Esta pesquisa investiga processos cognitivos envolvidos na aprendizagem. Para isso, compara-se o desempenho acadêmico, o desempenho matemático, o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático em trinta e cinco adolescentes do primeiro ano do Ensino Médio do Colégio Júlio de Castilhos. O desempenho acadêmico é representado pela média obtida por cada um de 35 alunos, no primeiro trimestre do ano letivo de 2010 nas disciplinas que compõem o programa, excetuando-se a matemática. O desempenho matemático é representado pela nota final na disciplina no mesmo trimestre. O executivo central da memória de trabalho é avaliado por meio de dois subtestes selecionados da Bateria de Avaliação da Memória de Trabalho da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. O raciocínio lógico-matemático é avaliado com a tarefa piagetiana o equilíbrio da balança. Os dados obtidos através dos testes para avaliação do executivo central da memória de trabalho são estudados com análise estatística inferencial. Os dados obtidos com o método clínico piagetiano na aplicação da tarefa o equilíbrio da balança são estudados por meio de análise descritiva, além de serem transformados em escores a fim de serem incluídos na análise estatística inferencial. Encontrou-se correlação entre as quatro funções estudadas através do teste de correlação de Pearson. Os alunos são agrupados conforme o desempenho acadêmico, em alunos com desempenho alto, intermediário e baixo e, com esta categorização, é realizada a comparação entre grupos quanto ao desempenho matemático, o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático, por Análise de Variância. Encontrou-se que as funções diferem nos três grupos na maioria das comparações. Conclui-se que o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático têm um papel importante no desempenho acadêmico do aluno adolescente. / This research investigates the cognitive processes involved in learning. For this purpose, it compares academic performance, mathematical performance, the central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning in thirty-five teenagers in their first year of High School in a public school. Academic performance for each student is assessed through the average grade obtained in the first quarter of the 2010 academic year, in the subjects that comprise the program, except mathematics. The mathematical performance is represented by the final grade in the subject in the same quarter. The central executive of working memory is assessed by two subtests selected from the Working Memory Assessment Battery from the Federal University of Minas Gerais. The logical-mathematical reasoning abilities are assessed by the Piagetian task called the balance equilibrium. The data obtained through tests to assess the central executive of working memory are interpreted by means of inferential statistical analysis. The data obtained by the clinical method of application of the Piagetian task the balance equilibrium are studied through descriptive analysis and are converted into scores, which are then included in the inferential statistical analysis. There is a correlation between the four functions studied by the Pearson correlation test. The mathematical performance, the central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning are analysed among groups of students with above-, lower- and average academic performances. The functions in the three groups differed on most comparisons. The central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning play an important role in the academic performance of teenage students.

Esta pesquisa investiga processos cognitivos envolvidos na aprendizagem. Para isso, compara-se o desempenho acadêmico, o desempenho matemático, o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático em trinta e cinco adolescentes do primeiro ano do Ensino Médio do Colégio Júlio de Castilhos. O desempenho acadêmico é representado pela média obtida por cada um de 35 alunos, no primeiro trimestre do ano letivo de 2010 nas disciplinas que compõem o programa, excetuando-se a matemática. O desempenho matemático é representado pela nota final na disciplina no mesmo trimestre. O executivo central da memória de trabalho é avaliado por meio de dois subtestes selecionados da Bateria de Avaliação da Memória de Trabalho da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. O raciocínio lógico-matemático é avaliado com a tarefa piagetiana o equilíbrio da balança. Os dados obtidos através dos testes para avaliação do executivo central da memória de trabalho são estudados com análise estatística inferencial. Os dados obtidos com o método clínico piagetiano na aplicação da tarefa o equilíbrio da balança são estudados por meio de análise descritiva, além de serem transformados em escores a fim de serem incluídos na análise estatística inferencial. Encontrou-se correlação entre as quatro funções estudadas através do teste de correlação de Pearson. Os alunos são agrupados conforme o desempenho acadêmico, em alunos com desempenho alto, intermediário e baixo e, com esta categorização, é realizada a comparação entre grupos quanto ao desempenho matemático, o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático, por Análise de Variância. Encontrou-se que as funções diferem nos três grupos na maioria das comparações. Conclui-se que o executivo central da memória de trabalho e o raciocínio lógico-matemático têm um papel importante no desempenho acadêmico do aluno adolescente. / This research investigates the cognitive processes involved in learning. For this purpose, it compares academic performance, mathematical performance, the central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning in thirty-five teenagers in their first year of High School in a public school. Academic performance for each student is assessed through the average grade obtained in the first quarter of the 2010 academic year, in the subjects that comprise the program, except mathematics. The mathematical performance is represented by the final grade in the subject in the same quarter. The central executive of working memory is assessed by two subtests selected from the Working Memory Assessment Battery from the Federal University of Minas Gerais. The logical-mathematical reasoning abilities are assessed by the Piagetian task called the balance equilibrium. The data obtained through tests to assess the central executive of working memory are interpreted by means of inferential statistical analysis. The data obtained by the clinical method of application of the Piagetian task the balance equilibrium are studied through descriptive analysis and are converted into scores, which are then included in the inferential statistical analysis. There is a correlation between the four functions studied by the Pearson correlation test. The mathematical performance, the central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning are analysed among groups of students with above-, lower- and average academic performances. The functions in the three groups differed on most comparisons. The central executive of working memory and logical-mathematical reasoning play an important role in the academic performance of teenage students.

