Effects of content and language integrated learning in Europe: A systematic review of longitudinal experimental studies

Contains fulltext : 209181.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Content and language integrated learning (CLIL), an educational approach in which subject matter and a foreign language - predominantly English - are taught and learnt side by side, has developed into a very popular educational innovation in most European countries. A host of research studies have shown its benefits, and discuss favourable effects especially with respect to L2 gains. However, critical voices have underscored the fact that CLIL attracts or selects mainly high-achieving learners. Hence, the question arises whether it is justified to attribute improved L2 performance mainly to the CLIL intervention, or to favourable learner characteristics. Several reviews of literature were published in the past, but due to a lack of longitudinal findings no conclusive evidence about the added value of CLIL in the process of L2 learning could be produced. The present review aims to fill this void and has undertaken a search of two decades of longitudinal studies into the effects of CLIL on various linguistic skills in the field of English as a foreign language. The findings indicate that robust studies were undertaken in only a limited number of European countries, and that only a few of them were large scale. Yet, the conclusions provide clear indications regarding the contexts in which CLIL leads to significantly better L2 results.24 p

Predictive ability of the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) in a free-living elderly population: a cross-sectional study

[EN] Background. Various scales have been used to perform a quick and first level nutritional assessment, and the MNA is one of the most used and recommended by experts in the elderly in all areas. This scale has a short form, the MNA-SF, revised and validated in 2009, which has two versions: the BMI-MNA-SF contains the first six items of the full scale including Body Mass Index while the CC-MNA-SF includes Calf Circumference instead of BMI. Objective. To evaluate the predictive ability for nutritional status of the two versions of the MNA-SF against the MNA in free-living elderly in the province of Valencia. Methods. Cross-sectional study of 660 free-living elderly in the province of Valencia selected in 12 community centres using stratified sampling by blocks. Inclusion criteria: being aged 65 or over, living at home, having functional autonomy, residing in the province of study for more than one year, regularly attending community centres and voluntarily wanting to take part. Results. Of the 660 subjects studied, 319 were men (48.3%) and 341 (51.7%) women with a mean age of 74.3 years (SD = 6.6). In terms of nutritional assessment, using the BMI-MNA-SF and the CC-MNA-SF we found that 26.5% and 26.2% were at risk of malnutrition and 0.9% and 1.5% were malnourished respectively. With the full MNA, 23.3% were at risk of malnutrition. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients indicate a high association between the full MNA score and the MNA-SFs scores (BMI-MNA-SF: rho = 0.78 p < 0.001; CC-MNA-SF: rho = 0.78 p < 0.001). In addition we obtained a very high correlation between the two MNA-SFs (rho = 0.96 p < 0.001). We evaluated the agreement between the full MNA and the MNA-SFs classification in three nutritional categories (normal nutritional status, risk of malnutrition, malnutrition) with Cohen's kappa coefficients (BMI-MNA-SF: kappa = 0.54 p < 0.001; CC-MNA-SF: kappa = 0.52 p < 0.001). These values indicate moderate agreement with the full MNA. There is very good agreement between the BMI-MNA-SF and CC-MNA-SF (rho = 0.88 p < 0.001). In order to determine the ability of both MNA-SFs to identify subjects not requiring any nutritional intervention, we considered the dichotomised categorisation of the full MNA and the MNA-SFs as "normal nutritional status'' vs. "malnutrition and risk of malnutrition'' Areas under the ROC curves using MNA as the gold standard indicate moderately high prognostic accuracy (BMI-MNA-SF: AUC = 0.88 p < 0.001; CC-MNA-SF: AUC = 0.87 p < 0.001). Both versions of the MNA-SF showed similar sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic effectiveness (BMI-MNA-SF: 73.4%, 86.6%, 83.5%; CC-MNA-SF 73.4%, 86.2%, 83.2%). Conclusions. In its two versions the MNA-SF presents useful predictive ability against the MNA. The advantage of the CC-MNA-SF is that using it requires fewer resources and less time in primary care, although always the characteristics of the population must take into account to make the right decision based on the MNA-SF scales.Montejano Lozoya, R.; Martínez Alzamora, MN.; Clemente Marín, G.; Guirao-Goris, SJ.; Ferrer Diego, RM. (2017). Predictive ability of the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) in a free-living elderly population: a cross-sectional study. PeerJ. 5(e3345):1-17. doi:10.7717/peerj.3345S1175e334

Estilos de aprendizaje en alumnos de enfermería y su modelaje durante módulos prácticos

