Psychological evaluation of international students in Shanghai

Our purpose was to evaluate and compare medical international and non medical international students from Fudan, Tongji and Jiaotong University in Shanghai; 250 international students were evaluated. Results: The higher percentage of international students lived in China over 3 years, they perceived to have a good academic level, good relationship with teachers and classmates, medium level of the language proficiency;although most of the students did not show to have adaptation problems, or severe anxiety and depression levels, most of them did perceived a change in their physical and mental health after coming to China. They showed similar personality traits been agreeableness, openness and consciousness their main characteristics.     

Interactive computerized learning program exposes veterinary students to challenging international animal-health problems

This article describes a computerized case-based CD-ROM (CD) on international animal health that was developed to give veterinary students an opportunity to "virtually" work alongside veterinarians and other veterinary students as they try to solve challenging disease problems relating to tuberculosis in South African wildlife, bovine abortion in Mexico, and neurologic disease in horses in Rapa Nui, Chile. Each of the three case modules presents, in a highly interactive format, a problem or mystery that must be solved by the learner. As well as acquiring information via video clips and text about the specific health problem, learners obtain information about the different countries, animal-management practices, diagnostic methods, related disease-control issues, economic factors, and the opinions of local experts. After assimilating this information, the learner must define the problem and formulate an action plan or make a recommendation or diagnosis. The computerized program invokes three principles of adult education: active learning, learner-centered education, and experiential learning. A medium that invokes these principles is a potentially efficient learning tool and template for developing other case-based problem-solving computerized programs. The program is accessible on the World Wide Web at . A broadband Internet connection is recommended, since the modules make extensive use of embedded video and audio clips. Information on how to obtain the CD is also provided.     

Rural veterinary services in Western Australia: Part A. Government veterinary services

OBJECTIVE: To determine the status of rural veterinary services in Western Australia. PROCEDURE: Two questionnaires were mailed to eligible, registered veterinary surgeons in Western Australia in 2006. The first was mailed to government veterinarians and the second to private practitioners in rural practice. Part A presents the replies from government veterinary officers and Part B the replies from rural practitioners. Replies were transferred to Microsoft Excel for analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-seven per cent of government veterinary officers responded to the questionnaire. Eighty per cent of these had been in the service for 20 years or more and their average age was 54. Work with sheep and beef cattle occupied 75% of their time, with dairy cattle receiving 10% and pigs and poultry less than 10%. The majority of respondents reported changes in the attitude of farmers to the service as a result of rural recessions and the decision to make a direct charge for government veterinary services. Although most respondents thought that the government veterinary service would continue in the future there were differences of opinion as to what form that would take. CONCLUSION: Government veterinary services in Western Australia are undergoing major changes, with the service decreasing in size and scope. Recently the Department of Agriculture has been renamed the Department of Agriculture and Food and it is likely that the role of its veterinary officers will change accordingly.     

Cryptosporidiosis in veterinary students

Cryptosporidiosis was diagnosed in 10 veterinary students. Exposure to the pathogen was associated with direct contact with infected calves and contact with contaminated materials. Affected students had fever (50%), headache (50%), nausea (70%), diarrhea (80%), and vomiting (40%). Clinical signs persisted for 30 hours to 16 days after the onset of clinical signs of disease. Although one student required hospitalization, the remaining students recovered without treatment.     

Support services for students and faculty

Distance learning is hardly a recent phenomenon. The recent growth of distance-education courses and programs, particularly those offered online, has been dramatic. Students enrolled in distance-education courses deserve the same quality and type of services that students taking courses on campus receive. The same is true of faculty teaching distance courses. Developing strong support services for both groups is an evolutionary process. This article discusses support services for both students and faculty involved in the rapidly expanding online distance-education landscape. Models for providing support to students and faculty are described, the development of these services is explained, and examples of support services are provided.