Teaching in the Montessori Classroom: Investigating Variation Theory and Embodiment as a Foundation of Teachers’ Development

The theory of Montessori education has been interpreted by some researchers to be vaguely formulated. However, as shown in previous research, Maria Montessori’s didactic approach to teaching and learning mathematics is fully consistent with variation theory and the theory of embodiment. Dr. Montessori used the theoretical concept of isolation of quality, which means that the learning objects have to be kept identical except for one variable, which has to differ to be perceptible. This concept is in alignment with variation theory, which emphasizes variation as a necessary condition for learners to discern aspects of an object of learning. The other theory applied in this article is the theory of embodiment: important cognitive functions are fundamentally grounded in action that is concordant with Dr. Montessori’s view that mind and movement are parts of the same entity.                 This article reports on a qualitative single-case study with a formative intention in which we investigated the significance of being acquainted with variation theory and the theory of embodiment when working with Montessori material. The study analyzes a teacher’s mathematics presentations with the Montessori material and the children’s work with this material, using Epistemological Move Analysis, which focuses on how the teacher directs children’s learning. The analysis was shared with the teacher to support her awareness of the ways teaching can be developed from a variation and embodiment theoretical perspective. Results show that the teacher’s awareness of why a specific learning object be treated in accordance with variation theory and embodiment seems to promote a more constructive and effective way to direct children’s learning

A QGIS Plugin for Offshore Wave Hindcasting Based on Geographic Transposition of Wave Gauge Data

Abstract The paper presents a first experimental version of the original QGIS plugin QWaveTransposition that numerically implements the geographic transposition of wave gauge data method proposed by Contini and De Girolamo (1998) for offshore wave hindcasting. The method allows one to transfer wave data measured at a given gauging station to a virtual station located offshore the area of interest, by comparing the effective fetches at both stations. The QWaveTransposition plugin was implemented in Python programming language, including the NumPy package for numerical computations. A graphical user interface was developed to manage the input/output data and model parameters. The fetch geometry at real and virtual stations can be imported by selecting appropriate vector layers from the QGIS map. An application to a sample site in southern Italy is presented for example purposes

Variation Theory and Montessori Education

In this article we examine the relation between variation theory and Maria Montessori’s didactic theory. Montessori believed that training and sharpening of the child’s senses are crucial for their continued learning; she therefore developed specific sensorial materials to be used in Montessori preschools for such a purpose. As noted by interpreters of Montessori education, a key principle in this material, as well as in variation theory, is the use of variation and invariance. However, in this article, lessons in two different areas than the training of the senses are analysed from a variation-theoretical perspective on learning; these lessons originate from Montessori’s own writings and from extracts from Montessori training courses. The result shows that a systematic use of variation and invariance can be seen as a more fundamental part of Montessori’s didactic theory and is not only applied in the sensorial training. The article will offer theoretical concepts useful when explaining why lessons in various areas should be presented in the way they are described

Interface reconstruction in superconducting CaCuO2/SrTiO3 superlattices: A hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study

Here we report about the interface reconstruction in the recently discovered superconducting artificial superlattices based on insulating CaCuO2 and SrTiO3 blocks. Hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that the valence bands alignment prevents any electronic reconstruction by direct charge transfer between the two blocks. We demonstrate that the electrostatic built-in potential is suppressed by oxygen redistribution in the alkaline earth interface planes. By using highly oxidizing growth conditions, the oxygen coordination in the reconstructed interfaces may be increased, resulting in the hole doping of the cuprate block and thus in the appearance of superconductivity.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction oscillations during epitaxial growth of artificially layered films of (BaCuOx)m /(CaCuO2)n

Pulsed Laser Deposition in molecular-beam epitaxy environment (Laser-MBE) has been used to grow high quality BaCuOx/CaCuO2 superlattices. In situ Reflection High Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED) shows that the growth mechanism is 2-dimensional. Furthermore, weak but reproducible RHEED intensity oscillations have been monitored during the growth. Ex-situ x-ray diffraction spectra confirmed the growth rate deduced from RHEED oscillations. Such results demonstrate that RHEED oscillations can be used, even for (BaCuOx)2/(CaCuO2)2 superlattices, for phase locking of the growth.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures. Corresponding author: Dr. A. Tebano: [email protected]

Employees’ Privacy and employers’ control between the Italian legal system and European sources

The paper examines the Italian reform which has modified the Article 4 of the law n. 300/1970 (so-called Statute of workers) regarding remote monitoring devices used on workers and moves on to assess the impact of this reform on the ban of opinion polls, as sanctioned by Art. 8 of the law n. 300/1970 (so-called "Knowledge checks”). In the presentation of the latest regulation, the paper also contains an analysis of the relationship between the new rules about employers’ power of control and the legislation concerning data protection. In this light we give details about the European and International framework, especially considering the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679

