Evaluating the Elklan Talking Matters Programme: Exploring the impact of a training programme for early years professionals on pre-school children’s language development

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-125
Author(s):  
Judy Clegg ◽  
Carla Rohde ◽  
Henrietta McLachlan ◽  
Liz Elks ◽  
Alex Hall
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Tentative Evidence ◽  
Effectiveness Of Training ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Training early years practitioners to facilitate the language development of young children is a widely used intervention. Evidence to support the effectiveness of training in terms of the impact of children’s language development is limited. The Elklan Talking Matters programme is an accredited training programme for early years practitioners. Practitioners train to be Lead Communication Practitioners (LCPs) who cascade training across early years settings or Key Communication Practitioners (KCPs) who are embedded into these settings. The aim of this study was to identify if the Talking Matters Programme is effective in facilitating the language development of pre-school children. One hundred and twenty-six children from 13 early years settings were recruited (mean age 27.81 months; SD 4.90). Thirteen settings participated in the Talking Matters Programme (five LCP+KCP settings, four LCP settings and four control settings). At time 1, prior to practitioners participating in the programme, children completed the Pre-School Language Scales 5th Edition (PLS-5), a standardized assessment of receptive and expressive language. At time 1, 126 children completed the baseline assessment ( n = 43 in the LCP+KCP settings, n = 43 in the LCP settings and n = 40 in the control settings). Children then completed the post intervention (time 2) assessment approximately six months later. Children in the intervention groups (LCP+KCP settings and LCP settings) made more progress in their language development from time 1 to time 2 compared to the control. The children in the LCP+KCP settings made more gains than the children in the LCP settings. A significant main effect of groups and time was found but not an interaction of group scores with time, meaning the increases in scores were not statistically significant between the intervention and control groups. The study provides tentative evidence that the Talking Matters programme has a positive impact on pre-school children’s language development.

scholarly journals Metagenomic Analysis of the Fecal Archaeome in Suckling Piglets Following Perinatal Tulathromycin Metaphylaxis

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1825
Author(s):  
Mohamed Zeineldin ◽  
Ameer Megahed ◽  
Benjamin Blair ◽  
Brian Aldridge ◽  
James Lowe
Keyword(s):  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Gastrointestinal Microbiome ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Suckling Piglets ◽  
And Function ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

The gastrointestinal microbiome plays an important role in swine health and wellbeing, but the gut archaeome structure and function in swine remain largely unexplored. To date, no metagenomics-based analysis has been done to assess the impact of an early life antimicrobials intervention on the gut archaeome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of perinatal tulathromycin (TUL) administration on the fecal archaeome composition and diversity in suckling piglets using metagenomic sequencing analysis. Sixteen litters were administered one of two treatments (TUL; 2.5 mg/kg IM and control (CONT); saline 1cc IM) soon after birth. Deep fecal swabs were collected from all piglets on days 0 (prior to treatment), 5, and 20 post intervention. Each piglet’s fecal archaeome was composed of rich and diverse communities that showed significant changes over time during the suckling period. At the phylum level, 98.24% of the fecal archaeome across all samples belonged to Euryarchaeota. At the genus level, the predominant archaeal genera across all samples were Methanobrevibacter (43.31%), Methanosarcina (10.84%), Methanococcus (6.51%), and Methanocorpusculum (6.01%). The composition and diversity of the fecal archaeome between the TUL and CONT groups at the same time points were statistically insignificant. Our findings indicate that perinatal TUL metaphylaxis seems to have a minimal effect on the gut archaeome composition and diversity in sucking piglets. This study improves our current understanding of the fecal archaeome structure in sucking piglets and provides a rationale for future studies to decipher its role in and impact on host robustness during this critical phase of production.

scholarly journals Examining the impact of academic development in the engineering faculties in Chile: Changes in teaching philosophy and teachers' competencies

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 254
Author(s):  
Roxana Acosta ◽  
Marina Tomás-Folch ◽  
Mónica Feixas
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Teaching Quality ◽  
Teaching Philosophy ◽  
Engineering Sciences ◽  
Teaching Unit ◽  
Assessment Strategies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training

