Abstract Teaching in the university has been under pressure to change in recent years. On the one hand, there is financial pressure to decrease resources on the other, there is a need to keep quality and quantity of education offered high and to give due consideration to changes in technology and learning methods. One response to these pressures has been to study if it is possible to build a learning environment for Control Engineering that is available to students virtually. It could help to distribute materials and facilitate overall communication, from course information through student feedback. It could also make studying more efficient by enabling better follow-up of learning and use of interactive functions. The development of a Web-based learning environment for Control Engineering started from a simple model of learning theories and course content. This model was applied to that context, and an open learning environment was developed and implemented. The implementation is referred to as Control Web. Functions were added to Control Web and tuned according to student feedback. The probe method was utilised in the validation. Two courses were subjected to under full validation in order to carry out validation for the whole system. Student feedback, grades, and credits during the years 1993 to 2000 were analysed. According to the results, the system implemented has performed well. However, the explicit influence of using the Web-based learning environment can be seen in only few cases; there are too many variables in the overall learning situation. The results and experiences yield an enhanced model for developing a learning environment and a tool that indicates a need to change course parameters.

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Yes / With the advancement of technology, significant changes have been introduced into the learning and teaching environment. The importance of enhancing the interest of learners is an on-going challenge for educators of all levels. In this respect, teaching and learning practices are adapting to students¿ exposure to technological and social trends. In this presentation, a case study of using technology to enhance the learners¿ environment for engineering-based subjects in higher education is presented. The approach consists of delivering interactive materials through a Virtual Learning Environment and integrating web application technologies to enhance the learners¿ experience. Due to the vast subject areas in engineering and the variety of content of each subject, a general methodology is first identified and adopted. This consists of stages that show the progress from initial development to deployment of the materials, followed by evaluation of the module and further improvements carried out on the module based on qualitative evaluation. The evaluation process consists of the application of electronic surveys for feedback on the distance learning module. In addition, monitoring of the students¿ usage of the materials is also carried out. The presentation concludes with the presentation of the initial results from a current e-learning module.

Master of Science / Department of Geology / Iris M. Totten / Problem-based learning in the sciences has been demonstrated to be a successful educational approach to engage students and increase content knowledge. However, the power of collaborative learning to engage students, increase content knowledge and develop problem-solving skills in the sciences has not yet been fully researched. Collaborative learning has an enormous potential not only to foster student learning, but also to increase interest in the sciences and promote cutting-edge education strategies worldwide. Collaborative learning tactics in this study take place within the virtual learning environment entitled “GeoWorlds.” GeoWorlds is an online educational gaming program within the Second Life 3-D Teen Grid. The curriculum was developed as a collaborative, investigative and engaging program to promote learning of Earth science content. The program allows students to be submersed-in and explore different geologic time periods; enabling them to observe species and geological structures while interacting with one another to complete tasks. This study investigates the educational impact, emotional response and overall feedback of the GeoWorlds virtual learning environment on Midwest ninth graders.

Purpose: This research considers the design and operation of a non-modular professional doctorate to meet the needs of professionals working in the built environment who wish to obtain a doctoral qualification. It seeks to identify the essential components and support mechanisms to provide an alternative to other forms of doctorate which draws on their strengths while addressing some of their shortcomings. It answers questions regarding the suitability of a programme which can successfully operate within a reasonable timeframe. Research Design: The research is set in a real-life phenomenological paradigm concerning the experience and development of candidates registered for a professional doctorate. The conceptual framework governed both the design of the research and the design of a two-stage curriculum. Regular intervention and evaluation using action research methodology was used to improve practice. The research produced findings through multiple sources of evidence. Data were collected from course documentation, online discussion forums, focus groups, individual reflections and interviews. Findings: The work found that a community of practice consisting of candidates and staff, specifically focused on learning and the continuous development of candidates, provides a suitable vehicle for professional doctorate work. Candidates benefit from engaging in carefully constructed summative and formative assessment with prompt feedback. The assessment informed regular workshops containing an active learning format supplemented through additional support from a virtual learning environment. Crucially, all three components are required to support each other by drawing on their individual strengths. Conclusion: This action research project made a modest but significant contribution to curriculum development at doctoral level. The research developed a model which enabled academic practice to help candidates improve their professional practice. Self-motivated candidates with appropriate supervisory support can complete a professional doctorate within a realistic timeframe when there is carefully constructed synergy between their doctorate, its supporting mechanisms and their own professional practice.

