Pivoting an MCI Empowerment Program to Online Engagement

In the Spring of 2020, closures and safe distancing orders swept much of the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents a case study of pivoting an in-person empowerment program focused on lifestyle interventions for people newly diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to an online program. Working as rapidly as possible to sustain participant engagement, our design decisions and subsequent iterations point to initial constraints in telehealth capabilities, as well as learning on the fly as new capabilities and requirements emerged. We present the discovery of emergent practices by family members and healthcare providers to meet the new requirements for successful online engagement. For some participants, the online program led to greater opportunities for empowerment while others were hampered by the lack of in-person program support. Providers experienced a sharp learning curve and likewise missed the benefits of in-person interaction, but also discovered new benefits of online collaboration. This work lends insights and potential new avenues for understanding how lifestyle interventions can empower people with MCI and the role of technology in that process.

Acceptability and feasibility of an online physical activity program for women over 50: a pilot trial

Regular physical activity benefits health across the lifespan. Women in middle-age often juggle carer and work responsibilities, are often inactive, and may benefit from tailored support to increase physical activity. Establish the acceptability, feasibility, and impact on physical activity of a scalable program for women 50+ years. This pilot trial randomized participants to immediate program access, or to a wait-list control. [Active Women over 50 Online] program included: (1) study-specific website, (2) 8 emails or 24 SMS motivation-based messages, (3) one telephone health-coaching session. Outcomes, at 3 months, were acceptability (recommend study participation, intervention uptake), feasibility (recruitment, reach, completion), intervention impact (physical activity), intervention impressions. At baseline, 62 participants of mean (SD) age 59 (±7) years took 7459 (±2424) steps/day and most (92%) reported ≥2 medical conditions. At 3 months, acceptability and impact data were available for 52 (84%) and 57 (92%) participants, respectively. Study participation was recommended by 83% of participants. Participants mostly agreed to receive health coaching (81%) and messages (87%: email = 56%, SMS = 44%), opened 82% of emails and accessed the website 4.8 times on average. Respondents reported the intervention supported their physical activity. Intervention participants were more likely to increase steps from baseline by 2000+/day (OR: 6.31, 95% CI: 1.22 to 32.70, p = .028) than controls, and trended toward more light-intensity (p = .075) and moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (p = .11). The [Active Women over 50 Online] program demonstrated acceptability and feasibility among the target population, and effectiveness in some domains in the short term. Results warrant further testing in a full-scale RCT.

A Case Study in Micro-Learning and Alternate Credentials Before Their Time

In this chapter, the journey of how the Cardiac Care on the Web online program came to be will be described, along with how the guiding principles framing the program development and delivery, as applied more than 20 years ago, still hold relevance today. Furthermore, how the program's micro-credential status has been sustained and has paved the way for micro-certifications at Laurentian University today will be discussed. Finally, this case study offers the authors the chance to review past and present literature and to reflect on next steps for Cardiac Care on the Web given the present emergence of micro-credentials in digital format.

A design-based study for development a model for a successful online discussion forum

Due to the current situation of lock-down and social distancing, many educational institutions have shifted to online learning. This study aims to identify the key factors that should be present for successful online discussion and explores the advantages of merging two activities, e-mentoring and online discussion, to improve the quality of the online discussion. A mixed methods design-based was conducted in the setting of the online program in health professions education. Several success factors were identified by the current study: merging of mentorship and online discussion, shifting of roles, structuring of the discussion, assessment, and the use of guides. The study also magnified the role of supervision as moderation and mentorship and suggested solutions to deal with silent participants. Finally, the use of a student guide and shifting of roles between the students play a crucial role in the success of the ODFs.

EFEKTIVITAS PROGRAM G-ONLINE DALAM MEWUJUDKAN SMART CITY DI KABUPATEN SUMENEP

The Government Online (G-Online) program that has been implemented to start its e-governmentsystem in the form of public service using the use of Information Technology (IT) systems hasmade it easier for OPDs in the scope of government, where at this time Sumenep Regency is partof the Movement Towards 100 Smart City Indonesia organized by the Ministry of Communicationand Information of the Republic of Indonesia. The initiation of smart city implementation inSumenep Regency is also based on the needs of the local government in realizing integrated andefficient public services that have been preceded by the implementation of e-government. Thisresearch method uses descriptive qualitative research focusing on four aspects of effectiveness,namely 1) Aspects of tasks or functions, 2) Aspects of plans or programs, 3) Aspects of provisionsand regulations, 4) Aspects of goals or ideal conditions. The results show that the effectiveness ofthe G-Online program has a big influence on the Smart City concept developed in SumenepRegency because in the Smart City itself the use of Information Technology (IT) systems isfundamental in its implementation, therefore the G-Online program continues to be developed sothat can grow good and efficient results in realizing Smart City in Sumenep Regency.Keywords: Effectiveness, G-Online Program, Smart CityAbstrakProgram Government Online (G-Online) yang telah diterapkan untuk mengawali sistem egovernmentnya berupa pelayan publik dengan menggunakan pemanfaatan sistem InformasiTeknologi (IT) telah memberi kemudahan bagi para OPD di lingkup pemerintahan, dimana padasaat ini Kabupaten Sumenep menjadi bagian dari Gerakan Menuju 100 Smart City Indonesia yangdi selenggarakan oleh Kementerian Komunikasi dan Informatika Republik Indonesia. Inisiasipelaksanaan smart city pada Kabupaten Sumenep juga dilandasi oleh kebutuhan pemerintahdaerah dalam mewujudkan pelayanan publik yang terintegrasi dan efisien yang telah didahuluidengan penyelenggaraan e-government. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan deskriptif kualitatifdengan fokus penelitian empat aspek efektivitas, yaitu 1) Aspek tugas atau fungsi, 2) Aspekrencana atau program, 3) Aspek ketentuan dan peraturan, 4) Aspek tujuan atau kondisi ideal. Hasilpenelitian menunjukkan bahwa efektivitas program G-Online berpengaruh besar dalam konsepSmart City yang di kembangkan di Kabupaten Sumenep sebab dalam Smart City sendiripenggunaan sistem Informasi Teknologi (IT) adalah hal yang mendasar dalam penerapaanya, olehsebab itu program G-Online terus dikembangkan agar dapat menumbuhkan hasil baik dan efisiendalam mewujudkan Smart City di Kabupaten Sumenep.Kata Kunci : Efektivitas, Program G-Online, Smart City

