scholarly journals Enhancing Internet Search Abilities for People with Intellectual Disabilities in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-36
Author(s):  
Theja K. Arachchi ◽  
Laurianne Sitbon ◽  
Jinglan Zhang ◽  
Ruwan Gamage ◽  
Priyantha Hewagamage
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Web Search ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Google Search

This article presents how young adults with intellectual disability (ID) from Sri Lanka, who had not previously used the Internet, interacted with Google search while enhancing their web search abilities throughout three web search workshops. Considering the little attention paid to the learning needs of people with ID in the current offering of web search learning tools, we iteratively developed a suite of learning tools to support our participants when they need help in the web search workshops. We employed an iterative participatory approach, with observations and semi-structured interviews, to reflect on how to design eLearning tools that enhance the participants’ interactions with web search. The qualitative thematic analysis resulted in five distinct themes on strategies to support, build on, and develop the abilities of young adults with IDs as they engage with Google search in their native language: application of existing abilities, basic skills to match learning needs, conceptual understanding, animations to facilitate visual memory, and promoting active engagement. These themes will be a starting point for understanding participants’ learning needs and behavior on web search, which would be important for future research on learning support as well as on software design.

scholarly journals Exploring the Inclusive Praxis of Outward Bound Instructors

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P. Warner ◽  
Bruce Martin ◽  
Andrew M. Szolosi
Keyword(s):  
Adventure Education ◽  
Outward Bound ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Outdoor Adventure ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Outdoor Adventure Education ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Equity And Inclusion

Equity and inclusion are critical issues that need to be addressed in outdoor adventure education. Although some literature identifies inclusive practices for enhancing equity in outdoor adventure education, most research does not situate these practices within the contexts in which they were created and used. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore outdoor adventure education instructors’ inclusive praxis, and the conditions that influenced their praxis on their courses and in their instructing experiences. To this end, we conducted semi-structured interviews with ten instructors from four Outward Bound schools in the USA. The instructors varied in their gender, school, types of programs facilitated, and duration of employment with Outward Bound. Our inductive analysis of the interview data focused on the identification of themes illustrating the characteristics of instructors’ inclusive praxis, as well as the conditions that influenced their praxis. Themes emerged from our analysis that highlighted the macro and micro conditions that set the stage for instructors’ inclusive praxis, which focused on creating spaces that fostered inclusive group cultures on their courses. The findings from this study may be a useful starting point for enhancing the instructors’ role in fostering equity and inclusion on outdoor adventure education courses. We conclude with suggestions for future research.

scholarly journals An Examination of Instructional Approaches in Online Technical Education in Community Colleges

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Samuel Horvitz ◽  
Lisa R Garcia ◽  
Regina Garza Mitchell ◽  
Cheryl D Calhoun
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Community Colleges ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Technical Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Blended Course

Technical education programs in community colleges prepare students for many science and engineering-based jobs in the United States. An increasing number of technical education programs in community colleges are using online learning tools to teach courses. However, little is currently known about the ways these programs are integrating online learning in their coursework. This study examined fifteen National Science Foundation funded technical education programs that use online learning to partially or entirely deliver their courses. We conducted semi-structured interviews with key personnel from each project. Through analysis of this data, we found that technical education programs used a variety of instructional delivery approaches that can be categorized as follows: (a) a hybrid or blended course with asynchronous online lectures; (b) a hybrid or blended course with synchronous lectures; (c) a hybrid or blended course with a combination of asynchronous and synchronous lectures and discussions; or (d) a course that is fully online. We also found that online or hybrid technical education programs used a variety of different methods to give students experience in their field of study that can be categorized as follows: (a) pre-recorded video; (b) live video; (c) simulations; (d) equipment at home; (e) equipment in lab; and (f) professional site experience. We recommend that future research examine how well these approaches are working, incorporate student perceptions, and incorporate the views of employers of these programs’ graduates.

LIFT: An eLearning Introduction to Web Search for Young Adults with Intellectual Disability in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
pp. 245-265
Author(s):  
Theja Kuruppu Arachchi ◽  
Laurianne Sitbon ◽  
Jinglan Zhang ◽  
Ruwan Gamage ◽  
Priyantha Hewagamage
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Web Search

