Last Year Of Secondary Education Research Articles

Absorbance measurement for interdisciplinary educational experiment on cytotoxicity

Abstract We propose a multidisciplinary educational experiment, linking knowledge and skills in physics, biology and information technology through the training and application of the research method by students. From a physics point of view, the experiment consists in light absorption measurement, and in terms of biology, it demonstrates the process of cytotoxicity evaluation by means of the colorimetric method neutral red uptake in vitro test. The test allows to determine the concentration of a test drug at which 50% cytotoxicity (CC50 values) of the cells is observed. After initial exposure to the tested drug, neutral red (NR) is added to the cell culture medium, it is absorbed by the living cells and subsequently released in a desorb buffer. The cell culture medium becomes coloured, and the more intensive colour corresponds to higher cell viability, while more transparent solution corresponds to lower number of living cells. The NR concentration in the solution is estimated by the absorbance value. We measure the absorbance of NR by utilizing a very affordable educational-grade spectrometer and compare its output with that of a professional microplate reader. We show that the educational spectrometer gives a result on the CC50 value that is in agreement with the acceptable values of the official protocol. We include a comment on the results when performing this laboratory exercise in one class of 18 year old students (in their last year of secondary education). The experiment can be also successfully applied in the laboratory practicum of first year university study.

Assessing the Linguistic Creativity Domain of Last-Year Compulsory Secondary School Students

The importance of creativity in the training of people gained special relevance with the PISA Tests of the OECD, which, for the first time, evaluated the general creativity of 15-year-old students in 2022. This descriptive and quantitative study focuses on the evaluation of linguistic creativity, using different classical instruments to measure divergent thinking and adding new ones, such as metaphorical capacity. Participants were 454 students in their last year of secondary education from eight Spanish educational centers. Results indicate moderate performance in divergent thinking tasks, with students exhibiting limitations in generating novel metaphors, often resorting to literal responses. Statistically significant differences according to gender were found in metaphor generation and in the alternate uses task. A correlation study reveals significant associations between metaphor generation and divergent thinking tasks. These highlight the differential role of semantic memory and cognitive processes involved in metaphor generation and divergent thinking. Finally, this study underlines the complexities and multicomponent nature of creativity as a first step to develop educational policies and interventions targeting creativity. Overall, the importance of addressing creativity in a transdisciplinary way and training teachers on techniques to channel creativity are highlighted, such as through the design of challenges or writing workshops.

Against what?

Against <i>what</i>?

Perceived discrimination and contextual problems among children and adolescents in northern Chile

Discriminatory behaviors among inter-ethnic relations in schools have long been noted and studied, but there are several correlations between discriminatory behaviors and other constructs that need further investigation. As an example, the relation between perceived discrimination and contextual problems-which include family, school and peer problems-among children and adolescents in Latin America has received little attention from previous studies. Further, the mediating role of ethnic identification and collective self-esteem in this relation also needs to be considered as they could be proven as protective factors for discriminatory behavior and its outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to, first, establish the relationship between perceived discrimination and contextual problems in inter-ethnic students aged 8-19 years living in Arica, Chile; and second, to identify the role that ethnic identification and collective self-esteem play within this relation. In order to investigate this matter, a cross-sectional study was carried out with 3700 students in 29 schools between the fourth year of primary education and the last year of secondary education, aged between 9-18 years, with 48.4% men and 51.6% women. The sample was divided into primary and secondary school groups. The scales utilized were the Everyday Discrimination Scale, Multi-Group Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised Scale, Collective Self-Esteem Scale and the dimensions of contextual family, school and peer problems, as well as the general index of contextual problems of the Child and Adolescent Assessment System. For data analysis, we tested a path analytic model at both the within and between levels to account for the relations between variables. In each group the models obtained an optimal fit. We found that perceived discrimination and ethnic identification were directly related to contextual problems (.23-.39), and collective self-esteem had only a mediating role. This study showed that strategized interventions focusing on ethnic identification and perceived discrimination should be utilized by schools to create a better developing environment.

Teachers’ oral corrective feedback and learners’ uptake in high school CLIL and EFL classrooms

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Oral corrective feedback (OCF) has been reported to be affected by several factors such as learners’ age, level of proficiency or the OCF types provided by the teacher. However, little research has been carried out on the variable learning context, even though OCF and uptake vary in rates and types in second language (SL) and foreign language (FL) settings. Moreover, OCF has been clearly under-researched in classrooms that follow a content and language integrated learning (CLIL) approach. As CLIL programs are being widely implemented mainly in European settings and differences in context characteristics suggest variations in OCF and learners’ uptake, the present study aimed to compare the recorded classroom interaction data (22 hours 43 minutes) from an intact class of learners (N=26) in their last year of secondary education (age 17-18), attending the lessons of an English as a FL (EFL) teacher and a Business Studies (CLIL) teacher. Findings show significant differences as to the proportion and OCF types used, as well as different learners’ behavior regarding the rates of uptake and repair and the uptake after the use of recasts. Pedagogical implications are offered as to how to maximize the potential benefits of OCF in FL classrooms.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Can role models influence female’s decision to participate in the labor market? Evidence from a field experiment

In this paper we experimentally test the effect of an intervention aimed at encouraging females to enter the labor market in Madagascar. We randomly assigned students in their last year of secondary education to watch a role model or a placebo video. In the role model videos, a female or a male narrate how they succeeded in achieving a goal they set for themselves. After video exposure, we gave female and male students the opportunity to apply for one of two types of jobs in our research team – assistant or coordinator. We find that the female role model encourages both females and males to apply for the advertised positions, compared to the placebo video. This positive treatment effect can partly be explained by participants’ aspirations and current level of achievements. Moreover, we find that female students apply more often to the coordinator position compared to the control in the male role model treatment. Our results suggest that not only individuals from the in-group (females), but also males can serve as role models for females and foster behavioral changes.

El infinitivo flexionado en el Corpus de textos galegos escritos por estudantes no ámbito académico (CORTEGAL)

En este trabajo pretendemos analizar el empleo del infinitivo flexionado (IF) en el Corpus de textos galegos escritos por estudantes no ámbito académico (CORTEGAL), que recoge textos redactados por estudiantes de segundo de Bachillerato de Galicia. Tras describir las características básicas de este corpus, así como la metodología utilizada para la identificación de los ejemplos de uso del IF, mostramos los resultados obtenidos, tanto en términos globales, como teniendo en cuenta su distribución en función de diferentes criterios (número y persona, papel desempeñado por el infinitivo o por la oración en que se integra, coincidencia del sujeto del IF con el sujeto de la oración de que depende, posición de la oración de infinitivo, presencia de sujeto explícito). En tercer lugar, analizamos los resultados comparándolos con los obtenidos en otros trabajos sobre el uso del IF y evaluando su adecuación a los empleos canónicos establecidos en las gramáticas gallegas. El trabajo finaliza con unas conclusiones en que se destacan los resultados más relevantes obtenidos en el estudio, entre los cuales cabe resaltar el escaso empleo del IF y los errores en la selección de número y persona, y con una reflexión final sobre la enseñanza de esta forma verbal.

Impact of a pre-college outreach programme on the academic achievements of higher education students: a case study of Chile

ABSTRACTThis research evaluated the impact on students’ academic achievements of a pre-college outreach programme implemented by a Chilean higher education institution. This programme benefits students in their last year of secondary education so they can better adapt to post-secondary education. Specifically, we assessed whether freshmen enrolled in 2017 in the institution that implemented this initiative and who attended this programme during 2016 as secondary school students performed better than students at this same institution but who did not take part in this scheme. A quasi-experimental design was applied using the method propensity score matching. The results showed that students who participated in this outreach programme had better average grades and attendance levels than those who did not take part in this initiative. In addition, it was found that this programme does not have a significant impact on student retention rates.

