scholarly journals The Role of Virtual Experiences in Increasing Knowledge, Motivation, Independence and Cultural Capital from Disadvantaged Pupils in England

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-142
Author(s):  
Olivia Gillard

Abstract Objective: To investigate the impact of virtual learning experiences (VLEs) in school amongst disadvantaged 9 to 11-year-olds: specifically, do virtual experiences increase their knowledge, motivation and independence in learning about a topic, and does this increase their cultural capital. Methodology: Participants explored virtual experiences on countries around the world, with the number of facts learnt before and after recorded. Questionnaires were also completed to record views of virtual experiences. Findings: Findings suggest virtual experiences were successful in teaching participants new information, and increased their independence and motivation to engage with learning, and thus could be successful in increasing cultural capital. Significance difference testing revealed that disadvantaged pupils recorded fewer facts than non-disadvantaged pupils, and therefore virtual experiences were not sufficient to close this disadvantage gap. Value Added: The value of virtual experiences being woven into curriculums is discussed as a platform for teaching cultural knowledge. Recommendations: Virtual learning experiences should be considered a core resource for teachers when planning and should be embedded into the curriculum to enhance learning experiences for disadvantaged pupils. Further research should continue to explore the use of VLEs in Primary schools, and the impact of VLEs on cultural capital.

2021 ◽  
Vol 129 ◽  
pp. 10010
Author(s):  
Silvia Polakova ◽  
Jozef Bruk ◽  
Lenka Môcova

Research background: Twenty-first century’s sees strong globalization trends in which mass media play crucial role in shaping public opinion which might saliently impact intercultural communication on the international level. Purpose of the article: This paper focuses on the representation of the image of Russia and Central and Eastern Europe in the British press and, besides, it sets out the role of stereotyping in intercultural communication. The article writers assume that the stereotypes play pivotal role in image shaping of a country in the media. Above all, the most efficient way to not stereotype is a straightforward communication of the participants alongside with the knowledge of the participant’s background, i. e. cultural knowledge. Drawing on the information from the British press, Russia, Central as well as Eastern Europe appears not solely as a geographical region. On the contrary, despite the fast economic, social and political development, its image abroad is still predominantly negative. Methods: The paper, in conjunction with the cultural linguistics and cognitive approach, reveals the range of metaphorical expressions, in particular cognitive aspect of metaphors used by British journalists, which, in turn form the image of Russia in the British press. Findings & Value added: The paper suggests that the analysis of the image of country in the mass media might apply to the investigation of images of other countries as well as to comparative studies.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 298-305
Author(s):  
Ahmad Jafari Samimi

The purpose of the present paper is to compare the impact of implementing Value Added Tax on Export of goods and services in selected countries. In this paper, we used four different indices for export; export of goods and services, export of goods and services (BOP), export of goods and services (annual % growth), export of goods and services (% of GDP) to investigate the sensitivity to different definitions .To do so, study concentrated on a sample of 140 countries that have applied Value Added Tax in their tax system from 1990 to 2008. Findings of the study based on Mean Difference Statistical Test in a two threeyear periods before and after introduction of VAT. In general, the results show that, in different indices, the impact of VAT on export is positive. Therefore, it is suggested that other countries have not yet introduced the VAT to reform their tax system by introducing the VAT.


Equilibrium ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrycja Chodnicka-Jaworska

Research background: The practical analysis suggests that credit ratings are especially significant for banks. The literature review suggests that in previous analysis researchers usually took into consideration financial factors of the banks’ credit ratings methodology. This article analyses the impact of macroeconomic factors on the banks’ credit ratings. Purpose of the article: The paper examines and analyses the impact of the macroeconomic risk factors on the credit ratings received by banks. In the article, the methodology of credit risk assessment proposed by Moody’s Investor Service and Standard and Poor’s Financial Service is presented. Two hypotheses are put herein. The first one is: Changes in countries’ credit ratings convey new information and influence on banks’ financial condition. The second hypothesis is: A highly-developed, stable economy with an advanced financial market has a positive influence on banks’ credit rating assessment. Methods: The study used banks’ and countries’ ratings assigned by Standard and Poor's and Moody's for the period from 1 January 2005 to 1 January 2016. To verify the hypotheses static panel data models have been applied. Findings and Value added: In credit rating agencies guidelines and previous research, the impact of countries’ credit ratings on those received by banks is not indicated. The impact of macroeconomic factors has not been verified. The analysis confirms that changes in countries’ credit ratings convey new information and influence the banks’ environment condition. But only for the assessment given by S and P the condition of banking sector is an important group of factors. For all verified types of credit ratings the risk of country is presented by countries’ credit rating, not by particular factors. These analyses suggest that during the risk estimation process prepared by banks, a country’s risk represented by its credit ratings should be taken into consideration more often than particular macroeconomic factors.


Equilibrium ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inna Semenenko ◽  
Ruslan Halhash ◽  
Kseniia Sieriebriak

Research background: Sustainable development is the agenda for many countries including Ukraine, which adopted it at the national level and promoted through its regions. As the country is constantly struggling with the results of the military conflict and the impact of the occupation of its part by separatists, which led to economic decrease and emergence of numerous social and environmental issues, the transition of Ukraine to sustainable development path becomes especially important. At the same time, there is no official methodology adopted by the Ukrainian government, how to assess sustainable development of its regions. Availability of objective assessments would contribute to development of the relevant policy recommendations. Purpose of the article: The purpose of the article is to assess sustainable development of the regions in Ukraine and to show the dynamics of performance of the regions before and after the beginning of the military conflict in the East of Ukraine. Methods: We suggest the methodology of calculation of the integral index of sustainable development of the regions in Ukraine. This methodology takes into account the three pillars of sustainable development concept (economic, social and environmental) and uses the data available for all Ukrainian regions from the official statistics source. In order to determine the position of individual regions in the development of the Ukrainian economy and to identify certain groups of regions according to their level of sustainable development, we apply the method of statistical grouping. Findings & Value added: The conducted analyses showed the dynamics of indicators of sustainable development of the Ukrainian regions, the performance of the regions and their affiliation to the corresponding attributive groups. The situation and interrelation of the regions in Ukraine totally changed after the beginning of the military conflict in the East of Ukraine. The Luhansk and Donetsk regions, which are directly affected by the military conflict, became the outsiders among other regions in Ukraine, though before the conflict the values of sustainable development indicators had been above the average values in Ukraine. The leaders among the regions also changed, and the difference between the leaders and the following groups became significant. The results of the analyses allowed to visualize the dynamics of sustainable development of the regions in Ukraine and define the key directions for future development.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinyu (Jason) Cao ◽  
Shengnan Lou

Studies quantifying value added of transit often cannot differentiate whether the premiums are transit effects or location effects. Limited studies have examined the timing of value added. Using before and after data, this study explores the impact of the Green Line LRT on housing sales prices. Compared to the studied period before its funding announcement, its announcement increased housing values by $9.2/sq ft and its commencement increased sales prices by $13.7/sq ft. Further analyses show that housing value appreciation actually occurred after the announcement but before the commencement. Thus, using the right timing of value added is critical for value capture programs and benefit–cost analysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 07013
Author(s):  
Margarita Cheshmedzhieva ◽  
Vesela Mircheva ◽  
Galina Pisarska ◽  
Elena Haydushka

Research background: The direct participation of citizens in political decision-making in the state is one of the ways to implement the public relations between the political state represented by the authorities of local self-government and administration. In addition to that, the civil society on behalf of the local inhabitants of the municipalities is also part of this process. Purpose of the article: This report aims to examine which forms of direct democracy are most often applied in the system of local self-government and what is the result of them in view of the economic independence of municipalities. The comparative study covers the periods before and after the signing of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 1995 by the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as the periods before and after the accession of our country to the EU in 2007. These two events play a key role in the impact of globalization processes on the direct participation of citizens in local political decision making. Methods: The methodological tools, used in the research, include the comparative analysis and the comparative-legal method. Findings & Value added: The contribution of the research is expressed in tracking the trend in the application of various forms of direct participation of citizens in local government in the Republic of Bulgaria, in outlining the main shortcomings of legal regulations and factors, favoring or hindering the implementation of these forms, and in formulating proposals de lege ferenda to improve existing legislation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone E. Pfenninger ◽  
Johanna Lendl

In this paper, we discuss the problem of articulation between levels in the educational system, as the transition from a rather more communicative, contentbased and holistic approach to English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching at primary level to more formal and explicit ways of foreign language (FL) teaching at secondary is often experienced as problematic by students and teachers alike (see, e.g., Muñoz, Tragant, & Camuñas, 2015). The results of a mixed methods analysis are presented, in which we analyzed, through a questionnaire and language experience essays, perceived continuity between input received in primary school and secondary school, as well as learners’ beliefs, attitudes and self-efficacy before and after they transitioned to secondary school. Twelve primary schools and six secondary schools in Switzerland participated in the study, with a total of 280 early learners of EFL (biological age 12-13 years, age of onset 8 years). We will argue that one of the main reasons why early FL instruction seems not to bear fruit later in secondary school is that, on the one hand, coherence in curriculum design and practice vary in a few—but crucial—aspects within and between primary schools. On the other hand, the fact that secondary education becomes a meeting point for mixed ability classes also seems to mitigate the potential advantages of an earlier start.


2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 299-303
Author(s):  
Alessandra Pereira Lopes ◽  
Alina Lebreiro Teldeschi ◽  
Flavia Miele ◽  
Cintia Mesquita ◽  
Manuela Correa Borges ◽  
...  

INTRODUCTION: Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors and the second largest group of neoplasms diagnosed in childhood. Treatment includes surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, radiotherapy can cause complications, e.g., cognitive deficits. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe the case of a child diagnosed with a brain tumor evaluated before and after radiotherapy to investigate cognitive decline after treatment. The results showed a decline in Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scores and reversal of the predominance of verbal and nonverbal skills. After radiotherapy, the subject showed slowness, academic deficits, and difficulties learning new information. COMMENTS: Even though the post-treatment evaluation showed scores compatible with the average, comparison between pre- and post-treatment evaluations demonstrated the impact of radiotherapy on the subject's cognitive profile. These results highlight the importance of evaluating patients who undergo radiotherapy before and after treatment and understanding neuropsychological scores associated with the subjects' complaints.


2020 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2019-055525
Author(s):  
Rijo M John ◽  
Estelle Dauchy

ObjectiveTo estimate the trends in affordability of bidis, cigarettes and smokeless tobacco (SLT) in India and examine the impact of transition from the earlier indirect taxation system to the new goods and services tax (GST) on the affordability.MethodsRetail price data and per-capita gross domestic product data were used to examine the trends in affordability of cigarettes, bidis and SLT from 2007–2008 to 2018–2019. Relative income price defined as the share of real per-capita income required to purchase a given quantity of a product was used to measure affordability. Changes in affordability were decomposed to disaggregate the effects of real prices or income changes.FindingsOn average, cigarettes, bidis and SLT have become increasingly affordable over the past 10 years. Bidis were found to be nine times more affordable than cigarettes. The GST has accentuated the increase in the affordability of cigarettes and SLT, and did not significantly alter the high affordability of bidis. In general, states with high (low) value-added tax rates during the pre-GST period experienced increases (decreases) in tobacco products’ affordability after GST.ConclusionBidis continue to be highly affordable while the affordability of cigarettes and SLT increased mainly due to lack of any tax changes after GST and the growth in per-capita income. To effectively reduce affordability, significant increase in either the excise taxes and/or the compensation cess—a temporary duty in addition to GST—is warranted. Compensation cess should also be applied on bidis to address the huge tobacco use problem in India.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Steven Sloman ◽  
Daniella Kupor ◽  
David Yokum

Abstract We evaluate whether people will outsource their opinion on public policy to consensus conference participants. The ideal consensus conference brings together a representative sample of citizens and introduces them to the range of perspectives and evidence related to some policy. The sample is given the opportunity to ask questions of experts and to deliberate. Attitudes about each policy are queried before and after the conference to see if the event has changed minds. In general, such conferences do produce opinion shifts. Our hypothesis is that the shift can be leveraged by simply communicating conference results – absent substantive information about the merits of the policies discussed – to scale up the value of conferences to the population at large. In five studies, we tell participants about the impact of a consensus conference on a sample of citizens’ opinions for a range of policies without providing any new information about the inherent value of the policy itself. For several of the policies, we see a shift in opinion. We conclude that the value of consensus conferences can be scaled up simply by telling an electorate about its results. This suggests an economical way to bring evidence and rational argument to bear on citizens’ policy attitudes.


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