ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONS BETWEEN STUDENTS' ABILITY AND MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES IN AN MST TEST

Incorrect responses to an item requiring solving a geometry problem were analysed as part of a research project on an adaptive computer-based test assessing mathematical ability. The item bank was calibrated by using the Rasch model (1960) and the item revealed to be of a medium-high level of difficulty. Analyses of incorrect responses allowed to identify and hypothesize students’ problem-solving strategies. The responses were categorised using a two-level procedure, related to the basic steps of problem-solving processes. Errors were fairly distant from the correct answer and showed different levels of reasoning consistency. ANOVA was conducted on the mean ability of students to reveal the differences between the categories and relate the students’ abilities to the error. The results show that the ability is correlated to motivation to reach the solution and that there are significant differences in the mean ability between the different categories identified

Analisi delle relazioni tra l'abilità degli studenti e le strategie di risoluzione dei problemi matematici in un test MST

Nell’ambito di una ricerca su un test adattativo computer based per la stima dell’abilità matematica sono state analizzate le risposte errate a un item sulla risoluzione di problemi in ambito geometrico. La banca di item è stata calibrata secondo il modello di Rasch e l’item in oggetto ha una difficoltà medio-alta. L’analisi delle risposte errate ha permesso di individuare o ipotizzare le strategie risolutive degli studenti. Le risposte sono state categorizzate con una procedura a due livelli, legati ai passi fondamentali del processo risolutivo. Gli errori sono risultati più o meno distanti dalla risposta corretta, e hanno mostrato vari gradi di coerenza nel ragionamento. Sono poi state effettuate delle Anova sulle medie dell’abilità degli studenti per rilevare differenze fra le diverse categorie e mettere in relazione l’abilità degli studenti con l’errore commesso. Dai risultati si evince che l’abilità è correlata alla motivazione a procedere nella risoluzione

Come utilizzare le prove INVALSI in un'ottica di valutazione formativa

Nel presente articolo viene illustrato un metodo di lavoro centrato sull’uso in classe delle prove INVALSI e dei loro risultati in un’ottica di valutazione formativa. Il metodo proposto consente di individuare specifiche aree di intervento se i risultati ottenuti dagli studenti sono analizzati alla luce delle attività svolte in classe e degli obiettivi di apprendimento previsti dal docente. In particolare viene proposta un’attenta analisi degli errori commessi dagli studenti con lo scopo di fornire ad essi un feedback che va a costituire una valutazione formativa.This article discusses a new method to classroom use of INVALSI tests and their results in a formative assessment perspective. The proposed method allows to identify specific areas of intervention if the results obtained by students are analyzed in the light of the classroom activities and the learning objectives provided by the teacher. In particular, a careful analysis of the mistakes made by the students is proposed with the aim of providing feedback to them that constitutes a formative evaluation

The Italian national education assessment system: Building mathematics items

International audienceIn this paper we describe how mathematical items are constructed for the Italian National Education Assessment System (SNV). After a brief description of the structure of the Italian SNV, we describe-through an example-how mathematical items are analyzed and finalized before being submitted to Italian students of different school grades. Each item is analyzed from two different perspectives: first the mathematical content and its relevance in the teaching and learning of mathematics is considered and then the statistical analysis of the field trial results are examined. The challenge we face is to maintain an appropriate balance between these two different aspects

First report of Trichinella pseudospiralis in a wolf (Canis lupus italicus)

Within the genus Trichinella, Trichinella pseudospiralis is the only recognized non-encapsulated species known to infect mammals and birds. In October 2020, larvae recovered from muscle tissues of a wolf (Canis lupus italicus) originating from Molise Region, Central Italy, were molecularly confirmed as those of Trichinella britovi and T. pseudospiralis. This is the first detection of T. pseudospiralis from a wolf. In Italy, this zoonotic nematode was detected in a red fox (Vulpes vulpes), three birds (Strix aluco, Athene noctua, Milvus milvus) and five wild boars (Sus scrofa), and was also identified as the etiological agent of a human outbreak of trichinellosis in 2015. Since T. pseudospiralis is rarely reported from carnivore mammals in comparison to the encapsulated species frequently detected in these hosts, this finding opens the question of the role of carnivores as reservoirs for this parasite

Clinical Study Cystic Echinococcosis in a Single Tertiary Care Center in Rome, Italy

Background. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a chronic, clinically complex, and neglected disease. Its prevalence in Italy, a country of medium to high endemicity, remains poorly defined, as notification has long ceased to be mandatory. Methods. We set up a retrospective cohort study involving all CE patients followed at our institute between January 2005 and December 2012. Demographical and clinical features were recorded and analyzed. Results. CE was found in 28 patients (64.3%), mostly Italians from the central regions (50%), followed by subjects from the islands (33.3%) and Southern Italy (16.7%). Their median age was 45 years (IQR: 38.5-66.5), with Eastern Europeans being significantly younger (28 years, IQR: 19-39) than other patients ( ≤ 0.0001). A total of 149 cysts, mostly with hepatic localization (96%), were described. Based on the WHO classification, the cysts were mainly small (80.5%) and active (CE1 (73.8%); CE2 (7.4%)). Active cysts were more common in Eastern Europeans (85.7%) than Italians (66.7%). Conclusion. Our data confirm CE occurrence in Italy. We emphasize the importance to have a national CE registry, opportunely recently introduced. This is essential to assess CE prevalence in this country, implement appropriate control measures, and improve patient management

Cystic echinoccosis in a single terthiary care center in Rome, Italy

Background. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a chronic, clinically complex, and neglected disease. Its prevalence in Italy, a country of medium to high endemicity, remains poorly defined, as notification has long ceased to be mandatory. Methods. We set up a retrospective cohort study involving all CE patients followed at our institute between January 2005 and December 2012. Demographical and clinical features were recorded and analyzed. Results. CE was found in 28 patients (64.3%),mostly Italians from the central regions (50%), followed by subjects from the islands (33.3%) and Southern Italy (16.7%).Their median age was 45 years (IQR: 38.5–66.5), with Eastern Europeans being significantly younger (28 years, IQR: 19–39) than other patients ( ≤ 0.0001). A total of 149 cysts, mostly with hepatic localization (96%), were described. Based on the WHO classification, the cysts were mainly small (80.5%) and active (CE1 (73.8%); CE2 (7.4%)). Active cysts were more common in Eastern Europeans (85.7%) than Italians (66.7%). Conclusion. Our data confirmCE occurrence in Italy.We emphasize the importance to have a national CE registry, opportunely recently introduced. This is essential to assess CE prevalence in this country, implement appropriate controlmeasures, and improve patient management