Academic Periods Research Articles

1. EL TRABAJO DE CAMPO Y SU APLICACIÓN EN LA ESCUELA BÁSICA DE ADULTOS

La investigación tiene como objetivo describir el proceso de aplicación de la estrategia “trabajo de campo” en la enseñanza de las Ciencias Naturales en estudiantes de la Escuela Básica de Jóvenes Adultos y Adultas, así como establecer el alcance de la misma en este grupo de sujetos. Para ello, se hizo uso de una investigación de campo tipo cuantitativo donde se compararon las medias de las pruebas antes y después de la aplicación de la estrategia, en grupos no aleatorizados. Su aplicación se realizó durante cuatro períodos académicos consecutivos (2011 – 2012 hasta el 2014 – 2015). Los resultados son lo suficientemente significativos para señalar que esta estrategia contribuye a desarrollar habilidades cognitivas y sociales, dada la interacción entre la persona que estudia y lo estudiado, su aplicación inciden en las calificaciones de los jóvenes – adultos mejorando sus condiciones para adquirir, procesar y transferir experiencias y aprendizajes.

Percepção dos graduandos de Odontologia quanto à atividade prática de estimativa de idade realizada em uma disciplina de Odontologia Legal

O estudo objetiva identificar as facilidades e dificuldades vivenciadas pelos alunos em atividade prática de estimativa de idade proposta pela disciplina de Odontologia Legal, verificando sua percepção quanto à funcionalidade e/ou importância da atividade na sua formação acadêmica. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de campo aplicada, quantitativa, exploratória, documental e analítica, do tipo transversal. Durante uma atividade prática da disciplina de Odontologia Legal da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, aplicou-se um questionário com perguntas abertas e fechadas acerca das facilidades e dificuldades vivenciadas na aplicação de um método de estimativa de idade e da percepção dos alunos quanto a funcionalidade e importância da atividade. A amostra (n=52) foi composta pelos alunos matriculados na disciplina de Odontologia Legal nos períodos letivos 2014/2 e 2015/1, que participaram da atividade prática. Os dados foram analisados descritivamente. A opção ”Excelente” foi maioria em três dos quatro critérios avaliados. Como pontos positivos, destacaram-se a aplicabilidade (19,0%), fixação do conteúdo (17,2%), relevância para formação profissional (12,1%) e praticabilidade (12,1%). Como pontos negativos e dificuldades encontradas foram ressaltadas a subjetividade do método em estudo (25,0%), a má qualidade das projeções radiográficas (18,2%), a restrição de aplicação do método a crianças e adolescentes (9,1%) e a necessidade de estudo prévio (9,1%). Em conclusão, a atividade prática de estimativa de idade contribuiu para a formação profissional dos alunos, sendo a aplicabilidade do método o ponto positivo mais frequentemente apontado, enquanto a subjetividade do mesmo se constituiu na maior dificuldade vivenciada pelos graduandos.

Do occupancy-responsive learning thermostats save energy? A field study in university residence halls

Occupant presence and behavior can and should influence energy use in buildings. If occupancy is measured, predicted, or otherwise inferred, building controls can automatically adjust system operating parameters to use less energy without sacrificing user services. However, previous field evaluations and simulation studies appear to have overestimated the energy savings associated with this type of smart control. In this article we present results from a carefully controlled field evaluation of occupancy-responsive learning thermostats installed in every bedroom of three high-rise university residence halls. While a standard practice energy model developed prior to the retrofit estimated 10–25% savings for cooling and 20–50% savings for heating, measurements reveal that the control scheme only reduced energy consumption by 0–9% for cooling, and by 5–8% for heating for normal operation during academic periods. However, for non-academic periods when the residence halls were sparsely populated, the scheme reduced cooling energy consumption by 20–30%. We analyzed these observations in relation to occupancy patterns, room temperature records, ambient conditions, and equipment run time. The findings provide novel insight about how to improve field evaluations and refine model assumptions to better predict the impact of occupancy-responsive thermostat controls. Notably, while analysts often use fractional building occupancy trends to simulate building energy performance, this study highlights the importance of accounting accurately for both the temporal and spatial variation of vacancy events throughout a building.

