Some uneasy inquiries into ID expert systems

Alternative approaches to developing software automating instructional development are described in this article. Information management and expert system approaches are compared. General assumptions underlying the development of all authoring tools, including conventional authoring systems, and additional assumptions underlying the development of expert ID tools are identified. Questions are raised concerning the viability of ID automation tools. It is argued that conventional authoring systems may not be as inadequate or inferior as ID expert system developers have claimed, and that of two approaches to ID automation, tools emphasizing information management are probably most useful. Information management tools, however, still may be inappropriate in some contexts.     

Rapid prototyping in automated instructional design

In this article the impact of the tools being developed as part of the Second Generation Instructional Design (ID₂) Research Program on the process of instructional design is described. ID₂ supports rapid prototyping as a design and development process. Rapid prototyping is described and contrasted with the instructional systems development (ISD) process. This article is based on research supported by Utah State University, Human Technology Inc., and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.     

Quest for accountability: exploring the evaluation process of universities

The article explores the organisational impact of evaluation and control mechanisms on universities from the point of view of accountability. Three case studies are analysed with the aim of understanding the significance of these systems both at corporate governance level and in relation to their influence on the behaviour of the academic staff. Open-ended, in-depth interviews were conducted in three universities from two countries in order to collect the opinions of the top managers and academics with different roles and seniority. The combination of four different but partially overlapping analytical frameworks (new public management, neo-institutional sociology, organisational control theory and sense-making) has supported the analysis and the interpretation of the empirical material collected. The analysis sheds light on a somewhat neglected aspect: the interdependence among various systems and tools that simultaneously operate in an organisation and inevitably combine to influence the behaviour of its employees. On this basis indications are given in order to facilitate the introduction and the management of more appropriate evaluation mechanisms both at the national system and the organisational level.     

Applying self-organised learning to develop critical thinkers for learning organisations: a conversational action research project

The information explosion characteristic of a knowledge-based economy is fuelled by rapid technological changes. As technology continues to permeate our lives, there will be fresh demands upon the conduct of learning and teaching to ensure that learners are equipped with new economy skills and dispositions for creating significant and relevant meaning out of the large chunks of transmitted data. In the spirit of building learning organisations, this paper proposes that a two-pronged strategy of promoting self-organised learning (SoL) amongst educators and students be adopted. As an enabling framework based on social constructivism, the model of SoL, originally developed by Harri-Augstein & Thomas, is described and applied to an educational setting. For educators engaged in action research, SoL is suited as an approach for managing and reflecting upon change. The use of two such thinking tools, the Personal Learning Contract and the Purpose-Strategy-Outcome-Review (PSOR) reflective learning scaffolds are considered. For students who are now expected to learn independently in situations requiring problem-solving skills, much akin to real life contexts, this article also considers the application of Learning Plans as a conversational tool for personal project management. The authors conclude that SoL promotes skilful critical thinking through a systems thinking process of continuous reflective learning. It is proposed that these are essential qualities for citizens working in a technological age. Case study samples of the thinking tools used in this action research project are included as appendices and evaluated in this article.     

Knowledge management tools for instructional design

Advances in computer technology typically find their way into education after a short generation of success in other settings. This is an elaboration of one such technology—knowledge management systems (KMS)—and its application to instructional design. An examination of the development of KMS from information systems. computer-supported collaborative work environments and object-oriented systems, leads to a discussion of reusability. The focus is on the use of KMS by instructional designers. A conceptual framework for distributed instructional design is provided along with examples of support tools. These tools and the associated design framework are in use, and anecdotal evidence of effects and impact is provided. As such tools become more widely used to support the planning, implementation and management of instructional systems and learning environments, it is reasonable to expect the nature of instructional design practice to change.     

Thinking Critically about Difference: Analytical Tools for the 21st Century

This article examines a critical cultural thinking framework advanced to develop an analysis of difference as it pertains to race, gender, and sexuality. We examine student journals to document their use (or lack therein) of these critical cultural thinking concepts and how these concepts influence students' understanding of difference. While there are a number of tools that students can rely on for thinking critically, we advance four concepts that are central for the development of a critical cultural consciousness. ^{1 1} We use the term “critical cultural consciousness” as well as related terms to distinguish critical thinking about difference and diversity from more generic or general forms of critical thinking. The critical cultural thinking skills we identify in this article are (1) organic experience, (2) relational analysis, (3) historical analysis, and (4) conception of power relations. We argue that these tools are central for an intellectual understanding of difference. As the student journals analyzed in this article demonstrate, in the absence of these tools of inquiry, much of the campus discourse reverts to oppressive frameworks, which not only serve to oppress students of color, women, and gay and lesbian students but also erodes the practice of citizenship that is crucial for the development of educational democracy.     

