How Do They Fare?

Author(s):  
Janet Kuser Komarnicki ◽  
Yufeng Qian

Blended learning is proliferating rapidly in higher education across the United States. However, this learning environment may pose new challenges to learners at moderately selective colleges who are normally found to be low in autonomy. A quasi-experimental study was conducted to examine the learning achievement and course satisfaction of this group of learners in two sections of a course, with one being blended and the other a face-to-face. The results, shown in this chapter, reveal that instructional mode does not have a significant effect on learning achievement and course satisfaction; however, a further examination into the course structure, dialogue, and learner autonomy suggests that low structure and high dialogue can help reduce transactional distance and a synchronous format for the online component in a blended course is highly recommended. In addition, coaching and scaffolding learner autonomy is indispensible for learners at moderately selective colleges and should be considered in the design and implementation of online learning.

Author(s):  
Janet Kuser Komarnicki ◽  
Yufeng Qian

Blended learning is proliferating rapidly in higher education across the United States. However, this learning environment may pose new challenges to learners at moderately selective colleges who are normally found to be low in autonomy. A quasi-experimental study was conducted to examine the learning achievement and course satisfaction of this group of learners in two sections of a course, with one being blended and the other a face-to-face. The results, shown in this chapter, reveal that instructional mode does not have a significant effect on learning achievement and course satisfaction; however, a further examination into the course structure, dialogue, and learner autonomy suggests that low structure and high dialogue can help reduce transactional distance and a synchronous format for the online component in a blended course is highly recommended. In addition, coaching and scaffolding learner autonomy is indispensible for learners at moderately selective colleges and should be considered in the design and implementation of online learning.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu ◽  
Fletcher J. Njororai ◽  
Tejaswini Chanumolu

<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> The current higher education environment in the United States of America (USA) and worldwide is focused on providing people an opportunity to access a quality education at a competitive price and one that is flexible enough to meet the needs of a diverse student demographic. It is therefore necessary for course delivery methods to accommodate these diverse needs without sacrificing rigor necessary for accreditation due to the diverse backgrounds, occupations, and time constraints of students in today’s environment</p><p><strong>Purpose:</strong> The purpose of this study was to establish the students’ perception of the online and face-to-face components of a blended course design at a South Western Public University in the USA.</p><p><strong>Methods and material</strong>: The sample of this study consisted of 200 students drawn from four different blended courses in the Department of health and Kinesiology at a medium sized public university in South West of USA. A modified questionnaire from Sitter et al., (2009) with 19 questions was used to collect responses from students. The survey instrument employed a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree (5), to strongly disagree (1). </p><p><strong>Results</strong>: Majority of the students have a positive view of the blended learning including the online and face-to-face components. A consistent minority of the students expressed disagreement especially pertaining to technology-based communication, preferred mode of delivery, online discussion participation and grade scores.</p><p><strong>Discussion</strong>: Although the majority of students perceived blended learning and its components positively, there is need for instructors to address the communication, technology, and online learning facilitation challenges if all learners are to learn effectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions and recommendations</strong>: It is clear that the majority of students are ready and have accepted blended learning course designs at this medium sized public university in south west of the United States of America and therefore there is room for expansion of the initiative to benefit more students.</p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-82
Author(s):  
Nur Hidayat ◽  
Samsul Hadi ◽  
Abd. Basith ◽  
Suwandi Suwandi

Technological advances have made possible to reduce limitation of space and time in learning. Students can interact with teachers and other students indirectly without face to face meetings through e-learning media. To create effective e-learning media, factors to be mainly considered are multimedia learning principles, one of which is contiguity. Thus, this study was aimed at developing e-learning media with the contiguity principle and examining its quality. The media were tested for measuring its effectiveness by statistically analyzing the differences in students’ learning achievement and motivation. This study was research and development using quasi experimental techniques whose subject is Vocational High School also known as Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan Negeri 2 Yogyakarta. The result of this study was e-learning media with the contiguity principle. The feasibility evaluation showed that the product had good quality in the aspects of media and materials. The effectiveness testing showed insignificant differences in learning achievement and motivation between the students using e-learning media with the contiguity principle and without the contiguity principle with the scores of 0.325 and 0.873 respectively.


