Milieu Research Articles

The Influence of Social Context on EFL Learners’ Identity Construction: A Case Study of Three College Students in Jeju

Objectives This study aims to examine second language (L2) learners’ identity constructions considering the so-cial contexts of Jeju. In particular, this study explores how English learners are positioned in Jeju society, how their investments in learning English change depending on their positions, and how their investments influence the for-mation of L2 identity. Methods Data from the participants’ journal writings and interviews were analyzed to examine their identity con-structions in the process of English learning using the poststructuralist concept of positions, the unequal relations of power, and investments in learning English. Results Motivation is frequently socially constructed in various sociocultural contexts, and it needs to be under-stood in connection with the unequal relations of power. This study shows that the participants’ different positions had a significant impact on their investments in learning English. Also, the participants in this study established multiple identities in various contexts of Jeju depending on their positions influenced by the unequal relations of power, which may constrain their English learning opportunities. Conclusions Language learners’ marginalized positions can influence their investment and identity constructions, so it is important to develop pedagogical strategies that enhance language learners’ positions. This study is sig-nificant because it has implications for educators to understand how language learners resist or negotiate lan-guage practices in a given classroom, and re-examine their classroom strategies to find ways to improve language learners’ investments with more powerful positions.

Multilingualism and socioeconomic mobility: Analyzing the correlation in immigrant populations

This research investigates the relationship between multilingual abilities and socioeconomic mobility among immigrant populations. It evaluates how linguistic competencies influence employment opportunities, educational attainment, and social integration. The study aims to provide insights into how policymakers and educators can leverage multilingual education for economic and social inclusion. The phenomenon of multilingualism among immigrant populations has garnered significant scholarly attention due to its potential implications for socioeconomic mobility. This Review comprehensively analyzes the correlation between multilingualism and socioeconomic advancement among immigrant communities. Drawing upon various academic literature, this study aims to elucidate the nuanced relationship between language proficiency, cultural adaptation, and economic integration. The Review begins by contextualizing the importance of multilingualism in contemporary society, particularly in the context of globalization and increased migration flows. Multilingualism, defined as the ability to speak multiple languages proficiently, is posited as an asset for immigrants seeking to navigate new social and economic landscapes. Through a review of existing research, this Review examines how multilingualism influences socioeconomic mobility. Firstly, multilingual individuals often possess enhanced communication skills, enabling them to access a broader range of employment opportunities and interact effectively in diverse workplace environments. Furthermore, proficiency in multiple languages facilitates social integration and cultural adaptation, factors that are closely associated with socioeconomic success. Immigrants who can navigate linguistic and cultural barriers may experience greater social mobility and upward economic trajectories. Moreover, the Review explores the role of language in educational attainment and intergenerational mobility. Studies suggest that bilingualism and multilingualism can positively affect academic performance and cognitive development, potentially leading to improved educational outcomes for immigrant children. Additionally, language proficiency may facilitate intergenerational transmission of cultural capital and social networks, which are critical determinants of socioeconomic mobility. However, the relationship between multilingualism and socioeconomic mobility is complex and multifaceted. Factors such as language proficiency levels, language policy, and discrimination can significantly impact immigrant trajectories. Moreover, the intersectionality of language with other social identities, such as race, ethnicity, and class, necessitates a nuanced understanding of how language shapes opportunities and barriers for immigrant populations. In conclusion, this Review highlights the intricate interplay between multilingualism and socioeconomic mobility among immigrant communities. By examining the multifaceted dimensions of language proficiency, cultural adaptation, and economic integration, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors shaping immigrant experiences and pathways to success in diverse sociocultural contexts.

Natures instead of nature—plural perceptions and representations of nature and its challenges for ecological transition: a systematic review of the scientific production

BackgroundRecognizing nature and the environment as sociocultural constructions is critical to enhancing a transformational ecological change. This involves understanding their diverse sociocultural meanings and societal approaches and how these understandings affect equitable ecological transitions. We reviewed empirical studies and essays, categorizing 161 studies into three main categories: opposition, domination, and interdependencies, reflecting varying knowledge, power dynamics, cultures, and contexts. These studies aim to uncover how societies conceptualize, explain, and engage with nature and the environment, shaping society–nature relationships and influencing ecological transitions.ResultsThis study underscores the diverse perceptions and representations of nature, from a controllable resource to an integrated web of life. Three main categories emerged: (i) nature against society, in a logic of opposition; (ii) nature subordinated to society, in a logic of domination, although integrated into society; and (iii) nature united with society, in a logic of interdependence. Thus, this study advocates discussing “natures” as sociocultural constructs, highlighting the plurality of social perceptions and representations, which can inform policies and challenge socio-political and socio-economic systems.ConclusionsThis review may pave the way to, first, give visibility and value that diversity and plurality as an instrument that can enrich policies and defy socio-political and socio-economic systems to change and, second, identify the main drivers and resistances that the implementation of an ecological transformation change may face in different sociocultural contexts.

