Virtual Patients in continuing medical education and residency training: a pilot project for acceptance analysis in the framework of a residency revision course in pediatrics.

AIM Virtual patients (VPs) are a one-of-a-kind e-learning resource, fostering clinical reasoning skills through clinical case examples. The combination with face-to-face teaching is important for their successful integration, which is referred to as "blended learning". So far little is known about the use of VPs in the field of continuing medical education and residency training. The pilot study presented here inquired the application of VPs in the framework of a pediatric residency revision course. METHODS Around 200 participants of a pediatric nephology lecture ('nephrotic and nephritic syndrome in children') were offered two VPs as a wrap-up session at the revision course of the German Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ) 2009 in Heidelberg, Germany. Using a web-based survey form, different aspects were evaluated concerning the learning experiences with VPs, the combination with the lecture, and the use of VPs for residency training in general. RESULTS N=40 evaluable survey forms were returned (approximately 21%). The return rate was impaired by a technical problem with the local Wi-Fi firewall. The participants perceived the work-up of the VPs as a worthwhile learning experience, with proper preparation for diagnosing and treating real patients with similar complaints. Case presentations, interactivity, and locally and timely independent repetitive practices were, in particular, pointed out. On being asked about the use of VPs in general for residency training, there was a distinct demand for more such offers. CONCLUSION VPs may reasonably complement existing learning activities in residency training.

The "Profiles" document: a modern revision of the objectives of undergraduate medical studies in Switzerland

The Joint Commission of the Swiss Medical Schools (SMIFK/CIMS) decided in 2000 to establish a Swiss Catalogue of Learning Objectives (SCLO) for undergraduate medical training, which was adapted from a similar Dutch blueprint. A second version of the SCLO was developed and launched in 2008. The catalogue is a prerequisite for the accreditation of the curricula of the six Swiss medical faculties and defines the contents of the Federal Licensing Examination (FLE). Given the evolution of the field of medicine and of medical education, the SMIFK/CIMS has decided to embark on a total revision of the SCLO. This article presents the proposed structure and content of Profiles, a new document which, in the future, will direct the format of undergraduate studies and of the FLE. Profiles stands for the Principal Relevant Objectives for Integrative Learning and Education in Switzerland. It is currently being developed by a group of experts from the six Swiss faculties as well as representatives of other institutions involved in these developments. The foundations of Profiles are grounded in the evolution of medical practice and of public health and are based on up-to-date teaching concepts, such as EPAs (entrustable professional activities). An introduction will cover the concepts and a tutorial will be displayed. Three main chapters will provide a description of the seven 2015 CanMEDS roles, a list of core EPAs and a series of ≈250 situations embracing the most frequent and current conditions affecting health. As Profiles is still a work in progress, it is hoped that this paper will attract the interest of all individuals involved in the training of medical students.

A DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH MANPOWER IN NIGERIA

A descriptive study of the current educational programs of selected health personnel in Nigeria was made in 1986. Data on the content of educational programs was obtained from personal communication with the Heads of the various institutions and from their published materials (catalogs, course outlines and program descriptions). Adequacy of these programs was judged in the light of current health problems and needs of the population. Evaluation was based on the following criteria: (a) Selection of students to maximize their usefulness in the provision of health care. (b) Relevance of the curriculum to the tasks the trainee will be called upon to perform. (c) Types of courses that focus on community health needs. Using official reports, the health situation in the country was described to give a relative priority of health services.^ Findings indicate the following: (1) Health conditions in Nigeria are related to a high prevalence of illness and disease, unsanitary living conditions, a high ratio of infant mortality and a shortage of public health services. Priority needs for improvement call for attitudinal and environmental changes. (2) All health training programs have improved the relevance of education to community health needs by strengthening practical field experience, and teaching those courses which focus on disease prevention. (3) Prospective nurses and community health workers are selected on the basis of a number of personal and intellectual characteristics, but academic performance alone is the criterion for medical students. (4) The curriculum in the medical school needs to be restructured to cut back on time devoted to enriching the medical "background". Basic sciences need better integration with hospital work. (5) Managerial and organization courses have been well incorporated into the nursing and community health workers' curricula. (6) There is a marked overlap in the tasks the community health workers are expected to perform. This causes some redundancy in having four separate categories of these health personnel. ^

