Responses and Influences: A Model of Online Information Use for Learning

Introduction. This paper explores the complexity of online information use for learning in the culturally diverse ICT-intensive higher education context. It presents a Model of responses and influences in online information use for learning that aims to increase awareness of the complexity of online information use and support information literacy development. Background. Despite increasing integration of information literacy into university curricula there are evident limitations in students’ use of information associated with an information literacy imbalance between well developed IT skills & uncritical approaches, compounded by differences in cultural and linguistic experience. Influences. This model draw insight from models of: information behaviour/seeking (Wilson, Foster, Kuhlthau), information literacy (Bruce), cross-cultural adaptation (Anderson), reflective online use (Hughes, Bruce & Edwards). The model. Incorporates behavioural, cognitive & affective responses with cultural & linguistic influences in an action research framework that represents online information use - envisaged as the experience of engaging with online information for learning - as holistic, dynamic and continuous. Conclusion. The model represents the synergy between information use and learning. It supports the development of inclusive reflective approaches to information literacy that address identified learning challenges related to information literacy imbalance and cultural & linguistic diversity

Qualitative Research on Youths’ Social Media Use: A review of the literature

In this article we explore how educational researchers report empirical qualitative research about young people’s social media use. We frame the overall study with an understanding that social media sites contribute to the production of neoliberal subjects, and we draw on Foucauldian discourse theories and the understanding that how researchers explain topics and concepts produces particular ways of thinking about the world while excluding others. Findings include that 1) there is an absence of attention to the structure and function of social media platforms; 2) adolescents are positioned in problematic, developmental ways, and 3) the over-representation of girls and young women in these studies contributes to the feminization of problems on social media. We conclude by calling for future research that can serve as a robust resource for exploring adolescents’ social media use in more productive, nuanced ways

Les étudiants étrangers en Australie

Les étudiants étrangers des universités australiennes ont vécu des expériences diverses. Pour eux, la transition vers une université d\u27accueil leur demande de s\u27habituer à des usages différents des bibliothèques et des technologies de l\u27information

Snapshots of informed learning: LIS and beyond

Responding to the need for innovative LIS curriculum and pedagogy, grounded in both information and learning theory, this paper introduces the theory and practice of informed learning. After explaining how informed learning originated within the LIS discipline we outline the principles and characteristics of informed learning. Then we present snapshots of three units of study from LIS programs at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), followed by an overview of informed learning developments in a varied range of educational contexts beyond LIS programs. Finally, we reflect upon the relevance of informed learning to LIS education and its wider contribution to learning and teaching in higher education

Delayed mortality effects cut the malaria transmission potential of insecticide resistant mosquitoes

Malaria transmission has been substantially reduced across Africa through the distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs). However, the emergence of insecticide resistance within mosquito vectors risks jeopardizing the future efficacy of this control strategy. The severity of this threat is uncertain because the consequences of resistance for mosquito fitness are poorly understood: while resistant mosquitoes are no longer immediately killed upon contact with LLINs, their transmission potential may be curtailed because of longer-term fitness costs that persist beyond the first 24 h after exposure. Here, we used a Bayesian state-space model to quantify the immediate (within 24 h of exposure) and delayed (>24 h after exposure) impact of insecticides on daily survival and malaria transmission potential of moderately and highly resistant laboratory populations of the major African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Contact with LLINs reduced the immediate survival of moderately and highly resistant An. gambiae strains by 60–100% and 3–61%, respectively, and delayed mortality impacts occurring beyond the first 24 h after exposure further reduced their overall life spans by nearly one-half. In total, insecticide exposure was predicted to reduce the lifetime malaria transmission potential of insecticide-resistant vectors by two-thirds, with delayed effects accounting for at least one-half of this reduction. The existence of substantial, previously unreported, delayed mortality effects within highly resistant malaria vectors following exposure to insecticides does not diminish the threat of growing resistance, but posits an explanation for the apparent paradox of continued LLIN effectiveness in the presence of high insecticide resistance

Parent's perceptions of antenatal groups in supporting them through the transition to parenthood

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore parents’ experiences and perceptions of their antenatal groups in supporting their needs through the transition to parenthood. Local research ethics approval was obtained before the study commenced. Design: Phenomenology was considered the most appropriate paradigm to interpret participants’ involvement as it considers the essence of individuals’ experiences and fits the holistic model of midwifery. Semi-structured interviews were used to ascertain mothers’ and fathers’ experiences and their perceptions of support needs. Participants: Prospective mothers and fathers were recruited from the community setting by midwives whilst the women were in their last trimester of pregnancy. Interviews were undertaken with both parents together in the early postnatal period, between two and three weeks after the baby’s birth. Findings: Six mothers and five fathers participated in the interviews and several themes emerged from analysis of the transcripts. Parents felt developing a relationship with fewer midwives was important and attending antenatal groups was a way to achieve this. Antenatal groups which were facilitative and flexible seemed to have helped parents prepare and adjust to parenthood. Conclusions and implications for practice: Participants felt antenatal groups have an important role to play in preparation for parenthood and should be universally available. Provision of universal groups may be one way to meet government targets to reduce inequalities, provide choice and improve access for women and families. Although midwives are highly skilled practitioners, additional skills may be required for the role of group facilitator. A focus on these skills within pre- and post-registration education is suggested. A multiagency approach to implement such services, in line with government strategy, may be cost effective and practical as well as promoting ongoing support and interagency collaboration

