Motivation For Active Participation Research Articles

학교 환경교육 사업 운영을 통한 담당 교사들의 학습에 관한 질적 사례연구

Objectives This study aims to explore how teachers perceive the operation of school environmental education projects and identify the meaningful learning experiences they encounter in the process of carrying out environmental education tasks.
 Methods To achieve the research objectives, in-depth interviews and open-ended surveys were conducted with 11 teachers from elementary, middle, high, and special schools who have participated in the Chungcheongbuk-do Office of Education's Green School policy project for over two years and have continuous experience with Green Schools. The collected data were analyzed through qualitative research methods, and the research results were derived through discussions.
 Results Teachers, in the process of carrying out environmental education tasks, strengthened school environmental education on an educational dimension tailored to the specific situation, surpassing visible outcomes and pursuing educationally substantial activities. The efforts made by teachers were found to have an impact on changing their perspectives on the existing environmental education tasks. Through the learning process facilitated by these tasks, teachers recognized the overall necessity of environmental education in schools and, consequently, secured environmental education leadership at the school level.
 Conclusions The operation of school environmental education projects should be a process where teachers actively engage in and prioritize the implementation of substantial activities with an educational focus for better environmental education. Through realizing activities that prioritize educational objectives, teachers can create meaning in the operation of projects at both individual and community levels. This approach allows teachers to secure voluntary motivation for active participation in their roles as practitioners of environmental education.

The Moderating Role of Motivation in the Real-Time Associations of Fatigue, Cognitive Complaints, and Pain With Depressed Mood Among Stroke Survivors: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study

ObjectiveStroke symptoms fluctuate during the day as stroke survivors participate in daily activities. Understanding the real-time associations among stroke symptoms and depressed mood, as well as the role of motivation for daily activities, informs, and post-stroke symptom management in the context of everyday living. This study aimed to (1) investigate the real-time associations of fatigue, cognitive complaints, and pain with depressed mood and (2) examine the role of motivation for daily activity participation as a potential moderator of these associations in stroke survivors. DesignA prospective cohort study involving 7 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA), during which participants completed 8 EMA surveys per day. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze data. SettingCommunity. ParticipantsForty community-dwelling stroke survivors (N=40). InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresEMA measures of depressed mood, stroke symptoms (physical and mental fatigue, cognitive complaints, and pain), and motivation (autonomous motivation, controlled motivation). ResultsHigher levels of within- and between-person physical fatigue, mental fatigue, cognitive complaints, and pain were momentarily associated with greater depressed mood (Ps<.001). Within-person autonomous motivation significantly buffered the momentary associations of physical fatigue (B=-0.06, P<.001), mental fatigue (B=-0.04, P=.032), and pain (B=-0.21, P<.001) with depressed mood. ConclusionsFindings indicate the momentary associations of fatigue, cognitive complaints, and pain with depressed mood in stroke survivors. Autonomous motivation underpinning daily activity participation was found to buffer the associations of fatigue and pain with depressed mood. Promoting autonomous motivation for daily activity participation may be viable for preventing and mitigating poststroke depression.

Protecting the Unprotected Consumer Data in Internet of Things: Current Scenario of Data Governance in Malaysia

With the increasing number of smart devices and connections in Internet of Things (IoT) comes risks—specifically involving consumer data protection. In this respect, this exploratory research examines the current issues of IoT and personal data protection in Malaysia that includes: regulatory frameworks and data governance; issues and gaps; and key challenges in implementation. Results from this mixed-methods research indicates that a majority of consumers expressed concern about personal data risks due to increased usage of IoT devices. Moreover, there is a crucial need to increase regulation and accountability in the industry. In this regard, collaboration and partnerships between the main stakeholders are essential in tackling emerging issues of IoT and personal data protection. In order to strengthen IoT data governance, the fundamentals should be: strengthening consumer education and smart partnership between government-industry-civil society; providing motivation for active participation of NGOs and civil society; and obtaining industry buy-in. This paper also proposes a structure for the governance of evolving data-related technology, particularly in the case of data breaches or cyber incidents. It adds to the wider discussion of the current scenario, and proposes a model of collective responsibility in IoT data governance that is underpinned by the three principles of fair information practices, privacy impact assessment and privacy accountability.

