The Montessori Approach as a Model of Personalized Instruction

I present a brief overview of the key elements of personalized learning and Montessori education, a related pedagogical approach, aiming to examine common theoretical principles and key elements. I discuss the common features of personalized instruction and the Montessori approach of education. Both personalized instruction and the Montessori approach stand firmly on a constructivist paradigm and share many philosophical and theoretical principles. Research has shown that Montessori education is one of the most visible models that incorporates numerous aspects of personalized instruction and shares many common elements with personalized learning. This research has shown that, while personalized instruction also suggests many strategies for implementation of the concept, Montessori education actualizes the principles of personalized learning

Health of the Slovenian population: Where do we stand?

Aim: Aiming at assessing the state of the Slovenian population health according to the latest available data, and comparing it with health in selected countries, the objective was to analyse the burden of disease (BoD) data available in a selected database. Methods: The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Global Burden of Disease Study (IHME-GBD) database was used. Causes of all three big IHME-GBD groups: A) communicable, maternal/neonatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies, B) non-communicable diseases, and C) injuries, in total 18 groups of causes, were observed. Overall mortality, Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), Years of Life Lost (YLLs) and Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) (all per 100.000 population), were used as indicators. Percentage of BoD generated by selected cause, and the ratios of rates in 2019 versus rates in 2014 (reference year) in Slovenia, and the ratios of rates in Slovenia versus rates in Western Europe Region countries (WERC) were analysed. Ratios >1.20 or ˂0.83 were considered as important. Results: When considering mortality, the greatest burden was generated by cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms. In maternal/neonatal conditions, an important decrease in overall (0.68) and premature (0.68) mortality, while in nutritional deficiencies an increase in overall mortality (1.27) were observed. An increase in overall mortality was noticed also in neurological disorders (1.21), diabetes (1.21) and skin diseases (1.24). Mortality rates were higher in Slovenia than in WERC in digestive diseases, substance use, unintentional injuries and self-harm. When considering disability, the greatest burden was generated by musculoskeletal and mental disorders, and unintentional injuries. Disability rates were higher in Slovenia than in WERC in maternal/neonatal conditions, and unintentional and transport injuries. Conclusion: In the observed five-year time span, cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms remained at the forefront. However, their burden didn’t change. Causes with burden expressed by disability, musculoskeletal and mental disorders, and unintentional injuries, which has been neglected in the past due to lack of indicators, proved to be an important problem as well. MPHPs in which a lot has to be done to reach rates in WERC, digestive diseases, substance use, and injuries, were identified

Health of the Slovenian population: Where do we stand?

Aim: Aiming at assessing the state of the Slovenian population health according to the latest available data, and comparing it with health in selected countries, the objective was to analyse the burden of disease (BoD) data available in a selected database.   Methods: The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Global Burden of Disease Study (IHME-GBD) database was used. Causes of all three big IHME-GBD groups: A) communicable, maternal/neonatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies, B) non-communicable diseases, and C) injuries, in total 18 groups of causes, were observed. Overall mortality, Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), Years of Life Lost (YLLs) and Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) (all per 100.000 population), were used as indicators. Percentage of BoD generated by selected cause, and the ratios of rates in 2019 versus rates in 2014 (reference year) in Slovenia, and the ratios of rates in Slovenia versus rates in Western Europe Region countries (WERC) were analysed. Ratios >1.20 or ˂0.83 were considered as important.   Results: When considering mortality, the greatest burden was generated by cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms. In maternal/neonatal conditions, an important decrease in overall (0.68) and premature (0.68) mortality, while in nutritional deficiencies an increase in overall mortality (1.27) were observed. An increase in overall mortality was noticed also in neurological disorders (1.21), diabetes (1.21) and skin diseases (1.24). Mortality rates were higher in Slovenia than in WERC in digestive diseases, substance use, unintentional injuries and self-harm. When considering disability, the greatest burden was generated by musculoskeletal and mental disorders, and unintentional injuries. Disability rates were higher in Slovenia than in WERC in maternal/neonatal conditions, and unintentional and transport injuries.   Conclusion: In the observed five-year time span, cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms remained at the forefront. However, their burden didn’t change. Causes with burden expressed by disability, musculoskeletal and mental disorders, and unintentional injuries, which has been neglected in the past due to lack of indicators, proved to be an important problem as well. MPHPs in which a lot has to be done to reach rates in WERC, digestive diseases, substance use, and injuries, were identified.   Conflict of interest statement The authors declare no conflict of interes