Teacher Professional Development: Perspectives from a Research Experience with Teachers

Objective. To analyze the scope of realization of professional learning communities with teachers and management teams who implemented that intervention during two years in a high school in the south of Chile. Methodology. In this applied research, teachers participated in phases of diagnosis of training needs for professional development. Based on this, a proposal of work sessions theoretically and methodologically linked to the professional learning communities was structured. The proposal was designed and implemented together with the school’s management team. After the implementation, the study followed with qualitative interviews and focal groups about the experience conducted with 17 participants; these instances were analyzed by thematic analysis following the phenomenological approach. Analysis of Results. The analyses allowed the emergence of three elements related to professional learning and agency capacity. It was especially evident that teachers recognized their capacity to take charge of their professional learning by considering work routines, focusing on learning as a positive factor among teachers and being important in all phases of a collaborative work design. Conclusions. The findings show that, although specific stimuli, spaces, and moments are required to encourage teachers’ work, it is possible to improve based on their own capacities, i.e., within each establishment, there is the possibility of achieving learning for all. This call is addressed to pedagogical leaders, who can modify their roles and adapt to professionals recognized as agents of change

Revisão sistemática da literatura sobre programas de intervenção em habilidades de leitura precoce

Initial reading skills have been widely studied, the most recognized being phonological awareness (PA), alphabet knowledge (AK), rapid automatic naming (RAN), phonological memory (FM) and letter writing. Several intervention programs have sought to stimulate and develop these skills, with positive effects. The present study aims to develop a systematic review of initial reading intervention programs for Spanish-speaking students. For this purpose, a systematic review of the literature was used as the approach and design. The sample of this study corresponds to 20 articles (empirical research) available in the WoS, SCOPUS and SciELO databases. The results indicate that most of the programs (70 %) are of a mixed type, with development of decoding and meaning skills, 70 % of the programs perform intervention collectively (with the whole classroom group), using various material resources, such as notebook, pencils, stories, tablet, digital whiteboard, etc.  Thirty-five percent of the programs are organized in more than 70 sessions. In relation to age, 75 % of the studies reviewed carry out their intervention in the age range of 5 to 6 years, through various activities, within which PA exercises, syllable segmentation, sound identification, phonemic analysis and synthesis, story reading, word search, AK through songs stand out. The most worked skills are PA (80 %) and AK (65 %) followed by vocabulary with 45 %. A greater impact can be seen on skills related to decoding, i.e., those programs that develop PA together with AK. Some patterns that stand out among the programs are the systematicity, structure and explicit instruction of the skills they seek to develop.Las habilidades de lectura inicial han sido ampliamente estudiadas, siendo las más reconocidas la conciencia fonológica (CF), el conocimiento del alfabeto (CA), la velocidad de nombrado (rapid automatic naming, RAN), la memoria fonológica (MF) y escritura de las letras. Diversos programas de intervención han buscado estimular y desarrollar estas habilidades, con efectos positivos. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo desarrollar una revisión sistemática de programas de intervención de lectura inicial realizados a estudiantes hispanohablantes. Para ello, se utilizó como enfoque y diseño la revisión sistemática de la literatura. La muestra de este estudio corresponde a 20 artículos (investigaciones empíricas) disponibles en la base de datos WoS, SCOPUS y SciELO. Los resultados indican que los programas en su mayoría (70 %) son de tipo mixto, con desarrollo de habilidades de decodificación y significado, el 70 % de los programas realizan intervención de manera colectiva (con todo el grupo del aula), mediante diversos recursos materiales, tales como cuaderno, lápices, cuentos, tablet, pizarra digital, etc.  El 35 % de los programas se organizan en más de 70 sesiones. En relación con la edad, el 75 % de los estudios revisados realiza su intervención en el rango de edad de 5 a 6 años, mediante diversas actividades, dentro de las que se destacan ejercicios de CF, segmentación de sílabas, identificación de sonidos, análisis y síntesis fonémica, lectura de cuentos, búsqueda de palabras, CA a través de canciones. Las habilidades más trabajadas son la CF (80 %) y CA (65 %) seguida por el vocabulario con un 45 %. Se puede apreciar mayor impacto sobre las habilidades referidas a la decodificación, es decir, aquellos programas que desarrollan la CF junto con el CA. Algunos patrones que se destacan entre los programas es la sistematicidad, estructura y la instrucción explícita de las habilidades que buscan desarrollar.As habilidades de leitura precoce foram amplamente estudadas, sendo as mais reconhecidas a consciência fonológica (CF), o conhecimento do alfabeto (CA), a nomeação automática rápida (rapid automatic naming, RAN), a memória fonológica (MF) e a escrita de letras. Vários programas de intervenção têm procurado estimular e desenvolver essas habilidades, com efeitos positivos. O presente estudo tem como objetivo desenvolver uma revisão sistemática dos programas de intervenção de leitura precoce para estudantes de língua espanhola. Para este fim, foi utilizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura como abordagem e projeto. A amostra deste estudo corresponde a 20 artigos (pesquisa empírica) disponíveis nas bases de dados WoS, SCOPUS e SciELO. Os resultados indicam que a maioria dos programas (70 %) é de tipo misto, com o desenvolvimento de habilidades de decodificação e significado, 70 % dos programas realizam intervenções coletivas (com todo o grupo de sala de aula), utilizando vários recursos materiais, como cadernos, lápis, histórias, tablet, lousa digital, etc. 35 % dos programas são organizados em mais de 70 sessões. Em relação à idade, 75 % dos estudos analisados realizam sua intervenção na faixa etária de 5 a 6 anos, através de diversas atividades, entre as quais se destacam exercícios de CF, segmentação de sílabas, identificação sonora, análise e síntese fonêmica, leitura de histórias, busca de palavras, CA através de canções. As habilidades mais trabalhadas são CF (80 %) e CA (65 %), seguidas pelo vocabulário com 45 %. O maior impacto pode ser visto nas habilidades relacionadas à decodificação, ou seja, aqueles programas que desenvolvem a CF junto com a CA. Alguns padrões que se destacam entre os programas são a sistematização, estrutura e instrução explícita das habilidades que eles procuram desenvolver

