DVD-based distance-learning program for university entrance exams -- RCT experiments in rural Bangladesh

In contrast to the remarkable progress in developing countries in improving primary education, access to higher education in many countries remains limited, especially in rural areas where the quality of education is inadequate. We evaluate a DVD-based distance-learning program in rural Bangladesh, targeted at students aiming to take university entrance tests. We conducted two experiments: one to evaluate the effect of the distance-learning program and the second to determine the demand and price sensitivity. Our first experiment shows that the DVD-based distance-learning program has a considerable positive effect on the number of students passing entrance exams. This effect does not depend on cognitive scores, but does depend on non-cognitive attributes, indicating the importance of commitment, which is imposed through our program. In the second experiment, we offered a random subsidy to interested participants. The uptake decision is price-sensitive, although the price sensitivity is not correlated with students' past academic performance or their socio-economic status, suggesting that increasing the price should not disproportionately exclude poor students.

McGraw-Hill's nursing school entrance exams.

Este recurso permite la preparación para los distintos exámenes de ingreso en la escuela de enfermería. Incluye ocho pruebas prácticas sobre habilidades verbales, de comprensión lectora, de matemáticas y de ciencias, así como información sobre la carrera y la orientación educativa de un profesional de la enfermería.

Starting point towards bilingualism in higher education : results in english at the university entrance test from a gender perspective. 'Punto de partida hacia el bilingüismo en Educación Superior : resultados de inglés en la prueba de acceso a la universidad desde una perpectiva de género'.

Resumen basado en el de la publicación

Power law distribution in education: Effect of economical, teaching, and study conditions in university entrance examination

We studied the statistical distribution of student's performance, which is measured through their marks, in university entrance examination (Vestibular) of UNESP (Universidade Estadual Paulista) with respect to (i) period of study - day versus night period (ii) teaching conditions - private versus public school (iii) economical conditions - high versus low family income. We observed long ubiquitous power law tails in physical and biological sciences in all cases. The mean value increases with better study conditions followed by better teaching and economical conditions. In humanities, the distribution is close to normal distribution with very small tail. This indicates that these power law tails in science subjects axe due to the nature of the subjects themselves. Further and better study, teaching and economical conditions axe more important for physical and biological sciences in comparison to humanities at this level of study. We explain these statistical distributions through Gradually Truncated Power law distributions. We discuss the possible reason for this peculiar behavior.

Power law distribution in education: University entrance examination

We studied the statistical distribution of candidate's performance which is measured through their marks in university entrance examination (Vestibular) of UNESP (Universidade Estadual Paulista) for years 1998, 1999, and 2000. All students are divided in three groups: Physical, Biological and Humanities. We paid special attention to the examination of Portuguese language which is common for all and examinations for the particular area. We observed long ubiquitous power law tails in Physical and Biological sciences. This indicate the presence of strong positive feedback in sciences. We are able to explain completely these statistical distributions through Gradually Truncated Power law distributions which we developed recently to explain statistical behavior of financial market. The statistical distribution in case of Portuguese language and humanities is close to normal distribution. We discuss the possible reason for this peculiar behavior.

Troca do ponto pela vírgula e da vírgula pelo ponto em redações de vestibular

A presente pesquisa objetiva investigar em que contextos ocorrem a troca do ponto pela vírgula e da vírgula pelo ponto em redações de vestibular. Este estudo foi buscar seu referencial teórico-metodológico numa teoria gramatical cientificamente fundamentada, bem como na Linguística do Texto, Análise do Discurso e Estilística. As perspectivas em relação à linguagem advindas do movimento teórico no interior da linguística tiveram consequências diretas na questão do ensino, motivando a construção deste estudo. Para fins de análise, serviram como corpus duzentas redações do vestibular da UERJ 2007/2008, além de alguns poucos textos de alunos de primeiro período de uma instituição de ensino particular em que a autora trabalha que mostraram-se interessantes para a análise. A pesquisa evidenciou que a troca da vírgula pelo ponto, de maneira geral, acarretou erro, possibilitando a formulação de regras; e a do ponto pela vírgula concentrou-se na esfera do estilisticamente desejável, favorecendo a formulação de conselhos. Os dados da análise serviram como referente básico para sugestões metodológicas com ressonância prática para os docentes em sala de aula

