scholarly journals School Improvement by Addressing Bullying: Α Case Study in Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-82
Author(s):  
A. Ioannis
Keyword(s):  
School Improvement ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
School Community ◽  
First Year ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Weak Points

<p style="text-align: justify;">The main purpose of this study case is to investigate the contribution of the school community to the improvement of the school. In that context, a two-phase research was conducted. In the first phase, the self-evaluation process was implemented during the first year of the research with the participation of the school community. An overall picture of the school was created, with its strong and weak points reflected in the school's final self-evaluation report. Upon the completion of the school self-evaluation process the school community decided on the implementation of actions in order to reduce a number of dysfunctional behaviors, such as bullying incidents that occurred in the school on the part of some students. The school actions and the relevant results constituted the second phase of the research work. The results showed that some of the dysfunctional behaviors were found to be decreased to a statistically significant level after action was taken by the school community.</p>

scholarly journals School Improvement by Addressing Bullying: Α Case Study in Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-82
Author(s):  
A. Ioannis
Keyword(s):  
School Improvement ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
School Community ◽  
First Year ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Weak Points

<p style="text-align: justify;">The main purpose of this study case is to investigate the contribution of the school community to the improvement of the school. In that context, a two-phase research was conducted. In the first phase, the self-evaluation process was implemented during the first year of the research with the participation of the school community. An overall picture of the school was created, with its strong and weak points reflected in the school's final self-evaluation report. Upon the completion of the school self-evaluation process the school community decided on the implementation of actions in order to reduce a number of dysfunctional behaviors, such as bullying incidents that occurred in the school on the part of some students. The school actions and the relevant results constituted the second phase of the research work. The results showed that some of the dysfunctional behaviors were found to be decreased to a statistically significant level after action was taken by the school community.</p>

scholarly journals Competitive Positioning of a Higher Education Institution in Zambia: The Case of ZCAS

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelvin Mukolo Kayombo ◽  
Steve Carter
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Teaching Quality ◽  
First Year ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Current Position ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Brand Position

This study was the second phase of a larger research project that was designed to identify and measure a higher education institution’s brand in Zambia in order to ascertain areas for strengthening the brand’s competitive position. The objectives of this conjoint study were twofold: firstly, to identify the current position of the ZCAS brand as a case study and secondly, to establish the current position of the ZCAS brand relative to its higher education (HE) competitors in Zambia. This quantitative study involved administering a conjoint questionnaire to 110 first year students in ZCAS and 280 first year students in seven universities in the country. The 19 branding elements identified in the initial qualitative stage of the project were aggregated into five principal branding factors using Atlas.ti’s co-occurrence tools to facilitate this conjoint study. These five principal branding attributes are teaching quality, fees, course availability, learning environment and employability. The study revealed that ZCAS has a fairly strong brand position in the Zambian HE sector because the most important elements in its brand model, i.e. course availability, teaching quality and facilities are also the premier brand dimensions in the market. The study also revealed that ZCAS needs to reposition itself away from the competition in order to occupy a more favorable position in the minds of its prospective and existing customers. Accordingly, the study recommends that ZCAS increases its course offerings and collaborates with universities in the region. ZCAS should also consider setting up a quality assurance unit to foster quality in the institution. This study adds to the increasing body of knowledge on HE branding, particularly in developing countries, by developing and then testing a brand orientation model for the Zambian HE market.

scholarly journals Challenges in English for Specific Purposes: Case-Study of Economics Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-38
Author(s):  
Djamila djam Benchennane ◽  
Mustapha Stambouli
Keyword(s):  
Classroom Observation ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English For Specific Purposes ◽  
Needs Analysis ◽  
First Year ◽  
Economics Students ◽  
Modern Methods ◽  
The Status

This research work is to investigate the status of English for Specific Purposes course on first year Master students of Economics in their development of English for Specific Purposes. It focuses on one research instrument for data collection which is: classroom observation. The results revealed that teachers of English are not ESP teachers; therefore, they need to collaborate more with subject specialists to improve their own levels and to learn modern methods of teaching, they should also proceed to Needs analysis as far as the learners are concerned. Hence some recommendations and tips are provided so as to boost the students’ learning process.   Key words: collaboration;  ESP; language teachers ; needs analysis, subject specialists

A Case Study for Infrastructure Scour Management

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eftychia Koursari ◽  
Stuart Wallace ◽  
Panagiotis Michalis ◽  
Yi Xu ◽  
Manousos Valyrakis
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Bridge Engineering ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Phase Approach ◽  
Remediation Measures ◽  
Stability Of Structures ◽  
Safety Inspections

