Autorregulação da motivação: crenças e estratégias de alunos portugueses do 7º ao 9º ano de escolaridade / Self-regulation of motivation: beliefs and strategies of students between 7th to 9th grade

A motivação é um tema essencial quando se reflete sobre a aprendizagem e o sucesso escolar. A autorregulação da motivação na aprendizagem (AMA) é identificada como um aspeto fundamental das competências de autorregulação da aprendizagem. O processo de AMA inclui o metaconhecimento sobre a motivação e as estratégias de regulação da motivação. Neste estudo, a Escala de Autorregulação da Motivação na Aprendizagem (EAMA) foi aplicada a 316 estudantes entre o 7º e o 9º ano de Escolaridade. Os resultados obtidos indicam que as expectativas de autoeficácia, o valor da tarefa e as metas de realização são bons preditores do uso de estratégias de AMA. Foram encontradas diferenças entre os géneros e o ano escolar na utilização de estratégias e nas crenças motivacionais.

Motivation is a key element regarding learning and school success. Self-regulation of motivation (SRM) is identified as a fundamental aspect of self-regulated learning. The SRM process includes metamotivational knowledge and regulation of motivation strategies. In this study, the Self-Regulation of Motivation in Learning Scale (SRMS) was applied to 316 students from 7th to 9th grades. Results demonstrate that self-efficacy expectations, task value, and achievement goals are good predictors for the use of SRM strategies. Gender and grade differences were found in the use of strategies and motivational beliefs.

Salmonella in Brazilian and imported pet reptiles

The presence of salmonellae in fecal sample or cloacal swabs of 97 pet reptiles (15 snakes, 24 lizards and 58 chelonians) was investigated. Thirty seven animals had national origin and 60 were imported. Salmonella spp was detected in 39.1(per cent) of the reptiles, being 62.5(per cent) in lizards, 53.3(per cent) in snakes and 25.8( per cent) in chelonians. Strains belonged to subspecies I 44.7( per cent), II 10.5(per cent), IIIa 5.2(per cent), IIIb 21.0(per cent) and IV 18.5(per cent) of the enterica species, with predominance 55.3(per cent) of subspecies usually found in cold-blooded animals (II to IV). In the subspecies I, the serovars Albany, Enteritidis and Typhimurium predominated. The Trachemys scripta elegans imported turtles corresponded to 93.3(per cent) (14/15) of the salmonellae-positive chelonians. The national iguanas presented a high rate of colonozation 77.7(per cent-7/9). These animals pose a potencial risk to the human health, demanding sanitary control and more information to the public.