Quality Assurance Challenges for Inclusion of Non-formal Education Qualifications into NQFs

In this article we analyse practices of various forms of learning in different countries and their key roles for individuals regarding their potential on the labour market, in further education or any other interests of individuals and society. In addition, we analyse validation processes for non-formal and informal learning, as well as quality assurance practices in those countries. Based on our analysis, we discuss the challenges of the inclusion of ‘non-formal education qualifications’ into national qualifications frameworks, emphasising the quality assurance principles for qualifications that are part of national qualification frameworks, and propose the theoretical base for inclusion of such qualifications into national qualifications frameworks. Some of the key quality assurance challenges discussed are related to the design of qualifications, the application of learning outcomes, valid and reliable assessment according to the agreed and transparent learning outcomes-based standards, and the process of certifications of those ‘non-formal education qualifications’

Energy Resolution Performance of the CMS Electromagnetic Calorimeter

The energy resolution performance of the CMS lead tungstate crystal electromagnetic calorimeter is presented. Measurements were made with an electron beam using a fully equipped supermodule of the calorimeter barrel. Results are given both for electrons incident on the centre of crystals and for electrons distributed uniformly over the calorimeter surface. The electron energy is reconstructed in matrices of 3 times 3 or 5 times 5 crystals centred on the crystal containing the maximum energy. Corrections for variations in the shower containment are applied in the case of uniform incidence. The resolution measured is consistent with the design goals

Discutindo a educação ambiental no cotidiano escolar: desenvolvimento de projetos na escola formação inicial e continuada de professores

A presente pesquisa buscou discutir como a Educação Ambiental (EA) vem sendo trabalhada, no Ensino Fundamental e como os docentes desta escola compreendem e vem inserindo a EA no cotidiano escolar., em uma escola estadual do município de Tangará da Serra/MT, Brasil. Para tanto, realizou-se entrevistas com os professores que fazem parte de um projeto interdisciplinar de EA na escola pesquisada. Verificou-se que o projeto da escola não vem conseguindo alcançar os objetivos propostos por: desconhecimento do mesmo, pelos professores; formação deficiente dos professores, não entendimento da EA como processo de ensino-aprendizagem, falta de recursos didáticos, planejamento inadequado das atividades. A partir dessa constatação, procurou-se debater a impossibilidade de tratar do tema fora do trabalho interdisciplinar, bem como, e principalmente, a importância de um estudo mais aprofundado de EA, vinculando teoria e prática, tanto na formação docente, como em projetos escolares, a fim de fugir do tradicional vínculo “EA e ecologia, lixo e horta”.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Squarks and Gluino Searches in Four Lepton Final States

CMS detector would be able to search for squarks and gluinos in 4 leptons + Etmiss + jets final state. For an integrated luminosity of 10 inversed fb the detector would probe squarks and gluino mass range up to ~ 1 TeV. The reach is higher by ~ 100 GeV in mu > 0 case

Squarks and Gluino Searches in Multilepton Lepton Final States: A0 = 0, tan(beta)=2, mu > 0 Case

We determine the explorable domain in m0, m1/2 SUGRA parameter space in n*leptons + Etmiss + jets ( n=1,2,3,4) final states for A0=0, tan( beta)=2, mu > 0

Search for SUSY at large tan(beta) in CMS. The low luminosity case

We evaluate the maximal reach of the CMS detector for discovery of squarks and gluinos at large tan( beta) = 35 in E_T^miss + leptons + jets final states during the initial low luminosity phase of LHC. For an integrated luminosity of 10 fb^-1 a signal should be observed if squarks and gluinos have masses not exceeding approximately 1.3 TeV

Uniformity Measurements Across the Area of the CMS ECAL Avalanche Photodiodes

The photodetectors which will read out the scintillation light generated in the lead tungstate crystals in the barrel part of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter are avalanche photodiodes (APDs). Scanning the APD's active area with a collimated light spot, the spatial uniformity of their quantum efficiency and gain has been measured at four different operating gains. Details of the APD surface structure are examined by scanning with a fine light spot. These details help to explain the difference between the bias voltage for a given gain when the full APD area is illuminated and when only the central part is illuminated

Energy Resolution of the Barrel of the CMS Electromagnetic Calorimeter

The energy resolution of the barrel part of the CMS Electromagnetic Calorimeter has been studied using electrons of 20 to 250 GeV in a test beam. The incident electron's energy was reconstructed by summing the energy measured in arrays of 3x3 or 5x5 channels. There was no significant amount of correlated noise observed within these arrays. For electrons incident at the centre of the studied 3x3 arrays of crystals, the mean stochastic term was measured to be 2.8% and the mean constant term to be 0.3%. The amount of the incident electron's energy which is contained within the array depends on its position of incidence. The variation of the containment with position is corrected for using the distribution of the measured energy within the array. For uniform illumination of a crystal with 120 GeV electrons a resolution of 0.5% was achieved. The energy resolution meets the design goal for the detector

Results of the first performance tests of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter

CMS ECALPerformance tests of some aspects of the CMS ECAL were carried out on modules of the "barrel" sub-system in 2002 and 2003. A brief test with high energy electron beams was made in late 2003 to validate prototypes of the new Very Front End electronics. The final versions of the monitoring and cooling systems, and of the high and low voltage regulation were used in these tests. The results are consistent with the performance targets including those for noise and overall energy resolution, required to fulfil the physics programme of CMS at the LHC