Web-based education in Spanish Universities. A Comparison of Open Source E-Learning Platforms

Web-based education or „e-learning‟ has become a critical component in higher education for the last decade, replacing other distance learning methods, such as traditional computer training or correspondence learning. The number of university students who take on-line courses is continuously increasing all over the world. In Spain, nearly a 90% of the universities have an institutional e-learning platform and over 60% of the traditional on-site courses use this technology as a supplement to the traditional face-to-face classes. This new form of learning allows the disappearance of geographical barriers and enables students to schedule their own learning process, among some other advantages. On-line education is developed through specific software called „e-learning platform‟ or „virtual learning environment‟ (VLE). A considerable number of web-based tools to deliver distance courses are currently available. Open source software packages such as Moodle, Sakai, dotLRN or Dokeos are the most commonly used in the virtual campuses of Spanish universities. This paper analyzes the possibilities that virtual learning environments provide university teachers and learners and offers a technical comparison among some of the most popular e-learning learning platforms.

Competence Training in Higher Education: The case of the Technological Master "Prestación de Servicios Profesionales" from the Colegio de Postgraduados (México).

The Competency-Based Education in the context of training is intended as a comprehensive approach that seeks to link education with the productive sector and increase the potential of individuals, in the face of social, economic, political and cultural transformations that suffers the world and the contemporary society; this is how educational services associated to the rural area takes part of the global revalorization of the role of learning and knowledge. Under the competence approach and taking into account the CONOCER model, we design a Technological Master from the “Colegio de Postgraduados” identifying the competences needed so that the students, professional from different areas of knowledge, managed to develop them, but mainly to achieve the goal of developing the capacities of producers in Mexican rural area.

Enhancing web-based learning resources with quizzes through an Authoring Tool and an Audience Response System

Quizzes are among the most widely used resources in web-based education due to their many benefits. However, educators need suitable authoring tools that can be used to create reusable quizzes and to enhance existing materials with them. On the other hand, if teachers use Audience Response Systems (ARSs) they can get instant feedback from their students and thereby enhance their instruction. This paper presents an online authoring tool for creating reusable quizzes and enhancing existing learning resources with them, and a web-based ARS that enables teachers to launch the created quizzes and get instant feedback from the class. Both the authoring tool and the ARS were evaluated. The evaluation of the authoring tool showed that educators can effectively enhance existing learning resources in an easy way by creating and adding quizzes using that tool. Besides, the different factors that assure the reusability of the created quizzes are also exposed. Finally, the evaluation of the developed ARS showed an excellent acceptance of the system by teachers and students, and also it indicated that teachers found the system easy to set up and use in their classrooms.

Towards a Learning Object pedagogical quality metric based on the LORI evaluation model

Evaluating and measuring the pedagogical quality of Learning Objects is essential for achieving a successful web-based education. On one hand, teachers need some assurance of quality of the teaching resources before making them part of the curriculum. On the other hand, Learning Object Repositories need to include quality information into the ranking metrics used by the search engines in order to save users time when searching. For these reasons, several models such as LORI (Learning Object Review Instrument) have been proposed to evaluate Learning Object quality from a pedagogical perspective. However, no much effort has been put in defining and evaluating quality metrics based on those models. This paper proposes and evaluates a set of pedagogical quality metrics based on LORI. The work exposed in this paper shows that these metrics can be effectively and reliably used to provide quality-based sorting of search results. Besides, it strongly evidences that the evaluation of Learning Objects from a pedagogical perspective can notably enhance Learning Object search if suitable evaluations models and quality metrics are used. An evaluation of the LORI model is also described. Finally, all the presented metrics are compared and a discussion on their weaknesses and strengths is provided.

Sistemas de Gestión de la Calidad. Metodología para implementar proyectos de mejora continua para la reducción de los defectos de construcción en edificación de viviendas

La mejora continua debería estar presente siempre en las empresas, dispongan o no de sistemas de gestión. Sin embargo, su aplicación en el sector de la construcción es especialmente difícil debido a las características particulares del mismo. Por este motivo se plantea el objetivo principal de esta Tesis Doctoral: “Establecer una metodología de trabajo que permita a las empresas constructoras implantar proyectos de mejora continua para incrementar la calidad de las viviendas entregadas a los usuarios”. En la investigación llevada a cabo se han inspeccionado 818 viviendas, recogiendo un total de 82.550 incidencias, las cuales se han analizado aplicando cuatro de las siete herramientas estadísticas básicas de la mejora continua (Hoja de recogida de datos, Estratificación, Histograma y Diagrama de Pareto), concluyendo que los tres oficios que concentran el 80% de los defectos, en los que convendría actuar para reducir de manera significativa los fallos de construcción en la fase de pre-entrega, son: Carpintería de Madera, Revestimientos Cerámicos e Instalación de Electricidad. De entre estos tres oficios se ha seleccionado el de Revestimientos Cerámicos para poner en práctica un proyecto de mejora continua. Analizando los datos relativos a este oficio se elabora un listado de 25 defectos tipo en los que se pueden agrupar todas las incidencias detectadas. Aplicando de nuevo las cuatro herramientas básicas de la calidad se destacan los 10 defectos tipo con mayor impacto en volumen de incidencias y en coste de reparación, para focalizar los esfuerzos de mejora. Con esta información se elabora un documento de criterios técnicos para la ejecución de los Revestimientos Cerámicos que se implanta, en parte, en varias obras para tratar de reducir los defectos detectados en las viviendas antes de la entrega a sus propietarios, y se definen unos Índices de Calidad para medir los resultados. Se toman datos de nuevo a 6 y 20 meses desde la implantación del protocolo, se analizan y se calculan los resultados del proyecto de mejora, concluyendo que se está avanzando positivamente. En base a toda la información recogida a lo largo del proceso de la investigación y de la experiencia del proyecto de mejora implantado, se presenta una propuesta de metodología para implementar proyectos de mejora, así como la documentación recomendada para su puesta en práctica, además de la documentación técnica específica para la prevención de los defectos de construcción en Revestimientos Cerámicos incluyendo las fichas de control para la recepción de materiales, control de ejecución y control de recepción del revestimiento terminado. ABSTRACT Continuous improvement should always be a core value in firms of all kinds, whether or not they implement management systems. Nevertheless, its application in the construction sector seems especially difficult due to its inherent intricacies and complexity. The study of this phenomenon is the main aim of the hereby presented PhD dissertation "Establishment of a working methodology that allows construction (related) firms to carry out projects of continuous improvement in order to increase the quality of housing upon delivery to the client". In the present research 818 housing units have been inspected, collecting a total of 82550 incidence entries, which have been analyzed by means of 4 out of the 7 basic statistical tools of continuous improvement: Data collection sheets, stratification, histogram, and Pareto diagram. The data shows that the 3 main trades where special actions should be taken in order to significantly reduce construction defects are: carpentry, ceramic cladding, and electricity systems. These trades combined account for the 80% of the total defects detected during the inspections. Among the mentioned works, ceramic tiling is selected as a continuous improvement case study project. Analysing data relative to this specific trade, a list of 25 defect types is developed. These types gather all detected defects under this group. Further applying the four statistical tools referred to above, the 10 most significant events are highlighted as to clearly determine the improvement measures. These events have the most impact on both volume of defects and reparation costs. This information is then put together in a document of technical criteria for the correct execution of ceramic tiling that is implemented in various ongoing projects under construction as to minimize the defects prior to the final delivery to the client. Also, a series of Quality Index are defined as criteria for execution suitability. 6 to 20 months after the implementation of this control protocol, the same process is repeated with the purpose of comparing results. It is concluded that a positive evolution takes place. Based both on the information collected throughout the research process and the experience of the case study, the dissertation proposes a methodology to successfully implement improvement projects along with reference documentation and specific technical documents for the prevention of construction defects in ceramic tiling, including (i) material reception control sheets, (ii) an execution control sheet, and a sheet relative to the (iii) control of the finished cladding.

