Enrichment Program Research Articles

The Design of Local Wisdom-Based Science Learning on Pressure Materials in Junior High School

The lesson plan is an important aspect that determines the success of learning in the classroom. Teachers must design learning that can relate the material being studied to the daily lives of students, for example, is through integrated local wisdom into science learning. The study aimed to develop a science learning set of local wisdom based on pressure materials in Junior High Schools. The research was research and development and used a 4D development model (Define, Design, Development, and Disseminate). The subjects were material experts, media experts, and science teachers of junior high school. The instrument was a validation sheet of the learning set. Qualitative data were analyzed descriptively, and quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. This research produces a science learning set of local wisdom-based on pressure materials in junior high schools, consisting of syllabus, lesson plans, assessments, student worksheets, teaching materials, remedial and enrichment programs. The results of expert validation obtained a score of 89.60 with an excellent category. The results of the science teacher assessment were 92.38 with excellent category. In sum, the science learning set of local wisdom based on pressure material in junior high schools was valid and feasible to improve the understanding of science concepts.

Engaging with mathematics during Covid-19: students aged 16+ responding to a mathematics ‘Box Set’ of enrichment video materials

Abstract This paper reports on a mathematics outreach programme, ‘Bridging KS5 to University’, which offered video materials to students aged 16+ during the school closures in spring/summer 2020 in Wales. The 13 videos, provided by the Further Mathematics Support Programme in Wales, ranging from 20 to 50 min long, included activities and exercises addressing mathematical topics outside the school curriculum, and engaging with them can thus be seen as enrichment activities. The study is primarily concerned with the ways in which students engaged with the materials and what motivated them to begin watching them and then continue to watch them. Interviews with students found that the students’ behavioural and emotional engagement with the materials was much as might have been expected, but that their cognitive engagement was perhaps higher than expected. Considerations for developing further similar enrichment programmes for use in times of crisis, including equity issues, as well as for up-cycling the bridging programme for ‘normal’ times are also discussed.

Program, cultural and neighbourhood factors related to attrition from a community-based enriched medical home program in the United States.

Attrition from clinical interventions targeting underserved populations is a substantive challenge to achieving optimal health outcomes. Our nationally recognised enriched medical home intervention (EMHI) utilised community health worker home visitation to improve health outcomes of children by engaging the entire family and removing barriers to care-seeking. Families were enrolled into the program between 2013 and 2016, and, as part of the evaluation of the program's success, we identified predictors of program completion by conducting a secondary analysis of 304 families participating in the EMHI evaluation research. Program completers finished participation in the EMHI with mutual agreement that the family can independently follow recommended care. Program non-completers were either lost to follow-up or dropped out before reaching this milestone. Data were collected using electronic medical records and validated self-report surveys to assess constructs such as social support, mental health difficulties and neighbourhood characteristics. The EMHI participants were primarily families with infants <24months old, Medicaid-insured and Latino. In the multivariable logistic regression model, EMHI program factors as well as community factors independently predicted program continuation and retention. Specifically, families learning about newborn care or with preferred spoken language Spanish were more likely to complete the program. Participants reporting neighbourhood distrust had a greater likelihood of non-completion than others. Results underscore the importance of cultural competency and community involvement in program design and dissemination. Our findings are applicable to other home-based interventions with the goal of supporting underserved families in following recommended clinical care.

Riding to Learn, Learning to Ride: Early School-busing in Connecticut, 1900–1945

Riding to Learn, Learning to Ride: Early School-busing in Connecticut, 1900–1945

A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of marriage enrichment programs on marital intimacy

A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of marriage enrichment programs on marital intimacy

Like, Comment and Share: Understanding Language Learning Experience of Gifted Students through Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Platform

Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) gained prominence as an alternative teaching and learning platform for many educators embarking on developing university courses online. In Malaysia, the initiative at lower secondary school was quite recent and not many teachers were willing to invest the time and effort to develop the MOOC courses. This study examined the secondary school gifted students’ experience in learning a language subject using a new online course in a MOOC platform. All students from the lower secondary levels of a gifted education institution enrolled in the English subject MOOC and their engagements and experiences were recorded in their journal and classroom discussions. Their text and verbal responses were analysed and reported to better understand the various issues and challenges that they had encountered. Students accredited certain positive aspects of MOOC and they found it to be useful, flexible and engaging. More than 80 per cent relished the social meeting elements such as like, comment and share. The contents and activities helped them learn and practise the English language. The study outcomes disclosed the use of MOOC as a social learning platform that offers engaging learning. The online teaching and learning process could benefit from the social media features found in MOOC which are motivating to the gifted students. For educators, this platform offers useful alternatives and strategies to develop their teaching contents online and utilise it as an enrichment programme in the gifted and talented education institution.

