Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Interprofessional education and practice is a collaborative approach in equipping health professional students with the skills to become effective team members to improve patient outcomes. This research study used a grounded theory approach to identify the communication characteristics and behaviors that influenced a team’s communication effectiveness. Two-hundred and twenty-two students participated in an interprofessional simulation at a Midwestern university. Ninety-two standardized patients assessed the students’ communication skills and their ability to collaborate as a team using a CARE Patient Feedback form, which served as data for the study. The study found four characteristics of effective interprofessional team experiences: aware of the patient’s situation, participate in the interaction equally, create a safe space, and nurture and strengthen a relationship. Students demonstrated an increase in communication effectiveness between encounter one and two; teams worked collaboratively rather than individually; students demonstrated five of the eight IPEC communication competencies; and negative and positive behaviors had a significant impact on patient outcomes. This study informs educators the need for repeated exposure of interprofessional practice experiences, such as simulation activities. These opportunities allow students to practice, learn, and refine their communication skills before entering their clinical practice.

Objective. To describe an interprofessional communication course in an academic health sciences center and to evaluate and compare interpersonal and interprofessional communication self-efficacy beliefs of medical, nursing, and pharmacy students before and after course participation, using Bandura’s self-efficacy theory as a guiding framework. Design. First-year nursing (n=36), first-year medical (n=73), and second-year pharmacy students (n=83) enrolled in an interprofessional communication skills development course voluntarily completed a 33-item survey instrument based on Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) core competencies prior to and upon completion of the course during the fall semester of 2012. Assessment. Nursing students entered the course with higher interpersonal and interprofessional communication self-efficacy beliefs compared to medical and pharmacy students. Pharmacy students, in particular, noted significant improvements in communication self-efficacy beliefs across multiple domains postcourse. Conclusion. Completion of an interprofessional communications course was associated with a positive impact on health professions students’ interpersonal and interprofessional communication self-efficacy beliefs.

Developing writing as a key communication skill Abstract The thesis focuses on the development of writing, with special emphasis being put on the mandatory written essay that is required as a part of the foreign language maturita exam. The opening chapters introduce the definition of writing skill and theoretically propose ways to improve and develop the skill, as well as examine the factors that influence its quality. Further methods and approaches centered on writing are suggested to be utilised in lessons. Furthermore, RWCT methods along with creative writing techniques are presented. These particular methods are observed in the research following two control groups of students and their writing skills development. The aim was to juxtapose and compare the groups in question, with one of the groups being subjected to alternative methods. It also aims to analyse a textbook in terms of featured exercises in regards to the writing skill development. A presentation of suitable activities that could be used in classes to improve the quality of writing is an essential part of the thesis, as well as the examination of related curricular documents in the Czech educational system, especially concerning the maturita exam. Keywords: communication skills, writing as a productive skill, German language writing...

