Reasons for Older Adult Participation in University Programs in Spain

This study examined the reasons expressed by older adults for attending a university program in Barcelona (Spain). Results were based on the responses of 36 elders to questions from a semistructured interview. These were (a) reasons for joining a university course and (b) factors that prevent enrolling in that course. Participants mentioned more expressive than instrumental reasons for participating in a university program. Most mentioned barriers to entering university that were lack of interest, lack of self-confidence, health problems, and limited information. These results are discussed in the context of new strategies to improve university courses aimed at the elderly.     

Inquiry-Based Learning for Older People at a University in Spain

With the increasing number of older people in the world and their interest in education, universities play an important role in providing effective learning methodologies. This paper presents a new instructional methodology implementing inquiry-based learning (IBL) in two courses focused on alternative energies in the Program for Older People at the University of Lleida (UdL) in Spain. The instructional methodology is evaluated and results are discussed after two years of studies. The instructional methodology presented in this paper helped students to build and reinforce scientific skills and knowledge construction. This work may have potential relevance to other instructors involved in adult education.     

Education for Older People in Italy

This article provides information on trends in formal and informal adult education in Italy, with a particular focus on the older learners (over 65). Main providers, programs, objectives/motivations, and financial and legal framework are described. In general, over-65-year-old people were found to be underrepresented in participation. They were also concentrated in activities of informal education (through, for example, Third Age Universities) instead of formal courses that are oriented mainly towards the development of skills/competencies for the labor market. In order to improve the situation of older people in the future, the question of financing is one of the main challenges to be addressed by policymakers.     

试论大众化高等教育质量观

质量观是制约高等教育大众化进程、高等教育改革与发展的重要因素.高校扩招以后,精英式传统质量观影响了人们对大众化高等教育的价值判断.必须树立全面的、科学的,以发展为核心和主题的六种大众化高等教育质量观,并以此为指导来认识、评价和保障高等教育质量.     

职业道德教育在高职素质教育中的发展对策

摘要：职业道德教育是高职教育发展的关键以及体现高职教育职业性的核心内容、是传承我国传统道德品质的需要,是对中小学德育的补充、延伸与提升,也是对高职学生个人发展的需要,从而得出结论：职业道德教育是高职素质教育的关键。通过积极搭建工学结合、校企合作平台,创建一支高素质的“双师”结构教师队伍,来加强职业道德教育。     

国外学位点外部质量保障方式及启示

学位点质量保障手段总是服务于特定的目的或功效。在质量保障体系中,建立相对完备的一套学位（学术）规范体系是质量保障体系发挥作用的前提和基础。我国在学位点建设与改革进程中,应尽早制定和完善学术规范体系并积极引导和鼓励院校深入推进内部学位点质量保障体系建设。     

New Approaches to University in Spain: Academic Change,Creative Dimensions and Ethical Commitment in the Establishment of the European Higher Education Area

This paper discusses the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), its creation, its guidelines, and its inherently innovative potential. It looks closely at the theoretical proposals, the innovative regulations and institutional practices in the process of academic change that relate to teaching, research and management. It also describes the emergence of creative processes in quality assurance and methodological renewal. These bring new professional challenges and educational opportunities to the fore; challenges which raise ethical issues for those involved in these approaches to universities in Spain and the European Union.     

大学教学方法创新与提高高等教育质量

根据对全国部分大学的调查,大学教学方法数十年基本上没有什么变化是影响高等教育质量的关键.西方大学教学方法创新是与其现代化同步进行的,德国大学创立了习明纳,美国大学将习明纳与班级授课制结合来,形成了第二代教学方法.影响我国大学教学方法创新的因素主要有大学政策制度、教师和学生的意愿以及相关教学条件等.教学方法的创新要找准切入口,使教学成为一种充满智慧的活动.     

高等教育自学考试的定位、特征与趋势

高等教育自学考试是是我国考试制度上的一项创新,同时也是我国高等教育大众化时期的重要办学力量。随着现代科学技术的发展,知识经济的到来,高等教育自学考试表现出注重质量、终身化、职业化等发展趋势。     

Practices and Innovations in Australian Science Teacher Education Programs

This paper reports part of a larger study which was designed to investigate current practices in initial teacher education programs in Australia. The main data collection was by telephone interviews, which were carried out with science education specialists and program coordinators at all institutions which offer primary teacher education or secondary science teacher education. The interviews focused on practices in relation to program structures, science content studies, science methods studies and links to science-related school projects or to science business/industry. A large number of innovative practices were described. In addition, several case studies were carried out, which focused on particular innovations. The study identified several aspects of science teacher education which were of concern.     

学生参与：欧洲高等教育质量保障中的新维度

学生参与高等教育质量保障是近年来欧洲高等教育政策所强调的一个重要方面.学生能否参与、在多大程度上参与,从根本上说涉及对高等学校教学活动中师生关系的认识.20世纪90年代以来,关于学生参与的理论先后有学生"顾客"论、学术共同体论和利益相关者论等.博洛尼亚进程对于学生参与高等教育质量保障不仅有明确的政策倡导,而且有具体的监测指标.从执行情况看,相关政策还存在有待完善的空间.尽管如此,从博洛尼亚进程对学生参与质量保障的重视程度可以看出,在当前欧洲高等教育的改革与发展过程中,学生这一利益群体越来越受到重视.     

Russian Higher Education and European Standards of Quality Assurance

This article considers the relevance and implementation of European approaches to quality assurance in the context of the Russian educational system. It covers the issues of transformation of the higher education system during the post-Soviet period, specific features of the state accreditation system, the impact of the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) ( http://www.enqa.eu/files/ESG_3edition%20(2).pdf )on Russian Quality Assurance system and trends in quality assurance of higher education.     

People,Products and Raw Materials: Neglected Opportunities for Chemical Education in Higher Education

A number of strengths and weaknesses have been detected in the background knowledge and skill of chemistry teachers. Two weaknesses, knowledge of the persons of chemistry and familiarity with socially useful chemicals and their origins, have been recently identified. The trends in chemical curricula for general education are such that a remedy for these weaknesses is necessary. A number of suggestions that have been used occasionally in teaching chemistry at the universities and CAEs, are made for regular inclusion in undergraduate courses. School teaching is a major outlet for chemistry graduates and this fact should be recognised in designing these curricula in higher education.     

Social Support,Quality of Life,and University Programs for Seniors

In addition to educating and extending knowledge, university programs for seniors, at least the university program for seniors at the University of the Balearic Islands during the period analyzed, also fulfil physical and psychological health-related functions specifically related to our analysis of social support. This article reaches several conclusions on social support that reaffirm the idea of the role these university programs play in seniors' lives. Reducing these programs to a purely instructive approach would not only be a conceptual error, but would also overlook the effects and impacts they have on seniors' quality of life, regardless of the knowledge that may be acquired.     

发达国家成人高教在大众化进程中的定位、特征与趋势

发达国家成人高等教育在高教大众化进程中形成了多样性和开放性特征，并成为高教大众化时期的重要办学力量。随着现代科技的迅猛发展、社会结构的深刻变革、教育民主化思潮及终身教育思想的广泛传播等对成人教育的影响，发达国家成人高等教育表现出注重质量、终身化、现代化、社会化、法制化等强劲的发展趋势。     

From Quality Assurance to Quality Enhancement in the European Higher Education Area

This article focuses on recent trends in quality assurance initiatives, analyses how the European Higher Education Area promotes quality enhancement mechanisms and their implications for quality cultures in universities. It presents and discusses two approaches towards quality enhancement both at the institutional and programme level: 1. Quality Enhancement at programme level: the Tuning approach and 2. Scottish Enhancement-led Institutional Review. It also argues that current approaches towards quality culture are reorienting the focus from quality assurance towards contextual quality enhancement and that quality enhancement becomes the primary responsibility of universities and university stakeholders.     

全民、终身、优质:欧洲高等教育现代化的三个面向

欧洲高等教育现代化进程中,各国相继颁发相关政策,积极扶持社会弱势群体,增强高等教育灵活性,为高等教育扩张提供保障。通过制度调试、增设远程教育、预科学习等方式,欧洲各国将高等教育面向全社会开放。欧洲高等教育现代化的内核就是三个面向:全民、终身和优质。欧洲高等教育现代化有利于促进应用型大学的发展、妥善处理高等教育各要素之间的关系、增加高等教育的培训开放和创新力度、强化组织间合作以及有效搭建互联网平台,对我国高等教育的发展具有重大的借鉴意义。     

高校创新型中外合作办学项目的探索与实践

中外合作办学是适应高等教育国际化发展的有效形式,是我国政府大力提倡和支持的教育活动。通过中外合作办学,国内高等学校可以在学习和借鉴国外高等教育先进经验的基础上,研究切实可行的教育管理机制和管理方法,锻炼和培育高水平的师资队伍,培养出一批高素质、高质量的学生,推动我国高等教育对外开放的事业跃登新台阶。