Lectura y alfabetismo en la sociedad de la información

Frente a los discursos que anuncian el final de la lectura y la muerte del lector, hay razones para pensar que la lectura va a ser también en la sociedad de la información uno de los instrumentos fundamentales para comunicarnos, pensar, aprender y atribuir sentido a las experiencias propias y ajenas. Sin embargo, hay también pocas dudas de que en este nuevo escenario, y de la mano sobre todo de las tecnologías digitales de la información y la comunicación y los textos electrónicos, se están produciendo cambios importantes en la definición del texto, del autor, del lector, de los modos de leer y de las prácticas de lectura. El concepto mismo de alfabetismo, de lo que significa estar alfabetizado en la cultura escrita, está en proceso de cambio y transformación. Por una parte, el concepto de alfabetismo se expande y, al lado de la alfabetización relativa a la cultura letrada, empiezan a tomar cuerpo otros alfabetismos relacionados con la cultura tecnológica y demás elementos característicos de la sociedad de la información. Por otra parte, junto con esta expansión o ensanchamiento del concepto, se produce una transformación de lo que significa y exige el hecho de estar alfabetizado en la cultura letrada. Internet y los textos electrónicos modifican los elementos básicos que intervienen en los procesos de lectura comprensiva. Ahora bien, la emergencia de nuevos alfabetismos, así como los conocimientos y habilidades que plantea la exigencia del alfabetismo en los textos electrónicos, comporta inexorablemente el riesgo de sus correspondientes analfabetismos. Este riesgo es tanto mayor cuanto que la realidad sobre la que se proyectan estas necesidades de alfabetización sigue estando marcada por graves carencias en el dominio y las prácticas de la lectura entre amplios sectores de la población.

O movimento da competência informacional: uma perspectiva para o letramento informacional

O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a competência informacional (information literacy), que surgiu nos Estados Unidos na década de 1970 e representa o esforço da classe bibliotecária americana para ampliar o seu papel dentro das instituições educacionais. O movimento ocorreu em circunstâncias peculiares ao contexto daquele país, acompanhando a evolução das ações educativas da classe bibliotecária. O discurso da competência informacional desenvolve-se ao redor de quatro aspectos: a sociedade da informação, as teorias educacionais construtivistas, a tecnologia da informação e o bibliotecário. Considerando-se que o termo começa a aparecer na literatura brasileira de biblioteconomia e ciência da informação, propõem-se o estudo mais aprofundado do conceito e o estabelecimento de uma agenda de pesquisa para o Brasil, buscando sua inserção nas teorias sobre letramento, que se vêm desenvolvendo na área de educação.

Inclusão digital e educação para a competência informacional: uma questão de ética e cidadania

Este artigo é o resultado de um esforço para conceituar inclusão digital, feito pelo Grupo de Estudos em Políticas de Informação e Inclusão Digital (Gepindi), vinculado ao Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência da Informação, do Instituto de Ciência da Informação, da Universidade Federal da Bahia (Posici/ICI/UFBA). O texto discute inclusão digital à luz de outros conceitos encontrados na ciência da informação e em áreas correlatas. No imbricado entrelaçamento desses conceitos complexos, o resultado final pretendido é um marco de compreensão para a vinculação entre ética e cidadania, de um lado, e educação para a informação na Internet ou information literacy education, de outro, com vistas à inclusão social.

Beyond the Net Generation debate: A comparison between digital learners in face-to-face and virtual universities

This paper is based on the hypothesis that the use of technology to support learning is not related to whether a student belongs to the Net Generation, but that it is mainly influenced by the teaching model. The study compares behaviour and preferences towards ICT use in two groups of university students: face-to-face students and online students. A questionnaire was applied to asample of students from five universities with different characteristics (one offers online education and four offer face-to-face education with LMS teaching support).

