The creation of learning networks in two Spanish public high schools

This paper tries to analyse learning networks in the context of non-compulsory secondary education in the Spanish public schools, within their process of moving towards more innovative models based on progressively greater use of active learning methodologies as well as on greater and better use of ICTs. Our goal was to determine, using the SCCI (Rovai 2002), the degree of consolidation of the learning networks formed by students in the first year of non-compulsory secondary education at two quite different public high schools: one large school in an urban area (Institut Joaquín Bau in Tortosa, Tarragona, Spain) and one small school in a rural setting (Institut Els Ports in Morella, Castellón, Spain), and all for determining how important the kind of school and school environment can be when creating learning networks.peer-reviewe

Desafíos para las universidades colombianas frente a políticas nacionales e internacionales de integración de TIC en la educación

Ante el desarrollo continuo de la tecnología y su gran potencial en el campo educativo, diferentes organizaciones internacionales, al igual que los gobiernos de muchos países, han venido generado políticas públicas para su integración en todos los niveles de la educación. Colombia no es la excepción, y en el caso específico de la educación superior, dichas políticas han generado retos muy interesantes para sus universidades. Ante esta situación, el presente artículo hace un recorrido por este tema, destacando los mayores desafíos que se han generado para las universidades colombianas. Para ello se ha utilizado como método de trabajo la descripción, análisis e interpretación de los principales referentes en esta temática; adicionalmente, en las conclusiones se pone de manifiesto las enormes posibilidades para el mejoramiento de la calidad de la educación en estas instituciones, el cual puede ser resultado de este proceso de integración de TIC que deben adelantar

Variation in the prices of oncology medicines across Europe and the implications for the future

Introduction/ Objectives: There are increasing concerns among health authorities regarding the sustainability of healthcare systems with growing expenditure on medicines including new high-priced oncology medicines. Medicine prices among European countries may be adversely affected by their population size and economic power to negotiate. There are also concerns that prices of patented medicines do not change once the prices of medicines used for negotiations substantially change. This needs to be investigated as part of the implications of low-cost generic oncology medicines. Methodology: Analysing principally reimbursed prices of patented oral oncology medicines (imatinib, erlotinib and fludarabine) between 2013 and 2017 across Europe and exploring correlations between GDP, population size, and prices. Comparing the findings with previous research regarding prices of oral generic oncology medicines. Results: The prices of imatinib, erlotinib and fludarabine did vary among European countries but showed limited price erosion over time in the absence of generics. There appeared to be no correlation between population size and prices. However, higher prices were seen among countries with higher GDP per capita which is a concern for lower income countries referencing these. Discussion and Conclusion: It is likely that the limited price erosion for patented oncology medicines will change across Europe with increased scrutiny over their prices and value as more medicines used for pricing decisions lose their patents combined with growing pressures on the oncology drug budget. In addition, discussions will continue regarding fair pricing for new oncology medicines and other approaches given ever rising prices with research showing substantial price reductions for oral oncology medicines (up to -97.8% for imatinib) once generics become available. We are also seeing appreciable price reductions for biosimilars further increasing the likelihood of these developments

El complejo leucogranitico tardi-hercínio de afinidad alcalina de Tossa de Mar (Cadenas Costeras Catalanas, NE de España)

The late-Hercynian batholith of the Catalonian Coastal Ranges (NE Spain) represents a typical high-K calc-alkaline association. In the Tossa de Mar area, the calc-alkaline rocks are intruded by a highly acidic leucogranitic complex, which consits of various plutonic and subvolcanic intrusions cut by related felsitic, granophyric, and porphyric dykes. The rocks of this complex show many petrological and geochemical characteristics of alkaline granites. The data suggest that these leucogranites may not be related to the calc-alkaline association by a simple differentiation process. Their extreme acidic composition, their shallow emplacement, and the lack of related intermediate and basic rocks, suggest a crystallization from an ascending water under-saturated acidic magma generated at deep levels

ANTS: a new Collaborative Learning Framework

CSCW and MOO environments have played an important role in CSCL research. These multi-user community-ware frameworks enhance social interactions and shared experience and thus enabling new CSCL research. We however find some limitations in existing platforms: technology limitations and a lack of solid collaborative services. We present ANTS: a collaborative framework that aims to provide a solid foundation for CSCL applications. In one side, the framework is constructed on top of cutting-edge technologies like J2EE (EJB, JSP, Servlets), Notification services (Elvin, JMS) and XML. In the other side, ANTS provides solid CSCW services that make the system robust and extensible. We also present a concrete ANTS extension: JLE, a collaborative learning environment including services like course management, assessment management, collaboration, progress tracking and tutorware

Time to Review Authorisation and Funding for New Cancer Medicines in Europe? Inferences from the Case of Olaratumab

The potential benefits of early patient access to new medicines in areas of high unmet medical need are recognised, but uncertainties concerning effectiveness, safety and added value when new medicines are authorised, and subsequently funded based on initial preliminary data only, have important implications. In 2016 olaratumab received accelerated conditional approval from both the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of soft-tissue sarcoma, based on the claims of a substantial reduction in the risk of death with an 11.8-month improvement in median overall survival in a phase II trial in combination with doxorubicin vs. doxorubicin alone. The failure to confirm these benefits in the post-authorisation pivotal trial has highlighted key concerns regarding early access and conditional approvals for new medicines. Concerns include potentially considerable clinical and economic costs, so that patients may have received suboptimal treatment and any money spent has foregone the opportunity to improve access to effective treatments. As a result, it seems reasonable to reconsider current marketing authorisation models and approaches. Potential pathways forward include closer collaboration between regulators, pharmaceutical companies and payers to enhance the generation of rapid and comparative confirmatory trials in a safe and fair manner, with minimal patient exposure as required to achieve robust evidence. Additionally, it may be time to review early access systems, and to explore new avenues regarding who should pay or part pay for new treatments whilst information is being collected as part of any obligations for conditional marketing authorisation. Greater co-operation between countries regarding the collection of data in routine clinical care, and further research on post-marketing data analysis and interpretation, may also contribute to improved appraisal and continued access to new innovative cancer treatments

Proposal for a regulation on health technology assessment in Europe - opinions of policy makers, payers and academics from the field of HTA

Introduction: In January 2018 the European Commission published a Proposal for a Regulation on Health Technology Assessment (HTA): ‘Proposal for a Regulation on health technology assessment and amending Directive 2011/24/EU’. A number of stakeholders, including some Member States, welcomed this initiative as it was considered to improve collaboration, reduce duplication and improve efficiency. There were however a number of concerns including its legal basis, the establishment of a single managing authority, the preservation of national jurisdiction over HTA decision-making and the voluntary/mandatory uptake of joint assessments by Member States. Areas covered: This paper presents the consolidated views and considerations on the original Proposal as set by the European Commission of a number of policy makers, payers, experts from pricing and reimbursement authorities and academics from across Europe. Expert commentary: The Proposal has since been extensively discussed at Council and while good progress has been achieved, there are still divergent positions. The European Parliament gave a number of recommendations for amendments. If the Proposal is approved, it is important that a balanced, improved outcome is achieved for all stakeholders. If not approved, the extensive contribution and progress attained should be sustained and preserved, and the best alternative solutions found