In an attempt to build a more comprehensive and holistic understanding of the complexity, dynamics and idiosyncrasies involved in becoming a teacher, this study focussed on the experiences of 295 student teachers. Their feelings, cognitions and perceptions regarding teaching practice were analysed using the short version of the Inventory of Experiences and Perceptions of the Teaching Practice. Results emphasise some of the difficulties experienced during this period (e.g., stress, sense of weariness and ‘vulnerability’), as well the positive perceptions of these student teachers regarding their growing knowledge and skilfulness, as well as their sense of efficacy, flexibility and spontaneity in their performance and interactions. Their perception of their accomplishments in achieving reasonable levels of acceptance and recognition within the school community and their positive evaluation of the guidance and support provided by their supervisors are also emphasised. Differences were found – in terms of gender and graduate course background – in the way these student teachers experienced some aspects of teaching practice.

O presente estudo visou compreender o modo como os professores portugueses se adaptaram aos contextos de ensino à distância face à pandemia da COVID-19. Do ponto de vista metodológico, realizou-se um estudo quantitativo, de natureza extensiva, com o recurso a um inquérito por questionário online, ao qual responderam 2369 professores de todos os níveis de ensino. Os resultados obtidos mostram que os participantes tiveram que lidar com um conjunto complexo de dificuldades relacionado com o trânsito abrupto para um “ensino remoto de emergência”, o que implicou a criação de condições de acesso aos alunos, à reorganização da escola e do trabalho docente, à adaptação do processo de ensino e aprendizagem e ao domínio de diversas plataformas e ferramentas para interagir com os alunos. Embora prevaleça uma perceção positiva da capacidade das escolas e dos professores, sobretudo na valorização de recursos endógenos e da colegialidade, ressaltam os efeitos de sobrecarga de trabalho, stress, ansiedade e esgotamento, bem como a incapacidade de garantir uma resposta universal e inclusiva.

Entrepreneurial intention among university students: Adaptation and validation of a scale (QIE) The current research aims to validate the Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire (EIQ) in Portugal. The scale was developed and validated in Spain, and later validated in other countries and languages though not yet in Portugal. The EIQ draws on the Theory of Planned Behavior, the most widely used model for predicting entrepreneurial intention. The TPB provides a coherent theoretical and general application framework that allows us to understand and predict entrepreneurial intentions, taking into account not only personal fators but also social ones. This validation study has involved a sample of 326 Portuguese university students. The results of the structural equation modeling confirm that the EIQ has a high reliability and predictive validity of entrepreneurship intention and, except for some items, this is a scale applicable to Portuguese context.

A confirmatory analysis was performed to validate the Questionnaire on the Health Staff’s Perceptions Regarding Doutores da Alegria’s Intervention, a 40-item instrument designed to assess pediatric staff’s perceptions regarding the effects of Doutores da Alegria, a Brazilian hospital clowning professional organization. Eight dimensions were evaluated: the permanence of Doutores da Alegria’s interventions; Doutores da Alegria’s intrapersonal and interpersonal effects on their relation to health staff; themselves; staff–children; and staff–family relationships; as well as their effect on staff’s cultural development; children’s relation to their own disease; and families’ attitude regarding their child’s condition. In all, 567 health professionals from 13 Brazilian hospitals participated. The instrument’s good psychometric features are acknowledged.