The Faculties of Engineering Sciences at Universidad Católica del Norte in Chile regard teacher training as a necessary tool for its academics’ professional development and as a fundamental way to improve their teaching quality. The Teaching Unit for Innovation in Engineering (UIDIN) has developed a new curriculum and training programme which seeks to support the faculty in its implementation. This article presents some of the outcomes of a study aimed at qualitatively examining the development of the faculty’s conceptions and philosophy of teaching and improvements in pedagogical competencies as a result of the implementation and transfer of the training programme. The teaching philosophy is described in different ways, but overall it considers teaching an act of disciplinary knowledge transfer based on students’ interests, skills and attitudes, and with a heavy emphasis on building students’ core values. Interviews reveal changes in the participants’ learning and competencies due to the training, along with a positive impact on the teachers’ lesson planning and assessment strategies and students’ feedback and the willingness to engage in more reflexive teaching practice.

scholarly journals Impact of low vision services on the quality of life of low vision patients in Ghana

2016 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Godwin O. Ovenseri-Ogbomo ◽  
Harriette Osafo-Agyei ◽  
Ralph E.U. Akpalaba ◽  
James Addy ◽  
Elizabeth O. Ovenseri
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Low Vision Clinic ◽  
The Impact

Patients’ perspectives on the impact of clinical interventions have been recognised as critical elements in patient care. Quality-of-life instruments are designed to measure these perspectives. We used the National Eye Institute’s 25-item Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ) to measure the impact of optical low vision devices on the quality of life of 22 low vision patients who obtained and were using low vision devices from a secondary low vision clinic in the Eastern Region, Ghana. The study employed a pre- and post-intervention technique. We found statistically significant improvements in measured visual acuity and NEI VFQ scores in 8 of the 10 domains evaluated. We conclude that optical low vision devices have a positive impact on the quality of life of low vision patients in Ghana.Keywords: low vision; quality of life; visual acuity; visual impairment; Ghana

EP.TU.991Developing as Future Leaders: A Systematic Review of Quality Improvement Training in Junior Doctors

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabiya Aseem ◽  
Costas Simillis ◽  
Jason Smith ◽  
Sonal Arora ◽  
Nikhil Pawa
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
English Language ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Effectiveness Of Training ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Aims Quality improvement (QI) training in Junior Doctors (JDs) is essential for providing High Quality Care for patients and facilitating organisational success. The aim of this study was to systematically review the evidence on QI training in JDs and determine the impact and effectiveness of training methods. Methods A systematic review was conducted as per PRISMA guidelines. Searches were carried out using MEDLINE, EMBASE and HMIC for English-Language articles between January 2005 to December 2019. Selected articles underwent critical appraisal using the CASP criteria by two independent reviewers. A qualitative and thematic analysis was conducted. Results 43 studies were identified in a range of medical and surgical specialities. Common QI methodology included theoretical and project-based curricula with content focussing on PDSA cycles, root causes analyses and project development. Majority of studies reported improved knowledge, leadership skills and satisfaction. Mentorship and coaching were highly valued, but few studies adhered to this practice. Few studies demonstrated increased QI engagement. Key themes identified (i) Effectiveness of QI training (ii) Barriers to engagement (iii) Organizational culture of fostering QI. Conclusion There is growing mandate for training JDs in QI practices to enhance patient care. QI curricula targeting JDs have demonstrated improved knowledge and leadership skills. Nonetheless, significant barriers in QI engagement endure. Additional research is required to combat disengagement and assess sustainability of QI interventions in JDs. We further aim to introduce a pilot QI training programme for surgical JDs to enhance leadership skills.

Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine chemoprevention and malaria incidence after severe flooding: evaluation of a pragmatic intervention in rural Uganda

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross M Boyce ◽  
Brandon D Hollingsworth ◽  
Emma Baguma ◽  
Erin Xu ◽  
Varun Goel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Incidence ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Test Result ◽  
Western Uganda ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Severe Flooding

Abstract Background Malaria epidemics are a well-described phenomenon after extreme precipitation and flooding, which account for nearly half of global disasters over the past two decades. Yet few studies have examined mitigation measures to prevent post-flood malaria epidemics. Methods We conducted an evaluation of a malaria chemoprevention program implemented in response to severe flooding in western Uganda. Children ≤12 years of age from one village were eligible to receive 3 monthly rounds of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP). Two neighboring villages served as controls. Malaria cases were defined as individuals with a positive rapid diagnostic test result as recorded in health center registers. We performed a difference-in-differences analysis to estimate changes in the incidence and test positivity of malaria between intervention and control villages. Results A total of 554 children received at least one round of chemoprevention with 75% participating in at least two rounds. Compared to control villages, we estimated a 53.4% reduction (aRR 0.47, 95% CI 0.34 – 0.62, p<.01) in malaria incidence and a 30% decrease in the test positivity rate (aRR=0.70, CI 0.50 - 0.97, p=0.03) in the intervention village in the six months post-intervention. The impact was greatest among children receiving the intervention, but decreased incidence was also observed in older children and adults (aRR=0.57, CI 0.38-0.84, p<.01). Conclusions Three rounds of chemoprevention with DP delivered under pragmatic conditions reduced the incidence of malaria after severe flooding in western Uganda. These findings provide a proof-of-concept for the use of malaria chemoprevention to reduce excess disease burden associated with severe flooding.

scholarly journals On the Efficacy of Open Educational Resources

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huimei Delgado ◽  
Michael Delgado ◽  
John Hilton III
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Open Educational Resources ◽  
Educational Resources ◽  
Exam Performance ◽  
Pell Grant ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Final Exam ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Open educational resources (OER), which are free and openly licensed educational materials, have been a widely discussed topic in response to high textbook costs, the need for more pedagogical flexibility, and inequality in access to educational materials. In this study we examine the efficacy of OER through a quantitative analysis of the impact of OER on student final exam performance in a large calculus course. Our dataset affords us a relatively large sample size, allows us to classify students in both treatment and control groups, and includes a variety of covariates that allow us to control for multiple correlated factors. We estimate causal treatment effects using several econometric approaches. Our study adds the following insights into the research on OER efficacy: (i) OER materials do not, in general, lead to any significant change in student final exam performance; and (ii) OER materials have a significantly positive impact on both international students and Pell Grant eligible students.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF PILATES EXERCISES ON THE POSTURAL ALIGNMENT OF HEALTHY ADULTS

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 485-490
Author(s):  
Bruna Krawczky ◽  
Míriam Raquel Meira Mainenti ◽  
Antonio Guilherme Fonseca Pacheco
Keyword(s):  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
The Body ◽  
Exercise Session ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Horizontal Alignment ◽  
Postural Alignment ◽  
Pilates Method ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Introduction: Exercises of Pilates method have been widely used to improve postural alignment. There is strong evidence favoring their use in improving flexibility and balance, as well as some evidence of improvement in muscle strength. However, the benefits related to posture are not well established. Objective: To investigate in healthy adults, the impact of the Pilates method in the postural alignment through some angles in the sagittal plane and the occurrence of pain before and after an exercise session, and after the completion of a 16-session program. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study of pre and post-intervention type. Healthy adults (n = 37) interested in starting Pilates were evaluated for acute effects on posture after a Pilates session (n = 37) and after a 16-session program, for a period of 10 weeks (n = 13). Using the postural assessment software (SAPO), six angles were analyzed: head horizontal alignment (HHA), pelvis horizontal alignment (PHA), hip angle (HA), vertical alignment of the body (VAB), thoracic kyphosis (TK), and lumbar lordosis (LL). The occurrence of pain was investigated to control adverse effects. Results: Statistically significant (p<0.05) differences found after one session include increased HHA (left view), decreased VAB (left view) and TK (both side views). After 16 sessions, we observed an increase of HHA, and a decrease of TK, LL (both side views) and HA (right view). All the differences point to an improvement of postural alignment. A significant reduction of prevalence of pain was verified after the first session (40.5% vs. 13.5%; p=0.004) and after the full program (30.8% vs. 15.3%; p=0.02). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the Pilates method has a positive impact on postural alignment in healthy adults, besides being a safe exercise.

scholarly journals Pilot evaluation of an interactive multimedia platform to provide nutrition education to Portuguese adolescents

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Maria Tallon ◽  
Raquel Saavedra Dias ◽  
Aldo Matos Costa ◽  
Janine Narciso ◽  
Ana Barros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Interactive Multimedia ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Web Platform ◽  
Portuguese Adolescents

Abstract Background Obesity prevalence has been rising worldwide and currently is one of the most serious public health problems. Nutrition literacy is important to the development of healthier habits that could help prevent and stem obesity and overweight. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of using a multimedia web platform to provide nutrition education to Portuguese adolescents. Methods The intervention consisted in a two-week period in which students (n = 1291) had access to an interactive multimedia web platform with nutritional content, and designed for a self-paced learning experience. Students completed a knowledge questionnaire at baseline and immediately after the end of the intervention. Results The results obtained revealed that 85.8% of the students increased their nutrition knowledge. No gender differences were observed post-intervention. There were significant differences in the knowledge acquisition regarding age (P &lt; 0.001). The baseline knowledge seemed to influence the learning process. Conclusions Overall, the intervention had a positive impact. The preliminary results observed will be important for the improvement of the intervention, though they need to be confirmed by further research. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that technology-based assets can be important tools to incorporate and complement health-related interventions in schools.

Bi-directional communication journals as a method of caregiver support during speech and language intervention: A pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-139
Author(s):  
Christina Yeager Pelatti ◽  
Alison Martino ◽  
Kaitlyn P. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Language Development ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Mixed Methods Design ◽  
Speech And Language ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Language Environment ◽  
Study Offer

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the inclusion of a bi-directional communication journal between caregivers and student clinicians during a five-week summer preschool programme impacted caregivers’ perceptions and had a positive impact on their children’s language development. This study included a mixed methods design. Child participants (mean age = 4 years, 4 months) were assigned to one of four classrooms; two classrooms served as control classrooms ( n = 12 children), and two participated in the journal intervention ( n = 15 children). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through questionnaires reflecting caregivers’ perceptions of the speech and language environment and their children’s language development at the start and end of the programme. Quantitative results revealed a significant main effect of time regarding caregivers’ perceptions of their child’s language development. Thematic analysis of narrative questionnaire responses revealed three core themes including: improved communication between caregivers and student clinicians, insight about child’s routines, and application in the home environment. Overall, the results of this pilot study offer preliminary support for the use of bi-directional communication journals as a method of supporting preschoolers’ growth in speech and language skills through caregiver involvement.

scholarly journals Impact of Upgrade Programmes on the Competitiveness: Case of the Algerian Companies

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-223
Author(s):  
Souhila Ghomari
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Main Hypothesis ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Innovation Cost ◽  
Restructuring Process ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
A Company

Abstract Faced to a socio-economic environment that is marked by globalization of trade and competitiveness, Algeria is committed, like its neighbours, to do upgrade programmes which aim to support the dynamic of restructuring process, the industrial integration and growth. The strategic goal is to upgrade to the requirements of the free trade to take advantage of the positive effects of liberalization and strengthen the production capacity, sales and export. This general target will lead the Algerian companies to achieve two ambitions: to become competitive in price / quality, innovation, and to be able to survive and control the evolution of the technology and the markets. Achieving these ambitions requests from the Algerian companies a major effort, i.e., to adapt and change their organisational methods and practices, especially in technology, innovation, cost control and quality supervision, training, products and markets, sales policies, management, openness to technical and commercial partners. The present paper describes the impact of upgrade programmes on the competitiveness of Algerian companies. For this reason, a model has been developed that analyses the competitiveness of a company across several dimensions (commercial, financial, technical, human, as well as social & managerial). To process the data collected in the survey, an exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory analysis and structural equation methods have been used. The results of the research have confirmed the main hypothesis that upgrading has a positive impact on the overall competitiveness of companies that have initiated and finalised an upgrade programme.

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