Background: Globally, women constitute 49.6% of the world population and at least 500 million women and girls lack adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management. In Nigeria, a quarter of women lack adequate pri...Background: Globally, women constitute 49.6% of the world population and at least 500 million women and girls lack adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management. In Nigeria, a quarter of women lack adequate privacy for defecation and menstrual hygiene management. Absence of facilities needed for menstrual hygiene can pose as obstacle to women and girls practicing menstrual hygiene effectively. This study aims to identify the facilities and misconceptions concerning menstrual health and menstrual hygiene management. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 169 young males and females of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Theological Seminary, Jos North, Plateau State. This study sought to identify the facilities and misconceptions concerning menstrual health and menstrual hygiene management among young people in Jos, Plateau State. Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used in this study and data was collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaire to measure availability of facilities/programs for menstrual hygiene management and misconceptions about menstruation. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0 with descriptive statistics, proportions, tables and diagrams used to illustrate findings from the data collected. Results: Majority 139 (82.2%) of the female respondents had access to adequate water supply, while 30 (17.8%) did not have access to the adequate water supply. About half, 53.8% had bathrooms with doors and safe locks, 19.5% had a school clinic where menstrual absorbents can be gotten, 10 (5.9%) had Girl’s Club/Peer Education teams, 24 (14.2%) had guidance and counselling classes. Programmes available to female respondents for menstrual health and hygiene management were girls club and guidance and counselling sessions. Majority 94 (97.9) of females have access to some form of menstrual adsorbent material, and 50 (52.1%) had no access to Sanitary pads. Most females 80 (80.3%) have access to soap, 46 (47.9%) do not have access to privacy at home when faced with changing their pads or menstrual adsorbent, while 84 (87.5%) had access to privacy while in school, 46.7% of respondents were aware of misconceptions/taboos, which included that women should not cook when menstruating (19.5% of respondents), and women should stay away from public activities during menstruation (13.6%). Conclusion: A sixth of the women had no access to adequate water, half had bathrooms without locks, over half had no access to sanitary pads, there were misconceptions that can be dispelled using health education and enlightenment on proper menstrual health and hygiene.展开更多
Dehydration and volume depletion describe two distinct body fluid deficit disorders with differing pathophysiology,clinical manifestations and treatment approaches.However,the two are often confused or equated with ea...Dehydration and volume depletion describe two distinct body fluid deficit disorders with differing pathophysiology,clinical manifestations and treatment approaches.However,the two are often confused or equated with each other.Here,we address a number of commonly encountered misconceptions about body-fluid deficit disorders,analyse their origins and propose approaches to overcome them.展开更多
In 2015, about 35 million people died of HIV infection globally, with about 36.7 million infected. Most of the infection occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa. Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS exist mostly in developing countri...In 2015, about 35 million people died of HIV infection globally, with about 36.7 million infected. Most of the infection occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa. Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS exist mostly in developing countries. The research was a cross-sectional study, conducted in Enugu state, Nigeria. Objective was to assess key HIV misconceptions among rural community dwellers. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used, and information was collected from 296 respondents, most of whom were above 50 years of age, married, had no formal education, and were farmers. Correct responses to the misconceptions investigated were: HIV infection found only among sinners (29.7%);HIV can be transmitted by eating from the same plate with an infected person (24.7%);HIV can be transmitted through handshake (29.7%);HIV can be transmitted by touching the urine or faeces of an infected person (24.0%);HIV can be transmitted by hugging or touching an infected person (28.0%);HIV can be cured (19.9%);Praying daily can prevent HIV infection (20.3%);and Worshipping our ancestors can prevent HIV infection (27.0%). Inhabitants of rural communities are more likely to hold misconceptions about HIV. It is recommended that relevant governments in developing countries design interventions aimed at addressing misconceptions about HIV/AIDS.展开更多
What people believe about their illness may affect how they cope with it. It has been suggested that such beliefs may be commonly held within society. This cross-sectional investigation examined the cardiac beliefs an...What people believe about their illness may affect how they cope with it. It has been suggested that such beliefs may be commonly held within society. This cross-sectional investigation examined the cardiac beliefs and misconceptions among cardiac patients and people with chronic illness. Participants with a noncardiac chronic illness hold similar cardiac misconceptions to people with heart disease (p = 0.58). Both groups showed high agreement on “people with heart disease should take life easy” and “always avoid anything that might bring on angina”. People with chronic illness are more likely than cardiac patients to believe that “once you have has one heart attack you are bound to have another one”.展开更多
