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A Study on Teaching-Learning and Evaluation Methods of Environmental Studies in the Middle School (중학교 "환경" 교과의 교수.학습 및 평가 방법 연구)

  • 남상준
    • Hwankyungkyoyuk
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.1-17
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    • 1994
  • This study was performed to determine appropriate teaching-learning and evaluation methods for Environmental Studies. To promote the relevance of our study to the needs of the schools and concerned educational communities of environmental education, we reviewed related literature, conducted questionnaire surveys, interviewed related teachers and administrator, held meetings with experts, and field-tested our findings. For selecting and developing teaching-learning methods of Environmental Studies, findings of educational research in general are considered. moreover, principles of environmental education, general aim of environmental education, orientations of environmental education, and developmental stages of middle school students in educational psychology were attended. In addition, relevance to the purpose of the Environmental Studies curriculum, appropriateness for value inquiry as well as knowledge inquiry, small group centered class organization, social interaction centered teaching-learning process, regional environmental situation, significance of personal environment, evaluation methods of Environmental Studies, multi- and inter-disciplinary contents of the Environmental Studies textbook, suitability to the evaluation methods of Environmental Studies, and emphasis on the social interaction in teaching-learning process were regarded. It was learned the Environmental Studies can be taught most effectively in via of holding discussion sessions, conducting actual investigation, doing experiment-practice, doing games and plate, role-playing and carrying out simulation activities, and doing inquiry. These teaching-learning methods were field-tested and proved appropriate methods for the subject. For selecting and developing evaluation method of Environmental Studies, such principles and characteristics of Environmental Studies as objective domains stated in the Environmental Studies curriculum, diversity of teaching-learning organization, were appreciated. We categorized nine evaluation methods: the teacher may conduct questionnaire surveys, testings, interviews, non-participatory observations; they may evaluate student's experiment-practice performances, reports preparation ability, ability to establish a research project, the teacher may ask the students to conduct a self-evaluation, or reciprocal evaluation. To maximize the effect of these methods, we further developed an application system. It considered three variables, that is, evaluates, evaluation objectives domains, and evaluation agent, and showed how to choose the most appropriate methods and, when necessary, how to combine uses of different methods depending on these variables. A sample evaluation instrument made on the basis of this application system was developed and tested in the classes. The system proved effective. Pilot applications of the teaching-learning methods and evaluation method were made simultaneously; and the results and their implications are as follows. Discussion program was applied in a lesson dealing with the problems of waste disposal, in which students showed active participation and creative thinking. The evaluation method used in this lesson was a multiple-choice written test for knowledge and skills. It was shown that this evaluation method and device are effective in helping students' revision of the lesson and in stimulating their creative interpretations and responces. Pupils showed great interests in the actual investigation program, and this programme was proved to be effective in enhancing students' participation. However, it was also turned out that there must be pre-arranged plans for the objects, contents and procedures of survey if this program is to effective. In this lesson, non-participatory observation methods were used with a focus on the attitudes of students. A scaled reported in general description rather than in grade. Experiment-practice programme was adopted in a lesson for purifying contaminated water and in this lesson, instruction objectives were properly established, the teaching-learning process was clearly specified and students were highly motivated. On the other hand, however, it was difficult to control the class when some groups of students require more times to complete their experiment, and sometimes different results. As regards to evaluation, performance observation test were used for assessing skills and attitudes. If teachers use well-prepared Likert scale, evaluation of all groups within a reasonablely short period of time will be possible. The most effective and successful programme in therms of students' participation and enjoyment, was the 'ah-nah-bah-dah-market' program, which is kind of game of the flea market. For better organized program of this kind, however, are essential, In this program, students appraise their own attitudes and behavior by responding to a written questionnaire. In addition, students were asked to record any anecdotes relating to self-appraisal of changes on one's own attitudes and behaviours. Even after the lesson, students keep recording those changes on letters to herself. Role-playing and simulation game programme was applied to a case of 'NIMBY', in which students should decide where to located a refuse dumping ground. For this kind of programme to e successful, concepts and words used in the script should be appropriate for students' intellectual levels, and students should by adequately introduced into the objective and the procedures of the lessons. Written questionnaire was used to assess individual students' attitudes after the lesson, but in order to acquire information on the changes of students' attitudes and skills, pre-test may have to be made. Doing inquiry programme, in which advantages in which students actually investigated the environmental influence of the areas where school os located, had advantages in developing students' ability to study the environmental problems and to present the results of their studies. For this programme to be more efficient, areas of investigation should be clearly divided and alloted to each group so that repetition or overlap in areas of study and presentation be avoided, and complementary wok between groups bee enhanced. In this programme, teacher assessed students' knowledge and attitudes on the basis of reports prepared by each group. However, there were found some difficults in assessing students' attitudes and behaviours solely on the grounds of written report. Perhaps, using a scaled checklist assessing students' attitudes while their presentation could help to relieve the difficulties.

