Mathematical and Experimental Science Education from the School Garden: A Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Practice

The much-needed interest in promoting a healthy lifestyle among school-age students has found a context for development: school gardens. There are numerous studies where using gardens as a teaching–learning context also improves students’ performance in the experimental sciences. In this study, we proposed another interest that sets it apart and adds motivation: combining curricular mathematics with experimental science content in this context. The search for possible studies in the scientific literature has gave rise to the review presented herein. From this review, we obtained 21 studies, from which we extracted a series of categories: whether research was undertaken and with which tools; which curricular contents were covered and the impact produced; the ages of the participants and duration of the project; and, finally, whether the garden was cultivated. The main conclusion of this search was the lack of a clear line of research linking school gardens, the experimental sciences, and mathematics, in addition to the scant presence of studies framed in this context. For that reason, we send a call to action to the scientific community encouraging the interdisciplinarity of the two aforementioned subjects within the context of school gardens.

Between Home and School: Exploring Parents’ Experiences of Educating in a Pandemic

Drawing on open ended survey data constructed during the Spring-Summer of 2020 at the height of COVID-19 related lockdowns, this chapter explores parents’ experiences of parenting young people with specific learning difficulties during a pandemic using a theoretical model based on the work of Bourdieu, previously developed by Ross. Bourdieusien principles underpin this study of parents’ individual sense-making of home-schooling their children. This sense-making is highlighted as framing parents’ interactions with professionals working with their children. There is a particular focus on parents’ attempts to procure and engage with appropriate support for their children with specific learning difficulties. Systemic expectations relating to home-schooling and parents’ roles in this are delineated and clarified. The intersection of systemic expectations on parents and their interactions with professionals is deconstructed to highlight the difficulties parents encountered with their ever-shifting roles during the course of home-schooling their children. Recommendations for practice are then drawn out.

Ticket to Ride: I-deals as a Strategic HR Tool for an Employable Work Force

We describe how idiosyncratic deals (I-deals), in this case I-deals focused on workers’ employability enhancement, can serve as a powerful strategic HR tool for simultaneously meeting both the strategic goals of employers and the career goals of employees. Building on a sustainable career perspective, I-deals are interpreted as highly valuable, as they can help individual employees to more easily adapt to the fast-changing environments that nowadays characterize society and the labor market. After theoretical outlines on the concepts of I-deals and employability, we argue that I-deals can form the basis for integrative employment relationships aimed at employability enhancement. This article concludes with concrete recommendations for practice, indicating that in order to enable the sound use of I-deals as a strategic HR tool, organizations should discuss I-deals and employability openly through constructive dialogue. Moreover, examples for achieving this through specific practices, such as working with employability coaches and world cafés on employability, are described.

Mixed-methods evaluation of the NHS Genomic Medicine Service for paediatric rare diseases: study protocol

Background: A new nationally commissioned NHS England Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) was recently established to deliver genomic testing with equity of access for patients affected by rare diseases and cancer. The overarching aim of this research is to evaluate the implementation of the GMS during its early years, identify barriers and enablers to successful implementation, and provide recommendations for practice. The focus will be on the use of genomic testing for paediatric rare diseases. Methods: This will be a four-year mixed-methods research programme using clinic observations, interviews and surveys. Study 1 consists of qualitative interviews with designers/implementers of the GMS in Year 1 of the research programme, along with documentary analysis to understand the intended outcomes for the Service. These will be revisited in Year 4 to compare intended outcomes with what happened in practice, and to identify barriers and facilitators that were encountered along the way. Study 2 consists of clinic observations (pre-test counselling and results disclosure) to examine the interaction between health professionals and parents, along with follow-up interviews with both after each observation. Study 3 consists of a longitudinal survey with parents at two timepoints (time of testing and 12 months post-results) along with follow-up interviews, to examine parent-reported experiences and outcomes. Study 4 consists of qualitative interviews and a cross-sectional survey with medical specialists to identify preparedness, facilitators and challenges to mainstreaming genomic testing. The use of theory-based and pre-specified constructs will help generalise the findings and enable integration across the various sub-studies. Dissemination: We will disseminate our results to policymakers as findings emerge, so any suggested changes to service provision can be considered in a timely manner. A workshop with key stakeholders will be held in Year 4 to develop and agree a set of recommendations for practice.

