Información para las personas con discapacidad y sus familias Un proyecto evaluado por expertos

La carencia de un servicio de información integral, bibliográfico, estadístico, legal y referencial sobre la problemática de la población costarricense con discapacidad es una forma de discriminación que impide a estas personas y a sus familiares solucionar sus problemas diarios y tener acceso a una mejor calidad de vida. Por esta razón, se formó una comisión interinstitucional con participación del Departamento de Educación Especial del Mundo, la Federación de Organismos de Padres y Amigos de las Personas con Necesidades Especiales, el Instituto del Niño de la Universidad Nacional y el Consejo de Rehabilitación y Educación Especial, quienes plantearon la necesidad de crear un servicio de información de esta población.

Resumen y Análisis de la Práctica del Curso el Lector y sus Necesidades Informátivas

No existe en nuestro medio ningún estudio completo sobre la educación de los usuarios que pudiera aplicarse a cualquier tipo de biblioteca.Tampoco contamos todavía con parámetros que nos permitan evaluar en que medida los objetivos propuestos en un plan a desarrollar durante un determinado tiempo, se cumplieron o no.

Proposed network of mobile libraries: alternative information to rural communities in Costa Rica

This study examines the services provided by the bookmobile of SINABI-Public Libraries in rural communities visited Costa Rica during 2009 and 2010 according to the sample selected for the presentation of a proposed Mobile Library Network to Costa Rica.Each country has very heterogeneous populations and the populations in unfavorable geographical areas (rural or urban fringe areas) and areas without library service or cultural institution, they have specific information needs. By its terms can not exercise the right to information, while urban areas have greater influence and social advantage to have easy access to various information resources.The mobile library services are presented as an ideal tool to deliver library services to any population, mainly those remote communities and vulnerable state as rural areas. Bookmobile is defined as any means of transport (buses, trains, boats, motorcycles, boats, animals, etc.), which shifts documentary material.

El panteón lingüístico chibcha y sus vecinos

Se caracterizan y clasifican cinco lenguas indígenas del Área Intermedia, ya extintas, según la cantidad de los hallazgos sobre su estructura lingüística. En el proceso de extinción de una lengua hay subgrados, dependiendo del material disponible para su estudio, el grado de conocimiento que tengan los descendientes de la comunidad hablante y su deseo de revitalizarla. Según estos criterios, las etapas del proceso de extinción, de menor a mayor gravedad, se representan por las cinco lenguas analizadas de la siguiente manera: boruca, chibcha o muisca, huetar, quepo y suerre.Five extinct indigenous languages of the Intermediate Area are characterized and classified according to findings on their linguistic structure. In the extinction process of a language, there are several categories according to the material available for their study, the amount of knowledge that the descendents of a language community have and their interest in reviving the language. Following these criteria, the stages in the extinction process (from a lesser to a greater extent) are represented, as follows, by the five languages analyzed: Boruca, Chibcha o Muisca, Huetar, Quepo and Suerre.

Using Authentic Materials to Teach Reading Conprehension

Se estudia el uso de textos auténticos y la elaboración de materiales para la enseñanza y aprendizaje de la comprensión de lectura. Se presenta un análisis de la información y de las teorías aceptadas por los expertos del área y su congruencia con los materiales que se encuentran en el mercado. Además, se analizan los intereses y necesidades de los estudiantes de la Universidad Nacional con el fin de que los profesores cuenten con las herramientas para identificar los textos más significativos para los estudiantes y así mejorar sus habilidades de lectura. The use of authentic texts is addressed for teaching reading comprehension as well as for creating materials to improve the teaching-learning process of this skill. The information and theories held by the experts in this field are discussed with regard to whether they correspond to the materials available in the market. In addition, results of needs analysis instruments applied to Universidad Nacional students are provided, so that instructors can have the tools to identify the readings that students may find more meaningful and therefore improve their reading skilis.

Constructivism and ICTs to Improve Language Skills

Se examina la experiencia de los estudiantes y los profesores de dos grupos de un curso de Elocución con el uso de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TICs), para mejorar sus habilidades de expresión oral en inglés. Se presenta el diseño del curso y la metodología en la cual se fundamentó, así como las apreciaciones de los trabajos de estos a lumnos a la hora de mejorar las habilidades comunicativas orales por medio del enfoque constructivista. Se incluyen recomendaciones para poner en práctica esta metodología.A description is provided here of the experience of the students and teachers of two Elocution courses in which Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) were used to improve oral communication skills in English. Reference is made to the design of the course and the methodology it is based on, together with some insights of the assignments that students did to improve their English speaking skills through the constructivism approach. Recommendations are also provided for others interested in using this type of methodology.

