In this article, the work of John Dewey is recontextualised and proposed as a basis for contemporary early childhood education for sustainability (ECEfS). Five key themes are explored: experiential ...learning; curiosity and critical thinking; children's experiences in nature; democracy and participation and classroom as community. In each case, claims are made through aligning the work of Dewey with exemplars from current early childhood practice. The focus is reflection upon the educator as facilitator of dynamic interactions between the learner and her/his experiences, fostering individual growth, influencing social change and, thus, creating possibilities for implementation of ECEfS within early years classrooms.
Objective: Health literacy is a determinant of health, but disparities in health literacy persist. This study examined the influence of ecological factors on college students' health literacy. ...Participants: During January 2016 a nonrandom sample of black undergraduate students (n = 298) aged 18-24 were recruited from enrollment lists at two urban universities in the Southeastern United States. Methods: Information on health literacy as well as numerous intrapersonal, social, and cultural-environment factors was obtained using an electronic questionnaire and then statistically modeled. Results: Ecological factors accounted for 28.7% of the variance in health literacy. In particular, reappraisal (B = 0.323, p < .001), suppression (B = −0.289, p < .001), campus health education (B = 0.192, p < .05), campus tobacco culture (B = −0.174, p < .05), and perceived norms (B = −0.153, p < .05) directly predicted health literacy. Conclusions: Although intrapersonal factors influence health literacy, the sociocultural environment of college can also foster or hinder college students' health literacy.
En la interfase ciudad-comunidades rurales del área metropolitana del Valle de Puebla se tienen establecidas siete áreas naturales protegidas periurbanas. El objetivo de esta investigación fue tener ...un diagnóstico exploratorio de su condición actual y de los factores que inciden en su pérdida territorial y deterioro ecológico. Estas áreas no están funcionando como estrategias de conservación debido a que carecen de una delimitación espacial precisa y de un plan de manejo, son desconocidas por la mayoría de los habitantes del área, carecen de un presupuesto para su gestión, hay venta de tierras y persisten las actividades productivas y extractivas.
In the city-rural communities interface of the Puebla Valley seven periurban protected natural areas have been established. The objective of this investigation was to have an exploratory diagnosis of their current status and of the factors that affect their territorial loss and its ecological deterioration. These areas are not functioning as conservation strategies, because they lack a precise spatial delimitation and a management plan, they are unknown to most of the inhabitants of the area, they lack a budget for their management, the sale of lands and the productive and extractive activities.
Purpose: Awareness of the interaction between science, technology, society, and environment (STSE) is seen as important in life in the modern world. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the ...science teacher candidates' views on relations between science, technology, society, and environment. Research Methods: In this research, which used the phenomenographic study method, the data were obtained through drawings and interviews. The participants in this research consisted of 145 volunteer students who were studying in science teaching at a state university in Turkey during the 2018-2019 academic years. Content analysis and descriptive analysis methods were used to analyze the obtained data. Findings: Research findings revealed that science teacher candidates' understanding regarding STSE was the superficial correlation of these four concepts with each other. The majority of science teacher candidates had partial information and image of STSE. Science teacher candidates predominantly made drawings and expressed opinions regarding the negative effects of technology on society and environment and negative effects of humans on the environment. In addition, it was observed that the concepts of socioscientific issues, the nature of science and sustainable development were emerged implicitly in the drawings and views of some of the science teacher candidates regarding the STSE. Implications for Research and Practice: In the light of these results, it can be suggested to organize learning environments where the STSE relationship can be learned more deeply by science teacher candidates. It can be recommended to develop sustainable development awareness within the scope of STSE.
The present study aimed to assess the interaction between familial and cultural factors on child problem behaviors of learning disabled children aged between 7 and 14 within the perspective of ...ecocultural theory (N = 90). Mothers completed the Family Support Scale, Portrait Values Questionnaire, and Social-Demographical Form, and teachers completed Specific Learning Disability Symptom Checklist and Child Behavior Problem Scale. Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and Hayes' moderation analysis were conducted. After testing the relationship between support resources and problem behaviors, support analyses were repeated after including learning disability (LD) level. Finally, the effect of cultural values on perceived support resources and child problem behaviors after controlling child LD level was investigated. The findings of this study revealed that ideas about child development depend on cultural and individual factors, and a culturally sensitive understanding of child behaviors can guide researchers in developing more effective intervention programs, particularly for children with LD.
The application of ArcGIS and Maxent modelto analyze the ecological suitability of Gardenia jasminoides.Taking 85 batches of Gardenia as the basis of analysis, the selection of ecological factors for ...the growth of Gardenia. The results showed that the average precipitation in April, the average precipitation in November and the average precipitation in August were the most important factors affecting the growth of Gardenia. The relative concentration of Gardenia suitable growth region,north to the south of Shaanxi province, south of Henan, central Anhui, south to the north of Hainan province, west to central Sichuan province, east of Zhejiang coastal area, northeast of Taiwan.
