scholarly journals Is It All about Efficiency? Exploring Students’ Conceptualizations of Sustainability in an Introductory Energy Course

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7188
Author(s):  
Laura A. Gelles ◽  
Joel Alejandro Mejia ◽  
Susan M. Lord ◽  
Gordon D. Hoople ◽  
Diana A. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Student Work ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Energy Current ◽  
Second Year

Engineers are increasingly called on to develop sustainable solutions to complex problems. Within engineering, however, economic and environmental aspects of sustainability are often prioritized over social ones. This paper describes how efficiency and sustainability were conceptualized and interrelated by students in a newly developed second-year undergraduate engineering course, An Integrated Approach to Energy. This course took a sociotechnical approach and emphasized modern energy concepts (e.g., renewable energy), current issues (e.g., climate change), and local and personal contexts (e.g., connecting to students’ lived experiences). Analyses of student work and semi-structured interview data were used to explore how students conceptualized sustainability and efficiency. We found that in this cohort (n = 17) students often approached sustainability through a lens of efficiency, believing that if economic and environmental resources were prioritized and optimized, sustainability would be achieved. By exploring sustainability and efficiency together, we examined how dominant discourses that privilege technical over social aspects in engineering can be replicated within an energy context.

scholarly journals An Integrated Approach to Energy Education in Engineering

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 9145
Author(s):  
Gordon D. Hoople ◽  
Diana A. Chen ◽  
Susan M. Lord ◽  
Laura A. Gelles ◽  
Felicity Bilow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Learning Objectives ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Energy Education ◽  
Second Year ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

What do engineering students in 2020 need to know about energy to be successful in the workplace and contribute to addressing society’s issues related to energy? Beginning with this question, we have designed a new course for second-year engineering students. Drawing on the interdisciplinary backgrounds of our diverse team of engineering instructors, we aimed to provide an introduction to energy for all engineering students that challenged the dominant discourse in engineering by valuing students’ lived experiences and bringing in examples situated in different cultural contexts. An Integrated Approach to Energy was offered for the first time in Spring 2020 for 18 students. In this paper, we describe the design of the course including learning objectives, content, and pedagogical approach. We assessed students’ learning using exams and the impact of the overall course using interviews. Students demonstrated achievement of the learning objectives in technical areas. In addition, interviews revealed that they learned about environmental, economic, and social aspects of engineering practice. We intend for this course to serve as a model of engineering as a sociotechnical endeavor by challenging students with scenarios that are technically demanding and require critical thinking about contextual implications.

scholarly journals An integrated approach to the coal deposits in the Mesohellenic Trough, Greece

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Koukouzas ◽  
Pavlos Krassakis ◽  
Petros Koutsovitis ◽  
Christos Karkalis
Keyword(s):  
Plant Material ◽  
Middle Miocene ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Spatial Relation ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Parent Plant ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Upper Miocene ◽  
Coal Deposits ◽  
Geological Map

