International Institute of
A Framework for a Multi-Faceted, Educational, Knowledge-Based Recommender System
Coffey, John W. (United States)
ABSTRACT:
The literature on intelligent or adaptive tutoring systems generally has a focus on how to determine what resources to present to students as they make their way through a course of study. The idea of multi-faceted student modeling
is that a variety of measures, both academic and nonacademic, might be represented in student models in service of a broader educational context. This paper contains a framework for a multi-faceted, educational, knowledge-based recommender system, including a basic set of descriptors that the model contains, and a taxonomy of inferences that might be made over such models.
A New Model for Providing Tourism Information for Traditional Cultural Sites through ICT
Hiramatsu, Yuko; Sato, Fumihiro; Ito, Atsushi; Hatano, Hiroyuki; Fujii, Masahiro; Watanabe, Yu; Sasaki, Akira (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
Information and Communication Technology offers different types of information. However, a large amount of that information is not appealing for tourists. To determine what comprises relevant information for tourists, we developed a new smartphone application that provides not only a guide to
specific locations but also comprehensively summarizes the traditional customs and history of the area. For example, our trial application provides information relating to Japanese traditional rules for visiting shrines and temples. To realize this application, we introduced a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon that collaborates with the smartphone application to display information at the appropriate points. We found that the BLE beacon worked well for outdoor sightseeing done on foot.
A Project-Based Language Learning Model for Improving the Willingness to Communicate of EFL Students
Farouck, Ibrahim (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
Anxiety and inadequate motivation due to misapplication of some language teaching methodologies and learning materials have been shown to affect the Willingness to Communicate of students in EFL programs. This study used a Project-Based Language Learning to improve learning motivation and content relevance. Students were grouped into pairs to conduct fieldwork activities on their chosen topics and learned the English language that was suitable for describing their activities and outcomes. They interacted with content and peers through Web 2.0 environments. In the classroom, they engaged in communicative tasks in a jigsaw format and presented their projects where their peers used an online rubric and forum to give feedback. They also participated in a speech contest with peers outside their class or from another university in order to broaden their confidence. Findings from this study show that students were able to develop the language and evaluation skills for presentation. Additionally, they indicated a reduction in communication anxiety.
A Step by Step Guide to Building Secure Software
Zeng, Mini; Zhu, Feng (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Software vulnerabilities have become widespread in recent years. Multiple research organizations have published common software security errors. It is, however, overwhelming for developers to read through the long documentations. There are few studies on how to educate developers use these research resources. We suggest a step-by-step approach for programmers and designers to mitigate security errors. Our approach guides
developers to generate an error list, prioritize errors by risk evaluations, target security errors in source code, test attack, establish mitigation strategy, and document the results. We provide a case study to illustrate the approach and established mitigation strategies by using the 2011 CWE/SANS Top 25 Most Dangerous Software Errors. We present examples, determine the priorities for the fixes, and mitigate errors. We evaluate the method by surveys and experiment. Result shows that the step by step guide and case study training could increase participants’ motivation to use CWE resources and perform software security developing steps.
A Strategy for Improving the Teaching of Database Management Systems Course: Redressing the Balance of Theory and Practice
Abuhejleh, Ahmad (United States)
ABSTRACT:
One of the perpetual concerns in education is the ability of computer Information Systems and Management Information Systems students to apply what they have learned in a real world situations. To tackle this issue, this paper proposes the adoption of a new strategy as a mechanism for linking theory and practice for delivering database management Systems course in the IS and MIS curriculum. The author examined three different approaches to teaching relational algebra and SQL (Structured Query Language) in the course: Relational Algebra followed by SQL; SQL followed by Relational Algebra; and SQL by itself. The success of each approach was measured by evaluating student feedback and performance. The outcome of this study will serve as a future teaching analysis reference for Instructors in designing and teaching the data base management systems courses.
Adding Agility to Enterprise Process and Data Engineering
Zykov, Sergey; Shapkin, Pavel; Kazantsev, Nikolay; Roslovtsev, Vladimir (Russian Federation)
ABSTRACT:
Managing development of large and complex enterprise architectures is a key problem in enterprise engineering. Nowadays one of the breathtaking topics considering enterprise context is real-time system agility. The paper discusses an appropriate general architecture pattern and provides insights how dynamic process management environment could be made. We survey general enterprise software architecture and current agility problems. We introduce a special component called a process knowledge base and justify its crucial role in achieving agility within the enterprise. We study both the architecture of the process knowledge base as well as formal basis for its implementation which relies upon the type theory.
An Analysis of Special Japanese Adnominal Forms in the Japanese-English Parallel Corpus
Tanabe, Kazuko (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
This study aims at the contrastive lexicology based on ParaConc, a parallel concordance designed by Balow(2010). According to Barlow, ParaConc is a tool designed for linguists and other researchers who wish to work with translated texts in order to carry out contrastive language studies or to investigate the
translation process itself. We utilized WebParaNews and the ParaConc parallel corpus to analyze the characteristics of two-character Sino-Japanese gerunds included in the modified nouns of special adnominal forms. The results of this analysis showed that, in Japanese, even when displayed by special adnominal
forms, it is not rare for these to be replaced by verbs, auxiliary verbs, adjectives, and other parts of speech. Moreover, by utilizing the Hot Words feature of Parallel Corpus, we were able to quantify the abstract nature of the two-character Sino- Japanese gerunds.
Typical applications of a parallel corpus include translator training. This study will contribute to make the reliable foundation of the educational material for translators. The corpus and its hot word function will provide the translator trainees with more scientific data and enable to offer more efficient training than
those in the pre-corpus age.
AuthorIT and TutorIT: Automated Platforms for Developing and Delivering Dynamically Adaptive Tutoring Systems (Invited Article)
Scandura, Joseph M. (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Not available.
Calibrated Meditation with Sensor Network and Virtual Reality (Invited Article)
Zhang, Ting; Lin, Hong (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Chan is a superior mental training methodology derived from Buddhism and absorbed wisdom of religious practitioners, philosophers, and scholars through thousands of years. As the primary way of Chan, meditation has clear effects in bringing practitioners’ mind into a tranquil state and promoting both the mental and the physical health. We propose to establish a Chan science by applying modern experimental sciences to the measurement of the effects of meditation. Brain state models can be built to guard meditation practice. In addition, virtual reality can create an environment for the meditators to regulate minds.
