scholarly journals From Lab to Zoom: Adapting Training Study Methodologies to Remote Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie P. Bambha ◽  
Marianella Casasola

Training studies extend developmental research beyond single-session lab tasks by evaluating how particular experiences influence developmental changes over time. This methodology is highly interactive and typically requires experimenters to have easy, in-person access to large groups of children. When constraints were placed on in-person data collection due to the COVID-19 pandemic, administering this study format in the conventional manner became unfeasible. To implement this type of research under these new circumstances, we devised an alternative approach that enabled us to conduct a live, multi-session training study using a diverse array of activities through an online interface, a task necessitating creative problem solving, since most existing remote methodologies either rely on unsupervised methods or have been limited to single sessions and restricted to a limited number of tasks. The current paper describes the technological and practical adaptations implemented in our online training study of 118 4- and 5-year-old children from a geographically diverse sample. An experimenter interacted with the children once a week for 5 weeks over Zoom. The first and final sessions were dedicated to collecting baseline and post-test measures, while the intermediate 3 weeks were structured as a training designed to teach children specific spatial-cognitive and visuo-motor integration skills. The assessments and training contained image-filled spatial tasks that experimenters shared on their screen, a series of hands-on activities that children completed on their own device and on paper while following experimenters’ on-screen demonstrations, and tasks requiring verbal indicators from the parent about their child’s response. The remote nature of the study presented a unique set of benefits and limitations that has the potential to inform future virtual child research, as our study used remote behavioral methods to test spatial and visuo-motor integration skills that have typically only been assessed in lab settings. Results are discussed in relation to in-lab studies to establish the viability of testing these skills virtually. As our design entailed continual management of communication issues among researchers, parents, and child participants, strategies for streamlined researcher training, diverse online recruitment, and stimuli creation are also discussed.