&lt;p&gt;Scour is the leading cause of bridge collapse worldwide, being responsible for compromising the stability of structures&amp;#8217; foundations. Scour and erosion can take place without prior warning and cause sudden failure. This study describes engineering measures and complications encountered during construction for a case study in the Scottish Borders (A68 Galadean Bridge). The bridge studied carries the A68 road across the Leader Water.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Transport Scotland&amp;#8217;s structures crossing or near a watercourse are subject to a two-stage scour assessment following the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) BD97/12 Standard, &amp;#8216;The Assessment of Scour and Other Hydraulic Actions at Highway Structures&amp;#8217;. Structures identified at risk are monitored through Reactive Structures Safety Inspections following events likely to increase water levels. The most common form of monitoring includes visual inspections, however, monitoring sensors are being currently implemented and trialled at locations at high risk of scour.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Scour in the area was identified during a Reactive Structures Safety Inspection, following which a weekly scour monitoring regime was established, alongside further Reactive Structures Safety Inspections, until remediation measures were put in place.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Despite the bridge being constructed perpendicular to the Leader Water, meandering of the watercourse was detected upstream. Sediment transport was the cause of an island formation immediately upstream of the structure. Non-uniform flow and secondary, spiral currents, resulting from the formation of the bend were exacerbating scour and erosion in the area. The design of the remediation measures included the implementation of rock rolls alongside the affected riverbank. However, during construction, increased water levels resulting from thawing snow resulted in the collapse of a significant portion of the embankment supporting the structure&amp;#8217;s abutment and the A68 road, prior to the realisation of the remediation measures. An emergency design revision was required and emergency measures had to be enforced.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The urgency of the works led to a two-phase approach being followed for the design and construction of the scour measures in the affected area. The first phase included the construction of a platform in front of the affected road embankment and the implementation of rock rolls to provide scour protection. The two-phase approach ensured the infrastructure at risk was protected from further deterioration while the reconstruction of the embankment was being designed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The second phase of works included the reconstruction of the affected road embankment, for which the anticipated total scour depth was taken into account.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;References:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Koursari E and Wallace S. 2019. Infrastructure scour management: a case study for A68 Galadean Bridge, UK. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers &amp;#8211; Bridge Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1680/jbren.18.00062&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Acknowledgements:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The authors would like to acknowledge Transport Scotland for funding this project.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Analysis of Separation Distances under Varying Odour Emission Rates and Meteorology: A WWTP Case Study

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 962
Author(s):  
Marco Ravina ◽  
Salvatore Bruzzese ◽  
Deborah Panepinto ◽  
Mariachiara Zanetti
Keyword(s):  
Power Law ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Evaluation Procedure ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Italian Regions ◽  
Logarithmic Law ◽  
Selection Of

A wide variability of odour impact criteria is found around the world. The objective of this research work was to evaluate the influence of the uncertainties related to some individual stages of odour impact assessment in the application of regulatory criteria. The evaluation procedure was established by following the guidelines of the Northern Italian regions. A wastewater treatment plant located in Northern Italy was considered as a case study. Odour dispersion modelling was carried out with the CALPUFF model. The study focused on two phases of the assessment. The first phase was the selection of the meteorology datasets. For low odour concentration thresholds (CT = 1 OU m−3), the results showed that two different years (2018 and 2019) provided similar patterns of the separation distances. The difference between the two years tended to increase by increasing the value of the concentration threshold (CT = 3 OU m−3 and CT = 5 OU m−3). The second phase of the assessment was the selection of the open field correction method for wind velocity used in the calculation of odour emission rates (OERs). Three different relationships were considered: the power law, the logarithmic law and the Deaves–Harris (D–H) law. The results showed that OERs and separation distances varied depending on the selected method. Taking the power law as the reference, the average variability of the separation distances was between −7% (D–H law) and +10% (logarithmic law). Higher variability (up to 25%) was found for single transport distances. The present study provides knowledge towards a better alignment of the concept of the odour impact criteria.

scholarly journals The Implementation of Tartil Method to Increase Ability in Reciting al-Qur’an for Students of IAIN Raden Intan Lampung

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syafrimen Syafril ◽  
Nova Erlina
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Group Design ◽  
Case Study Design ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Explanatory Mixed Methods

