The influence of shoe drop on the kinematics and kinetics of children tennis players

This study investigated the immediate effects of reducing the shoe drop (i.e. the difference between the heel and the forefoot height) on the kinematics and kinetics of the lower extremities of children tennis players performing a tennis-specific movement. Thirteen children tennis players performed a series of simulated open stance forehands wearing 3 pairs of shoes differing only in the drop: 0 (D0), 6 (D6) and the control condition of 12?mm (D12). Two embedded forceplates and a motion capture system were used to analyse the ground reaction forces and ankle and knee joint angles and moments of the leading lower limb. In D6 compared with D12, the peak impact force was reduced by 24% (p?=?.004) and the ankle was less dorsiflexed at foot strike (p?=?.037). In D0 compared with D12, the peak impact force was reduced by 17% (p?=?.049), the ankle was less dorsiflexed at foot strike (p?=?.045) and the knee was more flexed at foot strike (p?=?.007). In addition, 4 out of 13 participants (31%) presented a forefoot strike pattern for some of the trials in D0. No difference was observed across shoe conditions for the peak knee extensor moment (p?=?.658) or the peak ankle plantarflexor moment (p?=?.071). The results provide preliminary data supporting the hypothesis that for children tennis players, using a 6-mm lower shoe drop might reduce heel impact forces and thus limit potentially impact-related injuries.     

To answer questions from text,one has to understand what the question is asking: differential effects of question aids as a function of comprehension skill

Reading and Writing - The present study investigates the effectiveness of question paraphrases in supporting students’ understanding of a specific task. Secondary school students (i.e.,...     

Exploring Relationships Among Belief in Genetic Determinism,Genetics Knowledge,and Social Factors

Genetic determinism can be described as the attribution of the formation of traits to genes, where genes are ascribed more causal power than what scientific consensus suggests. Belief in genetic determinism is an educational problem because it contradicts scientific knowledge, and is a societal problem because it has the potential to foster intolerant attitudes such as racism and prejudice against sexual orientation. In this article, we begin by investigating the very nature of belief in genetic determinism. Then, we investigate whether knowledge of genetics and genomics is associated with beliefs in genetic determinism. Finally, we explore the extent to which social factors such as gender, education, and religiosity are associated with genetic determinism. Methodologically, we gathered and analyzed data on beliefs in genetic determinism, knowledge of genetics and genomics, and social variables using the “Public Understanding and Attitudes towards Genetics and Genomics” (PUGGS) instrument. Our analyses of PUGGS responses from a sample of Brazilian university freshmen undergraduates indicated that (1) belief in genetic determinism was best characterized as a construct built up by two dimensions or belief systems: beliefs concerning social traits and beliefs concerning biological traits; (2) levels of belief in genetic determination of social traits were low, which contradicts prior work; (3) associations between knowledge of genetics and genomics and levels of belief in genetic determinism were low; and (4) social factors such as age and religiosity had stronger associations with beliefs in genetic determinism than knowledge. Although our study design precludes causal inferences, our results raise questions about whether enhancing genetic literacy will decrease or prevent beliefs in genetic determinism.     

Do all roads really lead to Rome? The case of spelling acquisition

The French orthographic code is complex, and its acquisition is laborious (Catach, 2008; Fayol & Jaffré, 2008). Three hypotheses attempt to explain orthographic knowledge acquisition (OKA). For some, exposure to the code leads to OKA through a self-learning process (Share, 2004). For others, OKA benefits from graphophonological processes (Coltheart, Rastle, Perry, Langdon, & Ziegler, 2001). Finally, some authors suggest that OKA is possible thanks to visual specific processes (Ans, Carbonnel, & Valdois, 1998). The main goal of this study was to test these hypotheses in a classroom context with comparable samples. In total, 143 2nd-grade children participated in this quasi-experimental study with a pretest, immediate posttest, and delayed posttest design. We assigned participants to one of four conditions. For three conditions, we created three teaching procedures based on each of the hypotheses: frequency of contacts with target words; explicit teaching of graphophonological properties of words; explicit teaching of visual properties of words. The fourth served as a control group. ANOVA analyses indicated that all three experimental conditions favored OKA, showing that the different teaching procedures led to spelling development. However, the visual condition was the most favorable. Three main conclusions can be drawn from this study: (a) models of OKA should account for the different paths that can lead to spelling acquisition; (b) visual properties of words and their acquisition need additional research, and (c) applied research in real classroom contexts is not only relevant for informing teaching practices but also for better understanding how learning takes place.

