Background
Globally, suicide is the fourth highest cause of adolescent mortality (Suicide: https://www.who.int/news‐room/fact‐sheets/detail/suicide). The effects of post‐primary school‐based suicide ...prevention (PSSP) on adolescent suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STBs) have not been comprehensively synthesised. We aim to estimate the population effect for PSSP interventions on adolescent STBs and explore how intervention effects vary based on intervention and contextual moderators.
Methods
Searches of PsycINFO, Medline, Education Source, ERIC, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials identified cluster randomised trials examining the effectiveness of PSSP on adolescent STBs. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool assessed bias. Crude and adjusted back‐transformed odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Multilevel random‐effects models accounted for dependencies of effects. Univariate meta‐regression explored variability of intervention and contextual moderators on pooled effects.
Results
There were 19 and 12 effects for suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA). Compared with controls, interventions were associated with 13% (OR = 0.87, 95%CI 0.78, 0.96) and 34% (OR = 0.66, 95%CI 0.47, 0.91) lower crude odds reductions for SI and SA, respectively. Effects were similar for adjusted SI (OR = 0.85, 95%CI 0.75, 0.95) and SA (OR = 0.72, 95%CI 0.59, 0.87) models. Within‐study (0.20–9.10%) and between‐study (0–51.20%) heterogeneity ranged for crude and adjusted SA models and SI heterogeneity was 0%. Moderator analyses did not vary SA effects (ps > .05).
Conclusions
This meta‐analysis contributes to the PSSP evidence‐base by demonstrating that PSSP targeting STBs as both primary intervention outcomes and with other health and well‐being outcomes reduced SI and SA among 33,155 adolescents attending 329 schools, compared to controls. The number needed to treat estimates suggests the potential of reducing the incidence of SA and SI in one adolescent by implementing PSSP in 1–2 classrooms, supporting PSSP as a clinically relevant suicide prevention strategy. Although moderator analyses were nonsignificant and contained a small number of trials, larger SA effect sizes support particular effectiveness for interventions of a duration of ≤1 week, involving multiple stakeholders and with a 12‐month follow‐up.
The paper proposes a collection of studies and teaching proposals selected by the author, with the intention to put forward ideas for consideration, indications and operational suggestions for ...teachers who are grappling with the teaching of Italian spelling.
Math anxiety (MA) and math achievement (MATH) are related, but the direction of their relationship and their predictors are still unclear.
We tested whether MATH predicts MA (Deficit Theory), MA ...predicts MATH (Debilitating Anxiety Theory), or whether MA and MATH have reciprocal relationships (Reciprocal Theory). Further, we established whether MA at T0, T1, and T2 and MATH at T1 and T2 were predicted by gender, general anxiety, fluid intelligence, verbal and visuospatial working memory, and symbolic and non-symbolic numerical representations tested at T0.
We tested 337 Polish primary school children.
We analyzed longitudinal data at three time points: T0 – the beginning of the first grade, T1 – the end of the first grade, T2 – the end of the second grade.
MATH at T1 predicted MA at T2 and MA at T1 predicted MATH at T2 (supporting the Reciprocal Theory). Additionally, MATH at T1 was predicted by fluid intelligence, visuospatial working memory, and symbolic numerical representation; MATH at T2 by fluid intelligence, verbal working memory, and MATH at T1. MA at T0 was predicted by general anxiety and symbolic numerical representation, MA at T1 by MA at T0 and gender, and MA at T2 by MA at T1.
The results support the Reciprocal Theory of the MA and MATH relationship. MA is predicted by general anxiety, knowledge of mathematical symbols and gender. MATH is predicted by fluid intelligence, working memory and knowledge of mathematical symbols.
•Math anxiety (MA) and math achievement (MATH) at the end of second grade had reciprocal relationship.•MA at the beginning of the first grade was predicted by general anxiety and symbolic skills.•MA at the end of the first grade was predicted by gender and previous MA; MA at the end of the second grade was predicted by MATH at the end of the first grade and previous MA.•Fluid intelligence, verbal working memory, and symbolic skills predicted MATH at the end of the first grade.•MATH at the end of the first grade, fluid intelligence, and visuospatial working memory predicted MATH at the end of the second grade.
This paper presents the results of an empirical study conducted on three different types of gamified learning activities—namely competitive, collaborative, and adaptive—in lower primary mathematics ...classes. The participants were students from two second-grade and one third-grade classes who used tablet computers and digital learning lessons for learning mathematics. The study included a non-gamified and competitive, adaptive, and collaborative gamified conditions, which were integrated into lesson plans. The collected log data were used to calculate the changes in performance levels through the dimensions of task completion and time under each condition, and the data were further analyzed and compared across conditions. The quantitative analysis results were triangulated with interview data from the students. Overall, the results show that gamified activities contributed to increased student performance levels in math learning. Significantly higher performance levels appeared in a gamified condition combining competition, a narrative, and adaptivity with individual performance game elements. Although the highest performance levels appeared in conjunction with the most incorrect attempts by the students, the total number of correct attempts was unaffected. Our findings suggest that whether gamification works or not is not the result of individual game elements but rather the consequence of their balanced combination.
•This study examined use of various gamification elements in a primary school.•Study results suggest that gamification improved student performance.•Different students have interest for different gamification types.•Gamification per se does not necessarily guarantee increase in student performance.•The key to success of gamification is in the carefully balancing combination of game elements.
The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide a systematic review of intervention studies that investigated the effects of physical activity on multiple domains of executive functions, attention and ...academic performance in preadolescent children (6–12 years of age). In addition, a systematic quantification of the effects of physical activity on these domains is provided.
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Searches of electronic databases and examining relevant reviews between 2000 and April 2017 resulted in 31 intervention studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Four subdomains of executive functions (inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility and planning), three subdomains of attention (selective, divided and sustained) and three subdomains of academic performance (mathematics, spelling and reading) were distinguished. Effects for different study designs (acute physical activity or longitudinal physical activity programs), type of physical activity (aerobic or cognitively engaging) and duration of intervention were examined separately.
Acute physical activity has a positive effect on attention (g=0.43; 95% CI=0.09, 0.77; 6 studies), while longitudinal physical activity programs has a positive effect on executive functions (g=0.24; 95% CI=0.09, 0.39; 12 studies), attention (g=0.90; 95% CI=0.56, 1.24; 1 study) and academic performance (g=0.26; 95% CI=0.02, 0.49; 3 studies). The effects did depend on the subdomain.
Positive effects were found for physical activity on executive functions, attention and academic performance in preadolescent children. Largest effects are expected for interventions that aim for continuous regular physical activity over several weeks.
"Multi-grade classes are experiencing a renaissance in the current German educational system. On the one hand, pedagogical reasons are discussed. On the other hand, the motto “short legs, short ways” ...as well as school organizational requirements play a decisive role. Considering the theoretical background of innovation-specific implications of multi-grade learning, the phases and conditions of school development, and the structure of professional action, the study explores how the initiation and implementation of multi-grade classes for pragmatic reasons are realized. The subquestions of the study investigate challenges of the school development process, action strategies and justifications of school administrators and teachers, their innovation-specific ideas of multi-grade learning, as well as supporting and inhibiting development conditions in the transfer of change to the individual school. For data collection eight school administrators and 16 class administrators at eight Bavarian elementary schools that had established a so-called “combi-class” 1/2 for the first time were interviewed. The transcripts were analyzed with the qualitative content analysis. In addition, an explicating document analysis was carried out. The results show that there are role-specific demands on school administrators and teachers. These are: negotiating and planning the initiation and implementation, leading and steering the development process at the individual school, and organizing and implementing the change, especially at the teaching level. The study provides an insight into individual school development processes as well as into circumstances of multi-grade learning that is ordered by school authorities due to demographic reasons or scarce personal resources. The study reveals how challenging it is for school and class administrators to broaden the age groupspecific (homogenizing) view. However, the data also show a rise in professionalization because of this school development process. Despite the top-down process of initiation, multi-grade classes can function as a motor for a changed approach to heterogeneity."
