Teachers' Coping in Financial Difficulties: a Case Study of the 'Classroom Tuckshop' Phenomenon in Zimbabwean Urban Primary Schools in Norton

A ZJER study on the financial difficulties faced by primary school teachers in Zimbabwe and the counter measures they adopted to cope with their low wages and incomes.The study sought to investigate the prevalence of the ‘classroom tuck shop' phenomenon in Zimbabwean urban primary schools. The sample consisted of five school heads, fifty teachers, and one hundred pupils, all drawn from five urban schools in Norton. Interviews were conducted with the five school heads and one hundred pupils. Questionnaires were administered to the teachers and focused group discussions were conducted with the school teachers and pupils. The study found out that the ‘classroom tuck shop ‘phenomenon is prevalent in urban primary schools. A large number of teachers felt that this phenomenon does not affect the teacher pupil relationship though the majority of pupils were of the opinion that teachers should not sell items in their classrooms. All the school heads felt that this practice negatively affects the quality of instructs n. It was also found out that teachers have resorted to this practice as a result of the unfavourable macro economic environment, which has witnessed a decline in the status of the teacher. The study recommends that teachers should not sell items in their classroom. The concerned Ministry should seriously consider reviewing teachers ‘salaries and schools should be allowed to engage in income generating projects to cushion teachers from the effects of the harsh inflationary macro economic environment

Student teacher perceptions of the role of classroom mentors on attachment teaching practice: the case at Morgan ZINTEC College

A case study of student teacher perception of the role of classroom mentors carried out at a teachers college in Zimbabwe.This study sought to identify the perceptions that student teachers hold towards their mentors whilst on attachment teaching practice. The sample consisted of 80 final year students. 80 questionnaires were administered to the students at the college. Focused group discussions were conducted with the students in the sample at the college. The study found out that student teachers have a positive attitude towards mentors, teachers with other responsibilities should not be appointed as mentors and that teaching practice is an important component of Initial Teacher Education. The study recommends that: teachers ’ colleges should conscientise mentors on their roles, mentors need to create a harmonious working relationship with student teachers and that a change of class and mentors should be kept at a minimum during attachment teaching practice

Language and Gender: Implications on the Development of Female Self Concept in Zimbabwe

A ZJER article on sexuality and development in women using the paradigms of language and gender.This article analyzes the relationship between use of language and gender in the development of the female self concept.The argument is that language can reinforce asymmetrical gender relations in society through the use of gender specific vocabulary. Two concepts, that is gender and patriarchy, are discussed and their relationship to the use of language is shown. Socialist Feminism as the guiding theoretical perspective is discussed as well as Cooley's concept of the looking glass self. A detailed analysis of the t relationship between language and gender is undertaken and in it the following issues are critically discussed: language used about women, language used by women and linguistic differences to social interactions.This article concludes by showing how education can be used as a tool in the deconstruction of gender stereotypes about women in the use of language.The need to avoid the use of derogatory and demeaning vocabulary in interaction both inside and outside the classroom is emphasized

TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HEAD TEACHERS’ SUPERVISORY ROLE ON TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ADAPTIVE SKILLS BY LEARNERS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore teachers’ perception on the effectiveness of head teachers’ supervisory role on teaching and learning of adaptive skills by learners with Intellectual Disabilities (ID), Kenya. The study used Effective School Theory advanced by Lezotte. A descriptive survey design involving both qualitative and quantitative approaches was used. The target population was 227 respondents (207 learners, 5 head teachers and 15 teachers). The sample size was 124 respondents (104 learners, 15 teachers and 5 Head teachers). Purposive sampling was used to select special schools and units. Stratified sampling technique was used to divide population into strata and then through simple random sampling, the exact respondents were identified, i.e., head teachers, teachers and learners in special programmes. Data was collected by use of interview guide for head teachers, observational check list for learners and questionnaire for teachers. Piloting was conducted in Kathelwa Special Unit in Igembe Central Sub-county. Test-retest method was done and a coefficient level of 0.7 was obtained. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS Version 23.0 while qualitative data was analysed thematically. Data was presented using tables and figures for quantitative data while qualitative data was presented using reported verbatims and narratives. The key finding of this study was that majority of head teachers did not use appropriate instructional supervision skills due to lack of essential professional qualifications and knowledge of adaptive skills for learners with intellectual disabilities. The finding also established that teachers perceived majority of head teachers as ineffective in instructional supervision as they did not orientate or guide them in teaching strategies or even skills to teach their learners. The study also found that lack of adequate training and knowledge in adaptive skills, limited provision of teaching and learning resources hindered effective instructional supervision. The study recommended that there should be a policy that head teachers for special institutions be trained in the area of that disability so as to benefit both teachers and learners. The study also recommended that the government, through the ministry of education to provide and allocate adequate funds for both refresher courses and seminars for teachers and also for acquiring teaching and learning resources. Article visualizations

Letramento racial: as ideologias raciais em um livro didático

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Parallel session 4 :Teaching and learning innovations

Presented Titles: Higher Education and COVID-19: Is Hybrid Teaching/Learning the Solution? [Author: Francis Arthur-Holmes] Technology-enabled Teaching and Learning in COVID-19: Implication for Professional Development in Hong Kong’s Post-secondary Colleges [Authors: Beatrice Yan-yan Dang; Hayes Hei-hang Tang; Joanna WY Yeung] Hybrid Learning: Online Learning in a Residential Environment [Authors: Ying Xiong; Jingduo Bi] Hybrid Education and Collaborative Learning: A Natural Experiment During COVID-19 [Authors: Luyao Zhang; Ying Xiong; Jiaxin Wu] Catching Teachers Off Guard from Remote Learning: An Implication of Innovative Teaching Training in Hong Kong [Authors: Derek Wai-sun Chun; Siu-ho Yau; Wai-man Chan

El Cineclub Universitari: memòria d'Antoni Figuera i Francesc Llinás

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Endocrinological and inflammatory markers in individuals with spinal cord injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to dramatic physiological changes which can be a factor in developing secondary health conditions and might be reflected in biomarker changes in this elevated risk group. We focused specifically on the endocrine and inflammation profile differences between SCI and able-bodied individuals (ABI). Our aim was to determine the differences in inflammatory markers and endocrine profiles between SCI and ABI. We systematically searched 4 electronic databases for relevant studies. Human observational (cross-sectional, cohort, case-control) studies that compared biomarkers of interest between SCI and ABI population were included. Weighted mean difference between SCI and ABI was calculated using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was computed using I2 statistic and chi-squared test. Study quality was evaluated through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The search strategy yielded a total of 2,603 studies from which 256 articles were selected for full-text assessment. Sixty-two studies were included in the meta-analysis. SCI individuals had higher levels of pro-inflammatory C-reactive protein and IL-6 than ABI. Creatinine and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were lower in SCI than ABI. Total testosterone levels and IGF-1 were also found to be lower, while cortisol and leptin levels were higher in SCI when compared to ABI. Accordingly, meta-regression, subgroup analysis, and leave-one-out analysis were performed, however, they were only able to partially explain the high levels of heterogeneity. Individuals with SCI show higher levels of inflammatory markers and present significant endocrinological changes when compared to ABI. Moreover, higher incidence of obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, and hypogonadism in SCI individuals, together with decreased creatinine levels reflect some of the readily measurable aspects of the phenotype changes in the SCI group. These findings need to be considered in anticipating medically related complications and personalizing SCI medical care

