The voice of birth families to improve visits in foster care

In foster care, contact visits with birth families play an important role in relation to the child’s wellbeing, and they may impact on placement outcomes. However, the views of birth parents with respect to such visits have largely been unexplored. This research is part of a project financed by the regional government of Andalusia (SEJ-7106) regarding contact visits in foster care. This study aims to give voice to parents and gather their views about contact visits, including how they might be improved. Participants were 23 birth families who had contact visits with 35 children in non-kinship foster care. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted in order to explore two key aspects: the parents’ opinions regarding the contact visits and the main areas they felt needed improving. The interviews were transcribed and the transcripts were examined using an inductive method of open coding to identify themes among participants’ responses. The main themes to emerge concerned their general view of contact visits and the organization of visits. The paper discusses the study’s implications of the findings for practice.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Televisión en Internet. Introducción y prognosis de una revolución en el mercado audiovisual

La evolución de los avances técnicos y la televisión por internet son el motor de un sector de la comunicación sumido en cambios constantes. La televisión en internet es el pilar más importante respecto a las estrategias de las empresas periodísticas que evalúan el mercado para poder plantear dinámicas acordes con estos avances. Es vital para el futuro de la comunicación el estudio del panorama de plataformas en la Red. Del estudio del estatus actual se pueden extraer datos que permitan evaluar un futuro en esas dinámicas que están revolucionando el sector audiovisual.New developments in international television are changing the communication world dramatically. TV on the Internet has become the most important pillar for the strategies of media companies. Corporations focuses their emphasis on evaluating the market to raise professional dynamics consistent with these developments. It is therefore so important the study of landscape of platforms through the network. It is so important to establish a certain state of the question because the current status of the study can be drawn from data to evaluate and predict the future dynamics, both informative and entertaining, that are revolutionizing the audiovisual sector

Mary Richmond en la perspectiva del Trabajo Social en España

Our personal experience has shown that, although nobody questions that Mary Richmond received a Ph.D. Honoris Causa «for having set the scientific bases of a new profession», (ours) such scientific bases still remain unknown, due to never having been taught as such and due to the lack of theoretical production aimed at refuting, developing or, at least, transmitting them without tergiversation.In this article, we try to present just some quick brush strokes of those scientific bases, mainly because we are conscious of the fact that, in our country, our profession is being rapidly devaluated from many standpoints, identifying it only with resource management and social control and, in the current situation in which social theory finds itself, appearing to have no possibility of modifying that trend.It would be easy to state that the solution would be simply to recover Mary Richmond’s works, but it is not as simple as that since conceptions, ideology, perspectives and finally, the ways of conceiving the present social reality are opposed to those underlying those works. So, we believe that we need an unencumbered view, independent of social sciences, to rediscover our origins, in which we really were a profession, a social discipline with its own know-how and its own way of working, and not just an office to receive those who request an appointment. On the contrary, we aim to influence other sciences, enrich them and demonstrate that social work is a profession necessary to humanity.Nuestra propia experiencia nos ha demostrado que aunque nadie duda de que a Mary Richmond le dieron un Doctorado Honoris Causa «por sentar las bases científicas de una nueva profesión» (la nuestra), tales bases científicas nos son desconocidas, puesto que nunca se han enseñado como tales y menos se ha producido teóricamente para refutarlas, desarrollarlas o, por lo menos, difundirlas sin tergiversación.En este artículo pretendemos mostrar unas pinceladas de esas bases científicas porque somos conscientes de que en nuestro país se está desvalorizando la profesión a marchas forzadas desde todos los ámbitos, identificándola solo con la gestión de recursos y el control social y no parece que exista, en la situación de la teoría social actual, una posibilidad de modificar esa tendencia.Sería fácil decir que la solución solo está en recobrar la obra de Mary Richmond, pero no es tan simple, puesto que la concepción, la ideología, la perspectiva, y en definitiva, la manera de concebir la realidad social actual es opuesta a la que subyace a esa obra, creemos que es necesaria una mirada libre, independiente a las ciencias sociales para reencontrarnos con nuestros orígenes, en los que verdaderamente fuimos una profesión y disciplina con un saber y hacer propio capaz, no sólo de tener un despacho para atender a quien lo solicitaba, sino de influir en otras ciencias, enriquecerlas y demostrar que es una profesión necesaria a la humanidad