Author(s):  
ISSRAQ BIN RAMLI ◽  
MOHD ZAKI ABD. RAHMAN

Terdapat banyak modul sebutan berada di pasaran yang memperkenalkan teknik pembelajaran dan pengajaran sebutan al-Quran al-Karim dan bahasa Arab. Ada yang menggunakan kaedah klasik, moden dan ada juga yang menggunakan kedua-dua kaedah secara komprehensif. Namun, amat sedikit kita lihat kaedah yang dapat memperbaiki sebutan dan menumpukan secara khusus teknik kepada pelajar bukan Arab. Sering kali diperkatakan tentang masalah sebutan pelajar Sabah tanpa membuat kajian secara terperinci dan ilmiah. Justeru, kajian ini dibuat untuk melihat masalah sebenar sebutan bunyi bahasa Arab pelajar Sabah dan seterusnya mengaplikasikan teori Mahjub (1993) untuk memperbaiki masalah sebutan bahasa Arab. Kajian ini dilakukan di sebuah sekolah menengah kebangsaan di Kota Kinabalu yang responden kajiannya ialah pelajar sekolah tingkatan empat. Objektif kajian adalah untuk mengenal pasti secara ilmiah permasalahan sebutan dalam kalangan pelajar Sabah dan mengaplikasi kaedah fonetik Mahjub, seterusnya melihat keberkesanan modul Mahjub sebagai instrumen terbaik memperbaiki sebutan pelajar Sabah. Kajian kualitatif ini menggunakan huruf-huruf konsonan yang sukar bagi pelajar asing yang dibuat oleh Mahjub (1993) yang menggunakan modul yang digunakan untuk memperbaiki sebutan Arab pelajar asing. Terdapat tiga langkah utama dalam kajian ini, iaitu rakaman ujian pertama (U1) sebagai sebutan bahasa Arab terkini pelajar Sabah, kemudian langkah kedua melaksanakan PdP berdasarkan PdP Mahjub dan langkah yang ketiga membuat rakaman ujian kedua (U2) untuk melihat keberhasilan teori Mahjub dalam memperbaiki sebutan pelajar Sabah. Hasil Kajian menunjukkan nilai yang sangat signifikan antara U1 dan U2. Daripada sembilan huruf yang diuji itu, konsonan ‘Ayn [ع] paling baik disebut oleh pelajar dan huruf Dad [ض] paling sukar disebut dalam U1. Dalam U2, huruf Ta’ [ط] paling sukar disebut dan huruf Sad [ص] paling mudah disebut. Dalam U1 Fathaṯ paling tinggi skor dengan 68.2 berbanding Sukun yang mempunyai skor paling rendah dengan 33.3. Secara puratanya, dalam U1 pelajar atau responden hanya mendapat purata sekitar 55 skor min bagi Dammaṯ dan Kasraṯ. Namun, pada U2 peningkatan masing-masing Dammaṯ dan Kasraṯ. mendapat skor yang hampir sama, iaitu 77.9 dan 76.9. Data menunjukkan bahawa Sukun paling bermasalah kepada responden dalam sebutan. Begitu juga terdapat perubahan yang signifikan dalam ujian kedudukan Fathaṯ, Dammaṯ dan Kasraṯ dari U1 kepada U2. Kajian menunjukkan bahawa teori Mahjub ini berhasil memperbaiki masalah sebutan dalam kalangan pelajar Sabah dan memberikan satu alternatif untuk diaplikasi dalam PdP pelajar dan membuka ruang kepada penulis lain untuk memanjangkan kajian pada masa akan datang. There are many modules/methods available in the market to introduce the techniques of learning and teaching the Holy Quran and the Arabic language. There are classical and modern methods in teaching the Holy Quran, and some might combine both classical and modern to help students to learn the Holy Quran. But there are only few methods which can really help to improve the pronunciation of Arabic especially among the non-Arab students who learn Arabic as a second language. This pronunciation problem is often discussed by the Arabic teachers but there are lack of proper studies to overcome this problem. Therefore, this study aims to identify specifically the pronunciation problem and to measure if the Maḥjub Theory can be applied to help in overcoming it. This study was conducted in a secondary school in Kota Kinabalu. The respondents were all Form 4 students. This qualitative study used the Maḥjub Module (1993) to rectify consonant letters that are difficult to pronounce by the Sabahan students. This study has undergone three phrases. The first phrase is U1 where the pre-test is carried out to evaluate the current capability of the respondents. The second phrase applied the Maḥjub Method in the PdP. The third phrase is U2 where the post-test was carried out after the Maḥjub Method was applied to the respondents. This study showed significant value between U1 and U2. Nine consonant letters were tested in this study. In U1, ‘Ayn [ع]was the easiest to pronounce and Dad [ض] was the most difficult to pronounce by the respondents. In U2, Ta’ [ط] was the hardest to pronounce and Sad [ص] was the easiet. In U1, Fathaṯ was the highest with 68.2 score as compared to Sukun with 33.3 score. Overall, respondents scored a mean of 55 for Dammaṯ and Kasraṯ in U1. However, in U2, Dammaṯ and Kasraṯ showed very close score as of 77.9 and 76.9. The data also showed that Sukun is the hardest part for the respondents.This study had proved that the Maḥjub Method is enabled to enhance and improve the difficulty in pronunciation among the students in Sabah. Therefore, the Mahjub Method gives educators an alternative approach to apply in their teaching and also other researchers for ideas to carry out future research in this field.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabet Serrat Sellabona ◽  
Carles Rostan Sánchez ◽  
Eduard Vallès Majoral ◽  
Moisès Esteban Guitart ◽  
Francesc Sidera Caballero ◽  
...  

AbstractA total of 104 children aged between 41 and 47 months were selected to study the relationship between language and false belief understanding. Participants were assigned to four different training conditions: discourse, labelling, control (all with deceptive objects), and sentential complements (involving non-deceptive objects). Post-test results showed an improvement in children’s false belief understanding in the discourse and the labelling conditions, but not in the sentential complements with non-deceptive objects or the control group. Furthermore, the most remarkable improvement in false belief understanding occurred in the labelling group. These results suggest that some types of linguistic experience promote the development of false belief understanding, provided that differing perspectives are confronted.


