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2. Parents, Schools and Human Capital Differences across Countries. CEP Discussion Paper No. 1617
- Author
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London School of Economics and Political Science (United Kingdom), Centre for Economic Performance (CEP), De Philippis, Marta, and Rossi, Federico
- Abstract
This paper studies the contribution of parental influence in accounting for cross-country gaps in human capital achievements. We argue that the cross-country variation in unobserved parental characteristics is at least as important as the one in commonly used observable proxies of parental socio-economic background. We infer this through an indirect empirical approach, based on the comparison of the school performance of second-generation immigrants. We document that, within the same host country or even the same school, students whose parents come from high-scoring countries in the PISA test do better than their peers with similar socioeconomic backgrounds. Differential selection into emigration does not explain this finding. The result is larger when parents have little education and have recently emigrated, suggesting the importance of country-specific cultural traits that parents progressively lose as they integrate in the new host country, rather than of an intergenerational transmission of education quality. Unobserved parental characteristics account for about 15% of the cross-country variance in test scores, roughly doubling the overall contribution of parental influence.
- Published
- 2019
3. Identifying Work Skills: International Approaches. Discussion Paper
- Author
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) (Australia), Siekmann, Gitta, and Fowler, Craig
- Abstract
The digital revolution and automation are accelerating changes in the labour market and in workplace skills, changes that are further affected by fluctuations in international and regional economic cycles and employment opportunity. These factors pose a universal policy challenge for all advanced economies and governments. In the workplace, people seek to acquire contemporary and relevant skills to gain employment and retain transferable skills to maintain employment. The central purpose of this paper is to investigate how other nations or regions are dealing with these issues. What approaches are they taking to understanding the mix and dynamics of the skills attained by individuals and, more broadly, the totality of skills that in aggregate constitute a highly capable and adaptable labour force, one that supports firm viability and greater national productivity. This research has examined a range of initiatives and approaches being developed or in use in selected countries, including the United States, Singapore and New Zealand, and agencies/organisations; for example, the European Commission and the Skills for the Information Age Foundation. In doing so, it showcases the good practices used to ensure that occupational-level skills information remains current and widely accessible. [For "Identifying Work Skills: International Case Summaries. Support Document," see ED579875.]
- Published
- 2017
4. The Female 'Tradie': Challenging Employment Perceptions in Non-Traditional Trades for Women. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Shewring, Fiona
- Abstract
The place of women in the manual trades is examined in this paper, which sets out strategies for encouraging them to study and work in areas such as building and construction. Such strategies include introductory and pre-apprenticeships courses, clustering female students, and support from teachers in opening up job opportunities. This paper is the result of a 2008 NCVER New Researcher Award. (Contains 2 tables.)
- Published
- 2009
5. Dynamic Database for Quality Indicators Comparison in Education. Working Paper N. 04/2010
- Author
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Poliandri, Donatella, Cardone, Michele, Muzzioli, Paola, and Romiti, Sara
- Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore aspects and indicators most commonly used to assess the quality of education systems in different countries through the comparison of 12 national publications describing the state of the educational system. To compare indicators the CIPP model was chosen. This model is organized in four main parts: Context, Input, Process and Product. Each main part was then divided into categories based on the research literature (e.g., Input is divided into human, financial and material resources). Based on the CIPP model an electronic database for quality indicators comparison has been designed and implemented. This system is dynamic and easy to update. Using the database it is possible to compare countries according to several criteria (e.g., main parts and categories of the CIPP model, ISCED [International Standard Classification of Education] level, level of data collection). The database is available to the public and is designed for researchers and scholastic decision makers. A first comparison shows that processes at the classroom level are rarely considered, whereas public financial resources as well as achievement results are always included. The study concludes with a discussion of the findings of the comparison, as well as suggestions for future research aimed at further defining relevant indicators for the assessment of education quality." An appendix presents: "The on-line database: structure and functions. (Contains 5 figures and 7 footnotes.) [This paper was produced by INVALSI - National Institute for the Educational Evaluation of Instruction and Training.]
- Published
- 2010
6. Higher Education in TAFE: An Issues Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research, Moodie, Gavin, Wheelahan, Leesa, Billett, Stephen, and Kelly, Ann
- Abstract
Growth in mixed-sector institutions offering both vocational and higher education qualifications is expected to increase given recent and predicted policy changes. This issues paper focuses on the provision and management of higher education in technical and further education (TAFE) institutes. Issues raised for discussion include the governance of mixed-sector institutions as well as ensuring access and maintaining progression to higher education without sectoral division in the institution. Implications arising from the Bradley review of higher education are canvassed and the authors are inviting discussion on a range of questions related to the nature of policies and practices influencing the provision of higher education in TAFE. A section listing the TAFE institutes that have been registered to offer higher education qualifications and their accredited higher education qualifications, at February 2009 is appended. (Contains 5 tables and 3 footnotes.) [Funding for this document was provided through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.]
- Published
- 2009
7. Scoping Paper--Shaping a Career Development Culture: Quality Standards, Quality Practice, Quality Outcomes
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Australian Department of Education, Science and Training and McMahon, Mary
- Abstract
This project on national standards and accreditation of career practitioners is set against a background of unprecedented interest by governments nationally and internationally in the provision of career guidance services. Currently more is known about the policy and delivery of career guidance than at any other time in history. There is growing interest in the relationship between career guidance and public policy because the benefits of career guidance to individuals, society and the economy have been recognised. In this regard, strategic alliances are being formed between career guidance practitioners and policy makers in order that policy commitments relating to the provision of quality career services are enhanced. Such an alliance is evidenced in the collaboration between the Department of Education, Science and Training and the Career Industry Council of Australia on this project. This project constitutes a very necessary step in a move towards a quality industry. The purpose of this scoping paper is to: (1) identify current standards guiding career practitioners in Australia; (2) review international work on standards including examples of best practice and advise on how this work might be relevant to the development of national standards and accreditation in the Australian context; (3) be informed by outcomes of national workshops, forums, and conferences 2000-2004; (4) identify the current membership requirements of professional career associations and bodies both nationally and internationally; (5) assess how prior learning or qualifications might be recognised and developed to fit within and meet the requirements of the quality standards; and (6) identify the issues that need to be addressed in the development of national standards. To achieve this purpose, this paper is structured around four main sections--international quality standards, national quality standards, standards guiding Australian professions, and the Australian career industry. Following this a number of themes related to the development and implementation of quality standards will be elaborated. A number of issues relating to the development and implementation of quality standards and accreditation in the Australian career industry will then be raised. Appended are: (1) Glossary of terms; (2) Table of Comparative Competencies; (3) Entry-level Qualifications of Australian Career Practitioner Associations; (4) Standards of Australian Career Practitioner Associations; and (5) Comparison of Quality Standards Across Career Case Studies.
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- 2004
8. Reflections on Equity, Adequacy and Weighted Student Funding. Working Papers Series. SAN08-04
- Author
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Duke University, Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy and Ladd, Helen F.
- Abstract
Within the context of the school finance literature, the concepts of equity and adequacy raise a number of complex definitional and pragmatic issues. The purpose of this paper is to clarify those issues and to use those concepts to evaluate the recent policy proposal called Weighted Student Funding (WSF). Though WSF contains some equity-enhancing elements, it is likely to fall short of its equity goals because the weights are likely to be inappropriate and the approach fails to take full account of the concentrations of challenging-to-educate students and their effects on the distribution of teachers. In addition, the WSF proposal can be faulted for paying no attention to adequacy, potentially stigmatizing individual students, and placing so much focus on individual schools. A more complete evaluation of WSF would require a broader institutional perspective that extends beyond the equity and adequacy considerations of this article. (Contains 8 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2008
9. Loans for Vocational Education and Training in Europe. Research Paper. Number 20
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Cedefop - European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
- Abstract
This report reviews the use of loans for learning in 33 European countries and analyses the schemes in eight selected Member States: France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Finland, Sweden and the UK. The analysis shows that loan schemes vary considerably across Europe in terms of types and levels of learning covered, conditions of access, repayment and governance. Some loans aim to increase participation in learning in general, while others are designed to promote equity. The report attempts to assess the selected loans and discusses their strengths and weaknesses and determinants of performance, while considering if a given scheme operates on a large scale or targets niche groups. The evaluation results provide a basis for identifying good practice principles for designing and implementing loans. Policy recommendations are formulated based on these findings. Annexed are: (1) Methodology; (2) Key terms and definitions; (3) Information on countries/schemes selected for in-depth analysis; (4) Proposed typologies of VET loan schemes; (5) Tables and figures; (6) Tosmana truth tables; (7) Questionnaires; (8) Basic characteristics of non-European loan schemes. (Contains 37 tables, 5 figures, 20 boxes and 33 footnotes.)
