Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Design and Implementation of group counselling, via a computer-mediated platform, for Internet addiction Disorder
Abstract from thesis entitle :"Design and Implementation of group counselling, via a computer-mediated platform, for Internet addiction Disorder " - A thesis Submitted for the degree of Master of Arts in Counselling at University of Technology (Mauritius) by Ponnusawmy, Harry Krishna (090433), January 2011"
Investigating
the prevalence of Internet addiction disorder among Mauritian students at
tertiary level seems to be appropriate, especially at a time when Internet
access cost is becoming cheaper and number of user is, consequently, growing.
This thesis, structured with an initial preliminary investigation about online
behaviours of tertiary students and the psychological features associated with
Internet addiction, explores the design and implementation of online
counselling. A random sample of more than eighty participants completed a
web-based questionnaire, which was used to assess the usage, influence and
depth of penetration of Internet in students’ life at the University of
Mauritius. Backup with a critical literature review, this research study used a
methodological framework to setup online counselling session for treating
Internet Addiction disorder (IAD). The design and implementation process was
developed and analysed after a group of nine counsellees completed online group
counselling sessions for IAD, by extensive use of discussion forum for communication purpose. The three months long program ended with a feedback
questionnaire, where participants responded to a series of open and closed-ended
type questions pertaining to whether they found the counselling sessions to be helpful, useful and
meaningful. Moreover, the best features of the online platform and areas which
needs improvement were also queried. From a compilation of advantages of using
a virtual environment, benefits of online
counselling were deduced and the whole implementation process was presented as a model which can be used to screen
counsellee for online counselling program to handle IAD and provide remedial
solutions via a computer-mediated platform, if needed.
Keywords: Internet Addiction
Disorder (IAD), online counselling, computer-mediated communication, University
students,
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Counselling in Mauritius
I have lately (Year 2010) completed a Master's degree in Counselling and being an active member of the executive commitee for SPAC( Society for Psychologist And Counsellors, blog space: www.spacmauritius.blog.com/executivemembers/) There is a long way to go and lots of work to be done.
I have done a thesis work in the Field of Online counselling with a focus on "Internet addiction". The findings are interesting, not to say scary.
I have done a thesis work in the Field of Online counselling with a focus on "Internet addiction". The findings are interesting, not to say scary.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Research in the field of education
Promoting (quality) participation in online forums: A study of use of forums in two online modules at the University of Mauritius. Harry Ponnusawmy & Mohammad Issack Santally ( April 2008)
This paper describes how forums are used in 2 modules, at undergraduate and post-graduate level at the University of Mauritius. An analysis of what types of interaction can possibly in a online learning environment where the students in campus where the number of classroom-based is much higher than e-learning modules. The paper also propose a structure on how forum can be used to promote participation in forum.
The paper can be viewed online at :
http://itdl.org/Journal/Apr_08/index.htm
Inculcating an innovative culture of e-learning at the UoM: The case study of a GEM module on "Educational Technology and Computer-Based Learning Environments"
A paper which follows an action-based research done at the University of Mauritius. I presented the paper during the Research week, January 2007,at the University of Mauritius. It was co-authored with Mr Mohammad I. Santally. The paper was published on 15 April 2004 in European Journal of Open, Distance and E-learning. It can be viewed at: http://www.eurodl.org/
This paper describes how forums are used in 2 modules, at undergraduate and post-graduate level at the University of Mauritius. An analysis of what types of interaction can possibly in a online learning environment where the students in campus where the number of classroom-based is much higher than e-learning modules. The paper also propose a structure on how forum can be used to promote participation in forum.
