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Development and efficacy of creativity enhancement programme for adolescents with specific learning disability
Adolescents with Specific Learning Disability (SLD) face academic and emotional challenges in their school life. Creativity is a skill which helps adolescents to approach problems of daily life differently. That would help them to explore and nurture their self-esteem. Though there is a debate on whether creativity is innate or learned, activities are still required for children to recognize and nurture the creative skills in children. Studies show that creative tasks develop self-esteem in children and also decrease depression in children with SLD. Creativity Enhancement Programme (CrEP) is developed as part of the study in consultation with experts in the field based on Torrance’s Theory of Creativity. The Programme tested the efficacy in improving the creativity and the self-esteem as well as reducing anxiety and depression of 100 adolescents with SLD. The adolescents with SLD, studying in class sixth to ninth in five schools that follow the state syllabus and English medium of instruction, which are situated in South Bengaluru were selected. Initial screening consisted of an assessment of SLD and intelligence to select participants. Out of 100 students with SLD, 50 students each were randomly allocated to experimental and control groups. -
Development and efficacy of creativity enhancement programme for adolescents with specific learning disability
Adolescents with Specific Learning Disability (SLD) face academic and emotional challenges in their school life. Creativity is a skill which helps adolescents to approach problems of daily life differently. That would help them to explore and nurture their self-esteem. Though there is a debate on whether creativity is innate or learned, activities are still required for children to recognize and nurture the creative skills in children. Studies show that creative tasks develop self-esteem in children and also decrease depression in children with SLD. Creativity newlineEnhancement Programme (CrEP) is developed as part of the study in consultation with experts in the field based on Torrance s Theory of Creativity. The Programme tested newlinethe efficacy in improving the creativity and the self-esteem as well as reducing anxiety and depression of 100 adolescents with SLD. The adolescents with SLD, studying in class sixth to ninth in five schools that follow newlinethe state syllabus and English medium of instruction, which are situated in South Bengaluru were selected. Initial screening consisted of an assessment of SLD and newlineintelligence to select participants. Out of 100 students with SLD, 50 students each were randomly allocated to experimental and control groups. The intervention programme consisted of creativity enhancement activities such as drawing, bridge construction, sand art, best out of waste, and find a friend. Baqer Mehdi Test of Creative Thinking and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale at were used as assessment tools and measured the study variable before, after and three months after the intervention. newlineResults showed CrEP could improve non-verbal newlinecreativity: Elaboration and Self-esteem. Similarly, this intervention could reduce depression. CrEP is useful in helping adolescents with SLD to explore and nurture their creativity, which would help them build their self-esteem and reduce the risk of mental health problems. -
Role of employee value proposition in creating employer brand value for employee attraction and retention
Employee Value Proposition is a set of associations and offerings provided by an organisation in return for the skills, capabilities and experiences an employee brings to the organisation. Employee newlineexpectations from the employer is now shifted from monetary to more intrinsic values like rewards, recognition, and flexible work. newlineUnderstanding the value proposition is vital to devise appropriate human resource strategies for employee attraction and retention. Human resource managers have realised that the communicating the value propositions to the employees is as important as devising them. This has led human newlineresource managers to collaborate with marketing team to develop right newlinecommunicating strategies to build a lucrative employer brand to attract right talent into the organisation. Previous studies lack focus on dual outcomes of employer brand. The current study develops an employer brand for internal employees and potential employees. Although the value proposition components remain same for both category of employees, the order of preference differs. The study has used structured questionnaire to newlineunderstand the order of preference of value proportion components for internal and potential employees among generation X, Y and Z. The findings assist human resource managers to use the developed framework newlineto identify the value proposition preferred and develop and communicate the Employee Value Proposition accordingly. The theoretical contribution includes proposing differentiated Employer Brand framework for internal and potential employees. -
EFFECT OF MAGNETIC FIELD ON THE ONSET OF RAYLEIGH-B??NARD CONVECTION IN A MICROPOLAR FLUID WITH INTERNAL HEAT GENERATION
The effects of through flow, internal heat generation and magnetic field on the onset of Rayleigh-B??nard convection in electrically conducting Micropolar fluid are studied using the Galerkin technique. The eigenvalue is obtained for rigid-free velocity boundary combinations with isothermal and adiabatic on the spin-vanishing boundaries. A linear stability analysis is performed. The influence of various parameters on the onset of convection has been analyzed. The microrotation is assumed to vanish at the boundaries. A linear stability analysis is performed. The influence of various parameters on the onset of convection has been analyzed and their comparative influence on onset is discussed. The problem suggests an elegant method of external control of internal convection. -
