Why Implementing History and Philosophy in School Science Education is a Challenge: An Analysis of Obstacles

Teaching and learning with history and philosophy of science (HPS) has been, and continues to be, supported by science educators. While science education standards documents in many countries also stress the importance of teaching and learning with HPS, the approach still suffers from ineffective implementation in school science teaching. In order to better understand this problem, an analysis of the obstacles of implementing HPS into classrooms was undertaken. The obstacles taken into account were structured in four groups: 1. culture of teaching physics, 2. teachers` skills, epistemological and didactical attitudes and beliefs, 3. institutional framework of science teaching, and 4. textbooks as fundamental didactical support. Implications for more effective implementation of HPS are presented, taking the social nature of educational systems into account.

Dignified death: Concept development involving nurses and doctors in Pediatric Intensive Care Units

The aim of this study was to develop the concept of the dignified death of children in Brazilian pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). The Hybrid Model for Concept Development was used to develop a conceptual structure of dignified death in PICUs in an attempt to define the concept. The fieldwork study was carried out by means of in-depth interviews with nine nurses and seven physicians working in PICUs. Not unexpectedly, the concept of dignified death was found to be a complex phenomenon involving aspects related to decisions made by the multidisciplinary team as well as those related to care of the child and the family. Knowledge of the concept`s dimensions can promote reflection on the part of healthcare professionals regarding the values and beliefs underlying their conduct in end-of-life situations. Our hope is that this study may contribute to theoretic and methodological development in the area of end-of-life care.

Children`s oral production of narratives and constructive memory using prior reading of pictures

With the purpose of approximating two issues, oral narrative and constructive memory, we assume that children, as well as adults, have a constructive memory. Accordingly, researchers of the constructive memory share with piagetians the vision that memory is an applied cognition. Under this perspective, understanding and coding into memory constitute a process which is considered similar to the piagetian assimilation of building an internal conceptual representation of the information (hence the term constructive memory. The objective of this study is to examine and illustrate, through examples drawn from a research about oral narrative with 5, 8 and 10 years old children, the extent to which the constructive memory is stimulated by the acquisition of the structures of knowledge or ""mental models"" (schemes of stories and scenes, scripts), and if they automatically employ them to process constructively the information in storage and rebuild them in the recovery. A sequence of five pictures from a book without text was transformed into computerized program, and the pictures were thus presented to the children. The story focuses on a misunderstanding of two characters on a different assessment about a key event. In data collection, the demands of memory were preserved, since children narrate their stories when the images were no longer viewed on the computer screen. Each narrative was produced as a monologue. The results show that this story can be told either in a descriptive level or in a more elaborated level, where intentions and beliefs are attributed to the characters. Although this study allows an assessment of the development of children`s capabilities (both cognitive and linguistic) to narrate a story, there are for sure other issues that could be exploited.

Agressividade infantil no ambiente escolar: concepções e atitudes do professor

Ao se abordar o tema da agressividade infantil no ambiente escolar é preciso considerar a participação dos envolvidos neste fenômeno: pais, crianças e professores. Tal abordagem vem sendo conduzida em projeto de pesquisa mais amplo, do qual o presente estudo representa um recorte, ao enfocar apenas o ponto de vista dos professores. O objetivo é analisar as concepções e atitudes relacionadas à expressão da agressividade infantil na escola. Realizou-se uma avaliação qualitativa, por meio de entrevistas individuais semidirigidas com 15 professores de uma escola pública da periferia de São Paulo. As atitudes mais citadas como agressivas envolvem rebeldia e agressão física entre alunos, sendo esta última a queixa que mais motiva o encaminhamento para ludoterapia. Em relação às estratégias de manejo, predominam atitudes envolvendo diálogo e compreensão. Os dados sugerem que subsiste preocupação do professor com as crianças, o que desperta nelas a esperança de obter atenção e cuidado.

As disciplinas pedagógicas na formação e na construção de representações sobre o trabalho docente: visões de alunos de licenciatura em Química e Física

Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar as concepções de licenciandos em Química e em Física sobre a prática profissional e as marcas deixadas pelas disciplinas pedagógicas na sua formação, assim como identificar sinais de mudanças em suas concepções durante a realização do curso de Licenciatura. Para tanto, textos foram produzidos por 54 alunos matriculados em cursos de Licenciatura de duas universidades públicas do estado de São Paulo, nos quais os licenciandos expressaram suas experiências de formação e apontaram elementos que consideram que terão alguma influência em sua atuação profissional. Os textos revelaram que as ideias que os licenciandos carregam são consistentes com muitas das visões e objetivos apresentados em cursos de formação de professores. Nas produções dos estudantes faz-se presente o desejo de compartilhar e promover em seus futuros alunos o interesse pela Química e a Física. Os seus comentários refletiram visões de professores que tiveram no passado, os quais gostariam de imitar, e de outros que não gostariam de ser. Os comentários também tornaram evidente a vontade dos licenciandos em se estabelecerem como professores que se preocupam com seus alunos. Os textos foram analisados segundo a Análise do Discurso de linha francesa, como tem sido divulgada por Eni Orlandi, especialmente a noção de formação discursiva.

