A debate about implementing immersive technology for higher education: Pre-study examining the usability of virtual reality for lectures

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-571
Author(s):  
Matej Hopp ◽  
Sandra Pfiel ◽  
René Mario Schuster ◽  
Florian Tiefenbacher ◽  
Michael Reiner
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Advanced Technologies ◽  
University Of Applied Sciences

BACKGROUND: As the COVID-pandemic has shown, the need for innovative (digitalized) solutions is in high demand across almost every field of interest. The implementation of advanced technologies in higher education provides an intriguing opportunity to expand its scope by reaching new audiences as well as ensuring a high quality of learning outcome. OBJECTIVE: In this article we tried to examine if virtual reality can be a suitable option by placing lectures into a virtual setup. METHODS: First, we explored the theoretical background if and how virtual reality has been adapted for usage in higher education. We then asked five lecturers from the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems to test a virtual environment (Mozilla Hubs) and evaluate the platform for their teaching purposes. RESULTS: Among one of the results was, that 80 percent would recommend using the platform for lectures to their colleagues. Due to the small sample size the findings need to be further evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: In the foreseeable future virtual reality will become a valuable teaching assistance in higher education. Findings show that the response rate when training with virtual reality applications is much higher than to common studying methods.

scholarly journals Feedback-based Learning Through Online Feedback Systems in Higher Education

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Figas ◽  
Alexander Bartel ◽  
Georg Hagel
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Student Feedback ◽  
Feedback Systems ◽  
Quality Of Teaching ◽  
University Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Online Feedback

From scientific research it is known that feedback from students to lecturers can positively influence teaching and learning in higher education. This involves both responses concerning the quality of teaching and to the own learning process. In lessons with a large number of students it appears to be challenging to realize such kind of interaction in oral way with all students in class. One possible way is to use online feedback-systems. Through this, all students have the opportunity to express their opinion, requests or problems concerning the lecture in anonymous way any time. Furthermore, it allows discussing the results together in class. The paper deals with the issue of student feedback in higher education and presents an online feedback-system and its integration into the teaching process. In addition, the paper shows some empirical based experiences made with the feedback-system in three courses in a German University of Applied Sciences. It becomes visible that feedback-systems have the potential to improve the quality of teaching and make learning more interactive and student-oriented.

scholarly journals Erasmus staff exchanges: A critical exploration of intentions and effects

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-35
Author(s):  
Paul Nixon ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
University Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Expected Benefits ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Main Message ◽  
Academic Year

This article outlines the expected benefits of ERASMUS+ Teaching/Training Exchanges for individuals, the institution as a whole and the degree programmes of The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), the Netherlands. The method employed was a series of semi-structured interviews, following initial email contact of 32 (approx. 1.5% of staff) who had been on exchange, or were scheduled to be, during the academic year. Interviews were agreed with 7 staff. Leask (2015) identified a lack of research in this area, and it is hoped this research will help to stimulate thinking on this issue. Despite the small sample size, general preliminary conclusions can be drawn and further research is encouraged. The article examines processes and procedures in place for monitoring such exchanges, and it also explores control and monitoring prior to the exchange taking place, as well as post-exchange outcomes and evaluations. It describes the context and theoretical frameworks and discusses the major findings, including accounts of the participants’ experiences and the benefits for them as individuals, their perceptions, their line manager’s responses and institutional policies and processes. The conclusion has recommendations for improvement based upon the participants’ comments. The main message of this article is the need to set goals for the individual and the institution and to evaluate them upon return.

scholarly journals Auditing in a Family-Centered Higher Education Institution: The German Experience of Implementation

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
Susanne Maier ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Family Friendly ◽  
The Family ◽  
University Of Applied Sciences ◽  
The University ◽  
Family Centered

The family-friendly university audit (“audit familiengerechte hochschule”) is studied. The audit is available to German universities in order to support a familyfriendly working environment. Practices of an auditor coordinating several workshops for rectorate, HR department and functionaries, as well as representatives of all university groups are considered. The experience of the auditing at the University of Applied Sciences – Public Administration and Finance, Ludwigsburg is analyzed.

scholarly journals Über die Situation der Jungwissenschaftlerinnen und -wissenschaftler in der Psychologie in Österreich

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakob C. Bergmann ◽  
Hanna M. Mües ◽  
Jochen Mosbacher ◽  
Lisa V. Eckerstorfer ◽  
Ulrich Pomper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Work Satisfaction ◽  
Young Scientist ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Temporary Work ◽  
Work Done ◽  
High Work

