. APPENDIX C. Intubation and extubation checklists. APPENDIX D. Comparison of the different snorkel masks. APPENDIX E. Google form to determine clinical usability of the full-face snorkel mask.The Faculty of Health Science, University of Pretoria who provided financial assistance through the Leeds University COVID-19 funds.https://www.elsevier.com/locate/afjemam2022AnaesthesiologyInternal Medicin

The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa’s major land uses

Sub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species’ population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate ‘intactness scores’: the remaining proportion of an ‘intact’ reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region’s major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/ taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems

Self-perceived leadership development of peer tutors in undergraduate health care studies at a university in South Africa

Introduction: Peer tutors are often seen by peer students as leaders. The role of peers in the development, learning, transition and success of fellow students is widely documented in literature on education and leadership. In spite thereof, minimal research has been done on the development of health care students’ teaching and leadership abilities through involvement in tutor training programmes. The researcher believes that leadership skills of peer tutors develop through enhancing learning experiences of tutees and by introducing them to the leadership model of Kouzes and Posner - The Five Practices of Exemplary Leaders. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the self-perceived leadership development of peer tutors in undergraduate health care studies during participation in the tutor training programme of a particular university. Methodology: A triangulation mixed method design was used to collect complementary quantitative and qualitative data with equal contribution. The study sample consisted of the tutors appointed for a specific academic year at a selected university, to tutor theoretical modules as well as practical skills. Data collection was done by means of a structured self-report instrument completed in the beginning and end of the tutoring programme, an unstructured focus group and narrative descriptions by the tutors. Findings: The data provided an answer to the question; what are the peer tutors’ perceptions of their own leadership development during participation in the tutor training programme in undergraduate health care studies at a university, by describing the self-perception of their leadership abilities. Although the Leadership Practices Inventor - Self results showed a difference, but not always a statistical significant increase in their leadership abilities, when combined with the results from the qualitative data, the study showed that the participants exhibited great growth in their leadership abilities with regards to The Five Practices of Exemplary Leaders: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act and Encourage the Heart. Key terms: leadership, leadership development, peer tutors, tutor training programmeDissertation (MNurs)--University of Pretoria, 2021.Nursing ScienceMNursUnrestricte

The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa’s major land uses

International audienceSub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species' population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate 'intactness scores': the remaining proportion of an 'intact' reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region's major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/ taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems

bi4africa dataset - open source

The bii4africa dataset is presented in a multi-spreadsheet .ods file. The raw data spreadsheet (‘Scores_Raw’) includes 31,313 individual expert estimates of the impact of a sub-Saharan African land use on a species response group of terrestrial vertebrates or vascular plants. Estimates are reported as intactness scores - the remaining proportion of an ‘intact’ reference (pre-industrial or contemporary wilderness area) population of a species response group in a land use, on a scale from 0 (no individuals remain) through 0.5 (half the individuals remain), to 1 (same as the reference population) and, in limited cases, to 2 (two or more times the reference population). For species that thrive in human-modified landscapes, scores could be greater than 1 but not exceeding 2 to avoid extremely large scores biasing aggregation exercises. Expert comments are included alongside respective estimates

bii4africa dataset

The bii4africa dataset is presented in a multi-spreadsheet .xlsx file. The raw data spreadsheet (‘Scores_Raw’) includes 31,313 individual expert estimates of the impact of a sub-Saharan African land use on a species response group of terrestrial vertebrates or vascular plants. Estimates are reported as intactness scores - the remaining proportion of an ‘intact’ reference (pre-industrial or contemporary wilderness area) population of a species response group in a land use, on a scale from 0 (no individuals remain) through 0.5 (half the individuals remain), to 1 (same as the reference population) and, in limited cases, to 2 (two or more times the reference population). For species that thrive in human-modified landscapes, scores could be greater than 1 but not exceeding 2 to avoid extremely large scores biasing aggregation exercises. Expert comments are included alongside respective estimates