Search

The professionalization of university teaching has promoted extensive efforts, both by the Educational Systems and Higher Education Institutions themselves, to develop teaching skills in those who have the mission of training professionals in different areas of knowledge. The objective of this work was to build up a profile of a trainer of trainers' skills. Firstly, a systematic review of Spanish-American and Anglo-Saxon literature, including 58 articles published in the last five years, was carried out. Subsequently, the comprehensive analysis established ten emerging categories, grouped in three dimensions: pedagogical, investigative, and cross-cutting. On the one hand, this result shows academic community's great interest in searching for skills or qualities that a trainer of trainers must demonstrate. On the other hand, the reviewed documents reveal that those who work in academia agree that the first two dimensions above correspond to the actions of a trainer. Likewise, with a broad presence in the consulted literature, the cross-cutting dimension makes known those interpersonal competencies related to the use of ICT and attention to diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to identify, from managers' perception, their degree of identification with a series of skills required by their positions. The study contrasts the results by hierarchical position, gender, and university type (public and private). It is conducted from a descriptive quantitative approach. For data collection, we used a questionnaire with a Likert scale applied to a non-probabilistic sample of 272 managers in Colombia from different higher education institutions. We found that the skills with the highest degree of correspondence are teamwork and leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses the ongoing training of the faculty under the conceptual trends and developments found in the literature reviewed. The study aims to discuss chief contributions to professor training at present based on the dimensions and skills proposed for their profile. It also considers the challenges that the context of the 21st century poses to those involved in university teaching or managing teacher development in educational institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article shows research trends in master's and Ph.D. programs in educational management in Latin America by reviewing the research lines of the top twelve universities in 2017, according to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Ranking. Results reveal academic management as the main trend, followed by community and executive management and, lastly, administrative and financial management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curricula continue to be a matter of research and problematization in higher education programs, particularly those that train teachers. Although the tendency is to consider them from an instrumental and technical perspective, this paper adopts critical and comprehensive perspectives. Then, this qualitative case study carried out in a School of Education at a public university intends to inquire into the curriculum conceptions present in teacher training programs and their characteristics. The research focuses on the different ways of conceiving the curriculum in the programs, even when they are part of the same academic unit; on flexibility and curricular integration as central concerns; and on the shaping/structuring of programs, which is not homogeneous but determines some paths in the training of those participating in the proposals. From the discussion, it is concluded that a key implication is the need to reach agreements both on curriculum conceptions that guide teaching action and practice and on the particular ways in which proposals are structured/shaped, following those "common minimums" that enable dialogue and collective construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the literacy limitations that are reported in higher education students, this article aims to present the scope of the Question Bank, a tool designed to systematically guide the training of a competent writer-reader at university. Building on a sociocultural approach to psychological development, the Question Bank reintroduces a daily classroom practice and turns it into a pedagogical device that regulates the acquisition of reading and writing skills at different levels of complexity. In this qualitative descriptive study, the subjective effects of the Question Bank are explored in the literacy education of 24 university students. At the end of the semester each participant was instructed to write a reflection on their personal experience with the tool. Content analysis of these documents suggests that the use of the Question Bank favors the emergence of a more active reader, stimulates the learning of metacognitive skills, and consolidates dynamic and democratic teacher-student relations in the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current hegemonic paradigm of higher education based on the competency model continues to be a subject of discussion and debate in a number of academic circles. This work proposes a philosophical analysis of the educational potential of the approach, specifically with a view towards developing cognitive-reflexive and ethical-civic aptitudes or readiness among university students. Documentary hermeneutics is used as a research method. The work centers on several points; namely, 1) the development of cognitive-reflective and ethical-civic aptitudes among university students; 2) the change of epistemological interest in higher education; 3) the notion of competence: background information, assumptions and construct analysis; and 4) criticism of competency-based education: an attempt at systematization, plus