Psychosocial barriers to self -care among Hispanic women with type 2 diabetes mellitus

This cross-sectional survey-designed study investigated the presence and influence of psychosocial barriers to diabetes self-management practices among Hispanic women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Women (n = 128) who were diagnosed and being treated for type 2 diabetes were recruited from the Miami-Dade area in South Florida. A Beck Depression Inventory-II, Diabetes Care Profile, Diabetes Knowledge Test, Diabetes Empowerment, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control, and Perceived Stress Scales were administered, along with assessment of diet through a 24-hour recall and anthropometric evaluation by body composition analysis and body mass index computation. ^ Mean (± SD) age for subjects was 50.15 ± 15.93 and age at diagnosis was 42.46 ± 14.69. Mean glycosylated hemoglobin (A 1C) was 8.55 ± 1.39. Diabetes education had not been received by 46.9% of subjects. Psychosocial status had previously been evaluated in only 4 participants. Forty percent of participants were assessed as depressed and 17% moderately to severely so. Depression correlated significantly (p < 0.01) with A1C (r = 0.242), perceived stress (r = 0.566), and self-rated health (r = −0.523). Perceived stress correlated significantly (p < 0.01) with A1C (r = 0.388), understanding of diabetes (r = 0.282), self-rated health (r = −0.372) and diabetes empowerment (r = −0.366). For Cuban women, perceived stress (β = 0.418, p = 0.033) was the only significant predictor of A1C, while among non-Cuban Hispanic women, self-reported health (β = −0.418, p = 0.003) and empowerment (β = 0.432, p = 0.004) were better predictors. The most desirable DM status among the women surveyed (high diet adherence, low exercise barriers, and A1C ≤ 7) was associated with superior self-rated health, more support from family and friends, and greater empowerment. ^ This study revealed the error in considering Hispanics a homogenous entity in treating disease, as their cultural backgrounds and concentration in a community can greatly influence management of a chronic disease like diabetes. The strong correlations found between diabetes-related health indicators and psychosocial factors such as depression and perceived stress suggest that psychosocial assessment of patients must be more strongly advocated in diabetes care. Psychosocial assessment of ethnically diverse diabetic populations is especially vital if greater knowledge is to be gained about their barriers to self-care so that diabetes treatment and thus outcomes are enhanced. ^

The therapeutic effects of Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory -III assessment feedback

A study was conducted to test the therapeutic effects of assessment feedback on rapport-building and self-enhancement variables (self-verification, self-discovery, self-esteem), as well as symptomatology. Assessment feedback was provided in the form of interpretive information based on the results of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). Participants (N = 89) were randomly assigned to three groups: a Feedback group, a Reflective-Counseling group, and a No-Feedback group. The Feedback group was provided with assessment feedback, the Reflective-Counseling group was asked to comment on the meaning of the taking the MCMI-III, the No-Feedback group received general information about the MCMI-III. Results revealed that assessment feedback, when provided in the form of interpretive interpretation positively affects rapport-building and self-enhancement variables (self-verification and self-discovery). No significant results were found in terms of self-esteem or symptom decrease as a function of feedback. However, a significant decrease in symptoms across groups was found. Results indicate that assessment feedback in the form of interpretive information can be used as a starting point in therapy. Implications of the findings are discussed with respect to theory and clinical practice. ^

The impact of standards -based practices in mathematics on the achievement of low -performing students

This study examined standards-based mathematics reform initiatives to determine if they would improve student achievement on the part of low-performing students. New curricula, the Carnegie Learning Cognitive Tutor®, were provided for algebra and geometry students. The new instructional strategy relied on both the teacher-led instruction and the use of computers to differentiate instruction for individual students. Mathematics teachers received ongoing professional development to help them implement the new curricula. In addition, teachers were provided with ongoing support to assist them with the transformation of the learning environments for students using standards-based practices. This quasi-experimental (nonrandomized) study involved teachers in two matched urban high schools. Analyses (ANCOVAs) revealed that the experimental group with an appropriately implemented program had significantly higher learning gains than the comparison group as determined by the students' 2007 mathematics Developmental Scale Score (DSS). In addition, the experimental group's adjusted mean for the second interim mathematics assessment was significantly higher than the comparison group's mean. The findings support the idea that if the traditional curriculum is replaced with standards-based curriculum, and the curriculum is implemented as intended, low-performing students may make significant learning gains. With respect to the teaching practices as observed with the Classroom Observation Protocol (COP), t-tests were conducted on four constructs. The results for both the algebra and geometry teachers on the constructs were not significant. The COP indicated that teachers in both the experimental and comparison groups used traditional instruction strategies in their classrooms. The analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) on the use of technology revealed no significant main effects for computer use.

