Background: No spine-specific educational tool has been developed using input from all relevant stakeholders, including patients. Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the information needs of lumbar microdiscectomy patients. Methods: Qualitative methods with thematic analysis was used. Focus groups were conducted with: 1) preoperative microdiscectomy patients; 2) postoperative microdiscectomy patients; 3) spine surgeons; 4) spine fellows; 5) orthopaedic surgery residents; 6) anesthesiologists; 7) surgeons’ administrative assistants; and, 8) preoperative assessment team. Results: Major information needs were related to: anesthesia, surgical procedure details and postoperative course. Patients desire information on postoperative course much more than surgeons perceive. Desired attributes of information tools as well as patient factors that influence the extent of information shared by surgeons were determined. Information resources should be given to patients as soon as they are deemed surgical candidates. Conclusions: Microdiscectomy patients desire more information than currently provided to them – in particular postoperative-related information.

Background: No spine-specific educational tool has been developed using input from all relevant stakeholders, including patients. Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the information needs of lumbar microdiscectomy patients. Methods: Qualitative methods with thematic analysis was used. Focus groups were conducted with: 1) preoperative microdiscectomy patients; 2) postoperative microdiscectomy patients; 3) spine surgeons; 4) spine fellows; 5) orthopaedic surgery residents; 6) anesthesiologists; 7) surgeons’ administrative assistants; and, 8) preoperative assessment team. Results: Major information needs were related to: anesthesia, surgical procedure details and postoperative course. Patients desire information on postoperative course much more than surgeons perceive. Desired attributes of information tools as well as patient factors that influence the extent of information shared by surgeons were determined. Information resources should be given to patients as soon as they are deemed surgical candidates. Conclusions: Microdiscectomy patients desire more information than currently provided to them – in particular postoperative-related information.

The thesis deals with the use of equipment and tools in physical education at the first grade of primary school. The theoretical section is devoted to the content of gymnastic lessons, its history, equipment and tools used in lessons, importance and kinds of equipment and tools utilized. All this is complemented by recently introduced equipment and tools, which are available. Besides, I have specified methods of their use in day to day education. In the Investigation and Research section, I have used questionnaires and to complementary technique controlled interviews with teachers of gymnastics and also with vendors selling of equipment and tools. By using above mentioned methods, I discovered that teachers use gymnastic equipment and tools in almost every lesson despite all obstacles to exercise an ideal gymnastic lesson. The biggest obstacles in day to day life to a ideal gymnastic lesson are small gyms, the low number of available equipment and tools, limited number of lessons and especially resulting from limited financial resources to overcome those problems. KEYWORDS equipment, tools, use, physical education, primary school, school

No description available.

O uso de novas tecnologias, do computador e da internet na educação viabiliza o estudo de uma nova maneira de transmissão de conhecimento. Um novo modelo de ensino-aprendizagem está se impondo no mundo inteiro. Ele é conhecido como Educação a Distância que se propõe em estender os sistemas educativos formais nos seus diferentes níveis aos setores da população que não possuem acesso aos mesmos. Com a necessidade desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa com o objetivo de criar uma ferramenta de ensino a distância (protótipo) para ensinar engenharia, mas poderia ser utilizada por cursos de qualquer área. Como exemplo e caso prático, utilizou-se uma disciplina na área de Engenharia de Produção \"Técnicas de Seqüenciamento e Programação de Operações em Máquinas\" para auxiliar no aprendizado e na aplicação das técnicas de programação da produção podendo ser aplicado na área acadêmica ou nas indústrias surgindo assim o PONet. / The use of new technologies, of the computer and internet on education make possible the study of a new way of knowledge transmission. A new model of teach-learning have been imposed worldwide. It is known as Distance Education that it considers in extending the formal educative systems in different levels to the sectors of the population that do not possess access to the same ones. With the necessity it was developed a research with the objective to create a distance education tool (archetype) to teach engineering but it could be used by courses of any area. As practical example and case it was used a discipline in the area of production engineering \"Techniques of Sequencing and Scheduling in Machines\" to assist in the learning and in the application of the programming techniques in the production, being able to be applied in the academic area or in the industries thus appearing the PONet.