As a qualitative research method, the educational narrative inquiry is widely used in educational research. However, there exists some misconceptions about what is narrative inquiry and how to do educational narrative...As a qualitative research method, the educational narrative inquiry is widely used in educational research. However, there exists some misconceptions about what is narrative inquiry and how to do educational narrative inquiry among the beginners who are interested in this method. Educational narrative research can not invent education event, nor is seen as a conventional research method. And the narrative inquiry should not be considered equivalent to ordinary way of telling stories. This paper will make a brief analysis of misconceptions and problems of educational narrative inquiry to help the beginners to better understand narrative inquiry and do this kind of research in a proper way.展开更多
This paper attempts to summarize a number of research studies on numbers.The purpose of this study was to investigate and identify the obstacles encountered by students when they are dealing with number reasoning(whol...This paper attempts to summarize a number of research studies on numbers.The purpose of this study was to investigate and identify the obstacles encountered by students when they are dealing with number reasoning(whole numbers,integers,and rational numbers)and the difficulties faced by pre-service teachers in teaching arithmetic,including their misconceptions and weaknesses when they teach arithmetic and operations.There are two main sections in this paper:students’cognitive obstacles for number reasoning,and pre-service teachers’misconceptions of arithmetic.With the summarized misconceptions and obstacles of both,students and teachers,this paper provides efficient and effective thinking strategies that may help both,learners and instructors overcome obstacles,revise misconceptions,and strengthen their understanding,in order to develop proficiency in number reasoning and arithmetic operations.展开更多
Curriculum ideological and political education,an educational guideline that encourages the integration of ideological and political education in all subjects and courses,is being widely adopted in Chinese universitie...Curriculum ideological and political education,an educational guideline that encourages the integration of ideological and political education in all subjects and courses,is being widely adopted in Chinese universities.It aims to cultivate the comprehensive abilities of students with moral,intellectual,physical,and aesthetical grounding,instead of focusing on the acquisition of knowledge only.Misconceptions of this concept are still commonly seen,however,and they are hindering the effective implementation of the guideline.This paper attempts to discuss three common misconceptions and provide insights that hopefully will clear up some confusion.Some practical approaches are also proposed in the end for teachers to follow.展开更多
Concept inventory(CI)tests are used to measure students’misconception.This article investigated and concludes that the current format of these tests is unable to measure students’misconceptions since the answers cho...Concept inventory(CI)tests are used to measure students’misconception.This article investigated and concludes that the current format of these tests is unable to measure students’misconceptions since the answers choices do not reflect student lack of prior knowledge,time lapse between when they learned the subject matter and when they try to recall it,and the conditions through which students construct their knowledge.CIs are better suited as tools to evaluate the effectiveness of pedagogical effectiveness and language in communicating the material to the students.展开更多
Objective: The main aim of the survey was to assess diabetes treatment-related myths prevalent in the Indian population and if COVID-19 pandemic improved their knowledge about diabetes. Results: The survey was complet...Objective: The main aim of the survey was to assess diabetes treatment-related myths prevalent in the Indian population and if COVID-19 pandemic improved their knowledge about diabetes. Results: The survey was completed by 309 participants;66% did not have diabetes. The responses of people with diabetes and those without diabetes were similar. Survey results of the total population showed that the majority believed that diabetes treatment should start early (92.6%);87.4% believed that the treatment should start within three months of diagnosis with modern medicines;67.3% of the participants felt that allopathic medicines for diabetes were safe, 69.6% believed that if started these medications continue lifelong, and 40.5% thought they damaged all major organs. Insulin was thought to be safe by 65% of the surveyed population;60.8% believed that if they started insulin, they would need it life-long;51.5% thought that insulin was started at the last stage of diabetes;and 58.6% believed that insulin caused kidney damage. A total of 58.6% believed that herbal medicines for diabetes were safer than allopathic;76.4% did not believe that the “diabetic cure” shown through television/newspapers was safe and effective;67.3% did not believe that ayurvedic medicines cured diabetes. Of the surveyed population, 67% felt that their knowledge about diabetes improved during the pandemic and 89.3% knew that PWDs have more serious problems with covid infection. Conclusions: Our survey shows that many diabetes treatment-related myths are prevalent in the Indian population even though the COVID-19 pandemic improved their knowledge about diabetes.展开更多