Las metodologías de innovación docente han sido potenciadas con la creación del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior. Uno de los objetivos que persigue la innovación es conseguir que el aprendizaje sea reflexivo. La experiencia educativa es un fenómeno altamente complejo, implica cuatro elementos y que en la descripción de Schwab (1983) son: el profesor, el que aprende, el curriculum y el medio. Como plantean Ausubel, Novak y Hanesian (1983), en la teorización sobre el aprendizaje significativo, los alumnos partiendo de su estructura cognitiva previa, van integrando y relacionando nuevos aprendizajes, haciendo referencia a la “estructura cognitiva", como el conjunto de conceptos e ideas que un individuo posee en un determinado campo del conocimiento y de su organización. Las competencias que tienen que adquirir las futuras enfermeras, tienen su desarrollo epistemológico en un conocimiento fundamentalmente práctico, y que va ser desarrollado dentro de ámbitos complejos como son los entornos clínicos y comunitarios, donde realizan y se aproximan a esos saberes. El conocimiento práctico tiene que estar fundamentado en un aprendizaje reflexivo, abandonando paradigmas más positivistas, donde impere el razonamiento clínico basado en modelos reflexivos que le sirvan para argumentar los cuidados. El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar los estilos predominantes de aprendizaje del alumnado de primero de grado de Enfermería y su evolución cuando cursan el tercer año después de su incorporación a los módulos prácticos. Métodos: estudio de intervención con diseño de grupo único. Para realizar el estudio se utilizó como instrumento de recogida de datos el cuestionario CHAEA que determina los estilos de aprendizaje en ambos cursos

Efficacy of direct current generated by multiple-electrode arrays on F3II mammary carcinoma: experiment and mathematical modeling

BACKGROUND: The modified Gompertz equation has been proposed to fit experimental data for direct current treated tumors when multiple-straight needle electrodes are individually inserted into the base perpendicular to the tumor long axis. The aim of this work is to evaluate the efficacy of direct current generated by multiple-electrode arrays on F3II mammary carcinoma that grow in the male and female BALB/c/Cenp mice, when multiple-straight needle electrodes and multiple-pairs of electrodes are inserted in the tumor. METHODS: A longitudinal and retrospective preclinical study was carried out. Male and female BALB/c/Cenp mice, the modified Gompertz equation, intensities (2, 6 and 10 mA) and exposure times (10 and 20 min) of direct current, and three geometries of multiple-electrodes (one formed by collinear electrodes and two by pair-electrodes) were used. Tumor volume and mice weight were measured. In addition, the mean tumor doubling time, tumor regression percentage, tumor growth delay, direct current overall effectiveness and mice survival were calculated. RESULTS: The greatest growth retardation, mean doubling time, regression percentage and growth delay of the primary F3II mammary carcinoma in male and female mice were observed when the geometry of multiple-pairs of electrodes was arranged in the tumor at 45, 135, 225 and 325o and the longest exposure time. In addition, highest direct current overall effectiveness (above 66%) was observed for this EChT scheme. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that electrochemical therapy may be potentially addressed to highly aggressive and metastic primary F3II murine mammary carcinoma and the modified Gompertz equation may be used to fit data of this direct current treated carcinoma. Additionally, electrochemical therapy effectiveness depends on the exposure time, geometry of multiple-electrodes and ratio between the direct current intensity applied and the polarization current induced in the tumor

Avaliação de um vídeo-simulação como metodologia de ensino para a entrevista motivacional em estudantes de enfermagem