O uso de novas tecnologias, do computador e da internet na educação viabiliza o estudo de uma nova maneira de transmissão de conhecimento. Um novo modelo de ensino-aprendizagem está se impondo no mundo inteiro. Ele é conhecido como Educação a Distância que se propõe em estender os sistemas educativos formais nos seus diferentes níveis aos setores da população que não possuem acesso aos mesmos. Com a necessidade desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa com o objetivo de criar uma ferramenta de ensino a distância (protótipo) para ensinar engenharia, mas poderia ser utilizada por cursos de qualquer área. Como exemplo e caso prático, utilizou-se uma disciplina na área de Engenharia de Produção \"Técnicas de Seqüenciamento e Programação de Operações em Máquinas\" para auxiliar no aprendizado e na aplicação das técnicas de programação da produção podendo ser aplicado na área acadêmica ou nas indústrias surgindo assim o PONet. / The use of new technologies, of the computer and internet on education make possible the study of a new way of knowledge transmission. A new model of teach-learning have been imposed worldwide. It is known as Distance Education that it considers in extending the formal educative systems in different levels to the sectors of the population that do not possess access to the same ones. With the necessity it was developed a research with the objective to create a distance education tool (archetype) to teach engineering but it could be used by courses of any area. As practical example and case it was used a discipline in the area of production engineering \"Techniques of Sequencing and Scheduling in Machines\" to assist in the learning and in the application of the programming techniques in the production, being able to be applied in the academic area or in the industries thus appearing the PONet.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Masters of Applied Science in Food and Nutrition, Durban University of Technology, 2015. / AIM: The aim of the study was to identify the need, develop, implement and determine the effect of a Grade R Nutrition Education Programme (NEP) in order to make recommendations to the South African Department of Basic Education (DBE) to include an effective NEP in the pre-primary school education curriculum. OBJECTIVES: The objectives for this study is in two phases, The objective of the baseline study was to assess the need for nutrition education (NE) in Grade R in suburban areas of Durban and identify the most suitable nutrition education tools (NETs) for this age group. For the intervention study the objectives were 1) to develop a nutrition knowledge questionnaire (NKQ) to determine the existing nutrition knowledge of Grade R learners in suburban government and private schools in Durban, 2) to develop a nutrition education programme (NEP) for Grade R based on the South African Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) and the food groups, 3) to implement the NEP in Grade R in a government and private school, 4) to determine the effect of the NEP on the retention of FBDGs (Section one) and food group (Section two) knowledge, and 5) to compare the results between the control group (CG) and the government (EGG) and private (EPG) experimental school groups, and between genders. METHODS: A self-administered nutrition education needs questionnaire was completed by 20 Grade R teachers in Durban suburban schools. Nutrition education material was identified based on the results from the pilot study and a Nutrition education programme developed. The classroom-based intervention study involved 120 Grade R learners in three schools, two experimental schools: government (n=37) and private (n=40), with a control school (n=43), with 35 percent (n= 42) male and 65 percent (n=78) female participants, ranging in age from five to seven years. A validated questionnaire assessed baseline nutrition knowledge of these children. A qualified foundation phase teacher was trained to implement the NEP. The experimental school groups received eight one hour nutrition education (NE) lessons over an eight week period; the control group did not receive any NE. During the lesson firstly theory was covered then the children worked on the related fun activities in the Healthy Eating Activity Book (HEAB) and lastly involved in the nutrition educational games. These included a food group plate puzzles, a NEP board game, a card game and ‘My little story books’. A post-test determined the impact of the intervention. RESULTS: The baseline study confirmed the need for NE in Grade R and identified suitable NETs that were used in the intervention. At pre-test, the nutrition knowledge of Grade R children in the two experimental groups (EG) and one CG was very similar with knowledge of FBDGs greater than knowledge relating to the food groups. Both Grade R EGs showed a significant increase in knowledge for the whole test immediately after the intervention with the CG, achieving similar post-to pre-test results. The intervention had a significant impact on nutrition knowledge of Grade R children in both experimental schools (EGG p=0.004 and EPG p=0.001). The EPG were most knowledgeable regarding FBDGs with no significant difference in knowledge of the EGG. Food group knowledge in all schools was poor at baseline and the NEP resulted in the EGG obtaining the highest post-test results. Post-intervention for the whole test the EGG were marginally (0.80 percent) more knowledgeable than the EPG. The knowledge of boys and girls were very similar in pre-and post-test results. However, the boys were fractionally more knowledgeable than the girls in relation to the whole post-test. In Section two, relating to food group knowledge, girls were slightly more knowledgeable than boys although both genders lacked knowledge in relation to which foods belonged to a particular food group. CONCLUSION: The primary aim of formal NE was met as the statistical significance between the CG and experimental group post-test results was evident in the majority of Section one questions and in all questions in Section two. The NEP resulted in similar increase in knowledge of Grade R learners in the government and private experimental school groups in Durban. In addition, the boys and girls showed a minimal difference in nutrition knowledge.

<p dir="ltr">The present era of industrial growth, along with the rise in big data, has led to an increase in the demand for data-savvy professionals employing visualization techniques and software to fully leverage the value of this data. Since data visualization is an expansive and intricate field, it leads to challenges for novice learners as they seek to understand it. The Data Visualization Capacity (DVC) Tool is an online learning platform designed to enhance data visualization literacy amongst learners. The DVC Tool encompasses fundamental principles and techniques essential for proficient data visualization, by including external resources, quizzes, and tutorials in a distance-based modular format.</p><p dir="ltr">This study investigates the usability of the DVC Tool using a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative analysis of Google Analytics data, System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaires, and qualitative insights from usability testing sessions and interviews. The research aims to assess the effectiveness of the DVC Tool across diverse user profiles and identify strategies for optimizing user experience. User studies were conducted with participants from various backgrounds and experience in data visualization to gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the DVC Tool, as well as gain recommendations for effective learning strategies and user experience design. The findings reveal a high overall usability rating for the DVC Tool, with users from various educational backgrounds and levels of expertise expressing satisfaction with its functionality and organization. The SUS usability scores indicate a mean usability score of 81.8, highlighting the tool's effectiveness in providing a user-friendly learning experience for all users across diverse profiles. Interviews also give insight into the importance of clear organization, visual aids, and custom learning plans to enhance the learning experience of the student.</p><p dir="ltr">In general, this research contributes to the advancement of data visualization education by providing insights into effective instructional strategies and components of digital learning platforms. The findings offer practical implications for educators and developers looking to enhance data visualization literacy among learners, while also addressing theoretical gaps in usability research within the field.</p>