The potential benefits of using videos in higher education

The developments of digital technology have opened new outlooks for online education which offer students the flexibility to learn at any time and any place. With all this instructional changes teachers, in all levels of the educational chain have been compelled to adapt quickly to this reality. They have a wide diversity of tools available to grab student’s attention and to motivate them to embrace the knowledge in their own learning process. One of these resources is the use of videos. Through them teachers can deliver complex information and contents to students and, if used creatively, videos can become a powerful technological tool in education. In this article we will explore some of the potential benefits and challenges associated with the use of videos in the teaching and learning process at higher education levels. We will also discuss some thoughts and examples for the use of teaching materials to enhance student’s learning and try to share ideas about the potentialities and future of video’s annotation new software resources, as incoming open tools for group work involvement.

Learning in higher education: strategies to overcome challenges faced by adult students – lessons drawn from two case studies in Portugal

This paper appears in International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education edited by Lawrence A. Tomei (Ed.) Copyright 2007, IGI Global, www.igi-global.com. Posted by permission of the publisher. URL:http://www.idea-group.com/journals/details.asp?id=4287.

Knowledge management in higher education institutions: a framework to improve collaboration

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework that increases knowledge sharing and collaboration in Higher Education Institutions. The paper discusses the concept of knowledge management in higher education institutions, presenting a systematization of knowledge practices and tools to linking people (students, teachers, researchers, secretariat staff, external entities)and promoting the knowledge sharing across several key processes and services in a higher education institution, such as: the research processes, learning processes, student and alumni services, administrative services and processes, and strategic planning and management. The framework purposed in this paper aims to improve knowledge practices and processes which facilitate an environment and a culture of knowledge collaboration,sharing and discovery that should characterize an institution of higher education.

The impact of an online mathematics education project (MATACTIVA) on higher education students

The Online Mathematics Education Project (MatActiva) is an exciting new initiative which aims to support and enhance mathematics education. The project is led by the Institute of Accounting and Administration of Porto (ISCAP), part of the Polytechnic Institute of Porto (IPP). It provides innovative resources and carefully constructed materials around themes such as Elementary Mathematics, Calculus, Algebra, Statistics and Financial Mathematics to help support and inspire students and teachers of mathematics. The goal is to increase mathematical understanding, confidence and enjoyment, enrich the mathematical experience of each person, and promote creative and imaginative approaches to mathematics. Furthermore the project can be used to deliver engaging and effective mathematics instruction through the flipped classroom model. This paper also presents the findings of a large survey, whose propose was to study the student’s reaction to the project.

Privatization and social welfare in an international mixed Stackelberg duopoly

Competition between public and private firms exists in a range of industries like telecommunications, electricity, natural gas, airlines industries, as weel as services including hospitals, banking and education. Some authors studied mixed oligopolies under Cournot competition (firms move simultaneously) and some others considered Stackelberg models (firms move sequentially). Tomaru [1] analyzed, in a Cournot model, how decision-making upon cost-reducing R&D investment by a domestic public firm is affected by privatization when competing in the domestic market with a foreign firm. He shows that privatization of the domestic public firm lowers productive efficiency and deteriorates domestic social welfare. In this paper, we examine the same question but in a Stackelberg formulation instead of Cournot. The model is a three-stage game. In the first stage, the domestic firm chooses the amount of cost-reducing R&D investment. Then, the firms compete à la Stackelberg. Two cases are considered: (i) The domestic firm is the leader; (ii) The foreign firm is the leader. We show that the results obtained in [1] for Cournot competition are robust in the sence that they are also true when firms move sequentially.

Gender differences in internet usage habits: a case study in higher education

The usage of information and communication technologies has been growing among students and teachers. In order to improve the use of the Internet as a tool to support teaching and learning it is necessary to understand the Internet usage habits of students. Thus, a study was conducted with 1397 students from five schools of the Polytechnic of Porto. The data was collected through an online questionnaire abd was analized by age range, gender and scientific field. In this paper,gender differences are analyzed and presented in 3 dimensions: type of Internet usage, communication tools and the role of the Internet tools in education.

