Questions in science textbooks : do they prompt students' inquiry and problem-based learning?

Problem-based learning (PBL) is an inquiry-based learning approach that fosters the development of students’ autonomy as learners, and enables them to develop life-long learning competences. Problems and their underlying questions are building blocks of PBL approaches. Thus, questioning in science classes and textbooks can foster the development of students’ inquiry and problem-solving competences. As teachers’ teaching practices seem to depend on textbooks, this study compares the way the three Physical and the three Natural Sciences most sold textbooks deal with questions when developing the Earth in Transformation curriculum theme. This analysis focuses on: localization and function of the questions; nature of the answers demanded; and cognitive level of the questions. Results reveal that: only Natural Sciences textbooks use questions in the opening of the theme and its units; Physical Sciences textbooks have larger numbers of questions than the Natural Sciences ones do, being most of them connecting and knowledge application questions; both subjects’ textbooks are similar in what concerns using questions as section titles and giving explicit answers to questions; Physical Sciences textbooks have a much larger number of non-guided answer demanding questions; whatever the subject, the number of high-level thinking demanding questions is low. These findings indicate that most science textbook questions can hardly promote student’s inquiry and PBL

O passado e o presente

Dissertação de Mestrado com a especialização em Arquitetura, para obtenção do grau de MestreReflectindo sobre a insatisfação e sobre as alterações de comportamento que se verificaram nos habitantes da aldeia da Luz aquando da sua mudança para a nova aldeia, ponderámos se essa insatisfação poderia estar relacionada com a arquitectura do novo lugar. Partindo de um estudo levado a cabo na comunidade mineira de Arkwright, também ela forçada a uma mudança de morada, pode-se intuir que a arquitectura afecta, de facto, as vivências dos habitantes que nela moram, podendo levar à alteração dos seus comportamentos. Ao contrário do que sucedeu no caso de Arwkright, contudo, a nova aldeia da Luz parece, à primeira vista, reproduzir os códigos da antiga. Esta reprodução permitiria, à partida, que os costumes e as vivências da comunidade da aldeia da Luz fossem mantidos na mudança do velho para o novo povoado. Uma vez que tal não sucedeu, procura-se nesta dissertação identificar quais os elementos e características arquitectónicas essências à vida na antiga aldeia da Luz, tentando descobrir posteriormente se esses traços se mantêm na nova aldeia, comparando-as. Tem-se como objectivo nesta comparação entre a velha e a nova aldeia da Luz descobrir se a nova aldeia consegue repropor correctamente os códigos do antigo povoado que à partida parece querer reproduzir, ao mesmo que se reflecte na importância destas características para a saúde mental dos habitantes e para o equilíbrio daquela comunidade.ABSTRACT: Reflecting on the dissatisfaction and the behavioral changes verified on the inhabitants of the village of Luz upon their change to the new village, it was pondered if such dissatisfaction was related with the architecture of the new place. Based on a study developed on the mining community of Arkwright, a community that was also forced to a change of dwelling, one can accept the idea that architecture affects, in fact, the life habits of its inhabitants, leading sometimes to changes in their behaviors. Although unlike what happened in Arkwright town, the new village of Luz seems to, at a first glance, reproduce the codes of the old village. This reproduction, one would expect, allowed for the old habits and life of the community to be maintained in the new dwelling. Since that did not happen, this thesis tries to identify the elements and architectural characteristics essential to the life of the old village, trying at the same time to find out if such elements were maintained in the new village, comparing them. The goal of the comparison between the old and the new village of Luz is to find out if the new one is able to propose correctly the codes of the old village that it appears to want to reproduce. At the same time, this thesis tries to reflect on the importance of said codes to the mental health of the village inhabitants and the balance of the community.N/

An approach to online assessment in higher education: social networked eportfolios

