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- Identifying at-risk students in higher educationPublication . Duarte, Rogério; Pires, A.M.R.; Gonçalves, HelenaThe successful implementation of quality management systems in higher education relies on the ability to address topics meaningful to stakeholders. A topic that is moving to the top of many higher education institutions agendas and is meaningful to students, faculty and management is student dropout. Alongside its social and personal consequences, dropout impairs cost efficiency and the institution's image. This paper shows that in spite of the complex web of factors influencing student dropout, simple models for the identification of at-risk of dropout students can be derived and used to support decision making. The paper starts with an introduction to dropout models, next, the difficulty in implementing quality management systems in higher education is addressed; details about a process for the identification of at-risk students are presented. A case study is used to show that it is possible to identify at-risk students using only academic data and administrative records. Finally, the advantage of including an at-risk student identification process within the framework of a higher education quality management system is discussed.
- Modelling and control of refrigeration systems: an account of a pedagogic experiment in a post-secondary technical coursePublication . Duarte, RogérioTraditional post-secondary technical training focuses on laboratory work, on hands-on experience, rather than on conveying theoretical knowledge. However, theoretical knowledge is and will remain an important asset for technical professionals working in the refrigeration industry. This paper presents an account of a pedagogic experiment in which advanced analytical methods and scientific computational tools were used in a post-secondary technical course to study the modelling and control of refrigeration systems. Targeted learning outcomes, topics taught, computational tools used, and the way topics and tools were aligned to meet the learning outcomes are described. Results gathered between 2012 and 2015 showed that the use of advanced topics to model simple thermal systems and simple control systems is possible in a post-secondary technical course. It is argued that levelling up the contents in post-secondary education to match those presented in higher education contributes to a better understanding of the challenges of higher education, and, for students that ponder enrolling in higher education, contributes to better informed decision making. If the growth in refrigeration industry is taken into account and considering future needs for skilled refrigeration professionals, introducing students of post-secondary technical courses to analytical methods and computational tools used in higher education could, for some students, trigger the decision to enrol in higher education, leveraging the number graduates in refrigeration/ engineering bachelor programmes.
- Mature Learners’ Participation in Higher Education and Flexible Learning Pathways: Lessons Learned from an Exploratory Experimental ResearchPublication . Duarte, Rogério; Oliveira Pires, Ana Luisa; Nobre, A.Higher education institutions play an important role in promoting equity and access conditions to mature learners. Such role includes the ethical commitment to facilitate learning processes, removing barriers to mature learners’ entry and persistence in higher education. This paper describes the implementation of flexible learning pathways in a technology and industrial management graduate course designed for mature learners. Findings confirm that mature learners welcome flexible learning pathways and choose the pathways that better suit their needs. Despite initial academic background differences, success rates are adequate and similar for different learning pathways, showing that mature learners are capable of bridging the gaps in their academic development. Findings also show that doubts related to the impact of some learning pathways on students’ academic integration are unfounded. Considering the positive results, it is concluded that flexible learning pathways, together with the widening of entry routes to higher education, promote equity and access conditions to mature learners.
- Broader terms curriculum mapping: using natural language processing and visual-supported communication to create representative program planning experiencesPublication . Duarte, Rogério; Nobre, A.; Pimentel, Fernando; Jacquinet, MarcAccreditation bodies call for curriculum development processes that are open to all stakeholders, reflecting viewpoints of students, industry, university faculty, and society. However, communication difficulties between faculty and non-faculty groups leave an immense collaboration potential unexplored. Using the classification of learning objectives, natural language processing, and data visualization, this paper presents a quantitative method that delivers program plan representations that are universal, self-explanatory, and empowering; promoting stronger links between program courses and curriculum development open to all stakeholders. A simple example shows how the method contributes to representative program planning experiences and a case study is used to confirm the method’s accuracy and utility.
- Rethinking Curriculum Development through Design ThinkingPublication . Duarte, Rogério; Nobre, A.; Pimentel, Fernando; Jacquinet, MarcHigher education institutions must be aware of the transformations that occur in societies in order to innovate and to offer revised educational curricula. Design Thinking is a tool that helps to foster innovation in business contexts. Could this methodology be used in higher education for curriculum development? The present article considers this question by pre senting the Design Thinking methodology, establishing links with outcome based education, constructive alignment principles, and discussing the context specific to higher education institutions