Importance of political cartoons to newspapers /
Political cartoons are an important part in any newspaper. Political cartoons adorn a small part of a newspaper, often in a corner. The position of this piece although small the impact is huge. A cartoon conveys a lot of information in very few words. The emotions behind the political cartoons are genuine and although harsh, are taken with a sense of humour. While incomparison editorials are, firstly for the elite masses who understand the highly intellectual content of the piece, also editorials have a tendency to be politically correct and hold back, unlike cartoons. Cartoons are generally blatant about their stand on the issue. There have been controversial cartoons like JyllandsPostenthe Mohammad cartoon and the effective yet less controversial R.K.Laxman. -
Role of Humanoid Robots in Enhancing Communication and Social Skills among Students with Mild Autism
Introduction Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face challenges in social newlineinteraction. This is a growing concern and needs a due redressal for their wellbeing. Failing to address these challenges can cause further isolation resulting in displaying antisocial behaviours. Children with Autism require the intervention of technology. Over the years, special schools have been using newlineAssistive Technologies (AT) that bridge the gap in learning for students with newlinedisabilities in general and Autism in particular. As a result of this initiation newlineearlier studies have deciphered that the end result of drawing AT into teaching and learning have been promising and optimistic. Available literature has shed light on the positive impact of emerging and assistive technologies on the learning of students with disabilities. However, the use of emerging newlinetechnologies by special tutors to build vital skills amongst children with autism has not been sufficiently explored. The lack of adequate exploration in the aforementioned domain paves the way for this research in particular. Objectives This study aims to explore the benefits of using humanoid robots which is an emerging technology in recent years with specific reference to inclusive newlineclassroom setup. Inclusive classrooms use humanoid robots to develop social and- communication skills amongst students with mild autism. This study sheds light by using both qualitative and quantitative methods and identify whether robots can effectively address children s social and communication skills which contributes to children s speech and behavioural development. Methods As mentioned above this research has been undertaken with a qualitative research design a combination of tools to explore how humanoid robots enable in the development of social and- communication skills amongst students with mild autism. The researcher has conducted semi-structured interviews newlinewith special tutors and counsellors to gain insights into the positive benefits of newlinechild - robot interaction. -
Optimized Handoff Strategy for Vehicular Ad-hoc Network based Communication
The dissertation titled ???Optimized Handoff Strategy for Vehicular Ad-hoc Network based Communication??? is the compilation of all efforts taken and tasks completed in order to implement an optimal handoff method in Vehicular Ad-hoc Network communication.Wireless communication technologies have been improving exponentially. Ad-hoc networks can form a network of wireless nodes anywhere and they are not bound by the limitations of a static infrastructure. This enhances the ability of mobile nodes to communicate with each other even in situations where a defined architecture is absent. Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs) has its applications in dynamic environments that involve nodes with high mobility. The nodes frequently move between the coverage areas of different access points. This increases the chance of link breakage and new link formation in communication network. Handoff is a process that helps in transferring the session details between one access point to another whenever the node is about to move away from a currently serving access point. Many handoff methods have been proposed but a majority of them utilize just a particular attribute of a network to employ the channel selection process. This process of network selection would be skewed as other attributes of a network play important roles in improving its overall efficiency. Multiple Attributes Decision Making (MADM) methods make use of different attributes in order to perform the network selection process. Use of MADM methods help in selecting optimal access points that can provide services to the nodes for a longer duration. In the proposed system, MADM methods have been utilized to modify existing protocols in order to optimize their approach for handoff operations. Various scenarios involving vehicular nodes and different access points have been considered in order to improve the efficiency of the proposed system across applications. The proposed handoff mechanism follows a proactive approach where the target access points are selected before the mobile node reaches the edge of its coverage area. This leads to a seamless transition of the communication channels. Based on the client/access point information stored in the data log, optimal access points which are situated along the direction of the node???s movement can be selected. NS2 and SUMO have been implemented to simulate mobile environments that accommodate handoff operations. -
Development and standardization of a tool to measure direction, motive and affect of social comparison among adolescents
