“How am I supposed to do this on my own?”: A case study on perspectives of preschool teachers regarding integrative STEM practices

2021 ◽  
pp. 1476718X2110527
Author(s):  
Hasibe Özlen Demircan

This article analyzes the perspectives of three preschool teachers on integrative STEM practices and the facilitating and hindering factors in their implementation. The participants were preschool teachers working at public preschools. They volunteered to participate in a 14-hour STEM professional development program and to share their perspectives on the implementation of integrative STEM practice. Here a case-study method is used to conduct an in-depth investigation. Data was collected from teachers through interviews, informal classroom observations, and document analysis. The factors facilitating or hindering the teachers’ implementation of integrative STEM practice were analyzed in three aspects: curriculum, pedagogy, learning environment, and the needs they observed while implementing these practices identified. The findings revealed that though the practices are developmentally appropriate to support active learning and time-effectiveness, teachers find it challenging to integrate STEM into education by their own efforts alone. Daily routines, differences between individual children, and material and storage issues are major hindering factors they faced while implementing integrative STEM practices. According to findings, teachers need the support of administration, parents, and colleagues to implement integrative STEM practices. In the short term and the long term, to see a positive impact of integrative STEM practices, there is a need for a better quality context in the curriculum, pedagogy, and learning environment.

Author(s):  
Sumit K. Majumdar

Lost Glory: India’s Capitalism Story describes India’s industrialization experiences. Questions about long-term industry and productivity evolution, and their impact on economic growth, lie at the heart of discourses of capitalism. The book is based on detailed empirical analyses of India’s industrialization over a period of almost seven decades, and a case study of Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest automobile manufacturer. The deeply nuanced depiction of the historical political economy that has affected India’s industrialization is a unique feature. This history will enlighten everyone interested in India. The presentation takes readers on a definitive evidence-based survey of India’s industrial landscape. It includes a detailed historical description of the intellectual origins of India’s modern industrialization, anchored in a privileged view of economic policymaking. Grounded in historical and political analyses, the facts derived on India’s long-term economic performance are used to set the record straight. It is unsparing in its assessments where the evidence warrants such conclusions. Its findings will transform debate, and set the agenda for thoughtfully assessing the future course of India’s prosperity. The author overturns the assumptions that India’s much-vaunted private sector firms only engender positive outcomes, finding State-sector firms to have become efficient, and the molecular sector to be as effective overall, while also challenging the notion that privatization is necessary for progress. Conversely, it is found that competition policy innovations to have had positive impact. Practical suggestions are provided and three fundamental reforms, one administrative, one structural, and one behavioral, necessary to regenerate high output, are advocated.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hana Silvana ◽  
Cecep Darmawan

AbstrakFenomena pengunaan media sosial sebagai media online semakin massive pada dekade ini. Kalangan muda sebagai generasi milenial atau digital native merupakan pengguna terbesar dalam penggunaan media sosial saat ini. Penelitian mengenai literasi digital masih jarang dilakukan terutama di Indonesia. Subyek penelitian ini adalah kalangan usia muda dengan rentang usia 17–21 tahun yang merupakan pengguna aktif media sosial. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode studi kasus. Informan yang dijadikan sampel penelitian sebanyak 5 orang dan 1 orang informan kunci dari pakar literasi media. Temuan yang diperoleh pada penelitian ini menunjukan pentingnya program literasi digital yang memberikan dampak positif bagi pengetahuan, pemahaman dan keterampilan dalam menggunakan media terutama media sosial yang saat ini sering dijadikan sumber informasi oleh khalayak terutama oleh kalangan yang berusia muda. Program ini memberikan kontribusi yang signifikan pada penyebaran informasi dalam menggunakan media massa terutama media sosial yang digunakan oleh kalangan usia muda sehingga ada kesadaran dalam menggunakan media. Pada pendidikan pelatihan (diklat) ini peserta belum semua mempunyai keahlian ini dikarenakan keahlian ini memerlukan latihan yang terus menerus dan konsisten sehingga mereka dapat melakukannya dengan baik. Oleh karena itu pendidikan literasi digital merupakan solusi yang dapat dilakukan oleh pemerintah dan elemen masyarakat dan civitas akademika yang peduli terhadap kemajuan bangsa. AbstractThe phenomenon of the use of social media as an online media is increasingly massive in the use of this decade. Young people as the native millennial or digital generation are the biggest users in the use of social media today. Research on digital literacy is still rare, especially in Indonesia. The subjects of this study were young people aged 17-21 years that were active users of social media. This study uses a qualitative approach to the case study method. The informants who were used as research samples were 5 people and 1 key informant from media literacy experts. The findings obtained in this study indicate the importance of digital literacy programs that have a positive impact on knowledge, understanding and skills in using the media, especially social media which is now often used as a source of information by audiences, especially among young people. information on using mass media, especially social media used by young people so that there is awareness in using the media. In this education participants do not all have this expertise because this skill requires continuous and consistent training so that they can do it well. Therefore digital literacy education is a solution that can be done by the government and elements of society and academics who care about the progress of the nation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 10106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varun Gupta ◽  
Jose Maria Fernandez-Crehuet ◽  
Chetna Gupta ◽  
Thomas Hanne