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- 2012
10. Teachers and Decentralisation. Papers Prepared for the National Industry Education Forum Seminar (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, August 1994).
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Whitty, Geoff and Seddon, Terri
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This publication contains two papers on the implications of school decentralization for teacher education, student achievement, and democracy. The first paper, "Devolution in Education Systems: Implications for Teacher Professional Development and Pupil Performance" (Geoff Whitty), explores the way education reform movements for decentralization have developed generally by looking at how reforms have worked in England with some cross references to experiences in New Zealand and the United States. In doing so it reviews several studies and discusses the context in which reforms were installed. The conclusion notes that the overall benefits are not yet apparent and that reforms seem to intensify the links between educational and social inequality. The paper also notes that these reforms were part of a larger Thatcherite political project that must have influenced their effects. The second paper, "Decentralisation and Democracy" (Terri Seddon), argues that current educational reform is limited by its neglect of the interdependencies of development, democracy, and education; and that the character of decentralization is the key issue for debate. In three sections the paper comments on contemporary educational reform in Australia, discusses the consequences of decentralization for democracy, and suggests a way to reframe the problem of education reform to recognize the interdependency of development and democracy. (Contains 53 references.) (JB)
- Published
- 1994
11. Can You Hear Me? The Right of Young Children to Participate in Decisions Affecting Them. Working Papers in Early Childhood Development, No. 36
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Bernard Van Leer Foundation (Netherlands) and Lansdown, Gerison
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"Can You Hear Me? The Right of Young Children to Participate in Decisions Affecting Them" emphasises that participation enhances children's self-esteem and confidence, promotes their overall capacities, produces better outcomes, strengthens understanding of and commitment to democratic processes and protects children more effectively. Participation provides the opportunity for developing a sense of autonomy, independence, heightened social competence and resilience. The benefits are therefore significant, and adults with both direct and indirect responsibility for children need to acquire a greater humility in recognising that they have a great deal to learn from children. But the case for listening to young children goes beyond the beneficial outcomes. It is also a matter of social injustice and human rights. All people, however young, are entitled to be participants in their own lives, to influence what happens to them, to be involved in creating their own environments, to exercise choices and to have their views respected and valued. (Contains 4 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2005
12. A Comparative Study of Sabbatical Leave Practices in Selected Commonwealth and U.S. Universities. Paper No. OIR-30.
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McMaster Univ., Hamilton (Ontario)., Booth, Sheelagh C., and Higbee, Eliot C.
- Abstract
Sabbatical leaves are viewed as being essential to the ongoing nature of a self-renewing community of scholars. This study was undertaken to provide data on current use of sabbatical leave plans in universities in several countries - Canada; the United States; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales; Australia, and New Zealand - to provide useful information for possible revision of leave plans. Sixty-six universities were surveyed by means of a questionnaire and the results revealed similarities among the four groups of countries regarding the length of service prior to leave (generally 6 years); differences among the four groups, including the use of retraining leaves as a form of sabbatical; salary paid during regular sabbatical leave; and travel expenses. The conclusions drawn from the data are that Canadian leave plans are not nearly as uniform as those in United States universities; Canadian plans have become more formalized and better documented since 1969; salary paid for full-year leaves in Canadian universities has improved since 1969 and is now substantially better than in the United States, but not as good as in Australia and New Zealand; and participation rates in all countries appear to be higher than those reported prior to 1965 by Ingraham. (JMF)
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- 1974
13. Nature in World Development: Patterns in the Preservation of Scenic and Outdoor Recreation Resources. Working Papers.
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Rockefeller Foundation, New York, NY., Nash, Roderick, Nash, Roderick, and Rockefeller Foundation, New York, NY.
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This report reviews the problems of protecting nature in a heavily industrialized democracy such as the United States. Factors contributing to the establishment of protected areas in the United States are traced from the creation of Yellowstone National Park in 1872 to the present. Arguments in defense of wilderness areas consider nature as: (1) a reservoir of normal ecological processes, (2) a sustainer of biological diversity, (3) a formative influence on the national character, (4) a church, (5) a guardian of mental health, and (6) an educational asset in developing environmental responsibility. Diverse agencies, programs, and efforts exist at all levels. The National Park Service, the United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Wilderness Preservation System function on the federal level. Coastal zone management and land use laws protect natural areas on the state level, city and county parks serve as protected areas on local levels, and private organizations such as the Sierra Club also contribute to wilderness preservation. Problems arise from the conflict between economic development and nature preservation, and the popularity of nature areas which leads to their destruction. Programs in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, East Africa, Europe, the Soviet Union, and Canada are also described. (KC)
- Published
- 1978
14. AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION CONFERENCE, 1962, REVIEWS, PAPERS, AND REPORTS.
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Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Melbourne (Australia).
- Abstract
IN THIS REPORT OF AN AUSTRALIAN TECHNICAL CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION, EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON CASE STUDIES AND RESEARCH APPLICABLE TO PROFESSIONAL EXTENSION WORK, INCLUDING FARMER CONTACTS AND SUCH SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES AS LIAISON WORK AND COURSE WORK IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. THE FIRST SECTION DESCRIBES SERVICES IN EACH STATE AND IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY, NEW GUINEA, AND NEW ZEALAND. THE NEXT THREE SECTIONS COVER COMPARTIVE EXTENSION IN AUSTRALIA, EUROPE, AND THE UNITED STATES, SPECIAL PROBLEMS RELATING TO AUSTRALIAN PASTORAL AND OTHER INDUSTRIES, AND THE WORK AND PROBLEMS OF DISTRICT ADVISORS. THE ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF COMMERCIAL FIRMS AND PRIVATE ADVISORY SERVICES (INCLUDING FARM MANAGEMENT CLUBS) IN FARM MANAGEMENT EXTENSION ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE FIFTH SECTION. OTHER SECTIONS DEAL WITH PROGRAM PLANNING, GROUP METHODS AND DEMONSTRATIONS, TELEVISION AND OTHER MASS MEDIA. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXTENSION AND REGULATORY SERVICES AND RESEARCH EXTENSION LIAISON, RESEARCH IN COMMUNICATIONS, ADULT LEARNING, DECISION MAKING, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION, ASPECTS OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING (HIGHER EDUCATION, INSERVICE TRAINING, INTERNATIONAL AID), AND POSTCONFERENCE REPORTS BY OVERSEAS VISITORS AND ORGANIZING COMMITTEES. ALSO INCLUDED ARE FOUR FIGURES, 35 TABLES, AND NUMEROUS REFERENCES. (LY)
- Published
- 1963
15. Identifying Work Skills: International Case Summaries. Support Document
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) (Australia) and Siekmann, Gitta
- Abstract
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 35 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade. The Organisation for works with countries to develop skills strategies tailored to specific needs and contexts. The Organisation prepared a global skills strategy outline over the period 2011 to 2013. Each national skills strategy country project offers a tailored approach to focus on the unique skills challenges, context and objectives of each country. Each project leverages OECD comparative data and policy analysis, fosters collaboration across ministerial portfolios and levels of government while engaging all relevant stakeholders--employers, trade unions, and civil society organisations. In its paper "Towards an OECD Skills Strategy" (OECD 2013), the OECD sets out the main issues which must be addressed by efficient and effective policies for skills formation and skills use. The majority of material in each of the 13 case summaries presented here has been lifted mostly verbatim from original sources. These sources are stated at the beginning of each case summary. [This document is an added resource for the report "Identifying Work Skills: International Approaches. Discussion Paper" which can be accessed in ERIC at ED579874.]
