Large numbers of failure and the risk of educational exclusion

The article gives a descriptive analysis of large numbers of school failure in Spanish lower Secondary Education (dropouts, repetition, rates adequacy), particularly in the failure to obtain a graduate degree as well as students who leave school prematurely. We emphasize the regions of Murcia and Andalusia. Also a section is dedicated to the analysis of figures and data, in particular measures to attend to the diversity. Some of these high rates of school failure are not justified in a country with income levels, with good children´s schooling in Primary and Early Childhood Education and with high rates of University population. Therefore, critical appraisals are formulated to reduce it and get closer to an "educational success for all", as the European Union promotes

Reestructuración del mercado de trabajo y Formación Profesional ocupacional. Aproximación al caso de Córdoba

La función de los cursos ocupacionales para jóvenes que abandonan tempranamente el sistema educativo está evolucionando de hecho hacia objetivos asistenciales. Este cambio se produce en el marco de un modelo postkeynesiano de relaciones laborales, aquí descrito críticamente, y nuevas formas de desigualdad social; y también bajo nuevas formulaciones del neoliberalismo como discurso dominante. Todo ello viene reflejado en la mentalidad de los principales agentes implicados en los cursos, de la que se exponen aquí muestras extraídas en discusiones de grupo y entrevistas

Las políticas educativas de fomento del trabajo y la cultura emprendedora en Europa: el caso de Andalucía (España)

The aim of this article is to understand the nature and meaning of the promotion of the "entrepreneurial spirit" in the educational system for the new demands of social cohesion. In order to do this, we focus on analyzing the meaning acquired by the "entrepreneurial spirit" competition in the "Plan to Promote  Entrepreneurial Culture in the Andalusian Public Educational System", as well as in the different Educational programs carried out under this Plan. We intend to unveil the "social representation" that makes this Plan of the competition of "entrepreneurship" under the assumption that we are faced with the diffusion of a wide set of new referential models (values, beliefs, etc.) with which they are building revamped conceptions of society, work and education.El objetivo de este artículo es comprender la naturaleza y significado que adquiere la promoción del “espíritu emprendedor” en el sistema educativo para las nuevas demandas de cohesión social.Para ello, nos centramos en analizar el significado que adquiere la competencia de “espíritu emprendedor” en el Plan para el Fomento de la Cultura Emprendedora en el Sistema Educativo Público de Andalucía, así como, en los distintos programas educativos llevados a cabo bajo este Plan. Pretendemos esclarecer la “representación social” que hace este Plan de la competencia de “espíritu emprendedor” bajo el supuesto de que nos encontramos ante la difusión de un conjunto amplio de nuevos modelos referenciales (valores, creencias, etc.) con los que se están construyendo renovadas concepciones de la sociedad, el trabajo y la educación

User-centered requirement engineering for accessible chats in m-learning

Chat applications are useful synchronous tools in mobile learning (m-learning) environments. However, these tools have accessibility problems which cannot be avoided by students and teachers with disabilities. This paper focuses on detecting these accessibility problems. Specifically, this paper presents the Requirement Engineering (RE) process carried out to obtain the requirements needed to improve the interaction for people who experience problems with the Flow and Rhythm of the conversation in chats. A methodological approach has been followed and Software Engineering (SE) and Human Computer Interaction (HCI) disciplines were combined in order to improve the interaction during the chat.This research was partially supported by the MA2VICMR (S2009/TIC-1542) project. Also, our thanks to all users who took part in the studyPublicad

Large numbers of failure and the risk of educational exclusion

El artículo hace un análisis descriptivo de las grandes cifras del fracaso escolar en la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria en España (absentismo, repetición, tasa de idoneidad), particularmente en el fracaso en la obtención del título de graduado, así como en alumnos que abandonan prematuramente el sistema educativo. Destacamos, dentro de las regiones autónomas, las referidas Murcia y Andalucía. Igualmente dedicamos un apartado al análisis de cifras y datos, en las medidas particulares para atender la diversidad. Unos índices tan altos de fracaso escolar no están justificados en un país con unos niveles de renta como España, con una buena escolarización en Infantil y Primaria, así como altos índices de población universitaria. Por eso, se formulan apreciaciones críticas sobre dimensiones para incidir en aminorarlo y acercarnos a un “éxito educativo para todos”, como promueve la Unión Europea.The article gives a descriptive analysis of large numbers of school failure in Spanish lower Secondary Education (dropouts, repetition, rates adequacy), particularly in the failure to obtain a graduate degree as well as students who leave school prematurely. We emphasize the regions of Murcia and Andalusia. Also a section is dedicated to the analysis of figures and data, in particular measures to attend to the diversity. Some of these high rates of school failure are not justified in a country with income levels, with good children´s schooling in Primary and Early Childhood Education and with high rates of University population. Therefore, critical appraisals are formulated to reduce it and get closer to an "educational success for all", as the European Union promotes.Grupo de Investigación FORCE (Formación Centrada en la Escuela) Universidad de Granad

