Concerns for Skills Shortages in the 21st Century: A Review into the Construction Industry, Australia

The Australian Construction Industry is now facing skills shortages in all trades. As an industry focused on the skill of its workforce, there is now concern the Australian standard in quality, workmanship, and productivity will inhibit both at national and international level.This research paper addresses the underlying, influential factors concerning skills shortages in the Australian construction industry. The influential factors addressed include funding, training statistics, employer expectations, financial limitations, Industrial Relations and immigration. Given the reference to skills shortages within the industry, and documented in related literature, if skills shortages are to continue to exist, their effect will impact upon the overall performance of construction companies throughout Australia

The Effectiveness of Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies for Teaching English Reading Skills to Hispanic English Language Learners

The present study was designed to assess the effectiveness of the Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS) for teaching English reading skills to Hispanic English language learners (ELL) in the third grade. The current literature shows a rapid increase of Hispanic students in the U.S., however, due to a lack of exposure to the English language at an early age, many ELL students are behind their non-ELL peers in academic achievement, especially in reading. The PALS program was designed as an alternative approach to teacher-led instruction to help ameliorate reading difficulties, and although its effectiveness has been demonstrated with a variety of students, little research has been conducted on its effectiveness for teaching reading to Hispanic ELL students, especially in the early grades. Therefore, this study assessed PALS\u27 effectiveness for teaching English reading skills as well as increasing social status for third grade ELL students. Results showed that PALS was significantly effective for increasing reading fluency amongst ELL students, although no significant results were found for reading comprehension or social status. These findings are inconsistent with existing research and the implications and limitations are discussed

The Effectiveness of Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies for Teaching English Reading Skills to Hispanic English Language Learners

The present study was designed to assess the effectiveness of the Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS) for teaching English reading skills to Hispanic English language learners (ELL) in the third grade. The current literature shows a rapid increase of Hispanic students in the U.S., however, due to a lack of exposure to the English language at an early age, many ELL students are behind their non-ELL peers in academic achievement, especially in reading. The PALS program was designed as an alternative approach to teacher-led instruction to help ameliorate reading difficulties, and although its effectiveness has been demonstrated with a variety of students, little research has been conducted on its effectiveness for teaching reading to Hispanic ELL students, especially in the early grades. Therefore, this study assessed PALS\u27 effectiveness for teaching English reading skills as well as increasing social status for third grade ELL students. Results showed that PALS was significantly effective for increasing reading fluency amongst ELL students, although no significant results were found for reading comprehension or social status. These findings are inconsistent with existing research and the implications and limitations are discussed

Exploring cell phone use in romantic relationships.

Mobile technology has changed the way we interact with people on many levels. The impact of cell phone use on romantic relationships is viewed through the theoretical lens of symbolic interactionism which posits the world is in a constant state of change. Objects are given meaning based on how each person or group uses them, and individuals can act as change agents when needed. The survey was distributed through an online listserv and also through Facebook for diversity. Data were gathered using Qualtrics, a secure, confidential program, to ensure anonymity of respondents. There were 391 adults participants, ranging in age from 18-69. The majority were Caucasian (283) women (290), and over half (53%) were married. Annual income was above {dollar}60,000 for 33.6% of participants. Results showed 98% of participants own a Smartphone or iPhone and about half would feel unhappy (52%) or anxious (50%) without access to their phone. Across genders and age groups, calls made and sent averaged less than 10 per day, while texts sent and received averaged 11-30 per day. Visiting social networking sites was the cell phone activity which interrupted time spent with a partner by 69% of respondents. The majority of participants (64.3%) prefer spending time with their partner over calls, texts, media posts, gifts and acts of kindness

Effects of Parent and Peer Behaviors on Adolescent Sexual Behavior: Are Positive and Negative Peer Behaviors Moderators?

Adolescents and young adults account for a significantly high proportion of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection cases in the United States. According to Jessor\u27s Problem Behavior Theory, combined protective factors, such as exposure to positive parenting and peer behaviors, create an environment that is supportive of conventional behaviors and discouraging of problem behaviors. There is an extensive amount of literature on parent and peer influences on adolescent sexual behavior but few studies address the interactive influence of both parent and peer behaviors on adolescent sexual risk-taking. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between maternal supportiveness and strictness on adolescent sexual risk-taking, as well as the moderating influence of peer involvement in positive or negative activities. A sample of 14-16 year old adolescents was drawn from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-1997 (NLSY-97; N = 4,008, 50.5% male, 59.4% White, 26.5% Black, and 13.3% other). Higher levels of maternal supportiveness, maternal strictness, and positive peer behaviors were each associated with lower levels of sexual risk-taking two years later. High levels of negative peer behaviors were related to high sexual-risk taking two years later. No interaction terms were significant. Important implications for positive peer relationships were also found. Future research should focus on the comparison of parental warmth and control variables as moderators for the relationship between peer influence and adolescent sexual risk-taking

An Exploratory Study Of The Role Of Cooperating Teachers In Preparing Teacher Candidates For Academic Success With Students Of Color In High-Need Schools

This dissertation investigates the teaching practices, attitudes, beliefs, and expectations, cooperating teachers hold and model for teacher candidates preparing to work in high-need schools with significant populations of students of color. Using a culturally relevant and critical race theory lens, I argue that the clinical placements in which many teacher candidates are placed provide limited opportunities for them to see and engage in the full spectrum of culturally relevant pedagogical practices. The data for this study were captured from participants in a nationally-administered, state-based teacher preparation program through surveys, interviews, and observations over a period of four months. Using a mixed method design, an analysis of findings reveals that while committed to preparing teacher candidates to work with significant populations of students of color in high-need schools, cooperating teachers have a limited understanding of and use of a full range of culturally responsive teaching practices. Moreover, explicit discussions of race and racial inequities institutionalized within schools and classrooms are largely missing from discussions between cooperating teachers and teacher candidates. The importance of this study lies in capturing the goals, stated beliefs, understandings, and pedagogical practices of multiple actors (program directors, cooperating teachers, teacher candidates) involved in the preparation of teacher candidates for high-need schools with significant populations of students of color. It is hoped that this study will force critical analysis and reconsideration of the ways in which we recruit, select, and prepare cooperating teachers and ensure that they can facilitate serious discussions about and model a wider range of culturally responsive pedagogies that will support the success of students of color

Usability testing: a client-centred approach to innovation

Systematic usability testing of the library website was unheard of at Deakin University Library three years ago. However, over the last two years, a large scale usability testing program has evolved and various methodologies have been trialled and tested by the team. This paper will discuss the methodologies used by the team, and the changes that were made to the Library’s search interfaces as a result of the studies. The paper will provide useful insights on what we did right, and on what we need to do differently in future usability studies