Factors that explain the use of ICT in secondary-education classrooms: the role of teacher characteristics and school infrastructure

Paradoxically, in Spain, schools have relatively ample information and communication technology (ICT)infrastructure but low levels of classroom ICT use. In this study, we analyse the role of school ICTinfrastructure and teacher characteristics to explain ICT use in education. We use data from the Spanishsample in the 2013 Teaching and Learning International Study (TALIS), which consists of 3339 teachersfrom 192 secondary education centres. The analysis was conducted using multilevel logistic regressionmodels. The principal results indicate that the availability of educational software, teacher ICT training,collaboration among teachers, perceived self-efficacy, and teaching concepts influence classroom ICT use.School hardware and internet-connection infrastructure are less significant. Based on thefindings,recommendations are presented to orient Spanish educational policy to encourage the use of ICT in classroom

Cultural Awareness: Latinos Perceptions in a Multicultural Counseling Course [Concientización Cultural: Percepciones de Estudiantes Latinos en un Curso de Consejería Multicultural]

This study explored the experiences and perceptions from a multicultural counseling course of Latino graduate counseling students at a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The purpose of the study was to understand the students’ lived experience and its impact in developing their multicultural counselor identity and competencies. The research questions included the following: What course experiences and personal values do Latino graduate students identify as relevant to their multicultural counseling preparation? What psychological process do Latino graduate students use to make meaning of their experiences and values in their multicultural counseling preparation to serve the needs of culturally diverse clients? The study used a transcendental phenomenological approach with a sample of Latino graduate counseling students, all from Mexican-American background. Emerging themes were related to two categories. First, values such as family ties, religion, work ethics and education emerged as playing an important role in professional identity. Second, processes such as conflict between having traditional cultural values versus valuing individualism. Lastly, the personal experience of hard-work leading to acceptance, embracing one’s life, and to a pre-disposition towards multicultural competencies also emerged as important. Implications and recommendations for research and counselor education for Latino students are included. Alternate abstract: Este estudio exploró las experiencias y percepciones de un curso de consejería multicultural de estudiantes de la maestría en consejeria en una Universidad predominantemente hispana. El propósito de este estudio fué entender la experiencia vivida por los estudiantes y su impacto en el desarrollo de su identidad y de sus competencias en consejería multicultural. las preguntas de investigación fueron las siguientes: Cuáles experiencias del curso y cuáles valores personales identifican los estudiantes Latinos de nivel maestría como relevantes a su preparación en consejería multicultural? Qué procesos psicológicos usan los estudiantes Latinos de nivel maestría para dar significado a sus experiencias y valores en su preparación en consejería multicultural para servir las necesidades de los clientes con diversidad cultural? Este estudio utilizó un enfoque de fenomenología transcendental con una muestra de estudiantes de maestría Latinos, todos de orígen Mexico-Americano. Los temas emergentes estuvieron relacionados a dos categorías. Primero, los valores de lazos familiars, religion, ética de trabajo, y educación emergieron jugando un papel importante en la identidad professional. Segundo, los procesos como el conflicto entre tener valores culturales tradicionales versus valorar el individualismo tambien surgieron como importantes. Por último, la experiencia personal de tener que trabajar duro por conseguir metas, aceptar la vida tal cual es, y la predisposición a desarrollar competencias multiculturales tambien surgió como importante. Las implicaciones y recomendaciones para investigación y educación en consejería para estudiantes Latinos están incluídas

Job-search strategies of individuals at risk of poverty and social exclusion in Spain

In Spain, the issue of unemployment or precarious employment worsen with globalization, leading to an expansion of the so-called working poor in the labour market.According to previous literature, the economic poverty that is characteristic of this group may accompany poverty competency.In particular, the working poor resort to informal and poorly developed job-searchstrategies.This study addresses the job search methods used by people at risk of poverty and social exclusion. It provides evidence on the subject and serves as a basis for the adaptation of socio-labour intermediation programmes to this group.The hypothesis of this study is that people at high risk will predominantly use informal strategies that require a low level of job-searchs kills.A survey-based correlational study is conducted using a questionnaire completed by 279 people participating in socio-labourinter mediation programmes developed by the Action against Hunger Foundation(AaHF) in Spain.Information on poverty indicators and on job-search strategies is collected.Data are analysed through cluster analysis,which distinguish two groups of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion(high risk and low risk),followed by a comparison of means(t-test)with a subsequent calculation of effect size using Cohen’s d. Results show statistically significant differences with a medium effect size(between 0.45 and 0.50)for the typology of job-search strategies used,confirming the initial hypothesis.These results offer relevant information that should be considered when developing programmes aimed at improving social and labour issues for people at risk of poverty and social exclusion.Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO- Government of Spain)European Regional Development Fund (ERDF-FEDER

Factores de calidad del servicio en el transporte público de pasajeros: estudio de caso de la ciudad de Toluca, México

En este artículo se identifican, ponderan y valoran los factores que intervienen en la percepción de la calidad de servicio del transporte público en un corredor urbano que se caracteriza por una gestión delegada con tarifa fija y competencia en calidad. Mediante un modelo logit con especificación lineal de la función de utilidad, se estiman los coeficientes de cada factor de calidad de servicio para diferentes segmentos y estratos de la población. Los resultados de la estimación econométrica determinan la importancia, peso y valor de cada factor en términos de utilidad. De esta manera se obtiene que los factores principales que determinan la calidad del servicio son: el estado físico de los autobuses, la forma de manejo del conductor, la tarifa (costo del viaje), el tiempo que está dentro del autobús (tiempo de viaje) y el trato al usuario