Literatura académica sobre el tema "Basic Education and Policy Support Activity (Project)"

There are several approaches in the world to determining the criteria for assessing a state’s education policy. But despite the differences, they all document the growing role of modern universities in the development of society. In many respects it is important both in terms of guaranteeing the sustainability of society and in terms of ensuring a breakthrough direction in its development. In contrast to recent times, this role has grown significantly. Due to the fairly conservative and limited social system in its function, such universities become a central link in the development of innovative economies and social spheres – the science that produces the socio-economic development of a particular region, Education, innovation centers, national or as well as global processes. In University 3.0, the third mission (innovation and commercialization of knowledge) is considered as important as the first two (education and science). Therefore, such universities in the knowledge economy become an instrument for economic growth and they trade closely with companies and governments. In other words, the scientific activity of a university is no longer “self”. It aims to produce results that can be sold (commercialized), used externally and introduced into production. Around the world, states are trying to stimulate and support these processes. In many countries, this is facilitated by opposition from high-tech companies to the reduction of the final amount of independent basic and applied research, in favor of collaborating with universities on basic research projects. As part of its innovative activities, University 3.0 is involved in supporting business activities, analysis and consultation by experts from local governments and local authorities, opening facilities, infrastructure for citizens, monitoring regional development, services to citizens are provided for lifelong learning and support student entrepreneurship projects that take into account the interests of the community. The university model of the regional innovation system suggests that universities play a fundamental role in the interactive innovation process. In this model, the university is a major producer of knowledge that can act as a link between innovation and production at the regional level.

Attention to the issue of children with ASD in our country is growing steadily. Since the release of the new Law «About the education in Russian Federation», where for the first time this category of children was secured by state guarantees, all normative acts and basic solutions are focused on the development of comprehensive care for children with ASD and their families. Official initiatives are in many ways supported with the activity of community organizations and parental associations, representing the interests of families. Experience of many years becomes the basis for efficient solutions and social problems analysis of the identification, education and support of people with autism. Also it becomes platform for social and psychological support of their families. Currently, in the Russian Federation, domestic model for providing comprehensive medical and social, psychological and educational assistance for children with autism just begin to develop. However, the policy, conducted by the government for individuals with disabilities, including children with ASD, confirms state structures readiness to take the main measures of comprehensive rehabilitation and habilitation. The article describes the experience of creating integrated care systems for children with ASD in Russia. The example of project realization involving three of the Russian Federation states, which is aimed at ensuring high quality of life of children, is shown .

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between the open principal recruitment system and school finance operations. The main results of this study are as follows. First, the open principal recruitment system is being improved with a policy goal in mind. The ratio of schools implementing the open principal recruitment system has been continuously decreasing recently, but this is due to the reduction of the invitation type among the open principal recruitment system types. Second, implementing the open principal recruitment system is positive for unit school finance. In particular, it affects the expansion of education expenses in allocation, where many students are involved. It has been confirmed that implementing the open principal recruitment system affects the overall expansion of allocation and settlement of expenditures. In particular, it has been confirmed that the expenditure for basic educational activities and educational activity support among policy projects is increased. Third, the effect of the open principal recruitment system on school accounting differs according to the school's socioeconomic status. Through this, it was confirmed that the open recruitment principal is operating the school finance in consideration of the characteristics of the school members. In schools implementing the open principal recruitment system, the cost of human resource operation and educational activity support is expanded among policy projects if the school's socioeconomic status is low, whereas the general operating cost of the school is reduced. However, it was found that when the school's socioeconomic status was high, the expenditure on basic educational activities increased.

EDUROV is an educational underwater robot proposal from the researchers of the Oceanic Platform of Canary Islands (PLOCAN) and the Computer Vision and Robotics research group of the University of Girona (VICOROB), launched in January 2012 with the support of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECyT). This program has evolved in the last decade in order to make it more sustainable, allowing the teleoperation of underwater vehicles from anywhere in the world. EDUROVs have passed through several phases, beginning with a basic electronics robot, followed by the incorporation of open-source electronic prototyping platforms and finally reaching the current state of teleoperation. Results based on 1–5 Likert scale questions show that both students and teachers consider the program useful to introduce technical and scientific concepts. It is concluded that the use of low-cost materials and tools that are easy to obtain, following education on sustainability approaches, also makes them possible for use in high schools, and science teachers can easily carry out the activity. Moreover, the possibility of remote teleoperation of underwater vehicles, together with the collaboration among groups of students in different locations that are in contact through these online tools, allows one to motivate students to work on the project from a different perspective.

