María José Hernández Serrano

Transforming the news value chain in the social era: a community perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework to understand the influence that the social era is having on the value chain of the local news industry. The authors theoretically advance value chain theory by, firstly, considering the influence of community type and age on consumption and, secondly, exploring the role that consumers can play in value-adding activities. The theoretical contribution of this study lies in moving from a transactional approach towards consumer relationships in the value chain towards managing consumers as a source of relational value (e.g. co-creation and integrated perspectives). Design/methodology/approach – The conceptual framework is theoretically positioned in relation to community and digital community practices in the social era. A series of research questions are presented, then these questions are explored drawing on empirical data from the Pew database. The authors then advance the framework further to consider news firm strategy towards its ...

La generación Google: evolución en las predisposiciones y comportamientos informativos de los jóvenes

El cambio informacional al que asistimos en la actualidad esta provocando algunas repercusiones en los habitos informativos de los individuos, configurandose un cambio cultural del que los llamados sujetos de la “generacion Google” son los maximos representantes. En este articulo se analizan las predisposiciones y comportamientos de 60 jovenes universitarios respecto a la actividad de busqueda en Internet (valoraciones, motivaciones, dificultades percibidas, desempenos en la busqueda de informacion, grado de satisfaccion con el proceso y otras atribuciones) con objeto de buscar evidencia en algunas de las caracteristicas aplicables a los sujetos de esta nueva generacion, examinando, ademas, si existen aspectos diferenciales entre alumnos de distinta edad. Los resultados permiten vislumbrar cierta evolucion en los sujetos de este cohorte, con repercusiones significativas para el ambito educativo. ----------------------------------------------------------------- In an increasingly digitised world where information is ubiquitous the “Google Generation” appear to occupy a position of prime importance when it comes to knowing how to access information. This article looks at practical evidence regarding some of the information behaviours of the subjects of this new generation, as well the differences between students of different ages. We have analyzed the predispositions and search procedures exhibited by 60 undergraduate students (evaluations, motivations, perceived difficulties, searching performances, satisfaction with the process and other valuations). The results are significant and provide new insights into how the informational aptitudes of the cohort investigated have evolved and what might be the educational impact of their new attitudes and search habits.

Plasticity as a framing concept enabling transdisciplinary understanding and research in neuroscience and education

This article examines the emerging literature on the need for a synergy between neuroscience and educational sciences, identifying several differences in approach and methods that hinder the connecting processes between these two disciplines. From this review a transdisciplinary framework is presented which is based on the systemic and lifelong property of plasticity. The notion of plasticity is a framing concept that enables to connect disciplines because illuminates the understanding of the learning processes. The new framework for the understanding and research in neuro-education is based on a systemic and functional architecture organised in three dimensions of plasticity (autonomy – vulnerability – resilience) and at least three systemic levels (genes, experience and the nervous system). We conclude that the concept of plasticity contributes to enlarging our understanding of the educational diversity of learners in their experiential contexts, combined with special attention to human agency and the c...This article examines the emerging literature on the need for a synergy between neuroscience and educational sciences, identifying several differences in approach and methods that hinder the connecting processes between these two disciplines. From this review a transdisciplinary framework is presented which is based on the systemic and lifelong property of plasticity. The notion of plasticity is a framing concept that enables to connect disciplines because illuminates the understanding of the learning processes. The new framework for the understanding and research in neuro-education is based on a systemic and functional architecture organised in three dimensions of plasticity (autonomy – vulnerability – resilience) and at least three systemic levels (genes, experience and the nervous system). We conclude that the concept of plasticity contributes to enlarging our understanding of the educational diversity of learners in their experiential contexts, combined with special attention to human agency and the capacity to making choices and effect changes.

Environment and models for learning technologies

The incorporation of Web 2.0 technologies and resources in higher education institutions and, in particular, in the teaching and learning process, today constitutes an imperative which can contribute significantly to improving student learning results and the quality of education. This article provides a summary of the most notable results of a research project with the aim of analyzing the process of educational integration of Web 2.0 resources in teaching and learning practices. The results are broadly similar to studies conducted in other international contexts. The findings indicate that Web 2.0 resources incorporated some changes at communication and collaboration level.

Up in the Clouds: Where to Find Enhanced Learning

This research review reports on articles presenting empirical research in the area of how the learning and teaching process, involving teachers, students, and learning institutions, can be enhanced by the use of technology, particularly through the use of the new opportunities offered by cloud services. Some studies have demonstrated that the implementation of blended and mobile learning can modify and create new and successful e-learning projects. Their success depends, essentially, on two components: teacher training and student characteristics. A focus on these two components will contribute to create powerful opportunities for the improvement of learning in higher education. For most learning institutions, although the implementation of successful e-learning projects is still a long way off, it is possible as long as innovative processes and the learning approaches to integrate technologies in teaching practices are both created and evaluated.

Un nuevo escenario de información y educación: el espacio 2.0

Embora a Web 2.0 seja apenas uma maneira de entender a Internet, este novo cenario tem contribuido para o desenvolvimento de novas formas de acesso, gestao e utilizacao da informacao apelando para novas formas de tirar partido no ensino da riqueza de informacoes deste novo espaco. Este artigo apresenta algumas indicacoes fundamentais relacionadas com o desenvolvimento e utilizacao da informacao e recursos contidos na Web 2.0. E este cenario, assente em novas possiblidades tecnologicas, que a educacao deve rentabilizar promovendo uma maior consciencializacao das suas implicacoes assim como uma interaccao positiva e significativa dos alunos com os novos meios de comunicacao social. Para as geracoes vindouras estas iniciativas poderao representar modos privilegiados de conhecer, interagir e, assim, aprender.