ePortfolio as a tool for reflexivity and skills' communication : learn how to communicate skills

This paper aims to present an ePortfolio project led for two years in a multilingual and interdisciplinary Master's program in public discourse and communication analysis offered by the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lausanne (Switzerland). Globally, the project - named Learn to communicate skills - offers a reflection about academic skills and their transferability to the professional world. More precisely, the aim of the project is to make students aware of the importance of reflexive learning to make their skills transferable to other contexts.

Forensic intelligence framework-Part I: induction of a transversal model by comparing illicit drugs and false identity documents monitoring

Forensic intelligence is a distinct dimension of forensic science. Forensic intelligence processes have mostly been developed to address either a specific type of trace or a specific problem. Even though these empirical developments have led to successes, they are trace-specific in nature and contribute to the generation of silos which hamper the establishment of a more general and transversal model. Forensic intelligence has shown some important perspectives but more general developments are required to address persistent challenges. This will ensure the progress of the discipline as well as its widespread implementation in the future. This paper demonstrates that the description of forensic intelligence processes, their architectures, and the methods for building them can, at a certain level, be abstracted from the type of traces considered. A comparative analysis is made between two forensic intelligence approaches developed independently in Australia and in Europe regarding the monitoring of apparently very different kind of problems: illicit drugs and false identity documents. An inductive effort is pursued to identify similarities and to outline a general model. Besides breaking barriers between apparently separate fields of study in forensic science and intelligence, this transversal model would assist in defining forensic intelligence, its role and place in policing, and in identifying its contributions and limitations. The model will facilitate the paradigm shift from the current case-by-case reactive attitude towards a proactive approach by serving as a guideline for the use of forensic case data in an intelligence-led perspective. A follow-up article will specifically address issues related to comparison processes, decision points and organisational issues regarding forensic intelligence (part II).

Working alliance in communication skills training for oncology clinicians: A controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of communication skills training (CST) on working alliance and to identify specific communicational elements related to working alliance. METHODS: Pre- and post-training simulated patient interviews (6-month interval) of oncology physicians and nurses (N=56) who benefited from CST were compared to two simulated patient interviews with a 6-month interval of oncology physicians and nurses (N=57) who did not benefit from CST. The patient-clinician interaction was analyzed by means of the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). Alliance was measured by the Working Alliance Inventory - Short Revised Form. RESULTS: While working alliance did not improve with CST, generalized linear mixed effect models demonstrated that the quality of verbal communication was related to alliance. Positive talk and psychosocial counseling fostered alliance whereas negative talk, biomedical information and patient's questions diminished alliance. CONCLUSION: Patient-clinician alliance is related to specific verbal communication behaviors. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Working alliance is a key element of patient-physician communication which deserves further investigation as a new marker and efficacy criterion of CST outcome.

Let's share perspectives! Mentalistic skills involved in cooperation = ��A tu Izquierda o a la M��a? Habilidades Mentalistas Implicadas en la Cooperaci��n

Previous research has found a link between theory of mind and cooperation. The aim of this study is to deepen into this relationship, to identify which theory of mind skills are more related to the cooperative capacity on a referential communication task. A total of 50 children from first and fifth grade completed a battery of theory of mind tasks, and also a cooperative task where children worked in pairs to build block models. Each pair was composed by a builder and a guide, who gave instructions to his partner about how to build a replica of the model. The results show a significant relationship between the theory of mind skills and cooperation. Specifically, we found that the second-order false-belief task was the variable most related to cooperation after controlling the effect of age. In addition, we observed that the mentalist skills were more important for cooperation in the builders than in the guides. Finally, we discuss the findings of this study and make suggestions for the future

Competencias profesionales del ingeniero en inform��tica (CIO)

En este trabajo se estudiar��n las competencias transversales que debe poseer un ingeniero en inform��tica para poder desarrollar con ��xito las tareas del puesto de CIO (chief information officer/jefe del servicio de inform��tica) en una organizaci��n.