A Perspective on Strategic Enrichment for Brain Development: Is This the Key to Animal Happiness?

Livestock animals are sentient beings with cognitive and emotional capacities and their brain development, similar to humans and other animal species, is affected by their surrounding environmental conditions. Current intensive production systems, through the restrictions of safely managing large numbers of animals, may not facilitate optimal neurological development which can contribute to negative affective states, abnormal behaviors, and reduce experiences of positive welfare states. Enrichment provision is likely necessary to enable animals to reach toward their neurological potential, optimizing their cognitive capacity and emotional intelligence, improving their ability to cope with stressors as well as experience positive affect. However, greater understanding of the neurological impacts of specific types of enrichment strategies is needed to ensure enrichment programs are effectively improving the individual's welfare. Enrichment programs during animal development that target key neurological pathways that may be most utilized by the individual within specific types of housing or management situations is proposed to result in the greatest positive impacts on animal welfare. Research within livestock animals is needed in this regard to ensure future deployment of enrichment for livestock animals is widespread and effective in enhancing their neurological capacities.

Students’ Experiences in Summer Enrichment Engineering Courses: An Input–Process–Outcome Model of Collaborative Creativity

In this study, we examined students’ experiences regarding precollege engineering curricula, classroom environments, and their experiences with the creative process in two engineering courses offered in a university-based summer enrichment program. Applying provisional and open coding to interview data from 16 participants, an Input–Process–Outcome Model of Collaborative Creativity (IPOCC model) was developed. The IPOCC model expands the 4P model of creativity to incorporate more collaborative contexts. The IPOCC model suggests that in K–12 collaborative practice, creativity involves group-level considerations in addition to individual-level components. The IPOCC model offers insights for educators in terms of input components, group processes, and mediating factors that can facilitate learners’ engagement in creative teamwork. The findings of this study indicated that a combination of challenging tasks, open-ended problems, and student teamwork provides a rich environment for learners’ engagement to think creatively.

Can an Educational Activity Program Based on Feuerstein’s Program and Gardner’s Theory Increase Excellence and Creativity in Math in Omani Students?

Excellence and creativity in mathematics are necessary requirements for the twenty-first century, and some countries have gone to build and develop new curricula for excellence and creativity. We prepared an activity program in mathematics based on Feuerstein's instrumental enrichment program and Gardner's multiple intelligences theory to increase excellence and creativity in mathematics for Omani students.We hypothesized that the success of previous programs based on the same foundations would generalize to Omani students. Inan experiment,the experimental group received a special training and the control group did not. We then checked whether the pretest-posttest gain was larger for the experimental group than for the control group. The study sample was comprised of an experimental group of n= 35 8th-grade girl students of class nr. 8/1 in Aesha bent Abu Bakr school in Salalah, Oman, and a control group of n= 36 of 8th-grade girl students of class nr. 8/3 in the same school.The differences in pretest-posttest gains were analyzed using t-tests, significance levels, correlations, and effect sizes.There were large and significant experimental effects in favor of the experimental group, showing these educational outcomes can be generalized to Oman.We note various limitations of the study and give various recommendations.

Reducing loneliness to prevent depression in older adults in Australia: A modelled cost-effectiveness analysis

PurposeThe aim of the study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the Friendship Enrichment Programme (FEP) and a volunteer-led internet and computer training (VICT) intervention to reduce loneliness in older adults and, in turn, prevent depression. MethodA population-based Markov model was developed to estimate the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained and the return on investment (ROI) generated by investing in the interventions from a partial societal perspective. The model consisted of three health states (lonely, not lonely and dead). Costs, QALYs, and the subsequent impacts on depression associated with different health states were modelled. Both interventions were compared to a ‘no intervention’ scenario over a 5-year time horizon. Probabilitistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were undertaken for both interventions. ResultsThe incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was dominant across both interventions, indicating that they were less costly and more effective when compared to the comparator. Results remained robust in the deterministic sensitivity analyses. However, probabilistic sensitivity analyses indicated high uncertainty, with only 55% and 68% of uncertainty iterations lying below the A$50,000 per QALY gained willingness-to-pay threshold for FEP and VICT, respectively. Both interventions generated cost savings that were greater than intervention costs, with a ROI of 2.87 for the FEP and 2.14 for the VICT intervention after 5 years. ConclusionWhile FEP and VICT were found to be cost saving with positive returns on investment, the current evidence on intervention effectiveness is limited and needs to be strengthened before routine rollout can be recommended.