There are complex relationships among individual, family, community, and social factors related to breastfeeding. Immigrant mothers, specifically, face several unique challenges to practicing ...breastfeeding while negotiating these factors within two cultural worlds. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior and the ecological perspective, our qualitative study findings unveil a part of the complex and dynamic process of breastfeeding decision-making among Korean immigrant mothers in the United States. To elicit mothers’ underlying beliefs of attitude and intention toward breastfeeding as immigrants, we conducted in-person interviews with 13 pregnant and postpartum Korean immigrant mothers, ages ranging from 30 to 39. The findings revealed that Korean mothers held positive attitudes toward breastfeeding. However, translation of these positive attitudes toward breastfeeding into actual practice depended on the feasibility of actual breastfeeding by mothers. To overcome several barriers to breastfeeding, such as inadequate milk supply, health concerns, employment status, and the relationship with a firstborn child, many Korean mothers combined breastfeeding with formula feeding. The factors that shaped the development of beliefs and behavioral intentions toward breastfeeding among Korean immigrant mothers included the dynamic family interactions with their children, husbands, mothers, mothers-in-law, and sisters; support from friends and infant care experts; information available through various technology and media; and Korean-specific cultural traditions. Our findings suggest possible directions for future cross-cultural research on breastfeeding within diverse family contexts, and may inform the design of population specific intervention programs.
Differences in advertisement calls and calling sites are important mechanisms that regulate interactions in anuran assemblages. Individuals might have preferences for ranges of acoustic parameters ...and calling sites that reduce overlap and ensure coexistence. Herein, acoustic and ecological data were used to investigate the relationships among 12 anurans that co-occur in temporary ponds in the Caatinga, Cabaceiras municipality, Paraíba state, Brazil. Anurans exhibited calling activity correlated with rainfall, but were also spatially dispersed. High overlap levels in calling microhabitats and acoustic parameters were observed, especially among pairs of closely related species. Analysis of null models showed a lack of structure in the spatial and acoustic niche, indicating the lack of detected competition. Results suggest that the calling activity of the species is strongly influenced by rainfall, moreover, the temporal partition appears to ensure coexistence. Finally, strong historical effects were detected in Leiuperinae, Leptodactylidae and in the partition Hylidae–Leptodactyliformes.
Neoliberal policy objectives perpetuate an audit culture at both school and system levels. The associated focus on performativity and accountability can result in reductive and procedural ...interpretations of classroom assessment for learning (AfL) practices. Set in a New Zealand AfL professional development context, this research takes an ecological view of teacher learning as a ground-up approach to improving practice. As a framework, this paper brings together an intersubjective conception of professional learning that positions teachers as co-leaders, principles inherent in 'the spirit of AfL', and the notion of 'intelligent accountability' to illustrate evidence-informed teacher agency. It applies divergent and dialogic AfL practices to professional learning that can enable teachers to connect with issues that are most relevant to their practice. Dialogic feedback practices of this nature position teachers as capable, reflexive and resourceful practitioners and decision-makers.
Multifunctionality in agriculture has received a lot of attention the last decade from researchers and policy-makers alike, perhaps most notably evidenced by the important changes made to the EU's ...Common Agricultural Policy. While the concept has been embraced by environmentalists envisioning positive impulses for decoupling and a range of local stakeholders recognizing implicit marketing opportunities involved, it has also been criticized as a mere argument in favour of disguised protectionism. Problematic in this discussion is the lack of an operationalising framework for the assessment of multiple functions. In this paper, we discuss such a framework and the role it can play in the decision-making process. Focusing on a case study about olive farming on sloping and mountainous land in northeastern Portugal, the contribution discusses methods for studying multiple functions of agro-ecosystems. While function assessment is presented from a research perspective, its relevance for stakeholders is also stressed here. By using the metaphor of a house, the method could appeal to a wide range of actors. In the case study, we conclude that olive groves on sloping and mountainous land particularly fall short in supplying ecological functions. They do however contribute significantly to the local economy, generate employment and perform an important role in maintaining the cultural landscape and identity, and are thus vital to regional development and to stop outmigration of the population. Policy-makers could use the function assessment tool to design effective cross-compliance rules and relevant agro-environmental measures to reinforce ecological and social functions, and to communicate ideas to other stakeholders. As such, it provides an extension of public debate and can reinforce decision-making by visualizing trends, development alternatives or scenarios. The role of research in this method is to facilitate dialogue between stakeholder groups and to feed the process with relevant indicators.
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