- Published
- 2017
16. School Achievement of Pupils from the Lower Strata in Public, Private Government-Dependent and Private Government-Independent Schools: A Cross-National Test of the Coleman-Hoffer Thesis
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University of Arkansas, Education Working Paper Archive, Corten, Rense, and Dronkers, Jaap
- Abstract
We consider the question whether pupils from the lower social strata perform better in private government-dependent schools than in public or private-independent schools, using the PISA 2000 data on European high schools. In the eighty's, Coleman and Hoffer (1987) found in the USA that the performance of these pupils was better at religious schools than at comparable public schools. Dronkers and Robert (2003) found in PISA-data for 19 comparable countries that private government-dependent schools are more effective then comparable public schools, also after controlled for characteristics of pupils and parents and the social composition of the school. The main explanation appeared to be a better school climate in private government-dependent schools. Private independent schools were less effective than comparable public schools, but only after controlling for the social composition of the school. As a follow-up we now investigate, again with the PISA-data of these 19 countries, whether this positive effect of private government-dependent schools differs between pupils from different strata. We use various indicators to measure social strata: social, cultural and economic. We expect that the thesis of Coleman & Hoffer does hold for private government-dependent schools, because in these 19 countries they are mostly religious schools, which have more opportunities to form functional communities and create social capital. But for private independent schools, which due to their commercial foundation are less often functional communities, this relation is not expected to hold. However, the results show that public and private schools have mostly the same effects for the same kind of pupils and thus mostly not favor one kind of pupils above another kind of pupils. But private government-dependent schools are slightly more effective for pupils with less cultural capital. However, private independent schools are also more effective for pupils from large families or low status families. (Contains 4 tables, 12 notes and a list of 25 Literature Resources .)
- Published
- 2006
17. New Zealand, Australia and the Asia-Pacific strategic balance: from trade agreements to defence white papers.
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Ayson, Robert
- Subjects
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INTERNATIONAL relations , *POWER (Social sciences) - Abstract
The article discusses the interest of New Zealand of building a strong relationship with the U.S. and its accommodation of China. It examines the transformation of power in the Asia-Pacific region such as the shift of the locus of global power to Asia and the changes within the region's distribution of power. It offers the analysis of Australian National University professor of strategic studies Hugh White and Hedley Bull on the major power relations and its implications on New Zealand policy.
- Published
- 2011
18. Challenges, coping responses and supportive interventions for international and migrant students in academic nursing programs in major host countries: a scoping review with a gender lens.
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Merry, Lisa, Vissandjée, Bilkis, and Verville-Provencher, Kathryn
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SEXUAL orientation ,CINAHL database ,PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems ,SOCIAL support ,PSYCHOLOGY of college students ,DEVELOPED countries ,MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems ,MEDICAL databases ,INFORMATION storage & retrieval systems ,TEACHING ,PSYCHOLOGY of refugees ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,MALE nurses ,PSYCHOLOGY of nursing students ,CULTURAL pluralism ,NURSING education ,SEX distribution ,GENDER identity ,EXPERIENCE ,PSYCHOSOCIAL factors ,RESEARCH funding ,STUDENTS ,ENGLISH as a foreign language ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,DECISION making ,NURSING research ,PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation ,LITERATURE reviews ,NURSING students ,MEDLINE ,MANAGEMENT ,FOREIGN students ,PSYCHOLOGY of immigrants ,ERIC (Information retrieval system) ,CLINICAL education - Abstract
Background: International and migrant students face specific challenges which may impact their mental health, well-being and academic outcomes, and these may be gendered experiences. The purpose of this scoping review was to map the literature on the challenges, coping responses and supportive interventions for international and migrant students in academic nursing programs in major host countries, with a gender lens. Methods: We searched 10 databases to identify literature reporting on the challenges, coping responses and/or supportive interventions for international and migrant nursing students in college or university programs in Canada, the United-States, Australia, New Zealand or a European country. We included peer-reviewed research (any design), discussion papers and literature reviews. English, French and Spanish publications were considered and no time restrictions were applied. Drawing from existing frameworks, we critically assessed each paper and extracted information with a gender lens. Results: One hundred fourteen publications were included. Overall the literature mostly focused on international students, and among migrants, migration history/status and length of time in country were not considered with regards to challenges, coping or interventions. Females and males, respectively, were included in 69 and 59% of studies with student participants, while those students who identify as other genders/sexual orientations were not named or identified in any of the research. Several papers suggest that foreign-born nursing students face challenges associated with different cultural roles, norms and expectations for men and women. Other challenges included perceived discrimination due to wearing a hijab and being a 'foreign-born male nurse', and in general nursing being viewed as a feminine, low-status profession. Only two strategies, accessing support from family and other student mothers, used by women to cope with challenges, were identified. Supportive interventions considering gender were limited; these included matching students with support services' personnel by sex, involving male family members in admission and orientation processes, and using patient simulation as a method to prepare students for care-provision of patients of the opposite-sex. Conclusion: Future work in nursing higher education, especially regarding supportive interventions, needs to address the intersections of gender, gender identity/sexual orientation and foreign-born status, and also consider the complexity of migrant students' contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. Implementation and maintenance of patient navigation programs linking primary care with community-based health and social services: a scoping literature review.
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Valaitis, Ruta K., Carter, Nancy, Lam, Annie, Nicholl, Jennifer, Feather, Janice, and Cleghorn, Laura
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PRIMARY care ,PATIENT-centered care ,COMMUNITY-based social services ,CANCER patient care ,HEALTH outcome assessment ,MEDICAL care ,COMMUNITY health services ,CONTINUUM of care ,DIFFUSION of innovations ,PRIMARY health care ,QUALITY of life ,SOCIAL case work - Abstract
Background: Since the early 90s, patient navigation programs were introduced in the United States to address inequitable access to cancer care. Programs have since expanded internationally and in scope. The goals of patient navigation programs are to: a) link patients and families to primary care services, specialist care, and community-based health and social services (CBHSS); b) provide more holistic patient-centred care; and, c) identify and resolve patient barriers to care. This paper fills a gap in knowledge to reveal what is known about motivators and factors influencing implementation and maintenance of patient navigation programs in primary care that link patients to CBHSS. It also reports on outcomes from these studies to help identify gaps in research that can inform future studies.Methods: This scoping literature review involved: i) electronic database searches; ii) a web site search; iii) a search of reference lists from literature reviews; and, iv) author follow up. It included papers from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and/or Western Europe published between January 1990 and June 2013 if they discussed navigators or navigation programs in primary care settings that linked patients to CBHSS.Results: Of 34 papers, most originated in the United States (n = 29) while the remainder were from the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Motivators for initiating navigation programs were to: a) improve delivery of health and social care services; b) support and manage specific health needs or specific population needs, and; c) improve quality of life and wellbeing of patients. Eleven factors were found to influence implementation and maintenance of these patient navigation programs. These factors closely aligned with the Diffusion of Innovation in Service Organizations model, thus providing a theoretical foundation to support them. Various positive outcomes were reported for patients, providers and navigators, as well as the health and social care system, although they need to be considered with caution since the majority of studies were descriptive.Conclusions: This study contributes new knowledge that can inform the initiation and maintenance of primary care patient navigation programs that link patients with CBHSS. It also provides directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2017
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20. Rural chronic disease research patterns in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand: a systematic integrative review.
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Disler, R., Glenister, K., and Wright, J.
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HEALTH services accessibility ,RURAL geography ,MEDICAL care of the chronically ill ,HEALTH outcome assessment ,TELEMEDICINE ,RURAL health services ,MEDICAL referrals ,CHRONIC diseases ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,MEDICAL care research ,PATIENTS' attitudes ,RURAL health ,HEALTH equity ,INDIGENOUS peoples ,RURAL population - Abstract
Background: People living in rural and remote communities commonly experience significant health disadvantages. Geographical barriers and reduced specialist and generalist services impact access to care when compared with metropolitan context. Innovative models of care have been developed for people living with chronic diseases in rural areas with the goal of overcoming these inequities. The aim of this paper was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of studies investigating innovative models of care for people living with chronic disease in rural areas of developed countries where a metropolitan comparator was included.Methods: An integrative systematic review was undertaken. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method was used to understand the empirical and theoretical data on clinical outcomes for people living with chronic disease in rural compared with metropolitan contexts and their models of care in Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.Results: Literature searching revealed 620 articles published in English between 1st January 2000 and 31st March 2019. One hundred sixty were included in the review including 68 from the United States, 59 from Australia and New Zealand (5), 21 from Canada and 11 from the United Kingdom and Ireland. 53% (84) focused on cardiovascular disease; 27% (43) diabetes mellitus; 8% (12) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and 13% (27) chronic kidney disease. Mortality was only reported in 10% (16) of studies and only 18% (29) reported data on Indigenous populations.Conclusions: This integrated review reveals that the published literature on common chronic health issues pertaining to rural and remote populations is largely descriptive. Only a small number of publications focus on mortality and comparative health outcomes from health care models in both urban and non-urban populations. Innovative service models and telehealth are together well represented in the published literature but data on health outcomes is relatively sparse. There is significant scope for further directly comparative studies detailing the effect of service delivery models on the health outcomes of urban and rural populations. We believe that such data would further knowledge in this field and help to break the deadly synergy between increased rurality and poorer outcomes for people with chronic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2020
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21. Psychosocial factors associated with the mental health of indigenous children living in high income countries: a systematic review.
