This document appears to be a report on the SPACELESS pilot study. It lists the names of 8 people involved in the study, including the applicants Roger Harrison, Sarah Willis, Brenda Tibingana-Ahimbisibwe, Maureen Finn, Alana Mcnulty, Isabell Fairclough, and Samantha Howard. It also contains statistics from the study, such as 2,572 students accessed the resources, 263 accessed full text, and 20 students remained unsure. The document expresses appreciation to CHERIL for providing funding for the study.
Advancing Learning, Relating and Performing through Character Strengths & Dig...Lynn Ochs
Presentation given at the Annual Conference for Middle Level Educators In October 2016.
Looking for a research-based, effective and FUN way to improve learning, relating and performing of staff and students in your school? Experience a unique approach designed to address all aspects of social and emotional learning through a strengths-based and blended learning approach. See how a nationally-recognized game platform, Happify, can be combined with a flexible classroom curriculum to shift learning communities to a strength-based culture that supports each person living their strengths, maximizing learning, relating and performance to their fullest.
Rationale: Middle level learners are at a critical developmental stage. It is essential that they develop healthy perspectives of themselves and their strengths and of those around them in order to thrive.
151114 nn leveraging character strengths and digital gamingMayerson Academy
Presentation for the Learning and The Brain Conference: The Science of Character : Using Brain Science to Raise Student Self-Regulation, Resilience and Respect
Advancing Learning, Relating and Performing through Character Strengths & Dig...Lynn Ochs
Presentation given at the Annual Conference for Middle Level Educators In October 2016.
Looking for a research-based, effective and FUN way to improve learning, relating and performing of staff and students in your school? Experience a unique approach designed to address all aspects of social and emotional learning through a strengths-based and blended learning approach. See how a nationally-recognized game platform, Happify, can be combined with a flexible classroom curriculum to shift learning communities to a strength-based culture that supports each person living their strengths, maximizing learning, relating and performance to their fullest.
Rationale: Middle level learners are at a critical developmental stage. It is essential that they develop healthy perspectives of themselves and their strengths and of those around them in order to thrive.
151114 nn leveraging character strengths and digital gamingMayerson Academy
Presentation for the Learning and The Brain Conference: The Science of Character : Using Brain Science to Raise Student Self-Regulation, Resilience and Respect
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
Instructions for Submissions thorugh G- Classroom.pptxJheel Barad
This presentation provides a briefing on how to upload submissions and documents in Google Classroom. It was prepared as part of an orientation for new Sainik School in-service teacher trainees. As a training officer, my goal is to ensure that you are comfortable and proficient with this essential tool for managing assignments and fostering student engagement.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
The Art Pastor's Guide to Sabbath | Steve ThomasonSteve Thomason
What is the purpose of the Sabbath Law in the Torah. It is interesting to compare how the context of the law shifts from Exodus to Deuteronomy. Who gets to rest, and why?
We all have good and bad thoughts from time to time and situation to situation. We are bombarded daily with spiraling thoughts(both negative and positive) creating all-consuming feel , making us difficult to manage with associated suffering. Good thoughts are like our Mob Signal (Positive thought) amidst noise(negative thought) in the atmosphere. Negative thoughts like noise outweigh positive thoughts. These thoughts often create unwanted confusion, trouble, stress and frustration in our mind as well as chaos in our physical world. Negative thoughts are also known as “distorted thinking”.
Model Attribute Check Company Auto PropertyCeline George
In Odoo, the multi-company feature allows you to manage multiple companies within a single Odoo database instance. Each company can have its own configurations while still sharing common resources such as products, customers, and suppliers.
The Indian economy is classified into different sectors to simplify the analysis and understanding of economic activities. For Class 10, it's essential to grasp the sectors of the Indian economy, understand their characteristics, and recognize their importance. This guide will provide detailed notes on the Sectors of the Indian Economy Class 10, using specific long-tail keywords to enhance comprehension.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
This is a presentation by Dada Robert in a Your Skill Boost masterclass organised by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan (EFSS) on Saturday, the 25th and Sunday, the 26th of May 2024.
He discussed the concept of quality improvement, emphasizing its applicability to various aspects of life, including personal, project, and program improvements. He defined quality as doing the right thing at the right time in the right way to achieve the best possible results and discussed the concept of the "gap" between what we know and what we do, and how this gap represents the areas we need to improve. He explained the scientific approach to quality improvement, which involves systematic performance analysis, testing and learning, and implementing change ideas. He also highlighted the importance of client focus and a team approach to quality improvement.