HRM higher education in Europe

Higher education has earned in the recent years an increasing attention in Europe. European Higher Education Area (EHEA) is being developed, a three-cycle qualifications structure is formally in place, the principles of quality assurance are agreed, and a range of mobility instruments is being created. A European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is established (2008), and national qualifications frameworks in Europe should be all be published this year. In the HRM field, higher education is remaining largely unexamined. It is undertheorised and with lack of empirical research, especially if we consider the European reality. With the exception of Brewster et al. (2000) and Boxall et al. (2007), all the research published on the specific HRM higher education field seems to be American (Barber, 1999; Chadwick, 2005; Hayton et al.,2005; Kaufman, 1996, 1999; Langbert, 2005, 2000; Sincoff & Owen, 2004; Van Eyden et al., 1997; Wimbush 2008). This study analyses HRM higher education in Europe with the aim to identify the current trends of European HRM academic qualifications system. In order to provide strategic indicators on the subject, research was carried out in 14 European countries. The sample was constituted by the three cycles defined in Bergen (bachelor, master and PhD) and the primary information source was the Portal on Learning Opportunities throughout the European Space promoted by the European Commission (PLOTEUS). Within a qualitative methodology, qualifications’ structures, approaches, and competencies are explored as main analytical categories.

Public private collaboration: Potentials for spatial data infrastructure development in developing countries - A caste study of Nigeria

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.

Learning Activities with Semantic. Hypermedia in Higher Education

The increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in diverse professional and personal contexts calls for new knowledge, and a set of abilities, competences and attitudes, for an active and participative citizenship. In this context it is acknowledged that universities have an important role innovating in the educational use of digital media to promote an inclusive digital literacy. The educational potential of digital technologies and resources has been recognized by both researchers and practitioners. Multiple pedagogical models and research approaches have already contributed to put in evidence the importance of adapting instructional and learning practices and processes to concrete contexts and educational goals. Still, academic and scientific communities believe further investments in ICT research is needed in higher education. This study focuses on educational models that may contribute to support digital technology uses, where these can have cognitive and educational relevance when compared to analogical technologies. A teaching and learning model, centered in the active role of the students in the exploration, production, presentation and discussion of interactive multimedia materials, was developed and applied using the internet and exploring emergent semantic hypermedia formats. The research approach focused on the definition of design principles for developing class activities that were applied in three different iterations in undergraduate courses from two institutions, namely the University of Texas at Austin, USA and the University of Lisbon, Portugal. The analysis of this study made possible to evaluate the potential and efficacy of the model proposed and the authoring tool chosen in the support of metacognitive skills and attitudes related to information structuring and management, storytelling and communication, using computers and the internet.

Predictors of student success: a study of Portuguese Higher Education graduates

Work Projected presented in the context of a Directed Research Internship at the Directorate-General of Statistics of the Portuguese Ministry of Education, and as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Economics from the NOVA - School of Business and Economics

Shiva's dance: Crisis, local institutions and private firms

The uneven spatial distribution of start-ups and their respective survival may reflect comparative advantages resulting from the local institutional background. For the first time, we explore this idea using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to assess the relative efficiency of Portuguese municipalities in this specific context. We depart from the related literature where expenditure is perceived as a desirable input by choosing a measure of fiscal responsibility and infrastructural variables in the first stage. Comparing results for 2006 and 2010, we find that mean performance decreased substantially 1) with the effects of the Global Financial Crisis, 2) as municipal population increases and 3) as financial independence decreases. A second stage is then performed employing a double-bootstrap procedure to evaluate how the regional context outside the control of local authorities (e.g. demographic characteristics and political preferences) impacts on efficiency.

