Catalina Martinez-Mediano

Internet-based performance-centered learning environment for Curriculum Support (IPLECS) and its application in mLearning

IPLECS is a virtual campus platform for the development of performance-centered reusable learning materials, and its application in mLearning for educational and training purposes. The combination of performance support systems and mobile devices present both opportunities and challenges for work-based learning design.

Lifelong Learning Program for engineering students

Lifelong Learning (LLL) is critical for engaged citizens of the modern knowledge economy. Development of such generic or key competencies should be integrated throughout curricula along with specific competencies in the disciplines such as engineering. This is a common educational goal in higher education in the USA and in Europe inside the Bologna Process. To enhance the capability of students to articulate their lifelong learning competencies, we developed a “Lifelong Learning Competencies for Engineers” program. This was presented as a workshop in a senior design course at the University of San Diego. The workshop includes presentations on lifelong learning competencies and specific recommendations for engineers as well as an active learning exercise that helps students recognize their lifelong learning competence developed throughout their undergraduate career. After the workshop, the students improved their awareness of the importance of LLL for their future careers. Since lifelong learning spans disciplinary and national boundaries, this program could be adopted by other engineer educators and adapted by educators from a variety of fields.

Widget and smart devices. A different aproach for online learning scenarios

A vast number of learning content and tools can be found over Internet. Currently, most of them are ad-hoc solutions which are developed for a particular learning platform or environment. New concepts, such as Widgets, Smart devices, Internet of Thing and learning Clouds, are ideas whose goals is the creation of shareable online learning scenarios over different devices and environments.

Internet-Based Performance Support Systems in Engineering Education

This paper is about the “Internet-based performance support systems with educational elements” model. The theoretical foundations and characteristics are analyzed together with their application being to check the model’s effectiveness by means of a mixed research approach with university students. Measuring instruments consisted of questionnaires on attitude about learning through the use of computers as well as reflection on the learning methods, and achievements on practice tests. The results showed that students had positive attitudes and good results on achievement in performance. We recommend the use of educational platforms that are performance learning-centered in universities and for continuing training, as a necessary answer to current workplace demands.

Análisis y valoración de la aplicación de sistemas de gestión de la calidad ISO 9001 y su incidencia en centros educativos

INTRODUCTION. The main objective of this research is to analyze and evaluate the Quality Management System (QMS), based on the ISO 9001 Standard, incorporated in 26 educational centers belong to the foundation Escuelas Profesionales de la Sagrada Familia (SAFA), based on the evaluations of its users, the results achieved in the organization and the training of its students. METHOD. Using the mixed-methods methodology proper of the evaluative research, information has been collected through several techniques as questionnaire, observation, interview and analysis of documentation (reports of audits and non-conformities), and students’ achievement. Questionnaires meet the technical requirements of expert validation, Cronbach Alpha reliability and Exploratory Factor Analysis. RESULTS. The descriptive and discriminant analyses on the data collected show correlations between the implementation of the QMS ISO in schools and the improvement in their organization and school results. It can be said that the centers in which their teachers consider that the GSC brings improvements to the school organization and in the results achieved, are centers with higher level in certain educational outcomes. DISCUSSION. ISO 9001 and its QMS, properly adapted to educational context, get immediate and long term results, contributing to educational improvement, and providing value added to schools. These results make ISO 9001’s QMS sustainable for the studied institution and advisable for other educational organizations.

The impact of ISO quality management systems on primary and secondary schools in Spain

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the application of quality management systems (QMS) based on international standards of quality in education (ISO 9001:2008) and ascertain the influence of this quality model on primary and secondary schools in Spain. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in 26 publicly funded, private schools in Spain. The research design was a three-phase, mixed-methods evaluation. In all, 809 teachers answered the main survey questionnaire in Phase 3, which was validated through expert reviews and exploratory factor analysis against two theoretically derived dimensions of quality. The total scores of the two dimensions demonstrated Cronbach’s alpha reliability estimate > 0.95. A discriminant function analysis was applied next to compare three groups of schools based on teachers’ QMS ratings, using students’ achievement and other school quality indicators as predictors. Findings The QMS model was perceived to have contributed to improvements in documentation and management through evaluation, continuous improvement processes, the schools’ external image, management of resources and user satisfaction levels. Some of the improvements lasted over time. The schools rated as “high” by teachers on QMS implementation levels had better educational outcomes, as well as user perception and satisfaction levels, as compared to schools rated as “low”. Drawbacks of the QMS model were perceived as high bureaucratic workloads and a top–down management culture. Practical implications The findings suggest that ISO standards of QMS can be adopted in primary and secondary education institutions successfully, and that they are suitable for improving schools and educational systems overall. Originality/value The study’s originality lies in the demonstrated outcomes of the QMS approach, originally created for industrial environments, in a large Spanish primary and secondary education institution using a three-phase, mixed-methods design.

Work in progress - new project “Internet-based Performance-centered Learning Environment for Curriculum Support” (IPLECS)

This project answers to the need of development of a complete master degree program at the point of intersection between information technology and communications. The innovative performance-centered approach has been developed, tested and implemented and our partnership experience returned strong positive results - it has been proven to be more effective than the traditional lecture-practice-test (expository inductive) in training higher order skills, for preparing learners for self-learning, improving and adapting for changing jobs.

Work in progress - initiative for the use of learning objects in the electronics labs practice

In this paper we describe how to use a learning object repository in order to store large multimedia files that can been queried by students while they are at home preparing their digital electronic circuits and later at laboratory when they must mount and check them. The system is currently being tested under the pilot project carried out in Electronics Engineering courses. These courses are conducted in the Polytechnic High School at University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) with students that attend Digital Electronics subject classes taken during the fourth semester of Bachelorpsilas degree.