Self-help Learning Research Articles

Adapting a Dutch Web-Based Intervention to Support Family Caregivers of People With Dementia in the UK Context: Accelerated Experience-Based Co-Design.

Around 700,000 family caregivers provide unpaid care for 900,000 people living with dementia in the United Kingdom. Few family caregivers receive support for their own psychological needs and funding for community respite services has declined. These trends are seen across Europe as demographic and budgetary pressures have intensified due to public spending cuts arising from the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization has prioritized the need to expand the provision of support for caregivers and families of people with dementia by 2025. Web-based interventions have the potential for development as they require modest investment and can be accessed by family caregivers at home. Further cost benefits can be realized by adapting existing interventions with demonstrated effectiveness for new contexts. This paper reports initial findings from the CareCoach study, which is adapting Partner in Balance (PiB), a web-based coaching intervention developed in the Netherlands, for family caregivers in the United Kingdom. This study aims to work with unpaid family caregivers and staff in adapting the Dutch web-based support tool PiB to improve its acceptability and usability for use in the United Kingdom. Accelerated Experience-Based Co-Design (AEBCD) was used with caregivers, staff, and core stakeholders. Interviews, workshops, and stakeholder consultations were conducted. Data were analyzed iteratively. Recommendations for the redesign of PiB for use across the United Kingdom were adjudicated by the study Adaptation Working Party. Sixteen caregivers and 17 staff took part in interviews. Thirteen caregivers and 17 staff took part in workshops. Most (n=26) participants were White, female, and retired. All except 4 caregivers (2 male and 2 female) found the PiB's offer of web-based self-help learning acceptable. Caregivers identified complexity and lack of inclusivity in some wording and video resources as problematic. The staff took a stronger perspective on the lack of inclusivity in PiB video resources. Staff and caregivers coproduced new inclusive wording and recommended creating new videos to adapt PiB for the UK context. AEBCD methods facilitated the engagement of caregivers and staff and advanced the adaptation of the PiB complex intervention. An important addition to the AEBCD method in this process was the work of an Adaptation Working Party, which adjudicated and agreed to new wording where this could not be established in consultation with caregivers and staff. ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN12540555; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12540555.

Design of Oral English Training System Based on Big Data Content Recommendation Algorithm

Collaborative filtering is the most widely used and successful recommendation technology in recommendation systems. In view of the problem that the effect of collaborative filtering technology depends on an accurate similarity measurement method and its poor scalability can not deal with big data, in the information age of computer development, all undertakings are developing rapidly. English has long been an important tool for people to communicate with each other, but due to the limitation of learning mode and environment, the level of Chinese oral English is generally low. The cloud computation-based oral English learning system is designed. Users can learn oral English knowledge, simulate oral English testing and establish exclusive dictionaries through mobile terminals. According to the specific learning situation of Chinese English learners, a flexible and expandable virtual interactive platform is constructed through virtual technology and artificial intelligence, and multi-dimensional virtual scenes and intelligent AI roles are designed to realize the communication and learning of AI roles in different scenarios and improve learners' oral ability and language sense knowledge. However, compared with the traditional self-help learning method, there are huge changes. Our modern English self-help learning has basically got rid of the limitation of paper books, and most of it is carried out through the computer network.

The Use of Drill Method in Improving the Ability to brush Teeth Self-help for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to determine the use of the drill method in improving the ability to brush teeth for students with intellectual disabilities. The method used is the method of demonstration, assignment, and question, and answer. The subjects of this study were 2 students with intellectual disabilities at the Special School in Tasikmalaya, West Java. The results of the study showed the development of student's abilities, which can be seen from the changes in students' scores increase. The score obtained by D in the initial ability is 40 with a percentage of 50% to 75 with a percentage of 93.75% there is an increase of 43.75% and the score obtained by E in the initial ability is 20 with a percentage of 25% to 61 with a percentage of 76.25% there was an increase of 51.25%. That's because using the drill method makes it easier for students to understand the procedure for brushing teeth. Students with intellectual disabilities need repeated learning to become a habit. The use of methods that suit the needs of students can help students to more easily understand learning materials, especially students with intellectual disabilities. The drilling method can be considered by teachers to be used in the self-help learning process, especially brushing teeth for students with intellectual disabilities, and can be developed for learning other materials.

Automatic Recognition Method of Letter Images in English Self-Learning Based on Partial Differential Equation Method

