DigitUMa
Repositório Institucional da Universidade da Madeira
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Collaborative learning: team size and the scientific field as influencers
Publication . Pacheco, Dulce; Pacheco, Dulce; Soares, Luísa; Soares, Luísa; Soares, Ana Luisa
Some individuals seem to intuitively collaborate better in teams, and some teams have repetitively
superior results. Cooperative work is a growing need in all workplaces, and it has been thoroughly
studied. However, literature has not yet clearly identified its predictors, as it does not present
consistent results. Some authors report a reluctance in students to collaborate in teams, whereas
others describe its huge advantages. This work intends to explore variables that might influence
collaborative learning. We hypothesize that the team size and the scientific field of the students
might affect team collaboration and team performance. In this study with Pre- and Post-test, team
collaboration was measured using the Team Collaboration Evaluator (TCE) and team performance
was assessed by the students’ perceived team effectiveness and by the final project grade given
by the instructors. Analysis of a sample of 99 students, from both Computer Science and
Psychology bachelor programs, indicates that larger teams show lower team collaboration, but
higher team performance. Collected data confirm differences in the evolution of the perceived team
collaboration, according to the students’ scientific field. Results are discussed considering the
Team Collaboration Evaluator framework.
Co-work between university teachers: is it possible to build a common language?
Publication . Soares, Luísa; Pacheco, Dulce; Soares, Ana Luisa; Soares, Luísa; Pacheco, Dulce
Some of the ideas/categories that resulted from this work suggest a common language should be built between different professionals that work together: i) consider the human side of technology; ii) important behaviours for team work are complementarity, cohesion and synchronization; iii) attention to details motivates students; iv) stimulate new experiences/new thoughts; v) master four different abilities: inform, educate, inspire and entertain; vi) the essential will always remain, although times are changing and new fields of science are coming; vii) the web changed the way we work and learn and that´s more important than the way we interact with the contents of the web; viii) technology should improve teaching skills; ix) working together can be painful, so eliminating personnel barriers could result in a good cooperation/collaboration; x) team building; xi) create relevant contents; xii) build channels to reach all over the world; xiii) bridging programs can be very useful after a 1st graduation course where the main abilities from one area are already consolidated; xiv) Commitment to the team goals; xv) Psychologists are needed in teams and xv) dream university is the one that has pleasant and large spaces to be used by people and to inspire them.
Programa de treino de competências lógico-matemáticas na Educação Pré-Escolar
Publication . Ferraz, Inês; Pocinho, Margarida; Ferraz, Inês; Pocinho, Margarida; Pocinho, Margarida
Students' opinion on physical education and school: an association with academic performance
Publication . Lopes, Helder; Lopes, Helder; Gouveia, Élvio; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Gouveia, Elvio Rúbio; Gouveia, Elvio Rúbio; Marques, Adilson; Marques, Adilson; Gouveia, Bruna R.; Gouveia, Bruna; Fernando, Catarina; Fernando, Catarina; Prudente, João; Prudente, João Filipe; Correia, Ana L.; Alves, Ricardo; Alves, Ricardo; Velosa Barreto Ferreira Alves, José Ricardo; Rodrigues, Ana; Rodrigues, Ana
The aims of this study were: (i) to characterize students' opinion on Physical Education (PE) and on the
School and (ii) to analyze the associations between opinion about PE, gender, age, and academic
performance. The sample was composed by 599 students (264 boys and 335 girls), aged 10 to 22 years
(14.76 ± 2.42). A subsample of 154 students (76 boys and 78 girls, 14.33 ± 2.14) were evaluated in academic
performance. The students' opinion about PE and the School was evaluated through a questionnaire with a
Likert scale response. The academic performance assessment was based on the curricular evaluation at the
end of the 3rd period. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test the normality of the distributions of the
variables. Student's t-test was used to determine the differences between groups in variables with normal
distribution and Pearson correlations to study the associations. The students' opinion regarding PE was
mostly positive (70%). Lower values were found in relation to the opinion on School (40.8%). The opinion
about PE was influenced by the grade achieved in the subject, but was not influenced by the overall academic
performance. With increasing age, boys like PE and School less and less. Further research on the reasons
underlying the results obtained can contribute to the acknowledgment of PE as a powerful instrument to
dynamize changes in the pedagogical process in Schools.
Associations of physical activity with body composition and aerobic capacity in adults with Down syndrome
Publication . Rodrigues, Ana; Rodrigues, Ana; Antunes, Hélio; Antunes, Hélio; Alves, Ricardo; Alves, Ricardo; Velosa Barreto Ferreira Alves, José Ricardo; Sousa, Duarte; Sousa, Duarte; Lopes, Helder; Lopes, Helder; Prudente, João; Prudente, João Filipe
The characterization of physical activity profile and the relation with health indicators is still an issue to explore
in populations with Down Syndrome. With the development of this study we intend to: (i) describe the levels
of physical activity, aerobic capacity and body composition of participants, considering gender and age, (ii)
analyse the association between physical activity levels and aerobic capacity and body composition. In this
study participated 26 subjects (16 males and 10 females) with Down syndrome, aged between 19 and 41
years (27.33±11.93). All participants were evaluated in physical activity using a pedometer (one week),
aerobic capacity (AAHPERD, 1998), weight and height. Reduced levels of physical activity
(4073.71±1217.69 steps/day) and aerobic capacity (3.09±.90 minutes) were observed among participants.
The prevalence of obesity was 36.4% and 13.6% overweight, 50% of the participants presented the
recommended weight. However, none of the analysed parameters shows differences between sexes (p>.05),
nor association between age and the indicators evaluated (p>.05). Physical activity has been shown to be
associated with: (i) body mass index (r=-.747, p<.001) and (ii) with cardiorespiratory capacity (r=.458,
p=.019). It is necessary to develop programs and policies to promote physical activity in this population, in
order to prevent the development of various pathologies.