This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of applying instructive simulation experiments (SE) to the development of deeper conceptual understanding, retention of static electricity contents, ...and engagement of 4th-grade students. The correlation between student achievements and engagement was examined. 76 4th graders (10-11 years) were assigned to one of the groups: direct - DI + SE (DSE) and indirect instruction - II + SE (ISE) group. The results indicate that the ISE group showed significantly better achievements on the highest cognitive level compared to the DSE group. The application of SE had a significantly greater impact on the perceived behavioral, cognitive, and agentic engagement of the ISE group compared to the DSE group. A positive correlation was observed between student engagement and achievements.
The widely explored but still unresolved question about the contribution of the application of different ways of performing experiments in the integrated natural sciences is addressed in this ...research. The aim was to determine the contribution of demonstration hands-on experiments (DHE) and student hands-on experiments (SHE) in relation to conventional teaching method (CTM) on the quality and durability of 3rd grade students (between 9 and 10 years of age) from primary school. The research involved 180 students, further divided into three groups: E1 (experimental group 1, where content was learned through DHE), E2 (experimental group 2, where content was learned through SHE) and C (control group, where content was learned through CTM). The results of the research point to the fact that priority should be given to the DHE and SHE over the CTM in the realization of air-related content in the 3rd grade. SHE should be used more than DHE when it comes to teaching this specific content.
This research attempts to examine the role of 3D printer as a learning tool in inclusive education. It examines the quality of verbal and nonverbal interactions between students with disabilities ...(SWD) and students without disabilities (SWOD) in an inclusive classroom at primary schools, where 3D printers were used as a learning tool. The results presented in this paper are based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of interactions between 7 SWD and 31 SWOD. Even though both occurred, there was no statistical difference in generation of positive and negative verbal and nonverbal interactions between SWD and SWOD. Both, SWD and SWOD are of the opinion that cooperative learning with implementation of 3D printers contributes to their communication with peers, achieving better and durable knowledge in the subject where this learning approach was applied and they would like to learn in this way in the future.
Recently, the research about innovative approaches in the education of blind (non-visual- NV) students has intensified; however the use of dichotomous keys (DK) in their botanical education has not ...yet been examined. This research explored the contribution of two self-generated dichotomous keys (DK) for plant identification (a digital version- DDK and a printed version- DPK), to the botanical education of NV students. The research included 100 students, with an average age of 24, divided into 2 groups. Group E1 determined the plants using the DDK while in Group E2 plants were identified using the DPK. The DDK contributed more than the DPK in helping the NV participants to acquire the quality and durability knowledge they need to identify different plant groups (woody, bushy and herbaceous plants). The NV has the greatest success in the identification of woody plants, and the least success in the identification of herbaceous plants. The members of both groups (E1, E2) had possitive opinion about the contribution of the applicable dichotomous key to their knowledge, the activities in it. Due to this fact, both versions of DKs are recommended as new assistive tools in the botanical education of NV students.
In cardiac surgery, poststernotomy wounds are life threatening complications, with mortality up to 50%. We described two patients, who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and postoperatively ...developed a deep sternal wound infection. Reconstruction was combined with vacuum-assisted closure treatment, laparoscopic mobilization of an omental flap and split thicknes skin grafts. The omental flap is a well-vascularized local flap with a large surface area and has excellent immunologic and angiogenic properties. Both patients recovered completely. In our opinion, vacuum-assisted closure treatment and laparoscopic mobilization of great omentum is suitable option for treating deep sternal wounds.