Does a training course on early childhood communication have an impact on the knowledge of early childhood education professionals? / Um curso de capacitação sobre comunicação na primeira infância impacta no conhecimento de profissionais da educação infantil?

PURPOSE: To analyze whether a training course on communication development in early childhood has a positive impact on the knowledge of early childhood education professionals and to verify the participants' perception of the course. METHODS: A longitudinal study conducted in a virtual environment between September 2021 and December 2022. A total of 91 early childhood education professionals took part and completed a training course. The course consisted of three modules on communication development in early childhood, offered through the Google Classroom platform, with a total workload of 50 hours spread over four months. Participants answered a questionnaire made up of 20 items related to the topics covered before starting the course, immediately after completing it and six months after finishing. For each question answered correctly, 1 point was awarded. The data was analyzed using a descriptive and inferential approach, and the total number of correct answers at the three moments was compared using Friedman's ANOVA, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Both the analysis of the correct answers to each item in the questionnaire and the overall score showed a gradual increase between the three moments. The participants' perception of the course was highly satisfied. CONCLUSION: The participants showed an increase in the number of correct answers to the questionnaire before and after the training course, which suggests greater knowledge about the development of communication in early childhood both immediately after the course and after six months.

OBJETIVO: Analisar se um curso de capacitação sobre o desenvolvimento da comunicação na primeira infância tem impacto positivo no conhecimento de profissionais da educação infantil e verificar a percepção dos participantes sobre o curso. MÉTODO: Estudo longitudinal conduzido em ambiente virtual entre setembro de 2021 e dezembro de 2022. No total, participaram 91 profissionais da educação infantil que concluíram um curso de capacitação. O curso consistiu em três módulos sobre desenvolvimento da comunicação na primeira infância, ofertados por meio da plataforma Google Classroom, com uma carga horária total de 50 horas distribuídas ao longo de quatro meses. Os participantes responderam um questionário composto por 20 itens relacionados aos temas abordados antes de iniciar o curso, imediatamente após a conclusão e seis meses após o término. Para cada questão respondida corretamente foi atribuído 1 ponto. A análise dos dados foi conduzida por meio de uma abordagem descritiva e inferencial, sendo a comparação do total de acertos nos três momentos realizada por meio da ANOVA de Friedman, com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Tanto a análise dos acertos de cada item do questionário, quanto a pontuação geral revelou aumento gradual entre os três momentos. A percepção dos participantes sobre o curso teve alto índice de satisfação. CONCLUSÃO: Os participantes demonstraram aumento no número de acertos no questionário nos momentos pré e pós curso de capacitação, o que sugere maior conhecimento sobre o desenvolvimento da comunicação na primeira infância tanto imediatamente após sua conclusão, quanto após seis meses.

Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness Training in Lao PDR: A Pilot Study of an Adaptable Approach to Training and Supervision.

Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) has been part of the national strategy for child health in Lao Peoples Democratic Republic since 2003. The program, while running for an extended period, has faced multiple challenges including maintaining the teaching quality for the implementation of the IMNCI guidelines and a structure to enable and support healthcare workers trained to apply the training in their workplace. A revised training model that focused on building skills for teaching according to adult learning principles in a pool of facilitators, a practical and hands-on training workshop for healthcare workers, and the establishment of a program of health center supervision was developed and implemented in three provinces. Participants in the revised model reported increased confidence in implementing IMNCI guidelines, they demonstrated competence in the steps of IMNCI and on follow-up assessment at a supervision visit were found to have improved patient care through the measurement of pediatric case management scores. This study highlights the importance of a focus on education to ensure the translation of guidelines into practice and thereby lead to improvements in the quality of pediatric care. The IMNCI training approach is acceptable and valued by healthcare worker participants.

La educación alimentaria y nutricional: un estudio descriptivo en la formación del docente de Biología / Food and nutritional education: descriptive study in the training of Biology teachers

RESUMEN Introducción: el docente de Biología debe contribuir a la educación para la salud, y dentro de ella a la educación alimentaria y nutricional de los estudiantes, mediante el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de los contenidos relacionados con la Biología. Objetivo: describir los conocimientos y comportamientos sobre educación alimentaria y nutricional que poseen los estudiantes de la carrera de Licenciatura en Educación, especialidad Biología, en la Universidad de Matanzas. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo de los conocimientos y comportamientos sobre educación alimentaria y nutricional en 21 estudiantes de la carrera de Licenciatura en Educación, especialidad Biología, de la Universidad de Matanzas, en enero de 2020. Los métodos teóricos empleados fueron el histórico-lógico, el analítico-sintético y el inductivo-deductivo. Como método empírico se utilizó la encuesta. Resultados: los estudiantes presentan insuficientes conocimientos sobre los nutrientes que aportan diversos alimentos, y desconocimiento sobre las biomoléculas y su importancia para el correcto funcionamiento del organismo. Muestran interés por el consumo de la comida denominada chatarra, y obvian la necesidad del consumo de vegetales, frutas y viandas hervidas. Conclusiones: los estudiantes encuestados presentaron limitados conocimientos sobre alimentación y nutrición como procesos inherentes a la vida humana, que determinan la educación alimentaria y nutricional como un factor básico para evitar enfermedades que repercuten en su salud, e impiden que puedan realizar su labor educativa como docentes de Biología, líderes de la promoción de salud en la escuela y la comunidad (AU).

ABSTRACT Introduction: the teacher who teaches Biology must make good use of the different curricular contents to contribute to health education and within it to food and nutritional education of students. Objective: to describe the knowledge and behaviors on food and nutrition education that students of the degree course of Education in Biology of the University of Matanzas have. Materials and methods: a descriptive study of the knowledge and behavior on food and nutritional education in 21 students of the degree course of Education in Biology of the University of Matanzas, in January 2020. The theoretical methods used were the historic-logical, the analytical-synthetic, and the inductive-deductive one. The survey was used as empiric method. Results: the students showed not enough knowledge on the nutrients provided by different foods, not knowing about biomolecules and their importance for the proper functioning of the body. They evidenced their preference for the consumption of the so called junk food, obviating the need of green vegetables, fruits and boiled vegetables. Conclusions: the surveyed students presented limited knowledge on food and nutrition as processes inherent to human life, which determine food and nutritional education as a basic factor to avoid diseases that affect their health. It is a constraint for carrying out an adequate educative work as Biology teachers and future leaders of health promotion at school and in the community (AU).

What really impacts the use of active learning in undergraduate STEM education? Results from a national survey of chemistry, mathematics, and physics instructors.

Six common beliefs about the usage of active learning in introductory STEM courses are investigated using survey data from 3769 instructors. Three beliefs focus on contextual factors: class size, classroom setup, and teaching evaluations; three focus on individual factors: security of employment, research activity, and prior exposure. The analysis indicates that instructors in all situations can and do employ active learning in their courses. However, with the exception of security of employment, trends in the data are consistent with beliefs about the impact of these factors on usage of active learning. We discuss implications of these results for institutional and departmental policies to facilitate the use of active learning.

COVID-19 in school settings: webinar aimed at both teachers and educators.

Background: In the COVID-19 era, we designed the webinar "COVID-19: instructions for use" with the aim of providing clear and actionable information to school staff about the characteristics of the disease, the preventive measures to adopt and the path for early detection and control of COVID-19 in primary schools of Modena province. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional survey using a 7-item closed-ended satisfaction questionnaire self-administered to webinar participants among school staff of the Modena Municipality and neighbouring. Results: A total of 103 out of 152 (68%) participants delivered the questionnaires. The participating staff came from 29 schools. Most of respondents (83.5%) were primary school teachers following by kindergarten teachers and educators. The overall webinar assessment index was "very good" for 51% of attendees and "good" for the remaining. Nevertheless, 25.2% highlighted the need to have more time dedicated to the discussion. Conclusions: Our project promotes a virtuous circle between school-family and community; so that the benefits can be sustained and enhanced. This may improve the effectiveness of the preventive measures in terms of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other virus.

Necessidades do bebê com deficiência física na creche: a percepção de educadoras / Necesidades del bebé con discapacidad física en la guardería: percepción de educadoras / The needs of children with physical disabilities in day care: the perception of educators

RESUMO. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a percepção de educadoras frente às necessidades de duas bebês com deficiência física em contexto de inclusão na creche. Realizou-se um estudo de caso múltiplo, com seis educadoras que atendiam a turma de Mariana (24 meses), e quatro educadoras que atendiam a turma de Vitória (18 meses), as quais responderam uma entrevista semiestruturada. Ambas as bebês tinham deficiência física e frequentavam escolas de educação infantil da rede pública de Porto Alegre. Os dados foram analisados através de diversas leituras do material, produzindo um relato clínico. Em relação à Mariana, as educadoras destacaram a necessidade de estímulo e de suporte físico à bebê, bem como a importância do afeto na relação educadora-bebê, presente em um 'olhar a mais', mais sensível. Quanto à Vitória, as educadoras reforçaram a importância da integração entre as áreas da saúde e da educação, assim como de um olhar mais atento às diferentes necessidades da bebê com deficiência. A partir dos resultados, foi possível compreender nesse 'olhar a mais', destacado pelas educadoras como necessário para atender à demanda das bebês com deficiência física, uma exigência de maior disponibilidade corporal e psíquica.

RESUMEN. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la percepción de educadoras frente a las necesidades del bebé con discapacidad física en el contexto de inclusión en la guardería. Se realizó un estudio de caso múltiple, cuyas participantes fueron seis educadoras que atendían a la clase de Mariana, y cuatro educadoras que atendían a la clase de Vitória, las cuales respondieron una entrevista semiestructurada. Ambas bebés tenían deficiencia física y frecuentaban escuelas de Educación Infantil de la red pública de la ciudad de Porto Alegre/Brasil. Los datos fueron analizados a través de diversas lecturas del material, produciendo un relato clínico. En cuanto a Mariana, 24 meses, las educadoras destacaron la necesidad de estímulo y de soporte físico a la bebé, así como la importancia del afecto en la relación educadora-bebé, que hace presente en una 'mirada a más', más sensible. En cuanto a Vitória, 18 meses, las educadoras reforzaron la importancia de la integración entre las áreas de la salud y la educación, así como de una mirada más atenta a las diferentes necesidades de la bebé con discapacidad. A partir de los resultados, fue posible comprender en esa 'mirada a más', destacada por las educadoras como necesario para atender a la demanda de los bebés con discapacidad física, una exigencia de mayor disponibilidad corporal y psíquica.

ABSTRACT. This study aimed to investigate the perception of educators regarding the needs of two babies with physical disabilities in the context of inclusion in the day care center. A multiple-case study was carried out. The participants were six educators who oversaw Mariana's class, and four educators who oversaw Vitoria's class, and all 10 educators answered a semi-structured interview. Both babies were physically disabled and attended public schools in Porto Alegre/Brazil. The data were analyzed through several readings of the material, which resulted in a clinical report. In relation to Mariana (age 24 months) the educators emphasized the baby's need for stimuli and physical support, as well as the importance of affection in the educator-baby relationship, which was present as a more sensitive 'extra thought'. As for Vitória (age 18 months), educators reinforced the importance of integration between the health and education fields, as well as closer attention to the different needs of the disabled baby. Based on the results, it was possible to observe within that 'extra thought' - highlighted by the educators as necessary to fulfill the needs of babies with physical disabilities - a demand for greater physical and psychic availability.

Neurophilia is stronger for educators than students in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Educational products claiming to be "brain-based" are common. Due to neurophilia, including a brain in a product's marketing can enhance perceptions. However, schooling background may play a protective role. OBJECTIVE: As previous neuromarketing research has been conducted predominantly in English speakers, we examined whether the effects of neurophilia extend to a Portuguese-speaking Brazilian population. METHOD: Teachers and students (N = 262) viewed one of four advertisements for a hypothetical product translating to ''Right Brain'' or ''Right Start'' Training; half the advertisements contained an MRI brain image. Participants rated their perceptions of interest, efficacy, and scientific rationale. RESULTS: The presence of a brain image or the word 'brain' did not influence responses. However, occupation had a significant effect: teachers' ratings were higher than students' ratings. Importantly, teachers were more susceptible to neurocontent, rating "Right Brain" training significantly higher than students. CONCLUSION: These results thus highlight the need to improve teachers' neuroscience literacy.

Brain knowledge and predictors of neuromyths among teachers in Morocco.

The objective of this study was to evaluate brain knowledge and the prevalence of neuromyths among teachers in Morocco. We aimed also predicting factors that may improve teachers' brain knowledge and widespread of neuromyths. An online questionnaire was sent to a large population of Moroccan teachers. The questionnaire contains 32 questions, 20 of them are designed to assess teachers' knowledge about the brain and the remaining 12 questions are neuromyths. The mean score of brain knowledge was (64.34% (SD = 27.9%)) and the mean score of neuromyths was (66.56% (SD= 25.73%)). Besides, 50% of teachers were unable to correctly answer seven out of the 20 brain knowledge questions. Moreover, half of the teachers believed in 9 out of the 12 neuromyths. Knowledge about the brain was the foremost predictor of neuromyths. The study disclosed a real lack of brain knowledge with a widespread of neuromyths among teachers in Morocco.

Managing Food Allergy in Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and massive disruptions to daily life in the spring of 2020, in May 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released guidance recommendations for schools regarding how to have students attend while adhering to principles of how to reduce the risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2. As part of physical distancing measures, the CDC is recommending that schools who traditionally have had students eat in a cafeteria or common large space instead have children eat their lunch or other meals in the classroom at already physically distanced desks. This has sparked concern for the safety of food-allergic children attending school, and some question of how the new CDC recommendations can coexist with recommendations in the 2013 CDC Voluntary Guidelines on Managing Food Allergy in Schools as well as accommodations that students may be afforded through disability law that may have previously prohibited eating in the classroom. This expert consensus explores the issues related to evidence-based management of food allergy at school, the issues of managing the health of children attending school that are acutely posed by the constraints of an infectious pandemic, and how to harmonize these needs so that all children can attend school with minimal risk from both an infectious and allergic standpoint.

Teachers' networked professional learning with MOOCs.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are used to support professional learning at scale in many countries. The present study examined a MOOC named Flipped Classrooms that was specially designed for in-service teachers in China. This MOOC was offered for seven consecutive iterations across three years and allowed teachers to re-take this course in connection with their teaching practice. Overall, 16% of all 105,370 learners enrolled in at least two iterations of the MOOC. To understand their learning motivations, their learning engagement within the MOOC, and the connections they forged between the MOOC and their teaching, we conducted a mixed-methods study using multiple data sources including course registration records, course entry surveys, learning performance data, click logs, and semi-structured interviews. Results indicated that teacher-learners re-took the MOOC for various reasons such as refreshing domain understanding, improving grades, and addressing practical problems. Click log analysis found MOOC re-takers with different performance trajectories demonstrated distinct learning patterns across iterations. Qualitative analysis of the interview data revealed additional insights into learning within the MOOC and connections forged by the re-takers between the MOOC and their teaching practice. This study contributes fresh insights into the MOOC literature by investigating MOOC re-takers and sheds light on the promise of using MOOC to support networked professional learning. Implications for future MOOCs and teacher learning opportunities are discussed.

Effects of an education program on knowledge and self-perception of school personnel in preparing to care for type 1 diabetes students.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the academic and professional background of school personnel; to assess the impact of the Diabetes + Support given by School Personnel to Children with Type 1 Diabetes Program on the school personnel's knowledge and confidence to support students with type 1 diabetes; to compare their level of knowledge with the academic and professional variables of the school personnel. METHODS: A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test study design without a Control Group. Study with a sample of 129 (before intervention - T0) and 113 (after intervention - T1) pre-school to secondary school personnel from participating schools, with at least one student with type 1 diabetes. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Portuguese Ministry of Education. RESULTS: Most school personnel included in the study were teachers (51.2%). After training, they were more confident than before to support children with type 1 diabetes (p<0.05). Regarding knowledge levels, the differences between T0 (10.8±2.8; P 50 =11) and T1 (13.7±2.1; P 50 =11) were statistically significant (p<0.001). Of the 113 school personnel who participated in the final assessment, 89 (78.85%) increased their level of knowledge. CONCLUSION: The program was effective to enhance knowledge and boost confidence to support students with diabetes.

Effects of an education program on knowledge and self-perception of school personnel in preparing to care for type 1 diabetes students / Efeitos de um programa de educação nos conhecimentos e na autopercepção dos educadores escolares na preparação para cuidar de crianças diabéticas tipo 1

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the academic and professional background of school personnel; to assess the impact of the Diabetes + Support given by School Personnel to Children with Type 1 Diabetes Program on the school personnel's knowledge and confidence to support students with type 1 diabetes; to compare their level of knowledge with the academic and professional variables of the school personnel. Methods A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test study design without a Control Group. Study with a sample of 129 (before intervention - T0) and 113 (after intervention - T1) pre-school to secondary school personnel from participating schools, with at least one student with type 1 diabetes. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Portuguese Ministry of Education. Results Most school personnel included in the study were teachers (51.2%). After training, they were more confident than before to support children with type 1 diabetes (p<0.05). Regarding knowledge levels, the differences between T0 (10.8±2.8; P 50 =11) and T1 (13.7±2.1; P 50 =11) were statistically significant (p<0.001). Of the 113 school personnel who participated in the final assessment, 89 (78.85%) increased their level of knowledge. Conclusion The program was effective to enhance knowledge and boost confidence to support students with diabetes.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a formação acadêmica e profissional dos educadores escolares; avaliar o impacto do Diabetes + Apoio dado pelo Programa Responsáveis Escolares pelas Crianças com Diabetes Tipo 1 no nível de conhecimento e de confiança dos educadores escolares, para apoiar os alunos com diabetes tipo 1; comparar o nível de conhecimento dos educadores escolares com suas variáveis acadêmicas e profissionais. Métodos Estudo quasi-experimental, do tipo pré-teste/pós-teste sem Grupo Controle, realizado em amostra de 129 (antes da intervenção - T0) e 113 (pós-intervenção - T1) educadores escolares, da pré-escola ao ensino secundário, que trabalhavam em escolas com pelo menos uma criança/jovem com diabetes tipo 1. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética do Ministério da Educação de Portugal. Resultados A maioria dos educadores escolares incluídos no estudo era professor (51,2%). Após a intervenção, os educadores escolares sentiram-se mais confiantes do que antes, para apoiar crianças com diabetes tipo 1 (p<0,05). Em relação aos níveis de conhecimento, as diferenças entre T0 (10,8±2,8; P50=11) e T1 (13,7±2,1; P50=11) foram estatisticamente significantes (p<0,001). Dos 113 educadores escolares que participaram da avaliação final, 89 (78,85%) aumentaram seu nível de conhecimento. Conclusão O programa foi eficaz para aumentar o conhecimento e a confiança dos educadores escolares para apoiar as crianças/jovens com diabetes tipo 1.

Play to Teach: Coaching Paraeducators to Facilitate Communication in the Preschool Classroom.

Paraeducators are ideal candidates for delivering communication interventions to children with developmental disabilities and delays (DD) because they spend a significant amount of time with these children. However, professional development is often inadequate and limited research supports best practices. Additionally, paraeducators work with multiple children with varying skill levels. Little research has been conducted on the use of existing strategies with multiple children. This single-case study examines the effect of a training package on paraeducators' fidelity of intervention implementation with a child dyad and subsequent child outcomes. Results suggest that formal coaching contributed to improved fidelity of intervention implementation. Furthermore, paraeducators were able to use intervention strategies with children with varying communication skills and goals. Variable increases in child communication were also detected.

Practitioner Implementation of Communication Intervention With Students With Complex Communication Needs.

This study evaluated the effects of a pyramidal training approach that used an expert trainer who taught teachers how to train their paraeducators. Three special education teachers were taught to train four paraeducators to provide students with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities to initiate (OTI). A multiple baseline design across participants was used to evaluate the rate and fidelity that paraeducators provided OTI and least to most prompting strategies with students. Rates increased from 0 to an average of .58 per minute. Fidelity of implementation increased from 0% to an average of 94.5%. Maintenance data were recorded for three paraeducators. Schools should consider using this cost- and time-effective training model with staff.

An evaluation of the implementation of cascade training for suicide prevention during the 'Choose Life' initiative in Scotland - utilizing Normalization Process Theory.

BACKGROUND: 'Cascade training' or 'train-the-trainers' has been widely utilised in the dissemination of information and expertise in health and social care, but with little examination of the work required for optimal delivery. National suicide prevention strategies commonly include such training initiatives. METHODS: A qualitative study to characterise the work, according to the concepts of Normalization Process Theory, required to disseminate STORM, a model of suicide prevention training across Scotland, and then implement it within organisations. This utilised a cascade style 'train-the trainers' intervention delivered as part of the Choose Life suicide prevention strategy in Scotland during 2008-11. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 19 training facilitators, 30 of their group participants within organisations and 11 local managers within health boards in Scotland. RESULTS: Crucial to the process of a cascade training approach to implementing suicide prevention within an organisation was the multi-layered activity of constructing coherence of the intervention at every level in order to prevent dilution of the training. This necessitated collaborative work within and between groups of actors- managers, facilitators and participants. Where facilitators were effectively engaged in their role, confident in their ability to train, supported by supervision and possessed the leadership skills to engage both with participants and their local context to deliver training, there was evidence of both successful delivery and embedding within the organisation. However, there was little systematic evidence of institutional level appraisal- crucial to truly implementing a novel intervention within the system - despite efforts at local managerial engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Successful cascade or train-the-trainer implementation of an intervention requires extensive collaborative work to take place between and within groups of actors at all levels of an organization from those working at policy level to the 'coalface'. A priori application of Normalization Process Theory, to specify aims and goals for the necessary work to be carried out between different groups of actors, would assist in embedding a novel working practice at all levels. Future national training strategies for suicide prevention should address what is required to establish a flourishing culture of high-quality skills acquisition and development within healthcare organisations.