STUDIO FITOCHIMICO DELLE PIANTE APPARTENENTI ALLA FLORA MEDITERRANEA E TURCA

Le piante medicinali occupano un posto fondamentale tra i rimedi di origine naturale; molti farmaci contengono molecole di natura vegetale e molti principi attivi di sintesi sono modellati sulla struttura di ben note molecole vegetali. Negli ultimi venti anni la chimica delle sostanze naturali è stata oggetto di un’intensa attività di ricerca; sebbene la maggior parte dei farmaci di ultima generazione sul mercato sia di origine sintetica, le sostanze naturali ed in particolare i metaboliti secondari di origine vegetale, isolati e caratterizzati da un grande e vario numero di specie, hanno un ruolo fondamentale nella ricerca e nello sviluppo di nuovi farmaci. I principi attivi di origine vegetale possono essere impiegati direttamente come farmaci oppure come precursori per emisintesi chemiofarmaceutiche o, infine, servire come modelli per lo sviluppo di nuove specialità medicinali. È per questo che gli studi fitochimici rappresentano un campo in continua evoluzione ed in continuo progresso, grazie soprattutto a nuove tecniche che hanno permesso di raggiungere con maggiore facilità e in minor tempo gli scopi desiderati; di pari passo anche gli studi di botanica, di etnobotanica, di farmacologia e di medicina hanno subito un incremento e ad oggi grazie a questa interdisciplinarietà è possibile avere molte più informazioni sulle piante medicinali e sul loro impiego razionale in campo medico. Una disciplina che ha preso maggior piede negli ultimi anni è rappresentata dalla chimica sistematica o chemiotassonomia, disciplina che si occupa dello studio delle somiglianze o differenze dei metaboliti secondari delle piante ovvero della loro distribuzione nel regno vegetale. Il principio alla base di questa particolare disciplina, che abbiamo utilizzato per affrontare il problema tassonomico del genere Centaurea appartenente alla famiglia delle Asteraceae, genere tassonomicamente complesso ed articolato, e che a causa della grande diversità morfologia, cariologica e palinologica risulta difficilmente circoscrivibile, è che è più probabile trovare metaboliti secondari simili in piante tassonomicamente vicine, piuttosto che in piante appartenenti a famiglie molto distanti. Abbiamo così potuto proporre una via di classificazione che sembra trovar accordo con le recenti proposte di alcuni botanici. Abbiamo inoltre affrontato lo studio fitochimico e quindi l’isolamento e la caratterizzazione di metaboliti secondari provenienti da una Centaurea appartenente alla flora turca; Centaurea deflexa, i cui prodotti isolati e considerati più interessanti sono stati saggiati per testarne le proprietà allelopatiche e per evidenziarne le eventuali proprietà antitumorali, vista l’appartenenza di molti alla classe dei lattoni sesquiterpenici, strutture chimiche di cui è ben nota la probabile attività antineoplastica. Abbiamo anche studiato la composizione chimica dell’olio essenziale di Laurus nobilis ottenuto per via classica e con nuovo metodo microonde-dipendente, sottolineando i numerosi vantaggi che tale metodo apporta, ed infine grazie alla tecnica SPME, sono stati analizzati i volatili emessi in vivo da diversi organi e singole parti di Citrus limon, oltre allo studio della composizione del suo olio essenziale

Producing a Digital Hydrographic Map Aiming at Renewable Energy Potential Mapping of Lesotho

AbstractSome of the first outcomes of a project aiming at mapping the renewable energy potential in Lesotho are hereby presented. In particular, the present paper deals with the task of the project devoted to produce a digital hydrographic map of Lesotho and an associated geographic database. Different geographical, meteorological and hydrological data were collected in the first steps of the project. The hydrographic network was derived in vector format from a digital elevation model of Lesotho using geoprocessing tools in GIS environment. Results were compared with existing cartography and satellite images. Moreover, a methodology proposed in literature for the assessment of the theoretical maximum hydroelectric producibility at watershed level in Italy was applied to one of the main catchment areas of Lesotho. The activities planned to fulfil the objectives of the project are finally outlined

Charge localization at the interface between La1-xSrxMnO3 and the infinite layers cuprate CaCuO2

(CaCuO2)m/(La0.7Sr0.3MnO3)n superlattices, consisting of the infinite layers cuprate CaCuO2 and the optimally doped manganite La1-xSrxMnO3, were grown by pulsed laser deposition. The transport properties are dominated by the manganite block. X-Ray Absorption spectroscopy measurements show a clear evidence of an orbital reconstruction at the interface, ascribed to the hybridization between the Cu 3d3z2-r2 and the Mn 3d3z2-r2 orbitals via interface apical oxygen ions. Such a mechanism localizes holes at the interfaces, thus preventing charge transfer to the CaCuO2 block. Some charge (holes) transfer occurs toward the La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 block in strongly oxidized superlattices, contributing to the suppression of the magnetotransport properties.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figure