Esta pesquisa aborda a questão da acessibilidade e da usabilidade em ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem que tem como foco o desenvolvimento da aprendizagem de estudantes surdos. O problema de investigação centra-se no seguinte questionamento: Que princípios um ambiente virtual de aprendizagem deve ter para que o estudante surdo possa desenvolver a aprendizagem? Temos como objetivo analisar o ambiente virtual de aprendizagem utilizado pela instituição lócus da pesquisa, bem como descrever e avaliar a efetividade do ambiente no desenvolvimento da aprendizagem do estudante surdo. Esta pesquisa possui uma abordagem qualitativa realizada por meio de revisão bibliográfica e de pesquisa empírica com base na análise de entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas com estudantes surdos, os intérpretes de libras, a coordenação do Núcleo de acessibilidade da universidade lócus da pesquisa, como também a análise do ambiente virtual de aprendizagem utilizado pela universidade. No intuito de pesquisarmos a questão da acessibilidade e da usabilidade de ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem no que diz respeito ao desenvolvimento da aprendizagem de estudantes surdos, elaboramos quatro capítulos. Os conteúdos presentes nos capítulos dizem respeito à trajetória da educação à distância no Brasil e no mundo, os conceitos de acessibilidade e de usabilidade, bem como o perfil de acesso de estudantes surdos à educação, aspectos relacionados à educação de surdos, a identidade surda, aspectos da aprendizagem e a cognição visual como possibilidade de aprendizagem. Além disso, discutimos os ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem e como a acessibilidade e a usabilidade se constituem concretamente nesses ambientes, principalmente em relação à aprendizagem de estudantes surdos, enfatizando a linguagem visual como possibilidade para o desenvolvimento da aprendizagem de estudantes surdos e o percurso metodológico delineando os sujeitos da pesquisa, caracterizando o lócus da pesquisa e analisando os dados coletados nas entrevistas. Como considerações finais, são propostos delineamentos relativos às ações de acessibilidade e de usabilidade dos ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem; a utilização destes ambientes por estudantes surdos bem como no processo, desenvolvimento e efetivação da aprendizagem de tais estudantes no âmbito da educação a distância; a compreensão do papel da cognição visual na construção do conhecimento do sujeito surdo e a ações relacionadas ao protagonismo do sujeito surdo nas instituições de ensino considerando as necessidades deste grupo, advindas do próprio sujeito. / This research addresses the issue of accessibility and usability in virtual learning environments that focuses on the development of learning for deaf students. The research problem focuses on the following question: What principles should a virtual learning environment have in order for the deaf student to develop learning? We aim to analyze the virtual learning environment used by the research institution, as well as to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of the environment in the development of deaf student learning, This research has a qualitative approach carried out by means of bibliographical review and empirical research based on the analysis of semi-structured interviews with deaf students, the interpreters of pounds, the coordination of the Accessibility Center of the university locus of the research, as well as the analysis of the virtual learning environment used by the university. In order to investigate the accessibility and usability of virtual learning environments with regard to the development of learning of deaf students, we have elaborated four chapters. The contents present in the chapters relate to the trajectory of distance education in Brazil and in the world, the concepts of accessibility and usability, as well as the access profile of deaf students to education, aspects related to education of the deaf, deaf identity, aspects of learning and visual cognition as a learning possibility. In addition, we discuss the virtual learning environments and how accessibility and usability are concretely constituted in these environments, especially in relation to the learning of deaf students, emphasizing the visual language as a possibility for the development of the learning of deaf students and the methodological path delineating the research subjects, characterizing the research locus and analyzing the data collected in the interviews. As final considerations, proposals are outlined regarding the accessibility and usability actions of virtual learning environments; the use of these environments by deaf students as well as in the process, development and effectiveness of the learning of such students in the scope of distance education; the understanding of the role of visual cognition in the construction of knowledge of the deaf subject and actions related to the protagonism of the deaf subject in educational institutions considering the needs of this group, coming from the subject itself.

