Michael Thomas – författare

This book illustrates the developments of task-based language teaching (TBLT) approaches in relation to the evolution of digital technologies. It highlights how technology-mediated TBLT principles can support English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning and contribute to understanding new classroom dynamics. Drawing from the key theoretical concepts of TBLT, the author discusses the integration of tasks and technologies from a secondary education perspective, which is often under-represented in the TBLT literature. Morgana looks at how the EFL secondary classroom has been recently re-conceptualised as a social place whose boundaries go far behind the traditional school settings. This book provides theoretical approaches and classroom implementation practices by presenting four case studies on the different L2 skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking).The volume is organised into two main sections. The first section focuses on the theoretical approaches to TBLT and highlights the key concepts behind this methodology. This section also looks at the recent development of a technology-mediated TBLT framework and its implementations in various EFL educational contexts. The second section presents four case studies of secondary-school EFL learners in Italy. Each case study focuses on a different language skill, providing examples of classroom practices in both blended and online learning settings. Pedagogical recommendations for teachers are provided at the end of each case study. The book adopts a multimodal approach and aims at providing scholars in applied linguistics and TBLT practitioners with theories and implementation practices to understand the ways technologies are shaping tasks and mediating students’ learning processes.

Den här guiden ger dig allt du behöver för att komma igång med omställning i ditt lokalsamhälle. Handboken innehåller bland annat olika ingredienser och principer för hållbar omställning och hur ni skapar välmående och inkluderande grupper. Den ger dig också inspiration från omställningsarbete runt om i hela världen, inklusive Sverige. Särskild vikt läggs vid hur ni kan skapa partnerskap med fler än givna vänner, hur ni startar ett omställningsinitiativ och går vidare från att driva enskilda projekt till att bli en långsiktig omställningsgrupp – samt hur ni har kul medan ni gör det. Omställningshandboken gavs först ut 2016 av Transition Network med titeln ”The Essential Guide to doing Transition” och är skriven av bland andra omställningsrörelsens grundare Rob Hopkins, i samarbete med omställningshubbar i olika länder. Under 2019 har den svenska hubben, bestående av Omställningsnätverket och Hela Sverige ska leva, drivit ett projekt för att översätta boken till svenska. Handboken är utgiven under Creative Commons, vilket innebär att innehållet får spridas fritt och den finns för gratis nedladdning på nätet. Det går även att beställa ett tryckt exemplar till självkostnadspris via Omställningsnätverkets hemsida eller Facebook-sida.

A collection of content-based chapters and case studies examining the pedagogical potential and realities of digital literacies in education. The book aims to examine a number of foundational aspects of Web 2.0 technologies and social media applications and to understand the implications for teaching, learning, and professional development.

This book explores the impact of e-research in education and the opportunities presented by a new generation of research approaches and tools. ‘E-research’ is an umbrella term that encompasses all digital research methods used for data collection and analysis including those involving handheld mobile devices. This is a current concern as the emergence of online tools that enable people to collaborate, create, and share information has led to the widespread use of these new digital research methods. Indeed, new tools and technologies are emerging almost daily and are being taken up by researchers for their ease of data collection and analysis. As a result the book investigates the implications of how we conceptualise educational research in the digital age. In addressing a range of key themes, from the ethics of e-research to the relationships between researchers and participants, the book presents original studies from a variety of educational contexts where digital tools are being used, and should be of value to postgraduate students, academic researchers, and policy makers. This book was originally published as a special issue of the International Journal of Research & Method in Education.

This book highlights the ways in which insights from technology-mediated project-based language learning research can contribute to our understanding of both learner interaction in specific cultural contexts but also of the role of technology in language learning more generally. The volume situates the discussion within the context of the development of the field, from task-based to project-based language learning, and how these have been shaped over time by the evolution of new technologies. Using the case study of EFL learners in a Japanese classroom, the book adopts a multimodal approach to unpack this phenomena at work by examining learner collaboration in project-based work in a real-world setting. The volume provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the effective integration of digital technologies in the classroom and will be of particular interest to students and scholars in applied linguistics, computer-assisted language learning, task-based language teaching, and TESOL.

