The potential role of ePortfolios in the Teaching Excellence Framework

Current debates on HE policy in the UK are dominated by the evolving Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) which will soon involve the government establishing key metrics.  In this context, and seizing this valuable moment in policy formation, we here provide a brief foray into the multiple aspects of ‘teaching excellence’ (TE) as a basis to highlight both the complexity of identifying ways to measure it and the shortcomings of existing official developments.  In the absence of a clear conceptual understanding of the learning processes and the role of teaching which apparently underpins the TEF, we present a model of the learning process to which the indicators currently proposed by the authorities can be related.  We propose that ePortfolios can play a special role in the TEF in capturing the qualitative outcomes of learning processes which, importantly, reflect the student perspective in terms of goals, learning experiences and achievement.  These are both crucial yet missing elements of the proposals to date. Finally, we provide some examples of how information from ePortfolios could be used by HE institutions to enhance their institutional submissions to the TEF.

Understanding students’ experiences of e-PDP and the factors that shape their attitudes

Using an action research approach, e-PDP (electronically-supported Personal Development Planning) was embedded within an undergraduate psychology curriculum at an English university for more than two years. e-PDP was embedded in three ways: (a) information literacy micro-tasks, (b) blogs of learning activities, and (c) eportfolios submitted at the end of each academic year in which the students assessed their experiences and development across all units. This paper focuses on findings from the qualitative analysis of a sample of interviews with students. A system of five interconnected categories was identified at the center of which were the students' "attitudes" towards reflective writing and the construction of eportfolios. These attitudes were closely related to a perception of "purpose" (many different purposes, but also lack of purpose), as well as "technical aspects" (experiences of using the software), the students' willingness (or reluctance) to "disclose personal aspects" in their eportfolios, and the "guidance" received from tutors

Being an immigrant academic

It was estimated that in 2014, almost a third of all academics working in Higher Education in UK were non-UK nationals (HEFCE, 2016). Many more are non-UK born. The presence of these academics in the UK offers both opportunities and challenges to them, their colleagues, their students and the higher education institutions they work for (Hosein, Shu-Hua Yeh, Rao N., & Kinchin, in preparation). We are two of those academics who left their countries of birth and have worked at the same university in the UK for some time. This article is based on conversations we have had over several years and, more specifically, a recent one that started when one the authors (MJ) shared an article with the other (AG) entitled ‘Pathways through life: Development at the junctions, inflections, disruptions and transitions of life' (Jankowska, 2016). The manuscript, which was initially part of MJ's ‘personal learning ecology’ (Jackson, 2016), served as the ‘learning object’ around which we could converse. It afforded further joint co-construction of knowledge and a new shared understanding of what it is like to be an immigrant academic. Through our conversations we have come to recognise some striking similarities, as well as some differences, in our experiences prior to and during our working lives in the UK. The broad and complex range of experiences we have had in the in this country relate to the concept of 'cosmopolitanism', understood as 'a perspective, a state of mind, or to take a more processual view- a mode of managing meaning', which 'entails first of all an orientation, a willingness to engage with the Other’ (Hannerz, 1990, pp. 238-239). Although we work in higher education, a sector that accepts many kinds of Others (staff and students) and prides itself on being diverse and gaining from diversity, as individuals, we have always had to work to understand this way of doing things (the British way) and of being academics, while at the same time, being aware of that other way of being academic that is rooted in our backgrounds and our surviving links. We want to draw on the notions of 'articulation' and 'dislocation' to try to elucidate our experiences and relationships with people, institutions and knowledge. We use these notions to examine the extraordinary opportunities to see the world from multiple perspectives and grow personally and professionally open to immigrant academics, but also want to highlight the psychological cost for such individuals.

Cacao orgánico de las comunidades nativas Awajún.