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Teachers' Recognition on the Optimization of the Educational Contents of Clothing and Textiles in Practical Arts or Technology.Home Economics (실과 및 기술.가정 교과에서 의생활 교육내용의 적정성에 대한 교사의 인식)

  • Baek Seung-Hee;Han Young-Sook;Lee Hye-Ja
    • Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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    • v.18 no.3 s.41
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    • pp.97-117
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    • 2006
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the teachers' recognition on the optimization of the educational contents of Clothing & Textiles in subjects of :he Practical Arts or the Technology & Home Economics in the course of elementary, middle and high schools. The statistical data for this research were collected from 203 questionnaires of teachers who work on elementary, middle and high schools. Mean. standard deviation, percentage were calculated using SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. Also. these materials were verified by t-test, One-way ANOVA and post verification Duncan. The results were as follows; First, The equipment ratio of practice laboratory were about 24% and very poor in elementary schools but those of middle and high school were 97% and 78% each and higher than elementary schools. Second, More than 50% of teachers recognized the amount of learning 'proper'. The elementary school teachers recognized the mount of learning in 'operating sewing machines' too heavy especially, the same as middle school teachers in 'making shorts': the same as high school teachers in 'making tablecloth and curtain' and 'making pillow cover or bag'. Third, All of the elementary, middle and high school teachers recognized the levels of total contents of clothing and textiles 'common'. The 80% of elementary school teachers recognized 'operating sewing machines' and 'making cushions' difficult especially. The same as middle school teachers in 'hand knitting handbag by crochet hoop needle', 'the various kinds of cloth' and 'making short pants'. The same as high school teachers in 'making tablecloth or curtain'. Fourth, Elementary school teachers recognized 'practicing basic hand needlework' and 'making pouch using hand needlework' important in the degree of educational contents importance. Middle school teachers recognized 'making short pants unimportant. High school teachers considered the contents focusing on practice such as 'making tablecloth and curtain' and 'making pillow cover or bags' unimportant. My suggestions were as follows; Both laboratories and facilities for practice should be established for making clothing and textiles lessons effective in Practical Arts in elementary schools. The 'operating sewing machines' which were considered difficult should be dealt in upper grade, re-conditioning to easier or omitted. The practical contents should be changed to student-activity-oriented and should be recomposed in order to familiar with students' living. It was needed to various and sufficient supports for increasing the teachers' practical abilities.

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Different Perceptions, Knowledge, and Attitudes of Elementary, Middle, and High School Students regarding Irradiated Food, Nuclear Power Generation, and Medical Radiation (초, 중, 고등학생의 방사선조사식품, 원자력발전, 의료방사선에 대한 인식, 지식, 태도 차이)