A considerable amount of coal deposits occur within the Mesohellenic Trough in Greece. It is considered as the largest and most important basin of the last orogenic stage of the Hellenides, which is interpreted as a back-arc basin that evolved during the period of Late Oligocene to Miocene. In this study, a simplified geological map has been constructed emphasizing on the coal formation occurrences of the Mesohellenic Trough. This work has been accomplished, through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and has been organized via geodatabase as GIS data files (feature classes). For the creation of the geological map suitable homogenization and discrete representation has been implemented different geological sheets, original source and traditional maps. Next step was the geostatistical analysis using polygonal methods linked to the corresponding tabular information. Regarding the stratigraphical age, and petrographic data related to geographic distribution of the coal occurrences, these are divided into three categories: Oligocene, Middle Miocene and Upper Miocene coals, exhibiting various physicochemical and topological properties. Upper Miocene coal exhibits the greatest area and perimeter values, while the lowest values correspond to those of the Middle Miocene. Terrain models such as aspect (angle-direction) and hillshade (shaded relief) showed the spatial relation between coal occurrences and morphotectonic as long as geometrical characteristics of the study area. Coals are mainly classified as huminites including mainly huminite group minerals (90%). Their S contents can probably derive from parent plant material or a combination of parent plant material with seawater sulfates. Moisture contents are strongly connected with the sustainability of the coal use in the energy production, while their carbonation grade is strongly associated with their age and expressed by their reflectivity values. All these data have been inserted in an integrated database and can be useful for pre-mining or post mining activities (e.g. planning, analysis, management, restoration). Results of this study are available for the effective evaluation of the existing coal occurrences, which can be used with renewable energy sources providing sustainable solutions, in combination with the upcoming innovative CCS and CCU technologies. Results also showed that coals from the Mesohellenic Trough present excellent quality traits. However, their value as combustible coal is very low due to the absence of economically recoverable reserves. The largest coal lenticular bodies have been extracted in the past and the remaining occurrences do not exceed several thousand tones. Based upon existing literature and from geospatial estimations, coal deposits in the Mesohellenic Trough Basin cannot be considered as economically valuable for exploitation.

Wikipedia as a Tool for Active Learning. Experience Gained within the Framework of the Wikifabricación Project

2013 ◽  
Vol 759 ◽  
pp. 73-82
Author(s):  
J.V. Abellán-Nebot ◽  
G.M. Bruscas ◽  
J. Serrano ◽  
F. Romero
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Technical Writing ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Educational Innovation ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Innovation Project ◽  
Second Year

Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, is one of the most visited websites on the Internet and it is a tool which students often use in their assignments, although they do not usually understand the basics underlying it. To overcome this limitation and promote the active learning approach in our courses, last year an educational innovation project was carried out that was aimed mainly at improving students skills in technical writing as well as their ability to review the technical contents of the Wikipedias. Additionally, it sought to explore new opportunities that these tools can offer both teachers and students. This paper describes the experiment carried out in a second-year undergraduate engineering course, the results of which show that introducing activities such as edition and revision within Wikipedia is an interesting way to enhance transversal competencies as well as others related to the main contents of the course.

scholarly journals Perceived causes of relapse among a sample of recovering psychiatric patients at a Mafikeng hospital

Curationis ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Mwaba ◽  
R.B. Molamu
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Relapse Prevention ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Medical Intervention ◽  
Research Data ◽  
North West ◽  
Close Family Member ◽  
Close Family

The aim of the present study was to identify factors that are perceived by recovering psychiatric patients as contributing to their relapse. The participants were a convenient sample of out-patients at a psychiatric hospital in Mafikeng, north west South Africa. The sample consisted of 15 males and 15 females, aged 18 to GO years (mean age = 38.7 years). The research data was collected using a questionnaire and non-structured interview. The results showed that 43 percent of the patients attributed their relapse to inability to adhere to prescribed medical intervention. Patients also attributed relapse to lack of social support (20 percent), grief following the loss of a close family member (20 percent), and lack of employment (17 percent). It is recommended that a more integrated approach aimed at providing effective social support be considered in relapse prevention.

scholarly journals Persepsi Masyarakat terhadap Manfaat Lansekap Mangrove Center Tuban Kabupaten Tuban Provinsi Jawa Timur

2016 ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
DIMAS SAIKHU RAHMAN ◽  
NANIEK KOHDRATA ◽  
IDA AYU MAYUN
Keyword(s):  
Mass Media ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Mangrove Forests ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Mass Media

