104 research outputs found

    Personal Tribute to Honorable Frank X. Altimari

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    Task design for audiographic conferencing: promoting beginner oral interaction in distance language learning

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    This paper presents the challenges involved in designing a full set of online tutorial materials for a beginners' Spanish course for distance language learners utilising an online audiographic conferencing VLE for synchronous oral interaction. Although much has been written about task design and task-based learning and teaching (TBLT) in language learning (Johnson, 2003; Klapper, 2003; Ellis, 2000; Nunan, 1989, among others), the shift to an audiographic Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) medium presents a number of challenges to task design which are only just beginning to be documented (Hampel 2003, Hampel & Baber 2003, Hampel & Hauck 2004). Here we will discuss what the challenges are for the design and implementation of activities suited to the development of oral skills in a foreign language in such an environment in the light of current theories of SLA (Skehan, 2003; Doughty & Long, 2003; Doughty, 2000; Long, 1996), task design, and CALL (Warschauer, 1997; Chapelle 1998) and how those challenges were met for the production of a full set of materials for a beginners' Spanish distance learning course at the Open University using a tool that had been deemed unsuitable for that level (Kötter, 2001). We will also present the findings of the developmental testing of a sample of these activities and recommend a model for tasks in an audiographic VLE to promote oral interaction at beginner level

    Scaffolding in teacher-student interaction: a decade of Research

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    Although scaffolding is an important and frequently studied concept, much discussion exists with regard to its conceptualizations, appearances, and effectiveness. Departing from the last decade’s scaffolding literature, this review scrutinizes these three areas of scaffolding. First, contingency, fading, and transfer of responsibility are discerned in this review as the three key characteristics of scaffolding. Second, an overview is presented of the numerous descriptive studies that provided narratives on the appearances of scaffolding and classifications of scaffolding strategies. These strategies are synthesized into a framework for analysis, distinguishing between scaffolding means and intentions. Third, the small number of effectiveness studies available is discussed and the results suggest that scaffolding is effective. However, more research is needed. The main challenge in scaffolding research appears to be its measurement. Based on the encountered and described measurement problems, suggestions for future research are made

    0767 Analysis Of The Effect On Blood Pressure And Heart Rate When Adding Solriamfetol (Sunosi) To Stimulant Therapy

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    Abstract Introduction Solriamfetol is a non-stimulant wakefulness-promoting agent (WPA) indicated for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea or narcolepsy. It acts by inhibiting reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine. Since many patients with excessive daytime sleepiness take stimulants, clinicians commonly ponder the safety of adding solriamfetol in this population due to concern of increased blood pressure and/or heart rate (HR). Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review and identified 18 patients who had solriamfetol added to their stimulant therapy. Of those, 7 to date have had a follow-up appointment after the addition of solriamfetol (6 on 150mg, 1 on 75mg). We collected the blood pressure and HR readings at the appointment immediately prior to and following the addition of solriamfetol and conducted a paired t-test. Results The systolic blood pressure (SBP) had a mean difference of -0.57 (95% CI -9.6 to 8.5, p=0.88), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 1.7 (95% CI -4.4 to 7.9, p=0.52), mean arterial pressure (MAP) 0.95 (95% CI -5.6 to 7.5, p=0.73), and HR 6.6 (95% CI -0.07 to 13.2, p=0.052). Conclusion The addition of solriamfetol to stimulant therapy did not lead to a significant increase in SBP, DBP, MAP, or HR. Support none </jats:sec
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