The therapeutic effects of Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III assessment feedback

A study was conducted to test the therapeutic effects of assessment feedback on rapport-building and self-enhancement variables (self-verification, self-discovery, self-esteem), as well as symptomatology. Assessment feedback was provided in the form of interpretive information based on the results of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory- III (MCMI-III). Participants (N = 89) were randomly assigned to three groups: a Feedback group, a Reflective-Counseling group, and a No-Feedback group. The Feedback group was provided with assessment feedback, the Reflective-Counseling group was asked to comment on the meaning of the taking the MCMI-III, the No- Feedback group received general information about the MCMI-III. Results revealed that assessment feedback, when provided in the form of interpretive interpretation positively affects rapport-building and self-enhancement variables (self-verification and self-discovery). No significant results were found in terms of self-esteem or symptom decrease as a function of feedback. However, a significant decrease in symptoms across groups was found. Results indicate that assessment feedback in the form of interpretive information can be used as a starting point in therapy. Implications of the findings are discussed with respect to theory and clinical practice.

The impact of standards-based practices in mathematics on the achievement of low-performing students

This study examined standards-based mathematics reform initiatives to determine if they would improve student achievement on the part of low-performing students. New curricula, the Carnegie Learning Cognitive Tutor®, were provided for algebra and geometry students. The new instructional strategy relied on both the teacher-led instruction and the use of computers to differentiate instruction for individual students. Mathematics teachers received ongoing professional development to help them implement the new curricula. In addition, teachers were provided with ongoing support to assist them with the transformation of the learning environments for students using standards-based practices. This quasi-experimental (nonrandomized) study involved teachers in two matched urban high schools. Analyses (ANCOVAs) revealed that the experimental group with an appropriately implemented program had significantly higher learning gains than the comparison group as determined by the students' 2007 mathematics Developmental Scale Score (DSS). In addition, the experimental group's adjusted mean for the second interim mathematics assessment was significantly higher than the comparison group's mean. The findings support the idea that if the traditional curriculum is replaced with standards-based curriculum, and the curriculum is implemented as intended, low-performing students may make significant learning gains. With respect to the teaching practices as observed with the Classroom Observation Protocol (COP), t-tests were conducted on four constructs. The results for both the algebra and geometry teachers on the constructs were not significant. The COP indicated that teachers in both the experimental and comparison groups used traditional instruction strategies in their classrooms. The analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) on the use of technology revealed no significant main effects for computer use.

A produção oral de inglês como LE em uma escola pública de Natal: uma experiência com a abordagem baseada em tarefas

The aim of this action research of mixed-methods was investigating the role of the tasks proposed by the Task-Based Learning, TBL (WILLIS, 1996) in the process of development of speech production in English as a foreign language (EFL) at the public school. Twenty-three students from a grade of secondary school from a state school in Rio Grande do Norte were exposed systematically to the implementation of the learning tasks focused in the speech production in EFL during two months. The instruments used at the data collection – pre and post-questionnaire; field notes; focal group; and pre and post-tests - generated two kinds of data: a) qualitative (the perception of the students about their speech production and the teaching of this ability at the public school; and, the usage of strategies of communication for these learners facing TBL); and, b) quantitative (the development of pronunciation; of accuracy in the proficiency tests (test KET – Cambridge, adapted); and, of Global Oral Proficiency (POG) of these learners after the accomplishment of the learning tasks). The quantitative results of the study indicate that there was a statistically significant development of pronunciation and accuracy at the proficiency tests, after the tasks experience. The qualitative findings, in turn, represented by the learners‟ reports and from the research teacher, show that there has been greater focus on the use of communicative strategies during the learners‟ oral production throughout the intervention with the tasks.