Matematik har ett unikt ämnesspråk som elever behöver behärska både skriftligt som muntligt. Brister i den muntliga matematiska kommunikationsförmågan bidrar till att elever med matematiksvårigheter inte får godkänt betyg i matematik för årskurs 9. Dessa elever behöver hjälp och stöd från sin omgivning för att inte riskera att bli underkända. Denna studie har genomförts med syftet att skildra och analysera matematiklärares syn på stödjande faktorer för elever med matematiksvårigheter med fokus på den muntliga matematiska kommunikationsförmågan. Som metod har en innehållsanalytisk forskningsansats med induktiv tematiseringsmetodik använts och studien baseras på fem semistrukturerade intervjuer. Matematiklärares synsätt har bedömts vara möjliga att skildras och analyseras genom följande sex teman: 1. Balansen mellan muntlig och skriftlig kommunikation 2. Den muntliga kommunikationsförmågans beståndsdelar 3. Aktiviteter baserade på elevernas behov 4. Stödjande lärandemiljö för eleven 5. Elevens deltagande i matematiska diskussioner 6. Samarbete med föräldrar De intervjuade lärarna är eniga om att elever med matematiksvårigheter behöver anpassningar av innehåll och kunskapsmål för den muntliga matematiska förmågan. Det råder dock ingen enighet i lärares syn på adekvata mål och innehåll, utan detta anses vara ett resultat av en mängd faktorer såsom elevernas förkunskaper, lärares tolkning av läroplanen, den skriftliga tyngdpunkten i matematik, få bedömningsmoment för den muntliga förmågan, stress och tidsbrist samt den mindre bra tillgången på specialpedagoger. Elever med matematik‐svårigheter behöver även få stöd i det sammanhang som de befinner sig i. Detta anser lärare kan hanteras genom att antingen blanda sammanhanget med olikheter i kunskap hos elever eller se till att elever med matematiksvårigheter får samarbeta med elever de känner sig trygga med. Lärare försöker även stödja eleverna med styrning, kontroll och ordning, vilket kan förklaras av att dessa elever upplevs gå igenom tonåren. Läraren gör en subjektiv bedömning av elevernas behov av styrning och detta slår då igenom på elevernas möjligheter att få vara med och påverka i olika grad. Lärare har vidare olika förväntningar på elevernas prestationer i ett deltagande, där vissa lärare anser att eleverna ska prestera varmed vissa nöjer sig med ett deltagande. Lärare har således olika fokus för dessa elever – antingen kunskapsmål eller värdemål. Det sista temat berör lärares syn på samarbetet med föräldrarna. Vissa lärare upplevs tro att denna kontakt bidrar positivt varmed andra inte har tolkats riktigt ha samma övertygelse. / Mathematics has a unique subject language that students need to master in writing as well as verbally. Shortcomings in the oral mathematical communication capacity contribute to the fact that students with mathematical difficulties do not receive an approved grade in mathematics for grade 9. These students need help and support from their environment in order not to risk being disapproved. This study has been conducted with the purpose of portraying and analyzing mathematics teachers' views on supportive factors for students with mathematical difficulties focusing on oral mathematical communication skills. As a method, a content analytical research approach with inductive thematic methodology has been used and the study is based on five semi structured interviews. Mathematics teachers' views have been judged to be possible to be depicted and analyzed by the following six themes: 1. The balance between oral and written communication 2. The oral mathematical communications skills components 3. Activities based on the students' needs 4. Supporting learning environment for the student 5. The student's participation in mathematical discussions 6. Cooperation with the parents Teachers agree that students with mathematical difficulties need adaptations of content and knowledge objectives for oral mathematical ability. However, there is no unanimity in the teacher's view of adequate goals and content, but this is considered being the result of a variety of factors such as the student's knowledge, teacher's interpretation of the curriculum, the written focus in mathematics, the lack of adequate situations to assess oral capacity, stress and time shortages and the less good availability of special educators. Students with mathematical difficulties also need support in the context they are in. This believes teachers can be managed by either blending the context of differences in student knowledge or ensuring that students with mathematical difficulties interact with friends who they feel safe interacting with. Teachers also try to support the students with control, control and order, which can be explained by the fact that these students experience through their teens. The teacher makes a subjective assessment of the students' need for governance, and this then paves the way for the students to participate and influence in different ways. Teachers also have different expectations of student performance in a participation, where some teachers believe that the students are performing, with which some people are content with a participation. Teachers thus have different focus on these students ‐ either knowledge or value goals. The last theme concerns teachers' views on cooperation with the parents. Some teachers are interpreted believing that this contact contributes positively whereas others have not been interpreted having the same beliefs.