final considerations. The conclusion is that the approach lacks the educational potential required to generate the aptitudes or readiness students need to face the complex societies in today's world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the paper is to identify the current trends in competency-based evaluation in the field of health, based on review of scientific literature. A review of primary, secondary and tertiary sources in Spanish and English from 2005 to date was conducted in search engines such as PubMed, Redalyc, Scielo, Lilacs and Virtual Health Library. Current trends show competency-based evaluation brings students, teachers, HEIs and the community together to train new professionals as part of the transformation in education. It is essential that students, teachers, administrators and universities are part of the teaching, learning and evaluation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study is intended to describe how emotional intelligence and pedagogical affection influence the academic performance of first semester college students between 16 and 24 years of age. It is based on a mixed method that involves the collection, analysis and binding of quantitative and qualitative data centered on a convergent parallel design. The results show that emotional intelligence influences the ability to solve problems, to relate to others, to work as part of a team, and to achieve selfrealization, goals and purposes in life. As for how pedagogical affection influences students' academic performance, it can be concluded that the emotions manifest by teachers generate behavioral changes in students that influence their learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La investigación titulada "Mejoramiento de la capacidad inferencial en estudiantes universitarios" se propuso diseñar estrategias didácticas para desarrollarla comprensión lectora de textos académicos entre estudiantes. Se trabajó bajo la modalidad de proyecto factible, con intervención de pilotajes en la fase de desarrollo. El principal hallazgo es la propuesta estructurada, gradual y adaptable de un programa de entrenamiento en lectura comprensiva para los programas universitarios y sus cursos de alfabetización académica.A pesquisa intitulada "Melhoramento da capacidade inferencial em estudantes universitários" propôs desenhar estratégias didáticas para desenvolver a compreensão leitora de textos acadêmicos entre estudantes. Trabalhou-se sob a modalidade de projeto factível, com intervenção de pilotagens na fase de desenvolvimento. O principal descobrimento foi a proposta estruturada, gradual e adaptável de um programa de treinamento em leitura compreensiva para os programas universitários e seus cursos de alfabetização acadêmica.The study entitled "Improving the Inferential Ability of College Students" was intended to design educational strategies to develop students' reading comprehension with respect to academic texts. It was set up as a feasible project with pilot intervention in the developmental stage. The main finding centers on a gradual and adaptable structured proposal for a comprehensive reading training program for university curricula and university courses in academic literacy.

El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la validez del instrumento Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ), empleado para conocer la percepción de los estudiantes sobre la calidad del aprendizaje en la educación superior. El cuestionario fue traducido y aplicado a 325 estudiantes de ingeniería de una universidad pública de la región metropolitana de Chile. Se generaron estadísticas descriptivas y tanto los niveles de confiabilidad como los análisis de validez mostraron resultados mayoritariamente adecuados. El instrumento CEQ puede emplearse para medir la calidad de la docencia en universidades latinoamericanas y se sugiere su uso con fines de investigación. Nuevas investigaciones deberán continuar el proceso de validación e incorporar otras variables consideradas clave por la línea Student Learning Research para indagar la experiencia de aprendizaje de los estudiantes universitarios.O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a validade do instrumento Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ), empregado para conhecer a percepção dos estudantes sobre a qualidade da aprendizagem na educação superior. O questionário foi traduzido e aplicado com 325 estudantes de engenharia de uma universidade pública da região metropolitana do Chile. Geraram-se estatísticas descritivas e tanto os níveis de confiabilidade quanto as análises de validade mostraram resultados majoritariamente adequados. O instrumento CEQ pode empregar-se para medir a qualidade da docência em universidades latino-americanas e se sugere seu uso com fins de pesquisa. Novas pesquisas deverão continuar o processo de validade e incorporar outras variáveis consideradas chave pela linha Student Learning Research para indagar a experiência de aprendizagem dos estudantes universitários.The objective of this study is to analyze the validity of the Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) used to know how students perceive the quality of learning in higher education. The CEQ was translated into Spanish and applied to 325 engineering students at a public university in a metropolitan area of Chile. Descriptive statistics were compiled and the analysis of both reliability and validity showed mostly adequate results. The CEQ can be applied to measure the quality of teaching at Latin American universities and the suggestion is that it be used for research purposes. New studies should continue to validate this tool and to include other variables regarded as crucial in "student learning research" to investigate the learning experience of college students.

