This book is the first comprehensive and integrated guide to online education. It systematically presents all aspects of the emerging "big picture" of online education, providing a broad range of information and insights from online experts, learners, teachers, developers and researchers. The book introduces readers to online education and reveals its potential for bringing about a paradigm shift in education. It describes avenues for increasing the value of the online education medium and examines techniques for improving the online student experience. It also offers a wealth of real-world examples and experiences and shares recommendations on how to improve them, provided by students, teachers, developers, and researchers. Accordingly, the book equips readers - including online learners, teachers, researchers, developers, and administrators - to optimally participate in and contribute to current and future online education advances.

This book addresses the question: how can institutions develop and maintain a good purpose? And how can managers contribute to this endeavour? Twelve contributions explore this question, using MacIntyrean inquiry as a basis for exploring four main themes: Can management be considered a practice in the MacIntyrean sense? What is the role of specific virtues in the development of a virtuous institution? What are management vices and what are the conditions in which they flourish? And, can we use MacIntyrean ideas to consider the management of all forms of institutions? The volume is an international and multidisciplinary collection, with contributions from well-known writers in the field of management ethics, and innovative contributions that use MacIntyrean inquiry as a lens to examine fields such as hospitality, user generated music content and social sustainability. The papers are unified by their concern for the achievement of organizational excellence and integrity through ethical management. Unlike single author texts this edited volume brings together multiple perspectives on the topic of virtue ethics in management. In doing so, it explores the topic both more deeply and more widely than a single author can do. Because of its breadth, this book has the potential to become a turn-to research tool for those interested in virtue theory's relevance to other academic interests such as organizational behavior (including motivation theory and social psychology), literature, contemporary social issue criticism, and business management. "Editors Harris, Wijesinghe, and McKenzie have crafted a tight, slim, and thematically consistent volume that will be indispensable to scholars and students with twin interests in business and virtue ethics. In particular, those working with MacIntyre's ideas will find the thorough and complimentary explorations and applications of his ideas to serve, overall, as a cornerstone for their own work." Brenden E. Kendall (2014), Harris, H., Wijesinghe, G., & McKenzie, S. (Eds.). (2013). The Heart of the Good Institution: Virtue Ethics as a Framework for Responsible Management. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer, in Michael Schwartz , Howard Harris (ed.) Achieving Ethical Excellence (Research in Ethical Issues in Organizations, Volume 12) Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp.155 - 161

Rethinking a Sustainable Society Alan Mayne The world has already passed the midway point for achieving by 2015 the eight Millennium Development Goals for a "more peaceful, prosperous and just world" that were set by the United Nations in the wake of its inspirational Millennium Dec- 1 laration in 2000. These goals range from combating poverty, hunger, and disease, to empowering women, and ensuring environmental sustainability. However Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations Secretary-General, conceded in 2007 that progress to date has been mixed. During 2008 the head of the United Nations World Food P- gramme cautioned that because of the surge in world commodity prices the program had insuf?cient money to stave off global malnutrition, and the World Health Or- nization warned of a global crisis in water and sanitation. Depressing news accounts accumulate about opportunities missed to achieve a fairer world order and ecolo- calsustainability: themanipulationofelectionresultsinAfrica, humanrightsabuses in China, 4000 Americans dead and another nation torn apart by a senseless and protracted war in Iraq, and weasel words by the world's political leadership in the lead-up to negotiations for a climate change deal in 2009 that is supposed to stabilize global carbon dioxide emissions. It is clear that the parameters of the debates that drive progressive policy change urgently require repositioning and energizing. As is shown by the contributors to Rethinking work and learning, experts in the humanities and social sciences (HASS) couldhaveanimportantroletoplayinthisprocess.

This book is the first comprehensive and integrated guide to online education. It systematically presents all aspects of the emerging "big picture" of online education, providing a broad range of information and insights from online experts, learners, teachers, developers and researchers. The book introduces readers to online education and reveals its potential for bringing about a paradigm shift in education. It describes avenues for increasing the value of the online education medium and examines techniques for improving the online student experience. It also offers a wealth of real-world examples and experiences and shares recommendations on how to improve them, provided by students, teachers, developers, and researchers. Accordingly, the book equips readers - including online learners, teachers, researchers, developers, and administrators - to optimally participate in and contribute to current and future online education advances.