Social comparison process is a pervasive social phenomenon (Suls, Martin and Wheeler, 2002). People very often make a comparison with others either intentionally or unintentionally in their daily life. This phenomenon of perceiving self in one s social standing in comparison to others can influence different outcomes including self-concepts, self-esteem, and distinct feelings.This evaluative method provides useful information to generate accurate evaluation about one s abilities and opinion, especially on self-related dimensions. This concepts is very relevant to study in the adolescent population, as children s development of self is largely shaped by social environment experience with family and friends. Social comparison plays an important role in adolescents development of one self-concept especially self-esteem in important dimensions of self. Having outlined the relevance of social comparison theory in the context of this research, it is imperative to attempt this type of exploration and developing a concept based assessment tool to measure different facet of social comparison theory-direction, motive and affect. newlineThis study followed mixed design to better set the context through theoretical and empirical approach for the development for a new tool. In the initial phase, concept exploration was done through literature review to understand the conceptual framework of the approach, followed by qualitative exploration using interview method on 12 adolescents and 4 school counselors. This exploration let to the development of items based on eight dimensions of self, identified in this study. In the second phase, a pilot test was conducted on a sample of 237 adolescents and fulfilled the initial psychometric cleansing of the tool. In the third phase, the main test was administered to sample of 531 adolescents age between (12-16 years). The initial construct analysis was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis and the scale satisfied the model fit hypothesis using structural equation model (SEM). -
Empowering women living with HIV AIDS A study on organisational strategies and challenges
The acts of discrimination and exclusion meted out to the people living with HIV/AIDS, and the stigma attached to the condition deprives the afflicted, of their capacity to exercise their fundamental rights and to access basic necessities. Specifically, the suffering of the women stricken by this chronic, incurable malady, the majority of whom from newlineeconomically weaker sections of our society is very poignant. From the time this pandemic broke out in 1984, world organisations, national and local organisations, both government and non-government have come to newlinethe aid of the PLWHA. Some of them cater singularly to the needs of the WLWHA, who are as such more vulnerable ever since the plight of the women living with the deadly disease was brought to light. But as the years went by, there has been a decline in the help extended to the WLWHA. This study is undertaken to ascertain the current state of newlineservices and strategies used by the organisations to empower the WLWHA and the challenges faced by the organisations in their endeavours. Appropriate questionnaires were administered to analyse the situations and find the facts about the services, strategies and challenges from the perspective of the organisation WLWHA. A few case studies of the WLWHA were done to delve into the depths of their perceptions. From the study, it has been learned that the organisations have prioritized medical and rehabilitation services to empower the women. Medical care is given directly by the organisations and also through networking with government bodies and other services newlineproviders. Affected women and family members are counselled for acceptance of the condition and familial and societal integration. Occupational therapy and vocational training are other strategies for newlineempowerment.Organisations provide nutritious food for the women and arrange for them to get the necessary provisions through Public newlineDistribution System (PDS) or through donors. -
Intersecting Ecocriticism and Gender in Selected Writings of Easterine Kire
The research study, Intersecting Ecocriticism and Gender in Selected newlineWritings of Easterine Kire, analyses the intersection of histories, identities, gender, and ecology to understand the larger context of marginalisation and newlinerepresentation. Indigenous literature often subverts Western worldviews and mainstream discourses with counter-discourse narratives by placing their stories at the centre. In recent times, literature from Indigenous societies has established a position in which Indigenous people represent, resist, newlinedecolonise, and construct their identity. The Indigenous Naga community has experienced marginalisation for decades, having suffered multiple oppressions of their history, stories, knowledge, and lack of rights; however, contemporary literary writings challenged the silencing system through writing back and representation. In her fictional works, Naga author Easterine Kire explores the possibilities of reviving and restoring the Angami Naga community and their newlinelost cultures and identities. Focusing on analysing three important themes: Peoplestories, Ecopolitics, and Gender politics, the study represents Naga histories, emerging identities, gender, and ecological concerns as interpreted in the fiction of Easterine Kire. The objective is to represent Indigenous Naga voices using fictional narratives of Easterine Kire to reclaim, revive, and redefine Indigenous culture and history from an insider s perspective. It also examines how intersecting narratives contribute to the larger context of Naga identity construction. newlineEasterine Kire s writing is a culturally conscious and decolonial strategy in newlinewhich she incorporates her community s oral tradition and storytelling in her fictional narratives. Easterine Kire s narrative engages in a deep conscious cultural revival and reinvention of her community s cultural heritage. -
An investigation into the causes of non compliance with labour laws by zimbabwean local authorities
The current research; which I carried out in Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe between 2012 and 2014 was prompted by the surge newlinein labour related disputes in sub-national governments in Zimbabwe as well as the evident poor levels of compliance to labour laws by local authorities which also happen to be a poorly rated sector of the economy in terms of service delivery. In carrying out the study, I was guided by the following newlineresearch objectives: to identify the challenges being faced by Zimbabwean newlinelocal authorities in complying with the labour laws, to establish the extent to which non compliance affects labour relations in local government in Zimbabwe, to ascertain the impact of non-compliance on service delivery and finally to assess the government monitoring aspect. The targeted population for the study comprised all the ten local authorities and ministry of local government employees from the province. The study mainly newlineemployed the exploratory research design and I found that non-compliance with labour laws by Zimbabwean local authorities was not only as a result of the quality of labour relations and management systems (internal controls and corruption) but also lack of governmental financial support, political newlineinterference, skills migration (brain drain), increased poverty (economic meltdown) and high unemployment rate. In light of the research findings, I recommend that the government formulates deliberate policies to re-engage the international community as this will help attract foreign direct investment; thereby reducing poverty, unemployment, skills migration and corruption. I also recommend an increase in the financial support by government to its sub national governments. There should also be total newlinedecentralization of all sub national governments to ensure efficiency and newlinenon-interference with local authorities operations. -
EDUCATION AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS: A STUDY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY IN BANGALORE
India is passing through the crucial phase of demographic transition wherein a majority of its population is in the working age, giving India a never before opportunity to cash in on a huge demographic dividend. This brings spotlight on the human capital benefits that can accrue as a result of this phase with 54% of Indias 1.2 billion population under the age of 25. It is highly imperative for India to cash in on this critical phase through the creation and capitalization of knowledge, competency and the skill base of its people or the Human Capital and pave the way for faster economic growth and development of its economy. The study takes in to consideration the Information Technology industry, wherein Indias prowess has been widely celebrated with Indian software engineers doing exceedingly well and there has been an apparent unstoppable outflow of jobs to India from U.S and Europe. India has become the undisputed global hub for outsourcing and technology mediated work. This has been possible primarily because of the rich pool of technically proficient English speaking workforce with superior logical and reasoning skills. One of the prime reasons for this has been the vast network of academic infrastructure in India churning out more than 500,000 technical graduates annually (NASSCOM, 2012). But multiple surveys by NASSCOM and CII have shown severe gap between employment and employability of technical graduates with only 25% of technical graduates suitable for employment, the rest lacking in skills which the industry wants. In order to solve this paradox, the study was initiated to examine the skill requirements of new recruits in the IT sector. It aims at bringing about the differences, if any between the perception of academia and the industry on the importance of specific skill sets for new IT recruits. The study also explores if there is any disconnect between what the industry perceives to be the available skill sets among the new IT recruits and what the academia perceives to have imparted in terms of those skill sets to their students. In order to capture the perception of the academia and the industry, the study takes in to account their responses on a five-point likert scale on the desired level and actual level of proficiency of new IT recruits on technical, business, interpersonal and management skills. The study found that there were significant differences in the perception of IT Managers and Academicians on the desired level of proficiency of new IT recruits in 4 out of 7 skill sets analyzed, which were Interpersonal and Management Skills, Emerging Technologies Skills, IT Infrastructure Skills and Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills. IT Managers and Academicians differed in their views on the actual level of proficiency of new IT recruits too, as significant differences were found in their responses to 5 out of the 7 skill sets which were Interpersonal and Management Skills, Emerging Technologies Skills, Technical Management Skills, IT Infrastructure Skills and Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills. It surely does call for an active and productive partnership between the industry and the academia through meaningful communication, coordination and rigorous steps to bridge the gap and eventually to sustain and strengthen the inherent advantage that India has in the field of Information Technology. -
Studies on thermal, structural, electrical and optical properties of Se-Te-Sb chalcogenide glasses /
Glasses, an intriguing state of matter, known to mankind since ages, have seen systematically reported investigations only in the 20th century. Of the various kinds of glasses such as silicates, oxides, halides, chalcogenide etc., a large spectrum of commercial and technological applications of chalcogenide glasses(ChG), have made them a subject of great interest and studied for more than four decades now.