Teleconsultoria Off-line: uma arquitetura distribuída e compartilhada para sistemas heterogêneos

The Telehealth Brazil Networks Program, created in 2007 with the aim of strengthening primary care and the unified health system (SUS - Sistema Único de Saúde), uses information and communication technologies for distance learning activities related to health. The use of technology enables the interaction between health professionals and / or their patients, furthering the ability of Family Health Teams (FHT). The program is grounded in law, which determines a number of technologies, protocols and processes which guide the work of Telehealth nucleus in the provision of services to the population. Among these services is teleconsulting, which is registered consultation and held between workers, professionals and managers of healthcare through bidirectional telecommunication instruments, in order to answer questions about clinical procedures, health actions and questions on the dossier of work. With the expansion of the program in 2011, was possible to detect problems and challenges that cover virtually all nucleus at different scales for each region. Among these problems can list the heterogeneity of platforms, especially teleconsulting, and low internet coverage in the municipalities, mainly in the interior cities of Brazil. From this perspective, the aim of this paper is to propose a distributed architecture, using mobile computing to enable the sending of teleconsultation. This architecture works offline, so that when internet connection data will be synchronized with the server. This data will travel on compressed to reduce the need for high transmission rates. Any Telehealth Nucleus can use this architecture, through an external service, which will be coupled through a communication interface.

O ensino por investigação: construindo possibilidades na formação continuada do professor de ciências a partir da ação-reflexão

Studies and reflections about the current trends on teaching Science show us the importance of include in the teaching practice, activities with a investigative and problematic approach, that allow to the learners to understand and to apply concepts and phenomena scientifics. On this perspective, the teacher continuing education is essential to effect the practice of this approach in the classroom. Therefore, this research has as an objective to contribute with Science teacher continuing formation in the basic education, in the use of the investigative approach, with a view to overcoming obstacles and making change in pedagogical practice using this research elements. For this, a qualitative research with science teachers of basic schools in the city of Natal/ RN/ Brazil was held, who attended the training course on teaching by investigation in 2012, through the project entitled "Em Busca de Novos Talentos para a Ciência: uma intervenção no ensino público" (Searching New Talents for Science: an intervention in public education).The research was conducted in four stages: Diagnosis of the conceptions of education for research and incorporation into practice after the New Talents course; projection of the intervention, intervention and evaluation. To obtain the data it was made a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, group studies, written records and participant observation. It was analyzed that the course had significant contributions to the participating teachers to promote the approach and the motivation for incorporation of the investigative approach in practice. The permanence of weaknesses related to the theoretical basis was found, the wear resistance, difficulty in planning activities and the change in practice, diagnosed the previous course of this research. It was also noticed certain lack of domain of teaching principles of investigation by the teachers, who despite being well understood in theory, reveal gaps in practice. Despite not having been exploited the full potential of investigative activity is apparent that the inclusion of activities with an investigative approach to science and biology classes is essential for an active, critical and reflective posture of the students as well as the interest in learning about science. It was demonstrated that intervention with moments of reflection, engagement, knowledge exchange, it was effective in overcoming difficulties identified at baseline as well as providing greater motivation to face the innovations and changes in education, suggesting an important format to considered in the course of continuing education. This is because the planning and replanning allow teachers to reflect and evaluate their practice, contributing to overcoming difficulties of teachers on a daily basis.

O ensino por investigação: construindo possibilidades na formação continuada do professor de ciências a partir da ação-reflexão

Studies and reflections about the current trends on teaching Science show us the importance of include in the teaching practice, activities with a investigative and problematic approach, that allow to the learners to understand and to apply concepts and phenomena scientifics. On this perspective, the teacher continuing education is essential to effect the practice of this approach in the classroom. Therefore, this research has as an objective to contribute with Science teacher continuing formation in the basic education, in the use of the investigative approach, with a view to overcoming obstacles and making change in pedagogical practice using this research elements. For this, a qualitative research with science teachers of basic schools in the city of Natal/ RN/ Brazil was held, who attended the training course on teaching by investigation in 2012, through the project entitled "Em Busca de Novos Talentos para a Ciência: uma intervenção no ensino público" (Searching New Talents for Science: an intervention in public education).The research was conducted in four stages: Diagnosis of the conceptions of education for research and incorporation into practice after the New Talents course; projection of the intervention, intervention and evaluation. To obtain the data it was made a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, group studies, written records and participant observation. It was analyzed that the course had significant contributions to the participating teachers to promote the approach and the motivation for incorporation of the investigative approach in practice. The permanence of weaknesses related to the theoretical basis was found, the wear resistance, difficulty in planning activities and the change in practice, diagnosed the previous course of this research. It was also noticed certain lack of domain of teaching principles of investigation by the teachers, who despite being well understood in theory, reveal gaps in practice. Despite not having been exploited the full potential of investigative activity is apparent that the inclusion of activities with an investigative approach to science and biology classes is essential for an active, critical and reflective posture of the students as well as the interest in learning about science. It was demonstrated that intervention with moments of reflection, engagement, knowledge exchange, it was effective in overcoming difficulties identified at baseline as well as providing greater motivation to face the innovations and changes in education, suggesting an important format to considered in the course of continuing education. This is because the planning and replanning allow teachers to reflect and evaluate their practice, contributing to overcoming difficulties of teachers on a daily basis.