Associations Between Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Motivation Underpinning Daily Activity Participation Among Community-Dwelling Survivors of Stroke: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study

ObjectiveGrounded in the self-determination theory (SDT), this study aimed to examine the real-time associations between basic psychological need satisfaction and motivation underpinning daily activity participation among survivors of stroke. DesignRepeated-measures observational study involving 7 days of ambulatory monitoring; participants completed ecological momentary assessment (EMA) surveys via smartphones 8 times daily. Multilevel models were used to analyze EMA data for concurrent (same survey) and lagged (next survey) associations. SettingGeneral community. ParticipantsForty community-dwelling survivors of stroke (N=40). InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresEMA measures of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) and motivation (autonomous motivation, controlled motivation). ResultsIn concurrent analyses, increased autonomy (B=0.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.26; P<.001), competence (B=0.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.19; P=.021), and relatedness (B=0.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.13; P<.001) were momentarily associated with higher autonomous motivation. Conversely, increased autonomy (B=−0.19; 95% confidence interval, −0.27 to −0.10; P<.001) and competence (B=−0.09; 95% confidence interval, −0.17 to −0.01; P=.020) were momentarily associated with lower controlled motivation. Contrary to SDT, increased relatedness was momentarily associated with higher controlled motivation (B=0.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.14; P<.001). In lagged analyses, no momentary associations were detected between basic psychological needs and motivation (Ps>.05). ConclusionsFindings suggest that basic psychological need satisfaction is momentarily associated with motivation for daily activity participation. Additional research is warranted to examine the associations of different orientations of relatedness with autonomous and controlled motivation. Supporting basic psychological needs may foster autonomous motivation of survivors of stroke to enhance daily activity participation after stroke.

Physical Activity and Exercise Participation Motives as Correlates of Dance Skills Performance Among Grade 10 Students

This study aimed to determine the relationship of physical activity and exercise participation motives with that of the dance skills performance of students. This study utilized the descriptive- correlational research design with 40 of Cagbalete Island National High School Grade 10 students of the academic year 2021-2022 as the respondents. Participatory motives were measured using the Exercise Motivation Inventory (EMI-2) of Markland (1997). The statistical tools used were the mean statistics standard deviation in determining the participation motives of the respondents and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient in determining the relationship between the participatory motives and dance skills performance of the respondents. Results show that enjoyment is the top motive of the students to participate in physical activity and exercises. They are very good in manifesting their physical, technical and skills performance. It was concluded that there is a significant relationship between the physical activity and exercise motives in terms of enjoyment with that of the dance skills performance of the students, which implies that enjoyment plays a crucial role in their physical activity participation. To ensure enjoyment in Physical Education (PE) it is suggested that teacher consider certain enjoyment processes particularly activity-related excitement when structuring PE activities and programs.

Higher Rumination Tendency Is Associated with Reduced Positive Effects of Daily Activity Participation in People with Depressive Disorder.

Objectives Rumination, a response style characterized by self-reflection loops of negative thoughts, tends to exacerbate depressive symptoms and may impair daily functional behaviors of individuals with depression. However, the specific impacts of rumination on activity participation remain unclear. The current study was aimed at examining the differences in daily activity participation profiles between clinically depressed people with higher versus lower rumination tendencies, with the hope to provide insightful suggestions for improving the quality of life of ruminative individuals with major depression. Methods We recruited 143 participants with a depression-related diagnosis from psychiatric daycare centers or clinics and analyzed the differences in activity participation profiles between individuals with higher versus lower rumination tendencies. Results Although compared to those with lower rumination tendencies, participants with higher rumination tendencies spent a longer time in activity participation; they experienced lower participation quality during these activities. Furthermore, their activity participation was primarily motivated by meeting others' expectations rather than self-interest. They also misattributed participation restriction to “lack of family support,” indicating that the unhealthy rumination pattern might be the cause of their lack of positive feelings from engaging in meaningful daily activities. Conclusions The current results suggest that the unhealthy motivation behind activity participation seems to be an important factor that decreases the quality of participation in individuals with higher rumination tendency. Establishing a healthy motivation for activity participation is therefore critical for improving their quality of participation. As an initial step, OT interventions could put a focus on helping them clarify and escape from the source of negative rumination cycles that impede their positive feeling of activity participation.

