How to improve the formal analytic reasoning and scientific motivation in the intellectual training of medical students

A review article of the The New England Journal of Medicine refers that almost a century ago, Abraham Flexner, a research scholar at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, undertook an assessment of medical education in 155 medical schools in operation in the United States and Canada. Flexner’s report emphasized the nonscientific approach of American medical schools to preparation for the profession, which contrasted with the university-based system of medical education in Germany. At the core of Flexner’s view was the notion that formal analytic reasoning, the kind of thinking integral to the natural sciences, should hold pride of place in the intellectual training of physicians. This idea was pioneered at Harvard University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania in the 1880s, but was most fully expressed in the educational program at Johns Hopkins University, which Flexner regarded as the ideal for medical education. (...)

Assessment and reuse of contents in the competence-based educational platform InterMediActor

This paper describes a failure alert system and a methodology for content reuse in a new instructional design system called InterMediActor (IMA). IMA provides an environment for instructional content design, production and reuse, and for students’ evaluation based in content specification through a hierarchical structure of competences. The student assessment process and information extraction process for content reuse are explained.

Characterization and Application of Educational Virtual Environments for Science Teaching in Secondary School

This work describes the characteristics of a representative set of seven different virtual laboratories (VLs) aimed for science teaching in secondary school. For this purpose, a 27-item evaluation model that facilitates the characterization of the VLs was prepared. The model takes into account the gaming features, the overall usability, and also the potential to induce scientific literacy. Five of the seven VLs were then tested with two larger and highly heterogenic groups of students, and in two different contexts – biotechnology and physics, respectively. It is described how the VLs were received by the students, taking into account both their motivation and their self-reported learning outcome. In some cases, students’ approach to work with the VLs was recorded digitally, and analyzed qualitatively. In general, the students enjoyed the VL activities, and claimed that they learned from them. Yet, more investigation is required to address the effectiveness of these tools for significant learning.

From Educational Segregation to Transformative Inclusion

Recent studies conducted in Europe using communicative methodology highlight that different ways of grouping students has a direct effect on their academic output. This article analyzes how said research methodology identifies and analyzes those student groupings that provide greater academic success and improve classroom coexistence at Spanish educational centers. Said methodology entails all of the research participants researchers, teachers, families, and students reflecting on the consequences of streaming, mixture, and inclusion for student academic achievement. Following this, our conclusions are compared with the policies and educational practices implemented in Spanish schools, which are not based on scientific knowledge and do not usually lead to academic success. Finally, recommendations are presented for future educational policies with the aim of providing an alternative for teachers and educational managers that would substantially improve student academic success.

The Dialogic Turn in Educational Psychology

The increasing presence of and claim for dialogue in today"s society has already had an impact on the theory and practice of learning. Whereas in the past individual and cognitive elements were seen as crucial to learning, since about two decades ago, scientific literature indicates that culture, interaction and dialogue are the key factors. In addition, the research project of highest scientific rank and with most resources dedicated to the study of school education in the Framework Program of the European Union: INCLUD-ED shows that the practices of successful schools around Europe are in line with the dialogic approach to learning. This article presents the dialogic turn in educational psychology, consisting of moving from symbolic conceptions of mind and internalist perspectives that focus on mental schemata of previous knowledge, to theories that see intersubjectivity and communication as the primary factors in learning. The paper deepens on the second approach.

The use of mixed methods research in interdisciplinary educational journals

Mixed methods research is becoming increasingly important in several scientific areas. The analysis of prevalence rates is a new line of research that has emerged in mixed methods research, and this methodological approach has only been applied carefully in a handful of journals. The purpose of this article was to analyse the prevalence of mixed methods research in interdisciplinary educational journals. Moreover, the main characteristics of the mixed methods articles identified were examined. This study used a mixed methods approach to analyse these aspects. Specifically, a partially mixed sequential equal status multiple-case study design was applied with a development mixed methods purpose. Three educational journals in different disciplines were reviewed from 2005 to 2010 (Academy of Management Learning and Education, Educational Psychology Review, Journal of the Learning Sciences). The findings show differences among the journals in the prevalence rates and characteristics of the mixed methods studies

The Phenomenon of international new ventures, global start-ups, and born-globals: what do we know after a decade (1993-2002) of exhaustive scientific inquiry?

