Teaching strategies to elicit excellence in higher education

Pedagogy for gifted and talented students in higher education is the main topic of this study. Teachers of educational programmes designed for talented or highly motivated students in higher education (here called honours programmes) are challenged to stimulate students to increase the quality of their academic achievements. However, systematically acquired knowledge on effective teaching strategies for motivated and talented students above the age of 18 is limited (Heller, Mßnks, Sternberg & Subotnik, 2000). The aim of this study is to augment the existing body of knowledge. Firstly to reflect on this knowledge from different perspectives, secondly by a mix-method research, analysing multi-institutional data collected in the United States and the Netherlands about teachers perception on teaching strategies for gifted and motivated students in higher education. The theoretical perspectives behind this study focus on (1) theories about giftedness, (2) motivational theories and (3) on studies on honours programmes

De praktijkschok van (v)mbo-leraren: Hoe goed bereiden wij leraren voor op de praktijk?

Teaching and Teacher Learning (ICLON

PSP with trained assessors as alternative for descriptive analysis of a product with a complex sensory profile

Rapid sensory profiling of a product over time presents a challenge in quality control, particularly when the product has a complex aroma and flavour profile. Polarized sensory positioning (PSP), based on the comparison of samples to fixed references, allows for rapid sensory profiling and data collection across multiple sessions. The efficacy of partial and global PSP for broad-based sensory profiling of honeybush infusions, prepared from five Cyclopia species (C. genistoides, C. subternata, C. maculata, C. intermedia and C. longifolia), was investigated. Trained assessors conducted partial PSP on aroma (P-PSPa) and palate (P-PSPp), as well as global PSP. A continuous scale and five poles, representing the respective Cyclopia species, were used to evaluate the honeybush infusions. Data, aggregated over three sessions per PSP variant, were subjected to multiple factor analysis (MFA). Similar product configurations were obtained when comparing the principal component analysis (PCA) bi-plot of the descriptive sensory analysis data and the MFA plots of partial and global PSP (RV coefficients ≥ 0.87). P-PSPa was as effective as global PSP in discriminating between honeybush tea samples. Application of PSPa by trained assessors is recommended for quality control in the honeybush tea industry: in this variant of PSP assessors focus on one modality, thereby potentially reducing sensory fatigue. Cyclopia genistoides, C. longifolia and C. maculata herbal teas formed one group, indicating that these herbal teas could be blended without losing sensory character. Cyclopia subternata and C. intermedia formed separate groups, indicating their suitability for species-specific marketing.submittedVersio

Selecteren op geschiktheid voor het leraarsberoep: is het wenselijk om te selecteren aan de poort?

Teaching and Teacher Learning (ICLON

Studeren als recht of voorrecht: wie is er gebaat bij selectie aan de poort?

Teaching and Teacher Learning (ICLON

Cross pathogenicity of Neofusicoccum australe and Neofusicoccum stellenboschiana on grapevine and selected fruit and ornamental trees

[EN] Neofusicoccum australe is one of the most important Botryosphaeriaceae pathogens occurring on fruit and vine crops. This fungus was recently taxonomically reassessed, identifying N. stellenboschiana as a separate species. Previous pathogenicity studies used N. stellenboschiana and N. australe isolates as N. australe, so assessment of the pathogenicity of these two species on grapevine and other hosts was required. A pathogenicity trial was conducted on detached shoots of grapevine, plum, apple, olive and Peruvian pepper tree. Shoots were individually inoculated with 11 N. australe and eight N. stellenboschiana isolates originally isolated from grapevine, plum, apple, olive, Peruvian pepper and fig. Both species formed lesions on all five hosts and were reisolated 5 weeks post-inoculation. In general, the largest lesions were formed on plum and smallest on Peruvian pepper. Isolate host origin did not influence ability to cause lesions on other hosts. Isolates of N. australe and N. stellenboschiana differed in virulence on the various hosts, ranging from those that caused the largest lesions, a group causing intermediate lesions, and another causing lesions similar to uninoculated controls. The study demonstrates that N. australe and N. stellenboschiana isolates originating from various fruit hosts can infect alternative hosts including grapevine and other major fruit crops.This research developed from a mobility sojourn funded by the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees Programme of the European Commission under the PLANT HEALTH Project. The authors also acknowledge financial support from ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij and the National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF UID88771). Technical Assistance was provided by Carine Vermeulen, Danie Marais, Julia Marais, Muriel Knipe, Lydia Maart, Christopher Paulse, Bongiwe Sokwaliwa, Nadeen van Kervel, and Levocia Williams (Plant Protection Division, ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij).Mojeremane, K.; Lebenya, P.; Du Plessis, IL.; Van Der Rijst, M.; Mostert, L.; Armengol Fortí, J.; Halleen, F. (2020). Cross pathogenicity of Neofusicoccum australe and Neofusicoccum stellenboschiana on grapevine and selected fruit and ornamental trees. PHYTOPATHOLOGIA MEDITERRANEA. 59(3):581-593. https://doi.org/10.14601/Phyto-11609S58159359