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Young, Christian, Hanson, Camilla, Craig, Jonathan C., Clapham, Kathleen, and Williamson, Anna
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MENTAL illness prevention ,MENTAL illness risk factors ,INDIGENOUS children ,DISCRIMINATION (Sociology) ,MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems ,PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems ,MEDLINE ,MENTAL health ,OPTIMISM ,PARENTING ,SELF-perception ,SUBSTANCE abuse ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,COMORBIDITY ,AFFINITY groups ,FAMILY relations ,QUANTITATIVE research ,CROSS-sectional method ,CHILDREN - Abstract
Background: Indigenous children living in high income countries have a consistently high prevalence of mental health problems. We aimed to identify psychosocial risk and protective factors for mental health in this setting. Methods: A systematic review of studies published between 1996 and 2016 that quantitatively evaluated the association between psychosocial variables and mental health among Indigenous children living in high income countries was conducted. Psychosocial variables were grouped into commonly occurring domains. Individual studies were judged to provide evidence for an association between a domain and either good mental health, poor mental health, or a negligible or inconsistent association. The overall quality of evidence across all studies for each domain was assessed using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines. Results: Forty-seven papers were eligible (mainland US 30 [64%], Canada 8 [17%], Australia 7 [15%], Hawaii 4 [9%]), including 58,218 participants aged 4-20 years. Most papers were cross-sectional (39, 83%) and measured negative mental health outcomes (41, 87%). Children's negative cohesion with their families and the presence of adverse events appeared the most reliable predictors of increased negative mental health outcomes. Children's substance use, experiences of discrimination, comorbid internalising symptoms, and negative parental behaviour also provided evidence of associations with negative mental health outcomes. Positive family and peer relationships, high self-esteem and optimism were associated with increased positive mental health outcomes. Conclusions: Quantitative research investigating Indigenous children's mental health is largely cross-sectional and focused upon negative outcomes. Indigenous children living in high income countries share many of the same risk and protective factors associated with mental health. The evidence linking children's familial environment, psychological traits, substance use and experiences of discrimination with mental health outcomes highlights key targets for more concerted efforts to develop initiatives to improve the mental health of Indigenous children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
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22. Counting what counts: a systematic scoping review of instruments used in primary healthcare services to measure the wellbeing of Indigenous children and youth.
- Author
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Saunders, Vicki, McCalman, Janya, Tsey, Sena, Askew, Deborah, Campbell, Sandy, Jongen, Crystal, Angelo, Candace, Spurling, Geoff, and Cadet-James, Yvonne
- Subjects
WELL-being ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,WEIGHTS & measures ,MEDICAL screening ,PRIMARY health care ,PSYCHOSOCIAL factors ,RESEARCH funding ,INDIGENOUS peoples ,LITERATURE reviews ,CHILDREN ,ADOLESCENCE - Abstract
Background: Primary healthcare services have principal responsibility for providing child and youth wellbeing and mental health services, but have lacked appropriate measurement instruments to assess the wellbeing of Indigenous children and youth or to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and services designed to meet their needs. This review assesses the availability and characteristics of measurement instruments that have been applied in primary healthcare services in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States (CANZUS countries) to assess the wellbeing of Indigenous children and youth. Methods: Fifteen databases and 12 websites were searched in December 2017 and again in October 2021. Pre-defined search terms pertained to Indigenous children and youth, CANZUS country names, and wellbeing or mental health measures. PRISMA guidelines were followed, with eligibility criteria guiding screening of titles and abstracts, and selected full-text papers. Results are presented based on the characteristics of documented measurement instruments assessed according to five desirability criteria: development for Indigenous youth populations, adherence to relational strength-based constructs, administration by child and or youth self-report, reliability and validity, and usefulness for identifying wellbeing or risk levels. Results: Twenty-one publications were found that described the development and or use by primary healthcare services of 14 measurement instruments, employed across 30 applications. Four of the 14 measurement instruments were developed specifically for Indigenous youth populations, four focused solely on strength-based wellbeing concepts but none included all Indigenous wellbeing domains. Conclusion: There is a diversity of measurement instruments available, but few fit our desirability criteria. Although it is possible that we missed relevant papers and reports, this review clearly supports the need for further research to develop, refine or adapt instruments cross-culturally to measure the wellbeing of Indigenous children and youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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23. A Case for Integration of the North American Rural Social Work Education Model for Philippine Praxis
- Author
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Kutschera, P. C., Tesoro, Elena C., Legamia, Benigno P., and Talamera-Sandico, Mary Grace
- Abstract
Rural social work education and practice in North America underwent a revival in recent decades and remains a valid praxis and pedagogic model for the 21st Century. The paper posits through rigorous literature review and analysis there are numerous elements central to North American (U.S. and Canadian) and Commonwealth of Nations (U.K., Australia, etc.) rural social work that make this framework significantly germane to Filipinos. These include the necessity to function in an environment of marginal or stressed community, personnel resources and educational opportunities. Significantly, the generalist practice model comprises the core of North American rural social work; it also predominates in Philippine methodology. Both frameworks require robust client and social justice advocacy roles encouraging awareness of needs and aspirations of at risk populations. Indeed, social work researcher Thelma Lee-Mendoza reports that historically modern Philippine practice originated and is primarily organized from North American models. Rural social workers in the West, like their Philippine counterparts, are more typically generalists and innovative environmental operators. Daily they rely on profound survey and calculation of services and innovative ways to make them meaningful. The paper concludes by urging creative international and transnational research with a view towards optimizing service delivery.
- Published
- 2019
24. A systematic review of the determinants of seafood consumption.
- Author
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Govzman, S., Looby, S., Wang, X., Butler, F., Gibney, E. R., and Timon, C. M.
- Subjects
FOOD habits ,ONLINE information services ,SOCIAL determinants of health ,MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,CONSUMER attitudes ,FOOD preferences ,SEAFOOD ,MEDLINE - Abstract
Although seafood is considered to be an important part of a balanced diet, many national food consumption surveys suggest that seafood is not consumed in sufficient amounts. As consumers are moving to diversify their diet from animal-based protein, it is important to understand the factors influencing consumption of marine foods. This review aims to assess the characteristics of seafood consumers as well as the influences on seafood consumption in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Systematic search strategies were used to identify relevant journal articles from three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Embase). Three searches were carried out and identified 4405 unique publications from which 121 met the criteria for the review process. The reviewed studies revealed that seafood consumers were more likely to be older, more affluent and more physically active and were less likely to smoke compared with non-seafood consumers. Sex and BMI did not appear to have a directional association with seafood consumption. The most commonly reported barriers to seafood consumption were cost, followed by sensory or physical barriers, health and nutritional beliefs, habits, availability and cooking skills. The most commonly reported influences were beliefs about the contribution of seafood to health, environmental influences and personal preferences. Based on the findings of this review, future intervention strategies to increase seafood consumption may need to consider affordability and education in terms of health, nutrition and cooking skills. More research is needed to explore the effectiveness of specific interventions at increasing the consumption of seafood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. Change ubiquity: employee perceptions of change prevalence from three countries.
- Author
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Brazzale, Paulette L., Cooper–Thomas, Helena D., Haar, Jarrod, and Smollan, Roy K.
- Subjects
EMPLOYEE psychology ,PERSONNEL management ,ORGANIZATIONAL change ,COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to address assumptions about the prevalence of change in human resource management (HRM) and organizational change literature, providing evidence from employee perceptions across three countries. The results indicate change was commonplace even before the pandemic disruptions of 2020. Design/methodology/approach: Given this study's exploratory, employee perspective, a cross-sectional self-report survey was used. Three survey panel samples were collected in 2017: US (n = 718), Australia (n = 501) and New Zealand (n = 516). Analysis of variance was used to test whether the prevalence of change differed significantly between countries or specific groups of employees. An analysis of comments on change types and emotional response provides further insights. Findings: The paper provides evidence of the ubiquity of change: 73% of employees are experiencing change at work and 42% perceived it as moderate to massive, with little variation between countries. Employees commonly experience more than one change, with those experiencing large amounts of change reporting predominantly negative emotional impacts. Research limitations/implications: The research provides a snapshot across three countries during a prosperous and relatively stable period, providing a point of comparison for the turbulent times we have faced in 2020" as the publication date will be 2021 the current text may not work as well. Since change can be arduous, the authors recommend that HRM researchers consider change prevalence as a contextual factor, and practitioners heed employee reactions to change, particularly during periods of significant change. Originality/value: In providing foundational evidence of change ubiquity in contemporary workplaces, this paper enables more accurate discussions regarding change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. Global and national influenza-associated hospitalisation rates: Estimates for 40 countries and administrative regions.
