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María Ángeles Pérez

Bio: María Ángeles Pérez is an academic researcher from University of Valladolid. The author has contributed to research in topics: Active learning & Collaborative learning. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 17 publications receiving 221 citations.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The effects of competitive learning on the satisfaction and the academic achievement of telecommunications students is explored and significant results on the use of competitive e-learning tools in university students' outcomes and satisfaction are presented.
Abstract: Over the last few years, most of the attempts to introduce active learning methodologies in the classroom have made use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Many of these efforts have been directed to collaborative scenarios used in remote, blended or face-to-face experiences, in order to take advantage of the flexibility provided by ICT. However competitive learning could also have some positive effects on the success of the learning process, to be added to those of collaborative virtual environments. This paper explores the effects of competitive learning on the satisfaction and the academic achievement of telecommunications students. A tool for active and competitive learning (called QUEST) has been used in the ldquoCommunications Networksrdquo undergraduate course. Significant results on the use of competitive e-learning tools in university students' outcomes and satisfaction are presented.

90 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Urinary 24-h MNt excretion level is the best single biochemical test for screening and, in combination with norephinephrine, is diagnostic of the presence of pheochromocytoma.

51 citations

Journal Article
TL;DR: The evidence for the effectiveness of adaptive learning and the satisfaction level of students when using this type of learning are examined and the learners' opinion is analysed in order to estimate their satisfaction and to know their preferred mode of studying.
Abstract: This study examines the evidence for the effectiveness of adaptive learning and the satisfaction level of students when using this type of learning. It first analyses the different classifications of adaptive learning systems existing in the literature, to focus later on describing some adaptive and intelligent e-learning systems, mainly those included in the groups of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS), Adaptive Hypermedia Systems (AHS) and Intelligent Collaborative Learning systems. Next, the Effect Size (ES) tool is adopted as a standard way to compare the results of one pedagogical experiment to another. ES is used to analyse the effectiveness of some of the systems previously described, in order to demonstrate that adaptive learning can provide significant improvements in the learning process of students. Secondly, the learners' opinion is analysed in order to estimate their satisfaction and to know their preferred mode of studying. Finally, a number of conclusions and future trends are discussed.

31 citations

01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: The Effect Size tool is adopted as a standard way to compare the results of one pedagogical experiment to another and ES is used to analyse the effectiveness of the systems previously described, in order to demonstrate that adaptive learning can provide significant improvements in the learning process of students.
Abstract: This study examines the evidence for the effectiveness of adaptive learning. It first analyses the different classifications of adaptive learning systems existing in the literature, to focus later on Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) and Adaptive Hypermedia Systems (AHS) describing some examples of both types of systems. Next, the Effect Size (ES) tool is adopted as a standard way to compare the results of one pedagogical experiment to another. ES is used to analyse the effectiveness of the systems previously described, in order to demonstrate that adaptive learning can provide significant improvements in the learning process of students. Finally, a number of conclusions and future trends are discussed.

19 citations

Book ChapterDOI
20 Aug 2008
TL;DR: The relationship between motivation and competition is analysed through a number of hypotheses focusing on elements such as the level of satisfaction of students with different learning styles (competitive, collaborative...) when using the competitive active e-learning tool called QUESTournament.
Abstract: The Bologna model pursues to improve the quality of Higher Education and, in turn, human resources across Europe. One of the action lines of the Bologna Process is the promotion of the attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). In this context, motivated students are a key element. Motivation can be reached in a number of different ways, one of which is explored in this paper, and consists in the use of active e-learning methodologies to force students to compete among themselves during their learning process. The relationship between motivation and competition is analysed through a number of hypotheses focusing on elements such as the level of satisfaction of students with different learning styles (competitive, collaborative...) when using the competitive active e-learning tool called QUESTournament. This system has been used in several University courses belonging to different degrees and diplomas taught at the University of Valladolid (Spain). Data collected from these experiences are analysed and discussed.

11 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This evidence-based guideline recommends minimally invasive adrenalectomy for most pheochromocytomas with open resection for most paragangliomas and suggests personalized management with evaluation and treatment by multidisciplinary teams with appropriate expertise to ensure favorable outcomes.
Abstract: Objective: The aim was to formulate clinical practice guidelines for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). Participants: The Task Force included a chair selected by the Endocrine Society Clinical Guidelines Subcommittee (CGS), seven experts in the field, and a methodologist. The authors received no corporate funding or remuneration. Evidence: This evidence-based guideline was developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system to describe both the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence. The Task Force reviewed primary evidence and commissioned two additional systematic reviews. Consensus Process: One group meeting, several conference calls, and e-mail communications enabled consensus. Committees and members of the Endocrine Society, European Society of Endocrinology, and Americal Association for Clinical Chemistry reviewed drafts of the guidelines. Conclusions: The Task Force recommends that initial biochemical testing for PPGLs shou...

1,858 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
20 Mar 2002-JAMA
TL;DR: Plasma free metanephrines provide the best test for excluding or confirming pheochromocytoma and should be the test of first choice for diagnosis of the tumor.
Abstract: ContextDiagnosis of pheochromocytoma depends on biochemical evidence of catecholamine production by the tumor. However, the best test to establish the diagnosis has not been determined.ObjectiveTo determine the biochemical test or combination of tests that provides the best method for diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsMulticenter cohort study of patients tested for pheochromocytoma at 4 referral centers between 1994 and 2001. The analysis included 214 patients in whom the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was confirmed and 644 patients who were determined to not have the tumor.Main Outcome MeasuresTest sensitivity and specificity, receiver operating characteristic curves, and positive and negative predictive values at different pretest prevalences using plasma free metanephrines, plasma catecholamines, urinary catecholamines, urinary total and fractionated metanephrines, and urinary vanillylmandelic acid.ResultsSensitivities of plasma free metanephrines (99% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 96%-100%]) and urinary fractionated metanephrines (97% [95% CI, 92%-99%]) were higher than those for plasma catecholamines (84% [95% CI, 78%-89%]), urinary catecholamines (86% [95% CI, 80%-91%]), urinary total metanephrines (77% [95% CI, 68%-85%]), and urinary vanillylmandelic acid (64% [95% CI, 55%-71%]). Specificity was highest for urinary vanillylmandelic acid (95% [95% CI, 93%-97%]) and urinary total metanephrines (93% [95% CI, 89%-97%]); intermediate for plasma free metanephrines (89% [95% CI, 87%-92%]), urinary catecholamines (88% [95% CI, 85%-91%]), and plasma catecholamines (81% [95% CI, 78%-84%]); and lowest for urinary fractionated metanephrines (69% [95% CI, 64%-72%]). Sensitivity and specificity values at different upper reference limits were highest for plasma free metanephrines using receiver operating characteristic curves. Combining different tests did not improve the diagnostic yield beyond that of a single test of plasma free metanephrines.ConclusionPlasma free metanephrines provide the best test for excluding or confirming pheochromocytoma and should be the test of first choice for diagnosis of the tumor.

1,078 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Current recommendations for evaluation of adrenal incidentaloma are likely to result in significant costs, both financial and emotional, due to high false-positive rates, which argues for a review of current guidelines.
Abstract: Objective: To assess the performance of current clinical recommendations for the evaluation of an adrenal incidentaloma. Design and methods: Literature review. Electronic databases (Pubmed, Ovid and citation searches from key articles) from 1980 to 2008 were searched. Eligible studies were those deemed most applicable to the clinical scenario of a patient referred to an endocrinologist for assessment of an incidentally detected adrenal mass. Surgical series, histopathological series and oncological series were reviewed and most were excluded. Results: The prevalence of functional and malignant lesions presenting as adrenal incidentaloma was similar to that quoted in most reviews, other than a lower incidence of adrenal carcinoma (1.9 vs 4.7%) and metastases (0.7 vs 2.3%). The development of functionality or malignancy during follow-up was rare (!1% becoming functional and 0.2% becoming malignant). During follow-up, false-positive rates of the recommended investigations are typically 50 times greater than true positive rates. The average recommended computed tomography (CT) scan follow-up exposes each patient to 23 mSv of ionising radiation, equating to a 1 in 430 to 2170 chance of causing fatal cancer. This is similar to the chance of developing adrenal malignancy during 3-year follow-up of adrenal incidentaloma. Conclusion: Current recommendations for evaluation of adrenal incidentaloma are likely to result in significant costs, both financial and emotional, due to high false-positive rates. The dose of radiation involved in currently recommended CT scan follow-up confers a risk of fatal cancer that is similar to the risk of the adrenal becoming malignant. This argues for a review of current guidelines.

261 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Although PHEO/PGL are rarely diagnosed during childhood, the pediatric provider should be able to recognize and screen for such tumors, particularly in the context of a known genetic predisposition.
Abstract: Context: Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PHEO/PGL) are neuroendocrine tumors that arise from sympathetic and parasympathetic paraganglia. Diagnosed rarely during childhood, PHEO/PGL are nonetheless important clinical entities, particularly given our evolving understanding of their pathophysiology. Evidence Acquisition: We identified articles through the U.S. National Library of Medicine by using the search terms pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Results were narrowed to manuscripts that included children and studies related to the genetics of PHEO/PGL. Web-based resources for genetic disorders were also used. For all articles, we performed subsequent reference searches and verification of source data. Evidence Synthesis: Up to 20% of PHEO/PGL are diagnosed in children. Most are functional tumors, and clinical presentation includes symptoms related to catecholamine hypersecretion and/or tumor mass effect. Increasingly, PHEO/PGL are identified during presymptomatic screening in children with genetic...

197 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Early diagnosis allows prompt screening for potentially lethal cancers associated with specific gene mutations and makes genetic testing more readily available to first-degree and other relatives of an index patient.

185 citations