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Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-04-24"

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  • Multimodal creativity at the service of foreign language teaching in higher education in Portugal: the Jasm Project
    Publication . Delplancq, Véronique; Costa, Ana Maria; Costa, Cristina Amaro; Coutinho, Emília; Oliveira, Isabel; Pereira, José Manuel de Almeida; Delplancq, Véronique.; Gillain, Romain; Relvas, Susana; Fidalgo, Susana; Amante, Susana
    The JASM project used the Korsakow6 platform to produce Storytelling in foreign languages (FL), by students of the Media Studies degree course (Higher Education-HE) of the Escola Superior de Educação de Viseu (ESEV, Portugal). Objective: Look into the impact of non-linear digital narratives upon FL learning in HE, assessing the role of multimodal tools in fostering linguistic, cultural, and technological skills. Theoretical Framework: The study was grounded in active methodologies with a focus on integrating intercultural skills. Using new technologies is a catalyst for enhancing student motivation and autonomy. Method: The project, developed within the context of French and English, involved 25 voluntarily participating students attending the first year. Following language level tests, each group gathered information about the nationality and culture of migrants living in Viseu. Students conducted interviews and documented migrants’ life stories, traditions, using digital narratives. Final outputs included short films, social media posts, exhibitions, and an e-book. Results and Discussion: Students enhanced cognitive, emotional and aesthetic skills within collaborative environments, integrating experiences from multilingual and multicultural contexts with creative and multimodal abilities and increased autonomy and initiative. Challenges were identified, highlighting the need for ongoing teacher training. Research Implications: This project showed how digital and active pedagogies can foster the development of FL and intercultural competencies in HE students. Originality/Value: This study provides for an innovative approach relying on multimodal technologies for teaching FL in HE. The transformative potential of digital narratives as an impactful pedagogical tool is highlighted.
    2025-04-24Research article Open access Show more
  • Impact of Muscle Mass and Muscle Strength on Quality of Life of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
    Publication . Antunes, Raul; Jacinto, Miguel; Monteiro, Diogo; Duarte-Mendes, Pedro; Couto, Nuno; Oliveira Diz, Susana Cristina; Matos, Rui; Amaro, Nuno
    This study aimed to investigate the relationship between muscle strength and perceived quality of life in individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs). A cross-sectional study was carried out, which involved 37 participants with a mean age of 39.08 years (SD = 0.05), ranging from 20 to 58 years. The participants were assessed on anthropometric and body composition parameters, a 30 s chair stand test and isokinetic dynamometry. Quality of life was assessed using the Portuguese version of the Personal Outcomes Scale. Pearson’s correlation analyses were carried out to examine the associations between strength measures and quality of life. Significant correlations were observed between strength measures and quality of life. In addition, lower limb muscle strength, particularly in flexion (left: r = 0.450; p ≤ 0.001; right: r = 0.504; p ≤ 0.001) and extension (r = 0.328; p = 0.05), showed positive correlations with quality of life. These findings provide preliminary evidence suggesting that muscle mass and strength may serve as potential predictors of quality of life in individuals with IDD.
    2025-04-24Research article Open access Show more