ABSTRACTA Public Perception towards Benefits of the Landscape of Mangrove Center Tuban Tuban Regency - East Java ProvinceThis research was motivated by the problems that are often experienced by the manager of Mangrove Center Tuban changing the function of the region in this area which is the Environmental Educatian Center. This research uses descriptive qualitative approach with case studies in order to capture the phenomena that exist in the field then studied more deeply. The highest perception of knowledge of the benefits and advantages of mangrove forests in Mangrove Center Tuban rated public of the environmental aspects of the lowest 40% and the perception that the social aspects of the environment of 3%. Highest perception Mangrove Center Tuban by 40% of respondents perceived as the cultivation of mangrove and lowest perception is envorinmental education center at 14%. The highest perception of respondents stated assess the mangrove forests of the aspects of a life by 63% and the lowest was the respondent state on the features and functions of mangrove forests of 3%. The highest expression of respondents said getting information from the mass media by 37% and the lowest statement from the manager only by 29%. The conclusion of this study is the public perception of mangrove forests Mangrove Center Tuban is people just look at the circumstances that they see without looking for information first.

scholarly journals Integration of research and nursing experiential learning: a case study

Curationis ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S.C.D. Wright ◽  
I. Benninghoff
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
School Health ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Integration Strategy ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Health Nursing

Teaching research to undergraduates has its own challenges and involving undergraduates in research practical experience is just one of those challenges. As nursing students are in the process of becoming professional nurses, knowledge and skills in research are specific outcomes of the curriculum. One of the outcomes of the B Tech Nursing Science programme offered by the Tshwane University of Technology states that for the baccalaurcate nursing programme include analysis, interpretation and utilisation of a range of research findings in scientific nursing and midwifery care as well as the development of a research protocol in a given context. In an effort to ensure that students would experience research as an essential part of their daily activities, an integrated approach is suggested whereby the nursing experiential learning opportunities are also research experiential learning opportunities. Using the integration strategy, research theory come ‘alive’ for the students. The integration approach is uncomplicated and transferable to any other discipline. The case study presented is the second year nursing students using school nursing experiential learning as a research project. The second year nursing students have a community focus during their second year and one of the experiential learning opportunities is school health nursing in a primary school in Tshwane. The results of the school health survey are presented. The students developed a health education intervention based on the research results.

Consumer attitudes and communication in circular fashion

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 286-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaisa Vehmas ◽  
Anne Raudaskoski ◽  
Pirjo Heikkilä ◽  
Ali Harlin ◽  
Aino Mensonen
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Textile Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Digital Services ◽  
External Stakeholders ◽  
Shopping Experience ◽  
Additional Value ◽  
Innovation Platform

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore consumers’ views and expectations on circular clothing. This paper also clarifies how the remanufacturing process should be communicated and circular fashion marketed to consumers. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology consisted of consumer interviews, utilising an online innovation platform (Owela) to involve consumers and workshops with project partners and with external stakeholders. Findings Consumers’ interest towards recycling and sustainable solutions has increased. They appreciate the idea of recycling textile waste to produce new clothes; circular products should become “the new normal”. Consumers are asking for more visible and concrete information about circular clothing and how their behaviour has affected the environmental aspects of textile production. The communication should be timed correctly by using multiple communication channels and also paying attention to the shopping experience. In addition, digital services alongside circular clothing could create additional value for consumers. Research limitations/implications In this study, only consumers from Finland were involved. The results might be different in different parts of Europe and especially worldwide. Originality/value This study focusses on circular clothing – an area that has not been studied much before. Also, consumers involved in this study were of a different age compared to most of the previous studies, where the focus has been mainly on young college students.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Exploration of Medical Student Empathy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Ellison ◽  
Thomas Pruzinsky
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Clinical Training ◽  
Medical Specialty ◽  
Moral Dilemmas ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Difficult Times

Abstract BackgroundThere is evidence that medical student self-reported empathy may decline as one progresses through their clinical training. Due to the unprecedented changes to both patient care and medical education caused by COVID-19, it is reasonable to assume that medical student empathy may be impacted. The goal of this July 2020 study was to qualitatively explore how the COVID-19 pandemic might affect medical students’ reported experience of empathy.MethodUsing a semi-structured interview, the authors interviewed 12 medical students, 6 second-year and 6 fourth-year. They selected these groups because of the distinct differences in their clinical experience. ResultsData analysis identified 5 major themes: 1) Expanded Perspective (e.g., a feeling of “we’re in this together”, increased awareness of patient vulnerability) 2) Moral Dilemmas (e.g., difficult decisions faced by students as a result of the pandemic such as weighing educational vs. family responsibilities, students risking their own health to provide the best possible care) 3) Confirmation of Values (e.g., Feeling reaffirmed in decision to enter medicine, feeling the pandemic was “what we signed up for” by entering medical school) 4) Shaping Priorities (e.g., changes in medical specialty or populations of interest) 5) Barriers to Empathy and Adaptive Strategies (e.g., COVID-19 created many physical, psychological, and social barriers to empathy for students, students presented many strategies for ameliorating these barriers). Five students (42%) reported increased empathy with no students reporting a decrease in empathy due to experiences during the pandemic. Conclusions Participants did not report that their personal experience of empathy for patients was negatively influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many reported that their empathy increased. The observed differences in responses by pre-clinical (second-year) and clinical (fourth-year) students suggests a possible shift in how empathy is experienced and practiced as one progresses through their medical education. The overwhelmingly positive responses to the semi-structured interview, emphasizing appreciation of the opportunity to discuss topics not previously openly discussed, underscores the importance of providing explicit opportunities for students to discuss their emotional/interpersonal experiences within medical education, particularly in difficult times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Challenges and Benefits of Facilitating Online Learning in Time of Covid-19 Pandemic: Insights and Experiences of Social Science Teachers

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 233-243
Author(s):  
Feddy B. Junsay Jr. ◽  
Dennis V. Madrigal
Keyword(s):  
Online Education ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Teachers And Students

Online education is a rapidly growing phenomenon for teachers. With the outbreak of COVID-19, there are changes in all societies worldwide, and a forcible shift in the medium of teaching and learning is inevitable. This paper explored the social science teachers' lived experiences in a Chinese school during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This qualitative study utilized the phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of eight full-time and tenured social science teachers determined using purposive sampling.  The data were collected from the participants using an in-depth semi-structured interview. Meanwhile, the recursive textual analysis guided by the three C's of Lichtman was employed to analyze the data thematically.  The findings show that social science teachers faced challenges in online teaching such as personal, technical, and teaching strategies.  It also found that the teachers have difficulty motivating students to participate in the online class activities and submission of outputs.  Despite the challenges, the teachers were able to surmount the difficulties because of the support of the administration and their fellow teachers.  Generally, the unfolding of online teaching challenges confronted by school heads, teachers, and students will make them resilient to adapt and embrace virtual education. Keywords. Social Science, online education, COVID-19 Pandemic, phenomenology, Philippines

scholarly journals Development of Decision Support Tool for Evaluation of Urban Water System Metabolism Efficiency

10.29007/r6xs ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Nikolic ◽  
Darko Joksimovic
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Sustainable Solutions

The revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront presents the largest urban redevelopment project currently underway in North America. With respect to planning the waterfront’s urban water systems (UWS), a number of studies considered a range of criteria in search for sustainable alternatives. However, a comprehensive assessment of the integrated source-drinking-wastewater-stormwater systems over their life cycles has not been developed. According to the main postulates of the integrated approach, hybrid water systems can offer potentially more sustainable solutions than traditional centralized systems. This paper discusses the development process of a decision support tool designed to facilitate evaluation of alternatives based on UWS metabolism concept while addressing some typical challenges of hydroinformatics. This decision-making support tool analyses and compares the sustainability performance of alternative decentralized solutions against a baseline conventional approach on a neighbourhood level. The tool uses a set of criteria, adopted by the large group of stakeholders involved in the development process, that are not typically considered in the decision-making process, such as energy savings, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, climate change resiliency, chemical use, and nutrient recovery.

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