Enfoques y prácticas de Innovación en la arquitectura Española

Tomando como perspectiva cuatro campos de innovación: “Productos”, “Ciencia y Tecnología”, “Cultura, “Negocio”, se realiza un análisis cuantitativo de los enfoques y prácticas de Innovación de la arquitectura española en diferentes entornos de producción y pensamiento: la Universidad, los Colegios Oficiales, Empresas del sector y Estudios Profesionales de Arquitectos. Los resultados expresados de modo gráfico ofrecen una perspectiva global del estado de la innovación en arquitectura en el ámbito nacional, delatan el estado de la cuestión al mismo tiempo que permiten vislumbrar las líneas de una necesaria reestructuración. ABSTRACT. From the following fields of innovation: "Products", "Science and Technology", "Culture”, "Business", a quantitative analysis of approaches and practices of Innovation in Spanish architecture is carried out in different environments of production and thought, University, Architects' Societies, Companies in relationship with the sector and Architects' Professional Firms. The results expressed graphically offer a global perspective of Innovation in Spanish architecture, betray its deficiencies and allow to detect lines of a necessary restructuring

La recepción de la imagen de las mujeres en los medios : una aproximación cualitativa

Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar los resultados de una investigación sobre el consumo femenino de los estereotipos de género presentes en los medios de comunicación. Nos interesa conocer cuáles son los estereotipos de género que las mujeres valoran como discriminatorias y cuáles consideran como prácticas positivas respecto a la imagen de la mujer en la sociedad. Pretendemos generar pautas de conocimiento en tres vertientes: en la percepción y consideración de la ciudadanía frente a los contenidos mediáticos, comprensión de la participación social referente a dichos contenidos, y la valoración, efectividad y otras acciones que pueden ayudar a mejorar la representación de las mujeres en los medios de comunicación.This article aims to analyse the results of an investigation into the use of female gender stereotypes present in the media. We are interested in knowing what the gender stereotypes that women are valued as discriminatory and which regarded as positive practices regarding the image of women in ociety. We intend to generate patterns of knowledge in three areas: in the perception and consideration of citizenship in front of the media contents, understand the social participation about media content and the valuation strategy, effectiveness and other actions that can help improve the representation of women in the media

Sustainable Behavior among Spanish University Students in Terms of Dimensions of Religion and Spirituality

We would like to reserve special thanks to Victor Corral for the guidance given with regards to measures of sustainability, and for his complete willingness to answer our questions.Although previous research projects have highlighted the pro-environment and pro-sustainability attitudes of traditional spirituality and religions, there is a lack of studies that explore the way in which expressions of different types of religion and spirituality, as well as measures of belief and non-belief, are related to the evocation of sustainable behaviors. This study, conducted with emerging adults, analysed the relationships between measures of the image of God, religious orientation, the importance of religion and spirituality, religious/spiritual experience, paranormal beliefs and non-belief (religious, spiritual and atheism), as well as altruistic, frugal, environmentally-friendly and equitable behaviors. The results were found to be consistent with the pro-environment character attributed to religion, as well as non-traditional forms of spirituality, indicating their link with sustainable behavior, particularly the measures focusing on belief/non-belief. They also highlighted an effect of the measures of religion/spirituality, indicating the benefit of using multivariate approaches of a qualitative and quantitative nature

Influences of Learning Approaches, Student Engagement, and Satisfaction with Learning on Measures of Sustainable Behavior in a Social Sciences Student Sample