Investigating the Impact of a Mathematics Enhancement Programme on Jamaican Students’ Attainment

Underperformance in mathematics has been an issue that plagues the education system in Jamaica. Studies in first world countries have shown that enrichment programs, including Mathematics Enhancement Programmes (MEPs,) have been positively impacting attainment in mathematics. This quasi-experimental research design study investigated the impact of an MEP on Jamaican students’ attainment in mathematics. A sample of seven grade one classes from two primary schools in representative areas in Jamaica were selected for the intervention group. The treatment involved teaching the Jamaican grade one mathematics standards using the MEP resources for nine months. A statistically significant improvement and large effect size of the intervention was found, indicating that the MEP had a substantial impact on students’ achievement and attitudes towards mathematics. This study has implications for designing enrichment programs geared at addressing mathematics underperformance in Jamaica and in similar countries.

Welfare Improvement by Enrichment Programs in Common Marmoset Females Under Social Isolation

ABSTRACT Animal welfare is critical to buffer stress in captive animals and to ensure the reliability of data from studies. The most usual environmental enrichment technique (EE) for social non-human primates is the social enrichment. However, some experimental protocols require keeping individuals isolated, thus demanding other types of EE. We tested in six adult Callithrix jacchus females, single housed for experimental purpose, the stress buffering efficacy of a structural enrichment protocol (SEP) and SEP in combination with a foraging enrichment (FSEP) using fecal cortisol and behaviors to infer stress levels. Both types of EE improved welfare in different ways, while cortisol levels decreased with both EE as compared to the baseline, autogrooming, and piloerection increased after FSEP probably due to the new foods. Therefore, these findings support alternative practices of EE when social animals are living in isolation and reinforce the positive role of structural and food enrichment for decreasing stress markers. It also encourages studies on welfare with females, since its use as an animal model has increased.

Values Education in Science Lessons with Activities: Responsibility Value

This research aimed to gain the value of responsibility implicitly through activity-based values education tasks (ABVET) prepared in secondary school science lessons. The research was carried out with the embedded quasi-experimental design, one of the mixed research methods. The study group of the research consisted of 37 middle school students in total. Non-parametric tests were used to analyze the quantitative data obtained within the scope of the research and descriptive analysis was used in the analysis of qualitative data. The Dilemma Situations Form (DSF) developed by the researchers, activity documents, student and researcher diaries, and focus group interview form were used as data collection tools. Lessons were taught in the control group as curriculum in practice. In the experimental group, lessons were taught by the researchers with an enriched content and activity program aimed at gaining responsibility value. It was concluded that there was a significant difference in favor of the experimental group between the post-test scores of the experimental and control groups. It was concluded that ABVET was effective in gaining responsibility value to sixth grade students with the data obtained from the DSF, activity documents, student and researcher diaries and focus group interview form. This research shows which method, technique, and material can be preferred for values education in science courses included in education programs. Given the promising results of the current research, methods or techniques related to the constructivist approach such as the appropriate values education program, ABVET should be used for different science subjects, various courses, and grade levels in future studies.

A controlled clinical efficacy trial of multimodal cognitive rehabilitation on episodic memory functioning in older adults with traumatic brain injury.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a 12-week, 24-session multimodal group cognitive intervention, the Cognitive Enrichment Program (CEP), on episodic memory in older adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared to an active control group that received usual care in the form of individual holistic rehabilitation. In total, 37 patients with a TBI who were 57 to 90 years old were assigned to experimental (n=23) and control (n=14) groups in a semi-randomized, controlled, before-after intervention trial with follow-up at 6 months, with blinded outcome measurement. The CEP's Memory module consisted of memory strategies to promote encoding. Efficacy was evaluated by using Face-name association, Word list recall, and Text memory measures, and generalization was assessed with the Self-Evaluation Memory Questionnaire (SEMQ), the Psychological General Well-Being Index, and a satisfaction questionnaire. ANCOVA mixed model repeated-measures analysis revealed a strong group-by-time interaction, with the experimental group showing statistically significant improvement on the Face-name association test, with a large effect size. We also found a statistically significant group-by-time interaction on 3 dimensions of the SEMQ generalization measure: the experimental group showed increased memorization of the content of Conversations, reduced Slips of attention, and increased memory of Political and social events, with medium to large effect sizes. The group also showed clinically significant improvements in psychological well-being. Scores on the satisfaction questionnaire indicated a perceived positive impact on daily life habits requiring memory abilities. The CEP is a promising cognitive rehabilitation program for older individuals with TBI, showing high satisfaction in participants, that could improve their episodic memory functioning as well as enhance their psychological well-being. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04590911.