Los programas deformación profesional en administración, o management, son ofertados por numerosas universidades en América Latina. Como el nivel de concordancia entre ellos no es claro, en este artículo se realiza un análisis comparativo, para tener una visión integral de esos programas en Latinoamérica. La metodología implicó la revisión y análisis de cada programa, considerando su denominación, duración, tipo de certificación y salida intermedia. Los resultados más significativos son: la baja cobertura y una disparidad en la denominación de las titulaciones, en los énfasis formativos y en su duración.Muitas universidades da América Latina oferecem programas deformação profissional em gestão, ou management. Como o nível de concordância entre estes programas não é claro, este artigo fornece uma análise comparativa para ter uma visão mais holística de tais programas na América Latina. A metodologia inclui a revisão e a análise de cada programa, considerando-se o nome, a duração, o tipo de certificação e saída intermediária. Os resultados mais significativos são: baixa cobertura e grande disparidade no nome de grau, nos ênfases deformação e na duração.Professional management training programs are offered by a great many universities in Latin America. Because the extent to which they coincide is unclear, this article offers a comparative analysis for a more holistic view of such programs at the Latin American level. The method implied a review and analysis of each program, taking into account its name, duration, type of certificate and intermediate output. The most significant results point to low coverage and considerable disparity in the titles of degrees or certificates, in the emphasis on training and its duration.

En este artículo se aborda el problema de la carencia de representación de los factores que intervienen en la confianza que generan los profesores universitarios en sus estudiantes. Se plantea como objetivo lograr la representación de esa relación de confianza, partiendo de los factores básicos que en ella intervienen. Se emplea una metodología cualitativa basada en la recolección de información de las encuestas de evaluación docente en varias instituciones, para determinar los factores que más inciden en la construcción de confianza en los profesores. Como conclusión, se encuentra que los factores que más contribuyen a esta relación son: el cumplimiento del contenido del curso, el dominio del tema y las habilidades comunicativas.Este artigo examina o problema dafalta de representação dos fatores envolvidos na confiança gerada por professores universitários em seus alunos. Propõe-se conseguir uma representação dessa relação de confiança baseada nos fatores básicos envolvidos nele. Emprega-se uma metodologia qualitativa, baseada na recolha de informação a partir de enquêtes de avaliação docente em diversas instituições, para determinar os fatores que afetam a construção da confiança nos professores. Em conclusão, constatamos que os fatores que contribuem para essa relação são: o cumprimento do conteúdo do curso, o domínio do assunto e as habilidades de comunicação.The problem posed by a lack of representation of the factors involved in the confidence college teachers inspire in their students is addressed in this article. The objective is to represent that bond of confidence, based on its intervening factors. A qualitative method was used, with information gathered through teacher assessment surveys at several institutions to determine the factors that have the most impact on building confidence in teachers. The conclusion is that course content, command of the subject and communication skills are the factors that contribute the most to this relationship.

El artículo presenta los resultados de la primera de tres fases de un proyecto de investigación que pretendió fortalecer las estrategias de integración de Tecnologías de Información y Comunicaciones (TIC) en la educación superior. El objetivo de esta fase fue identificar los usos que hacen de las TIC los profesores de dos universidades colombianas. Para este fin se aplicó una encuesta a 117 profesores y se realizaron 16 entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los hallazgos sugieren que los profesores usan las TIC de casi un centenar de formas diferentes, la mayoría de ellas centradas en el apoyo a las labores administrativas o logísticas que están asociadas a sus cursos. Los resultados sugieren que no se está aprovechando el potencial que ofrecen las TIC en el mejoramiento de los ambientes de aprendizaje.Este artigo apresenta os resultados da primeira de três fases de um projeto de pesquisa que tratou de consolidar as estratégias de interação de tecnologias de informação e comunicaçôes (TIC) na educação superior. Nesta fase, o objetivo foi identificar os usos das TIC pelos professores das universidades colombianas. Aplicou-se uma enquête a 117 professores e levaram-se a cabo 16 entrevistas semi-estruturadas. Os resultados revelam que os professores usam as TIC de quase uma centena de formas distintas, a maioria enfocada a suportar as tarefas administrativas ou logísticas, associadas aos seus cursos. Os resultados também revelam que não se aproveita o potencial oferecido pelas TIC no melhoramento dos ambientes de aprendizagem.The results of the first of three stages of a research project designed to reinforce the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in higher education are presented in this article. The objective of the first stage was to identify how professors at two Colombian universities use ICT. A survey of 117 professors was conducted, along with 16 semi-structured interviews. The findings suggest that professors use ICT in nearly one hundred different ways, mostly to support the administrative and logistic tasks related to their courses. The results also indicate the potential offered by ICT is not being used fully to improve learning environments.

