Implementing a flipped model of instruction in the EFL listening classroom: Impact on comprehension

Inventive technologies have provided students greater ways to invest more productive time within the classrooms, such as listening class. However, the flipped model of instruction should be practiced as a way to engage students in the process of listening comprehension. This experimental study aimed to investigate the effects of the flipped classroom (FC) on advanced EFL learners’ listening comprehension. Sixty Iranian advanced EFL learners (19 to 23 years old) participated in 14 sessions. Half of the students taught through the flipped model of instruction (experimental group) and the others through traditional instruction (control group). Using a before and after design, students were retested after seven weeks. Results showed that the means average resulted from the L2 listening comprehension test revealed those both groups showing increases in listening scores, but the experimental group’s mean score was higher than in the control group. Therefore, the FC model's implementation in the context of teaching and learning L2 listening comprehension can lead to positive outcomes since they could engage students in the process of learning English. The implication of this study calls for the FC model implementation to engage students in listening comprehension in the chance to learn better and expand their educational knowledge

Comparison of learning approaches in successful and unsuccessful students in Arak University of Medical Sciences, 2010

Background: The ability of students to utilize learning approaches is one of the most important and key factors in their academic achievement. This study aimed to determine and compare the learning approaches between two groups of students of Arak University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This is cross-sectional analytic study conducted in Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2010. Participants in this study included 110 students with Grade Point Average above 17 (as successful) and 123 students with GPA below 14 (as unsuccessful) that were selected through census. All participants completed the demographic information questionnaire and the two-part questionnaire of study process (to determine deep and surface learning). Data was analyzed by SPSS software using independent t test. Results Deep learning approach in students' academic success compared to unsuccessful students was significantly higher (01/0p =).Surface learning approach of students' academic compared to unsuccessful students is significantly lower (01/0p =). The significant correlation was seen among interest in the field of education, precision and focus in class and average of study hours in 24 hours and GPA of diploma study with academic achievement. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that there was statistically significant difference between successful and unsuccessful students in terms of the processes that they use in regarding and learning. Students and teachers have to know more about learning approached in order to train learners with complex thinking and problem-solving ability

Comparison of learning approaches in successful and unsuccessful students in Arak University of Medical Sciences, 2010

Background: The ability of students to utilize learning approaches is one of the most important and key factors in their academic achievement. This study aimed to determine and compare the learning approaches between two groups of students of Arak University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This is cross-sectional analytic study conducted in Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2010. Participants in this study included 110 students with Grade Point Average above 17 (as successful) and 123 students with GPA below 14 (as unsuccessful) that were selected through census. All participants completed the demographic information questionnaire and the two-part questionnaire of study process (to determine deep and surface learning). Data was analyzed by SPSS software using independent t test. Results Deep learning approach in students' academic success compared to unsuccessful students was significantly higher (01/0p =).Surface learning approach of students' academic compared to unsuccessful students is significantly lower (01/0p =). The significant correlation was seen among interest in the field of education, precision and focus in class and average of study hours in 24 hours and GPA of diploma study with academic achievement. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that there was statistically significant difference between successful and unsuccessful students in terms of the processes that they use in regarding and learning. Students and teachers have to know more about learning approached in order to train learners with complex thinking and problem-solving ability

The Efficacy of Methadone Maintenance Therapy on the Quality of Life and Marital Satisfaction among Substance Users

Introduction: the present study has been conducted with the aim of examining the quality of life (QoL) and marital satisfaction before and after three months of methadone maintenance in the patients enrolled in methadone therapy center in city of Kashan.Method: In this study, a quasi-experimental with pre and post assessments was conducted. Forty-five substance users receiving methadonetherapy were selected and investigated for three months. General assessment of patients (including demographic variables) was recorded and patients completed the QoL and martial satisfaction questionnaires.Results:Paired T-test revealed that the effect of methadone on QoL and martial satisfaction was significant (p<0.001). Scores of QoL and marital satisfaction have significant difference just in job variable among the other demographic variables. Pairwise comparison confirmed that two aspects (including physical and environmental) of QoL increased at post-test relative to pre-test.Conclusion: results of this study showed that methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) can lead to a significant improvement of QoL and martial satisfaction in substance users

Evaluation of breast cancer risk factors for using in hormone replacement therapy of corticosteroid- treated post-menopausal women

