http://hdl.handle.net/10609/3741 2013-05-22T07:49:58Z http://hdl.handle.net/10609/22002 Title: Exploring the use of mobile communications in a sample of older people: Preliminary results of a case study in Los Angeles Authors: Fernández-Ardèvol, Mireia Abstract: This paper introduces a qualitative case study on mobile communication among the older population (60+ years old) conducted in Great Los Angeles (CA, USA) in autumn 2011. Methodology, fieldwork and preliminary results are discussed. Before, country-level data is presented to better understand the specific characteristics of the studied individuals. The section focus is on demographics and on acceptance and use of information and communication technologies (ICT). Preliminary results show that within the sample under study (20 individuals) there is a high number of mobile phone users (15) while among non-mobile users (5), three of them decide to stop using this technology. A majority of mobile phone adopters describe a very limited use of the device for everyday life communications. Finally, while Internet is really popular within the sample (14 users), just 3 individuals go online through their mobile telephone 2012-05-14T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10609/21961 Title: LMS y web 2.0 una relación simbiótica en las aulas universitarias. Diseño e integración de actividades pedagógicas 2.0 en una plataforma Blackboard Authors: Rodera, Ana; Barbera, Elena Abstract: In this paper we make a thorough description of each of the three tests of continuous assessment (PECs) developed in the Master of Computer Science at the University of Alcalá de Henares (UAH). These have been mediated by five social network technology tools; Glogster, Twitter, Twtpoll, Slideshare and CmapTools which combine with the LMS used for the course. We present the results from each of the previous tests where we observe that after the initial dislocation of the students, the reactions are positive about the integration of different web 2.0 tools in the process of formal education. It also states the conclusions of our work, where we show a series of aims to be considered in order to foster a good relationship and use both learning management systems (LMSs) and 2.0 resources within the educational process. We finally point out the future proposals emerging from the work done and to be done? aiming at innovation. This innovation involves taking responsibility and continues working on possible pedagogical models that cross the barriers of traditional LMSs, ignoring the reality of the 2.0 moment. Description: Peer-reviewed 2009-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10609/21941 Title: Analysing Professional Discourse in Interactive Learning: Integrating Historical and Situational Perspectives Authors: Torras, Eulàlia; Barbera, Elena Abstract: Written environments in online learning enable professional discourse to be analysed in depth and provide greater knowledge for improving learning and for planning and delivering courses aimed at professional development. Until now, research into professional discourse has highlighted the importance of interaction in the development of professional discourse, the need to analyse professional discourse as much from a historical point of view as from a situational one and the influence the demands of the context have on this discourse. This study takes this triple result and delves further into the professional discourse verbalised by 21 educational psychologists taking an online practice development course, and incorporates an integrated historical and situational analysis. The professional discourse reflected in interaction observed in a debate activity and in the study material for the course was analysed to discover the principal sources of power and sources of content. The historical analysis revealed four sources of power: researchers of recognised standing, the author of the study material, the expert professional acting as teacher and the primary sources of information. The situational analysis revealed three sources of content: the tasks and contexts, the theoretical models, and the approach and professional practice intervention models. Sources of power, sources of content and also the type of request made by the teacher are elements identified in the discourse that take on a special relevance in the design and planning of courses for professionals in interactive learning environments. Description: Peer-reviewed 2009-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10609/21921 Title: Quality of Learners¿ Time and Learning Performance Beyond Quantitative Time-on-Task Authors: Romero, Margarida; Barbera, Elena Abstract: Along with the amount of time spent learning (or time-on-task), the quality of learning time has a real influence on learning performance. Quality of time in online learning depends on students¿ time availability and their willingness to devote quality cognitive time to learning activities. However, the quantity and quality of the time spent by adult e-learners on learning activities can be reduced by professional, family, and social commitments. Considering that the main time pattern followed by most adult e-learners is a professional one, it may be beneficial for online education programs to offer a certain degree of flexibility in instructional time that might allow adult learners to adjust their learning times to their professional constraints. However, using the time left over once professional and family requirements have been fulfilled could lead to a reduction in quality time for learning. This paper starts by introducing the concept of quality of learning time from an online studentcentred perspective. The impact of students¿ time-related variables (working hours, timeon- task engagement, time flexibility, time of day, day of week) is then analyzed according to individual and collaborative grades achieved during an online master¿s degree program. The data show that both students¿ time flexibility (r = .98) and