Um modelo para a gestão do conhecimento organizacional no contexto dos serviços partilhados com recurso à utilização do e-Learning

Tese de Doutoramento em Tecnologias e Sistemas de Informação

Percursos formativos e transições profissionais: o caso dos diplomados de um mestrado na área dos recursos humanos

Publicado em "40 anos de democracia(s): progressos, contradições e prospetivas: atas do VIII Congresso Português de Sociologia". ISBN 978-989-97981-2-0

The bussola study. Final results, conclusions and proposals

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of thrombolytic and acetylsalicylic acid therapies in acute myocardial infarct patients as well as the availability of technical and human resources for the care of these patients in the emergency units of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Additional objectives were the evaluation of the use of primary angioplasty and the level of acceptance of SBC /RJ as an entity responsible for programs of continued medical education. METHODS: Interviews with physicians at 46 emergency units in the city of Rio de Janeiro. RESULTS: Of the 46 emergency units inspected, a policy of encouragement to use thrombolytic therapy was only prescribed in 6.5%. In 1/3 of the public wards no thrombolytic agents were available, and in none of them was access to primary angioplasty regularly available; 45.9% did not offer the minimal conditions required for the handling of cases of acute myocardial infarction; 60% of the physicians on-call (at both public and private emergency units), appeared not to know the importance of the use of acetylsalicylic acid in acute myocardial infarct patients; all physicians interviewed would participate in programs of continued medical education organized by the SBC/RJ. CONCLUSION: The study suggests there was: 1) the low probability of the use of thrombolytic therapy in the majority of the emergency units in of the city of Rio de Janeiro due to the inadequate policy of waiting for the transfer of the patient to coronary or intensive care unit; 2) a low awareness to the importance of early use of acetylsalic acid in acute myocardial infarct; 3) half of the emergency units of the public net do not have the minimal conditions required for the handling of cases of acute myocardial infarction; 4) a high level of credibility exists that would enable the SBC/RJ to set up programs for continued medical education to change the mentality regarding the use of thrombolytic therapy and of acetylsalicylic acid.

Crescer & saúde : desenvolvimento e comportamento dos adolescentes e jovens recém ingressados no 1º ano do ISCED de Benguela, ensino superior público

Ao abordarmos a temática “Crescer & Saúde-Desenvolvimento e Comportamento dos Adolescentes e Jovens Recém-Ingressados no ISCED de Benguela”, enfatizamos a relevância dos aspetos que constituem a sua génese, no sentido de sugerir ações que contribuam para uma educação para a saúde no âmbito do sistema educativo do ensino superior público em Benguela, e a sua promoção na formação de professores. A questão de partida do estudo foi: Qual é a situação dos adolescentes e jovens em matéria de comportamentos de saúde e seus contextos? Para responder à questão, foram desenvolvidos dois estudos: O estudo quantitativo realizado através de um questionário constituído, entre outras, por questões do Health Behaviour School Aged-Children (HBSC) (Currie, et al., 2001, Matos et al., 2002, 2010), contou com um universo estudantil distribuído por nove especialidades. Assim sendo, foi extraída uma amostra de 20% do total de indivíduos que frequentam o primeiro ano, num total de 255 estudantes. O estudo qualitativo, através de grupos focais, contou com 78 indivíduos, distribuídos entre a universidade pública e privada, e teve a finalidade de caracterizar os comportamentos sexuais e outros aspetos relacionados com a saúde nos adolescentes e jovens do 1º ano do ISCED de Benguela. Os resultados refletem a necessidade de uma educação com cariz formativo e informativo que desenvolva ações pedagógicas específicas de dimensão social, presente nas várias instâncias de socialização, através da interação social para que os jovens adquiram normas, atitudes, conhecimentos e comportamentos aceites socialmente. Esperamos que o presente sirva de ferramenta importante para melhor conhecimento dos seus comportamentos, estilo de vida, conhecimentos face ao VIH/SIDA e IST’s, comportamento de risco, saúde mental, atitudes face à diferença e às adversidades, entre outros aspetos, permitindo o exercício de uma influência positiva por parte dos trabalhadores da instituição, dos colegas, familiares e sociedade civil.