Architecture,Design and Computer Science:Professional Training for Elementary School Teachers

Studies show that contemporary teaching methodologies are based on skills and competences directed to different areas of professional practice,such as Architecture,Design and Computer Science.Collective learning spaces gain strength,stimulating the development of new skills by users.The Digital Manufacturing Laboratories(Fab Labs)and Makerspaces are entering the school environment and starting a movement for change in traditional education.Although they are seen as potential drivers for higher quality education,the lack of specific training for teachers in the face of new digital information and communication technologies,especially in basic education,becomes limiting in the development of new active methodologies.Thus,this study aimed to develop a training dynamic for basic education teachers,addressing the use of tools and equipment for digital manufacturing and prototyping,2D and 3D modeling applications and software,and programming and electronics.The methodology consists of literature review,followed by the action research method with two workshops given through an online and synchronous platform.The importance of incorporating creative and innovative methodologies in education is understood,and above all,there is a dynamic,planned and effective structure,geared towards the orientation of teachers.

Finding the Mid-Path

Computers have changed nearly every aspect of life in this world. Invented roughly fifty years ago, they now form the infrastructure on which government, business, and global communications rest. As our reliance on computers increases, so does the number and complexity of the applications and the number and quality of trained professionals that will be needed to support further progress. The United States already faces personnel shortages in some computer related jobs, including university teaching. In the face of this evident and increasing need, we must think clearly about out expectations for computing professionals of all sorts and the way they are trained. In the forty years that I have been in the field, the focus in industry has changed from programming to software development. A gulf is growing between the skills that students build at a university and the needs of industry. This paper examines the nature and extent of the problem and suggests a variety of ways to address it

Why Multi-Sectoral Approaches Are Rarely Applied in Community Health Interventions in Some Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?

The objective of this work is to analyze the reasons why community health interventions in Africa do not consider multisectoral approaches. To achieve it, we perform a mini-review of health development policies and plans available online in seven countries from four regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, two main reasons have been highlighted. First, national strategic plans and policies for health development, in their formulation, neither sufficiently emphasize multisectoral approaches, nor sufficiently make these approaches operational in strategies and activities. Second, the mindset of health professionals due to their initial training orientation based on the biomedical approach, stands that disease is only a result of a physiological imbalance in the body;therefore, to restore health, such an imbalance only needs sophisticated procedures and interventions to be overcome. Such an orientation completely ignores the social, cultural and economic context in which the individual lives, which has an irretrievable influence on the health imbalance. However, health, influenced by the conditions in which people are conceived, born, grow, live, work and aged, cannot be effectively improved in a sustainable way without taking into account all these conditions. Whence the importance of approaches based on every sector of human activity that influences the living conditions.

Critical Review of Literature on Radiologic Technology Education Program Evaluation

Curriculum has achieved a varied record of success in influencing health based practices and developing professional skills. Designing and implementing an effective radiologic technology educational program curriculum requires a disciplined pedagogical approach where the instructor performs a thorough situational analysis, develops a theory based and pragmatic learning plan, and implements a course of study in accordance with the established educational guidelines and requirements. Diligent efforts are needed to enhance the relationship amongst curriculum developers and evaluators. The collection of information at the formative stage: followed by process evaluation to assess implementation as the curriculum progresses, and summative evaluation to assess impact is required for accreditation of program in the United States by the Joint Review Committee for Education in Radiologic Technology. Formative evaluation research is used to enhance effectiveness of the curriculum, guide development of teaching and learning strategies, and reveal promising and ineffective components of curriculum. This review of literature provides evidence as to what is considered to be the best practice in the program evaluation/accreditation process.