Solving Problems in Genetics,Part III: Change in the view of the nature of science

Numerous investigations show that most school science teaching, in Spain and elsewhere, implicitly transmits an inductivist and very stereotyped view of science and conveys an unrealistic image of scientific work. We present some results of an investigation with fourth‐level Spanish secondary education students (15 year olds) who were taught genetics through a unit based on an open problem‐solving methodology as an investigation. Among the learning objectives were the modification of their view of the nature of science in relation to ideas about: how science is done, what a theory is, what scientists do, and, finally, what the relationship is between Science–Technology–Society. The conceptual change about the nature of science experienced by the students in the experimental group was not observed in the control group, which worked in a traditional manner. Also, these new concepts remained with the students over time without a significant backward shift.     

Planning as action research

Planning contains so much more than the written plan. Early in 2000, an invitation came from the Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN), to people experienced in action research who might want to help plan and present an action research event for elementary school science teachers in Venezuela, South America, in Autumn 2000. This article analyses the outcomes from planning and enacting the resulting workshop to show how planning can be the subject of action research. It goes on to show how planning and teaching interact in a multifaceted way towards technical, practical and emancipatory ends. Planning and teaching are best seen as conversation, a conversation that is both synchronous and asynchronous.     

Correlation between variables subject to an order restriction,with application to scientometric indices

Variables subject to an order restriction, for instance Y ≤ X, have a bivariate distribution over a non-rectangular joint domain that entails a non-null and potentially large structural relation even if the variables show no association (in the sense that particular ranges of values of X do not co-occur with particular ranges of values of Y). Order restrictions affect a number of scientometric indices (including the h index and its variants) that are routinely subjected to correlational analyses to assess whether they provide redundant information, but these correlations are contaminated by the structural relation. This paper proposes an alternative definition of association between variables subject to an order restriction that eliminates their structural relation and reverts to the conventional definition when applied to variables that are not subject to order restrictions. This alternative definition is illustrated in a number of theoretical cases and it is also applied to empirical data involving scientometric indices subject to an order restriction. A test statistic is also derived which allows testing for the significance of an association between variables subject to an order restriction.     

Analysis of a Quasi-Experimental Design Based on Environmental Problem Solving for the Initial Training of Future Teachers of Environmental Education

Abstract

Many parameters may be used to measure the deterioration of water quality. One very important parameter is total dissolved solids (TDS). An increase in TDS beyond acceptable levels can have a significant impact on municipal, industrial, and agricultural use of water. In this review an overview of the problem of high TDS levels is given. Factors related to TDS which are considered include: (a) laboratory determination, (b) natural and man-influenced sources, (c) adverse effects, and (d) treatment process removal techniques. A brief summary of the TDS problem associated with the Colorado River is also considered.     

Effects of feedback on collaborative writing in an online learning environment

The need for supporting student writing has received much attention in writing research. One specific type of support is feedback—including peer feedback—on the writing process. Despite the wealth of literature on both feedback and academic writing, there is little empirical evidence on what type of feedback best promotes writing in online environments. This article reports on research that tries to determine what type of feedback best improves the quality of collaborative writing and what the effects of feedback are on student learning in an environment based on asynchronous written communication. The results reveal that concerning the type of feedback, epistemic feedback or epistemic and suggestive feedback best improve the quality of collaborative writing performance. The nature of the feedback-giver (whether teacher feedback or teacher and peer) makes a difference to the final text only when the feedback is epistemic, or epistemic and suggestive.     

Crítica y alternativas al aprovechamiento de las aulas de educación especial en los colegios nacionales de E.G.B.

RESUMEN

La idea del Ministerio de Educación es que existen niños con alguna “deficiencia clínica” pero recuperables, y para estos niños se ha previsto la existencia del aula de transición dentro de la escuela para “niños normales” como vía de integración. Pero estas aulas han sido creadas sin ningún criterio lógico (en ellas encontramos niños con deficiencias psíquicas leves, con problemas de sociabilidad, con dificultades en el aprendizaje,…) y sin ninguna orientación determinada. En definitiva, se convierten en lugares de perpetua marginación. Para paliar la situación actual serían necesarias unas condiciones mínimas: dotar a la escuela de los medios necesarios para prevenir y tratar deficiencias; y la necesidad de que sean psicólogos los que ocupen las vacantes de esas aulas de educación especial, trabajando al mismo tiempo con el profesorado en las tareas del centro.     

El consumo en las enseñanzas medias y preuniversitarias

Resumen

Desde un Instituto de Bachillerato se propone una programación que contempla diversos aspectos relacionados con el Consumo y que tiende a estimular una actitud consciente y analítica desde la vida escolar. Se desarrolla en torno a las asignaturas del Seminario de Ciencias Naturales, aunque propicia frecuentes relaciones multidisciplinares.     

Modificación de los hábitos de estudio a través de técnicas de autorregulación: estudio de un caso

Resumen

El propósito de este estudio fue diseñar un modelo válido para la adquisición de unos adecuados hábitos de estudio, basado en una combinación de estrategias de autorregulación y técnicas de estudio. Se procedió mediante un diseño exploratorio de línea de base múltiple, con un único sujeto que incluía: a) fase de pretest, b) primera fase de intervención, en la que se introdujeron las estrategias de autorregulación, c) segunda fase de intervención o de introducción de las técnicas de estudio, y d) fase de postest. El resultado fue un cambio experimental y terapéuticamente significativo en los hábitos de estudio y en las conductas exponentes de: tiempo de estudio, desatención, y velocidad y comprensión lectoras, las calificaciones experimentaron un ascenso progresivo. Estos cambios se mantuvieron y consolidaron en el seguimiento, las estrategias de autorregulación se han mostrado útiles para aumentar la probabilidad de ocurrencia de la conducta deseada y disminuir la de la no deseada.     

Predicting child outcomes from preschool quality in Portugal

The main purpose of this study is to analyze whether quality of preschool classrooms relates to 4- and 5-year-old children developmental outcomes. The study was conducted in 60 classrooms in Porto Metropolitan Area, Portugal. Children (N?=?215) were evaluated in the literacy, math, and behavior domains. Preschool quality was assessed through classroom observations using the ECERS-R and the Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation. Global classroom quality although relatively low, predicted children’s literacy skills and behavior but not math skills. Quality of language and literacy environment was not consistently related to child outcomes. Mother educational level stood out as consistently predicting most of child developmental outcomes. The relevance of these results is discussed considering the Portuguese educational scenario, in the realm of an international context.