Through these studies, we believe we will be able to make Chan a beneficial practice to promote human’s life in modern society.
Can Measurements of Online Behavior Predict Course Performance?
Andersson, Ulf; Arvemo, Tobias; Gellerstedt, Martin (Sweden)
ABSTRACT:
This article is a pilot study on the relationship between performance in online classes and behavior in online discussion forums. Measuring student activity on the discussion forum, the collected data is then analyzed and mapped to the performance of the students on the course. The student activity was divided
into a number of parameters, and during the study these parameters were compared to the performance of the students. The significance of each parameter was also analyzed through a Kruskall-Wallis-test Overall there was a strong tendency that students with more activity and engagement received higher grades. This is in the future useful for developing some kind of
monitoring to identify and support students on the verge of failing the course.
Can You Explain Traffic Lights? How Children Explain their World in their First Written Texts
Maier, Helmut (Austria)
ABSTRACT:
A research project I carried out some years ago (“The Hedgehog-Texts”) about the first written scientific essays came to the following results: every kind of writing comes out of oral communication; children develop their scientific writing (technical terminology) in steps; the first scientific texts are narrative stories, which refer back to individual experiences; generally valid statements derive from individual cases...
The following project was about traffic-lights: Children from the 1st grade up to the 4th tried to explain the term traffic lights in some written sentences. The results of this recent project show that there are two ways of answering. On the one hand kids use descriptions of the device itself, on the other hand they already give explanations, how it is working. These questions were used to proceed: What kind of strategies do children use? Are there steps of competence (steps of abilities) that show a development in writing technically oriented texts? Concerning the competences there is one important question open to clear: Do they exist side by side in form of components? Or are they organized or build up in a hierarchic organization?
Challenges with Ethical Behavior and Accountability in Leadership
Thompson, Laura (United States)
ABSTRACT:
In terms of purpose, accountability systems are designed to apply governance, and in some cases, legislate rules, in order to impact the quality of the end result, or control the behavior of people and their environments [19]. The rules within accountability systems are usually implicit, intrinsic, very detailed, and fully known by only a few people. Education and levels of leadership are some of the main factors leading to breakdown of communication and accountability within organizational structure. However, business intelligence tools like knowledge management [11], make it easier to access, capture share information and make decisions on accountability within organizations.
Strategic Misalignment occurs when decisions are made, without communication or ethical standards [13]. To address the challenges associated with accountability in for and non profit organizations, a sequential explanatory mixed method design was employed, along with action research. Participants of the study were interviewed and asked seven qualitative questions, in efforts to explain the quantitative results. The process to gather and culminate the qualitative results took approximately 6 months. Three main classifications of accountability systems were derived from the interviews; personal accountability, financial accountability, and organizational accountability [8]. To ensure the credibility of findings in the qualitative analysis, the framework for
additional study with more rigor is presented here.
Climate Modeling: Status and Prospects
Statnikov, Konstantin; Kruchenitsky, Gregory (Russian Federation)
ABSTRACT:
Based on the analysis of the methods for modeling climate, it was shown that such methods have some problems. It divides into 3 parts. They are: principally
unavoidable difficulties, information difficulties of chemical and radiation blocks and technical difficulties. In this article we suggested energy-balance models with small numbers of parameters. The contribution of albedo changing was considered. In this work, harmonic oscillation of albedo with a fundamental period of 37.2 years was found.
Community of Inquiry for Online EFL Classes for Saudi Students: An Environment of Trust and Mutual Support
Albuloushi, Amnah (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Not available.
Compensation of Disadvantages in University Examination Procedures
Quapp, U.; Holschemacher, K. (Germany)
ABSTRACT:
Active social participation of disabled people is one of the major tasks of modern society. That also includes access to the academic community by higher education. Universities all over the world work hard to give handicapped
students a chance to graduate. In this context, compensation of disadvantages in examination procedures is an important matter. But, also chronic illness may impair the student’s examination performance. To ensure equal examination
opportunities for all students, responsible university officials must be creative to find individual compensation solutions. The paper analyzes examination regulations at universities in different countries and offers solutions to compensate disabled and chronic ill students’ disadvantages. It discusses the necessity of compensation for different types of disability and chronic illness. Finally, an overview of current German case law and solutions for compensation problems are provided.
Computer Aided Identification of the Geometrical Parameters of Hepatic Tissue
Špániková, Gabriela; Halašová, Erika; Špánik, Pavol; Hargaš, Libor (Slovakia)
ABSTRACT:
In this paper a method of identifying the parameters of the geometric model of liver tissue, designed for the analysis of electrical field distribution, during electrosurgery is presented. Method designed for complex tissue structures allows to determinate the percentage of the relevant parts of the body, based on the evaluation of its histological image. The method is realized in the setting of Lab-View, while using the algorithm of coloric properties analysis of each tissue structure. The results are useable in 2D and 3D simulators, which analyze the current field distribution in biological tissue.
Connecting Educators with Inter-Disciplinary Inquiry-Based Science and Students with STEM Careers with Real-World Experiences (Invited Article)
Lunsford, Suzanne; Zhai, Lei; Lee, Justin; Dodson, Dolores (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Our professional development workshops have provided participating teachers (inservice and pre-service) with interdisciplinary experiences in earth and
environmental science that have built their content into real-world problem based research initiatives (STEM, Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). One of our real-world issues has been the detection of phenol since it has been a concern in the real-world coal mining industry. Coal tars are a complex of variable mixtures of phenols. Phenol and phenol derivative compounds are widely used in the production of polymers, drugs, dyes, explosives, pesticides, stabilizers and antioxidants. These phenolic compounds
are discharged into the environment and can represent a serious hazard, mainly by the contamination of superficial and underground waters. The toxic effect of
phenol can cause comas, convulsions, cyanosis, liver damage, kidney damage, lung damage and death. The mining industry for coal is an alternative source of energy and used in thermoelectric power plants. However, the pollutant phenol that can be found in coal has high need to be detected and is an important aspect to keep an eye on due to these harmful chemicals such as phenol
discharging into the environment. Our inquiry-based labs have engaged our inservice and pre-service students by visiting a mine and learning the positive and negative aspects of mining and the importance of water quality. Thus, this inquiry-based module will illustrate the use of an electrochemistry modified carbon nanotube poly-3-hexylthiophene electrode to detect such harmful chemicals as phenol by unique electrochemistry techniques such as Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV).
Control System for an Automotive Suspension Based on Theory of Regions
Rezig, Sadok; Achour, Zied; Rezg, Nidhal (France)
ABSTRACT:
Advanced active suspension systems for automotive applications are frequently addressed in the literature and widely studied in industry. Active suspension have been considered due to their potential improvement on ride quality and on road handling capability. This paper deals with singlewheel suspension car model. This work presents a new method for synthesizing PN controllers using the theory of regions. Firstly, we present a Hybrid Petri net model for a
quarter-car suspension, and then to avoid the vibrations caused by accelerations of the vehicles, we control the system using the theory of regions.
Creating Tools for Evaluating Microprocesses in Student’s Learning Progress
Löffler-Stastka, Henriette; Ulrich, Johanna; Miksch, Robert; Bruckner, Dietmar (Austria)
ABSTRACT:
Research is conducted on quantitative and objective assessments to operationalize competence development and assess learning processes in medical and psychotherapy students. Low stake and high stake teaching cases, with easy and sophisticated tests are evaluated to determinate mathematical values, which are representative for the student’s progress and condition. These values should be analysed and a model, which describes the course of progress, should be derived from them. Over the course of this paper statistical considerations are made and a software is developed, which allows the teaching staff to execute the complex analyses by themselves
Design Charrette: Leveraging Multi-Disciplinary Consultation and Expertise Transfer among Interior Design Students to Tackle Complex Design Challenges
Webber, Steven B. (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Higher education by nature has a silo-like structure that inhibits collaboration across disciplines and this structure can limit interaction among students of the same discipline that possess varying levels of expertise. The walls dividing disciplines and expertise levels can be softened through the use of a concentrated, short-term design problem called a charrette. The charrette is commonly used in architecture and interior design. The use of the charrette in an educational context provides design students the opportunity to collaborate in teams where members have varying levels of expertise and consult with experts in allied disciplines in preparation for a profession that will expect the
same. In the context of a competitive charrette, this study examines the effectiveness of forming teams of design students that possess a diversity of expertise. This study also looks at the effectiveness of integrating input from professional experts in design-allied disciplines (urban planning, architecture,
mechanical and electrical engineering) and a design-scenariospecific discipline (medicine) into the students’ design process. In this charrette context, the students studied seemed to prefer input from external experts that had an immediate and practical implication to their design process. They also perceived the cross-expertise student team make-up positively for both the more experienced students and the less experienced students.
Educating Future Coders with a Holistic ICT Curriculum and New Learning Solutions
Niemelä, Pia; Di Flora, Cristiano; Helevirta, Martti; Isomöttönen, Ville (Finland)
ABSTRACT:
Technology-orientation and coding are gaining momentum in Finnish curriculum planning for primary and secondary school. However, according to the existing plans, the scope of ICT teaching is limited to practical topics, e.g., how to drill basic control structures (if-then-else, for, while) without focusing on the high level epistemological view of ICT. This paper proposes some key extensions to such plans, targeted to highlight rather the epistemological factors of teaching than talk about concrete means of strengthening the craftsmanship of coding. The proposed approach stems from the qualitative data collected by interviewing ICT professionals (N=7, 4 males, 3 females), who have gained experience of the industry needs while working as ICT professionals (avg=11.3 y, s=3.9 y). This work illustrates a holistic model of ICT teaching as well as suggests a set of new methods and tools.
Engaging Online Kinesthetic Learners in Active Learning
Wood, Nancy; Sereni-Massinger, Christine (United States)
ABSTRACT:
This article will examine instructional strategies to engage the kinesthetic learner to implement active learning in the online learning environment. Online learning tends to provide lectures to listen to and reading assignments, providing little opportunity to actively apply course content. With today’s computermediated learning environment, further discussion on what educational practices are required in order to develop active learning skills in an online class setting is needed. A high percentage of learners have a kinesthetic preference. Preliminary research has revealed that of the learning style preference categories, kinesthetic learners may be the least engaged in the
online learning environment. The replication of real-life experience engages the kinesthetic learner and promotes active learning in the online environment. Taking into account the various learning style preferences of students and providing opportunities for self-directed and collaborative learning, educators can facilitate rigorous online knowledge exchange geared to achieving identifiable learning outcomes and active learning engagement. The following active learning strategies will be discussed: reality-based scenarios, case studies, inquiry based dialogue, gaming and role-play. Providing such ‘hands on’
activities, combined with personal experience provides an environment that allows students to experience high interaction and experimentation with the course materials.
Event Series Prediction as Decision Support System at Fast Paced Processes
Nielsen, Stig Anton (Sweden)
ABSTRACT:
Prediction is used in sciences, technologies, and daily life. This paper investigates how prediction influence three fast paced creative processes. The setup for the experiments are described and the participants report on their experiences. Based on the experiences from these three types of processes, the article discuss how a design or alteration process may be guided by
predictions.
For prediction we present the algorithm ‘Event Series Prediction’ (ESP), and account for the ways it can be implemented in any real time, fast paced process.
ESP algorithm provides, based on the current and past scope of events, representations pieced together from its memory. These representations achieve similarities with the future events in the environment. However, changing the environment based on such prediction will in turn change the outcome of events in the environment. These consequences are sought to be
demonstrated through experimentation. Once understanding the mechanism, our goal is to scale the temporal dimension of experiments to challenging, time-consuming tasks such as modifying the built environment. Scaling the process in
temporality is shown possible, and proves to heighten the relevance and performance of the system, in that the human memory is outperformed by the system when using longer temporal scale.
Implementation of Standard Index Called the WQI; Problem-Based Investigation to Determine if the Dihydrogen Monoxide is Healthy Utilizing Technology
Lunsford, Suzanne; Slattery, William (United States)
ABSTRACT:
A summer and fall professional development environmental science workshop for in-service and pre-service teachers of high need areas that teach in grades K-12 were served in our program with a focus on water quality (Water=Dihydrogen Monoxide). The purpose of this workshop is to raise
educators’ understanding and awareness of water quality and an opportunity to explore water quality topics in an interactive, easy to use and hands-on problem based experience. The high-need schools served which not less than 20% of children served are from families with income below the poverty line. There was an integration of earth and physical science content in an inquiry-based field study of water quality was carried out utilizing various types of lab equipment.
The Water Quality Index (WQI) developed over four decades ago by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) was an effort to compare the quality of water from rivers and lakes in all parts of the country. Thus, the WQI technique has become one of the most widely used of all existing water quality procedures which consists of nine tests: Dissolved Oxygen, Fecal Coliform, pH, BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), Temperature, Total Phosphate, Nitrates, Turbidity and Total Solids. The WQI technique has a “weighting factor” which
integrated mathematical skills to determine if the water quality was healthy. The
inquiry-based water quality testing required a comparison of three different types of instrumentation utilized, which were LaMotte Water Kits, titrations and
photometer. This professional development program had the following stages involved which were awareness, knowledge, critical thinking, problemsolving,
decision-making, action, and stewardship (improvement or environmental
protection). Pre- and Post-test assessments as addressed by R.R. Hake have shown that these inquiry-based activities to determine the water quality illustrated high content gains in environmental science content knowledge.
Improvement of High School Students’ Programming Skills - Case Study Using a Computer Contest -
Kofune, Yasuyo; Koita, Takahiro (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
This paper presents a case study of participation in a programming contest to stimulate student interest in learning programming. The hypothesis of this study is that students will be more willing to learn programming if the programming experience is fun. The students were asked to create Android applications (apps) based on their own ideas, experience the fun of programming, and thus gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment. The students who participated in the programming contest began to learn programming voluntarily. In addition, when the application that they created did not run well, they initiated a trial and error process on their own. The programming contest provided students with the goal of learning programming and a willingness to continue learning.
Improving At-Risk Student Academic Performance with Innovative Strategies & Technologies
Cheser, Elena A. (United States)
ABSTRACT:
The present study was conducted during the Fall, 2015 semester and is an extension of an ongoing study which follows student performance in math from student entry into the University of Hartford Summer Bridge Program through the first academic semester college math course in Hillyer College.1 Program
effectiveness was assessed by: (a) determination of progress made during the Bridge Program as measured by Δ (difference between Post- and Pre-Program test results); (b) student scores from MyMathLab (MML, math-specific software which is integrated into program and semester curriculum); (c) relationships between Δ and MML scores for both the Bridge session and during the first regular semester math course; and (d) relationships between the first regular semester math course exam scores and MML scores for both the Bridge session and during the first regular semester math course. In addition to the Fall, 2015 assessment, GPAs for Bridge and non-Bridge students were compared for Fall, 2014. Results show that (1) student performance improves significantly during the Bridge program; (2) MyMathLab is a significant contributor to improved
performance; (3) skills gained from the Bridge Program carry over to the regular semester and potentially extend beyond a single Bridge Program discipline.
Information Management Processes for Extraction of Student Dropout Indicators in Courses in Distance Mode
Abrantes Baracho, Renata Maria; Diesel, Paloma de Albuqyerque (Brazil)
ABSTRACT:
This research addresses the use of information management processes in order to extract student dropout indicators in distance mode courses. Distance education in Brazil aims to facilitate access to information. The MEC (Ministry of Education) announced, in the second semester of 2013, that the main obstacles faced by institutions offering courses in this mode were students dropping out and the resistance of both educators and students to this mode. The research
used a mixed methodology, qualitative and quantitative, to obtain student dropout indicators. The factors found and validated in this research were: the lack of interest from students, insufficient training in the use of the virtual learning environment for students, structural problems in the schools that were chosen to offer the course, students without e-mail, incoherent answers to activities to the course, lack of knowledge on the part of the student when using the computer tool. The scenario considered was a course offered in distance mode called Aluno Integrado (Integrated Student)1.
Information System to Support Sports Federations: An Approach to Improve the Quality of Software Specifications
Medeiros, Francisco; Santos, Ana; Medeiros, Juliana; Ayres, Fausto; Vasconcelos, Alexandre; Silva, Carla; Viana, Caio; Rocha, Josemary; Viegas, Victor; Mendes, Eder (Brazil)
ABSTRACT:
It is apparent that sports organizations, regulators, sponsors and athletes have become more and more concerned about anti-doping control. Despite the investments made in the past few years in Brazil, recent studies show that sports federations do not have a systematic process for anti-doping control nor they have yet dealt satisfactorily with the transparency of the legal hearings and outcomes of anti-doping tests. This study puts forward an Information System that it was developed using a new agile approach, called BRAP (Business Requirements Agile Process). The software has 133 features to support the entire anti-doping control process performed by the sports federations. 71 features already been validated with some Olympic federations. It is hoped that the proposed System and integrated database of anti-doping tests can help the sports federations and give support for Government to draw up public policies in Brazil.
Interactive Visual Art Learning in the Development of Young Children's Creativity
Stavridi, Sylvia (Egypt)
ABSTRACT:
Interactive visual art- centered learning creates new insight and understanding that intersect abstract concepts of art in relation to core content areas in academic disciplines, e.g. science, math, and geometry. Technologies integration would give such a creative approach a vital means of reaching younger students in and through the arts as investigative methods.
This article is an attempt to shed light on "how to keep young children's creativity alive", and how the exploration of arts shapes new ways for our children to improve their practice and interaction in an increasingly intelligent setting. The paper emphasizes the use of ICT in interactive computer based
techniques as an integral component of reforms to deal with ongoing technological changes. It focuses on the interaction between technology, visual arts and creativity, and overviews different digital platforms, tools, art-tech/software, and webbased applications that support the benefits of innovative active learning, and which differentiate teaching methods in traditional classes.
The author confers that recently, integrated digital aesthetic learning has shifted the focus from not only fulfilling the existing education system, but to also develop new interactive friendly environments, where educators are encouraged to establish a creative digital curriculum in order to engage
younger students in an informally constructive way. Furthermore, it discusses how arts and humanities-based initiatives are taking a prominent place in our integrated learning systems in private elementary schools in Alexandria.
This provides an accessible way for educators to design specific educational activities to merge technology, pedagogy, artistic experiences within academic disciplines.
The paper then concludes with an emphasis on the efficient use of digital technologies through primary education as a tool to create and conduct art activities in order to help improve children learning in a creative process.
Keeping in Touch: Tablets Use by Older Adults
Levy, Dalit; Simonovsky, Elena (Israel)
ABSTRACT:
This article is based on a qualitative research conducted during 2012-2013, documenting the process of adjustment to tablet computers by males and females aged 65+. The purpose of the study was to characterize the lifestyle of the population commonly called "the Third Age" regarding the use of touch-screen technology. From an analysis of the data accumulated through ethnographic observations in the homes of the participants and through in-depth interviews with them, a multilayered model emerged, including four dimensions relevant to living with a tablet at the third age: Activity, Learning, Independence, and Barriers. This led to proposing a new model of aging which combines extensive use of devices with integrated touch-screen technology, referred to as "Aging Model 2.0". The research suggests that the use of advanced technology may contribute to a new representation of older adults in society, which, in turn, may lead us to reevaluate our relationship with our parents and grandparents.
Layout for the Information Support System for Mobile Vehicles Based on the Real Time Vision System
Sokolov, Sergey; Boguslavsky, Andrey (Russian Federation)
ABSTRACT:
We propose the methodology for the arrangement of the information support systems based on the real time vision systems being a part of autopilots. The configuration space of similar systems is reviewed. Within this space there are
proposed some metrics for measuring characteristics of the components of information support systems. The emphasis is made on the external world presentation models in on-board computer systems. For this purpose, we propose to apply the concept of interpreting navigation. There is analyzed a
possibility of unifying the software of similar systems. The frame of the real time vision systems is described. There are given examples of arrangements of the information support systems of various unmanned mobile systems based on the proposed methodology.
Lecture Notes on Comparison between Kalman Filter and Predictor
Wan, Qun; Hong, Zhi Xuan; Hu, Ze Peng; Yin, Ji Hao; Zou, Lin (China)
ABSTRACT:
Teaching reflection of Kalman Filter, especially the best estimation of filter and predictor, is discussed in this paper. When it comes to Kalman Filter, teacher would build up Kalman filter’s model, derive estimation algorithm and reveal relationship among state estimator, making students understand its theoretical principle and the significance in practice. In addition, we compare Kalman filter with predictor via the performance of bias and mean square error (MSE) and provide the proof that Kalman filter is better than predictor, which can deepen the students' understanding of the MSE criterion and the orthogonal principle.
Less-Common, Ultrasmall, and Radioactive Nanoparticles
Kharisov, Boris I.; Kharissova, Oxana V. (Mexico)
ABSTRACT:
Less-common nanostructures, published mainly in the range of 1÷100 reports, are discussed. It is shown that, due to their unusual form and frequently high surface area, they possess useful properties and have found a row of applications in the catalysis, drug delivery, nanomedicine and biology. In addition, ultrasmall particles, having size range 1÷10 nm, and nanoparticles containing radioactive elements, are described and their main applications are presented.
Managing the Interoperability and Privacy of e-Health Systems as an Interdisciplinary Challenge (Invited Article)
Soceanu, Alexandru (Germany)
ABSTRACT:
The growing number of patients with chronic diseases, the ageing population worldwide, the rapid increase in hospital costs and in the cost of care personnel as well as the achieving medical objectives “increase the patient quality of life and survival” face Europe with a huge challenge. One of the solutions for reaching these challenges in the future is the deployment of complex eHealth systems in support of all the healthcare aspects on the way between patient home and healthcare provider. In the last decade the European Commission (EC) in cooperation with healthcare associations and standardization institutes announced large frameworks for supporting research and development of various components of the future eHealth systems. This may be considered as an immediate interdisciplinary opportunity for European researchers and developers to create jointly the spine of future healthcare systems.
After a short introduction to eHealth architecture, interoperability, security and privacy the talk refers to the interdisciplinary solutions which approach these healthcare huge overall challenge. Two case studies will be addressed: a)
interdisciplinary partnership for conducting jointly European research concerning remote control and management of future wearable dialysis devices, and b) ERASMUS supported international education programs for creating future
interdisciplinary expert networks working on developing and implementing a better healthcare system.
Medication Administration and Knowledge Retention in Baccalaureate Nursing Students
Treister, Pamela; Darcy, Donna (United States)
ABSTRACT:
A quality improvement project was undertaken in order to assist the undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students in knowledge retention for medication administration during their senior semester in nursing school. Two specific changes in curriculum were implemented in order to assist these undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students at a suburban private university in New York. Simulation and the incorporation of competency by rubrics were implemented in the spring semester of junior year, which led to an increased knowledge retention during the fall semester of the senior year. This article discusses the advantages and challenges of using technology, how change occurred in the junior year semester and the effects it had on the senior nursing student’s retention of medication administration knowledge.
Modern Computer Aided Methods in Medical Diagnostics
Drgona, Peter; Hrianka, Miroslav; Loncova, Zuzana (Slovakia)
ABSTRACT:
Abstract—Modern medical and diagnostic methods lie on intersection of classical medicine and technical (industrial) branches such as physics, electrical engineering, information and communication technologies. This fact is confirmed by mutual cooperation between medical and technical institutes in order to
research into new diagnostic and therapeutic methods. This article proposes methods and knowledge based on cooperation and communication between both doctors and technicians, potentially resulting into creation of modern specialized work stations within Slovakia.
New Factors in Teacher Training in Innovative Educational Methods Focusing on Inquiry-Based Science Education
Trna, Josef; Trnova, Eva (Czech Republic)
ABSTRACT:
The effectiveness of teacher training, which is influenced by many limiting factors, is a significant issue when improving the quality of teacher preparation for new challenges in current and future education. The study is devoted to research into new limiting factors and methods for overcoming these factors in science teacher education. This research was carried out within the framework of teacher CPD courses within the PROFILES project aimed at the implementation of inquiry-based science education. Design-based research was the basic framework, with the use of specific research methods such as a curricular Delphi study, Kirton’s Adaptation-Innovation Inventory, a case study, structured observation, a questionnaire, structured interviews, and analysis of teachers’ products. The research sample consisted of science teachers from secondary schools, who were researched over the years 2012-2015. The main research outcome is determination of new limiting factors of the effectiveness of teacher training in inquiry-based science education: creativity styles of teachers, adult learning styles of teachers, and individual education of teachers. Teacher constructivism and motivation are the bases of the developed method for overcoming these limiting factors.
Preliminary Investigations of Challenges in Dynamic Integration of Heterogeneous Services
Makamba, Makaziwe (South Africa)
ABSTRACT:
The progress of technology prompted the proliferation of services. Services are distinct, loosely coupled units of functionalities that are self-contained. These services are however developed by various vendors without following appropriate standards. However, the need for interoperability and reusability prompts the need for service integration. Service integration is not a new arena but emphasis is mostly on homogeneous services. However, the challenge lies on the integration of heterogeneous services to enforce reusability and maximize Total Cost of Deployment (TCD) and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) at organization level. The issue of service integration has become critical, due to the increase of these diverse services as they have different platforms, architecture and use different programming languages. The current methods of integrating heterogeneous services are manual integration methods. Therefore, the challenge with the current methods is time consumption, lack of flexibility, cost (TCO and TCD), total time to development, because the process is manual. In this paper, we explore the challenges regarding dynamic integration of heterogeneous services and identify key issues that need to be addressed, in order to develop a successful mechanism that will enable dynamic integration of heterogeneous services.
Promoting Informal Mobile Learning – An Overview on Issues and Interdisciplinary Approaches
Martin, Kai-Uwe; Hardt, Wolfram (Germany)
ABSTRACT:
Mobile learning, as a part of technology enhanced learning is a highly interdisciplinary field. In comparison with stationary elearning it is highly dynamic, ubiquitous and context dependent. Various new issues arise from the characteristics of this field that need a special treatment by interdisciplinary approaches. This article gives an insight into specific mobile learning related
problems and approaches to their solution.
Promoting Involvement in Learning with Pseudo-Haptics
Kashihara, Akihiro (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
How to promote involvement in learning is a key issue in technology-enhanced learning environments. This paper proposes a novel method with pseudo-haptics on the tablet tool we have developed, in which learners are expected to receive the pseudo-haptic feedback for their operation to obtain cognitive awareness in composing a knowledge map from an instructional text. In this paper, we demonstrate the tablet tool in short, and discuss how the pseudo-haptic senses presented could promote involvement in knowledge map composition on the tool. The involvement in learning would have an effect not
only on cognitive awareness of important knowledge in the map but also on cognitive awareness of knowledge map composition strategy.
Risks and Benefits of Social Computing as a Healthcare Tool
Mxoli, Avuya; Mostert-Phipps, Nicky; Gerber, Mariana (South Africa)
ABSTRACT:
Cybercitizen describes a frequent user of the Internet or in other terms, a member of an online community (cybercommunity). This digital space can be used to participate in educational, economical and cultural activities. Social computing is an approach to Information Technology (IT) that is used to create virtual teams across different organizations or communities which enhances collaboration, collection and sharing of information. It allows different stakeholders to come together in order to communicate and share information in a more effective way using cybercommunities. Individuals are increasingly making use of social computing applications as healthcare tools. This paper describes how social computing applications are being used as healthcare tools. Benefits associated with such use are described and the risks highlighted. This information may help raise awareness in terms of the benefits that individuals and medical professionals can reap from employing social computing applications as healthcare tools, whilst also cautioning them to consider the risks associated with such use.
Scenario-Based Simulation Game for Hospital Beds Capacity Planning in Singapore
Cheong, Michelle L. F.; Lim, L. S. (Singapore)
ABSTRACT:
A complete learning object with scenario-based simulation game and accompanying materials, which allows selfdirected learners to learn and apply the theory, concepts and calculations for capacity planning, in the hospital beds capacity planning scenario in Singapore, was designed, developed and
implemented. It guides the learners through the key considerations for capacity planning, the computation of actual capacity needed, deciding the timing for capacity increments, as well as the economies and diseconomies of scale when adding capacity. All the learnings are applied in a scenario where the learners make decisions on how much and when to add hospital beds to existing hospitals, and when to add a brand new hospital, to manage the bed crunch problem in Singapore, in the face of an aging population. We have successfully demonstrated how a scenario-based simulation game with high level of interactivity, can engage and motivate self-directed learners to learn at their own pace and practice their knowledge acquired by immersing them in a well-known context. A high percentage of the learners found the learning object engaging and motivating, and effective in their learning. Between the 2 runs, some improvements were made in response to the suggestions made by students from the first run, which resulted in better results achieved in the 2nd run.
SCRUM-X: An Interactive and Experiential Learning Platform for Teaching Scrum
Lee, Wee-Leong (Singapore)
ABSTRACT:
Motivating and engaging the current generation of technology-savvy students and improving the quality of learning is becoming more challenging with traditional instructional methods. Educational games and simulations are gaining more ground, both in formal and informal learning environments. With experiential learning, learners can enhance their management skills and ability to make decisions by analyzing different scenarios and paths that the project could have taken if specific decisions were made during the project. This paper presents Scrum-X, a computer-based simulation game to teach Scrum, an agile project management methodology, to graduates and professionals with IT background. In the game, players plan, execute and manage a software development project using Scrum methodology. Players will experience the entire Scrum process from Sprint planning to Sprint execution and finally, Sprint review and retrospective. A pilot run was conducted with very promising results.
Securing Information Systems in an Uncertain World Enterprise Level Security (Invited Article)
Simpson, William R. (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Increasing threat intrusions to enterprise computing systems have led to a formulation of guarded enterprise systems. The approach was to put in place steel gates and prevent hostile entities from entering the enterprise domain. The current complexity level has made the fortress approach to security implemented throughout the defense, banking, and other high trust industries unworkable. The alternative security approach presented in this paper is the result of a concentrated fourteen year program of pilots and research. Its distributed approach has no need for passwords or accounts and derives from a set of tenets that form the basic security model requirements. At each step in the process it determines identities and claims for access and privileges. These techniques are resilient, secure, extensible, and scalable. They are currently being implemented for a major enterprise, and are a candidate for other enterprise security approaches. This paper discusses the Enterprise Level Security architecture, a web-based security architecture designed to select and incorporate technology into a cohesive set of policies and rules for an enterprise information system. The paper discusses the history, theoretical underpinnings, implementation decisions, current status, and future plans for expansion of capabilities and scale.