     

At the Crossroads: the development of thinking about the role,appointment and training of headteachers in Spain

For many years now, most countries of the world have increasingly valued the headteacher as a powerful force in facilitating school and staff development. Such recognition has resulted in widespread training programmes—even in the poorest countries. In Spain, however, there has been, until very recently, considerable ambiguity over the role of the headteacher. This uncertainty is manifested in the appointment system of headteachers and the lack of commitment to training. This paper seeks to show the reasons for this situation, through an evaluation of recent legislation, the impact of Franco's legacy on education and the current preoccupation with democratic government at all levels. The paper highlights important changes of attitude towards the role of the head now taking place, mainly at local levels, and encourages the government to ensure that examples of effective training, emanating from these ideological shifts, are recognised and contained within national programmes.     

Certification et equivalence

Résumé Le nouvel équilibre économique et social en Europe qui se met en place progressivement a d'importantes conséquences en termes de mobilité, de gestion des qualifications et des diplômes. Dans le domaine spécifiquement éducatif, la question de la valeur sociale et professionnelle des diplômes et des reconnaissances des com-pétences professionnelles se pose. Ces compétences constituent une des richesses particulières dont disposent les pays des Communautés ainsi que chacun des individus confrontés à l'espace économique et social, élargi et multiforme.Dans ce contexte européen, on examine ici plus particulièrement la situation française sous l'angle des évolutions de la notion de diplôme et de reconnaissances des compétences, et les politiques de qualification, de formation initiale et de formation continue de la main-d'oeuvre.

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The new economic and social equilibrium which is gradually coming about in Europe has significant consequences in terms of mobility, recognition of qualifications and certification. Specifically in the educational arena, questions are raised as to the social and vocational value of certificates, and the recognition of vocational skills. These skills are part of the wealth of the particular countries in the Community, and of each of the individuals who are now confronted by the enlarged economic and social space, in its varying forms. In this European context, what is examined here is more particularly the French situation, from the point of view of the evolution of the notion of certification and recognition of skills, and of policies both of qualification, and of initial and continuing training of the work force.

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Zusammenfassung Das sich allmählich in Europa abzeichnende wirtschaftliche und soziale Gleichgewicht wirkt sich entscheidend auf die Mobilität der Arbeitskräfte und die Anerkennung von Qualifikationen, Zeugnissen und Diplomen aus. Besonders auf dem Bildungssektor stellt sich die Frage nach dem sozialen und beruflichen Wert von Zeugnissen und der Anerkennung beruflicher Fähigkeiten. Diese Fähigkeiten sind Teil der Grundeigenschaften bestimmter Länder der Gemeinschaft und jedes Einzelnen, der nunmehr mit der Erweiterung wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Raumes in unterschiedlichster Form konfrontiert wird. In diesem europäischen Kontext wird hier im besonderen die Situation Frankreichs beschrieben unter dem Aspekt einer Evolution des Begriffs Zeugnis und der Anerkennung beruflicher Fähigkeiten, sowie einer Qualifikations- und Ausbildungspolitik für die Arbeitskräfte.

     

“Lo que yo en realidad quería hacer”: Rationales of Latina/o DACA Recipients for Pursuing Careers as Teachers

The Urban Review - The decision to rescind Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) will have major repercussions amongst beneficiaries, especially in terms of employment. One of the sectors...