Uses and goals of mathematical tasks : an experiment with pre-service teachers

Mathematical tasks can be used in teacher education for several purposes: to introduce mathematical ideas, to enhance mathematical understanding or to explore issues related to the pedagogy of mathematics, among others. In this paper we will describe a model to examine the use of mathematical tasks, in teacher education, proposed by Liljedahl, Chernoff and Zazkis (2007) and based on this model we will describe an experiment that went on with pre-service teachers. They were given a task to explore during their training sessions. They were then asked to adapt, try out and evaluate the task, with their students. We will discuss the way teachers dealt with the task during the training sessions, how the task was used in the classroom with children and then the reflection teachers made about the experienc

Transformações geométricas: conhecimentos e dificuldades de futuros professores

Ninguém questiona o facto de que o conhecimento matemático dos professores desempenha um papel crucial no seu ensino. Em Portugal, o novo programa de matemática para o ensino básico introduz as transformações geométricas a partir do 1.º ano de escolaridade. Sendo este um tema novo no currículo elementar, parece importante compreender que conhecimento detêm os futuros professores sobre o assunto. Neste artigo são apresentados alguns resultados de um estudo realizado com futuros professores do ensino elementar que tem por objectivo avaliar os seus conhecimentos sobre transformações geométricas.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BSAB/1099/2010, CIEC - Centro de Investigação em Estudos da Criança, UM (UI 317

Glimpses of practice: pre-service teachers’ evaluation of students’ answers

In initial teacher training, the contact with teaching practice is scarce, fragmented and often disjointed. Therefore, the challenge is to build tasks that constitute approaches to practice and place pre-service teachers in situations similar to the ones they will have to deal within the future. One of the tasks teachers have to perform in their practice is the evaluation of answers given by students. In this context, we developed a study in which we analyse how pre-service teachers (PST) evaluate answers given by students in solving certain tasks.CIEC - Centro de Investigação em Estudos da Criança, IE, UMinho (UI 317 da FCT), PortugalFundos Nacionais através da FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) e cofinanciado pelo Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) através do COMPETE 2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) com a referência POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007562info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Farming Systems and Global Threats: Problems and Proposals Northern Portugal Cases

In a context of growing global threats, from climate change, the depletion and degradation of natural resources, to the recent global economic crisis, consequences of short and long term are being witnessed, which undermine the agriculture sustainability. The systems vulnerability, their inability to resilience and the need for innovation is observed, emphasizing also the most capable systems (more sustainable), offering new opportunities and encouraging more environmentally friendly practices. This work takes as starting point the evolution of economic, environmental and social parameters in farms, in recent years, in order to try to identify the difficulties and the solutions capable of sustaining agriculture in the context of multiple hazards at the farm level. The main methodology focuses on inquiries to the responsible agents for developing the main agriculture activities held in Trás-os-Montes, including farmers and their associations. The results confirm the dependence of production factors outside the farm, the limited availability and the high cost of manpower, the weakness of marketing channels and the poor organization of the sector as the main problems. Effective responses to these situations are the opportunities of the activities under study: (a) establishment of an organized marketing circuit, (b) strengthening of mutual help between farms, (c) collective use of inputs, (d) use of environmentally friendly production practices, (e) self-use of products produced on the farm, strengthening their autonomy. This work proposes the society valuation for different levels of agriculture intensity, through discrete choices methodology, to identify the real importance that society attributes to the agrarian activity.Farming sustainability, swot analysis, proposals, International Relations/Trade,

Development of an UAV for the Air Cargo Challenge 2017 Competition

The present dissertation reports the development of an unmanned remotely piloted aircraft for the Air Cargo Challenge 2017 competition. Air Cargo Challenge is a Design, Build, Fly Aeronautical Engineering competition held in Europe every two years. Given the frequent participation of the Department of Aerospace Sciences from University of Beira Interior in this competition and considering the lack of documentation regarding these participations, this Master of Science Dissertation aims to transmit the accumulated knowledge to future teams and the UAV development community. The aircraft was developed using computer aided engineering tools in the greatest possible extent. The tools used for the development effort include: OpenFOAM®, XFOIL/XFLR5 for airfoil development and detailed wing design and analysis; 3D CAD software as Dassault Systems CATIA® V5 and SolidWorks®; CNC rapid prototyping like 3D printing and CNC hot wire foam core cutting. Experimental test rigs were developed for different studies regarding LiPo batteries for the propulsion and flight testing of high lift devices and roll control. New low Reynolds number airfoils were designed as well as a Fowler flap with an innovative extension mechanism. This mechanism was built using 3D printing technology. Several tests were performed to different batteries to maximize propulsive system power. Furthermore, for the first time in an Air Cargo Challenge, a University of Beira Interior team used mould technology to build the aircraft in carbon fibre reinforced plastics. Several delays and mishaps prevented the development of the aircraft from being completely ready for the competition.A presente Dissertação reporta o desenvolvimento de um veículo aéreo não tripulado para a competição Air Cargo Challenge 2017. O Air Cargo Challenge é uma competição de Engenharia Aeronáutica do tipo Design, Build, Fly, que acontece na Europa a cada dois anos. Dada a frequente participação do Departamento de Ciências Aeroespaciais da Universidade da Beira Interior nesta competição e considerando a falta de documentação relativa a estas participações, esta Dissertação de Mestrado pretende transmitir o conhecimento acumulado para futuras equipas e para a comunidade que desenvolve UAV. A aeronave foi desenvolvida, tanto quanto possível, com ferramentas de engenharia assistida por computador. As ferramentas usadas incluem: OpenFOAM®, XFOIL/XFLR5 para o desenvolvimento de perfis, desenho e análise detalhados da asa; software CAD 3D Dassault Systems CATIA® V5 e SolidWorks®; ferramentas de prototipagem rápida como impressão 3D e máquina CNC de corte de espuma com fio quente. Foram desenvolvidas diferentes bancadas de teste para estudos de baterias LiPo para a propulsão e para ensaios de voo de dispositivos híper-sustentadores e de controlo de rolamento. Foram desenhados novos perfis de baixo Reynolds bem como um flap Fowler com um inovador mecanismo de extensão. Este mecanismo foi construído com tecnologia de impressão 3D. Vários testes foram feitos para diferentes baterias de forma a maximizar a potência do sistema propulsivo. Além disso, pela primeira vez uma equipa da Universidade da Beira Interior utilizou tecnologia de moldes para construir o avião em plásticos reforçados com fibra de carbono. Diversos atrasos e imprevistos levaram a que a aeronave não estivesse plenamente desenvolvida e pronta para participar na competição

Derivative-Free Global Minimization in One Dimension: Relaxation, Monte Carlo, and Sampling

We introduce a derivative-free global optimization algorithm that efficiently computes minima for various classes of one-dimensional functions, including non-convex, and non-smooth functions.This algorithm numerically approximates the gradient flow of a relaxed functional, integrating strategies such as Monte Carlos methods, rejection sampling, and adaptive techniques. These strategies enhance performance in solving a diverse range of optimization problems while significantly reducing the number of required function evaluations compared to established methods. We present a proof of the convergence of the algorithm and illustrate its performance by comprehensive benchmarking. The proposed algorithm offers a substantial potential for real-world models. It is particularly advantageous in situations requiring computationally intensive objective function evaluations

Curriculum reorganization and project based learning: a teaching experiment of geometry in the 6th grade

This study intends to analyze the implications that an unconventional approach of Mathematics, in context of classroom, will have in 6 grade pupils. This approach consists of a reorganization of part of the mathematics curriculum, more concretely of the Thematic Unit - Geometry, through the methodology of Project Based Learning. The curricular reorganization was based on some principles concerning the teaching and learning of Mathematics, namely that: Mathematics must contribute for the development of individuals who can understand and use mathematics; learning is considered a process of active construction of knowledge; and activities of more open character, as Projects, present some potentialities concerning the teaching and learning of Mathematics. In the scope of this problematic the following research questions had been defined: - what kind of task should be presented to pupils, in order to constitute a challenge, and provide the opportunity to construct mathematical knowledge? - How to organize the activity in such a way that the geometry contents from 6th grade relate one another and that it develops pupils’ knowledge of concepts and procedures, mathematical communication and reasoning? - In which way does this approach influence the knowledge of concepts and procedures, the ability of mathematical communication and reasoning

Qualidade e satisfação: a visão dos acompanhantes das crianças que recorrem ao serviço de urgência pediátrica

