Strategies for Communicating the Value of AACSB and SACS Accreditation

As institutions expand their distance education programs, administrators must formalize faculty workload expectations for the instruction of online and hybrid courses. This brief reviews faculty workload policies for both face-to-face and distance education courses at six mid-sized master’s institutions. Corresponding workload policies for service and research requirements are also examined. Enrollment capacities for online courses, as well as compensation for the instruction of online courses, are also discussed.

Um estudo experimental sobre o uso da informática no ensino da contabilidade

Esta pesquisa buscou fundamentar o uso da informática no ensino da contabilidade através de um experimento realizado no sétimo período do Curso de Graduação em Ciências Contábeis, da Faculdade de Economia e Administração, da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. A revisão da literatura e fundamentos teóricos abordou, principalmente, o sistema de ensino através do computador denominado "COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTlON - C.A.I. ", sua definição, características, utilização e organização. Também fora abordados aspectos sobre o computador e a instrução programada assim como as vantagens e restrições do uso do computador no ensino. Os resultados obtidos permitiram a análise do comportamento dos alunos diante da nova maneira de se estudar e, ainda, um confronto de suas opiniões com as vantagens e restrições encontradas na literatura. A experiência vivenciada pelo pesquisador durante o experimento, permitiu-lhe concluir que o estudo desenvolvido foi importantíssimo na sua carreira, como professor de contabilidade e, ainda, como educador preocupado com aspectos de um ensino crítico. O estudo permitiu que fossem sugeridas recomendações ao governo, universidades, editores e professores sobre a utilização desta nova ferramenta de ensino e sugestões sobre novas pesquisas nesta área.

Um hipermídia sobre fases da lua para o ensino de astronomia a distância

The interdisciplinary nature of Astronomy makes it a field of great potential to explore various scientific concepts. However, studies show a great lack of understanding of fundamental subjects, including models that explain phenomena that mark everyday life, like the phases of the moon. Particularly in the context of distance education, learning of such models can be favored by the use of technologies of information and communication. Among other possibilities, we highlight the importance of digital materials that motivate and expand the forms of representation available about phenomena and models. It is also important, however, that these materials promote the explicitation of student's conceptions, as well as interaction with the most central aspects of the astronomical model for the phenomenon. In this dissertation we present a hypermedia module aimed at learning about the phases of the moon, drawn from an investigation on the difficulties with the subject during an Astronomy course for teaching training at undergraduate level at UFRN. The tests of three semesters of course were analyzed, taking into account also the alternative conceptions reported in the literature in astronomy education. The product makes use of small texts, questions, images and interactive animations. Emphasizes questions about the illumination of the Moon and other bodies, and their relationship to the sun, the perception from different angles of objects illuminated by a single source, the cause of the alternation between day and night, the identification of Moon's orbit around the Earth and the occurrence of the phases as a result of the position of observing it, and the perception of time involved in the phenomenon. The module incorporated considerations obtained from interviews with students in two poles where its given presential support for students of the course, and subjects from different pedagogical contexts. The final form of the material was used in a real situation of learning, as supplementary material for the final test of the discipline. The material was analyzed by 7 students and 4 tutors, among 56 users, in the period in question. Most students considered that the so called "Lunar Module" made a difference in their learning, the animations were considered the most prominent aspect, the images were indicated as stimulating and enlightening, and the text informative and enjoyable. The analysis of learning of these students, observing their responses to issues raised at the last evaluation, suggested gains in key aspects relating to the understanding of the phases, but also indicates more persistent difficulties. The work leads us to conclude that it is important to seek contributions for the training of science teachers making use of new technologies, with attention to the treatment of computer as a complementary resource. The interviews that preceded the use of the module, and the way student has sought the module if with questions and/or previous conflicts - established great difference in the effective contribution of the material, indicating that it should be used with the mediation of teacher or tutor, or via strategies that cause interactions between students. It is desirable that these interactions are associated with the recovery of memories of the subjects about previous observations and models, as well as the stimulus to new observations of phenomena

