DSpace Collection:

Engineering design as a framework for developing pre-service teachers' TPACK in digital making environments

2026-08-28T10:44:42Z

Title: Engineering design as a framework for developing pre-service teachers' TPACK in digital making environments Authors: Barbosa, Ana; Vale, Isabel Abstract: The integration of digital making technologies and engineering design (ED) in teacher education has created new opportunities to support the professional knowledge required for teaching in technology-rich environments. Within this context, the TPACK framework provides a valuable lens for understanding how content, pedagogy, and technology are dynamically integrated in practice. However, less is known about how these domains of knowledge are enacted and interconnected throughout iterative design processes. This study explored how the ED process supports the development and integration of pre-service teachers‘ TPACK in digital making environments. A qualitative interpretative study was conducted with 12 pre-service teachers enrolled in a master‘s program in Mathematics and Science Education at a Portuguese higher education institution. Multiple data sources were collected, including classroom observations, participants‘ reflective journals, sketches, and digital and physical artifacts produced using Tinkercad and 3D printing. The findings indicate that the ED process used to design mathematical manipulatives created opportunities for participants to mobilize and progressively integrate content, pedagogical, and technological knowledge. Different levels of knowledge integration emerged across the steps of the design cycle, with iterative testing and redesign playing a key role in fostering reflective decision-making and professional learning. Overall, the study highlights the potential of ED and digital making as promising pedagogical frameworks for supporting integrated professional knowledge and fostering innovative practices in teacher education.

Changes in adiposity status from childhood to adolescence: A 6-year longitudinal study in Portuguese boys and girls

2026-05-13T14:04:13Z

Title: Changes in adiposity status from childhood to adolescence: A 6-year longitudinal study in Portuguese boys and girls Authors: Leitão, Raquel B.; Rodrigues, Luís Paulo; Neves, Luísa; Carvalho, Graça Simões Abstract: Background: Cross-sectional data show high prevalence of overweight in Portuguese children, but there are few longitudinal studies describing the patterns of obesity development in the young. Aim: To examine the trajectories of obesity from late childhood to adolescence. Subjects and methods: Triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness measurements were carried out in 288 children at age 9 (baseline) and later at age 15 (follow-up). Percentage body fat (%BF) was estimated according to Slaughter equations and the health-related definition of obesity ( ≥ 25%BF in boys and ≥ 30%BF in girls) was used. Results: In boys, the prevalence of obesity decreased from 21.9% to 14.8% (p < 0.05) while in girls it increased from 14.3% to 19.5%. The incidence of obesity in the 6-year study period was 2.6% and 8.3% for boys and girls, respectively (p < 0.05). In comparison with girls, the percentage of boys that reversed obesity was more than 3-fold higher (3% vs 9.7%, p < 0.05). Obesity tracked moderately in both sexes (Kappa = 0.6, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results indicate a marked sex difference in the incidence and reversal of obesity from late childhood to adolescence that is unfavourable to girls. Consideration of this difference might be important when designing programmes for the prevention and treatment of obesity focusing on this period.

“Altos e baixos vocálicos”. Ensinando a altura de vogal do português a falantes nativos de chinês mandarim

2026-05-13T11:12:27Z

Title: “Altos e baixos vocálicos”. Ensinando a altura de vogal do português a falantes nativos de chinês mandarim Authors: Castelo, Adelina; Amorim, Clara; Zhou, Chao; Li, Qinxue; Zhang, Chenlin; Soares, Liliana Abstract: Considerando as necessidades de professores e aprendentes de Português Língua Estrangeira na China e baseando-se em conhecimentos sobre o ensino da pronúncia, este artigo propõe um recurso para o ensino da altura vocálica a tais aprendentes. Este recurso: (1) consiste numa apresentação em Powerpoint que combina as estratégias de Color Vowel® Chart e Vowel Elevator e, portanto, explora diferentes níveis de instrução de pronúncia; (2) pode ser integrado numa abordagem mais ampla e comunicativa do ensino de pronúncia; (3) visa ajudar a formar categorias cognitivas para as (novas) vogais do português; (4) inclui uma comparação dos sistemas fonológicos vocálicos em português e chinês mandarim. A apresentação deste material didático e da respetiva fundamentação científico-pedagógica contribui também para a formação dos professores de línguas estrangeiras no ensino da pronúncia.

Exergames in the rehabilitation of burn patients: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

2026-02-06T11:38:41Z

Title: Exergames in the rehabilitation of burn patients: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials Authors: Santos, Inês; Ferreira, Marta; Fernandes, Carla Sílvia Abstract: The rehabilitation of burn patients is essential and is intrinsically linked to conventional rehabilitation; the motivational challenges faced by burn patients in maintaining engagement with these rehabilitation programs are well known. It is understood that the use of other resources, particularly technological ones, associated with conventional rehabilitation could overcome these constraints and thereby optimize the rehabilitation program and health outcomes. The objective of this study is to synthesize the available evidence on the use of exergames in rehabilitation programs for burn patients. This systematic review was developed following the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). The search was conducted in the following databases: Medline®, CINAHL®, Sports Discus®, Cochrane®, and Scopus® during May 2025. The PRISMA Checklist Model was used to organize the information from the selected studies. Seven RCTs were included, involving a total of 236 participants. Outcomes related to the use of exergames in the rehabilitation of burn patients were identified, including increased range of motion, functionality, strength, speed of movement, improved balance, reduced fear and pain, and satisfaction with the technological resource used. It is believed that the results of this review, which confirmed the advantage of using exergames, such as Nintendo Wii, PlayStation, Xbox Kinect, or Wii Fit, to optimize the functionality of burn patients, can support clinical decisionmaking and encourage the integration of exergames to improve rehabilitation programs for burn patients