A actividade das explicações: um estudo no ensino secundário e superior

As explicações são uma actividade a que os alunos recorrem em diferentes países do mundo. Esta prática parece também ter uma longa história. Para além disto, esta é uma actividade que implica o investimento de tempo e dinheiro por parte dos alunos e suas famílias. Estas foram algumas das questões que motivaram o estudo do fenómeno das explicações em Portugal. O foco deste estudo é o Ensino Secundário e Superior. Para estudar esta temática foi decidido inquirir estudantes do Ensino Superior sobre as suas experiências com explicações no Ensino Secundário e Superior, directores de centros de explicações e explicadores com o objectivo de explorar as razões que levam ao recurso a este serviço, conhecer os impactos desta utilização e fazer uma pesquisa sobre a utilização de explicações ao longo dos tempos. O trabalho de campo realizado consistiu na aplicação de um inquérito por questionário online divulgado em diferentes instituições do Ensino Superior, um inquérito por questionário em papel distribuído em duas Universidades públicas, entrevistas a alunos, directores de centros de explicações e explicadores e a análise de diferentes jornais que continham temáticas educativas, tentando-se contribuir para a história da oferta de explicações nos séculos XIX e XX em Portugal. Os resultados obtidos permitiram verificar que é no Ensino Secundário que se encontra a maior percentagem de frequência de explicações; que as disciplinas da área da Matemática são as mais procuradas em explicações; que a principal razão para o recurso a esta actividade no Ensino Secundário se prende com os exames de acesso à Universidade, e no Ensino Superior com a necessidade de um apoio extra; que o recurso a esta actividade acarreta diversos impactos para os alunos de ambos os níveis; e que parece haver uma relação entre nível educacional dos pais e recurso a explicações, particularmente no Ensino Secundário.

Análise dialógica das redações mais bem avaliadas do vestibular de meio de ano de Vunesp 2010

Pós-graduação em Linguística e Língua Portuguesa - FCLAR

As Melhores redações da FUVEST 2010: uma análise dialógica

This research analyzes the 53 best university entrance exams essays of 2010 of FUVEST - University Foundation for University Entrance Exams, which were published on the institution website, indicating that they were considered the best in the exam. The objective of the analysis was to identify similarities and differences between the essays, based on dialogic approach. We analyzed aspects such as: the way students addressed the subject, the language and organization of writing; the different ways of argumentation; the most used quotes; dissertation structure and the way the students considered the discourse genre writing. The study also compared the essays based on the way in which the genre is addressed in schools and pre-university preparatory courses, which gave us parameters to evaluate the extent to which this teaching can help students or otherwise confuse them. Through the analysis, we can deduce what the institution values, which helps to demystify some of the so-called known “recipes” for good writing

Fazendo conexões com o mundo real: uso de conceitos e modelos da física no contexto da zoologia

There are considerations of that the education of Physics of the way as comes being driven us textbooks and consequently in classroom, is distant and distorted of their real purpose. We notice that the education of this science through the Physical school discipline, has I assume a character of preparation for university entrance exams exercises resolution, exceling for the memorization of formulae and by the mathematical solutions, fact that looks to cause to it is lacking of motivation and to the disinterest of the students regarding his contents. Since we are surrounded by phenomena, events, elements of the nature, new technologies, objects and so many others that can be explained and many times until applied and/or reproduced by means of physical concepts, there is no reason for treat to Physical as somewhat academic and remote of the reality. The little interest of high school students by the discipline of Physics and their poor performance in the learning of his contents has led to the search of new paths, resources and strategies that promote a more meaningful learning. Taking into account these facts, we seek in this course conclusion work, observe, analyze and apply concepts of the Physical one in multiple elements of ours routine, doing use of the interdisciplinary nature as a possible mechanism. The animals exert a fascination on most people. Much of what we see in their way of being and behaving can be explained by the laws of Physics and its models. Their physique, behavior and activities involve diverse movements, communication and sensing as physical limitations varied. Zoologists and physicists build models in an attempt to explain or understand animal behavior using well-established physical principles. The creation of physical models is going to approach a problem, identifies the fundamental information and removing all of the irrelevant details. An example... (Complete abstract click electrnic access below)

Da invenção do vestibular aos cursinhos populares: um desafio para a orientação profissional

This article is based on the sociological and historical approach of the origin of the university entrance exams in Brazil and shows the preparatory courses (preps) expanding simultaneously as a strategy of the lower and middle classes to get their children into university. Thus, the paradox of an antipedagogical practice becomes an essential condition for students to have access to prestigious university courses, what justifi es the historical movement by the lower and middle classes to appropriate this practice.. We propose that measures are taken to improve the results of important affi rmative actions that aim to enable students to enter university, as well as highlight Professional Guidance as a necessary resource which constitutes a new challenge in this fi eld of action.