Proyecto: “Prevención en violencia de género dentro de la relación de pareja adolescente”. Experiencia grupal con adolescentes del taller de artes con enfoque terapéutico

En el siguiente artículo describo la experiencia de un taller de artes desarrollado durante el primer periodo académico del año 2018, que tuvo como objetivo entregar herramientas para prevenir situaciones de violencia de género dentro de la relación de pareja adolescente. El taller contempló recursos propios del arteterapia y fue realizado en un establecimiento educacional que recibe subvención del Estado, cuya misión se centra en educar a los alumnos dentro de un proceso de formación integral, potenciando sus aprendizajes para lograr optar a una carrera universitaria. Los estudiantes que componen esta comunidad educativa son de un estrato social medio (clase media y media baja), varios de ellos provenientes de sectores rurales aledaños a la ciudad. El establecimiento está ubicado en la comuna de San Fernando, región de O’Higgins, Chile. Primeramente se trabajaron actividades para reforzar los lazos de confianza entre los participantes; posteriormente se realizó una presentación sobre estereotipos de género y cómo estos se exhiben en el quehacer cotidiano. Luego se revisó qué es la violencia de género y cómo es posible identificar el cómo y por qué surge dentro de las relaciones de pareja adolescente. Finalmente, los participantes definieron lo que para ellos significa una relación de pareja estable, libre de situaciones de violencia. La disciplina del arteterapia fue fundamental para trabajar los aspectos antes mencionados, pues permitió a los participantes comunicarse de forma visual e intuitiva; el inconsciente (concepto fundamental en arteterapia por proyectarse en la realización de imágenes) se manifestó a través del arte y facilitó procesos terapéuticos y creativos en los estudiantes, profundizando lo que corresponde a la violencia de género, su origen y consecuencias. A continuación, describo lo observado durante las actividades realizadas en el taller: la interacción de los participantes en la realización de las consignas y sus preguntas y respuestas ante éstas, tanto de manera visual como oral. El grupo intervenido estuvo compuesto de 10 estudiantes que cursaban su último año de educación media (preparatoria), de género mixto. El taller duró todo un semestre y se realizó después de las horas de clases habituales, una vez por semana en la sala de artes del mismo establecimiento, los materiales fueron dados a los participantes en cada sesión y su duración fue de 1:30 hrs. (con un total de trece sesiones).

Subjetividades en cuarto medio. Juventudes y segmentación escolar en Chile

El artículo relaciona la segmentación estructural del sistema educacional chileno con las heterogéneas subjetividades que sus estudiantes desarrollan sobre sus vidas, sueños, metas y vínculos sociales. Para ello se analizan 14 grupos de discusión con estudiantes que cursan el cuarto y último año de la educación escolar, en colegios representativos de los diferentes segmentos que producen las segregaciones económicas y académicas del modelo educativo, lo que se asocia a una heterogeneidad que cubre sectores populares, grupos medios, medios altos y altos, de Santiago y provincias. Se concluye una relación directa entre tales aspectos estructurales y las percepciones de temor, certidumbre, incertidumbre, confianza, angustia y control individual del futuro.

Intergenerational relationships, emancipation and independence of Chilean students

(analytical): This analytical paper highlights the contemporary transformations in intergenerational relationships, emancipation and independence of Chilean youth who are in their last year of secondary education or the final year of higher education. The methodology involved holding conversation groups in different regions in the country. Relationships with adults tend to be co-figurative and are seen as counter-reference point. Their view of the adult generation is more analytical and, at the same time, in the process of transformation. Unpredictability and uncertainty lead to processes of emancipation and independence that can be reversible and asynchronous. The current moment in history, social polarization and being either a secondary or higher education student are factors that create major differences in the perspectives of how these young people believe their lives will develop.

Experiencias lectoras en inglés como lengua extranjera en escuelas en situación de desfavorabilidad y su incidencia en una prueba de lectura / Reading experiences in English as a foreign language in disadvantaged schools and their impact on a reading...

This paper analyzes the results obtained in a census-based English as a foreign language reading comprehension test administered in relation to exposure of different genres and (un)favourable school contexts. The test was administered to the students in their last year of secondary education in schools that belong to the municipal state in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2016.First, we present a summary of the design and implementation processes of the criterion referenced test and the general results of the census. Then, we contrast the results obtained in two groups of schools. In one group we include two institutions located in relatively favoured communities and in the other, two institutions of underprivileged contexts. We also examine the impact of reading experiences in terms of frequency of exposure to different genres and the students´ attitudes towards the learning of foreign languages.In the present study no correlation has been found between the conditions of the school context, the exposure to different text types and the levels of performance in the test results.

