The social context of human learning: Some prospects for the study of socio-cognitive regulations

Numerous studies conducted by social, cognitive, and educational psychologists suggest that learning, cognitive functioning and development, and education are fundamentally embedded in a complex social matrix. Recent studies have demonstrated the influence on cognitive performances of several basic social variables, including evaluative pressure, group membership, situations of personal or categorical social comparison, and the academic value of the task. These findings clearly point out the necessity of considering the autobiographical dimension of the individual to explain this influence, an idea which is clearly consistent with other results obtained in studies on scholastic self-schemas. The present paper shows that the influence of the social context of cognition cannot be explained unless it is viewed from a sociocognitive perspective which considers the autobiographical memory of the individual.     

Réformes Des Programmes Scolaires Et Acquisitions Á L’école Primaire En Afrique: Mythes Et Réalités

SCHOOL CURRICULA REFORMS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN AFRICA: MYTH VS. REALITY - This paper proposes a critical analysis of the introduction and implementation of new school curricula in Africa based on the example of the skills based approach (SBA). In many countries, the SBA has been chosen as the most appropriate and relevant method to change their school curriculum and improve education quality. We analyse the implementation of those new curricula based on the SBA in primary schools in Mauritania. The results show that the main problems affecting pupils’ achievement lie rather in the effective implementation of curricula in the classrooms than in their contents. Additional analyses show that this result is confirmed in other African countries. As a background analysis, we present the origins of SBA, define its purposes and assess its limits from a pedagogical point of view. The weaknesses of this approach in taking into account the needs and the realities of African educational systems are stressed. These various elements lead to the conclusion that if curriculum reforms are often necessary in African countries, this can not be a cure for education quality issues.     

Organic-inorganic material for the consolidation of plaster

Organic-inorganic materials to be used as hydrophobic consolidants for plasters were synthesized starting from an inorganic precursor (Tetraethoxysilane [TEOS]), added to a polysiloxane epoxy formulation and thermally cured with Ytterbium as acid catalyst. The TEOS reduces the viscosity of the resin, contributing to the mechanical properties of the film, without causing cracking. Solvents, that are harmful for workers and environment and show some drawbacks in the practice of restoration, were not used. The film properties and the formation of silica clusters were investigated. The products were applied by brush on plaster's samples and their compatibility and effectiveness were verified. Thanks to the organic content, the products penetrate deeply, are more stable to photo-oxidative degradation, and the hydrophobicity of the resin, provided by the silicone component, is not altered.     

Relationships among training stress, mood and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate/cortisol ratio in female cyclists

In this study, we examined the effect of rapidly increased training volume and intensity on hormonal responses (salivary cortisol [C] and urinary dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate [DHEA-S]) and recovery-stress state perceived by 12 female cyclists. Over the 4-day experimental period, there was an average increase in training load of approximately 122% compared with that during the previous 12 days. Scores on subscales of the Recovery Stress Questionnaire for Athletes increased for the somatic component of stress (Fatigue, Emotional Stress and Social Stress; P<0.05) and decreased the factor indicating recovery (General Well Being; P<0.05) after the heavy training period. The training programme increased resting concentrations of salivary cortisol (P<0.05) and decreased the DHEA-S/C ratio (P<0.05). The increase in training load of cyclists was correlated with this hormonal ratio (r=-0.48, P<0.05). Changes in resting cortisol concentration as a result of heavy training stress were positively related to the change in Physical Complaints (r=0.69, P<0.01). Negative relationships were also found between changes in the DHEA-S/C ratio and changes in the somatic component of stress. The present results suggest that there is a dose-response relationship between increased training load, resting DHEA-S/C ratio and subjective assessment of stress and recovery, implying that this ratio could be used as an indicator of training status in female athletes.     

Using VR for Efficient Training of Forestry Machine Operators

This paper presents the results of two years of field trials of a 3D graphical simulator of forestry machines called processing harvesters, for the training of students in wood harvesting.It is a comparative study of the results between the traditional training where students go directly from the classroom to real machine operation in the woods and a new VR augmented training. The results indicate that the addition of 25 hours of hands-on VR training increases by 23% the volume of wood harvested and reduces by 26% the repair and maintenance costs during the first month of operation in forest.The use of VR also allowed precise recording and monitoring of the evolution of trainees' performance during their training sessions, showing learning curves that decrease with time for all the defined performance criteria (execution time, error rate and precision).The field trials were held in a training center with four classes of eleven students in wood harvesting and are the first known experiments concerning the use of virtual reality technologies for the training of students in forestry.     

A user-friendly calibration system for bicycle ergometers, home trainers and bicycle power monitoring devices

In this study, a new system for the calibration of bicycle ergometers, home trainers and bicycle power monitoring devices is described. This system contains a portable calibration rig as well as a specialised calibration software and is designed for easy and efficient use directly on-site by non-expert personnel. Key features of the calibration rig include a cradle used to implement a torque reaction measurement technique, roller casters, sliding coupling, and crowned splines to facilitate and speed up the calibration process. The maximum power uncertainty delivered by the calibration rig for a nominal power level range of 50–600 W is ±0.9%. A software to guide users through the calibration process and generate calibration charts is described. To illustrate how the calibration system is typically used, the calibration charts of two different brands of home trainers have been obtained, and the power output measurement accuracy of two bicycle power monitoring devices has been determined. Power discrepancies were noted. The results in this study reveal that the calibration system is an effective tool in characterising the behaviour of home trainers.     

Road bike comfort: on the measurement of vibrations induced to cyclist

With ride quality being one of the most sought-after characteristics of a road bicycle by customers as well as by bicycle manufacturers, the vibrational behaviour of the bicycle/cyclist system has grown into an active field in sport engineering research in recent years. When assessing bicycle transmissibility and ride comfort, it is important to control test conditions to obtain repeatable load and acceleration measurements at the cyclist’s contact points with the bicycle. Surprisingly, however, this consideration has not yet been specifically addressed in the literature. The aim of this paper is a first effort to investigate the effect of a selected set of test conditions on the measurement of vibration induced to the cyclist by a road bicycle. Our results showed that all the test conditions selected had a significant effect on the level of vibration induced to the cyclist.     

On the Nature of Quantons

Science &; Education -     

Réformes Des Programmes Scolaires Et Acquisitions á L’école Primaire En Afrique: Mythes Et Réalités

SCHOOL CURRICULA REFORMS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN AFRICA: MYTH VS. REALITY - This paper proposes a critical analysis of the introduction and implementation of new school curricula in Africa based on the example of the skills based approach (SBA). In many countries, the SBA has been chosen as the most appropriate and relevant method to change their school curriculum and improve education quality. We analyse the implementation of those new curricula based on the SBA in primary schools in Mauritania. The results show that the main problems affecting pupils’ achievement lie rather in the effective implementation of curricula in the classrooms than in their contents. Additional analyses show that this result is confirmed in other African countries. As a background analysis, we present the origins of SBA, define its purposes and assess its limits from a pedagogical point of view. The weaknesses of this approach in taking into account the needs and the realities of African educational systems are stressed. These various elements lead to the conclusion that if curriculum reforms are often necessary in African countries, this can not be a cure for education quality issues.     

Relationships among training stress,mood and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate/cortisol ratio in female cyclists

Abstract

In this study, we examined the effect of rapidly increased training volume and intensity on hormonal responses (salivary cortisol [C] and urinary dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate [DHEA-S]) and recovery-stress state perceived by 12 female cyclists. Over the 4-day experimental period, there was an average increase in training load of approximately 122% compared with that during the previous 12 days. Scores on subscales of the Recovery Stress Questionnaire for Athletes increased for the somatic component of stress (Fatigue, Emotional Stress and Social Stress; P < 0.05) and decreased the factor indicating recovery (General Well Being; P < 0.05) after the heavy training period. The training programme increased resting concentrations of salivary cortisol (P < 0.05) and decreased the DHEA-S/C ratio (P < 0.05). The increase in training load of cyclists was correlated with this hormonal ratio (r = ?0.48, P < 0.05). Changes in resting cortisol concentration as a result of heavy training stress were positively related to the change in Physical Complaints (r = 0.69, P < 0.01). Negative relationships were also found between changes in the DHEA-S/C ratio and changes in the somatic component of stress. The present results suggest that there is a dose–response relationship between increased training load, resting DHEA-S/C ratio and subjective assessment of stress and recovery, implying that this ratio could be used as an indicator of training status in female athletes.