Are basic schools more effective than secondary schools?

The present essay focuses on the effectiveness of Portuguese public schools’ provision of 7th, 8th and 9th grades, using data from the Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science for 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12. At least two school types offer these grades: Basic and Secondary. Based on previous findings, a production function is estimated for 9th grade students in the regular academic track, including a variable that indicates the specific school type attended by each student. After concluding that Basic Schools add more value, some explanations are presented as well as recommendations and possible further research.

Qualidade do ar interior em Escolas Básicas de 1.º ciclo: QAI em ambientes escolares: estudo orientado para as Escolas Básicas de 1.º ciclo de um agrupamento escolar

A Qualidade do Ar Interior (QAI) é um fator de grande preocupação. A importância de manter um ambiente salubre é mais acentuada em estabelecimentos escolares (EE), tendo em conta, que no interior destes permanecem crianças durante um elevado período de tempo. É fundamental garantir uma boa QAI nos edifícios escolares, de forma a salvaguardar a saúde, o bem-estar e o conforto dos ocupantes, bem como, não comprometer o seu desempenho escolar. Recentemente, foram construídos novos edifícios escolares e alguns dos existentes foram alvo de obras de remodelação. Contudo, a crescente tendência em construir edifícios cada vez mais herméticos, com vista à diminuição dos gastos de energia, origina problemas como a reduzida ventilação dos espaços. Vários estudos têm demonstrado a influência das atividades de limpeza na QAI. No entanto, verifica-se que na maioria das escolas não existem ainda procedimentos de limpeza padronizados. A falta de instruções de trabalho e a ausência de formação às assistentes operacionais pode comprometer a eficácia dos procedimentos de higienização, o que poderá ter influência na QAI dos espaços. Este estudo teve como principal objetivo avaliar a QAI em escolas básicas de 1.º ciclo. Foram contemplados no estudo fatores como a tipologia do edifício, a ocupação das salas e as atividades de limpeza. Procedeu-se à caracterização dos EE e à monitorização de parâmetros ambientais, como a temperatura do ar, a humidade relativa, a velocidade do ar, o dióxido de carbono, o monóxido de carbono, as partículas, os microrganismos mesófilos totais e os fungos. Estes parâmetros foram avaliados nas salas com ocupação, sem ocupação e durante a implementação de um plano de higienização. A ventilação inadequada parece ser o fator que mais condiciona a QAI das salas de aula avaliadas. Registaram-se elevadas concentrações de dióxido de carbono e de microrganismos mesófilos totais, que parecem estar relacionados com a permanência dos ocupantes nos locais e com a falta de ventilação adequada dos espaços. A concentração de dióxido de carbono foi mais elevada em edifícios recentes. Os picos elevados na concentração de partículas parecem estar associados com as atividades dos ocupantes. Obtiveram-se concentrações menores de fungos e de microrganismos mesófilos totais ao longo da implementação do plano de higienização, o que poderá significar que os procedimentos de limpeza contribuem para reduzir os níveis de contaminação dos espaços interiores. No entanto, tendo em conta, que a concentração de microrganismos mesófilos totais permaneceu elevada, as operações de limpeza parecem não ser suficientes para garantir uma boa QAI. O aumento da ventilação dos espaços poderia contribuir significativamente para a melhoria da QAI dos espaços avaliados.

Da licenciatura à sala de aula: o processo de aprender a ensinar em tempos e espaços variados

Formação de professores é um desafio que ultrapassa fronteiras de espaço e tempo. No caso da formação inicial, as dificuldades de articular necessidades formativas oriundas do campo de atuação às possibilidades dos cursos que formam o professor se mantêm. Buscando contribuir para minimizá-las, realizou-se uma investigação, cujos objetivos foram: investigar processos de aprendizagem da docência e evidenciar concepções de futuros professores sobre a sua profissão. Formulou-se um questionário com perguntas abertas, respondido por vinte estudantes do último ano de licenciatura de uma universidade pública do interior paulista, de cursos distintos. Os dados foram analisados em seis eixos temáticos, resultando em significativas constatações, das quais se destaca a falta de saberes relativos à especificidade da profissão docente e ao contexto sócio-histórico no qual ela acontece, comprometendo a ação futura do professor e, consequentemente, a aprendizagem do aluno da escola básica. Cabe, pois, repensar a formação docente, numa época em que seu redimensionamento por meios tecnológicos é possível.

Processo educativo: sociedade e natureza. As Geociencias como vetor no processo educativo

This paper presents methodological questions and new ideas related to the Geosciences concepts and its development in association to the Natural Sciences study for Elementary and Basic Schools. Special attention has been focused to the NIMEC', a project responsible for programs to the Natural Sciences progress and global information in the Environmental Education. The geologic environment relationships constitute the demarcator that includes some Environmental Education matter. Interdisciplinary focus seems to be the most adequate way to the necessary community participation. -English summary

Acidentes infantis: relatos de diretores e professores de ensino fundamental e análise do material didático

Pós-graduação em Educação - FFC

Formação e atuação de professores em educação ambiental

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Educação ambiental escolar, formação humana e formação de professores: articulações necessárias

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

Trabalho docente na escola fundamental: questões candentes

Derivado de investigação mais ampla sobre a estrutura da escola fundamental, este trabalho apresenta e discute resultados de pesquisa de cunho qualitativo, realizada em escola pública de ensino fundamental, analisando questões relacionadas ao trabalho docente, com destaque para a assistência pedagógica, para as condições objetivas de trabalho na escola e para a gestão do tempo na prática docente cotidiana. O artigo se ampara num conceito de educação como prática democrática, construtora de personalidades humano-históricas, para sugerir a necessidade de transformação na estrutura da escola atual, e traz conclusões a respeito da necessidade de se considerar o caráter peculiar e único do trabalho docente, no encaminhamento de soluções e iniciativas visando à efetiva realização de um ensino de qualidade.