- Author
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Paget, John, Staadegaard, Lisa, Xin Wang, You Li, van Pomeren, Tayma, van Summeren, Jojanneke, Dückers, Michel, Chaves, Sandra S., Johnson, Emily K., Mahé, Cédric, Nair, Harish, Viboud, Cecile, and Spreeuwenberg, Peter
- Subjects
INFLUENZA diagnosis ,CLASSIFICATION of viruses ,CLINICAL pathology ,EXPERIMENTAL design ,META-analysis ,IMMUNIZATION ,MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems ,CONFIDENCE intervals ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,REGRESSION analysis ,HEALTH outcome assessment ,SEASONS ,SEVERITY of illness index ,HOSPITAL care ,INFLUENZA ,TIME series analysis ,EPIDEMICS ,RESEARCH funding ,LOGISTIC regression analysis ,MEDLINE - Abstract
Background WHO estimates that seasonal influenza epidemics result in three to five million cases of severe illness (hospitalisations) every year. We aimed to improve the understanding of influenza-associated hospitalisation estimates at a national and global level. Methods We performed a systematic literature review of English- and Chinese-language studies published between 1995 and 2020 estimating influenza-associated hospitalisation. We included a total of 127 studies (seven in Chinese) in the meta-analysis and analyzed their data using a logit-logistic regression model to understand the influence of five study factors and produce national and global estimates by age groups. The five study factors assessed were: 1) the method used to calculate the influenza-associated hospitalisation estimates (rateor time series regression-based), 2) the outcome measure (divided into three envelopes: narrow, medium, or wide), 3) whether every case was laboratory-confirmed or not, 4) whether the estimates were national or sub-national, 5) whether the rates were based on a single year or multiple years. Results The overall pooled influenza-associated hospitalisation rate was 40.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 24.3-67.4) per 100 000 persons, with rates varying substantially by age: 224.0 (95% CI = 118.8-420.0) in children aged 0-4 years and 96.8 (95% CI = 57.0-164.3) in the elderly aged >65 years. The overall pooled hospitalisation rates varied by calculation method; for all ages, the rates were significantly higher when they were based on rate-based methods or calculated on a single season and significantly lower when cases were laboratory-confirmed. The national hospitalisation rates (all ages) varied considerably, ranging from 11.7 (95% CI = 3.8-36.3) per 100 000 in New Zealand to 122.1 (95% CI = 41.5-358.4) per 100 000 in India (all age estimates). Conclusions Using the pooled global influenza-associated hospitalisation rate, we estimate that seasonal influenza epidemics result in 3.2 million cases of severe illness (hospitalisations) per annum. More extensive analyses are required to assess the influence of other factors on the estimates (e.g. vaccination and dominant virus (sub)types) and efforts to harmonize the methods should be encouraged. Our study highlights the high rates of influenza-associated hospitalisations in children aged 0-4 years and the elderly aged 65+ years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Under-representation of developing countries in the research literature: ethical issues arising from a survey of five leading medical journals.
- Author
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Sumathipala, Athula, Siribaddana, Sisira, and Patel, Vikram
- Subjects
MEDICAL journalism ,MEDICAL literature ,MEDICAL ethics ,DEVELOPING countries - Abstract
Background: It is widely acknowledged that there is a global divide on health care and health research known as the 10/90 divide. Methods: A retrospective survey of articles published in the BMJ, Lancet, NEJM, Annals of Internal Medicine & JAMA in a calendar year to examine the contribution of the developing world to medical literature. We categorized countries into four regions: UK, USA, Other Euro-American countries (OEAC) and (RoW). OEAC were European countries other than the UK but including Australia, New Zealand and Canada. RoW comprised all other countries. Results: The average contribution of the RoW to the research literature in the five journals was 6.5%. In the two British journals 7.6% of the articles were from the RoW; in the three American journals 4.8% of articles were from RoW. The highest proportion of papers from the RoW was in the Lancet (12%). An analysis of the authorship of 151 articles from RoW showed that 104 (68.9%) involved authorship with developed countries in Europe or North America. There were 15 original papers in these journals with data from RoW but without any authors from RoW. Conclusions: There is a marked under-representation of countries in high-impact general medical journals. The ethical implications of this inequity and ways of reducing it are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2004
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. On the Widespread Impact of the Most Prolific Countries in Special Education Research: A Bibliometric Analysis
- Author
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Sezgin, Aslihan, Orbay, Keziban, and Orbay, Metin
- Abstract
The aim of this study is to identify the most prolific countries in the field of special education and to discuss the widespread impact of their papers by taking into account the country's h-index. Through a bibliometric analysis, the data were collected in the Web of Science Core Collection category "Education, Special" in the Social Science Citation Index during 2011-2020. The 25 most prolific countries in the field of special education were determined in terms of paper productivity, and it was seen that the leading country was undisputedly the USA (54.42%). Meanwhile, a strong positive correlation was found between the h-index and the number of papers published by the countries (r=0.864). On the other hand, when the ranking in terms of the number of papers was reconfigured by the h-index, it was relatively changed. The possible reasons for this change for the countries with the most changing rankings were discussed by considering some definitive criteria such as the journal quartiles, the percentage of international and domestic, and the percentage of open access papers. This study reports a positive correlation between the quality and quantity in the field of special education for the publications of countries. It has been shown that where the positive correlation deviates, then especially, the journal quartiles, the percentage of international collaboration and the percentage of open access papers have a significant effect. The bibliometric findings may be useful to enrich the discussion about the widespread impact of papers and debate whether the use of h-index is acceptable for cross-national comparisons.
- Published
- 2022
29. US files papers for Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom's extradition.
- Author
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Ribeiro, John
- Subjects
EXTRADITION ,CRIMINAL procedure ,PIRACY (Copyright) ,ACTIONS & defenses (Law) - Abstract
The article reports that prosecutors in the U.S. have sought the extradition of Kim Dotcom, founder of Megaupload, and three colleagues Finn Batato, Mathias Ortmann and Bram van der Kolk. They were arrested in Auckland by New Zealand authorities. They are charged for allegedly running a criminal enterprise responsible for online piracy of various copyrighted works in the U.S. Previously the High Court of New Zealand, Auckland Registry decided that Dotcom could stay free on bail.
- Published
- 2012
30. Early-Years Swimming: Creating Opportunities for Adding Mathematical Capital to Under 5s
- Author
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Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia and Jorgensen, Robyn
- Abstract
Drawing on survey data from over 2000 parents, this paper explores the possibility of early-years swimming to add mathematical capital to young children. Using developmental milestones as the basis, it was found that parents reported significantly earlier achievement on many of these milestones. Such data suggest that the early years swim environment may offer enhanced opportunities for learning skills that help transition young children into formal schooling. This paper explores those milestones that are related to early mathematics.
- Published
- 2013
31. Organisational systems' approaches to improving cultural competence in healthcare: a systematic scoping review of the literature.