2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reba-Anna Lee ◽  
Brian Dashew

In transitioning to a hybrid delivery model, faculty are presented with an opportunity to engage in a systematic instructional design process which can bring coursework in line with pedagogical best practices that may not exist in traditional face-to-face classes. This paper presents a model whereby Marist College Academic Technology & eLearning staff focuses faculty attention on designing effective student interactions with content, the instructor, and other students. These interactions promote deeper levels of engagement in student learning.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42
Author(s):  
Agus Hendra Al-Rahmad

Background : Scaling Up Nutrition movement is a global effort to strengthen our commitment and accelerating action plan to improve nutrition, particularly the handling of nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life is exclusive breastfeeding and it until 24 months. One of the way is with exclusive breastfeeding counselling that can reduce stunting. The counseling is addressed to brides who need special attention in improving the nutrition and health. Objective : The aim of research to improve knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding counseling the bride through the use of leaflets. Method : This quasi-experimental study was a sample of 30 person a brides with non-random assignment, the variable a knowledge obtained through interviews using questionnaires while the method of counseling does face to face with an exclusive breastfeeding leaflet. The data was analyzed by dependent t-test. Result : The results showed exclusive breastfeeding counseling can improve knowledge bride (p= 0,000) with a mean difference is 6,13 and a deviation is 3,71. Conclusion : Increase of knowledge among ‘bride-to be’ about exclusive breastfeeding could be improved through the use of exclusive breastfeeding leaflet. Each health center must be in collaboration with Office of Religious Affairs to have exclusive breastfeeding counseling, and set one of the priority programs in the prevention of child stunting.   Keywords: Bride, counseling, knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding


2021 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2110241
Author(s):  
Zari Doaltabadi ◽  
Leila Amiri-Farahani ◽  
Seyedeh Batool Hasanpoor-Azghady ◽  
Shima Haghani

Introduction The spouse has a special role in promoting the health of mothers and infants during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Women's health during pregnancy requires the participation and cooperation of their spouses. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effect of face-to-face and virtual prenatal care training of spouses on the pregnancy experience and fear of childbirth of primiparous women. Methods This is a quasi-experimental clinical trial that was conducted on primiparous pregnant women referring to three prenatal clinics in Tehran, Iran. Sampling was done by available method and pregnant women were divided into three groups of face-to-face training ( n = 35), virtual training ( n = 35), and control ( n = 33). The content of training program in the virtual and face-to-face groups was similar and included; nutrition during pregnancy, emotional support, fetal growth and development, advantages and disadvantages of vaginal delivery, planning for delivery, infant care, and danger signs for infants, which were presented in four sessions. The samples in the control group did not receive any training. In the 18th and 20th weeks of pregnancy, the demographic information form, pregnancy experience scale, and version A of the Wijma delivery expectancy/experience questionnaires were completed, and once again in the 37th and 38th weeks of pregnancy, the pregnancy experience scale and version A of the Wijma delivery expectancy/experience questionnaires were completed. Results There was a statistically significant difference in the mean score of pregnancy experience after the intervention between the face-to-face training and control groups ( p = 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean score of uplifts between the two groups of face-to-face training and control ( p = 0.01), and also between virtual training and control groups ( p = 0.02). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups of face-to-face training and control in terms of and hassles score after the intervention ( p = 0.04). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups of face-to-face training and control ( p = 0.02) and also between virtual training and control ( p = 0.04) in terms of the mean score of fear of childbirth after the intervention. Conclusion The results of this study showed that teaching prenatal care to spouses of primiparous women by face-to-face and virtual methods can be a useful intervention in improving the pregnancy experience and reducing the fear of childbirth among primiparous women.