Comunicação, Valores Comunitários e Sustentabilidade: os portais da UMESP, FEI e FSA.

Este trabalho analisou a relação entre comunicação e sustentabilidade em universidades comunitárias no Estado de São Paulo associadas à ABRUC (Associação Brasileira das Universidades Comunitárias). O objetivo foi examinar a imagem das universidades, a partir das estratégias de comunicação utilizadas nos portais institucionais. Procurou entender se e como utilizam o diferencial de caráter comunitário no marketing institucional. A pesquisa é de natureza qualitativa, tendo como metodologia central o estudo de caso múltiplos de Yin (2005). Foram também utilizados alguns dos aspectos da Análise de Conteúdo de Bardin (2006) para a categorização dos termos que identificam os valores comunitários. Os portais das universidades comunitárias localizadas na região do ABC paulista (Universidade Metodista do Estado de São Paulo UMESP, Centro Universitário Engenharia Industrial FEI e Centro Universitário Fundação Santo André FSA), se constituem no corpus principal desta pesquisa. A técnica para a análise dos portais foi estruturada a partir do trabalho de Vilella (2003). Foram avaliados aspectos voltados para a facilidade da navegação no uso das informações, tais como: usabilidade, funcionalidade e conteúdo. O período para a coleta de dados foi de um mês, assim distribuído: uma semana durante o período de inscrições para o vestibular e três semanas no início do período letivo do ano de 2008. Como parte da análise da construção da imagem institucional foi também verificado, a partir dos resultados econômicos e financeiros, se existe correlação entre a política de comunicação das instituições comunitárias e a sustentabilidade financeira. Os principais resultados foram: a) não existe uma visibilidade clara dos valores comunitários nos portais institucionais; b) os portais seguem os padrões tradicionais, sem incorporar as inovações tecnológicas, que garantam visibilidade e transparência nas ações das instituições; c) existe correlação entre os resultados econômico-financeiros e o diferencial comunitário como estratégia de comunicação e sustentabilidade das instituições.(AU)

Soveltuvuuskokeella täydennetty opiskelijavalinta : Seurantatutkimus eräiden sosiaali- ja terveysalan teknisluonteisten koulutusohjelmien (apuvälinetekniikka, hammastekniikka ja optometria) opiskelijavalinnan toteuttamisesta

Aptitude-based student selection: A study concerning the admission processes of some technically oriented healthcare degree programmes in Finland (Orthotics and Prosthetics, Dental Technology and Optometry). The data studied consisted of conveniencesamples of preadmission information and the results of the admission processes of three technically oriented healthcare degree programmes (Orthotics and Prosthetics, Dental Technology and Optometry) in Finland during the years 1977-1986 and 2003. The number of the subjects tested and interviewed in the first samples was 191, 615 and 606, and in the second 67, 64 and 89, respectively. The questions of the six studies were: I. How were different kinds of preadmission data related to each other? II. Which were the major determinants of the admission decisions? III. Did the graduated students and those who dropped out differ from each other? IV. Was it possible to predict how well students would perform in the programmes? V. How was the student selection executed in the year 2003? VI. Should clinical vs. statistical prediction or both be used? (Some remarks are presented on Meehl's argument: "Always, we might as well face it, the shadow of the statistician hovers in the background; always the actuary will have the final word.") The main results of the study were as follows: Ability tests, dexterity tests and judgements of personality traits (communication skills, initiative, stress tolerance and motivation) provided unique, non-redundant information about the applicants. Available demographic variables did not bias the judgements of personality traits. In all three programme settings, four-factor solutions (personality, reasoning, gender-technical and age-vocational with factor scores) could be extracted by the Maximum Likelihood method with graphical Varimax rotation. The personality factor dominated the final aptitude judgements and very strongly affected the selection decisions. There were no clear differences between graduated students and those who had dropped out in regard to the four factors. In addition, the factor scores did not predict how well the students performed in the programmes. Meehl's argument on the uncertainty of clinical prediction was supported by the results, which on the other hand did not provide any relevant data for rules on statistical prediction. No clear arguments for or against the aptitude-based student selection was presented. However, the structure of the aptitude measures and their impact on the admission process are now better known. The concept of "personal aptitude" is not necessarily included in the values and preferences of those in charge of organizing the schooling. Thus, obviously the most well-founded and cost-effective way to execute student selection is to rely on e.g. the grade point averages of the matriculation examination and/or written entrance exams. This procedure, according to the present study, would result in a student group which has a quite different makeup (60%) from the group selected on the basis of aptitude tests. For the recruiting organizations, instead, "personal aptitude" may be a matter of great importance. The employers, of course, decide on personnel selection. The psychologists, if consulted, are responsible for the proper use of psychological measures.

