Feedback by automatic assessment systems used in mathematics homework in the engineering field

This research presents the results of the teaching innovation Dynamic Online Assessment System in Mathematics, which is implemented in higher education to promote self‐study by students outside the classroom. The WIRIS calculator was integrated into the Moodle platform to create questions with random elements, for example, students had access to different variants of the same question. The effect of the type of feedback (immediate or deferred) on the work of the students on the platform, measured by means of participation, time spent, and grades obtained, was evaluated. We used a quasi‐experimental methodology for a population of 5,507 students, distributed in 229 courses on four campuses that learn Mathematics I in engineering programs. Immediate feedback exhibits better work of students on the platform, but this work is not necessarily more efficient in comparison with the work performed by students using assessments online assessment with deferred feedback

Finalidad de las Pruebas de Evaluación Clínica Objetiva Estructurada (ECOE). Estudio cualitativo con estudiantes y docentes de Enfermería

Podeu consultar la Vuitena trobada de professorat de Ciències de la Salut completa a: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/66524Introducción: Las pruebas ECOE son un escenario simulado donde los estudiantes pueden demostrar las competencias que han adquirido durante su periodo formativo. Han sido reconocidas como un formato eficaz de evaluación en el ámbito sanitario. Durante el periodo 2001-2011 se implementó una ECOE en la formación universitaria enfermera en la que participaron 1892 alumnos pertenecientes a 13 Escuelas/Facultades de Enfermería catalanas. Objetivo: Analizar la opinión de los estudiantes y los profesores respecto a la finalidad y las aplicaciones de una prueba ECOE en el Grado de Enfermería. Método: Se optó por una metodología de investigación cualitativa. Les técnicas que se escogieron para recoger la información fueron un cuestionario con preguntas abiertas y un focus group con los alumnos, y entrevistas individualizadas con el profesorado. Para analizar los datos se utilizó el método de las comparaciones constantes con el soporte informático del programa Atlas.ti. Resultados: El profesorado, mayoritariamente, opina que la finalidad de la prueba tiene que ser formativa-evaluativa, por un lado tiene que representar una nota en el currículum para implicar a los alumnos pero destacan que lo más importante de la prueba es el feedback formativo y la experiencia autoevaluativa que supone para los estudiantes. El alumnado opta porque la ECOE forme parte de la evaluación continua que les acompaña durante su proceso de aprendizaje, son pocos los que prefieren una prueba evaluativa única al final de los estudios de Grado

Effect of maternal restricted diet during late gestation on muscle and bone development in sheep offspring

Changes in intrauterine environment, including nutrient availability, have been associated with fetal programming, contributing to different phenotypes which may determine health and susceptibility to disease throughout life. These changes seem to be mediated through alterations in both anabolic and catabolic hormone levels of maternal, placental and/or fetal origin. The present work aimed to evaluate how maternal under-nutrition during late pregnancy affects muscle and bone growth. Pregnant ewes were divided into two groups, one fed ad libitum and the other fed a restricted diet (50% of total energy requirements) during the last 6 weeks of gestation. Three twin carrying ewes from each feeding group were euthanized 6 days pre parturition. The remaining ewes gave birth normally and reared their lambs. At approximately day 30 post partum, 5 lambs from each of the feeding groups were euthanized and samples collected. Nutrient restriction during late gestation did not affect intrauterine axial growth, although weight at birth and the muscle weight were significantly lower than the ad libitum fed lamb fetuses. Bone development is less affected cf muscle development during periods of maternal feed restriction; however, catch-up growth of muscle occurs when lambs (30 days post-parturition) have access to adequate rations. In utero irrespective of maternal nutrient supply dry muscle mass is correlated (r=0.94) to bone development (bone weight, femur length and femur mineral density). In contrast, post partum growth of and skeleton are less tightly coupled and unaffected by the events in utero. A detailed examination of how maternal nutrient supply affects endocrine parameters in utero will be required to assess if it affects susceptibility post-partum to endocrine dysfunction.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Determinantes del uso de Internet para el aprendizaje interactivo: un estudio exploratorio