Aim: To document reasons for the low uptake of Copper 380A contraceptive in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Study Design: Qualitative analysis from In-depth interviews (IDI) and Focus group discussions (FGD). Setting: Zaria,...Aim: To document reasons for the low uptake of Copper 380A contraceptive in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Study Design: Qualitative analysis from In-depth interviews (IDI) and Focus group discussions (FGD). Setting: Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Methods: Five high volume public facilities within Zaria metropolis were selected for the study (the teaching hospital, two district hospitals serving the metropolis and two primary care centers). The most experienced provider in each of these facilities was engaged in an IDI to explore reasons for the low uptake of IUD from their perspective. Similarly, a session of FGD was conducted in each of the facility involving at least eight family planning clients who were para 4 or more and not using the IUD. Results: There were a total of 397 new clients that were served various methods of contraceptive across the five facilities three months prior to the study. Intrauterine device only accounted for 11.8% of these clients while Injectable was responsible for 62% of clients. 72% of the IUD insertions took place in the teaching hospital. There were no IUD insertions in the two primary care centers within the last three months prior to study. Conclusion: Misconceptions, lack of information concerning IUD particularly at the primary care levels, lack of male involvement and providers’ incompetence were the main barriers to accessing IUD services in Zaria, Nigeria. In the course of this investigation, local Ethics were observed.展开更多
The present research studies the knowledge of 221 Ioannina’s city, located in the northwestern region of Greece, high school students on 10 environmental issues. Schoolers’ responses were collected through a “close...The present research studies the knowledge of 221 Ioannina’s city, located in the northwestern region of Greece, high school students on 10 environmental issues. Schoolers’ responses were collected through a “closed response” questionnaire distributed at three of the city’s Public High Schools. The overall picture appeared to be moderately satisfactory, as high schoolers possess a good knowledge on several environmental issues, while misconceptions on other issues, such as sustainable development, predominate. Taking into account the outcome of the present study we consider that improvements are needed in the existing Environmental Education Program in order to ameliorate their knowledge.展开更多
The aim of this study was to explore the effects of the cyclic inquiry model,conceptual change texts,and traditional instructions on promoting understanding of photosynthesis and respiration in plants.The data were ob...The aim of this study was to explore the effects of the cyclic inquiry model,conceptual change texts,and traditional instructions on promoting understanding of photosynthesis and respiration in plants.The data were obtained from 33 students in the first experimental group taught with cyclic inquiry model(CIM),34 students in the second experimental group taught with conceptual change texts(CCT),and 34 students in the control group taught with traditional instruction(TI).After instruction,data were analyzed with analysis of covariance(ANCOVA)using pre-test scores and logical thinking scores as covariates.The results indicated the cyclic inquiry model(CIM)and conceptual change texts(CCT)treatment groups significantly outperformed the traditional instruction(TI)group in understanding the photosynthesis and respiration in plants.A statistically significant difference between two experimental groups was found in favor of the of cyclic inquiry model CIM.展开更多
Any everyday subject may trigger individual conceptions either scientifically correct or naively shaped (misconceptions, alternative conceptions). For any educator, knowledge about a pupil’s individual perception may...Any everyday subject may trigger individual conceptions either scientifically correct or naively shaped (misconceptions, alternative conceptions). For any educator, knowledge about a pupil’s individual perception may strongly support teaching success. Within this context, we see the use of drinking water as daily behavior loaded with conceptions. We monitored the perceptions of two different samples, of high achieving 10th graders and of undergraduates in Biology. All participants responded to three closed and three open questions requesting individual statements about drinking water. All open questions were categorized via qualitative content analysis mainly revealing the perception of drinking water as a clean product, precisely controlled and drinkable with no need for worry. In general, some alternative conceptions did not seem differ in both samples over the time of about five years: For instance, many see our drinking water as purified in sewage plants. However, differences between individuals exist: For example, whether water is consumed as tap or bottled water. Here, some name water hardness as the reason to not drink tap water, because they think it is harmful (although the very same participants prefer bottled mineral water). Other conceptions seem to change over time, such as the estimation about the remaining time until our drinking water might be used up, or familiarity with the term “virtual water”. Summing up, we did find a positive attitude towards national drinking water policy, although major knowledge gaps need its mentioning. The relevance of these results and strategies for public and school teaching are discussed.展开更多
This paper attempted to summarize and depict a 50-minutes class for preservice elementary teachers regarding to how would they teach the number zero to students.The class was designed to promote conceptual understandi...This paper attempted to summarize and depict a 50-minutes class for preservice elementary teachers regarding to how would they teach the number zero to students.The class was designed to promote conceptual understanding of zero and to remove learners’cognitive obstacles and misconceptions of arithmetic.Preservice teachers should first be prepared with the subject matter not only how to perform arithmetic operations but how to explain why the formula works like that.展开更多
