scholarly journals Human Ability to Learn According to the Feldenkrais Method: From Writings to Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Gil Iris

The Feldenkrais method seeks to improve individual ability, and human functioning in general, through movement. According to Moshé Feldenkrais, refining movement by enhancing the nervous system’s functioning also improves our ability to learn. The method has already been shown to improve mood, quality of life, and various physical aspects. The present study seeks to examined students’ theoretical learning capabilities during a Feldenkrais lesson, during a period of a few hours after the lesson, and the correlation between these two time periods.The main research question was: Does doing Feldenkrais exercises improve the ability to learn in 120 students at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. The findings show that the students assimilated the theoretical content conveyed during the lessons. The study also found that most of the students experienced improved ability for theoretical learning after the lessons. A strong, positive correlation was found between the students’ high ability for theoretical learning during the lesson, and improvement in the learning ability of the same students, experienced after the lesson. The study’s conclusion is that a variety of internal, physiological and mental/emotional processes occur when doing Feldenkrais exercises, which alleviate pain, create new neural pathways between the brain and the body, and also “unblock” stressful neural pathways, and which significantly improved the participants’ concentration, attention, and theoretical learning abilities, both during and after the lessons.

Author(s):  
Vera Yakubson ◽  
Victor Zakharov

This paper deals with the specialized corpora building, specifically academic language corpus in the biotechnology field. Being a part of larger research devoted to creation and usage of specialized parallel corpus, this piece aims to analyze the initial step of corpus building. Our main research question was what procedures we need to implement to the texts before using them to develop the corpus. Analysis of previous research showed the significant quantity of papers devoted to corpora creation, including academic specialized corpora. Different sides of the process were analyzed in these researches, including the types of texts used, the principles of crawling, the recommended length of texts etc. As to the text processing for the needs of corpora creation, only the linguistic annotation issues were examined earlier. At the same time, the preliminary cleaning of texts before their usage in corpora may have significant influence on the corpus quality and its utility for the linguistic research. In this paper, we considered three small corpora derived from the same set of academic texts in the biotechnology field: “raw” corpus without any preliminary cleaning and two corpora with different level of cleaning. Using different Sketch Engine tools, we analyzed these corpora from the position of their future users, predominantly as sources for academic wordlists and specialized multi-word units. The conducted research showed very little difference between two cleaned corpora, meaning that only basic cleaning procedures such as removal of reference lists are can be useful in corpora design. At the same time, we found a significant difference between raw and cleaned corpora and argue that this difference can affect the quality of wordlists and multi-word terms extraction, therefore these cleaning procedures are meaningful. The main limitation of the study is that all texts were taken from the unique source, so the conclusions could be affected by this specific journal’s peculiarities. Therefore, the future work should be the verification of results on different text collections


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1/2020) ◽  
pp. 33-67
Author(s):  
Olga Stevanovic

The subject of this paper encompasses US policy towards Poland and the Baltic States regarding energy security during Donald Trump’s presidency. It is discernible that vast domestic energy resources have created an opportunity for the US to project more power to these countries, and the surrounding region. We argue that Trump and his administration’s perceptions have served as an intervening variable in that opportunity assessment, in accordance with the neoclassical realist theory. The main research question addressed in this paper is whether US has used that opportunity to contribute to energy security in countries it has traditionally deemed as allies. Two aspects of US approach to energy security of the designated countries are taken into consideration: liquified natural gas exports and support for the Three Seas Initiative. The way Trump presented his policy and its results in his public statements has also been considered in this paper. The article will proceed as follows. The first subsection of the paper represents a summary of energy security challenges in Poland and the Baltic States. The second subsection is dedicated to the opportunity for the US to project energy power and to Trump’s perceptions relevant for the opportunity assessment. The third subsection deals with American LNG exports to these countries as a possible way for contributing to energy security in Poland and the Baltic States. The last part of the paper addresses the Three Seas Initiative and US approach to this platform.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-138
Author(s):  
Eun Young Jang ◽  
Heung Soo Park ◽  
Yeon Sil Jeong

This study attempted to try out Chinese-character education centering on experience and learners away from existing lecture-centered, teacher-centered education. For this purpose, problem-based learning (PBL) was proposed as one of the Chinese-language ability-enhancement measures for Korean learners of the Chinese language, and in order to examine the effect, we attempt to use the PBL tasks in the ‘Chinese-language reading’ class at a university for basic Chinese-language learners and analyze the results. PBL is a teaching-learning method in which learners focus on learning by using problems. In this study, we attempted to use PBL for the group work format. In this way, we can confirm that the class using the PBL has many advantages, such as improving learning ability and problem-solving ability, and strengthening cooperation. In addition, it was found that PBL is worthwhile to try because it is effective in inducing learning motivation, improving attention and interest in Chinese-character learning, improving learning attitudes of learners, and developing self-directed learning abilities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-32
Author(s):  
Anila R. Scott-Monkhouse ◽  
Michal Tal ◽  
Maria Yelenevskaya