Deposici��n transversal de l��quido de las boquillas de doble abanico TTJ60-11004 y TTJ60-11002 en distintas condiciones operacionales

El objetivo de este trabajo fue el de evaluar la deposici��n transversal de caldo de las boquillas pulverizadoras de doble abanico TTJ60-11004 y TTJ60-11002 en distintas condiciones operacionales. Se utilizaron 5 muestras de cada boquilla pulverizadora siendo considerada cada unidad, una repetici��n. La distribuci��n de caldo fue evaluada por medio de una mesa de evaluaci��n de distribuci��n construida de acuerdo con la norma ISO 56821. Se evalu�� el perfil de distribuci��n individual, la distribuci��n volum��trica simulada de la superposici��n de los chorros por medio del coeficiente de variaci��n (CV%) de los vol��menes colectados, el caudal y el ��ngulo de abertura de los chorros. Las condiciones operacionales fueron: presi��n de trabajo de 200, 300 y 400 Kpa, altura de 30, 40 y 50 cm en relaci��n al blanco y espaciamiento entre boquillas simulados en Software (Microsoft Excel) entre 45 y 100 cm. Las boquillas presentaron perfil individual descontinuo con la mayor deposici��n de l��quido en la regi��n central y reducci��n del volumen gradual en direcci��n a las extremidades. El aumento de la presi��n promovi�� alargamiento del perfil y de la franja de aplicaci��n. Las boquillas proporcionaron perfil uniforme que dependi�� del espaciamiento entre las boquillas, con valores menores con reducci��n en el espaciamiento y en presiones mayores. El caudal y el ��ngulo del chorro aumentaron con el incremento en la presi��n.

Improving Information Problem Solving skills in Secondary Education through embedded instruction

This empirical study consists in an investigation of the effects, on the development of Information Problem Solving (IPS) skills, of a long-term embedded, structured and supported instruction in Secondary Education. Forty secondary students of 7th and 8th grades (13���15 years old) participated in the 2-year IPS instruction designed in this study. Twenty of them participated in the IPS instruction, and the remaining twenty were the control group. All the students were pre- and post-tested in their regular classrooms, and their IPS process and performance were logged by means of screen capture software, to warrant their ecological validity. The IPS constituent skills, the web search sub-skills and the answers given by each participant were analyzed. The main findings of our study suggested that experimental students showed a more expert pattern than the control students regarding the constituent skill ���defining the problem��� and the following two web search sub-skills: ���search terms��� typed in a search engine, and ���selected results��� from a SERP. In addition, scores of task performance were statistically better in experimental students than in control group students. The paper contributes to the discussion of how well-designed and well-embedded scaffolds could be designed in instructional programs in order to guarantee the development and efficiency of the students��� IPS skills by using net information better and participating fully in the global knowledge society.

Promoting Metacognitive Skills in a CSCL environment: implications for instructional and technology design

This paper aims to better understand the development of students��� learning processes when participating actively in a specific Computer Supported Collaborative Learning system called KnowCat. To this end, a longitudinal case study was designed, in which eighteen university students took part in a 12-month (two semesters) learning project. During this time period, the students followed an instructional process, using some elements of KnowCat (KnowCat key features) design to support and improve their interaction processes, especially peer learning processes. Our research involved both supervising the students��� collaborative learning processes throughout the learning project and focusing our analysis on the qualitative evolution of the students��� interaction processes and on the development of metacognitive learning processes. The results of the current research reveal that the instructional application of the CSCL-KnowCat system may favour and improve the development of the students��� metacognitive learning processes. Additionally, the implications of the design of computer supported collaborative learning networks and pedagogical issues are discussed in this paper.