The use of the Internet in higher education teaching can facilitate the interactive learning process and thus improve educational outcomes. The aim of the study presented here is to explore which variables are linked to higher intensity of Internet-based interactive educational practices. The study is based on data obtained from an online survey of students from three different types of universities: a face-to-face university (University of Barcelona, UB), a technological face-to-face university (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. BarcelonaTech, UPC), and a virtual university (Open University of Catalonia, UOC). The data analysis shows that students who indicate high levels of benefit from Internet usage are those who use it most for interactive learning processes. It also shows the existence of other variables that, regardless of benefit, are linked to the intensity of Internet usage for interactive teaching-learning processes.El uso de internet en la docencia en educación superior puede facilitar la interacción en el proceso de aprendizaje y mejorar así los resultados de la educación. El objetivo del estudio que se presenta es explorar que variables se relacionan con una mayor intensidad de prácticas educativas interactivas mediadas por Internet. Para ello, se parte de los datos obtenidos a través de una encuesta online a estudiantes de tres universidades de características diferenciadas: una presencial (UB), otra presencial también pero tecnológica (UPC), y una tercera virtual (UOC). El análisis de los datos muestra que aquellos estudiantes que manifiestan elevados niveles de utilidad de uso de internet son los que más lo utilizan para la interacción en los procesos de aprendizaje. Sin embargo, también se evidencia la existencia de otras variables que independientemente de la utilidad, se relacionan con la intensidad de uso de internet para la interacción en los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje

El dossier d’aprenentatge

El dossier d’aprenentatge és un dels instruments que s’ha mostrat especialment idoni per organitzar i fomentar el procés formatiu autònom de l’estudiant universitari, ja que, per una banda, esdevé un element que estructura el coneixement i s’adapta a la diversitat dels estudiants i dels continguts, mentre que, per altra banda, potencia cadascun dels sabers i processos necessaris per aprendre amb autonomia

Developing a synthesis process for producing schematic maps from cognitive maps.

Everything humans know of reality is conditioned by the perception of geographical features in such a way that their responses to a situation are not made based on the actual physical environment, but on the cognitive map they have of it. Cognitive maps are internal abstractions of a set of geographical features that have been learned for solving different tasks such as navigation, planning and management. In contrast, schematic maps have been designed by map makers for intentionally emphasizing certain aspects of geographical features in detriment of others by using topographically and geometrically inaccurate generalizations. However, schematic maps play a more important role in providing a unique tool for modeling the representation of cognitive knowledge, assuming that there is a correspondence between the internal abstractions (cognitive maps) and external abstractions (schematic maps). In this paper, we propose an unique approach to synthesise the knowledge represented in cognitive maps for producing ?cognitive-aware? schematic maps that are needed to support the needs of people in motion in urban areas. The overall synthesis process is intentionally centered on user perception. A case study is used to illustrate the process for producing ?cognitive-aware? schematic maps for tourists in Madrid, Spain

Effects of immobilized VEGF on endothelial progenitor cells cultured on silicon substituted and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatites

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an essential role in angiogenesis and vascular homeostasis. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are primitive bone marrow cells participating in neovascularization and revascularization processes, which also promote bone regeneration. Synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) has been widely used in bone repair and implant coatings. In HA-based materials, small levels of ionic substitution by silicon (Si) have significant effects on osteoclastic and osteoblastic responses. Moreover, nanocrystalline hydroxyapatites (nano-HA) display enhanced bioreactivity and beneficial effects in bone formation. In this work, the angiogenic potential of VEGF-121 adsorbed on crystalline and nanocrystalline HAs with different Si proportion is evaluated with endothelial-like cells derived from EPCs cultured on nano-HA, nano-SiHA0.25, nano-SiHA0.4, HA, SiHA0.25 and SiHA0.4 disks. The Si amount incorporated for x ¼ 0.25 is enough to yield changes in the textural parameters and surface charge without decomposing the HA phase. Si substitution for x ¼ 0.4 does not result in pure Si-substituted apatites. Si probably remains at the grain boundaries as amorphous silica in nano-SiHA0.4 and SiHA0.4 is decomposed in a-TCP and HA after 1150 �C treatment. Immobilized VEGF on nano-HA, nano-SiHA0.25, nano-SiHA0.4, HA, SiHA0.25 and SiHA0.4 maintains its function exerting a local regulation of the cell response. The crystallite size and topography of nanocrystalline HAs could produce insufficient and weak contacts with endothelial-like cells triggering anoikis. Concerning Si proportion, the best results are obtained with SiHA0.25/VEGF and nano- SiHA0.25/VEGF disks. All these results suggest the potential utility of SiHA0.25/VEGF and nano-SiHA0.25/VEGF for bone repair and tissue engineering by promoting angiogenesis