- Author
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McCalman, Janya, Jongen, Crystal, and Bainbridge, Roxanne
- Subjects
ETHNIC groups ,HEALTH services accessibility ,HEALTH status indicators ,HEALTH systems agencies ,INDIGENOUS peoples ,MEDICAL care ,MINORITIES ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,HEALTH care industry ,HEALTH of indigenous peoples ,CULTURAL competence - Abstract
Introduction: Healthcare organisations serve clients from diverse Indigenous and other ethnic and racial groups on a daily basis, and require appropriate client-centred systems and services for provision of optimal healthcare. Despite advocacy for systems-level approaches to cultural competence, the primary focus in the literature remains on competency strategies aimed at health promotion initiatives, workforce development and student education. This paper aims to bridge the gap in available evidence about systems approaches to cultural competence by systematically mapping key concepts, types of evidence, and gaps in research. Methods: A literature search was completed as part of a larger systematic search of evaluations and measures of cultural competence interventions in health care in Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Seventeen peer-reviewed databases, 13 websites and clearinghouses, and 11 literature reviews were searched from 2002 to 2015. Overall, 109 studies were found, with 15 evaluating systems-level interventions or describing measurements. Thematic analysis was used to identify key implementation principles, intervention strategies and outcomes reported. Results: Twelve intervention and three measurement studies met our inclusion criteria. Key principles for implementing systems approaches were: user engagement, organisational readiness, and delivery across multiple sites. Two key types of intervention strategies to embed cultural competence within health systems were: audit and quality improvement approaches and service-level policies or strategies. Outcomes were found for organisational systems, the client/practitioner encounter, health, and at national policy level. Discussion and implications: We could not determine the overall effectiveness of systems-level interventions to reform health systems because interventions were context-specific, there were too few comparative studies and studies did not use the same outcome measures. However, examined together, the intervention and measurement principles, strategies and outcomes provide a preliminary framework for implementation and evaluation of systems-level interventions to improve cultural competence. Identified gaps in the literature included a need for cost and effectiveness studies of systems approaches and explication of the effects of cultural competence on client experience. Further research is needed to explore the extent to which cultural competence improves health outcomes and reduces ethnic and racially-based healthcare disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. Evaluating Eco-Innovation of OECD Countries with Data Envelopment Analysis
- Author
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Mavi, Reza Kiani and Standing, Craig
- Abstract
Government regulations require businesses to improve their processes and products/services in a green and sustainable manner. For being environmentally friendly, businesses should invest more on eco-innovation practices. Firms eco-innovate to promote eco-efficiency and sustainability. This paper evaluates the eco-innovation performance of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries with data envelopment analysis (DEA). Data were gathered from the world bank database and global innovation index report. Findings show that for most OECD countries, energy use and ecological sustainability are more important than other inputs and outputs for enhancing eco-innovation. [For full proceedings, see ED571459.]
- Published
- 2016
33. International. [SITE 2001 Section].
- Author
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Willis, Dee Anna and Willis, Dee Anna
- Abstract
This document contains the following papers on international issues from the SITE (Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education) 2001 conference: (1) "Attitudes of Malaysian Vocational Trainee Teachers towards the Integration of Computer in Teaching" (Ab. Rahim Bakar and Shamsiah Mohamed); (2) "Views from an Asian Bridge: How International Students See Us and Still Survive" (Richard Cornell and others); (3) "Creating Virtual Learning Communities in Africa: Issues and Challenges" (Osei K. Darkwa); (4) "ICTs for Learning: An International Perspective on the Irish Initiative" (Eileen Freeman and others); (5) "An In-Service Program in Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers" (Diana Jenkins and others); (6) "Virtual Exchange Program: Coming to a Computer Near You?" (Chris Junghans); (7) "An Overview of Information Technology on K-12 Education in Taiwan" (Greg Lee and Cheng-Chih Wu); (8) "Findings from the Project for the Longitudinal Assessment of New Information Technologies (PLANIT): 2000-2001" (Cesar Morales and others); (9) "Evaluation of the Girls Research Opportunities in Computing (Girls R.O.C.)" (A. Dale Mangoun and Charlotte H. Owens); (10) "Teacher and Student Attitudes toward Computers, 1999-2000: Findings from a Suburban Texas School District" (Gerald Knezek and Rhonda Christensen); (11) "Teachers and Students' Attitudes toward Computers in Mexico: Results of Phase 2000" (Cesareo Morales); (12) "Preservice Teachers' Attitudes toward Information Technology in Brunei" (Mint Swe Khine); (13) "Findings from Thailand for the Longitudinal Assessment of New Information Technologies" (Nanta Palitawanont); (14) "Multimedia in Chinese Elementary Schools" (John Ronghua Ouyang and James E. Yao); (15) "An Instrument To Measure Malaysian Teachers' IT Preparedness" (Wong Su Luan and others); (16) "An In-Service Program for Ecuadorian Teachers. The Innovation of Elementary Education in the Santa Elena Peninsula Project" (Martin Valcke and Katherine M. Chiluiza); and (17) "Critical Kiwi Chronicles: Technology and Teacher Education in New Zealand" (Cameron White). An abstract of the following paper is also included: "An Introductory Internet Skills Program for Teacher Education: Or from Practice to Theory: A Case Study" (Cameron Richards and Mita Bhattacharya). Most papers contain references. (MES)
- Published
- 2001
34. Reshaping Public Education.
- Author
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Levin, Benjamin and Young, Jonathan
- Abstract
Many countries around the world are engaged in large-scale, government-mandated education reform. To explicate the working of these reforms, a study of government-mandated reform in New Zealand, England, Canada, and the United States is described. The paper reports on some of the main issues that are emerging, including the finding that current reforms in these areas seem to embody a sharp break from what might be called the "post-war consensus" on education policy, both in terms of substance and in policy processes. Education policy is becoming more polarized and there are many fears about the negative consequences of current directions. The focus is on three areas in reform efforts: (1) the centralization of curriculum coupled with large-scale testing of students and evaluation of schools; (2) the decentralization of management responsibility from intermediate bodies to individual schools; and (3) the introduction of elements into a market system of education. The paper looks at the commonalities and differences in reform and the shift away from past practices. Public education is being reshaped but that the situation is diverse and that reform usually marks less of a change than rhetoric suggests. (Contains 30 references.) (RJM)
- Published
- 1998
35. International Education Reform: A Canadian Perspective.
- Author
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Levin, Benjamin and Young, Jonathan
- Abstract
Many countries' reform efforts are government-directed programs that are driven by the government rather than by educators or bureaucrats. A comparative analysis of this type of reform, with a focus on Canada, is presented here. The paper raises questions about the international character of education reform by comparing the Canadian experience with that of several other countries. It examines issues of commonality across jurisdictions, which is followed by another look through a Canadian lens. The text focuses on four aspects of reform: (1) the sources of reforms as initially proposed by governments, the role of various actors and forces in originating reforms, and the assumptions about education and reform; (2) what happened to reforms between their initial proposal and their actual passage into law; (3) the steps taken to implement reforms and the model of implementation that was used; and (4) the available evidence as to the effects of reforms, with particular attention to what may be known about how the reforms have affected student outcomes and learning processes. Subjects covered in the paper include the context of education reform in Canada, commonalities in reform, factors promoting commonality, significant differences, factors promoting differences, Canadian perspectives, and the unique nature of education reform in Canada. (Contains 62 references.) (RJM)
- Published
- 1998
36. What we know about the actual implementation process of public physical activity policies: results from a scoping review.
- Author
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Forberger, Sarah, Reisch, Lucia A, Meshkovska, Biljana, Lobczowska, Karolina, Scheller, Daniel A, Wendt, Janine, Christianson, Lara, Frense, Jennifer, Steinacker, Jürgen M, Woods, Catherine B, Luszczynska, Aleksandra, and Zeeb, Hajo
- Subjects
HEALTH policy ,PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems ,CINAHL database ,STUDENT health ,DEVELOPED countries ,MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,PUBLIC health ,PHYSICAL activity ,EXERCISE ,LITERATURE reviews ,MEDLINE ,HEALTH promotion - Abstract
Background Physical inactivity rates have remained high worldwide since 2001. Public policies are an essential upstream lever to target individual physical activity (PA) behaviour. However, implementers have different strategies and face implementation challenges that are poorly understood. The present study analyzes the implementation processes of public policies to promote PA in terms of: (i) the policies covered and their legal quality, (ii) the actors and stakeholders involved in the implementation process and (iii) the used implementation strategies (vertical, horizontal or a mix). Methods A scoping review was systematically conducted (registered Open Science Framework: osf.io/7w84q/), searching 10 databases and grey literature until March 2022. Of the 7741 titles and abstracts identified initially, 10 studies were included. Results The current evidence includes high-income countries (USA, n = 7; UK, New Zealand and Oman, n = 1 each). Policy areas covered are education (school sector) and PA promotion in general (national PA plans or city-wide approaches). The legal classification ranges from laws (school sector) to coordination and budgeting to non-legally binding recommendations. The jurisdictions covered were federal (n = 4), state (n = 1), county (n = 1), school district (n = 1) and city (n = 3). Implementation strategies for city-wide approaches are characterized by a coordinated approach with vertical and horizontal integration; federal PA policies by a mix of implementation strategies; and the school sector by a strict horizontal top-down integration without the involvement of other actors. Conclusion Implementation strategies differ by policy field. Therefore, continuous evaluation of the implementation process is necessary to align policy implementation with policy goals to promote individual PA behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. COVID-19 Crisis, Impacts on Catholic Schools, and Potential Responses. Part I: Developed Countries with Focus on the United States
- Author
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Wodon, Quentin
- Abstract
The COVID-19 crisis has led to widespread temporary school closures and a deep economic recession. School closures have threatened children's ability to learn and later return to school well prepared. The impact of the economic recession is going to be even more devastating: first for students, but also for the ability of some Catholic schools to maintain their enrollment and remain sustainable financially in countries where they do not benefit from government support. This paper, the first in a set of two, looks at some of the likely impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on Catholic Schools in developed countries with a particular focus on the United States, a country not only hard hit by the crisis but also where Catholic schools are especially vulnerable to downturns. While Catholic schools may be able to respond to the immediate challenge of school closures among others through distance learning options, their ability to maintain enrollment during the economic downturn is less clear. How schools will respond to the twin challenges of ensuring learning during school closures and beyond, and remaining affordable for families at a time of economic stress, may affect whether they are able to maintain their comparative advantage. A key aim of the paper is to make Catholic school teachers and leaders aware of some of the discussions on how to respond to the crisis, and provide links to online resources that may be useful. [For Part II of the series, see EJ1278501.]
