Variations of Symbolic Power and Control in the One-to-One Computing Classroom: Swedish Teachers’ Enacted Didactical Design Decisions

This study provides new insights into Swedish teachers’ didactical designs when handling two contemporary challenges regarding the new national curriculum and the increasing digitalisation of schools through one-to-one computing initiatives. The research questions consider how teachers organise physical and digital resources in their classrooms as well as variations in teachers’ pedagogical communication. From a study of 23 one-to-one computing classrooms (using tablets), some ethnographic-inspired methods were applied based on classroom observation and recordings of teachers’ teaching. The findings show two distinct forms of teachers’ classroom organisation that indicate different didactical designs used by teachers to integrate one-to-one computing into the classroom. Variations in teaching resulted in a shift of symbolic power and control from teachers to students, which exploit the potential of using one-to-one computing in the classroom.     

Zahlbegriff und Rechenfertigkeit-zur problematik der Entwicklung wissenschaftlicher begriffe

Educational Studies in Mathematics -     

Diet and Pregnancy: Health-Care Providers and Patient Behaviors

In this study, associations between health-care providers (HCPs) discussing diet with their pregnant patients and patient dietary behavior were assessed in addition to factors related to HCPs discussing diet with their patients. Questionnaires were completed by 237 pregnant women and 31 HCPs at 12 obstetrics–gynecology clinics across the United States. Patients provided versus those not provided dietary counseling by their HCP were more likely (OR = 2.17, 95%; CI = 0.75–6.25) to engage in healthy dietary practices. HCPs that discussed multiple health behaviors were nearly four times more likely to discuss diet with their pregnant patients compared with HCP who did not discuss other health behaviors (OR = 3.67, 95%; CI = 1.10–12.28). This study indicates that HCP education can positively impact dietary behaviors of their pregnant patients.     

Mobile microlearning design and effects on learning efficacy and learner experience

Mobile microlearning platforms have increased over the years. Literature shows that platforms use specific instructions or media, such as videos or multiformat materials (e.g., text, audio, quizzes, hands-on exercises). However, few studies investigate whether or how specific design principles used on these platforms contribute to learning efficacy. A mobile microlearning course for journalism education was developed using the design principles and instructional flow reported in literature. The goal of this formative research was to study the mobile microcourse’s learning efficacy, defined as effectiveness, efficiency, and appeal. Learners’ knowledge before and after the mobile microcourse was analyzed using semistructured questionnaires as well as pretests and posttests to measure differences. The results indicate that learners of this mobile microcourse had an increase in knowledge, more certainty in decisions about practical applications, and an increase in confidence in performing skills. However, automated feedback, timed gamified exercises, and interactive real-world content indicate room for improvement to enhance effective learning.

     

Proof and application

This paper outlines an epistemological conception which attempts to relate the formal aspects of mathematical proof to its pragmatic dimensions. In addition to the key concept of application, the paper makes use of several concepts from the domain of analytical philosophy, to present a view of proof that might best be categorized as a dialectical one. A number of implications for teaching are discussed.