La formación de competencias digitales de estudiantes de profesorados universitarios : La estrategia de e-actividades en un modelo de aula extendida

Es un hecho que las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) han modificado nuestras prácticas sociales. También lo es que los jóvenes nacidos en los últimos años parecen haberse apropiado de ellas con gran habilidad. Sin embargo, luego de varios años enseñando TIC a alumnos de profesorados universitarios de la Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación (FaHCE) de la Universidad Nacional de la Plata, observamos que sus desempeños en relación a dichas tecnologías no parecía ni suficiente ni apropiado de acuerdo a los estándares internacionales y regionales vigentes de competencias digitales para el nivel universitario. Como estrategia didáctica superadora implementamos un diseño de instrucción basado en el modelo de aula extendida con e-actividades, buscando ampliar el contacto de los estudiantes con la propuesta de la asignatura, cuantitativa y cualitativamente. Luego, al haber obtenido algunas señales auspiciosas en cuanto el desarrollo de las competencias digitales de nuestros alumnos, nos formulamos la hipótesis que orientó nuestro trabajo: Las e-actividades en un modelo de aula extendida podrían favorecer el desarrollo de las competencias digitales académicas de los estudiantes de profesorados universitarios. Emprendimos entonces esta investigación que, con el objetivo principal de mejorar las competencias digitales de nuestros estudiantes, dirigimos en dos direcciones: Indagar cuáles son los niveles de conocimientos digitales deseables para un alumno futuro docente del siglo XXI. En base a la revisión documental sobre este tema, consideramos que un estudiante de profesorado universitario posee competencias digitales si, además de dominarlas, las valora y es consciente de cómo ellas contribuyen a su formación académica y de cómo seguirán haciéndolo en su desempeño profesional futuro, consciente al mismo tiempo de que las TIC no poseen un potencial transformador en sí mismas, sino en función del uso que se haga de ellas. Comprobar la veracidad de nuestra hipótesis sobre los potenciales beneficios de las e-actividades en la formación digital de nuestros estudiantes, y de verificarse este supuesto, destacar las condiciones de calidad según las cuales deberían diseñarse

Family diversity in social exclusion situations. Results and reflections on research, teaching and knowledge transfer activities

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the configurations of the families that live in contexts of social exclusion; provide conceptualizations of their operation mode; highlight the formative effects that neighborhood interdisciplinary practices with such families produce in the just graduated psychologists, included on the Extension Program. We wish to contribute to produce systematic knowledge that can account for such family configurations as potential receiver of integration policies. We are also interested on transferring the approach to diversity in the training of young professionals, in order not to be regarded as a deviation from ideal models, but as an expression of different strategies built by members of a community, to resolve children breeding and to bear their existences. This work is the result about reflections on productions inside a research fellowship: The complexities that takes the breeding in families who lives in a social exclusion situation; researches about breeding, carried out from signature Developmental Psychology II, and from de interdisciplinary work with psychologically assisted families in twelve suburbs of the city of La Plata (University Extension Program "Free Legal Offices" (Convention between Law and Social Sciences and Psychology Faculties, U.N.L.P.). From a qualitative methodology and an interdisciplinary participation, the results have arrive at the characterization and proposed conceptualizations of the included families and at the same time determine the benefits that brings with the work that articulates research and extension activities for the training of advanced students and young graduates.

Registro de lectura : Dispositivo pedagógico que acompaña trayectorias formativas universitarias