According to the current situation of knowledge popularization, students simply rely on the knowledge learned in the classroom that is far from adapting to the development of modern society; so, every student needs to have the consciousness and ability of independent learning. The research of the English self-help learning system based on partial differential equation method comes into being with information network technology as the foundation for survival and development. The existing partial differential equation recognition models based on average curvature motion are all edge-based and need to use the external force defined by the image gradient to attract the zero level set (evolution curve) to move to the target edge and finally stay on the target edge. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain ideal results when extracting fuzzy or discrete boundaries (perceptual boundaries), and it is very sensitive to the selection of initial contour and noise. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a new recognition model of partial differential equations based on mean curvature motion. This overcomes some defects of existing edge models because it is region-based and does not require image gradient as a condition to stop evolution. The proposed model can avoid manual initial curve selection and allow stopping conditions to be set in the algorithm. In addition, in the numerical solution of partial differential equations, the existing model uses upwind difference scheme, and the semi-implicit additive operator separation method is adopted in this paper. Some other layers are added, and some hyperparameters are adjusted when the convolutional neural networks of inception PDEs are constructed by stacking the structure of inception PDEs. In the contrast experiment with the prototype, the software and hardware environment are the same, and the input is exactly the same. For the handwritten English alphabet data set, the variant structure can obtain more than 90% of the training accuracy and verification accuracy, which is better than the experimental accuracy of the prototype. In addition, because the inception PDE structure contains fewer parameters than the prototype, it is more computationally efficient and takes less training time per batch than the prototype.

Research on the Autonomous Learning Mode of College Students Based on Mobile Terminals under the Internet Environment

the advent of the Internet era, while liberating social productivity, has brought great convenience to human social life. At present, Internet technology has been fully applied to our study, work and life. So far, the mobile terminal under the influence of the Internet environment has developed more mature, and mobile terminal and other devices have become the necessities of people's life. In the process of daily travel, people basically have a mobile device. The nationwide coverage of WiFi signals accelerates the spread of the network. Only a small mobile device can complete travel payment, online shopping, signal transmission, etc. At the same time, the advent of the information age has also brought certain factors to the reform of higher education. Taking educational informatization as the research background and mobile Internet as the media, autonomous mutual learning has become an important development direction of the next generation of digital learning. At present, colleges and universities have realized the importance of information-based teaching reform, and have designed and shared the self-learning resource system in the actual teaching reform. They have actively constructed a set of harmonious self-help learning system in the campus, constantly improved the evaluation system of College Students' autonomous learning effect, and created a good learning atmosphere of self-help in university campus, in order to cultivate students' autonomous learning ability.

A Digital Application Prototype on Self-help Project-Based Learning

“The key feature of project-based learning is that students develop autonomy and responsibility for their learning.” But how to support students with “newly gained freedom and autonomy”to“overcome and solve their problems and difficulties”[1]is still a challenging question to students and teachers. This paper aims to develop a self-help learning and instructing framework shared by teachers and students, which will be a digital application prototype to assist teachers to provide guidance and support for students to overcome learning difficulties by themselves in project-based learning. The results of students questionnaire show that the self-help framework is an effective way of fostering students’ learning skills such as cooperation, communication and reflection, which defined by PBL. More importantly, it freed teachers from ‘teaching’ knowledge and skills to observing, auditing, reacting from time to time with students as a more democratic role, in which students got more chances to learn by themselves in classroom, in another word, more actively, autonomously and independently.

Content Analysis: First-Time Patient User Challenges with Top-Rated Commercial Diabetes Apps.

Background/Introduction: Using a mobile application (app) may improve diabetes self-management. However, the use of diabetes apps is low, possibly due to design and usability issues. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to app use among adult patients with diabetes who were testing diabetes apps for the first time. Materials and Methods: We conducted a content analysis of observation notes and patient comments collected during the testing of two top commercially available diabetes apps as part of a crossover randomized trial. Participants were adult patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes on insulin therapy. We analyzed field notes and transcriptions of audio recordings. Open coding derived categories of usability issues, which then were grouped into themes and subthemes on usability problem types. Results: A total of 92 adult Android smartphone users were recruited online (e.g., Facebook) and in-person postings. Three major themes described problems with data input, app report display and presentation, and self-learning options. Data entry modes were problematic because of overcrowded app screens, complicated "save data" steps, and a lack of data entry confirmation. The app icons, wording, entry headings, and analysis reports were not intuitive to understand. Participants wanted self-learning options (e.g., pop-up messages) during app use. Conclusions: Patient testing of top commercially available diabetes apps revealed key usability design issues in data entry, app report, and self-help learning options. Good app training for patients is necessary for both initial use and long-term use of diabetes apps to support self-management.

An audit of emotional logic for mental health self-care improving social connection

IntroductionEmotional Logic is a practical contribution to self-care for mental health and adaptability, teaching how unpleasant loss emotions have useful purposes that enable healthy adjustments to changing circumstances. Measurable personal capacity outcomes result from SMART action plans that recover named personal values. New understanding about emotions cascades informally through families and communities at low cost. This proof of concept paper presents audits that define the theory of change for a prospective study of Emotional Logic for self-care in compassionate networked communities. MethodsComparative audits of mental health and resilience outcomes with two learning cohorts were conducted using GAD-7, PHQ-9, and ELDP questionnaires. Long-term outcome audits also asked if learners’ had shared their new understanding with others. Emotional Logic coaches categorised ELDP statements into those identifying change of individual or relational capacities. ResultsCohen’s d shows improved resilience on guided self-help learning with effect size 1.13 (p < 0.001) for anxiety and depression, and 0.91 for youth personality disorder. 31 % of improvement for mental illness measured by the ELDP is hypothesised to follow improved relational capacities measured by 13/34 (38 %) of its Likert scaled statements. ConclusionsTeaching people the useful purposes of their unpleasant loss emotions improves the quality of their social connections and their mental health. Developing this personal understanding empowers self-care in new challenging situations that might otherwise have led to professional or other dependencies. Outcomes measurement of truly values-based action plans enables a prospective study to be conducted in networked communities, achievable through social prescribing.

Development of Game for Self-Help Toilet Learning for Children with Autism

This study aims to develop a video game for toilet training materials as a medium for self-help learning for children with autism. Toileting skill is one of the basic self-help skills that children should master. In fact, teaching new things to children with autism is challenging. It requires a proper method to deliver the materials to these children. One of the effective learning media to teach self-help is to use visual media like video games. By using video games, children are expected to play and learn self-help skills, particularly about toileting. In addition, the video game is developed by applying certain design principles that fit with the needs of children with autism. The software is tested for its functionalities. Moreover, an implementation test is done by using observation communication analysis. Based on the results, the researchers conclude that the developed video game has implemented the proper design and materials related to toileting in accordance with the needs of children with autism. The respondents show positive results for using the video game.

Učenje v poznejših letih: univerze, poučevanje, medgeneracijsko učenje in kohezivnost skupnosti

Na področju učenja v poznejših letih ni ustaljenih pojmov. Članek sprva opozori, da posplošitvam o učenju starejših ne kaže zaupati in da se načini obravnave spreminjajo skozi čas. Srečujemo se z vrsto trditev o tem, kateri načini učenja in poučevanja naj bi bili primerni za starejše, vendar je za večino v empiričnih raziskavah najti le malo podpore. Članek se potem usmeri na oceno manjšega inovativnega projekta, ki je potekal na Univerzi Lancaster v letih 2009/10 in ga je financirala britanska vlada. V projektu so skušali člane skupine lokalne univerze za tretje življenjsko obdobje pritegniti k učnim dejavnostim v bližnjem univerzitetnem centru, pri čemer so uporabili študijsko ponudbo na preddiplomski stopnji. Namen projekta je bil preveriti pomisleke, ki naj bi jih imeli člani univerze za tretje življenjsko obdobje glede povezave z javno visokošolsko ustanovo in s tem izgube »čistosti« načela samopomoči pri učenju starejših, značilnega za britanske univerze za tretje življenjsko obdobje, na račun bolj formalnih oblik učenja. Rezultati raziskave so pokazali, da je večina starejših, ki so bili vključeni v projekt, cenila možnost uporabe univerzitetnih učnih virov in da jih ideologija britanskih univerz za tretje življenjsko obdobje pri tem ni ovirala. Nadalje se kaže, da je s prisotnostjo starejših pridobila tudi univerza, morda pa tudi okoliška skupnost. Sledi krajša razprava o pomenu teh ugotovitev za medgeneracijsko učenje, za kohezivnost skupnosti in za marginalizirane starejše. Članek se zaključi z mislijo, da bi se britanske univerze morale oz. mogle bolj dinamično in izrazito zavzeti za odpiranje učnih možnosti za starejše.

Local Youth Historical Research for Students Based Learning Reform, Northeast Thailand

Problem statement: The research problem of education came from school teachers who emphasized high grade-point average. The immediate social, Cultural aspects were overlooked. Students were drawn to consume media, internet and individual person to a greater extent. By taking up foreign culture. The students forgot, if not, ignored their own historical root. The purpose of the study was to study the learning activities historical to students and the changes brought to students and teachers from the learning activities historical. Approach: The research aimed to examine students’-based learning on local history. Twenty secondary schools were chosen for this qualitative research using related research literature and field study. Eight-Five samples included 40 students (boys and girls), 20 teachers, 20 village-teachers and 5 villages-teacher historians. The study was presented in the form of descriptive. Results: The study found 4 Students’-based learning models: Learning from real experiences; happy learning; co-operative happy learning and self-help learning. Due to the study, the students were proud of themselves; the people generated their own local development process keeping up with changes brought by globalization; the young people were good, happy, co-operative, supportive, skill full thinking and analyzing; they were good members of the Thai society. Conclusion: The research project benefited the participant students directly especially their conscience and pride in their community. It was believed that the research results satisfied the government educational policy of 2001 and the 2008 central core curriculum that our society needed good and responsible citizens; the citizens that were happy, loved their community and its members. They themselves were the nation’s valuable human resources.

International Perspectives

To decrease neonatal mortality in under-resourced countries, nurses and doctors providing primary health care must be able to manage their own continuing education because traditional methods of training often are not available, especially in rural areas. The Perinatal Education Programme has successfully provided learning opportunities to thousands of doctors and nurses in South Africa who manage their own professional education without the need of formal tutors. Data from a prospective study of nurses using a self-help learning course in newborn care from the Programme documents significant improvements in knowledge, clinical skills, and care practices. This inexpensive and innovative method brings the promise of lifelong learning to all practitioners caring for mothers and infants.

Universities of the Third Age ; The English Models ―The Development of Education for Older Adults in England through the Practice of Self-help Learning―

Universities of the Third Age ; The English Models ―The Development of Education for Older Adults in England through the Practice of Self-help Learning―