Examining learning in relation to the contexts of use of ICT

Although ICT resources are commonly expected to produce uniform benefits, they are necessarily employed within pre-existing contexts of educational and social activity, and the outcome in terms of both pattern of use and learning depends on how they fit in with these. As a result, the same technology or software may have unexpectedly diverse effects, according to specific setting. If the object is to exercise control over outcome, then the conditions of use need to be planned for within the design and implementation of the technology. In order to do this, it is crucial that research gathers data on how outcomes are affected by the interplay between technology and context. This raises questions about the methods that would be appropriate for the conduct and dissemination of such research. These points are discussed in relation to three studies, one each at primary, secondary and university levels of education

Vision problems following stroke: developing a best practice statement

An estimated 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke each year, and in developed countries, survival is increasing. Of those who survive 30 days or more after their first event, many experience stroke-related vision and visual problems. Although screening for such problems after diagnosis of stroke is recommended, no standard method for complying with this recommendation is available. As visual problems are not always recognised by the sufferer, or obvious to others, they can be overlooked. Undetected problems result in distress to the individual and the people important to them, and may result in longer stays in hospital or repeat admissions. Health professionals in the acute care setting need to be aware that there is a risk of visual problems after stroke and have access to best practice guidance for screening, assessment and management of stroke-related visual problems. This paper describes the process used by a multidisciplinary team to develop a best practice statement for screening, assessment and management of vision problems during the acute phase of stroke

Factors influencing the success of computer mediated communication (CMC) environments in university teaching: a review and case study

Despite its potential benefits, the effectiveness of CMC when used to support learning in higher education is very variable, making it important to identify those factors which best predict successful implementations. A review of the literature from the past few years, presented in the first half of this paper, suggests that, consistent with Activity Theory (Leont'ev, 1978), the critical factors are those which provide a context and rationale for online communication by helping users to establish a shared purpose. However, generating empirical support for this hypothesis presents two kinds of methodological problem: specifying the methods and measures necessary to discern the existence and impact of shared purpose; and dealing with the difficulties of making controlled comparisons in this area. The second half of the paper illustrates, via an implementation case study, something of how these methodological problems might be resolved, and presents evidence in favour of the central importance of shared purpose

Best Practice Statement for Screening, Assessment and Management of Vision Problems in the First 30 Days after an Acute Stroke

No abstract available

Health locus of control in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery – changes and associated outcomes: a seven-year cohort study

Introduction: Health locus of control is a measure of an individual’s beliefs in factors that are thought to determine health experiences. Scores are generated and form a graduated linear scale from external to internal control, with respect to their views on health causality. Health locus of control has been considered to be a relatively stable entity. However, it is not clear if this status changes in the advent of serious health challenges, such as coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The aim of this study is to explore the variability of health locus of control and its association with postoperative health in this context. Methods: In a longitudinal cohort study of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, a purposive sample (n=215) were recruited from the waiting list and followed up postoperatively, at approximately one year and seven years later. Results: Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery demonstrated marked fluctuations in health locus of control in their peri-operative and rehabilitative phases. Mean health locus of control became more external (often associated with poorer outcomes) peri-operatively, and more internal (generally associated with better health outcomes) in the rehabilitative period. Conclusions: Health locus of control scores were shown to be changeable during a major health care intervention, with possible consequences for patient outcomes and care needs. The significant health belief upheaval demonstrated in this cohort should be considered in assessing patients preoperatively, and managed as part of the patients’ clinical journey by both acute and rehabilitation staff. It is likely to have particular importance in individualised assessment and management of future prevention advice for patients

Discernment in the Letter to the Galatians

Although discernment is not the primary focus of the Letter to the Galatians, a few references to this issue are found in the letter. These references are the focus of this study. After a brief overview of some approaches to discernment, three core elements of discernment are identified, namely reflection, choice and one’s relationship to God. Taking these elements as a point of departure, references to discernment in the following passages in the letter are investigated: 2:1-10; 2:11-21; 3:1-5 and 5:12-6:10

The interpretation and translation of galatians 5:12

As is evident from commentaries on Galatians and from various English translations, scholars do not agree on the meaning, rhetorical labelling and translation of the wish expressed by Paul in Galatians 5:12 ( [Ofelon kai; ajpokovyontai oiJ ajnastatou` nte” uJma`”). In this article various interpretations of this verse are considered; its rhetorical labellingis discussed; and suggestions are made as to the best way in which it may be translated into English

Visualisation, navigation and mathematical perception: a visual notation for rational numbers mod1

There are three main results in this dissertation. The first result is the construction of an abstract visual space for rational numbers mod1, based on the visual primitives, colour, and rational radial direction. Mathematics is performed in this visual notation by defining increasingly refined visual objects from these primitives. In particular, the existence of the Farey tree enumeration of rational numbers mod1 is identified in the texture of a two-dimensional animation. ¶ The second result is a new enumeration of the rational numbers mod1, obtained, and expressed, in abstract visual space, as the visual object coset waves of coset fans on the torus. Its geometry is shown to encode a countably infinite tree structure, whose branches are cosets, nZ+m, where n, m (and k) are integers. These cosets are in geometrical 1-1 correspondence with sequences kn+m, (of denominators) of rational numbers, and with visual subobjects of the torus called coset fans. ¶ The third result is an enumeration in time of the visual hierarchy of the discrete buds of the Mandelbrot boundary by coset waves of coset fans. It is constructed by embedding the circular Farey tree geometrically into the empty internal region of the Mandelbrot set. In particular, coset fans attached to points of the (internal) binary tree index countably infinite sequences of buds on the (external) Mandelbrot boundary

Die impak van metodologie op die verstaan van die Nuwe Testament

During the previous century many new methods for interpreting the New Testament were developed. In this article it is asked if new methods always enable better insight into the New Testament. Although it is conceded that this is not always the case, it is argued that the correct application of new methods can indeed facilitate new insights into the New Testament. This is then illustrated by examples from the narratological analysis of the Fourth Gospel and the rhetorical analysis of the Letter to the Galatians

Das vermächtnis Jesu und die abschiedsworte der Väter. Gattungsgeschichtiliche untersuchung der vermächtnisrede im blick auf Joh. 13-17

Hierdie studie wat in 1992 as Habilitationsschrift aan die Augustana Hochschule in Neuendetrelsau ingelewer is, het as doel 'n deeglike ondersoek van die genre van Joh 13:1-17:26 - veral in die lig van die Joodse tradisie in hierdie verband