Learning Metabolism by Problem‐Based Learning Through the Analysis of Health or Nutrition Articles from the Web in Biochemistry

Problem‐based learning using authentic material from the web was used to teach metabolism in a biochemistry course. In place of traditional lectures, students’ analyzed health or nutrition articles from newspapers and magazines, which were debatable from a scientific point of view, following the principles of problem‐based learning. A mixed method was used to assess the students’ perception, use of sources of information and web services while performing the task, and changes in self‐directed learning. Students’ perception was particularly positive. The majority stated that the methodology helped them to apply knowledge to real life and that they learned about the topic analyzed by their group. The perception that problem‐based learning promotes the ability to solve problems, critical thinking, and collaborative work is noteworthy. Tutors considered that teams identified the problem and concluded correctly, noticing students’ enthusiasm and motivation. The methodology also promoted scientific reading. More importantly, a significant improvement in self‐directed learning of the 2014 cohort was detected. This intervention suggests that this methodology is a valuable alternative to motive and promote self‐learning; representing an opportunity to shift the focus of instruction from the teacher to the student. The design of the activity and materials are described in detail. Also, limitations and solutions are discussed.     

Entrepreneurial transformations in the Swedish University system: the case of Chalmers University of Technology

Since the beginning of the 1990s, Sweden has been transforming its national research policy into policy for innovation. One of the bottom up responses to this top d initiative has been an attempt on the part of some Swedish universities to transform themselves into entrepreneurial institutions. This paper uses a case study of one particular Swedish University; Chalmers University of Technology’s transformation process to reflect on the new research policy. Chalmers’ journey is examined against the backdrop of the changing national climate for universities as well as local factors within the university itself.The case confirms existing knowledge in that it shows that creating an entrepreneurial university takes several years as both infrastructural and cultural changes are necessary to achieve success. The case also shows that despite the long history of public-private in Sweden, the new emphasis on commercialisation and commodification of knowledge creates some degree of role uncertainty for universities. The paper concludes that one of the elements required for Swedish innovation policy is macro (policy vision and implementation) and micro (university organisation) level flexibility and diversity.     

Peer rejection and HPA activity in middle childhood: friendship makes a difference

Exclusion and victimization by classmates were related to levels and diurnal change in cortisol in 97 fourth graders (53% boys, M = 9.3 years). Number and quality of friendships were considered as moderators. Salivary cortisol was collected 5 times daily on 2 school days. Excluded children had elevated cortisol levels at school and a flattened diurnal cortisol curve, suggesting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis dysregulation. This effect was weaker for children with more friends or better friendships. Victimization was not associated with cortisol level or change. The results demonstrate the role of HPA activity in peer group processes and indicate that group and dyadic factors interact in predicting stress in the peer group.     

Longitudinal Relations among Maternal Self-Efficacy,Maternal Warmth,and Early Adolescents’ Prosocial Behavior

SYNOPSIS

Objective. This article examined two-wave longitudinal paths among maternal self-efficacy, maternal warmth, and early adolescents’ prosocial behavior. Design . Participants were 194 Italian mother/child dyads from 9–13 years at the first assessment and 12–15 years at the second assessment. Using a two-wave longitudinal design, the present study tested cross-lagged paths among maternal self-efficacy, warmth, and early adolescents’ prosocial behavior controlling for the stability of these variables and their concurrent associations. Results . Maternal warmth mediated the link between maternal self-efficacy and adolescents’ prosocial behavior, and bi-directional effects between maternal self-efficacy and maternal warmth were found. Conclusions . These findings support a parent-driven model in the promotion of prosocial behaviors across early adolescence and a general need to consider simultaneously parental cognitions (maternal self-efficacy) and actions (maternal warmth) in explaining adolescents’ prosocial behaviors. Implications for parenting program interventions are discussed.     