HIV/AIDS spread has opened a Pandora of medical and health problems apart from creating serious socio-psychological trauma for the victims and their families. Despite the governmental effort to curve the growing infec...HIV/AIDS spread has opened a Pandora of medical and health problems apart from creating serious socio-psychological trauma for the victims and their families. Despite the governmental effort to curve the growing infection, very little success has been achieved. The northeastern region of India presents a very peculiar situation due to recurrent insurgency in all its states for long time and thus it became instrumental in paralyzing the social and health machineries to an extent, which still deteriorated the futile national effort to check the deadly infection. The study tried to understand the level of awareness and correct knowledge among the underprivileged scheduled tribes and scheduled castes women in the age group 15 -44 by exploring data from district level of Rapid Household Reproductive and Child Health Project Phase I (1998) and Phase II (1999) for Assam, Manipur and Nagaland and suggested a strategy to control the infection in the region. It is found that HIV/AIDS awareness was 59% among the women in all the three states with very few among them who had correct understanding of its prevention. A pronounced difference in the level of awareness was observed with respect to age, economy and residential status of the respondents.展开更多
The study analyzed students’ misconception based on rough set theory and combined with interpretive structural model (ISM) to compare students’ degree of two classes. The study then has provided an effective diagnos...The study analyzed students’ misconception based on rough set theory and combined with interpretive structural model (ISM) to compare students’ degree of two classes. The study then has provided an effective diagnostic assessment tool for teachers. The participants were 30 fourth grade students in Central Taiwan, and the exam tools were produced by teachers for math exams. The study has proposed three methods to get common misconception of the students in class. These methods are “Deleting conditional attributes”, “Using Boolean logic to calculate discernable matrix”, and “Calculating significance of conditional attributes.” The results showed that students of Class A had common misconceptions but students of Class B had not common misconception. In addition, the remedial decision-making for these two classes of students is pointed out. While remedial decision-making of two classes corresponded to structural graph of concepts, it can be found the overall performance of the Class B was higher than Class A.展开更多
More often than not,people are inclined to think they have known a certain person enough by his or her everyday appearance,manners,speech and behaviors and therefore tend to draw their conclusions on what this person ...More often than not,people are inclined to think they have known a certain person enough by his or her everyday appearance,manners,speech and behaviors and therefore tend to draw their conclusions on what this person is like in nature.Nonetheless,this could be misguiding and a misconception if we don't see how he or she reacts at the turning point of matters that concern not just him or her,but also others.Time reveals a person's heart,so does the adversity as illustrated in the short story--Mr.Know All which tries to convey a key message to its readers:don't make your judgment about a book by its cover until you have read it through.展开更多
文摘Background: Globally, women constitute 49.6% of the world population and at least 500 million women and girls lack adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management. In Nigeria, a quarter of women lack adequate privacy for defecation and menstrual hygiene management. Absence of facilities needed for menstrual hygiene can pose as obstacle to women and girls practicing menstrual hygiene effectively. This study aims to identify the facilities and misconceptions concerning menstrual health and menstrual hygiene management. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 169 young males and females of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Theological Seminary, Jos North, Plateau State. This study sought to identify the facilities and misconceptions concerning menstrual health and menstrual hygiene management among young people in Jos, Plateau State. Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used in this study and data was collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaire to measure availability of facilities/programs for menstrual hygiene management and misconceptions about menstruation. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0 with descriptive statistics, proportions, tables and diagrams used to illustrate findings from the data collected. Results: Majority 139 (82.2%) of the female respondents had access to adequate water supply, while 30 (17.8%) did not have access to the adequate water supply. About half, 53.8% had bathrooms with doors and safe locks, 19.5% had a school clinic where menstrual absorbents can be gotten, 10 (5.9%) had Girl’s Club/Peer Education teams, 24 (14.2%) had guidance and counselling classes. Programmes available to female respondents for menstrual health and hygiene management were girls club and guidance and counselling sessions. Majority 94 (97.9) of females have access to some form of menstrual adsorbent material, and 50 (52.1%) had no access to Sanitary pads. Most females 80 (80.3%) have access to soap, 46 (47.9%) do not have access to privacy at home when faced with changing their pads or menstrual adsorbent, while 84 (87.5%) had access to privacy while in school, 46.7% of respondents were aware of misconceptions/taboos, which included that women should not cook when menstruating (19.5% of respondents), and women should stay away from public activities during menstruation (13.6%). Conclusion: A sixth of the women had no access to adequate water, half had bathrooms without locks, over half had no access to sanitary pads, there were misconceptions that can be dispelled using health education and enlightenment on proper menstrual health and hygiene.