Short communication.Wood identification based on their common name and their transversal surface anatomy. Application to the batch from the expedition of Ruiz and Pavon

Aim of study: To identify species of wood samples based on common names and anatomical analyses of their transversal surfaces (without microscopic preparations). Area of study: Spain and South America Material and methods: The test was carried out on a batch of 15 lumber samples deposited in the Royal Botanical Garden in Madrid, from the expedition by Ruiz and Pavon (1777-1811). The first stage of the methodology is to search and to make a critical analysis of the databases which list common nomenclature along with scientific nomenclature. A geographic filter was then applied to the information resulting from the samples with a more restricted distribution. Finally an anatomical verification was carried out with a pocket microscope with a magnification of x40, equipped with a 50 micrometers resolution scale. Main results: The identification of the wood based exclusively on the common name is not useful due to the high number of alternative possibilities (14 for ���naranjo���, 10 for �����bano���, etc.). The common name of one of the samples (���huachapel�� mulato���) enabled the geographic origin of the samples to be accurately located to the shipyard area in Guayaquil (Ecuador). Given that Ruiz y Pavon did not travel to Ecuador, the specimens must have been obtained by Tafalla. It was possible to determine correctly 67% of the lumber samples from the batch. In 17% of the cases the methodology did not provide a reliable identification. Research highlights: It was possible to determine correctly 67% of the lumber samples from the batch and their geographic provenance. The identification of the wood based exclusively on the common name is not useful.

Aprofundir en el caracter social i transversal de la politica ling����stica; treballar en i amb l���entorn; potenciar la proactivat i el di��leg; orientar a necessitats i aprofitar oportunitats: algunes claus de la pol��tica ling����stica dels propers anys. Una reflexi�� argumentada

L���article reflexiona sobre les principals l��nies de treball que guien la pol��tica ling����stica: la transversalitat, l���orientaci�� a l���entorn, l���orientaci�� a necessitats i l���aprofitament d���oportunitats.

Sumar per avan��ar alhora: la base de l���estrat��gia transversal de la Secretaria de Pol��tica Ling����stica (2006-2010)

En l���article, la directora de Planificaci�� i Foment avalua la transversalitat en la pol��tica ling����stica de la Generalitat. Per fer-ho se centra en tres ��mbits d���actuaci��, per a cadascun dels quals destaca un ventall d���accions: l�����mbit laboral, l�����mbit de la immigraci�� i l�����mbit de la just��cia. L���article es clou amb unes reflexions de futur.

Prospecci��n gravim��trica en el sistema transversal catal��n

En el presente trabajo se plantea la elaboraci��n e interpretaci��n del mapa de anomalas de Bouguer del Sistema Transversal Catal��n. La caracter��stica m��s destacada del mapa es el marcado dominio de la tendencia regional, producida por el aumento de grosor de la corteza terrestre hacia el NW. La sustracci��n de este efecto regional se ha realizado utilizando el m��todo de ajuste a superficies polin��micas por m��nimos cuadrados. La interpretacin cuantitativa del mapa de anomalas residuales obtenido refleja la estructura en bloques del basamento.

La percepci��n de los estudiantes universitarios de Bellas Artes sobre sus dificultades de aprendizaje: el caso de las competencias de b��squeda y selecci��n de informaci��n relevante

[spa]Identificar las dificultades halladas en el proceso de aprendizaje con la especial relaci��n entre el esfuerzo y el logro experimentada por los estudiantes implica afrontar uno de los problemas fundamentales del aprendizaje. El presente art��culo pretende abordar los aprendizajes vinculados a las competencias transversales de la b��squeda y selecci��n de informaci��n desde el examen de la percepci��n de los estudiantes universitarios de arte en la realizaci��n de una carpeta de aprendizaje adaptada a la titulaci��n y al perfil del estudiante. A partir de un enfoque cuantitativo, y mediante un estudio descriptivo transversal, se analizar�� la relaci��n existente entre el esfuerzo realizado, los resultados de aprendizaje declarados y la relaci��n entre ambas cuestiones -lo que a la postre define las dificultades- que manifiestan los estudiantes. [eng]This article aims to address the learning skills associated with the competence of searching and selecting information from the examination of the perceptions of art college students in the drawing up of a learning portfolio tailored to the degree and student profile. From a quantitative approach, and through a cross-sectional descriptive study, we will analyze the relationship between effort, stated learning outcomes and the relationship between these two issues what ultimately defines the difficulties which declare the students.