This book explores the implications of technology-mediated project-based language learning for CALL teacher development, focusing on the role of video-based instruction in elucidating challenges and opportunities to promote learner creativity in the language classroom. The volume builds on existing literature on project-based language learning by extending the focus on the affordances of machinima, digital video created by teachers and learners to capture experience in 3D immersive games or virtual worlds. Drawing on data from a large-scale research project featuring case studies that examine different facets of CALL teacher education, the book calls attention to language learning and teaching strategies that encourage both learners and teachers to develop innovative approaches in the language classroom and how such approaches promote the integration of lifelong learning skills alongside traditional linguistic competencies. Offering a dynamic contribution to the growing literature on the interface of language learning and teaching and technology, this book will appeal to students and researchers in applied linguistics and language and education, as well as those interested in the latest developments in CALL.

This book explores the implications of technology-mediated project-based language learning for CALL teacher development, focusing on the role of video-based instruction in elucidating challenges and opportunities to promote learner creativity in the language classroom. The volume builds on existing literature on project-based language learning by extending the focus on the affordances of machinima, digital video created by teachers and learners to capture experience in 3D immersive games or virtual worlds. Drawing on data from a large-scale research project featuring case studies that examine different facets of CALL teacher education, the book calls attention to language learning and teaching strategies that encourage both learners and teachers to develop innovative approaches in the language classroom and how such approaches promote the integration of lifelong learning skills alongside traditional linguistic competencies. Offering a dynamic contribution to the growing literature on the interface of language learning and teaching and technology, this book will appeal to students and researchers in applied linguistics and language and education, as well as those interested in the latest developments in CALL.

A critical examination of urban policies and management practices used to make cities sustainable. With an international perspective, the book describes urban environmental agendas and how they arose in the context of globalization, urban economic restructuring, and the need to make cities competitive. It argues that the environment became an integral part of city development policy, turning attention not only to physical and ecological issues but also to improving the economic performance of cities and the lives of citizens. The authors also go beyond the technical issues to explore the political importance of urban environmentalism, using case studies to illustrate both its international scope and place-specific characteristics which are inexorably influencing city development throughout the world. In connecting the concept to its political effects, the book raises issues such as local democracy, equality and social regulation, all of which are increasingly concerning academics, professionals, environmentalists and city authorities alike.

A critical examination of urban policies and management practices used to make cities sustainable. With an international perspective, the book describes urban environmental agendas and how they arose in the context of globalization, urban economic restructuring, and the need to make cities competitive. It argues that the environment became an integral part of city development policy, turning attention not only to physical and ecological issues but also to improving the economic performance of cities and the lives of citizens. The authors also go beyond the technical issues to explore the political importance of urban environmentalism, using case studies to illustrate both its international scope and place-specific characteristics which are inexorably influencing city development throughout the world. In connecting the concept to its political effects, the book raises issues such as local democracy, equality and social regulation, all of which are increasingly concerning academics, professionals, environmentalists and city authorities alike.

This book explains the institutionalization of nearly unconditional American support of Israel during the Reagan administration, and its persistence in the first Bush administration in terms of the competition of belief systems in American society and politics. Michael Thomas explains policy changes over time and provides insights into what circumstances might lead to lasting changes in policy. The volume identifies the important domestic, social, religious and political elements that have vied for primacy on policy towards Israel, and using case studies, such as the 1981 AWACS sale and the 1991 loan guarantees, argues that policy debates have been struggles to embed and enforce beliefs about Israel and about Arabs. It also establishes a framework for better understanding the influences and constraints on American policy towards Israel. An epilogue applies the lessons learned to the current Bush administration.American Policy toward Israel will be of interest to students of US foreign policy, Middle Eastern politics and international relations.

This book explains the institutionalization of nearly unconditional American support of Israel during the Reagan administration, and its persistence in the first Bush administration in terms of the competition of belief systems in American society and politics. Michael Thomas explains policy changes over time and provides insights into what circumstances might lead to lasting changes in policy. The volume identifies the important domestic, social, religious and political elements that have vied for primacy on policy towards Israel, and using case studies, such as the 1981 AWACS sale and the 1991 loan guarantees, argues that policy debates have been struggles to embed and enforce beliefs about Israel and about Arabs. It also establishes a framework for better understanding the influences and constraints on American policy towards Israel. An epilogue applies the lessons learned to the current Bush administration.American Policy toward Israel will be of interest to students of US foreign policy, Middle Eastern politics and international relations.