The impact of multimodal cognitive rehabilitation on executive functions in older adults with traumatic brain injury

This study evaluated the impact of a 12-week, 24-session multimodal group cognitive rehabilitation intervention, the Cognitive Enrichment Program (CEP), on executive functioning and resumption of daily activities after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in older individuals as compared with an active control group that received individual holistic rehabilitation as usual care. In total, 37 patients with a TBI and aged 57 to 90 years were assigned to experimental (n=23) and control (n=14) groups in a semi-randomized, controlled, before-after intervention trial with follow-up at 6 months, with blinded outcome measurement. The CEP's executive function module included planning, problem solving, and goal management training as well as strategies focusing on self-awareness. Efficacy was evaluated by neuropsychological tests (Six Elements Task-Adapted [SET-A], D-KEFS Sorting test and Stroop four-color version); generalization was measured by self-reporting questionnaires about daily functioning (Dysexecutive Functioning Questionnaire, forsaken daily activities). ANCOVA results showed significant group-by-time interactions; the experimental group showed a statistically significant improvement on Tackling the 6 subtasks and Avoiding rule-breaking measures of the SET-A, with medium effect sizes. The generalization measure, the Dysexecutive Functioning Questionnaire, showed a significant reduction in experimental patient-significant other difference on the Executive cognition subscale. The number of forsaken daily activities was reduced in the experimental versus control group, which was not significant immediately after the CEP but was significant 6 months later. Our study shows that older adults with TBI can improve their executive functioning, with a positive impact on everyday activities, after receiving multimodal cognitive training with the CEP. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04590911.

Habitat characteristics and animal management factors associated with habitat use by bottlenose dolphins in zoological environments.

The way an animal uses its habitat can serve as an indicator of habitat appropriateness for the species and individuals. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus and Tursiops aduncus) in accredited zoos and aquariums experience a range of habitat types and management programs that provide opportunities for dolphins to engage in species-appropriate behaviors and potentially influence their individual and group welfare. Data in the present study were collected as part of a larger study titled “Towards understanding the welfare of cetaceans in zoos and aquariums” (colloquially called the Cetacean Welfare Study). Non-invasive bio-logging devices (Movement Tags) recorded the diving behavior and vertical habitat movements of 60 bottlenose dolphins at 31 zoos and aquariums that were accredited by the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and/or the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Bottlenose dolphins wore a Movement Tag one day per week for two five-week data collection periods. Demographic variables, environmental enrichment programs, training programs, and habitat characteristics were associated with habitat usage. Longer dive durations and use of the bottom third of the habitat were associated with higher enrichment program index values. Dolphins receiving new enrichment on a monthly/weekly schedule also used the bottom third of the habitat more often than those receiving new enrichment on a yearly/year+ schedule. Dolphins that were managed in a group that was split into smaller subgroups during the day and were reunited into one group at night spent less time in the top third of the habitat than those who remained in a single group with consistent members at all times. Dolphins that were managed as subgroups with rotating members but were never united as one group spent less time in the bottom third of the habitat than those who remained in a single group with consistent members at all times. Taken together, the results suggested that management practices, such as enrichment and training programs, played a greater role in how dolphins interacted with their environment relative to the physical characteristics of the habitat.

Environmental enrichment, training, and habitat characteristics of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus).

In recent decades, animal welfare science has evolved to utilize a multidisciplinary approach to assess the welfare of animals in accredited zoos and aquariums. Science-based animal welfare assessments have become an essential component of management programs and widespread application is expected by animal care professionals. Management practices for bottlenose dolphins in accredited facilities incorporate several programs that potentially impact animal welfare including environmental enrichment and animal training. Additionally, habitat characteristics, such as the dimensions of the habitat, have been proposed to affect welfare. While accredited facilities are required to meet high standards of care, habitat characteristics and management practices are not standardized across locations. Knowledge and subsequent application of these practices and habitat characteristics can enhance our understanding of factors associated with positive welfare. As part of a larger study of dolphin welfare titled “Towards understanding the welfare of cetaceans in zoos and aquariums” (colloquially called the Cetacean Welfare Study), survey data were collected from 86 bottlenose dolphins in 40 habitats at 38 facilities in seven countries. The major aims of this paper are to provide general descriptive information regarding dolphin management in accredited zoos and aquariums and to provide supplemental context to the other research published from the Cetacean Welfare Study data set. This paper provides a review of current habitat characteristics and management practices at those 38 accredited zoos and aquariums. These data enabled the identification and quantification of how cetacean management practices differed between participating facilities accredited by the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Variables were selected based on their potential association with welfare including the physical habitat, environmental enrichment, and training programs. The variables were also used for subsequent research in this collection of related papers to investigate important connections between potential indicators of welfare and habitat characteristics, environmental enrichment, and training programs.