P22 Youth as agents of change in raising AMR awareness in the community in Dodoma region

IntroductionOne of the strategic objectives of the AMR national action plan is to improve public awareness and understanding of AMR. Changing people's behaviour is not easy and the older a person is, the more they are set in their ways. Schoolchildren are in their formative years, which is the right time to impart knowledge and best practices that will guide their behaviour in life. Importantly, students have links with families and communities and are future leaders. Roll Back Antimicrobial resistance Initiative (RBA Initiative) has been pioneering the use of youth as agents of change to increase AMR awareness, promote positive behavioural change and thus reduce treatment failure.ObjectivesThe main objective was to equip young people (schoolchildren) with knowledge and skills to understand antimicrobial use and resistance and ability to pass the knowledge to their families, other students and community at large.MethodsThrough AMR clubs, RBA Initiative used different methodologies to engage and educate schoolchildren on AMR. These included classroom teaching, arts and crafts like songs, skits, drama, traditional dances and storytelling and fun videos. Further motivation for active participation was encouraged through competition. The content of the training included topics such as behaviour that fuels AMR, hand hygiene and sanitation, the impact of fake drugs and the One Health approach.ResultsIn 2020, the project build the capacity of 160 students. Subsequently, these trained students have reached over 1000 fellow secondary school students, over 3000 primary school pupils and over 800 community members including family members with key AMR messages.ConclusionsIf engaged and empowered, young people are able to increase community knowledge and awareness regarding AMR as agents of change, contributing to the national action plan on AMR.

Povezanost vere i navika učenika sa pojedinim parametrima i učešćem u dodatnim fizičkim aktivnostima nakon škole - pilot istraživanje

School-age children are recommended to participate in physical activities for at least 60 minutes daily. It is considered that half of that time should be used for physical activities at school where children spend a lot of time. It has been emphasized that motivation for active participation in physical education decreases during schooling. Family habits are considered to be very important and have an impact on the active participation of a child in physical education as well as in all other forms of physical activity. The aim of the present pilot research was to indicate the possible relationship between variables that have an impact on students' motivation (BMI, physical exercise motivation, healthy habits concerning healthy diet and sleeping, parental sports habits, family beliefs and devotion or child's acquired internal beliefs) and their active participation in any of extracurricular sport activities. The survey of parents (N = 12) whose children are at primary school was conducted. It was found that children (aged 7-14) have optimal BMI values (16.3 kg / m2). It also showed that each child is involved in some sport activity. It was estimated that every child takes enough fruit/vegetables per day, as well as sweets. Children sleep enough (9 hours a day). When asked about faith (belief), the parents referred to faith in "God" or belief in "Self". It can be concluded that there is very little interest in free sport activities. At the same time, the parents prefer sport activites organized outside the school.

The Relationship Between Social Capital and Physical Activity Participation Motivation in the Elderly

Background: In recent years, social capital, and especially its importance among the elderly has attracted the attention of researchers. Moreover, it was suggested that older adults lack sufficient physical activity that may be due to the lack of motivation. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between social capital and physical activity participation motivation among the elderly living in the west of Tehran City, Iran, in 2020. Methods: This was a descriptive correlational study. The research population consisted of aged individuals present in the public areas of the west of Tehran City, Iran (districts 5, 9, 21, &amp; 22 of Tehran Municipality), such as sidewalks and passages, shopping centers, parks, mosques, and so on. In total, 400 subjects were recruited by the multistage sampling method. The Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT), Participation Motivation Questionnaire for Older Adults (PMQOA), and Onyx and Bullen social capital scale were used to gather the required data. The obtained data were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Independent Samples t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in SPSS at the significance level of P&lt;0.05. Results: The Mean±SD social capital of the study subjects was equal to 86.27±23.3. The fitness and social factors of activity participation motives had the highest (49.72±19.34) and lowest (18.97±15.96) Mean±SD values (based on an index of 0-100). Social capital was significantly associated with physical activity participation motivators (except fitness &amp; medical subscales) (P&lt;0.05). Social capital was also associated with occupational status, the number of children, house size, and the economic status of the research subjects (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: According to the obtained results, the social capital of the elderly participating in this study was pretty low. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between social capital and the motivators of physical activity participation (apart from fitness &amp; medical); this result signifies the necessity of attention to the social capital of the elderly.

