To Mask or Not to Mask—Evaluation of Cognitive Performance in Children Wearing Face Masks during School Lessons (MasKids)

In the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, wearing a face mask is mandatory again during school lessons. There are no controlled studies in children to date indicating an effect on cognitive performance from wearing face masks. In a randomized controlled trial, we analysed the influence of face masks on cognitive performance of pupils during regular school lessons. Pupils (n = 133, fifth to seventh grade) were randomized by alternating allocation into control (with masks, n = 65) and intervention groups (without mask, n = 68). After two school lessons with (control) and without (intervention) face masks in class, all pupils performed digital tests for cognitive performance regarding attention and executive functions (switch, Corsi block-tapping, 2-back and flanker task). Overall, there were no significant differences in cognitive performance between both groups, masks vs. no masks. Wearing face masks has no significant influence on attention and executive functions of pupils and can still be recommended during school lessons.

Assessing Aspects Of Strength, Concentration, Interest, Physical Activity And Body Mass Index

This study describes the strength, concentration, interest, physical activity and body mass index between regular schools and Islamic boarding schools based schools. The results of this study were carried out as material for evaluating the interests of interests. This research is a non-experimental quantitative research. The sample in this study were high school students in regular schools and Islamic boarding schools in Kab. Bojonegoro. The number of regular students is 221, students of Islamic boarding schools are 245. The instruments used to measure the variables of this study include: the strength variable (Push Up, Sit Up, Back Up). Concentration variable using grid concentration test. Interest variables using a questionnaire. The physical activity variable used the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ short). The body mass index variable uses the national nutritional obesity formula. This research was conducted semi-online. Items of interest and physical activity were carried out offline, while physical fitness, concentration and body mass index were carried out boldly. Regular school excels at item strength and physical activity. Islamic boarding school-based schools are superior in concentration and interest. Regular school students tend to be obese than boarding school students.

Processo de Inclusão do Estudante Surdo no Ensino Fundamental na Rede Municipal de Salgueiro / Process of Inclusion of Deaf Students in Elementary Education in the Municipality of Salgueiro

Resumo: A inclusão é uma conquista do movimento das pessoas com deficiência para terem direito de acesso à escola assim como as demais pessoas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal analisar o processo de inclusão do estudante surdo no ensino fundamental na rede municipal de Salgueiro- PE. Assim, buscando entender qual o verdadeiro processo de inclusão do aluno surdo no ensino fundamental no município de Salgueiro- PE? Como isso visou-se identificar a inclusão do estudante Surdo do Ensino Regular, compreender o processo de inclusão a partir da legislação, identificar o processo de inclusão tendo como referência a educação como principal meio de favorecimento a uma convivência humana saudável, pautada no respeito pela diversidade que constitui a sociedade e ainda refletir a luz da importância da Libras/interprete para facilitação da aprendizagem do surdo na sala de aula numa experiência de escola regular na cidade de Salgueiro- PE. A presente pesquisa foi de base qualitativa, sendo parte reflexiva aos diálogos de autores citados no mesmo e de uma pesquisa semiestruturada com a secretaria de educação da rede municipal de Salgueiro- PE. Onde verificou-se que através desses questionamentos existe uma barreira desafiante que precisa ser urgente resolvida no processo de inclusão do aluno surdo nas escolas da rede. Faz-se necessário o reconhecimento da língua de sinais como importante para os alunos surdos, formação continuada e especifica para os profissionais da educação na perspectiva de qualifica-los, entendendo que a formação constitui elemento fundamental para se atingir os objetivos visados pela educação. Palavras chave: Aluno surdo. Educação. Inclusão. Libras. Professor. Abstract: Inclusion is an achievement of the movement of people with disabilities to have the right to access school just like other people. The main objective of this study was to analyze the process of inclusion of deaf students in elementary education in the municipal network of Salgueiro-PE. So, trying to understand what is the real process of inclusion of deaf students in elementary school in the city of Salgueiro-PE? As such, the aim was to identify the inclusion of Deaf students in Regular Education, understand the inclusion process from the legislation, identify the inclusion process with reference to education as the main means of favoring a healthy human coexistence, based on respect for diversity that constitutes society and still reflect the light of the importance of Libras/interpreter to facilitate the learning of the deaf in the classroom in a regular school experience in the city of Salgueiro-PE. The present research was qualitatively based, being a reflexive part of the dialogues of authors mentioned in the same and of a semi-structured research with the education department of the municipal network of Salgueiro-PE. Where it was found that through these questions there is a challenging barrier that needs to be urgently resolved in the process of inclusion of deaf students in schools in the network. It is necessary to recognize sign language as important for deaf students, continuing and specific training for education professionals with a view to qualifying them, understanding that training is a fundamental element to achieve the goals pursued by education. Keywords: Deaf student. Education. Inclusion. LIBRAS. Teacher.

Psychological Dynamics In The Changing Of Bullying Victims Into Bullies At Student In Islamic Boarding School

Bullying case was one of the problems conducted in school that became an international concern. Bullying occurrence in school was not limited to regular school but also in boarding school, particularly in islamic boarding school; thus, this phenomenon had a higher chance to occur in boarding school due to seniority. It was also found that the bullies were previously had the experiences as the victims. According to this phenomenon, a qualitative study was held to formulate the substantial theory about the psychological dynamics of the victim becoming bullies, particularly in islamic boarding school context. This study conducted the systematic grounded theory. The data was collected through in-depth interviews and observations toward nine main participants, and some supported participants and analyzed with constant comparative technique. The finding of this study was The Dynamic of Bullying: The Victims Become Bullies, which contained six phases: 1) Become the victims, 2) Aggrieved phase, 3) Frustration phase, 4) Maladaptive coping phase, 5) Trial phase, 6) Become the bullies. This dynamic explained the psychological dynamics in the victims who become bullies. Some interesting findings found in the fourth phase, the maladaptive coping phase, in which the victims decide whether to be adaptive or maladaptive to bullying activity. The alternate in the adaptation phase indicated that the shifting role of victims to bullies could be prevented. Psychological support programs, both preventive and curative way, could be beneficial to prevent the possibility of the victim becoming bullies. The preventive program could prevent the victims from becoming bullies, and the curative program could help the victim heal the trauma of bullying.