Parent's perceptions of antenatal groups in supporting them through the transition to parenthood

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore parents’ experiences and perceptions of their antenatal groups in supporting their needs through the transition to parenthood. Local research ethics approval was obtained before the study commenced. Design: Phenomenology was considered the most appropriate paradigm to interpret participants’ involvement as it considers the essence of individuals’ experiences and fits the holistic model of midwifery. Semi-structured interviews were used to ascertain mothers’ and fathers’ experiences and their perceptions of support needs. Participants: Prospective mothers and fathers were recruited from the community setting by midwives whilst the women were in their last trimester of pregnancy. Interviews were undertaken with both parents together in the early postnatal period, between two and three weeks after the baby’s birth. Findings: Six mothers and five fathers participated in the interviews and several themes emerged from analysis of the transcripts. Parents felt developing a relationship with fewer midwives was important and attending antenatal groups was a way to achieve this. Antenatal groups which were facilitative and flexible seemed to have helped parents prepare and adjust to parenthood. Conclusions and implications for practice: Participants felt antenatal groups have an important role to play in preparation for parenthood and should be universally available. Provision of universal groups may be one way to meet government targets to reduce inequalities, provide choice and improve access for women and families. Although midwives are highly skilled practitioners, additional skills may be required for the role of group facilitator. A focus on these skills within pre- and post-registration education is suggested. A multiagency approach to implement such services, in line with government strategy, may be cost effective and practical as well as promoting ongoing support and interagency collaboration

International students’ experiences of informed learning: a pedagogical case study

This case study explores the theory and practice of informed learning (Bruce, 2008) in a culturally diverse higher education context. It presents research findings about learning and teaching in a postgraduate unit of study entitled Personalised Language Development, an elective in the Master of TESOL and TEFL programs at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). This unit aims to enable international students to extend their disciplinary knowledge of English language teaching, their academic and linguistic fluency and awareness of their own information using processes. The paper outlines the case study research approach; describes the design and implementation of the unit; demonstrates how informed learning principles and characteristics underpin the unit design; presents findings about the international students’ experiences of informed learning through their reflections; and finally the paper discusses the implications of the findings for educators, including the potential transferability of informed learning across higher education disciplines

Beyond conventional antibiotics for the future treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections: two novel alternatives.

The majority of antibiotics currently used to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus (MRSA) infections target bacterial cell wall synthesis or protein synthesis. Only daptomycin has a novel mode of action. Reliance on limited targets for MRSA chemotherapy, has contributed to antimicrobial resistance. Two alternative approaches to the treatment of S. aureus infection, particularly those caused by MRSA, that have alternative mechanisms of action and that address the challenge of antimicrobial resistance are cationic host defence peptides and agents that target S. aureus virulence. Cationic host defence peptides have multiple mechanisms of action and are less likely than conventional agents to select resistant mutants. They are amenable to modifications that improve their stability, effectiveness and selectivity. Some cationic defence peptides such as bactenecin, mucroporin and imcroporin have potent in vitro bactericidal activity against MRSA. Antipathogenic agents also have potential to limit the pathogenesis of S aureus. These are generally small molecules that inhibit virulence targets in S. aureus without killing the bacterium and therefore have limited capacity to promote resistance development. Potential antipathogenic targets include the sortase enzyme system, the accessory gene regulator (agr) and the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. Inhibitors of these targets have been identified and these may have potential for further development

The revolving door between hospital and community: extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in Dublin.

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are an increasing cause of healthcare-associated infection, and community healthcare facilities may be a reservoir for important epidemic clones. AIM: To characterize retrospectively and investigate the epidemiology of ESBL-producing E. coli collected in a Dublin hospital, during 2009 and 2010, and to investigate the dissemination of specific clones within hospital and community healthcare facilities. METHODS: Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to determine the genetic relatedness of 100 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates. Phylogenetic groups were determined and the O25b-ST131 clone identified in the collection. The genetic data were correlated with antimicrobial susceptibility, clinical and demographic data to explore the epidemiology of specific clones. FINDINGS: Phylogenetic groups B2 (62%) and D (18%) were the most common and were associated with non-urinary isolates (P CONCLUSIONS: E. coli O25b-ST131 is largely responsible for ESBL-producing E. coli in LTCFs in Dublin. The distribution of ESBL-producing E. coli in our hospital and community highlights a \u27revolving door\u27 through which these resistant bacteria spread and disseminate