El presente trabajo se centra en el análisis de dos dimensiones esenciales para el estudio de la enseñanza universitaria: las actuaciones docentes en el aula y el pensamiento de los profesores sobre la enseñanza. Desde la década de los 70 hasta la actualidad, ambos temas han sido objeto de investigación a través de diversas metodologías. Los modelos conceptuales que subyacen a los diferentes enfoques que analizan la complejidad de la vida en el aula han evolucionado en mayores niveles de profundidad y extensión: desde la mirada de la racionalidad técnica, que pretende explicar las prácticas docentes mediante la verificación de patrones de conducta esperables ante situaciones regulares en el aula, hasta una mirada constructivista, que admite la singularidad y complejidad de la clase. La investigación se desarrolla entre los años 2006 y 2007, en una universidad privada de Argentina, y su objetivo es estudiar las prácticas y concepciones sobre la enseñanza que poseen 25 profesores universitarios de la carrera de medicina. Para la recolección de la información se empleó una ficha de observación de clases semiestructurada y un inventario atribucional de teorías implícitas del profesorado sobre la enseñanza, elaborado por Rodrigo, Rodríguez y Marrero. Finalmente, se estudió la relación entre las prácticas docentes observadas y las concepciones de enseñanza seleccionadas.Neste artigo analisam-se duas dimensôes essenciais no estudo do ensino universitário: o desempenho dos professores nas aulas e o pensamento do professor sobre o ensino. Desde os anos setenta até hoje, os dois temas tem-se pesquisado empregando diversas metodologias. Os modelos conceituais nos que baseiam-se as diversas abordagens que analisam a complexidade da vida na aula tem alcançado maiores níveis de profundidade e extensão: desde a visão da racionalidade técnica, que explica as práticas docentes verificando patrôes de comportamento desejados nas situaçôes do dia a dia na aula, até uma visão construtivista, que admite a singularidade e a complexidade da classe. A pesquisa foi realizada entre 2006 e 2007 em uma universidade privada da Argentina. O seu objetivo foi estudar as práticas e conceiçôes de 23 professores universitários da carreira de medicina sobre o ensino. Para recolher a informação utilizou-se uma ficha de observação de classes semi-estruturada e um inventário de atribuição de teorias implícitas do corpo docente sobre o ensino, elaborado por Rodrigo, Rodríguez e Marrero. Por último, estudou-se a relação entre as práticas docentes observadas e as conceiçôes de ensino selecionadas.The focus of this work is on analyzing two dimensions that are fundamental to a study of university teaching: how teachers act in the classroom and how they view teaching. Since the 1970s, both topics have been the object of research developed through a variety of methods. The conceptual models underlying the different approaches used to analyze the complexity of classroom life have evolved to greater levels of depth and scope: from the technical rationality approach, which tries to explain teaching practices through verification of the behavior patterns anticipated in response to regular classroom situations, to a constructivist approach that acknowledges the singularity and complexity of the classroom. The study was conducted between 2006 and 2007, at a private university in Argentina, to examine the teaching practices and concepts of 25 university professors in the field of medicine. The information was collected with a semi-structured class observation chart and an attributional inventory of teaching theories implicit in the faculty, designed by Rodrigo, Rodríguez and Marrero. The relationship between the teaching practices observed and the selected teaching concepts was examined as well.

Se analiza la importancia y la evolución políticas de las acciones afirmativas en la educación superior en Estados Unidos. Se acoge esta experiencia porque ha influido en algunos países interesados en proporcionar, a los ciudadanos históricamente excluidos, igualdad social de oportunidades en el acceso a la educación superior, con miras a que tengan movilidad social. En primer lugar, se hace una reconstrucción de los principales hitos que influyeron en la concepción de las acciones afirmativas en el contexto laboral y después en el de la educación superior. Ulteriormente se muestran las controversias y decisiones legales que se han adoptado en algunos estados con las acciones afirmativas en educación superior. Por último, los resultados hallados en estudios sobre los desempeños académicos y profesionales de la población que ha sido beneficiada con las acciones afirmativas.Neste artigo se analisam a importância e a evolução políticas das açôes afirmativas na educação superior nos Estados Unidos. Recolhe-se esta experiência pela sua influencia em muitos países interessados em dar igualdade social de oportunidades aos cidadãos excluídos tradicionalmente do acesso à educação superior, a fim de que tenham mobilidade social. Primeiro se reconstroem os principais marcos que influenciaram na conceição das açôes afirmativas no contexto de trabalho; depois, mostram-se as controvérsias e decisôes legais, adotadas em vários estados, respeito da educação superior. Por último, revelam-se os resultados de estudos sobre desempenhos acadêmicos e profissionais da população beneficiada pelas açôes afirmativas.The importance and development of policies for affirmative action in higher education in the United States are analyzed in this article. The U.S. experience is selected because it has influenced a number of countries that seek to provide historically excluded citizens with equal opportunities for access to higher education, in the interest of their social mobility. The article begins with a look back at the milestones that affected the concept of affirmative action, first in the context of jobs and later in higher education. The controversies and legal decisions adopted in some states with affirmative action in education are considered, along with the results of studies on the academic and professional development of those who have benefitted from affirmative action.

