scholarly journals A Detailed Rubric for Assessing the Quality of Teacher Resource Apps

10.28945/3527 ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 117-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd Sloan Chener ◽  
Cheng-Yuan Lee ◽  
Alex Fegely ◽  
Lauren A Santaniello
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Instructional Technologies ◽  
Point Evaluations ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Teacher Resource ◽  
Google Play ◽  
Supporting Teachers

Since the advent of the iPhone and rise of mobile technologies, educational apps represent one of the fastest growing markets, and both the mobile technology and educational app markets are predicted to continue experiencing growth into the foreseeable future. The irony, however, is that even with a booming market for educational apps, very little research regarding the quality of them has been conducted. Though some instruments have been developed to evaluate apps geared towards student learning, no such instrument has been created for teacher resource apps, which are designed to assist teachers in completing common tasks (e.g., taking attendance, communicating with parents, monitoring student learning and behavior, etc.). Moreover, when teachers visit the App Store or Google Play to learn about apps, the only ratings provided to them are generic, five-point evaluations, which do not provide qualifiers that explain why an app earned three, two, or five points. To address that gap, previously conducted research related to designing instructional technologies coupled with best practices for supporting teachers were first identified. That information was then used to construct a comprehensive rubric for assessing teacher re-source apps. In this article, a discussion that explains the need for such a rubric is offered before describing the process used to create it. The article then presents the rubric and discusses its different components and potential limitations and concludes with suggestions for future research based on the rubric.

scholarly journals Quality of Mobile Apps for Care Partners of People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: Mobile App Rating Scale Evaluation (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole E Werner ◽  
Janetta C Brown ◽  
Priya Loganathar ◽  
Richard J Holden
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Future Research ◽  
App Development ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Acceptable Quality ◽  
The Us ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND The over 11 million care partners in the US who provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) cite persistent and pervasive unmet needs related to all aspects of their caregiving role. The proliferation of mobile applications (apps) for care partners has potential to meet the care partners’ needs, but the quality of apps is unknown. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to 1) evaluate the quality of publicly available apps for care partners of people living with ADRD and 2) identify design features of low- and high-quality apps to guide future research and app development. METHODS We searched the US Apple and Google Play app stores with the criteria that the app needed to be 1) available in US Google play or Apple app stores, 2) directly accessible to users “out of the box”, 3) primarily intended for use by an informal (family, friend) caregiver or caregivers of a person with dementia. The included apps were then evaluated using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), which includes descriptive app classification and rating using 23 items across five dimensions: engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information, and subjective quality. Next, we computed descriptive statistics for each rating. To identify recommendations for future research and app development, we categorized rater comments on the score driving factors for each item and what the app could have done to improve the score for that item. RESULTS We evaluated 17 apps (41% iOS only, 12% Android only, 47% both iOS and Android). We found that on average, the apps are of minimally acceptable quality. Although we identified apps above and below minimally acceptable quality, many apps had broken features and were rated as below acceptable for engagement and information. CONCLUSIONS Minimally acceptable quality is likely insufficient to meet care partner needs. Future research should establish minimum quality standards across dimensions for mobile apps for care partners. The design features of high-quality apps we identified in this research can provide the foundation for benchmarking those standards.

scholarly journals Medical, Health and Wellness Tourism Research—A Review of the Literature (1970–2020) and Research Agenda

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10875
Author(s):  
Lina Zhong ◽  
Baolin Deng ◽  
Alastair M. Morrison ◽  
J. Andres Coca-Stefaniak ◽  
Liyu Yang
Keyword(s):  
Research Agenda ◽  
Travel Medicine ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health And Wellness ◽  
Future Research Agenda ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
Wellness Tourism ◽  
Medical Health ◽  
And Behavior

Medical, health and wellness tourism and travel represent a dynamic and rapidly growing multi-disciplinary economic activity and field of knowledge. This research responds to earlier calls to integrate research on travel medicine and tourism. It critically reviews the literature published on these topics over a 50-year period (1970 to 2020) using CiteSpace software. Some 802 articles were gathered and analyzed from major databases including the Web of Science and Scopus. Markets (demand and behavior), destinations (development and promotion), and development environments (policies and impacts) emerged as the main three research themes in medical-health-wellness tourism. Medical-health-wellness tourism will integrate with other care sectors and become more embedded in policy-making related to sustainable development, especially with regards to quality of life initiatives. A future research agenda for medical-health-tourism is discussed.