文摘Dehydration and volume depletion describe two distinct body fluid deficit disorders with differing pathophysiology,clinical manifestations and treatment approaches.However,the two are often confused or equated with each other.Here,we address a number of commonly encountered misconceptions about body-fluid deficit disorders,analyse their origins and propose approaches to overcome them.
文摘In 2015, about 35 million people died of HIV infection globally, with about 36.7 million infected. Most of the infection occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa. Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS exist mostly in developing countries. The research was a cross-sectional study, conducted in Enugu state, Nigeria. Objective was to assess key HIV misconceptions among rural community dwellers. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used, and information was collected from 296 respondents, most of whom were above 50 years of age, married, had no formal education, and were farmers. Correct responses to the misconceptions investigated were: HIV infection found only among sinners (29.7%);HIV can be transmitted by eating from the same plate with an infected person (24.7%);HIV can be transmitted through handshake (29.7%);HIV can be transmitted by touching the urine or faeces of an infected person (24.0%);HIV can be transmitted by hugging or touching an infected person (28.0%);HIV can be cured (19.9%);Praying daily can prevent HIV infection (20.3%);and Worshipping our ancestors can prevent HIV infection (27.0%). Inhabitants of rural communities are more likely to hold misconceptions about HIV. It is recommended that relevant governments in developing countries design interventions aimed at addressing misconceptions about HIV/AIDS.
文摘What people believe about their illness may affect how they cope with it. It has been suggested that such beliefs may be commonly held within society. This cross-sectional investigation examined the cardiac beliefs and misconceptions among cardiac patients and people with chronic illness. Participants with a noncardiac chronic illness hold similar cardiac misconceptions to people with heart disease (p = 0.58). Both groups showed high agreement on “people with heart disease should take life easy” and “always avoid anything that might bring on angina”. People with chronic illness are more likely than cardiac patients to believe that “once you have has one heart attack you are bound to have another one”.
文摘As a qualitative research method, the educational narrative inquiry is widely used in educational research. However, there exists some misconceptions about what is narrative inquiry and how to do educational narrative inquiry among the beginners who are interested in this method. Educational narrative research can not invent education event, nor is seen as a conventional research method. And the narrative inquiry should not be considered equivalent to ordinary way of telling stories. This paper will make a brief analysis of misconceptions and problems of educational narrative inquiry to help the beginners to better understand narrative inquiry and do this kind of research in a proper way.
文摘This paper attempts to summarize a number of research studies on numbers.The purpose of this study was to investigate and identify the obstacles encountered by students when they are dealing with number reasoning(whole numbers,integers,and rational numbers)and the difficulties faced by pre-service teachers in teaching arithmetic,including their misconceptions and weaknesses when they teach arithmetic and operations.There are two main sections in this paper:students’cognitive obstacles for number reasoning,and pre-service teachers’misconceptions of arithmetic.With the summarized misconceptions and obstacles of both,students and teachers,this paper provides efficient and effective thinking strategies that may help both,learners and instructors overcome obstacles,revise misconceptions,and strengthen their understanding,in order to develop proficiency in number reasoning and arithmetic operations.