O Ensino Superior, dadas as exigências inerentes a uma sociedade do conhecimento e da informação, em constante transformação, e em que os avanços tecnológicos têm contribuído, de modo significativo, para todo o sistema educacional, tem vindo a proceder a alterações no sentido de cumprir um papel sociopedagógico que possibilite a inserção activa de indivíduos no mundo actual de trabalho. A avaliação é, indubitavelmente, parte integrante do processo de ensino e de aprendizagem. Neste artigo, faz-se uma reflexão sobre a avaliação, com particular relevância para a avaliação online, ancorada em conceitos de “avaliação autêntica” e de “avaliação sustentável”. A educação à distância tem um papel relevante no ensino superior. Assim, e no sentido de garantir a sua credibilidade, a avaliação online tem sido alvo de muita reflexão e preocupação. Destaca-se, igualmente, a relevância dos e-portfolio em rede social como uma ferramenta proeminente na avaliação online. Higher Education systems have been constantly changing in order to accommodate the demands of a knowledge and information society which is constantly evolving due to technological advances. Thus, they have a key social and pedagogical role to meet, enabling an effective inclusion of individuals in today's labour market. This article presents a reflection on assessment, which is, undoubtedly an important part of the learning process, with particular relevance to online assessment, anchored in concepts like "authentic assessment” and “sustainable assessment". Assessment is vital in the learning process and should not be limited to the classifying function. Instead, it should promote deep learning, through the application of a myriad of tools and assessment strategies. E-learning plays an important role in higher education and, to ensure its credibility, a lot of research has been done about assessment in online environments. We will also address the relevance of the social network ePortfolio as an outstanding tool in online assessment

Effect of a dentifrice containing aloe vera on plaque and gingivitis control: a double-blind clinical study in humans

The effect of Aloe vera on the reduction of plaque and gingivitis was evaluated in a randomized, parallel and double-blind clinical trial. Subjects were randomly allocated to the test group (n=15) - dentifrice containing Aloe vera - or the control group (n=15) - fluoridated dentifrice. Plaque index (PI) and gingival bleeding index (GBI) were assessed at days 0 and 30. Subjects were asked to brush their teeth with the control or test dentifrice, three times a day, during a 30-day period. There was a significant reduction on plaque and gingivitis in both groups, but no statistically significant difference was observed among them (p>;0.01). The dentifrice containing Aloe vera did not show any additional effect on plaque and gingivitis control compared to the fluoridated dentifrice

Genetic parameters and selection of black bean lines for resistance to fusarium wilt and yield

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos em linhagens de feijão-preto (Phaseolus vulgaris) para reação à murcha-de-fusário (RMF), produtividade e massa de 100 grãos (M100), em condições de campo naturalmente infestado por Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli, bem como selecionar linhagens que combinem os fenótipos desejáveis para as três características simultaneamente. Para tanto, 116 linhagens obtidas de duas populações segregantes e cinco cultivares-testemunha foram avaliadas em delineamento experimental látice triplo 11×11, nas safras de inverno de 2015 e 2016, com semeadura em maio. As estimativas de herdabilidade obtidas foram altas: 91, 75 e 92% para RMF, produtividade e M100, respectivamente. Correlações genéticas significativas de -0,93 foram detectadas entre RMF e produtividade e de -0,28 entre RMF e M100, o que indica que linhagens mais resistentes apresentam maior produtividade e maior tamanho de grão. A seleção direta para cada uma das características levou a aumentos de 34% na resistência à MF, 11% na produtividade e 9,0% na M100. A seleção simultânea para as três características também levou a altos ganhos de 22,1% para RMF, 6,6% para produtividade e 7,7% para M100. Assim, há variabilidade genética e alta possibilidade de sucesso com a seleção. Cinco linhagens – CNFP 19237, CNFP 19346, CNFP 19320, CNFP 19291, and CNFP 19306 – apresentam maior potencial genético.The objective of this work was to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters of black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) lines for reaction to fusarium wilt (RFW), yield, and 100-seed weight (100SW) under conditions of a field naturally infested by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli, as well as to select lines that combine the desirable phenotypes for the three traits simultaneously. For this, 116 lines obtained from two segregating populations and five check cultivars were evaluated using an 11×11 triple lattice experimental design, in the winter crop seasons of 2015 and 2016, with sowing in May. The obtained heritability estimates were high: 91, 75, and 92% for RFW, yield, and 100SW, respectively. Significant genetic correlations of -0.93 were detected between RFW and yield and of -0.28 between RFW and 100SW, indicating that more resistant lines have a higher yield and a larger grain size. Direct selection for each trait led to increases of 34% in resistance to FW, 11% in yield, and 9.0% in 100SW. Simultaneous selection for the three traits led to high gains of 22.1% for RFW, 6.6% for yield, and 7.7% for 100SW. Therefore, there is genetic variability and a high possibility of success from selection. Five lines – CNFP 19237, CNFP 19346, CNFP 19320, CNFP 19291, and CNFP 19306 – show a higher genetic potential