Esta dissertação consiste em dois estudos que têm por objetivo investigar a existência de disfunções executivas no envelhecimento. Estudos recentes sugerem a existência de disfunções executivas no Declínio Cognitivo Leve (DCL). O objetivo do Estudo 1 foi verificar a presença de disfunções executivas em pacientes com DCL. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Teste Wisconsin de Classificação de Cartas (WCST) e a Iowa Gambling Test (IGT). Foram estudados dez pacientes com e 27 sem DCL. Os dados foram analisados através do teste t de Student para amostras independentes e da análise de variância (ANOVA) para medidas repetidas. Os resultados não evidenciaram diferença significativa entre os grupos nos índices de resposta do WCST e no número de cartas retiradas de cada baralho no IGT. O estudo da evolução do desempenho no IGT revelou diferença qualitativa entre os grupos. Idosos sem DCL aprendem ao longo da tarefa, enquanto idosos com DCL não o fazem, sugerindo uma interferência dos sistemas de memória na tomada de decisão. O Iowa Gambling Test tem sido um instrumento utilizado na avaliação da tomada de decisão. O objetivo do Estudo 2 foi investigar se alterações nos procedimentos de aplicação do instrumento interferem no desempenho durante a execução do teste. Foi realizado um estudo transversal comparando dois grupos de idosos saudáveis em duas variações do instrumento. O grupo I contou com 27 participantes, que executaram a tarefa sem pista de reforço visual. O grupo II foi composto por 17 participantes, submetidos à tarefa com pista. Os dados foram analisados através dos testes t de Student para amostras independentes e ANOVA para medidas repetidas. Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos na execução do teste em relação à aversão ao risco (F=2,466; p=0,05; df=2). Os resultados indicam que uma pista de reforço visual possibilita maior alocação de recursos atencionais e de memória de trabalho, permitindo que os idosos tomem decisões menos arriscadas. / This dissertation is formed by two works that aim to investigate executive dysfunction on ageing. Recent studies suggest the existence of executive dysfunctions in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The aim of the first study was to verify the presence of executive dysfunctions in patients with MCI. The instruments used were the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the Iowa Gambling Test (IGT). Ten patients with and 27 without MCI were assessed. The data were analyzed through Student t test for independent samples and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures. The results did not show significant difference between groups in the answer rates of WCST and in the number of cards withdrawn from each pack of cards in the IGT. The study of the performance evolution in the IGT revealed a qualitative difference between the groups. Elderly without MCI learn along the task, while elderly with MCI did not, suggesting an interference of memory systems in decision making. The Iowa Gambling Test has been an instrument used in the assessment of decision making. The aim of the second study was to investigate if changes in the application procedures of the instrument interfere in the performance through the test execution. A cross sectional study was carried out comparing two groups of healthy elderly in two variations of the instrument. The group I included 27 participants, which executed the task without clue of visual reinforcement. The group II was composed by 17 participants, submitted to the task with clue. The data were analyzed through the Student t test for independent samples and ANOVA for repeated measures. It was found statistically significant difference between the two groups in the execution of the test in relation to risk aversion (F=2,466; p=0,05; df=2). The results indicate that a clue of visual reinforcement permits greater allocation of attention resources and of working memory, allowing elderly to make least risky decisions.