Avaliação em matemática: uma leitura de concepções e análise do vivido na sala de aula

Este artigo traz uma reflexão acerca da avaliação em Matemática, destacando os modos pelos quais essa avaliação pode vir a ser compreendida e discutida em um curso de formação de professores da área. Explicita-se como, a partir das situações de sala de aula, o olhar para as possibilidades da avaliação pode contribuir para a formação desse professor no que diz respeito ao compreendido pelos alunos. São analisadas três situações-problema, propostas aos alunos do curso de graduação em Matemática, cujo foco é o modo de avaliar. O olhar avaliativo e o fazer Matemática são entendidos como uma forma de o aluno voltar-se para o conteúdo matemático, abrindo-se ao que, no seu lidar cotidiano, se mostra. Diz-se da importância de se considerarem os "dados relevantes" e o "a ser conhecido" nas situações de avaliação que permitem, ao professor, ler a aprendizagem do aluno em seu modo de se expressar.

Insetos em presépios e as "formigas vestidas" de Jules Martin (1832-1906): uma curiosa manufatura paulistana do final do século XIX

Encontrados no Brasil desde os primórdios da colonização portuguesa, os presépios logo tiveram de adaptar-se à realidade local, circunstância muito propícia ao aparecimento de concepções heterodoxas e ao emprego de elementos exóticos da fauna e flora de cada região. Como registros envolvendo insetos são muito pouco comuns, chama a atenção que fêmeas de saúva, Atta sp. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), tenham sido aproveitadas na composição de presépios no estado de São Paulo. Tendo subsistido pelo menos até a década 1960, os "presépios de formigas" existentes em cidades como Embu das Artes poderiam estar relacionados às "formigas vestidas" criadas por Jules Martin, curiosa manufatura paulistana do último quartel do século XIX.

A "reeducação" de adolescentes em uma comunidade terapêutica: o tratamento da drogadição em uma instituição religiosa

O abuso de drogas por adolescentes é, atualmente, um grave problema de saúde pública. Nessa área, a questão do tratamento destaca-se como um grande desafio, principalmente pelo fato de a maioria das intervenções não estar adaptada às especificidades desse público. Neste trabalho, serão apresentados os resultados de uma investigação que visou analisar o tratamento destinado a adolescentes em uma modalidade de atenção distinta das abordagens tradicionais da área da saúde: a comunidade terapêutica. Buscou-se compreender as concepções e práticas de atenção da instituição pesquisada, comparando-as com o prescrito pelas políticas públicas do setor. Os métodos utilizados foram a descrição etnográfica e a análise de conteúdo. Os resultados sugerem uma defasagem entre o prescrito pelas políticas públicas e a realidade da comunidade terapêutica pesquisada, a qual, apesar de proporcionar acolhimento às adolescentes, dificulta o desenvolvimento de suas singularidades e potencialidades devido à ênfase no "modelo moral" de tratamento da drogadição.

Person, existence and phenomenology: remarks on the conceptions of personalism of Emmanuel Mounier

This article aims to discuss the personalism of Emmanuel Mounier, especially his views on the person and existence, and its relation to phenomenology. Mounier does not refer to the influence of phenomenology on his thoughts. However, it is possible to notice that his philosophy was strongly influenced by phenomenological ideas. Personalism is a philosophy that says a person`s value as an absolute. The absolute here is understood as a purpose that gives meaning to all the political and social organization. Human existence is the starting point and fundamental postulate of personalism. This means that there is, therefore, a priority of the existence about the human nature, understanding this as an information ""ontological definitive"". This position is a requirement of epistemological reformulation, which means, within personalism, the attempt to develop a phenomenology of existence, located between the radical objectivism of the science and subjectivism of metaphysics.

