Assessment for Learning: How Plagiarism could be used as an Efficient Learning Tool

Instructors should consider the role of responsible feedback as one of the main priorities of their teaching and learning strategies. It is well known that feedback is the bridge between students and instructors, as students’ work is reviewed and put into an appropriate learning context. In this context, we argue that detecting plagiarism should be an additional vehicle to allow students achieve settled academic standards. Plagiarism detection tools should be used to encourage students to follow best practices, and at the same time inspire and guide students to work harder. In this regard, quality feedback plays a crucial role in identifying areas of weaknesses in standards of writing, which should be considered carefully by instructors when guiding their students to comply with academic rules and standards. We must not forget that students are learners that need tutoring, mentoring, objective and clear guidelines that keep them focused and motivated, and this also applies to adhering to academic integrity. Accordingly, we argue that instructors’ feedback should also address academic integrity in an efficient and constructive manner. Plagiarism has very negative connotations in academia, and must be monitored. However, in this context, the following questions remain pertinent: What kind of action is required to prevent plagiarism? How can instructors use plagiarism as another tool to motivate and guide their students? What way can plagiarism be used for constructive learning and not as a way to punish students? We believe that the answers lie in responsible feedback. We explore the use of plagiarism as a constructive tool that can make a difference in the learning experience. We aim to offer an initial view of how instructors could shift from using plagiarism as a source of punishing students to a more constructive and positive end

A Reflection on the Use of ePortfolios in Business Studies Programmes

Work placement aims to enhance a professional development and allow students to apply knowledge and skills from their programme of study. Students can struggle with both conceptualising work in terms of academic knowledge and the reverse process of transforming tacit knowledge from the workplace into a form they can verbalise. Additionally, they are isolated from their peer support group. To address these issues, we have implemented a blog assessment in Dublin Institute of Technology to actively encourage reflection and also foster peer-to-peer learning through providing an opportunity to share experiences of the diverse range of activities during work placement. A pilot was implemented for Pharmacy Technician students using the Institute’s virtual learning environment. As a result of this pilot and subsequent modifications made in the following years, we identified key requirements and resources to prepare, support and engage students in all aspects of the work placement assessment. Examples that we discuss include an assessment rubric, instructional videos and reflective writing resources, a pre-placement reflective writing workshop, feedback mechanisms, and assessment strategies that activity promoted student interaction with their peers. Evaluation results including the main benefits, recommendations, limitations and suggested improvements are also included. It has also been demonstrated that this assessment is transferable to a different programme of study as it was extended to the placement module for BSc (Nutraceuticals). Further work will include additional measures to guide students to focus on critical points during reflection, and will include increased emphasis on graduate attributes

Using eportfolios to encourage responsible feedback

This article aims to look at the value that ePortfolios can add to business studies, specifically in the financial field. In order to answer the question, Do ePortfolios contribute to the development and enhancement of responsible feedback in the classroom?, the study analyzed the work done by postgraduate students pursuing a Master’s degree in finance. A total of 151 ePortfolios were reviewed and analyzed, and a selection of comments from students is presented in order to support the main findings of the literature review. The authors considered this approach to be appropriate in order to offer an objective analysis on existing research and how their own students’ views blend with developed literature in the area. The authors also offer their own know-how on how ePortfolios can be integrated as part of the postgraduate learning experience. The researchers identified ePortfolios as being a complementary tool that help educators and students to get a better understanding of the course material and offer students an opportunity to reflect on their own learning and course performance. They also identified a lack of research on how ePortfolios can be used as part of the students learning experience in postgraduate education specialised in finance.DOI: 10.18870/hlrc.v5i3.24

Self-Regulated Learning and the Role of ePortfolios in Business Studies

Through a case study supported by observation techniques, and questionnaires to gather data, we explored the use of ePortfolios as an efficient assessment tool to assist business degree students. Our main focus was a postgraduate course in which finance modules were a major component. We analysed the role of ePortfolios in Higher Education Institutions over a period of four academic years. Our findings suggest that ePortfolios could be used to facilitate and enhance students’ selfregulated learning. The role of the instructor was found to be fundamental in the early stages of the learning process. This role diminished as students became familiar with the course requirements. Overall, students judged the ePortfolio as a tool to complement their education positively, as they noted a significant improvement in their learning experience and they benefitted from the breaks it offered from their traditional learning approach. The evidence suggests that ePortfolios could be used to support technical and complex modules in a controlled environment where support is available for students to prevent them losing focus on their core studies; at the same time ePortfolios are flexible enough to allow students to be creative and integrate their own ideas and views while they learn