Atualmente, diversos estudos sobre a tomada de decisão (TD) têm sido conduzidos, com base na Hipótese do Marcador Somático (HMS), utilizando como ferramenta de avaliação a Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Neste contexto, esta tese teve por objetivo geral analisar o processo de TD, bem como a tarefa usualmente utilizada para mensurá-lo, a IGT. Visando a atender esta finalidade, três estudos foram conduzidos, buscando investigar o processo decisório a partir de diferentes aspectos. O primeiro deles discutiu a TD dentro de uma perspectiva do desenvolvimento, comparando adultos jovens e adultos idosos em seu comportamento de escolha. Já o segundo, tratou de investigar a possível influência de componentes de impulsividade e diferentes processos cognitivos, como a memória de trabalho, o aprendizado associativo e reverso e a atenção, no processo de tomar decisões. O terceiro e último estudo averiguou o efeito da cultura na tomada de decisões, comparando o desempenho de indivíduos brasileiros e norte-americanos na IGT. Os resultados do primeiro estudo evidenciaram que tanto adultos jovens quanto adultos idosos apresentam um comportamento guiado, principalmente, pela expectativa de uma baixa freqüência de punições. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os dois grupos etários, quanto à quantidade de cartas retiradas de cada baralho, embora cada grupo tenha revelado um processo distinto de aprendizagem ao longo da tarefa. No segundo estudo, padrões distintos de correlações nos dois grupos etários foram verificados. Em se tratando dos adultos jovens, uma influência do aprendizado associativo e reverso no processo de TD mensurado pela IGT (conforme o critério tradicional de análise) foi observada. Ao se considerar as correlações constatadas nos participantes adultos idosos, averiguou-se uma associação entre o subteste dígitos (ordem direta e inversa) e os escores com base na freqüência (punição) alcançados na IGT. Finalmente, os achados do terceiro estudo apresentaram diferenças importantes entre os dois grupos culturais, revelando que tanto adultos jovens quanto adultos idosos norte-americanos atingem escores mais elevados na IGT. Considerados em conjunto, os resultados mostram que a IGT é uma tarefa complexa, sofrendo a influência, em alguma extensão, de outros processos cognitivos e de aspectos culturais e desenvolvimentais. / Several studies on decision making (DM) have been recently conducted, based on the Somatic Marker Hypothesis (SMH) and using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) as assessment tool. In that context, this dissertation aimed at analyzing the DM process and the task commonly used to measure it, i.e., IGT. To achieve that goal, three studies were performed to investigate the DM process based on different aspects. The first discussed DM within a development perspective, comparing young and older individuals in their choice behavior. The second investigated the possible influence of impulsivity components and other more basic cognitive processes, such as working memory, reverse learning and attention, on the DM process. Finally, the third study verified the effect of DM culture, comparing the performance of Brazilian and American individuals in IGT. The results of the first study demonstrated that both young and elderly individuals choose cards in decks "B" and "D," which indicates a behavior that is mainly guided by the expectation of a low frequency of punishments. There were no significant differences between both age groups as to the amount of cards taken from each deck, although each group has shown a different learning process during the task. In the second study, different correlation patterns between the age groups were observed. With regard to the young individuals, the performance in reversal learning was correlated with the score obtained in IGT, showing the importance of the ability of associating stimuli and further reversion into a proper choice process during the task. As for the older individuals, a correlation between the digit span and the IGT was found. Finally, the findings of the third study had major differences between both cultural groups, demonstrating that American young and elderly individuals reached higher IGT scores. Considered as a group, the results show that IGT is a complex task and, to a certain extent, is influenced by other cognitive processes and cultural and developmental aspects.

Neste estudo são avaliadas três atividades com relação a seus efeitos no desenvolvimento da habilidade de visualização espacial. Elas são baseadas respectivamente em aplicações de desenho técnico, modelos de arame e modelos de sólidos. Na terceira atividade há também exercícios em que são utilizadas máquinas com comando numérico. A avaliação foi realizada com base em ontuãções obtidas por estudantes no teste MRT, após a prática das atividades em mini cursos experimentais, os quais foram aplicados segundo o método de planejamento experimental chamado Julgamentos Cruzados, e os dados obtidos, analisados de acordo com um método Bayesiano. Concluiu-se que a atividade em que foram utilizadas aplicações de desenho técnico tem maior potencial para desenvolver a habilidade de visualização espacial, quando comparada com as outras, em que foram utilizadas respectivamente aplicações de modelos de sólidos e de arame. / The effects of three pedagogical activities concerning their effects on the development of spatial visualization skills are presented in this study. Those activities are based respectively on the interpretation and generation of technical drawings, wireframe models, and finally on the generation and interpretation of solid models. In the third activity it has also exercises where numerical controlled machines are used. The activities were applied to a group of under-graduate students in the form of short courses, and the results were measured by MRT testing. The crossover experimental design was used to organize the order of activities and to facilitate the drawing of meaningful conclusions. The statistical analysis was performed according by Bayesian methods. It is concluded that the activity that uses applications of technical drawings has more potential to develop spatial visualization skills.