Changing attitudes, beliefs and feelings towards food in bulimic patients

Eating attitudes are defined as beliefs. thoughts, feelings and behaviors towards food. Bulimia nervosa (BN) is ail eating disorder, in which the eating, attitudes are Seriously disturbed. Studies that evaluated nutritional aspects of BN focus mainly oil food intake, dietary restriction and binge eating. while the follow-up Studies evaluate mainly clinical symptoms. The objective of this study was to evaluate eating attitudes of patients with BN. during and after cognitive-behavioral intervention. Thirty nine (39) BN female patients received cognitive behavioral treatment with a Multidisciplinary team and had eating attitudes assessed by a questionnaire developed for this research. Frequencies of the attitudes assessed were compared at baseline. after 12 weeks and 24 weeks of treatment. After treatment, patients had less distorted beliefs about food, less guilty after eating ""forbidden"" foods and they felt more tranquil while caring outside home. Other negative behaviors, as dietary restriction, the desire of not cat, being angry when feeling hungry and using the food to relive stress. persisted. Eating attitudes of patients with BN are hard to be changed in a short-term. More attention to this disease`s component and new approaches to treatment are needed in order to have a better recovery.

Validity and reliability of the Portuguese version of the Epilepsy Medication Treatment Complexity Index for Brazil

We evaluated the reliability and validity of a Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Epilepsy Medication Treatment Complexity Index (EMTCI). Interrater reliability was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and validity was evaluated by correlation of mean EMTCI scores with the following variables: number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), seizure control, patients` perception of seizure control, and adherence to the therapeutic regimen as measured with the Morisky scale. We studied patients with epilepsy followed in a tertiary university-based hospital outpatient clinic setting, aged 18 years or older, independent in daily living activities, and without cognitive impairment or active psychiatric disease. ICCs ranged from 0.721 to 0.999. Mean EMTCI scores were significantly correlated with the variables assessed. Higher EMTCI scores were associated with an increasing number of AEDs, uncontrolled seizures, patients` perception of lack of seizure control, and poorer adherence to the therapeutic regimen. The results indicate that the Brazilian-Portuguese EMTCI is reliable and valid to be applied clinically in the country. The Brazilian-Portuguese EMTCI version may be a useful tool in developing strategies to minimize treatment complexity, possibly improving seizure control and quality of life in people with epilepsy in our milieu. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The contribution of self-efficacy and depression to disability and work status in chronic pain patients: A comparison between Australian and Brazilian samples

There is evidence that cognitions (beliefs) and mood contribute to physical disability and work status in people with chronic pain. However, most of the current evidence comes from North America and Europe. This study examined the contribution of demographic, pain and psychosocial factors to disability and work status in chronic pain patients in two matched samples from quite different countries (Australia and Brazil). Data were collected from 311 chronic pain patients in each country. The results suggest that although demographic and pain variables (especially pain levels) contribute disability, self-efficacy beliefs made a significant contribution to disability in both samples. Age and educational level also contributed to unemployment in both samples. But there were some differences, with self-efficacy and physical disability contributing to work status only in the Brazilian sample. In contrast, depression was the only psychological risk factor for unemployment in the Australian sample. Catastrophising and pain acceptance did not contribute to disability or unemployment in either sample. These findings confirm key aspects of biopsychosocial models of pain in two culturally and linguistically different chronic pain samples from different countries. They suggest that different chronic pain populations may share more similarities than differences. (C) 2008 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Published

Evaluation of the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of crude extracts of Cordia ecalyculata and Echinodorus grandiflorus

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Cordia ecalyculata Veil. and Echinodorus grandiflorus (Cham. & Schltdl) Micheli are extensively used in Brazil as therapeutic preparations for indigenous groups and the general population. These plants have been used in the folk medicine as: tonic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, appetite suppressants, for the treatment of snake bites, and weight loss. Aim of the study: In this study, it was verified the possible cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of the crude extracts of. Cordia ecalyculata and Echinodorus grandiflorus, as well as their effectiveness in treating obesity. Materials and methods: The Micronucleus Test was used for the evaluation of possible clastogenic and aneugenic effects, and the Comet Assay was used for the evaluation of single-strand and double-strand DNA breaks. The cytotoxic effects of the crude extracts were verified by PCE/NCE ratio. Swiss mice (Mus musculus) were used as the experimental model. Results: It was observed a significant (P < 0.05) increase, dose-independent, in the average frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes in peripheral blood in mice treated with either the Cordia ecalyculata or Echinodorus grandiflorus extracts, in comparison with the negative control. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes for both extract treatment. We observed that treatment with the Cordia ecalyculata extract at concentrations of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg bw resulted in a PCE/NCE ratio that was larger (P < 0.05) than the negative control. After 15 days of daily treatment. a dose of 2000 mg/kg bw of either phytotherapeutic did not reduce body mass gain or the amount of food consumed by Swiss mice when compared with the negative control (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study allowed us to infer that the crude extracts of Cordia ecalyculata and Echinodorus grandiflorus do not display cytotoxic or genotoxic activities. However, they do possess weak clastogenic activity (without significance) on peripheral blood cells. Contrary to commonly held beliefs it was also found in this study that the extracts are not effective for obesity treatments. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.