The formation of the Canyons School District brought with it unique opportunities for assessing current practice, implementing change, and evaluating the effectiveness of that change. Accordingly, this action research project served as an effective initial step in accomplishing this series of tasks. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to describe the instructional technology needs of teachers, as well as the related support efforts provided in a public school district. Data gathering methods included a district-wide needs assessment survey of school-based licensed personnel (N =1,313). Additionally, the utilization of focus group protocol on an existing district technology committee aided in refining answers to each of four research questions. Contingency tables and descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey data, while qualitative coding was implemented to identify an emerging understanding of both open-ended survey responses and focus group discussions. In the end, the constructed descriptions of needs and support informed the initial development of a five-year plan containing a shared vision for instructional technology use and sustenance throughout Canyons District schools. The results of this study have implications for professional development as a mechanism for teacher support, stakeholder priorities and how they affect support levels, equity across schools, potential changes to current support efforts in Canyons District schools, and the value of action research in informing educational and technology policy, organization, and procedure.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nursing Johannesburg, 2017 / The Hajj is widely recognized as the world’s largest and globally most diverse kind of mass gathering. This annual five day gathering takes place in the city of Mecca and includes between 2.5 and 3.5 million participants. This poses a great concern by the organizers as the risk for the spread of infectious disease due to overcrowding is greatly increased. These diseases are increasingly being recognized as a potential threat to both local and international public health systems. The lack of understanding of the infectious diseases that originate and disseminate during the Hajj was raised in the Jeddah declaration. Furthermore, despite the protective measures put in place, poor health practices from selective use of the measures by the participants contributes to the increased risks. Exploring the health information needs of the pilgrims attending Hajj, would help in knowing what is required to reduce poor health practices and simplify and improve compliance with protective measures against infectious diseases before, during and after Hajj, and this will help in minimising the spread of infectious diseases in the Hajj. The aim of this study was to explore the health information needs of the pilgrims attending Hajj in order to know what was required to reduce poor health practices and simplify and improve compliance with protective measures against infectious diseases before, during and after Hajj, and this would help in minimizing the spread of infectious diseases in the Hajj. In this study, a qualitative research design was used and focus group discussion using semi-structured questions was conducted. The members were purposely recruited and divided into four groups, two groups of males and two of females. The division of participants into focus groups was in part done in compliance with the Muslim beliefs. Data were collected using a focus group discussion with semistructured questions that was recorded using a tape recorder. These discussions were transcribed verbatim before being analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study showed that pilgrims need a holistic health educational program that addresses their experiences of illnesses and chosen format as educational pamphlets are no longer effective. The findings also revealed that collaboration, surveillance and screening of pilgrims for diseases prior to departure are useful as they help in spreading messages of health and diseases issues with simplicity and yield effective result as well as identifying those at risk of contracting infectious diseases, spreading infectious diseases and exacerbating their diseased conditions. The study recommends the use of digital technology such as an app for phone to send health information to participants and promptly identify and manage individuals who develop illness during mass gathering events like Hajj. It also recommends the incorporation of mass gathering medicine into the curriculum of Nursing program in order to effectively train and equip nurses with better preparation measures against infectious diseases during mass gatherings like Hajj / MT 2019

This study’s general purpose was to examine nontraditional students’ satisfaction with services provided by community colleges. A survey was administered to 81 Coahoma Community College students who identified themselves as nontraditional students. The Nontraditional Students’ Satisfaction survey was designed to examine the needs and satisfaction of nontraditional students. The nontraditional students at Coahoma Community College deemed getting information on financial aid opportunities, studying and test taking, computers and Internet use, job opportunities in their majors and academic tutoring as most important. The nontraditional students at Coahoma Community College deemed getting information on campus events and/or campus job opportunities as least important. In addition, the nontraditional students deemed getting advice on careers, getting advice on choosing courses, taking an active part in what goes on in their classes, having one place to go for general questions and problems, and having access to campus services and offices and/or on weekends as most important. The nontraditional students indicated participating in social activities on campus and being involved in extracurricular activities such as clubs, organizations, and student government as least important. Overall, the research data indicated that nontraditional students were satisfied with the services provided by Coahoma Community College. The nontraditional students were more satisfied with the opportunities to take an active part in what goes on in classes and instructors’ availability outside of classes. The findings suggested that there was no significant relationship between nontraditional students encountering problems and their expressions of satisfaction.