El siguiente trabajo se enmarca en la línea de investigación sobre formación docente en Educación Física, desarrollada en el Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche de la Universidad Nacional del Comahue (CRUB-UNCo). Los proyectos que la integran, a partir del incremento sostenido del número de estudiantes que abandonan la carrera durante los dos primeros años, procuran interrogar las prácticas pedagógicas universitarias en ese campo, desentrañar sus modos particulares de producción y analizar su impacto en la constitución de los trayectos formativos de los y las estudiantes. En las indagaciones hallamos indicios de un trabajo docente sistemático para mejorar las condiciones de la enseñanza y del aprendizaje e identificamos dispositivos pedagógicos institucionales y áulicos a modo de andamiaje de las trayectorias estudiantiles y modos de recepción a los y las ingresantes. En esta oportunidad describimos y analizamos uno de estos dispositivos, denominado "registro de lectura", generado en la cátedra Pedagogía del 1º año del Profesorado en Educación Física del mencionado centro universitario. Dicho instrumento forma parte de una serie de prácticas pedagógicas deliberadamente planificadas en relación con el ingreso, la permanencia y el egreso del nivel superior, que pretende habilitar mejores escenarios para el desarrollo de los procesos educativos. El dispositivo, construido a modo de andamiaje de las prácticas lectoras de los y las estudiantes, pretende contribuir a la promoción de trayectorias formativas democráticas y procura dar lugar a nuevas explicaciones en tanto anclajes para la transformación y para la construcción de nuevos conocimientos así como lograr mejores intervenciones pedagógicas

La formación de competencias digitales de estudiantes de profesorados universitarios : La estrategia de e-actividades en un modelo de aula extendida

Es un hecho que las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) han modificado nuestras prácticas sociales. También lo es que los jóvenes nacidos en los últimos años parecen haberse apropiado de ellas con gran habilidad. Sin embargo, luego de varios años enseñando TIC a alumnos de profesorados universitarios de la Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación (FaHCE) de la Universidad Nacional de la Plata, observamos que sus desempeños en relación a dichas tecnologías no parecía ni suficiente ni apropiado de acuerdo a los estándares internacionales y regionales vigentes de competencias digitales para el nivel universitario. Como estrategia didáctica superadora implementamos un diseño de instrucción basado en el modelo de aula extendida con e-actividades, buscando ampliar el contacto de los estudiantes con la propuesta de la asignatura, cuantitativa y cualitativamente. Luego, al haber obtenido algunas señales auspiciosas en cuanto el desarrollo de las competencias digitales de nuestros alumnos, nos formulamos la hipótesis que orientó nuestro trabajo: Las e-actividades en un modelo de aula extendida podrían favorecer el desarrollo de las competencias digitales académicas de los estudiantes de profesorados universitarios. Emprendimos entonces esta investigación que, con el objetivo principal de mejorar las competencias digitales de nuestros estudiantes, dirigimos en dos direcciones: Indagar cuáles son los niveles de conocimientos digitales deseables para un alumno futuro docente del siglo XXI. En base a la revisión documental sobre este tema, consideramos que un estudiante de profesorado universitario posee competencias digitales si, además de dominarlas, las valora y es consciente de cómo ellas contribuyen a su formación académica y de cómo seguirán haciéndolo en su desempeño profesional futuro, consciente al mismo tiempo de que las TIC no poseen un potencial transformador en sí mismas, sino en función del uso que se haga de ellas. Comprobar la veracidad de nuestra hipótesis sobre los potenciales beneficios de las e-actividades en la formación digital de nuestros estudiantes, y de verificarse este supuesto, destacar las condiciones de calidad según las cuales deberían diseñarse

Family diversity in social exclusion situations. Results and reflections on research, teaching and knowledge transfer activities

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the configurations of the families that live in contexts of social exclusion; provide conceptualizations of their operation mode; highlight the formative effects that neighborhood interdisciplinary practices with such families produce in the just graduated psychologists, included on the Extension Program. We wish to contribute to produce systematic knowledge that can account for such family configurations as potential receiver of integration policies. We are also interested on transferring the approach to diversity in the training of young professionals, in order not to be regarded as a deviation from ideal models, but as an expression of different strategies built by members of a community, to resolve children breeding and to bear their existences. This work is the result about reflections on productions inside a research fellowship: The complexities that takes the breeding in families who lives in a social exclusion situation; researches about breeding, carried out from signature Developmental Psychology II, and from de interdisciplinary work with psychologically assisted families in twelve suburbs of the city of La Plata (University Extension Program "Free Legal Offices" (Convention between Law and Social Sciences and Psychology Faculties, U.N.L.P.). From a qualitative methodology and an interdisciplinary participation, the results have arrive at the characterization and proposed conceptualizations of the included families and at the same time determine the benefits that brings with the work that articulates research and extension activities for the training of advanced students and young graduates.