Ambiente de textualização no ensino a distância: o caso do fórum educacional

This research deals with textualization issues present in educational forums in distance learning environment. The research aims to analyze textualization regarding communication practices between tutors and distance learning students. Specifically the research aims to verify if the educational forum is considered pertinent for knowledge construction as well as identify subject´s behavior in e-Proinfo environment. The research also aims to understand the dynamics of the teaching and learning techniques related to the forum´s printed material. This is done in order to acknowledge discourse on behalf of subjects through the presented educational assignments. In order to address the issue, the work dealt with the relations present in distance learning forums, the forms in which the assignments are made, the way social actors interact and how this debate happens in the virtual environment. The research emphasized an educational forum used in a higher education institution at Rio Grande do Norte/Brazil. Thus the research corpus is composed by messages that were posted in the forum in the module called computer material . This module is one of the last in a set of six modules that are part of The Basic Cycle for Media Training promoted by the Center for Distance Learning in a public university at Rio Grande do Norte/Brazil. The research deals with a qualitative type approach in the perspectives of Merriam (1988), Cresswell (1994) and Minayo (1996). In order to achieve this analysis, the research dealt with theoretical landmarks related to distance learning present in (Silva, 2008; Brait, 1993; Sperbe and Wilson, 1986; Marquesi and Elias 2008 as well as Xavier, 2005, amongst others. As for aspects related to media and technological perspectives present in the forum, the research dealt with (Baranov, 1989; Neuner, 1981; Kearsley and Moore, 1996). Textualization was dealt according to (Marcuschi, 2008; Costa Val, 2004) and the conceptions and functions regarding tutors was seen according to (Salgado, 2002). In the conclusion and recommendations it was seen that these discussions present relevant contributions to distance learning and go beyond the practical universe present in electronical interaction. In the final considerations it is pointed out that this research is relevant for areas such as applied linguistics and presents guidelines for those involved in continuous education and aim meaningful knowledge that is coherent with distance learning education

Atividade do professor na educação a distância: interações com o gênero profissional docente

This research aimed to analyze the dynamics established between the activity of the teacher in Distance Education (DE) and professional gender of teaching, in terms of impact of DE in teacher s usual professional activity. Previous studies showed that one of the central discussions concerning DE refers to the role that the teacher is called to perform. The present research, based on theoretical and methodological assumptions issued from Clinic of Activity, analyzed the impact referred above. This central aim was operationally executed along three main stages: 1) survey study for description of socio-professional profile of teachers working in DE in two universities from Natal (RN-Brazil), 2) clinical analysis of professional activity of teachers working in DE, taking into account four simultaneous levels of psychological constitution and development of human activity: personal, interpersonal, transpersonal and impersonal; 3) analytical focus on transpersonal context in order to understand the influence of pedagogical practice in DE on professional gender of teaching. Documental research, audio recorded voice data and a multiple choice Likert scale questionnaire concerning socio-professional information were used as procedural tools. The qualitative-clinical procedural tool of instruction to the double , firstly proposed by Clinic of Activity research group, was used in order to obtain oral productions concerning professional activity. Data issued from stage 1 (n=70, 28 men and 41 women) was submitted to descriptive and inferential statistical analyzes. 65.7% of the sample worked in a public institution, 30% in a private institution, and 4.3% in public and private institutions. 31.4% of the sample of participants was formed by teachers having a master degree, 28.6% were doctors and 26.3% had degrees of specialists. 54.3% of participants acted as remote tutor, and 44.3% were regents teachers. After descriptive multidimensional cluster analysis, two groups emerged (remote tutors and regents teachers), the most important variables in terms of contributions to this distinction being: professional function, level of graduate formation, level of income, activities and forms of entry in DE. Clinical analysis of data produced by two participant-teachers of each group, issued from instruction to the double technique, was performed. This analysis indicated the existence of different models of distance education. A general concern referring to the need of both taking into account information technology and pedagogical attitudes was detected. On the other hand, participant-teachers considered that participation in DE activities could bring relevant contributions to general professional gender of teaching. . Finally, teachers warned against certain formats of organization of teachers professional activity, as found in the domain of DE, since these activities could promote the intensification and individualization of teachers` work activity, and even the worsening of relations, rather than exchanges and shares through collective bargaining. This process could compromise the renew of the professional gender, by losing its historical roots and diminishing activity possibilities of teachers in their labor context

Aprendizagem da língua japonesa apoiada por ferramentas computacionais: estudo e desenvolvimento do jogo Karuchā Ships Invaders

