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The major legislative changes undertaken by the Spanish University Ordination Act in 2001 have sharply changed the guidelines of accreditation and promotion for university teachers. The period of 2001-2011 was marked by different economic and social contexts in Spanish universities, as well as by these new teacher evaluation systems coming into force. The period of economic growth until 2007 and the subsequent crisis that continues today have set boundary conditions that directly affect the structure of teaching staff in university faculties. This situation has created a problem that combines short-term phenomena such as the economic situation with long-term ones such as the teacher's accreditation process. This paper presents the evolution of teachers in Spain (associate, full professor, contracted, etc.) until 2011 and the repercussions of accreditation systems in the teaching profession. It explores the causes and consequences of different variables (such as category, dedication, or teacher's population) using the methodology of statistical analysis with the aim of determining the influence and representation that actually involves each of the existing figures in the university structure. These parameters influence teaching and it is particularly important to determine how changes in the accreditation system are actually affecting the functioning of university schools. Finally, the paper presents possible future scenarios arising in the field of university accreditation for a better fit in the international context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reflects on the concept of English Medium Instruction, a growing activity at Spanish universities and a consequence of the European Higher Education Area, the internationalization of universities and the gradual interest in the different CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) models. The forces behind CLIL are presented along with the benefits for institutions and practitioners involved. Special attention is given to methodological implications with the purpose of demystifying the belief that English language competence is the only requisite and benefit of bilingual programs. The paper offers an overview of the spread of this practice in Spanish Universities as well as references to sources for further information. Another section presents some of the aspects related to the implementation of bilingual programs, mainly those referring to planning. Teacher education, competences required and linguistic needs are dealt with in the final section. The main contribution of the article could be some indications for trainers or for those who may undertake autonomous training to teach through English. The paper points at three areas from which knowledge about the linguistic needs can be obtained. In addition, these areas may help the content teacher to understand the different language types used in the classroom event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to expose the emprise in curricular innovation of the Faculty of Humanities and Education (HUHEZI) at Mondragon University. This experience will be illustrated through the subject Cross-cultural Education and Values Education of the Teacher Training Degree (Infant and Primary Education Degrees). The practice described is located within the cooperative framework of Grupo Mondragón. This paper explains the keys and the institutional and collective process of the education project at HUHEZI. It portrays the development and the evolution of the subject afore mentioned from its early start (Teacher Training Degree in the academic year 2005-2006) to nowadays (2012- 2013). The core of the paper is the exposition of the organization of this subject, its methodology, participation means, staff training, its ongoing design, application, evaluation and the improvement of its cross-curricular perspective - all of which represent the main ingredients of the educational project of HUHEZI. Difficulties and challenges are also described, such as the need to balance the democratic means of participation with the academic and epistemological disciplines. The current financial struggle, the constant political alterations and the sudden socio-cultural changes are some other challenges to be faced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper relates two basic aspects of assessment evaluation in higher education (Formative Assessment and Competency Assessment) with the existence of an Inter-University Network that carries five years working these issues systematically. First, we analyze the state of the Formative and Shared Assessment in Higher Education. Second, we explain the organization and operation of the Network of Formative Assessment in Higher Education: purpose, basic methodology of work, different actions and framework: innovation projects and educational research, seminars, action-research, dissemination of results, annual conferences and thematic work-groups. We also present the main results, organized into four sections: a-advantages; b-cons, problems and possible solutions; c-influence on academic performance; d-load of work required by teachers and pupils. In the third and final section of the paper we explain the fundamental aspects of Competency Assessment in Higher Education, the changes required and the importance of coherence among curriculum elements, in this sense, we provide a practical application that we hope will be helpful in achieving higher level of coherence in our curriculum subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews two studies made about teachers' profiles and their beliefs concerning their own teaching in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Chile. These beliefs are interpreted as their subjective theories, which are assumed to be representative of the culture in the health science system and the dominant university systems. These beliefs influence their behavior and they are not often explicit. Using different techniques of data gathering, beliefs concerning teaching, teaching techniques, the reasons why these are chosen and the evaluation of what is learned are explored along with some ethical and social aspects of teaching. These two studies look for elements to improve faculty development programs. It has been observed that beliefs related to practical, non-reflective thinking are predominant. It is suggested to reinforce faculty development programs to stimulate analytic and reflexive thinking as well as to improve the values in student-teacher relationships that might be based on reflection on the practice. It is concluded that teacher-training courses have influenced those who took them and they are contaminated by the scientific paradigm of health sciences professions. Limitations in those who have taken the courses have been observed. However, these limitations are of a lesser degree than in those who have not taken the training courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we show the most relevant results of the first year of implementation of the Educational Evaluation National Network and University Teaching. The basic methodology used was action-research on formative assessment practices in higher education, in subjects taught by teachers members of the net, with a total of 41 cases. The results present the advantages that this assessment system meant both for students and for teachers involved, including the greater involvement and motivation of students, as well as further development of students' autonomy. Some difficulties were also detected, such as excess work for the teachers or the lack of habit of students in formative assessment processes. The project we have developed has a direct effect on the university teaching practice and lead us to consider the formative evaluation as an essential element to renew our teaching practice and as a good alternative for dealing with the changes arising from the European Higher Education Area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]