El análisis de los efectos de la escuela sobre el rendimiento académico en matemáticas: un análisis multinivel con datos de PISA 2003

Esta investigación, enmarcada dentro del movimiento sobre Eficacia de la Escuela, realiza una explotación parcial de los datos PISA 2003, para el territorio español, obtenidos en la investigación llevada a cabo por la OCDE. El alumnado español que ha participado en el estudio PISA, supone un total de 10.791 estudiantes de 383 centros de Educación Secundaría pertenecientes a varias Comunidades Autónomas. Las variables predictoras que forman parte de la investigación se obtienen de alumno y del centro. La variable de respuesta, desde un enfoque criterial, establece información sobre el nivel de competencias alcanzado por el alumno en matemáticas. Los resultados del análisis multinivel proporcionan diferentes modelos que tratan de explicar la variabilidad observada entre los centros a través de la incorporación de sus variables. El modelo resultante reconoce que las variables de centro: titularidad, porcentaje de alumnas, fomento de actividades matemáticas y compromiso y moral del alumnado se relacionan con el rendimiento en matemáticas.

General mental ability as moderator of personality traits as predictors of early career success

In this paper, we examine the effects of general mental ability (GMA) and the personality traits defined in the big five model on extrinsic and intrinsic indicators of career success, in a sample of 130 graduates who were in the early stages of their careers. Results from hierarchical regression analyses indicated that GMA does not predict any of the success indicators. In contrast, the combination of GMA and three of the Big Five Personality traits, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness, is significantly associated with greater early career success and has incremental predictive validity.

Does Trait Emotional Intelligence Predict Unique Variance in Early Career Success Beyond IQ and Personality?

In order to determine the contribution of emotional intelligence (EI) to career success, in this study, we analyzed the relationship between trait EI (TEI), general mental ability (GMA), the big five personality traits, and career success indicators, in a sample of 130 graduates who were in the early stages of their careers. Results from hierarchical regression analyses indicated that TEI, and especially its dimension “repair,” has incremental validity in predicting one of the career success indicators (salary) after controlling for GMA and personality. These findings provide support for the use of TEI measures as predictors of career success in the early stage.

Actitudes hacia las matemáticas y rendimiento académico en función de los estudios de acceso y curso en futuros maestros

En este trabajo se analizan las actitudes hacia las Matemáticas de los estudiantes del Grado en Educación Primaria de la Universidad de A Coruña en función del curso y de los estudios de acceso a la Universidad. También se estudia el rendimiento académico según estas dos variables. Se aplica el cuestionario de actitudes PAC de Naya, Soneira, Mato y Torre (2014) con una fiabilidad Alfa de Cronbach de 0.921 a una muestra de 307 estudiantes. El instrumento está formado por 19 ítems con cinco opciones de respuesta tipo Likert y tres dimensiones que miden el autoconcepto, la percepción que tiene el alumno de su profesor y el agrado hacia las Matemáticas. Los resultados muestran que existen diferencias significativas en las actitudes y en el rendimiento en función del itinerario de acceso a la titulación.

Creatividad, atención y rendimiento académico en alumnado de conservatorio profesional

El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la relación entre creatividad, atención y su repercusión en los resultados académicos en las enseñanzas profesionales de música. Para ello, se ha seleccionado una muestra de 84 alumnos de entre 12 y 18 años (M = 14.79; DT = 2.29) que cursan Enseñanzas Profesionales en un Conservatorio de Música público y reglado. Se utilizaron como instrumentos de medida el Test de Inteligencia Creativa (CREA; Corbalán et al. 2003) y el Test de Atención (d2; Brickenkamp, 2004). Se hallaron correlaciones positivas y estadísticamente significativas entre (a) atención y creatividad y (b) atención y resultados académicos musicales. En cambio, se hallaron correlaciones negativas y estadísticamente significativas entre creatividad y rendimiento académico musical. Tras los resultados se pueden establecer programas preventivos o potenciadores de la creatividad y la atención, con el fin de fomentar que la totalidad del alumnado de conservatorio alcance su máximo potencial y un alto rendimiento, ya que éstos son el reflejo de un aprendizaje más eficaz.

Dominium temporale non fundatur in gratia (Commencement Quaestiones), 1697 July 7

Small paper notebook of John Ballantine with the handwritten Latin quaestiones performed by Ballantine, Eliphalet Adams, Adam Winthrop, and Jabez Fitch as candidates for the Master’s degree during the July 7, 1697 Harvard Commencement ceremony. The Quaestiones begin with Ballantine’s “Dominum temporal non fundatur in gratia,” and follow with “An Jesuitae possint esse boni subditi? Neg Resp. Dom. Winthrop,” "An Ethnicae virtutes sint verae virtutes?" Neg. Resp. Dom. Adams,” and “An detur omnibus an sufficiens ad salutem? Neg. Resp. Dom. Fitch.” The title page bears the inscription: “Jno Ballantine’s Book” and the first page has been torn out.

Making the processes of designing explicit within an information technology environment

In this paper, technology is described as involving processes whereby resources are utilised to satisfy human needs or to take advantage of opportunities, to develop practical solutions to problems. This study, set within one type of technology context, information technology, investigated how, through a one semester undergraduate university course, elements of technological processes were made explicit to students. While it was acknowledged in the development and implementation of this course that students needed to learn technical skills, technological skills and knowledge, including design, were seen as vital also, to enable students to think about information technology from a perspective that was not confined and limited to 'technology as hardware and software'. This paper describes how the course, set within a three year program of study, was aimed at helping students to develop their thinking and their knowledge about design processes in an explicit way. An interpretive research approach was used and data sources included a repertory grid 'survey'; student interviews; video recordings of classroom interactions, audio recordings of lectures, observations of classroom interactions made by researchers; and artefacts which included students' journals and portfolios. The development of students' knowledge about design practices is discussed and reflections upon student knowledge development in conjunction with their learning experiences are made. Implications for ensuring explicitness of design practice within information technology contexts are presented, and the need to identify what constitutes design knowledge is argued.

A longitudinal study of learning for a group of indigenous Australian university students: Dissonant conceptions and strategies

Conceptions of learning and strategies used by 15 indigenous students in three Australian universities were studied longitudinally over three years. Their academic achievements were good, but at a high cost in terms of time and effort. In spite of the fact that almost half of the students expressed higher-order (qualitative) conceptions of learning in the first year and more in the second and third years, all of the students reported using highly repetitive strategies to learn. That is, they did not vary their way of learning, reading or writing in the beginning of their studies and less than half of them did so at the end of the three years. It is argued that encountering variation in ways of learning is a prerequisite for the development of powerful ways of learning and studying.

Snoring and its association with asthma in Indigenous children living in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area

Objective: Respiratory health of Indigenous and minority ethnic groups in affluent countries is poorer than their non-minority counterparts and sleep disorders are no exception. In children, obstructive sleep apnoea has the potential to result in serious long-term consequences. In 1999, we studied 1650 children and adolescents living in the Torres Strait and the Northern Peninsula Area, Australia. Here we report prevalence of snoring in these communities and relate its association with asthma symptoms. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Torres Strait region. Five indigenous communities were randomly selected and information was collected using a structured face-to-face interview based on a standardized questionnaire. There was a 98% response rate, and 1650 children, 0-17 years of age, were included in the study. Results: Overall, the prevalence of snoring was 14.2% (95% CI 12.5-15.9); 3.6% (95% CI 2.7-4.6) reported snorting, and 6% (95% CI 4.9-7.2) reported restless sleep. The prevalence of snoring was significantly higher among males (17.1% for males and 10.8 for females, P = 0.005). Children were five times more likely to have experienced snoring and snorting if they reported wheezing in the last 12 months. Conclusion: We conclude that the prevalence of symptoms suggestive of obstructive sleep problems is relatively high in children of this region. This highlights the need for awareness among the community patients and physicians about the problem of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing, especially in children with asthma, and for the need for further studies to measure prevalence of sleep breathing disorders among Indigenous Australians.

Fighting fit: thermal plasticity of metabolic function and fighting success in the crayfish Cherax destructor

1. We examined the effect of thermal acclimation on fighting success and underlying performance traits in the crayfish Cherax destructor. We tested the hypothesis that animals will be more successful when fighting at their acclimation temperature than at a colder or warmer temperature, and that changes in metabolic capacity underlie differences in behavioural performance. 2. Thermal acclimation (to 20 degrees C and to 30 degrees C) had a significant effect on behavioural contests, and the likelihood of winning was significantly greater when individuals fought at their acclimation temperature against an individual from an alternate acclimation temperature. 3. The ratio of ADP stimulated respiration to proton leak (respiratory control ratio) of isolated mitochondria increased significantly in chelae muscle of the cold-acclimated group, and differences in respiratory control ratio between winners and losers were significantly correlated with the outcome of agonistic encounters. However, acclimation did not affect tall muscle mitochondria or the activity of pyruvate kinase in either chelae or tail muscle. 4. The force produced by closing chelae was thermally insensitive within acclimation groups, and there were no significant differences between acclimation treatments. None the less, differences in chelae width between contestants were significantly correlated with the outcome of agonistic encounters, but this perceived resource holding power did not reflect the actual power of force production. 5. Thermal acclimation in C destructor has beneficial consequences for dominance and competitive ability, and the success of cold acclimated animals at the cold temperatures can be at least partly explained by concomitant up-regulation of oxidative ATP production capacity.

RELAÇÕES ENTRE CARACTERÍSTICAS DOS INTEGRANTES DE EQUIPES, COMPETÊNCIAS COLETIVAS E DESEMPENHO COLETIVO

As inovações tecnológicas e as mudanças na forma de trabalho tornaram as equipes peças fundamentais no desempenho das organizações e no aprimoramento individual. A pesquisa teórica identifica que o conhecimento das características das equipes e de seus membros proporciona desempenho, desenvolvimento organizacional, determina as interações sociais e a maneira como serão realizadas as tarefas. O estudo tem por questão investigativa analisar as relações entre características dos integrantes de equipes que incluem as características sociodemográficas, competências individuais, tipos psicológicos, com as competências coletivas e o desempenho coletivo. O contexto da pesquisa é um curso de tecnologia em gastronomia de uma universidade privada, uma amostra de 131 alunos, dez equipes do quarto e onze do segundo semestres em atividades práticas no Laboratório de Alimentos. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva que emprega o método de correlação para os dados quantitativos, como competências individuais e coletivas e notas acadêmicas de desempenho coletivo, além de interpretações qualitativas por observação em doze encontros das equipes para trabalhos coletivos e uma análise quali-quantitativa dos dados. O estudo evidencia ausência de correlação entre as variáveis nas equipes de 2º semestre justificada por serem equipes bastante jovens e em fase de desenvolvimento acadêmico e profissional. Na turma do 4º semestre, o coeficiente de Pearson indica correlação significativa e comprova que as características dos integrantes influenciam positivamente nas competências coletivas e resultam em melhores desempenhos coletivos. Qualitativamente, as melhores equipes são gerenciadas por uma liderança feminina adulta que coordena as tarefas e os membros são contribuintes e colaboradores enquanto o líder é comunicador e desafiador. Desenvolvem um ritmo de trabalho dinâmico com forte presença da comunicação, tomada de decisões rápidas e criativas e atingem metas diferenciadas em gastronomia. Apesar dos resultados não poderem ser generalizados pelo fato da pesquisa ter sido realizada em apenas uma universidade e envolvendo 21 equipes, os conceitos teóricos o são e podem ser testados em outras realidades.

Spesa pubblica in Sanità, Istruzione e Ricerca: efficienza, efficacia e determinanti

La ricerca intende analizzare l’efficacia della spesa pubblica, l’efficienza e le loro determinanti nei settori della Sanità, dell’Istruzione e della Ricerca per 33 paesi dell’area OCSE. L’analisi ha un duplice obiettivo: da un lato un confronto cross country e dall’altro un confronto temporale, prendendo in considerazione il periodo che va dal 1992 al 2011. Il tema della valutazione dell’efficacia e dell’efficienza della spesa pubblica è molto attuale, soprattutto in Europa, sia perché essa incide di quasi il 50% sul PIL, sia a causa della crisi finanziaria del 2008 che ha spinto i governi ad una riduzione dei bugdet e ad un loro uso più oculato. La scelta di concentrare il lavoro di analisi nei settori della Sanità, dell’Istruzione e della Ricerca e Sviluppo deriva da un lato dalla loro peculiarità di attività orientate al cliente (scuole, ospedali, tribunali) dall’altro dal ruolo strategico che essi rappresentano per lo sviluppo economico di un paese. Il lavoro è articolato in tre sezioni: 1. Rassegna dei principali strumenti metodologici utilizzati in letteratura per la misurazione della performance e dell’efficienza della spesa pubblica nei tre settori. 2. Valutazione e confronto dell’efficienza e della performance della spesa pubblica dal punto di vista sia temporale sia cross-country attraverso la costruzione di indicatori di performance e di efficienza della spesa pubblica (per approfondire l'indice dell'efficienza ho applicato la tecnica DEA "bootstrap output oriented" con indicatori di output ed input non simultanei mentre l’evoluzione dell’efficienza tra i periodi 2011-2002 e 2001-1992 è stata analizzata attraverso il calcolo dell’indice di Malmquist). 3. Analisi delle variabili esogene che influenzano l’efficienza della spesa pubblica nei settori Salute, Istruzione e Ricerca e Sviluppo attraverso una regressione Tobit avente come variabile dipendente i punteggi di efficienza DEA output oriented e come variabili esogene alcuni indicatori scelti tra quelli presenti in letteratura: l’Indicatore delle condizioni socioeconomiche delle famiglie (costruito e applicato da OCSE PISA per valutare l’impatto del background familiare nelle performance dell’apprendimento), l’Indicatore di fiducia nel sistema legislativo del paese, l’Indicatore di tutela dei diritti di proprietà, l’Indicatore delle azioni di controllo della corruzione, l’Indicatore di efficacia delle azioni di governo, l’Indicatore della qualità dei regolamenti, il PIL pro-capite. Da questo lavoro emergono risultati interessanti: non sempre alla quantità di risorse impiegate corrisponde il livello massimo di performance raggiungibile. I risultati della DEA evidenziano la media dei punteggi di efficienza corretti di 0,712 e quindi, impiegando la stessa quantità di risorse, si produrrebbe un potenziale miglioramento dell’output generato di circa il 29%. Svezia, Giappone, Finlandia e Germania risultano i paesi più efficienti, più vicini alla frontiera, mentre Slovacchia, Portogallo e Ungheria sono più distanti dalla frontiera con una misura di inefficienza di circa il 40%. Per quanto riguarda il confronto tra l’efficienza della spesa pubblica nei tre settori tra i periodi 1992-2001 e 2002-2011, l’indice di Malmquist mostra risultati interessanti: i paesi che hanno migliorato il loro livello di efficienza sono quelli dell’Est come l’Estonia, la Slovacchia, la Lituania mentre Paesi Bassi, Belgio e Stati Uniti hanno peggiorato la loro posizione. I paesi che risultano efficienti nella DEA come Finlandia, Germania e Svezia sono rimasti sostanzialmente fermi con un indice di Malmquist vicino al valore uno. In conclusione, i risultati della Tobit contengono indicazioni importanti per orientare le scelte dei Governi. Dall’analisi effettuata emerge che la fiducia nelle leggi, la lotta di contrasto alla corruzione, l’efficacia del governo, la tutela dei diritti di proprietà, le condizioni socioeconomiche delle famiglie degli studenti OECD PISA, influenzano positivamente l’efficienza della spesa pubblica nei tre settori indagati. Oltre alla spending review, per aumentare l’efficienza e migliorare la performance della spesa pubblica nei tre settori, è indispensabile per gli Stati la capacità di realizzare delle riforme che siano in grado di garantire il corretto funzionamento delle istituzioni.

Quality management and performance:a comparison between the UK and Turkey

Purpose: The aim of this article is to detail the correlation between quality management, specifically its tools and critical success factors, and performance in terms of primary operational and secondary organisational performances. Design/methodology/approach: Survey data from the UK and Turkey were analysed using exploratory factor analyses, structural equation modelling and regression analysis. Findings: The results show that quality management has a significant and positive impact on both primary and secondary performances; that Turkish and UK attitudes to quality management are similar; and that quality management is widely practised in manufacturing and service industries but has more statistical emphasis in the manufacturing sector. The main challenge for making quality management practice more effective lies in an appropriate balanced use of the different sorts of the tools and critical success factors. Originality/value: This study takes a novel approach by: (i) exploring the relationship between primary operational and secondary organisational performances, (ii) using service and manufacturing data and (iii) making a cross-country comparison between the UK (a developed economy) and Turkey (a developing economy). Limitations: Detailed contrast provided between only two countries. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Myopia control with orthokeratology contact lenses in Spain:a comparison of vision-related quality-of-life measures between orthokeratology contact lenses and single-vision spectacles

Purpose: To compare vision-related quality-of-life measures between children wearing orthokeratology (OK) contact lenses and distance single-vision (SV) spectacles. Methods: Subjects 6 to 12 years of age and with myopia of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters and astigmatism less than or equal to 1.00 diopters were prospectively assigned OK contact lens or SV spectacle correction. A pediatric refractive error profile questionnaire was administered at 12- and 24-month intervals to evaluate children's perceptions in terms of overall vision, near vision, far distance vision, symptoms, appearance, satisfaction, activities, academic performance, handling, and peer perceptions. The mean score of all items was calculated as the overall score. Additionally, parents/guardians were asked to rate their child's mode of visual correction and their intention to continue treatment after study completion. Results: Thirty-one children were fitted with OK contact lenses and 30 with SV spectacles. Children wearing OK contact lenses rated overall vision, far distance vision, symptoms, appearance, satisfaction, activities, academic performance, handling, peer perceptions, and the overall score significantly better than children wearing SV spectacles (all P<0.05). Near vision and handling were, respectively, rated better (P<0.001) and similar (P=0.44) for SV spectacles in comparison to OK contact lenses. No significant differences were found between 12 and 24 months for any of the subjective ratings assessed (all P>0.05). Parents/guardians of children wearing OK contact lenses rated visual correction method and intention to continue treatment higher than parents of children wearing SV spectacles (P=0.01). Conclusion: The results indicate that the significant improvement in vision-related quality of life and acceptability with OK contact lenses is an incentive to engage in its use for the control of myopia in children.

The Analysis and Optimization of Survivability of MPLS Networks

The problem of MPLS networks survivability analysis is considered in this paper. The survivability indexes are defined which take into account the specificity of MPLS networks and the algorithm of its estimation is elaborated. The problem of MPLS network structure optimization under the constraints on the survivability indexes is considered and the algorithm of its solution is suggested. The experimental investigations were carried out and their results are presented.