A mixed-method intervention study on relational spirituality and humility among religious leaders.

<p>Solving mathematics word problems is more difficult for many students than solving comparable number only problems. Given the wide use of word problems in class teaching and in assessments there is potential for students not to achieve to their full ability. This study aimed to investigate if students’ comprehension of mathematics word problems, their accuracy in choosing the correct operation, and the number of word problems solved correctly could be increased through using drawings and mental visualisation. This mixed method intervention study involved 10 Year 4 and 5 students in an inner city New Zealand school. Two separate interventions were used with different groups of five students identified as being at risk of low achievement in mathematics. Each group was involved in three intervention sessions to help with solving mathematics word problems. The first included instruction in creating drawings, and the second using mental visualisation. The study data included pre- and post-tests, verbal student reflections, and student drawings. Results showed that both groups made improvements during their interventions in the number of problems solved, the number of operations chosen correctly, and in their ability to identify and write the equation described in the word problems. Both groups also increased their achievement in number only problems. There were no significant differences between the results gained by students in the different interventions. The findings suggest that visualising word problems is an effective strategy for solving mathematics word problems and is an important step as a part of a mathematics word problem solving process. Implications for teachers include that creating representations is important for students’ understanding in mathematics and crucially, that creating both internal representations (visualisations) and external representations (drawings) can and needs to be taught for maximising achievement.</p>

Download Full-text

Humility, Relational Spirituality, and Well-being among Religious Leaders: A Moderated Mediation Model

Journal of Religion and Health ◽

10.1007/s10943-018-0580-8 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 132-152 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Peter J. Jankowski ◽

Steven J. Sandage ◽

Chance A. Bell ◽

Elizabeth G. Ruffing ◽

Chris Adams

Keyword(s):

Well Being ◽

Moderated Mediation ◽

Religious Leaders ◽

Mediation Model ◽

Relational Spirituality ◽

Moderated Mediation Model

Download Full-text

Humility in Seminary Student Formation: A Mixed Method Community Action Study

Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care ◽

10.1177/19397909211040515 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 193979092110405

Author(s):

Laura E. Captari ◽

James Tomlinson ◽

Steven J. Sandage ◽

Dottie A. Olsen

Keyword(s):

Mixed Method ◽

Spiritual Development ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Action ◽

Religious Leaders ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Seminary Students ◽

Spiritual Well Being ◽

Quantitative Results ◽

Relational Capacities

This cross-sectional mixed method community action study exploring the virtue of humility was conducted as part of a collaborative practical theology project at a pluralistic, ecumenical Mainline Protestant seminary. Students ( N = 65) in a spiritual formation graduate class completed quantitative measures of humility, spiritual well-being, differentiation of self (DoS), mentalization, and mindfulness, while open-ended qualitative data captured their perspectives about the role of humility in formation. Qualitative results revealed important nuances about emerging religious leaders’ views on humility, including experiencing this virtue as (a) facilitative to their vocational growth (e.g., promoting learning, self-understanding, relational connections, and deeper spirituality), (b) challenging (e.g., self-deprecating, unnecessary, and contrary to ministry), or (c) some combination of both. Quantitative results documented positive associations between relational capacities (e.g., DoS, mentalization) and humility, and these links were mediated by mindful awareness. Implications for measuring and promoting holistic spiritual development among emerging religious leaders are discussed.

Download Full-text

Improved Usability of Pedestrian Environments After Dark for People with Vision Impairment: an Intervention Study

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12031096 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 1096 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pimkamol Mattsson ◽

Maria Johansson ◽

Mai Almén ◽

Thorbjörn Laike ◽

Elizabeth Marcheschi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Method ◽

Intervention Study ◽

Lighting Design ◽

Sustainable Cities ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Impaired Vision ◽

Lighting Systems ◽

Led Lights ◽

Method Analysis

Walking is an important transport mode for sustainable cities, but the usability of pedestrian environments for people with impaired vision is very limited after dark. This study compares the usability of a walkway, operationalized in terms of (i) the pedestrian’s ability to orient themselves and detect infrastructure elements, and (ii) the perceived quality of lighting in the environment (evaluated in terms of the perceived strength quality and perceived comfort quality). The study was performed in a city in southern Sweden, along a pedestrian route where observations and structured interviews had previously been conducted and after an intervention involving installing new lighting systems with LED lights. A mixed method analysis involving participants with impaired vision (N=14) showed that the intervention generally improved the walkway’s usability: observations indicated that the participants’ ability to orientate themselves and detect infrastructure elements increased, and the interviews showed that the intervention increased the perceived strength quality of the lighting along the walkway. However, the effects on the perceived comfort quality were unclear. It is therefore important to carefully evaluate new lighting systems to reduce the risk of creating an inappropriate lighting design that will limit walking after dark by people with impaired vision.

Download Full-text

Basic Ethics of Religious Leaders as Social Adhesives in Society

Religious Jurnal Studi Agama-Agama dan Lintas Budaya ◽

10.15575/rjsalb.v5i2.10691 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 149-160

Author(s):

Harisa Mardiana ◽

Hendrian Yonata ◽

Hendra Attamanoo ◽

Abdul Napudin

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Mixed Method ◽

Research Method ◽

Real Problem ◽

Religious Leaders ◽

Community Satisfaction ◽

Qualitative Research Method ◽

Attempted Murder ◽

Almost All

Religious leaders influence people's lives in increasing community satisfaction and support through their contributions and presence. The expressions of behavior and humility of religious leaders inspire self-transparency, trust, and community satisfaction. The problem in Indonesia today is that many followers or people try to kill their religious leaders. They try to kill religious leaders because religious leaders do not establish trust. In addition, religious leaders do not understand how to apply the basic ethics that form the basis of people's lives. It can divide and violate between communities. This study investigates the problem of attempted murder of religious leaders and finds out the real problem. Almost all religious leaders cannot control their emotions and cannot apply basic ethics in social interactions in society. The research method used is a mixed-method using a questionnaire distributed on Google forms for three months to 247 respondents from all over Indonesia and interviewing eight respondents as a qualitative research method. The results showed that 34.3% of respondents indicated a low level of public trust in religious leaders in people's lives. Religious leaders who can control their emotions in dealing with the community and understand how to apply basic ethics are ideal religious figures. Respondents stated that religious leaders must be consistent and protect their followers; otherwise, people can backfire on religious leaders.

Download Full-text