How does the territory impact on entrepreneurial family embeddedness?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Martínez-Sanchis ◽  
Cristina Aragón-Amonarriz ◽  
Cristina Iturrioz-Landart
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Externalities ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
History Of ◽  
Open Coding ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to explore how territory impacts on entrepreneurial families’ (EFs) embeddedness to unveil the role that territories play on the continuity and development of EFs. Design/methodology/approach To study complex contexts where subjective realities are analyzed, a constructivist qualitative approach is recommended. Given that, this paper develops a qualitative methodology in which 25 semi-structured interviews were carried out and analyzed based upon the use of ATLAS.ti, following an open-coding approach. Findings This paper found out that the territory can condition EFs’ embeddedness in different ways. First, through the cultural embeddedness, the shared territorial understanding of values and norms inherited by the history of the territory. Second, by the political embeddedness, i.e. the power exercised by territorial economic actors and non-market institutions. Third, through the structural embeddedness generated by the territorial social networks and the generation of close relationships and finally, through the so-called cognitive embeddedness, the territorial actors’ representations, interpretations and meanings. These four modes of territorial embeddedness are unfolded in a set of 16 territorial factors that impact on EFs’ embeddedness. Most of the identified factors, 14 out of the 16, are acting mainly over one of the embeddedness modes studied (cultural, political, structural and cognitive), while two of them, because they are operating simultaneously on various modes of embeddedness, have been considered transversal factors. Originality/value EFs have, to a great extent, been recognized as major generators of positive externalities in the territories in which they are located, and to date, the literature has focused on the impact that firms and family firms have on regional development. However, how the territory conditions the embeddedness of these families, especially how it impacts on the EFs’ territorial embeddedness, remains unexplored. This paper proposes a framework of 16 factors that help to understand the embeddedness dynamics between EFs and territories, serving as a starting point for future research avenues. Additionally, regional policy makers may use it as a guidance to build policy mix that considers these territorial factors to boost EFs’ embeddedness.

scholarly journals Leisure Experiences and Social Support Systems of Latino Students With DACA Status

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-98
Author(s):  
C. Austin Langley ◽  
Gwynn M. Powell ◽  
Toni Liechty ◽  
Willaim Haller ◽  
Denise Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Previous Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Access To Higher Education ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Recreation Participation ◽  
Leisure And Recreation

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the leisure experiences of undocumented Latino young adults with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status in order to note any potential links between leisure experience and success in reaching higher education. This population faces a unique set of challenges in their transition to adulthood and their pursuit of and access to higher education. Research suggests that 3 common factors among undocumented young adults who have been successful in reaching higher education are extra-familial mentors, positive social supports, and supplementary educational programming. This study used these 3 factors and the principles of contact theory to examine leisure experiences of undocumented young adults with DACA status. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 young adults with DACA status who were enrolled in higher education. The data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Due to the difficulty accessing this population, snowball sampling was used beginning with a volunteer database from a local Hispanic Alliance. The results support previous literature that has identified constraints this population faces when striving for higher education, as well as the capacity of populations that experience disadvantages for leisure constraint negotiation. The findings show leisure and recreational pursuits support the development of the above mentioned 3-factor support system, helpful in reaching higher education, from previous literature and document a severe drop off of both leisure and recreation participation after high school graduation. Limitations of the study and implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Incorporating the environmental dimension into the balanced scorecard

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 652-674
Author(s):  
Salim Khalid ◽  
Claire Beattie ◽  
John Sands ◽  
Veronica Hampson
Keyword(s):  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Balanced Scorecard ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Performance Measurement System ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Balanced Scorecard ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Environmental Activities

PurposeThis study aims to explore the ways that the balanced scorecard (BSC) can be adapted to incorporate environmental performance in a health care context.Design/methodology/approachThis research adopts a qualitative approach that uses an in-depth case study including semi-structured interviews and document review. Interviews are conducted with individuals working within a regional public hospital and health service organisation in Australia. The research is informed by stakeholder theory.FindingsThe participants identified a number of approaches to incorporating environmental dimensions within the BSC: fully integrated, partially integrated, a separate additional perspective and differentiation based on the origin of the environmental activities and events. These findings confirm the contingent nature of the selected model and reinforce the importance of organisational vision and environmental strategy as formative factors.Research limitations/implicationsThis research provides a starting point for future research to refine the proposed models and evaluate their viability and relevance in other contexts.Practical implicationsThis study provides motivations for managers to engage with the BSC as an effective performance measurement system, which can be developed and adapted to incorporate important environmental elements of organisational performance.Social implicationsThis study reveals the importance of difference between endogenous and exogenous environmental activities. As concerns around the environmental consequences of organisational activities continue to grow, opportunities for institutions to reassure stakeholders of their sustainable practices are increasingly critical.Originality/valueThis study presents preliminary evidence on the suitability of various models for integrating environmental dimensions within the BSC. The findings provide a valuable contribution to literature on performance measurement systems in the healthcare sector.

scholarly journals Demystifying online personas of Vietnamese young adults on Facebook: A Q-methodology approach

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duy Dang-Pham ◽  
Siddhi Pittayachawan ◽  
Mathews Nkhoma
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Q Methodology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Common Interests