Abstract: Uppsatsen behov av sociala mötesplatser i Malmö är en kvantitativstudie med delvis öppna frågor vilket innebär att den har en kvalitativ ansatsockså. Uppsatsen handlar om sociala mötesplatsers betydelse för känslan avgemenskap och känslan av delaktighet i samhället. Men också om det finns envilja att engagera sig i en social verksamhet såsom en mötesplats. vi undersökervad dessa mötesplatser måste innehålla för att möta de behov som finns hosmänniskor, vidare vilka behov som finns. Detta undersöker vi genom att studeraolika faktorer som påverkar upplevelsen av gemenskap i det närområde man bor,varför man besöker mötesplatser och om man anser att de är nödvändiga och i såfall varför. Teorierna har hjälpt oss att förstå bakgrunden till ett merindividualiserat samhälle med minskad känsla av gemenskap, också möten övergenerationsgränser, som lett till ett ökat behov av social samvaro och därmedmötesplatser. Vi studerar vilka behov som finns utifrån att se på vilka olika behovsom finns beroende på livssituation och roller i livet samt hur dessa förändras. Detsom är gemensamt hos dem som varit med i undersökningen är att de har ettbehov av att umgås med andra oavsett livssituation eller livsstil. Många villengagera sig i sociala mötesplatser vilket visar att det finns en resurs i samhället,medborgarna. Det behövs ett samarbete mellan kommun och frivilligsektorn ochmedborgarna. Vi bör skapa tillsammans. / Abstract: The essay needs of social meetingplaces in Malmö is a quantitativestudy with some open questions which means that it has a qualitative approach aswell. The essay is about social meeting places importance for the sense ofcommunity and sense of participation in the community. But also about awillingness of engagement in social activities such as a meeting place. Weinvestigated what these meetingplaces must contain to meet the needs of thepeople, and also which further needs there are. We also investigated the needs bylooking at factors such as experience of sense of community in the neighborhoodone lives in, and if they are necessary and if so, why? The theories have helped usunderstand the background to a more individualized society with less sense ofcommunity, including meetings between generations, which has led to anincreased need for social interaction and therefore meetingplaces. We are studyingwhat the needs are from the basis of looking at the different needs depending onlife situations and roles in life and how these are changing. The common thingsamong those who participated in the investigation is that they have a need tosocialize with others regardless of life situation or lifestyle. Many people want toengage themselves in social meetingplaces which demonstrate that there is aresource in the community, the citizens. There is a need for cooperation betweenthe municipal and voluntary sector and citizens.We should build together

The purpose of this study was to first examine the role of coaches, peers, and significant others in the development of relatedness as it applies to the motivation of adult Master swimmers, and second to develop recommendations for coaches. The participants in this study were 87 Masters swimmers from the Wasatch Front region of Utah in the counties of Davis, Weber, Utah, Wasatch, Salt Lake, and Summit. Participants in this study were registered members of United States Masters Swimming(USMS) and were spread across eleven age-group classifications in five-year increments and ranging in age from 18 to 74. There were 43 adult males and 44 adult females that participated in completing an open-ended response questionnaire. The results of this study show that relatedness, fostered by coaches, peers and significant others, plays a key role in getting and keeping adult Masters swimmer in the water to train and compete.

Education in the United States is transforming to accommodate children in general education with a diverse range of needs and learning profiles. Occupational therapists are equipped to provide these students with the skills, strategies, and tools to fully participate in their education. Independent schools have a unique ability to provide differentiation, but often do not have an occupational therapist on staff. Without differentiation, students may not be able to perform to their full potential. Factors contributing to this include inadequate preservice training for teachers, a lack of knowledge of the role and scope of occupational therapy, and the absence of a federal mandate to accommodate students with varying learning profiles. AccessED is a service delivery program that was created to address this gap. Teacher education, a multi-tiered system of support, and collaborative consultation with an occupational therapist are incorporated into the program. The instructional content is based on the identified needs of the school. Structured teacher education sessions utilize case studies, skill-building, group problem solving, and reflection. The intended functional outcome for AccessED is implementation of differentiation in the classroom for increased student outcomes.

