A Conceptual View of Web-Based E-Learning Systems

Starting from a general framework for web-based e-learning systems that is based on an abstraction layer model, this paper presents a conceptual modelling approach, which captures the modelling of learners, the modelling of courses, the personalisation of courses, and the management of data in e-learning systems. Courses are modelled by outline graphs, which are further refined by some form of process algebra. The linguistic analysis of word fields referring to an application domain helps to set up these course outlines. Learners are modelled by classifying value combinations for their characteristic properties. Each learner type gives rise to intentions as well as rights and obligations in using a learning system. Intentions can be formalised as postconditions, while rights and obligations lead to deontic constraints. The intentions can be used for the personalisation of the learning system to a learner type. Finally, the management of data in an e-learning system is approached on two different levels dealing with the content of individual learning units and the integrated content of the whole system, respectively. This leads to supporting databases and views defined on them.     

A multidimensional analysis of changes in mathematics motivation and engagement during high school

Despite concerns about declining interest and enrolments in mathematics, little research has examined change in a broad range of constructs reflecting mathematics motivation and engagement. The current study used an 11-factor model of motivation and engagement to evaluate levels of maths motivation compared to general academic motivation and to assess group-level and individual-level changes in maths motivation during secondary school. In a multicohort-multioccasion design, Australian students completed an adaptation of the Motivation and Engagement Scale in two consecutive school years. Ratings in mathematics were lower than general academic motivation on several scales but particularly on the planning and task management scales and for the year seven cohort. Mean ratings of valuing and task management decreased over the two years, while stability of mathematics motivation was moderate. Girls reported stronger anxiety, uncertain control and failure avoidance than boys, despite also reporting greater mastery focus. The findings demonstrate that a multidimensional model facilitates a differentiated analysis of possible reasons for a waning interest in mathematics.     

胡杨部分生态指标对塔里木河下游应急输水的响应

向塔里木河下游应急生态输水对于胡杨为主体的荒漠河岸植被的恢复和自然更新产生了积极的影响.本文根据近5年对塔里木河下游阿拉干地区的大量野外调查数据,分析了应急输水对该地区地下水位上升及胡杨各项生态指标的影响.结果显示:随着应急生态输水的继续和扩大.塔河下游典型监测断面--阿拉干的地下水位逐渐抬升.水质得到改善,河道附近的地下水埋深已经由输水前的10～12 m抬升至5.5～6.2 m.胡杨的部分生态指标对输水有不同程度的响应;具体表现在,在垂直河道方向上,离河道越近胡杨各项生态指标,即盖度、郁闭度、冠幅、萌生枝、树冠疏失度以及次生苗和实生苗出现的频率等对输水的响应越显著.总体来说,在河道200m范围之内,生态输水对胡杨恢复的影响程度是显著的;在200～800m之间,为中度影响;800m以上的距离几乎无影响.     

Firm-provided Training in Europe and the Limits of National Skills Strategies

This article addresses cross-country and cross-period differences in average levels of training activity from an institutional perspective. Firm-provided training in Europe between 1999 and 2010 is scrutinized in order to explore whether diverse institutional arrangements that can be linked to welfare state regimes can yield discernible cross-country patterns. An emphasis is placed on the limits of national skills strategies that are not well embedded in wider institutional environments. This is grounded in a view that policy efforts to influence training activity, involves nothing less than ‘reforming’ societies. Insights of this research should contribute both to a critical reflection of the EU's targets in the field of lifelong learning as well as supporting policy learning between member states.     

Joint routing and rate allocation for multiple video streams in ad-hoc wireless networks

INTRODUCTION Ad-hoc networks are attractive owing to their self-organizing nature and absence of a fixed infra- structure. They are particularly suited for communi- cation in disaster-affected areas, coordinating military operations, and sensing environmental conditions With the growing availability of supporting hardware and decreasing equipment cost, ad-hoc networking based applications are proliferating. Meshes of wire- less nodes are being deployed in cities and housing communities to…     

German deaf people using text communication: short message service, TTY, relay services, fax, and e-mail

An online survey of German deaf people demonstrated that they use text communication through Short Message Service (SMS), e-mail, fax, and telephone typewriters (TTY) to communicate within communities of deaf and hearing people. SMS is used most, with more than 96% of respondents having access to a mobile phone. Most use is intrinsic and directed toward sociability (keeping in contact, and making arrangements with friends and family). However, there is some instrumental use (getting tasks or business accomplished, making appointments, and obtaining information). German survey respondents wanted a better relay service, more connectivity among the various technologies, and full interactivity in making calls by any technology. In comparison with an Australian sample, German deaf people could not rely on extensive relay services connecting people with a TTY to hearing telephone subscribers for calls of either a social or business nature.     

THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTHSTAGES: A UNIQUE UNIVERSITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT COLLABORATION TO ENHANCE SUCCESSFUL AGING

HealthStages is a health promotion program of OASIS, a national arts and humanities, health, and volunteer organization for older adults. It was developed by a unique not-for-profit organization and university collaboration using state-of-the art curricula and current research to enhance successful aging. Rowe and Kahn's (1997) model of successful aging provided the overall framework for the project, and Prochaska and DiClemente (1983) Stages of Change component of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change guided our curriculum development, research questions, and program evaluation. HealthStages uses evaluations of individual courses to assess participant expectations, new areas of interest, and appropriateness of courses. Outcome measures assess participants' changes as a result of particular courses within the program. Using a longitudinal survey design, a sample of HealthStages participants is compared to a random sample of older adults not involved in the program, comparisons are made on their health, health behavior, healthcare utilization, activity, and functioning over time. HealthStages is a comprehensive health promotion program designed to provide courses in a variety of topic areas at differing levels of readiness to change and to measure changes over time. The unique collaboration offers benefits to OASIS and its members as well as to faculty and students of Washington University.     

To use Films in Learning

“In the beginning there was the word.” Speech the means ofcommunication, creates the foundation for all human relationships with one another. Verbalismus and the abstract formation of an idea were expressions for overvaluation of speech. Natural scientists showed, from translations of ancient works, that this was something to watch for or a process already completed: further investigation through personal experiment orobservation test are unnecessary.