Engagement Features in Physical Activity Smartphone Apps: Focus Group Study With Sedentary People

BackgroundEngagement with physical activity mobile apps has been reported to be a core precondition for their effectiveness in digital behavior change interventions. However, to date, little attention has been paid to understanding the perspectives, needs, expectations, and experiences of potential users with physical activity mobile apps.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the features that are judged to be important for engagement with a physical activity mobile app and the reasons for their importance.MethodsA qualitative focus-group methodology with elements of co-design was adopted in this study. Participants reporting sedentary lifestyles and willingness to improve their physical activity behavior through mobile technology were recruited. The focus group sessions consisted of 13 participants (8 men and 5 women, mean [SD] age 41.9 [7.1] years). Two researchers conducted the data analysis independently by using the inductive thematic approach.ResultsFour main themes emerged in relation to the research question and were named as follows: “physical activity participation motives,” “autonomy and self-regulation,” “need for relatedness,” and “smart.” Additionally, 2 subthemes originated from “physical activity participation motives” (ie, “medical guidance” and “weight loss and fitness for health”) and “smart” (ie, “action planning” and “adaptable and tailored”).ConclusionsFeatures enhancing autonomy and self-regulation and positively affecting health and physical well-being as well as the need for relatedness, adaptability, and flexibility should be considered as core elements in the engagement of potential users with physical activity mobile apps. The emerged findings may orient future research and interventions aiming to foster engagement of potential users with physical activity apps.

Can Exergames Use As an Educational Tool in Physical Education for Cognitive, Social, and Affective Domains?

The rapid growth of children's interest in the digital world leads educators to use this interest to meet learning outcomes. In this respect, the use of computer-based simulations and video games as educational tools is a necessity rather than an innovative method for educators. In recent years, school-based physical activity (PA) programs based on active video games/exergames (EG) have begun to be implemented. The aim of this review was to investigate the effects of EG as an educational tool in physical education (PE) lessons in terms of children's social, affective, and cognitive domains. The literature obtained by researching in Pubmed, Uludağ E-Library and Google Academic databases without date limitation was examined with systematic review methodology. In conclusion, EG creates the potential to have a positive impact on social, cognitive and affective domain skills such as PA perception, collaboration, leadership, self-management, motor learning, memory, awareness and peer learning. Even if EG alone does not replace a teacher or a lesson, it can enrich the learning environment in PE. EG can be not only an important source of motivation for active participation in PE lessons for children but also an effective educational tool for the teacher. Keywords: Active Video Games, Exergames, Physical Education Special Issue of Educational Sciences DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/6-06-11

Standardization in biobanking – between cooperation and competition

Abstract This article presents the current situation of German biobanks and shows future fields of action in the European and international context on the basis of upcoming legal and normative challenges. It gives an overview of the development of the international biobank standard ISO 20387 and the commitment of German biobank experts in the ISO committee TC276. Less attention than the biobank standard per se has so far been paid to the basic mechanisms by which standards are developed and the potential of their application and accreditation. In this sense, this article deals with the motivation for active participation in standardization projects. We discuss the status of ISO 20387 as a conformity assessment standard and the consequence of accreditation as a performance monitor.

MOTIVATION OF STUDENTS FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICAL TRAINING

The training of students of the specialty "Medical rehabilitator - ergotherapist" (educational and qualification degree "bachelor") and "Rehabilitator" (educational and qualification degree "Professional Bachelor") requires continuous improvement of teaching, theoretical and practical training, in accordance with the European requirements for quality health care of the patient and his family. The proper and appropriate organization of the learning process favors building a positive motivation for learning activit, stimulates the development of cognitive interests, which once formed, are becoming effective internal factors for improving the quality and efficiency of learning activity. Motivation is one of the important factors that teachers should use to improve the quality of education. The five key elements of student motivation are extremely important. These include: students; lecturers; content of the study material; methods of teaching and approach to students; influence of the enveloping environment. With this paper, we set our goal to explore students' motivation for active participation in practical training the specialists in "Medical rehabilitation and ergotherapy" and "Rehabilitator". An extensive anonymous survey of 228 respondents was conducted for the period 2016-2018. Respondents are divided into three groups. The first group of students is specialty "Rehabilitator" at the Medical College of the Thracian University - Stara Zagora, second group of students - "Medical rehabilitation and ergotherapy" from the Thracian University - Stara Zagora and a third group of students from the Medical University - Pleven also specialty "Medical rehabilitation and ergotherapy". To conduct the survey a questionnaire was prepared, including 4 questions, and the answers to the questions were determined by a 5-degree scale. The mathematical and statistical processing of the obtained data was performed in the analysis of the results. The summaries of the results indicate the high degree of motivation and satisfaction of the conducted training in all the students surveyed and their desire for professional realization. It is essential for the quality of training in medical rehabilitation to apply the acquired knowledge, practical skills and competences in the training and practical bases, for this purpose, a specific material base (apparatus, instruments and consumables) is required, which is the duty of the medical institutions. The application of innovative elements in training further stimulates students to participate actively in academic education and clinical practice. According to the majority of the students surveyed the level of training is high and fully corresponds to their ideas for quality education.