A preocupação com a qualidade tem aumentado nos últimos anos, para gestores e profissionais de saúde, sendo evidente que a satisfação dos utentes constitui um legítimo indicador de qualidade. Conhecer a opinião do utente é indispensável para a monitorização da qualidade e reorganização dos serviços de saúde. O conceito de satisfação assenta numa perspectiva multidimensional. Diversos factores, como as características dos utentes, têm sido determinantes do nível de satisfação, nomeadamente: sexo, idade, nível de escolaridade e situação profissional. Neste sentido, foi realizado um estudo não experimental, quantitativo, do tipo descritivo-correlacional e transversal, numa amostra de 142 acompanhantes de crianças que recorrem ao Serviço de Urgência Pediátrica do HIP EPE. Para a sua concretização foi utilizado um questionário adaptado de Silva et al. (2007). Os resultados obtidos permitem verificar que os acompanhantes das crianças estão satisfeitos com os serviços prestados, 43,7% consideram-se satisfeitos, 41,5% muito satisfeitos e 14,8% totalmente satisfeitos. As dimensões mais positivas apontadas referem-se aos aspectos gerais, admissão de doentes, pessoal e instalações. Quanto às expectativas 97,9% dos acompanhantes das crianças voltaria a este hospital e 95,8% aconselhá-lo-iam a um amigo. A diminuição do tempo de espera foi a sugestão mais mencionada. Face à satisfação dos acompanhantes das crianças em função do sexo, nível de escolaridade e situação profissional, verificou-se não existir relação estatisticamente significativa. Os resultados relativos à variável idade indicam existir relação estatisticamente significativa entre as duas variáveis, sendo que os acompanhantes das crianças mostram-se mais satisfeitos à medida que aumenta a idade. Palavras-chave: Acompanhantes das crianças Qualidade. Satisfação. Urgência Pediátrica.ABSTRACT The concern for quality has increased in the last years for managers and health professionals and it is clear that customer satisfaction is a legitimate indicator of quality. To know the customers opinion is essential for monitoring the quality of health services and reorganizing them. The concept of satisfaction is based on a multidimensional perspective. Several factors such as customer characteristics, may determine the level of satisfaction. Some examples of those factors are sex, age, education level and employment status. In this sense, a non-experimental, quantitative, descriptive and cross-correlative and transversal study has been made using a sample of 142 children caretakers who use the Pediatric Emergency of HIP EPE. In order to accomplish this we used a questionnaire adapted from Silva et al. (2007). The obtained results allow us to verify that the children caretakers are satisfied with the services provided, 43.7% were satisfied, 41.5% were very satisfied and 14.8% were fully satisfied. The most positive dimensions identified refer to general aspects, such as admission of patients, personnel and facilities. About the respondents expectations, 97.9% would come back to the hospital with their children and 95.8% would recommend it to a friend. The decrease of the waiting time was the most often mentioned suggestion. Given the satisfaction of children caretakers based on gender, education level and employment status there was no statistically significant relationship. The results for the variable age indicate that a statistically significant relationship exists between the two variables and that the children caretakers are more satisfied with increasing age. KeyWords: Children caretakers. Quality. Satisfaction. Pediatric Emergency

Representação social do sexo nas revistas e jornais portugueses

Foi objectivo deste estudo caracterizar a representação social do sexo estabelecendo uma possível relação entre esta e o uso do preservativo. Foram recolhidas notícias com o vocábulo “sexo”, tendo sido realizada a análise hierárquica descendente do seu conteúdo. A análise, através do programa ALCESTE 4.9, evidenciou discursos que não abordam aspectos da saúde individual ou social, referentes à sexualidade, observando-se uma representação social do sexo que poderá estar a fomentar os níveis transversais de inconsistência no uso do preservativo. Sugere-se a necessidade de sensibilização dos meios de comunicação para introduzirem informação sobre o preservativo, de forma a integrá-lo na representação do sexo, podendo estimular a sua utilização e promover comportamentos seguros

Sobre o ensino superior da matemática : a geometria e os professores do 1.º ciclo : "novos desafios, velhas deficiências"

Existe, na sociedade actual, um consenso generalizado a respeito da importância da formação (científica e pedagógica) dos professores de Matemática. No entanto este sentimento não tem sido, em Portugal, devidamente monotorizado nem no caso da formação científica nem no caso dos professores do 1.º ciclo. Apresentamos, neste artigo, um estudo que i) analisa os desafios que, na área da Matemática e de acordo com as directivas oficiais, se colocam aos professores do 1.º ciclo; ii) regista a formação matemática oferecida, em Portugal, a estes profissionais e iii) avalia as competências matemáticas de um grupo de professores e futuros professores quando nos centramos no caso dos conceitos geométricos elementares. Defendemos, como resultado da investigação, a necessidade urgente de se olhar para o conteúdo matemático como verdadeiro núcleo fundamental de qualquer programa de formação de professores do 1.º ciclo.Different vectors of the society worldwide agree on the importance of the training (both scientifically and pedagogically) given to Mathematics teachers. However this belief has not been, in Portugal, followed by research on the implementation of correspondent means neither in the case of the scientific training of the teachers nor in the case of primary school teachers. In this article we are presenting i) an analysis of the actual official directives posed to these professionals; ii) some facts about the actual mathematical training offered by the national Institutions (both Universities and Polytechnics) and finally iii) the evaluation of mathematical competencies of a group formed by teachers and future teachers, in the case of elementary geometrical concepts. As a result we defend that the scientific training offered actually to these professionals must be urgently reviewed in order to become the nucleus of any training program to primary school teachers.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)