Category fluency test: effects of age, gender and education on total scores, clustering and switching in Brazilian Portuguese-speaking subjects

Verbal fluency tests are used as a measure of executive functions and language, and can also be used to evaluate semantic memory. We analyzed the influence of education, gender and age on scores in a verbal fluency test using the animal category, and on number of categories, clustering and switching. We examined 257 healthy participants (152 females and 105 males) with a mean age of 49.42 years (SD = 15.75) and having a mean educational level of 5.58 (SD = 4.25) years. We asked them to name as many animals as they could. Analysis of variance was performed to determine the effect of demographic variables. No significant effect of gender was observed for any of the measures. However, age seemed to influence the number of category changes, as expected for a sensitive frontal measure, after being controlled for the effect of education. Educational level had a statistically significant effect on all measures, except for clustering. Subject performance (mean number of animals named) according to schooling was: illiterates, 12.1; 1 to 4 years, 12.3; 5 to 8 years, 14.0; 9 to 11 years, 16.7, and more than 11 years, 17.8. We observed a decrease in performance in these five educational groups over time (more items recalled during the first 15 s, followed by a progressive reduction until the fourth interval). We conclude that education had the greatest effect on the category fluency test in this Brazilian sample. Therefore, we must take care in evaluating performance in lower educational subjects.

Virtual Guide On Ocular Self-Examination To Support The Self-Care Practice For People With HIV/AIDS

Objetivou-se descrever processo de desenvolvimento da cartilha virtual sobre autoexame ocular para pessoas com HIV/aids. A proposta metodológica seguiu as cinco etapas preconizadas por Falkembach: análise e planejamento, modelagem, implementação, avaliação e distribuição. A adequação da versão impressa para virtual requereu a construção de um vídeo tutorial, agregação de fotos ilustrativas para visualização de possíveis alterações oculares e ferramenta de interatividade com demonstração do resultado do exame ao usuário. Na avaliação inicial do material, foram diagnosticadas falhas no layout. Assim, comandos foram recolocados, unificados, dispostos em local de fácil visualização e foi feita a adequação da linguagem. Considera-se possível promover aproximação do usuário com métodos de prevenção na área da saúde ocular por meio de cartilha virtual, contribuindo para desenvolvimento de habilidades e divulgação do autoexame.


Visualização no ensino de química: apontamentos para a pesquisa e desenvolvimento de recursos educacionais

Visualization is a fast-growing field in science education. This review covers 171 articles published between 2001 and 2010 in 14 science education journals. Major findings include: i - despite the predominance of English speaking countries, interest in the topic has increased in several countries; ii - qualitative research is increasing, but quantitative methodologies prevail; iii - the role of peer interaction in group activities is little investigated; iv - research on the way students and teachers use visualization tools is increasing, but most publications focus on the tools; v - structure of matter remains the most common subject covered.