The paper can be viewed online at :
http://itdl.org/Journal/Apr_08/index.htm
Inculcating an innovative culture of e-learning at the UoM: The case study of a GEM module on "Educational Technology and Computer-Based Learning Environments"
A paper which follows an action-based research done at the University of Mauritius. I presented the paper during the Research week, January 2007,at the University of Mauritius. It was co-authored with Mr Mohammad I. Santally. The paper was published on 15 April 2004 in European Journal of Open, Distance and E-learning. It can be viewed at: http://www.eurodl.org/
Labels: culture, e-learning, education, forum, University of Mauritius
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
New passion: Networking
Networking, computers as well as people, is so interesting. They got similarities but lately found it worth investigating computer network.
I have completed semester 1 & semester 2 of CCNA. Semester 2 did not bring out new topics but rather an indepth analysis of previous semester with some additional details.
I am not marketing for any company but need to admit the leader is Cisco with the most recognised and valuable certification.Have a look >
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le0/le9/learning_certification_type_home.html
I have completed semester 1 & semester 2 of CCNA. Semester 2 did not bring out new topics but rather an indepth analysis of previous semester with some additional details.
I am not marketing for any company but need to admit the leader is Cisco with the most recognised and valuable certification.Have a look >
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le0/le9/learning_certification_type_home.html
Monday, July 17, 2006
Swimming and me
I am into swimming now. I lately discovered the pleasure of swimming.Let me share the technical stuff that I know.
The single most important attribute of any distance swimmer is Balance. Balance includes the ability to float high in the water with as little resistance as possible. This is probably why mediocre swimmers using a wetsuit are able to improve their time by 15% - 20%. This buoyancy which is imparted by the wetsuit enables them to obtain the balance required.
Obviously, the higher the body lies in the water, the less effort would be required to propel the body. A person who has a greater layer of fat will therefore have a slight advantage over an athlete who is lean and mean. The converse, however, is that if the fat is due to lack of body condition, then the swimmer may not have the muscle toning and strength required to continue swimming for any length of time. My own experience dictates that whilst I have the ability to float I do take strain from lack of muscle strength.
My cardio-vascular condition is OK but parts of my body take strain. This includes the palms of my hands and my “Lats”.Stroke Technique It would appear from my own experience that the more a swimmer is able to “Steal, the more likely he will be able to continue. Having watched Channel swimmers like Otto Thaning, Lewis Pugh, Dave Riding and Theo Yach amongst others, they all had on attribute.....DETERMINATION. Their strokes however were very different.My own option would be a slightly faster more relaxed effortless stroke - about 100 strokes per 100 meters. The competitive swimmer uses a Stroke of about 50/60 strokes per 100 meters, but his goal is speed.
Techniques
I believe that the stroke should enter the water at the normal arm extension, slightly outside the line of the shoulders. The hand presses down for about 300-350mm and then lifts slightly, the forearm then bends and allows the hand to pass under the opposite nipple. The angle of the elbow and forearm is about 120 degrees. The hand then pushes away to the side to begin the recovery. The elbow remains at the surface as long as possible during the initial phase of the stroke. At the completion of the stroke the arm is once again straight.As the entry and exit of the hand in the water is only about 320mm the turbulence created under the body enhances the buoyancy and enables the propulsion to continue.The recovery stroke is now very critical.The hand exits the water to the side of the body, the body must now roll to enable the elbow to swing the forearm through to the front, the finger tips trailing the water. The closer the arm is on recovery, the less the probability of the body snaking away to counter the balance.Many swimmers swing their arms, needless to say they take a tremendous amount of strain on the shoulder joint. The bending of the arm on trailing the hand forward enables the arm to relax and recover.
Breathing
The way a person breathes is the most critical aspect of swimming. I do not mean whether a swimmer breathes bi-laterally or hypoxic. Most swimmers tend to inhale by taking a huge gulp of air. This I think is the most common of all those swimmers who have asked for my assistance.I believe that a swimmer must inhale and forcibly ventilate all his breath and then merely open his mouth. The body will REGULATE how much air is needed. Most poor swimmers tend to hypo-ventilate and breathe back carbon dioxide which they were trying to exhale. They always seem to be gulping air.The ability to breathe on both sides is a great advantage, but is not critical. The advantage would come to the fore in adverse swimming conditions such as a surface chop. The swimmer would be in a better position to cope.
