An Artificial Intelligence Chatbot for Young People’s Sexual and Reproductive Health in India (SnehAI): Instrumental Case Study

Background Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)–driven apps for health education and promotion can help in the accomplishment of several United Nations sustainable development goals. SnehAI, developed by the Population Foundation of India, is the first Hinglish (Hindi + English) AI chatbot, deliberately designed for social and behavioral changes in India. It provides a private, nonjudgmental, and safe space to spur conversations about taboo topics (such as safe sex and family planning) and offers accurate, relatable, and trustworthy information and resources. Objective This study aims to use the Gibson theory of affordances to examine SnehAI and offer scholarly guidance on how AI chatbots can be used to educate adolescents and young adults, promote sexual and reproductive health, and advocate for the health entitlements of women and girls in India. Methods We adopted an instrumental case study approach that allowed us to explore SnehAI from the perspectives of technology design, program implementation, and user engagement. We also used a mix of qualitative insights and quantitative analytics data to triangulate our findings. Results SnehAI demonstrated strong evidence across fifteen functional affordances: accessibility, multimodality, nonlinearity, compellability, queriosity, editability, visibility, interactivity, customizability, trackability, scalability, glocalizability, inclusivity, connectivity, and actionability. SnehAI also effectively engaged its users, especially young men, with 8.2 million messages exchanged across a 5-month period. Almost half of the incoming user messages were texts of deeply personal questions and concerns about sexual and reproductive health, as well as allied topics. Overall, SnehAI successfully presented itself as a trusted friend and mentor; the curated content was both entertaining and educational, and the natural language processing system worked effectively to personalize the chatbot response and optimize user experience. Conclusions SnehAI represents an innovative, engaging, and educational intervention that enables vulnerable and hard-to-reach population groups to talk and learn about sensitive and important issues. SnehAI is a powerful testimonial of the vital potential that lies in AI technologies for social good.

Implementation of community-based education management: a case study of Islamic boarding schools in Bengkulu city, Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to reveal the objective conditions and characteristics of Islamic boarding school management as a model of community-based education in Bengkulu City. This study uses a qualitative approach, the method used is a single instrumental case study. The data collection process used (1) in-depth interviews, (2) participatory observation, and (3) documentation study. The data analysis technique is domain analysis by focusing on terms, semantic relationships, and the phrases they cover. The results and research findings show that Islamic boarding school management as a model of community-based education in Bengkulu City needs to be addressed regarding management according to good and correct management principles, which have been using full authority and top leader charisma. Given that Islamic boarding school is a type of community-based education, the application of management must pay attention to the aspects of management that apply to community-based education. Keywords: management, community-based education, Islamic boarding school

Promoting the Pedagogical Use of Pictograms

This article reports on the findings of a qualitative research project, in which an instrumental case study with five in-service English teachers graduated from Universidad Nacional (UNA), Costa Rica was carried out. Hence, a hybrid continuing education workshop was designed and conducted, which was focused on promoting the pedagogical use of pictograms in the design of materials for teaching English. As the main product of the workshop, the participants created and used a teaching material which included pictograms. Among the main results obtained in the research project, the students’ facility, motivation, and speed to communicate their ideas in English by using pictograms stood out.

Preservice Music Educators’ Perceptions of In-Person and Asynchronous Online Fieldwork Experiences

The purpose of this instrumental case study was to examine preservice music educators’ (PMEs) perceptions of a semester-long fieldwork experience first delivered in person and then asynchronously online. Using the community of inquiry (CoI) framework, I analyzed the PMEs’ perceptions of their teaching presence in both fieldwork experiences. Participants cited benefits and challenges with lesson plan organization, in-person and asynchronous instruction, and building consensus about effective teaching. Notably, the asynchronous fieldwork provided a non-reactive environment where the script and delivery of content took precedent over a rehearsal mindset, which was more responsive and occurred during the in-person fieldwork. Based on these findings, music teacher educators might consider asynchronous fieldwork when in-person fieldwork is unavailable or as a stepping stone to prepare PMEs for in-person fieldwork experiences.