As online social networking sites (SNS) are becoming a part of many people’s daily life, they have become a topic of interest that attracts the attention of both academics and practitioners. The users’ behaviours on those sites are complex and have important implications. Individuals can use a wide range of SNS’s functionalities, for example, to socialise and promote their online identities or find friends of common interests. Reckless online behaviours on SNS have been shown to result in breaches of privacy and other risks such as cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking, and job loss. As a result, there are many concerns over these problems that prevent SNS from reaching their full potential. Given the vast number of user’s concerns, identified by prior studies, there is a need to explore a typology of users that classifies online personas. This typology would reveal more about the users’ needs and help improve their experience on SNS. To achieve that goal, we collected data from fourteen Vietnamese young adults of different backgrounds who use Facebook, which was then analysed with Q factor analysis. The findings suggested three distinctive online personas that include the Outgoing Connector, the Reserved Trustor, and the Threats Perceiver. Implications for marketing tactics and design of better users’ experiences on social networking sites were discussed, and the proposed typology could serve as a starting point for future research to further explore the different types of social media’s users.

scholarly journals Spirituality and Women Business Leaders: Evidence from Small & Medium Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
M. G. H. Madusha ◽  
L. A. Pavithra Madhuwanthi
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Spiritual Values ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Open Communication

Purpose: This study is to explore spiritual values and practices among the women business leaders in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka. Methodology: A qualitative study based on snowball sample of ten women business leaders in SME sector. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection and thematic analysis was used to data analysis. Findings: The study found ten common spiritual values (integrity, trust, endurance, forgiveness, sympathy, altruism, humility, gratitude, hope and sympathetic joy) and seven spiritual practices (care and concern on others, respecting ideas of others, open communication, listening responsively, appreciating others, self-awareness and understanding others and protecting of five precepts in Buddhist teachings) among the women business leaders in SMEs in Sri Lanka. As notable contextual findings, it was found that the spiritual value of sympathetic joy and practice of protecting of five precepts which are Buddhist teachings. Research Implications: Findings implied that growing spiritual values among women leaders and practicing them contributes merits in terms enhanced support and loyalty towards the organization. Research Limitations and Future Research Suggestions: There are limitations pertaining to the small sample size. Further researches can be done in spirituality among the male business leadership in SMEs.

Continuum of Care Following Sports-Related Concussion

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 1389-1403
Author(s):  
Jessica Brown ◽  
Kelly Knollman-Porter
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Sports Injuries ◽  
Continuum Of Care ◽  
Medical Professional ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
History Of ◽  
Injury Reporting

Purpose Although guidelines have changed regarding federally mandated concussion practices since their inception, little is known regarding the implementation of such guidelines and the resultant continuum of care for youth athletes participating in recreational or organized sports who incur concussions. Furthermore, data regarding the role of speech-language pathologists in the historic postconcussion care are lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the experiences of young adults with history of sports-related concussion as it related to injury reporting and received follow-up care. Method Participants included 13 young adults with history of at least one sports-related concussion across their life span. We implemented a mixed-methods design to collect both quantitative and qualitative information through structured interviews. Participants reported experiencing 42 concussions across the life span—26 subsequent to sports injuries. Results Twenty-three concussions were reported to a parent or medical professional, 14 resulted in a formal diagnosis, and participants received initial medical care for only 10 of the incidents and treatment or services on only two occasions. Participants reported concussions to an athletic trainer least frequently and to parents most frequently. Participants commented that previous experience with concussion reduced the need for seeking treatment or that they were unaware treatments or supports existed postconcussion. Only one concussion incident resulted in the care from a speech-language pathologist. Conclusion The results of the study reported herein shed light on the fidelity of sports-related concussion care management across time. Subsequently, we suggest guidelines related to continuum of care from injury to individualized therapy.

FOSTERING STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCES IN ENGLISH WRITING WITH MICROBLOGGING IN TWITTER

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Pham Thi Thu Hien
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
English Writing ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology

Twitter and Microblogging are two separate entities but completes each other. Both of them can be used as language learning tools and their potential has been proved by several scholars. This study tries to examine students’ experiences in integrating microblogging with twitter. It is also study about the beneficial roles of microblogging with Twitter in language learning, its relation to writing, and its appropriateness in language learning. This study employs a qualitative research methodology, and case study as its research design. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were employed in this study to find out about participants' views about microblogging and Twitter. From this study, it can be concluded that the participants of the study underwent various experiences during the implementation of microblogging with Twitter. They also felt that microblogging with Twitter at some point advantages them to systematically arrange their ideas, and allows them to choose appropriate diction of their ideas. They also stated that Twitter can be an appropriate means in language learning, especially in English writing<em>.</em>

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