Conclusion
As I have previously stated, the above comments are purely my own thoughts and observations. They are entirely without scientific profaned should be read in the context. I am not a fundi on the absolute science of swimming but feel that a bit of what I have said may help a few budding long distance swimmers.
The single most important attribute of any distance swimmer is Balance. Balance includes the ability to float high in the water with as little resistance as possible. This is probably why mediocre swimmers using a wetsuit are able to improve their time by 15% - 20%. This buoyancy which is imparted by the wetsuit enables them to obtain the balance required.
Obviously, the higher the body lies in the water, the less effort would be required to propel the body. A person who has a greater layer of fat will therefore have a slight advantage over an athlete who is lean and mean. The converse, however, is that if the fat is due to lack of body condition, then the swimmer may not have the muscle toning and strength required to continue swimming for any length of time. My own experience dictates that whilst I have the ability to float I do take strain from lack of muscle strength.
My cardio-vascular condition is OK but parts of my body take strain. This includes the palms of my hands and my “Lats”.Stroke Technique It would appear from my own experience that the more a swimmer is able to “Steal, the more likely he will be able to continue. Having watched Channel swimmers like Otto Thaning, Lewis Pugh, Dave Riding and Theo Yach amongst others, they all had on attribute.....DETERMINATION. Their strokes however were very different.My own option would be a slightly faster more relaxed effortless stroke - about 100 strokes per 100 meters. The competitive swimmer uses a Stroke of about 50/60 strokes per 100 meters, but his goal is speed.
Techniques
I believe that the stroke should enter the water at the normal arm extension, slightly outside the line of the shoulders. The hand presses down for about 300-350mm and then lifts slightly, the forearm then bends and allows the hand to pass under the opposite nipple. The angle of the elbow and forearm is about 120 degrees. The hand then pushes away to the side to begin the recovery. The elbow remains at the surface as long as possible during the initial phase of the stroke. At the completion of the stroke the arm is once again straight.As the entry and exit of the hand in the water is only about 320mm the turbulence created under the body enhances the buoyancy and enables the propulsion to continue.The recovery stroke is now very critical.The hand exits the water to the side of the body, the body must now roll to enable the elbow to swing the forearm through to the front, the finger tips trailing the water. The closer the arm is on recovery, the less the probability of the body snaking away to counter the balance.Many swimmers swing their arms, needless to say they take a tremendous amount of strain on the shoulder joint. The bending of the arm on trailing the hand forward enables the arm to relax and recover.
Breathing
The way a person breathes is the most critical aspect of swimming. I do not mean whether a swimmer breathes bi-laterally or hypoxic. Most swimmers tend to inhale by taking a huge gulp of air. This I think is the most common of all those swimmers who have asked for my assistance.I believe that a swimmer must inhale and forcibly ventilate all his breath and then merely open his mouth. The body will REGULATE how much air is needed. Most poor swimmers tend to hypo-ventilate and breathe back carbon dioxide which they were trying to exhale. They always seem to be gulping air.The ability to breathe on both sides is a great advantage, but is not critical. The advantage would come to the fore in adverse swimming conditions such as a surface chop. The swimmer would be in a better position to cope.
Conclusion
As I have previously stated, the above comments are purely my own thoughts and observations. They are entirely without scientific profaned should be read in the context. I am not a fundi on the absolute science of swimming but feel that a bit of what I have said may help a few budding long distance swimmers.
Welcome
Hi Everyone,
Hope you are ready to read on. Otherwise, if you want to voice out then email me at
hkp262000@yahoo.com
See you soon.
Regards,
Harry
Hope you are ready to read on. Otherwise, if you want to voice out then email me at
hkp262000@yahoo.com
See you soon.
Regards,
Harry
