Impact on the quality of learning as a result of the use of computers in schools

The educational software and computer assisted learning has been used in schools to promote the interest of students in new ways of thinking and learning so it can be useful in the reading learning process. Experimental studies performed in preschool and school age population have shown a better yield and a positive effect in reading, mathematics and cognitive skills in children who use educative software for fi fteen to twenty minutes a day periods. The goal of this study was to evaluate the progression in verbal, visual-motor integration and reading skills in children who were using educational software to compare them with a group in traditional pedagogic methodology. Results: All children were evaluated before using any kind of pedagogic approach. Initial evaluation revealed a lower–age score in all applied test. 11% of them were at high risk for learning disorders. There was a second evaluation that showed a significant positive change compared with the fi rst one. Nevertheless, despite some items, there were no general differences comparing the groups according if they were using or not a computer. In conclusion, policies on using educational software and computers must be revaluated due to the fact that children in our public schools come from a deprived environment with a lack of opportunities to use technologies.

Drama : learning connections in primary schools.

Plantea una visión del teatro como herramienta de aprendizaje y no solo como forma de arte. La integración de representaciones dramáticas con otras artes creativas proporciona a los profesores el desarrollo de estrategias de aprendizaje y de habilidades sociales entre los estudiantes de primaria. Además, este texto sitúa el teatro dentro del currículo educativo general de la escuela y en el programa de clases individuales.

OCR GCSE History A : schools history project. Elizabethan England.

Se estudia el largo reinado de Isabel I, también denominado'edad dorada'. El texto está adaptado para obtener el General Certificate Secondary Education (GCSE) en Historia en la especificación OCR y, además de fuentes históricas sobre cada una de las lecciones, ofrece actividades, consejos y prácticas para preparar este examen.

OCR GCSE History A : schools history project. Britain 1815-1851.

Se estudian los grandes cambios acaecidos en la primera mitad del siglo XIX en Gran Bretaña, que afectaron tanto a la población, como a las ciudades, la industria y el transporte y en el que se alternaron períodos de prosperidad y depresiones crónicas. El texto está adaptado para obtener el General Certificate Secondary Education (GCSE) en Historia en la especificación OCR y, además de fuentes históricas sobre cada una de las lecciones, ofrece actividades, consejos y prácticas para preparar este examen.

Schools and Web 2.0 : a critical perspective.

Resumen de la revista. - El artículo pertenece a una sección monográfica dedicada a la escuela en la sociedad digital

A instrução pública na França revolucionária: considerações a partir do Essais Sur L'enseignement En General Et Sur Celui Des Mathématiques En Particulier, de Sylvestre-François Lacroix

L'article présente le livre Essais sur l'enseignement en général, et sur celui des mathématiques en particulier de Sylvestre-François Lacroix, à l'origine publié en France en 1805, mettant l'accent sur sa première partie, dans lequel l'auteur traite de l'instruction publique, et en particulier des écoles centrales crées pendant la Revolution Française pour remplacer des colléges et des facultés des arts des anciennes universités.

Knowledge of general dentists in the current guidelines for emergency treatment of avulsed teeth and dental trauma prevention

A high prevalence of dental trauma exists and its effects on function and esthetics deserve the attention of general dentists. The aim of this study was to assess the level of general dental practitioners' (GDPs) knowledge about guidelines for dental avulsion and its prevention using a questionnaire. The 21-item questionnaire was distributed among 264 GDPs and the survey was realized between August-November 2006. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using descriptive analysis and Pearson's Chi-square test to determine associations between knowledge regarding emergency treatment and dentists from public or private dental schools and years of experience. The results showed that the participants exhibited appropriate knowledge concerning procedures in cases of tooth avulsion and its prevention. The number of correct answers was low in relation to recommended treatment at the site of injury. Storage medium, preparation of the alveolus and splint time for receiving the avulsed tooth received a high number of correct answers. One statistically significant association between years of experience and recommended treatment at the site of the injury in the case an avulsed tooth (KH2 = 9.384, P = 0.009). In conclusion, this survey showed appropriate knowledge of dental avulsion management and its prevention among the surveyed dentists. The findings also showed that communication between dentists and the population is deficient, especially concerning practitioners of high risk and contact sports.

Design and evaluation of the parent education component of a comprehensive violence prevention project in middle schools