Tripping into the unknown: Exploring the experiences of first-time LSD users through global drug survey insights.

The recreational use of LSD, a synthetic psychedelic drug, has surged in recent years, coinciding with a renewed research focus on its potential psychotherapeutic properties. This study aims to describe the experiences and perceptions of individuals engaging in LSD use for the first time, derived from a large international sample. This study utilised 2018 Global Drug Survey data collected from 6 November 2017 to 10 January 2018. Participants who initiated LSD use in the preceding 12 months answered questions on their experiences, social settings, harm-reduction behaviours, and demographics. Descriptive statistics were employed, and characteristics of those seeking emergency medical treatment (EMT) and those not planning further LSD use were compared with other respondents. Among 3340 respondents who used LSD in the past year, their first-time experiences generally exceeded expectations, with 97.7% expressing excitement. Adverse and unwanted side effects were rarely reported, and only 17 individuals needed EMT. Feelings of fear were reported by most (64.1%), but only very mildly and not enough to put them off from wanting to use LSD again. Although the occurrence of unwanted side effects seems low and the LSD experience is generally pleasurable, vigilance amid the rising illicit use of LSD through harm-reduction education is still important in preventing possible risks.

"Something we can all share": Exploring the social significance of food insecurity for young people in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Food insecurity remains a pressing global issue and South Africa continues to face socioeconomic inequalities that make securing food a challenge for many young people. To address this challenge, we need better understanding of the social context of food and its importance in driving perceptions and behaviours about food and its scarcity. In this study, we examine the meaning of food for young people living in urban informal settlements and rural villages in KwaZulu-Natal, and investigate how they exert agency in the face of food insecurity. We use qualitative data from 17 photo/video elicitation interviews conducted from December 2020-January 2021 with young people experiencing food insecurity. The sample consisted of 9 women and 8 men who were part of the Siyaphambili Youth ("Youth Moving Forward") project. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Themes included the challenges young people face in securing food and money for food. However, in exploring young people's agency, food also plays a critical role in shaping their identities and social networks. Relevant themes included the use of food as a means of bonding with others; solidifying relationships; and as a signifier of social status and gender roles. Despite the challenges of food insecurity, young people demonstrated resilience and agency, utilising social and gendered coping strategies to secure food and to maintain their social networks. Our study contributes to the understanding of food insecurity amongst young people in South Africa and highlights the need for a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach to addressing this issue. We argue that interventions aimed at addressing food insecurity should prioritise the empowerment of local communities and consider the sociocultural and gendered context of food in their design and implementation.

Talking Hands: Speech to Sign Language Converter

Deaf people face communication challenges in many aspects of their lives. This project proposes a speech-to-sign language converter that can help to bridge the communication gap between deaf and hearing people. The converter would use speech recognition technology to transcribe spoken language into text. This text would then be translated into sign language images or GIFs. The images or GIFs would be displayed on a screen, allowing deaf people to easily understand the message. The converter would be designed to be as accurate and user-friendly as possible. It would also be customizable to support different sign languages. This project has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of deaf people. It could help them to communicate more effectively in school, at work, and in social settings. It could also help to break down communication barriers and foster greater understanding between deaf and hearing people. The converter would be developed using a variety of technologies, including speech recognition, machine translation, and image processing. The objective of our project is to reduce the communication gap between normal people and disabled people by providing a virtual animation translator for sign language.

