A strategic approach of the crucial elements for the implementation of digital tools and processes in higher education

Implementation of digital tools and processes in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as an emergent activity depends on the sociomaterial relationships between institutional factors that dynamically interact with each other. This article systematically explores through a literature review some of the most relevant and up-to-date published studies to identify the ‘important factors’ to consider for the implementation of digital tools and processes in HEI. The goal of the paper is to turn these factors, conceived initially as previous conditions or characteristics of the institutions or people, into a list of strategic elements to be fostered by HEI leadership teams to promote better implementation of digital tools and processes in their institutions. In the final part of this work, we propose a framework that reflects these elements in a visual approach that highlights the activity-centred character of the framework as well as the emergent character of the implementation process itself.     

Determinants of the Web accessibility of European banks

This paper aims at identifying the factors influencing the implementation of Web accessibility (WA) by European banks. We studied a database made up of 49 European banks whose shares are included in the Dow Jones EURO STOXX® TMI Banks [8300] Index. Regarding the factors for the implementation, we considered three feasible reasons. Firstly, WA adoption can be motivated by operational factors, as WA can aid in increasing operational efficiency. Secondly, we expect large banks to have higher WA levels, as small firms face competitive disadvantages with regard to technology adoption. Lastly, WA can also be understood as a part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, so, the more committed a bank is to CSR, the more prone it will be to implement WA. Our results indicate that neither the operational factors nor the firm size seem to have exerted a significant influence on WA adoption. Regarding CSR commitment, results indicate a significant influence on WA adoption. However, the effect of the influence is contrary to that hypothesized, since more CSR-committed banks have less accessible Web sites. A possible reason for this result is that banks not included in the CSR indexes try to overcome this drawback by engaging in alternative CSR activities such as WA.     

Innovation across Europe: How important are institutional differences?

By changing the level of competition and/or affecting the allocation of resources, institutions can play a very important role on innovation activity. In this paper we investigate the relative importance of institutional variation across European countries in explaining differences in their innovation intensity at the industry level. We employ a novel indicator of innovation therefore circumventing the limitations of more traditional indicators. Our results are broadly consistent with previous empirical literature. They show that stringent product and labor market regulation affects innovation intensity negatively, and that more developed credit markets foster innovation. However, the empirical findings also raise doubts with respect to the strengthening of intellectual property rights as a means to stimulate innovation, a result that is in accordance with recent propositions in the literature.     

Physiological determinants of speciality of elite middle- and long-distance runners

The aim of this study was to determine which physiological variables predict excellence in middle- and long-distance runners. Forty middle-distance runners (age 23 ± 4 years, body mass 67.2 ± 5.9 kg, stature 1.80 ± 0.05 m, VO(2max) 65.9 ± 4.5 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)) and 32 long-distance runners (age 25 ± 4 years, body mass 59.8 ± 5.1 kg, stature 1.73 ± 0.06 m, VO(2max) 71.6 ± 5.0 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)) competing at international standard performed an incremental running test to exhaustion. Expired gas analysis was performed breath-by-breath and maximum oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) and two ventilatory thresholds (VT(1) and VT(2)) were calculated. Long-distance runners presented a higher VO(2max) than middle-distance runners when expressed relative to body mass (P < 0.001, d = 1.18, 95% CI [0.68, 1.68]). At the intensities corresponding to VT(1) and VT(2), long-distance runners showed higher values for VO(2) expressed relative to body mass or %VO(2max), speed and oxygen cost of running (P < 0.05). When oxygen uptake was adjusted for body mass, differences between groups were consistent. Logistic binary regression analysis showed that VO(2max) (expressed as l · min(-1) and ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)), VO(2VT2) (expressed as ml · kg(-0.94) · min(-1)), and speed at VT(2) (v(VT2)) categorized long-distance runners. In addition, the multivariate model correctly classified 84.7% of the athletes. Thus, VO(2max), VO(2VT2), and v(VT2) discriminate between elite middle-distance and long-distance runners.     

Functional torque ratios and torque curve analysis of shoulder rotations in overhead athletes with and without impingement symptoms

In this study, we evaluated the peak torque, functional torque ratios, and torque curve profile of the shoulder rotators in overhead athletes with impingement symptoms so as to examine possible alterations in response to sports training and shoulder pain. Twenty-one overhead athletes with impingement symptoms were compared with 25 overhead athletes and 21 non-athletes, none of whom were symptomatic for impingement. The participants performed five maximal isokinetic concentric and eccentric contractions of medial and lateral shoulder rotations at 1.57 rad · s(-1) and 3.14 rad · s(-1). Isokinetic peak torque was used to calculate the eccentric lateral rotation-to-concentric medial rotation and the eccentric medial rotation-to-concentric lateral rotation ratios. An analysis of the torque curve profiles was also carried out. The eccentric lateral rotation-to-concentric medial rotation torque ratio of asymptomatic athletes was lower than that of non-athletes at both test velocities. The concentric medial rotation isokinetic peak torque of the asymptomatic athletes, at 3.14 rad · s(-1), was greater than that of the non-athletes, and the peak appeared to occur earlier in the movement for athletes than non-athletes. These findings suggest that there may be adaptations to shoulder function in response to throwing practice. The eccentric medial rotation-to-concentric lateral rotation torque ratio was altered neither by the practice of university-level overhead sports nor impingement symptoms.     

The Impact of Individual,Educational, and Workplace Factors on the Transfer of School-Based Learning into the Workplace

The aim of this study was to investigate the transfer of learning of professional competences from vocational colleges to the workplace context in vocational education. Concretely, the study examined the relations between the professional competences learned at school and the use and further development of those competences at the workplace during the practice module in vocational education programmes in Spain. The study analysed individual, educational design and work environment factors that facilitate or hinder transfer of learning. The study took a multidimensional approach to professional competences by observing four dimensions: hard-specific, hard-generic, interpersonal and intrapersonal. The data collection drew from a questionnaire administered to students of vocational education programmes (N = 379) after they had completed the practice module scheme. A moderation analysis was applied to observe the effect of individual, educational design and workplace factors on the relation between the competences learned at school and those used at the workplace. The findings showed that compulsory placement, school-work alignment, work-based supervisor, access to resources and task complexity are significant moderators between the competences learned at school and those used at the workplace. The study highlights the coherence between the school and workplaces and work environment characteristics as factors conducive to transfer of learning.     

Why is it so difficult? Misconceptions about Eastern European education in transition

Eastern European educational systems today face many problems, frequently described in recent publications. This paper discusses several misconceptions both in Western and in Eastern countries, which render more difficult the change process. These concern the inherited situation, reforms underway, power relationships, decentralisation, the roles of tradition and Western assistance, curriculum, financial and statistical data and the relationship between education and society.

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Zusammenfassung Die osteuropäischen Bildungssysteme sehen sich heute vielen Problemen gegenüber, die häufig Thema von kürzlich erschienenen Publikationen sind. In diesem Artikel werden verschiedene sowohl im Westen als auch im Osten bestehende Mißverhältnisse angesprochen, durch die der Änderungsprozeß erschwert wird. Dazu gehören ererbte Zustände, im Gange befindliche Reformen, Machtverhältnisse, Dezentralisierung, die Rolle von Traditionen sowie von Hilfsleistungen aus dem Westen, das Curriculum, finanzielle und statistische Daten sowie die Beziehung zwischen Bildung und Gesellschaft.

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Résumé Les systèmes d'éducation de l'Europe orientale font face aujourd'hui à maints problèmes fréquemment présentés dans de récentes publications. Cet article traite de plusieurs méconceptions perçues à la fois dans les pays de l'Ouest que dans ceux de l'Est qui rendent plus difficile le processus de changement. Elles concernent la situation héritée, les réformes en cours, les relations de pouvoir, la décentralisation, les rôles de la tradition ainsi que de l'aide occidentale, le curriculum, les données financières et statistiques, et la relation entre l'éducation et la société.

     

Cultural Orientation Trajectories and Substance Use: Findings From a Longitudinal Study of Mexican‐Origin Youth

Cultural adaptation may influence Latino youth substance use (SU) development, yet few longitudinal studies have examined cultural change over time and adolescent SU outcomes. Using longitudinal data collected annually across ages 10–16 from 674 Mexican‐origin youth (50% female), the authors characterized cultural adaptation patterns for language use (English and Spanish use), values (American values and familism values), and identity (ethnic pride), and examined whether these cultural adaptation patterns were associated with differential SU risk. Youth with increasing bilingualism and high/stable family values had lower SU risk compared to youth who primarily spoke English and endorsed decreasing family values, respectively. Ethnic pride trajectories were not associated with SU. Findings highlight the importance of considering cultural change related to Latino youth SU.     

Exploring pre-service primary teachers’ progression towards inquiry-based science learning

ABSTRACT

Background

An in-depth understanding of pre-service primary teachers’ progression towards teaching science through inquiry is critical for improving teacher education programmes and, ultimately, improving the quality of science teaching and learning in the classroom.     

Family-School Cooperation: An Online Survey of Parents and Teachers of Young Children in Spain

Early Childhood Education Journal - Given the closure of schools due to the global confinement resulting from the COVID-19 crisis, family-school cooperation has become a priority in most...