USEWRITE: Useful Writing Techniques to Improve High-School Students`Descriptive Writing

Se analizan y recomiendan algunas técnicas de redacción, para promover la escritura de párrafos descriptivos, entre estudiantes de secundaria o principiantes. El estudio parte de los resultados obtenidos en una investigación llevada a cabo en un colegio del distrito de Pérez Zeledón (Costa Rica). Se propone una secuencia de técnicas fundamentadas en el enfoque de escritura equilibrada, el enfoque de escritura guiada, la redacción como proceso, las estrategias del aprendizaje, los estilos de aprendizaje y la teoría de inteligencias múltiples. Composition techniques designed to promote the writing of descriptive paragraphs by high school students are analyzed and recommended. This study is based on the results gathered from research conducted in a high school located in the district of Pérez Zeledón (Costa Rica). A proposal of a sequence of techniques has been developed, applying the Balanced Approach, the Guided Writing Approach, Process Approach, Leaming Strategies, Leaming Styles, and Multiple Intelligences Theory.

Elimination of urine in response to water intake is consistent in well-hydrated individuals

A simple method has been recently proposed to assess acute hydration status in humans; however, several questions remain regarding its reliability, validity, and practicality. Objective: Establish reliability of a simple method to assess euhydration, that is, to analyze whether this method can be used as a consistent indicator of a person´s hydration status. In addition, the study sought to assess the effect exercise has on urine volume when euhydration is maintained and a standardized volume of water is ingested. Methods: Five healthy physically active men and five healthy physically active women, 22.5 ± 2.3 years of age (mean ± standard deviation) reported to the laboratory after fasting for 10 hours or more on three occasions, each one week apart. During the two identical resting euhydration conditions (EuA and EuB), participants remained seated for 45 minutes. During the exercise condition (EuExer), participants exercised intermittently in an environmental chamber (average temperature and relative humidity = 32 ± 3°C and 65 ± 7%, respectively) for a period of 45 minutes and drank water to offset loss due to sweating. The order of treatments was randomized. Upon finishing the treatment period, they ingested a volume of water equivalent to 1.43% body mass (BM) within 30 minutes. Urine was collected and measured henceforth every 30 minutes for 3 hours. Results: Urine volume eliminated during EuExer (1205 ± 399.5 ml) was not different from EuB (1072.2±413.1 ml) or EuA (1068 ± 382.87 ml) (p-value = 0.44). Both resting conditions were practically identical (p-value = 0.98) and presented a strong intraclass correlation (r = 0.849, p-value = 0.001). Conclusions: This method, besides simple, proved to be consistent in all conditions; therefore, it can be used with the certainty that measurements are valid and reliable.

Socio-emotional factors related to the academic difficulties of “star” children of the psychomotricity and intervention program

This study shows the main socio- affective factors related to school difficulties of a group of three girls and three boys identified as "star" in the Programa Psicomotricidad e Intervención (Psychomotor and Intervention Program). The study was developed through a mixed methodology, in which the Human Figure Test, the Kinetic Family Drawing and an interview with the mother of each student were applied. The most important results revealed the existence of family conflicting factors that affect the emotional state of children, generating negative feelings about themselves that affect their social interactions and their school performance.

Las denominaciones de origen del café mexicano y sus cuestionamientos como modelo de desarrollo regional

Resumen En este artículo se analiza la evolución de las denominaciones de origen (DO) para el café mexicano, estrategia que ha sido seguida tras el éxito comercial que ha tenido el tequila. Sin embargo, los resultados que se han observado en el caso del café no han sido muy alentadores, más bien decepcionantes, por lo que se cuestiona sobre la importancia de dicha estrategia para impulsar el desarrollo de las regiones cafetaleras. Abstract This article analyzes the evolution of appellations of origin (DO) for Mexican coffee, a strategy that has been followed after the commercial success that had the tequila. However, the results that have been observed in the case of coffee have not been very encouraging, rather disappointing, so that many questions arise about the importance of this strategy to boost the development of coffee growing regions.

La Diócesis de Nicaragua y Costa Rica: su conformación y sus conflictos, 1531-1850

ResumenEn este trabajo se hace un análisis desde la creación de la Diócesis de Nicaragua y Costa Rica (1531-1850) hasta que se divide en 1850, cuya organización se basó en las disposiciones del Patronato Real y los acuerdos del Concilio de Trento (1545). De igual manera, se estudia el papel de los obispos que estuvieron al frente de la dirección de la diócesis y también son objeto de investigación los conflictos internos, en especial los que ocurrieron con la provincia de Costa Rica.AbstractThis work sets forth an analysis made of the Nicaraguan and Costa Rican Diocese (1531-1850) from its creation up to its division in 1850. It was established based on the resolutions of the Royal Patronage (Patronato Real) and the accords of the Council of Trent (1545). Likewise, research is carried out on the role played by the bishops that geared the Diocese, as well as on the internal conflicts, especially those that occurred in the province of Costa Rica.

Los comerciantes del Consulado de México. La adecuación de sus mecanismos de control económico ante los cambios de la segunda mitad del S. XVIII. El caso de las libranzas

ResumenLas Reformas Borbónicas habían comenzado a desmantelar el poder de los comerciantes del Consulado de México. El empleo de las libranzas y de otros mecanismos les devolvió su papel central en la economía de la Nueva España. Así pudieron controlar el comercio interno, ser los intermediarios entre diversos sectores económicos y los monopolistas del comercio exterior, cuya base primordial era el intercambio de plata por mercancías.AbstractThe Bourbon reforms had begun to weaken the power of the merchants of the Consulado de México. The use of libranzas and other mechanisms allowed them to recover a central role in the economic of New Spain. Thus they were able to control domestic trade, to act as intermediaries between various economic sectors and monopolize foreign trade the essential basis for which was the exchange of silver for mercantile commodities.

Contributions of Neuroscience to Develop Teaching Strategies and Learning of Mathematics

The goal of the present work is to develop some strategies based on research in neurosciences that contribute to the teaching and learning of mathematics. The interrelationship of education with the brain, as well as the relationship of cerebral structures with mathematical thinking was discussed. Strategies were developed taking into consideration levels that include cognitive, semiotic, language, affect and the overcoming of phobias to the subject. The fundamental conclusion was the imperative educational requirement in the near future of a new teacher, whose pedagogic formation must include the knowledge on the cerebral function, its structures and its implications to education, as well as a change in pedagogy and curricular structure in the teaching of mathematics.

Sensitization and Disposition to Change Facing the Challenges of the New Educational Circumstances

This article is about the necessity of an up to date vision in teachers’ training. It starts with the latest studies and advances surrounding learning-along-life term. It presents a set of topics inspired in the contributions of new fields of study connected to learning. Such contributions, as neuroscience, should be considered in the decisions related to future teachers’ training, thus favoring the transformation of the pedagogical practice. Awareness and disposition to change are essential requirements for teacher trainers who will drive investigative processes and pedagogical proposals generation; all of this according to the new and dynamic knowledge society.

Skills in the XXI Century Guidance: An Approach to the Costa Rican Reality

During a long time, the term competence has been used in different fields. Among those fields, and one of the most important, we can mention the educational system, from preschool to university levels. The term has to be understood as one person integral behavior, making him/her able to enter the labor force in the most competitive way. Within the university realm, experts have tried to include the model of competences as a transversal axle into the teaching-learning process. In European universities, such model has been implemented in most of them. In Latin America universities, on the other hand, it has been used in a good number of countries. The importance of early detection of competences among target populations in education has been widely discussed. However, it has been highlighted the necessity of considering romantic or subjective competences, which seem to lack of value in this complex and competitive actual world. The term competence has been classified as genetic competence, or common and specific competence. The latter is related to the knowledge scope. Within the counseling field, specifically, the general and specific competences are deemed highly appropriate for good a work performance. This article focuses on the main antecedents of competences and analyzes this approach from counseling field perspective. In regards to this specific aspect, a survey with professionals in counseling was carried out. Such a survey ends up dealing with some of the competences considered unavoidable for an accurate performance of professionals in counseling. It is important to mention that the competences of the survey mainly point out to genetic competences rather than to specific competences.