In order to learn a language, it is important to develop a vocabulary because it facilitates the language skills: reading, listening, writing and speaking. According to the Swedish curriculum, students must be able to develop these skills in English. However, the national tests show that students have poor results in reading and reading comprehension in English. Therefore, as future teachers of languages in Sweden, we chose to investigate how students can develop and strengthen their vocabulary through reading. Our research questions are: What cognitive processes and strategies are used when learning vocabulary? What does research say about incidental vocabulary learning through reading? What relationship does vocabulary have with reading comprehension? We have answered our questions by synthesizing and analyzing empirical studies which have been divided into two categories: cognitive processes and strategies, and vocabulary acquisition through reading. The findings show that, when encountering new vocabulary, learners use memory, determination, social and metacognitive strategies. Learning vocabulary happens both incidentally and intentionally and during this procedure words go through cognitive processes that determine where in our knowledge system they belong but this procedure can be affected by both internal and external factors. Results show that learners find reading and reading while listening to be a good method of learning vocabulary and these approaches also show good results in incidental vocabulary acquisition. Learners acquire new vocabulary incidentally through reading but the number of words they learn varies greatly. Learner’s prior vocabulary knowledge and the level of the target text is important for the outcome of new vocabulary acquisition. If the learner does not have an adequate prior vocabulary, associations and connections cannot be made and coherence not completed. In summary, the relationship between incidental vocabulary acquisition and reading comprehension is mutually beneficial. Reading provides context during a learner’s integration process and this leads to comprehension and vocabulary growth. There is a reciprocal relationship between comprehension and vocabulary growth, where both build on one another. However, since all the empirical studies did not take the same factors into consideration, the results have varied. In other words, external and internal factors can have a major impact on incidental vocabulary acquisition through reading. We suggest further research to investigate these factors in order to get a clearer picture of how we as teachers can improve strategies and instructions for vocabulary acquisition through reading.

The development of keystroke logging programs and their use to study the writing process affords an opportunity to combine keystroke logging together with diagnostic tests to provide further information about the test-taking process beyond the given answers. This exploratory study provides a starting point for the usage of keystroke logging programs when taking diagnostic linguistic tests. Twenty-one Swedish students in upper secondary school took a morphological test in English that assesses morphological knowledge – which recent studies suggest is related to reading and writing development – using the keystroke logging program GenoGraphiX-LOG. Temporal and revision data, as well as GenoGraphiX-LOG’s provided statistical and visualization tools, were used to investigate the cognitive processes of the participants in relation to morphological knowledge. Haye’s model of the writing process and the Morphological Pathways Framework (MPF) was used to ground the analysis in current cognitive theory. The results reveal that higher-level processes such as evaluation and planning can be seen with the help of keystroke logging, as well as the integration of morphological information and spelling. The current analytical and visualization tools provided by GenoGraphiX-LOG require further development to streamline their usage together with diagnostic linguistic tests. / Utvecklingen av program för registreringen av tangenttryckningar och deras användning inom forskning om skrivprocesser bidrar ytterligare information om provtagningsprocessen utöver provsvaren. Denna explorativa studie ger en startpunkt för användningen av program för tangenttryckningsregistrering tillsammans med diagnostiska lingvistiska prov. Tjugoen svenska elever i andra året på gymnasiet utförde ett morfologiskt prov på engelska som utvärderar morfologisk kunskap – vilket relaterar till läs- och skrivutvecklingen enligt nya studier – med hjälp av programmet GenoGraphiX-LOG. Temporal och revideringsdata användes, tillsammans med programmets verktyg för statistisk redovisning och visualisering, för att undersöka deltagarnas kognitiva processer i relation till deras morfologiska kunskap. Hayes modell av skrivprocessen och Morphological Pathways Framework (MPF) användes för att förankra analysen i aktuell kognitiv teori. Resultaten visar att högre processer såsom evaluering och planering kan synliggöras med hjälp av registrering av tangenttryckningar. De nuvarande analytiska och visualiseringsverktygen i GenoGraphiX-LOG behöver utvecklas vidare för att effektivisera dess användning med diagnostiska lingvistiska prov.