Theoretical Background: Uncertainty with respect to professional prospects, a challenging work-life-balance and health problems as well as moderate to high work satisfaction are associated with being a young scientist. This paper aims to investigate the working conditions, job satisfaction, and strain of early stage researchers working in the field of psychology in Austria. To date, no systematic investigations have examined the working situations of these individuals.Methods: A total of 97 early stage researchers – 64 praedocs (66% female; M Age = 29.84 years, SD Age = 4.00 years), and 33 postdocs (55% female, M Age = 33.39 years, SD Age = 3.41 years) – participated in an online survey.Results: The results reveal that both groups report highly demanding working conditions (e.g. uncertain career paths due to temporary work contracts, high number of additional hours of work done outside the contractual work hours), moderate to high levels of work satisfaction and moderate to low strain.Conclusion: A considerable number of potential areas for improvement become apparent. However, due to the small sample size, the representativeness as well as generalizability of the results are limited. Based on the results of this survey, possible measures to improve the current situation are presented. This article provides guidance for potential future early stage researchers.

scholarly journals Congenital Micropenis: Aetiology And Management

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Rita Stancampiano ◽  
Kentaro Suzuki ◽  
Stuart O’Toole ◽  
Gianni Russo ◽  
Gen Yamada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Racial Differences ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Penile Length ◽  
Appearance Quality ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In the newborn, penile length is determined by a number of androgen dependent and independent factors. The current literature suggests that there are inter-racial differences in stretched penile length in the newborn and although congenital micropenis should be defined as a stretched penile length of less than 2.5SDS of the mean for the corresponding population and gestation, a pragmatic approach would be to evaluate all boys with a stretched penile length below 2 cm, as congenital micropenis can be a marker for a wide range of endocrine conditions. However, it remains unclear as to whether the state of micropenis, itself, is associated with any long-term consequences. There is a lack of systematic studies comparing the impact of different therapeutic options on long-term outcomes, in terms of genital appearance, quality of life and sexual satisfaction. To date, research has been hampered by a small sample size and inclusion of a wide range of heterogeneous diagnoses; for these reasons, condition specific outcomes have been difficult to compare between studies. Lastly, there is a need for a greater collaborative effort in collecting standardized data so that all real-world or experimental interventions performed at an early age can be studied systematically into adulthood.

Effectiveness of Directional Microphones and Noise Reduction Schemes in Hearing Aids: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (07) ◽  
pp. 473-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth A. Bentler
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Noise Reduction ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Directional Microphones ◽  
Directional Microphone

A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to find evidence of real-world effectiveness of directional microphone and digital noise reduction features in current hearing aids. The evidence was drawn from randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized intervention studies, and descriptive studies. The quality of each study was evaluated for factors such as blinding, power of statistical analyses, and use of psychometrically strong outcome measures. Weaknesses in the identified studies included small sample size, resultant poor power to detect potentially worthwhile differences, and overlapping experimental conditions. Nine studies were identified for directional microphones, and the evidence (albeit weak) supports effectiveness. Two studies were identified for the noise reduction feature, and the evidence was equivocal. For the researcher, such a systematic review should encourage the careful consideration of appropriate methodologies for assessing feature effectiveness. For the clinician, the outcomes reported herein should encourage use of such a systematic review to drive clinical practice.

‘There is no sincerer love than the love of food’ (George Bernard Shaw, 1903): The meaning of food and its uses in prison subculture

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomer Einat ◽  
Moran Davidian
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Maximum Security ◽  
Maximum Security Prison ◽  
The Social ◽  
Bernard Shaw

This study examines the ways in which the prison service handles food and analyses the uses and meanings of food in prison subculture. Using semi-structured interviews and content analysis, data were collected and analysed from 20 ex-prisoners who were incarcerated in maximum-security prison facilities for a period of three years or more. Our main findings are that, according to the interviewees’ testimonies, (a) the Israel Prison Service (IPS) makes manipulative and abusive use of food in order to perpetuate its power; and (b) food serves as a means to determine the relationship between prisoners and staff, govern social status or rejection in the prison subculture, or pass the time. We have four main conclusions. First, the IPS nutrition policy differentiates and discriminates among prisoners and clearly violates the basic human rights of prisoners, thus suggesting an abuse of power. Second, the IPS’s use of food as a tool for punishing or rewarding introduces and perpetuates inequalities and encourages the illegal prison trade in food and food products. Third, cooking in prison, especially in light of its illegality, constitutes a symbolic expression of resistance to the institution and a meaningful way of coping with boredom. Lastly, food and its possession in prison serve as very powerful tools for constructing and perpetuating exploitation and unequal power relations among prisoners. Although the study suffers from two limitations – the validity of the adolescents’ responses and the small sample size – its findings lead us to propose that an improvement in the food products that are accessible to prisoners and permission to cook in their cells are inexpensive and legitimate means of bettering both the prisoners’ quality of life and the social atmosphere in prison.

