A Mixed Methods Exploratory Study of Digital Literacies in Higher Education

This exploratory study examines the assessment of digital literacy in higher education using Kurtz and Peled’s (2016) digital literacy framework and assessment instrument. As information and communications technologies have grown over the last part of the 20th century and the first part of the 21st century, so has the socio-cultural environment (Kurtz & Peled, 2016; Roxin & Rusitoru, 2016). Literacy has grown from a simple concept involving the ability to read and write to a complex concept that includes many more competencies. A review of the literature shows the emergence of many new literacies (Šorgo, Bartol, Dolničar, & Podgornik, 2016). While much is written about new literacies in general, little is written specifically on the assessment of digital literacy (Ainley, Schulz, & Fraillon, 2016; Literat, 2014; & Mills, 2010). At the same time, institutions of higher education are attempting to align their educational objectives with the ever evolving digital landscape. The two questions driving this research are: (1) Based on Kurtz and Peled’s (2016) digital learning domains, how digitally literate are Messiah College’s first year undergraduate students? and (2) How do supporting digital files and text reflections and explanations extend Kurtz and Peled’s (2016) instrument assessing digital literacy? Using an embedded mixed methods approach, participants of this study are Messiah College’s first year students who completed a survey instrument with quantitative and qualitative data collection components. Analysis included descriptive statistics calculations of the quantitative data, and qualitative content analysis (QCA) of the qualitative data. Results indicated Messiah College’s first year undergraduate students in the 2016-2017 academic year were digitally literate with a majority of students responding positively to six of seven of Kurtz and Peled’s (2016) digital learning domains (DLDs). One of the seven DLDs, information management, received an unacceptable reliability score of α = 0.53. The qualitative data: (a) added a layer of supporting evidence for all but one of the DLDs, information validation; (b) demonstrated digital literacies complexity; and (c) presented an additional relevant category, emotion; extending Kurtz and Peled’s quantitative assessment. A synthesis of the quantitative and qualitative components extended the independent results providing a detailed assessment of first year students’ digital literacy. This detailed assessment supported a prioritization of the DLDs informing Messiah College of areas where additional programing may help support and improve students’ digital literacies

Wellness Through Radical Hospitality: Sheridan College

Wellness Through Radical Hospitality: Sheridan College - an article featured in The Canadian Art Therapy Association\u27s online magazine Envisage

Are drug therapies effective in treating Bell's palsy?

Early use of corticosteroid therapy results in less autonomic synkinesis and possibly improved rates of recovery in adults (strength of recommendation: C); there is no proven benefit in children (SOR: B). Adding acyclovir (Zovirax) to prednisone therapy may improve recovery rates compared with prednisone alone (SOR: C). The results of 1 nonblinded study indicate that intramuscular methylcobalamin (vitamin B12) used alone or in combination with prednisone may shorten time to recovery (SOR: C)

Benefits of Individualized Weight Loss Program in the Overweight Adult Population in Primary Care

The purpose of this project was to increase health by implementing a personalized, clinic-based weight loss program for overweight/obese patients leading to a decrease in weight, BMI, and waist circumference and an increase in muscle mass by using resistance training (RT) exercises as an adjunct to diet, therefore helping to decrease comorbidities associated with obesity. This project aimed to use strength training exercises as an adjunct therapy to lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, counseling) to decrease body weight by 8 pounds, decrease BMI by at least 1%, decrease waist circumference by at least 1 inch, and increase muscle mass percentage by at least 1% among overweight/obese adults within two months of intervention. The project was successful in helping participants to decrease weight and BMI but was unsuccessful in reducing waist circumference or increasing muscle mass.https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/scholarsday2023_spring-posters/1006/thumbnail.jp

Amplifying Nonprofit Voices: Bridging the Advocacy Evaluation Gap

Over the past two decades, a robust field of advocacy and policy change evaluation has emerged. The field is now considering its future steps. Advocates, funders, and evaluators all play important roles, and all three have opportunities to realize significant improvements. To better understand advocates' perspectives and bridge the gap between their evaluation needs and the field of advocacy evaluation practice, this research surveyed U.S. nonprofit advocates about their advocacy practices and experiences with evaluation.This study offers recommendations on advocate-focused evaluation practices and aims. It updates and deepens our understanding of nonprofit advocates' capacity to evaluate their advocacy, and assesses their strategies and tactics. Recommendations include, for example, partnering with nonprofit advocates early on to identify evaluation gaps and resources that will result in tailored evaluation capacity building resources to meet advocates where they are

Mothers in doctoral education: Who cares? An ecological-systems analysis of support for PhD mums

Purpose: In light of a largely negative discourse, this study aims to identify the various ways in which PhD mums have been supported in a range of contexts to develop a comprehensive typology of positive support, as well as to identify patterns that transcend institutional, national and disciplinary borders. / Design/methodology/approach: The study is guided by ecological systems theory which allows for the investigation of the various interrelated systems that influence (in this case) doctoral researchers. A mixed-methods survey elicited the first-hand experiences from recent and current PhD mums across the world. / Findings: The authors have identified a range of potential supports for PhD mums, but note a careful balance is needed to ensure that PhD mums are supported in their roles as both mother and doctoral researcher, where support in one domain does not contradict nor ignore support for the other. / Originality/value: This study complements the existing knowledge body, which consists mainly of localised studies, by providing a birds-eye view of issues that transcend national, geographic and disciplinary borders. A topography provides a visual map of the various sources of potential support and the complicated relationships between them

Collaborative Voice: Examining the Role of Voice in Interdisciplinary Collaboration

The present study examined the role of voice in facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration. According to the group-value model of procedural justice, voice relates to interpersonal relationships among co-workers because it facilitates a greater interest in helping the group (e.g. group-serving behavior). We argue that because of the relationship between voice and one type of group-serving behavior--advice sharing--that greater perceptions of voice would also predict more collaboration. In a field study examining collaborative social networks among university researchers, we found that greater perceptions of voice positively related to both degree of advice sharing and collaboration. Moreover, the extent to which individuals shared advice fully mediated the relationship between perceived voice and collaboration. Implications for voice and collaboration are discussed

Effectiveness of public health programs for decreasing alcohol consumption

Excessive alcohol consumption and the associated negative consequences are a major public health concern in the United States and throughout the world. Historically, there have been numerous attempts to develop policies and prevention programs aimed at decreasing high-risk alcohol use. Policy initiatives have demonstrated considerable effectiveness and include changes in the minimum legal drinking age, reductions in acceptable legal limits for blood alcohol concentration while operating a motor vehicle, as well as decreasing availability and access to alcohol for underage individuals. Primary prevention programs that have used exclusively educational approaches have received mixed results. Increasing effectiveness has been associated with prevention programs that have utilized a multi-component approach and have included educational initiatives with environmental changes