Canad?? : informe de evaluaci??n nacional

Resumen del autor. Resumen en castellano y en ingl??s. Este art??culo se incluye en el monogr??fico 'Sistemas nacionales de evaluaci??n'

Centros experimentales y centros de ensayo y aplicaci��n.

Se intenta demostrar la viabilidad y eficacia de la innovaci��n educativa y proporcionar los instrumentos precisos para su aplicaci��n. Se alude a tres t��cnicas espec��ficas: Research, Development and Difusion; Interacci��n Social; Problem Solving. La primera concibe la investigaci��n como un proceso secuencial en el que se dan: investigaci��n; desarrollo; difusi��n. El punto de partida de la innovaci��n puede empezar en cualquiera de las tres etapas. El modelo de Interacci��n Social se realiza, generalmente, a nivel de maestro o de centro, es el caso de las T��cnicas Freinet. El tercer modelo tiende a identificar las necesidades de un centro y dise��ar para ��l una soluci��n espec��fica para el problema. Se explica qu�� y cuales son las funciones de los centros experimentales que permite clasificarlos en centros experimentales y centros de ensayo y aplicaci��n. La participaci��n y el apoyo de la Inspecci��n T��cnica en el proyecto de centros de aplicaci��n y los campos de actuaci��n de los centros de ensayo y aplicaci��n en los que se incluye las innovaciones recomendadas por la Ley General de Educaci��n y las OO.MM., por las que se aprueba la Educaci��n General B��sica, Nueva orientaci��n. Finaliza con la sugerencia de que la Direcci��n General de Ordenaci��n Educativa, la red INCIE-ICES y la Inspecci��n Central estar��an probablemente dispuestas a prestar los apoyos necesarios para estimular y coordinar la red de centros experimentales y de aplicaci��n y ofrecer suporte t��cnico para el desempe��o de sus funciones.

Desarrollo de un instrumento para el registro de la capacidad para resolver problemas : resultados de un estudio piloto.

El art��culo pertenece a una secci��n de la revista dedicada a investigaci��n

Marcos y pruebas de evaluaci??n de PISA 2012 : matem??ticas, lectura y ciencias

Es una traducci??n al espa??ol de la publicaci??n original de la OCDE "PISA 2012 Assessment and Analytical Framework Mathematics, Reading, Science, Problem Solving and Financial Literacy "

Robustness on resource allocation problems

En problemes d'assignaci�� de recursos, normalment s'han de tenir en compte les incerteses que poden provocar canvis en les dades inicials. Aquests canvis dificulten l'aplicabilitat de les planificacions que s'hagin fet inicialment. Aquesta tesi se centra en l'elaboraci�� de t��cniques que consideren la incertesa alhora de cercar solucions robustes, ��s a dir solucions que puguin continuar essent v��lides encara que hi hagi canvis en l'entorn. Particularment, introdu��m el concepte de robustesa basat en reparabilitat, on una soluci�� robusta ��s una que pot ser reparada f��cilment en cas que hi hagi incid��ncies. La nostra aproximaci�� es basa en l��gica proposicional, codificant el problema en una f��rmula de satisfactibilitat Booleana, i aplicant t��cniques de reformulaci�� per a la generaci�� de solucions robustes. Tamb�� presentem un mecanisme per a incorporar flexibilitat a les solucions robustes, de manera que es pugui establir f��cilment el grau desitjat entre robustesa i optimalitat de les solucions.

Supervisory systems in waste water treatment plants: sistematise their implementation