Development of a distance education assessment instrument

The study described in this article takes the view that distance education programs are dynamic systems with multiple constituencies. Literature on distance education programs as complex systems and on the critical constituency approach to program evaluation was used to guide the development of a questionnaire designed to assess the components of a distance education program. Instrument development was conducted in four phases using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The data from this study suggest that there are four major components of effectiveness in distance education programs: instruction, management, telecommuting, and support. Within each of these components there are from two to five subcomponents, 14 components in all, which can be used to assess distance education programs. The assessment scale which was developed measures these four components and their subcomponents.     

ADAPT<Superscript>IT</Superscript>: Tools for training design and evaluation

This article describes a set of computerized tools that support the design and evaluation of competency-based training programs. The training of complex skills such as air traffic control and process control requires a competency-based approach that focuses on the integration and coordination of constituent skills and transfer of learning. At the heart of the training are authentic whole-task practice situations. The instructional design tools are based on van Merriënboer's 4C/ID^* methodology (1997). The article describes a training design tool (Core) that supports the analysis and design for competency-based training programs and an evaluation tool (Eval) that supports the subsequent revision of this training design.     

Application of the Total Quality Management Approach Principles and the ISO 9000 Standards in Engineering Education

The first part of this article deals with the applicability of the total quality management (TQM) definition, the method's principles and the underlying strategy for educational systems. Also discussed are continual improvement methodology, updating of teachers and other personnel members and treatment of the student and industry as customers, as well as other aspects. The second part of the article describes several tools and methods for the implementation of TQM and its suitability for a variety of school activities. The third and final parts of the article present a TQM course outline, combining lectures, discussions, suggested reading, a case study and a final project.     

Computer support for curriculum developers: CASCADE

This paper examines research on a family of computer-based tools, CASCADE (Computer ASsisted Curriculum Analysis, Design and Evaluation), designed to assist in the complex task of curriculum development. It begins with discussion of curriculum developers and their activities, followed by examination of how the computer can offer support for their tasks. The main elements of four related systems for computer supported curriculum development are discussed and approaches to designing tools of this nature are considered. Following an overview of main findings, this article concludes with thoughts on fruiful directions for research on computer supported curriculum development, emphasizing the need for increased attention to implementation and impact studies.     

The Distinctiveness of AIT

Summary

To gain some insight into meeting the information needs of a tertiary institution, some understanding of the tertiary environment and the decision‐making processes is necessary. In a time of rapid social change, society is questioning the value of tertiary education and each institution needs to define goals in terms of what it is trying to accomplish and whom it is trying to serve. The decision structure is a changing combination of bureaucratic and communal relationships between various individuals and groups. There is now a trend towards a more free flow of information within the institution and to the external environment.

Management information systems and other tools of management science are designed to provide information to enable more rational decisions to be made. Much information can be extracted from the operations systems such as staff, students and fiscal. Computers can now be effectively used to store, retrieve and transform large amounts of data as well as to implement some programmed decisions based on information feedback (e.g. inventory control) or on rules (e.g. payroll). Analytical reports from the operations systems can provide a stimulus for decision‐making or information for decision‐making. Some examples are given.

At the policy and planning level, use can also be made of a number of management science tools. The uses of planning, programming and budget systems and modelling are discussed, including a simulation model developed at Macquarie University.

There are no ready recipes for development and use of management information systems and management science tools. However, it is clear that the involvement and support of senior officers is essential.     

Four case studies,six years later: Developing system thinking skills in junior high school and sustaining them over time

This study examines the process by which system thinking perceptions develop within the context of a water cycle curriculum. Four junior high school students undergoing an especially designed inquiry‐based intervention were closely observed before, during, immediately after, and 6 years after completing a year long systems‐based learning program. The employed research tools included observations, semi‐structured interviews, and a number of “concept viewing” tools (drawings, concept maps, and repertory grids). Out of the data, four distinct “stories,” each presenting a different way of constructing hydro system mental models, are described. The paper's main conclusion is that students develop their systems mental models and remember the learned material based on learning patterns that tend to remain unchanged over time. Consequently, in order to facilitate efficient and lasting construction of students' system models, learning experiences should harness these, and especially the meta‐cognitive learning pattern, which holds special significance for constructing systems. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 47: 1253–1280, 2010     

Faculty Response to the Implementation of an Open Source Learning Management System in Three Tertiary Institutions in New Zealand