В современном мире, благодаря процессам активного роста культурных контактов и взаимодействий между разными народами и странами, все большую актуальность приобретают проблемы взаимопонимания и взаимоуважения. Умение построения межкультурных коммуникаций, основанных на знании культурных ценностей и традиций других народов, становится актуальным навыком. Внедрение в конце XX века в отечественную систему образования преподавания такого предмета, как межкультурная коммуникация, было обоснованным и своевременным шагом. Этот предмет дает возможность изучить и понять, что такое культура, коммуникация, раскрывает особенности межкультурного взаимодействия и важность навыков общения с представителями других культур, как на обыденном, так и на профессиональном уровне. В связи с этим, в большинство образовательных программ высших учебных заведений включен ряд навыков и компетенций, связанных с межкультурной коммуникацией, которыми должны обладать будущие выпускники. Например, «владение навыками социокультурной и межкультурной коммуникации, обеспечивающими адекватность социальных и профессиональных контактов, готовность преодолевать влияние стереотипов и осуществлять межкультурный диалог в общей и профессиональной сферах общения, формирования коммуникативной и межкультурной компетенции обучающихся» [44]. Данная работа посвящена исследованию вопроса актуальности обучения навыкам межкультурной коммуникации с представителями восточных культур. Для Российской Федерации этот вопрос особенно важен, так как на протяжении многих лет наше государство поддерживает дружественные отношения и сотрудничает со странами Востока. В качестве примера в данной работе рассматриваются добрососедские, дружественные отношения стратегического партнерства с Китаем, показана важность навыков межкультурной коммуникации, основанных на знании языка, культуры, традиций, этических и моральных норм китайского народа, без которых невозможно построение эффективного межкультурного взаимодействия. Наличие межкультурного компонента в процессе образования делает актуальным поиск новых педагогических и методических решений при обучении навыкам межкультурной коммуникации с представителями других культур. В данной работе рассмотрено применение современной, инновационной методики – метода сase study, при обучении навыкам межкультурной коммуникации. / In the modern world, due to the processes of active growth of cultural contacts and interactions between different peoples and countries, the problems of mutual understanding and mutual respect are becoming increasingly important. The ability to build intercultural communications based on knowledge of the cultural values and traditions of other nations is becoming an actual skill. The introduction of such a subject as intercultural communication into the domestic education system at the end of the 20th century was a reasonable and timely step. This subject provides an opportunity to study and understand what culture, communication is, reveals the features of intercultural interaction and the importance of communication skills with representatives of other cultures, both at the everyday and at the professional level. In this regard, most educational programs of higher educational institutions include a number of skills and competencies related to intercultural communication that future graduates should possess. For example, “possession of sociocultural and intercultural communication skills that ensure the adequacy of social and professional contacts, the willingness to overcome the influence of stereotypes and carry out intercultural dialogue in the general and professional spheres of communication, the formation of communicative and intercultural competence of students” [44]. This work is devoted to the study of the relevance of teaching the skills of intercultural communication with representatives of Eastern cultures. For the Russian Federation, this issue is especially important, since for many years our state has maintained friendly relations and cooperated with the countries of the East. As an example, this paper considers good-neighbourly, friendly relations of strategic partnership with China, shows the importance of intercultural communication skills based on knowledge of the language, culture, traditions, ethical and moral norms of the Chinese people, without which it is impossible to build effective intercultural interaction. The presence of an intercultural component in the education process makes it relevant to search for new pedagogical and methodological solutions in teaching the skills of intercultural communication with representatives of other cultures. This paper considers the use of a modern, innovative methodology - the case study method, when teaching intercultural communication skills.

The purpose of the research is to explore social workers' listening skills pertaining to listening as communication skill during an experimental social work interview. The research methodology comprised unique application of a social work interview. A sample of five participating social workers was invited to listen to a video recording of a social work interview requesting them to identify information presented by the client through observation and listening by applying a set of predetermined theoretical conversation elements. The participation and involvement of participating social workers during the listening experiment was video recorded for subsequent evaluation. The conclusion reached from research findings indicates that the unique approach adopted by participating social workers' achieved mixed results towards hypothetic assistance offered to the experimental client. The researcher recommends that social workers be developed and trained in the art of maintaining effective listening skills during social work interviews to improve assistance to clients. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Work)

