Teacher collaboration as a factor for learning and school improvement: A case study

Research has shown that teacher collaboration is essential for boosting educational innovation and school improvement. However, not all collaborative practices can stimulate substantial changes in teaching or develop the capacity for innovation. Therefore, this study aims to describe and comprehend which collaborative practices can potentially have an impact on teacher learning while encouraging collective capacity to develop educational innovation and improvement processes. Given the qualitative nature of our inquiry on collaborative work, we conducted an instrumental and ethnographic case study in which we analyzed two high schools characterized by a collaborative culture with satisfactory innovative processes. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, documentation analysis and participant and nonparticipant observations. Our findings suggest that teacher collaboration can occur through different practices related to coordination, joint development and problem solving. Coordination appears as one of the weakest forms of collaborative work: it does not require shared values, no interdependent relationships are generated and it does not necessarily encourage teacher learning. Instead, the development of interdisciplinary projects and joint problem solving demands strong teacher interdependence on the basis of shared values, while offering exchanges with great potential to generate teacher learning. Research on teacher collaboration therefore appears strategic towards educational change: we need to comprehend what teachers do and what they talk about when they meet, and the impact these exchanges have on their ability to learn and their capacity to change. This will undoubtedly deepen our knowledge on educational innovation and school improvement.La investigación ha demostrado que la colaboración docente es una condición esencial para impulsar procesos de innovación y mejora en los centros educativos. Sin embargo no todo trabajo colaborativo estimula mejoras sustanciales en la enseñanza o desarrolla la capacidad de innovación del profesorado. Por ello esta investigación pretende describir y comprender cuáles son las prácticas colaborativas que pueden potenciar el aprendizaje del profesorado, generando así mayor capacidad colectiva para implementar procesos de innovación y mejora escolar. Dada la naturaleza cualitativa de nuestra indagación, optamos por un estudio de casos instrumental y de corte etnográfico en el que se analizan en profundidad dos institutos de educación secundaria caracterizados por una acentuada cultura de trabajo colectivo y procesos de innovación exitosos. Los datos se recogieron a través de entrevistas semi-estructuradas, análisis de documentación y observaciones participantes y no participantes. Se encontró que la colaboración docente puede manifestarse a través de prácticas ligadas a la coordinación, el desarrollo conjunto y la resolución de problemas. La coordinación se asoma como una de las modalidades más débiles de trabajo colaborativo: no requiere de valores compartidos, no genera sólidas relaciones de interdependencia y no fomenta necesariamente el aprendizaje docente. El desarrollo de proyectos interdisciplinarios y la resolución conjunta de problemas, en cambio, demandan una fuerte interdependencia sobre la base de valores compartidos y se asientan en intercambios con una gran potencialidad para generar nuevos aprendizajes. La investigación sobre la colaboración docente resulta estratégica de cara al cambio en educación: entender qué hacen y de qué hablan los profesores cuando se reúnen y qué impacto tienen estos intercambios en su capacidad de aprendizaje permitirá sin dudas profundizar nuestro conocimiento sobre la innovación educativa y la mejora escola

Contributions to the ontology of aging, the sensitive indicators of rehabilitation nursing care, in terms of self-care, in people with respiratory disorders

With the increase in the average life expectancy, the appearance of chronic diseases and, in particular, in the respiratory forum and its disadvantages in the autonomy and self-care of patients, brought an important paradigm for health care and, in particular, rehabilitation nursing, with implications for the development of ontologies of aging. Thus, it is imperative to systematize them in scientifically measurable indicators to demonstrate the benefit that rehabilitation nursing brings to improve patients' quality of life, thus ensuring excellence. Each area of scientific health should contribute to the construction of aging ontology. Objective: to identify indicators sensitive to nursing care of rehabilitation, in terms of self-care, in relation to those with respiratory pathology, to be integrated into the ontology of aging. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed using the EBSCO (full-text MEDLINE, CINAHL, Full-Text Plus, British Nursing Index), using the PI [C] O method with 6 emergent articles. Results: A total of 20 indicators were identified, including: Ability to perform activities, increase physical and functional independence, symptom management, reduction of complications, increase in quality of life, which can be allocated as a proposal for classes of the aging ontology. Conclusion: Knowledge of indicators sensitive to nursing care recognition of the importance of rehabilitation nursing in increasing self-care and autonomy for people with respiratory pathology, and research in this area is fundamental for its effectiveness and efficiency, and its integration in the ontologies of aging is fundamental

A proposal of sensitive indicators of the rehabilitation nursing care of people in the surgical process, to be included in the ontology of aging

Given the complex surgical scenario observed today, it is necessary to change the urgent definition of a specific ontology, especially in terms of aging. The interventions of the Specialist Nurse in Rehabilitation Nursing to the person in the surgical process are primordial for the maintenance of the functional capacities, prevention of complications and impediment of incapacities. However, it is necessary to provide individualized and fostered care in a practice of excellence, and the consequent organized reading of records of an aging ontology for decision making on rehabilitation indicators. Method: a systematic review of the literature was carried out using the EBSCO host (MEDLINE with Full Text, CINAHL Plus with Full Text and MedicLatina), using the PI [C] O method, and 11 articles were selected. Results: 41 indicators were identified to be included in the ontology classes of aging: pain control, patient and family education, support and communication, reduction of postoperative complications, gain of functionality, restoration of physical function, mobility, multidisciplinary intervention and the frequency of interventions. Conclusion: it is considered that it was imperative to identify sensitive indicators for rehabilitation nursing care, based on scientific evidence and thus provide an opportunity for nurses to reflect on their daily practices and conduct their actions towards excellence in care, to propose a set of 41 classes internationally on the ontology of aging

Numerical simulation of an automatic depth controller for an underwater vehicle

In this paper, we analyze two diff erent mathematical strategies for solving the problem which consists in controlling a depth change manoeuverability for an specifi c type of submarine. Precisely, we will apply both controllability theory and the more classical linear quadratic optimal control theory to a simplifi ed linear model obtained from the general nonlinear DTNSRDC equations of motion. Finally, numerical results will be contrasted to show the advantages and handicaps of the proposed models. It is also important to emphasize that the results presented in this work are only a fi rst step towards a better understanding of the problem

FUENTES DE DOCUMENTACIÓN PARA ENFERMERÍA.

To make an electronic format revision of the infirmary, biomedicine and general sources of documentation. The most representative sources of documentation are: Nationals: CUIDEN, BDIE,CUIDATGE, ENFISPO, IME, DOCUMED, SCIELO ESPAÑA, BIBLIOTECA COCHRANE PLUS. Internationals: CINAHL, MEDLINE: INI, IM y IDL, Excerpta Medica and EMBASE, BIREME, SOCIAL SCIENCE CITATION INDEX Y SCIENCE CITATION INDEX. The spanish infirmary has a considerable number of national and international sources of documentation and information to base technically its studies.Se pretende realizar una revisión de las distintas fuentes de información de enfermería, biomédicas y generales, que se encuentran en formato electrónico, y que pueden proporcionar a cualquier investigador enfermero la información necesaria para llevar a cabo sus estudios. Se realizó una revisión y análisis de las fuentes de documentación que pueden tener relevancia para la enfermería. Las fuentes de documentación más representativas son: Nacionales: CUIDEN (Base de Datos Cuidados de Enfermería), BDIE, CUIDATGE, ENFISPO, IME, DOCUMED, SCIELO ESPAÑA, BIBLIOTECA COCHRANE PLUS. Internacionales: CINAHL, MEDLINE: INI, IM y IDL, Excerpta Medica y Base de datos EMBASE, BIREME, SOCIAL SCIENCE CITATION INDEX Y SCIENCE CITATION INDEX. La enfermería española cuenta con un número considerable de fuentes de información y documentación nacionales e internacionales, que pueden proporcionarle el sustento documental para la fundamentación teórica de sus estudios