International Efforts to Combat Corruption

2021 ◽  
pp. 494-515
Author(s):  
Mathis Lohaus ◽  
Ellen Gutterman
Keyword(s):  
Soft Law ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Transnational Advocacy ◽  
International Treaties ◽  
Financial Flows ◽  
Advocacy Campaigns ◽  
Illicit Financial Flows ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Attempts to improve the domestic quality of government often involve international arrangements and the fight against corruption is a prominent example. Since the 1990s, anticorruption pledges, international treaties, soft law arrangements, transnational advocacy campaigns, and other commitments have proliferated to control bribery and corruption in a range of contexts. This chapter surveys the literature on the emergence and characteristics of these various initiatives and provides an overview of what is known about their impacts on policy and discourse, law, and behavior. While empirical evidence on the impact of international anticorruption efforts is mixed, existing studies and directions for future research suggest that the quality of government in highly developed states is crucial when it comes to controlling transnational business bribery, money laundering, and other illicit financial flows.

Exploring the Impact of School Leadership on Student Learning Outcomes

2016 ◽  
pp. 953-977
Author(s):  
Andreas Kythreotis ◽  
Panayiotis Antoniou
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
School Leadership ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Principal Leadership ◽  
Student Learning Outcomes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
The Impact

The chapter aims to explore the various models proposed in the literature related with the impact of school leadership on student academic achievement. In doing so, and drawing mainly from the mediate and indirect models, the chapter also discusses the role of various intermediate/moderate variables that facilitate the impact of principal leadership on student-learning outcomes. Results from a qualitative exploratory study that took place in Cyprus are also presented. This study developed a framework of school principals' actions and strategies that teachers considered as effective in relation to improving their quality of teaching and student outcomes. Some of the problems related with measuring the impact of school leadership on student achievement, such as issues of conceptual and operational definitions of school leadership and methodological issues in research design are also elaborated. Finally, implications for policy and practice on school leadership are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.

scholarly journals Mobile Fitness and Weight Management Apps: Protocol for a Quality Evaluation (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madison Milne-Ives ◽  
Ching Lam ◽  
Michelle van Velthoven ◽  
Edward Meinert
Keyword(s):  
Weight Management ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
The Past ◽  
Mobile Health Apps ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Obesity is a contributing factor for many noncommunicable diseases and a growing problem worldwide. Many mobile apps have been developed to help users improve their fitness and weight management behaviors. However, the speed at which apps are created and updated means that it is important to periodically assess their quality. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of fitness and weight management mobile health apps using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). It will also describe the features of the included apps and compare the results to a previous evaluation conducted in 2015. METHODS Searches for “fitness,” “weight,” “exercise,” “physical activity,” “diet,” “eat*,” and “food” will be conducted in the Apple App Store and Google Play. Apps that have been updated over the past 5 years will be included. Two reviewers will rate the apps’ quality using the MARS objective and subjective quality subscales. Interrater reliability will also be assessed. Features included in high-quality apps will be assessed, and changes in quality, features, and behavior change techniques made during the past 5 years will be described. RESULTS The results will be included in the evaluation paper, which we aim to publish in 2020. CONCLUSIONS This evaluation will assess the quality of currently available fitness and weight management apps. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/17685

Evidence-Based Behavior Management Strategies for Students With or At Risk of EBD: A Mega Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
pp. 074193252110479
Author(s):  
Benjamin S. Riden ◽  
Skip Kumm ◽  
Daniel M. Maggin
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
And Behavior

Evidence-based practices (EBPs) are strategies shown through rigorous experimentation to be effective when implemented as designed by educators in the field. The purpose of this review is to (a) describe the state and quality of evidence-based reviews and meta-analyses of studies on classroom and behavior management interventions for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs) and (b) summarize practices which can be deemed evidence-based. We identified 50 meta-analytic or systematic reviews, encompassing 20 interventions implemented solely or in part with students with EBD. In total, our review identified eight interventions classified as EBPs for supporting students labeled with EBD in the meta-analytic literature. Implications for future research are presented.