- Published
- 2020
38. Employability Initiatives in Undergraduate Education and Application to Human Nutrition: A Scoping Review
- Author
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Murray, Emily, McLeod, Susan, Biesiekierski, Jessica, Ng, Ashley, Croxford, Sharon, Stirling, Emma, Bramley, Andrea, and Forsyth, Adrienne
- Abstract
Human nutrition is a growing field with an increasing job market and high demand for university study, yet graduates report feeling underprepared for and unaware of potential job opportunities. This scoping review aimed to identify employment initiatives used in undergraduate programs to support an evidence-based approach to the development of future initiatives for human nutrition courses. The scoping review following PRISMA-ScR criteria was initially conducted in October 2018 and updated in April 2020. Search terms were selected to identify studies that reported on employability or work-readiness embedded within the course curriculum for undergraduate students. Fourteen papers met the eligibility criteria. Papers included were from Australia (9), United Kingdom (2), United States (1), New Zealand (1) and Germany (1). Papers described initiatives fitting broad categories of placements, project-based industry collaboration, practice-based eLearning, mentoring and building graduate attributes. Placements were the most common type of initiative and project-based industry collaboration demonstrated the highest levels of student and employer satisfaction. The success of initiatives was often attributed to incorporating diverse approaches to real-world, problem-solving skills. Mentoring and eLearning were used to promote employability soft skills, while industry-based placements provided students with practical experience. Placement in specific workplace settings should be representative of the diverse job options for nutrition graduates. Human nutrition degrees should consider incorporating strategies that develop soft skills and project-based skills while exposing students to diverse workplace settings within industry.
- Published
- 2020
39. Paradigms, Distance Learning, Education, and Philosophy
- Author
-
Higgins, Andrew
- Abstract
The premise of this brief opinion piece is that the fundamental paradigm of education appeared with Plato. It is that there is a co-location in time and space of learners, teachers, and resources. The absence of any of these elements can lead to shortcomings in the meaning of the term "to be educated". Recent events such as COVID-19 demonstrate that the paradigm is subject to challenge but that its premises are firmly established. It is recognised that there are complex philosophical and theoretical arguments surrounding distance education debates. It is not possible in a short article like this to canvass all the possible philosophical positions that affect education. Pointers to these debates are referenced in the article. For the purpose of this article, "philosophy" is taken to mean that department of knowledge or study that deals with ultimate reality, or with the general causes and principles of things. More narrowly, it is the study of general principles of some particular branch of knowledge, experience, or activity--in this case, distance education or flexible learning. "Theory" is taken to mean a scheme or system of ideas or statements held as an explanation or account of a group of facts or phenomena.
- Published
- 2020
40. THE USE OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS IN COURT JUDGMENTS: A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.
- Author
-
Kendall, Keith
- Subjects
LEGAL judgments ,LAW & economics ,COURTS ,LEGAL professions - Abstract
As a theoretical paradigm, the use of economics has domi-nated legal analysis both in academia and the courts in the United States for the last three decades. This popularity, though, does not extend to most other jurisdictions. Judge Richard Posner, one of the pioneers of the law and economics movement, developed a model comparing the structures of the legal profession in the United States, the United Kingdom, and continental Europe to ex-plain the lack of the use of law and economics in the latter two regions compared with the United States. This paper compares the use of economic analysis in judicial decisions in the United States with the extent of such use in two other common law jurisdictions: Australia and New Zealand. Judge Posner s model is used to examine the structure of the legal professions in Australia and New Zealand to predict the extent to which law and economics is used by each jurisdiction's respective judiciary. It is observed that Australian courts do not use eco-nomic analysis to any great extent, with senior members of the ju-diciary adopting an explicitly negative view of the value of economic reasoning in resolving legal disputes. Even those judges who attempt to apply economic tools to justify their decisions tend to do so in a simplistic fashion that does not draw on the full ad-vantages such an approach offers and does nothing to counteract the claims of the paradigm's critics. New Zealand's judiciary has demonstrated a more receptive attitude, with little if any hostility expressed openly (unlike Australia), with notable senior members of the judiciary openly advocating for the courts to make greater use of economic reasoning in resolving legal disputes. These find-ings are in line with the expectations formed under Judge Posner's model. Further observations are made regarding the legal education systems in the United States, Australia and New Zealand, finding that law and economics is taught to a greater extent in line with the use of economic reasoning in the respective court system. While it is difficult to draw conclusions as to any causal relationship, an explanation is suggested that judicial attitudes, especially in Aus-tralia and New Zealand, have a strong influence on the extent to which law and economics is taught in law schools. Australia's and New Zealand's systems of legal education are much more focused, by necessity, on fundamental legal knowledge useful for a career in law, a restriction that does not exist to the same extent in the United States. The popularity of law and economics courses in Australia and New Zealand reflects the judicial attitudes observed in this paper's main analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Cold-Formed High-Strength Stainless Steel Tubular Sections Subjected to Web Crippling.
- Author
-
Zhou, Feng and Young, Ben
- Subjects
STAINLESS steel ,AUSTENITIC stainless steel ,CARBON steel ,CONSTRUCTION materials ,EQUATIONS - Abstract
A series of tests on cold-formed high-strength stainless steel square and rectangular hollow sections subjected to web crippling is presented in this paper. The types of stainless steel investigated in this study were high strength austenitic and duplex material. The measured web slenderness value of the hollow sections ranged from 16.5 to 49.7. The tests were carried out under four loading conditions considered in the American Specification and Australian/New Zealand Standard for cold-formed stainless steel structures, namely end-one-flange, interior-one-flange, end-two-flange, and interior-two-flange loading conditions. The web crippling test strengths were compared with the design strengths obtained using the American, Australian/New Zealand, and European Specifications for stainless steel structures. In addition, the North American Specification for cold-formed carbon steel structural members was also used to predict the web crippling strengths and compared with the test results. It is shown that the design strengths predicted by the specifications are either unconservative or very conservative. Hence, a unified web crippling equation with new coefficients for cold-formed high strength stainless steel square and rectangular hollow sections is proposed in this paper. It is shown that the proposed web crippling equation is safe and reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Education and Training in Breast Cancer Surgery in Europe.