Registro de lectura : Dispositivo pedagógico que acompaña trayectorias formativas universitarias

El siguiente trabajo se enmarca en la línea de investigación sobre formación docente en Educación Física, desarrollada en el Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche de la Universidad Nacional del Comahue (CRUB-UNCo). Los proyectos que la integran, a partir del incremento sostenido del número de estudiantes que abandonan la carrera durante los dos primeros años, procuran interrogar las prácticas pedagógicas universitarias en ese campo, desentrañar sus modos particulares de producción y analizar su impacto en la constitución de los trayectos formativos de los y las estudiantes. En las indagaciones hallamos indicios de un trabajo docente sistemático para mejorar las condiciones de la enseñanza y del aprendizaje e identificamos dispositivos pedagógicos institucionales y áulicos a modo de andamiaje de las trayectorias estudiantiles y modos de recepción a los y las ingresantes. En esta oportunidad describimos y analizamos uno de estos dispositivos, denominado "registro de lectura", generado en la cátedra Pedagogía del 1º año del Profesorado en Educación Física del mencionado centro universitario. Dicho instrumento forma parte de una serie de prácticas pedagógicas deliberadamente planificadas en relación con el ingreso, la permanencia y el egreso del nivel superior, que pretende habilitar mejores escenarios para el desarrollo de los procesos educativos. El dispositivo, construido a modo de andamiaje de las prácticas lectoras de los y las estudiantes, pretende contribuir a la promoción de trayectorias formativas democráticas y procura dar lugar a nuevas explicaciones en tanto anclajes para la transformación y para la construcción de nuevos conocimientos así como lograr mejores intervenciones pedagógicas

Family diversity in social exclusion situations. Results and reflections on research, teaching and knowledge transfer activities

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the configurations of the families that live in contexts of social exclusion; provide conceptualizations of their operation mode; highlight the formative effects that neighborhood interdisciplinary practices with such families produce in the just graduated psychologists, included on the Extension Program. We wish to contribute to produce systematic knowledge that can account for such family configurations as potential receiver of integration policies. We are also interested on transferring the approach to diversity in the training of young professionals, in order not to be regarded as a deviation from ideal models, but as an expression of different strategies built by members of a community, to resolve children breeding and to bear their existences. This work is the result about reflections on productions inside a research fellowship: The complexities that takes the breeding in families who lives in a social exclusion situation; researches about breeding, carried out from signature Developmental Psychology II, and from de interdisciplinary work with psychologically assisted families in twelve suburbs of the city of La Plata (University Extension Program "Free Legal Offices" (Convention between Law and Social Sciences and Psychology Faculties, U.N.L.P.). From a qualitative methodology and an interdisciplinary participation, the results have arrive at the characterization and proposed conceptualizations of the included families and at the same time determine the benefits that brings with the work that articulates research and extension activities for the training of advanced students and young graduates.

Registro de lectura : Dispositivo pedagógico que acompaña trayectorias formativas universitarias

El siguiente trabajo se enmarca en la línea de investigación sobre formación docente en Educación Física, desarrollada en el Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche de la Universidad Nacional del Comahue (CRUB-UNCo). Los proyectos que la integran, a partir del incremento sostenido del número de estudiantes que abandonan la carrera durante los dos primeros años, procuran interrogar las prácticas pedagógicas universitarias en ese campo, desentrañar sus modos particulares de producción y analizar su impacto en la constitución de los trayectos formativos de los y las estudiantes. En las indagaciones hallamos indicios de un trabajo docente sistemático para mejorar las condiciones de la enseñanza y del aprendizaje e identificamos dispositivos pedagógicos institucionales y áulicos a modo de andamiaje de las trayectorias estudiantiles y modos de recepción a los y las ingresantes. En esta oportunidad describimos y analizamos uno de estos dispositivos, denominado "registro de lectura", generado en la cátedra Pedagogía del 1º año del Profesorado en Educación Física del mencionado centro universitario. Dicho instrumento forma parte de una serie de prácticas pedagógicas deliberadamente planificadas en relación con el ingreso, la permanencia y el egreso del nivel superior, que pretende habilitar mejores escenarios para el desarrollo de los procesos educativos. El dispositivo, construido a modo de andamiaje de las prácticas lectoras de los y las estudiantes, pretende contribuir a la promoción de trayectorias formativas democráticas y procura dar lugar a nuevas explicaciones en tanto anclajes para la transformación y para la construcción de nuevos conocimientos así como lograr mejores intervenciones pedagógicas