文摘Curriculum ideological and political education,an educational guideline that encourages the integration of ideological and political education in all subjects and courses,is being widely adopted in Chinese universities.It aims to cultivate the comprehensive abilities of students with moral,intellectual,physical,and aesthetical grounding,instead of focusing on the acquisition of knowledge only.Misconceptions of this concept are still commonly seen,however,and they are hindering the effective implementation of the guideline.This paper attempts to discuss three common misconceptions and provide insights that hopefully will clear up some confusion.Some practical approaches are also proposed in the end for teachers to follow.
文摘Concept inventory(CI)tests are used to measure students’misconception.This article investigated and concludes that the current format of these tests is unable to measure students’misconceptions since the answers choices do not reflect student lack of prior knowledge,time lapse between when they learned the subject matter and when they try to recall it,and the conditions through which students construct their knowledge.CIs are better suited as tools to evaluate the effectiveness of pedagogical effectiveness and language in communicating the material to the students.
文摘Objective: The main aim of the survey was to assess diabetes treatment-related myths prevalent in the Indian population and if COVID-19 pandemic improved their knowledge about diabetes. Results: The survey was completed by 309 participants;66% did not have diabetes. The responses of people with diabetes and those without diabetes were similar. Survey results of the total population showed that the majority believed that diabetes treatment should start early (92.6%);87.4% believed that the treatment should start within three months of diagnosis with modern medicines;67.3% of the participants felt that allopathic medicines for diabetes were safe, 69.6% believed that if started these medications continue lifelong, and 40.5% thought they damaged all major organs. Insulin was thought to be safe by 65% of the surveyed population;60.8% believed that if they started insulin, they would need it life-long;51.5% thought that insulin was started at the last stage of diabetes;and 58.6% believed that insulin caused kidney damage. A total of 58.6% believed that herbal medicines for diabetes were safer than allopathic;76.4% did not believe that the “diabetic cure” shown through television/newspapers was safe and effective;67.3% did not believe that ayurvedic medicines cured diabetes. Of the surveyed population, 67% felt that their knowledge about diabetes improved during the pandemic and 89.3% knew that PWDs have more serious problems with covid infection. Conclusions: Our survey shows that many diabetes treatment-related myths are prevalent in the Indian population even though the COVID-19 pandemic improved their knowledge about diabetes.
文摘Aim: To document reasons for the low uptake of Copper 380A contraceptive in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Study Design: Qualitative analysis from In-depth interviews (IDI) and Focus group discussions (FGD). Setting: Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Methods: Five high volume public facilities within Zaria metropolis were selected for the study (the teaching hospital, two district hospitals serving the metropolis and two primary care centers). The most experienced provider in each of these facilities was engaged in an IDI to explore reasons for the low uptake of IUD from their perspective. Similarly, a session of FGD was conducted in each of the facility involving at least eight family planning clients who were para 4 or more and not using the IUD. Results: There were a total of 397 new clients that were served various methods of contraceptive across the five facilities three months prior to the study. Intrauterine device only accounted for 11.8% of these clients while Injectable was responsible for 62% of clients. 72% of the IUD insertions took place in the teaching hospital. There were no IUD insertions in the two primary care centers within the last three months prior to study. Conclusion: Misconceptions, lack of information concerning IUD particularly at the primary care levels, lack of male involvement and providers’ incompetence were the main barriers to accessing IUD services in Zaria, Nigeria. In the course of this investigation, local Ethics were observed.
文摘The present research studies the knowledge of 221 Ioannina’s city, located in the northwestern region of Greece, high school students on 10 environmental issues. Schoolers’ responses were collected through a “closed response” questionnaire distributed at three of the city’s Public High Schools. The overall picture appeared to be moderately satisfactory, as high schoolers possess a good knowledge on several environmental issues, while misconceptions on other issues, such as sustainable development, predominate. Taking into account the outcome of the present study we consider that improvements are needed in the existing Environmental Education Program in order to ameliorate their knowledge.