FLOSS in New Zealand Public Libraries

<p>This study attempts to gain an understanding of the uses and potential uses of FLOSS (free/libre and open source software) in New Zealand public libraries; including how FLOSS is currently being used by New Zealand public libraries, problems encountered with FLOSS, benefits received from using FLOSS, and how libraries came to the decision to use FLOSS. It uses an instrumental case study approach and interviews eight participants from four institutions; Te Horowhenua Trust, Auckland Libraries, Aotearoa People's Network Kaharoa and South Taranaki LibraryPlus. The research found that participants were very happy with their FLOSS usage, and that it was important for governing bodies and IT departments to be supportive of experimentation and innovation. Benefits of FLOSS included lack of vendor lock-in, lower cost, flexibility, ability to influence the development of the software, the philosophies and ethos of FLOSS, better features, stability, community support and the ability to give patrons software to use outside the library. Information sharing between libraries and engagement with FLOSS communities were important factors in successful use. Further research could study how software procurement decisions are made in New Zealand libraries, and whether FLOSS is being overlooked due to preconceptions or uneven decision-making processes.</p>

FLOSS in New Zealand Public Libraries

<p>This study attempts to gain an understanding of the uses and potential uses of FLOSS (free/libre and open source software) in New Zealand public libraries; including how FLOSS is currently being used by New Zealand public libraries, problems encountered with FLOSS, benefits received from using FLOSS, and how libraries came to the decision to use FLOSS. It uses an instrumental case study approach and interviews eight participants from four institutions; Te Horowhenua Trust, Auckland Libraries, Aotearoa People's Network Kaharoa and South Taranaki LibraryPlus. The research found that participants were very happy with their FLOSS usage, and that it was important for governing bodies and IT departments to be supportive of experimentation and innovation. Benefits of FLOSS included lack of vendor lock-in, lower cost, flexibility, ability to influence the development of the software, the philosophies and ethos of FLOSS, better features, stability, community support and the ability to give patrons software to use outside the library. Information sharing between libraries and engagement with FLOSS communities were important factors in successful use. Further research could study how software procurement decisions are made in New Zealand libraries, and whether FLOSS is being overlooked due to preconceptions or uneven decision-making processes.</p>

The Outcomes of Fifth-Grade Emergent Bi/Multilinguals’ Introduction to a Visual Metalanguage When Constructing Scientific Explanations in Hong Kong

The visual mode provides emergent bi/multilinguals an essential resource to construct scientific explanations. Yet, while a metalanguage is used to describe the written mode of scientific language such as, claim, evidence, reason; there is little research that makes students aware of the metalanguage of a visual mode. We propose an introduction to the visual metalanguage will ensure emergent bi/multilinguals better access to the visual mode. This study employs an instrumental case study to examine the introduction of visual metalanguage to a fifth-grade science class. Two cameras record ten emergent bi/multilinguals as they construct scientific explanations in nine lessons. We use a framework informed by social semiotics to analyse the meanings made. The data revealed that an awareness of the visual metalanguage led to an enhanced commitment to illustrate the explanation of the phenomenon, illuminated key concepts and provided more context to the audience. In addition, teacher questioning became more focused.

“That’s Just a Part of Growing Up”: A Study of Non-formal Educators’ Lay Theories of Adolescence

This instrumental case study explored non-formal educators’ lay theories of adolescence using the case of the Boy Scouts of America’s Scouts BSA program, a co-ed program serving youth between the ages of 11 and 17. We conducted an iterative analysis of 110 structured interviews with Scouts BSA adult volunteer leaders who served as scoutmasters or assistant scoutmasters. Results indicated that participants discussed adolescence in terms of youth characteristics as well as processes youth underwent during their adolescent years. These adults sometimes viewed adolescence as idiosyncratic, identifying differences in learning, behavior, and family situations among youth, particularly those whom they had identified as exhibiting specific challenges like autism. The results also illustrated relationships between the program and lay theories of adolescence. Namely, core Scouts BSA programmatic structures and expectations such as operating the patrol/troop method hierarchies, building leadership skills, camping or outdoor activities, and including all youth in activities influence participants’ own views of adolescence, including their views of adolescence as a time to cultivate maturity and independence. The study concludes with a brief discussion of results and limitations of the study, including recommendations for training and additional research.

Implementation of community-based education management: A case study of Islamic boarding schools in Bengkulu City, Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to reveal the objective conditions and characteristics of Islamic boarding school management as a model of community-based education in Bengkulu City. This study uses a qualitative approach, the method used is a single instrumental case study. The data collection process used (1) in-depth interviews, (2) participatory observation, and (3) documentation study. The data analysis technique is domain analysis by focusing on terms, semantic relationships, and the phrases they cover. The results and research findings show that Islamic boarding school management as a model of community-based education in Bengkulu City needs to be addressed regarding management according to good and correct management principles, which have been using full authority and top leader charisma. Given that Islamic boarding school is a type of community-based education, the application of management must pay attention to the aspects of management that apply to community-based education. Keywords: management, community-based education, Islamic boarding school