How Equitable Teaching Practices Impact the Mathematical Identity of English Language Learners from Teachers’ Perspectives

This mixed method research study examined the teacher’s perspectives on how equitable teaching practices impact the math identity of English language learners. A quantitative research survey instrument including five major themes that was generated from the frameworks in the literature review was used, and then followed by semi-structured interviews to address the research question. The data collected from the survey indicated that participants do believe that equitable teaching practices would impact the math identity of ELLs via: conveying high expectations, language support, modifying lessons, mathematical tasks and mathematical tools. Building on the survey results, interviewees furthermore informed that all these factors have presented influence on the math identity of ELLs in their classrooms. The results also show that there is a need to validate using mathematical tools in the math classroom

A Hermeneutic Study: The Impacts of the Harm Reduction Approach on Women Living In Abusive Relationships

Despite the number of services available to battered women, few focus on working with those who remain in the abusive relationships. The Harm Reduction approach is one geared towards working with women who have not yet made the decision to leave their abusive partner. This hermeneutic, interpretive study of women\u27s narratives revealed that the harm reduction approach provided non-judgmental support, which was conducive to increasing women\u27s overall awareness of themselves, their situation, and their options. It is recommended that social workers and other human service agencies recognize the complexity, individuality and strength in each battered woman they encounter, facilitate a non-judgmental approach in working with them, and that battered women\u27s experience and choice is validated rather than stigmatized or pathologized for the problem

The business model evaluation tool for smart cities: application to SmartSantander use cases

New technologies open up the door to multiple business models applied to public services in smart cities. However, there is not a commonly adopted methodology for evaluating business models in smart cities that can help both practitioners and researchers to choose the best option. This paper addresses this gap introducing the Business Model Evaluation Tool for Smart Cities. This methodology is a simple, organized, flexible and the transparent system that facilitates the work of the evaluators of potential business models. It is useful to compare two or more business models and take strategic decisions promptly. The method is part of a previous process of content analysis and it is based on the widely utilized Business Model Canvas. The evaluation method has been assessed by 11 experts and, subsequently it has been validated applying it to the case studies of Santander’s waste management and street lighting systems, which take advantage of innovative technologies commonly used in smart cities.We thank to the European Commission’s H2020 Program, Organicity, GA-645198, for partially funding the research work carried out in this paper

IoT-support systems for parents with ADHD and autism

This paper describes the outcomes of a one year long research project aimed at identifying and prototyping ideas for Internet of Things-based products which can help parents with ADHD or autism in their everyday life. The project was conducted according to user-centered design principles to identify ideas, which were later prototyped and made technical proof-of-concepts of. This paper focuses on the process of making the technical proof-of-concept, after initially describing the process of arriving at the ideas which were prototyped

Designing with information and empathy: Delivering human information to designers

This paper detailed research by McGinley into information and empathy resources to support people-centred design. It was published in a special edition of The Design Journal, an INT1-rated journal in the European Reference Index for the Humanities. The paper reported on the concept of information and empathy combinations and detailed a case study in which the author undertook the role of lead researcher. The reported case study was the design of safer drinks vessels for the UK pub industry, a project commissioned by the Home Office and managed by the Design Council. The case study reported on the process undertaken to explore glass-related assaults. Human information resources (i.e. mixed-media outputs, including reports, video and interactive software) were created to communicate the range of perspectives and insights obtained through design ethnography methods. The research was used by a design consultancy commissioned to re-design the pint glass, leading to a new concept that was developed and trialled in UK bars. McGinley and Caroline Till also wrote an accompanying publication that consolidated findings based on four months of research into alcohol-related violence. Design Out Crime: Using Design to Reduce Injuries from Alcohol-Related Violence in Pubs and Clubs (2010) was published by the Design Council and launched alongside resulting designs by the Home Secretary at the Design Council. The project received national media coverage and featured extensively in the national press (e.g. BBC News, Guardian, Metro, Daily Mail, Creative Review) Further to this work, McGinley was invited to become a ‘design ambassador’ for the Design Council’s ‘Keeping Connected’ Design Challenge (2011), which engaged high-school students with older communities. McGinley was also invited to present his work at Central Saint Martins Service Design Summer School (2012)