The use of technology tools for teaching and learning has grown increasingly in our daily life. In this context, a branch that has had tremendous growth is the area of teaching and learning language through computational tools. The study of CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning), accomplished in this research, aims to evaluate existing tools in this context, focused specifically on the Japanese language; and from this study, accomplish the development of a new computational tool that can assist teaching/learning of the Japanese language. As results, we present a wide survey on the subject in various technologies/devices, as well as the complete development process of a new tool, the Karuchā Ships Invaders game, that proposes to teach basic concepts of the language, blended with entertainment, and still, focusing on the Brazilian students of Japanese language audience. We will present all the concept phases of the game and its evolution through the research, as well as an interface evaluation. Still, we present proposal and validation of a method to evaluate motivational aspects of computational tools with educational focus, and results extracted from an experiment accomplished with prospective users

Avaliação quantitativa das dimensões óculo-palpebrais em portadores de cavidade anoftálmica em uso de prótese ocular externa

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o posicionamento palpebral em portadores de cavidade anoftálmica com e sem prótese ocular externa, utilizando o processamento de imagem digital. MÉTODOS: Dezoito pacientes foram avaliados qualitativa e quantitativamente na Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, com e sem a prótese externa. Usando imagens obtidas por filmadora e processadas usando o programa Scion Image, mediu-se a altura do sulco palpebral superior, a altura da fenda palpebral e os ângulos palpebrais dos cantos interno e externo. RESULTADOS: Pseudo-estrabismo e sulco palpebral superior profundo foram as alterações mais freqüentes ao exame externo. Houve diferença significativa em todas as variáveis estudadas, com diminuição da altura do sulco palpebral superior, aumento da área da fenda palpebral e aumento dos ângulos palpebrais interno e externo quando o paciente estava usando a prótese externa. CONCLUSÃO: Todos os pacientes avaliados apresentaram algum tipo de anormalidade órbito-palpebral, o que reflete a dificuldade em se proporcionar ao portador de cavidade anoftálmica um aspecto idêntico ao que existe na órbita normal. O processamento de imagens digitais permitiu avaliação objetiva das dimensões óculo-palpebrais, o que poderá contribuir nas avaliações seqüenciais dos portadores de cavidade anoftálmica.

Computer-Guided Surgery in Implantology: Review of Basic Concepts

The aim of the present study was to conduct a critical literature review about the technique of computer-guided surgery in implantology to highlight the indications, purposes, immediate loading of implants and complications, protocol of fabrication, and functioning of virtual planning software. This literature review was based on OLDMEDLINE and MEDLINE databases from 2002 to 2010 using the key words "computer-guided surgery" and "implant-supported prosthesis." Thirty-four studies regarding this topic were found. According to the literature review, it was concluded that the computer-assisted surgery is an excellent treatment alternative for patients with appropriate bone quantity for implant insertion in complete and partially edentulous arches. The Procera Nobel Guide software (Nobel Biocare) was the most common software used by the authors. In addition, the flapless surgery is advantageous for positioning of implants but with accurate indication. Although the computer-guided surgery may be helpful for virtual planning of cases with severe bone resorption, the conventional surgical technique is more appropriate. The surgical guide is important for insertion of the implants regardless of the surgical technique, and the success of immediate loading after computer-guided surgery depends on the accuracy of clinical and/or laboratorial steps.

Primary tooth length determination in direct digital radiography: An in vivo study

Purpose: the purpose of this in vivo study was to compare the accuracy of primary incisor length determined by direct digital radiography (straight-line measurement and grid superimposition) and measurement of the actual tooth length. Methods. Twenty-two primary maxillary incisors that required extractions were selected from 3- to 5-year-old children. The teeth were radiographed with an intraoral sensor using the long cone technique and a sensor holder (30-cm focus-to-sensor distance). The exposure time was 03 seconds. Tooth length was estimated by using straight-line and grid measurements provided by the distance measurement feature of the Computed Dental Radiography digital dental imaging system. The actual tooth length was obtained by measuring the extracted tooth with G digital caliper. Data were analyzed statistically by Pearson's correlation coefficient and a paired t test. Results: There were statistically significant differences (P=.007) between the 2 measurement techniques and between the actual tooth lengths and grid measurements. There was no statistically significant difference (P=38) between straight-line measurements and actual tooth lengths, showing that the straight-line measurements were more accurate. Underestimation of the actual tooth length, however, occurred in 45% of the straight-line measurements and in 73% of the grid measurements. Conclusion: It is possible to determine primary tooth length in digital radiographs using onscreen measurements with 0 reasonable degree of accuracy.