The power of ethical investment in the context of political uncertainty

In this paper we analyse a set of socially responsible investment (SRI) indices against their conventional counterparts in the US context. Using a data set that spans the Obama and Trump administrations, we aim to identify whether performance and volatility patterns differ when markets are exposed to political uncertainty and the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). The findings suggest that SRI indices underperform conventional indices, and that the S&P 500 has a significant impact on their behaviour. The CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX), the US Equity Related Economic Uncertainty Index (EEUi) and the impact of the economic policy uncertainty index (EPUi) are used to consider market volatility and political uncertainty, with VIX emerging as the best indicator to capture market uncertainty. The study signals a positive and significant impact on SRI indices during the first hundred days of the Obama administration with a lack of significant findings for the Trump administration for the period of study. The results for implied volatility reveal similar patterns across all indices

Development of a duplex PCR for the identification of Fasciola hepatica in lymnaeid snails

Fasciola hepatica is a parasitic trematode that causes fascioliasis, a disease that affects domestic livestock and humans. The complex life cycle of F. hepatica involves lymnaeid snails as intermediate hosts. Detection of F. hepatica in snails is a useful tool for the control of fascioliasis in livestock. Detection methods involve crushing the snails and microscopic observation, but have low sensitivity and are time-consuming. To overcome these disadvantages, researchers are developing molecular methods. In this work, we developed a duplex PCR that allows the detection of F. hepatica in snails as two single and bright bands: one corresponding to the parasite and one to the snail, the latter of which works as an internal control to detect PCR inhibitors. To avoid false-positive results, we also evaluated the method of disinfection of the material used for snail collection. The duplex PCR developed showed a sensitivity high enough to detect a single miracidium per snail, and significantly shortened the time required to analyze a large number of snails.Fasciola hepatica es un parásito trematodo que causa fasciolosis, una enfermedad que afecta al ganado doméstico y al ser humano. El complejo ciclo de vida de F. hepatica involucra a los caracoles lymnaeidos como huéspedes intermediarios. La detección de F. hepatica en caracoles es una herramienta útil para el control de la fasciolosis en el ganado. Los métodos de detección implican el aplastamiento de los caracoles y la observación microscópica, pero tienen baja sensibilidad y consumen mucho tiempo. Para superar estas desventajas, se encuentran en desarrollo métodos de diagnóstico molecular. En este trabajo, se desarrolló una PCR dúplex que permite la detección de F. hepatica en caracoles como dos bandas simples y brillantes: una banda corresponde al parásito y otra al caracol, funcionando esta última como control interno para detectar inhibidores de la PCR. Para evitar resultados falsos positivos, también evaluamos el método de desinfección del material utilizado para la manipulación de caracoles. La PCR dúplex desarrollada mostró una sensibilidad lo suficientemente alta como para detectar un solo miracidio por caracol y acortó significativamente el tiempo de trabajo de análisis de una gran cantidad de caracoles.EEA BarilocheFil: Mignaqui, Ana Clara. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Lucia Paula. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. 2 Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales; ArgentinaFil: Soler, Paula. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche. Grupo Sanidad Animal; ArgentinaFil: Larroza, Marcela Patricia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche. Grupo Sanidad Animal; Argentin

Relationship between the S-N plane and the Frankfort plane depending on the facial biotype

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to verify if the angle formed by the SN plane with the Frankfort plane (Bimler factor 7) tends to open in long-faced facial patterns (dolichofacial) and to close in short-faced facial patterns (brachifacial).Material and methodsThis was a comparative, retrospective, cross-sectional study. The study universe was initial digital lateral headfilms of patients who attended the clinic of the Department of Orthodontics at the Division of Postgraduate Studies and Research of the UNAM. The lateral headfilms were taken randomly from the period between August 2010 and August 2012. The sample consisted of 100 radiographs of patients between 18 and 30 years of age, 50 brachifacial and 50 dolichofacial; previously classified using Bimler facial index and confirmed with Ricketts facial taper.ResultsFrom the 100 measured radiographs, 58 belonged to female patients and 42 to male patients. The average age was 27 years, with an age range from 18 to 30 years. In the 50 radiographs of dolichofacial patients, there was a range of 7 to 14° and in brachifacial patients, a range of 3 to 8° of the SN-FK angle or Bimler factor 7. In the 50 X-rays of dolichofacial patients an average of 11° was found and in the 50 X-rays of brachifacial patients an average of 5° was found.ConclusionsOn the basis of the results hereby obtained it may be observed that the angle formed by SN-Frankfort planes increases in patients with a vertical growth pattern (dolichofacial) and decreases in patients with a horizontal growth pattern (brachifacial)

