On the Nonsmooth,Nonconstant Velocity of Braille Reading and Reversals

Relative to print reading, braille-reading finger movements are held to be of more constant speed, with continuous and exhaustive contact with all words. However, the continuity of movements is intermittent in two distinct ways: (a) readers reverse direction and reread material already encountered and (b) the continual fluctuations of velocity between phases of acceleration and deceleration. We analyze recordings of experienced readers’ encounters with ambiguous sentences predicted to encourage more reversals, and we undertake comparative kinematic analyses of the finger movements during such reading. The data suggest that when reversals are initiated and where they are targeted reflect language-processing demands. However, their kinematic properties are not qualitatively different from those of forward reading. We conclude that how readers of braille move the reading finger—both forward and in reverse—is primarily influenced by the control properties of low-velocity movements and only secondarily by language properties.     

Scaling up comprehensive sexuality education in Nigeria: from national policy to nationwide application

Nigeria is one of few countries that reports having translated national policies on school-based comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) into near-nationwide implementation. We analysed data using the World Health Organization-ExpandNet framework, which provides a systematic structure for planning and managing the scaling up of health innovations. We examined how Nigeria's nationwide programme was designed and executed. Since 2002, Nigeria has developed a well thought through strategy to scale up CSE. Crucial attributes that facilitated the scaling up included technical consensus about the innovation and clarity about its components, dissection of a complex intervention into manageable components for implementation by organisations with complementary expertise, strong political leadership and championship in concert with advocacy and technical support from non-governmental organisations, proactive and energetic involvement of community stakeholders, effective programme management, and improvements to the information management system to ensure on-track implementation and mid-course corrections to keep stakeholders, including funders, informed and engaged. Challenges included programmatic values, competing priorities for available human resources and a lack of predictable funding for sustaining a rapid scale-up effort. Despite some weaknesses, implementation has largely proceeded according to plan. The lessons learned from Nigeria's experience can and should be used in other settings to achieve wide-scale coverage.     

Combining fiber dissection,plastination, and tractography for neuroanatomical education: Revealing the cerebellar nuclei and their white matter connections

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in white matter anatomy of the human brain. With advances in brain imaging techniques, the significance of white matter integrity for brain function has been demonstrated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders. As the demand for interpretation of clinical and imaging data on white matter increases, the needs for white matter anatomy education are changing. Because cross‐sectional images and formalin‐fixed brain specimens are often insufficient in visualizing the complexity of three‐dimensional (3D) white matter anatomy, obtaining a comprehensible conception of fiber tract morphology can be difficult. Fiber dissection is a technique that allows isolation of whole fiber pathways, revealing 3D structural and functional relationships of white matter in the human brain. In this study, we describe the use of fiber dissection in combination with plastination to obtain durable and easy to use 3D white matter specimens that do not require special care or conditions. The specimens can be used as a tool in teaching white matter anatomy and structural connectivity. We included four human brains and show a series of white matter specimens of both cerebrum and cerebellum focusing on the cerebellar nuclei and associated white matter tracts, as these are especially difficult to visualize in two‐dimensional specimens and demonstrate preservation of detailed human anatomy. Finally, we describe how the integration of white matter specimens with radiological information of new brain imaging techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging tractography can be used in teaching modern neuroanatomy with emphasis on structural connectivity. Anat Sci Educ. 7: 47–55. © 2013 American Association of Anatomists.     

Beyond Punnett Squares: Student Word Association and Explanations of Phenotypic Variation through an Integrative Quantitative Genetics Unit Investigating Anthocyanin Inheritance and Expression in Brassica rapa Fast Plants

Genetics instruction in introductory biology is often confined to Mendelian genetics and avoids the complexities of variation in quantitative traits. Given the driving question “What determines variation in phenotype (Pv)? (Pv=Genotypic variation Gv + environmental variation Ev),” we developed a 4-wk unit for an inquiry-based laboratory course focused on the inheritance and expression of a quantitative trait in varying environments. We utilized Brassica rapa Fast Plants as a model organism to study variation in the phenotype anthocyanin pigment intensity. As an initial curriculum assessment, we used free word association to examine students’ cognitive structures before and after the unit and explanations in students’ final research posters with particular focus on variation (Pv = Gv + Ev). Comparison of pre- and postunit word frequency revealed a shift in words and a pattern of co-occurring concepts indicative of change in cognitive structure, with particular focus on “variation” as a proposed threshold concept and primary goal for students’ explanations. Given review of 53 posters, we found ∼50% of students capable of intermediate to high-level explanations combining both Gv and Ev influence on expression of anthocyanin intensity (Pv). While far from “plug and play,” this conceptually rich, inquiry-based unit holds promise for effective integration of quantitative and Mendelian genetics.     

The analysis and treatment of child abuse by behavioural psychotherapy

The results from use of behaviour therapy with child abuse cases is very encouraging. Data has been presented to show the approach both economical and rewarding. Our experience suggests that selected social workers may be able to learn to use the approach with a relatively short period of training.     

Extending the reference desk experience: Information Resources for the Nursing Care Plan

Both nursing and library science literature discuss the information needs and information-seeking behavior of nurses. Some research has focused on information needs of nursing students, but little research is available regarding information-seeking behavior of nursing students, specifically baccalaureate nursing students. Only a few key references were identified addressing nursing students' information seeking with regard to nurse care planning. At the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, George F. Smith Library, a wide range of nursing students from those in traditional BSN programs, to students in accelerated BSN programs, to masters' nursing students of all types visit the reference desk asking direct and indirect questions involving the nursing care plan. This article highlights repeated categories of information sought by nursing students at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, George F. Smith Library via both formal and informal reference interviews. Information sought most frequently was categorized and formed the basis for a new library workshop entitled "Information Resources for the Nursing Care Plan."     

From 'Special Needs' to 'Quality Education for All': a participatory,problem-centred approach to policy development in South Africa

This paper provides insight into the unique process of education policy development in South Africa, in particular the work of the National Commission on Special Needs in Education (NCSNET) and the National Committee on Education Support Services (NCESS). The process has been characterized by a fully democratic, participatory approach ensuring maximum involvement of all stakeholders at all levels of society. In addition, the process has been problem-centred—focusing on meeting the complex challenges within a developing context. The most significant aspect of the Report of the NCSNET and NCESS is that it provides conceptualizations that reflect a break away from traditional models of special needs education. The shift in thinking from ‘special needs education’ to ‘barriers to learning and development’ has broadened the concern from a small group of learners who are vulnerable to exclusion from education to all learners who are subject to exclusionary pressures within school and community. Finally, the delays in finalizing the policy process since the release of the Report of the NCSNET and NCESS are analysed and interpreted in the light of complexities in the transformation process in South Africa.     

Discipline‐based academic development through a tripartite partnership

Abstract

This paper describes a discipline‐based academic development project based upon a tripartite relationship between departmental staff, work‐based practitioners and the central academic development unit which took place over one academic year within the Department of Physiotherapy, Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh. The purpose of the project was to discuss and debate the concept of the ‘reflective practitioner’, to develop strategies for enabling undergraduate students to be reflective, and to devise a framework for assessment of reflective practice in clinical work‐based learning. The outcomes of the project, most important of which was a change in the learning experience for students, demonstrate that academic development can be valuable and productive when undertaken as a partnership and placed in a disciplinary context. The authors identify key elements important to the success of the academic development process which should be applicable in similar situations and which could serve as guidelines for the planning and delivery of staff development through similar kinds of partnerships.