Programa "Engajando famílias na escola": estratégias, possibilidades e desafios

Education and community are currently intertwined, so that social practices, situated problems and emancipation processes have, more and more, entered in the school environment. Considering this context, the expansion of studies focusing on family literacy becomes necessary for the mobilization of alternatives and actions in this area. This research forms part of the project "The habitus of study: builder of a new reality in metropolitan Natal" (CAPES/OBEDUC/UFRN) and the program "Literacies and public policies: the family at school" (MEC/PROEXT/UFRN). In view of the chosen object – family literacy – therefore, we try to: 1) discuss actions implemented in a family literacy program, with specific reference to create literacy resources to register, discuss material, events, texts, 2) actions and promote forms of interaction by the family in the school environment; 2develop bonding strategies between school and families; 3) point the impact of such experiences of family literacy. To achieve these objectives, we base the discussion on theoretical contributions of the New Literacy Studies (STREET, 1984; McLAREN, 1988; BARTON & HAMILTON, 1993; KLEIMAN, 1995, 2000), focusing on Family Literacy and Literacy Project issues. Regarding to the research paradigm, we consider the Applied Linguistics field of study and we take the qualitative model (ERICKSON, 1990; BORTONI-RICARDO, 2008), with ethnographic critical approach (MOITA LOPES, 1993; THOMAS, 1993; HEATH & STREET, 2008). We understand, through our analysis, that families have much to contribute to the reality of schools, and, having seen relevance and value, these collaborators participate and act in support of the actions and the student’s education, even in the midst of complex routine situations. Still, we have learned that dialogues and activities with the community are necessary, looking forward to having involvement, local knowledge and the construction of shared learning; following this path, the collaborative environment is produced and the collaboration is effective.

Programa "Engajando famílias na escola": estratégias, possibilidades e desafios

Education and community are currently intertwined, so that social practices, situated problems and emancipation processes have, more and more, entered in the school environment. Considering this context, the expansion of studies focusing on family literacy becomes necessary for the mobilization of alternatives and actions in this area. This research forms part of the project "The habitus of study: builder of a new reality in metropolitan Natal" (CAPES/OBEDUC/UFRN) and the program "Literacies and public policies: the family at school" (MEC/PROEXT/UFRN). In view of the chosen object – family literacy – therefore, we try to: 1) discuss actions implemented in a family literacy program, with specific reference to create literacy resources to register, discuss material, events, texts, 2) actions and promote forms of interaction by the family in the school environment; 2develop bonding strategies between school and families; 3) point the impact of such experiences of family literacy. To achieve these objectives, we base the discussion on theoretical contributions of the New Literacy Studies (STREET, 1984; McLAREN, 1988; BARTON & HAMILTON, 1993; KLEIMAN, 1995, 2000), focusing on Family Literacy and Literacy Project issues. Regarding to the research paradigm, we consider the Applied Linguistics field of study and we take the qualitative model (ERICKSON, 1990; BORTONI-RICARDO, 2008), with ethnographic critical approach (MOITA LOPES, 1993; THOMAS, 1993; HEATH & STREET, 2008). We understand, through our analysis, that families have much to contribute to the reality of schools, and, having seen relevance and value, these collaborators participate and act in support of the actions and the student’s education, even in the midst of complex routine situations. Still, we have learned that dialogues and activities with the community are necessary, looking forward to having involvement, local knowledge and the construction of shared learning; following this path, the collaborative environment is produced and the collaboration is effective.