Fostering first-year student learning through research integration into teaching: Student perceptions, beliefs about the value of research and student achievement

Research should be explicated in undergraduate teaching in a way that stimulates student learning. Previous studies in higher education have shown that student perceptions of research integrated into teaching could promote student learning, but have also indicated that it can be difficult to confront first-year undergraduates with research during courses. In this study, we describe relationships between first-year medical student perceptions of research, learning outcomes and beliefs about the value of research. The Student Perception of Research Integration Questionnaire was filled out by 261 students. Answers were related to student achievement. The findings suggest that student motivation for research is strongly related to merging current research into teaching. Students rather recognised an emphasis on research methodologies than research engagement. Particularly student beliefs about research are related to achievement. It is suggested that to foster positive beliefs about research, teachers should familiarise students with current research and create enthusiasm for research.Teaching and Teacher Learning (ICLON

Relating academics' ways of integrating research and teaching to their students' perceptions

Modern and Contemporary Studie

The effectiveness of antibacterial therapeutic clothing compared with non-antibacterial therapeutic clothing in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A randomized controlled, observer-blind pragmatic trial (ABC trial)

BACKGROUND Increased Staphylococcus aureus (SA) colonization is considered an important factor in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Antibacterial therapeutic clothing aims to reduce SA colonization and AD inflammation, however its role in the management of AD remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effectiveness of antibacterial therapeutic clothing plus standard topical treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe AD, compared to standard therapeutic clothing plus standard topical treatment. If effectiveness is demonstrated, the cost-effectiveness will be evaluated. METHODS A pragmatic, double-blinded, multicenter, randomized, controlled, trial (NCT04297215) was conducted in patients of all ages with moderate-to-severe AD. Patients were centrally randomized 1:1:1 to receive standard therapeutic clothing, antibacterial clothing based on chitosan or silver. The primary outcome was the between-group difference in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) measured over 52 weeks. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported outcomes, topical corticosteroid use, SA colonization, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Outcomes were assessed by means of (generalized) linear mixed model analyses. RESULTS Between March 16, 2020, and December 20, 2021, 171 patients were enrolled. In the analyses 159 patients were included (n=54 in the standard therapeutic clothing group, n=50 in the chitosan group and n=55 in the silver group). Adherence was high (median: 7 nights/week, IQR: 3-7). Median EASI scores at baseline, 4, 12, 26 and 52 weeks were in the standard therapeutic clothing group 11.8, 4.3, 4.6, 4.2, 3.6 compared to 11.3, 5.0, 3.0, 3.0, 4.4 in the chitosan and 11.6, 5.0, 5.4, 4.6 and 5.8 in the silver group. No differences in EASI over 52 weeks between the standard therapeutic clothing, chitosan (-0.1, 95%CI: -0.3 to 0.2, p=0.53), and silver group (-0.1, 95%CI: -0.3 to 0.2, p=0.58) were found. However, a small significant (P=0.035) group-by-time interaction effect between the standard and silver group was found, in which the silver group performed worse after 26 weeks. No differences between groups were found in patient-reported outcomes, topical corticosteroid use, SA skin colonization, and healthcare utilization. No severe adverse events or silver absorption were observed. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest no additional benefits of antibacterial agents in therapeutic clothing in patients with moderate-to-severe AD