scholarly journals Current Developments and Best Practice in Open and Distance Learning

2000 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Armando Rocha Trinidade ◽  
Hermano Carmo ◽  
José Bidarra
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Technical Content ◽  
Support Mechanisms ◽  
The Many ◽  
Absolute Concept ◽  
Near Future

Through the many documents regularly emitted by those dedicated to this activity, it is comparatively easy to describe factual developments in the field of open and distance education in different places in the world. However, it is much more difficult to produce judgements of value about their quality. Quality is a subjective rather than an absolute concept and may be examined from different analytical perspectives: consumers' satisfaction level, intrinsic value of scientific and technical content of learning materials, soundness of learning strategies, efficiency of organisation and procedures, adequate use of advanced technologies, reliability of student support mechanisms, etc. These parameters should be put into the context of specific objectives, nature of target populations and availability of different kinds of resources. In a specific geographic, social, economic and cultural situation a given set of solutions might be judged as adequate and deserving the qualification of "good practice", while in a different context it could be considered of rather poor quality. The selection of examples in this article is the sole responsibility of the authors: neither should the chosen cases be considered as clearly better than any other one, nor missing cases be interpreted as lack of appreciation or a negative judgement. Finally, the authors are aware of the risks of interpreting trends and trying to extrapolate them into the near future: readers should use their own judgement in accepting (or forcefully rejecting) these projections.

scholarly journals Validation practices for satellite soil moisture retrievals: What are (the) errors?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Gruber ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Best Practice Guidelines ◽  
Community Effort ◽  
Earth Observation Satellites ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Practical Recommendations

<p>In this talk, we present the results of a recently published milestone publication for the validation of global coarse-scale satellite soil moisture products (doi:10.1016/j.rse.2020.111806). It is a community effort in which validation good practice guidelineshave been developed. We provide theoretical background, a review of state-of-the-art methodologies for estimating errors in soil moisture data sets, practical recommendations on data pre-processing and presentation of statistical results, and a recommended validation protocol that is supplemented with an example validation exercise focused on microwave-based surface soil moisture products. We conclude by identifying research gaps that should be addressed in the near future. The presented guidelines are endorsed by the Land Product Validation Subgroup of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (https://lpvs.gsfc.nasa.gov) and aim to serve as exemplary work for the development of similar best practice guidelines in other communities.</p>

scholarly journals Introducing New Guidelines on Geoheritage Conservation in Protected and Conserved Areas

Geoheritage ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Crofts ◽  
Dan Tormey ◽  
John E. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Communication To The Public ◽  
The Public ◽  
Best Practice Guidelines ◽  
The World ◽  
New Guidelines ◽  
The Many ◽  
Ethical Basis ◽  
Improve Practice

AbstractThis paper introduces newly published guidelines on geoheritage conservation in protected and conserved areas within the “IUCN WCPA Best Practice Guidelines” series. It explains the need for the guidelines and outlines the ethical basis of geoheritage values and geoconservation principles as the fundamental framework within which to advance geoheritage conservation. Best practice in establishing and managing protected and conserved areas for geoconservation is described with examples from around the world. Particular emphasis is given to the methodology and practice for dealing with the many threats to geoheritage, highlighting in particular how to improve practice for areas with caves and karst, glacial and periglacial, and volcanic features and processes, and for palaeontology and mineral sites. Guidance to improve education and communication to the public through modern and conventional means is also highlighted as a key stage in delivering effective geoconservation. A request is made to geoconservation experts to continue to share best practice examples of developing methodologies and best practice in management to guide non-experts in their work. Finally, a number of suggestions are made on how geoconservation can be further promoted.

scholarly journals A more comprehensive approach offering instruments in one portal to facilitate higher uptake

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Rossmann ◽  
F De Bock
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Comprehensive Approach ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Activity Promotion

Abstract The good practice portal of the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) consists of a nationwide collection of projects and interventions to promote the health of socially disadvantaged groups at community/setting level. An exchange platform (inforo) is also offered via the operating agency, although its use is still limited. The results of the evaluation of the platform suggest that the provision of practical projects and exchange of knowledge alone is not sufficient to support policy makers and practitioners who want to promote health in the community/setting. There is a need for advice on needs assessment, selection and appropriate implementation of health promotion measures. A comprehensive approach currently being tested in the field of activity promotion for older people is the provision of a web-based “toolbox” comprising the following tools: assessment instruments for analysing the need for health promotion measures, a user-friendly intervention/project database and broader evidence synthesis documents, as well as information on project management (organisational, legal, financial). Following the example of other best practice portals, a ranking methodology was developed to make the level of effectiveness of interventions visible and the evaluation requirements transparent. Evidence synthesis documents provide an entry point to learn more generally what works in a particular area of health promotion. In order to make the “toolbox” accessible to policy-makers and practitioners, information from previous studies was used in the development with regard to content and graphical presentation. BZgA is currently working on integrating evidence into the good practice portal. The evaluation of the toolbox in a small area of health promotion will provide initial insights into the inclusion of evidence and its added value. This presentation will conclude with a discussion of possibilities for improvement, challenges and limitations of this approach.

scholarly journals Managing energy performance in buildings from design to operation using modelling and calibration

2021 ◽  
pp. 014362442110083
Author(s):  
Nishesh Jain ◽  
Esfand Burman ◽  
Dejan Mumovic ◽  
Mike Davies
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
Actual Performance ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Calibration Protocol ◽  
Covering Design

To manage the concerns regarding the energy performance gap in buildings, a structured and longitudinal performance assessment of buildings, covering design through to operation, is necessary. Modelling can form an integral part of this process by ensuring that a good practice design stage modelling is followed by an ongoing evaluation of operational stage performance using a robust calibration protocol. In this paper, we demonstrate, via a case study of an office building, how a good practice design stage model can be fine-tuned for operational stage using a new framework that helps validate the causes for deviations of actual performance from design intents. This paper maps the modelling based process of tracking building performance from design to operation, identifying the various types of performance gaps. Further, during the operational stage, the framework provides a systematic way to separate the effect of (i) operating conditions that are driven by the building’s actual function and occupancy as compared with the design assumptions, and (ii) the effect of potential technical issues that cause underperformance. As the identification of issues is based on energy modelling, the process requires use of advanced and well-documented simulation tools. The paper concludes with providing an outline of the software platform requirements needed to generate robust design models and their calibration for operational performance assessments. Practical application The paper’s findings are a useful guide for building industry professionals to manage the performance gap with appropriate accuracy through a robust methodology in an easy to use workflow. The methodological framework to analyse building energy performance in-use links best practice design stage modelling guidance with a robust operational stage investigation. It helps designers, contractors, building managers and other stakeholders with an understanding of procedures to follow to undertake an effective measurement and verification exercise.

scholarly journals Consensus for the General Use of Equine Water Treadmills for Healthy Horses

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 305
Author(s):  
Kathryn Nankervis ◽  
Carolyne Tranquille ◽  
Persephone McCrae ◽  
Jessica York ◽  
Morgan Lashley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Group ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Treadmill Exercise ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Belt Speed ◽  
Research Programmes ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Water Treadmill ◽  
Selection Of

Water treadmill exercise has become popular in recent years for the training and rehabilitation of equine athletes. In 2019, an equine hydrotherapy working group was formed to establish what was commonly considered to be best practice in the use of the modality. This article describes the process by which general guidelines for the application of water treadmill exercise in training and rehabilitation programmes were produced by the working group. The guidelines describe the consensus reached to date on (1) the potential benefits of water treadmill exercise, (2) general good practice in water treadmill exercise, (3) introduction of horses to the exercise, (4) factors influencing selection of belt speed, water depth and duration of exercise, and (5) monitoring movement on the water treadmill. The long-term goal is to reach a consensus on the optimal use of the modality within a training or rehabilitation programme. Collaboration between clinicians, researchers and experienced users is needed to develop research programmes and further guidelines regarding the most appropriate application of the modality for specific veterinary conditions.

scholarly journals “Our” Bodies: Property Rights in Human Tissue

1993 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan M. Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Property Rights ◽  
Medical Research ◽  
Human Tissue ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
The Many ◽  
Economic Goods ◽  
The University ◽  
Near Future

AbstractIn Moore v. Regents of the University of California, the Supreme Court of California held that the human source of blood and tissue used by his physician and other defendants in potentially lucrative medical research without his permission could not assert a legal claim that, in doing so, the defendants had deprived him of any property right in these materials or the cell line developed from them. He was, however, permitted to proceed with his claim that there had been a failure to obtain his informed consent to the excision or removal of these materials, given that their end uses were not disclosed. The decision in Moore is but one example of the range of new legal problems created by the many and rapid advances in biotechnology, and of the attempts courts are making to respond. The judgment raises questions about whether these types of issues as between the patient and medical, research, and pharmaceutical concerns can or ought to be analyzed in terms of property rights. Are the general justifications for recognizing proprietary rights that have traditionally been influential in judicial decisions useful or helpful in this context? And what of the identity of the decision-maker? In Moore, the majority was content to effectively delegate much of the decision-making authority to the U.S. Patent Office and the Office of Technology Assessment. While there are no Canadian decisions directly on point as yet, the pace of technological advances, the potential for economic gain, and the international nature of biotechnology enterprises all set the scene for these issues' coming before our courts in the near future. This paper begins to explore the implications of adopting an analytical model based on property rights and to address the fact that the biotechnology industry already operates on the premise that such material can be owned. It concludes that the current legal regime needs to be modified to allow effective control of these new realities and suggests principles that might be adopted to address important concerns that are raised by the transformation of human tissue and cells into economic goods.

Legislation as Vulnerability Factor

2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-89
Author(s):  
Jorge Gavidia ◽  
Annalisa Crivellari
Keyword(s):  
Dominican Republic ◽  
Central America ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Hurricane Mitch ◽  
Normative Framework ◽  
The Many ◽  
Civil Defence ◽  
Interconnected Structure ◽  
Made In

A study conducted in Central America in 2003 shows that in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch noticeable progress was made in introducing new legislation for disaster management, understood as covering the whole cycle from prevention, preparedness and relief, to reconstruction. The new legislation includes civil defence or disaster management laws and regulations to improve their effectiveness in responding to the threat of natural disasters. A similar situation can be observed in other countries like Cuba and the Dominican Republic. The study looks into existing urban and municipal laws, regulations and planning guidelines to assess the extent to which they respond to vulnerability reduction criteria. This paper focuses on aspects of prevention and risk reduction. An attempt was made to look into the complementarities and gaps between the two sets of regulations for disaster management and for municipal/urban management. It is found that despite the many elements of good practice included in them, the links between these instruments are weak or absent on issues ranging from planning to the actual supervision of interventions on the built environment. Thus, the main elements of the edifice were there, but they did not constitute a solid, interconnected, structure, therefore, bound to fail under the loads imposed by rapid urbanisation, speculation, emergencies and weak governance structures. Institutions are often left to fend themselves in discharging their tasks. Without a coherent normative framework, and the capacity to apply it, their work is primarily driven by institutional initiative, leading to problems of underperformance, overlaps, gaps, and non-constructive competition. Thus, the institutional setup and normative framework become important factors in increasing vulnerability, as real as a building with the wrong foundations. The article reviews the mentioned aspects drawing from the experience in Central America, Cuba and Dominican Republic.

scholarly journals Implementing healthy food environment policies in New Zealand: nine years of inaction

2022 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Mackay ◽  
Sarah Gerritsen ◽  
Fiona Sing ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽  
Boyd Swinburn
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Policy Implementation ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Stimulate Action ◽  
National Governments ◽  
Implementation Gaps

Abstract Background The INFORMAS [International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) Research, Monitoring and Action Support] Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) was developed to evaluate the degree of implementation of widely recommended food environment policies by national governments against international best practice, and has been applied in New Zealand in 2014, 2017 and 2020. This paper outlines the 2020 Food-EPI process and compares policy implementation and recommendations with the 2014 and 2017 Food-EPI. Methods In March–April 2020, a national panel of over 50 public health experts participated in Food-EPI. Experts rated the extent of implementation of 47 “good practice” policy and infrastructure support indicators compared to international best practice, using an extensive evidence document verified by government officials. Experts then proposed and prioritized concrete actions needed to address the critical implementation gaps identified. Progress on policy implementation and recommendations made over the three Food-EPIs was compared. Results In 2020, 60% of the indicators were rated as having “low” or “very little, if any” implementation compared to international benchmarks: less progress than 2017 (47%) and similar to 2014 (61%). Of the nine priority actions proposed in 2014, there was only noticeable action on one (Health Star Ratings). The majority of actions were therefore proposed again in 2017 and 2020. In 2020 the proposed actions were broader, reflecting the need for multisectoral action to improve the food environment, and the need for a mandatory approach in all policy areas. Conclusions There has been little to no progress in the past three terms of government (9 years) on the implementation of policies and infrastructure support for healthy food environments, with implementation overall regressing between 2017 and 2020. The proposed actions in 2020 have reflected a growing movement to locate nutrition within the wider context of planetary health and with recognition of the social determinants of health and nutrition, resulting in recommendations that will require the involvement of many government entities to overcome the existing policy inertia. The increase in food insecurity due to COVID-19 lockdowns may provide the impetus to stimulate action on food polices.

scholarly journals Penyuluhan Hukum tentang Tindak Pidana Korupsi kepada Badan Koordinator Organisasi Wanita Provinsi Kepulauan Riau

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Heni Widiyani ◽  
Ayu Efritadewi ◽  
Elfa Oprasmani ◽  
Marisa Elsera ◽  
Muhammad Jova Febrianto
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Women's Organizations ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Good Communication ◽  
Case Surgery ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Many ◽  
Women’S Organizations

AbstrakSaat ini banyak sekali terjadi kasus korupsi di pemerintahan maupun sektor swasta dilakukan oleh para lelaki yang sudah memiliki istri dan anak.Dengan adanya penyuluhan ini, diharapkan wanita khususnya anggota BKOW bisa menjadi pelopor dirumah tangga untuk membentuk keluarga anti korupsi baik kepada anak dan suami. Kegiatan pengabdian ini dilakukan dengan 4 metode yakni: ceramah, dialog, bedah kasus, dan best practice. Hasil dari kegiatan ini, peserta menjadi antusias, yang terlihat dari banyaknya pertanyan yang diajukan serta terbentuknya komunikasi yang baik. Pengabdian ini perlu dilanjutkan kembali, di organisasi-organisasi wanita lainnya agar penyampaian ini  mencakup banyak wanita aktif di kepulauan Riau.Kata Kunci: Penyuluhan Hukum, Korupsi, Organisasi Wanita.AbstractNowadays there are many cases of corruption in the government and private sector carried out by men who already have wives and children. With this counseling, it is hoped that women, especially BKOW members, can be pioneers in the household to form an anti-corruption family for both children and husbands. This devotional activity is carried out with 4 methods namely: lectures, dialogue, case surgery, and best practice. As a result of this activity, participants became enthusiastic, which was evident from the many questions raised as well as the formation of good communication. This service needs to be resumed, in other women's organizations in order for this delivery to include many active women in Riau islands.Keywords: Legal Counseling, Corruption, Women's Organizations.

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