"Nicht nur aus pädagogischen Gründen, sondern vor allem unter dem Motto „kurze Beine, kurze Wege“ sowie aus schulorganisatorischen Anlässen erlebt die Jahrgangsmischung in der deutschen Bildungslandschaft gegenwärtig eine Renaissance. Ziel dieser qualitativ-explorativen Studie war es, mehr über das professionelle Handeln, die Handlungsbegründungen und den professionellen Handlungsrahmen der Schulleitungen und Lehrkräfte bei der Einführung von jahrgangskombinierten Klassen aus pragmatischen Gründen zu erfahren. Vor dem theoretischen Hintergrund der innovationsspezifischen Implikationen der Jahrgangsmischung, der Phasen und Bedingungen von Schulentwicklung sowie der Struktur professionellen Handelns geht die Arbeit der übergeordneten Frage nach der Gestaltung der Initiierung und Implementierung von jahrgangsübergreifendem Lernen aus pragmatischen Gründen aus Sicht der betroffenen professionellen Akteure/innen nach. In den Teilfragen eruiert sie die Herausforderungen im Schulentwicklungsprozess, entsprechende Handlungsstrategien und -begründungen aufseiten der Schulleitungen und Lehrkräfte, deren innovationsspezifische Vorstellungen von jahrgangsübergreifendem Lernen sowie unterstützende und hemmende Entwicklungsbedingungen beim Transfer der Veränderung auf die Einzelschulebene. In leitfadengestützten Experten/inneninterviews wurden dazu acht Schul- sowie 16 Klassenleitungen an acht bayerischen Grundschulen befragt, die erstmals eine sogenannte Kombi-Klasse 1/2 etablierten. Die Auswertung der Transkripte erfolgte mithilfe der inhaltlich strukturierenden qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse, die ergänzt wurde durch eine explizierende Dokumentenanalyse. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Handlungsanforderungen für die Schulleitungen und Lehrkräfte rollenspezifisch im Aushandeln und Planen der Initiierung und Implementierung der jahrgangskombinierten Klassen, im Führen und Steuern des Entwicklungsprozesses an der Einzelschule sowie im Organisieren und Umsetzen der Veränderung, insbesondere auf der Unterrichtsebene, liegen. Die Studie gibt einen Einblick in die einzelschulischen Entwicklungsprozesse sowie die Umstände demografisch und schulorganisatorisch bedingter, von den Schulbehörden verordneter Jahrgangsmischung. Es wird deutlich, wie herausfordernd es für die professionell Handelnden ist, den jahrgangsbezogenen (homogenisierenden) Blick zu weiten. Die Daten zeigen aber auch einen Professionalisierungsschub durch diesen Schulentwicklungsprozess, sodass Jahrgangsmischung, trotz der Verordnung „von oben“, dennoch als Motor für einen veränderten Umgang mit Heterogenität fungieren kann."
This study aims to determine the teacher's response to the use of e-assessment of character in elementary school students; knowing the results of the assessment of the character of love for the ...homeland, tolerance, and discipline; comparing the results of character assessment in three schools, knowing the validity and feasibility of e-character assessment. This research is a research & development research using quantitative data and qualitative data. The research sample consisted of 55 students at SD Negeri 034/I Teratai, 58 students at SD Negeri 045I Sridadi, and 61 students at SD Negeri 064/I Muara Bulian obtained by purposive sampling technique. The data collection technique uses a love of the homeland, tolerance, and discipline questionnaire. Analysis of quantitative data using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics in the form of one way ANOVA test, post-hoc further test in the form of Tukey HSD test and qualitative data using the Miles and Huberman technique. The results showed that teachers have a very good response to the use of e-assessment. The developed e-assessment product is in the very good category so it is feasible to use
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