<p> With the growth of technology there is recognition of the fact that communication requires improving between decision-makers and the people who will eventually use or be affected by the system under consideration. The main thrust of this work is to explore means of facilitating clear unambiguous communication of relevant needs to all parties involved in the design process.</p> <p> A number of approaches to this problem from different disciplines are reviewed. Some of these approaches are already in existence while others require adapting to the particular problems encountered in the design process.</p> <p> Suggestions are put foreward as to how these techniques can be integrated to produce a unified approach to the problem of producing a Total Specification embodying all information necessary to the designer in his capacity as decision-maker.</p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

Abstract Proposal This thesis research proposition is to design a LEED platinum urban mixed-use special needs housing community. The analysis and subsequent design of this facility will take into account the many specific social and physical needs of the residents. The proposed outcome of this research is to suppose through intimate knowledge and understanding of the special needs community and the use of thoughtful design while paying special attention to subtle spatial relationships, it can be proven that architectural design can foster a positive environment for special needs residents and the community at large.The special needs community has largely been a marginalized shadow populace within the greater suburban context. In the United States, special needs children often grow up receiving some life skills training from their elementary though high school educations however, they tend to live at length with their aging parents long into adulthood. As these young adults mature, it frequently becomes increasingly difficult for parents to secure safe and affordable permanent housing solutions. Although there are a number of special needs communities nation-wide offering long term housing solutions, there is a much greater demand than that which is available. Coupled with financial growth potential limitations and bureaucratic red tape, many of these young adults struggle to find affordable group housing alternatives, especially those that can accommodate a myriad of physical, mental and emotional requirements unique to each individual. In low-income communities, the problem is only exacerbated. The goal of this thesis is to propose a mixed-use high density urban commercial housing complex which allocates self-operated retail spaces offering entrepreneurial opportunities for the residents. This proposition will foster independence and promote health with the ultimate goal of alleviating some of the usual stresses experienced by community caretakers. Thoughtful integration of green technologies will reduce the long-term running costs, thus mitigating the overall fiscal encumbrance. LEED certification will be paramount as it delivers guidance in sustainable design practices while simultaneously creating awareness to this critical need.

Stroke survivors in low-resource settings like Rwanda often face high levels of disability, and access to rehabilitation care is limited. To effectively allocate resources, it is crucial to understand and address the most significant concerns of stroke survivors and explore contextually appropriate approaches to post-stroke care. We conducted a needs assessment survey of 337 patients from six hospitals in Rwanda, collecting data at discharge and three months post-stroke. Rwandan stroke survivors have similar unmet functional needs as those in high-resource settings. However, over half of the participants still reported moderate to severe mobility, usual activities, and social/recreational activities needs at three months post-discharge. Stroke survivors indicate that limited access to services was a significant barrier to addressing these needs. Community-based interventions may be an important method for addressing these needs; however, rehabilitation services are limited, warranting the need to consider alternative strategies to address these needs. The thesis explores the potential of involving community health workers (CHWs) in providing rehabilitation interventions for stroke survivors in community settings. Although the effectiveness of CHWs in providing physical rehabilitation interventions in low-resource settings remains uncertain and sustainability of these interventions outside the studied context is also unclear. Subsequent the use of CHWs for post-stroke rehabilitation is a worthwhile endeavor. To facilitate the implementation of CHW-delivered interventions, two crucial steps were considered: the development of an intervention and establishing an operational team that will ensure implementation success. A multi-phased process was used to design a new evidence-informed post-stroke community-level mobility intervention suitable for low-resource settings. The Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System enabled the intervention design and description toward facilitating its accurate replication. The next step is to test the intervention’s feasibility, effectiveness, and implementation in low-resources settings. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / The issue of post-stroke disability is significant in Rwanda due to limited resources for stroke survivors. To improve the resources available for stroke survivors in such settings, it is important to understand their specific needs and explore alternative approaches to provision of interventions. We surveyed 337 patients from six hospitals in Rwanda to describe their functional unmet needs after stroke and at three months. Within 90 days of stroke, Rwandan stroke survivors have more moderate to severe functional needs in almost all usual activities, which is twice compared to post-stroke unmet needs for stroke survivors living in areas with post-stroke resources. Three months after leaving the hospital, over half of the participants still have moderate to severe functional needs in mobility and other usual activities, working, and social/recreational activities. Rwandan stroke survivors identified that not being able to use therapy services made it difficult to address these needs. These data indicate it is crucial to focus on community-based interventions to address the needs of stroke survivors. In my research, I investigated whether Community Health Workers (CHWs) could administer rehabilitation treatment in resource-limited areas. Although the effectiveness of physical rehabilitation by CHWs is uncertain, there is potential for CHWs to participate in delivering rehabilitation. It is worth considering the use of CHWs for post-stroke rehabilitation. In order to successfully implement CHW-delivered interventions, two important steps were considered. First, an intervention was developed. Second, an operational team is being established to ensure the intervention’s success. The process of designing a new evidence-informed post-stroke community-level mobility intervention suitable for resource-limited areas, consisted of multiple phases. The Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System was used to design and describe the intervention accurately so that it could be replicated easily. The next phase involves examining if the intervention is practical, efficient, and can be successfully implemented in areas with limited resources.

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