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Effects of supplemental instruction on grades, mental well-being, and belonging: A field experiment

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a form of structured peer guidance attached to a specific course, provided by an experienced and trained student to a group of students. Previous studies show a positive effect of SI on learning outcomes, some found effects on well-being, and sense of belonging. However, literature on SI lacks randomized controlled trials and does not fully address the risk of self-selection bias. The current study tested whether SI has an effect on grades, mental well-being, and sense of belonging with a pre-registered randomized field experiment and a sample of 493 Dutch first-year students. Students who were offered SI obtained significantly higher grades (d = 0.26) but did not score significantly different on mental well-being or belonging.

Oral Interaction in the EFL Classroom: The Effects of Instructional Focus and Task Type on Learner Affect

Little is known about the effects of different instructional approaches on learner affect in oral interaction in the foreign language classroom. In a randomized experiment with Dutch pre-vocational learners (N = 147), we evaluated the effects of 3 newly developed instructional programs for English as a foreign language (EFL). These programs differed in instructional focus (form-focused vs. interaction strategies- oriented) and type of task (pre-scripted language tasks vs. information gap tasks). Multilevel analyses revealed that learners’ enjoyment of EFL oral interaction was not affected by instruction, that willingness to communicate (WTC) decreased over time, and that self-confidence was positively affected by combining information gap tasks with interactional strategies instruction. In addition, regression analyses revealed that development in learners’ WTC and enjoyment did not have predictive value for achievement in EFL oral interaction, but that development in self-confidence did explain achievement in EFL oral interaction in trained interactional contexts.

Transfer of improved movement technique after receiving verbal external focus and video instruction

It is unknown how movement patterns that are learned carry over to the field. The objective was to deter- mine whether training during a jump-landing task would transfer to lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during sidestep cutting.Methods Forty healthy athletes were assigned to the ver- bal internal focus (IF, n = 10), verbal external focus (EF, n = 10), video (VI, n = 10) or control (CTRL, n = 10) group. A jump-landing task was performed as baseline followed by training blocks (TR1 and TR2) and a post-test. Group-spe- cific instructions were given in TR1 and TR2. In addition, participants in the IF, EF and VI groups were free to ask for feedback after every jump during TR1 and TR2. Retention was tested after 1 week. Transfer of learned skill was deter- mined by having participants perform a 45° unanticipated sidestep cutting task. 3D hip, knee and ankle kinematics and kinetics were the main outcome measures.Results During sidestep cutting, the VI group showed greater hip flexion ROM compared to the EF and IF groups (p < 0.001). The EF (p < 0.036) and VI (p < 0.004) groups had greater knee flexion ROM compared to the IF group. Conclusions Improved jump-landing technique car- ried over to sidestep cutting when stimulating an external attentional focus combined with self-controlled feedback. Transfer to more sport-specific skills may demonstrate potential to reduce injuries on the field. Clinicians and practitioners are encouraged to apply instructions that stimulate an external focus of attention, of which visual instructions seem to be very powerful.

Practical solution or missed opportunity? The impact of language of instruction on Dutch history teachers’ application of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK)

Teaching history requires clear, detailed and subject specific language. History teachers teaching in a second language are confronted with students' second language limitations, which likely have an aggravating impact on their application of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). We analysed and compared 12 Dutch spoken and 12 English spoken paired history lessons in junior grades 7 and 9. Contrary to our expectation, we found a strong similarity of the teachers’ PCK application in both grades 7 and 9, irrespective of the used language. The PCK application in both grades and languages was of average quality, while the PCK used in grade 9 was more advanced.

Instructions for Administering the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure with Children Themselves

AIMS: The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) can be used to support children to clarify their needs themselves. However, for pediatric occupational therapists it is not sufficiently clear how to effectively use the COPM with children from 8 years of age.This study aimed to formulate specific instructions for using the COPM with children themselves, based on the experience of children, parents, and occupational therapists. In addition, professional consensus on the instructions was reached.METHODS: A multi-stage approach was used to develop the instructions. Triangulation of methods was used to gather knowledge of how the COPM with children themselves is performed in daily practice: interviews with 23 children, questionnaires completed by 30 parents, interviews with 13 therapists, and 10 video recordings of COPM administration. Specific instructions were derived from this knowledge and consensus for these instructions was reached by Delphi method.RESULTS: The data were analyzed and resulted in 40 specific instructions. Consensus of at least 80% amongst 10 occupational therapists, who regularly use the COPM with children, was achieved on each instruction.CONCLUSION: There is consensus on 40 specific instructions for administering the COPM with children. Following these instructions might help children to formulate their own goals for intervention.

The perception of teachers on usability and accessibility of programming materials for children with visual impairments