Introducción: La Video-Simulación como herramienta pedagógica ha sido escasamente utilizada. Pretendemos evaluar la utilidad y la satisfacción con la metodología utilizada en el aprendizaje de entrevista motivacionales mediante VS. Metodología: Estudio observacional descriptivo transversal (2015) con estudiantes de enfermería de 4.º curso de la Escuela de Enfermería La Fe (Valencia, España). Se diseñó un cuestionario Likert de 12 ítems. Se midieron las puntuaciones obtenidas, la fiabilidad, y se realizó un análisis factorial. Resultados: La edad media fue 23,6±4,5 años. Alfa de Cronbach de 0,91. El análisis factorial identificó dos dimensiones que explican el 32,4% y el 32,1% de la varianza (64,5% varianza total). El 70,6% de los estudiantes están bastante o totalmente de acuerdo con que la videosimulación les permite mejorar sustancialmente el aprendizaje. Conclusiones: Los estudiantes mostraron un alto nivel de satisfacción con este método de aprendizaje, que consideran útil para mejorar las habilidades en entrevista motivacional.Introduction: The Video-Simulation how a new pedagogical method has been scarcely used. We pretend to evaluate the utility and satisfaction with methodology used in the learning of the motivational interview technique through video-simulation. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study (2015) in students of 4th nursing course of Nursing School La Fe (Valencia, España). The scores obtained were measured, and the reliability of the questionnaire (Cronbach Alfa), through a factorial analysis. Results: Average age=23.6 ± 4.5 years. Cronbach Alpha = 0.91. The factorial analysis identified two dimensions explaining 32.4% and 32.1% of the variance (64.5% total variance). 70.6% of the students are quite or totally in agreement with the fact that the video-simulation allows them to improve substantially the learning. Conclusions: Students showed a high level of satisfaction with the learning methodology implemented. It is an effective learning method, that they consider useful to improve the skills in motivational interviewing.Introdução: A Vídeo-Simulação como método e ferramenta pedagógica tem sido pouco utilizada. Pretendemos avaliar a utilitário, satisfação e metodología utilizada na aprendizagem da entrevista motivacional a través da video-simulação. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo de corte transversal (2015) em escolares do 4.º curso enfermagem do Escola Enfermagem La Fe (Valencia, España). Realizou-se um questionário de Likert de 12 itens. Os resultados obtidos foram mensurados assim como a confiabilidade do questionário (Cronbach Alfa), através de uma análise fatorial. Resultados: A idade média foi de 23,6±4,5 anos. Alfa de Cronbach de 0,91. A análise fatorial identificou duas dimensões que explicam 32,4% e 32,1% da variância (64,5% da variância total). 70,6% dos alunos estão totalmente ou totalmente de acordo com o fato de que a videoimulação permite que eles melhorem substancialmente sua aprendizagem. Conclusões: Os estudantes mostraram um alto nível de satisfação com o método de aprendizagem implementado, que eles consideram útil para melhorar as habilidades em entrevistas motivacionais

Objectively measured physical activity in european adults: cross-sectional findings from the Food4Me study

Introduction Physical inactivity has been estimated to be responsible for more than 5.3 million deaths worldwide [1]. Moreover, among European men and women, approximately 7.3% of all deaths in 2008 might be attributable to inactivity compared with 3.7% to obesity [2] and there is strong evidence to suggest that even small increases in physical activity (PA) would lower the risk for many non-communicable diseases [1–3]. Yet, levels of PA across populations remain low [4]. To tackle this public health issue, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine produced standardized PA guidelines 20 years ago [5]. Since then, the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union, and most countries around the world, have included PA guidelines in their health policies. Guidelines for Americans and Europeans have been updated to include recommendations for adolescents and for older adults [6–9]. For adults aged 18–64 years old, the WHO recommends a minimum of 150 min of moderate intensity PA per week, 75 min of vigorous intensity PA or an equivalent amount of moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA) [9]. In 2008, 34.8% of adults 15 years or older were insufficiently active in Europe [4]. Regular surveillance is needed to update these prevalence estimates and to evaluate the effectiveness of PA policies and promotion programs in European countries. In this context, the objective assessment of PA is a key issue. Prevalence of physical inactivity has been mainly derived from self-reported measures such as the Baecke questionnaire [10] or the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) [11]. These questionnaires have been, and still are, widely used due to their simple administration and low cost [12]. However, PA is frequently misreported, which leads to considerable measurement error [13–15]. Accelerometers offer a potential solution because they measure PA objectively. Given that they are small and easy to wear, store data up to several weeks and are acceptable in terms of reliability, these devices are now used increasingly in large studies to assess PA in children, adolescents and adults [16]. Although some European countries have reported adherence to PA guidelines using accelerometers in large cohorts [17–19], comparisons between European countries measured according to the same standardized protocols and concurrently are lacking. Between 2012 and 2014, PA was assessed objectively by accelerometry in the participants of the Food4Me Proof-of-Principle (PoP) study. The Food4Me Study was a web-based randomized controlled trial on personalized nutrition, across seven European countries: Germany, Greece, Ireland, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom. The aim of the current paper is to describe and compare PA in adults from these countries, and evaluate adherence to PA guidelines, using baseline data from the Food4Me PoP study

Content and language integrated learning in English as a foreign language: A European perspective

Contains fulltext : 207520.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Radboud University, 04 september 2019Promotores : Verhoeven, L.T.W., Denessen, E.J.P.G.150 p