Las grandes cifras del fracaso y los riesgos de exclusión educativa

El artículo hace un análisis descriptivo de las grandes cifras del fracaso escolar en la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria en España (absentismo, repetición, tasa de idoneidad), particularmente en el fracaso en la obtención del título de graduado, así como en alumnos que abandonan prematuramente el sistema educativo. Destacamos, dentro de las regiones autónomas, las referidas Murcia y Andalucía. Igualmente dedicamos un apartado al análisis de cifras y datos, en las medidas particulares para atender la diversidad. Unos índices tan altos de fracaso escolar no están justificados en un país con unos niveles de renta como España, con una buena escolarización en Infantil y Primaria, así como altos índices de población universitaria. Por eso, se formulan apreciaciones críticas sobre dimensiones para incidir en aminorarlo y acercarnos a un “éxito educativo para todos”, como promueve la Unión Europea

Accessibility barriers for users of screen readers in the Moodle learning content management system

In recent decades, the use of the Internet has spread rapidly into diverse social spheres including that of education. Currently, most educational centers make use of e-learning environments created through authoring tool applications like learning content management systems (LCMSs). However, most of these applications currently present accessibility barriers that make the creation of accessible e-learning environments difficult for teachers and administrators. In this paper, the accessibility of the Moodle authoring tool, one of the most frequently used LCMSs worldwide, is evaluated. More specifically, the evaluation is carried out from the perspective of two visually impaired users accessing content through screen readers, as well as a heuristic evaluation considering the World Wide Web Consortium's Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines. The evaluation results demonstrate that Moodle presents barriers for screen reader users, limiting their ability to access the tool. One example of accessibility problems for visually impaired users is the frequent inability to publish learning contents without assistance. In light of these results, the paper offers recommendations that can be followed to reduce or eliminate these accessibility barriers.This study has been partially funded by the MA2VICMR (S2009/TIC-1542) research project.Publicad

Accessibility evaluation of Moodle centred in visual impairements

Proceedings of: 7th International Conference on Web Information Systems and Technologies (WEBIST 2011), Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands, May 6-9, 2011The use of new technologies has been increasing during last years in education. More specifically, the use of e-learning systems provides for students more freedom to learn through Internet when and where they prefer in each moment. However, e-learning tools are not perfect tools. Most of these e-learning tools present accessibility barriers, so not all students are able to use them completely in their studies. The goal of this paper is to evaluate if Moodle e-learning web tool is accessible for visually impaired people using assistive technologies like screen readers. The evaluation has been divided in two main objectives: first, to evaluate Moodle from a user perspective, simulating the interaction of a blind student with the system and using a screen reader; second, to evaluate Moodle from an accessibility expert perspective, analysing if Moodle is in accordance to ATAG and WCAG W3C guidelines.The work presented in this paper has been partially founded by GEMMA (TSI-020302-2010-141) and SAGAS (TSI-020100-2010-184) research projects

Thickening of the pituitary stalk in children and adolescents with central diabetes insipidus: Causes and consequences