Rede de aprendizagem em robótica : uma perspectiva educativa de trabalho com jovens

The present research sought to comprehend what is the development perspective of a collective work of educational robotics with high school students. The work started from the development activities Mathematics Sub Project of PIBID (Programa Institucional de Bolsa de Iniciação à Docência, Institutional Program of Initiation to Teaching Scholarship) in a school network from the state of Minas Gerais. The production process of data of this research was done through the follow up of high school students that participated in workshops robotics at the mentioned public school and were selected to continue the project at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU). Subsequently, these students were involved in activities related to Robotics championships, elapsed through different spaces in public and private schools of basic education, University and Non-Governmental Organization. The data at the research were registered by photos, videos, field notes, documents produced by the participants and arising from internet like the social media Facebook, questionnaires and, mainly, interviews. At the analysis process of data the followed axes were constituted: Movement Learning Network with Robotics; The Different Roles at the Robotics Events and Experiences in Engineering and Technology. By this axes we understand what is the trajectory of the constitution process of a learning network in educational robotics that we find in expansion and consolidation. In this network the research participants performed different roles which left imprints responsible for their transformation. As a more evident imprint, we detected the robot construction and programming, which as for as they moved their studies forward, they developed the subject autonomy, collaboration, sharing and technological authorship.

On the discrepant results in synchrony judgment and temporal-order judgment tasks: a quantitative model.

Research on the perception of temporal order uses either temporal-order judgment (TOJ) tasks or synchrony judgment (SJ) tasks, in both of which two stimuli are presented with some temporal delay and observers must judge the order of presentation. Results generally differ across tasks, raising concerns about whether they measure the same processes. We present a model including sensory and decisional parameters that places these tasks in a common framework that allows studying their implications on observed performance. TOJ tasks imply specific decisional components that explain the discrepancy of results obtained with TOJ and SJ tasks. The model is also tested against published data on audiovisual temporal-order judgments, and the fit is satisfactory, although model parameters are more accurately estimated with SJ tasks. Measures of latent point of subjective simultaneity and latent sensitivity are defined that are invariant across tasks by isolating the sensory parameters governing observed performance, whereas decisional parameters vary across tasks and account for observed differences across them. Our analyses concur with other evidence advising against the use of TOJ tasks in research on perception of temporal order.

Sequência didática com temas motivadores no ensino de física

This study is based on the design and development of a Didactic sequence in Physics for the first year of high school in a public school, involving structured activities on Astronomy topics, Astronautics and Aeronautics. In addition, it produced a didactic-pedagogic Tutorial for teachers to develop teaching-learning processes in Physics through activities with handmade rockets. These activities have been based on teaching moments of questioning, systematization and contextualization. In this context the understanding and the deepening of concepts and scientific and physical phenomena are related to everyday knowledge, in accordance with the historical-cultural theory, with the Three Pedagogic Moments, dialogicity and Information and Communication Technologies as instruments of triggering actions and motivation, like movies and applications in teaching Astronomy, Physics and Mathematics. The research activities were conduced by adopting a qualitative approach and included reports, questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and other notes. The development of the Didactic Sequence enabled a differentiated teaching and learning process, including aspects such as conceptualization, contextualization, flexibility, interdisciplinary and theoreticalexperimental relationship.

Development of a work-based learning MSc course which incorporates the development and demonstration of professional engineering competence standards

UK engineering standards are regulated by the Engineering Council (EC) using a set of generic threshold competence standards which all professionally registered Chartered Engineers in the UK must demonstrate, underpinned by a separate academic qualification at Masters Level. As part of an EC-led national project for the development of work-based learning (WBL) courses leading to Chartered Engineer registration, Aston University has started an MSc Professional Engineering programme, a development of a model originally designed by Kingston University, and build around a set of generic modules which map onto the competence standards. The learning pedagogy of these modules conforms to a widely recognised experiential learning model, with refinements incorporated from a number of other learning models. In particular, the use of workplace mentoring to support the development of critical reflection and to overcome barriers to learning is being incorporated into the learning space. This discussion paper explains the work that was done in collaboration with the EC and a number of Professional Engineering Institutions, to design a course structure and curricular framework that optimises the engineering learning process for engineers already working across a wide range of industries, and to address issues of engineering sustainability. It also explains the thinking behind the work that has been started to provide an international version of the course, built around a set of globalised engineering competences. © 2010 W J Glew, E F Elsworth.