Context: freelancers and startups could provide each other with promising opportunities that lead to mutual growth, by improving software development metrics, such as cost, time, and quality. Niche skills processed by freelancers could help startups reduce uncertainties associated with developments and markets, with the ability to quickly address market issues (and with higher quality). This requires the associations between freelancers and startup to be long-term, based on trust, and promising agreements driven by motivations (leading to the growth of both parties). Freelancers could help startups foster innovations and undertake software development tasks in better ways than conducted in-house, if they are selected using informed decision-making. Objectives: the paper has three objectives, (1) to explore the strategies of startups to outsource software development tasks to freelancers (termed as freelancing association strategies); (2) to identify challenges in such outsourcings; and (3) to identify the impacts of outsourcing tasks to freelancers on overall project metrics. The overall objective is to understand the strategies for involving freelancers in the software development process, throughout the startup lifecycle, and the associated challenges and the impacts that help to foster innovation (to maintain competitive advantages). Method: this paper performs empirical studies through case studies of three software startups located in Italy, France, and India, followed by a survey of 54 freelancers. The results are analyzed and compared in the identification of association models, issues, challenges, and reported results arising because of such associations. The case study results are validated using members checking with the research participants, which shows a higher level of result agreements. Results: the results indicate that the freelancer association strategy is task based, panel based, or a hybrid. The associations are constrained by issues such as deciding pricing, setting deadlines, difficulty in getting good freelancers, quality issues with software artefacts, and efforts to access freelancer work submissions for reward. The associations have a positive impact on software development if there is availability of good freelancers (which lasts long for various tasks). The paper finally provides a freelancing model framework and recommends activities that could result in making the situation beneficial to both parties, and streamline such associations. Fostering innovation in startups is, thus, a trade-off situation, which is limited and supported by many conflicting parameters.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 235-252
Author(s):  
Janusz Bohatkiewicz ◽  
Wioleta Czarnecka ◽  
Krzysztof Jamrozik ◽  
Sebastian Biernacki ◽  
Maciej Hałucha

The paper presents the methods to improve safety and quality of life of people living in the neighborhood of roads and the situation of road users by means of traffic calming. The focus is kept on positive impact of traffic calming measures on acoustic climate in the surrounding of roads. The paper also contains the characteristics of selected impacts of road traffic on the environment together with a general outline of traffic calming as an instrument to mitigate the negative influence. Various possibilities to frame the acoustic climate and reduce transport-related inconvenience by means of different traffic calming methods are present as well. Then a case study (regional road No 824 in Puławy) is used to assess the effectiveness of specific solutions of comprehensive traffic calming with regard to speed reduction and abatement of noise emissions. Analyses are based on measurements’ results (traffic volumes, driving speeds and noise levels) and on acoustic calculations performed by the authors as part of their own study (internal research & development program of EKKOM). On the basis of measurements’ results and calculations the paper also addresses the problem of lack of correction factors related to traffic calming in the calculation model and the one of errors in noise modeling while preparing the case study.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Hemphill ◽  
Barrie Gordon ◽  
PM Wright

