Film as database: a visual analysis of 2001: A Space Odyssey

This paper reports on research that explores new possibilities for experiencing film as a digital database. The way we access, interact with and experience film is changed with new digital tools and initial visual experiments towards the design of a graphical user interface respond to this change. The film 2001:A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick is the focus for the research. It is essentially a visual film with an expanded context of critical writing and archived material. Two visual outcomes that map the use of red within scenes of the film will be demonstrated in order to critique and review the film in its new context

Blogs, Reflective Practice and Autonomous Learning in Graphic Design Communication

Abstract Since their inception in 2004 Blogs have become a major contributor to the development of the social networking phenomenon. This paper reports on a small qualitative research project utilising case studies of the use of blogs by Level2 BA Graphic Design Communication students. In the project particular emphasis is given to the capacity of the Blog to assist in the development of reflective behaviour. Reflection is consistently emphasised as a desirable graduate capability, and is an expectation in programmes in the general field of Art and Design. Whilst students in Graphic Design are used to handling sophisticated hardware and software in the fulfilment of design briefs, it is less common for them to draw on the power of ICT to support metacognitive activity such as reflection. The report discusses the tool in comparison to sketchbooks and reflective journals in terms of collating and organising information and reflecting on action and questions how this implementation can further foster an autonomous approach to learning. The increasingly fragmented and often remote nature of current university education experience means there is a necessity for a re-introduction of community through a blended learning approach. To what extent can Blogs not only satisfy this need to engender community and promote peer learning but also offer new paradigms for the pedagogic practice of the teacher? The present study has particular value in that it bridges a number of aspects of level 2 student learning such as placements, student exchanges and electives. The presentation will exemplify student practices and will demonstrate the flexibility of the tool in a range of learning and teaching activities. It will seek to situate this research project in the wider application of blended learning technology and discuss issues surrounding the use of third party software applications within learning and teaching practices at this level

Point of Care Technology for Underserved Populations

Point of Care technology is an emerging healthcare field. This technology allows for rapid, inexpensive, on-site testing for otherwise lengthy and costly laboratory tests. Leading infectious diseases can be tested immediately in non-invasive ways similar to using a pregnancy test. This inexpensive, highly portable, and extremely accurate technology should be used for populations that have historically lacked access. Such access would result in immediate cost savings and life savings. Underserved populations in America such as migrant workers or people living in poverty rarely receive the testing they require. Although clinics for illegal immigrants exist where they are protected and cannot be relocated due to their immigration status, many of these clinics do not conduct laboratory testing. When the laboratory tests are ordered for these people, they may not return for results due to lack of transportation, fear of debt, or fear of being deported. With Point of Care technology, testing for diseases that most affect these populations including Tuberculosis, Diabetes, Hepatitis, and STI’s can be done on site under the protection of the clinics at free or reduced cost. Providing increased access to testing benefits the targeted populations’ health as well as the government through reduced healthcare related costs. This initiative prevents these diseases from progressing to hospital required stages or spreading to others, regardless of immigration status. I am in the early stages of contacting companies that produce P.O.C. devices to see if they would be interested in bringing these devices to the UConn Migrant Farmer Clinics

Discovering communities of social e-learning practice

Teaching and Professional Development Fellowship Report 201

See Me, Ask Me, Hear Me: Children's Recommendations for Recovery Three Months After Typhoon Haiyan

Typhoon Haiyan, known locally in the Philippines as Typhoon Yolanda, was the deadliest rapid-onset disaster globally in 2013. Nearly 6 million children have been affected, 4.1 million people remain displaced and over 6,000 people lost their lives. Three months since Typhoon Haiyan made landfall will be marked on 8 February 2014. Already many families have started to return home, businesses are reopening and communities are picking up the pieces. Save the Children is working with communities, families and children to provide health, nutrition, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, education, child protection and livelihood assistance. As part of this, save the children has consulted with children about how well they think aid agencies have provided assistance to date, and on their hopes for the future

Nonfatal Injuries And Illnesses Among State And Local Government Workers

The scope of the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses was expanded with the 2008 survey to cover a more complete section of the U.S. economy: state and local government workers. Prior to the publication of the 2008 survey results, data users commonly requested information about industries in the public sector. Estimates covering nearly 18.5 million state and local government workers show that these public sector employees experienced a higher incidence rate of work-related injuries and illnesses than their private industry counterparts.This Spotlight on Statistics compares characteristics of injury and illness cases in state and local government with those in private industry, highlighting incidence rate trends in selected state and local government industries and examining injury and illness rates and cases that occurred in state and local government workplaces in 2011