Physical activity and cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Physical inactivity in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) has been suggested to be an important determinant of increased cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk. However, it remains unclear whether physically active SCI individuals as compared to inactive or less active individuals have truly better cardiometabolic risk profile. We aimed to systematically review and quantify the association between engagement in regular physical activity and/or exercise interventions and CMD risk factors in individuals with SCI. Four medical databases were searched and studies were included if they were clinical trials or observational studies conducted in adult individuals with SCI and provided information of interest. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was applied to rate the certainty of evidence. Of 5816 unique citations, 11 randomized clinical trials, 3 non-randomized trial and 32 cross-sectional studies comprising more than 5500 SCI individuals were included in the systematic review. In meta-analysis of RCTs and based on evidence of moderate certainty, physical activity in comparison to control intervention was associated with: (i) better glucose homeostasis profile [WMD of glucose, insulin and Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) were - 3.26 mg/dl (95% CI - 5.12 to - 1.39), - 3.19 μU/ml (95% CI - 3.96 to - 2.43)] and - 0.47 (95% CI - 0.60 to - 0.35), respectively], and (ii) improved cardiorespiratory fitness [WMD of relative and absolute oxygen uptake relative (VO2) were 4.53 ml/kg/min (95% CI 3.11, 5.96) and 0.26 L/min (95% CI 0.21, 0.32) respectively]. No differences were observed in blood pressure, heart rate and lipids (based on evidence of low/moderate certainty). In meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies and based on the evidence of very low to low certainty, glucose [WMD - 3.25 mg/dl (95% CI - 5.36, - 1.14)], insulin [- 2.12 μU/ml (95% CI - 4.21 to - 0.03)] and total cholesterol [WMD - 6.72 mg/dl (95% CI - 13.09, - 0.34)] were lower and HDL [WMD 3.86 mg/dl (95% CI 0.66, 7.05)] and catalase [0.07 UgHb-1 (95% CI 0.03, 0.11)] were higher in physically active SCI individuals in comparison to reference groups. Based on limited number of cross-sectional studies, better parameters of systolic and diastolic cardiac function and lower carotid intima media thickness were found in physically active groups. Methodologically sound clinical trials and prospective observational studies are required to further elaborate the impact of different physical activity prescriptions alone or in combination with other life-style interventions on CMD risk factors in SCI individuals

The neurological level of spinal cord injury and cardiovascular risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

STUDY DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. OBJECTIVE To determine the difference in cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, lipid profile, and markers of glucose metabolism and inflammation) according to the neurological level of spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS We searched 5 electronic databases from inception until July 4, 2020. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers using a pre-defined data collection form. The pooled effect estimate was computed using random-effects models, and heterogeneity was calculated using I2 statistic and chi-squared test (CRD42020166162). RESULTS We screened 4863 abstracts, of which 47 studies with 3878 participants (3280 males, 526 females, 72 sex unknown) were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to paraplegia, individuals with tetraplegia had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure (unadjusted weighted mean difference, -14.5 mmHg, 95% CI -19.2, -9.9; -7.0 mmHg 95% CI -9.2, -4.8, respectively), lower triglycerides (-10.9 mg/dL, 95% CI -19.7, -2.1), total cholesterol (-9.9 mg/dL, 95% CI -14.5, -5.4), high-density lipoprotein (-1.7 mg/dL, 95% CI -3.3, -0.2) and low-density lipoprotein (-5.8 mg/dL, 95% CI -9.0, -2.5). Comparing individuals with high- vs. low-thoracic SCI, persons with higher injury had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure (-10.3 mmHg, 95% CI -13.4, -7.1; -5.3 mmHg 95% CI -7.5, -3.2, respectively), while no differences were found for low-density lipoprotein, serum glucose, insulin, and inflammation markers. High heterogeneity was partially explained by age, prevalent cardiovascular diseases and medication use, body mass index, sample size, and quality of studies. CONCLUSION In SCI individuals, the level of injury may be an additional non-modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Future well-designed longitudinal studies with sufficient follow-up and providing sex-stratified analyses should confirm our findings and explore the role of SCI level in cardiovascular health and overall prognosis and survival