On distance learning in Italy during the Covid-19 emergency

Aim. Due to the Covid-19 (briefly C-19) epidemic, since March 2020 people and institutions have needed to use digital services, i.e. a transfer to life online. This paper analyses the distance learning experiences of children, teenagers and parents during the lockdown in Italy. Reflections are then carried out on the impact of the distance learning at academic level and on the imposed distance mode.Methods. We consider the distance learning experiences of children, youngsters and parents during the lockdown due to the C-19 epidemic in Italy, considering in particular data collected with a survey on a national sample of 1028 children and youngsters, agedbetween 10 and 18 who use the Internet.Results. Society showed unpreparedness for this drastic change, highlighting already pre-existing digital inequalities. The closure of schools has led to over 90% of children and teenagers enrolled in school worldwide to drop out of school. From March 2020 the lockdown measures have been extended to all Italian regions.Conclusions. Italian students lost regular school days by a factor 2.5 times higher than the average of lost days among high-income world countries. Millions of children and teenagers had diffi culties in distance learning activities due to a lack of connectivity and/or inadequate IT tools; many students stopped attending school. Distance learning can be interpreted as an unfortunate piece of this new negative social picture.

M-learning and the EFL classroom

Technology is definitely ubiquitous. It is what keeps us constantly connected to different people on a daily basis. Since the advent of smartphones, technology has also changed the way we perform many of our everyday tasks, including the ones at the school local context. It also reinvented the way teenagers learn and behave in the classroom, EFL institutions included. This article, then, aims to present and discuss the role of mobile learning in the teaching of English-speaking skills and the concept of Bring Your Own Device. Additionally, based on the concept of Partnering Pedagogy (PRENSKY, 2012), it suggests a lesson plan for regular school pre-teens to show how teachers can give the first step toward the implementation of mobile devices in their educational practices. The lesson, which can be applied either to online or face-to-face contexts, showed how teenage students become more willing to participate in speaking activities. Finally, the text brings to light some reflection on the integration of mobile technologies in EFL learning practices, emphasizing the essence of delivering high quality learning lessons rather than giving central importance to technology per se.

Perception of Secondary School Principals on Strategies for Improving Academic Performance: A Trajectory of UMkhanyakude Education District

The study outlines the findings from a case study that explored how the uMkhanyakude education district improved its academic performance in such challenging circumstances of the district. The performance chart of the district tabling results from 2008 to 2020 raised curiosity and interest to investigating the strategies employed by the district turn things around. The study adopted a qualitative method of enquiry employing document analysis and telephone interviews with principals of top-performing schools in the district. The findings revealed that transformative leadership, parental involvement in the form of izimbizo, adoption of schools with high enrolments, use of lead teachers, regular school visits, prescription of learner activities, well-planned extra-classes and introduction of Study camps raised learner academic performance in the district. The study recommends quality teaching and learning across the grades, parental involvement should be encouraged at all levels, two-way communication, regular support by the subject advisors and the unions.

To Mask or Not to Mask - Evaluation of Cognitive Performance in Children Wearing Face Masks during School Lessons (Maskids)

In the current Sars-CoV-2 pandemic, wearing a face mask was mandatory and is still desired during school lessons. There are no controlled studies in children to date indicating an effect on cognitive performance wearing face masks. In a randomized controlled trial, we analysed the influence of face masks on cognitive performance of pupils during regular school lessons. Pupils (n=133, 5th to 7th grade) were randomized by alternating allocation into control (with masks, n=65) and intervention groups (without mask, n=68). After two school lessons with (control) and without (intervention) face masks in class all pupils performed digital tests for cognitive performance regarding attention and executive functions (Switch, CORSI block tapping, 2-back and flanker task). Overall, there were no significant differences in cognitive performance between both groups, masks vs. no masks. Wearing face masks has no significant influence on attention and executive functions of pupils and can still be recommended during school lessons.

Development of Teachers’ Emotional Adjustment Performance Regarding Their Perception of Emotional Experience and Job Satisfaction During Regular School Operations, the First and the Second School Lockdown in Austria

Starting with the COVID-19 pandemic, research intensively investigated the effects of school lockdowns on involved stakeholders, such as teachers, students and parents. However, as research projects had to be hurriedly conducted, in-depth and longitudinal studies are lacking. Therefore, the current study uses data from a longitudinal study to investigate the well-being of Austrian in-service teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In total 256 teachers took part at both measurement waves and participated in an online survey. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess teachers’ perception of emotional experiences and job satisfaction before COVID-19 (retrospective, t1), during the first (in situ, t2) and during the second school lockdown (in situ, t3). The results indicated that the vast majority of teachers generally felt a high level of job satisfaction. However, teachers’ satisfaction decreased between regular teaching and school lockdowns. Similarly, positive emotional activation was reduced and negative activation increased. Further, results from a positive activation cross-lagged path model indicated that the lack of positive activation led to lower job satisfaction. For negative emotional activation, job satisfaction during the first school lockdown predicted negative activation at the second lockdown.