The role of attitudinal factors in mathematical on-line assessments: a study of undergraduate STEM students

This study explores student attitudes to the use of substantive on-line assessments that require mathematical answers. Our goal is to learn what are the important aspects in a design of more effective e-assessments that support learning of mathematical subjects in a higher education setting. To that end we analyse the effects of a variety of attitudinal factors towards such assessments amongst a cross-section of 1st year students in an English University. These students were all previously exposed to on-line assessments containing substantial mathematical work, including testing of and feedback on the algebraic structure of their answers. They were provided with detailed online feedback, and we therefore specifically examine the effect of formative feedback on the usage of educational technology. Our results suggest that students find on-line feedback more enjoyable and useful than traditional feedback. 'Attitude' and 'Enjoyment' are the two most important factors influencing their usage intention. Our results also show that, even for this digital generation, confidence in using computers and the availability of support for using information technology are important factors in making effective use of on-line assessments

Uso das redes sociais digitais como estratégia de marketing em pme pirotécnicas de Tultepec no estado de México

The use of digital social media (DSM) as a marketing strategy has become a fundamental practice for companies around the world. In Mexico, 99.8% of enterprises are small and medium-sized (SMEs) and, despite their importance, there is little literature on the use of DSM as a marketing strategy in Mexican SMEs. Also, the pyrotechnic industry of Tultepec, State of Mexico, produces 50% of the national pyrotechnics, employs up to 60% of the local population and is composed mainly of SMEs. Given the relevance of this production system, the objective of this piece of research is to determine the percentage of Tultepec pyrotechnics companies that use DSM as a marketing strategy, the main uses they are given and, in their absence, the reasons for not using them. To this end, questionnaires were applied to the owners of various companies in the pyrotechnics production chain (raw material stores, manufacturers and intermediaries) and it was found that only 15% of respondents use DSM as a marketing strategy and use them mainly to position the brand and reach larger audiences. Finally, it was found that the main reason for not using them is the insecurity and experiences related to crime. The results obtained show the need for a training strategy for business owners that leads to a safe and effective use of DSM as a marketing tool.El uso de redes sociales digitales (RSD) como estrategia de mercadotecnia se ha convertido en una práctica fundamental para las empresas de todo el mundo. En México, el 99.8% de las empresas son de tamaño pequeño y mediano (pymes) y, pese a su importancia, existe poca literatura sobre el uso de RSD como estrategia de mercadotecnia en las pymes mexicanas. Asimismo, la industria pirotécnica de Tultepec, Edo. de Méx., produce el 50% de la pirotécnica nacional, emplea hasta el 60% de la población local y se compone principalmente por pymes. Dada la relevancia de este sistema productivo, el objetivo de la investigación es determinar el grado de adopción de RSD como estrategia de mercadotecnia por parte de las empresas pirotécnicas de Tultepec, los principales usos que les dan y, en su ausencia, las razones para no utilizarlas. Para ello, se aplicaron cuestionarios a los dueños de diversas empresas del encadenamiento productivo de pirotecnia (tiendas de materias primas, fabricantes e intermediarios) y se encontró que sólo el 15% de los encuestados utilizan RSD como estrategia de mercadotecnia y las utilizan, principalmente para el posicionamiento de la marca y alcanzar mayores audiencias. Finalmente, se encontró que la principal razón para no utilizarlas es la inseguridad y experiencias relacionadas con la delincuencia. Los resultados obtenidos, exhiben la necesidad de una estrategia de capacitación para los empresarios que conduzca a un uso seguro y eficaz de RSD como herramienta de mercadotecnia.O uso das redes sociais digitais (RSD) como estratégia de marketing se  converteu numa prática fundamental para as empresas do mundo inteiro. No México, o 99.8% das empresas são de pequeno e médio porte (PME) e, apesar da sua importância, existe pouca literatura sobre o uso de RSD como estratégia de marketing nas PME mexicanas. Da mesma forma, a indústria pirotécnica de Tultepec, Edo. do Méx., produz 50% da pirotecnia nacional, emprega até 60% da população local e se compõe principalmente por PME. Dada à relevância deste sistema produtivo, o objetivo da pesquisa é determinar o grau de acolhimento das RSD como estratégia de marketing por parte das empresas pirotécnicas de Tultepec, os principais usos que eles lhes dão e, na sua falta, os motivos para não usa-as. Para isto, se aplicaram questionários aos donos de diversas empresas da cadeia produtiva de pirotecnia (lojas de matérias-primas, fabricantes e intermediários) e se descobriu que somente 15% dos entrevistados usam RSD como estratégia de marketing e as utilizam, principalmente para o posicionamento da marca e para conseguir maiores audiências. Finalmente, se encontrou que a principal motivação para não utilizá-las é a insegurança e experiências relacionadas com a delinquência. Os resultados obtidos, mostram a necessidade de uma estratégia de capacitação para os empresários que leve ao uso seguro e eficaz das  RSD como ferramenta de marketing

Internet Prospective Study

The Internet is currently the largest network of communication worldwide and is where technological advances could be observed. The original creation of the Internet was based on the idea that this network would be formed mainly by multiple independent networks with an arbitrary design. The Internet is the place where all countries communicate and disseminate information in real time, this phenomenon directly affects economies, businesses, and society. This article shows what the future of the Internet is, our research carries out a qualitative prospective analysis on projects and investigations in which the scientific community is currently working, the information is analyzed, and the highlighted topics are shown

Scaffolding Matters? Investigating Its Role in Motivation, Engagement and Learning Achievements in Higher Education

In higher education, students’ engagement plays an essential role in determining learning success. Several studies have focused on identifying the relationship between engagement and learning achievements. However, comprehensive studies that include engagement, motivation, and scaffolding have yet to be performed. This article introduced a concept of metacognitive and learning engagement based on the frontiers between metacognition and cognition previously established in the literature. A conceptual model including cognitive, behavioural, emotional, scaffolding, and motivation and the two new definitions (metacognitive and learning engagement) was proposed and validated in 220 university students using structural equation modelling. The findings support the conjecture that cognitive engagement is directly influenced by metacognitive engagement. Learning engagement is influenced by cognitive engagement, and all of them are triggered by motivation. Furthermore, scaffolding enhances emotional engagement. Teachers’ support fosters students’ emotions of being enthusiastic, interested in class, joyful in learning activities, and proud of their learning achievements

Prácticas de higiene en el proceso de elaboración de alimentos en microempresas de un mercado de Ciudad de México

Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of NOM-251-SSA1-2009 (NOM 251) in two food micro-businesses in a market in Ciudad de Mexico to determine the hygiene practices of the tenants regarding this standard and suggest recommendations. Methodology: Using a quantitative methodology, a diagnosis was made by means of a checklist that quantified the sections of "NOM-251-SSA1-2009: Hygiene practices in the process of food, beverages or food supplements". Then, training of tenants was developed on NOM-251 and food hygiene practices, and finally, the sections of this standard were implemented through seven declarative and eight follow-up formats, which recorded daily, weekly or monthly corrective actions on the hygiene, which were measured by visual inspection and with the help of a thermometer. Results: Derived from the implementation of NOM-251, one premises went from meeting 47 % of the standard to meeting 80 % and another from 62 % to 79 %, thus significantly improving the hygiene of their processes. Limitations: There was resistance from tenants to follow some provisions of NOM-251, in addition, that the market structure did not allow to implement some of them. Conclusions: It was possible to improve the hygiene practices of the tenants. However, it was realized that the tenants do not know the NOM-251, so the government must take action to solve this problem.Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad de la implementación de la NOM-251-SSA1-2009 (NOM 251) en dos microempresas de alimentos de un mercado de Ciudad de México para determinar las prácticas de higiene de los locatarios respecto a esa norma y sugerir recomendaciones. Metodología: mediante una metodología cuantitativa, se realizó un diagnóstico por medio de una lista de verificación que cuantificó los apartados de la “NOM-251-SSA1-2009: Prácticas de higiene en el proceso de alimentos, bebidas o suplementos alimenticios”, después, se desarrollaron capacitaciones a los locatarios sobre la NOM-251 y prácticas de higiene de alimentos, y finalmente, se implementaron los apartados de esta norma mediante siete formatos declarativos y ocho de seguimiento, los cuales registraron diaria, semanal o mensualmente las acciones correctivas sobre la higiene, que se midieron mediante la inspección visual y con ayuda de un termómetro. Resultados: derivado de la implementación de la NOM-251, un local pasó de cumplir un 47 % de la norma a cumplir un 80 % y otro, de un 62 % a un 79 %, mejorando así, de forma importante, la higiene de sus procesos. Limitaciones: se encontró resistencia por parte de los locatarios para seguir algunas disposiciones de la NOM-251, además, de que la estructura del mercado no permitió implementar algunas de ellas. Conclusiones: se lograron mejorar las prácticas de higiene de los locatarios. Sin embargo, se percató que los locatarios no conocen la NOM-251, por lo que el gobierno debe de tomar acciones para resolver este problema

Estudio comparativo de técnicas de analítica del aprendizaje para predecir el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes de educación superior

The issue of school dropout involves factors such as students’ engagement that can predict his or her success in school. It has been shown that student engagement has three components: behavioral, emotional and cognitive. Motivation and engagement are strongly related since the former is a precursor of engagement. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of linear regression against two data mining techniques to predict the students’ academic performance in higher education. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with 222 students from a public higher education institution in Mexico city. An analysis of hierarchical linear regression (LR) and learning analytics techniques such as neural networks (NN) and support vector machine (SVM) was conducted. To assess the accuracy of the learning analytics techniques, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out. The techniques were compared using cross validation. The results showed that behavioral engagement and self-efficacy had positive effects on student achievements, while passivity showed a negative effect. Likewise, the LR and SVM techniques had the same performance on predicting students’ achievements. The LR has the advantage of producing a simple and easy model. On the contrary, the SVM technique generates a more complex model. Although, if the model were aimed to forecast the performance, the SVM technique would be the most appropriate, since it does not require to verify any statistical assumption.La deserción escolar involucra diversos factores, entre ellos, el compromiso del estudiante, a través del cual se puede predecir su éxito en la escuela. Ese compromiso tiene varios componentes, tales como conductual, emocional y cognitivo. La motivación y el compromiso están fuertemente relacionadas, ya que la primera es un precursor del compromiso. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la eficacia de la regresión lineal contra dos técnicas de minería de datos para predecir el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes en la educación superior. Se hizo un estudio transversal explicativo en el que se encuestó a 222 estudiantes universitarios de una institución pública de la Ciudad de México. Se realizó un análisis de regresión lineal jerárquico (RL) y de técnicas de analítica del aprendizaje, como redes neuronales (RN) y máquinas de vector soporte (SVM). Para evaluar la exactitud de las técnicas de analítica del aprendizaje se realizó un análisis de varianza (ANOVA). Se compararon las técnicas de analítica del aprendizaje y de regresión lineal usando la validación cruzada. Los resultados mostraron que el compromiso conductual y la autoeficacia tuvieron efectos positivos en el desempeño del estudiante, mientras que la pasividad mostró un efecto negativo. Asimismo, las técnicas de RL y de SVM pronosticaron igualmente el desempeño académico de los estudiantes. La RL tuvo la ventaja de producir un modelo simple y de fácil interpretación. Por el contrario, la técnica de SVM generó un modelo más complejo, aunque, si el modelo tuviese como objetivo el pronóstico del desempeño, la técnica SVM sería la más adecuada, ya que no requiere la verificación de ningún supuesto estadístico

Scaffolding Matters? Investigating Its Role in Motivation, Engagement and Learning Achievements in Higher Education

In higher education, students’ engagement plays an essential role in determining learning success. Several studies have focused on identifying the relationship between engagement and learning achievements. However, comprehensive studies that include engagement, motivation, and scaffolding have yet to be performed. This article introduced a concept of metacognitive and learning engagement based on the frontiers between metacognition and cognition previously established in the literature. A conceptual model including cognitive, behavioural, emotional, scaffolding, and motivation and the two new definitions (metacognitive and learning engagement) was proposed and validated in 220 university students using structural equation modelling. The findings support the conjecture that cognitive engagement is directly influenced by metacognitive engagement. Learning engagement is influenced by cognitive engagement, and all of them are triggered by motivation. Furthermore, scaffolding enhances emotional engagement. Teachers’ support fosters students’ emotions of being enthusiastic, interested in class, joyful in learning activities, and proud of their learning achievements

Students’ Emotions and Engagement in the Emerging Hybrid Learning Environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, classes in schools acquired a hybrid learning model. Students took their classes both in person and, at other times, remotely. However, students are currently facing situations that they are not familiar with after a period of two years of confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This emerging model of learning, to which the students had to adapt, not only impacted on their emotions during learning but also influenced their perceptions of their abilities and skills in being able to perform adequately in a situation of uncertainty, which also influenced the degree of academic engagement that they had. This study applied the structural equation modeling technique, using PLS-SEM software, to a sample of 194 students. The results show that their self-efficacy to act in a situation of vulnerability was affected, which is why their negative emotions increased and their positive emotions decreased. This in turn influenced the degree of engagement and effort they invested in developing a school activity

Uso de redes sociales digitales como estrategia de mercadotecnia en pymes pirotécnicas de Tultepec en el estado de México

The use of digital social media (DSM) as a marketing strategy has become a fundamental practice for companies around the world. In Mexico, 99.8% of enterprises are small and medium-sized (SMEs) and, despite their importance, there is little literature on the use of DSM as a marketing strategy in Mexican SMEs. Also, the pyrotechnic industry of Tultepec, State of Mexico, produces 50% of the national pyrotechnics, employs up to 60% of the local population and is composed mainly of SMEs. Given the relevance of this production system, the objective of this piece of research is to determine the percentage of Tultepec pyrotechnics companies that use DSM as a marketing strategy, the main uses they are given and, in their absence, the reasons for not using them. To this end, questionnaires were applied to the owners of various companies in the pyrotechnics production chain (raw material stores, manufacturers and intermediaries) and it was found that only 15% of respondents use DSM as a marketing strategy and use them mainly to position the brand and reach larger audiences. Finally, it was found that the main reason for not using them is the insecurity and experiences related to crime. The results obtained show the need for a training strategy for business owners that leads to a safe and effective use of DSM as a marketing tool.O uso das redes sociais digitais (RSD) como estratégia de marketing se  converteu numa prática fundamental para as empresas do mundo inteiro. No México, o 99.8% das empresas são de pequeno e médio porte (PME) e, apesar da sua importância, existe pouca literatura sobre o uso de RSD como estratégia de marketing nas PME mexicanas. Da mesma forma, a indústria pirotécnica de Tultepec, Edo. do Méx., produz 50% da pirotecnia nacional, emprega até 60% da população local e se compõe principalmente por PME. Dada à relevância deste sistema produtivo, o objetivo da pesquisa é determinar o grau de acolhimento das RSD como estratégia de marketing por parte das empresas pirotécnicas de Tultepec, os principais usos que eles lhes dão e, na sua falta, os motivos para não usa-as. Para isto, se aplicaram questionários aos donos de diversas empresas da cadeia produtiva de pirotecnia (lojas de matérias-primas, fabricantes e intermediários) e se descobriu que somente 15% dos entrevistados usam RSD como estratégia de marketing e as utilizam, principalmente para o posicionamento da marca e para conseguir maiores audiências. Finalmente, se encontrou que a principal motivação para não utilizá-las é a insegurança e experiências relacionadas com a delinquência. Os resultados obtidos, mostram a necessidade de uma estratégia de capacitação para os empresários que leve ao uso seguro e eficaz das  RSD como ferramenta de marketing.El uso de redes sociales digitales (RSD) como estrategia de mercadotecnia se ha convertido en una práctica fundamental para las empresas de todo el mundo. En México, el 99.8% de las empresas son de tamaño pequeño y mediano (pymes) y, pese a su importancia, existe poca literatura sobre el uso de RSD como estrategia de mercadotecnia en las pymes mexicanas. Asimismo, la industria pirotécnica de Tultepec, Edo. de Méx., produce el 50% de la pirotécnica nacional, emplea hasta el 60% de la población local y se compone principalmente por pymes. Dada la relevancia de este sistema productivo, el objetivo de la investigación es determinar el grado de adopción de RSD como estrategia de mercadotecnia por parte de las empresas pirotécnicas de Tultepec, los principales usos que les dan y, en su ausencia, las razones para no utilizarlas. Para ello, se aplicaron cuestionarios a los dueños de diversas empresas del encadenamiento productivo de pirotecnia (tiendas de materias primas, fabricantes e intermediarios) y se encontró que sólo el 15% de los encuestados utilizan RSD como estrategia de mercadotecnia y las utilizan, principalmente para el posicionamiento de la marca y alcanzar mayores audiencias. Finalmente, se encontró que la principal razón para no utilizarlas es la inseguridad y experiencias relacionadas con la delincuencia. Los resultados obtenidos, exhiben la necesidad de una estrategia de capacitación para los empresarios que conduzca a un uso seguro y eficaz de RSD como herramienta de mercadotecnia