Feasibility of a pioneer social service treatment for gambling disorder—The first 6-month follow-up data

Gambling disorder can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but treatment is under-dimensioned in many settings. For example, in Sweden, a setting with mixed responsibility for addiction treatment between health care and social services, treatment for gambling disorder has only recently been introduced in the responsibilities of public institutions. After the introduction of gambling in treatment legislation in 2018, few studies have assessed the real-world feasibility of such treatment. In addition, treatment in social services specifically has not been documented or evaluated, and therefore, in a pioneer gambling treatment facility in such a setting, this study aimed to investigate treatment outcome in patients with gambling disorder six months after completed CBT treatment within a social service setting. Twenty patients receiving CBT treatment during 2018–2020 were followed with respect to gambling habits at end of treatment and at follow-up six months after treatment. The National Opinion Research Center DSM Screen for Gambling Problems (NODS) was used as screening tool. Rates of gambling abstinence, as well as subjective experience of the treatment, are reported. Ninety percent of the patients were abstinent from gambling at six-month follow-up, and 95 percent of the patients no longer fulfilled criteria of a gambling disorder. In conclusion, these pilot results suggest that CBT treatment is a feasible method for treatment of gambling disorder also in a social service setting. However, due to the limited sample size of this pilot study, and the limited background information of clients who could not be reached, future studies with larger sample sizes are needed.

Prenatal ethanol and cannabis exposure have sex- and region-specific effects on somatostatin and neuropeptide Y interneurons in the rat hippocampus.

Cannabis is increasingly being legalized and socially accepted around the world and is often used with alcohol in social settings. We recently showed that in utero exposure to both substances can alter the density of parvalbumin-expressing interneurons in the hippocampus. Here we investigate the effects of in utero alcohol and cannabis exposure, alone or in combination, on somatostatin- and neuropeptide Y-positive (NPY) interneurons. These are separate classes of interneurons important for network synchrony and inhibition in the hippocampus. A 2 (Ethanol, Air) × 2 (tetrahydrocannabinol [THC], Vehicle) design was used to expose pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats to either ethanol or air, in addition to either THC or the inhalant vehicle solution, during gestational days 5-20. Immunohistochemistry for somatostatin- and NPY-positive interneurons was performed in 50 μm tissue sections obtained at postnatal day 70. Exposure to THC in utero had region-specific and sex-specific effects on the density of somatostatin-positive interneurons in the adult rat hippocampus. A female-specific decrease in NPY interneuron cell density was observed in the CA1 region following THC exposure. Combined exposure to alcohol and THC reduced NPY neurons selectively in the ventral dentate gyrus hippocampal subfield. However, overall, co-exposure to alcohol and cannabis had neither additive nor synergistic effects on interneuron populations in other areas of the hippocampus. These results illustrate how alcohol and cannabis exposure in utero may affect hippocampal function by altering inhibitory processes in a sex-specific manner.

Development of a Ramayana-based Counseling Module for Persons with Common Mental Health Disorders

Background: Common mental health disorders (CMDs) affect nearly 10% of the population, with the majority (80%) remaining untreated. Culturally relevant counseling approaches can be a means to reach many untreated persons. We describe the development and validation of a socioculturally relevant counseling module based on the Ramayana for persons with CMDs. Methods: The study employed an exploratory research framework to design the counseling module. The module underwent a comprehensive review of the Valmiki Ramayana to ensure its cultural relevance. Content validation was performed by mental health professionals from the field of Indian psychology. Concurrently, a panel of 15 experts from diverse backgrounds in Indian psychology validated the counseling module based on the Ramayana. Results: Based on the results of expert interviews ( n = 15), the counseling techniques, encompassing concepts, anecdotes, and narratives, were finalized. These interviews also contributed to the refinement of the counseling module. The primary objective of the content validation process was to systematically assess the appropriateness, accuracy, and practicality of the various components within the module. The content validation demonstrated that all items contained within the module exceeded the established threshold of p = .59. Conclusions: The developed counseling module based on the Ramayana is feasible to be implemented as a sociocultural intervention for persons with CMDs. By assisting persons to enhance coping abilities and improve overall well-being, this module offers a valuable resource for mental health intervention in the Indian sociocultural context. It fosters a culturally sensitive and practical approach to address the diverse mental health needs of the population.

Doctoral induction: Sociocultural context and the transition to the research degree

ABSTRACT Commencing study for a PhD or other higher degree by research (HDR) constitutes a significant educational transition. To date, little research has been undertaken on the orientation or induction experiences of commencing HDR candidates and there is little guidance for HE providers of induction. This paper reflects upon understandings of student transition within the HE literature highlighting the role played by the sociocultural context surrounding research in shaping commencing candidates’ expectations. The paper argues that candidate expectations at the point of transition into the research degree reflect prevailing sociocultural norms about what it means to be a doctoral student. We also share a pedagogical strategy that can be used at induction events to reveal and to engage candidates in an exploration of the underlying experiential templates they bring to their upcoming degree experience.