La idea del negocio surge a raíz de la posibilidad de una alianza estratégica conformada por productores de las comunidades nativas Awajún y un equipo de gestores. Éstos últimos han desarrollado el presente plan de negocios y estarán representados por la empresa asociante Jéga Bakáu S.A.C., la cual, mediante un contrato de asociación en participación tendrá como asociados a los productores. El objetivo principal de este plan de negocio es la propuesta de un modelo de gestión para el desarrollo comercial del cacao en grano de las comunidades nativas Awajún, en la oportunidad de convertir las ventajas comparativas contenidas en el conocimiento de los productores y el equipo de gestores, en una ventaja competitiva que sirva de oportunidad para incursionar en el mercado. Para ello, se conformarán dos empresas; una integrada por productores Awajún los cuales se encargarán de la siembra, producción y cosecha del cacao y otra encargada de la fermentación, secado, empaquetado y comercialización del cacao en grano. Estas trabajarán de manera colaborativa mediante un contrato de asociación, realizándose un reparto de utilidades a los productores Awajún a cambio de mantener un abastecimiento de cacao seguro. Para lograr este objetivo, el actor principal será el productor, con el cual se ha consolidado la relación interpersonal mediante visitas de campo y comunicaciones continuas. Así mismo, se cuenta con fuentes de información primaria y conocimientos adquiridos por observación, principalmente de la ideología del productor del Alto Mayo, quien reconoce un enfoque de crecimiento y sostenibilidad en sus cultivos de cacao. La premisa será, que el productor se sienta parte integrante y gestora de la apertura hacia un camino de éxito del cacao de su comunidad. En este punto, se identifican cuatro factores críticos para desarrollar el modelo: la asociatividad de la comunidad, el procesamiento tecnológico, la búsqueda de mercados más desarrollados y la gestión empresarial. Todo ello se basa en una demanda de cacao que ha presentado un aumento acelerado en los últimos años, debido a la demanda de un chocolate con mayor contenido de cacao, la cual debe satisfacer normas sociales, ecológicas y éticas. En el año 2010, se evidenció una producción mundial de 3 632 miles de t y para el 2011 se proyecta terminar con una producción mundial de 3938 miles de t. Por otro lado, para el próximo año la demanda mundial será aproximadamente un 8% mayor que el 2011. En ese sentido, diversos países, como Costa de Marfil, el mayor exportador a nivel mundial, aplicarán mejoras técnicas en sus cultivos. Del mismo modo, Perú que representa el 0.3% de la producción mundial, tecnificará su producción de manera progresiva. La producción nacional del cacao durante el año 2010 fue de 39 831, un 8.23% más que el año anterior y 56% más que el 2005, y se proyecta terminar el 2011 con una producción de 43 000 t. Así mismo, la evolución del precio marca una alta volatilidad, en el 2006 el precio fue de USD 1 650 por t y en el 2011 se llegó a USD 3 149.45 por t. Las empresas nacionales e internacionales tienen como precio de referencia, el negociado en la Bolsa de Valores de New York. El público objetivo a corto plazo será el ámbito nacional Sumaqao S.A.C., Cooperativa Agro Industrial Naranjillo y ACOPAGRO, debido a que son los principales exportadores a nivel nacional y con quienes se han concretado lazos comerciales. Al mantenerse la relación comercial con Sumaqao S.A.C, representante de Pronatec AG en el Perú, se ha planteado como objetivo exportar a largo plazo a este último, mayor importador de cacao orgánico a nivel mundial. Es importante resaltar que el procesamiento tecnológico y la evaluación económica financiera se darán en un horizonte de siete años, del 2012 al 2016 se abarcará el mercado nacional con la comercialización de cacao en grano convencional y del 2017 al 2018, el mercado internacional con la exportación de cacao en grano orgánico, debido a la gran demanda de productos sanos, ecológicos y con un alto grado de responsabilidad social. Así mismo, se parte de 40 ha cultivadas en la zona de intervención para el abastecimiento de masa fresca de cacao, lo cual conlleva a definir supuestos económicos para la implementación del modelo: una proyección de inserción de 30 ha para el año 2013, 40 ha para el año 2014, el PEAM (Programa Especial del Alto Mayo) y la Municipalidad del Distrito Awajún brindarán recursos para la habilitación de estas ha y, por último, se considera que todo lo producido se comercializará. Así, para la implementación del modelo de gestión se requerirá un nivel de inversión de S/. 79 000, obteniendo una TIR financiera de 50% en el horizonte de tiempo propuesto. Así mismo, las ganancias percibidas del productor pasan de 2% en el 2012 a 45% de las ventas en el 2018, afirmando la factibilidad de la propuesta y beneficiando económicamente al productor. Finalmente, se buscará obtener una sostenibilidad con lineamientos generales como el desarrollo de una alianza estratégica con los productores de la comunidad nativa Awajún, elevando de manera integral y sostenible la competitividad del equipo empresarial, logrando la calidad total en todas las etapas del procesamiento, posicionando a la empresa con un enfoque de responsabilidad con las comunidades nativas Awajún y lograr como fin primordial la rentabilidad de Jéga Bakáu S.A.C.Tesi

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Levantamiento del velo corporativo. Panorama y perspectivas. El caso colombiano

Son múltiples y constantes los debates que se han dado en la comunidad jurídica nacional sobre permitir que los socios o accionistas de una sociedad respondan directamente con su patrimonio por las acreencias de la persona jurídica a través de la utilización de la "teoría del levantamiento del velo corporativo". Dada la importancia de este tema, expertos colombianos de primer nivel se reúnen en esta obra para exponer sus puntos de vista sobre la aplicación de esta institución en Colombia. Adicionalmente, este libro incluye el informe de ejecución del proyecto de investigación , adelantado por la línea de investigación en Derecho Comercial del Grupo de Derecho Privado de la Facultad de Jurisprudencia, el cual fue financiado por el Centro de Investigaciones, Estudios y Consultoría (CIEC) de la Universidad del Rosario.Dada la importancia de este tema, expertos colombianos de primer nivel se reúnen en esta obra para exponer sus puntos de vista sobre la aplicación de esta institución en Colombia

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

The peculiar experience of being a complete novice : a reflection on supervising systemic practitioner researchers on a doctoral programme

The experience of being a novice sailor has put me in a peculiar, but privileged position to gain a deeper understanding of the experience of an adult learner who is also a competent professional. I initially used first-person writing in order to express and explore my experience of a week of sailing in the Norfolk Broads. I tried to capture, among many things, my fear of falling in the water, of failing and of embarrassment. I described how I overcame my fear as I enjoyed small success at simple tasks. I then reflected on what I could learn about these experiences in nine themes, drawing on ideas by Maslow (1968/1972) on growth and safety, but also by Rogers (1951) on significant learning, and the all-important role of support and skilful guidance, with doctoral students and supervisors in mind. I drew on Shotter’s (1993, 2013) notions of ‘joint action’ and ‘third agency’ in order to explore the student-supervisor relationship and the construction of knowledge that takes place during a doctorate. This author’s ideas seemed particularly well-suited to the description of learning and supervising, as involving a way of being in which we are mostly responding to the requirements of concrete circumstances in a fluid process. I tried to infer what the appropriate skills and pedagogical strategies needed on the part of the supervisor may be. However, it is possible that the readers discover more possibilities hidden in the metaphor of learning to sail as they apply it to their own experience of learning in the doctoral programme.