Must teachers be social workers, as well …? : Reflections on the current teacher role in the Swedish upper secondary school and how it affects teacher training

The Swedish upper secondary school has made a transition from a school for the elite to be a school for everybody. When almost every youth nowadays chooses to continue studying, for some of them this is not what they want to do most of all. However, as there in practice is no choice, there come up problems and many upper secondary school teachers experience a growing frustration. We will here discuss some aspects of the following questions: -  How do upper secondary schoolteachers handle their working-conditions in a new situation? - What possible consequences do this have on teacher education?

How initial vocational education and training (IVET) teachers in Sweden perceive their prospects of being able to prepare upper secondary school pupils for a future occupation

Vocational teachers in Swedish upper secondary schools are a heterogeneous category of teachers, connected to different types of trade. These teachers represent a broad set of trade skills varying in content and character. In their teacher role, they continue to wear the clothes, speak the language, share the culture and remain mentally in their former professions. Still, it is central that they keep up this contact to be able to school the pupils into the environment of the trade in question, but also to help them to understand what skills a profession demands. However, the individual teacher also has to distance himself from the negative elements in the culture of the profession: patterns and habits that, for various reasons, have to be broken or changed. This paper draws attention to the ways in which a group of vocational teachers, who were participants in a project that aimed to train unauthorized vocational teachers, expressed their ambitions to prepare the pupils for a future professional career. When collecting information, we used the degree dissertations they produced and discussed in seminars, and informal dialogues. The result shows that it is important that the instruction location resembles a real working site as far as possible. These places are more or less realistic copies of a garage, a restaurant kitchen, a hairdressing salon, and so on, in order to give the pupils a realistic setting for instruction. However, the fact that these simulated workplaces lack the necessary support functions that exist in a company creates problems, problems which make a lot of extra work for the teachers. Vocational teachers also have to instruct the pupil in the experienced practitioner’s professional skills and working situation, but the pupil herself/himself must learn the job by doing it in practice. Some vocational upper secondary programs lack relevant course literature and the businesses give little support. This also makes extra work for the teachers. Moreover, the distance between the vocational programs and the trainee jobs was experienced as being difficult to overcome. One reason seems to be differences between businesses and differing preconditions between small and big companies’ abilities to take care of these pupils. The upper secondary school vocational programs also play a role in cementing existing gender roles, as well as perpetuating class-related patterns on the labour market.

Authentic Texts in English Language Teaching : An empirical study on the use of and attitudes towards authentic texts in the Swedish EFL upper elementary classroom

International assessments indicate that Swedish students achieve high results in reading, writing and understanding English. However, this does not mean that the students display oral proficiency, despite an emphasis on functional and communicative language skills in the current English Syllabus. While a previous literature study by this researcher has shown that authentic texts are a way to increase these skills, most of the results shown are from an international viewpoint. Thus an empirical study was conducted within Sweden with the aim to examine the use of authentic texts in the Swedish EFL upper elementary classroom. Twelve teachers have answered a questionnaire on how they use authentic texts in their language teaching, as well as their opinions about these as a teaching tool. Additionally, 37 students have answered a questionnaire on their attitudes about authentic texts. Results indicate that all of the teachers surveyed see authentic texts as an effective way to increase students’ communicative competence and English language skills; however, only a few use them with any frequency in language teaching. Furthermore, this seems to affect the students’ attitudes, since many say that they read authentic texts in their free time, but prefer to learn English out of a textbook at school. These findings are based on a small area of Sweden. Therefore, further research is needed to learn if these opinions hold true for the entire country or vary dependent upon region or other factors not taken into consideration in this study.

Learning Grammar : A study of upper secondary level students’ attitudes and beliefs concerning the learning of grammar

The communicative approach to language learning is widely taught in Western education, and yet its predecessor, the grammar-translation method, is still commonly employed in other parts of the world. In Sweden, the increasing popularity of the communicative approach is often justified by the high level of students’ communicative skills (Öhman, 2013). At the same time, students’ written texts and speech contain many grammatical errors (Öhman, 2013). Consequently, being aware of their tendency to produce grammatical errors, some students express beliefs regarding both the explicit and implicit learning of grammar (Sawir, 2005; Boroujeni, 2012). The objective of this thesis is to gain more knowledge regarding students’ beliefs concerning the learning of English grammar at the upper secondary level, in Sweden. With this purpose a survey was conducted in two schools in Sweden, where 49 upper-secondary English students participated. Qualitative and quantitative methods were applied to process the collected data. Despite some difference in the participants’ ages, there were many similarities in their attitudes towards the teaching and learning of grammar. The results show that the participants in both schools believe that only by applying both, explicit and implicit methods, can they obtain a high level of language proficiency. The results of this study can help teachers in planning different activities that enhance the students’ knowledge of grammar.