As a result of Russian armed aggression, a significant part of the industrial, social and energy infrastructure, as well as the housing stock of Ukraine was destroyed, and millions of our compatriots were forced to leave their homes and migrate to safer Ukrainian regions and abroad. Considering the significant losses that Ukraine has suffered, the Ukrainian society has an urgent need to find effective ways to rebuild the national economy and infrastructure. In this regard, the article focuses on highlighted activities of public associations aimed at educational training of personnel for the reconstruction of Ukraine with the support of public authorities and foreign donors. At the same time, educational programs and projects implemented in Ukraine at the initiative and direct participation of public associations in cooperation with public authorities, with the financial support of foreign donors, were analyzed. Focused attention on the application of the gender approach by public associations in the implementation of educational programs, projects for the training of future specialists. The author came to the conclusion that in the post-war period the increase in the need for work specialties, primarily related to construction, should encourage the Ukrainian state, together with public society and national and local business, to bring the system of professional education out of a state of decline, to involve trade unions and veterans' organizations in this matter. organizations, public associations, various organizational and legal forms of entrepreneurial activity. The publication also provides basic recommendations for deepening cooperation between public associations and authorities, which is aimed at improving educational programs for training future specialists for the reconstruction of Ukraine. One of the priorities of the state policy of recovery of Ukraine after the devastating consequences of the war should determine the creation of a legal environment favorable for state-public interaction.

The article reveals issues of building the innovative ecosystem institutions problem in context of the growing role of research Universities in ensuring innovative structural changes in the economy of Ukraine. International comparisons of the actual state of effectiveness and development potential of Ukraine’s innovation ecosystem have shown that it lags behind almost all indicators of the European Innovation Scoreboard. It is a confirmed necessity to form in Ukraine a state innovation policy based on criteria of the European Innovation Scoreboard with the goal of improving all its indicators, which comprehensively reflect the state of the national innovation ecosystem.It has been focused on the formation of the central link of the innovation ecosystem – the entrepreneurial innovation University as a progressive structural change’s generator in the economy. The justified urgency of increasing the state support for the priority development of research, design and development, and educational institutions that are part of national and regional innovation ecosystems. It is necessary to radically increase the volume and change structure of the state funding of institutions in the field of research and development, as well as innovation activity, reducing the share of the state funding of individual projects and individual grants, which should be financed mainly by business structures.It is shown that the main practical problem in determining the place and role of research Universities and other scientific and educational institutions in the structural innovation transformation of the economy of Ukraine is insufficient attention to formation and implementation of the practical function of basic innovations as the main factor of economic growth. It is suggested under formation of the Ukrainian state innovation policy, a separate priority area related to the creation of higher education institutions (Universities) of new generation as innovative entrepreneurial Universities should be identified, while it is important to develop Universities and scientific centres that demonstrate the presence of cumulative human capital, despite their temporary state of crisis. JEL classіfіcatіon: I23, I25, L52, O38, P52

What is the problem? • Weak editorial policy: most of scientific medical journals in Kazakhstan do not have their own website and do not support open access to their content that makes difficulties in acceleration of the circulation of scientific knowledge; low level of peer review or its complete absence; frequent violation of the principles of publication ethics; • Poor quality of the content of issues of domestic scientific medical journals: low level of scientific significance of published articles, which are not always relevant for the international scientific community and are little cited; low proportion of English-language articles, as well as insufficiently high level of their style and grammar; • Absence of a comprehensive and dynamic system of expertise, monitoring and certification of scientific medical journals, standardization and regulatory control of editorial and publishing activities in general. Policy options Option 1. State support for the promotion of Kazakhstani scientific medical journals into international scientometric databases by: - development of a program for the development of scientific medical journals in Kazakhstan with a clear funding mechanism; - development and implementation of specific measures to increase the demand for developing Kazakhstani scientific medical journals among domestic scientists (stimulating the development of highly cited research projects; revising the requirements for awarding academic titles in favor of domestic scientific journals; increasing the number of points awarded for articles published in domestic journals during rating assessment) ; - development of effective mechanisms to attract reputable foreign scientists as authors and reviewers for Kazakhstani scientific medical journals; - creation of an association of editors of scientific medical journals in Kazakhstan and systematic training of members of the association on best practice in publishing. Option 2. Intensive development of scientific medical journals in Kazakhstan in accordance with the main international publishing standards at the level of the publishing house-owner, by: - creating your own website for a medical scientific journal that meets the basic international requirements; - introduction of a system of double "blind" reviewing; - strict adherence to the principles of publication ethics. Option 3. Creation of an integrated and dynamic system of examination, monitoring and certification of scientific medical journals, standardization and regulatory regulation of editorial and publishing activities at the level of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, by: - the introduction of a comprehensive and dynamic system of examination and monitoring of the activities of scientific, including medical, journals (as an option, on the basis of the National State Book Chamber in close cooperation with subdivisions of state governing bodies in charge of the development and quality of science at the national and sectoral level, and also with associations of scientific journal editors; close cooperation of the team implementing the program for the development of scientific journals in Kazakhstan with the Content Selection Advisory Board of the Scopus team; - joint responsibility of all participants in the publication process (editorial offices of journals, authors and organizations - universities, scientific organizations, etc.) for the preparation of high-quality manuscripts and the development of scientific medical journals in Kazakhstan. Policy options realization perspective Abovementioned three policy options are mutually supportive. Combined realization of these policy options will raise domestic medical scientific journals to a qualitatively new level. Key words: editorial and publishing activity, international scientometric databases, scientific medical journals, editorial policy, Kazakhstan.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the findings from a pilot and a follow-on study in which care assistants in care homes were trained to use sporting memories work to better help and engage with residents with dementia and low mood. Care homes have to support increasingly more fragile people and often the range of activities in the homes do not offer the best engagement between residents and staff to benefit the residents. This is for reasons of time to run activities in a busy home, and because of the need to find financially viable means of running a range of activities. Care assistants in care homes are a group of non-professionally educated workers and are often overlooked for training beyond basic health and safety training to help them improve their work and the care they provide. This work sought to explore whether sporting memories work was viable as an activity to offer in care homes via the training of care assistants. Design/methodology/approach The paper discusses the evidence from a pilot and then follow-on project in care homes in one city area. In the pilot observation was made of a training session and follow up interviews were undertaken with care home managers to see how the implementation of sporting memories was going. In the follow-on project the support to those undertaking the training was modified to include three learning network sessions. Data were collected on the experience of participants and their use of sporting memories work. Findings The findings were that care assistants could be trained in using sporting memories work and they often found it easy to use and fulfilling for them and people they cared for. This was despite the care assistants who participated often not having much interest in sports and little experience in this kind of work. However, practical barriers to maintaining the use of sporting memories work did remain. Research limitations/implications The evidence to date is of case studies of training staff in care homes in the use of sporting memories work, which provides good grounding for proof of the concept and key issues, but further research is needed on the costs and impacts of sporting memories work in care homes. The lack of direct feedback about experiences of care home residents of sporting memories work and its impact on them is a further limitation. Practical implications Sporting memories work is a flexible and readily adoptable intervention to engage older people in care homes and the evidence to date is that care assistants in care homes can be trained to use this approach to engaging older people. Practical challenges still remain to using sporting memories work in care homes, notably the issue of time for staff to do the work, but it is an approach for care homes to have available to them to match up to the interests of residents. Social implications Sporting memories work can be an important part of meeting some of the challenges society faces with an ageing population profile and to enhancing the care home environment and care assistants can be trained to use the approach. Originality/value This is the first paper to discuss training care home staff in the use of sporting memories work.

The article substantiates the basic principles of the functioning of the innovation-investment system of the agro-industrial complex as a complex interaction of subjects, relevant institutions, objects of innovation and financial infrastruc-ture, which contribute to the development, dissemination and implementation of innovations in agro-industrial production. The purpose of the article is to form the conceptual foundations of the innovation-investment system of the agro-industrial complex in the crisis macroeconomic conditions of management. The importance is substantiated and the main aspects of the innovation-investment system of the agro-industrial complex based on a systemic approach have been highlighted.The spe-cifics of the formation of the innovation-investment system of the agro-industrial complex is related to the need to overcome negative factors that affect the development of innovative activities, the implementation of investment projects for the devel-opment of agribusiness enterprises and, at the same time, are related to the deepening of the crisis in the economy.The prior-ity tasks and conditions of operation of the innovation-investment system of the agro-industrial complex have been deter-minedsuch as: improvement of the institutional environment of innovation and investment development; implementation of direct and indirect support of agro-industrial complex enterprises in the creation and development of innovations; the devel-opment of effective forms of cooperation between the state and business based on long-term partnership; training of highly qualified personnel in the field of organization and implementation of innovative activities for agro-industrial complex at the micro, meso, and macro levels; promoting the development of the material and technical base of the agro-industrial complex; development of international cooperation in the field of innovation. A theoretical organizational model of the innovation-investment system of the agro-industrial complex in the context of the implementation of the state innovation policy is pro-posed.It is justified that the components of the system are the subsystem of formation of knowledge potential, the subsystem of education, the subsystem of innovative activity, the subsystem of technological infrastructure, the subsystem of financial infrastructure, and the subsystem of information infrastructure.

As a university-centered lifelong education vitalization policy, the 2nd cycle basic plan for the representative LiFE project was announced, and the government recently announced the areas to participate in the RISE pilot project. The LiFE project is evaluated as a project to build a future social power through the convergence of higher education and lifelong education by restructuring the higher education system centered on school-aged students into a higher lifelong education system that is 'adult learner-friendly'. After the pilot project, the basic framework of 「RIS + LINC3.0 + LiFE + HiVE + Regional Area Revitalization」is being planned. This change is because it can be said that it is the time to seek practical strategies to settle government financial support projects of universities from the so-called top-down system led by the government to an endogenous, bottom-up system centered on the local community. Therefore, it was reviewed in connection with RISE along with historical consideration of the LiFE project as a single project. In detail, first, the legal and institutional aspect of lifelong education policy and the progress of the LiFE project through changes in university-centered lifelong education vitalization policy were reviewed. And LiFE 1.0 and LiFE 2.0 were compared. Second, let's provide points of discussion for designing the strategic direction of the project and changing the perceptions of the participants through discussions related to LiFE 2.0 based on the above review.