2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
Instructions for Submissions thorugh G- Classroom.pptxJheel Barad
This presentation provides a briefing on how to upload submissions and documents in Google Classroom. It was prepared as part of an orientation for new Sainik School in-service teacher trainees. As a training officer, my goal is to ensure that you are comfortable and proficient with this essential tool for managing assignments and fostering student engagement.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
The Art Pastor's Guide to Sabbath | Steve ThomasonSteve Thomason
What is the purpose of the Sabbath Law in the Torah. It is interesting to compare how the context of the law shifts from Exodus to Deuteronomy. Who gets to rest, and why?
We all have good and bad thoughts from time to time and situation to situation. We are bombarded daily with spiraling thoughts(both negative and positive) creating all-consuming feel , making us difficult to manage with associated suffering. Good thoughts are like our Mob Signal (Positive thought) amidst noise(negative thought) in the atmosphere. Negative thoughts like noise outweigh positive thoughts. These thoughts often create unwanted confusion, trouble, stress and frustration in our mind as well as chaos in our physical world. Negative thoughts are also known as “distorted thinking”.
Model Attribute Check Company Auto PropertyCeline George
In Odoo, the multi-company feature allows you to manage multiple companies within a single Odoo database instance. Each company can have its own configurations while still sharing common resources such as products, customers, and suppliers.
The Indian economy is classified into different sectors to simplify the analysis and understanding of economic activities. For Class 10, it's essential to grasp the sectors of the Indian economy, understand their characteristics, and recognize their importance. This guide will provide detailed notes on the Sectors of the Indian Economy Class 10, using specific long-tail keywords to enhance comprehension.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
This is a presentation by Dada Robert in a Your Skill Boost masterclass organised by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan (EFSS) on Saturday, the 25th and Sunday, the 26th of May 2024.
He discussed the concept of quality improvement, emphasizing its applicability to various aspects of life, including personal, project, and program improvements. He defined quality as doing the right thing at the right time in the right way to achieve the best possible results and discussed the concept of the "gap" between what we know and what we do, and how this gap represents the areas we need to improve. He explained the scientific approach to quality improvement, which involves systematic performance analysis, testing and learning, and implementing change ideas. He also highlighted the importance of client focus and a team approach to quality improvement.
2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
Product Design Trends in 2024 | Teenage EngineeringsPixeldarts
The realm of product design is a constantly changing environment where technology and style intersect. Every year introduces fresh challenges and exciting trends that mold the future of this captivating art form. In this piece, we delve into the significant trends set to influence the look and functionality of product design in the year 2024.
How Race, Age and Gender Shape Attitudes Towards Mental HealthThinkNow
Mental health has been in the news quite a bit lately. Dozens of U.S. states are currently suing Meta for contributing to the youth mental health crisis by inserting addictive features into their products, while the U.S. Surgeon General is touring the nation to bring awareness to the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation. The country has endured periods of low national morale, such as in the 1970s when high inflation and the energy crisis worsened public sentiment following the Vietnam War. The current mood, however, feels different. Gallup recently reported that national mental health is at an all-time low, with few bright spots to lift spirits.
To better understand how Americans are feeling and their attitudes towards mental health in general, ThinkNow conducted a nationally representative quantitative survey of 1,500 respondents and found some interesting differences among ethnic, age and gender groups.
Technology
For example, 52% agree that technology and social media have a negative impact on mental health, but when broken out by race, 61% of Whites felt technology had a negative effect, and only 48% of Hispanics thought it did.
While technology has helped us keep in touch with friends and family in faraway places, it appears to have degraded our ability to connect in person. Staying connected online is a double-edged sword since the same news feed that brings us pictures of the grandkids and fluffy kittens also feeds us news about the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the dysfunction in Washington, the latest mass shooting and the climate crisis.
Hispanics may have a built-in defense against the isolation technology breeds, owing to their large, multigenerational households, strong social support systems, and tendency to use social media to stay connected with relatives abroad.
Age and Gender
When asked how individuals rate their mental health, men rate it higher than women by 11 percentage points, and Baby Boomers rank it highest at 83%, saying it’s good or excellent vs. 57% of Gen Z saying the same.
Gen Z spends the most amount of time on social media, so the notion that social media negatively affects mental health appears to be correlated. Unfortunately, Gen Z is also the generation that’s least comfortable discussing mental health concerns with healthcare professionals. Only 40% of them state they’re comfortable discussing their issues with a professional compared to 60% of Millennials and 65% of Boomers.
Race Affects Attitudes
As seen in previous research conducted by ThinkNow, Asian Americans lag other groups when it comes to awareness of mental health issues. Twenty-four percent of Asian Americans believe that having a mental health issue is a sign of weakness compared to the 16% average for all groups. Asians are also considerably less likely to be aware of mental health services in their communities (42% vs. 55%) and most likely to seek out information on social media (51% vs. 35%).