This book highlights the ways in which insights from technology-mediated project-based language learning research can contribute to our understanding of both learner interaction in specific cultural contexts but also of the role of technology in language learning more generally. The volume situates the discussion within the context of the development of the field, from task-based to project-based language learning, and how these have been shaped over time by the evolution of new technologies. Using the case study of EFL learners in a Japanese classroom, the book adopts a multimodal approach to unpack this phenomena at work by examining learner collaboration in project-based work in a real-world setting. The volume provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the effective integration of digital technologies in the classroom and will be of particular interest to students and scholars in applied linguistics, computer-assisted language learning, task-based language teaching, and TESOL.

There have been many attempts to define the generation of students who emerged with the Web and new digital technologies in the early 1990s. The term "digital native" refers to the generation born after 1980, which has grown up in a world where digital technologies and the internet are a normal part of everyday life. Young people belonging to this generation are therefore supposed to be "native" to the digital lifestyle, always connected to the internet and comfortable with a range of cutting-edge technologies.Deconstructing Digital Natives offers the most balanced, research-based view of this group to date. Existing studies of digital natives lack application to specific disciplines or conditions, ignoring the differences of educational fields and gender. How, and how much, are learners changing in the digital age? How can a more pluralistic understanding of these learners be developed? Contributors to this volume produce an international overview of developments in digital literacy among today’s young learners, offering innovative ways to steer a productive path between traditional narratives that offer only complete acceptance or total dismissal of digital natives.

There have been many attempts to define the generation of students who emerged with the Web and new digital technologies in the early 1990s. The term "digital native" refers to the generation born after 1980, which has grown up in a world where digital technologies and the internet are a normal part of everyday life. Young people belonging to this generation are therefore supposed to be "native" to the digital lifestyle, always connected to the internet and comfortable with a range of cutting-edge technologies.Deconstructing Digital Natives offers the most balanced, research-based view of this group to date. Existing studies of digital natives lack application to specific disciplines or conditions, ignoring the differences of educational fields and gender. How, and how much, are learners changing in the digital age? How can a more pluralistic understanding of these learners be developed? Contributors to this volume produce an international overview of developments in digital literacy among today’s young learners, offering innovative ways to steer a productive path between traditional narratives that offer only complete acceptance or total dismissal of digital natives.

Stamp Duty Land Tax ('SDLT') raises some £6 billion per annum - more revenue than inheritance tax and capital gains tax put together. Providing a much-needed, incisive and comprehensive commentary on every aspect of SDLT, this book will appeal to property lawyers, tax specialists, and anyone involved in land transactions. It gives a detailed discussion of the legislation and puts forward suggested interpretations and planning opportunities. The second edition is fully updated and deals with the many changes that have been made since the introduction of SDLT. New chapters provide in-depth coverage of the treatment both of leases and partnerships. Areas of difficulty which arise in practice are dealt with throughout. In addition, the chapter on planning has been revised to take account of new legislation and case law, including the impact of the SDLT disclosure rules.

The third edition of an established text, this book provides comprehensive treatment of international marketing issues and includes expanded coverage of Eastern Europe and the Pacific Rim.New for this edition are the expanded use of mini cases within the text to illustrate the latest developments in marketing, together with expanded coverage of: South East Asia and the Pacific Rim, Central and Eastern Europe, Globalization, Culture, Financial aspects of marketing.Included throughout are self-assessment and discussion questions, key terms, references and bibliography.

The CIM Handbook of Strategic Marketing targets senior executives responsible for shaping and managing the company's strategic direction. The strategic dimensions of marketing management are emphasised along with the critical importance of matching the company's capabilities with genuinely attractive market sectors. The Handbook's strategic perspective and pragmatic outlook pervade the text and underpin its practical foundations.The rise of global competition and continuous innovation have redefined market structures, reshaped industries and given customers unprecedented value and choice. In this era of customer sovereignty there is a tremendous amount of pressure on organizations to adopt the principles of the marketing concept and to develop a much sharper strategic focus.The CIM Handbook of Strategic Marketing is a reference source to guide effective marketing practice. It provides supportive material for managers and employees who are building their marketing competence by attending training programmes, and includes contributions from leading academics - such as, Peter Doyle, Malcolm McDonald, Nigel PiercyThe book amounts to a firm blueprint written by leading marketing thinkers for designing and implementing effective marketing strategies and improving business performance.Colin Egan is Professor of Strategic Management at Leicester Business School.Michael J Thomas is Professor of Marketing at the University of Strathclyde Business School.

