Teaching Indigenous Language Revitalization over Zoom

In this teaching reflection, co-authored by an instructor and a teaching assistant, we consider some of the unanticipated openings for deeper engagement that the “pivot” to online teaching provided as we planned and then delivered an introductory course on Indigenous language documentation, conservation, and revitalization from September to December 2020. We engage with the fast-growing literature on the shift to online teaching and contribute to an emerging scholarship on language revitalization mediated by digital technologies that predates the global pandemic and will endure beyond it. Our commentary covers our preparation over the summer months of 2020 and our adaptation to an entirely online learning management system, including integrating what we had learned from educational resources, academic research, and colleagues. We highlight how we cultivated a learning environment centered around flexibility, compassion, and responsiveness, while acknowledging the challenges of this new arrangement for instructors and students alike. Finally, as we reflect on some of the productive aspects of the online teaching environment—including adaptable technologies, flipped classrooms, and the balance between synchronous and asynchronous class meetings—we ask which of these may be constructively incorporated into face-to-face classrooms when in-person teaching resumes once more.

Religionsphilosophie

What is religion? Is it sensible to live according to a certain faith? Do science and religion contradict each other? Is there a god? Are we immortal? Questions like these are part of the philosophy of religion, to whose main problems and theories this book provides a comprehensive introduction. It introduces core issues of contemporary philosophy of religion in 14 didactically edited chapters, and describes and discusses classical and modern approaches. The book is intended for students of philosophy, theology and religious studies, but will also appeal to other readers interested in philosophy and religion. It can also be used as a textbook in an introductory course on the philosophy of religion.

Variational approach to the Schrödinger equation with a delta-function potential

We obtain accurate eigenvalues of the one-dimensional Schr\"{o}dinger equation with a Hamiltonian of the form $H_{g}=H+g\delta (x)$, where $\delta (x)$ is the Dirac delta function. We show that the well known Rayleigh-Ritz variational method is a suitable approach provided that the basis set takes into account the effect of the Dirac delta on the wavefunction. Present analysis may be suitable for an introductory course on quantum mechanics to illustrate the application of the Rayleigh-Ritz variational method to a problem where the boundary conditions play a relevant role and have to be introduced carefully into the trial function. Besides, the examples are suitable for motivating the students to resort to any computer-algebra software in order to calculate the required integrals and solve the secular equations.

Evaluation of an Advanced Topics Workshop in Geropsychology: The Value of Depth in Training

The Geriatric Scholars Program- Psychology Track (GSP-P) was implemented to address the dire shortage of mental health providers with geriatrics expertise within the VA, a large integrated healthcare system. One hundred and five psychologists participated in the GSP-P introductory geropsychology competencies course. Though they exhibited significant improvements in confidence, knowledge, and skills across geropsychology domains, increased depth (in addition to breadth) of training is needed. In 2019, GSP-P implemented an advanced workshop for graduates of the introductory course. Twenty-one psychologists participated in the workshop, which included 3.5 days of expert-led seminars followed by completion of an individualized learning plan over six months. Results from our evaluation indicated significant improvements in four of five geropsychology domains on the Pikes Peak Geropsychology Knowledge and Skill Assessment Tool. Our findings demonstrate continued enhancement of geropsychology competencies through advanced coursework is feasible and improves depth of training, particularly when combined with individualized learning plans.

Intertwining Concerns of Libraries and Writing Centers

Through 2020, Asbury Theological Seminary largely built an introductory course for those preparing for graduate-level study in seminary disciplines. Through that work and the collaborative efforts between our research librarian, Writing Center, and instructional designer, we have discovered shared concerns, knowledge, and new insights into how to help our students. Great synergy was found in terms of information literacy, citations, using information well, and a desire to see students/patrons succeed. Points of divergence were found in terms of organizational structures (siloes) and a potential conflict between a “do for” rather than “teach how” staff focus. Recommendations also are given at the close regarding having writing resources available for patrons in contexts where there is not a writing center.

Relativity Made Relatively Easy Volume 2

This is a textbook on general relativity and cosmology for a physics undergraduate or an entry-level graduate course. General relativity is the main subject; cosmology is also discussed in considerable detail (enough for a complete introductory course). Part 1 introduces concepts and deals with weak-field applications such as gravitation around ordinary stars, gravimagnetic effects and low-amplitude gravitational waves. The theory is derived in detail and the physical meaning explained. Sources, energy and detection of gravitational radiation are discussed. Part 2 develops the mathematics of differential geometry, along with physical applications, and discusses the exact treatment of curvature and the field equations. The electromagnetic field and fluid flow are treated, as well as geodesics, redshift, and so on. Part 3 then shows how the field equation is solved in standard cases such as Schwarzschild-Droste, Reissner-Nordstrom, Kerr, and internal stellar structure. Orbits and related phenomena are obtained. Black holes are described in detail, including horizons, wormholes, Penrose process and Hawking radiation. Part 4 covers cosmology, first in terms of metric, then dynamics, structure formation and observational methods. The meaning of cosmic expansion is explained at length. Recombination and last scattering are calculated, and the quantitative analysis of the CMB is sketched. Inflation is introduced briefly but quantitatively. Part 5 is a brief introduction to classical field theory, including spinors and the Dirac equation, proceeding as far as the Einstein-Hilbert action. Throughout the book the emphasis is on making the mathematics as clear as possible, and keeping in touch with physical observations.

Curriculum development on the human rights of people with disabilities for future medical education: using a modified Delphi

Background In order for doctors to effectively provide medical services to patients with disabilities, an understanding of this population is necessary, along with the knowledge, attitudes, and technical abilities necessary to address health problems associated with each type of disability. One way of doing this is by educating doctors about disabilities and ensuring their frequent contact with people with disabilities while they are in medical school. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a systematic medical education curriculum to enhance doctors’ understanding of people with disabilities. Methods The authors conducted a systematic literature review to develop and verify the basic framework of the educational content and curriculum. Two surveys were also developed using the Delphi method to evaluate the adequacy and necessity of educational topics. Items with a content validity ratio equal to or greater than the minimum value were considered valid. Survey panels comprised academic experts and health care practitioners who were working with people with disabilities. We conducted two surveys, one for a basic and the other for an advanced course, in which 13 to 16 respondents took part. Results The authors selected 13 topics for the ‘Basic Introductory Course’ and included general educational content on the health rights of people with disabilities focused on improving students’ knowledge of disabilities. The authors also selected 12 topics for the ‘Care and Communication for Patients with Disabilities Course’ designed to improve students’ understanding of interviewing and communicating with patients with disabilities. Conclusions In Korea, disability has received little attention in the medical curriculum to date. The curriculum developed in this study provides preliminary data for guiding future directions in medical education and developing specific support plans for an education that promotes people with disabilities’ health rights.