The purpose of this study is to know the implementation of Tartil Method in order to increase the ability of the students of IAIN Raden Intan Lampung in reciting al-Qur’an. This study used two phase of explanatory mixed methods designs. The first phase was quantitative approach using true experiment by having pretest-postest control group design for 66 students who have low ability in reciting al-Qur’an. The second phase was qualitative approach using multi-case single-site case study design involving 9 students who were trained by using Tartil method. The data of the first phase were collected by testing the students to recite al-Qur’an and then the scores were analyzed by using Statistical Package For Social Science [SPSS] Windows 18.0. In the second phase, the data were collected by using in depth-interview and the data from interview were described thematically with Nvivo 8. From the first phase, it was found that there was an increasing ability of reciting al-Qur’an after the implementation of Tartil method. From the second phase, it was found that the reasons why the students could recite Al-Qur’an faster were: [i] the method was easier to follow, [ii] the method was interesting because there were some specific color used to in the material given, [iii] the reciting al-Qur’an was directly applied with the muratal system, [iv] the tajwid was applied in order to make the reciting perfect. The implication of this study was discussed with any theories, concepts and relevance studies.

scholarly journals Information technology sourcing changes in an SME: Ça Va de Soi in the cloud with diamonds

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-80
Author(s):  
Simon Bourdeau ◽  
Dragos Vieru
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Opportunity To Learn ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Erp System ◽  
Sourcing Strategy ◽  
It Project ◽  
Medium Enterprise

This case study presents the information technology (IT) sourcing decisions made by a Canadian small and medium enterprise specializing in knitwear, called Ça Va de Soi ( CVDS), during the deployment of the second phase of their two-phase organizational strategy based on a “Bricks and Clicks” business model. CVDS has 30 employees and 5 stores with annual sales of around $CDN 5 million (2015). The case focuses on phase two, the “Clicks,” where an IT project, divided into two parallel subprojects, was realized: (1) the custom development of an ERP system, and (2) the creation of an online e-commerce. The project was based on an “on-premises” sourcing strategy where the information systems were developed “in-house” by external service providers. After several months of efforts, the subprojects were abandoned and CVDS’ activities were rolled back to their legacy systems (Part A). Pulling the plug on the IT project was a tough decision for CVDS who still needed the online store to be implemented in order to support its stores’ activities. However, CVDS’ management team considered this failure as an opportunity to learn from their mistakes, review, and transform its IT sourcing strategy (Part B).

scholarly journals Optimal assignment and scheduling of workers and tasks on an assembly line

2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-84
Author(s):  
Lieschen Venter ◽  
Stephan Visagie
Keyword(s):  
Assembly Line ◽  
Labour Cost ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Temporary Workers ◽  
Optimal Assignment ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Optimal Sequence ◽  
The Cost

In this paper the assignment of cross-trained and temporary workers to tasks on an assembly line is investigated. Cross-trained workers are skilled to perform more than one task on the assembly line in the production process. Temporary workers are viewed as either trained or untrained and may be hired or laid off as required. The solution procedure may be divided into three parts. During the first part a model is formulated to determine an optimal assignment of the workers to the production tasks. During the second part the model is extended to determine the effect of the assignment of both trained and untrained temporary workers to the tasks on the assembly line. During the final part of the model an optimal sequence of tasks in the assembly line is determined that minimises the resulting execution times of these tasks. During the first part the objective is to maximise the total production utility. This is achieved by implementing a two-phase model. The first phase maximises the utility of pro-duction by minimising labour shortage in the assembly line. During the second phase the improvement of the workers’ levels of skill is maximised while the effect of the learning and forgetting of skills is taken into consideration. A learn-forget-curve model (LFCM) is implemented to model the effect of this human characteristic on the master model. This approach ensures that the advantageous cross-trained nature of the workers is maintained and optimized, without a large deviation from the solution determined by the first phase. The objective of the second part is to minimise the labour cost of production by determin-ing the best type of workers for a certain task as well as the manner in which they should be hired or laid off. A worker is classified as either permanently or temporarily employed. Tem-porarily employed workers are further classified as either untrained or cross-trained workers. The assignment of workers to tasks on the assembly line is achieved by means of a Master Production Scheduling (MPS) model. The MPS has as its objective the minimisation of the total labour cost of performing all the tasks. The labour cost is defined as the sum of the temporary workers’ daily wages, the overtime cost of permanent workers, the overtime cost of temporary workers and the cost of employing and laying off temporary workers. Finally, during the third part an optimal sequence of tasks is determined in the production process in order to minimise the total production time. This is achieved by means of a two-phase dynamic assembly line balancing model, which is adjusted to incorporate the critical path method. During the first phase, an optimal task sequence is determined, while during the second phase, an optimal assignment of tasks to workstations and the timing thereof, is determined. The practical applicability of the model is demonstrated by means of a real life case study. The production of various styles of shoes in a leatherworks factory is considered. The production of each style requires a different set of tasks and each task requires a different level of skill. The factory under consideration employs both cross-trained and temporary workers and data sets were obtained empirically by observation, interviews and questionnaires. Upon execution of the first phase of the assignment model, an optimal utility is found and the second phase is able to maximise the increase of the workers’ skill level without deviation from this optimum. Upon execution of the employment model, it is found that labour costs are minimized by increasing the use of temporary workers and by assigning the maximum allowable number of overtime hours to them. Upon application of the scheduling model, an improved time is obtained compared to the standard execution time of each style. The results obtained from the case study indicate that the application of the model presented in this paper shows a substantial improvement in production, while reducing the cost of labour as well as improving the overall level of workers’ skills. A multi-objective model is thus developed which successfully maximises production utility, maximises skill development of workers, minimises labour costs and the occurrence of idle workers as well as minimises total execution time. 

