Acessibilidade no ambiente escolar: reflexões com base no estudo de duas escolas municipais de Natal-RN

This work was originated through the results of the analysis of the services for the needs of people with disabilities that were permitted by the physical space of two schools of the municipality of Natal/RN. The general objective/goal was to subsidize the elaboration of alternatives for the planning of environments that could be used by any person. The study used the empirical research through the adoption of a multimethod approach including: (i) technical visits oriented by the NBR 9050, (ii) contact with users that have reduced mobility (visually impaired and wheelchair or crutch users) through escorted travels and interviews, and (iii) interview with school managers. The evidence from the research, even though with significant development of laws that guarantee people with disabilities their right to citizenship, the physical environment of our schools still present with many obstacles that prevent the mobility of people with disabilities which proves their lack of readiness to accommodate them. Therefore, the actions taken to address the accessibility has been the adoption of temporary solutions that makes the adaptation more difficult, adds obstacles and reinforces the undesirable segregation, however still very present in our society. Finally, there is the indication that in order to achieve the spatial configuration that promotes social contact and integration in between the persons with different physical status, it is necessary to completely comprehend the activities developed in each space, from the conception of the equipment to the individual learning needs, having in mind creating environments that stimulates the execution of the tasks in an independent manner without the assistance of others. The inclusion regarding attention to accessibility in the decision making process, directed to the arquitectural and urban project, would decrease the constant need to redevelop and adapt spaces, and should be definitely incorporated as an important component in the production of space

Análise de necessidades de inglês para fins específicos em um curso de graduação em turismo

This study presents the results of a survey conducted in the area of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in order to identify (1) the learning needs of students in a course in Tourism, their desires and lacks, at a federal university, with respect to use of English; (2) the needs of the present situation of teachers and the coordinator of that course as to the language; (3) the needs of the target situation of professionals (graduates) and companies with respect to this language. This research is a case study (STAKE, 1998; YIN, 2009) and was used for data collection, instruments such as questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document on the Tourism Course. To this end, it was adopted the theoretical basis for the constructs of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Inglês para Fins Específicos (IFE) in Brazil, also known as Inglês Instrumental, whose foundation is based on the work by Hutchinson and Waters (1987), Robinson (1991), Dudley-Evans and St. John (1998), Celani, Deyes, Holmes, Scott (2006), among others, since this work is devoted to a specific area, Tourism. Results show that students opined the ability to prioritize reading and speaking into the classroom. Professionals reported that the latter is an indispensable tool for entering the labor market, yet they feel unprepared and need to attend English language courses in private language schools. The testimony of company executives also point to this deficiency. Finally, the present situation of teachers reveals that, while advocating the use of English in the classroom, this is not because students prefer their mother tongue. There is also an evident lack of needs analysis. Eventually, the coordinator said that there is some uncertainty as to the methodology, content and language skills worked, and the lack of interaction among teachers of English. It was concluded, therefore, it is important to conduct a needs analysis so that one can redesign a course that meets the different contextual needs: students, teachers, coordination, represented by the institutional needs, and the labor market

Núcleos de acessibilidade e o atendimento a alunos com necessidades educacionais especiais nas universidades federais do nordeste brasileiro

In the current context of policies for inclusiveness in the Brazilian higher education, the accessibility centers are responsible for the organization of actions toward the fulfillment of the legal requirements regarding accessibility and the elimination of barriers that interfere with the participation and learning of persons with special learning needs (SLN), providing conditions for the full inclusion of these students in the activities of learning, research and community outreach in this learning level. This research had the goal to analyse the work developed by the accessibility centers in the federal universities in the northeastern region of Brazil towards the care of students with SLN. It is a descriptive work, with quantitative and qualitative approaches. Twelve federal universities participated through their accessibility center’s coordinators. The data - gathered by means of an electronic survey filled out in 2014 - was organized and analyzed through descriptive statistics and content analysis; their discussion was made around four topics: organization of accessibility centers for the care of students with SLN, kinds and numbers of students with SLN cared for, actions developed, and suggestions for the improvement of the accessibility centers. It was found that in the sphere of the researched universities, the accessibility centers have been taking actions involving many parts of the academic community towards the improvement of the conditions and permanence of students with SLN. However, in some institutional realities, these action need to be expanded and/or consolidated. The coordinators suggest further actions towards the betterment of these centers, regarding expansion of financial and human resources, professional qualification, awareness of the academic community, institutionalization and the formation of a collaborative network among the accessibility centers. Thus, although there are still challenges to overcome, the presence of the accessibility centers is shown to advance the realization of policies for the inclusion of students with SLN in the post-secondary education, towards the democratization of learning starting from the universal right to education.