La clase de física centrada en las explicaciones dadas por los estudiantes, derivadas de la construcción y observación de elementos asociados al concepto de reflexión de la luz

RESUMEN: Usualmente la actividad experimental en la enseñanza de la física esta direccionada a la toma de datos con guías desarrolladas con un paso a paso para llegar a un resultado determinado, el presente trabajo de investigación tiene una base teórica con la cual se construye una propuesta didáctica en la que se propone otro tipo de actividad experimental en la cual el estudiante tenga un papel más activo en la construcción del conocimiento al explorar el fenómeno de reflexión de la luz y construir sus propias explicaciones, reconociendo además la importancia de los elementos y aparatos en la actividad experimental y su potencial en la educación científica

Intervenções sobre competências socioemocionais em adolescentes com diagnóstico de espectro do autismo: uma revisão sistemática

Socioemotional competences in schools serve as protective factors for mental health, enhance academic outcomes, and contribute to a positive school climate. However, the impact of these competences on adolescents with autism, who experience specific challenges in communication and social interaction, remains unclear. The objective of this review is to explore the existing literature on interventions aimed at developing socioemotional competences in adolescents within the autism spectrum, focusing on their characteristics and effectiveness within the context of inclusive education challenges. The PRISMA method was employed, resulting in the selection of seven articles from a pool of 158 texts examined across four databases. The findings indicate a predominance of small effect sizes, sample sizes below 30, and a frequency of two sessions per week for periods of approximately 15 weeks.Las competencias socioemocionales en las escuelas son un factor protector de la salud mental, mejoran los resultados académicos y el clima escolar. Sin embargo, desconocemos el efecto en adolescentes con autismo, quienes tienen dificultades específicas en la comunicación e interacción social. El objetivo de esta revisión es indagar la literatura sobre intervenciones para desarrollar competencias socioemocionales en adolescentes dentro del espectro autista, sus características y efectividad en un contexto de desafíos para una educación inclusiva. Se utilizó el método PRISMA, que resultó en siete artículos seleccionados de 158 textos examinados de cuatro bases de datos. Se evidencia una predominancia de un tamaño del efecto pequeño, muestras inferiores a 30, una frecuencia de dos sesiones por semana por períodos de hasta 15 semanas aproximadamente.As competências socioemocionais nas escolas são um fator protetor da saúde mental, melhoram os resultados acadêmicos e o clima escolar. Entretanto, não sabemos o efeito em adolescentes com autismo, que têm dificuldades específicas de comunicação e interação social. O objetivo desta revisão é investigar a literatura sobre intervenções para desenvolver competências socioemocionais em adolescentes dentro do espectro autista, suas características e efetividade em um contexto de desafios para a educação inclusiva. Foi utilizado o método PRISMA, resultando em 7 artigos selecionados entre 158 textos examinados de 4 bancos de dados. Verifica-se uma predominância de um pequeno tamanho de efeito, amostras inferiores a 30, uma frequência de 2 sessões por semana por períodos de até aproximadamente 15 semanas