A flexible open source web platform to facilitate Learning Object evaluation

Systematic evaluation of Learning Objects is essential to make high quality Web-based education possible. For this reason, several educational repositories and e-Learning systems have developed their own evaluation models and tools. However, the differences of the context in which Learning Objects are produced and consumed suggest that no single evaluation model is sufficient for all scenarios. Besides, no much effort has been put in developing open tools to facilitate Learning Object evaluation and use the quality information for the benefit of end users. This paper presents LOEP, an open source web platform that aims to facilitate Learning Object evaluation in different scenarios and educational settings by supporting and integrating several evaluation models and quality metrics. The work exposed in this paper shows that LOEP is capable of providing Learning Object evaluation to e-Learning systems in an open, low cost, reliable and effective way. Possible scenarios where LOEP could be used to implement quality control policies and to enhance search engines are also described. Finally, we report the results of a survey conducted among reviewers that used LOEP, showing that they perceived LOEP as a powerful and easy to use tool for evaluating Learning Objects.

Transformaciones urbanas en torno a las reales puertas de la Villa de Madrid (1656-1860)

La estructura urbana de Madrid comenzó a dibujarse con los primeros asentamientos fortificados del siglo IX. Sus posteriores ampliaciones estuvieron acotadas por los sucesivos recintos que delimitaron los contornos de una capital en constante expansión. De carácter inicialmente defensivo, luego fiscal y sanitario, estas estructuras estuvieron articuladas en torno a las puertas de acceso a la Villa, estableciendo un sistema general de cerramiento y comunicación que permitiera el control de personas y mercancías en su tránsito hacia el interior de la ciudad. La modestia inicial con que las puertas y tapias del recinto edificado en tiempos de Felipe IV desempeñaron sus funciones de espaldas al exterior de la Villa fue remplazada por un creciente protagonismo, de carácter simbólico y ornamental, que trascendió a su propia arquitectura para inspirar algunas de las importantes transformaciones urbanas operadas en su entorno. Relacionada principalmente con el ideal ilustrado de embellecimiento de la ciudad, la renovación de sus puertas principales se completaba con la reedificación y regularización de sus cercas, y la conformación de nuevos paseos en las afueras de la capital, cuyo trazado vertebrará en buena medida la ocupación de la periferia y la consiguiente definición de la trama urbana del Madrid de hoy. El presente trabajo de investigación indaga sobre la significación urbana de las Reales Puertas de la Villa de Madrid, a partir de la revisión de su establecimiento en los sucesivos recintos de la capital, con especial atención a las transformaciones urbanas operadas en ella desde la definición de su último límite hasta la proyección futura del Madrid ampliado según el anteproyecto de Carlos Mª de Castro. La observación conjunta de las componentes arquitectónica y urbana de las puertas de la Villa de Madrid se ofrece a partir de un relato cronológico de los hechos, fundamentado en su justificación documental y la secuencia visual registrada en la cartografía histórica de la ciudad. La incorporación de aportaciones gráficas de nueva elaboración, de carácter y alcance diversos, proporciona una superposición espacio-temporal que posibilita la lectura comparada de las arquitecturas de las Reales Puertas de la Villa de Madrid y de las transformaciones urbanas operadas a partir de ellas, determinantes en gran medida la configuración de la ciudad actual. ABSTRACT Madrid’s current urban structure has its roots in the first fortified settlements of the IX century. Its subsequent expansions due to the capital’s constant growth were limited by successive enclosures, built originally as a defense mechanism, but later used for fiscal and sanitary purposes as well. The construction of these structures pivoted around the gates that gave access to the city, establishing an enclosure that allowed control of both people and goods on their way into the city. The gates and walls originally built by Felipe IV performed their purpose with a modesty that was later replaced by an increasing symbolic and ornamental prominence, eventually surpassing their own architecture to inspire profound urban changes around them. With the purpose of embellishing the city, the main gates were renovated, the walls were rebuilt and standardized, and new avenues were laid out outside the city. These changes dictated in large part the settling on the suburbs and the resulting configuration of Madrid’s urban scene as we know it today. This research explores the urban significance of the Royal Gates of Madrid through the study of the enclosures that marked the limits of the city. Special attention is given to the urban changes since the last enclosure was established through to Carlos Mª de Castro’s draft for Madrid’s future projection. The architectonic and urban facets of Madrid’s gates are examined simultaneously in a series of chronological events, based on relevant documentation and the graphical record found in Madrid’s historic cartography. This thesis includes new graphic contributions, which allow the comparison of the architecture of the Royal Gates of Madrid as they evolved in time and space. These documents are essential in order to understand the urban transformations that took place based on the Gates, having largely determined the city’s current configuration.

Enhancing skills in solving open-ended problems using game-based exercises

Some requirements for engineering programmes, such as an ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice, as well as an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility or an ability to communicate effectively, need new activities designed for measuring students’ progress. Negotiations take place continuously at any stage of a project and, so, the ability of engineers and managers to effectively carry out a negotiation is crucial for the success or failure of projects and businesses. Since it involves communication between individuals motivated to come together in an agreement for mutual benefit, it can be used to enhance these personal abilities. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of mixing playing sessions and theory to maximise the students’ strategic vision in combination with negotiating skills. Results show that the combination of playing with theoretical training teaches students to strategise through analysis and discussion of alternatives. The outcome is then more optimised.

How Blended Learning Reduce Underachievement in Higher Education: An Experience in Teaching Computer Sciences.

This paper presents a blended learning approach and a study evaluating instruction in a software engineering-related course unit as part of an undergraduate engineering degree program in computing. In the past, the course unit had a lecture-based format. In view of student underachievement and the high course unit dropout rate, a distance-learning system was deployed, where students were allowed to choose between a distance-learning approach driven by a moderate constructivist instructional model or a blended-learning approach. The results of this experience are presented, with the aim of showing the effectiveness of the teaching/learning system deployed compared to the lecture-based system previously in place. The grades earned by students under the new system, following the distance-learning and blended-learning courses, are compared statistically to the grades attained in earlier years in the traditional face-to-face classroom (lecture-based) learning.

Resources to introduce Inquire Based Scientic Education in Secondary and High School

The global Hands-on Universe association is producing and distributing free resources world- wide to implement Inquire Based Scienti?c Education (IBSE) at secondary and high school levels. The materials are inspired in astronomical research and space exploration. The association is implementing the Galileo Teacher Training Program world-wide. In this contribution, a summary on the most recent resources being implemented by HOU-Espa~na and developed with Spanish participation is presented.

A Web-based Support System for Providing Effective Monitoring, Feedback and Evaluation in Project Management Education

This work introduces a web-based learning environment to facilitate learning in Project Management. The proposed web-based support system integrates methodological procedures and information systems, allowing to promote learning among geographically-dispersed students. Thus, students who are enrolled in different universities at different locations and attend their own project management courses, share a virtual experience in executing and managing projects. Specific support systems were used or developed to automatically collect information about student activities, making it possible to monitor the progress made on learning and assess learning performance as established in the defined rubric.

Higher education in industrial engineering in Peru: towards a new model based on skills

This article analyzes the progress of Industrial Engineering in Peru, the relationship to major trends in Europe and North America, and the projected outlook for the future. It is determined that the need for this engineering specialty includes a significant degree of resource management, and the formation of engineers through education requires not only the acquisition and strengthening of technical knowledge, but also the development of the competences that are required by both employers and the recipients of the benefits of engineering: society. Conclusions have been drawn based on state-of-the-art analyses from Europe and North America, and definitions of trends for engineering.