Assessment of animal management and habitat characteristics associated with social behavior in bottlenose dolphins across zoological facilities.

Bottlenose dolphins are a behaviorally complex, social species that display a variety of social behaviors. Because of this, it is important for zoological facilities to strive to ensure animals display species-appropriate levels of social behavior. The current study is part of the multi-institutional study entitled “Towards understanding the welfare of cetaceans in zoos and aquariums” commonly referred to as the Cetacean Welfare Study. All participating facilities were accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and/or the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Behavioral data were collected on 47 bottlenose dolphins representing two subspecies, Tursiops truncatus and Tursiops aduncus, at 25 facilities. The social behaviors of group related activity (group active) as well as interacting with conspecifics (interact with conspecific) were examined for their relationships to both animal management factors and habitat characteristics. The behavioral state of group active and the rate of interact with conspecific were both positively related to the frequency of receiving new forms of environmental enrichment. Both were inversely related to the random scheduling of environmental enrichment. Additional results suggested interact with conspecific was inversely related with daytime spatial experience and that males displayed group active more than females. Overall, the results suggested that animal management techniques such as the type and timing of enrichment may be more important to enhance social behavior than habitat characteristics or the size of the habitat. Information gained from this study can help facilities with bottlenose dolphins manage their enrichment programs in relation to social behaviors.

Bottlenose dolphin habitat and management factors related to activity and distance traveled in zoos and aquariums.

High-resolution non-invasive cetacean tagging systems can be used to investigate the influence of habitat characteristics and management factors on behavior by quantifying activity levels and distance traveled by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus and Tursiops aduncus) in accredited zoos and aquariums. Movement Tags (MTags), a bio-logging device, were used to record a suite of kinematic and environmental information outside of formal training sessions as part of a larger study titled “Towards understanding the welfare of cetaceans in zoos and aquariums” (colloquially called the Cetacean Welfare Study). The purpose of the present study was to explore if and how habitat characteristics, environmental enrichment programs, and training programs were related to the distance traveled and energy expenditure of dolphins in accredited zoos and aquariums. Bottlenose dolphins in accredited zoos and aquariums wore MTags one day per week for two five-week data collection periods. Overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA), a proxy for energy expenditure, and average distance traveled per hour (ADT) of 60 dolphins in 31 habitats were examined in relation to demographic, habitat, and management factors. Participating facilities were accredited by the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and/or Aquariums and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Two factors were found to be related to ADT while six factors were associated with ODBA. The results showed that enrichment programs were strongly related to both ODBA and ADT. Scheduling predictable training session times was also positively associated with ADT. The findings suggested that habitat characteristics had a relatively weak association with ODBA and were not related to ADT. In combination, the results suggested that management practices were more strongly related to activity levels than habitat characteristics.

Towards understanding the welfare of cetaceans in accredited zoos and aquariums.

Cetaceans are long-lived, social species that are valued as ambassadors inspiring the public to engage in conservation action. Under professional care, they are critical partners with the scientific community to understanding the biology, behavior, physiology, health, and welfare requirements of this taxonomic group. The Cetacean Welfare Study was a highly collaborative research effort among zoos and aquariums accredited by the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and/or the Association of Zoos & Aquariums that provided important empirical and comparative information on the care and management of cetaceans. The goal was to identify factors that were related to the welfare of bottlenose dolphins and to develop reference intervals and values for common and novel indicators of health and welfare for common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), and Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens). Data were collected from cetaceans at 43 accredited zoos and aquariums in seven countries in 2018 and 2019. This overview presents a summary of findings from the initial research articles that resulted from the study titled “Towards understanding the welfare of cetaceans in zoos and aquariums.” With multiple related objectives, animal-based metrics were used to advance frameworks of clinical care and target key conditions that were associated with good welfare of cetaceans in zoo and aquarium environments. As a result of this collaboration, species-specific reference intervals and values for blood variables and fecal hormone metabolites were developed and are freely available in an iOS application called ZooPhysioTrak. The results suggested that environmental enrichment programs and social management factors were more strongly related to behaviors likely indicative of positive welfare than habitat characteristics for common and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. These findings can be widely applied to optimize care and future science-based welfare practice.