Author(s):  
Alison G. Vredenburgh ◽  
Rodrigo J. Daly Guris ◽  
Kevin G. Welner ◽  
Sreekanth R. Cheruku

By October, we will have learned a great deal about responding to an epidemic or pandemic that has proved to have a level of transmission unprecedented in the modern era. The possible and likely responses include many unknowns. Coordinated and collaborative implementation has been complicated by conflicting information from multiple governments and organizations in several languages. What will we learn about how the United States can improve its ability to respond? How do we develop consistent and accurate warnings and messaging to the public in order to increase compliance regarding a new, and not well understood, epidemic? What factors increase or decrease compliance? How are US education policymakers deciding about face-to-face instruction? How have physicians and hospitals adapted their workflows in the face of uncertainty and supply chain inconsistencies? This panel will include a warnings expert, an expert on education law and policy, and two physicians.


Author(s):  
Jennifer L Cole ◽  
Sarah E Smith

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose Corticosteroid overprescribing is well documented in real-world practice. There is currently no evidence to guide best practices for steroid stewardship. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a 3-part stewardship intervention strategy on inpatient steroid prescribing in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Summary Investigators implemented a 3-part stewardship initiative consisting of (1) an anonymous survey for providers on steroid prescribing in a simplified case of AECOPD, (2) face-to-face education and review of survey results, and (3) prospective audit and feedback from a clinical pharmacist. This was a quasi-experimental before-and-after study evaluating hospitalized adults diagnosed with AECOPD in two 12-month study periods before (April 2019-March 2020) and after (May 2020-April 2021) implementation. The primary outcome was mean inpatient steroid dosing. Secondary outcomes were duration of therapy, length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmissions, 30-day mortality, and incidence of hyperglycemia. Per power analysis, there were 27 patients per cohort. The interventions resulted in a significant reduction in prednisone equivalents during hospitalization: 118 mg vs 53 mg (P = 0.0003). This decrease was similar in ICU (160 mg vs 61 mg, P = 0.008) and non-ICU (102 mg vs 49 mg, P = 0.004) locations. There was no significant difference in duration of therapy (8 days vs 7 days, P = 0.44), length of stay (3.3 days vs 3.9 days, P = 0.21), 30-day mortality (4% vs 7%, P = 0.55), 30-day readmissions (15% vs 7%, P = 0.39), or rate of hyperglycemia (48% vs 44%, P = 0.78). Conclusion A multifaceted stewardship intervention significantly reduced steroid dosing in hospitalized AECOPD patients. This reduction was not associated with known deleterious effects.


Author(s):  
Heather Toronjo ◽  
Faye S. Taxman

Face-to-face contacts are the cornerstone of community supervision. As community supervision in the United States and Canada emerges into a new behavioral management approach, new training curricula have emerged to conceptualize the techniques of supervision and develop the skill sets of officers. This chapter reviews five such curricula--Proactive Community Supervision (PCS) (Taxman, Shephardson, & Byrne, 2004; Taxman, 2008), Strategic Training Initiative in Community Supervision (STICS) (Bonta et al., 2011); Staff Training Aimed at Reducing Rearrest (STARR) (Robinson et al., 2012); Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS) (Smith et al., 2012); and Skills for Offender Assessment and Responsivity in New Goals (SOARING2) (Maass, 2013). The comparison reveals similarities but major differences in an emphasis on the operational components for client-level change. The question remains as to which supervision intervention components are mechanisms facilitating client level change.


2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Younhee Kim

A capstone experience, as an exit degree requirement, allows Master of Public Administration (MPA) students to build quasi-experimental practices by applying learned knowledge and skills throughout their curriculum in the United States. Accredited MPA programs have implemented their capstone courses differently to achieve required standards. Small programs have faced more challenges in organizational capacities than big programs. Although no consensus on standard capstone course components has been made, this study intends to discuss feasible capstone formats for small programs by reviewing the relatively small accredited MPA programs. The majority of the comparable programs have adopted the professional paper model with different course structures. In response to the program reviews and the pilot experience, three components are suggested to redesign a capstone course for small programs: faculty-directed; group-based; and project-focused. The capstone pilot experience has confirmed that ownership by the involvement of many faculty and external inputs in designing the course is critical to implement successful capstone experiences for small programs.


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