especially their availability to learn in the morning are related to better grades in individual (r = .93) and collaborative activities (r = .46). Description: Peer-reviewed 2010-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10609/21901 Title: Technology educational affordance: Bridging the gap between patterns of interaction and technology usage Authors: Badia, Antoni; Barbera, Elena; Guasch, Teresa; Espasa, Anna Abstract: This paper reports on an empirical and descriptive investigation into how teachers and learners use technology in three prototypical learning activities in a higher educational online learning environment. Additionally, the relationship between the educational uses of technology and the overall educational patterns of interaction between teachers and learners, and among learners themselves was analysed. Detailed teacher and learner self-reports about their teaching and learning activity; the asynchronous written messages teachers and learners sent as educational interaction in the online learning environment; and documents produced by students were all obtained. The results from the three learning activities indicated six overall educational uses of technology in an online learning environment. Moreover, the results also indicated differences in technology usage in some different patterns of educational interaction in each learning activity. In conclusion, we argue that the notion of technology educational affordance is useful as an effective bridge between the real use of technology and instructional aims. Therefore the distribution of educational uses of technology is not only related to some attributes of both technology and instruction but also to its interaction. Description: Peer-reviewed 2010-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10609/21881 Title: Temporal issues in e-learning research: A literature review Authors: Barbera, Elena; Gros, Begoña; Kirschner, Paul Description: Peer-reviewed 2011-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10609/21861 Title: Time in e-Learning Research: A Qualitative Review of the Empirical Consideration of Time in Research into e-Learning Authors: Barbera, Elena; Clarà, Marc Abstract: Time has been argued by several influential approaches as essential for understanding learning and teaching processes. In elearning, however, the traditional time limits of such processes are modified, which implies challenges and possibilities for elearning research. This paper is aimed at understanding how time is included in empirical e-learning research literature.With this aim in mind, the paper presents a qualitative review of 24 e-learning papers. Five issues are analysed: the conception of time, its inclusion in an explicative model, its inclusion in the research process, the analytical units, and the data used in the study of time. Based on our analysis, we discuss some implications and potentialities for e-learning research on the relations between time and learning. Description: Peer-reviewed 2012-01-02T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10609/21841 Title: Creativity in Collaborative Learning across the Life Span Authors: Romero, Margarida; Hyvonen, Pirkko; Barbera, Elena Abstract: Creativity is one of the competencies required in order successfully to meet challenges across the life span. After defining the broad concept of creativity and its relevance in education, this paper discusses the out-come of a literature review on creativity in collaborative learning across the different stages of an indi-vidual¿s development, with a specific focus on the use of ICT as a means of fostering the creative learning process. Although much of the literature concerns creativity and critical thinking skills in children and adolescents, we analyze the specific requirements and specificities of these competencies in advanced adulthood. We aim specifically to characterize the capabilities of older adults to collaborate through Vir-tual Learning Environments (VLEs). The last part of the paper discusses means of promoting the devel-opment of creative skills at different ages, notably in elderly persons, and the use of collaborative learning technologies. Description: Peer-reviewed 2011-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10609/21821 Title: Broadcast Yourself! Internet and playful media practices Authors: San Cornelio Esquerdo, Gemma; Pagès, Ruth; Ardèvol Piera, Elisenda; Roig Telo, Antoni Abstract: In this paper we want to present a work- in-progress research about video self production on the Internet that is part of a broader research project which explores the ways current media practices convey a 'playful' relationship with digital technologies in popular culture.; En aquest article volem presentar un treball de recerca en curs sobre la producció pròpia de vídeos a Internet, el qual forma part d'un projecte de recerca més ampli que explora com les pràctiques actuals dels mitjans de comunicació transmeten una relació 'juganera' amb les tecnologies digitals en la cultura popular.; En este artículo queremos presentar un trabajo de investigación en curso sobre la producción propia de vídeos en Internet, el cual forma parte de un proyecto de investigación más amplio que explora cómo las prácticas actuales de los medios de comunicación transmiten una relación 'juguetóna' con las tecnologías digitales en la cultura popular. 