UDL for inclusive higher education—what makes group work effective for diverse international students in UK?

International students face many challenges transitioning to post-graduate study in UK institutions. Students often need to adapt to a range of cultural practices and curricular norms, often without the differences between UK and their home countries being made explicit. Building on Vygotskian concepts of scaffolded learning and the importance that group interaction plays within learning, this research reports on an initiative to embed Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles through group work to develop research skills within a research methods module on an international Masters in Education programme. This small-scale case study across two campuses, with 11 survey respondents and nine focus group participants, analyses questionnaires and focus group interviews and yields important theoretical insights into the interaction of UDL components. The three UDL principles of multiple choices of learning materials, learning activities, and expression of learning outcomes each impacted on the other. The study also provides significant findings about hybrid learning at a crucial point in its development post COVID-19. Technology played an enabling role as students used a range of modalities to negotiate social and cultural diversity. However, the study indicates that on campus learning time is indispensable for students to fully access the power of digital technology. This paper contributes to advancing the understandings of international education and its interactional challenges and opportunities.<br/

Sources of Cardiovascular Health Information and Channels of Health Communication Among Urban Population in Nigeria

This study employed mixed methods to investigate the preferred sources of health information and later explored the views of community healthcare workers on the enablers, barriers and ways of overcoming barriers to health communication. The study found that majority of the participants preferred their source of CV (cardiovascular) health information from the healthcare workers including the medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. On the other hand, the least preferred source of health information was from friends, family members, and community leaders. Some of the identified enablers to community health communication include awareness programme via Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations such as faith-based organisations and healthcare facilities. Others are traditional media and social media. The identified barriers to community-based health communication include lack of knowledge and poverty, language barriers, and other miscellaneous issues including misuse of internet, lack of basic amenities and religious beliefs. The community-based healthcare providers articulated ways to overcome the identified barriers, including enlightenment programmes, using the language of the target audience, funding health awareness programmes, and monitoring of health education interventions. This study concludes that dissemination of health information using numerous channels is essential in ensuring population-wide primary prevention of diseases

Strength-based approaches: a realist evaluation of implementation in maternity services in Scotland

Aim Strength-based approaches draw on patients’ strengths and perspectives to partner with them in their own care, recovery and problem solving. The effectiveness of strength-based approaches to address complex health problems has a growing evidence base leading to its incorporation within universal services in many countries. However, practitioners’ understanding of implementation of strength-based approaches, such as how to agenda match, set goals and revise plans within universal services are under-researched. Maternity services are a key point of access to health services and women’s experiences of them have consequences for families’ future willingness to engage with public health provision. This study researched strength-based components of children’s services policy, Getting It Right For Every Child, in maternity care in Scotland. Subject and methods Complex interventions, such as this policy, requires a methodology that captures complex dynamics. Consequently a realist-evaluation-informed case-study approach was adopted across three contrasting health boards comprised of: (1) interviews with women receiving maternity care with heightened risk profiles, (2) a sample of maternity care professionals responsible for implementing the policy and (3) document analysis of policy guidance and training materials. Results Whilst midwives reported adopting more open approaches to raising sensitive issues with women, many midwives were unfamiliar with strength-based approaches and were not drawing upon them, in contrast to a perception amongst managers that training and implementation was common. Conclusion These findings suggest implementation of strength-based approaches within universal services require further attention to training and embedding culture change

We Live in Interesting Times

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Shedding Social Media : Dewey and the changing needs of education for democratic engagement

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

There are only really two rules to follow

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Collaborating with a Scottish heritage brand towards enhancing and preserving sustainable artisan hand-weaving practices through a knowledge transfer partnership.

This paper discusses a Knowledge Transfer Project (KTP) with a global Scottish heritage brand, which aimed to develop a year-round sustainable business model through a design-led approach to new product innovation that improves the brand's sustainability credentials. Sustainability in textile production is under increasing scrutiny from the media, governments, regulators and consumers, all demanding transparency in the supply chain. The company has an excellent track record of sustainable employment in rural communities, and through this project sought to improve their production processes and waste output. Sustainability is a vast topic, in which collaboration can help to address these key challenges. The company manages an artisan hand-weaving manufacturing system, where yarn production and fabric finishing are regulated by the 1993 Harris Tweed Act of Parliament that protects and restricts production to the Outer Hebrides. The success or failure of the Harris Tweed industry directly impacts the wider economy of the Outer Hebrides, which is considered "remote, rural [and] fragile" by UK and Scottish governments, and by their economic development agencies. The paper describes how academic/business collaboration can positively encourage innovation, and help reposition businesses within a changing economic and sustainable landscape that explores these new opportunities. The paper reflects on how KTPs are a mechanism with mutual benefits, where pooling individual knowledge and resources can develop strong, sustainable and authentic relationships, which can in turn provide tangible impacts of new knowledge generation and application within a scholarly and research context. These can be clearly aligned to notions of bringing value to the sector, users and the curriculum