The workshop consists of two chapters. The first one is basic, in the form of 10 works aimed at studying primary-level application programs. The second-extended-contains guidelines for seven works with software complexes (systems "Electric", DIALux) and a description of the application of programs for project purposes (calculation of the crossbar, sPlan, "1-2-3 Scheme", etc.). Along with the practical section, each topic includes reference and information support in the form of theoretical material. The papers contain basic information about the operations performed with mandatory references to specialized literature, including a review of standard examples and individual tasks in the applications section for monitoring the knowledge gained. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of secondary vocational education of the latest generation. For students in the specialty "Power supply (by industry)" when conducting laboratory work on the academic discipline "Electrical Engineering", as well as when solving design problems, during course and diploma design, organizing practices. It can be useful not only for students of electric power specialties, but also for anyone who, by the nature of their activity, is faced with the need to perform calculations of electric networks using a computer.

A set of advanced training programs for teachers of general secondary education institutions is designed to train management and teaching staff of general secondary education institutions who will implement an innovative educational project of the all-Ukrainian level on the topic "Didactic, methodological and educational support to implement the conceptual foundations of basic secondary education reformation" for April 2021- December 2026 (Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine No. 484 dated April 29, 2021). The content of the programs is a set of modules and topics, the choice of which takes into account the peculiarities of the professional activity of a modern teacher and the requirements of society for providing educational institutions with highly qualified specialists; the main directions of state policy in the field of education, in particular, the National Qualifications Framework, educational standards, requirements for the competencies of teaching staff, in particular, for the introduction of innovative educational systems.

The project of the educational program for establishments of specialized education of a scientific direction is the normative document containing a complex of educational components for achievement by pupils of education of the results of training defined by the Standard of specialized education of a scientific direction. The project is the basis for integration processes between formal and non-formal education, convergence of educational systems, different types of educational institutions and institutions that can provide educational services. It contributes to the creation of optimal conditions for the implementation of specialized education in the scientific field and the development of an integrated educational space of relevant educational institutions. The key goal of the project program is to ensure the development of research competence through the direct involvement of students of basic and specialized schools in educational research, design, invention and exploration activities in accordance with the Standard of specialized education. The project is developed on the basis of modern state educational policy and strategy of reforming the education system of Ukraine. The project of the educational program for institutions of specialized education of scientific direction is an open, dynamic resource intended for creative pedagogical communities ready to carry out innovative activity on development of specialized education of scientific direction.

This book is based on a research that was carried out over two years in the Graduate Program of Educational Sciences Projects of the “Escola de Engenharia de Lorena” of the University of São Paulo; the product of the master thesis entitled “Implementation of a Science Club in the Public Network for Education of São José dos Campos: Stages, Actors and the Scientific literacy”. Nowadays, the role of Science is being devalued, poorly understood and even questioned by several political figures and societal members, many people fail to differentiate facts from fake news. In 2018, the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) demonstrated that, in Brazil, 55% of students are below level 2 in Science, a level established as necessary to young people to be able exercising their citizenship. In order to offer a contribution to improve the currently scenario, this book offers an implementation guide for those whom are interested in setting up a Science Club. Another fact to consider is that this guide aims to develop an investigative approach focus on Scientific literacy using inquisitive activities that lead to an easy way for the basic students (elementary to middle school) to transpose their acquaintance and scientific learning to their lifestyle as responsible and knowledgeable citizens. The following thesis shows strategies to elaborate, monitor, and evaluate the project of implementation, authorization templates, and forms such it can be adapted to the context of each school. We hope that this book is going to be an important resource for you as a school manager, teacher or researcher who wants to implement a Science Club in a school. Also, in a long term, the actions reported in this context can be a reference for the elaboration of a public policy to support Scientific Education in Basic School.

Research in medical schools developed after World War I with specific projects funded by foundations, firms, and industries. After World War II, medical schools greatly expanded their research activities with funding from the federal government. Medical school researchers became the most important performers of research funded by the National Institutes of Health, which delegated most of its responsibility for setting research policy to academic medical researchers. Both basic science and clinical research in medical schools has been directed toward an understanding of biological processes rather than the prevention and treatment of disease. Medical school research has become a specialized activity separate from other medical school activities. Research in medical schools began in earnest after 1900 with the employment of full-time faculty members. The quantity of research was limited and the quality did not meet European standards. Erwin Chargaff reminisced that when he came to the United States in 1928, “I found a scientifically underdeveloped country dominated by an unhurried, good-natured, second-rateness. European scientists who visited the country at that time were attracted by the feeling of freedom generated by the wide open spaces and even more by the then very pleasant aroma of the dollar.” Research was at first funded from medical school endowments and grants from a few major foundations, such as the Rockefeller Foundation and the Carnegie Foundation. By the mid-1930s, about 20 private foundations had a major interest in health and spent a total of about $7 million annually for medical research and medical education. About this time also, the American Foundation for Mental Hygiene, the American Cancer Society, the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, and other health-related associations began to fund research related to their interests. Private firms also sponsored research with direct commercial applications. In return, they used the names of the medical schools in advertisements as providing “scientific” data to support their claims. By 1940, research had become a measurable factor in medical school budgets. In that year Deitrick and Berson found that 59 of the 77 medical schools spent $3.2 million on research: 22 public medical schools spent 8.9 percent of their combined budgets of $9.5 million on research, and 37 private medical schools spent 13.0 percent of their budgets of $17.8 million on research.