This thesis is focused on analysing chemical experiments and their potential to help increase science literacy among vocational school students. Currently, greater emphasis is placed on the development of scientific and critical thinking at higher cognitive levels and science literacy. These skills and abilities can be achieved through tuition based on experimental scientific activities. For this reason, the main goal of this thesis was to review the quantity and method of processing of individual experiments in terms of quality and compliance with the given requirements. Experiments in the field of organic chemistry were taken from available vocational school literature and were analysed and evaluated. These sources were the following textbooks: Chemie pro střední školy, Chemie pro studijní obory SOŠ a SOU nechemického zaměření and the web page Studium chemie and the video database of chemistry experiments. Each experiment was evaluated whether it met the analysed criteria of transparency, connection with practical life, problem solving and material, technical, time and economic simplicity. Furthermore, the experiments were evaluated in terms of usability during various stages of tuition with regard to the development of students through different levels of inquiry. The last and main evaluation...

No / The processes whereby nurses develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver individualized and holistic care were examined in a 2-year study of nurses in a range of clinical settings and a university department of nursing in England. Members of two research teams of qualified nurses joined various communities of nursing practice as participating members and simultaneously "shadowed" designated nurses. At day's end, shadowers and shadowees reviewed the day's practice in critical incident interviews. The powerful processes of nurse socialization that create a strong core identity of the "good nurse" proved central to understanding the acquisition, use, and protection of nursing skills. Learning to become a nurse was always situated within particular communities of practice. Learning in such contexts, both in clinical and educational settings, entailed not just mastering a range of intellectual concepts but also learning through embodied performances involving engagement and interaction with the community of practice. The following were among the study recommendations: (1) link educational and clinical settings by helping clinical staff understand their collective role in the educational experience; (2) enhance the mentor and assessor functions; and (3) enable, support, and resource time in education for clinicians and time in practice for educators.

Résumé : La thèse proposée aborde le problème du développement de la coopération au sein des équipes de travail. La recension des écrits fait ressortir qu'elles sont typiquement confrontées à des difficultés communicationnelles, des problèmes de méfiance et des jeux de pouvoir. Ces difficultés minent leur coopération. Or, les stratégies usuelles pour favoriser la coopération--la laisser émerger, l'enseigner, prescrire des méthodes, comportements et attitudes la favorisant ne permettent pas de répondre à la question suivante : comment peut-on développer la coopération au sein d'une équipe? Cette recherche propose un modèle systémique du développement de la coopération. II emprunte des notions à différents domaines : la communication, la dynamique de la confiance, les processus cognitifs, la dynamique des groupes et la théorie sociale de l'apprentissage. Considérant l'étendue des domaines investigués, la validation complète du modèle excédait les objectifs d'une recherche doctorale. Néanmoins, l'étude sur le terrain, s'apparentant à une recherche-action, a permis d'amorcer sa validation. Ainsi, l'efficacité du modèle à comprendre en quoi l'intercompréhension est une difficulté importante et comment la stratégie de négociation de sens aide à la contrer, ont pu être validées. De même, il ressort que la légitimité de participation des membres semble influencer leur confiance, encourager la découverte de leurs identités, favoriser les apprentissages en matière de coopération. Le modèle développé pourrait être utile à un praticien désirant développer la coopération dans une équipe de projet. II peut aussi être utile à la formation, de même que pour entreprendre de nouvelles recherches. // Abstract : This thesis addresses the problem of the development of cooperation within the work teams. The literature review emphasizes that they are typically confronted with communication difficulties, problems of mistrust and power games. These difficulties undermine their cooperation. However, the usual strategies to support the cooperation (to let it emerge, teach it, to prescribe methods, behaviours and attitudes support) do not allow answer the following question: how can one develop the cooperation within a team? This research proposes a systemic model of the development of the cooperation. It borrows concepts from various fields: communication, trust dynamics, cognitive processes, group dynamics and communities of practice. Considering the extent of the investigated fields, the complete validation of the model exceeded the objectives of a doctoral research. Nevertheless, the study on the ground, similar to an action-research, made it possible to start its validation. The findings confirmed the effectiveness of the model to understand in what mutual comprehension is an important difficulty and how the strategy of meaning negotiation helps to counter it. In the same way, it arises that the member's participation legitimacy seems to influence their trust, to encourage the discovery of their identities, to support their apprenticeship of cooperation. The developed model could be useful to a project manager wishing to develop the cooperation in a team. It could also be useful for the formation, just as to begin new research.