Measuring Broadband and Its Impacts

One of the core methods used in many evaluation studies is survey research. This chapter discusses the challenges of measuring behavioral change and the impacts of broadband use through surveys and addresses how evaluators can get the most from repeated surveys (pre- and post-studies and panel studies). This chapter draws on lessons from a national panel study of participants that included nearly two thousand Internet Essentials users and was uniquely positioned to examine the experience of individuals and families who moved from being non-adopters to broadband adopters, assessing their adoption and engagement pathways. Such research provides policy-relevant evidence and recommendations for practice. The chapter also discusses how evaluators can work with diverse stakeholders (policymakers, local officials, funders, and others) to encourage evaluation and to assist them in using research findings. What is it that such stakeholders expect or want to know about technology and its impacts on individuals and society?

Midwives' Experiences of Working with Highly Anxious Childbearing Women

<p><b>Anxiety is a normal human phenomenon. It is fundamental to our survival as a species, allowing us to adjust and plan for the future and prompts us to seek help and security from others. High levels of anxiety during childbearing are associated with poor fetal development, behavioural/emotional problems in children and adolescents, prolonged labours, increased obstetric intervention, impaired lactogenesis and bonding problems.</b></p> <p>Working with highly anxious childbearing women can be a challenging experience for independent lead maternity care midwives. This qualitative investigation guided by the principles of feminist research examined four independent midwives experiences of working with highly anxious childbearing women. Data were collected by interview, and thematic analysis found three themes that encapsulated the experience. The resultant themes were of: 1) challenging partnerships, 2) making a difference and 3) realising own limitations.</p> <p>The midwives, while very committed to their highly anxious clients, experienced considerable stress while endeavouring to provide effective care. This stress is of concern to midwives and midwifery as it makes midwives vulnerable to burnout. Given the damage that high levels of unchecked anxiety have on childbearing women and their families, midwifery has to look for safe and effective ways to work with these women.</p> <p>Recommendations for practice are based around negotiating boundaries to the midwife-client relationship, increased help and support for midwives, especially clinical supervision, better midwifery education, and continuous professional development in relation to maternal mental health, and properly resourced and funded maternal mental health services.</p>

Midwives' Experiences of Working with Highly Anxious Childbearing Women

<p><b>Anxiety is a normal human phenomenon. It is fundamental to our survival as a species, allowing us to adjust and plan for the future and prompts us to seek help and security from others. High levels of anxiety during childbearing are associated with poor fetal development, behavioural/emotional problems in children and adolescents, prolonged labours, increased obstetric intervention, impaired lactogenesis and bonding problems.</b></p> <p>Working with highly anxious childbearing women can be a challenging experience for independent lead maternity care midwives. This qualitative investigation guided by the principles of feminist research examined four independent midwives experiences of working with highly anxious childbearing women. Data were collected by interview, and thematic analysis found three themes that encapsulated the experience. The resultant themes were of: 1) challenging partnerships, 2) making a difference and 3) realising own limitations.</p> <p>The midwives, while very committed to their highly anxious clients, experienced considerable stress while endeavouring to provide effective care. This stress is of concern to midwives and midwifery as it makes midwives vulnerable to burnout. Given the damage that high levels of unchecked anxiety have on childbearing women and their families, midwifery has to look for safe and effective ways to work with these women.</p> <p>Recommendations for practice are based around negotiating boundaries to the midwife-client relationship, increased help and support for midwives, especially clinical supervision, better midwifery education, and continuous professional development in relation to maternal mental health, and properly resourced and funded maternal mental health services.</p>