′Online learning is growing rapidly as a discipline and in terms of its influence on education and training. Many activities that seemed impossible a decade ago - such as person to person online video - are now common place. The last five years have produced dramatic change in how individuals interact with each other and with information. This publication provides among the best theorizing, research, and implementation on online learning. Those who are new to technology in learning will find it a wonderful starting point. Those with extensive experience in online learning will find it to be an excellent foundation to revisit′ - George Siemens, Athabasca University, CanadaWith the recent emergence of Web 2.0 technologies and the widespread use and availability of laptop computers and wireless networks, the integration of digital technologies is increasingly seen as an inevitable factor in e-Learning and education. Online Learning examines the influence of new technologies on online pedagogy and provides an authoritative synthesis of existing research in the field. It also investigates the direction of e-Learning in the digital age. Consisting of approximately 85 articles, the five parts focus on:Part One: Professional Development and TrainingPart Two: Digital PedagogiesPart Three: Digital LiteraciesPart Four: New and Emerging Technologies Part Five: Online Assessment

An indispensable volume detailing the current and potential applications of atmospheric pressure plasma treatment by experts practicing in fields around the worldPolymers are used in a wide variety of industries to fabricate legions of products because of their many desirable traits. However, polymers in general (and polyolefins, in particular) are innately not very adhesionable because of the absence of polar or reactive groups on their surfaces and concomitant low surface energy. Surface treatment of polymers, however, is essential to impart reactive chemical groups on their surfaces to enhance their adhesion characteristic. Proper surface treatment can endow polymers with improved adhesion without affecting the bulk properties.A plethora of techniques (ranging from wet to dry, simple to sophisticated, vacuum to non-vacuum) for polymer surface modification have been documented in the literature but the Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (APP) treatment has attracted much attention because it offers many advantages vis-a-vis other techniques, namely uniform treatment, continuous operation, no need for vacuum, simplicity, low cost, no environmental or disposal concern, and applicability to large area samples.Although the emphasis in this book is on the utility of APP treatment for enhancement of polymer adhesion, APP is also applicable and effective to modulate many other surface properties of polymers: superhydrophilicity, superhydrophobicity, anti-fouling, anti-fogging, anti-icing, cell adhesion, biocompatibility, tribological behavior, etc.The key features of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Treatment of Polymers: Address design and functions of various types of reactorsBring out current and potential applications of APP treatmentRepresent the cumulative wisdom of many key academic and industry researchers actively engaged in this key and enabling technology

Mental wellbeing is an integral part of being, and feeling, healthy, and it is estimated that one in four people will suffer from some form of mental illness during their lifetime. In spite of this, it is often overlooked in mainstream healthcare. The overall aim of this book is to provide knowledge and understanding of how mental health affects human beings from conception through to end-of-life, and the challenges that society as a whole has to address in the treatment of mental health. Beginning with an exploration of historical, social and cultural contexts, the book then goes on to discuss mental health care, and mental health promotion, during pregnancy and early parenthood, childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, adulthood for both men and women, and in older people. Containing reflective exercises, the chapters are designed to provide an easily-accessible and engagingly-written introduction to mental health. Containing chapters that can be read and reviewed in isolation, or used as an entire text, Mental Health Across the Lifespan: A Handbook provides a solid introduction to mental health for students. The book will also act as a useful reference for doctors, nurses, midwives, health visitors, allied health professionals, and health and social care support workers who have no specialist mental health training but often work in partnership with, and care for, people suffering from mental health issues.

Mental wellbeing is an integral part of being, and feeling, healthy, and it is estimated that one in four people will suffer from some form of mental illness during their lifetime. In spite of this, it is often overlooked in mainstream healthcare. The overall aim of this book is to provide knowledge and understanding of how mental health affects human beings from conception through to end-of-life, and the challenges that society as a whole has to address in the treatment of mental health. Beginning with an exploration of historical, social and cultural contexts, the book then goes on to discuss mental health care, and mental health promotion, during pregnancy and early parenthood, childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, adulthood for both men and women, and in older people. Containing reflective exercises, the chapters are designed to provide an easily-accessible and engagingly-written introduction to mental health. Containing chapters that can be read and reviewed in isolation, or used as an entire text, Mental Health Across the Lifespan: A Handbook provides a solid introduction to mental health for students. The book will also act as a useful reference for doctors, nurses, midwives, health visitors, allied health professionals, and health and social care support workers who have no specialist mental health training but often work in partnership with, and care for, people suffering from mental health issues.

Supplementary cementing materials (SCMs), such as fly ash, slag, silica fume, and natural pozzolans, make a significant difference to the properties of concrete but are rarely understood in any detail. SCMs can influence the mechanical properties of concrete and improve its durability in aggressive environments. Supplementary Cementing Materials in Concrete covers the chemical, physical, and mineralogical properties of SCMs; their chemical reactions; and the resulting changes in the microstructure of concrete. The author links the properties of the material at the microstructural level with its behavior in laboratory tests, and, in turn, to the performance of the material in concrete structures under field exposure. He explains how SCMs influence the mechanical properties of concrete and improve its durability and also covers how various SCMs influence hydration reactions and the evolution of the pore structure and pore-solution composition. However, SCMs are not a panacea for concrete and improper use may be injurious to certain properties. Achieving the maximum benefit from SCMs requires an understanding of the materials and how they impact concrete properties under various conditions. Drawing on the author’s 30 years of experience, this book helps engineers and practitioners to optimize the use of supplementary cementing materials to improve concrete performance.

In a global climate of increasing complexity and uncertainty, there have been calls for a more responsible form of leadership in business and society. The relationship between kindness and leadership is therefore a topic of fundamental importance for our well-being as individuals, for the success of our organisations, and for the future of our global community. Kindness in Leadership is one of the first books to explore both the concept and practice of kindness in leadership and consider them in different societal and organisational settings. Its uniqueness lies in combining an innovative mix of personal views from leaders with explorations of organisational philosophies and practices. It opens with a definition of kindness and its contours and underpinnings. It then explores the importance of kindness within different organisations, parts of the world, economic strata, age groups and genders, drawing on research on organisational compassion and neuroscience. In order to support learning, each chapter is supported by a series of questions for consideration and discussion. This will be a stimulating and thought-provoking read for a wide audience of practicing managers and leaders in organisations of all shapes and sizes, for academics involved in educating for leadership, and for students aspiring to develop their own kind and compassionate leadership style.

In a global climate of increasing complexity and uncertainty, there have been calls for a more responsible form of leadership in business and society. The relationship between kindness and leadership is therefore a topic of fundamental importance for our well-being as individuals, for the success of our organisations, and for the future of our global community. Kindness in Leadership is one of the first books to explore both the concept and practice of kindness in leadership and consider them in different societal and organisational settings. Its uniqueness lies in combining an innovative mix of personal views from leaders with explorations of organisational philosophies and practices. It opens with a definition of kindness and its contours and underpinnings. It then explores the importance of kindness within different organisations, parts of the world, economic strata, age groups and genders, drawing on research on organisational compassion and neuroscience. In order to support learning, each chapter is supported by a series of questions for consideration and discussion. This will be a stimulating and thought-provoking read for a wide audience of practicing managers and leaders in organisations of all shapes and sizes, for academics involved in educating for leadership, and for students aspiring to develop their own kind and compassionate leadership style.

This book explores the impact of e-research in education and the opportunities presented by a new generation of research approaches and tools. ‘E-research’ is an umbrella term that encompasses all digital research methods used for data collection and analysis including those involving handheld mobile devices. This is a current concern as the emergence of online tools that enable people to collaborate, create, and share information has led to the widespread use of these new digital research methods. Indeed, new tools and technologies are emerging almost daily and are being taken up by researchers for their ease of data collection and analysis. As a result the book investigates the implications of how we conceptualise educational research in the digital age. In addressing a range of key themes, from the ethics of e-research to the relationships between researchers and participants, the book presents original studies from a variety of educational contexts where digital tools are being used, and should be of value to postgraduate students, academic researchers, and policy makers. This book was originally published as a special issue of the International Journal of Research & Method in Education.