An initial validation of a new quality of life measure for adults with intellectual disability: The Mini-MANS-LD

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-193
Author(s):  
Roman Raczka ◽  
Kate Theodore ◽  
Janice Williams
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Life Measure ◽  
Acceptable Internal Consistency ◽  
Report Measure

There is an appropriate increasing focus on the need to ensure the voices of people with intellectual disability are captured as part of assessing individuals’ quality of life; however, there remains a lack of a consensus on ways to achieve this. This article describes the development of a self-report measure of quality of life for people with intellectual disability, the ‘Mini-MANS-LD’, based on the concepts of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Following use with 33 individuals with intellectual disability, the Mini-MANS-LD was found to have acceptable psychometric properties, including moderate congruent validity and acceptable internal consistency. Administrators’ feedback suggested good acceptability and feasibility, and the measure was relatively quick to administer, easy to use and acceptable to service users. Despite a small sample size, this initial study suggests that the Mini-MANS-LD may present a conceptually relevant, feasible and acceptable self-report measure of quality of life for people with intellectual disability.

Systemic Autonomy as an Educational Factor for Learners and Teachers

10.47908/9/4 ◽  
2013 ◽  
pp. 75-94
Author(s):  
Dietmar Tatzl
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
University Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Descriptive Framework ◽  
Systemic View

This contribution attempts to introduce a systemic view of autonomy. The author argues that systemic autonomy depends on structures, procedures and regulations that are in force at organisations and that can either hinder or promote autonomy. The article reviews traces of systemic autonomy in the literature and develops a descriptive framework of the concept. It presents a scale containing nine indicators for measuring an institution’s degree of systemic autonomy, which teachers may easily apply to their own context. The article also includes recommendations for encouraging autonomy in restrictive environments. The author further compares his experiences from two different higher-education institutions: as a teacher at a university of applied sciences and as a learner at a university. The observations gained from this comparison lead to the conclusion that the influence of organisational systems cannot be ignored when expecting autonomy to unfold.

First-line simplified GEMOX (D1-D1) versus classical GEMOX (D1-D2) in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (MPA). A GERCOR randomized phase II study

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4592-4592
Author(s):  
T. Andre ◽  
P. Afchain ◽  
G. Lledo ◽  
S. Nguyen ◽  
J. Paitel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Phase Ii Study ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
High Rate ◽  
First Line ◽  
Pancreas Head ◽  
Randomized Phase Ii ◽  
Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Poorly Differentiated

4592 Background: GEMOX was defined as a D1-D2 schedule, based on preclinical data. In order to improve convenience for patients, we evaluated a simplified D1-D1GEMOX regimen (S-GEMOX) in MPA. Methods: Patients (pts) with MPA were 2:1 randomly assigned for first-line treatment to S-GEMOX (arm A : gemcitabine 1,000mg/m2, 100 min infusion D1 immediately followed by oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2, 120 min infusion) or to GEMOX (arm B : gem D1 and ox D2). Treatment was repeated in each arm every 2 weeks until disease progression. Stratification was performed on centre and PS. Results: Fifty-seven pts were enrolled, A = 37 (PS 2 : 22%), B = 20 (PS 2 : 20%). Populations were well balanced for age (64.9 yrs vs 66.6), gender (57% male vs 65), location of primary tumor (pancreas head 49% vs 50), and metastasic sites (liver 76% vs 85; peritoneum 24% vs 20; lung 16% vs 10; lymph nodes 14% vs 15; other 5% vs 5). Tumor differentiation significantly differed among the 2 groups (A : 8% poorly differentiated vs B : 36%). Response rate was 27% (95% CI : 12–42) in arm A and 10% (95% CI : 0 - 23) in arm B. Median PFS was 4.0 and 2.5 months in arm A and B, respectively. Median OS was 7.6 and 3.2 months in arm A and B, respectively. S-GEMOX was more toxic than GEMOX for gr 3–4 neutropenia (20% vs 0%) and thrombocytopenia (16% vs 10%). Other toxicities were comparable. However, since more cycles were administered in arm A (8.5 (1–29) vs 5.8 (2–12)), gr 3 oxaliplatin- induced neuropathy was higher in arm A (21.6% vs 0%). Conclusions: S-GEMOX is active in MPA. This activity is in the same range as compared to our previous experiences of GEMOX. The very bad outcome of pts randomized in arm B could be in part explained by the high rate of poorly differentiated tumors. This study emphazises one more time the limit of studies with small sample size of pts in MPA. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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