Formalizing argumentative reasoning in a possibilistic logic programming setting with fuzzy unification

Possibilistic Defeasible Logic Programming (P-DeLP) is a logic programming language which combines features from argumentation theory and logic programming, incorporating the treatment of possibilistic uncertainty at the object-language level. In spite of its expressive power, an important limitation in P-DeLP is that imprecise, fuzzy information cannot be expressed in the object language. One interesting alternative for solving this limitation is the use of PGL+, a possibilistic logic over Gödel logic extended with fuzzy constants. Fuzzy constants in PGL+ allow expressing disjunctive information about the unknown value of a variable, in the sense of a magnitude, modelled as a (unary) predicate. The aim of this article is twofold: firstly, we formalize DePGL+, a possibilistic defeasible logic programming language that extends P-DeLP through the use of PGL+ in order to incorporate fuzzy constants and a fuzzy unification mechanism for them. Secondly, we propose a way to handle conflicting arguments in the context of the extended framework.

New kernel functions and learning methods for text and data mining

Recent advances in machine learning methods enable increasingly the automatic construction of various types of computer assisted methods that have been difficult or laborious to program by human experts. The tasks for which this kind of tools are needed arise in many areas, here especially in the fields of bioinformatics and natural language processing. The machine learning methods may not work satisfactorily if they are not appropriately tailored to the task in question. However, their learning performance can often be improved by taking advantage of deeper insight of the application domain or the learning problem at hand. This thesis considers developing kernel-based learning algorithms incorporating this kind of prior knowledge of the task in question in an advantageous way. Moreover, computationally efficient algorithms for training the learning machines for specific tasks are presented. In the context of kernel-based learning methods, the incorporation of prior knowledge is often done by designing appropriate kernel functions. Another well-known way is to develop cost functions that fit to the task under consideration. For disambiguation tasks in natural language, we develop kernel functions that take account of the positional information and the mutual similarities of words. It is shown that the use of this information significantly improves the disambiguation performance of the learning machine. Further, we design a new cost function that is better suitable for the task of information retrieval and for more general ranking problems than the cost functions designed for regression and classification. We also consider other applications of the kernel-based learning algorithms such as text categorization, and pattern recognition in differential display. We develop computationally efficient algorithms for training the considered learning machines with the proposed kernel functions. We also design a fast cross-validation algorithm for regularized least-squares type of learning algorithm. Further, an efficient version of the regularized least-squares algorithm that can be used together with the new cost function for preference learning and ranking tasks is proposed. In summary, we demonstrate that the incorporation of prior knowledge is possible and beneficial, and novel advanced kernels and cost functions can be used in algorithms efficiently.

Brain dynamics sustaining rapid rule extraction from speech

Language acquisition is a complex process that requires the synergic involvement of different cognitive functions, which include extracting and storing the words of the language and their embedded rules for progressive acquisition of grammatical information. As has been shown in other fields that study learning processes, synchronization mechanisms between neuronal assemblies might have a key role during language learning. In particular, studying these dynamics may help uncover whether different oscillatory patterns sustain more item-based learning of words and rule-based learning from speech input. Therefore, we tracked the modulation of oscillatory neural activity during the initial exposure to an artificial language, which contained embedded rules. We analyzed both spectral power variations, as a measure of local neuronal ensemble synchronization, as well as phase coherence patterns, as an index of the long-range coordination of these local groups of neurons. Synchronized activity in the gamma band (2040 Hz), previously reported to be related to the engagement of selective attention, showed a clear dissociation of local power and phase coherence between distant regions. In this frequency range, local synchrony characterized the subjects who were focused on word identification and was accompanied by increased coherence in the theta band (48 Hz). Only those subjects who were able to learn the embedded rules showed increased gamma band phase coherence between frontal, temporal, and parietal regions.