Las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones: una alternativa a tener en cuenta en la Universidad Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas / The Information and Communication Technologies, an alternative to take into account in the University of Medical Sciences of Matanzas

RESUMEN Para la acreditación de las universidades es de suma importancia que estas respondan a las necesidades que tiene el mundo de recibir un profesional identificado con el desarrollo de las tecnologías de la información y comunicaciones, capaz de utilizarlas en favor de la docencia, la asistencia y la investigación. En esta era de nativos digitales resulta factible aprovechar el potencial tecnológico y llevar sus beneficios al ámbito educativo en función mejorar la calidad del proceso docente logrando convertir las tabletas y los móviles, herramientas que van a utilizar los alumnos de hoy para casi todas sus labores, en verdaderos utensilios del proceso docente educativo.

ABSTRACT For the accreditation of the universities it is primarily important that they respond to the necessities the world has of receiving a professional identified with the development of the information and communication technologies, able to use them for the sake of teaching, health care and research. In this new era of digital natives, it is necessary to take advantage of the technological potential and lead its benefits to the educational sphere as a way of improving the quality of the teaching process, converting tablets and smartphones used by current students for almost all their tasks, into real tools of the teaching learning process.

Las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones: una alternativa a tener en cuenta en la Universidad Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas / The Information and Communication Technologies, an alternative to take into account in the University of Medical Sciences of Matanzas

RESUMEN Para la acreditación de las universidades es de suma importancia que estas respondan a las necesidades que tiene el mundo de recibir un profesional identificado con el desarrollo de las tecnologías de la información y comunicaciones, capaz de utilizarlas en favor de la docencia, la asistencia y la investigación. En esta era de nativos digitales resulta factible aprovechar el potencial tecnológico y llevar sus beneficios al ámbito educativo en función mejorar la calidad del proceso docente logrando convertir las tabletas y los móviles, herramientas que van a utilizar los alumnos de hoy para casi todas sus labores, en verdaderos utensilios del proceso docente educativo (AU).

ABSTRACT For the accreditation of the universities it is primarily important that they respond to the necessities the world has of receiving a professional identified with the development of the information and communication technologies, able to use them for the sake of teaching, health care and research. In this new era of digital natives, it is necessary to take advantage of the technological potential and lead its benefits to the educational sphere as a way of improving the quality of the teaching process, converting tablets and smartphones used by current students for almost all their tasks, into real tools of the teaching learning process (AU).

Performance assessment to investigate the domain specificity of instructional skills among pre-service and in-service teachers of mathematics and economics.

BACKGROUND: Key elements of instructional quality include the teacher's ability to immediately react in domain-specific classroom situations. Such skills - defined as action-related skills - can only be validly assessed using authentic representations of real-life teaching practice. However, research has not yet explained how teachers apply domain-specific knowledge for teaching and to what extent action-related skills are transferable from one domain to another. AIMS: Our study aims to examine (1) the relationship between action-related skills, content knowledge, and pedagogical content knowledge, and (2) the domain specificity of action-related skills of (prospective) teachers in the two domains of mathematics and economics. SAMPLE(S): We examined German pre-service and in-service teachers of mathematics (N = 239) and economics (N = 321), including n = 96 (prospective) teachers who teach both subjects. METHODS: Action-related skills in mathematics and economics were measured using video-based performance assessments. Content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge were assessed using established paper-pencil tests. Correlation analyses, linear regressions, and a path model were applied. RESULTS: In mathematics and economics, we find a similar pattern of moderate correlations between action-related skills, content knowledge, and pedagogical content knowledge. Moreover, a significant correlation between action-related skills in mathematics and economics can be explained almost entirely by underlying relations between content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge in both domains. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that action-related skills empirically differ from domain-specific knowledge and should be considered as domain-specific constructs. This indicates that teacher education should not only focus on domain-specific teacher knowledge, but may also provide learning opportunities for action-related skills in each domain.