418 research outputs found
Constructivist learning (environments) and how to avoid another tower of Babel: Reply to Renkl
Effects of new learning environments: taking students' perceptions, approaches to learning and assessment into account : studies in problem-based learning
Deep and surface learning in problem-based learning: a review of the literature
In problem-based learning (PBL), implemented worldwide, students learn by discussing professionally relevant problems enhancing application and integration of knowledge, which is assumed to encourage students towards a deep learning approach in which students are intrinsically interested and try to understand what is being studied. This review investigates: (1) the effects of PBL on students’ deep and surface approaches to learning, (2) whether and why these effects do differ across (a) the context of the learning environment (single vs. curriculum wide implementation), and (b) study quality. Studies were searched dealing with PBL and students’ approaches to learning. Twenty-one studies were included. The results indicate that PBL does enhance deep learning with a small positive average effect size of .11 and a positive effect in eleven of the 21 studies. Four studies show a decrease in deep learning and six studies show no effect. PBL does not seem to have an effect on surface learning as indicated by a very small average effect size (.08) and eleven studies showing no increase in the surface approach. Six studies demonstrate a decrease and four an increase in surface learning. It is concluded that PBL does seem to enhance deep learning and has little effect on surface learning, although more longitudinal research using high quality measurement instruments is needed to support this conclusion with stronger evidence. Differences cannot be explained by the study quality but a curriculum wide implementation of PBL has a more positive impact on the deep approach (effect size .18) compared to an implementation within a single course (effect size of −.05). PBL is assumed to enhance active learning and students’ intrinsic motivation, which enhances deep learning. A high perceived workload and assessment that is perceived as not rewarding deep learning are assumed to enhance surface learning
Exploring wind direction and SO2 concentration by circular-linear density estimation
The study of environmental problems usually requires the description of
variables with different nature and the assessment of relations between them.
In this work, an algorithm for flexible estimation of the joint density for a
circular-linear variable is proposed. The method is applied for exploring the
relation between wind direction and SO2 concentration in a monitoring station
close to a power plant located in Galicia (NW-Spain), in order to compare the
effectiveness of precautionary measures for pollutants reduction in two
different years.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures, 2 table
Effects of problem-based learning in business education: A comparision between a PBL and a conventinal educational approach
The relation between motivation to participate, goals, and learning preferences : a mixed-method study of participants in formal professional development activities
Hematopoietic overexpression of Cyp27a1 reduces hepatic inflammation independently of 27-hydroxycholesterol levels in Ldlr(-/-) mice
Motor Fatigue Measurement by Distance-Induced Slow Down of Walking Speed in Multiple Sclerosis
Background: Motor fatigue and ambulation impairment are prominent clinical features of
people with multiple sclerosis (pMS). We hypothesized that a multimodal and comparative
assessment of walking speed on short and long distance would allow a better delineation and
quantification of gait fatigability in pMS.
Objectives: To compare 4 walking paradigms: the timed 25-foot walk (T25FW), a corrected
version of the T25FW with dynamic start (T25FW+), the timed 100-meter walk (T100MW)
and the timed 500-meter walk (T500MW).
Methods: Thirty controls and 81 pMS performed the 4 walking tests in a single study visit.
Results: The 4 walking tests were performed with a slower WS in pMS compared to controls
even in subgroups with minimal disability. The finishing speed of the last 100-meter of the
T500MW was the slowest measurable WS whereas the T25FW+ provided the fastest
measurable WS. The ratio between such slowest and fastest WS (Deceleration Index, DI) was
significantly lower only in pMS with EDSS 4.0-6.0, a pyramidal or cerebellar functional
system score reaching 3 or a maximum reported walking distance !4000m.
Conclusion: The motor fatigue which triggers gait deceleration over a sustained effort in pMS
can be measured by the WS ratio between performances on a very short distance and the
finishing pace on a longer more demanding task. The absolute walking speed is abnormal
early in MS whatever the distance of effort when patients are unaware of ambulation
impairment. In contrast, the DI-measured ambulation fatigability appears to take place later in the disease course
Comparison of three different application routes of butyrate to improve colonic anastomotic strength in rats
Despite extensive research, anastomotic leakage (AL) remains one of the most dreaded complications after colorectal surgery. Since butyrate enemas are known to enhance anastomotic healing, several administration routes have been explored in this study.
Three intraluminal approaches involving butyrate were investigated: (1) butyrin-elucidating patch, (2) a single injection of hyaluronan-butyrate (HA-But) prior to construction of the proximal anastomosis and (3) rectal hyaluronan-butyrate (HA-But) enemas designed for distal anastomoses. The main outcome was AL and secondary outcomes were bursting pressure, histological analysis of the anastomosis, zymography to detect MMP activity and qPCR for gene expression of MMP2, MMP9, MUC2 and TFF3.
RESULTS:
Neither the patches nor the injections led to a reduction of AL in experiments 1 and 2. In experiment 3, a significant reduction of AL was accomplished with the (HA-But) enema compared to the control group together with a higher bursting pressure. Histological analysis detected only an increased inflammation in experiment 2 in the hyaluronan injection group compared to the control group. No other differences were found regarding wound healing. Zymography identified a decreased proenzyme of MMP9 when HA-But was administered as a rectal enema. qPCR did not show any significant differences between groups in any experiment.
CONCLUSION:
Butyrate enemas are effective in the enhancement of colonic anastomosis. Enhanced butyrate-based approaches designed to reduce AL in animal models for both proximal and distal anastomoses were not more effective than were butyrate enemas alone. Further research should focus on how exogenous butyrate can improve anastomotic healing after gastrointestinal surgery
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