A Educação a Distância tem crescido de forma muito expressiva nos últimos anos. Com esse crescimento, a preocupação com a qualidade em cursos ofertados nessa modalidade tem aumentado. Para nortear gestores sobre o que é qualidade nessa modalidade de ensino, referenciais de qualidade foram criados pelo Ministério da Educação, objetivando orientá-los na concepção e na condução dos seus cursos. Um dos fatores abordado nesse referencial de qualidade se trata de que o estudante deve ser o centro do processo educacional, no qual os cursos devem prever vias efetivas de comunicação para que o estudante não se sinta isolado e consequentemente venha a abandoná-lo, diminuindo os índices de retenção dos estudantes e aumentando os índices de evasão. Portanto, o tema presença social, que é a forma com que o estudante se sente pertencente ao seu curso, contribui para o aumento da qualidade do mesmo. Diante disso, foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico sobre o tema e seus benefícios para essa modalidade de ensino. Também foram apresentadas estratégias que podem ser utilizadas para fomentar a presença social, no que tange o ambiente virtual de aprendizagem quanto aos professores/tutores e estudantes. Porém, para que a presença social seja detectada é necessário que se tenha um instrumento válido e confiável. Diante disso, foram pesquisados instrumentos existentes que pudessem contribuir para atingir o objetivo desta pesquisa. Na pesquisa foi encontrado um instrumento validado num contexto educacional que se mostrou importante para esta pesquisa. Esse instrumento, para ser validado no contexto em que a pesquisa foi realizada, passou por tradução, consulta a especialistas e pré-teste, antes da sua aplicação. Posteriormente, o instrumento foi aplicado para estudantes de um curso de graduação de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior particular e para seus professores/tutores. Para verificar a confiabilidade do construto, foi utilizado o alfa de Cronbach e para a validade do construto foi utilizada a análise fatorial. As análises dos dados mostraram que o instrumento, resultado desta pesquisa, é confiável e válido, podendo contribuir efetivamente para mensurar presença social em cursos de graduação a distância e contribuir com estratégias para melhorar ações nos cursos. / Distance education has increased quite significantly in recent years and this growth has in turn heightened concern about the quality of courses offered in this mode. To guide course managers on what is quality in this type of education, quality guidelines were created by Brazils Ministry of Education in order to guide them in the design and conduction of their courses. One of the factors discussed in this quality referential regards that the student should be the center of the educational process. This means that the courses should provide effective means of communication so that the student does not feel isolated and as a result abandon the course, thereby decreasing students retention rates and increasing dropout rates. Therefore, the theme social presence, which is the way for a student to feel he belongs to his course, contributes to increasing the quality of the course. Therefore, a literature review was conducted on the subject and its benefits to this type of education. Additionally, strategies that can be used to foster social presence were presented both in terms of the virtual learning environment as well as teachers/tutors and students. However, for social presence to be detected it is necessary to have a valid and reliable instrument. Therefore, the existing instruments that could help achieve the goal of this research were investigated and an instrument validated in an educational context was found, which was vital for this research. For this instrument to be validated in the context in which the research was conducted, prior to its application, it was translated and experts were consulted and pre-test were performed. The instrument was then administered to undergraduate students in a private Higher Education Institution as well as to their teachers/tutors. Cronbach\'s alpha was used to verify the construct reliability and the factor analysis was used to verify the construct validity. The data analysis showed that the instrument, the result of this research, is reliable and valid and can effectively contribute to measure social presence in undergraduate distance courses as well as contribute with strategies to improve course activities.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram desenvolver, implementar e avaliar um ambiente virtual de aprendizagem (AVA), acerca da \"Assistência de Enfermagem no Acidente Ocupacional com Material Biológico\" com base na metodologia WebQuest, voltado à educação continuada de enfermeiros de uma instituição filantrópica do estado do Paraná. A elaboração do AVA fundamentou-se em três etapas: concepção e planejamento, desenvolvimento e implementação. A etapa 1 consistiu na base do projeto de desenvolvimento do AVA, nos quais foram inseridos os aspectos pedagógicos da elaboração da WebQuest, os objetivos educacionais, os recursos disponíveis, o design instrucional e as técnicas de modelagem. A etapa 2 caracterizou-se pela produção das mídias utilizadas, foram incluídas imagens e concluído o acabamento da WebQuest. A etapa 3 correspondeu na disponibilização da WebQuest em plataforma educacional Moodle (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment), possibilitando o acesso às ferramentas da internet. As avaliações dos enfermeiros, acerca da proposta, provaram que a WebQuest como metodologia na prática de educação continuada é atraente e importante para o aprendizado acerca da \"Assistência de Enfermagem no Acidente Ocupacional com Material Biológico\" e demonstraram o interesse desse grupo em trabalhar outros temas na metodologia em questão. Referiram ainda, que o uso de AVA por meio da metodologia WebQuest contribuiu para facilitar e agilizar as tomadas de decisão em enfermagem. Conclui-se,assim, que o uso das tecnologias da informática e da informação, tratadas nesta proposta por meio da metodologia WebQuest, são oportunas na educação continuada de profissionais de enfermagem em unidades hospitalares. / The objectives of this study were to develop, implement and evaluate a virtual learning environment (VLE), about the \"Nursing Care in Occupational Accident with Biological Material\" based on the WebQuest methodology. It aimed at continuing education of nurses from a philanthropic setting in Paraná state. The VLE development was based on three steps: design and planning, development and implementation. Step 1 comprised the basis of the AVA development project in which, the pedagogical aspects of the WebQuest preparation educational objectives, available resources, instructional design and modeling techniques were introduced. Step 2 was characterized by the production of the media used; images were included and completed the finishing of the WebQuest. Step 3 was the availability of WebQuest in the educational platform Moodle (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment), enabling access to the internet devices. Assessments of nurses about the proposal have proved that the WebQuest as a methodology in the practice of continuing education is attractive and important for learning about the \"Nursing Care in Occupational Accident with Biological Material\", and demonstrated the group´s interest of working other themes using this methodology. They also reported that the use of VLE through WebQuest methodology helped easing and accelerating Nursing decision-making. Therefore, we concluded that the use of computer and information technologies addressed in this proposal through WebQuest methodology is useful for the Nursing continuing education in the hospital units.

Orientador: Cláudia Maria de Lima / Banca: Débora Cristina Jeffrey / Banca: Klaus Schlünzen Junior / Resumo: Esta pesquisa insere-se no contexto da linha de pesquisa "Práticas e Processos Formativos em Educação" e procura compreender se o uso de ambiente virtual de aprendizagem contribui para alterar a forma como os professores avaliam seus alunos, considerando as potencialidades e os recursos disponibilizados no ambiente. Tem por objetivo identificar e analisar as concepções dos docentes sobre as práticas avaliativas presentes no uso de ambiente virtual de aprendizagem (AVA) e investigar como os alunos percebem a contribuição do AVA na sua (deles) formação, especificamente a avaliação realizada no ambiente, no processo de ensino e aprendizagem, em cursos de um Centro Universitário do oeste do estado de São Paulo. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em uma Instituição de Ensino Superior (IES) privada no oeste do estado de São Paulo que contempla, em seu projeto pedagógico institucional, a possibilidade de utilização de instrumentos característicos da educação a distância (EaD), especificamente o uso de AVA para apoiar, de forma suplementar, o ensino presencial. Utiliza-se de metodologia de natureza qualitativa com delineamento de estudo exploratório. Foram sujeitos da pesquisa professores e alunos da IES privada. Utilizou-se como procedimentos metodológicos de entrevista com os professores a fim de identificar e analisar as concepções do grupo de docentes dos cursos da instituição pesquisada sobre avaliação da aprendizagem em (AVA) e as concepções desse mesmo grupo sobre as práticas avaliativas; além disso, utilizou-se de questionários com os alunos para investigar como eles percebem a contribuição do AVA na sua formação... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This work introduces in the context of the line of research "Practical and Formative Processes in Education" and it looks for to understand if the virtual learning environment contributes to modify the form as the teachers evaluate their students, considering the potentialities and the resources available in the environment. It has as objective to identify and to analyze the conceptions of the teachers on practical tests using the virtual learning environment and to investigate as the students can feel or understand the contribution of this program on their education, specifically the evaluation when happens in the environment, on the process of education and learning, in courses of a university center of the west of the state of Sao Paulo. The research was developed in a private institution of superior education in the west of the state of Sao Paulo that it contemplates in its institutional pedagogical project, the possibility of using typical instruments of distance learning, specifically the use of the virtual learning environment to support, of additional form, the actual education. The methodology is qualitative with delineation of investigative study. They consist as citizens of the research teachers and students of the institution. It was used as instrument of data collection, interview with the teachers to identify and to analyze the conceptions of the group of professors of the courses of the institution searched about the evaluation of the learning in virtual learning environment and the conceptions of this group on the practical tests; it was used questionnaires with the students to investigate as they perceive the contribution of the virtual learning environment on their academic life... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Esta investigação verificou a aplicabilidade da Educação a Distância com vistas a instrumentar um público de acadêmicos, docentes e profissionais da área de saúde, para o uso do programa de banco de dados e estatística EPI INFO. Os objetivos da investigação foram planejar o conteúdo programático e implementar um curso online sobre construção e manuseio de banco de dados de estatística EPI INFO, verificar as facilidades e as dificuldades na implantação da Educação a Distância (EaD) e descrever a avaliação dos alunos relativa ao Curso no Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem. O Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem (AVA) utilizado para desenvolvimento do Curso foi CoL (Cursos Online). O conteúdo foi desenvolvido e organizado em quatro unidades: Unidade 1: Criação do Questionário; Unidade 2: Entrando com Dados; Unidade 3: Gerenciamento Básico de Dados na Análise; Unidade 4: Análise Intermediária: Estatísticas Básicas e Recuperação dos Dados. Foram inscritos 32 alunos; destes, 10 participaram efetivamente. Os alunos que completaram o Curso avaliaram de maneira satisfatória a utilização da Internet como ferramenta de aprendizado. O Curso Epi Info desenvolvido na modalidade a distância apresentou, nos itens avaliados, com noventa a cem por cento De Acordo: O conteúdo foi bem distribuído e foi acessível aos discentes; As informações apresentadas estavam corretas e bem estruturadas; O uso de imagens corresponde às informações do texto; O conteúdo foi variado e atingiu o objetivo do módulo; A apresentação das aulas seguiu uma seqüência lógica e agradável, abordando os principais temas de interesse; A apresentação visual foi adequada ao objetivo do estudo; O acesso foi rápido; O texto foi apresentado de forma clara; Os exercícios foram relevantes para o reforço do conteúdo; A apresentação do menu de entrada foi clara e de fácil visualização; Utilizam-se de forma eficiente os recursos da plataforma; O ambiente facilitou a interação e a comunicabilidade. Com sessenta a oitenta por cento os itens De acordo são: O programa foi de fácil execução; Permitiu navegabilidade nos conteúdos. Contrário aquilo que se pretendia, o Curso deveria ter iniciado com uma data pré-determinada para todos os alunos, pois, ritmos de variações irregulares de aprendizagem, prosseguiam sem muita interação entre si, não contribuindo, assim, para o crescimento conjunto do grupo. Os ambientes digitais de aprendizagem possuem elementos que configuram como um novo contexto educacional, diverso do presencial, e por isso é fundamental que se criem processos e estratégias que respondam às novas necessidades e circunstâncias dos novos modelos. Portanto, não é possível adaptar os modelos presenciais, simplesmente. / This investigation verified the applicability of distance learning aiming to equip an audience of scholars - professors and professionals of the health area, to use the data bases and statistics program EPI INFO. The objectives of the investigation were to plan programmatic content and implement an online Course concerning construction and handling of the data bases and statistics program EPI INFO, ascertain the ease and difficulties involved in the implantation of Distance Learning (DL), describe students assessment regarding the Course in the virtual learning environment. The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for Course development was CoL (On Line Course). The content was developed and organized into four units: Unit 1: Designing of Questionnaire; Unit 2: Entering Data; Unit 3:Basic Handling of data in the analysis; Unit 4: Intermediate Analysis: Basic Statistics and Data Recovery. 32 students were enrolled of whom 10 effectively participated. Students who completed the Course evaluated Internet as a satisfactory learning tool. Course EPI INFO developed in the online modality presented in the evaluated items with ninety to one hundred percent I agree: content was well distributed and accessible to students; information presented was correct and well structured; use of images corresponds to text information; content was varied and met module objectives; classes presentation followed a logic and pleasant sequence covering the main issues of interest; visual presentation was adequate to the purpose of the study; access was quick; test was clearly presented; exercises were relevant to content reinforcement; presentation of entrance menu was clear and easily visualized; platform resources are efficiently used; environment facilitated interaction and communicability. The I agree items with sixty to eighty percent are: program was easily executable; it allowed navigation through contents. Contrary to what was intended, the Course should have begun with a pre-set date for all students, since students with irregular variation rhythms of learning went on without much interaction with one another, failing to contribute to the conjoint growth of the group. Digital learning environments have elements that configure a new educational context, different from that of presential learning, and for this reason it is crucial that new processes and strategies be created, so that they respond to the new necessities and circumstances of the new models. Thus, it is impossible to simply adapt new presential models.