Liderazgo directivo y cambio educativo: Análisis de una experiencia de colaboración Universidad-Escuela

The purpose of this article is to analyze the implications of a Work Plan, designed by the research team, to guide improvement processes that were being developed in the management team of an educational establishment that is part of a University-School Collaboration Network. The plan considered phases based on the revision of the instructional leadership model and the strengthening of leadership competencies based on professional learning communities. A methodological design was followed corresponding to a descriptive study of cases of mixed and transforming method. The results showed that the plan was an experience of accompaniment that provided the management team with a real orientation to change and to the development of capacities to respond to the demands of the educational institution that they directed.  El propósito de este artículo es analizar las implicancias de un Plan de Trabajo, diseñado por el equipo de investigación, para orientar procesos de mejora que se estaban desarrollando en el equipo directivo de un establecimiento educacional integrante de una Red de Colaboración Universidad-Escuela. En el plan se consideraron fases basadas en la revisión del Modelo de Liderazgo Instruccional y el fortalecimiento de las competencias de liderazgo a partir de las comunidades profesionales de aprendizaje. Se siguió un diseño metodológico correspondiente a un estudio descriptivo de casos de método mixto y transformador. Los resultados evidenciaron que el plan fue una experiencia de acompañamiento que facilitó al equipo directivo una real orientación al cambio y al desarrollo de capacidades para dar respuesta a las exigencias propias de la institución educativa que dirigían. &nbsp

Optimization of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (MSC) Manufacturing Processes for a Better Therapeutic Outcome

MSCs products as well as their derived extracellular vesicles, are currently being explored as advanced biologics in cell-based therapies with high expectations for their clinical use in the next few years. In recent years, various strategies designed for improving the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), including pre-conditioning for enhanced cytokine production, improved cell homing and strengthening of immunomodulatory properties, have been developed but the manufacture and handling of these cells for their use as advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) remains insufficiently studied, and available data are mainly related to non-industrial processes. In the present article, we will review this topic, analyzing current information on the specific regulations, the selection of living donors as well as MSCs from different sources (bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, etc.), in-process quality controls for ensuring cell efficiency and safety during all stages of the manual and automatic (bioreactors) manufacturing process, including cryopreservation, the use of cell banks, handling medicines, transport systems of ATMPs, among other related aspects, according to European and US legislation. Our aim is to provide a guide for a better, homogeneous manufacturing of therapeutic cellular products with special reference to MSCsThis manuscript has been supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the project “RD16/0011: Red de Terapia Celular” (Groups: 0001, 0002, 0004, 0005, 0013, 0015, and 0029), fromthe sub-programme RETICS, integrated in the “Plan Estatal de I+D+I 2013-2016” and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) “A way to make Europe”, and also by the ISCIII through the project RICORS “RD21/0017;TERAV” (Groups: 001, 002, 003, 006, 009 and 010) that is supported by the Next Generation EU program (Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia); and the Regional Government of Madrid (S2017/BMD-3962, Avancell-CM

Coinfections and differential diagnosis in immunocompetent patients with uveitis of infectious origin