Structural and functional changes in the central nervous system in the course of anorexia nervosa

Abstract New achievements within structural and functional imaging of central nervous system offer a basis for better understanding of the mechanisms underlying many mental disorders. In everyday clinical practice, we encounter many difficulties in the therapy of eating disorders. They are caused by a complex psychopathological picture, varied grounds of the problems experienced by patients, often poor motivation for active participation in the treatment process, difficulties in communication between patients and therapeutic staff, and various biological conditions of eating disorders. In this paper, the latest reports on new concepts and methods of diagnosis and treatment of anorexia nervosa have been analyzed. The selection of the analyzed publications was based on the criteria taking into account the time of publication, the size of research cohorts, as well as the experience of research teams in the field of nutritional disorders, confirmed by the number of works and their citations. The work aims to spread current information on anorexia nervosa neurobiology that would allow for determining the brain regions involved in the regulation of food intake, and consequently that may be a potential place where neurobiochemical processes responsible for eating disorders occur. In addition, using modern methods of structural imaging, the authors want to show some of the morphometric variations, particularly within white matter, occurring in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa, as well as those evaluated with magnetoencephalography of processes associated with the neuronal processing of information related to food intake. For example as regards anorexia nervosa, it was possible to localize the areas associated with eating disorders and broaden our knowledge about the changes in these areas that cause and accompany the illness. The described in this paper research studies using diffusion MRI fiber tractography showed the presence of changes in the white matter pathways of the brain, especially in the corpus callosum, which indicate a reduced content of myelin. These changes probably reflect malnutrition, and directly represent the effect of lipid deficiency. This leads to a weakening of the structure, and even cell death. In addition, there are more and more reports that show the normal volume of brain cells in patients with long-term remission of anorexia. It was also shown that in patients in remission stage there are functional changes within the amygdala in response to a task not related symptomatologically with anorexia nervosa. The appearing in the scientific literature data stating that in patients with anorexia nervosa there is a reduced density of GFAP + cells of the hippocampus and increased expression of vimentin and nestin, is also worth noting.

Involvement for Success: The Examination of Student Motivation for Extracurricular Activity Participation

Involvement for Success: The Examination of Student Motivation for Extracurricular Activity Participation

Focused maternity care in Ghana: results of a cluster analysis.

BackgroundGhana missed out in attaining Millennium Development Goal 5 in 2015. The provision of adequate prenatal and postnatal care remains problematic, with poor evidence on women’s views on met and unmet maternity care needs across all regions in Ghana. This paper examines maternal care utilization in Ghana by applying WHO indicators for focused maternal care utilization.MethodsTwo-step cluster analysis segregated women into groups based on the components of the maternity care used. Using cluster membership variables as dependent variables, we applied multinomial and binary regression to examine associations of care use with individual, household and regional characteristics.ResultsWe identified three patterns of care use: adequate, less and least adquate care. The presence of a female and skilled provider is an indicator of adequate care. Women in Volta, Upper West, Northern and Western regions received less adequate care compared with other regions. Supply-related factors (drugs availability, distance/transport, health insurance ownership, rural residence) were associated with adequacy of care. The lack of female autonomy, widowed/divorced women, age and parity were associated with less adequate care. Care patterns were distinctively associated with the quality of health care support (skilled and female attendant) instead of with the number of visits made to the facility. Across regions and within rural settings, disparities exist, often compounded by supply-related factors.ConclusionsEfforts to address skilled workforce shortages, greater accountability for quality and equity, improving women motivation for care seeking and active participation are important for maternity care in Ghana.Electronic Supplementary MaterialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-016-1654-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A seasonal waste load allocation policy in an integrated discharge permit and reclaimed water market