#703 Usability of a mobile health app for peritoneal dialysis patients: a pilot study

Abstract Background and Aims Technology has changed how people interact with the world, so health apps may be useful for patients with long term conditions, facilitating adherence and enabling remote monitoring. Usability is a critical factor when evaluating the quality of a mobile health app, as it indicates the ease with which a user can use it to achieve specific clinically orientated goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. Method The mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ), a reliable and validated tool, was used to evaluate the MyPD® mobile health app's usability for adult peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The arm using the My PD app in a pilot randomized clinical study in six renal clinics in Colombia from September 2022 to August 2023 was evaluated. The MAUQ questionnaire includes 18 items assessing 3 domains related to ease of use (5 items), interface and satisfaction (7 items) and usefulness (6 items). Patients rated each item on a seven-point Likert scale, with one (1) strongly disagreeing and seven (7) strongly agreeing. The overall rating is the mean of eighteen items (standalone version); closer to seven (7), higher usability. The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of all patients were summarized descriptively. Results MyPD app allows patients to collect and view their clinical information and dialysis treatment. Figure 1 shows a general overview of the different navigation windows. A total of 65 patients were included in this analysis; the mean age was 52.2 years, 44.6% were in CAPD, and 21.5 % achieved elementary school education or were illiterate (Table 1). The overall usability was 6.5 (SD 0.7), the maximum possible score is 7. The items related to satisfaction and interface have a mean of 6.8 (SD 0.5). Regarding ease of use, the mean was 6.6 (SD 0.8), a very high figure given the socio-cultural context of a middle-income country. In relation to usefulness, the mean was 6.1 (SD 1.5). Patients rated the overall satisfaction item with the app as 6.8 (SD 0.6). See details in Table 2. These results are better than those reported by other authors (Table 3). Conclusion The usability of the health app MyPD® was rated very high by patients, which will allow this application to be used widely as a tool that supports the outpatient care of PD patients.

Gender Identity and Cultural Conflict in Chitra Banerjee’s Select Novels

Indian-born author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni has a postcolonial diasporic identity. It has been noted that she is an Asian American writer of exceptional talent. She employs a variety of storytelling techniques while writing with a deep human insight. Her personas are portrayed with such realism that they leave the reader with a lasting impression. This paper looks at how a well-known male characters who show gender role reversal are portrayed in a few of Divakaruni's novels. The pieces under consideration for the analysis are Sister of My Heart and The Vine of Desire. Identity cannot be separated from religious, public, ethnic, and social setting of the reality. The unpredictability of author’s circumstances and assorted nature function in various places of the world. This causes the case of comprehensiveness of gender to an excess. Both the gender has wrestled with the subject of character, yet women’s quest for acknowledgment as a distinct has been confounded, as she begins to understand her capacities and failures. Divakaruni's works are set in a setting that alternates between India and America, and her fearless female characters come from all walks of life. Indian women in Divakaruni, who were torn between the two nations, struggle to define who they are and are entrapped by societal shifts. The novels Sister of My Heart and The Vine of Desire both address identity crises.

A multifactorial model of intrinsic / environmental motivators, personal traits and their combined influences on math performance in elementary school

AbstractNumerous studies have explored the important role of achievement goals, as well as factors such as interest and self-efficacy, for academic performance of students of various ages. Such studies usually focus on the influence of one or two of these factors that are known to be associated with performance. At the same time, achievement goals themselves are influenced by environmental factors such as the influence of “significant others” (parents, teachers) or the overall socio-cultural context. In the present study, we expand the framework of achievement goal theory by building a holistic multifactorial path analysis model of direct and indirect influences, where achievement goals and personality traits such as self-efficacy and interest exert a combined influence on performance, but also receive influence from environmental factors.To achieve this goal, we collected data from 762 5th and 6th grade students, who attended 22 public primary schools in Cyprus. Data was collected with reliable and valid self-report scales such as the Achievement Goal Questionnaire (AGQ-R) and the Patterns of Adaptive Learning Scales (PALS), as well as a battery for Mathematical performance created by the researchers.Our results indicate a robust model that effectively captures the complex grid of associations between these factors of interest. Among other findings, self-efficacy and interest were found to mediate the relation between students’ mastery goals and performance. In sum, this research underscores the profound significance of mastery goals, self-efficacy and interest in Mathematical performance.