La implantaci�� de Sistemes de Suport a la presa de Decisions (SSD) en Estacions Depuradores d'Aig��es Residuals Urbanes (EDAR) facilita l'aplicaci�� de t��cniques m��s eficients basades en el coneixement per a la gesti�� del proc��s, assegurant la qualitat de l'aigua de sortida tot minimitzant el cost ambiental de la seva explotaci��. Els sistemes basats en el coneixement es caracteritzen per la seva capacitat de treballar amb dominis molt poc estructurats, i gran part de la informaci�� rellevant de tipus qualitatiu i/o incerta. Precisament aquests s��n els trets caracter��stics que es poden trobar en els sistemes biol��gics de depuraci��, i en conseq����ncia en una EDAR. No obstant, l'elevada complexitat dels SSD fa molt cost��s el seu disseny, desenvolupament i aplicaci�� en planta real, pel que resulta determinant la generaci�� d'un protocol que faciliti la seva exportaci�� a EDARs de tecnologia similar. L'objectiu del present treball de Tesi ��s precisament el desenvolupament d'un protocol que faciliti l'exportaci�� sistem��tica de SSD i l'aprofitament del coneixement del proc��s pr��viament adquirit. El treball es desenvolupa en base al cas d'estudi resultant de l'exportaci�� a l'EDAR Montorn��s del prototipus original de SSD implementat a l'EDAR Granollers. Aquest SSD integra dos tipus de sistemes basats en el coneixement, concretament els sistemes basats en regles (els quals s��n programes inform��tics que emulen el raonament hum�� i la seva capacitat de solucionar problemes utilitzant les mateixes fonts d'informaci��) i els sistemes de raonament basats en casos (els quals s��n programes inform��tics basats en el coneixement que volen solucionar les situacions anormals que pateix la planta en el moment actual mitjan��ant el record de l'acci�� efectuada en una situaci�� passada similar). El treball est�� estructurat en diferents cap��tols, en el primer dels quals, el lector s'introdueix en el m��n dels sistemes de suport a la decisi�� i en el domini de la depuraci�� d'aig��es. Seguidament es fixen els objectius i es descriuen els materials i m��todes utilitzats. A continuaci�� es presenta el prototipus de SSD desenvolupat per la EDAR Granollers. Una vegada el prototipus ha estat presentat es descriu el primer protocol plantejat pel mateix autor de la Tesi en el seu Treball de Recerca. A continuaci�� es presenten els resultats obtinguts en l'aplicaci�� pr��ctica del protocol per generar un nou SSD, per una planta depuradora diferent, partint del prototipus. L'aplicaci�� pr��ctica del protocol permet l'evoluci�� del mateix cap a un millor pla d'exportaci��. Finalment, es pot concloure que el nou protocol redueix el temps necessari per realitzar el proc��s d'exportaci��, tot i que el nombre de passos necessaris ha augmentat, la qual cosa significa que el nou protocol ��s m��s sistem��tic.

An evaluation of private speech

This literature review examines the use of private speech among typically developing and hearing impaired children. This paper supports the view that private speech provides a self-regulatory function and guides behavior and problem-solving.

Neurobehavioral Development in Children With Potential Exposure to Pesticides

Children may be at higher risk than adults from pesticide exposure, due to their rapidly developing physiology, unique behavioral patterns, and interactions with the physical environment. This preliminary study conducted in Ecuador examines the association between household and environmental risk factors for pesticide exposure and neurobehavioral development. We collected data over 6 months in the rural highland region of Cayambe, Ecuador (2003���2004). Children age 24���61 months residing in 3 communities were assessed with the Ages and Stages Questionnaire and the Visual Motor Integration Test. We gathered information on maternal health and work characteristics, the home and community environment, and child characteristics. Growth measurements and a hemoglobin finger-prick blood test were obtained. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Current maternal employment in the flower industry was associated with better developmental scores. Longer hours playing outdoors were associated with lower gross and fine motor and problem solving skills. Children who played with irrigation water scored lower on fine motor skills (8% decrease; 95% confidence interval 9.31 to 0.53), problem-solving skills (7% decrease; 8.40 to 0.39), and Visual Motor Integration test scores (3% decrease; 12.00 to 1.08). These results suggest that certain environmental risk factors for exposure to pesticides may affect child development, with contact with irrigation water of particular concern. However, the relationships between these risk factors and social characteristics are complex, as corporate agriculture may increase risk through pesticide exposure and environmental contamination, while indirectly promoting healthy development by providing health care, relatively higher salaries, and daycare options.