  • Han, Eun Ok;Kim, Jae Rok;Choi, Yoon Seok
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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    • v.39 no.2
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    • pp.118-126
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    • 2014
  • A survey was conducted on perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes of elementary, middle, and high school students, who will lead public opinion in the future, regarding irradiated food, nuclear power generation, and medical radiation. These topics urgently require general social acceptability among various fields in which radiation is used. Educational methods to enhance social acceptability were partially discovered. First, it is necessary to implement different strategies when designing courses for female and male students. Male students have higher levels of objective knowledge (p<0.039) of irradiated food, necessity (p<0.001) and objective knowledge (p<0.001) of nuclear power generation, approval of building a nuclear power plant in the nation (p<0.001), necessity (p<0.001) and objective knowledge (p<0.001) of medical radiation, and attitudes regarding using medical radiation (p<0.007, p<0.001). Second, the educational effect of explanations to help increase national understanding of the necessity and safety of nuclear power generation will increase if information on the necessity and safety of medical radiation is provided as well. Both male and female students perceived that medical radiation is the most necessary (p<0.001), medical radiation is the safest (p<0.001), and nuclear power generation is the least safe (p<0.013). Moreover, the correlation between medical radiation and nuclear power generation was the highest. Third, there is a need for different lectures between classes, since the patterns of perception vary according to the field of radiation use among elementary, middle, and high school students. Elementary school students had high interest in education on nuclear power generation (p<0.005), perceived that irradiated food is safe (p<0.001), and had the most positive attitude toward consuming irradiated food (p<0.001). Middle school students had high interest in education on nuclear power generation (p<0.018), perceived that nuclear power generation (p<0.001) and medical radiation (p<0.002) are safe, and had the most positive attitude toward using radiation for treatment (p<0.001). High school students had the highest level of objective knowledge on nuclear power generation (p<0.001) and medical radiation (p<0.001), and perceived that medical radiation is the most necessary (p<0.017); however, they perceived that nuclear power generation is the least safe (p<0.001). Attitudes toward irradiated food intake (p<0.001) and approving construction of a nuclear power plant in their neighborhood (p<0.001) were both low. Fourth, it is necessary to provide educational programs to change perceptions and improve attitudes rather than providing education focused on objective knowledge. There was no correlation between objective knowledge and necessity of irradiated food, objective knowledge and safety and interest in education on nuclear power generation, and objective knowledge and interest in education and information acquirement regarding medical radiation. In particular, high school students had the highest level of objective knowledge and yet had the least positive attitudes toward approving construction of nuclear power plants in their neighborhood and intake of irradiated food. Therefore, to increase the social acceptability of using nuclear energy and radiation in Korea, it is desirable to provide strategic educational programs to improve perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes regarding the necessity and safety of their use.

Changes in Agricultural Extension Services in Korea (한국농촌지도사업(韓國農村指導事業)의 변동(變動))

  • Fujita, Yasuki;Lee, Yong-Hwan;Kim, Sung-Soo
    • Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.155-166
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    • 2000
  • When the marcher visited Korea in fall 1994, he was shocked to see high rise apartment buildings around the capitol region including Seoul and Suwon, resulting from rising demand of housing because of urban migration followed by second and third industrial development. After 6 years in March 2000, the researcher witnessed more apartment buildings and vinyl house complexes, one of the evidences of continued economic progress in Korea. Korea had to receive the rescue finance from International Monetary Fund (IMF) because of financial crisis in 1997. However, the sign of recovery was seen in a year, and the growth rate of Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in 1999 recorded as high as 10.7 percent. During this period, the Korean government has been working on restructuring of banks, enterprises, labour and public sectors. The major directions of government were; localization, reducing administrative manpower, limiting agricultural budgets, privatization of public enterprises, integration of agricultural organization, and easing of various regulations. Thus, the power of central government shifted to local government resulting in a power increase for city mayors and county chiefs. Agricultural extension services was one of targets of government restructuring, transferred to local governments from central government. At the same time, the number of extension offices was reduced by 64 percent, extension personnel reduced by 24 percent, and extension budgets reduced. During the process of restructuring, the basic direction of extension services was set by central Rural Development Administration Personnel management, technology development and supports were transferred to provincial Rural Development Administrations, and operational responsibilities transferred to city/county governments. Agricultural extension services at the local levels changed the name to Agricultural Technology Extension Center, established under jurisdiction of city mayor or county chief. The function of technology development works were added, at the same time reducing the number of educators for agriculture and rural life. As a result of observations of rural areas and agricultural extension services at various levels, functional responsibilities of extension were not well recognized throughout the central, provincial, and local levels. Central agricultural extension services should be more concerned about effective rural development by monitoring provincial and local level extension activities more throughly. At county level extension services, it may be desirable to add a research function to reflect local agricultural technological needs. Sometimes, adding administrative tasks for extension educators may be helpful far farmers. However, tasks such as inspection and investigation should be avoided, since it may hinder the effectiveness of extension educational activities. It appeared that major contents of the agricultural extension service in Korea were focused on saving agricultural materials, developing new agricultural technology, enhancing agricultural export, increasing production and establishing market oriented farming. However these kinds of efforts may lead to non-sustainable agriculture. It would be better to put more emphasis on sustainable agriculture in the future. Agricultural extension methods in Korea may be better classified into two approaches or functions; consultation function for advanced farmers and technology transfer or educational function for small farmers. Advanced farmers were more interested in technology and management information, while small farmers were more concerned about information for farm management directions and timely diffusion of agricultural technology information. Agricultural extension service should put more emphasis on small farmer groups and active participation of farmers in these groups. Providing information and moderate advice in selecting alternatives should be the major activities for consultation for advanced farmers, while problem solving processes may be the major educational function for small farmers. Systems such as internet and e-mail should be utilized for functions of information exchange. These activities may not be an easy task for decreased numbers of extension educators along with increased administrative tasks. It may be difficult to practice a one-to-one approach However group guidance may improve the task to a certain degree.

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The Effects of Major Commitment Level by Department Climate among Students at the Department of Dental Hygiene (치위생과 학생이 인식한 학습풍토가 전공몰입에 미치는 영향)

  • Yu, Ji-Su;Choi, Su-Young
    • Journal of dental hygiene science
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.99-105
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    • 2011
  • In this study a survey was conducted with 431 students at the department of dental hygiene in three regions from April 2010 to investigate various actual states and levels of perception of their major commitment. Department-Climate and levels of major commitment were classified and described through cross-tabulation analysis; multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to predict the level of major commitment perceived for department climate and identify its influence. Major commitment classified into three levels about Inferiority, Normality and Superiority. Recognition factor of Major field was divided into external factor, eternal factor. External factor classified into professor, friends, facilities, administration-service and quality of education. As well as, eternal factor was department climate. Eternal factor consisted of relationship dimensions, goal-orientation dimensions, system maintenance dimensions and system change dimensions. This study was conducted to get a phenomenal understanding of students' learning in the major field and their school life. With this study, if friends and professor raise students at the Department of Dental Hygiene's department-climate recognition, their major-commitment will rise. And high major-commitment will be bring about their professional ability.

The Association between Blood Selenium Level and the Gastric Diseases (혈중(血中) 셀레늄 농도(濃度)와 위장질환(胃臟疾患)의 관련성(關聯性))

  • Lee, Jong-Young;Kim, Doo-Hie;Park, Seoung-Kook
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.21 no.1 s.23
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    • pp.172-182
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    • 1988
  • To reveal the association between blood selenium level and the gastric diseases, 180 persons received the gastrofiberscopic examination at the outpatients department of the two university hospitals from July to September 1987, after the exclusion of the persons having the esophageal varix, were randomly selected. Their general characteristics such as age, sex and educational level and so on, were inverstigated. Five mi venous blood was collected from each subjects and stored at $0^{\circ}C$ in heparinized vaccum tube. The blood selenium level was measured by the flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In the procedure of data analysis, five subjects having benign tumor and anomaly of the stomach, were also excluded. The mean blood selenium levels of the $155.5{\mu}g/{\ell}$ among gastritis cases, the $154.8{\mu}g/{\ell}$ gastric ulcer and the $133.0{\mu}g/{\ell}$ gastric malignancy were significantly lower(p<0.05) than that of the $173.3{\mu}g/{\ell}$ among normal controls. In men the mean blood selenium levels .among gastritis, gastric ulcer and gastric malignancy cases were significantly lower(p<0.05) than that among normal controls. In females, the mean blood selenium levels among gastritis and gastric maligancy cases were significantly lower(p<0.05) than that among normal controls($169.7{\mu}g/{\ell}$), but that among gastric ulcer cases($177.7{\mu}g/{\ell}$) was not significantly higher. In the logistic analysis, coefficient of the blood selenium level was -0.0436(p<0.05 : odds ratio 0.957) for gastritis, -0.0197(p=0.17 : 0.981) for gastric ulcer, -0.4876(p<0.05 : 0.614) for gastric malignancy and -0.0411(p<0.05 ; 0.960) for gastric diseases including the gastritis, the gastric ulcer and the gastric malignancy. These data support the hypothesis that the gastric diseases are to be associated with the low selenium level but, for the gastric ulcer, the further research is recommended.

