Research-action Methodology between Computer Science and Educational Psychology: a Multidisciplinary Approach

Computer science studies possess a strong multidisciplinary aptitude since most graduates do their professional work outside of a computing environment, in close collaboration with professionals from many different areas. However, the training offered in computer science studies lacks that multidisciplinary factor, focusing more on purely technical aspects. In this paper we present a novel experience where computer studies and educational psychology find a common ground and realistic working through laboratory practices. Specifically, the work enables students of computer science education the development of diagnosis support systems, with artificial intelligence techniques, which could then be used for future educational psychologists. The applications developed by computer science students are the creation of a model for the diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), sometimes also commonly called the autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The complexity of this diagnosis, not only by the exclusive characteristics of every person who suffers from it, but also by the large numbers of variables involved in it, requires very strong and close interdisciplinary participation. This work demonstrates that it is possible to intervene in a curricular perspective, in the university, to promote the development of interpersonal skills. What can be shown, in this way, is a methodology for interdisciplinary practices design and a guide for monitoring and evaluation. The results are very encouraging since we obtained significant differences in academic achievement between students who attended a course using the new methodology and those who did not use it.

Raza y color: el dilema cubano

El artículo ofrece ideas y prácticas culturales para proponer que la experiencia del afrodescendiente en Cuba no puede ser asumida por las ciencias sociales solamente desde una perspectiva de raza, sino que el asunto es más abarcador y posee notables singularidades en la Isla, al punto que es uno de los elementos básicos, definitorios e inexcusables a la hora de examinar la sociedad cubana, tanto histórica como cultural y sociológicamente, tanto en el pasado como en el presente y seguramente en el futuro. Por eso es imprescindible también ubicar tal examen en la perspectiva nacional, dada la importancia enorme que la formación de la nación ha tenido en la definición de la sociedad cubana, sobre todo durante los siglos XIX y XX.