Mediterranean Diet conceptual model and future trends of its use in Portugal.

The aim of this study was to present a new model for the Mediterranean Diet definition and to identify the major trends for the use of the Mediterranean Diet concept by 2028, in Portugal. A Delphi panel was implemented with 28 experts with solid knowledge and understanding of the Mediterranean Diet concept. The first round evaluated the degree of expert self-knowledge, which also contributed to the final questionnaire building. It was answered in 2 successive rounds with 21 statements, divided into 2 dimensions: Mediterranean Diet concept and use. A Mediterranean Diet model definition was produced with 73.8% of agreement. Culture, education, environment, health, food industry/distribution and tourism were identified as the future trends of Mediterranean Diet use areas. The model presented can be used as a pedagogical tool. For the first time, it was possible to explore the future trends of Mediterranean Diet use, which can help with the initiatives to safeguard the Mediterranean Diet concept.

Comparison of the Conceptual Map and Traditional Lecture Methods on Students' Learning Based on the VARK Learning Style Model: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Developing skills and knowledge in nursing education remains a considerable challenge. Nurse instructors need to be aware of students' learning styles so as to meet students' individual learning preferences and optimize knowledge and understanding. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of the conceptual map and the traditional lecture methods on students' learning based on the VARK learning styles model. In this randomized controlled trial, 160 students from nursing, nurse anesthetics, and midwifery disciplines with four different learning styles of visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic were selected using the convenience sampling method. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (conceptual map method) or control (traditional lecture method) groups. A medical-surgical nursing course was taught to the students in both groups over 6 weeks. Data collection tools consisted of the VARK questionnaire and pre- and postassessments. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics via the SPSS software. Teaching using the conceptual map method had different effects on the students' learning outcomes based on their learning styles. The conceptual map method had a statistically significant impact on the students' learning in the intervention group compared with the control group in the students with a visual learning style (p = .036). No statistically significant differences were reported between the groups in other three learning styles. Nurse instructors should assess students' learning styles based on the VARK model before the application of a particular teaching method to improve the quality of nursing education and facilitate deeper learning.

Mapa conceptual como herramienta de aprendizaje gerencial de los procesos de promoción en Cuba / Conceptual map as a managerial learning tool of the promotion processes in Cuba

Introducción: El análisis del proceso de promoción de las mujeres a los cargos de dirección es un proceso complejo, que debe comprender y cumplir todas sus etapas, con énfasis en las de selección y aprobación. Solo así podrá funcionar de forma coherente y podrán alcanzarse los propósitos deseados. Objetivo: Elaborar un recurso didáctico para la toma de decisiones en las etapas de selección y aprobación del proceso de promoción de las mujeres a cargos de dirección. Métodos: se aplicó la revisión bibliográfica y el análisis de contenido de fuentes secundarias del Ministerio de Salud Pública. Se utilizó el modelo Big6 para trazar la estrategia de búsqueda. Resultados: Se obtuvo una base conceptual como herramienta didáctica para facilitar el aprendizaje y la toma de decisión, a través del modelado de los conceptos y relaciones que caracterizan el objeto de estudio y obtenidos a partir de las consultas de las fuentes documentales. Los resultados se presentaron en un mapa conceptual que permitió organizar el conocimiento. Conclusiones: Contar con un recurso didáctico para el aprendizaje de las relaciones conceptuales y jerárquicas que se establecen en las etapas de selección y aprobación del proceso de promoción de las mujeres a los cargos de dirección evita establecer estructuras cognitivas erradas en quienes participan en el proceso, siendo los mapas conceptuales una herramienta gráfica que facilita la gestión del conocimiento en los procesos gerenciales y en la selección de alternativas como parte de la toma de decisiones(AU)

Introduction: The analysis of the promotion process of women to leadership positions is a complex one, which must include and comply with all its stages, with emphasis on the selection and approval. Only thus it can operate in a coherent manner and will be able to achieve the desired purposes. Objective: To develop a teaching resource for decision-making in the stages of selection and approval of women´s promotion process to leadership positions. Methods: It was applied a review of the literature and a content analysis of secondary sources from the Ministry of Public Health. It was used the Big6 model to trace the search strategy. Results: It was obtained a conceptual basis as a teaching tool to facilitate learning and decision-making, through the modelling of the concepts and relationships that characterize the object of study and that were obtained from the consultations of the documentary sources. The results were presented in a conceptual map that allowed organizing knowledge. Conclusions: Having an educational resource for learning the conceptual and hierarchical relations that are set forth in the selection and approval stages of the process of women´s promotion to leadership positions prevents the establishment of wrong cognitive structures in those involved in the process, being the conceptual maps a graphical tool that facilitates the management of knowledge in managerial processes and in the selection of alternatives as part of the decision-making process(AU)