Tutoriales web: indicadores y ejemplos de buenas prácticas

Las bibliotecas universitarias realizan tutoriales web sobre una gran variedad de temáticas. Muchas veces van dirigidos a la alfabetización informacional (alfin) y a mostrar a los usuarios las mejoras tecnológicas de las interfaces de consulta interactiva. Se ofrece una metodología basada en treinta y cuatro indicadores para elaborar, evaluar y mejorar los tutoriales creados por las bibliotecas de cualquier ámbito y especialidad. Se presentan adicionalmente ejemplos de buenas prácticas que ilustran la descripción del indicador y pueden servir de referencia para los servicios que deseen crear sus propios tutoriales

Experiencia interdisciplinar de coevaluación: la percepción de los estudiantes en la Universidad de Girona : percepciones sobre la coevaluación

Peer-assessment provides multiple benefits to students during their learning process. The aim of this study is to examine students’ perception regarding peer-assessment. Surveys have been conducted before and after the peer-assessment process to students from five different subjects taught at the University of Girona. The results suggest that students have a positive predisposition respect to this methodology, both before and after being implemented. However, we found slight differences between the students of the technical field compared to those in education science

Polarímetro virtual: desenvolvimento, utilização e avaliação de um software educacional

Optical activity is the ability of chiral substances to rotate the plane of plane-polarized light and is measured using an instrument called a polarimeter. An educational software application to explore, both interactively and visually, the concepts related to polarimetry to facilitate their understanding was developed. The software was field-tested and a questionnaire evaluating the graphics interface, usability and the software as an educational tool, was answered by students. The results characterized the computer application developed as an auxiliary tool for assisting teachers in lectures and students in the learning process.

Ressonância: desenvolvimento, utilização e avaliação de um software educacional

Resonance is a useful concept that shows how electrons are shared between two or more atoms and allows a prediction of the chemical reactivity and relative stability of reagents, intermediates, and products. An educational software that enables interactive exploration of the concepts related to resonance and thereby facilitates its understanding was developed. The software was field-tested, and an evaluation questionnaire concerning the software as an educational tool was answered by the students and professors involved in the test. The results led to the conclusion that the developed computer application can be characterized as an auxiliary tool that assists teachers in their lectures and students in their learning process.

INTERACTIONS: DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF A COMPUTATIONAL TOOL FOR TEACHING INTERMOLECULAR FORCES IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Intermolecular forces are a useful concept that can explain the attraction between particulate matter as well as numerous phenomena in our lives such as viscosity, solubility, drug interactions, and dyeing of fibers. However, studies show that students have difficulty understanding this important concept, which has led us to develop a free educational software in English and Portuguese. The software can be used interactively by teachers and students, thus facilitating better understanding. Professors and students, both graduate and undergraduate, were questioned about the software quality and its intuitiveness of use, facility of navigation, and pedagogical application using a Likert scale. The results led to the conclusion that the developed computer application can be characterized as an auxiliary tool to assist teachers in their lectures and students in their learning process of intermolecular forces.

Learning through role-playing games: an approach for active learning and teaching

This study evaluates the use of role-playing games (RPGs) as a methodological approach for teaching cellular biology, assessing student satisfaction, learning outcomes, and retention of acquired knowledge. First-year undergraduate medical students at two Brazilian public universities attended either an RPG-based class (RPG group) or a lecture (lecture-based group) on topics related to cellular biology. Pre- and post-RPG-based class questionnaires were compared to scores in regular exams and in an unannounced test one year later to assess students' attitudes and learning. From the 230 students that attended the RPG classes, 78.4% responded that the RPG-based classes were an effective tool for learning; 55.4% thought that such classes were better than lectures but did not replace them; and 81% responded that they would use this method. The lecture-based group achieved a higher grade in 1 of 14 regular exam questions. In the medium-term evaluation (one year later), the RPG group scored higher in 2 of 12 questions. RPG classes are thus quantitatively as effective as formal lectures, are well accepted by students, and may serve as educational tools, giving students the chance to learn actively and potentially retain the acquired knowledge more efficiently.

Viestintä ravitsemusosaamisen kehittämisessä Case:Sairaalan ateriaprosessi

Tutkielman tarkoituksena oli tutkia viestinnän merkitystä osaamisen kehittämisessä. Tavoitteena oli tutkia, miten viestintä edistää ravitsemusosaamisen kehittämistä sairaalan ateriaprosessissa. Tutkimuksessa etsittiin vastausta kysymyksiin, mitkä ovat ravitsemusosaamisen kehittämisen ja viestinnän tavoitteet, millä työyhteisöviestinnän foorumeilla uuden ravitsemushoitosuosituksen ja ravitsemushoidon strategian edellyttämiä muutoksia käsitellään ja millaisia työssä oppimisen prosesseja näillä foorumeilla on tunnistettavissa. Empirian näkökulmasta tutkimusta voidaan kuvata tapaustutkimukseksi. Tapauksena on sairaalan ateriaprosessi. Tutkimuksen valmistelevana aineistona käytettiin uutta ravitsemushoitosuositusta (Nuutinen ym. 2010), jota täydennettiin haastatteluaineistolla. Tutkimuksessa ovat edustettuina hoitotyön, ruokapalvelun ja ravitsemushoidon asiantuntemuksen näkökulmat sairaalasta sekä ammatti- ja aikuisopistosta. Tutkimusmenetelmänä käytettiin teemahaastatteluja. Haastattelut nauhoitettiin ja litteroitiin tekstimuotoon. Aineisto analysoitiin teemakortiston ja teemoittelun avulla. Tutkimuksen tulokset osoittavat, että ravitsemusosaamisen kehittämisen tavoitteena on uuden ravitsemushoitosuosituksen ja ravitsemushoidon strategian edellyttämien muutosten toteuttaminen sairaalan ravitsemushoidon prosesseissa ja tuotteissa. Ravitsemusosaamisen kehittämisen tavoitteena on tässä yhteydessä ateriaprosessin ja ruokapalvelun tuotteiden eli ruokavalioiden kehittäminen. Ravitsemushoidon kehittämisen tarkoituksena on asiakkaiden toipumisen, elämänlaadun ja hyvinvoinnin edistäminen sekä terveydenhuollon kustannusten säästäminen. Viestinnällä on tärkeä merkitys ravitsemusosaamisen kehittämisessä. Viestinnän avulla edistetään yksilöllistä ja yhteistä eli tiimioppimista vuorovaikutuksen kautta. Ruokapalvelu- ja hoitohenkilöstön sekä ravitsemushoidon asiantuntijoiden välinen vuoropuhelu nähdään tärkeänä ravitsemusosaamisen kehittämisessä. Vuoropuhelun avulla vahvistetaan ravitsemushoitoon liittyvää tietopohjaa ja yhteistä käsitteistöä. Tavoitteena on yhteisen kielen ja toimintamallin luominen ravitsemushoidon kehittämiseen. Ravitsemushoitosuosituksen ja ravitsemushoidon strategian edellyttämiä muutoksia käsitellään ulkoisissa ja sisäisissä verkostoissa esimerkiksi ravitsemus-yhdyshenkilöverkoston tapaamisissa, moniammatillisissa työryhmissä, henkilöstö- ja oppisopimuskoulutuksissa sekä työfoorumilla eli fyysisessä työtilassa ja hyödyntäen viestintäteknologiaa. Hoitotyön, ruokapalvelun ja ravitsemushoidon asiantuntijoilla/opettajilla on tärkeä rooli ravitsemusosaamisen kehittämiseen liittyvässä työssä oppimisen ohjaamisessa. Ravitsemusosaamisen kehittämisessä on tunnistettavissa sosiaalisia, reflektiivisiä, kognitiivisia ja operationaalisia työssä oppimisen prosesseja. Sosiaalisia prosesseja ovat työkokemusten vaihdanta ja reflektiivisiä niiden arviointi. Kognitiivisten prosessien tarkoitus on tiedonhankinta ja prosessointi, jolloin yhdistetään kokemustietoa sekä uutta ravitsemustieteellistä tietoa. Tavoitteena on yhteisen kielen ja toimintamallin luominen, jota kokeillaan käytännössä. Operationaalisia prosesseja ovat fyysisessä työtilassa tapahtuva kokeilemalla, tekemällä ja soveltamalla oppiminen, jolloin uutta toimintamallia esimerkiksi vajaaravitsemuksen seulontaa, ateriatilausta tai reseptiikkaa kokeillaan käytännössä. Johtopäätöksenä voidaan todeta, että sairaalassa on omaksuttu oppivan organisaation periaatteita ravitsemusosaamisen kehittämisessä. Ravitsemusosaamisen kehittäminen on yhteydessä muutokseen, strategiaan, prosessien ja tuotteiden kehittämiseen. Viestinnän avulla edistetään ravitsemushoitosuosituksen ja ravitsemushoidon strategian edellyttämien muutosten toteuttamista sairaalan ateriaprosessissa ja ruokavalioissa. Hoito- ja ruokapalveluhenkilöstön sekä ravitsemushoidon asiantuntijoiden välisen vuoropuhelun tavoitteena on yhteisen kielen ja toimintamallin luominen ravitsemushoidon kehittämiseen. Tutkimus palvelee ravitsemusosaamisen kehittämistä sairaalan ateriaprosessissa. Tutkimuksen tuloksia on mahdollista käyttää vertailuoppimismateriaalina terveydenhuollon organisaatioissa ja verkostoissa.

Kernel-Based Ranking. Methods for Learning and Performance Estimation

Machine learning provides tools for automated construction of predictive models in data intensive areas of engineering and science. The family of regularized kernel methods have in the recent years become one of the mainstream approaches to machine learning, due to a number of advantages the methods share. The approach provides theoretically well-founded solutions to the problems of under- and overfitting, allows learning from structured data, and has been empirically demonstrated to yield high predictive performance on a wide range of application domains. Historically, the problems of classification and regression have gained the majority of attention in the field. In this thesis we focus on another type of learning problem, that of learning to rank. In learning to rank, the aim is from a set of past observations to learn a ranking function that can order new objects according to how well they match some underlying criterion of goodness. As an important special case of the setting, we can recover the bipartite ranking problem, corresponding to maximizing the area under the ROC curve (AUC) in binary classification. Ranking applications appear in a large variety of settings, examples encountered in this thesis include document retrieval in web search, recommender systems, information extraction and automated parsing of natural language. We consider the pairwise approach to learning to rank, where ranking models are learned by minimizing the expected probability of ranking any two randomly drawn test examples incorrectly. The development of computationally efficient kernel methods, based on this approach, has in the past proven to be challenging. Moreover, it is not clear what techniques for estimating the predictive performance of learned models are the most reliable in the ranking setting, and how the techniques can be implemented efficiently. The contributions of this thesis are as follows. First, we develop RankRLS, a computationally efficient kernel method for learning to rank, that is based on minimizing a regularized pairwise least-squares loss. In addition to training methods, we introduce a variety of algorithms for tasks such as model selection, multi-output learning, and cross-validation, based on computational shortcuts from matrix algebra. Second, we improve the fastest known training method for the linear version of the RankSVM algorithm, which is one of the most well established methods for learning to rank. Third, we study the combination of the empirical kernel map and reduced set approximation, which allows the large-scale training of kernel machines using linear solvers, and propose computationally efficient solutions to cross-validation when using the approach. Next, we explore the problem of reliable cross-validation when using AUC as a performance criterion, through an extensive simulation study. We demonstrate that the proposed leave-pair-out cross-validation approach leads to more reliable performance estimation than commonly used alternative approaches. Finally, we present a case study on applying machine learning to information extraction from biomedical literature, which combines several of the approaches considered in the thesis. The thesis is divided into two parts. Part I provides the background for the research work and summarizes the most central results, Part II consists of the five original research articles that are the main contribution of this thesis.