اساس درمان بعضی از بیماری های پوستی و تعدادی از بیماری های دیگر مثل بیماری های خود ایمنی استفاده از کورتیکوستروئید سیستمیک می باشد. این درمان سبب اوستئوپروز و عوارض دیگری به خصوص در خانم های یائسه می شود. درمان جایگزینی با هورمون (HRT=Hormone Replacement Therapy) به منظور پیشگیری و کاهش این عوارض در این گروه از بیماران توصیه شده است. در مقابل HRT سبب افزایش خطر ابتلا به سرطان پستان می شود. در این مطالعه با بررسی عوامل خطر سرطان پستان، عوامل مؤثر در به کارگیری یا عدم به کارگیری HRT در زنان یائسه دریافت کننده کورتیکوستروئید شناسایی گردید. این مطالعه از نوع گذشته نگر بود و در آن 176 بیمار شناخته شده مبتلا به سرطان پستان توسط پاتولوژی انتخاب شدند و به همین تعداد افراد سالم به صورت تصادفی انتخاب گردیدند. اطلاعات لازم مربوط به این دو گروه از طریق مصاحبه حضوری و تکمیل پرسشنامه جمع آوری گردید و مورد تجزیه و تحلیل آماری قرار گرفت. طبق این مطالعه عوامل خطر ابتلاء به سرطان پستان به ترتیب اهمیت عبارت بودند از: سابقه فامیلی، یائسگی دیررس، تاخیر در اولین حاملگی، مدت کم شیردهی، تعداد فرزند کمتر از 2 و عدم بارداری، در مورد سابقه سقط و سن اولین قاعدگی با خطر بروز سرطان پستان رابطه معنی داری یافت نشد. با توجه به نتایج حاصله توصیه می شود که از انجام HRT در بیماران یائسه دریافت کننده کورتیکوستروئید و دارای سابقه فامیلی مثبت سرطان پستان خودداری شود و در مورد فاکتورهای یائسگی دیررس، تاخیر در اولین حاملگی، مدت کم شیردهی تعداد فرزند کمتر از 2 و عدم بارداری، HRT با احتیاط زیاد صورت گیرد

The Effect of Teaching Critical and Creative Thinking Skills on the Locus of Control and Psychological Well-being in Adolescents

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to examine the effect of teaching critical and creative thinking skills on the locus of control and psychological well-being in high school students. In an experimental study 40 students that were selected using random multilayer sampling, were divided into test and control groups. On pre-test stage, they responded to locus of control questionnaire of Rotter (1966), and Ryff scale of psychological well-being (1989). The tests were organized in group form. In later stages of research, the test group through 10 educational sessions (20hours) was taught thinking skills (creative and critical) and it is noteworthy that no education was given to a control group. Upon completion of educational sessions, in post- test stage, both test and control groups were tested with California critical thinking skills test B (1990), Abedi creativity inventory (1996) and questionnaires of pre-test. Statistical method of independent t-test showed significant increase in creative thinking and critical thinking in post-test of the experimental group. Furthermore, Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) showed a significant increase in internal locus of control and psychological well-being (p < 0.05)

Effect of Er: YAG Laser on Microtensile Bond Strength of Bleached Dentin to Composite

Introduction: In non-vital tooth bleaching, dentin is in direct contact with the bleaching agent, 1 to 3-week delay is needed to eliminate free radicals from tooth structure. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of irradiation of Er: YAG laser on immediate microtensile bond strength of bleached dentin to composite.Methods: Sixty sounds human teeth were collected and randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 15): no bleaching (NB), opalescence endo hydrogen peroxide (HP) gel bleaching, sodium perborate (SP) bleaching and laser bleaching with heydent gel (LB). The groups were divided into 3 subgroups (n = 5): no surface treatment, Er: YAG laser irradiation and 10% sodium ascorbate (SA). All samples were restored and underwent microtensile bond strength testing. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way and two-way ANOVA.Results: Bond strength in NB-SA group had a significant difference with the NB group (P &lt; 0.05) while no significant difference was noted between NB and NB-Er groups (P = 0.55). Application of SA and Er: YAG laser after bleaching with SP did not enhance the bond strength (P = 0.07).Conclusion: Application of SA and Er: YAG laser after HP gel bleaching significantly enhanced the bond strength. Application of Er: YAG laser after internal bleaching with HP gel could enhance the bond strength