Productivity Change: An Empirical Study on Turkish State Universities

Bilindigi uzere universiteler egitim ve ogretim hizmeti veren kamu kuruluslaridir. Universiteler ayrica arastirma faaliyetleriyle de ilgilidirler. Bu kurumlar tarafindan saglanan hizmetler cesitli acilardan kamuoyu ve resmi kurumlari cok yakindan ilgilendirmektedir. Dolayisiyla, bu kurumlarin faaliyetlerine tahsis edilen kaynaklarin ne olcude verimli kullanildiginin degerlendirilmesi gerekmektedir. Bunun yaninda, bu kurumlarin zaman icindeki gelisimi de dikkat cekici bir konudur. Bu baglamda bu calismada, MVE (Malmquist Verimlilik Endeksi) olarak bilinen DEA-temelli bir yaklasim, devlet universitelerinin etkinligini degerlendirmek ve varsa zaman icindeki teknolojik degisimini ve etkinlik sinirina yakinligini ortaya cikarmak icin kullanilmaktadir. MVE zaman degisiminin etkisini olcmede kullanilan bir yontemdir. MVE belli bir zaman diliminde etkin uretim sinirindaki kaymayi hesaplamak icin gelistirilmistir. Iki zaman dilimi arasindaki etkinligin olcumu kurumlara goreli yarismaci konumlarini degerlendirme ve karsilastirma firsati tanimaktadir. Bu calisma, Turk devlet universitelerinden olusan bir orneklem uzerinden 2000/01 ve 2009/10 akademik donemlerindeki verimlilik degisimini incelemeyi amaclamaktadir.

Modelo de gestión del aprendizaje en ciencias básicas médicas: un corte transversal

IntroductionEducational models in medicine remain passive learning environments, and there is a need to integrate strategies for the construction of long-life learning. ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of the application of an LMM among medical students who were enrolled in basic science subjects, and its impact between two academic periods. MethodA cross-sectional design study was performed by using the assessment records of students in the third and fourth semester of morphology-physiology, pharmacology, and basic structural reasoning of the period 2014-2015. After exposure to the LMM for around 12 months, the mean differences were determined according to academic mean in each of the subjects, subject units, and academic periods. A univariate linear model was used, and the factors associated with academic performance in each assignment. ResultsA total of 1,496 students were identified with a mean (SD) age of 20 (3) years, with a majority (71%) of women. Attendance at NT1 was 40%, NT2 30% and 30% in NT3. Positive differences were observed in mean academic performance between the periods 2014-2 and 2014-1. In pharmacology at the nt1 it was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.93 to 0.99), in nt2, 0.6 (95% CI: 0.51 to 0.68) and 0.72 in nt3 (95 CI%: 059-.84); clinical reasoning in the nt1 was 0.35 (95% CI: 0.26 to 0.44), in nt2 0.37 (95% CI: 0.26 to 0.48), and 0.16 in nt3 (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.28). No changes were seen in morphology-physiology. ConclusionThe results revealed an increase in reasoning skills and pharmacology, and a static curve in morphology-physiology. Teaching practice and student training are associated with academic performance. The impact of the model needs to be evaluated in the clinical area.

Optimización de la oferta de cursos en instituciones educativas

En el problema de programación de horarios de cursos, generalmente se asume que la asignación de asignaturas a los periodos lectivos es un dato de entrada del problema, que es definido por los responsables académicos. En este trabajo es presentada una metodología, que hace uso de programas lineales con variables enteras 0-1, para establecer la asignación de cursos a periodos lectivos, el cual toma en cuenta el grado de dificultad de cada asignatura y los requisitos académicos de éstas, con el objetivo de mini- mizar las diferencias de grado de dificultad entre los diferentes periodos académicos.

Creative Cognition in Secondary Science: An exploration of divergent thinking in science among adolescents

The divergent thinking skills in science of 282 US high school students were investigated across 16 weeks of instruction in order to determine whether typical academic time periods can significantly influence changes in thinking skills. Students’ from 6 high school science classrooms completed the Scientific Structures Creativity Measure (SSCM) before and after a semester of instruction. Even the short time frame of a typical academic term was found to be sufficient to promote both improvements in divergent thinking skills as well as declining divergent thinking. Declining divergent thinking skills were more common in this time frame than were improvements. The nature of student performance on the SSCM and implications are discussed.