Examining the OPM: Form, Function, and Policy Implications

Online program management (OPM) is the merging of online education and outsourcing practices in higher education. OPM firms facilitate the development, delivery, and management of online programs for colleges and universities. Although OPM partnerships can help institutions offer online programs they otherwise would not be able to offer, such agreements raise concerns not seen with other types of outsourcing. To help others understand the phenomenon of online program management, we pulled together fragmented information from previous studies and literature, national datasets, websites, policies and regulations, and interviews with experts. Because previous writings use a range of definitions for the term OPM, we start by providing a working definition of an OPM agreement. Each side of the agreement is then examined in turn. For colleges and universities, we consider the reasons why they choose (or do not choose) to enter into an OPM partnership. Special attention is paid to reasons pertaining to organizational finances and nonprofit conversions. For OPM firms, we provide details about the organizations that participate in this rapidly changing market. Last, we offer policy perspectives while noting possible modifications of current regulations and providing caution about unintentional consequences of over-regulation.

Augmenting an online self-directed intervention for gambling disorder with a single motivational interview: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Despite the success of gold standard cognitive-behavioral therapy for problem and disordered gambling, the majority of individuals with gambling problems do not seek or receive professional treatment. Thus, the development of less intrusive self-directed interventions has been encouraged. Bibliotherapy for problem gambling has shown promise, both alone and in combination with motivational interviews, but there is still a lack of online self-directed intervention research. The current randomized controlled trial proposes to assess the additive benefit of a single digital motivational interview delivered in conjunction with an online self-directed treatment program for problem gambling and gambling disorder. Methods A two-arm randomized controlled trial will be conducted, wherein eligible participants (N=270) will be recruited across Canada via internet advertisements posted to several platforms. All participants will receive access to an online self-directed gambling intervention program. Participants will be randomly assigned to either complete the online program alone or receive a digital motivational interview, conducted through an online audioconferencing platform (i.e., Microsoft Teams) to supplement the online program. The primary outcomes of gambling severity, frequency, and expenditures will be tracked along with secondary outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, general distress, alcohol use, and online program user data) over a 24-month period. It is expected that participants in both groups will experience a reduction in symptoms across the board, but more substantial improvements will be observed in the group that receives a supplemental motivational interview. Discussion The results of this trial will expand upon prior gambling intervention research by informing best practices for the provision of online self-help for problem gambling. Trial registration ISRCTN ISRCTN13009468. Registered on 7 July 2020.

Examining the Use of a Brief Online Intervention in Primary Care for Changing Low-Income Caregivers’ Attitudes Toward Spanking

There is a robust and growing literature base indicating that spanking is a common, but potentially problematic, discipline strategy. Goals: Using a randomized controlled trial design, this study examined whether participation in a brief online program, Play Nicely, would result in favorable changes in caregivers’ attitudes toward spanking. The study also examined whether the intervention was equally effective for participants of color (POC) and White participants, and it assessed caregivers’ perceptions of the program’s cultural sensitivity. Methods: Participants were 52 caregivers from 1- to 5-year-old children who were visiting a pediatric clinic. Participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to either engage in the Play Nicely online program ( n = 21) or view a control condition website ( n = 31) in a clinic exam room. Results: There was not a statistically significant difference between the treatment and control groups’ scores on attitudes toward spanking (ATS) at post-test ( F (1, 49) = 1.515, p = 0.224), but a small between-group effect size was detected ( d = 0.20). Within the treatment condition, desired changes in ATS scores were significantly higher among White participants than POC ( t (17) = −2.125, p = 0.049), but there was not a significant difference in reported perceptions of Play Nicely’s cultural acceptability between White participants and POC ( t (19) = 0.469, p = 0.644). Conclusions: Findings suggest a need for further investigation of Play Nicely’s impact on caregivers’ ATS with a larger sample to clarify the program’s utility as a potential population-based tool for parent education and violence prevention. Additional research is needed to identify sociocultural factors that may moderate the effects of spanking interventions for families across diverse racial backgrounds.

R-TIK Digital Literacy towards Indonesian MSMEs (UMKM) Digital Energy of Asia

In accordance with the commitment of the World Summit on the Information Society, it is stated that Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are providers of employment for the community. In Indonesia, SMMEs are known as UMKM (Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises Indonesia). The existence of ICT is considered capable of increasing economic growth as well as providing new employment field during the Covid-19 Pandemic. One way to encourage the rise of UMKM) is through the Indonesian R-TIK (Indonesia ICT Volunteers). The purpose of this research is to determine the involvement of R-TIK in the UMKM Go Online program. Whereas the theories and concepts used are the Information Society, Digital Literacy and Empowerment of UMKM. The research method used is a case study, R-TIK with UMKM in Polewali Mandar, West Sulawesi. The results indicate that digital literacy activities carried out by R-TIK together with the Department of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, and UMKM encouraged the growth of UMKM in Polewali Mandar. The presence of QRen in the UMKM online program has push the pace of the Indonesian economy in the context of realizing Indonesia as a Digital Energy of Asia.