Using Swedish in the EFL-classroom : An Interview Study on Swedish Upper Secondary Students’ Attitudes towards Teachers’ L1 use in the EFL-classroom

There is very little focus in previous research on first language (L1) use by teachers in the upper secondary English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom from the students’ perspective. In this context and from a Swedish perspective, this thesis examines what attitudes students in the Swedish upper secondary school have towards their teachers’ use of L1 (Swedish) in the EFL-classroom. The method used was qualitative semi-structured interviews, where nine students in total were interviewed. The collected data was then coded, thematized and categorized. The results show that the students mainly believed Swedish should be used when teaching vocabulary, when teaching grammar and for classroom management. They did not believe the L1 should be used by them in questions and answers and in general talk in the classroom. They also endorsed an overall judicious use of Swedish by their teachers and that their use of this language should be adjusted to the specific teaching group. Finally, it can be concluded that further research is needed on how the L1 can be used judiciously in particular situations and on what attitudes students of varying proficiency and age, as well as students who do not have Swedish as their L1 have towards teachers’ L1 use in the EFL-classroom.

Estabilização pozolânica de cinzas volante e pesada com cal dolomítica hidratada e areia, curadas pelos processos de autoclavagem e câmara a temperatura constante

Este trabalho tem como objetivo verificar o comportamento mecânico e físico de pozolanas artifíciais estabilizadas química e granulometricamente, curadas por dois processos de cura denominados de : autoclave(ATC), que utiliza temperaturas na faixa de 149 a 188°C e câmara à temperatura constante(CTC) que utiliza uma temperatura de ± 21°C. Também fez-se análises estatísticas com a finalidade de se determinar o efeito da energia de moldagem, temperatura e tempo de cura sobre os resultados dos ensaios, para cada processo de cura, além de se determinar modelos matemáticos para previsão de resultados de resistência através de regressões múltiplas e simples. As pozolanas artificiais empregadas foram as cinzas volante e pesada da Usina de Candiota, as quais foram estabilizadas com cal dolomítica hidratada e areia do Rio Guaíba. Os ensaios de resistência à compressão simples , absorção e perda de massa basearam-se nas normas da ABNT e DNER e para os estudos de análise estatística, fez-se anteriormente aos ensaios, dois planejamentos experimentais denominados de Split-Splot e Quadrado Latino, que foram utilizados nos processos de autoclavagem e câmara à temperatura constante, representativamente. Os Corpos-de-Prova curados na câmara à temperatura constante, até os 28 dias de cura, apresentaram resultados de resistências inferiores aqueles curados pelo processo de autoclave. Aos 60 dias de cura suas resistências ficaram na faixa dos valores de Corpos-de-Provas curados pela autoclave nas temperaturas de 149 a 188°C, excessão feita na mistura utilizando areia, onde em todos os períodos de cura estudados,os valores de resistência dos Corpos-de-Prova curados pelo câmara à temperatura constante foram inferiores. A proporção da quantidade de cal e cinza na mistura, bem como o valor da superfície específica da cinza influenciam nos resultados de ensaios, independentemente da variação dos fatores principais. Em termos de análise estatística verificou-se que a energia de moldagem e o tempo de cura são os fatores que apresentam os maiores efeitos sobre os resultados da resistência, para os processos de cura ATC e CTC, respectivamente.

Tratamento de perfurações radiculares com pasta de hidróxido de cálcio e iodofórmio : influência da aplicação de curativo à base de corticóides; estudo histológico em dentes de cão

Esta pesquisa teve como proposta avaliar histopatologicamente,os efeitos do tratamento de perfurações radiculares, empregando medicamentos à base de corticóide e antibiótico como curativo, seu posterior preenchimento com uma pasta aquosa de hidróxido de cálcio e iodofórmio e, também, a utilização dessa pasta durante todo o período experimental. Para tanto, foram utilizados os segundos e terceiros pré-molares superiores e os terceiros e quartos inferiores de 6 cães adultos jovens. Nestes dentes, sob isolamento absoluto do campo operatório com dique de borracha, efetuou-se a obturação dos canais radiculares, e após a limpeza da câmara pulpar, procedeu-se a perfuração radicular na raiz mesial para a região interradicular e lateralmente disposta à furca. Como curativo foram utilizados o Rifocort e o Otosporin, que permaneciam por 7 dias no trajeto perfurado e em contato com os tecidos periodontais da região. Passado esse período, o curativo era substituído por uma pasta aquosa de hidróxido de cálcio e iodofórmio e todos os dentes eram radiografados antes e depois da substituição do material. Decorridos 90 dias, os animais foram sacrificados por meio de perfusão e as peças removidas, radiografadas e preparadas para se obter cortes histológicos, os quais foram corados pela hematoxilina e eosina e pelo tricrômico de Masson. Pelos resultados obtidos neste trabalho, é válido concluir que: a) as perfurações seladas imediatamente com a pasta aquosa de hidróxido de cálcio e iodofórmio apresentaram melhores resultados no exame histológico, onde ficaram evidenciadas menor quantidade do processo inflamatório e maior hiper-plasia de cemento; b) não houve diferença significante entre as perfurações tratadas com os medicamentos Rifocort e Otosporin; c) os dentes cujas perfurações permaneceram sem nenhum tratamento durante 7 dias, exibiram uma resposta menos favorável e sem evidência de reparação na área perfurada; d) as imagens radiográficas, no que se refere á extensão de destruição do tecido ósseo alveolar, foram compatfveis com os quadros histológicos, não havendo evidências, porém, da neoformação do tecido cementário.

Avenues to success : electoral strategies and ambition in the Brazilian chamber of deputies

In the second consecutive election for the Brazilian Chamber ofDeputies, the majority of incumbents (75% in 1998 and again 75% in 2002) decided to run for reelection and at least 70% ofthem in both elections were successful, suggesting thus it would be incorrect to ignore static ambition as the main target of Brazilian legislators. It also raises doubts about the assertion that incumbents use their posts to pursue their post-Iegislative careers. However, this number also suggests that not alIlegislators seek reelection, indicating that it is also incorrect to assume alI of them are driven by similar motivations. In their attempts at career survival, incumbents may also run for higher offices (Senator, Governor, Vicegovernor). A minority still, may run for state leveI offices (regressive ambition).Given that static and progressive ambition are the two main types of career choice in Brazil, we focus on the factors that influence the career decision and electoral success of those who choose to run for reelection and those who choose to run for higher-level offices, i.e. senator and governor. We use data recently colIected from the 2002 elections.

Benthic foraminiferal distribution on the southeastern Brazilian shelf and upper slope

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Are cutout handles used when available in real occupational settings? Description of grips and upper extremities movements during industrial box handling

In order to achieve better postures and decrease musculoskeletal risks adequate design of hand/box couplings for manual materials handling (MMH) are still needed. No studies evaluating upper limb movement thorough direct measurements during box handling in workplace were identified in the literature. In this study we describe the types of grip and movements adopted by ten workers when handling redesigned boxes with cutout handles between different heights on industrial pallets. The new handles were used by 90% of the workers through different types of grip. Electrogoniometric measurements showed relatively safe forearm and wrist movements, although elbow inadequate range of movement was recorded. Despite the good acceptance of the cutout by workers, the new design requires extra internal space in the boxes reducing applications for this alternative of box.

Modeling upper eyelid kinematics during spontaneous and reflex blinks

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Spontaneous Blinking in Patients With Graves' Upper Eyelid Retraction

Purpose: To describe spontaneous blink kinematics in Graves' upper eyelid retraction (UER).Methods: The magnetic search coil technique was used to record spontaneous blinks of 15 healthy subjects (aged 23-56 years, 15 eyelids) and 15 patients with Graves' UER (aged 22-62 years, 15 eyelids) during a 5-min period of video observation, and the signals were digitized at 200 Hz (12 bits). Overall, a total of 2,798 blinks were recorded for the controls and 1,860 for the patients. The distance between pupil center and upper eyelid margin in the primary position of gaze (MRD) was measured with the Image J software.Results: The blinking rate of patients was lower than that of control subjects, with a mean (+/-SEM) blinking rate (blinks/min) of 13.0 +/- 1.7 for patients and of 20.0 +/- 2.1 for the controls (t = 2.58, P = 0.016). There were no statistically significant differences in blink amplitude between controls (22.7 +/- 3.1 degrees) and Graves' patients (24.7 +/- 3.3 degrees). However, while only 22% of the blinks performed by controls were smaller than MRD, this rate was 78% for patients. In addition, in blinks larger than 25, patients showed lower down-phase velocity than controls.Conclusions: Patients with Graves' UER show reduced blinks rates and abnormal blink kinematics, which might be related to the development of exposure keratitis in this disease.

Longevidade de sementes de camu-camu submetidas a diferentes ambientes e formas de conservação

O camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia (H.B.K.) McVaugh) produz fruto com grande potencial para extração de ácido ascórbico, que apresenta relevante importância econômica e social, com inúmeras aplicações industriais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes formas de conservação e ambientes de armazenamento, sobre a manutenção da viabilidade das sementes. O delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, utilizando parcelas subsubdivididas, onde os fatores foram: ambiente de armazenamento (ao ar livre, em água, em câmara a 5 e a 10 ºC), forma de conservação (sementes com polpa - CP, sementes sem polpa - SP e sementes lavadas e tratadas - LT) e período de armazenamento (0; 2; 4 e 6 meses). O critério de avaliação adotado foi a protrusão da raiz primária. As sementes armazenadas em água, nas formas SP e LT, apresentaram germinação maior que 90%. As sementes nas formas CP e LT, armazenadas a 5 e a 10 ºC, tiveram germinação acima de 89%. O armazenamento em água e ao ar livre não afetou a germinação, podendo as sementes serem armazenadas durante o período de seis e quatro meses, respectivamente. As sementes CP, armazenadas em água, tiveram menor tempo médio para germinação. O índice de velocidade de germinação aumentou com o período de armazenamento e foi maior nas sementes armazenadas na água em todos os períodos. As sementes com polpa apresentaram menor índice de velocidade de germinação em todo o período de armazenamento avaliado.

The surface electromyography analysis of the non-plegic upper limb of hemiplegic subjects

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)