Interactive Graphic Simulation: An Advanced Methodology to Improve the Teaching-Learning Process in Nuclear Engineering Education and Training

Nowadays, computer simulators are becoming basic tools for education and training in many engineering fields. In the nuclear industry, the role of simulation for training of operators of nuclear power plants is also recognized of the utmost relevance. As an example, the International Atomic Energy Agency sponsors the development of nuclear reactor simulators for education, and arranges the supply of such simulation programs. Aware of this, in 2008 Gas Natural Fenosa, a Spanish gas and electric utility that owns and operate nuclear power plants and promotes university education in the nuclear technology field, provided the Department of Nuclear Engineering of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid with the Interactive Graphic Simulator (IGS) of “José Cabrera” (Zorita) nuclear power plant, an industrial facility whose commercial operation ceased definitively in April 2006. It is a state-of-the-art full-scope real-time simulator that was used for training and qualification of the operators of the plant control room, as well as to understand and analyses the plant dynamics, and to develop, qualify and validate its emergency operating procedures.

Student Reciprocal Peer Teaching as a Method for Active Learning: An Experience in an Electrotechnical Laboratory

Active learning is one of the most efficient mechanisms for learning, according to the psychology of learning. When students act as teachers for other students, the communication is more fluent and knowledge is transferred easier than in a traditional classroom. This teaching method is referred to in the literature as reciprocal peer teaching. In this study, the method is applied to laboratory sessions of a higher education institution course, and the students who act as teachers are referred to as ‘‘laboratory monitors.’’ A particular way to select the monitors and its impact in the final marks is proposed. A total of 181 students participated in the experiment, experiences with laboratory monitors are discussed, and methods for motivating and training laboratory monitors and regular students are proposed. The types of laboratory sessions that can be led by classmates are discussed. This work is related to the changes in teaching methods in the Spanish higher education system, prompted by the Bologna Process for the construction of the European Higher Education Area

Methodological Proposal for Teamwork Evaluation in the field of training Project Management.

Teamwork, is one of the abilities that today is highly valued in the professional arena with a great importance for various personal and interpersonal skills associated with it. In this context, the Technical University of Madrid, is developing a coordinated educational innovation project, which main objective is to develop methodological and assessment tools for the acquisition of personal skills necessary to improve the employability of graduates and their skills for project management. Within this context, this paper proposes a methodology composed of various activities and indicators, as well as specific assessment instruments linked to the teamwork competence. Through a series of systematic steps it was allowed the design of an instrument and construction of a scale for measuring the competence of teamwork. The practical application of the methodology has been carried out in Projects lectures from different Schools of Engineering at the Technical University of Madrid, which results are presented in this document as a pilot experience. Results show the various aspects and methods that teachers should consider in evaluating the competence of the work, including analysis of the quality of results, through reliability and construct validity. On the other hand, show the advantages of applying this methodology in the field of project management teaching.

Teaching in Landscape

“We, the landscape architects, concerned with the future development of our landscapes in a fast changing world, believe that everything, influencing the way in which the outdoor environment is created, used, and maintained is fundamental to sustainable development and human well-being. We, being responsible for the improvement of the education of future landscape architects to enable them to work for a sustainable environment within the context of our natural and cultural heritage”. (IFLA/UNESCO 2005) CHARTER FOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION) Nowadays, respect and appreciation of the landscape sustainably grow. Landscape Architecture professionals are makers encourage and guide this growth. However, there is still no legal recognition of the landscape profession in Spain. For this reason we present this paper that shows the current framework in which appear a professional educated with masters and specialized courses, but it lacks a defined work area and unique in its business learned. We present the demands of both IFLA and the EFLA and teaching lines proposed by these organizations at European level are distinguished. Furthermore, we analyze the national scene and major training centres are distinguished.