Natural Embeddedness, Place Attachment, and Local Opposition to Developmental Projects: A Polanyian Analysis of the Origins of Preemptive Environmental Protests in China

This article aims to uncover the underlying social and institutional origins of China’s local preemptive environmental protests against developmental projects with negative externalities, which have not been fully investigated by the extant literature on “NIMBY” (“not-in-my-backyard”) activism in China. Primarily through the perspective of Karl Polanyi’s environmental sociology, this article presents a case study of the 2012 protest in Qidong, Jiangsu province, against an industrial waste disposal pipeline. The case of Qidong shows how local ecology has been deeply embedded in the social context and relations that have historically shaped the economic structures, culinary traditions, and place attachment in the area. Such a nexus between the environment and society in turn significantly impacted the opposition pattern of the local communities, which involved various social strata by triggering their economic and health concerns as well as an emotional response. Moreover, the article finds that the unified cross-class action under the banner of defending public interests was possible in Qidong largely because the actors were all part of the same holistic local ecological system, with shared economic interests, dietary preferences, and cultural identities. This research thus echoes the insights of environmental sociology and argues that it is necessary to take into account the interplay between ecology and locality to understand local environmental politics.

Structure and Function Analysis of the Legend of the Losung Stone in a Thousand Goa in Banuarea Village

This study discusses the legend of Batu Losung, one of the folk prose stories originating from Banuarea village, Pakkat District, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra Province. This study discusses the analysis of the structure and function of the legend of losung, aiming to describe the intrinsic elements, the basic concepts of folklore function theory. The method used in analyzing this research problem is a qualitative method that is descriptive with field research techniques. This research uses structural theory that examines the intrinsic elements proposed by Nurgiyantoro, and function theory proposed by Wiliam R, Bascom. The results showed that there are (7) seven intrinsic elements, namely: 1) Theme: The Legend of Batu Losung A sacred place and believed by the community as a place to mix natural ingredients can cure all diseases in the human body. 2) The plot contained in the legend of Batu Losung is a forward plot because the story begins with the beginning to the end. 3) Setting: The setting is in Banuarea Village, at home, in a resting hut in the field, the time setting is in ancient times, the next day, afternoon, afternoon, the social setting in this legend is believed by the community to be a sacred place and the result of concoction of herbs that can be accepted and trusted by the community. 4) characters in the story include; Simanullang clan, Simanullang's wife, Raja, Tiur, and Saut. 5) The point of view in folklore of the legend of Batu Losung is the third person telling someone else's story. 6) linkage style. 7) The mandate of the legend of Batu Losung is mutual respect and mutual affection. The concept of the theory of the function of losung in research there are (4) four functions: 1) as a form of entertainment, 2) as a means of cultural validation, 3) as an educational tool, 4) as a means of validating cultural institutions. This legend has characteristics similar to myth, but is considered sacred, played by humans although sometimes assisted by supernatural beings. From the results of the discussion that it can be concluded that the legend of the losung stone tells about an old man named Simanullang who found the losung stone, which is an irregular long rectangle with a black to gray color, and has three stones, the three stones have different sizes. The losung stone is estimated to be more than a century old and until now it is still left alone and around the area of the losung stone has been restricted because it is not arbitrary to enter the place of the losung stone. The legend of Batu Losung is classified as a local legend and belongs to oral folklore. Keywords: legend of losung stone, structure, folklore.

Beyond Usability: A Critical Analysis of Interface Research

This article addresses the profound and multifaceted understanding of interfaces in the modern technological era, focusing on integrating ontological, ethical, and aesthetical approaches in interface research. It considers various aspects of human-machine interaction from philosophical, ethical, and aesthetic viewpoints, revealing the complex connections between technological progress and human experience. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of contemporary approaches to interface research, covering its complexity and diversity, as well as identifying current trends and challenges in the field. The findings indicate that successful interface study requires an integrated approach, including the analysis of functional, ethical, aesthetic, and cultural aspects. The article highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary research in developing interfaces that can reflect and develop contemporary cultural and social contexts. The conclusions of this article are relevant to the researchers in the field of interface design, implementators, and a broad audience interested in understanding the interplay between technological innovations and the socio-cultural context.

Pregnancy experiences of transgender and gender-expansive individuals: A systematic scoping review from a critical midwifery perspective.

