Bootstrapping Virtual Bipedal Walkers with Robotics Scaffolded Learning

We reach walking optimality from a very early age by using natural supports, which can be the hands of our parents, chairs, and training wheels, and bootstrap a new knowledge from the recently acquired one. The idea behind bootstrapping is to use the previously acquired knowledge from simpler tasks to accelerate the learning of more complicated ones. In this paper, we propose a scaffolded learning method from an evolutionary perspective, where a biped creature achieves stable and independent bipedal walking while exploiting the natural scaffold of its changing morphology to create a third limb. The novelty of this work is speeding up the learning process with an artificially recreated scaffolded learning. We compare three conditions of scaffolded learning (free, time-constrained, and performance-based scaffolded learning) to reach bipedalism, and we prove that a performance-based scaffold, which is designed by the walking velocity obtained, is the most conducive to bootstrap the learning of bipedal walking. The scope of this work is not to study bipedal locomotion but to investigate the contribution from scaffolded learning to a faster learning process. Beyond a pedagogical experiment, this work presents a powerful tool to accelerate the learning of complex tasks in the Robotics field.

Enhancing Informal Stem Learning Through Family Engagement in Cooking

Informal learning has the potential to play an important role in helping children develop a life-long interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The goal of this review is to synthesize the evidence regarding the features of effective informal learning, provide effective ways to support learning within these contexts, and illustrate that cooking is an optimal opportunity for informal STEM learning. We review evidence demonstrating that the most effective informal learning activities are authentic, social and collaborative experiences that tap into culturally-relevant practices and knowledge, although there are limitations to each. We propose that cooking provides a context for authentic, culturally-relevant learning opportunities and includes natural supports for learning and engagement. Specifically, cooking provides many opportunities to apply STEM content (e.g., measuring and chemical reactions) to an existing foundation of knowledge about food. Cooking is also a family-based learning opportunity that exists across cultures, allows for in-home mentoring, and requires no specialized materials (beyond those available in most homes). It may help overcome some limitations in informal STEM learning, namely scalability. Finally, cooking provides immediate, tangible (and edible) results, promoting interest and supporting long-term engagement.

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT AS A STRATEGY FOR ACCESS TO INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: A REVIEW

"Unlike other training models, supported employment promotes training and adjustment to the job in the workplace itself. Supported employment is considered one of the most appropriate strategies to promote labour inclusion in ordinary companies, especially in the case of people with intellectual disabilities. Likewise, it favours the supply of supports of varying degrees of intensity in a longitudinal manner, as well as the establishment of natural supports among other co-workers. The objective of this study was to examine the scientific production on supported employment of people with disabilities through a bibliometric analysis. The sample of 717 documents on this subject was obtained from the core collection of the Web of Science (WoS). Data analysis was performed using the bibliometric tools available at the WoS website. The results indicate a great interest on this subject in the last decades, being reflected in a great scientific production. However, this seems to have partially slowed down since the economic crisis of 2008. This being a preliminary study, it is advisable to continue with the bibliometric analysis of the data in order to achieve a better perspective of what has been published so far."

Effective Job Supports to Improve Employment Outcomes for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

The unemployment rate of those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is staggeringly low. The low number of those with ASD in the competitive workforce can be connected to the complex and sometimes severe manifestations of the disorder. However, there are many supports and accommodations that individuals with ASD can use in order to alleviate the stress of finding and maintaining competitive employment. Natural supports can be provided through supportive supervisors, informed coworkers, and on-the-job trainings. Vocational rehabilitation services are provided in order to assess, prepare, and support individuals with ASD through their employment. Lastly, job modifications are used to alleviate any stressors that an employee with ASD may experience on the job. In this literature it was found that natural supports, vocational rehabilitation services, and job modifications were effective in improving the employment outcomes for individuals with ASD. Rehabilitation counselors can use the information found in this literature review to inform employers of successful and effective job supports for employees with ASD.

Scaffolded Learning of Bipedal Walkers: Bootstrapping Ontogenetic Development

Bipedal locomotion has several key challenges, such as balancing, foot placement, and gait optimization. We reach optimality from a very early age by using natural supports, such as our parent’s hands, chairs, and training wheels, and bootstrap a new knowledge from the recently acquired one. In this paper, we propose a scaffolded learning method from an evolutionary robotics perspective, where a biped creature achieves stable and independent bipedal walking while exploiting the natural scaffold of its changing morphology to create a third limb. Hence, we compare three conditions of scaffolded learning to reach bipedalism, and we prove that a performance-based scaffold is the most conducive to accelerate the learning of ontogenetic bipedal walking. Beyond a pedagogical experiment, this work presents a powerful tool to accelerate learning on robots.

Revision Rhinoplasty: Conservation versus Deconstruction

Revision rhinoplasty requires the surgeon to strike a careful balance between conservation and deconstruction. Contemporary rhinoplasty has focused on structural cartilage grafts. These grafts resist static and dynamic forces produced by tissue contraction, gravity, and pressure gradients during respiration. However, the simultaneous use of multiple grafts also leads to an increased deconstruction of natural supports. In this article, we discuss some simple yet effective techniques in revision rhinoplasty in a case-based format.