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This paper presents the results of a study that sought to analyze conditions and challenges in the research training of students of teaching. To this end, a questionnaire was administered to 299 students and interviews were conducted with 8 professors of courses aimed at strengthening research skills. A linear regression model and multilevel model were used to analyze quantitative data, while textual analysis was used for qualitative information. The results show that a system of favorable beliefs and conceptions about research, student profiles upon entry to the university, and curriculum structure all play an important role in developing skills. Also linked to research training are the form of study and the academic level and research performance of professors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a literature review of research journals in science teaching in Latin America and the Caribbean with the aim of identifying, describing and characterizing the main lines of research. The documentary basis is made up of 15 scientific journals and 490 papers that report work in educational research. From the abstracts of the papers it was possible to identify the problems addressed, which were grouped into five dimensions: learning science, teaching science, the science curriculum, science teachers and students of science teaching. The results show that teaching and learning science is the main problem addressed by most studies conducted in Latin America and the Caribbean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is becoming common among university students. This research set out to identify the psychological and physical variables associated with PIU and examine the influence of PIU on these variables. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The review found 51 studies with a total sample size of 136,760 subjects, while 12 studies were identified for the meta-analysis. The results showed that the main psychological and physical variables associated with PIU are a lack of self-control, anxiety, low self-esteem, low levels of physical activity, and low academic self-efficacy. However, the meta-analysis found that only PIU -- for which statistically significant differences were observed -- was a predictor of anxiety and low self-esteem. Lastly, this paper discusses the practical implications of this research and the need for preventive action and education on the proper use of technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is part of a larger research study; AECID'S Project A/024180/09, and pertains to an assessment of the autonomy of schools in Chile. The aim of this paper is to examine the potential for institutional development in schools in the Fifth Region of Valparaiso, Chile, by analyzing the discourses of classroom teachers and management teams from a qualitative perspective. To this end, we conducted a descriptive study with a qualitative design in five schools in the region of Valparaíso. Six focus groups were formed to collect the data, which was subsequently analyzed using discourse analysis. The results showed consensus regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the teaching-learning processes; organizational strengthening and openness toward the school's educational community. The results obtained are relevant to the national educational field and for guiding future intervention by government authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to meet the demands of society, the educational community uses literacy as a cornerstone concept. However, this concept is not unambiguous and has been influenced by different trends and advances in research. This paper seeks to understand the concept of literacy by analyzing some of the theories that have shaped it. Three dimensions are considered in the analysis: the discipline that underpins proposals to improve literacy, points of view on this phenomenon and the focus on teaching. The discussion brings to light the convergences and divergences between the theories and revised proposals and acknowledges four significant sources of tension for teacher training: the shift towards learning, its situated nature, the sociological and political framework of literacy and divergences between teacher training and public policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the open responses to a problem situation used in research on the mean with data containing outliers. The results reveal correct and incorrect perceptions and show that statistical notions regarding the context and representativeness of a data set are far removed from teacher training. Elementary teacher educators could draw from these perceptions and help to improve them so that future teachers may gain a full understanding of the concept, which will give them the skills they need to teach statistics in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning objects (LOs) repositories are important in building educational content and should allow search, retrieval and composition processes to be successfully developed to reach educational goals. However, such processes require so much time-consuming and not always provide the desired results. Thus, the aim of this paper is to propose a model for the semiautomatic composition of LOs, which are automatically recovered from open repositories. For the development of model, various text similarity measures are discussed, while for calibration and validation some comparison experiments were performed using the results obtained by teachers. Experimental results show that when using a value of k (number of LOs selected) of at least 3, the percentage of similarities between the model and such made by experts exceeds 75%. To conclude, it can be established that the model proposed allows teachers to save time and effort for LOs selection by performing a pre-filter process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we report a research study geared toward refining an empirical instrument for the selection of experts for educational research, according to its reliability and internal consistency. To this end we used a three-round Delphi technique and subjected the results to a factor analysis. Latent variables were determined that explain the nature of the sources of argumentation necessary for ensuring an adequate level of competence on the part of the experts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years an increasing interest in the study of technological mediation in the educational processes at all levels of education. In this paper we communicate the characteristics found in current research on learning environments which integrate Information and Communication Technologies (ICTS) into a science class. Analysis of the research uses Gowin's heuristic technique V as a metacognitive strategy that allows the identification of the the relevant aspects of the research process. Reviewed and described were the different works selected to determine current trends in the study of teaching and learning processes using technology. It was possible to determine that the majority of the works analyzed study the aspects associated with the didactic efficacy of the use of ICTS, and only a few make reference to the interactive processes that emerge from learning activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]