Sociodemographic and nutritional correlates of neurobehavioral development: a study of young children in a rural region of Ecuador

To identify and describe the sociodemographic and nutritional characteristics associated with neurobehavioral development among young children living in three communities in the northeastern Andean region of Cayambe-Tabacundo, Ecuador. Women in the study communities who had a child 3 to 61 months of age completed a questionnaire about maternal and child health and sociodemographic characteristics. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was directly administered to 283 children by two trained interviewers. Growth measurements and a hemoglobin finger-prick blood test were obtained in 2003���2004. Prevalence of developmental delay was calculated, and associations between child development and maternal, child, and household characteristics were explored. High frequencies of developmental delay were observed. Children 3 to 23 months old displayed delay in gross motor skills (30.1%), and children 48 to 61 months old displayed delay in problem-solving skills (73.4%) and fine motor skills (28.1%). A high frequency of both anemia (60.4%) and stunting (53.4%) was observed for all age groups. Maternal educational level was positively associated with communication and problem-solving skills, and monthly household income was positively associated with communication, gross motor, and problem-solving skills. The results suggest a high prevalence of developmental delay and poor child health in this population. Child health status and the child���s environment may contribute to developmental delay in this region of Ecuador, but sociodemographic factors affecting opportunities for stimulation may also play a role. Research is needed to identify what is causing high percentages of neurobehavioral developmental delay in this region of Ecuador.

Towards a nutrient export risk matrix approach to managing agricultural pollution at source

A generic Nutrient Export Risk Matrix (NERM) approach is presented. This provides advice to farmers and policy makers on good practice for reducing nutrient loss and is intended to persuade them to implement such measures. Combined with a range of nutrient transport modelling tools and field experiments, NERMs can play an important role in reducing nutrient export from agricultural land. The Phosphorus Export Risk Matrix (PERM) is presented as an example NERM. The PERM integrates hydrological understanding of runoff with a number of agronomic and policy factors into a clear problem-solving framework. This allows farmers and policy makers to visualise strategies for reducing phosphorus loss through proactive land management. The risk Of Pollution is assessed by a series of informed questions relating to farming intensity and practice. This information is combined with the concept of runoff management to point towards simple, practical remedial strategies which do not compromise farmers' ability to obtain sound economic returns from their crop and livestock.

Metacognitive experience and transfer of logical reasoning

The experiments examine the influence of metacognitive experience on the transfer of logical processes in a problem solving setting. Subjects were presented with two versions of Wason's (1966) selection task. Although they were able to perform successfully on the concrete tasks (following a minimal explanation of the correct solution on an initial trial), the majority were not able to transfer a successful method to the abstract tasks. Verbalization during, or following, the concrete tasks produced substantial transfer effects however. It is suggested that verbalization may lead to an increased awareness of past behaviour, particularly of those aspects necessary for successful solution.

Working memory and working attention: What could possibly evolve?

The concept of ���working��� memory is traceable back to nineteenth century theorists (Baldwin, 1894; James 1890) but the term itself was not used until the mid-twentieth century (Miller, Galanter & Pribram, 1960). A variety of different explanatory constructs have since evolved which all make use of the working memory label (Miyake & Shah, 1999). This history is briefly reviewed and alternative formulations of working memory (as language-processor, executive attention, and global workspace) are considered as potential mechanisms for cognitive change within and between individuals and between species. A means, derived from the literature on human problem-solving (Newell & Simon, 1972), of tracing memory and computational demands across a single task is described and applied to two specific examples of tool-use by chimpanzees and early hominids. The examples show how specific proposals for necessary and/or sufficient computational and memory requirements can be more rigorously assessed on a task by task basis. General difficulties in connecting cognitive theories (arising from the observed capabilities of individuals deprived of material support) with archaeological data (primarily remnants of material culture) are discussed.

Age and flexible thinking: an experimental demonstration of the beneficial effects of increased cognitively stimulating activity on fluid intelligence in healthy older adults

The disuse hypothesis of cognitive aging attributes decrements in fluid intelligence in older adults to reduced cognitively stimulating activity. This study experimentally tested the hypothesis that a period of increased mentally stimulating activities thus would enhance older adults' fluid intelligence performance. Participants (N = 44, mean age 67.82) were administered pre- and post-test measures, including the fluid intelligence measure, Cattell's Culture Fair (CCF) test. Experimental participants engaged in diverse, novel, mentally stimulating activities for 10-12 weeks and were compared to a control condition. Results supported the hypothesis; the experimental group showed greater pre- to post-CCF gain than did controls (effect size d = 0.56), with a similar gain on a spatial-perceptual task (WAIS-R Blocks). Even brief periods of increased cognitive stimulation can improve older adults' problem solving and flexible thinking.