This book addresses the question: how can institutions develop and maintain a good purpose? And how can managers contribute to this endeavour? Twelve contributions explore this question, using MacIntyrean inquiry as a basis for exploring four main themes: Can management be considered a practice in the MacIntyrean sense? What is the role of specific virtues in the development of a virtuous institution? What are management vices and what are the conditions in which they flourish? And, can we use MacIntyrean ideas to consider the management of all forms of institutions? The volume is an international and multidisciplinary collection, with contributions from well-known writers in the field of management ethics, and innovative contributions that use MacIntyrean inquiry as a lens to examine fields such as hospitality, user generated music content and social sustainability. The papers are unified by their concern for the achievement of organizational excellence and integrity through ethical management. Unlike single author texts this edited volume brings together multiple perspectives on the topic of virtue ethics in management. In doing so, it explores the topic both more deeply and more widely than a single author can do. Because of its breadth, this book has the potential to become a turn-to research tool for those interested in virtue theory's relevance to other academic interests such as organizational behavior (including motivation theory and social psychology), literature, contemporary social issue criticism, and business management. "Editors Harris, Wijesinghe, and McKenzie have crafted a tight, slim, and thematically consistent volume that will be indispensable to scholars and students with twin interests in business and virtue ethics. In particular, those working with MacIntyre's ideas will find the thorough and complimentary explorations and applications of his ideas to serve, overall, as a cornerstone for their own work." Brenden E. Kendall (2014), Harris, H., Wijesinghe, G., & McKenzie, S. (Eds.). (2013). The Heart of the Good Institution: Virtue Ethics as a Framework for Responsible Management. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer, in Michael Schwartz , Howard Harris (ed.) Achieving Ethical Excellence (Research in Ethical Issues in Organizations, Volume 12) Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp.155 - 161

Rethinking a Sustainable Society Alan Mayne The world has already passed the midway point for achieving by 2015 the eight Millennium Development Goals for a "more peaceful, prosperous and just world" that were set by the United Nations in the wake of its inspirational Millennium Dec- 1 laration in 2000. These goals range from combating poverty, hunger, and disease, to empowering women, and ensuring environmental sustainability. However Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations Secretary-General, conceded in 2007 that progress to date has been mixed. During 2008 the head of the United Nations World Food P- gramme cautioned that because of the surge in world commodity prices the program had insuf?cient money to stave off global malnutrition, and the World Health Or- nization warned of a global crisis in water and sanitation. Depressing news accounts accumulate about opportunities missed to achieve a fairer world order and ecolo- calsustainability: themanipulationofelectionresultsinAfrica, humanrightsabuses in China, 4000 Americans dead and another nation torn apart by a senseless and protracted war in Iraq, and weasel words by the world's political leadership in the lead-up to negotiations for a climate change deal in 2009 that is supposed to stabilize global carbon dioxide emissions. It is clear that the parameters of the debates that drive progressive policy change urgently require repositioning and energizing. As is shown by the contributors to Rethinking work and learning, experts in the humanities and social sciences (HASS) couldhaveanimportantroletoplayinthisprocess.

Mindfulness is a form of mental training that centres on being fully present in life; focussing on what is rather than being distracted by what isn't. Mindfulness for Life is written by two experts in the field who bring the medical perspective of an international authority on mindfulness and the psychological perspective of a researcher. The result is a book that translates the scientific principles behind mindfulness into a simple, practical and accessible manual to applying mindfulness in your own life. This revised and updated second edition includes: New research on the science of mindfulness and its clinical applications An in-depth look at how mindfulness links to mental health, ageing, addiction, pain, emotional intelligence, and a variety of other topics Details on the benefits of mindful living, including reduced anxiety and depression, improved sleep, coping better with major illnesses, making healthy lifestyle changes, improved leadership skills, achieving a sense of peace, and more A completely revised section on forming and maintaining mindful relationships with your friends and family. Mindfulness has been around for millennia, but recent years have seen huge advancements in its potential for directly increasing our wellbeing. Take a leap towards mindful living and you might just discover that you become a calmer, happier and healthier being - for life.

'Mindfulness at Work' reveals how the practice of mindfulness - the ability to focus our attention on what is rather than be distracted by what isn't - can be a powerful antidote to the distractions and stresses of our modern lives, especially our working lives. So, if you want to: * reduce your stress * become more productive * improve your decision-making skills * enjoy better relationships with your colleagues * work more creatively * develop your leadership skills, and * generally enjoy your job more ...then mindfulness can help! Written by an expert with years of both clinical and personal experience, 'Mindfulness at Work' includes examples of mindfulness in action in the workplace, while also looking at how the principles of mindfulness can be applied to specific professions, from sales and marketing to teaching, from law to medicine, from the trades to the creative arts.

Many of us in the modern world are unhappier than they need to be, and mindfulness offers a solution that works. Science and clinical practice have only recently 'discovered' the profound potential of mindfulness-based practices for increasing our wellbeing. However, mindfulness has been practised for thousands of years as an attention-training technique that can reduce physical and psychological suffering and enhance health and happiness. Derived from ancient contemplative practices in many cultures and wisdom traditions, mindfulness practice simply involves directing our attention to what is (reality), rather than to what isn't (our ideas of reality). Mindfulness for Life is written by two experts on mindfulness with many years of personal and clinical experience. The authors have come together to provide both a medical and a psychological perspective on mindfulness and related conditions such as depression and substance abuse. The result is a book that translates the scientific principles underlying mindfulness into a simple, practical and accessible life manual.

Strange but True Bible Facts

Did you know: that King David swore like a sailor? that the Book of Ecclesiastes encourages drinking, especially beer? that mandrakes were the biblical equivalent of Viagra(R)? that the law of Moses prescribes bikini waxing? that Joseph's "coat of many colors" might have actually been a dress? that Eve might have been created, not from Adam's rib, but from something a little lower down?

Discover all this, and more, in "The Uncensored Bible."

"Vital Statistics: an introduction to health science statistics" is a new Australian publication. This textbook draws on real world, health-related and local examples, with a broad appeal to the Health Sciences student. It demonstrates how an understanding of statistics is useful both in the real world, and in statistics exams.

"Vital Statistics: an introduction to health science statistics" is a relatively small and easy-to-read book that will painlessly introduce or re-introduce you to the statistical basics before guiding you through more demanding statistical challenges.

Written in recognition of Health Sciences courses which require knowledge of statistical literacy, this book guides the reader to an understanding of why, as well as how and when to use statistics.

It explores: How data relates to information, and how information relates to knowledgeHow to use statistics to distinguish information from disinformationThe importance of probability, in statistics and in life That inferential statistics allow us to infer from samples to populations, and how useful such inferences can beHow to appropriately apply and interpret statistical measures of difference and associationHow qualitative and quantitative methods differ, and when it's appropriate to use eachThe special statistical needs of the health sciences, and some especially health science relevant statisticsThe vital importance of computers in the statistical analysis of data, and gives an overview of the most commonly used analyses

From the Foreword ""Students of health sciences are commonly required to have a basic understanding of statistics. For the more mathematically inclined, this will be easily acquired and there are many existing textbooks that will serve their needs well. However, for others learning about statistics will be an onerous task that may not seem directly relevant to their goal of becoming a health practitioner. To make statistics interesting, relevant and accessible for these students is a continuing challenge for their teachers. Having a suitable textbook that can motivate, inspire and explain complex concepts in plain language would be a big help. This new book by the McKenzie brothers does just that. It reflects many years of experience in explaining statistics to students and practitioners.I hope and expect that this new textbook will infect many health science students with the authors' obvious love of the topic and lead them to want to learn more. In particular, I hope that they see the value of statistics to evidence-based professional practice and become better practitioners as a consequence."? Anthony Jorm PhD DSc, Professorial Fellow, Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, VIC