2007-09-06T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10609/21361 Title: Importància del lideratge en la gestió de la prevenció en matèria de seguretat i salut en el treball Authors: Rimbau Gilabert, Eva Abstract: Tota l'evidència de recerca disponible apunta que el compromís de la direcció amb la prevenció és el primer determinant dels resultats de salut i seguretat en una organització. Es revisen les motivacions per a comprometre's amb la prevenció i les accions mitjançant les quals els càrrecs directius poden materialitzar aquest compromís // Presentació de la conferencia realitzada per la Dra. Eva Rimbau Gilabert en la Jornada del dia mundial de la seguretat i la salut en el treball, organitzada per la Direcció General de Funció Pública de la Generalitat de Catalunya.; Toda la evidencia de investigación disponible apunta a que el compromiso de la dirección con la prevención es el primer determinante de los resultados de salud y seguridad en una organización. Se revisan las motivaciones para comprometerse con la prevención y las acciones mediante las cuales los cargos directivos pueden materializar este compromiso / / Presentación de la conferencia realizada por la Dra. Eva Rimbau Gilabert en la Jornada del día mundial de la seguridad y la salud en el trabajo, organizada por la Dirección General de Función Pública de la Generalitat de Catalunya.; All available research evidence suggests that the management commitment to prevention is the primary determinant of health outcomes and safety in an organization / / Presentation of the conference held by Dr.. Eva Rimbau Gilabert in the Day World Day of safety and health at work, organized by the Dirección General de Función Pública de la Generalitat de Catalunya 2013-05-01T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10609/21201 Title: Las misiones de paz de la Unión Europea: fundamentos jurídicos, origen y desarrollo, sistema organizativo, procedimiento de creación y seguimiento y acuerdos internacionales de ejecución Authors: Julià Barceló, Maria Abstract: L'objecte de la tesi és l'estudi de les missions de pau de la UE (militars, no militars i de caràcter mixt), en el marc de la Política Comuna de Seguretat i Defensa (PCSD). A través d'aquestes missions, creades entre els anys 2003 i 2011, la UE ha assumit un paper d'actor en el context de les relacions internacionals en aquelles àrees d'influència geopolítica, econòmica i estratègica, situades fora de les fronteres de la Unió, principalment a Àfrica, Àsia, Orient Mitjà i els Balcans occidentals.; El objeto de la tesis es el estudio de las misiones de paz de la UE (militares, no militares y de carácter mixto), en el marco de la Política Común de Seguridad y Defensa (PCSD). A través de estas misiones, creadas entre los años 2003 y 2011, la UE ha asumido un papel de actor en el contexto de las relaciones internacionales en aquellas áreas de influencia geopolítica, económica y estratégica, situadas fuera de las fronteras de la Unión, principalmente en África, Asia, Oriente Medio y los Balcanes occidentales.; This thesis aims to study the EU peacekeeping missions in the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Through these missions, created between 2003 and 2011, the EU has become an active actor in the context of international relations in areas of geopolitical, economic and strategic influence located outside the borders of the EU. 2013-01-07T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10609/21181 Title: L'Acord marc d'homologació de serveis TIC de la Generalitat de Catalunya: un cas d'aprovisionament de SSTI a l'administració pública Authors: Marco Simó, Josep Maria Abstract: L'externalització de Sistemes, Serveis i Tecnologies de la Informació (SSTI) és una pràctica habitual al sector privat que ja ha estat àmpliament estudiada a la literatura científica. En canvi, al context del sector públic, aquests processos d'externalització no han estat encara prou ben recollits, malgrat la importància del sector quant a volum econòmic que generen les seves necessitats de SSTI. El treball que presentem fa una aportació a aquesta encara molt reduïda recerca al voltant de l'externalització de SSTI al sector públic, a partir de l'estudi d'un cas innovador: el de l'Acord marc d'homologació de serveis TIC de la Generalitat de Catalunya (AMH). L'AMH és un mecanisme per a la prequalificació o homologació dels proveïdors que hauran de fer l'aprovisionament d'una part central i diversa dels SSTI dels diferents departaments i ens de la Generalitat. Es va gestar durant el 2003 i la vigència de la seva tercera edició arriba fins a l'inici de 2013.; La externalización de Sistemas, Servicios y Tecnologías de la Información (SSTI) es una práctica habitual en el sector privado que ya ha sido ampliamente estudiada en la literatura científica. En cambio, el contexto del sector público, estos procesos de externalización no han sido todavía suficientemente bien recogidos, a pesar de la importancia del sector en cuanto a volumen económico que generan sus necesidades de SSTI. El trabajo que presentamos hace una aportación a esta todavía muy reducida investigación en torno a la externalización de SSTI al sector público, a partir del estudio de un caso innovador: el del Acuerdo marco de homologación de servicios TIC de la Generalidad de Cataluña (AMH). El AMH es un mecanismo para la precalificación o homologación de los proveedores que deberán hacer el aprovisionamiento de una parte central y diversa de los SSTI los diferentes departamentos y entes de la Generalidad. Se gestó durante 2003 y la vigencia de su tercera edición llega hasta el inicio de 2013.; Outsourcing of Information Systems, Services and Technology (ISST) is a common practice in the private sector that has been widely studied in the literature. However, in the context of the public sector, ISST outsourcing has not yet received sufficient attention, despite the importance of the sector in terms of economic volume generated and ISST needs. The present thesis makes a contribution to the still scarce research about ISST outsourcing in the public sector, by showing the research results arisen during the in-depth study of an innovative case: the so-called Pre-qualification Agreement for ICT services (AMH) led by the Government of Catalunya. The AMH is a mechanism for pre-qualification or certification of provider companies responsible for provisioning a central part of the ISST needed by the various departments and agencies of the Catalan Government. It was firstly conceived in 2003 and, after three different versions, the validity of its third edition reaches the beginning of 2013. 2013-02-14T23:00:00Z