The article examines the legislative activity in the Russian Federation in the field of educational policy for twenty years (2000–2020), in the context of the main milestones of the country’s national language policy. It also briefly talks about a large number of structures of different levels and types of organization that have arisen or been restructured during this time. At the beginning of the period under review, the state had to solve two basic tasks: centralization and strengthening of the power vertical and building a civil society. The national language policy of the country also took into account these guidelines. The most important tasks of the language policy are to maintain linguistic diversity and support the Russian language as the state language of the Russian Federation, as the language of unity. One of the most important tools at the disposal of the country’s national language policy, including language planning itself, is the education system. Therefore, the legislative activity aimed at it is also in line with the main trends of the national language policy. At the same time, a number of concepts and doctrines bear traces of internal contradictions and some inconsistency, which is generally corrected during this period. The main attention is paid to the laws of the federal level.

The H.M.U. [1] is a particularly active University in conducting research. The H.M.U.’s research policy emphases on basic, technological, or applied research promoting science and education, while respecting the academic ethics. Among others H.M.U. focuses at promoting cooperation with national and international bodies in higher educational and research. A wide network of research collaborations has been developed, which is intensively supported through national and international research and development projects, the close collaboration with prestigious research bodies, the cooperation with the private sector in general and of course the interaction with the society. The H.M.U. has achieved top performance and recognition among its peers as recognised by the external evaluators and reflected in the University ranking catalogues and the National Documentation Centre. As a result, students have many opportunities to actively participate in research and development programs, this being also one of the primary policies of the University. H.M.U.’s researchers are actively involved in extensive scientific activities in collaboration with national and international research teams, which have led to results of great significance and have contributed to the development of internationally recognized innovative products. It is the significant distinctions of the members of H.M.U.’s staff in the international stage, as well as those of its students, that constitute the most convincing evidence of the impact of the research conducted in the laboratories and research units of the University. The fundamental, technological and applied research at H.M.U. focuses on cutting-edge research in the following fields: exact and engineering sciences; health sciences; agriculture and environmental sciences; materials science; economics sciences; humanities and social sciences. For further information about the H.M.U. please watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnKRE5Qcu8c.

The relevance of the study is detremined be the necessity to form a new structure of educational activities of universities, focused on the preparation of competitive graduates, whose competencies meet the needs of the modern stage of the changes of technological structures in the economy and the formation of a new post-industrial society. The analysis and generalization of theoretical approaches and practice of educational activity organization in contemporary higher educational institutions is carried out and possible ways of educational process modernization with application of competence approach to definition of educational process results are defined. The prerequisites for changing the educational paradigm in the Russian higher school are studied and the levels of competencies formed in the traditional educational process based on the concept of «supporting education», as well as the levels of competencies that can be formed in students while organizing the educational process using the concept of «innovative education» are determined. The interrelation of higher school teachers' information competence with the possibility of increasing the education system innovative ability is revealed. The ways of creating information and methodological system to support the training environment that accompanies the learning process, using the capabilities of the Internet are proposed in the article. The article describes four blocks of the educational process modernization, combining the basic tools for the innovative educational process implementation at the University, and lists the main conditions for the implementation of the proposed innovations in University practice. Innovative type of teaching methods at the University should be based on the fundamental condition of students' innovative methods of thinking and activity mastering – the principle of the Trinity of educational, research and project activities of students, both independent and in a single team with teachers. The main goal of all methodological technologies is to involve the student in the learning process, to make him an active participant in the learning process, to form his independence, interest in the active acquisition of knowledge, skills of self-education and research abilities.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) in South Africa ratified Education White Paper 6: Building an Inclusive Education and Training System- a policy document which made an explicit declaration to create inclusive classroom contexts within a targeted period of 20 years. Succinctly, this declaration has cast the year 2021, as a major social justice milestone for citizens with disabilities. The chapter strongly believes that this milestone deserves to attract both critical dialogue and empirical engagements as to determine the impact of the Education White Paper 6. Internationally, there are various policy guidelines available, in the quest to create a democratic classroom context with the objective of accommodating diversity, more specifically to address oppressive and non-inclusive disability contexts. The reader audience will be taken across various discourses on disability rights and literature readings responding to redress within the realm of the World Health Organisation and the International Labour Organisation, among others. Before the chapter concludes, a reflective activity is provided; together with a practical assessment activity where the authors create a democratic culture-centric lesson plan meant to support teachers in their inclusive education quest to create ideal democratic classroom contexts.