Os professores de química e o uso do computador em sala de aula: discussão de um processo de formação continuada

O presente artigo discute estratégias utilizadas em um processo de formação continuada que se destina a promover a inserção da informática nas aulas de Química, organizado com base na racionalidade prática e na reflexão crítica sobre o trabalho docente. Esse processo envolveu professores de escolas estaduais localizadas na região de Jaú (SP) e utilizou a educação a distância como recurso para mediar os períodos entre os encontros presenciais. As estratégias selecionadas para discussão neste artigo, dentre as utilizadas no processo de formação, são: a elaboração de material didático e o desenvolvimento de aulas nas Salas Ambiente de Informática das escolas. Tais propostas se revelaram importantes por considerarem o professor como autor dos recursos didáticos para trabalho em sala de aula, e o contexto escolar como subsídio à própria ação de formação.

O uso de softwares na prática profissional do professor de matemática

Este artigo apresenta uma pesquisa que é resultado de cursos online de formação continuada de professores, concebidos a partir de uma parceria entre a UNESP e uma rede nacional de escolas de Ensino Básico. Os cursos buscavam familiarizar os professores de Matemática com os recursos da tecnologia informática, especificamente dois softwares, o Geometricks e o Winplot, no que diz respeito à utilização destes na sala de aula. Após alguns anos da realização dos mesmos, na pesquisa aqui descrita, objetivamos identificar se e como os softwares foram incorporados à prática profissional, em um cenário em que os professores podem contar com laboratórios, formação continuada e suporte técnico. A partir de entrevistas online, pudemos mapear as diferentes escolhas dos professores: não-uso; uso de forma semelhante (ou não) à vivenciada no curso online, e o uso interdisciplinar, mostrando variadas formas pelas quais os professores retraduziram o curso para sua prática.

Static converter: didactic support software

Teaching a course of special electric loads in a continuing education program to power engineers is a difficult task because they are not familiarized with switching topology circuits. Normally, in a typical program, many hours are dedicated to explain the thyristors switching sequence and to draw the converter currents and terminal voltages waveforms for different operative conditions. This work presents teaching support software in order to optimize the time spent in this task and, mainly to benefit the assimilation of the proposed subjects, studying the static converter under different non-ideal operative conditions.

A new way of analyzing occlusion 3 dimensionally

This article introduces a new method for 3-dimensional dental cast analysis, by using a mechanical 3-dimensional digitizer, MicroScribe 3DX (Immersion, San Jose, Calif), and TIGARO software (not yet released, but available from the author at hayasaki@dent.kyushu-u.ac.jp). By digitizing points on the model, multiple measurements can be made, including tooth dimensions; arch length, width, and perimeter; curve of Spee; overjet and overbite; and anteroposterior discrepancy. The bias of the system can be evaluated by comparing the distance between 2 points as determined by the new system and as measured with digital calipers. Fifteen pairs of models were measured digitally and manually, and the bias was evaluated by comparing the variances of both methods and checking for the type of error obtained by each method. No systematic errors were found. The results showed that the method is accurate, and it can be applied to both clinical practice and research. Copyright © 2005 by the American Association of Orthodontists.

Palpebral dimensions in Brazilian children: Assessment based on digital images

Purpose: To determine palpebral dimensions and development in Brazilian children using digital images. Methods: An observational study was performed measuring eyelid angles, palpebral fissure area and interpupillary distance in 220 children aged from 4 to 72 months. Digital images were obtained with a Sony Lithium movie camera (Sony DCR-TRV110, Brazil) in frontal view from awake children in primary ocular position; the object of observation was located at pupil height. The images were saved to tape, transferred to a Macintosh G4 (Apple Computer Inc., USA) computer and processed using NIH 1.58 software (NTIS, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161, USA). Data were submitted to statistical analysis. Results: All parameters studied increased with age. The outer palpebral angle was greater than the inner, and palpebral fissure and angles showed greater changes between 4 and 5 months old and at around 24 to 36 months. Conclusion: There are significant variations in palpebral dimensions in children under 72 months old, especially around 24 to 36 months. Copyright © 2006 Informa Healthcare.

Using remote lab networks to provide support to public secondary school education level

The advantages of networking are widely known in many areas (from business to personal ones). One particular area where networks have also proved their benefits is education. Taking the secondary school education level into account, some successful cases can be found in literature. In this paper we describe a particular remote lab network supporting physical experiments accessible to students of institutions geographically separated. The network architecture and application examples of using some of the available remote experiments are illustrated in detail. ©2008 IEEE.