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdfmarketingartwork
This article is all about what AI trends will emerge in the field of creative operations in 2024. All the marketers and brand builders should be aware of these trends for their further use and save themselves some time!
A report by thenetworkone and Kurio.
The contributing experts and agencies are (in an alphabetical order): Sylwia Rytel, Social Media Supervisor, 180heartbeats + JUNG v MATT (PL), Sharlene Jenner, Vice President - Director of Engagement Strategy, Abelson Taylor (USA), Alex Casanovas, Digital Director, Atrevia (ES), Dora Beilin, Senior Social Strategist, Barrett Hoffher (USA), Min Seo, Campaign Director, Brand New Agency (KR), Deshé M. Gully, Associate Strategist, Day One Agency (USA), Francesca Trevisan, Strategist, Different (IT), Trevor Crossman, CX and Digital Transformation Director; Olivia Hussey, Strategic Planner; Simi Srinarula, Social Media Manager, The Hallway (AUS), James Hebbert, Managing Director, Hylink (CN / UK), Mundy Álvarez, Planning Director; Pedro Rojas, Social Media Manager; Pancho González, CCO, Inbrax (CH), Oana Oprea, Head of Digital Planning, Jam Session Agency (RO), Amy Bottrill, Social Account Director, Launch (UK), Gaby Arriaga, Founder, Leonardo1452 (MX), Shantesh S Row, Creative Director, Liwa (UAE), Rajesh Mehta, Chief Strategy Officer; Dhruv Gaur, Digital Planning Lead; Leonie Mergulhao, Account Supervisor - Social Media & PR, Medulla (IN), Aurelija Plioplytė, Head of Digital & Social, Not Perfect (LI), Daiana Khaidargaliyeva, Account Manager, Osaka Labs (UK / USA), Stefanie Söhnchen, Vice President Digital, PIABO Communications (DE), Elisabeth Winiartati, Managing Consultant, Head of Global Integrated Communications; Lydia Aprina, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Nita Prabowo, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Okhi, Web Developer, PNTR Group (ID), Kei Obusan, Insights Director; Daffi Ranandi, Insights Manager, Radarr (SG), Gautam Reghunath, Co-founder & CEO, Talented (IN), Donagh Humphreys, Head of Social and Digital Innovation, THINKHOUSE (IRE), Sarah Yim, Strategy Director, Zulu Alpha Kilo (CA).
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024Search Engine Journal
The search marketing landscape is evolving rapidly with new technologies, and professionals, like you, rely on innovative paid search strategies to meet changing demands.
It’s important that you’re ready to implement new strategies in 2024.
Check this out and learn the top trends in paid search advertising that are expected to gain traction, so you can drive higher ROI more efficiently in 2024.
You’ll learn:
- The latest trends in AI and automation, and what this means for an evolving paid search ecosystem.
- New developments in privacy and data regulation.
- Emerging ad formats that are expected to make an impact next year.
Watch Sreekant Lanka from iQuanti and Irina Klein from OneMain Financial as they dive into the future of paid search and explore the trends, strategies, and technologies that will shape the search marketing landscape.
If you’re looking to assess your paid search strategy and design an industry-aligned plan for 2024, then this webinar is for you.
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summarySpeakerHub
From their humble beginnings in 1984, TED has grown into the world’s most powerful amplifier for speakers and thought-leaders to share their ideas. They have over 2,400 filmed talks (not including the 30,000+ TEDx videos) freely available online, and have hosted over 17,500 events around the world.
With over one billion views in a year, it’s no wonder that so many speakers are looking to TED for ideas on how to share their message more effectively.
The article “5 Public-Speaking Tips TED Gives Its Speakers”, by Carmine Gallo for Forbes, gives speakers five practical ways to connect with their audience, and effectively share their ideas on stage.
Whether you are gearing up to get on a TED stage yourself, or just want to master the skills that so many of their speakers possess, these tips and quotes from Chris Anderson, the TED Talks Curator, will encourage you to make the most impactful impression on your audience.
See the full article and more summaries like this on SpeakerHub here: https://speakerhub.com/blog/5-presentation-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers
See the original article on Forbes here:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2016/05/06/5-public-speaking-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers/&refURL=&referrer=#5c07a8221d9b
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd Clark Boyd
Everyone is in agreement that ChatGPT (and other generative AI tools) will shape the future of work. Yet there is little consensus on exactly how, when, and to what extent this technology will change our world.
Businesses that extract maximum value from ChatGPT will use it as a collaborative tool for everything from brainstorming to technical maintenance.
For individuals, now is the time to pinpoint the skills the future professional will need to thrive in the AI age.
Check out this presentation to understand what ChatGPT is, how it will shape the future of work, and how you can prepare to take advantage.
A brief introduction to DataScience with explaining of the concepts, algorithms, machine learning, supervised and unsupervised learning, clustering, statistics, data preprocessing, real-world applications etc.
It's part of a Data Science Corner Campaign where I will be discussing the fundamentals of DataScience, AIML, Statistics etc.
Time Management & Productivity - Best PracticesVit Horky
Here's my presentation on by proven best practices how to manage your work time effectively and how to improve your productivity. It includes practical tips and how to use tools such as Slack, Google Apps, Hubspot, Google Calendar, Gmail and others.
The six step guide to practical project managementMindGenius
The six step guide to practical project management
If you think managing projects is too difficult, think again.
We’ve stripped back project management processes to the
basics – to make it quicker and easier, without sacrificing
the vital ingredients for success.
“If you’re looking for some real-world guidance, then The Six Step Guide to Practical Project Management will help.”
Dr Andrew Makar, Tactical Project Management
Beginners Guide to TikTok for Search - Rachel Pearson - We are Tilt __ Bright...
SPACELESS Student Peer Assised E-Learning Environment for Student (or Study) Support
1. SPACELESS
CHERIL January 2-18
Roger Harrison
Sarah Willis Brenda Tibingana-Ahimbisibwe
Maureen Finn
Alana Mcnulty
Isabell Fairclough
Samantha Howard
Pecha-KuchaHOLDING SLIDE
2. SPACELESS
CHERIL January 2018
Roger Harrison
Sarah Willis Brenda Tibingana-Ahimbisibwe
Maureen Finn
Alana Mcnulty
Isabell Fairclough
Samantha Howard
Pecha-Kucha
12345
9. 12345
‘Personally, I was ashamed to ask my supervisor some questions that were
quite basic (in my opinion)... I think someone more my level may have
been helpful in this regard’.
‘Motivation in times when I felt discouraged’.
‘I believe I would have done much better overall if an interface between
older and current students was provided’.
‘Despite feedback from my supervisor I wasn't sure if what I was producing
was of sufficient quality. Having access to previous students' work was
useful in this regard’.
‘Moral support and some guidance when lost in a particular point’.
‘Personally do not learn or develop well this way so for me it would have
had no bearing’.
21. Sarah Willis Brenda Tibingana-Ahimbisibwe
Maureen Finn
Alana Mcnulty
Isabell Fairclough
Samantha Howard
SPACELESS Pilot Study Co-applicants &
Collaborators
Thankyou to CHERIL funding without which non of this work would
have been done.
Please give us some more!
Editor's Notes
Thank you for the opportunity to come and talk today about one of the CHERIL funded projects which I’m leading on, along with a team of colleagues listed below.
SPACLESS is the Student Peer Assisted ELEarning Environment for Study Support
It stems from my teaching role on the Masters in Public Health, and in particular, my work managing the dissertation unit.
The MPH, as a distance learning programme has students all over the world
For the formal programme itself, discussion boards are a key source of open communication between students and tutor, but this is not necessarily the right medium to foster more collaborative and peer support.
For many years there has been a push towards peer assisted learning across the expanse of education from kinder garden to postgraduate and adult education
And a Large programme exists for undergraduates at Univ Manchester, noteably those in their first year of enrolment here.
However, like many (if not most) universities, there isn’t a programme of peer-assisted learning for students registered on one of the many online distance learning programmes.
As we’ll come to later, the, the literature on this generally is woefully lacking
Thus SPACELESS seeks to address the inequity of this element of student’s learning experience and to assess the benefit to students and peers of these types of schemes.
The online MPH has around 275 postgraduate students, and all students have to have access in one way or another to the internet and past work has shown us that they all have opportunities for good mobile connectivity as well.
Digital Social media opportunities have rocketed, and itseems one important avenue worthy of exploring to provide opportunities for a peer-assisted programme for distance learning students.
But we are not certain as to how, and if at all, social media might be effective in a more formalised programme for peer assisted learning, and what challenges that might pose for educators, students and prospective peers.
But we started this project pretty much on the baseline other than having our own teaching experience, as important as it was, we needed more intelligence.
For two years we have included in the annual dissertation satisfaction survey one question to help understand students’ needs in relation to peer (and other types of) support.
We asked: would it have helped you during this dissertation year if you had been put in contact with a previous student for support?
Over two years worth of data, the result wasn’t far off split.
60% YES
40% NO
Some of their reasons for having wanted contact with a peer included general motivation and support, but more specifically:-
‘I believe I would have done much better overall if an interface between older and current students was provided’.
‘Personally I do not learn or develop well this way, so for me it would have had no bearing’.
As I’ve touched upon, we hadn’t come across any general reading on this topic, specific to peer support for online distance learners. So we founded a systematic review, employing robust methods, in particular an exceptionally detailed literature search.
This identified 2572 articles, of which we needed to go on and review 263 in full. Of these, we have just one study and potentially another 20 examining this topic.
This highlights how this this aspect of student support is missing from general discourse in relation to distance learning.
(Huijser 2006. Australia. Qualitiative study – interviews. Used MSN)
Peer mentors can refer to a number of different roles and relationships, often dependent upon the learning context and structure.
In the current study we have explored the potential of working with graduates from the masters in public health to act as Peers, in other words, utilising the vast potential for students to gain from the university alumni
From a survey of existing students we found out more about their preferences for a proposed scheme:-
We found:-
An almost equal split about whether enrolment into the scheme was to be compulsory or optional for students
Almost unanimous support to recruiting a past student to be the peer
Students were keen for groups to be created by the administrative team,
In terms of privacy, two thirds wanted tutors to be able to see what was taking place within the groups in terms of electronic postings, resources.
This diagram the key relationships and the opportunities we wanted between these groups and individuals.
shows
You will see on the bottom that it shows four individual Alumni each of whom facilitate one or more groups of students.
The groups are FLUID, with no rigid boundaries at any time. So students can be part of discussions etc with any other student, and the same for alumni.
The project manager, Brenda Tibinghana is an Alumni, with the advantage of being in another country too
And the elearning and administrative support are also linked in as identified places to go for help.
The ideal application would be free or very cheap to obtain and run
It needed to give students a great deal of control in terms of security rights, privacy and methods of organisation and communication. It is to be their space, and a different experience to anything they had had with Blackboard.
Students needed to be able to decide themselves who and when they interacted with other students, regardless of what groups they had been associated with. Thus maintaining fluid boundaries in communication.
Technically it couldn’t take up much memory capacity on portable devices and desktop
Excellent operability, easy to learn and thinking of the future, one that had the potential to develop and run at scale
SLACK seemed to meet these needs
Pilot study to test the feasibility and operability of the App and the structural design
But also wanted to see in what ways students did and didn’t use it – was it worth progressing to a full implementation study
Also needed to find out if we could recruit alumni, and in what ways they would support students.
And an opportunity to get a better understanding of alumni training needs in addition to the relatively basic guidance given.
Ran the project for three months last summer coinciding with the latter part of students’ dissertation year
Recruited 13 alumni and all sent general guidance for working with students and a video introduction by the project manager.
Most of the alumni who had initially registered their interest didn’t go on and become actively involved as peers. The reasons for this varied but the intelligence we have is patchy.
However, on a positive note, those who remained (4) did an excellent job
Around 18 to 20 students registered to access the SPACLESS application in SLACK, and a smaller number went on to engage with peer-mentoring in this way.
Over 3,000 communications took place based on SLACK reporting statistics
From observation, most communications were short, with students seeking guidance, general support, and some wanting wider discussion about careers
Getting more detailed useable information/data out of SLACK requires skills in network analysis, something members of the team don’t have, and a learning curve for a future grant application.
We gained deeper understanding of students’ experience from participating with SPACELESS by way of one-to-one individual interviews with a senior academic.
Ten individual interviews carried out
One important theme arising was that the peers helped reduce student isolation, Therefore if online peer-support can reduce a sense of isolation from other students that’s an important finding in and of itself.
We also sought more feedback from all students who had the opportunity to sign-up for SPACELESS, by way of a self-completion survey.
The marmite factor was still present in terms of just over half thinking it could be beneficial to have alumni as peers.
Two thirds thought all dissertation students should be part of something like this (remaining third replied as neutral)
And almost 90% important for students to have more opportunities for peer support across the programme as a whole.
Need to complete the systematic review of online peer assisted programmes
Finalise results of SLACK activity and student numbers
Agree publication plan and how to maximise publications based on variety of information/evidence we obtained.
Prepare final report with recommendations and costings for a fully fuelled SPACELESS maintaining use of Alumni and continue with SLACK
Present one poster and one WORKSHOP accepted at the HEA conference in July.
Sarah Willis
Brenda Tibingana-Ahimbisibwe
Maureen Finn
Alana Mcnulty
Isabell Fairclough
Samantha Howard