Custo social de oportunidade na trajetória de acesso ao ensino superior: o caso dos ingressantes na UFRN nos vestibulares de 2006 a 2010

Access is a problem of higher education in Brazil that has existed since the formalization of this has occurred since the installation of the Portuguese court in Brazil in 1808. Only 10% of young people between 18 and 24 years of age attending this level of education in 2000, arriving in 2010 just 15%, far from that determined the National Education Plan in 2001, triple that percentage by the year 2010. In addition, a majority of seats of public HEIs is populated by students from the private network, especially in high-demand courses. In this context, this study aims to identify the costs related to the trajectories of students who were successful in the vestibular UFRN editions from 2006 to 2010. Presents an overview of higher education in Brazil, a brief history of vestibular, as well as new forms of access, and some of the policies to expand such access, highlighting the argument Inclusion UFRN. Focusing on the theme of the paper presents the concepts of opportunity costs and social. After collecting data through a questionnaire and consultation of databases COMPERVE was developed to search for a descriptive and analytical, with the participation of 3,995 students, of whom 1642 (41.1%) had completed secondary education in schools public, and 2,078 (52%) in private schools. The profile indicates that 90% are single, about 50% are 21 years of age, are white and female. In the course of preparation for college entrance exams, 80% chose the course during or after completion of the last year of high school, and almost 70% said they had started preparing at that time. Findings related to the costs involved with this preparation indicate that, in most cases there were school fees and disbursements and workshops, and the purchase of books and other materials, with parents primarily responsible for this cost, the amount disbursed each month was up $ 300 for 64% of respondents and only 7% of them exceeded $ 1,000, the major non-financial costs were characterized by the following resignations: job opportunities (24%) or temporary work (20%) courses of languages (26%), leisure activities (48%), leisure travel (43%), and parties and / or shows (54%). Of social investments by the government, stand out in the tax waiver scholarships for study in private institutions, grant exemption from the registration fee of vestibular, the preparatory courses UFRN, and seminars by COMPERVE / UFRN with networks of high school. From the junction of the opportunity costs (private costs) and social costs (public costs), a new concept: the social opportunity cost, which measures the combined efforts of families and government to finance the opportunity to access higher education of an individual. This concept can and should be incorporated as a strategic vector for the sake of democratic university, which reflects the social model that is sought

Representações de estudantes universitários sobre alunos cotistas: confronto de valores

A inclusão da política de cotas, nas universidades brasileiras, é recente. Apesar da adesão de várias instituições de ensino, esse tipo de política tem gerado posições contraditórias. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar quais valores estão mais presentes na avaliação que universitários fazem a respeito de supostos usuários das cotas. Na pesquisa, foram aplicados diferentes tipos de questionários em 403 estudantes de uma universidade pública paulista, os quais objetivaram verificar se suas representações sobre esse tema variavam conforme as possibilidades de ingresso na universidade, a saber: vestibular simples, cursinhos para alunos carentes e cotas e, conforme os públicos-alvo enfocados, negros ou alunos de escolas públicas. Como método de análise, foi utilizado o programa ALCESTE e, como recurso complementar, a análise de conteúdo. Os resultados demonstraram que há uma rejeição às políticas relacionadas às cotas, uma vez que estas foram percebidas como mais ameaçadoras do que aquelas referentes ao vestibular e ao cursinho gratuito. Na grande parte das respostas dadas pelos alunos, fica evidente o conflito de valores: mérito versus igualdade compensatória. O vestibular, baseado apenas no mérito, é representado como o sistema mais justo para ingresso de alunos de escola pública e, principalmente de negros, na universidade. Valores como justiça, igualdade, esforço próprio, sobre os quais a maioria dos universitários respalda suas respostas contrárias às cotas, estão sendo questionados pelas políticas de ação afirmativa, o que indica que enfrentá-los é o grande desafio posto a essas políticas.