Security-Oriented Design Frameworks in eHealth Systems
Adams, Joshua; Cicanese, Anthony; Groudas, Eva; Reagan, Bryan (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Electronic health records (EHRs) are a modern digital version of traditional health records. Historically, health records were and are still maintained in many organizations today on paper in folders locked in cabinets that require significant storage space. Electronic health records (EHRs) provide an effective and efficient way of sharing pertinent patient data amongst authorized patients and healthcare providers. It is imperative to develop and implement security mitigation to ensure the protection of sensitive patient information in the digital age. Enterprise frameworks are needed to provide guidance in establishing security measures that mitigate security threats and ensure the optimal level of security is achieved. Understanding and evaluating existing frameworks can provide additional knowledge for IT support staff among other key stakeholders in mitigating potential threats by promoting the inclusion of security in their designs. This paper will evaluate the gaps in security-oriented (SOD) enterprise frameworks by reviewing existing frameworks and related literature. It will also establish a guide that assists in developing a scalable eHealth system capable of adequate threat prevention and response that meet the needs of the entire spectrum of stakeholders from patients to providers.
Self-Assembly “Nanorod -> Nanopuzzle” in Carbon Nanostructures Obtained from Functionalized CNTs as Precursors
Arquieta Guillén, Patsy Yessenia; Kharissova, Oxana V.; Kharisov, Boris I. (Mexico)
ABSTRACT:
Self-assembly is a common phenomenon in chemistry and nanotechnology. In this work, the self-assembly of carbon nanorods to more complex less-common puzzle-like carbon micro- and nanostructures (100 nm - 1 µm) is discussed. Nanorods are nowadays considered as a common type of 1D nanostructures and can be obtained by a variety of methods. They have been obtained by treating functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes with a mixture of
mineral acids at temperature close to boiling point of water. The primarily formed nanorods are observed as united among them with the angle of 126° and maintain the width of 320 nm. They have high surface area due to internal
porosity (pore size from 21 to 148 nm). This allows consider them as an excellent candidate for the nanofiltration (water purification from virus, bacteria and heavy metals), as well as for medical purposes.
Sme's Performance and Development Based on Financial and Cost Electronic Accounting Strategies (Aguascalientes México Study)
Vivanco, Jesús Salvador; González, Martha; Oropeza, Miguel Ángel (Mexico)
ABSTRACT:
The aim in the present investigation is to validate the impact of cost accounting and financial strategies to increase the performance and development of SMEs and it’s considered the cost electronic accounting implementation and the financial aspects, like, liquidity management and corporate leverage, can help in improving the SME’s performance with the purpose to increase their permanence in the market since it is known that a high percentage of SMEs fail to overcome the barrier of the two years; this research has demonstrated through the application of statistical models in 125 SMEs in the State of Aguascalientes Mexico, as well as linear regression and ANOVA, that there is a strong positive relationship between cost accounting implementation, financial management aspects such as liquidity and leverage which increase the performance of SMEs
Some Thinking on Signal Processing in High Dimensional Space
Wan, Qun; Liu, Yang; Zou, Lin; Yin, Ji Hao (China)
ABSTRACT:
For the students study in the course of signal and information processing, the linear processing method is easier to master than the nonlinear process. In fact, the nonlinear problem is often encountered in practical application, which is too complicated to be implemented by the existing signal and information processing resources. Therefore, it is important to transform the complicated nonlinear problem into a simple linear problem. According to the teaching practice of signal processing course, the analysis of linear correlation characteristics of some classical signals in high dimensional space are discussed in this paper. The results obtained in this paper can provide a new perspective for students to understand why we analyze and process signal and information in high dimensional space.
Steps in the Development of Scientific Writing (Invited Article)
Maier, Helmut (Austria)
ABSTRACT:
When children start writing their first texts generally it seems like they take their first steps in learning walking. The single sentences are not coordinated and they are additionally lined up. The first written texts also show marks of oral communication. Only after a certain time the texts are formulated in an integrative style that is marked by an order of certain aspects like importance, timeline, constellation of characters and so on. It is interesting that students at the university also start scientific writing on a new topic in an additional way. After being involved with the new contents in a certain depth, integrative writing is possible again. The development of scientific writing at primary school shows further differences: narrative stories versus universally true texts, descriptions versus functional explanations. Behind all we can find signs of learning from the neurobiological sight.
Teaching and Integrating Arrays with Primitive Data Types in CS1
Abuhejleh, Ahmad (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Based on ACM guidelines CS1 (Computer Science 1 or programming 1) is a required course for all computer science and information systems major and minor. In the developmental formation of curricular guidelines in Computer Science and Information Systems, what has always been challenging is the swift evolution and expansion of the field. Unlike many technical disciplines, Computer Science and Information Systems does not have a well-described listing of topics that exist in essentially all introductory courses. This paper looks into the evolution of teaching CS1 over a two year period. The first approach is the traditional one where primitive data types such as integers, floating points, and Strings taught immediately in the first two weeks and then advanced topics such as arrays are taught either at end of CS1 or beginning of CS2. This study focuses on introducing arrays immediately with primitive data types. The author taught the course two times using the traditional approach and another two times using the new approach. Data has been collected, analyzed for each approach and compared. The study shows that students with the new approach has much higher percentage in understanding the complicated topics in CS2. The study also revealed that students’ grades as well as performance were much higher in the new approach.
Teaching Teachers in Cyberspace: Use of Research Informed Pedagogy and Advisement to Create Student Engagement in Online Graduate Education
Martin, Diana J.; Roth, Steven (United States)
ABSTRACT:
This paper describes recent studies that serve as the basis of pedagogical and advising practices for online students earning graduate degrees with an academic concentration in Teaching and Learning. A meta-analysis of current
research reveals several themes that not only apply to instruction and advisement for graduate students who aspire to become educators, these themes also describe the skills future teachers will need to practice their
profession in educational environments that have been transformed by digital computing technology.
Teaching/Researching Practically Oriented ICT Security Topics Using Green Mobility Solutions within a Virtual Campus
Soceanu, Alexandru *; Vasylenko, Maksym *; Gradinaru, Alexandru ** (* Germany, ** Romania)
ABSTRACT:
"Hacker attacks the German government", January 2015 –"Hacking of Government Computers …", July 2015. These shocking headlines have almost become "routine" nowadays. ICT security has become a global, cross-vertical, deep concern for government agencies, companies and individuals. It has
reached a dimension which definitely necessitates joint international efforts, supported by combined know-how and expertise. Consequently, the demand for skilled network security professionals is set to accelerate dramatically. The
Open Distributed European Virtual Campus on ICT Security Project (DECAMP) presented here pioneers the creation and implementation of a new model for an innovative network blended-learning online courses aimed to equip students and researchers with new key competences among others also with practical hands-on labs. It is being carried out by an international strategic partnership between the specially selected Computer Sciences departments of six European High Education Institutions (HEI) and three associated partners. In addition to the concept and architecture of the project, the paper presents the solutions adopted to integrate the virtual lab platforms into Moodle learning system as well as some key aspects of managing such a strategic partnership. The
DECAMP Project is supported by the EU under the “Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships” grant 2014-1-DE01-KA203-000695.
The E-Portfolio as PLAR and Possibility for Higher Education
Robertson, Lorayne (Canada)
ABSTRACT:
This paper presents one case study of a graduate school applicant who used semantic mapping to profile his industrial engineering work experience to demonstrate equivalency to an undergraduate degree. The larger research study examined the development of a cohort of students who were applying to a graduate school in Canada. Prior learning assessment recognition (PLAR) is gaining more currency as an assessment tool in higher education, enabling students to transfer skills, work experience, and equivalent courses to gain credits at institutions of higher learning. More study is needed to understand how e-portfolios can provide clear evidence of work experience for purposes of academic credentialing. At the present time, little research is available on the use of the e-portfolio as PLAR to allow adult learners to qualify for graduate school based on recognition of work experience and academic courses. The case study reported here illustrates that quality assurance for PLAR should involve recognized achievement standards, but should also consider aspects which are more difficult to measure such as authenticity, relevance, professional growth, and learner efficacy.
The Time Diagram Control Approach for the Dynamic Representation of Time-Oriented Data
Wittwer, Johann; Bürgy, Pascal; Dornberger, Rolf; Hil, Darjan (Switzerland)
ABSTRACT:
The dynamic representation of time-oriented data on small screen devices is of increasing importance. Most solution approaches use issue-specific requirements based on established desktop technologies. Applied to mobile devices with small multitouch displays such approaches often lead to a limited usability. Particularly, the time-dependent data can only be fragmentarily
visualized due to limited screen sizes. Instead of reducing the complexity by visualizing the data, the interpretation of the data is getting more complex. This research work proposes an initial paper concept of Time Diagram Control (TDC), a new way of representing time-based diagrams on small screen devices. The
TDC uses a principle of cybernetics to integrate the user in the visualization process and thus reduce complexity. TDC focuses on simplicity of design by only providing 2D temporal line diagrams with a dynamic zooming function that works via standard multitouch controls. Involving the user into a continuous loop of
refining the visualization, TDC allows to compare data of different temporal granularities without losing the overall context of the presented data. The TDC approach ensures constant information reliability on small screen devices. The next step is a proof of concept by implementing the TDC and testing it.
The Virtual Team Maturity Model (VTMM) for Real Virtual Project Team Performance
Friedrich, Ralf *; Bleimann, Udo **; Stengel, Ingo **; Walsh, Paul * (* Ireland, ** Germany)
ABSTRACT:
This paper proposes a process-oriented maturity model for virtual teams called VTMM – Virtual Team Maturity Model. The model is composed of 11 processes; all described with inputs, methods, outputs and key performance indicators (KPI’s). VTMM was validated through three rounds of Delphi research method with an expert panel of over 80 participants. The high-level results of the Delphi validation and the shortfalls of application of virtual team processes are discussed in this paper.
Tools for Teaching Mathematical Functions and Geometric Figures to Tactile Visualization through a Braille Printer for Visual Impairment People
León, Lorena; Martini, Luiz Cesar; Moreno-Chaparro, Cristhian (Brazil)
ABSTRACT:
In this article, we showed the features and facilities offered by two new computer programs developed for the treatment and generation of geometric figures and math functions, through a Braille printer designed for visually impaired people. The programs have complete accessible features, in which users with full visual impairments can communicate with the systems via short-keys, and the speech synthesizer. The system sends sound messages that will accompanying the user during all the process to generate geometrical figures or to do a mathematical treatment. Finally, a tactile visualization displays as the results to the person with visual impairment, thus they will can complete their geometry and mathematical studies.
Use of Web Multi-Media for Enhancing Fundamentals of Dissolved Oxygen in Water and Wastewater Treatment Technology IV Modules
Ilunga, Masengo (South Africa)
ABSTRACT:
Free available web multimedia are increasingly popular for educational purposes. Merlot database as open educational resources (OERs) interactive excel sheets for general chemistry are used for understanding of the basics of “dissolved oxygen” of Water and Waste Treatment Technology IV modules. Dissolved oxygen (DO) in waters plays a big role for several aerobic processes and aquatic ecosystem. The two modules namely, Water Treatment Technology (IV) and WasteWater Treatment Technology (IV) are taught at the bachelor of technology degree level in civil engineering, water specialisation (BCVNWAT), at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Merlot web multimedia related to dissolved oxygen in water were evaluated using the Learning Object Review Instrument (LORI) criteria and were found to be accessible, interactive, aligned to module purposes/objectives and susceptible to stimulate motivation for teaching and learning.
Using a Markov Chain Model to Understand the Behavior of Student Retention
Pierre, Charles; Silver, Crystal (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Dr. Pierre and his graduate operations research class were able to determine predictors of the length of time it took a student to graduate from Clark Atlanta University(CAU) circa 2006 by using data from the University’s Trend Book, a fact book created, under the approval of the university’s president, Dr. Carlton E. Brown, under the watchful eye of the provost and vice president for academic affairs, Dr. James A. Hefner, and under the direction of the vice president of the Office of Planning, Assessment and Research (OPAR), Mr. Narendra H. Patel.
Copyright © 2016 by International Institute of Informatics and Systemics
Published by International Institute of Informatics and Cybernetics
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