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A Case Study on the classroom life and the identity of the Elementary Mathematics Gifted Education (초등수학 영재교육원의 교실 생활과 정체성에 대한 사례연구)

  • Lee, Hak-Ro;Ryu, Sung-Rim
    • Communications of Mathematical Education
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.99-118
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    • 2011
  • For this case study of gifted education, two classrooms in two locations, show life in general of the gifted educational system. And for this case study the identity of teachers and the gifted, help to activate the mathematically gifted education for these research questions, which are as followed: Firstly, how is the gifted education classroom life? Secondly, what kind of identity do the teachers and gifted students bring to mathematics, mathematics teaching and mathematics learning? Being selected in the gifted children's education center solves the research problem of characteristic and approach. Backed by the condition and the permission possibility, 2 selected classes and 2 people, which are coming and going. Gifted education classroom life, the identity of teachers and gifted students in mathematics and mathematics teaching and mathematic learning. It will be for 3 months, with various recordings and vocal instruction between teacher and students. Collected observations and interviews will be analyzed over the course of instruction. The results analyzed include, social participation, structure, and the formation of the gifted education classroom life. The organization of classes were analyzed by the classes conscious levels to collect and retain data. The classes verification levels depended on the program's first class incentive, teaching and learning levels and understanding of gifted math. A performance assessment will be applied after the final lesson and a consultation with parents and students after the final class. The six kinds of social participation structure come out of the type of the most important roles in gifted education accounts, for these types of group discussions and interactions, students must have an interaction or individual activity that students can use, such as a work product through the real materials, which release teachers and other students for that type of questions to evaluate. In order for the development of meaningful mathematical concepts to formulate, mathematical principles require problem solving among all students, which will appear in the resolution or it will be impossible to map the meaning of the instruction from which it was formed. These results show the analysis of the mathematics, mathematics teaching, mathematics learning and about the identity of the teachers and gifted. Gifted education teachers are defined by gifted math, which is more difficult and requires more differentiated learning, suitable for gifted students. Gifted was defined when higher level math was created and challenged students to deeper thinking. Gifted students think that gifted math is creative learning and they are forward or passive to one-way according to the education atmosphere.

A Study on Development of Achievement Standards and Assessment Standards of Vocational Inquiry Section for 2005 College Scholastic Ability Test - Focus on Food and Nutrition Subject in the Field of Home Economics Order - (2005 수능 직업탐구영역의 과목별 성취기준과 평가기준 개발 - 식품과 영양 과목을 중심으로 -)

  • Na Hyeon-Ju;Min Kyung-Hee;Lee Hwa-young;Pyo Jum-sun;Ha Mi-ok;Jang Myung-Hee
    • Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.197-219
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    • 2005
  • This study attempted, in accordance with the National Educational Curriculum, to develop achievement assessment standards for a course within the field of home economics which has been widely adopted by Korean vocational high schools, namely, the food and nutrition subject. Focus was also placed on strengthening the management of the curriculum for this food and nutrition course, as well as on establishing proper assessment standards by developing model assessment tools which can be used to assess the subject. The results of this study can be summarized as follows : First, based on an analysis of the related literature and materials. the desired notion of the achievement and assessment standards was established, and their significance ascertained the achievement and assessment standards for the food and nutrition course were set and the type of model assessment tool which should be developed, as well as the method in which it should be applied. was established Second. by analyzing the curriculums and the contents of the textbooks used in the food and nutrition subject, the researcher was able to compile the 70 factors which could to be used to develop the achievement and assessments standards, and then classify these into 6 main categories and 32 sub-categories. Based on the characteristics of these factors and learners' academic performance levels the number of factors was expanded to 89 in order to establish the achievement standards. In turn, these achievement standards were used, in accordance with the learners' achievement and teaming activity levels, to develop three different levels of assessment standards. namely, upper, middle, and lower ones. Third. a model assessment tool was developed which could be used by individual school units as a reference in terms of achievement and assessment standards, and that could be modified to meet each school's circumstances. In order to create the model assessment tool a 100-question questionnaire was formulated that contained various types of questions, such as essay, report, theoretical and practical, portfolio, as well as multiple choice-type questions. Lastly, the researcher introduced measures to effectively use the achievement and assessment standards developed for the food and nutrition course, as well as the model assessment tool in school units.