En este artículo se plantea un problema actual de la didáctica universitaria. Tradicionalmente, el ejercicio del docente universitario ha estado fundamentado en la transmisión de un contenido, es decir, de un saber sabio, en donde predomina la formación profesional y científica de los profesores. Esta situación está avalada desde el siglo XVII con Comenio. No obstante, otras posturas surgidas a través de la historia, como la de Giroux, Zabalza, Alvarez y Litwin, expresan que la práctica profesional docente a nivel universitario implica no solo un conocimiento científico sobre un saber específico, sino también un conocimiento en didáctica, el cual se manifiesta en el método de enseñanza o saber enseñado. Estos planteamientos -en apariencia opuestos-, cuando son tratados por separado en el contexto de las prácticas de enseñanza, se convierten en un problema para la didáctica universitaria. Sin embargo, con los aportes de Chevallard y Klafki este problema se abre camino a la solución, en tanto se piensa en la traducción de conocimientos como una manera de integrar los contenidos del saber y los métodos de enseñanza en las prácticas docentes del profesor universitario. Así, la didáctica universitaria se concibe de una nueva forma.The article looks at a current problem for university didactics. Traditionally, teaching at the university level has been based on the transmission of content; that is, wisdom in which the professional and scientific training of the professor predominates. This situation has been endorsed since the 17th century with the pedagogy of Comenius. However, other positions have emerged during the course of history, such as that of Giroux, Zabalza, Álvarez and Litwin, who claim that professional teaching practice at the university level implies not only scientific knowledge of a specific field, but an understanding of didactics, which is manifest in the teaching method or learned knowledge. These seemingly opposite approaches, when addressed separately in the context of teaching practices, become a problem for university didactics. However, with the contributions of Chevallard and Klafki, this problem opens the way for a solution, insofar as the translation of knowledge is viewed as a way to combine the contents of knowledge with teaching methods in the teaching practices of university professors, thereby casting university didactics in a new light.

The purpose of this study is to describe the educational process experienced by students with sensory disabilities when attending college. An interpretive qualitative approach was used in conjunction with a collective case-study design. The information was gathered through a combination of semi-structured interviews and surveys. The results identify the efforts some institutions make to create the kind of support that responds to the needs that arise in the teaching-learning process. They also reveal differences in the conditions being offered and the range of experiences these students encounter during their time in college. This situation is due to a variety of reasons, such as a lack of clear regulations that make financing possible, regulate admissions, and establish ways and means to deliver the support these young people require, according to their needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article outlines the open access models in education and science being imple-mented in six countries that are pioneers in the field (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, England, Spain and the United States), from the perspective of the European Union. The analysis starts with the political and legal framework of open access, then pro-ceeds to consider the association or connection between the models implemented in each of the countries under study. The conclusion is that the "open" model contrib-utes to the quality of processes for information and knowledge; however, there are technological and legal difficulties in its implementation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although we expect most graduates of doctoral programs in engineering to find work with non-academic organizations, such as those in industry, the job market shows the higher education sector employs a large number of them. A study compar-ing the occupational preferences of engineering Ph.D. candidates in Colombia and the USA was conducted to understand this phenomenon. The results of that compar-ison of professional preferences shows students choose an academic career because they find it allows them to publish, to receive peer recognition, to have the freedom to choose their research projects, and provides job security; while those interested in industry show concern over wages, money, resources and access to high-end equip-ment and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching research needs to include changes in the social way of producing, appropriating and using scientific knowledge by designing and applying classroom teaching research strategies and showing meaningful moments in the teaching process of scientific research. A study was undertaken for three academic semesters with ig2 students, stressing the use of a virtual platform to develop research-learning activities. The study highlights the positive results obtained in teaching research as well as the difficulties arising in leading the process and the usefulness of supporting this process with ICT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the influence that the environment has on developing self-regulated learning in university students as well as the teacher's accountability for learning to teach. It describes the results of an ongoing study, which have been obtained by observing class documents and ongoing classes in the school of Medicine of a private Argentinean university. The analysis was based on the model offered by Grounded Theory Approach; its purpose was to elaborate a theoretical frame than can enhance understanding of how the connection between teacher and student happens, what teaching strategies are used in the classroom to forward the development of AAR and what characteristics the