Background: Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is a rare disorder in children. The aetiology of CDI in childhood is heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to illustrate the importance of a careful clinical and neuro-radiological follow-up of the pituitary and hypothalamus region in order to identify the aetiology and the development of associated hormonal deficiencies. Methods: Clinical and auxological variables of 15 children diagnosed with CDI were retrospectively analysed in a paediatric hospital. Evaluations of adenohypophyseal function and cranial MRI were performed periodically. Results: The mean age at diagnosis of CDI was 9.6 years (range: 1.32-15.9). The aetiological diagnosis could be established initially in 9 of the 15 patients, as 7 with a germinoma and 2 with a histiocytosis. After a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range: 1.6-11.8), the number of idiopathic cases was reduced by half. At the end of the follow-up, the aetiological diagnoses were: 9 germinoma (60%), 3 histiocytosis (20%), and 3 idiopathic CDI (20%). There is a statistically significant association between stalk thickening and tumour aetiology. At least one adenohypophyseal hormonal deficiency was found in 67% of cases, with the majority developing in the first two years of follow-up. Growth hormone deficiency (60%) was the most prevalent. Conclusion: The follow-up of CDI should include hormone evaluation with special attention, due to its frequency, to GH deficiency. In addition, a biannual MRI in an idiopathic CDI should be performed, at least during the first 2-3 years after diagnosis, as 50% of them were diagnosed with a germinoma or histiocytosis during this period.Introducción: La diabetes insípida central (DIC) es una entidad poco frecuente en la edad pediátrica, siendo su etiología heterogénea. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo es demostrar que el seguimiento clínico y neurorradiológico de la región hipotálamo-hipofisaria, puede ayudar a establecer el diagnóstico etiológico de DIC y la presencia de otros déficits hormonales. Métodos: Se revisaron de forma retrospectiva 15 pacientes diagnosticados de DIC en un hospital pediátrico. Se analizaron las características clínicas y auxológicas; así como la valoración de la función adenohipofisaria junto con RM craneal de manera periódica. Resultados: La mediana de edad al diagnóstico fue de 9,6 a˜nos (rango: 1,3-15,9). El diagnóstico etiológico pudo establecerse en 9 de los 15 pacientes (germinomas: 7 e histiocitosis: 2). Tras una mediana de seguimiento de 5,5 a˜nos (rango: 1,6-11,8), los casos idiopáticos se redujeron a la mitad. Finalmente, los diagnósticos etiológicos fueron: germinoma 9 (60%), histiocitosis 3 (20%) y DIC idiopática 3 (20%). Existe una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el engrosamiento del tallo y la etiología tumoral. El 67% desarrolló, al menos, una deficiencia hormonal adenohipofisaria, la mayoría en los dos primeros a˜nos de seguimiento. El déficit más prevalente fue el de hormona de crecimiento (60%). Conclusiones: En todos los pacientes con DIC se deberá realizar un control auxológico y hormonal, con especial atención, por su frecuencia, a la deficiencia de GH, y en aquellos con DIC idiopática se debería incluir una RM semestral, al menos durante los 2-3 primeros a˜nos después del diagnóstico, pues en nuestro estudio el 50% fueron diagnosticados de germinomas o histiocitosis en este period

Enhanced and Reusable Poly(hydroxy urethane)-Based Low Temperature Hot-Melt Adhesives

[EN] Poly(hydroxy urethane)s (PHUs) based on 5-membered cyclic carbonates have emerged as sustainable alternatives to conventional isocyanate-based polyurethanes. However, while from the point of view of sustainability they represent an improvement, their properties are still not competitive with conventional polyurethanes. In this work, the potential of PHUs as reversible hot-melt adhesives is discussed. We found that with a judicious choice of reagents (ie., the dicyclic carbonate and diamine), the detrimental hydrogen bonding between the soft segment of the chains and the pendant hydroxyl groups was partially avoided, thus imparting PHUs with hot-melt adhesion properties (i.e., adhesion at elevated temperatures and cohesiveness at a temperature lower than T-g/T-m). The importance of a balanced hard to soft segment ratio, along with the relevance of the chain extender in the final properties, is highlighted. Addition of aliphatic diamines (HMDA, 1,12-DAD) resulted in rubbery materials, while the employment of cydoaliphatic (CBMA) or aromatic ones (MXDA, PXDA) led to materials with hot-melt adhesive properties. The thermoreversibility of all compositions was assessed by rebonding specimens after lap-shear tests. Lap-shear strength values that were comparable to the virgin adhesives were observed. The breaking and reformation of hydrogen bonding interactions was demonstrated by FTIR measurements at different temperatures, as well as by rheological frequency sweep experiments. In order to mitigate the negative impact of the low molar mass PHUs and to enhance the service temperature of the adhesives, a hybrid PHU was prepared by adding a small amount of an epoxy resin, which acts as a cross-linker. These hybrid PHUs maintain the thermoreversibility displayed by thermoplastic PHUs while providing better adhesion at elevated temperatures. We believe that this work provides some important insights into the design of PHU-based hot-melt adhesives.The authors would like to acknowledge the technical and human support provided by SGIker (UPV/EHU and ERDF, EU). A.G.-L. acknowledges the University of the Basque Country for the predoctoral fellowship received to carry out this work. The authors would also like to acknowledge the technical support provided by Amaia Agirre for the GPC analysis. ORIBAY Group Automotive also wants to acknowledge the HAZITEK program for the final support of the project n degrees ZL-2019/00193. This project has been partly supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 955700. C.D. thanks FNRS for financial support. The authors of Liege thank the "Fonds National pour la Recherche Scientifique" (F.R.S.-FNRS) and the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek-Vlaanderen (FWO) for financial support in the frame of the EOS project n degrees O019618F (ID EOS: 30902231). C.D. is F.R.S.-FNRS Research Director