The virtual pedagogy initiative

Contemporary Higher Education Institutions must adapt to address government funded calls for expansion and widened participation. The adoption of e-learning strategies, such as the use of the podcasts, can facilitate flexible learning around the needs and expectations of students. In this article we outline a number of e-learning developments at Aston University collectively referred to as the Virtual Pedagogy Initiative. Each of the strands, podcasts, vodcasts, mobile telephony and the campus wide remote broadcasts, are described pedagogically as well as technically. Where possible data highlighting the student response and experience are included. The article begins with the contention that contemporary undergraduates may be qualitatively different and can considered „digital natives?.

The value of magnetoencephalography to guide electrode implantation in epilepsy

To investigate if Magnetoencephalography (MEG) can add non-redundant information to guide implantation sites for intracranial recordings (IR). The contribution of MEG to intracranial recording planning was evaluated in 12 consecutive patients assessed pre-surgically with MEG followed by IR. Primary outcome measures were the identification of focal seizure onset in IR and favorable surgical outcome. Outcome measures were compared to those of 12 patients matched for implantation type in whom non-invasive pre-surgical assessment suggested clear hypotheses for implantation (non-MEG group). In the MEG group, non-invasive assessment without MEG was inconclusive, and MEG was then used to further help identify implantation sites. In all MEG patients, at least one virtual MEG electrode generated suitable hypotheses for the location of implantations. No differences in outcome measures were found between non-MEG and MEG groups. Although the MEG group included more complex patients, it showed similar percentage of successful implantations as the non-MEG group. This suggests that MEG can contribute to identify implantation sites where standard methods failed. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

The value of magnetoencephalography to guide electrode implantation in epilepsy

Purpose: To investigate if magnetoencephalography (MEG) can identify implantation sites for intracranial recordings (IR). Method: Two groups of 12 patients assessed for surgery with IR with and without MEG were compared (MEG and control groups). In the control group, non-invasive presurgical assessment without MEG suggested clear hypotheses for implantation. In the MEG group, non-invasive assessment was inconclusive, and MEG was used to identify implantation sites. Both groups were matched for implantation type. The success of implantation was defined by findings in IR: a) Focal seizure onset; b)Unilateral focal abnormal responses to single pulse electrical stimulation(SPES); and c) Concordance between a) and b). Results: In all MEG patients, at least one virtual MEG electrode generated suitable hypotheses for the location of implantations. The proportion of patients showing focal seizure onset restricted to one hemisphere was similar in control and MEG groups (6/12 vs. 11/12, Fisher’s exact test,p = 0.0686). The proportion of patients showing unilateral responses to SPES was lower in the control than in the MEG group (7/12 vs. 12/12,p = 0.0373). Conclusion: The MEG group showed similar or higher incidence of successful implantations than controls.

Writing online:a guide to effective digital communication at work

Online writing plays a complex and increasingly prominent role in the life of organizations. From newsletters to press releases, social media marketing and advertising, to virtual presentations and interactions via e-mail and instant messaging, digital writing intertwines and affects the day-to-day running of the company - yet we rarely pay enough attention to it. Typing on the screen can become particularly problematic because digital text-based communication increases the opportunities for misunderstanding: it lacks the direct audio-visual contact and the norms and conventions that would normally help people to understand each other. Providing a clear, convincing and approachable discussion, this book addresses arenas of online writing: virtual teamwork, instant messaging, emails, corporate communication channels, and social media. Instead of offering do and don’t lists, however, it teaches the reader to develop a practice that is observant, reflective, and grounded in the understanding of the basic principles of language and communication. Through real-life examples and case studies, it helps the reader to notice previously unnoticed small details, question previously unchallenged assumptions and practices, and become a competent digital communicator in a wide range of professional contexts.