Abstract This paper describes a joint programme developed in 2018 by the University of Parma Language Centre (Italy) and the Humanities and Arts Department of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. The aim of the project was to involve students of English for General Academic Purposes in delivering presentations to an unfamiliar foreign audience on a topic relevant to their academic interests. The students were required to prepare for the presentation by exploring and personalising the chosen topic so as to be able to explain it to a group which they had had no previous contact with or information about. Through the active involvement of the students in a realistic implementation of their prospective professional use of English, language learning became a holistic experience where a traditional approach to language learning focusing mainly on vocabulary and macro-skills was integrated with a pragmatic approach which addressed the so-called ‘21st-century skills’ (specifically critical thinking, communication, collaboration and digital literacy). The simulation of situations that they are likely to encounter in their professional lives helped students build their confidence, with the whole learning experience carrying both emotional and social implications. This paper offers an insight into the challenges and issues which arose, and ideas for improving the learning experience. We describe the preparation carried out by the teachers at both universities, and the guided and autonomous work carried out by students in the different stages. A post-conference survey triggered the students’ self-reflection in relation to learning and personal development. The survey was also valuable for the teachers regarding reassessment of teaching strategies and preparation for future joint projects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fariba Mostajeran ◽  
Jessica Krzikawski ◽  
Frank Steinicke ◽  
Simone Kühn

AbstractA large number of studies have demonstrated the benefits of natural environments on people’s health and well-being. For people who have limited access to nature (e.g., elderly in nursing homes, hospital patients, or jail inmates), virtual representations may provide an alternative to benefit from the illusion of a natural environment. For this purpose and in most previous studies, conventional photos of nature have been used. Immersive virtual reality (VR) environments, however, can induce a higher sense of presence compared to conventional photos. Whether this higher sense of presence leads to increased positive impacts of virtual nature exposure is the main research question of this study. Therefore, we compared exposure to a forest and an urban virtual environment in terms of their respective impact on mood, stress, physiological reactions, and cognition. The environments were presented via a head-mounted display as (1) conventional photo slideshows or (2) 360$$^{\circ }$$ ∘ videos. The results show that the forest environment had a positive effect on cognition and the urban environment disturbed mood regardless of the mode of presentation. In addition, photos of either urban or forest environment were both more effective in reducing physiological arousal compared to immersive 360$$^{\circ }$$ ∘ videos.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roksolana Mykhaylyk ◽  
Elinor Ytterstad

Aims and research questions: This paper presents a new study addressing the issue of cross-linguistic influence in acquisition of referring expressions. The main research question is how to predict directionality of this influence in a dual language development. Methodology: The method is an elicited production task. We consider the phenomenon of direct object referring choices, i.e. noun, pronoun and null element, in a ‘null-object’–‘overt-object’ language pair (Ukrainian and English). Data and Analysis: Participants of the experiment are 4–6-year-old Ukrainian–English bilinguals (N20) and Ukrainian monolinguals (N21). The data are analyzed in the statistical program R, utilizing the R-library function lme4. The results are presented as odds ratios (ORs) of each direct object type. Findings: Our data reveal that while there is no significant difference in Ukrainian object types in most of the age groups, there is a considerable amount of null object usage in English at the ages of four to five. Originality: The innovative nature of this study lies in: (i) the consideration of a licit object omission at a later stage of language development (from 4 to 6 years of age); (ii) the examination of an under-investigated language combination (i.e. English and Ukrainian); and (iii) the innovative approach to linguistic data analysis (e.g. comparing OR values). Implications: Our findings suggest that the directionality of influence in dual language acquisition depends on the developmental stage, language-specific means of syntax–pragmatics interaction, and extra-linguistic input-related factors. At the early stages of development, the null-object language is likely to influence the overt-object language, especially under conditions of limited exposure to the latter.


Polar Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-273
Author(s):  
Céline Cunen ◽  
Lars Walløe ◽  
Kenji Konishi ◽  
Nils Lid Hjort

AbstractChanges in the body condition of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) have been investigated in a number of studies, but remain contested. Here we provide a new analysis of body condition measurements, with particularly careful attention to the statistical model building and to model selection issues. We analyse body condition data for a large number (4704) of minke whales caught between 1987 and 2005. The data consist of five different variables related to body condition (fat weight, blubber thickness and girth) and a number of temporal, spatial and biological covariates. The body condition variables are analysed using linear mixed-effects models, for which we provide sound biological motivation. Further, we conduct model selection with the focused information criterion (FIC), reflecting the fact that we have a clearly specified research question, which leads us to a clear focus parameter of particular interest. We find that there has been a substantial decline in body condition over the study period (the net declines are estimated to 10% for fat weight, 7% for blubber thickness and 3% for the girth). Interestingly, there seems to be some differences in body condition trends between males and females and in different regions of the Antarctic. The decline in body condition could indicate major changes in the Antarctic ecosystem, in particular, increased competition from some larger krill-eating whale species.


