Illiteracy and literacy training in Latin America and the Caribbean

Educationist and linguist. Professional activity in Nicaragua (1980–86) and Ecuador, particularly in the adult education sector. Has been engaged in educational research sine 1980 and has acted as education adviser in a number of countries. Was Director of Education for the Monseñor Léonidas Proaño National Literacy Compaign carried out in Ecuador in 1989. Is currently adviser to the National El Ecuador Estudia Programme. Author of many publications on adult education, including: Nicaragua, revolución popular, educación popular (Mexico City, 1985); Educación popular: un encuentro con Paulo Freire (Quito, 1986); Alfabetización popular: diálogo entre 10 experiencias de Centro-américa y el Caribe (Quito, 1987); Discurso y práctica en educación popular (Quito, 1988; Ijuí, 1988); Entre la acción y la praxis: crónica de un proceso de formación de educadores populares (Quito, 1989); El nombre de Ramona Cuji. Reportajes de la Campaña Nacional de Alfabetización Monseñor Léonidas Proaño' (Quito, 1990).     

博士生教育国际化的新形式:欧洲博士学位

研究了欧洲博士学位的发展历程及模式,分析了建立欧洲博士学位的必要条件,讨论了阻碍欧洲博士学位发展的因素并提出了相关建议.文章指出,尽管自欧盟成立之初就提出了欧洲博士学位的概念,但直到最近才开始着手解决这一问题.这是包括欧盟委员会、欧洲大学协会、欧洲能授予博士学位的高等教育机构代表和博洛尼亚进程等多方努力的结果.虽然欧洲联合博士学位的工作已取得重要进展,但其合法价值获得真正认可还需要很长的路.由于部分欧盟成员国各国的法律规定以及欧洲高等教育体系内仍然广泛存在着"鼓励学术保护而非促进合作"的保守思想,导致产生了一些问题.阻碍新的联合博士学位发展的两个主要原因是:错误地将国际流动作为目标,而不是将其作为博士生教育的一个策略;广泛担忧一体化将破坏欧洲博士课程的多样化,导致出现同质化.     

Learning to Love Reading: A Self-Study on Fostering Students' Reading Motivation in Small Groups

This study explores the relationship between small, differentiated reading groups and fourth-grade students' reading motivation. Using self-study methodology, the author examined her own process of implementing these reading groups through two cycles of action research. Data were analyzed from two different administrations of the Motivations for Reading Questionnaire, as well as from the author's narrative journal entries, written student reflections, small-group and individual interviews, and a critical friend's observations. Findings indicated that small, differentiated reading groups that emphasized social interaction and student choice led to a class culture of reading and promoted students' reading motivation. Students linked their learning in these groups to their written assignments and tended to devalue the group discussions. In addition, implementing the reading groups minimized the author's own performance gap and contributed to greater satisfaction in her own practice. These findings have implications for the design and implementation of differentiated reading groups, as well as for those who support novice teachers.     

Ten years of preanalytical monitoring and control: Synthetic Balanced Score Card Indicator

Introduction

Preanalytical control and monitoring continue to be an important issue for clinical laboratory professionals. The aim of the study was to evaluate a monitoring system of preanalytical errors regarding not suitable samples for analysis, based on different indicators; to compare such indicators in different phlebotomy centres; and finally to evaluate a single synthetic preanalytical indicator that may be included in the balanced scorecard management system (BSC).

Materials and methods

We collected individual and global preanalytical errors in haematology, coagulation, chemistry, and urine samples analysis. We also analyzed a synthetic indicator that represents the sum of all types of preanalytical errors, expressed in a sigma level. We studied the evolution of those indicators over time and compared indicator results by way of the comparison of proportions and Chi-square.

Results

There was a decrease in the number of errors along the years (P < 0.001). This pattern was confirmed in primary care patients, inpatients and outpatients. In blood samples, fewer errors occurred in outpatients, followed by inpatients.

Conclusion

We present a practical and effective methodology to monitor unsuitable sample preanalytical errors. The synthetic indicator results summarize overall preanalytical sample errors, and can be used as part of BSC management system.Key words: Preanalytical phase, errors in laboratory medicine, balanced scorecard, patient safety     

Effect of bike-fit in the perception of comfort,fatigue and pain

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different bike positions on the perception of fatigue, pain and comfort. Twenty cyclists underwent three tests that involved cycling for 45 min at their individual 50% peak aerobic power output while adopting different positions on the bike. Participants performed the cycling tests adopting three positions defined by two parameters (knee flexion angle [20°, 30°, 40°] and trunk flexion angle [35°, 45°, 55°]) in random order. Angles were measured using a 2D motion analysis system during cycling and applying Fonda’s correction factor. Perceptions of comfort, fatigue and pain were reported before the end of each test. The combination of 40° knee flexion and 35° trunk flexion was perceived as the most uncomfortable position. Moreover, greater knee flexion had a negative effect on trunk comfort, accompanied by greater levels of fatigue and pain perception in the anterior part of the thigh and knee. In conclusion, cyclists perceived the most comfortable position to be when the saddle height was within the recommended knee angle (30° calculated from the offset position or 40 ± 4.0° of absolute value). Upright trunk was found to be the most comfortable position for recreational cyclists, where aerodynamics is not so important. Cyclists’ bike perceptions should be taken into account when it comes to choosing the most beneficial position, since this can play a role in injury prevention and enhance cycling performance.     

Children with autism and picture books: extending the reading experiences of autistic learners of primary age

Autistic learners master visual and spatial abilities; they use visual language to organise, understand and give meaning to the world. Although they might struggle with verbal skills, they have an associative way of thinking. Taking into consideration the characteristics of seven autistic pupils, the aim of this paper was to identify the potential of picture books in relation to autistic readers in order to explain why picture books can be supportive tools for improving verbal and social communication skills. The findings, based on a qualitative case study and a reader response framework, show that picture books help children with autism develop social and communication skills as well as foster imagination. Their written outcomes clearly showed children's need to tell stories.     

Academics’ participation in quality assurance: does it reflect ownership?

Academics’ support for quality assurance (QA) depends on several factors, including their sense of ownership, which seems to be influenced by academics’ participation in QA’s implementation. This paper aims to understand whether this participation is indeed contributing to academics’ ownership of QA. Findings from a survey of Portuguese academics’ on their participation in study programmes accreditation suggests that this may not be the case. Academics present a partial withdrawal towards effective participation in study programmes’ accreditation, especially regarding external assessment. Furthermore, they do not seem willing to enhance this participation nor are they very critical about it. Since academics’ sense of ownership is essential for the successful implementation of QA, these results may represent a challenge for both institutions and QA agencies.     

Managers Making Sense of Millennials: Perceptions of a Generational Cohort

The study of generational cohorts has seen an increase in popularity in scholarly and popular literature. Millennials comprise the newest cohort to enter the workplace. This study explores how managers use social categorization to make sense of their Millennial-generation employees. Data were collected through interviews conducted with managers in order to learn how they viewed and described Millennials. Twenty-five managers in the hospitality industry were interviewed. Data were analyzed by searching for membership categorization devices (MCDs), then patterns in usage and meaning of the devices were explored. Three patterns were identified in using MCDs to reference Millennials: “kids”, “age group,” and “Millennials”/variations of the term. These findings are examined in reference to how they may inform managerial behavior as well as guide further study of generational cohorts.