This paper intends to assess the seasonal demand for nitrogen discharge permits and its influence on waste load allocation (WLA) strategies. For this purpose, the Sefidrud catchment is analyzed, where the agricultural demands for discharge permits and reclaimed water (RW) are significant and also intermittent. The paper discusses using variable total maximum daily loads and a transferable discharge permit (TDP) with respect to the farming and non-farming seasons to achieve annual economic benefits. However, an integrated TDP and RW market can considerably increase these revenues. Moreover, the latter may provide the flexibility required for practical dynamic WLA and makes it compatible with seasonal demands. The optimal WLA also determines the required wastewater treatment processes. Here, some should be designed and equipped with flexible operational processes. As a result, the novel integrated management approach saves 25% and 13% in comparison with the conventional TDP market in the short and long term, respectively. This framework also recommends the pricing for permits in a year to enhance stakeholders' motivation for active participation. It is concluded that the integrated TDP and RW market, using the recommended treatment processes and dynamic pricing, is an economically attractive and practical policy for seasonal WLA.

자원봉사자의 참여동기 및 대인관계가 자원봉사활동 만족도에 미치는 영향 - 충북 ○군을 중심으로 -

In this study we investigate how motive and personal relations of volunteers impact their volunteering satisfaction. The objects were 313 members of a volunteer group in O-gun, central region. We conducted survey from 2014 April 2 to August 31. The data were analyzed by correlation analysis, t-test, multiple regression analysis, through SPSSWIN 18.0 program,(empirical analysis verification : significance level of 5%). The results are as follows: First, with the general characteristics, we found that females, the educated, and the married get more satisfaction. Second, with the local characteristics, long-term residents and the members, who think volunteer activity contribute to the local development, feel more satisfaction. Third, volunteer who has high participation motives, has strong volunteering satisfaction. Finally, volunteers feel more satisfaction when they maintain a good relationships in interpersonal relationship. This study implicates that volunteer activity participation motives and personal relations have a great impact on volunteering satisfaction, to be the basis for volunteer’s satisfaction improving policy in the future. key words: interpersonal relationship, participation motives, satisfaction * Corresponding Author : Department of Education at Dongbang Graduate University ** Department of Education at Dongbang Graduate University, Seoul, Korea Received January 8, 2015 Revised January 27, 2015 Accepted February 5, 2015 2 한국정보전자통신기술학회논문지 제8권 제1호

Motivational factors influencing small construction and auto repair enterprises to participate in occupational health and safety programmes

Small enterprises have limited resources to prioritise occupational health and safety (OHS) so regulators and other stakeholders have developed programmes to support them. The present study analysed the factors influencing active participation of small construction and auto repair enterprises to engage in a Danish national OHS programme focusing on the prevention of wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system. The programme provided the enterprises with financial support and support from a facilitator. The study was a qualitative case study supplemented with selected survey data from the enterprises and qualitative data from stakeholders involved in the implementation of the programme. The results showed that the way the programme was introduced through labour inspectors, employer associations, or networks influenced the motivation of the enterprises to engage in the programme. The motivation for active participation also depended on the content of the prevention package, the economic support and the possibility for facilitation. The decision to start the implementation process depended on whether the owner-managers acknowledged the need for the new OHS approach and whether they found the process meaningful. Contextual factors, as experienced by the owner-managers, influenced the motivation for active participation. These included inter alia general attitude towards authorities and procedures, access to relevant projects and technical equipment, the characteristics of the manager, and the workplace culture. It is concluded that contextual factors can limit the efficacy of programme mechanisms and should be taken into account when designing programmes.

‘I owe it to my group members…who critically commented on my conducting’ – Cooperative learning in choral conducting education

This article explores cooperative learning in choral conducting education. The five characteristics of cooperative learning identified by Adams and Hamm ((1996). Cooperative learning: Critical thinking and collaboration across the curriculum (2nd ed.). Springfield, IL: Charles Thomas Publishers): positive interdependence; face-to-face interaction; individual accountability and personal responsibility for reaching groups goals; frequent practice with small-group interpersonal skills; and regular group processing and reflection have been used to structure the discussion on the learners’ perception of their development and their module’s effectiveness. The context in focus was an elective module on choral conducting education at master’s level. Cooperative learning in choral conducting education was shown to support the learners’ motivation for active participation in the teaching and learning process; to increase respect for diversity; to support the learners’ development of interpersonal, communication, leadership and teaching skills at both an individual and at a collective level; and to improve teacher effectiveness.