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Analysis of Honeybee-Keeping Management Types and Skills Level in Korea (양봉농가의 경영형태와 기술수준 분석)

  • Kim, An-Sig;Seok-Eun, Kim;Gye-Woong, Kim
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.53 no.1
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    • pp.59-66
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    • 2011
  • For the improvement of productivity of beekeepers and to develop new management strategy through the analysis of current honeybee-keeping management types and evaluation of related skills and basis in Korea were surveyed. The serial surveys were carried out in 2008 for a total of 253 beekeepers from different localities in Korea. The results revealed that 145.9 colonies of honeybee were managed by each beekeeper in Korea. The beekeepers group who were younger than 55 years possessed 191.7 colonies. The older age group of beekeepers kept rather smaller number of colonies. The career groups over 15 years in apiculture were keeping 176.0 colonies in average. The numbers of bee colonies were not significantly different among localities and educational backgrounds. The migratory apiaries with 145.9 hives were dominant than those fixed ones with 83.0 (p<0.01). It was observed that 57.8% of apiaries were located in the vicinity of farmer's house, whereas 30.3% were managed in mountain area; however older group (65.4%) preferred to keep it near their houses (p<0.05). The proportion (35.7%) of part-time fixed apiary was the highest among four apiary management types. The younger group and high career group operated full-time migratory apiary (38.8% and 40.3%) (p<0.05), respectively. However, the older group and low career group preferred as part-time fixed one (43.2% and 46.6%), respectively (p<0.001). There was no significant difference among localities. The surveyed beekeepers produced propolis, commercial colonies, pollen, royal jelly, and pollination hives in addition to honey. The group of less than 15 years career and mountain apiary mainly produced propolis and pollen. However, those who dwell in small and middle areas mainly produced propolis and commercial colonies. The levels related to beekeeping skills and basis were evaluated as intermediate from 3.11 and 2.86 points on 5 points scale, respectively. More careered group having skill level of 3.33 point and basis level of 3.02 showed higher levels than less careered one. The levels of skill and basis evaluated from age groups and localities were similar with each other with no significance.

Hair Heavy Metal Contents in Mentally Retarded Children III - In Association with Mercury - (정신지체아 두발 중 중금속 함량 III - 수은과의 관련성 -)

  • Han, Ki-Hwan;Jang, Bong-Ki;Park, Soon-Woo;Kim, Doo-Hie
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.22 no.3 s.27
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    • pp.368-379
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    • 1989
  • The relationship between mercury level of hair and mental retardation was investigated. The 297 subjects with mental retardation were drawn from two schools providing special educational services, one, consisted of children living in an orphan home, another, children with parents. The 117 centre] subjects were drawn from whom had got average or above average academic achivement in a regular elementary school. Hair sample were taken from the nape of the neck and the mercury analysis was carried out on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer(IL 551). There was no relationship between mercury contents and age, and there was a statistically significant difference in mercury contents between male and female in the mentally retarded children living with parents. Children in the retarded group had significantly higher mercury contents compared with control group except the female group with parents. Also, the mercury levels in the retarded group living in an orphan home were significantly higher than that of the retarded group with parents. The concomitant diseases were Down's syndrome, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and autism. There were statistically significant differences in hair mercury levels in the cases of accompanying Down's syndrome and cerebral palsy in male and Down's syndrome and autism in female compared with the control group of the same sex. The most accompanying handicap was speech disturbance(40.7%) and the others were crippled, emotional disturbance etc. The percentages of double handicap were 66.7% among 6 persons exceeding 6ppm of their hair mercury contents. 10.4% among $3{\sim}6$ ppm and 15.7% among the group of 3ppm or less. The findings of this study suggest that the more opportunities of exposure to mercury in mentally retarded children may have occurred, so it can not be excluded the possibility of mercury as a contributing factor to mental retardation. Therefore, the causal relationship between mercury levels and mental retardation should be established through the examinations about their living environments, dietary pattern, eating habit etc.

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