self regulated process undertaken in class have. The study concludes that both student and teacher must acknowledge their positions and understand the characteristics of the context on which they are in order to generate better learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to analyze the validity of the Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) used to know how students perceive the quality of learning in higher education. The CEQ was translated into Spanish and applied to 325 engineering students at a public university in a metropolitan area of Chile. Descriptive statistics were compiled and the analysis of both reliability and validity showed mostly adequate results. The CEQ can be applied to measure the quality of teaching at Latin American universities and the suggestion is that it be used for research purposes. New studies should continue to validate this tool and to include other variables regarded as crucial in "student learning research" to investigate the learning experience of college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study entitled "Improving the Inferential Ability of College Students" was intended to design educational strategies to develop students" reading comprehension with respect to academic texts. It was set up as a feasible project with pilot intervention in the developmental stage. The main finding centers on a gradual and adaptable structured proposal for a comprehensive reading training program for university curricula and university courses in academic literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional management training programs are offered by a great many universities in Latin America. Because the extent to which they coincide is unclear, this article offers a comparative analysis for a more holistic view of such programs at the Latin American level. The method implied a review and analysis of each program, taking into account its name, duration, type of certificate and intermediate output. The most significant results point to low coverage and considerable disparity in the titles of degrees or certificates, in the emphasis on training and its duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of the first of three stages of a research project designed to reinforce the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in higher education are presented in this article. The objective of the first stage was to identify how professors at two Colombian universities use ICT. A survey of 117 professors was conducted, along with 16 semi-structured interviews. The findings suggest that professors use ICT in nearly one hundred different ways, mostly to support the administrative and logistic tasks related to their courses. The results also indicate the potential offered by ICT is not being used fully to improve learning environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at a current problem for university didactics. Traditionally, teaching at the university level has been based on the transmission of content; that is, wisdom in which the professional and scientific training of the professor predominates. This situation has been endorsed since the 17th century with the pedagogy of Comenius. However, other positions have emerged during the course of history, such as that of Giroux, Zabalza, Álvarez and Litwin, who claim that professional teaching practice at the university level implies not only scientific knowledge of a specific field, but an understanding of didactics, which is manifest in the teaching method or learned knowledge. These seemingly opposite approaches, when addressed separately in the context of teaching practices, become a problem for university didactics. However, with the contributions of Chevallard and Klafki, this problem opens the way for a solution, insofar as the translation of knowledge is viewed as a way to combine the contents of knowledge with teaching methods in the teaching practices of university professors, thereby casting university didactics in a new light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance and development of policies for affirmative action in higher education in the United States are analyzed in this article. The U.S. experience is selected because it has influenced a number of countries that seek to provide historically excluded citizens with equal opportunities for access to higher education, in the interest of their social mobility. The article begins with a look back at the milestones that affected the concept of affirmative action, first in the context of jobs and later in higher education. The controversies and legal decisions adopted in some states with affirmative action in education are considered, along with the results of studies on the academic and professional development of those who have benefited from affirmative action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this work is on analyzing two dimensions that are fundamental to a study of university teaching: how teachers act in the classroom and how they view teaching. Since the 1970s, both topics have been the object of research developed through a variety of methods. The conceptual models underlying the different approaches used to analyze the complexity of classroom life have evolved to greater levels of depth and scope: from the technical rationality approach, which tries to explain teaching practices through verification of the behavior patterns anticipated in response to regular classroom situations, to a constructivist approach that acknowledges the singularity and complexity of the classroom. The study was conducted between 2006 and 2007, at a private university in Argentina, to examine the teaching practices and concepts of 25 university professors in the field of medicine. The information was collected with a semi-structured class observation chart and an attributional inventory of teaching theories implicit in the faculty, designed by Rodrigo, Rodríguez and Marrero. The relationship between the teaching practices observed and the selected teaching concepts was examined as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]