Energy Management in Energy-Intensive Industries: Developing a Conceptual Map

Abstract This paper presents the development of a conceptual map regarding energy management applied to industry. The energy issue is currently of great relevance, especially for the so-called energy-intensive industries related to high energy consumption and their associated environmental impacts. The present research is characterized as a basic, exploratory approach justified by the need to build knowledge on the subject of energy management in industry. The methodology provides for the use of a computational tool called CMap Tools, which assists in the graphic representation of the proposed conceptual map. The conceptual map based on the ISO 50001 standard and on successful energy management practices described in the scientific literature is directed toward a process design covered by the managerial discipline called Business Process Management. The conceptual map is intended to clarify the relationships that are established between the intra-organizational and main external stakeholders involved in an energy management system. Owing to the way internal areas and external organizations relate, the representation structure using a "Spider" is the most appropriate. The work developed presents an energy management system for an energy-intensive industry in a clear (conceptually and visually), orderly, unified, harmonious, and balanced manner indicating the distribution of its elements, and serves as an initial step in the creation of an ontology for this area of knowledge.

Mapas conceptuales para aumentar el rendimiento académico en los estudiantes de Enfermería / Conceptual maps for increasing the academic performance of Nursing students

Introducción: una de las herramientas que aumenta tanto el interés como el valor de la tarea es el uso del mapa conceptual, que utiliza la representación visual de conceptos relacionados entre sí a través de interconectores. Objetivo: comparar si el uso de estos mapas conceptuales mejora el rendimiento académico y si existen diferencias en el rendimiento en relación al turno académico asignado. Métodos: para ello se seleccionaron de manera aleatoria a 200 alumnos de Grado de Enfermería (Centro Universitario de San Rafael Nebrija-Madrid-España). Resultados: los análisis realizados indican que las medias en cuanto al rendimiento académico son más elevadas en el grupo de alumnos que usaron mapas conceptuales, encontrándose diferencias significativas respecto a los que no lo usaron (t= -2,43; gl: 198; p> ,05). Por otro lado, se rechazó la influencia del turno asignado sobre el rendimiento académico. Conclusiones: el uso de los mapas conceptuales produce un efecto positivo en el rendimiento académico, lo que nos plantea la necesidad de realizar una docencia teórico-práctica más centrada en este método de aprendizaje(AU)

Introduction: One of the tools that increases both interest and value of the task is the use of conceptual maps, which uses the visual representation of concepts related to each other through interconnectors. Objective: To compare whether the use of these conceptual maps improves the academic performance and if there are differences in the performance in relation to the assigned academic shift. Methods: 200 students for the Nursing Degree (University Center of San Rafael Nebrija, Madrid, Spain) were randomly chosen. Results: The analyses carried out indicate that the means in terms of academic performance are higher in the group of students who used conceptual maps, finding significant differences in relationship to those who did not use them (t= -2.43; gl: 198; p> .05). On the other hand, the influence of the assigned shift on academic performance was rejected. Conclusions: The use of conceptual maps produces a positive effect on the academic performance, which raises the need for a theoretical-practical teaching centered on this method of learning(AU)

Mapas conceptuales para aumentar el rendimiento académico en los estudiantes de Enfermería / Conceptual maps for increasing the academic performance of Nursing students

Introducción: una de las herramientas que aumenta tanto el interés como el valor de la tarea es el uso del mapa conceptual, que utiliza la representación visual de conceptos relacionados entre sí a través de interconectores. Objetivo: comparar si el uso de estos mapas conceptuales mejora el rendimiento académico y si existen diferencias en el rendimiento en relación al turno académico asignado. Métodos: para ello se seleccionaron de manera aleatoria a 200 alumnos de Grado de Enfermería (Centro Universitario de San Rafael Nebrija-Madrid-España). Resultados: los análisis realizados indican que las medias en cuanto al rendimiento académico son más elevadas en el grupo de alumnos que usaron mapas conceptuales, encontrándose diferencias significativas respecto a los que no lo usaron (t= -2,43; gl: 198; p> ,05). Por otro lado, se rechazó la influencia del turno asignado sobre el rendimiento académico. Conclusiones: el uso de los mapas conceptuales produce un efecto positivo en el rendimiento académico, lo que nos plantea la necesidad de realizar una docencia teórico-práctica más centrada en este método de aprendizaje(AU)

Introduction: One of the tools that increases both interest and value of the task is the use of conceptual maps, which uses the visual representation of concepts related to each other through interconnectors. Objective: To compare whether the use of these conceptual maps improves the academic performance and if there are differences in the performance in relation to the assigned academic shift. Methods: 200 students for the Nursing Degree (University Center of San Rafael Nebrija, Madrid, Spain) were randomly chosen. Results: The analyses carried out indicate that the means in terms of academic performance are higher in the group of students who used conceptual maps, finding significant differences in relationship to those who did not use them (t= -2.43; gl: 198; p> .05). On the other hand, the influence of the assigned shift on academic performance was rejected. Conclusions: The use of conceptual maps produces a positive effect on the academic performance, which raises the need for a theoretical-practical teaching centered on this method of learning(AU)

[Can medical students' motivation for a course of basic physiology education integrating into lectures some active learning methods be improved?] / Peut-on améliorer la motivation des étudiants en médecine pour un cours fondamental de physiologie en intégrant à l'exposé magistral quelques méthodes pédagogiques actives?

Students' motivation is a critical component of learning and students' perception of activity value is one of the three major components of their motivation. How can we make students perceive the usefulness and the interest of their university courses while increasing their motivation? The aim of our study was to determine students' perception of basic physiology education value and to assess the impact of lecture integration into some active learning methods on the motivation of the students of the first cycle of Medicine in a junior faculty. We conducted a prospective study, involving the students in their second year of medical studies. At first, we assessed students' motivation for university courses through a first questionnaire, after we integrated two educational activities: the case study and the realization of a conceptual map for the lectures of the physiology module and then we evaluated, through a second questionnaire, the impact of these two activities on students' motivation. Out of 249 students in their second year of medical studies 131 and 109 students have completed and returned the 1st and 2nd questionnaire respectively. Overall students' motivation for their university courses was very favorable, even if the motivation for physiology course (70.8%) was slightly lower than for all the courses (80%). Our students enjoyed the two proposed activities and only 13% (for the case study) and 16.8% (for the map) were not satisfied. 40.9% of students completed a conceptual map whose quality judged on the identification of concepts and of the links between concepts was globally satisfactory for a first experience. Students' motivation is influenced by multiple internal and external factors and is a big problem in the university environment. In this context, a rigorous planning of diversified and active educational activities is one of the main gateways for teacher to encourage motivation.

Mapas conceituais: estratégia de ensino/aprendizagem e ferramenta avaliativa / Conceptual maps: teaching and learning strategies and an evaluative tool

O presente ensaio tem por objetivo apresentar uma reflexão sobre as potencia lidades do mapa conceitual como estratégia de ensino/aprendizagem e ferramenta ava liativa. Revisitar o referencial teórico relativo à temática possibilitou contemplar a utili dade do mapa conceitual sob diferentes perspectivas: daquele que ensina e daquele que aprende. Valer-se dos mapas conceituais como estratégias de ensino/aprendizagem, também e concomitantemente como ferramenta avaliativa, é criar possibilidades para a organiza ção do conhecimento pela promoção de experiências educativas que provoquem não somen te reflexão, busca de compreensão e processamento profundo da informação, mas tam bém o desenvolvimento da autorregulação, da metacognição e do aprender a aprender.

This essay has the purpose of reflecting upon the potential benefits of con ceptual map as teaching and learning strategies and an evaluative tool. To revisit the the oretical framework of this theme made it possible to analyze the utility of conceptual map under different perspectives: the teachers´ and the students´. It became clear that the use of conceptual map as teaching and learning strategies, as well as an evaluative tool, leads to knowledge organization by means of promotion of learning experiences which not only generate reflection, comprehension and deep processing of information, but also contributes to the development of metacognition, self-regulation and learning to learn processes.