Percepción de las enfermeras de UCI en relación al cuidado satisfactorio: convergencias y divergencias con la percepción del paciente crítico

Objetivo: Explorar las convergencias y divergencias entre la percepción de las enfermeras y los pacientes críticos, en relación a los cuidados satisfactorios proporcionados y recibidos. Métodos: Forma parte de un estudio cualitativo más amplio, según la Teoría Fundamentada. Realizado en 3 Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos con 34 boxes. Muestreo teórico por perfiles con n = 19 pacientes y n = 7 enfermeras tras la saturación de datos. El reclutamiento de pacientes incluidos en los perfiles de edad avanzada y larga estancia se dilató en el tiempo por la baja incidencia de estos. La recogida de datos consistió en: entrevista en profundidad a los pacientes críticos, grupo de discusión de enfermeras expertas en el cuidado al paciente crítico y diario de campo. Análisis temático de Teoría Fundamentada según Strauss y Corbin: codificación abierta, axial y selectiva. Se siguieron los criterios de rigor de Guba y Lincoln, de calidad de Calderón y los de reflexividad ética de Gastaldo y McKeever. Se obtuvo informe favorable del comité de ética del centro y consentimiento informado de los participantes. Resultados: Emergen 4 categorías coincidentes: las competencias profesionales, los cuidados humanos, técnicos y continuados. La combinación de estos elementos producen sentimientos de seguridad, tranquilidad, sentirse persona permitiendo al paciente una relación cercana y de confianza con la enfermera que realiza cuidados individualizados. No se han encontrado categorías divergentes. Conclusiones: Las percepciones de las enfermeras en relación a los cuidados coinciden con las percepciones de los pacientes críticos tanto en la definición como en las dimensiones sobre el cuidado satisfactorio

Development of an instrument to measure the degree of critical patient's satisfaction with nursing care: research protocol

Aim: To investigate and understand patient's satisfaction with nursing care in the intensive care unit to identify the dimensions of the concept of"satisfaction" from the patient's point of view. To design and validate a questionnaire that measures satisfaction levels in critical patients. Background: There are many instruments capable of measuring satisfaction with nursing care; however, they do not address the reality for critical patients nor are they applicable in our context. Design: A dual approach study comprising: a qualitative phase employing Grounded Theory and a quantitative and descriptive phase to prepare and validate the questionnaire. Methods: Data collection in the qualitative phase will consist of: in-depth interview after theoretical sampling, on-site diary and expert discussion group. The sample size will depend on the expected theoretical saturation n = 27-36. Analysis will be based on Grounded Theory. For the quantitative phase, the sampling will be based on convenience (n = 200). A questionnaire will be designed on the basis of qualitative data. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be used. The validation will be developed on the basis of the validity of the content, the criteria of the construct and reliability of the instrument by the Cronbach's alpha and test-retest approach. Approval date for this protocol was November 2010. Discussion: Self-perceptions, beliefs, experiences, demographic, socio-cultural epistemological and political factors are determinants for satisfaction, and these should be taken into account when compiling a questionnaire on satisfaction with nursing care among critical patients

Effectiveness of the online 'Dialogue Circles' nursing intervention to increase positive mental health and reduce the burden of caregivers of patients with complex chronic conditions. Randomized clinical trial

The personal demands involved in caring for a chronically ill person can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion in caregivers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an online nursing intervention called 'dialogue circles' designed to reduce caregiver overload and enhance positive mental health (PMH) in family caregivers. We used a pre-post design. The sample consisted of 86 family caregivers of patients with complex chronic conditions, randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 43) or the control group (n = 43). All participants completed the Zarit scale and the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire 15 days before starting the intervention and 30 days after its completion. Comparison of the post-test changes revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups in PMH and overload, with the intervention group showing greater positive changes in all dimensions of PMH after the intervention and lower scores on overload. In conclusion, the results suggest that incorporating dialogue circles as an online nursing intervention in the caregivers of patients with complex chronic conditions can enhance PMH and decrease caregiver overload, especially in settings where face-to-face encounters are not possible