This dissertation focuses on how supportive neighbourhood structures for children and their families can be fostered. Supportive structures can positively influence social support for parents, and have positive outcomes, such as increased social competences, for children. Since the 90s there has been …

This study investigated whether unsuccessful transfer of critical thinking (CT) would be due to recognition, recall, or application problems (cf. three-step model of transfer). In two experiments (laboratory: N = 196; classroom: N = 104), students received a CT-skills pretest (including learning, near …

There is a need for effective methods to teach critical thinking (CT). One instructional method that seems promising is comparing correct and erroneous worked examples (i.e., contrasting examples). The aim of the present study, therefore, was to investigate the effect of contrasting examples on learning …

This article discusses practical research, that was realized under the supervision of children’s mental health organization ‘STERKR’. STERKR is known for its comprehensive approach and for including the child’s close environment in therapy. However, dramatherapist Smits found such an approach lacking …

It is essential that higher education students are trained to become critically-thinking professionals. Critical thinking (CT) is crucial for succeeding in future careers and, moreover, is an important life skill (Davies, 2013; Facione, 1990; Halpern, 2014; Van Gelder, 2005). More specifically, students …

Hospitalisation is stressful for children. Play material is often offered for distraction and comfort. Weexplored how contact with social robot PLEO could positively affect a child’s well-being. To this end, we performed a multiple case study on the paediatric ward of two hospitals. Child life specialists …

Thorough understanding of how “outside the box” ideas in the newsroom can be triggered and fostered is fundamental to grasp innovation in journalism, but is still largely uncharted territory. Comprehension of its key elements would enable news organisations to reinvent themselves and improve chances …

Meaningful Music in Health Care (MiMiC) is a bottom-up exploratory research project with the goal of developing a contextually well-informed artistic participatory music practice for professional musicians seeking to work in hospitals. The joint research brings together qualitative researchers, musicians …

from the article: "While previous studies have stressed the importance of feedback delivered by experts, it is unclear whether students' oral presentation competence can be fostered through innovative technology for delivering feedback. This experimental study examined the effectiveness of a virtual …

According to a recent manifesto titled Manifest Nederlands op School, the secondary school subject Dutch Language and Literature is incoherent, unchallenging and unscientific. In order to solve this problem, the school subject should strive to reach levels of conscious language proficiency (‘bewuste …