Núcleos de acessibilidade e o atendimento a alunos com necessidades educacionais especiais nas universidades federais do nordeste brasileiro

In the current context of policies for inclusiveness in the Brazilian higher education, the accessibility centers are responsible for the organization of actions toward the fulfillment of the legal requirements regarding accessibility and the elimination of barriers that interfere with the participation and learning of persons with special learning needs (SLN), providing conditions for the full inclusion of these students in the activities of learning, research and community outreach in this learning level. This research had the goal to analyse the work developed by the accessibility centers in the federal universities in the northeastern region of Brazil towards the care of students with SLN. It is a descriptive work, with quantitative and qualitative approaches. Twelve federal universities participated through their accessibility center’s coordinators. The data - gathered by means of an electronic survey filled out in 2014 - was organized and analyzed through descriptive statistics and content analysis; their discussion was made around four topics: organization of accessibility centers for the care of students with SLN, kinds and numbers of students with SLN cared for, actions developed, and suggestions for the improvement of the accessibility centers. It was found that in the sphere of the researched universities, the accessibility centers have been taking actions involving many parts of the academic community towards the improvement of the conditions and permanence of students with SLN. However, in some institutional realities, these action need to be expanded and/or consolidated. The coordinators suggest further actions towards the betterment of these centers, regarding expansion of financial and human resources, professional qualification, awareness of the academic community, institutionalization and the formation of a collaborative network among the accessibility centers. Thus, although there are still challenges to overcome, the presence of the accessibility centers is shown to advance the realization of policies for the inclusion of students with SLN in the post-secondary education, towards the democratization of learning starting from the universal right to education.

Acessibilidade no ambiente escolar: reflexões com base no estudo de duas escolas municipais de Natal-RN

This work was originated through the results of the analysis of the services for the needs of people with disabilities that were permitted by the physical space of two schools of the municipality of Natal/RN. The general objective/goal was to subsidize the elaboration of alternatives for the planning of environments that could be used by any person. The study used the empirical research through the adoption of a multimethod approach including: (i) technical visits oriented by the NBR 9050, (ii) contact with users that have reduced mobility (visually impaired and wheelchair or crutch users) through escorted travels and interviews, and (iii) interview with school managers. The evidence from the research, even though with significant development of laws that guarantee people with disabilities their right to citizenship, the physical environment of our schools still present with many obstacles that prevent the mobility of people with disabilities which proves their lack of readiness to accommodate them. Therefore, the actions taken to address the accessibility has been the adoption of temporary solutions that makes the adaptation more difficult, adds obstacles and reinforces the undesirable segregation, however still very present in our society. Finally, there is the indication that in order to achieve the spatial configuration that promotes social contact and integration in between the persons with different physical status, it is necessary to completely comprehend the activities developed in each space, from the conception of the equipment to the individual learning needs, having in mind creating environments that stimulates the execution of the tasks in an independent manner without the assistance of others. The inclusion regarding attention to accessibility in the decision making process, directed to the arquitectural and urban project, would decrease the constant need to redevelop and adapt spaces, and should be definitely incorporated as an important component in the production of space

A satisfação e a intenção de continuidade de uso em servços de e-learning:validação empírica de um modelo aplicado no serviço público

The present study aims to investigate the constructs of Technological Readiness Index (TRI) and the Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory (EDT) as determinants of satisfaction and continuance intention use in e-learning services. Is proposed a theoretical model that seeks to measure the phenomenon suited to the needs of public organizations that offer distance learning course with the use of virtual platforms for employees. The research was conducted from a quantitative analytical approach, via online survey in a sample of 343 employees of 2 public organizations in RN who have had e-learning experience. The strategy of data analysis used multivariate analysis techniques, including structural equation modeling (SEM), operationalized by AMOS© software. The results showed that quality, quality disconfirmation, value and value disconfirmation positively impact on satisfaction, as well as disconfirmation usability, innovativeness and optimism. Likewise, satisfaction proved to be decisive for the purpose of continuance intention use. In addition, technological readiness and performance are strongly related. Based on the structural model found by the study, public organizations can implement e-learning services for employees focusing on improving learning and improving skills practiced in the organizational environment

A satisfação e a intenção de continuidade de uso em servços de e-learning:validação empírica de um modelo aplicado no serviço público

The present study aims to investigate the constructs of Technological Readiness Index (TRI) and the Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory (EDT) as determinants of satisfaction and continuance intention use in e-learning services. Is proposed a theoretical model that seeks to measure the phenomenon suited to the needs of public organizations that offer distance learning course with the use of virtual platforms for employees. The research was conducted from a quantitative analytical approach, via online survey in a sample of 343 employees of 2 public organizations in RN who have had e-learning experience. The strategy of data analysis used multivariate analysis techniques, including structural equation modeling (SEM), operationalized by AMOS© software. The results showed that quality, quality disconfirmation, value and value disconfirmation positively impact on satisfaction, as well as disconfirmation usability, innovativeness and optimism. Likewise, satisfaction proved to be decisive for the purpose of continuance intention use. In addition, technological readiness and performance are strongly related. Based on the structural model found by the study, public organizations can implement e-learning services for employees focusing on improving learning and improving skills practiced in the organizational environment