In this empirical study, we address the relationship between the dimensions of learning in higher education (i.e., student engagement, approaches to learning, and satisfaction with learning) and sustainability (i.e., austerity altruistic, pro-ecological and equitable behavior). The results demonstrate that there is a positive linear relationship between engagement with learning and deep and strategic approaches, motivation and strategies, and altruistic, equitable and pro-ecological behavior. Austerity, however, only correlated with high dedication to learning. Satisfaction with learning was associated with altruistic and equitable behavior and an overall measure of sustainability, and was independently associated with austerity and pro-ecological behavior. Engagement with learning was associated with sustainable behavior, especially with altruistic and pro-ecological behavior in its three expressions, namely, vigor, absorption and dedication. In contrast, austerity was found to be only associated with engagement with learning. As a whole, and in line with Bronfenbrenner’s theory, the results of this study suggest that the aforementioned systems are interconnected and mutually influence each other

Features of birth families with foster children in Andalusia

The aim of the presentation is to describe the personal features of biological families whose children are in non-kinship foster care and with whom they have face-to-face contact in Málaga, Granada and Jaén (provinces of Andalusia, Spain). This study was funded by the research project Application of a psychoeducational intervention program to improve visits between foster children and their biological families (Reference EDU2016 77094-P). SPSS v.21.0 was used to carry out the descriptive and frequency analysis of socio-demographic information collected by the Child File Summary Form designed for this study. The results show the difficulties experienced by birth families to deal with the responsibility of parenthood. There is a high percentage of unemployment (54.5% mothers, 46.4% fathers), and a low level of education (61.7% uneducated mothers, 68.8% uneducated fathers). Furthermore, it is necessary to consider their diverse personal problems which undermine their competences to bring up and educate their children: substance abuse, mental health issues, mental disability and prison. Finally, the lack of relation between Social Services and birth families is highlighted. Knowing the circumstances of families at psychosocial risk permits to develop social policies that match with their specific necessities, by providing them the support and resources required, in line with Recommendation Rec(2006)19 of the Committee of Ministers to member states. Moreover, children and families’ rights have to be respected, such as their right to have contact to maintain and strengthen their affective bonds as part of their identity. These findings will contribute to design: (a) family intervention programs which allow parents to acquire the necessary parental skills; (b) support and educational tools for the social workers; and (c) projects to contribute to children’s well-being.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

LAS GUÍAS DOCENTES: APLICACIÓN EN LA UNIVERSIDAD PABLO DE OLAVIDE

Con la aparición del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES), se ha requerido la transformación de los sistemas de evaluación del alumnado basado en metodologías activas de aprendizaje. Estos cambios nos llevan a mejorar el conocimiento de las mejores prácticas de los docentes en su quehacer diario, así como en la difusión de las mismas. Uno de los cambios más importantes ha sido el cambio del modelo tradicional que ha estado instaurado a lo largo de la historia hacia el modelo actual de universidad. El modelo tradicional ha estado basado en la lección magistral y un trabajo pasivo del estudiante, y el modelo actual en el que nos desenvolvemos es un trabajo basado en el aprendizaje como proceso a lo largo de toda la vida, un trabajo autónomo y activo del estudiante y la capacidad para resolver problemáticas reales. Para este nuevo reto planteado sobre el proceso enseñanza aprendizaje, el docente debe ser pauta para construir el conocimiento y tener actitudes para superar dificultades. En el caso del alumnado, éste debe construir caminos de forma autónoma, trabajo en equipo y creatividad. SUMMARY With the emergence of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) has required the transformation of student assessment systems based on active learning methodologies. These changes lead to a better understanding of the best practices of teachers in their daily work, as well as the dissemination of the same. One of the biggest changes has been the shift from the traditional model that has been established throughout history to the present model of college. The traditional model has been based on a passive lectures and student work, and the current model in which we operate is based on learning as a process over a lifetime job, an active and autonomous student work and the ability to solve real problems. For this new challenge posed on the teaching-learning process, the teacher should be a guideline for building knowledge and attitudes have to overcome difficulties. In the case of students, it must build roads independently, teamwork and creativity