Constructivist learning mechanisms such as collaborative writing have emerged as a result of the development of Web 2.0 technologies. We define the term mandatory collaborative writing to describe a writing activity where the group has a firm deadline. Our study focuses on how a wiki can fully support mandatory group writing. The motivation of this design science research study emerges from a graduate Knowledge Management class assignment to write a wiki book. The project outcome shows that the wiki instance used for the project, MediaWiki, could better facilitate the process with a set of extensions that support discussion, evaluation, and project management. We outline designs for these mechanisms: 1) a discussion mechanism that changes the way users discuss content on a wiki page and increases group awareness; 2) an evaluation mechanism that provides a tool for the instructor to monitor and assess students’ performance; and 3) a project management tool that increases awareness of the status of each component of the writing project and provides an overall summary of the project. A demonstration of the principles to a focus group provided a basic proof of the validity of these mechanisms.

Writing is a complex activity that requires the automation of graphomotor skills. Unfortunately, 10 to 30% of primary school students have difficulty at this level, which impairs the development of writing skills. It therefore seems judicious to intervene in kindergarten to support motor precision as well as visuomotor capacities, considered as prerequisites for writing by many researchers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of motor training on visuomotor integration, motor precision and handwriting performance (speed and readability) in 5-year-old children. According to a quasi-experimental design (pretest, post-test with control group), 34 children participated in an intervention in subgroups, twice a week for 6 weeks. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for each of the tasks performed. Statistical tests (t test) were then carried out. The results show that the children in the experimental group improved their motor precision as well as their graphomotor skills compared to those in the control group. This project provides new insights into the benefits of working on basic skills in preparation for learning to write and will equip teachers on how to guide and support graphomotor skills before entering first grade.

1.1 Macroeconomic summary Economic recovery has consistently outperformed the technical staff’s expectations following a steep decline in activity in the second quarter of 2020. At the same time, total and core inflation rates have fallen and remain at low levels, suggesting that a significant element of the reactivation of Colombia’s economy has been related to recovery in potential GDP. This would support the technical staff’s diagnosis of weak aggregate demand and ample excess capacity. The most recently available data on 2020 growth suggests a contraction in economic activity of 6.8%, lower than estimates from January’s Monetary Policy Report (-7.2%). High-frequency indicators suggest that economic performance was significantly more dynamic than expected in January, despite mobility restrictions and quarantine measures. This has also come amid declines in total and core inflation, the latter of which was below January projections if controlling for certain relative price changes. This suggests that the unexpected strength of recent growth contains elements of demand, and that excess capacity, while significant, could be lower than previously estimated. Nevertheless, uncertainty over the measurement of excess capacity continues to be unusually high and marked both by variations in the way different economic sectors and spending components have been affected by the pandemic, and by uneven price behavior. The size of excess capacity, and in particular the evolution of the pandemic in forthcoming quarters, constitute substantial risks to the macroeconomic forecast presented in this report. Despite the unexpected strength of the recovery, the technical staff continues to project ample excess capacity that is expected to remain on the forecast horizon, alongside core inflation that will likely remain below the target. Domestic demand remains below 2019 levels amid unusually significant uncertainty over the size of excess capacity in the economy. High national unemployment (14.6% for February 2021) reflects a loose labor market, while observed total and core inflation continue to be below 2%. Inflationary pressures from the exchange rate are expected to continue to be low, with relatively little pass-through on inflation. This would be compatible with a negative output gap. Excess productive capacity and the expectation of core inflation below the 3% target on the forecast horizon provide a basis for an expansive monetary policy posture. The technical staff’s assessment of certain shocks and their expected effects on the economy, as well as the presence of several sources of uncertainty and related assumptions about their potential macroeconomic impacts, remain a feature of this report. The coronavirus pandemic, in particular, continues to affect the public health environment, and the reopening of Colombia’s economy remains incomplete. The technical staff’s assessment is that the COVID-19 shock has affected both aggregate demand and supply, but that the impact on demand has been deeper and more persistent. Given this persistence, the central forecast accounts for a gradual tightening of the output gap in the absence of new waves of contagion, and as vaccination campaigns progress. The central forecast continues to include an expected increase of total and core inflation rates in the second quarter of 2021, alongside the lapse of the temporary price relief measures put in place in 2020. Additional COVID-19 outbreaks (of uncertain duration and intensity) represent a significant risk factor that could affect these projections. Additionally, the forecast continues to include an upward trend in sovereign risk premiums, reflected by higher levels of public debt that in the wake of the pandemic are likely to persist on the forecast horizon, even in the context of a fiscal adjustment. At the same time, the projection accounts for the shortterm effects on private domestic demand from a fiscal adjustment along the lines of the one currently being proposed by the national government. This would be compatible with a gradual recovery of private domestic demand in 2022. The size and characteristics of the fiscal adjustment that is ultimately implemented, as well as the corresponding market response, represent another source of forecast uncertainty. Newly available information offers evidence of the potential for significant changes to the macroeconomic scenario, though without altering the general diagnosis described above. The most recent data on inflation, growth, fiscal policy, and international financial conditions suggests a more dynamic economy than previously expected. However, a third wave of the pandemic has delayed the re-opening of Colombia’s economy and brought with it a deceleration in economic activity. Detailed descriptions of these considerations and subsequent changes to the macroeconomic forecast are presented below. The expected annual decline in GDP (-0.3%) in the first quarter of 2021 appears to have been less pronounced than projected in January (-4.8%). Partial closures in January to address a second wave of COVID-19 appear to have had a less significant negative impact on the economy than previously estimated. This is reflected in figures related to mobility, energy demand, industry and retail sales, foreign trade, commercial transactions from selected banks, and the national statistics agency’s (DANE) economic tracking indicator (ISE). Output is now expected to have declined annually in the first quarter by 0.3%. Private consumption likely continued to recover, registering levels somewhat above those from the previous year, while public consumption likely increased significantly. While a recovery in investment in both housing and in other buildings and structures is expected, overall investment levels in this case likely continued to be low, and gross fixed capital formation is expected to continue to show significant annual declines. Imports likely recovered to again outpace exports, though both are expected to register significant annual declines. Economic activity that outpaced projections, an increase in oil prices and other export products, and an expected increase in public spending this year account for the upward revision to the 2021 growth forecast (from 4.6% with a range between 2% and 6% in January, to 6.0% with a range between 3% and 7% in April). As a result, the output gap is expected to be smaller and to tighten more rapidly than projected in the previous report, though it is still expected to remain in negative territory on the forecast horizon. Wide forecast intervals reflect the fact that the future evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant source of uncertainty on these projections. The delay in the recovery of economic activity as a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in the first quarter appears to have been less significant than projected in the January report. The central forecast scenario expects this improved performance to continue in 2021 alongside increased consumer and business confidence. Low real interest rates and an active credit supply would also support this dynamic, and the overall conditions would be expected to spur a recovery in consumption and investment. Increased growth in public spending and public works based on the national government’s spending plan (Plan Financiero del Gobierno) are other factors to consider. Additionally, an expected recovery in global demand and higher projected prices for oil and coffee would further contribute to improved external revenues and would favor investment, in particular in the oil sector. Given the above, the technical staff’s 2021 growth forecast has been revised upward from 4.6% in January (range from 2% to 6%) to 6.0% in April (range from 3% to 7%). These projections account for the potential for the third wave of COVID-19 to have a larger and more persistent effect on the economy than the previous wave, while also supposing that there will not be any additional significant waves of the pandemic and that mobility restrictions will be relaxed as a result. Economic growth in 2022 is expected to be 3%, with a range between 1% and 5%. This figure would be lower than projected in the January report (3.6% with a range between 2% and 6%), due to a higher base of comparison given the upward revision to expected GDP in 2021. This forecast also takes into account the likely effects on private demand of a fiscal adjustment of the size currently being proposed by the national government, and which would come into effect in 2022. Excess in productive capacity is now expected to be lower than estimated in January but continues to be significant and affected by high levels of uncertainty, as reflected in the wide forecast intervals. The possibility of new waves of the virus (of uncertain intensity and duration) represents a significant downward risk to projected GDP growth, and is signaled by the lower limits of the ranges provided in this report. Inflation (1.51%) and inflation excluding food and regulated items (0.94%) declined in March compared to December, continuing below the 3% target. The decline in inflation in this period was below projections, explained in large part by unanticipated increases in the costs of certain foods (3.92%) and regulated items (1.52%). An increase in international food and shipping prices, increased foreign demand for beef, and specific upward pressures on perishable food supplies appear to explain a lower-than-expected deceleration in the consumer price index (CPI) for foods. An unexpected increase in regulated items prices came amid unanticipated increases in international fuel prices, on some utilities rates, and for regulated education prices. The decline in annual inflation excluding food and regulated items between December and March was in line with projections from January, though this included downward pressure from a significant reduction in telecommunications rates due to the imminent entry of a new operator. When controlling for the effects of this relative price change, inflation excluding food and regulated items exceeds levels forecast in the previous report. Within this indicator of core inflation, the CPI for goods (1.05%) accelerated due to a reversion of the effects of the VAT-free day in November, which was largely accounted for in February, and possibly by the transmission of a recent depreciation of the peso on domestic prices for certain items (electric and household appliances). For their part, services prices decelerated and showed the lowest rate of annual growth (0.89%) among the large consumer baskets in the CPI. Within the services basket, the annual change in rental prices continued to decline, while those services that continue to experience the most significant restrictions on returning to normal operations (tourism, cinemas, nightlife, etc.) continued to register significant price declines. As previously mentioned, telephone rates also fell significantly due to increased competition in the market. Total inflation is expected to continue to be affected by ample excesses in productive capacity for the remainder of 2021 and 2022, though less so than projected in January. As a result, convergence to the inflation target is now expected to be somewhat faster than estimated in the previous report, assuming the absence of significant additional outbreaks of COVID-19. The technical staff’s year-end inflation projections for 2021 and 2022 have increased, suggesting figures around 3% due largely to variation in food and regulated items prices. The projection for inflation excluding food and regulated items also increased, but remains below 3%. Price relief measures on indirect taxes implemented in 2020 are expected to lapse in the second quarter of 2021, generating a one-off effect on prices and temporarily affecting inflation excluding food and regulated items. However, indexation to low levels of past inflation, weak demand, and ample excess productive capacity are expected to keep core inflation below the target, near 2.3% at the end of 2021 (previously 2.1%). The reversion in 2021 of the effects of some price relief measures on utility rates from 2020 should lead to an increase in the CPI for regulated items in the second half of this year. Annual price changes are now expected to be higher than estimated in the January report due to an increased expected path for fuel prices and unanticipated increases in regulated education prices. The projection for the CPI for foods has increased compared to the previous report, taking into account certain factors that were not anticipated in January (a less favorable agricultural cycle, increased pressure from international prices, and transport costs). Given the above, year-end annual inflation for 2021 and 2022 is now expected to be 3% and 2.8%, respectively, which would be above projections from January (2.3% and 2,7%). For its part, expected inflation based on analyst surveys suggests year-end inflation in 2021 and 2022 of 2.8% and 3.1%, respectively. There remains significant uncertainty surrounding the inflation forecasts included in this report due to several factors: 1) the evolution of the pandemic; 2) the difficulty in evaluating the size and persistence of excess productive capacity; 3) the timing and manner in which price relief measures will lapse; and 4) the future behavior of food prices. Projected 2021 growth in foreign demand (4.4% to 5.2%) and the supposed average oil price (USD 53 to USD 61 per Brent benchmark barrel) were both revised upward. An increase in long-term international interest rates has been reflected in a depreciation of the peso and could result in relatively tighter external financial conditions for emerging market economies, including Colombia. Average growth among Colombia’s trade partners was greater than expected in the fourth quarter of 2020. This, together with a sizable fiscal stimulus approved in the United States and the onset of a massive global vaccination campaign, largely explains the projected increase in foreign demand growth in 2021. The resilience of the goods market in the face of global crisis and an expected normalization in international trade are additional factors. These considerations and the expected continuation of a gradual reduction of mobility restrictions abroad suggest that Colombia’s trade partners could grow on average by 5.2% in 2021 and around 3.4% in 2022. The improved prospects for global economic growth have led to an increase in current and expected oil prices. Production interruptions due to a heavy winter, reduced inventories, and increased supply restrictions instituted by producing countries have also contributed to the increase. Meanwhile, market forecasts and recent Federal Reserve pronouncements suggest that the benchmark interest rate in the U.S. will remain stable for the next two years. Nevertheless, a significant increase in public spending in the country has fostered expectations for greater growth and inflation, as well as increased uncertainty over the moment in which a normalization of monetary policy might begin. This has been reflected in an increase in long-term interest rates. In this context, emerging market economies in the region, including Colombia, have registered increases in sovereign risk premiums and long-term domestic interest rates, and a depreciation of local currencies against the dollar. Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in several of these economies; limits on vaccine supply and the slow pace of immunization campaigns in some countries; a significant increase in public debt; and tensions between the United States and China, among other factors, all add to a high level of uncertainty surrounding interest rate spreads, external financing conditions, and the future performance of risk premiums. The impact that this environment could have on the exchange rate and on domestic financing conditions represent risks to the macroeconomic and monetary policy forecasts. Domestic financial conditions continue to favor recovery in economic activity. The transmission of reductions to the policy interest rate on credit rates has been significant. The banking portfolio continues to recover amid circumstances that have affected both the supply and demand for loans, and in which some credit risks have materialized. Preferential and ordinary commercial interest rates have fallen to a similar degree as the benchmark interest rate. As is generally the case, this transmission has come at a slower pace for consumer credit rates, and has been further delayed in the case of mortgage rates. Commercial credit levels stabilized above pre-pandemic levels in March, following an increase resulting from significant liquidity requirements for businesses in the second quarter of 2020. The consumer credit portfolio continued to recover and has now surpassed February 2020 levels, though overall growth in the portfolio remains low. At the same time, portfolio projections and default indicators have increased, and credit establishment earnings have come down. Despite this, credit disbursements continue to recover and solvency indicators remain well above regulatory minimums. 1.2 Monetary policy decision In its meetings in March and April the BDBR left the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.75%.