Study of the influence of social relationships among students on knowledge building using a moderately constructivist learning model

Este articulo analiza cómo las relaciones sociales subyacentes entre alumnos universitarios pueden influir en los resultados académicos. Los resultados empíricos del estudio realizado revelan que la relación social entre los alumnos sobre discusión y generación de nuevas ideas tiene un impacto positivo. Así mismo, se observa que las relaciones sociales de consejo y confianza que puede haber entre los estudiantes fomentan la discusión y generación de nuevas ideas. Por tanto, se concluye que los modelos de enseñanza / aprendizaje a implementar deberían incluir actividades que fomenten este tipo de relaciones sociales con el objetivo de mejorar los resultados académicos.

Exploring three approaches to offer distance learning courses through a social network of health researchers in three African countries

The Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp hereby presents the results of two pilot distance learning training programmes, developed under the umbrella of the AFRICA BUILD project (FP7). The two courses focused on evidence-based medicine (EBM): with the aim of enhancing research and education, via novel approaches and to identify research needs emanating from the field. These pilot experiences, which were run both in English-speaking (Ghana), and French-speaking (Mali and Cameroon) partner institutions, produced targeted courses for the strengthening of research methodology and policy. The courses and related study materials are in the public domain and available through the AFRICA BUILD Portal (http://www.africabuild.eu/taxonomy/term/37); the training modules were delivered live via Dudal webcasts. This paper assesses the success and difficulties of transferring EBM skills with these two specific training programmes, offered through three different approaches: fully online facultative courses, fully online tutor supported courses or through a blended approach with both online and face-to-face sessions. Key factors affecting the selection of participants, the accessibility of the courses, how the learning resources are offered, and how interactive online communities are formed, are evaluated and discussed.

Adults'Education and Agricultural Innovation: A Social Learning Approach

Social learning processes can be the basis of a method of agricultural innovation that involves expert and empirical knowledge. In this sense, the objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness and sustainability of an innovation process, understood as social learning, in a group of small farmers in the southern highlands of Peru. Innovative proposals and its permanence three years after the process finished were evaluated. It was observed that innovation processes generated are maintained over time; however, new innovations are not subsequently generated. We conclude that adult learning processes and innovation based on social learning are more effective and sustainable; however, the farmers internalization in innovation processes is given longer term.