Facilitating self-directed learning (SDL) and satisfaction with SDL among pre-university students     

Miranda P. Yeoh  Enzo Ierardi  Ljubomir A. Jacić 《Educational studies》2017,43(5):584-599

The aim of the study was to evaluate our practice of self-directed learning (SDL) among pre-university students in Malaysia. Respondents provided data on their previous school learning experiences besides present SDL experiences in college. We carried out exploratory factor analysis based on the school data. We did a confirmatory factor analysis using College SDL experiences of students. Given high similarities between the measurement models, we decided to use the original structure of the instrument. Students provided feedback using a questionnaire based on Prociuk’s. A large majority declared that they needed SDL experiences which they lacked while at school. The study also showed that students had rated their SDL experiences in college more positively than in school, on four factors of SDL experiences. Pearson correlations showed that “knowledgeable and organised teachers” and “promotion of active learning” correlated significantly with students’ current satisfaction with SDL in college.  相似文献   

Is there a real diagnostic impact of elastosonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the management of thyroid nodules?     

Massimo GIUSTI  Davide ORLANDI  Giulia MELLE  Barbara MASSA  Enzo SILVESTRI  Francesco MINUTO  Gianni TURTULICI 《Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B》2013,14(3):195-206

Ultrasonography(US) and the new applications US elastography(USE) and contrast-enhanced US(CEUS) are used in the screening of thyroid nodules,for which fine-needle aspiration biopsy(FNAB) is the best single diagnostic test.The aim of the study was to compare the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),and accuracy of the four examinations in nodules with cytological and histological diagnoses.The study used data from US,FNAB,USE(elasticity(ELX 2/1) index),and CEUS(Peak index and time to peak(TTP) index) evaluated in 73 thyroid nodules in 63 consecutive patients likely to undergo surgery.Cytological-histological correlation was available for 38 nodules.No correlation emerged between nodule size and cytological results.A significant(P=0.03) positive correlation between cumulative US findings and cytological results was found.In addition,significant correlations between cumulative US findings and cytology(P=0.02) and between cumulative US findings and histology(P<0.0001) were found.US showed the best specificity and PPV,and FNAB the best sensitivity.There was no significant difference in the ELX 2/1 index,Peak index,or TTP index among nodules subdivided according to cytological scores.No significant correlation was found between ELX 2/1 index,Peak index,and TTP index,on the one hand,and nodule size,US cumulative findings,cytology,and histology on the other hand.The sensitivity of the ELX 2/1 index was high,but its specificity was very low.The accuracy and PPV of USE were lower than those of the other procedures.Only the correlation between Peak index and cumulative US findings reached a value close to significance.Our ultimate aim is to minimise unnecessary thyroidectomy.US and FNAB continue to play a central diagnostic role.The use of a US score showed high specificity and PPV.The specificity of FNAB was low in this selected series because of the numbers of indeterminate cytological responses.USE and CEUS are innovative techniques that need to be standardized.The ELX 2/1 index,Peak index,and TTP index seem to be unrelated to histology.The best statistical data on USE and CEUS concerned their sensitivity and PPV,respectively.At present,USE and CEUS are too time-consuming and of limited utility in selecting patients for surgery.  相似文献   

Tablets as an educational tool for enhancing preschool science     

Melina Furman  Susan De Angelis  Enzo Dominguez Prost  Inés Taylor 《International Journal of Early Years Education》2019,27(1):6-19

Information communication technologies (ICT) is increasingly being introduced in the preschool level, but questions have been raised regarding its potential to develop content knowledge or specific skills. This quasi-experimental study looked into the impact that hand-held tablets can have on science learning outcomes in five-year-olds. Four classes from two preschool institutions in Buenos Aires, Argentina, were selected for a six-week intervention. All four classes received training and an inquiry-based science teaching sequence, with one group from each institution also receiving tablets and specific guidance on how to incorporate them into their science lessons. Post-intervention test results showed significant improvements in science outcomes for all students, but no significant difference between the tablet-enhanced classrooms and those taught without ICT. Challenges and opportunities are discussed with regard to including tablets for teaching science at the preschool level.  相似文献   

Laser scanning and digital imaging for the investigation of an ancient building: Palazzo d’Accursio study case (Bologna,Italy)     

Arianna Pesci  Elena Bonali  Claudio Galli  Enzo Boschi 《Journal of Cultural Heritage》2012,13(2):215-220

This paper describes a scientific approach aimed at studying the ancient part of Palazzo d’Accursio (Bologna, Italy), a masonry building which is part of the Italian cultural heritage. Laser scanning and the inspection of digital images are used to detect traces of restoration works and other interesting features related to both architectural marks and natural or anthropic events. One of the main elements of the method is the analysis of residual maps, obtained by computing the differences between the point coordinates of the façade and reference fit planes. The obtained results, based on both radiometric and geometrical analysis, are used to provide a reasonable hypothesis as to the original configuration of the studied building, while taking into account the available historical information about the constructive phases of the building.  相似文献