Author(s):  
Francisco E Mora ◽  
Benjamin Nicholson ◽  
Jay Lovelady ◽  
Harrinder Dhindsa ◽  
Lina V Mata ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objectives Aerial transport of injured patients in rural Southeastern Ecuador is provided by humanitarian organizations with no medical personnel or assistance. We sought to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of a tailored aeromedical transport (AMT) course for nonmedical personnel (pilot and technicians) in the jungles of Ecuador, where there are no formal medical crew members. Methods Fixed-wing aeromedical flights in the Amazon province of Morona Santiago were analyzed to delineate the injury patterns (IP) and reason for transport (RFT). An 8-hour didactic and hands-on AMTC course based on IP and RFT was developed and administered by the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) International trauma system development program (ITSDP) and VCU Life Evac with extensive experience in aeromedical education and training. Pre- and post-test course evaluation was used to assess the medical background and knowledge retention of the participants. Results A total of 5,716 fixed-wing aeromedical transports between Jan 2003 and Dec 2005 were analyzed. The course was developed based on 1176 (20%) RFT resulting from traumatic injuries. Course structure based on identified IP included 4 didactic lectures and hands-on skill training in aerial physiology, airway management, bleeding control, shock, musculoskeletal injuries, immobilization and patient transport. Fifteen students (4 pilots, 4 engineers, 2 physicians, 4 aerial staff and 1 flight operator) participated in the course. Pre- and post-test evaluations demonstrated significant improvement in knowledge from 53% (average 10.53, STD 1.6) to 73% (average 14.53, STD 2.13) p-value < 0.0001). Critical deficiencies in information uptake were identified in airway management and flight physiology Conclusion A tailored AMTC may serve as the first step toward the development of a regionally specific aeromedical transport service. Long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate the real impact of this intervention in terms of morbidity and mortality. How to cite this article Aboutanos MB, Mora FE, Nicholson B, Lovelady J, Dhindsa H, Mata LV, Kleiman D, Chin T, King A, Ivatury RR. Trauma Course for an Aerial Medical Transport System in the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador. Panam J Trauma Critical Care Emerg Surg 2012;1(1):1-5.


Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Jones ◽  
Gladys Campbell

Background and Purpose: A Comprehensive Stroke Center provides many opportunities for interactions with smaller facilities. Needs identified by our community facility partners was a standardized and effective neurological assessment of the stroke patient that could be performed by all staff and staff stroke education. Investigation into the Advanced Stroke Life Support (ASLS) course provided information that would serve as a blueprint to resolve both education needs. Method: Six staff members were certified as ASLS Instructors. ASLS course has been provided using didactic and hands on participation for scoring of patients with the Miami Emergency Neurologic Deficit (MEND) exam and stroke education. Participants were given a pre-test at the beginning of the educational experience, followed by a post test at the conclusion of class. Lectures included overview of five major stroke syndromes, basic MEND exam knowledge and scoring requirements, followed by review of treatment options and care provided once hospitalized. The learning opportunity was enhanced by interactive hands on session by each participant through performing the MEND exam on fellow participants and scoring of the MEND exam on scenario based test patients. Use of the interactive practice session with immediate feedback from instructors was key elements of student satisfaction and perceived learning during the educational experience. Results: Initial class evaluations and changes in pre and post test scores indicate an increase in participant stroke knowledge. 47 of 50 failed the pre-test with scores ranging from 35 to 85. Upon posttest all participants passed with scores ranging from 80 to 100. There was an increase in proficiency using the MEND exam from the initial practice session to use during the test patient scenarios. Additional survey results will be obtained using post class value analysis survey at least three months after class completion to demonstrate participants’ ability to apply knowledge to practice setting. Conclusion: Completion of ASLS course provides an increase of stroke knowledge that promotes application of information learned to care of stroke patients in practice settings.