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.

Prevalencia de Atopia y determinación de los alérgenos inhalantes más comunes entre los adolescentes de Octavo y Noveno de Básica en Cuenca-Ecuador, durante el año lectivo 2013-2014

Las atopias constituyen un problema de salud que puede afectar a adolescentes y adultos, llegando incluso a ser mortal en ciertos casos. La investigación en este tema es escasa en nuestro medio, es por ello que este estudio tiene como objetivo determinar la prevalencia de atopias y los alérgenos inhalantes más comunes entre los adolescentes de octavo y noveno de básica de las áreas urbana y rural del cantón Cuenca, mediante la aplicación de un “skin prick test”. Para ello fueron evaluados los estudiantes de octavo y noveno de básica de los colegios del cantón Cuenca, incuyendo una muestra aleatoria representativa de 991 alumnos. Los resultados demostraron que más de la mitad de los participantes fueron atópicos para al menos uno de los alérgenos probados, situación que refleja un problema de salud pública que debe ser considerado. La prevalencia de atopia no fue diferente de acuerdo al sexo de los participantes; de los 20 alérgenos probados, los alérgenos intra-domiciliarios y las gramíneas estuvieron entre los más prevalentes, los cinco más comunes fueron los ácaros D. pteronyssinus y blomia tropicalis, epitelio de cucaracha, mezcla de pólenes de gramíneas y ecynodon. No se encontró una diferencia significativa en la prevalencia global de atopia según la ubicación geográfica de los colegios. Sin embrago, el análisis por alérgeno reveló que la atopia al epitelio de cucaracha fue mayor entre los alumnos que asisten a colegios rurales y la atopia al salix fue mayor entre los adolescentes de los colegios urbanos

Hygienic practices among food vendors in educational institutions in Ghana: the case of Konongo

With the booming street food industry in the developing world there is an urgent need to ensure food vendors adhere to hygienic practices to protect public health. This study assessed the adherence to food hygiene practices by food vendors in educational institutions in Konongo, Ghana. Structured questionnaires, extensive observation and interviews were used for the study involving 60 food vendors from 20 basic schools. Attributable to the influence of school authorities and the level of in-training of food vendors, the study points out that food vendors in educational institutions generally adhered to good food hygiene practices, namely, regular medical examination (93%), protection of food from flies and dust (55%); proper serving of food (100%); good hand hygiene (63%); and the use of personal protective clothing (52%). The training of food vendors on food hygiene, instead of the level of education had a significant association (p < 0.05) with crucial food hygiene practices such as medical examination, hand hygiene and protection of food from flies and dust. Further, regulatory bodies legally mandated to efficiently monitor the activities of food vendors lacked the adequate capacity to do so. The study proposes that efforts should be geared towards developing training programmes for food vendors as well as capacity building of the stakeholders.

The ABC for Life Programme - Teaching Basic Life Support in Schools

Background Less than 1% of the general public know how to assess or manage someone who has collapsed. It has been estimated that if 15–20% of the population were capable of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), mortality of out of hospital cardiac arrest could be decreased significantly. Training basic life support (BLS) skills to school children would be the most cost effective way of achieving this goal and ensuring that a large proportion of the population acquire basic life saving skills. Aims To assess retention of knowledge of basic life support 6 months after a single course of instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation designed specifically for school children. Setting School pupils in a rural location in one region of the United Kingdom. Methods A course of instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation – the ‘ABC for life’ programme – specifically designed to teach 10–12-year-old school children basic life support skills. The training session was given to school pupils in a rural location in Northern Ireland. A 22 point questionnaire was used to assess acquisition and retention of basic life support knowledge. Results Children instructed in cardiopulmonary resuscitation showed a highly significant increase in level of knowledge following the training session. While their level of knowledge decreased over a period of 6 months it remained significantly higher than that of a comparable group of children who had never been trained. Conclusion A training programme designed and taught as part of the school curriculum would have a significant impact on public health.

Using action research to improve the quality of teaching in basic education in remote schools in PNG.

This paper discusses the use of action research with teachers in remote primary schools in PNG to provide sustainable professional learning to help improve the quality of schooling. It arises from an ADRA research project being undertaken by the authors. The paper describes the project’s research design and its implementation to investigate the introduction, implementation and feasibility of teachers using action research to solve their own problems related to providing basic education in remote communities. If successful, action research may prove to be an effective approach to sustaining professional learning communities in locations where traditional approaches and means of professional development are difficult or impossible to sustain.

The paper describes the research team’s approach to identifying and engaging schools in remote districts of Western and East Sepik provinces, surveying teachers in those districts about their professional learning needs and circumstances, identifying schools to trial action research, and to undertake the fieldwork to implement action research and to study its implementation. The teachers’ experiences with using action research are presented in the context of their particular research topics chosen for their school. To date, the findings suggest that teachers can use action research to help them improve the quality of the education they provide for children. However, the initiation and sustainability of such an action research approach is influenced by the capacities and commitment of head teachers and standards officers, in particular, valuing and understanding reflective practice and action research for professional learning in school communities.