研究目的：欲瞭解自閉症類疾患兒童，橫跨幼兒期、學齡前期至學齡期的自閉症狀發展軌跡，探究當中是否存有不同的發展軌跡，並檢視不同發展軌跡的群體在認知功能與適應行為隨時間的變化型態是否有差異，以及不同群體在早期的社會溝通能力或療育經驗上是否有差異。 方法：本研究有37名自閉症類與24位非自閉症類受試者納入分析，共測量三次：時間點一平均生理年齡為2歲半、時間點二為4歲、時間點三為8歲半。於三個時間點皆以自閉症診斷觀察量表評估自閉症狀嚴重度、以及穆林發展量表或魏氏兒童智力量表第四版評估認知功能，在時間點二與時間點三以文蘭適應行為量表第二版評估適應行為；另外，在時間點一以台灣版兩歲期自閉症篩檢工具評估社會溝通能力，以及在時間點一至時間點二之間，以電話訪問的方式紀錄兒童每週參與療育的時數。 結果：由階層式集群分析結果顯示，社交情感嚴重度校正分數可將自閉症類與非自閉症類兒童分群，並於自閉症類兒童中可再分為維持高嚴重度組與退步組。兩組自閉症類兒童於學齡時期在社交情感症狀皆呈現嚴重度明顯上升的趨勢，在認知功能與適應行為隨時間的變化型態相似，不過維持高嚴重度組在認知功能與適應行為有較低的分數（但未達統計顯著）。此外，兩組自閉症類兒童於時間點一的意圖溝通能力即有差異，不過僅共享式注意力可預測日後社交情感症狀發展軌跡之分群。 總結：由結果可見自閉症狀維持高嚴重度組，於認知功能與適應行為有較明顯缺損，推論自閉症類兒童的自閉症狀嚴重度與認知功能及適應行為並非完全獨立的變項。兩組自閉症類兒童於學齡期症狀嚴重度上升，而此趨勢在退步組兒童更為明顯。雖然本研究並未發現早期療育經驗對於社交情感症狀發展的影響，不過共享式注意力對於日後社交情感症狀有預測力。進一步討論此結果在理論與臨床實務上的應用。 / Purposes: the purpose of the study was to plot longitudinal developmental trajectories of autism symptom severity in the children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) from toddler age to school age. And to examine whether these different trajectories are associated with the cognitive function, adaptive behavior, early social communication skill, and early intervention experience. Methods: Thirty-seven children with ASDs and 24 children with developmental delay participated at time 1 (mean chronological age was 2.5 years old), and then followed at time 2 (mean chronological age was 4 years old) and time 3 (mean chronological age was 8.5 years old). The study assessed the autism symptom severity by ADOS and cognitive function by MSEL or WISC-Ⅳ at three time points; adaptive behavior by VABS-II at time 2 and time 3; and early social communication skills by T-STAT at time 1 and also used telephone interviews to record participants’ weekly intervention hours during time 1 to time 2. Results: In hierarchical cluster analysis, social affect calibrated severity score (CSS) could discriminate ASDs and Non-ASDs groups, also could divided ASDs into two groups, called persistent high and worsening groups. The social affect symptom severity increased at school age in both groups. On the other hand, the change of cognitive function and adaptive behavior with time showed similar pattern in the two groups. However, participants in the persistent high group have relatively lower scores of cognitive function and adaptive behavior, although did not rearch statistically significant. Furthermore, two ASDs groups at toddler showed difference in intention communication skills; however, only joint attention could predict social affect trajectory subgrouping. Conclusions: In summery, the study showed that persistent high group has more cognitive and adaptive function impairments than the worsening group in the children with ASDs. It seemed that the autistic symptom are not entirely independent with cognitive function and adaptive behavior. Moreover, the symptom severity increased at school age in both the persistent high and the worsening groups, and this trend was more significant in the worsening group. Additionally, the experience of early intervention showed no significant effects on developmental trajectories of social affect symptom; however, the joint attention was found to be an index to predict the development of social affect symptom in ASDs groups. The theoretical and clinical implications were discussed.

The social web has emerged concurrent with a decline in Americans' community involvement and number of close friendships. Hundreds of millions of people connect online, but they appear to have fewer confidants and trust each other less. However, contrasting research finds that web users have better social integration and stronger relationships than their offline counterparts. This thesis resolves these contradictory views through a detailed examination of social network site (SNS) use and changes in relationships and individual well-being. The research is conducted at multiple levels looking at how different types of SNS use—direct interaction with others and more “passive consumption” of social news—influence the number and quality of individuals’ social ties and their aggregate social capital and well-being, including perceived social support, happiness, and physical health. The studies combine objective measures of SNS use (communication activity from the server logs of a popular social networking site) with self-reports of tie strength and well-being to accurately differentiate types of use with different partners. Longitudinal methods reveal how well-being changes over time with SNS use and are moderated by personal characteristics such as social communication skill and recent job loss.

The purpose of the research is to explore social workers' listening skills pertaining to listening as communication skill during an experimental social work interview. The research methodology comprised unique application of a social work interview. A sample of five participating social workers was invited to listen to a video recording of a social work interview requesting them to identify information presented by the client through observation and listening by applying a set of predetermined theoretical conversation elements. The participation and involvement of participating social workers during the listening experiment was video recorded for subsequent evaluation. The conclusion reached from research findings indicates that the unique approach adopted by participating social workers' achieved mixed results towards hypothetic assistance offered to the experimental client. The researcher recommends that social workers be developed and trained in the art of maintaining effective listening skills during social work interviews to improve assistance to clients. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Work)