Significant enhancement of academic achievement through application of the Theory of Constraints (TOC)

2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
Rami Goldratt ◽  
Nava Weiss
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Theory Of Constraints ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Weakest Link ◽  
Operational Flow ◽  
High School Diplomas ◽  
Academic Resources

Changes in the administration of matriculation examinations in Israel (based on the Theory of Constraints), has produced a marked improvement in the high school graduation rate of underprivileged students, without the need for additional manpower or resources and without changing the pedagogical way teachers are asked to teach the relevant knowledge. Because of changes made within the educational system in the early 1990's, the high school diploma has become the prime measure of success also for underprivileged students, within the vocational/technological high school track. This article presents a case study of the “Reut” school, where adoption of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) has led to a continuous increase in the number of students eligible for high school diplomas. The article describes the two-phase process of applying the principles of TOC in the administration of matriculation exams. The first phase employs operational flow principles to align the allocation of academic resources according to the weakest link (constraint); the second phase uses TOC project management principles to streamline resource utilization. The improvement achieved at each phase is described together with an analysis of the results. The article ends with conclusions drawn from an analysis of the processes.

scholarly journals Students as co-researchers in a school self-evaluation process

2021 ◽  
pp. 136548022110346
Author(s):  
Shivaun O’Brien ◽  
Gerry McNamara ◽  
Joe O’Hara ◽  
Martin Brown ◽  
Craig Skerritt
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
School Improvement ◽  
Student Involvement ◽  
Student Participation ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
School Level ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Whole School ◽  
Team Student

School self-evaluation (SSE) or data-based decision making is now a common feature of mainstream education in an increasing number of jurisdictions. The participation of stakeholders including students, is promoted internationally as a key feature of effective SSE. Despite this, very little research has been carried out on how education systems might involve students in SSE and even less research has explored how student involvement can move beyond mere tokenism. Similar to many other jurisdictions, Irish schools are encouraged to include students in SSE. However, the research to date would indicate that while students are frequently consulted through the use of surveys they have little or no involvement in decisions that are made as part of the SSE process at a whole school level. This case study explores an atypical approach to student engagement in SSE which was tested in one Irish post-primary school where students participated as co-researchers along with their teachers in the SSE process. In doing so, student participation in SSE shifted from student as data sources to students as co-researchers. Students became members of the SSE Team, responsible for consulting with the wider staff team, student body and parents. They were actively involved in the completion of a whole school self-evaluation report on assessment and the development of a school improvement plan. The study outlines the key stages of the project and how student participation evolved through the process. Interviews conducted with both the teacher and student members of the SSE Team illuminates the experience of the students and staff on the SSE team. The findings indicate that this approach resulted in significant positive outcomes for the school and the individuals involved, but there were also a number of challenges. Student involvement resulted in greater awareness among, and participation of the wider staff team in the SSE process. However, it required more resources and time than is usually the case for an SSE process in Irish schools. The research suggests that this level of participation by students may require a more systematic and sustained engagement of students in decision making at a classroom level in order to build capacity of students to contribute to decision making at a whole school level on an ongoing basis. This study may have an application in jurisdictions aiming to include students in SSE, particularly at a higher level, and it also provides a glimpse into the deliberate planning and structures required if schools are to move beyond an instrumentalist, compliance model of ‘student voice’ towards a more authentic model of inclusive democracy.

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