Low parental monitoring is related to youth risk behaviors such as delinquency and aggression. The purpose of this dissertation was to describe the development and evaluation of a parent education intervention to increase parental monitoring in Hispanic parents of middle school children.^ The first study described the process of intervention mapping as used to develop Padres Trabajando por la Paz, a newsletter intervention for parents. Using theory, empirical literature, and information from the target population, performance objectives and determinants for monitoring were defined. Learning objectives were specified and a staged social-cognitive approach was used to develop methods and strategies delivered through newsletters.^ The second study examined the outcomes of a randomized trial of the newsletter intervention. Outcome measures consisted of a general measure of monitoring, parent and child reports of monitoring behaviors targeted by the intervention, and psychosocial determinants of monitoring (self-efficacy, norms, outcome expectancies, knowledge, and beliefs). Seventy-seven parents completed the randomized trial, half of which received four newsletters over an eight-week period. Results revealed a significant interaction effect for baseline and treatment for parent's reports of norms for monitoring (p =.009). Parents in the experimental condition who scored low at baseline reported increased norms for monitoring at follow-up. A significant interaction effect for child reports of parental monitoring behaviors (p =.04) reflected an small increase across baseline levels in the experimental condition and decreases for the control condition at higher baseline scores. Both groups of parents reported increased levels of monitoring at follow-up. No other outcome measures varied significantly by condition.^ The third study examined the relationship between the psychosocial determinants of parental monitoring and parental monitoring behaviors in the study population. Weak evidence for a relationship between outcome expectancies and parental monitoring behaviors suggests further research in the area utilizing stronger empirical models such as longitudinal design and structural equation modeling.^ The low-cost, minimal newsletter intervention showed promise for changing norms among Hispanic parents for parental monitoring. In light of the importance of parental monitoring as a protective factor for youth health risk behaviors, more research needs to be done to develop and evaluate interventions to increase parental monitoring. ^

Evaluation of the city of Houston HIV/STD prevention program in Houston Independent School District (HISD) high schools

This cross-sectional study was undertaken to evaluate the impact in terms of HIV/STD knowledge and sexual behavior that the City of Houston HIV/STD prevention program in HISD high schools has had on students who have participated in it by comparing them with their peers who have not, based on self reports. The study further evaluated the program cost-effectiveness for averting future HIV infections by computing Cost-Utility Ratios based on reported sexual behavior. ^ Mixed results were obtained, indicating a statistically significant difference in knowledge with the intervention group having scored higher (p-value 0.001) but not for any of the behaviors assessed. The knowledge score outcome's overall p-value after adjusting for each stratifying variable (age, grade, gender and ethnicity) was statistically significant. The Odds Ratio of intervention group participants aged 15 years or more scoring 70% or higher was 1.86 times; that of intervention group female participants was 2.29 times; and that of intervention group Black/African American participants was 2.47 times relative to their comparison group counterparts. The knowledge score results remained statistically significant in the logistic regression model, which controlled for age, grade level, gender and ethnicity. The Odds Ratio in this case was 1.74. ^ Three scenarios based on the difference in the risk of HIV infection between the intervention and comparison group were used for computation of Cost-Utility Ratios: Base, worst and best-case scenario. The best-case scenario yielded cost-effective results for male participants and cost-saving results for female participants when using ethnicity-adjusted HIV prevalence. The scenario remained cost-effective for female participants when using the unadjusted HIV prevalence. ^ The challenge to the program is to devise approaches that can enhance benefits for male participants. If it is a threshold problem implying that male participants require more intensive programs for behavioral change, then programs should first be piloted among boys before being implemented across the board. If it is a reflection of gender differences, then we might have to go back to the drawing board and engage boys in focus group discussions that will help formulate more effective programs. Gender-blind approaches currently in vogue do not seem to be working. ^

Providing health information to the general public: a survey of current practices in academic health sciences libraries*

A questionnaire was mailed to 148 publicly and privately supported academic health sciences libraries affiliated with Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)–accredited medical schools in the United States and Canada to determine level of access and services provided to the general public. For purposes of this study, “general public” was defined as nonaffiliated students or health care professionals, attorneys and other nonhealth-related professionals, patients from affiliated or other hospitals or clinics, and general consumers. One hundred five (71%) libraries responded. Results showed 98% of publicly supported libraries and 88% of privately supported libraries provided access to some or all of the general public. Publicly supported libraries saw greater numbers of public patrons, often provided more services, and were more likely to circulate materials from their collections than were privately supported libraries. A significant number of academic health sciences libraries housed a collection of consumer-oriented materials and many provided some level of document delivery service, usually for a fee. Most allowed the public to use some or all library computers. Results of this study indicated that academic health sciences libraries played a significant role in serving the information-seeking public and suggested a need to develop written policies or guidelines covering the services that will be provided to minimize the impact of this service on primary clientele.

History and general catalogue of LaGrange Collegiate Institute : situated at Ontario, LaGrange Co., Ind.

Mode of access: Internet.

NCI/MARC summer training supplement : Comprehensive Minority Biomedical Program, Division of Extramural Activities, National Cancer Institute in conjunction with Minority Access to Research Careers, National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

Mode of access: Internet.

The Gary public schools ...

A survey of the Gary schools made by the Gereral education board at the request of the Gary school authorities.

Report for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

v. 1. General report.--v. 2. New York State College of Agriculture.--v. 3. College of Arts and Sciences.--v. 4. School of Education.--v. 5. College of Engineering.--v. 6. Graduate School.--v. 7. New York State College of Home Economics.--v. 8. School of Hotel Administration.--v. 9. New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations.--v. 10. College of Architecture, Graduate School of Business and Public Administration, Division of Extramural Courses, Law School, Medical College, School of Nursing, Graduate School of Nutrition, Summer Session, New York State Veterinary College.