Art and Geometry of Plants: Experience in Mathematical Modelling through Projects

This article presents some results of a qualitative-case study carried out with students in last year of secondary education (15 - 17 years) into an official educational institution. The research looked at learning outcomes through the development of mathematical modelling projects related to studying the distribution of the leaves and the growth of some plants. According to the results, when modelling projects grounded in studying the form and geometric magnitudes are carried out, students are able to find out the meaning of certain mathematical concepts and participate in activities to reach other processes such as exploration, representation, formal construction, and validation of mathematical results. Some implications for teaching and learning in classroom derive from this study, particularly, the need for students to face the project development articulating research and mathematical modelling.

Factors associated with greater potential for alcohol misuse among the students of the Gorenjska region

Introduction: Excessive alcohol consumption can stem from different biological, social, environmental, or psychological factors (e.g. peer influence, desire to be accepted within a social group, family history with alcohol addiction, availability of alcohol beverages, poor academic performance, low self-image, etc.). The aim of study was to determine the risk factors associated with alcohol consumption among the undergraduate students in the Gorenjska region. Methods: A quantitative non-experimental method of research was employed. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The purposive sample consisted of 328 first-year undergraduate students in the Gorenjska region. The research was conducted in May, October and November 2012. The data obtained were analysed using the descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The greatest influence on drinking frequency for better sociability and relaxation has the average educational attainment in the last year of secondary education (β = 0.168, p = 0.002). The following factors were identified to have a statistically significant impact on the frequency of alcohol consumption during leisure time: friendship (β = 0.131, p = 0.029), frequent socializing with friends (β = 0.127, p = 0.035), support of the family when in distress (β = - 0. 183, p = 0.001) and the average academic achievement in the last year of secondary education (β = 0.098, p = 0.043). Discussion and conclusion: The risk factors associated with alcohol consumption among the students in the Gorenjska region are mainly social (lack of family support, peer pressure) and personal (low self-image, poor academic achievement and leisure time). Characteristics of the study participants in relation to alcohol consumption do not differ from the rest of the younger population.

Acceso a las universidades selectivas en Chile: ¿pueden las estrategias institucionales de los establecimientos secundarios atenuar el peso del capital cultural?

Este estudio examina el impacto de las estrategias institucionales de promoción de estudios universitarios por parte de los establecimientos secundarios sobre los resultados en la prueba de selección universitaria y el acceso de los alumnos a las universidades selectivas, en un contexto de masificación desigual de los estudios universitarios y donde las condiciones socioeconómicas y culturales de origen pesan fuertemente sobre el acceso a estas instituciones. Para este estudio se utilizó una encuesta aplicada a una muestra representativa de 817 alumnos de último año de enseñanza secundaria pertenecientes a establecimientos de modalidad científico-humanista de la provincia de Concepción, en Chile. Los resultados del estudio comprueban la influencia del capital cultural individual y de la composición social del colegio sobre los resultados de los alumnos en la prueba de selección universitaria y el acceso a las universidades selectivas, pero muestran también que las estrategias institucionales de los establecimientos secundarios pueden moderar esta influencia y que son especialmente provechosas para los alumnos que más las requieren.

Changes in the linguistic confidence of primary and secondary students in Catalonia: a longitudinal study

ABSTRACTPrevious research in first (L1) and second language (L2) acquisition has provided evidence that linguistic confidence is a key construct that can explain linguistic behaviour. In this paper, we apply previous research in the socio-contextual model of L2 learning to data from Catalonia. More specifically, the paper investigates linguistic confidence towards Catalan and Spanish by students in Catalonia for a period of 5 years, that is, from their last year of primary education to their last year of secondary education. The methodology for the longitudinal study was based on a survey on linguistic confidence in Catalan and Spanish and other sociolinguistic and demographic information by students in five different locations in Catalonia. The results of the study show evidence that (a) linguistic confidence is very high for Catalan and Spanish; (b) there is a relationship between confidence in Spanish and Catalan and the students’ L1; and (c) over time linguistic confidence in both languages increases. These results are discussed in light of current discussions on the stable or dynamic nature of linguistic confidence.