2021 ◽  
pp. 8-14
Author(s):  
Светлана Тарасовна Быкова ◽  
Тамара Григорьевна Калинина ◽  
Ирина Макаровна Московская

Полноценное, сбалансированное питание - основной фактор в формировании здоровья детей, когда в организме наиболее интенсивно протекают процессы роста и развития, формируются и созревают многие органы и системы, совершенствуются их функции. В статье приведены основные направления исследований зарубежных и отечественных ученых по лечению генетических заболеваний, таких как фенилкетонурия. Одним из приоритетных направлений в области здорового питания населения России в соответствии со Стратегией научно-технологического развития РФ до 2030 г. является развитие производства пищевых продуктов, обогащенных незаменимыми ингредиентами, специализированных продуктов детского питания, продуктов функционального назначения, диетических пищевых продуктов и биологически активных добавок. По данным ВОЗ от структуры питания на 70 % зависят здоровье и физическое развитие детей и подростков. Фенилкетонурия (ФКУ) - наследственное заболевание, вызывающее нарушение метаболизма аминокислоты фенилаланина у ребенка, одно из первых, рекомендованных ВОЗ для ранней диагностики у новорожденных. Отсутствие лечения вызывают серьезное поражение центральной нервной системы, отставание в умственном и физическом развитии. Особенностью современного этапа развития диетотерапии для детей, страдающих различными заболеваниями, в том числе наследственными, является разработка качественных функциональных продуктов питания, способствующих сохранению и улучшению здоровья ребенка за счет регулирующего и нормализующего воздействия на организм с учетом его физиологического состояния и возраста. Данные продукты можно широко использовать в практике лечебного питания не только в составе гипофенилаланиновой диеты, но и при любых заболеваниях, требующих ее соблюдения. В настоящее время единственным методом лечения ФКУ является диетотерапия, организованная с первых дней жизни с использованием специализированных смесей без фенилаланина. Из питания исключаются высокобелковые продукты растительного и животного происхождения. Целью лечебного воздействия диеты на ребенка является поддержка концентрации фенилаланина (ФА) в крови в пределах 2-12 мг на 100 мл в зависимости от возраста ребенка. Full-fledged balanced nutrition is the main factor in the formation of children's health, when the processes of growth and development are most intense in the body, many organs and systems are formed and mature, and their functions are improved. The article presents the main research areas of foreign and domestic scientists on the treatment of genetic diseases, such as phenylketonuria. One of the priority areas in the field of healthy nutrition of the Russian population in accordance with the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation until 2030 is the development of the production of food products enriched with essential ingredients, specialized children's food products, functional products, dietary food products and biologically active additives. According to WHO, the health and physical development of children and adolescents depends on the nutritional structure by 70%. Phenylketonuria (PKN) - an inherited disease that causes impaired metabolism of the amino acid phenylalanine in a child - is one of the first recommended by WHO for early diagnosis in newborns. Lack of treatment causes serious damage to the central nervous system, a lag in mental and physical development. A feature of the modern stage of development of dietary therapy for children suffering from various diseases, including hereditary ones, is the development of quality functional food products that contribute to the preservation and improvement of the health of the child, due to the regulatory and normalizing effect on the body, taking into account its physiological state and age. These products can be widely used in the practice of therapeutic nutrition not only in the sastava of the hypophenylalanine diet, but also for any diseases requiring its observance. Currently, the only method of treating PKN is diet therapy, organized from the first days of life using specialized mixtures without phenylalanine. High-protein products of vegetable and animal origin are excluded from nutrition. The goal of the therapeutic effect of the diet on the child is to maintain the concentration of phenylalanine (FA) in the blood in the range of 2-12 mg per 100 ml, depending on the age of the child.


2013 ◽  
pp. 75-105
Author(s):  
Vida Cesnuityte

The aim of the research presented in the paper is to explore the inter-relations between care processes and personal social networks as social capital in the light of the changing family models. Research of interdependence of care, social capital and family models is based on the idea of family practices suggested by Morgan. The main research question is what family practices of various family models create such social capital that ensure caring for its' members? The research hypothesis is that participation in various activities together with family members and persons beyond nuclear and extended family create dense social networks of caregivers. The analysis is based on data of representative quantitative survey carried out in Lithuania between 2011 November-2012 May within the ESF supported research project "Trajectories of family models and social networks: intergenerational perspective". Research results only partly support this hypothesis: particular family practices create networks of caregivers, but in order to involve particular persons into network of caregivers, different family practices in various family models are needed. Usually, inhabitants of Lithuania primarily expect to receive care from persons who depend to nuclear family created through marriage and extended family arisen from this relation. But persons from whom it is expected to receive care and care received differ in Lithuania. In reality, caregivers usually are children in families with children and parents in families without children. Family practices that create social networks of caregivers, and are common for all family models include annual feasts like Christmas Eve, Christmas, Easter, All Soul's Day, New Year party, Mother's Day. Various family practices differently impacting creation social networks of caregivers for different family models but usually its include joint dinner daily, Sunday lunch together, vacations with family, communication face-toface, by the telephone or Internet, consultations on important decision-making, All Soul's Day feast, Christmas celebration, Mother's Day, Gatherings of relatives, Birthday, Name-day feast, visiting cultural event together.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document