Universidad del Norte, Colombia

About: Universidad del Norte, Colombia is a education organization based out in Barranquilla, Colombia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 3562 authors who have published 4355 publications receiving 37861 citations. The organization is also known as: University of the North, Colombia & Uninorte.

Trends in Using ICT Resources by Professors in HEIs (Higher Education Institutions)

Abstract: Aim/Purpose This study aimed at recognizing and analyzing the trends of ICT use (hardware, software, and digital educational resources) by higher education professors in the Antioquia region (Colombia), and characterizing this population according to their context. Background The inexorable growth of ICT and the convergence of networks have produced great changes in human culture, and particularly in the educational environment. As a result, the development of appropriate technological competencies and the study of the trends of ICT use to meet this requirement become necessary. Trends in Using ICT Resources by Professors in HEIs 396 Methodology The study follows a quantitative approach, with a non-experimental and correlational design. The sample consisted of 97 professors from different universities of the Antioquia region (Colombia), age between 21 and 60 years old, selected in a non-aleatory way, to fill in an online survey. Contribution A contribution is the identification and characterizing of an active population in higher education and the trends in use of digital resources in the classroom from the professors’ perception that allows recognizing the pedagogical potential of these resources to enrich the process of social and educational appropriation of ICT in higher education institutions (HEI). Findings Findings show the level of use (low and high) of ICT (hardware, software, and digital educational resources) by university professors, identifying those that still maintain a predominant use (e.g., desktop PC); those that are innovative (e.g., laptop, smartphone), and those that appear with low frequency (e.g., apps, digital blackboard, clickers). These results show some factors that may influence the development of these trends, such as technological infrastructure, HEI support, teachers’ training, the accessibility and availability of resources, and preference for digital open resources. Recommendations for Practitioners According to the results, universities should provide technological resources and suitable connectivity necessary for educational innovation to professors. Besides, it is suggested to strengthen the pedagogical use of ICT by training according to the trends of use and professors’ competency levels. Recommendations for Researchers This study made evident professors’ great preference of using storage, display, and sound devices, among them the desktop PC and the laptop continue being the key tools to boost the educational process, in contrast to the low use of tools to detect plagiarism, social networks, and apps to boost activities with emergent technologies. Considering the potential and richness these tools may offer in the educational processes, it should be interesting to carry out studies on factors or motivations that influence the little inclination to use them. Impact on Society The analysis of the trends of ICT use from the perspective of university professors about hardware, software, and digital educational resources may suggest greater attention to the permanent training to take advantage of the pedagogical and technological potential of these tools. Future Research This study allows thinking of other ways and lines of research that are the base to develop future proposals exploring the reality of new generations of professors. It also could be the base to carry out comparative studies in other regional contexts, which permit to compare, contrast and enrich professors’ diversity. On the other hand, this research also shows the importance of carrying out mixed studies that offer a greater level of comprehension, analysis, and reflection about the target population and the trends of use of ICT.

Vitamina D. Consenso colombiano de expertos

Abstract: La Vitamina D ha adquirido importancia no solo por su conocido papel en el mantenimiento de la masa osea, sino por la evidencia reciente que vincula su deficiencia con patologias cardiovasculares, metabolicas, gineco-obstetricas, oncologicas e infecciosas entre otras. Se han considerado normales niveles por encima de 30 ng/mL y hay una relacion inversamente proporcional entre los niveles de Vitamina D y la presencia de patologias diversas, entre las cuales se destacan las osteomusculares que ofrecen mas contundencia de la relacion en la evidencia. Por eso, la evaluacion de los niveles de Vitamina D en poblacion de alto riesgo y el tratamiento de la hipovitaminosis constituyen medidas que el personal de salud debe realizar. La identificacion de esta poblacion y la revision de los esquemas de suplementacion representan los objetivos primordiales de este consenso. En forma de sugerencias y recomendaciones, pensando en el impacto que el documento pueda tener en la salud publica, se presenta el Consenso colombiano de Vitamina D que conto con la participacion de especialistas de siete ramas de la medicina y la implementacion de la tecnica Delphi, tecnica mundialmente aceptada para este tipo de ejercicios academicos. Vitamin D Colombian expert consensus Abstract Vitamin D has been gaining importance not only because of its role in bone mass preservation but for recent evidence that links its deficiency with cardiovascular, metabolic, oncologic, infectious, gynecological, and obstetric pathologies, among others. Levels above 30 ng/mL are considered normal, and there are inverse relationship levels of vitamin D and the presence of diverse pathologies, being the musculoskeletal the ones concentrating much of the attention and presenting the most convincing evidence. The health staff must carry out measurements such as evaluating vitamin D levels in high-risk population and treat hypovitaminosis. The paramount objectives of this consensus are to identify this population and revise the supplementation schemes. The Colombian Consensus on Vitamin D is presented as suggestions and recommendations, keeping in mind the possible impact of this paper on public health, with the participation of specialists from seven different branches of medicine, and using the Delphi technique, worldly accepted for these kinds of academic exercises.

Using Audience Response Systems during Interactive Lectures To Promote Active Learning and Conceptual Understanding of Stoichiometry

Abstract: This article describes a method of instruction using an active learning strategy for teaching stoichiometry through a process of gradual knowledge building. Students identify their misconceptions and progress through a sequence of questions based on the same chemical equation. An infrared device and software registered as the TurningPoint Audience Response System, which can be integrated into Microsoft PowerPoint, is used to instantly retrieve students’ answers and provide them with appropriate feedback. The usefulness of breaking down topics in a consistent way and, in particular, emphasizing the subjective interpretation of connectivity and mass relationships in chemistry was evident. Most students felt that the use of the immediate response system combined with cooperative social interactions was positive and contributed to their understanding of the topic.