La creación de videojuegos en ciencias naturales y la competencia para resolver problemas

Introduction. This research work is intended to design and explore a didactic sequence associated to the competence to solve problems. Such sequence was based on the creation of video games made by students, as an educative strategy to support the formative process focused on competencies related to natural sciences, particularly with that of problem solving. Objective. During the didactic sequence the KODU programming language was implemented, using it in extracurricular spaces with sixth grade students from Colegio Gimnasio Cantabria, in La Estrella, Antioquia. Materials and methods. Information based on the sequence´s implementation was collected, by means of video, a field diary and interviews to the students. Other indicators associated to the competency to solve problems were also assessed in the video games developed. Results. The results obtained support the idea of creating video games as a didactic strategy, thus supporting the development and consolidation of competencies as it could be demonstrated in the video games developed, with all of the indicators related to solve problems (identification of problems, accumulation of data associated a logical procedure to identify the causes of the problems, proposition of solution and execution of the alternatives). The didactic sequence was also functional for the physical spaces and the academic periods. Conclusion. The evidences allow the projection of a curricular integration space for the strategy of creating video games with other different competencies that are complementary to the solution of problems (analytical thinking, systemic thinking, and creative thinking, among others).

DUAL TREATMENTS AS STARTING POINT FOR INTEGRATIVE PERCEPTIONS IN TEACHING MATHEMATICS

In this paper, we recommend mathematical teaching through dual treatments. The dual treatments notion, classified in dual interpretations, dual analyses, dual solutions, and dual formulations, is explained through concrete examples taken from mathematical textbooks of elementary education. Dual treatments provide opportunities for creating different points of view on a mathematical situation and thus developing the integrative perceptions of the students. Teaching through dual treatments for integrative perceptions formation was evaluated during the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 academic school year periods. Data were evaluated using ANOVA and t test analyses. The study, involving 205 students in the first grade of the elementary education, demonstrated that mathematical teaching through dual treatments (1) influences the integrative perceptions formation; (2) there is no significant difference between girls and boys after the implementation of teaching through dual treatments in integrative perceptions formation.

CW-FIT: Group Contingency Effects across the Day

This study explored the effects of a group-contingency intervention on student behavior across academic instructional periods. Research suggests group contingencies are evidence-based practices, yet calls for investigation to determine the best conditions and groups suited for this type of intervention. CW-FIT (Class-Wide Function-related Intervention Teams), an interdependent-group contingency intervention, was implemented in a first grade general education classroom across three academic periods. Results indicate student on-task behavior and teacher praise increased after intervention in all three settings. In addition, three students identified as at-risk for problem behaviors decreased disruptive behaviors in response to the intervention.

Nancy Bradley Warren The Embodied Word: Female Spiritualities, Contested Orthodoxies, and English Religious Cultures, 1350–1700The Embodied Word: Female Spiritualities, Contested Orthodoxies, and English Religious Cultures, 1350–1700. Nancy Bradley Warren. University of Notre Dame Press, 2010. Pp. ix +339.

<i>Nancy Bradley Warren</i> The Embodied Word: Female Spiritualities, Contested Orthodoxies, and English Religious Cultures, 1350–1700<i>The Embodied Word: Female Spiritualities, Contested Orthodoxies, and English Religious Cultures, 1350–1700</i>. Nancy Bradley Warren. University of Notre Dame Press, 2010. Pp. ix +339.

Determinants of Tertiary Education Quality in Bangladesh

The concept of quality in tertiary education, which entails creating and advancing knowledge for developing enlightened citizens those can contribute to the development of a country is multifaceted in nature. It can only be ensured by activities and functions of quality control mechanism which are carried out by the graduates in their university academic periods. But, in case of Bangladesh, there is no specific quality assurance mechanism effective rather different are used with respect to public universities, private universities, and tertiary level college. And, most of the cases there is no provision of external review of quality. As a result measuring tertiary education quality as a whole most of the cases cannot be possible. But, irrespective of the institution there are some common issues or determinants which significantly affect the tertiary education quality. And, the objectives of this paper are to identify those determinants and evaluate their relative importance with respective to ensuring tertiary education quality. To perform the objectives primary data have been collected through formal questionnaire from 167 respondents including teachers and students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) by random sampling method. Primarily, this research takes into account 20 determinants i.e. entry requirements of the students, sound teaching ability impartiality in evaluation, sincerity of teacher, accountability of teacher, communication capability of teacher, infrastructural facilities, research opportunities, seminar and workshops, teaches polities, student politics, class size, session jam, reputation of the institution, program curricula, practical implication of knowledge, career potentials, medium of instructions, extracurricular activities, and cost of education, as effective in ensuring tertiary education quality. From the analysis of respondents’ data, it is found that sincerity of teacher is the most important determinant in ensuring tertiary education quality while communication capability of the teacher is of second choice to the respondents. The determinants which are of lowest value to respondents are teachers politics followed by student politics also. After the analysis of data this paper makes an overview on current status of these determinants in Bangladesh. Finally, this paper offers some recommendations regarding the enhancement of tertiary education quality in Bangladesh for making the graduates more competent in facing the challenges of 21st century.

Solving the Balanced Academic Curriculum Problem Using the ACO Metaheuristic

The balanced academic curriculum problem consists in the assignation of courses to academic periods satisfying all the load limits and prerequisite constraints. In this paper, we present the design of a solution to the balanced academic curriculum problem based on the ACO metaheuristic, in particular via the Best-Worst Ant System. We provide an experimental evaluation which illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach on a set of classic benchmarks as well as on real instances.

Health and safety: teaching law, educating for prevention

PurposeTeaching health and safety law to non‐lawyers can involve an unreceptive audience. The author works with prospective rural practice surveyors involved with the two highest risk working environments in the UK: construction and agriculture. Unlike construction, the agricultural industry has failed to reduce annual fatalities in the past quarter century and continues to account for around 20 percent of workplace deaths, whilst employing under two percent of the workforce. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching methods on both substantive learning and student attitudes.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used is an iterative process of action research. The paper is introductory, reporting teaching approach and outline findings. Further data will be collected over forthcoming academic periods. The paper explores the use of court cases, as an introduction to studies, to pique student interest, enhance legal skills and, importantly, to attempt to influence behaviour. The paper sets out teaching issues and experiences and outlines judgments used in 2011/12.FindingsThe paper reviews the responses to preliminary research (self‐evaluation, peer review teaching observation, student questionnaires) ascertaining student attitudes and understanding of the area before and after teaching, and student engagement with pre‐class preparation.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of the paper include length of study to date and measurable outcomes.Practical implicationsPractical implications include informing the attitudes of those with significant responsibilities in a vital area. A discrete academic/CPD programme for health and safety education is being developed as a result with far reaching impact.Originality/valueThe effectiveness of different teaching methods in health and safety law and practice in this area has not previously been evaluated.

Didactics of the use of ICT and traditional teaching aids in municipal higher education institutions.

Abstract Issues related to the use of teaching aids in Higher Education are currently going through constant revision and rethinking due to the rapid advancement of science and technology. Their uses have significantly changed after the introduction of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) within the educational field. One of the main tasks to be performed by didactics in Higher Education teaching today is precisely to deepen into rational and effective class-teaching means, understood in a broad sense: from traditional teaching aids to ICTs. This reality has materialized in the current blended learning model which characterizes the New Cuban University. Therefore, it was considered appropriate to characterize the present-day teaching practice, based on the use of teaching aids in Cuba’s university classrooms, as part of the second stage within the research project “Improvement of the universalization process in Municipal Higher Education Institutions in the Havana province. Generalization of results and development of contextualized innovative experiences.” The study was carried out at eleven ‘Physical Culture’ Municipal Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) in two academic periods (2007–2009 and 2009–2011). A descriptive methodology consisting of observation, surveys and the “Osgood Semantic Differential” scale as main methods and techniques was applied. The results obtained showed that teachers make an occasional, nonsystematic and reluctant use of teaching aids during the teachinglearning process, especially when it comes to ICT-based teaching aids.

Creatividad y rasgos de personalidad en estudiantes universitarios: estudio transversal de asociación

IntroductionThis study was carried out to assess the relationship between character traits and creativity in a sample of students from a public university in Bogotá. MethodologyA random sample of 157 students from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. The two instruments used for measuring character traits and creativity were the International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE) and the Abbreviated Torrance Test for Adults (ATTA). Additional information about gender, psychopathological antecedents, current academic period and academic average have been recorded. Robust regression methods have been used to analyze the relationship between creativity and character traits. ResultsCreativity and narcissistic traits were associated. In a multivariate model, other variables showing a relationship with creativity were found, i.e., male gender, mental illness family antecedents, number of academic periods completed, and a high academic average. ConclusionsRelationship between creativity and narcissistic traits had not been reported in previous. Longitudinal studies using more accurate scales should be undertaken to determine the validity of these findings.

A comprehensive placement test tool for language centres

One of the main problems relating to language courses offered at language centres is measuring the students' entry-level skills in a fast, efficient and reliable way. This problem is particularly acute in language centres with large numbers of students, especially at the beginning of the academic year, as a mechanism has to be implemented which serves to determine the language skills of students prior to the registration period. For this purpose we have developed a software tool that allows us to determine a student's level quickly and effectively, while managing volumes of approximately 600 students in each of the two academic periods in which the courses are offered. The tool presented has been tested and validated over four years of use, giving results that demonstrate a high degree of reliability. Also, given the program's flexibility, it can be adapted to other specific needs, and can also be used to assess proficiency in terms of the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Evaluación de un sistema de evaluación del aprendizaje en psiquiatría

Through the analysis of a teaching evaluation system for a Psychiatry course aimed at Medicine students, the author reviews the basic elements taken into account in a teaching assessment process. MethodsAnalysis was carried out of the assessment methods used as well as of the grades obtained by the students from four groups into which the they were divided. ResultsThe selected assessment methods are appropriate to evaluate educational objectives; the contents are selected by means of a specification matrix; there is a high correlation coefficient between the grades obtained in previous academic periods and the ones obtained in the course, thus demonstrating the validity of the results (both considering the whole exam or just a part of it). Most of the students are on the right side of the grading curve, which means that the majority of them acquire the knowledge expected. ConclusionsThe assessment system used in the Psychopathology course is fair, valid and reliable, specifically concerning the objective methods used, but the conceptual evaluation should be improved or, preferably, eliminated as a constituernt part of the evaluation system.

The Effects of a Sportsmanship Education Program on the Behavior of College Intramural Sports Participants

The study's purpose was to examine the potential impact of a sportsmanship education program on behaviors of students who participated in collegiate intramural sports. In an effort to decrease unsportsmanlike incidents and as a mandatory component for participation in the university's intramural sports program, all intramural athletes were required to complete a sportsmanship education program. Data were collected from intramural sports program incident reports over two academic years. Descriptive statistics indicated the total number of unsportsmanlike behaviors decreased over the two academic periods. However, an independent t test revealed no significant differences existed in the perceived severity of unsportsmanlike incidents during this time. Although the study yielded non-significant findings, further research should continue in the area of sportsmanship among collegiate intramural programs. Specifically, research design should be prioritized in an effort to gather more revealing data. Ultimately, such information can be used to implement systems that focus on curbing unsportsmanlike behaviors.

Knowledge and Attitude among Dental students of Udaipur, India towards HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT Aims &amp; Objective The aim of the present study was to assess current status of knowledge and attitude among the dental students of Udaipur, India towards HIV/AIDS. Material and Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 282 dental students of Darshan Dental College. The interview questionnaire comprised of 27close ended questions. One way ANOVA was applied by using SPSS (11.0) to compare mean level of knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS. Results Shows dental students have satisfactory knowledge, but certain misconception was prevalent. It also shows that around 30.20% of the dental students held an over all negative attitude. Mean level of knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS had a statistically significant difference in results among sex and academic periods. Conclusion Over all knowledge and attitude among dental students was found to be satisfactory. Most of the Dental Students, near about 69.80% have a positive attitude regarding HIV/AIDS education.