Acoustic barriers as an acoustic deterrent for native potamodromous migratory fish species

This study focused on the use of sound playbacks as acoustic deterrents to direct native potamodromous migratory species away from all kind of traps. The effects of two acoustic treatments, a repeated sine sweep up to 2 kHz (sweep-up stimulus) and an intermittent 140 Hz tone, were tested in three fish species native to Iberia: Salmo trutta, Pseudochondrostoma duriense and Luciobarbus bocagei. In contrast with S. trutta, the endemic cyprinids P. duriense and L. bocagei exhibited a strong repulse reaction to the frequency sweep-up sound. The 140 Hz stimulus did not seem to alter significantly the behaviour of any of the studied species. These results highlight the potential of acoustic stimuli as fish behavioural barriers and their application to in situ conservation measures of native Iberian fish populations, to protect them from hydropower dams. In addition, this study shows that acoustic deterrents can be used selectively on target species.The project n 13737: Original Solutions - ENI and CITAB-UTAD was funded project: ANI/QREN/FEDER. The Science and Technology Foundation, Portugal funded M.C.P.A. (strategic projects UID/MAR/04292/2013 granted to MARE) and P.J.F. (UID/BIA/00329/2013 granted to cE3c). The scientific plan was achieved under European Investment Funds by FEDER/ COMPETE/POCI– Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme, under Project POCI- 01-0145-FEDER-006958 and National Funds by FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the project UID/AGR/04033.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Multicriteria Methodology for Selection of a Personal Electric Vehicle

A methodology that can support the decision process for selecting an Electric Vehicle (EV) is crucial. Considering the quantity, diversity, and complexity of existing EV models, their advantages and disadvantages, and people's increasing concern for sustainability, selecting and buying a personal EV appropriate to one's needs and requirements is not a simple task. Currently, criteria such as price, consumption per 100 km, range, comfort, brand, safety, and technology can be used to analyse available EV models. In this context, the decision-making process can be supported by the Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), “a method that clearly structures and evaluates complex problems with several alternatives, conflicting criteria, and complex scenarios. The novelty of this paper is to present a hybrid MCDA approach, combining two powerful methods (AHP and PROMETHEE) into a single framework to assist EV selection by any given person who has no multicriteria knowledge. A survey was conducted to define relevant criteria for a private person selecting an EV. The approach was validated for EV selection, considering the available offer within a target value, based solely on available public data, and excluding qualitative criteria. The paper discusses a case study whereby the proposed approach, using both quantitative and qualitative criteria, assists a decision-maker in selecting an EV from a set of alternatives, validated by the decision-maker, proving the importance and relevance of supporting the decision-making process

Literatura eletrónica para crianças: o caso do projeto “Murais e Literatura: A Criação Digital em Contexto Educativo”

Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar e descrever um projeto de literatura eletrónica para crianças em curso na Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal. Para tal, começa- -se por propor um contexto de enquadramento, caracterizando a multimédia digital, baseada na integração interdisciplinar e na interação; o cibertexto e a ergodicidade textual, que assentam na abertura e na estrutura narrativa labiríntica; e o hipertexto, com suas estruturas rizomáticas, entendido como rede textual não-linear apoiada em estruturas modulares. Estes conceitos, assim considerados definidores da literatura eletrónica, são posteriormente aplicados a uma literatura digital infantil, dessa forma sustentando a abordagem subjacente à conceptualização deste projeto. Na descrição do projeto, abordam-se as estratégias de exploração didático-pedagógica do mesmo, propondo desse modo um modelo que possa vir a ser adotado em contextos escolares diferenciados.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio