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The apps for drawing are present in our children's life. Nevertheless, little is known about the impact of mobile technology on the freehand drawing educational activity. There are few works which are contextualised within short periods of time, with teachers who are not theirs and, in some cases, outside the children's classroom. In this paper, we are focussed on the use of technology on freehand drawing activity. Thus, we have compared the graphics produced by 4- and 5-year-old children with paper&crayon in comparison with those with tablet-finger. Children made the drawings during a planned free-drawing activity, in their ordinary classrooms, with their teachers and during five sessions. Assessment of drawings has evidenced tablet feasibility for making graphics. Nevertheless, with the passing of time, quality of graphics (tablet-finger vs paper&crayons), are nearly matched, demonstrating the low impact level technology has on this activity. In addition, if drawings are analysed specifically according to ages, results have shown that both groups have to develop adaptation strategies of visual perceptual skills and fine motor skills for the touch screen in order to obtain the same quality in the drawings made on both support types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sheds light on how to develop inclusive pedagogy in higher education, from the point of view of 42 inclusive faculty members from 6 Spanish universities. A qualitative methodology was used through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data analysis was inductive, using a system of categories and topics. The results reveal that the faculty members which develop inclusive pedagogy in general have beliefs linked to the social model of disability and inclusive education approaches. They do not usually have specific training or knowledge about disability. They design their curricula in a flexible and open way to accommodate all students. They show a positive attitude toward students with disabilities and use diverse and participatory teaching methodologies, giving prominence to students. These data are consistent with those found in previous studies and offer keys to those faculty members who are interested in developing an inclusive pedagogy at the university. This paper examines in detail how faculty members of six faculties of educational sciences develop a theoretical framework comprising beliefs, knowledge, designs and actions. The research has found that faculty members hold beliefs about disability based on the social model of disability and inclusive approach. In general, inclusive faculty members' knowledge of disability and attention to diversity issues is scarce. The design of courses and teaching programmes led by inclusive university faculty is characterised by being open, flexible and providing clear and detailed information to students. Faculty who develop inclusive pedagogy use varied, participative and active methodologies, which are combined with a positive and approachable attitude towards students with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated the effects of web‐based training on Spanish pre‐service and in‐service teacher knowledge and implicit beliefs on learning to write. A sample of pre‐service teachers and in‐service teachers from Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, and Spain participated in the online course. Findings suggest that teachers may improve their knowledge of transcription skills (i.e., handwriting/typing, spelling), text production, and strategies for composing as necessary components of quality writing instruction. Effects were also found on the teachers' implicit beliefs. Finally, both pre‐service and in‐service teachers positively rated the online course received. Lay Description: What is currently known about the subject: Teaching children how to write demands a high degree of specialization.The benefits of web‐based training to professional development have been well‐documented in the literature.Preparing of pre‐service and in‐service teachers through an online context is limited in the field of writing.Teachers' knowledge, satisfaction, and beliefs have been commonly used as outcome measures to define high‐quality e‐learning instruction. What this paper adds: A Spanish web‐based training was developed to improve professional development in writing instruction.The Trazo web‐based training changed teacher's beliefs about learning to write.Teachers learned more about the essential component of the writing process.Teachers' rating of the training and support website was highly positive. Implications for practitioners: Web‐based training allows teachers to learn at their own pace.Teachers can improve their knowledge from virtually at any geographic location with an Internet connection.The Trazo web‐based training offers research‐based knowledge to Spanish‐speaking teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers an overview of the current state, difficulties, limitations and future possibilities for sex education in Spain. On the basis of a study involving 3760 teachers from all provinces in Spain, a detailed analysis of the obstacles at legislative, school and teacher levels was developed. Significant weaknesses were found at each of these levels. The main obstacles were the fact that sex education is a cross-curricular subject and contains content that should be incorporated throughout the curriculum rather than in one specific course; lack of monitoring of the practice of sex education; lack of interest in the topic in many schools; and finally lack of appropriate teacher training. A variety of different actions at legislative, school and teacher levels are proposed to overcome those difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]