The time of adolescence. Reflections from the research project: The passage to the act and the acting out: presentations of the adolescent suffering at this time. Its difference with the symptom

Characteristics of today's adolescence and its forms of clinical presentation places the  concept of adolescence as a construction, puberty being that interstice that exists and that  involves a bio-psycho-social metamorphosis.  The commotion is not without the body, the stage for the dimension of drive  satisfaction and the vicissitudes that its rearming causes at this moment of life. Características de la adolescencia de hoy y sus formas de presentación clínica es un recorrido que ubica al concepto adolescencia como una construcción, siendo la pubertad ese intersticio que existe y que comporta una metamorfosis bio-psico-social. La conmoción no es sin el cuerpo escenario para la dimensión de la satisfacción pulsional y las vicisitudes que provoca su rearmado en este momento de la vida. Este trabajo permite ubicar y localizar los distintos tratamientos y tramitaciones de este acontecer

Enfoque ecositémico: el uso de situaciones problematizadoras y movilizadoras de competencias ambientales

El Enfoque Ecosistémico es una estrategia proactiva para un manejo integrado de los recursos naturales, promoviendo la conservación y el uso sostenible. Surge como respuesta a la presión creciente de la humanidad sobre los ecosistemas del mundo; considera el valor que estos representan para el bienestar de las personas y, las necesidades y aspiraciones de los actores y sectores involucrados en el uso de los recursos. El proyecto Conservación de los carnívoros del nordeste argentino desde el año 2002 gestiona espacios comunitarios y escolares en Corrientes y Chaco, con especial énfasis en la temática “pérdida de biodiversidad y servicios ecosistémicos”. Se utilizan como modelo temático a los carnívoros silvestres nativos, especies indispensables en la salud y el funcionamiento de los ecosistemas y que están amenazados por el proceso de expansión agraria. En esta comunicación se expone la experiencia de un taller desarrollado en un Instituto Superior, con el objetivo de presentar herramientas para fomentar el interés por las problemáticas ambientales y fortalecer competencias ambientales. Se trabajó con cuatro escenarios hipotéticos, aplicando la metodología de ABP, utilizando situaciones ambientales de la zona y región. La mayoría de los 72 participantes recomendaron el desarrollo de otros talleres similares.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

La dimensión social en las actividades de educación ambiental: el bueno, el malo y el feo

La educación ambiental y la educación para un ambiente sustentable, en la educación formal, parece ser una cuestión de “los otros”. Disciplinas complejas de abordar, raramente se encuentran entre los estándares curriculares educativos, y muy frecuentemente están relegados al tiempo extra que el docente pueda brindarle. Conocer por parte del alumnado, cómo dimensionan socialmente su entorno ambiental, en particular en áreas rurales donde la conservación de la biodiversidad es de alta prioridad, permitiría planificar nuevas estrategias de manejo y proponer políticas educativas contextualizadas a una realidad. En el marco de un proyecto de conservación de fauna silvestre autóctona que se desarrolla desde el año 2002, se desarrollaron diferentes acciones educativas en escuelas de Chaco. El proyecto intencionalmente aborda problemas ambientales con fauna silvestre conflictiva, promoviendo una actitud positiva hacia la diversidad. El proyecto utiliza como herramientas educativas los carnívoros silvestres y los murciélagos. En esta comunicación se analiza un caso, donde se implementó como dispositivo la iconopedagogía, utilizando el documental “Señores de la naturaleza”, que aborda el impacto humano causado por la extinción de especies y la cascada de consecuencias en los ecosistemas. La metodología utilizada resultó la apropiada para la temática y el grupo de estudiantes.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació