Discovering Open Access Articles: Maximum Access, Maximum Visibility! A Report of the ALCTS Continuing Resources Section Program. American Library Association Annual Conference, Las Vegas, June 2014

The growing open access movement raises many questions for libraries and researchers. A program, presented by the Education, Research, and Publications Coordinating Committee of the ALCTS Continuing Resources Section, addressed prominent open access issues and offered a number of solutions currently under development by institutions and NISO (National Information Standards Organization). The three presenters provided background on the various issues, a description of the new open access policy at the University of California system, an overview of the challenges in accessing open access articles in hybrid journals, and a description of the NISO Open Access Metadata and Indicators Initiative

Innovations in the Pursuit of Excellence

As students begin their journey in preservice early education courses, an important aspect of an introductory level course is the microteaching experience. For the purposes of this article microteaching is defined as the opportunity to present a lesson to a group of peers who role-play as children at the primary level. Although field-based teaching is critical to a student’s educational experience before student teaching the microteaching experience can be a valuable tool for reflecting and evaluation on best instruction. In the process of evaluating practice it became apparent that we might also assess communication competence as well. The Foundations of Early Education course with a microteaching component presented an innovative to appraise the scope of each student’s attention to articulate speech. A collaborative effort between the university’s speech center and the Education department was established. Instruments for faulty and peer evaluation were designed or adjusted to suit the course framework. Our findings correlated to the results of prior studies of across-the-curriculum college programs with a speech communication emphasis where method and manner of approach are meeting particular success in fields and coursework outside departments of speech communication (Cronin and Tony, 1991 & Weiss, 1989). We found evidence of this same kind of success in the positive feedback from students enrolled in the Foundation of Early Education course. Student evaluations of this course have shown us than an approach employing several means of oral communication assessment was considered by students to be most beneficial. Components of this combined approach and the procedures necessary to effectively incorporate it are described below

A Survey of Information Sources Used for Progress Decisions about Medical Students

Although many medical schools have adopted a variety of methods to assess student competency, the extent to which these innovations have changed how decisions about student progress are made is not clear. This paper describes a survey of 126 accredited allopathic U.S. medical schools to determine which information sources are used for decisions related to medical student progress and graduation. Respondents were asked to indicate up to three information sources used for seven specific decisions about student progress. The results indicate that multiple choice questions (MCQs) and faculty ratings remain the most frequently used information sources. Clinical skills education in the pre-clinical curriculum is the area with the broadest use of assessments for progress decisions. Several explanations are suggested for the primacy of MCQs and faculty ratings in student decisions, including familiarity for faculty and students, ease of implementation and the resources required for the adoption of other assessment strategies

Higher Education and Health Issues in Development: an Insight Study of Cameroon

Treball de Fi de Màster de Master Universitario Internacional en Estudios de Paz, Conflictos y Desarrollo. Curs 2012/201

Title Change Characteristics of Academic and Nonacademic Serials

The study compared the characteristics of academic and nonacademic serials with title changes, from which it was determined that the two serial subpopulations were similar in the six broad reasons found for a title change but differed in the kinds and proportions of subject and function changes that occurred when a title changed. On the basis of the findings, two alternate RDA rule revision proposals are made (labeled Ideal versus Practical), the first requiring a new access point for a title change only when a significant subject or function change has occurred, and the second requiring a new access point only when the publisher has indicated the start of a totally new serial. It is further recommended that reasons for title changes be determined from statements in the serial or directly from the editor or publisher rather than from word changes in the title

EL ROL DE LA COMUNICACIÓN CORPORATIVA Y LAS RELACIONES PÚBLICAS EN LA INDUSTRIA TURÍSTICA DE VERAGUAS, PANAMÁ

This study seeks to evaluate the management of corporate communication and public relations in the tourism industry of Veraguas, Panama. A mixed methodology was used with a structured questionnaire of 15 closed questions applied to 37 employees of tourism operating companies in Veraguas. The questions address knowledge about corporate communication and public relations, communication strategies, perceived effectiveness, participation in public relations, and profit expectations. The results highlight the importance of corporate communication and public relations in the competitiveness and sustainability of the tourism sector in Veraguas. Although there is variability in knowledge about these concepts, most tour operators recognize their effectiveness in attracting and retaining customers.Common strategies, such as websites and social networks, are mainly used by travel agencies. Most operators participate in fairs and exhibitions as part of their public relations actions. The research highlights the need to train tourism operators to improve their understanding of corporate communication and public relations. It is suggested to diversify communication strategies, measure their impact and promote sector collaboration. Tour operators anticipate benefits, especially in customer attraction and loyalty, through communication and public relations management. This study contributes a unique perspective on communication and public relations management in the tourism context of Veraguas. Their findings offer valuable perspectives for the development and sustainable competitiveness of the tourism industry in the region.Este estudio busca evaluar la gestión de la comunicación corporativa y relaciones públicas en la industria turística de Veraguas, Panamá. Se empleó una metodología mixta con un cuestionario estructurado de 15 preguntas cerradas aplicado a 37 colaboradores de empresas operadoras turísticas de Veraguas. Las preguntas abordan conocimiento sobre comunicación corporativa y relaciones públicas, estrategias de comunicación, efectividad percibida, participación en relaciones públicas y expectativas de beneficios. Los resultados subrayan la importancia de la comunicación corporativa y las relaciones públicas en la competitividad y sostenibilidad del sector turístico en Veraguas. Aunque se observa variabilidad en el conocimiento sobre estos conceptos, la mayoría de los operadores turísticos reconocen su eficacia para atraer y fidelizar clientes. Estrategias comunes, como sitios web y redes sociales, son utilizadas principalmente por las agencias de viajes. La mayoría de los operadores participan en ferias y exposiciones como parte de sus acciones de relaciones públicas. La investigación resalta la necesidad de capacitar a los operadores turísticos para mejorar su comprensión de la comunicación corporativa y relaciones públicas. Se sugiere diversificar las estrategias de comunicación, medir su impacto y fomentar la colaboración sectorial. Los operadores turísticos anticipan beneficios, especialmente en la atracción y fidelización de clientes, mediante la gestión de comunicación y relaciones públicas. Este estudio contribuye con una perspectiva única sobre la gestión de comunicación y relaciones públicas en el contexto turístico de Veraguas. Sus hallazgos ofrecen valiosas perspectivas para el desarrollo y competitividad sostenible de la industria turística en la región