- Author
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Wyld, Lynda, Rubio, Isabel T., and Kovacs, Tibor
- Subjects
BREAST cancer prognosis ,EDUCATION of surgeons ,BREAST tumors ,CANCER patients ,GYNECOLOGY ,PLASTIC surgery ,SURVIVAL - Abstract
Background: The substantial increase in the complexity of breast cancer care in the last few decades has resulted in significant improvements in survival rates and also in the quality of life of breast cancer survivors. However, across Europe there are variations in outcomes and access to the latest techniques. Whilst much of this variance is due to differences in health economies between European member states, training variation may also play a part. Training in breast cancer surgery varies greatly across Europe, not only in its basal discipline (general surgery, gynaecology or plastic surgery) but also in the length of training and whether there is any requirement for specialist training. Several countries have been leading the way in training breast specialist surgeons (the USA, the UK, Australia and New Zealand) with dedicated 1- or 2-year fellowships either within or in addition to standard training. Access to such training is limited and consequently many women in Europe are still treated by generalists, potentially denying them access to the best care. This paper reviews the issues surrounding training provision in breast surgery and some of the challenges which need to be addressed to improve the current situation. Summary: Breast surgery training in Europe is of variable quality and duration, which may result in variations in the quality of care received by patients with breast cancer. Specialist training standards are urgently required which should be adopted by all European member states. Excellent models are available in the USA, the UK and Australia and New Zealand on which to base this training. Key Messages: The quality of training in breast surgery needs to be upgraded and harmonised across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Turning off the tap
- Author
-
McKinlay, Tom
- Published
- 2023
44. Lone parents, health, wellbeing and welfare to work: a systematic review of qualitative studies.
- Author
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Campbell, Mhairi, Thomson, Hilary, Fenton, Candida, and Gibson, Marcia
- Subjects
SINGLE parents ,QUALITATIVE research ,POVERTY rate ,HIGH-income countries ,COMPARATIVE studies ,EMPLOYMENT ,HEALTH status indicators ,RESEARCH methodology ,MEDICAL cooperation ,POVERTY ,PUBLIC welfare ,RESEARCH ,RESEARCH funding ,SYSTEMATIC reviews ,EVALUATION research - Abstract
Background: Lone parents and their children experience higher than average levels of adverse health and social outcomes, much of which are explained by high rates of poverty. Many high income countries have attempted to address high poverty rates by introducing employment requirements for lone parents in receipt of welfare benefits. However, there is evidence that employment may not reduce poverty or improve the health of lone parents and their children.Methods: We conducted a systematic review of qualitative studies reporting lone parents' accounts of participation in welfare to work (WtW), to identify explanations and possible mechanisms for the impacts of WtW on health and wellbeing. Twenty one bibliographic databases were searched. Two reviewers independently screened references and assessed study quality. Studies from any high income country that met the criteria of focussing on lone parents, mandatory WtW interventions, and health or wellbeing were included. Thematic synthesis was used to investigate analytic themes between studies.Results: Screening of the 4703 identified papers and quality assessment resulted in the inclusion of 16 qualitative studies of WtW in five high income countries, USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, covering a variety of welfare regimes. Our synthesis found that WtW requirements often conflicted with child care responsibilities. Available employment was often poorly paid and precarious. Adverse health impacts, such as increased stress, fatigue, and depression were commonly reported, though employment and appropriate training was linked to increased self-worth for some. WtW appeared to influence health through the pathways of conflict and control, analytical themes which emerged during synthesis. WtW reduced control over the nature of employment and care of children. Access to social support allowed some lone parents to manage the conflict associated with employment, and to increase control over their circumstances, with potentially beneficial health impacts.Conclusion: WtW can result in increased conflict and reduced control, which may lead to negative impacts on mental health. Availability of social support may mediate the negative health impacts of WtW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. The Gendering of Mathematics among Facebook Users in English Speaking Countries
- Author
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Forgasz, Helen, Leder, Gilah, and Tan, Hazel
- Abstract
Using an innovative recruitment tool, the social network site Facebook, survey data were gathered from samples of the Australian general public and from around the world. Views on the gendering of mathematics, science, and ICT were gathered. In this paper we report the findings from six of the 15 questions on the survey, and only from respondents in predominantly English-speaking countries. The findings reveal that the majority was not gender-stereotyped about mathematics and related careers. However, if a gendered view was held, it was overwhelming to endorse the male stereotype. Male respondents' views were more strongly gendered than were females'. [For the complete proceedings, see ED585874.]
- Published
- 2011
46. Going beyond Technological Affordances -- Assessing Organizational and Socio-Interactional Affordances
- Author
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Lainema, Kirsi, Lainema, Timo, Hämäläinen, Raija, and Heinonen, Kirsi
- Abstract
Analysis of the applicability of a learning technology requires evaluating how the affordances of the technology respond to the users' needs. We examine affordances of a digital learning environment. We concentrate on organizational and socio-interactional affordances, which are based on technological affordances. The analysis shows how organizational and socio-interactional affordances emerge from the use of technological affordances. We offer an analytical understanding of the dynamics of various kinds of affordances and how they can be assessed to help educators to better understand how the learning process and the use of affordances can be facilitated and supported. [For the complete proceedings, see ED608557.]
- Published
- 2019
47. Transferability of practitioner-focused civil engineering capstone design courses: An analysis for a US and New Zealand approach.
- Author
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Milke, M. W., Paul, M. J., and Koorey, G. F.
- Subjects
CIVIL engineering education ,HIGHER education ,CAPSTONE courses ,ENGINEERING design education in universities & colleges ,COLLEGE curriculum ,UNIVERSITIES & colleges - Abstract
If any engineering courses are unlikely to be transferable between Australasian and overseas universities, one could argue that civil engineering capstone design courses with a strong practical engineering focus would be the least likely. This analysis considers two capstone design courses in the US and New Zealand. The analysis examines the approaches each university has taken to improve design education through simulating professional practice. The two approaches are superficially very different with different course structure and course requirements. In addition the emphasis on site and project, and the consequent dependence on country-specific matters related to regulation and codes, would lead one to expect low transferability. Closer analysis shows that the learning objectives of the courses are relatively similar and that the relationship between site and design are key for both. The challenges faced by the two approaches have much in common, reflecting similar student experiences, and so high transferability. The paper provides details on learning objectives and challenges faced at the two programs to aid others who wish to analyse capstone design experiences across multiple universities. The conclusion is that transferability between these two design experiences is high. The implication is that, through similar forces for educational change in both countries, internationalisation of engineering education is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Emotional Epistemologies and Educational Leadership: A Conceptual Framework.
- Author
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Beatty, Brenda Ruth
- Abstract
This conceptual framework is grounded in the data analysis of transcribed interviews with 50 Ontario teachers and the text of a 7-month online discussion group among 25 principals from England, Ireland, Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Both methods were employed with the stated purpose of understanding emotional experiences of educational leadership. A normative professional silence about emotion renders inner-emotional processes largely unacknowledged in the legitimate discourses of educational leadership research, theory, and practice. Like cognitive processes, emotional ways of knowing also affect our experience of self, the ways we engage with others, our public image, our comfort with ambiguity, our level of need for control, the ways we experience leading and teaching, and our sense of moral community. Cognitive epistemological frameworks have conceptualized "connection" as important for developing more complex forms of thinking. This paper proposes that emotional ways of knowing are also epistemological. It argues that emotional epistemologies work in ways similar to cognitive processes. In this conception of emotional epistemologies are the themes of silence, authority, connection, and context that emerged as central to these teachers' and leaders' emotional meaning-making systems. The model suggests that emotional epistemologies can function differently in different contexts and become open to transformation and development. (Contains 71 references.)(RT)
- Published
- 2002
49. Addressing the Digital Divide.
- Author
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Cullen, Rowena
- Abstract
The phrase, "digital divide," has been applied to the gap that exists in most countries between those with ready access to the tools of information and communication technologies and the knowledge that they provide access to, and those without such access or skills. This gap may be because of socio-economic, geographical, educational, attitudinal, or generational factors, or it may be through physical disabilities. A further gap between the developed and underdeveloped world in the uptake of technology is evident within the global community and may be of even greater significance. This paper examines a number of these issues at the national level in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand, looking for evidence of the digital divide, assessing factors that contribute to it, and evaluating strategies that can help reduce it. The relevance of these strategies to developing countries, strategies for reducing the international digital divide, and the role of libraries in reducing the digital divide at the national and global level are also explored. (Contains 14 references.) (Author/MES)
- Published
- 2001
50. The Distinction between Mathematics and Spatial Reasoning in Assessment: Do STEM Educators and Cognitive Psychologists Agree?
- Author
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Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, Harris, Danielle, and Lowrie, Tom
- Abstract
Mathematics in Australia specifies spatial reasoning as a general capability within the curriculum. However, psychological research to date limits spatial assessment to psychometric tests leaving little room for a well-defined spatial curriculum. Although there are clear relationships between mathematics and spatial thinking, the independence in the measurement of the two constructs in research literature is rarely explored. In the present study, professionals in the fields of STEM Education and Cognitive Psychology evaluated mathematics and spatial assessment items. The results show evidence for a distinction between the two constructs in the content of the items, however with a caveat that thoughtful selection of assessment items is crucial to ensure independence in the measures.
- Published
- 2018
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