Cognitive Processes,ICT, and Education: A Critical Analysis

Information and communication technologies (ICT) have brought about renewed spaces for the societies of today, full of possibility and transformation. Bordering on the infinite, these spaces have generated new activities and behaviors. This technological scenario is now commonplace, an everyday reality that has taken root in our lives with remarkable speed. Now would therefore be an appropriate time to open up a line of inquiry into how this is shaping educational practice and how it is affecting our cognitive structures. We have chosen to conduct a review of relevant literature that will enable us to adopt a critical analysis to our subject: education and, above all, the learner, seen from the perspective of neuroscience and social analysis. However, the principal aim of this paper is to lay bare the disparities between research findings and current educational practices that use ICT.     

Effects of plyometric jump training in female soccer player’s vertical jump height: A systematic review with meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

To assess the effects of plyometric jump training (PJT) in female soccer player’s vertical jump height, a review was conducted using the data sources PubMed, MEDLINE, Web Of Science and SCOPUS. Only peer-review articles were included. To qualify for inclusion in the meta-analysis, studies must have included (i) a PJT programme of at least 2 weeks, (ii) cohorts of healthy female soccer players with no restriction for age, (iii) a control group, (iv) a measure of countermovement jump (CMJ). The inverse variance random-effects model for meta-analyses was used. From 7,136 records initially identified through database searching, 8 were eligible for meta-analysis, comprising 9 training groups (n = 99) and 9 control groups (n = 94). The magnitude of the main effect was moderate (ES = 1.01 [95%CI = 0.36–1.66], Z = 3.04, p = 0.002). Sub-group analyses were performed (i.e., PJT frequency, duration and total number of sessions), revealing no significant subgroup differences (p = 0.34–0.96). Among the studies included in this review, none reported injury or other adverse effects. In conclusion, PJT is effective in female soccer players for the improvement of vertical jump height. In future, research must identify specific dose–response relationships following PJT, particularly in the long term.     

Near-infrared spectroscopy-derived total haemoglobin as an indicator of changes in muscle blood flow during exercise-induced hyperaemia

ABSTRACT

Blood flow changes in response to exercise have been attributed, among other factors, to the effect of vasodilators factors on the microvasculature, suggesting a close relationship between small blood vessels and conducting arteries. The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the changes in near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived total haemoglobin ([tHb]) and muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) signals and femoral artery blood flow in response to resistance exercise at fast- and slow-velocity muscle contraction. The study randomised crossover design included twelve participants. NIRS and blood flow measurements were continuously monitored before, during, and 5 min after the exercise protocol. There was a significant correlation between [tHb] reperfusion slope ([tHb]_slope) and peak blood flow (BF_peak) after slow- and fast-velocity muscle contraction (r = 0.83, p = 0.0008 and r = 0.72, p = 0.0080, respectively). No significant correlation existed between the SmO₂ reperfusion slope (SmO_{2_slope}) and BF_peak after both slow- and fast-velocity muscle contraction exercise (r = ?0.46, p = 0.1253 and r = 0.33, p = 0.2841, respectively). This study demonstrated a strong relationship between the NIRS-derived [tHb] and Doppler ultrasound BF during the recovery period of dynamic resistance exercise at both slow- and fast-velocity contraction.     

Estrategias de conteo implicadas en los procesos de adición y sustracción

Resumen

A lo largo del presente trabajo se analizan las diferencias existentes entre los diversos procesos puestos en juego por los sujetos a la hora de cuantificar lo real, destacando de entre ellos el subproceso de cuantificación extensiva métrica y uno de los esquemas básicos que lleva aparejados: el esquema de conteo. A continuación se pasa a analizar las diferentes estrategias utilizadas por nuetros escolares de 1°, 2°, 3° y 4° de E.G.B. cuando aplican este esquema para la resolución de algoritmos de adición y de sustracción, destacando la vinculación entre el desarrollo de las estrategias de conteo y la eficiencia en la solución de estos algoritmos.     

Behavior Breakthroughs™: Future Teachers Reflect on a Focused Game Designed to Teach ABA Techniques

This article examines the use of a focused educational game. The game, Behavior Breakthroughs™, was created to teach people that work with children with autism, appropriate behavior management techniques. A group of undergraduate, teacher education students played the game and provided feedback on their experiences.