ABSTRACT

In spite of their apparent benefits, learning management systems can be regarded as a hindrance to effective online learning. Their design, functionality, complexity, price, and value are beginning to be questioned by some users. As a new generation of Web-based tools and approaches evolves, Web-based learning management systems are becoming better suited to meet the need for dynamic online learning, interaction, collaboration, and networking. The new tools and collaborative approaches these systems provide allow learners to take proactive control of their own learning. In June 2004 a consortium of New Zealand Tertiary Institutions led by the Waikato Institute of Technology secured a one-year Ministry of Education grant to support the “Open Source Courseware Initiative New Zealand” (OSCINZ). The OSCINZ project focused on the development and implementation of “Moodle” (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) to create a uniquely New Zealand learning management system, based on quality open source code developed and tested by leading educational providers. This paper describes the response of faculty in three of the project's partner tertiary institutions to the implementation of Moodle in their institutions.     

论和谐思想下的系部管理创新

和谐是教育管理的永恒追求，和谐管理是系部管理创新的表现与追求。本文从理念、组织、制度、操作四个层面就和谐管理关照下的系部管理创新进行了阐述。提出在理念层面上，要寻求价值理性与工具理性的和谐；在组织层面上，要寻求科层组织与专业组织的和谐；在制度层面上，要寻求刚性制度与柔性制度的和谐；在操作层面上，要寻求理性管理与人文管理的和谐的观念。     

Recommendations for the use of e‐tools for improvements around assignment marking quality

This article reports on selected aspects of a larger study on the use of electronic tools in the context of the management and marking of assignments. The study comprised a literature review, interviews and a review of e‐tools. The article briefly summarises the findings from the literature on what comprises quality in assignment marking. The focus then shifts towards the analysis of the interviews on e‐tool use for assignments that were conducted with 90 lecturers across five higher education institutions in New Zealand, selected purposively for engagement in this area. The article shows how these lecturers are using e‐tools to support the management and marking of assignments. Special emphasis is given on grounding the e‐tool use in educational theories on assignment marking. An important issue with high quality assignment marking is the time required. The article shows how e‐tools are used to increase efficiency, with the time freed‐up being invested into quality improvements, again supported by e‐tools.     

TPC Program Snapshots: Developing Curricula and Addressing Challenges

This article reports results from a survey of US technical and professional communication undergraduate programs concerning core concepts emphasized and most commonly taught procedures, skills, and tools. Snapshot views of current programs are derived from the results, and the developmental processes and directions of four new programs are described in more detail. The article concludes with challenges for programs to maintain humanistic concerns while also providing effective professional and technical preparation.     

TPC Program Snapshots: Developing Curricula and Addressing Challenges

This article reports results from a survey of US technical and professional communication undergraduate programs concerning core concepts emphasized and most commonly taught procedures, skills, and tools. Snapshot views of current programs are derived from the results, and the developmental processes and directions of four new programs are described in more detail. The article concludes with challenges for programs to maintain humanistic concerns while also providing effective professional and technical preparation.     

Juggling competing activities: academic staff as doctoral candidates

ABSTRACT

This article explores the experiences of a group of established academic staff in New Zealand and the UK, as they undertake a doctorate in their home institutions. Our interest is in how individuals negotiate this dual status from a cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) stance that explores how rules, tools, community and divisions of labour, and interacting activity systems, shape doctoral experiences. The focus in this article, having analysed their detailed narrative accounts, is on how academics experience three interdependent activity systems: those surrounding the thesis, the institutional context, and the home-life spheres. Issues related to time, workload and supervision issues, variability in collegial support and impact on personal priorities and time emerged. There is a range of particularities – from easy access to resources/supervisors to inflexible institutional regulations – applicable to this group of doctoral candidates. Negotiating life as an academic with concurrent doctoral candidature provides positive outcomes in terms of teaching, research confidence and general personal and professional development. However, a range of difficulties can also be encountered, particularly in relation to personal and professional relationships, and workload management.     

高校学生社团宏观调控路径新探

该文从加强内部建设,坚持完善各项制度,以制度管人;学校与社团多方位协调,拓宽社团活动经费来源;学校适度授权,尊重社团的自主管理;树立创新意识,形成具有自身社团文化特色新模式四方面阐述了高校对学生社团管理的新路径。以期实现高校学生社团管理的思维转换。     

Building a First-Class Faculty Based on the Management Experience of the University of Pennsylvania

The article analyzes the practice and experience of faculty management at the University of Pennsylvania and its implications for Chinese universities from the perspective of management systems and operation mechanisms. Recent reforms and innovation of faculty management at Sichuan University are described.