Exploring the Impact of School Leadership on Student Learning Outcomes

2015 ◽  
pp. 349-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Kythreotis ◽  
Panayiotis Antoniou
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
School Leadership ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Principal Leadership ◽  
Student Learning Outcomes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
The Impact

The chapter aims to explore the various models proposed in the literature related with the impact of school leadership on student academic achievement. In doing so, and drawing mainly from the mediate and indirect models, the chapter also discusses the role of various intermediate/moderate variables that facilitate the impact of principal leadership on student-learning outcomes. Results from a qualitative exploratory study that took place in Cyprus are also presented. This study developed a framework of school principals' actions and strategies that teachers considered as effective in relation to improving their quality of teaching and student outcomes. Some of the problems related with measuring the impact of school leadership on student achievement, such as issues of conceptual and operational definitions of school leadership and methodological issues in research design are also elaborated. Finally, implications for policy and practice on school leadership are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.

Smartphone apps related to shoulder pain using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS): A Review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathon Agnew ◽  
Christopher Nugent ◽  
Catherine Hanratty ◽  
Elizabeth Martin ◽  
Daniel Kerr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shoulder Pain ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Successful rehabilitation of musculoskeletal (MSK) pain requires more than medical input alone. Conservative treatment including physiotherapy and exercise therapy can be an effective way of decreasing pain associated with MSK pain. However, face-to-face appointments are currently not feasible. New mobile technologies such as mobile health (mHealth) in the form of an app on your smartphone can be a solution to this problem. In many cases, these apps are not backed by scientific literature, therefore it is important that they are reviewed and quality assessed. OBJECTIVE The aim is to evaluate and measure the quality of apps related to shoulder pain using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). METHODS This study included 25 free and paid apps from the Apple Store and the Google Play Store. Five reviewers were involved in the evaluation process. A descriptive analysis of the MARS results provided a general overview of the quality of the apps. RESULTS Overall, app quality was generally low with an average star rating of 1.97 out of 5. The best scores were in the ‘Functionality’ and ‘Aesthetics’ sections, scoring poorer in the ‘Engagement’ and ‘Information’ sections. The apps were also rated poorly in the ‘Subjective Quality’ section. CONCLUSIONS In general, the apps were well built technically and were aesthetically pleasing. However, the apps failed to provide quality information to the user which led to a lack of engagement. Most of the apps weren’t backed by scientific literature and those that contained scientific references were vastly out of date. Future apps would need to address these concerns whilst taking simple measures to ensure quality control. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

The effectiveness of music as an intervention for dementia patients in acute settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Hack ◽  
Kate Martin ◽  
Chris Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Music Intervention ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Dementia Patients ◽  
And Behavior

In 2019 there were an estimated 50 million people living with dementia globally [1]. There is a strong need for therapies and interventions that ameliorate symptoms and improve quality of life for individuals living with dementia. Whilst there is evidence for the effectiveness of music interventions in long-term care settings, such as nursing homes, less research has been conducted into their effectiveness in acute settings. It is important to build up an evidence base of effective interventions in acute settings specifically, which often see the most challenging cases of symptoms associated with dementia. This systematic review represents a novel examination of the literature on music as an intervention for dementia patients in acute settings. A database search identified 204 papers, of which 10 studies satisfied criteria and were reviewed. A quality assessment framework was applied, with the majority of studies scoring highly (above 80%). The review identified 4 areas where music interventions have been utilized to improve outcomes for dementia patients in acute settings: mood and wellbeing, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, and use of inpatient resources. The most reliable evidence is currently within mood and behavior domains reflecting positive change following music intervention for inpatients. Limitations, clinical implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Understanding Quality Work in Mathematics: Supporting Teachers in Leading Professional Development

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 19-28
Author(s):  
Wendy P. Ruchti ◽  
Cory A. Bennett ◽  
Michelle Dunstan
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Teacher Leaders ◽  
Mathematical Work ◽  
Quality Work ◽  
School Based ◽  
Professional Development For Teachers ◽  
Development Experience ◽  
Supporting Teachers

Teacher leaders are often responsible for providing professional development to improve teacher effectiveness and student learning. Leading professional development for teachers can be highly effective when the focus is on student learning in on-going and relevant contexts. This article describes a school-based, teacher-led collaborative process conceptualized and facilitated by two teacher leaders using a modified protocol for examining students work in mathematics. The focus of the professional development aligned with a school-wide initiative of increasing the quality of students’ mathematical work across a kindergarten through eighth-grade school. This paper shares the structure of the professional development, the nature of the protocol, and how it was implemented followed by a discussion for teacher leaders who are interested in facilitating a similar type of collaborative professional development experience within their own schools. Findings suggest that the use of a well-developed protocol helped focus teachers’ attention to specific attributes expected in quality work and served as a reference point for considering how important structures of learning such as whole-class discourse could be evident in individual students’ quality work.

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