Trademarks’ relatedness to product and service innovation: A branding strategy approach

The use of trademark data in innovation studies is still limited because as yet no guidelines exist to ascertain which trademarks relate to innovation. This paper proposes that a branding strategy approach may help to identify innovation related trademarks. Companies use distinctive branding strategies for innovation and these branding strategies have important consequences for the design of new trademarks and their application scope. Based on a sample of Benelux and Community trademarks, we find that trademarks for brand creation relate more often to product innovation. In addition, we find negative effects of a trademark’s industry scope on its relatedness to product innovation, and of a trademark’s geographic scope on its relatedness to service innovation. Our findings bear several key implications for further research towards identifying innovation-related trademarks from a branding strategy perspective.     

Active Learning in Architectural Education: A Participatory Design Experience (PDE) in Colombia

Contemporary architecture teaching in Colombia still resembles the traditional master–apprentice model, which is also common in many parts of the world. The model of regular curricular focus on classroom‐based modules where theory and practice are predominantly disengaged, leaving the students to make their connections. Students that learnt with these models face greater difficulties to apply knowledge, compared with students taught with active learning formats. It is argued that participatory design processes could be catalytic for change in this area, by empowering participants in the co‐creation of their socio‐spatial context. This article aims to contribute by suggesting a methodology for a Participatory Design Experience (PDE), which could be applied to transform a conventional teaching module into a student‐centred learning environment. The methodology was tested and refined through a case study, demonstrating its effectiveness in architectural education. The article describes it in detail in order to be replicated by educators in comparable scenarios.     

Amid Progress and Wilderness: Early Reception of Georges Hébert’s Naturist Ideas in Brazil During the First Half of the Twentieth Century

Abstract

This paper aims at analyzing how Hébert’s naturist ideas were received and assimilated in Brazil based on the perusal of sources such as Azevedo (1915, 1920, 1931), Miranda (1945) as well as some broadsheets and periodicals, for example Correio da Manhã, O Paiz, Gazeta de Noticias, and Fon-Fon! (1913–1928). Furthermore, it investigates by what means Hébert’s conception of nature integrated the mindset of Brazilian sanitarians in the first half of the twentieth century. Evidence suggests that there must have been some intertwinement of points of view that brought together Hebert’s Natural Method and the French Naturist Perspective at the time of the arrival of the latter in Brazil. Hébert’s thoughts on the concept of Nature reached Brazil early in the 1910s, and were incorporated in the shaping of a new approach to therapeutic treatments focused on preserving the patient’s welfare. As a result, this study has enabled us to properly understand the reception of Hébert’s works in Brazil, and come to terms with the historical connection between French gymnastic practices based on the Natural Method and their subsequent acclimatized Brazilian variants.     

Disrupting Colonial Discourses: Anticolonial Academic Language Development for the Elementary Classroom

This study examines the practical application of anticolonial academic language development strategies in an elementary classroom. Drawing from decolonial theory, the study analyzes pedagogical strategies in challenging the normalization of colonialism within language instruction. Using an autoethnographic case study, throughout the 2013–2014 academic year I collected data that consisted of observations, artifacts, and field notes from an elementary public school in South Los Angeles. Findings highlight the use of explicit academic vocabulary instruction to support students in developing the language to challenge classical/settler and internal colonialisms in reading and writing comprehension.     

Rethinking equity: standpoints emerging from a community project with victims of violence and abuse in Argentina

Cultural Studies of Science Education - This article contributes to expand the definition of equity in education and science education through the consideration of the challenges and opportunities...     

Analyzing ICT adoption and use effects on knowledge creation: An empirical investigation in SMEs

This paper investigates the influence of the adoption and use of information and communication technology (ICT) on organizational learning (OL). The focus is on knowledge, creation, as an articulated construct for the OL concept, and the SECI (Socialization, Externalization, Combination and Internalization) model is used as a reference for knowledge, creation. ICT use is seen here as consisting of three different orientations: informative, communicative and workflow. The results, based on a sample of around 300 Spanish small- and, medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), indicate that ICT has a significant positive influence on the, four processes for creating knowledge. ICT oriented to communication and workflow is found, to produce a significant positive impact on knowledge creation processes, except for, socialization process, while ICT use for information does not influence any of the processes for, creating knowledge and OL.