© 2019, © 2019 Association for Physical Education. Background: Sport-based youth development (SBYD) programs aim to teach life skills to youth within a physical activity context. An explicit objective of most SBYD programs is that youth learn to apply, or transfer, life skills beyond the sports program. Limited research has been conducted on the cognitive processes that help youth understand how life skills apply within and beyond sports. Purpose: This study uses a conceptual framework on transfer of life skills to examine the role of life skills in an SBYD program. Research questions include: (1) how does the SBYD program integrate the teaching of life skills, (2) how do youth participants experience the life skills in the boxing program, and (3) how do youth participants perceive the life skills impact them beyond the program. Methodology: This research took place at three community boxing academies in New Zealand. The three academies were selected because they are affiliated with a boxing program that is committed to implementing a life skills framework called the Passport to Success. Forty-one youth (31 boys, 10 girls) across the three sites participated in focus groups interviews about their experience in the program. Additionally, observations of program implementation documented the daily routines of each boxing academy. Using a qualitative case study design, inductive analysis and constant comparative methods were used to identify emergent themes. Findings: Youth participants perceived life skills to be a foundational component of the boxing program. The life skills were presented to youth through the ‘Passport to Success’, a document featuring eight key life skills. The coaches focused on the Passport to Success in several ways, including setting an expectation that youth memorize the life skills to demonstrate their commitment. Several youth participants discussed learning valuable lessons around the life skills. Finally, youth were able to describe scenarios which demonstrated how the life skills connected with other areas of their lives. Conclusion: Life skills implementation was guided by the Passport to Success and an expectation that youth develop positive relationships in the gym. A routine strategy for memorizing the Passport to Success provided a clear example of youth learning the meaning of life skills in the context of sports. The youth participants demonstrated cognitive connections in their explanation of the value of life skills beyond the boxing program. Using the conceptual framework on transfer [Jacobs and Wright 2018. “Transfer of Life Skills in Sport-Based Youth Development Programs: A Conceptual Framework Bridging Learning to Application.” Quest 70 (1): 81–99] helps to explain the cognitive connections youth participants make between life skills in a sports program and their application beyond sports.


Author(s):  
A. Mascitelli ◽  
M. Ravanelli ◽  
S. Mattoccia ◽  
C. Berardocco ◽  
A. Mazzoni

Abstract. Indoor mapping is an essential process in several applications such as the visualization of space and its utilization, security and resource planning, emergency planning and location-based alerts and, last but not least, indoor navigation. In this work, a completely free and open-source (FOS) approach to map indoor environments, and to navigate through them, is presented. Our tests were carried out within Sapienza University of Rome public buildings; in detail, Letters and Philosophy faculty and Engineering faculty indoor environments were mapped. To reach this goal, only open source software such as Quantum GIS (QGIS) and open-source platforms like Open Street Map (OSM) and its indoor viewer, Open Level Up (OLU) were adopted. A database of indoor environments of the two faculties, completely compatible with OLU, was created through QGIS. In this way, a public territorial information system of classrooms, offices and laboratories is accessible to everyone who can, hence, add or modify the information, following the principle of crowdsourcing and of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI). The developed procedure is now standard and its outputs accepted by the OSM community. Hence, the long-term developments of this project are the proposal for the volunteered and cooperative indoor mapping and design of strategic buildings and infrastructures (hospitals, schools, public offices, shopping centers, stations, airports etc.), starting from the available information (indoor layouts) and knowledge acquired through experience of people who normally work inside them and/or visit them frequently. In this context it is possible to state that the development of VGI for internal maps for strategic buildings, infrastructures and denied GNSS environments, not only supports and improves internal and external navigation without interruption, but can also have a significant positive impact on security and emergency management.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (12) ◽  
pp. 874
Author(s):  
Pramita Agustin ◽  
Imron Mawardi

This research aims to know the muslim investor behavior in a stock transaction in capital market. This research used the qualitative approach, using the case study method by basing on the theory of behavioral finance.Data collection using a purposive sampling technique to determine informants amounted to five muslim investors who at least has a two year stock transaction to be interviewed in depth, observed and evaluated the data by performing a triangulation.The results of this research have findings that muslim investor behavior in a stock transaction is divided into two point of view that is, investors who consider religion in their investment decisions and the invetor did not consider religion in their investment decisions. Investors who consider religion in their investment decisions preferring stock composition of the incoming Sharia index list and nature of investments tend to be long term. Investors who do not consider religion in choosing his investment decision stock blends well in the Shariahcompliantindex or not. The nature of investment investors who did not consider the shortterm nature of the religion.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Dominika Pazder

In the following paper there are presented the projects implemented by the Author, together with the Division of Revitalization of the City of Poznan. The issues were undertaken within a revitalization process – especially in its soft, social aspect. Presented effects are results of a long-term cooperation with Poznan Municipality. The main attention is focused on selected activities related to the issues of renewal and activation of public spaces and those of educational value. These are important tools to start a dialogue with city residents and can have a positive impact on social attitude to revival process.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Hemphill ◽  
Barrie Gordon ◽  
PM Wright

© 2019, © 2019 Association for Physical Education. Background: Sport-based youth development (SBYD) programs aim to teach life skills to youth within a physical activity context. An explicit objective of most SBYD programs is that youth learn to apply, or transfer, life skills beyond the sports program. Limited research has been conducted on the cognitive processes that help youth understand how life skills apply within and beyond sports. Purpose: This study uses a conceptual framework on transfer of life skills to examine the role of life skills in an SBYD program. Research questions include: (1) how does the SBYD program integrate the teaching of life skills, (2) how do youth participants experience the life skills in the boxing program, and (3) how do youth participants perceive the life skills impact them beyond the program. Methodology: This research took place at three community boxing academies in New Zealand. The three academies were selected because they are affiliated with a boxing program that is committed to implementing a life skills framework called the Passport to Success. Forty-one youth (31 boys, 10 girls) across the three sites participated in focus groups interviews about their experience in the program. Additionally, observations of program implementation documented the daily routines of each boxing academy. Using a qualitative case study design, inductive analysis and constant comparative methods were used to identify emergent themes. Findings: Youth participants perceived life skills to be a foundational component of the boxing program. The life skills were presented to youth through the ‘Passport to Success’, a document featuring eight key life skills. The coaches focused on the Passport to Success in several ways, including setting an expectation that youth memorize the life skills to demonstrate their commitment. Several youth participants discussed learning valuable lessons around the life skills. Finally, youth were able to describe scenarios which demonstrated how the life skills connected with other areas of their lives. Conclusion: Life skills implementation was guided by the Passport to Success and an expectation that youth develop positive relationships in the gym. A routine strategy for memorizing the Passport to Success provided a clear example of youth learning the meaning of life skills in the context of sports. The youth participants demonstrated cognitive connections in their explanation of the value of life skills beyond the boxing program. Using the conceptual framework on transfer [Jacobs and Wright 2018. “Transfer of Life Skills in Sport-Based Youth Development Programs: A Conceptual Framework Bridging Learning to Application.” Quest 70 (1): 81–99] helps to explain the cognitive connections youth participants make between life skills in a sports program and their application beyond sports.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Gancarczyk ◽  
Joerg Freiling ◽  
Jacek Gancarczyk

PurposeThis paper aims to explain the dynamics of entrepreneurial decisions and actions (D&As) in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) growth process. The study focuses on the changing portfolio and relationship governance and captures these dynamics by using the concept of “enabling constraints” (ECs).Design/methodology/approachIn-depth, long-term and multiple-case study method was adopted based on six high-growth SMEs. Pattern-matching and alternative template approach formed a basis for developing a research framework, further corroborated and advanced in the empirical study.FindingsThe research provides empirical evidence of ECs as entrepreneurial perceptions that both limit (constrain) the range of accessible options and facilitate (enable) new opportunities. This study’s results point to how owner-managers' judgments about growth motives and rationales constrain their choices and how they enable new directions, acknowledging the changing context.Originality/valueThis work contributes to the research on SME growth processes by specifying their dynamics in terms of a creative mutual causality. Here, D&As stem from entrepreneurs' perceptions that are affected by the context, with the latter also shaped by prior decisions and actions. This theoretical contribution has been synthesized in the form of a framework of ECs in the SME growth process with related propositions.


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