Computer Science Education in French Secondary Schools

Computer science as a school subject in France is characterized by a succession of promising starts that have not yet been transformed into perennial solutions. The main goal of this article is to analyze this complex situation from a historical perspective, and describe the current rebirth of an optional Computer Science course in the last year of secondary education, together with other initiatives that might contribute to introducing Computer Science as a school subject. We also aim at discussing some perspectives for the future to support a better informatics education for all students. The sources we have used are mainly historical and administrative, however we have also drawn on empirical research and surveys conducted since the seventies. This article therefore takes both retrospective and perspective viewpoints.

Social role patterning in early adulthood in the USA: adolescent predictors and concurrent wellbeing across four distinct configurations.

The decade following secondary school is pivotal in setting the stage for adulthood functioning and adjustment. We identify four social role configurations of early adults in their mid-20s using latent class analyses in two nationally representative samples of American youth in their last year of secondary education (modal age 18) who were followed longitudinally into adulthood (age 25/26). We focus on the big five social role domains of early adulthood: education, residential status, employment, cohabitation/marriage, and parenthood. Aims were to identify latent classes of social role configurations in early adulthood, examine demographic and late adolescent educational predictors of these classes, and explore contemporaneous health and adjustment correlates focusing on life satisfaction, economic independence, and substance use. Four classes with very similar characteristics and prevalence were identified in the two cohorts who were born 12 years apart: Educated Students without Children (8% in 80s cohort/9% in 90s cohort); Working Singles Living with Parents (16%/18%); Educated Workers without Children (45%/46%); and Married Workers with Children (31%/27%). Late adolescent demographic and educational variables and mid-20s variables were related to class membership. Results evidenced notable similarities (and some differences) across cohorts. Discussion focuses on how roles facilitate or inhibit each other and the potential diversity of optimal patterns of transitions to adulthood.

Análisis del léxico de aprendices de inglés de cuarto de secundaria en e-mails

El objetivo principal del estudio es identificar la frecuencia, el número de tipos y ocurrencias y los tipos de palabras utilizados por 44 estudiantes españoles de inglés de 4º de ESO para describir personas y fiestas tradicionales del Reino Unido a partir de la información obtenida en un intercambio de e-mails con hablantes nativos basado en el e-mail tándem. Los textos producidos por los estudiantes fueron editados en formato electrónico y examinados con los analizadores de vocabulario Frequency y Range para comprobar (i) el número de tipos y ocurrencias, (ii) las clases de palabras empleadas por los alumnos (nombres, adjetivos, verbos y adverbios), y (iii) clasificar los tipos y las ocurrencias de acuerdo con las tres listas de palabras más frecuentes del inglés propuestas por Nation (http://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/staff/paul-nation.aspx). Los resultados indican que (i) los nombres son las categorías más utilizadas por los estudiantes, seguidos de los verbos; (ii) los nombres pertenecen al campo semántico de la familia y el tiempo libre y (iii) la mayoría de ocurrencias y tipos se encuentran en la lista 1, si bien más de la mitad de los alumnos emplean al menos un tipo perteneciente a la lista 3.

The Relationship between Docu Soap Exposure and Adolescents' Career Aspirations

This study aimed to explore the relationship between adolescents' viewing of docu soaps and their career aspirations. The results show that among a sample of 369 adolescents in their last year of secondary education, regular viewing of a docu soap about midwives, veterinarians or para-commandos was a significant predictor of more positive perceptions of that profession. Ecological data on student numbers suggested that these went up in periods following the broadcasting of a successful docu soap about a particular profession. The odds of becoming a student of a study programme recently featured in a docu soap increased by 15 percent. The discussion focuses on the implications of these findings and emphasizes the need for continued research in this area.