文摘The aim of this study was to explore the effects of the cyclic inquiry model,conceptual change texts,and traditional instructions on promoting understanding of photosynthesis and respiration in plants.The data were obtained from 33 students in the first experimental group taught with cyclic inquiry model(CIM),34 students in the second experimental group taught with conceptual change texts(CCT),and 34 students in the control group taught with traditional instruction(TI).After instruction,data were analyzed with analysis of covariance(ANCOVA)using pre-test scores and logical thinking scores as covariates.The results indicated the cyclic inquiry model(CIM)and conceptual change texts(CCT)treatment groups significantly outperformed the traditional instruction(TI)group in understanding the photosynthesis and respiration in plants.A statistically significant difference between two experimental groups was found in favor of the of cyclic inquiry model CIM.
基金supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research(BMBF):“RiSKWa-Verbundprojekt PRiMaT:Praventives Risikomanagement in der Trinkwasserversorgung”(code:02WRS1279L).
文摘Any everyday subject may trigger individual conceptions either scientifically correct or naively shaped (misconceptions, alternative conceptions). For any educator, knowledge about a pupil’s individual perception may strongly support teaching success. Within this context, we see the use of drinking water as daily behavior loaded with conceptions. We monitored the perceptions of two different samples, of high achieving 10th graders and of undergraduates in Biology. All participants responded to three closed and three open questions requesting individual statements about drinking water. All open questions were categorized via qualitative content analysis mainly revealing the perception of drinking water as a clean product, precisely controlled and drinkable with no need for worry. In general, some alternative conceptions did not seem differ in both samples over the time of about five years: For instance, many see our drinking water as purified in sewage plants. However, differences between individuals exist: For example, whether water is consumed as tap or bottled water. Here, some name water hardness as the reason to not drink tap water, because they think it is harmful (although the very same participants prefer bottled mineral water). Other conceptions seem to change over time, such as the estimation about the remaining time until our drinking water might be used up, or familiarity with the term “virtual water”. Summing up, we did find a positive attitude towards national drinking water policy, although major knowledge gaps need its mentioning. The relevance of these results and strategies for public and school teaching are discussed.
文摘This paper attempted to summarize and depict a 50-minutes class for preservice elementary teachers regarding to how would they teach the number zero to students.The class was designed to promote conceptual understanding of zero and to remove learners’cognitive obstacles and misconceptions of arithmetic.Preservice teachers should first be prepared with the subject matter not only how to perform arithmetic operations but how to explain why the formula works like that.
文摘HIV/AIDS spread has opened a Pandora of medical and health problems apart from creating serious socio-psychological trauma for the victims and their families. Despite the governmental effort to curve the growing infection, very little success has been achieved. The northeastern region of India presents a very peculiar situation due to recurrent insurgency in all its states for long time and thus it became instrumental in paralyzing the social and health machineries to an extent, which still deteriorated the futile national effort to check the deadly infection. The study tried to understand the level of awareness and correct knowledge among the underprivileged scheduled tribes and scheduled castes women in the age group 15 -44 by exploring data from district level of Rapid Household Reproductive and Child Health Project Phase I (1998) and Phase II (1999) for Assam, Manipur and Nagaland and suggested a strategy to control the infection in the region. It is found that HIV/AIDS awareness was 59% among the women in all the three states with very few among them who had correct understanding of its prevention. A pronounced difference in the level of awareness was observed with respect to age, economy and residential status of the respondents.
文摘The study analyzed students’ misconception based on rough set theory and combined with interpretive structural model (ISM) to compare students’ degree of two classes. The study then has provided an effective diagnostic assessment tool for teachers. The participants were 30 fourth grade students in Central Taiwan, and the exam tools were produced by teachers for math exams. The study has proposed three methods to get common misconception of the students in class. These methods are “Deleting conditional attributes”, “Using Boolean logic to calculate discernable matrix”, and “Calculating significance of conditional attributes.” The results showed that students of Class A had common misconceptions but students of Class B had not common misconception. In addition, the remedial decision-making for these two classes of students is pointed out. While remedial decision-making of two classes corresponded to structural graph of concepts, it can be found the overall performance of the Class B was higher than Class A.
文摘More often than not,people are inclined to think they have known a certain person enough by his or her everyday appearance,manners,speech and behaviors and therefore tend to draw their conclusions on what this person is like in nature.Nonetheless,this could be misguiding and a misconception if we don't see how he or she reacts at the turning point of matters that concern not just him or her,but also others.Time reveals a person's heart,so does the adversity as illustrated in the short story--Mr.Know All which tries to convey a key message to its readers:don't make your judgment about a book by its cover until you have read it through.