Background: Making a definite diagnosis of infectious uveitis is a challenging task because many other infectious, and non-infectious uveitis, may have similar non-specific symptoms and overlapping clinical appearances. Co-infections in immunocompetent patients are not frequently proved with traditional serologic-diagnostic tools. Methods: Descriptive transversal study, in a Uveitis Service of an Ophthalmology Reference Center, in Bogotá, Colombia, from July 2014 to February 2016. Aqueous humor (AH) and/or vitreous fluid, blood and serum samples were collected from consecutive patients suspected of having infectious uveitis. The diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) was confirmed by the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient (GWC) and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Differential diagnosis by PCR in AH was done for viral origin such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2), Varicella zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Results: In 66 Colombian patients with uveitis of presumed infectious origin: 22 (33.3%) were confirmed as OT, 16 (24.2%) as undetermined OT, five (7.5%) as co-infections and 23 (34.8%) as other uveitis. Toxoplasma coinfection with M. tuberculosis was identified in one case by PCR and in four cases with HSV by GWC. The initial clinical diagnosis changed, after laboratory examination, in 21 cases (31.8%). Conclusions: Clinical diagnosis can be changed by laboratory examination in a significant proportion of cases of uveitis. Diagnosis of OT should combine the use of PCR and GWC to reach the maximum of confirmation of cases. The use of multiple laboratory methods is necessary to identify co-infections and viral infections that can mimic OT in immunocompetent patients. © 2019 The Author(s)

Protagonismo del mentor en una actividad tutorial de carácter multidisciplinar en Ingeniería

XIX Congreso Universitario de Innovación Educativa en las Enseñanzas Técnicas : Barcelona, 6 a 8 de julio de 2011En la Escuela Politécnica Superior (EPS) de la Universidad de Sevilla se ha trabajado, por tercer curso consecutivo, en un Plan de Acción Tutorial desarrollado por 16 profesores tutores y 20 alumnos mentores de 5 titulaciones de Ingeniería Técnica. El objetivo perseguido en este curso ha sido potenciar actividades que han surgido del propio albedrío de los alumnos mentores, lo que ha dado como resultado la realización de una serie de actividades de mentoría motivadas y dirigidas desde el principio por los alumnos mentores. La actividad conjunta de todos ellos ha llevado a organizar unos subgrupos de mentorías en función de determinadas características del alumnado de primer curso (deportistas, trabajadores, becarios de otras universidades…), a realizar reuniones presenciales de mentores para puesta a punto de estas actividades así como de puesta al día de los resultados que se iban consiguiendo, además de organizar una segunda captación de mentorizados tras las notas del primer cuatrimestre, y la protagonización de una Jornada de Mentoría al final del curso.A third edition with 16 tutorial lecturers and 20 tutorial students from five different degrees (Technical Engineering of the Polytechnical School, EPS, at University of Seville) in a Tutorial Plan development, has been prepared. During the present year, the main characteristic has been a serial of mentoring actions motivated and directed by these mentors. This activity has been organized considering several subgroups of mentoring depending on special characteristics in first year students (sportsplayers, workers, grant holders from other universities…), moreover the organization of a second recruiting of new students after the first term marks, updating meetings for mentors only, and to be main figures in a Congress on Mentoring at the end of the academic year

Contribución al desarrollo social a través de la extensión universitaria

La Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira (UTP), a través de la Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones Innovación y Extensión, busca promover la extensión universitaria como una estrategia que permite el intercambio, la aplicación y la integración del conocimiento científico, tecnológico, artístico y cultural; al igual que la vinculación con la realidad social, cultural, económica y productiva de la región y del país, al darle valor a las capacidades institucionales y al generar una articulación e integración entre la docencia y la investigación, la cual permita la identificación de problemáticas y la propuesta de alternativas de solución; además de las oportunidades en el sector externo para realizar intervenciones y alianzas que conduzcan a fortalecer y aportar al desarrollo económico, cultural y el bienestar de la comunidad en general. En este sentido, para el año 2018 se ofertó, a los miembros de la comunidad universitaria, la «Convocatoria interna para la financiación de proyectos de extensión social, cultural y artístico» cuya ejecución se realizaría en el año 2019 y cuyo objetivo era fomentar el desarrollo de proyectos de carácter social, cultural, artístico, los cuales permitieran la solución y transformación de problemáticas que involucraran o beneficiaran sectores de diferentes comunidades. En esta convocatoria fueron financiados catorce proyectos que involucran a diferentes estamentos de la sociedad civil en torno al planteamiento y a la discusión de problemáticas, conflictos y sus posibles soluciones, así como a la identificación de oportunidades de progresos tecnológicos, ambientales, educativos o de creación artística, los cuales involucren o beneficien sectores de diferentes comunidades

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio