“Orientation” in Spanish universities

In the present period of change, the Spanish systems of secondary and higher education, too, are confronted with new challenges. People have realized that factors within and outside universities demand the development of effective helping services for students, particularly on the level of orientation. Two different models are described, one that relies on tutors, mainly; the other one employs orientation professionals. The article also describes the skills and the training experiences that are necessary for professionals in orientation services.Facultat de Psicologia i Pedagogia, Universitat Roman Llull     

El desarrollo de la comprensión del contexto de la expresión emocional

Resumen

Uno de los problemas más interesantes en la investigación actual sobre reconocimiento de emociones se centra en el trabajo con niños. En concreto, los investigadores obtienen resultados contradictorios a la hora de establecer un patrón de desarrollo en la utilización de indicios expresivos e indicios contextuales para reconocer una emoción. La solución se halla, probablemente, en una mejor caracterización de los contextos que acompañan a la expresión. El propósito de este trabajo es logar un primer acercamiento a dicha caracterización.     

From research question to scientific publication: educational innovation with university students / De la pregunta de investigación a la publicación científica: innovación educativa con el alumnado universitario

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of the expectations, evaluations and opinions expressed by students taking the course Models of Planning and Educational Research (Social Education Degree, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville), obtained at the beginning and end of a teaching process supported by the continued use of class sessions, semi-virtual sessions, group work, guided individual study and tutorials. This experience has been developed within the institutional framework of the call for educational projects aimed at designing and implementing new teaching and assessment methods, primarily focused on competence-based training, convened by the Vice President for Teaching and European Convergence. The data collection and evaluation of the teaching innovation was carried out in two phases: the first with an assembly or initial discussion of expectations at the beginning of the course, and a final assessment with a questionnaire at the end of the experience.     

Choosing among alternative technological strategies: an empirical analysis of formal sources of innovation

This work aims to offer a detailed conceptual and empirical analysis of the inter-firm differences in deciding the composition of their technological efforts. Using data for Spanish firms in the period 1990-1996, the study begins with the standard analysis of the determinants of innovative investment, then moves on to the less analysed question of the determinants of the generate versus import alternative and ends with a novel analysis of the characteristics which lead firms to organise research internally as compared to the possibility of contracting R&D services externally. In contrast to standard practice, the econometric approach takes into account the existence of non-linearities in the used data. The results obtained support the conceptual ideas on which they are based.     

Reliability assessment and correlation analysis of 3 protocols to measure trunk muscle strength and endurance

Different methods have been developed to quantify trunk muscle strength and endurance. However, some important protocol characteristics are still unclear, hindering the selection of the most suitable tests in each specific situation. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and the relationship between 3 representative tests of the most common type of protocols used to assess trunk muscle strength and endurance. Twenty-seven healthy men performed each test twice spaced 1 month apart.Trunk strength and endurance were evaluated with an isokinetic dynamometer and 2 field tests including Biering-Sørensen test and Flexion–rotation trunk test.

All tests showed a good relative consistency (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]> 0.75), except for the isokinetic endurance variables which had low–moderate reliability (0.37 < ICC > 0.65). Absolute reliability seemed slightly better in the isokinetic protocol than in the field tests, which showed about 12% of test–retest score increase. No significant correlations were found between test scores.

After a familiarisation period for the field tests, the 3 protocols can be used to obtain reliable measures of trunk muscle strength and endurance. Based on the correlation analysis, these measures are not related, which highlights the importance of selecting the most suitable trunk test for each situation.     

Funciones del logopeda en un centro de educación especial

RESUMEN

La complejidad de los trastornos del habla y las alteraciones del lenguaje que presentan los deficientes mentales requiere un tratamiento terapéutico especializado por parte del logopeda en su medio natural, que deberá desarrollarse en colaboración con la familia y profesores, con el fin de que el trabajo se realice en una misma dirección. Estos niños presentan desfases de comprensión y expresión verbal, desfases que aumentan con la edad. Por ello un diagnóstico adecuado en colaboración con otros profesionales es imprescindible para realizar una intervención lo más temprana posible. La escuela es un medio adecuado para su tratamiento por utilizarse el lenguaje como medio de comunicación. Se aconseja un tratamiento grupal para favorecer la comunicación y la sociabilidad de estos niños. Sin embargo, aquellos con algún problema específico deben recibir atención individualizada.     

Aspiraciones profesionales en alumnos de EGB

Resumen

En este artículo, los autores estudian las aspiraciones profesionales de un grupo de alumnos de EGB, con especial referencia a tres niveles—ideal, real, rechazo—y presentan el programa de orientación profesional que, a partir de dicho estudio, han elaborado.     

Analysis of measures for attention to diversity in Compulsory Secondary Education: the case of the Region of Murcia,Spain

In this paper, we present an analysis of the implementation of measures of attention to diversity for students with special educational support needs studying Compulsory Secondary Education (12–16 years) in the Region of Murcia, Spain. Our aim is to learn about the organisational and curricular structures implemented in five secondary education schools with a total of 1967 students. These structures are used to deal with student diversity through common and specific measures of attention to diversity and are established by law. We intend to verify and assess whether these are properly and effectively implemented, providing a quality educational response in conformity with the discourse on inclusion and social cohesion. A review of existing legislation suggests that it may be advisable to apply common measures before specific ones in the event that a student has educational support needs and, if possible, in the usual context, that is, within the regular classroom.