Author(s):  
Maria Ndapewa Ntinda ◽  
Titus Haiduwa ◽  
Willbard Kamati

This chapter discusses the development of a virtual laboratory (VL) named “EduPhysics,” an assistive software tailored around the Namibian Physical Science textbook for Grade 8 learners, and examines the viability of implementing VL in education. It further presented reviews on the role of computer simulations in science education and teachers' perspective on the use of EduPhysics in physical science classrooms. The chapter adopted a mixed method with an experimental research design and used questionnaires and interviews as data collection tools in high school physical science classes. The analysis found that there are limited resources in most physical science laboratories. Computer laboratories, however, are well equipped and have computing capacities to support the implementation of VL. It was concluded that virtual laboratories could be an alternative approach to hands-on practical work that is currently undertaken in resource-constrained physical science labs. For future work, augmented reality and logs will be incorporated within EduPhysics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 5-5
Author(s):  
Landon Marks ◽  
Brandi Karisch ◽  
Cobie Rutherford ◽  
Jane A Parish

Abstract The objectives of this cattle AI school were to provide producer education in cattle reproductive management, semen handling, and insemination technique. The school is unique from other AI training programs in that it consisted of 7 hours of classroom training in economics, reproductive anatomy, estrous cycle, estrus synchronization, estrus detection, AI equipment, nutrition, sire selection, herd health, and biosecurity in relation to AI. Instructors were Mississippi State University (MSU) and Auburn University (AU) faculty and Extension agents with expertise in each subject area. Hands-on laboratory handling of bovine female reproductive tracts was provided as part of this initial classroom instruction. The program included a minimum of 8 hours of hands-on experience with semen handling and cattle insemination technique. The entire course spans a Thursday evening, Friday morning and afternoon, and Saturday morning and was scheduled twice per year. Overall participant ratings of AI school sessions averaged 4.7 on a 1 to 5 scale, where 1 = poor and 5 = excellent. Changes to the AI school were made over time based on producer feedback from previous course evaluations. The MSU Beef Unit was added as a second location in 2012. The evaluation was updated in 2015 to include a pre-test/post-test, 173 participants have completed a test with a pre-test average of 68.32 ± 13.34 and post-test average of 82.49 ± 10.09 (P < 0.001). A presentation for reproductive equipment was added in 2017. The MSU-ES cattle AI school consistently fills to participant capacity at each offering with waiting lists formed each time for future offerings, indicating a strong demand for this program. School participation has expanded from primarily Mississippi-based attendees to attendee representation from 13 additional states in the program. In excess of 1,052 persons have completed the MSU-ES cattle AI school since its inception.


Author(s):  
Brian Bahor ◽  
Keith Weitz ◽  
Andrew Szurgot

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is internationally recognized for its potential to be both a source and mitigation technology for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Historically, GHG emission estimates have relied upon quantitative knowledge of various MSW components and their carbon contents, information normally presented in waste characterization studies. Aside from errors associated with such studies, existing data do not reflect changes over time or from location to location and are therefore limited in their utility for estimating GHG emissions and mitigation due to proposed projects. This paper presents an alternative approach to estimate GHG emissions and mitigation using the concept of a carbon balance, where key carbon quantities are determined from operational measurements at modern municipal waste combustors (MWCs).


Author(s):  
Henry M. Stephens

This paper establishes an alternative approach for nondestructive examination (NDE) personnel qualification for the boiler and pressure vessel (B&PV) industry. This is the “white paper” developed by the Section XI, Division 2, Task Team, Performance-based NDE Personnel Qualifications. It is anticipated to be the basis for the NDE personnel qualification criteria for the revised Section XI, Division 2, REQUIREMENTS FOR RELIABILITY AND INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT (RIM) PROGRAM FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS that is currently being developed. Based on review of a number of quantitative NDE reliability studies conducted to-date the current deterministic approach to NDE personnel qualification based on such schemes as ASNT SNT-TC-1A, ANSI/ASNT CP-189, EN-473, ISO-9712 and other similar approaches are not as effective as desired. The goal of this document is to present an alternative approach to the deterministic NDE personnel qualification schemes. This paper presents a systematic approach to training together with performance-based tests, psychometrically validated evaluation of knowledge and skills that will improve a NDE candidate’s performance. A majority of traditional employer-based written examinations are not developed or validated psychometrically. The use of third-party psychometrically validated examinations would replace the current practice of employer developed and administered examinations. It improves upon traditional ASNT SNT-TC-1A, ASNT/ANSI CP-189, ISO-9712, etc., requirements by including more comprehensive hands-on practical examinations on a statistically valid set of samples containing flaws representative of those expected to be encounter in shop and field conditions. The sample sets will be designed for either a “general” NDE method, or “limited” technique(s) of a method, or for industry specific sector needs, as applicable.


2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (9) ◽  
pp. 1138-1150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inger Beate Pettersen ◽  
Bjørn Willy Åmo ◽  
Elma van der Lingen ◽  
Kari Håvåg Voldsund ◽  
Judit Johnstad Bragelien

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore creativity and how it changes over time among engineering students in practice-based entrepreneurship in higher education. This change was examined in students over a one-semester course in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship courses that use creativity tools for practice-based learning are expected to develop creativity as a learning outcome. This study discusses the extent to which some learning outcomes are more easily developed than others. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a longitudinal design by applying a pre- and post-test survey. The student population consists of engineering students enrolled in an entrepreneurship course with practice-based learning involving creativity tools. The course includes team-based idea generation and business model development. To measure actual changes in students’ creativity, two measures were used to reflect different aspects. Findings The results show that students’ ability to perform creative tasks increased, while students’ willingness to engage in and their enjoyment of creative tasks decreased as a result of the course. Non-significant differences in changes were found between the two measures, but a difference was found in how the two measures changed during the course. In line with the research question, the results suggest that education may influence ability to a greater extent than willingness. Originality/value The research used two different creativity measures to explore the extent to which engineering students experienced a change in creativity over a one-semester entrepreneurship course. In this way, the research contributes to the discussion on what could be learnt and by what means.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Caitlin Jones-Bamman ◽  
Susan Niermeyer ◽  
Kelly McConnell ◽  
John F. Thomas ◽  
Christina Olson

Background: Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) is a neonatal resuscitation curriculum that teaches life-saving interventions utilized in the first minutes after birth, reducing morbidity and mortality. Traditionally, it requires in-person facilitators for didactic and hands-on training. Objectives: The aim of this study was to offer HBB to nurses and nursing students in Guatemala, with the lead facilitator presenting concepts via telehealth and in-person facilitators providing hands-on demonstration. Methods: Learners completed pre- and post-tests that included the standard HBB knowledge check, as well as an assessment of the course teaching model. Learners also completed the standard Objective Structured Clinical Evaluations (OSCEs). Results: Eighteen learners were included in the analysis. All but one learner (94%) passed the course, and the average percent improvement from the pre- to post-test was 12%. All learners achieved passing scores on the OSCEs. Learners responded positively to questions regarding the technology, connection with the instructor, and ability to ask questions. Ninety-four percent of the learners agreed with the statement “this lecture was as good via telehealth as in person.” A cost analysis demonstrated approximately USD 3,979.00 in savings using telehealth compared to a standard in-person course. Conclusions: The telehealth model was successful in delivering course material to the learners and was well received. This model represents a cost-effective way to improve access to HBB. This study may not be generalizable to other populations, and the ability to use telehealth requires reliable internet connectivity, which may not be available in all settings. Further study and expansion of this pilot are needed to assess success in other settings.


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