Multidisciplinary analysis of clinical cases: a transition towards active learning in dental education

In the past 2009/10 academic year, we took steps towards introduction of active methodologies, from a multidisciplinar approach, into a conventional lecture-based Dental Education program. We consolidated these practices in the current 2010/11 year, already within a new Bologna-adapted scheme. Transition involved (i) critical assessment of the limitations of traditional teaching (ii) identification of specific learning topics allowing for integration of contents, (iii) implementation of student-centred learning activities in old curricular plans (iv) assessment of students' satisfaction and perceived learning outcomes, (v) implementation of these changes in new Bologna-adapted curricula

Efficiency and Equity in Learning Communities and schools

Traditionally, school efficiency has been measured as a function of educational production. In the last two decades, however, studies in the economics of education have indicated that more is required to improve school efficiency: researchers must explore how significant changes in school organization affect the performance of at-risk students. In this paper we introduce Henry Levin’s adoption of the X-efficiency approach to education and we describe the efficient and cost-effective characteristics of one Learning Communities Project School that significantly improved its student outcomes and enrollment numbers and reduced its absenteeism rate to zero. The organizational change that facilitated these improvements defined specific issues to address. Students’ school success became the focus of the school project, which also offered specific incentives, selected teachers, involved parents and community members in decisions, and used the most efficient technologies and methods. This case analysis reveals new two elements—family training and community involvement—that were not explicit parts of Levin’s adaptation. The case of the Antonio Machado Public School should attract the attention of both social scientists and policy makers

La Autogestión del aprendizaje y la autonomía e iniciativa personal = The self-regulation of learning and autonomy and personal Initiative

En esta investigación se trata de vincular la autogestión del aprendizaje con el desarrollo de la autonomía personal, la cual favorece el aprendizaje a lo largo de la vida. Partimos, en este proyecto de investigación, de la hipótesis de que la autogestión del aprendizaje es un elemento multidimensional cuya mejora revierte de forma positiva en el desarrollo de la autonomía e iniciativa personal. En esta comunicación se presentan los resultados obtenidos en la aplicación de la fase piloto de un proyecto más amplio, en el que se ha recogido información a través de autoinforme sobre las distintas estrategias y aspectos de la autogestión del aprendizaje y sobre la autonomía e iniciativa personal. Los resultados indican que, en general, hay una relación significativa positiva moderada entre las estrategias de aprendizaje y la autonomía, lo que confirma la importancia de ambos aspectos para favorecer el desarrollo integral de los estudiantes. El fomento de las estrategias de aprendizaje hace que los estudiantes desarrollen la autonomía. A su vez, exponer a los estudiantes a situaciones de aprendizaje que fomenten su autonomía mejora su competencia para aprender