Evidence suggests that transgender and gender-expansive people are more likely to have suboptimal pregnancy outcomes compared with cisgender people. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the role of midwifery in these inequities by analyzing the pregnancy experiences of transgender and gender-expansive people from a critical midwifery perspective. We conducted a systematic scoping review. We included 15 papers published since 2010 that reported on pregnancy experiences of people who had experienced gestational pregnancy at least once, and were transgender, nonbinary, or had other gender-expansive identities. Three themes emerged from our analysis: "Navigating identity during pregnancy," "Experiences with mental health and wellbeing," and "Encounters in the maternal and newborn care system." Although across studies respondents reported positive experiences, both within healthcare and social settings, access to gender-affirmative (midwifery) care and daily social realities were often shaped by trans-negativity and transphobia. To improve care outcomes of transgender and gender-expansive people, it is necessary to counter anti-trans ideologies by "fixing the knowledge" of midwifery curricula. This requires challenging dominant cultural norms and images around pregnancy, reconsidering the way in which the relationship among "sex," "gender," and "pregnancy" is understood and given meaning to in midwifery, and applying an intersectional lens to investigate the relationship between gender inequality and reproductive inequity of people with multiple, intersecting marginalized identities who may experience the accumulated impacts of racism, ageism, and classism. Future research should identify pedagogical frameworks that are suitable for guiding implementation efforts.

Mapping vocal interactions in space and time differentiates signal broadcast versus signal exchange in meerkat groups.

Animal vocal communication research traditionally focuses on acoustic and contextual features of calls, yet substantial information is also contained in response selectivity and timing during vocalization events. By examining the spatiotemporal structure of vocal interactions, we can distinguish between 'broadcast' and 'exchange' signalling modes, with the former potentially serving to transmit signallers' general state and the latter reflecting more interactive signalling behaviour. Here, we tracked the movements and vocalizations of wild meerkat (Suricata suricatta) groups simultaneously using collars to explore this distinction. We found evidence that close calls (used for maintaining group cohesion) are given as signal exchanges. They are typically given in temporally structured call-response sequences and are also strongly affected by the social environment, with individuals calling more when they have more neighbours and juveniles responding more to adults than the reverse. In contrast, short note calls appear mainly in sequences produced by single individuals and show little dependence on social surroundings, suggesting a broadcast signalling mode. Despite these differences, both call categories show similar clustering in space and time at a group level. Our results highlight how the fine-scale structure of vocal interactions can give important insights into the usage and function of signals in social groups. This article is part of the theme issue 'The power of sound: unravelling how acoustic communication shapes group dynamics.'

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Using Virtual Reality Interventions on Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a Psychopathic disorder characterized by abnormal communication and verbal behaviors. ASD is very common in children, affecting about 1 in 160 individuals, and the symptoms of this disorder appear before the age of three, and the main cause is still unknown. The effectiveness of this technology on the abilities required for people with ASD to communicate in a social setting has been the subject of several systematic and comprehensive studies. Methods: A systematic review by searching in PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL for publications was conducted from 1 January 2012 to 30 May 2021 involving use of virtual reality interventions on children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder in which autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, virtual reality, VR keywords were utilized. Three reviewers independently investigated search results for inclusion in analysis and resolved disagreements by consensus. Results: Literature research of databases specifies a total of 808 records. According to the abstract and the full text of the studies, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria and eliminating duplicates and screening articles, 15 articles were selected for final review based on the PICO criteria (population, intervention, comparison and results). The studies focused on the five topics of emotion and social interaction, social communication, daily life skills, specific fears and anxieties, physical activity, and attention. Conclusion: According to reports, the findings rightly claim that the use of virtual reality technologies not only improves the social and communication skills of children with ASD, but also provides them with an engaging and enjoyable experience. Moreover, Parents indicated high satisfaction with VR applications and this technology can contain many benefits in the treatment of ASD.

Teacher educators as interpreters: the role of faculty in guiding student learning of DAP within sociocultural, institutional, and individual contexts

ABSTRACT The construct of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) has become a hallmark for educational practice in the United States. From DAP's initial publication in 1986 to the most recent revision published in 2022, DAP serves as a reference point for teacher education to support effective teachers' development and practice. However, DAP is a construct shaped by individuals' experiences and sociopolitical contexts and not a uniformly understood construct. Teacher educator faculty's role is central to supporting students' understanding and faculty serve as interpreters of information by making choices and drawing on their beliefs and experiences to shape students' understanding and implementation of DAP. Faculty use reflection as a tool to support their choices of resources, assignments, and content related to DAP. This manuscript will offer important considerations related to students' understanding of DAP and illustrate how faculty beliefs and reflection guide faculty in this role of interpreter of the construct of DAP within the sociopolitical contexts that influence teacher education.