In this paper, 27 studies from the last decade which deal more or less explicitly with the International New Venture, global start-up or born-global phenomenon are first identified, and then fully examined and critically assessed as a basis for obtaining an adequate view of the state-of-the-art of this increasingly important research avenue in the field of International Entrepreneurship (IE). The methodology used for this synthetic review allow us to analyze a number of recent, purposefully-chosen studies that are systematically compared along the following criteria: 1) main objective and type of research; 2) theoretical framework/s of reference, 3) methodological issues, and 4) main findings and/or conclusions. As a result of this literature review, a critical assessment follows in which the most relevant benefits and contributions as well as potential drawbacks, limitations or major discrepancies in the research activities conducted so far are discussed. Finally, some suggestions and implications are provided in the form of future research directions.

Perfeccionamiento de las metodologías docentes en la enseñanza de la construcción mixta en grado y postgrado en la Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC) y la Universidad de Camaguey (UC)

Estudio elaborado a partir de una estancia en la Universitat Polictecnica de Cataluña entre marzo i junio del 2007.El proyecto tiene como objetivo general el perfeccionamiento de las metodologías docentes en la enseñanza de la construcción mixta en grado y postgrado en la Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC) y la Universidad de Camagüey (UC), en correspondencia con la situación actual y perspectiva de la normativa europea, española y cubana. En el trabajo se realiza una valoración sobre programas experimentales en estructuras mixtas y sus resultados, así como su interrelación con la modelación numérica. Se evalúa la correspondencia entre las normativas europeas, española y cubana y se definen los aspectos específicos que deben ser perfeccionados o complementados en la normatividad vigente en Cuba, así como la estrategia general para acometerlo. Para caracterizar la enseñanza de la construcción mixta en la UPC y la UC, se parte de la valoración de información sobre asignaturas similares en un grupo seleccionado de universidades y sobre el contexto que sirve de marco al perfeccionamiento. Se realiza el diagnostico del sistema de objetivos, conocimientos y organización metodológica en los programas de grado y postgrado y se ofrecen recomendaciones generales para el perfeccionamiento de la enseñanza de la construcción mixta en la UPC y la UC. Finalmente, se realizan propuestas detalladas para ambas instituciones, para el perfeccionamiento de las metodologías docentes, con enfoques generales similares, respetando los criterios específicos y formatos de cada entorno. Se concibe un sistema integrado de actividades para cada asignatura, lográndose que, a pesar de las particularidades de cada contexto, el enfoque de trabajo sea coincidente en gran medida, lo que favorece la continuidad en las relaciones de colaboración entre ambas instituciones.

Memòria justificativa del treball realitzat durant l’estada a la Universitat de Wisconsin-Madison

Projecte de recerca elaborat a partir d’una estada a la Universitat de Wisconsin-Madison, EUA, Departament de Curriculum and Instruction, des de mitjans d’agost a mitjans de novembre de 2006. S’ha treballat en relació a la preparació de la tesi “Els grups interactius: una pràctica de les comunitats d’aprenentatge per a la inclusió de l’alumnat amb discapacitat “. La universitat de Wisconsin-Madison i en concret el departament de Curriculum and instruction compta amb professorat de reconegut prestigi internacional en l’àmbit de l’educació. Entre els temes que es treballen al departament i que vaig poder conèixer, en destaco les implicacions de l’educació en l’existència de desigualtats socials, així com les implicacions del govern i de les polítiques educatives en la creació i manteniment d’aquestes desigualtats, les reformes i polítiques educatives i el paper de l’educació en el més ampli context de la societat i les seves estructures, l’anàlisi del llenguatge vinculat amb les desigualtats i l’educació, la necessitat de tenir en compte la multiculturalitat des d’una perspectiva crítica, i les possibilitats de transformació en educació facilitades per les oportunitats d’interacció.

Still in the Era of Area Studies? Political-Scientific Perspectives on European Competition Policy in the 2000s

This note reviews the political-scientific literature on European competition policy (ECP) in the 2000s. Based on a data set extracted from four well-known journals, and using an upfront methodology and explicit criteria, it analyzes the literature both quantitatively and qualitatively. On the quantitative side, it shows that, although a few sub-policy areas are still neglected, ECP is not the under-researched policy it used to be. On the qualitative side, the literature has greatly improved since the 1990s: Almost all articles now present a clear research question, and most advance specific theoretical claims/hypotheses. Yet, improvements can be made on research design, statistical testing, and, above all, state-of-the-art theorizing (e.g. in the game-theoretical treatment of delegation problems). Indeed, it is paradoxical that ECP specialists do not pay more attention to theoretical questions which are so central to the actual policy area they study.

Parental education and family characteristics: educational opportunities across cohorts in Italy and Spain

Drawing on data contained in the 2005 EU-SILC, this paper investigates the disparities in educational opportunities in Italy and Spain. Its main objective is to analyse the predicted probabilities of successfully completing upper-secondary and tertiary education for individuals with different parental backgrounds, and the changes in these probabilities across birth cohorts extending from 1940 to 1980. The results suggest that the disparities in tertiary education opportunities in Italy tend to increase over time. By contrast, the gap in educational opportunity in Spain shows a marked decrease across the cohorts. Moreover, by using an intuitive decomposition strategy, the paper shows that a large part of the educational gap between individuals of different backgrounds is “composed” of the difference in the endowment of family characteristics. Specifically, it seems that more highly educated parents are more able to endow their children with a better composition of family characteristics, which accounts for a significant proportion of the disparities in educational opportunity.

Longer-term impacts of mentoring, educational services, and incentives to learn: evidence from a randomized trial in the United States

This paper is the first to use a randomized trial in the US to analyze the short- and long-term educational and employment impacts of an afterschool program that offered disadvantaged high-school youth: mentoring, educational services, and financial rewards with the objective to improve high-school graduation and postsecondary schooling enrollment. The short-term hefty beneficial average impacts quickly faded away. Heterogeneity matters. While encouraging results are found for younger youth, and when the program is implemented in relatively small communities of 9th graders; detrimental longlived outcomes are found for males, and when case managers are partially compensated by incentive payments and students receive more regular reminders of incentives.

Mentoring, educational services, and economic incentives longer-term evidence on risky behaviors from a randomized trial

This paper is the first to use a randomized trial in the US to analyze the short- and long- term impacts of an afterschool program that offered disadvantaged high-school youth: mentoring, educational services, and financial rewards to attend program activities, complete high-school and enroll in post-secondary education on youths' engagement in risky behaviors, such as substance abuse, criminal activity, and teenage childbearing. Outcomes were measured at three different points in time, when youths were in their late-teens, and when they were in their early- and their latetwenties. Overall the program was unsuccessful at reducing risky behaviors. Heterogeneity matters in that perverse effects are concentrated among certain subgroups, such as males, older youths, and youths from sites where youths received higher amount of stipends. We claim that this evidence is consistent with different models of youths' behavioral response to economic incentives. In addition, beneficial effects found in those sites in which QOP youths represented a large fraction of the entering class of 9th graders provides hope for these type of programs when operated in small communities and supports the hypothesis of peer effects.

Programa de introducción a la investigación y al desarrollo de las destrezas comunicativas (hablar y escribir correctamente): aplicación, desarrollo y resultados

Ante el nuevo reto que supone la adaptación al Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES) con una acción política que propone introducir importantes modificaciones en la concepción del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje entre las que se encuentran el replanteamiento del papel del profesor y del alumno, y el proceder metodológico en la acción docente, todos los agentes educativos deben aunar esfuerzos para articular medidas que posibiliten la adaptación a este nuevo escenario de manera óptima. Las universidades están ofreciendo a los docentes herramientas que puedan facilitar el acceso a los procesos de innovación educativa que exige el nuevo espacio de formación. En este marco es donde nace el proyecto titulado 'Programa de Introducción a la Investigación y al Desarrollo de las Destrezas Comunicativas (hablar y escribir correctamente)' que, valiéndose de los recursos tecnológicos que nos ofrece el Servicio de Innovación Educativa de la Universidad de Málaga, busca mejorar las competencias de expresión oral y escrita de los alumnos, así como la capacidad para organizar sus trabajos de investigación de manera rigurosa y ordenada, siguiendo una secuenciación razonada y científica. En la presente comunicación se detallan los objetivos del proyecto, la descripción del mismo, el modo de proceder en su desarrollo, las partes de las que ha constado y las conclusiones a las que se ha llegado.