Social Dynamics of an On-Line Scholarly Debate

This article focuses on different means of constructing a scholarly on-line debate related to the field of science, technology, and society. The study shows how scientific interactions are reproduced in a new medium while, simultaneously, some users take advantage of new possibilities offered by the medium. The first section analyzes how the debate emerged, was constructed, and subsequently revealed the heterogeneity of goals and ideas among the participants. The second section discusses the practices that the participants explored to make the debate evolve. Two attitudes, identified as strategic and tactical, were observed. The tactical practices were to enable the emergence of a sense of community. From this perspective, the way some participants sustained mobilization and stimulated participation are analyzed. The strategic attitude is illustrated through the behavior of those who tried to be the leaders in the debate.     

Un modele pedagogique assiste par ordinateur MISE modele integre de strategie de l'eau

The IMWS (Integrated Model of Water Strategy: MISE) is both a pedagogical tool and a useful tool for decision making. It is designed for the integrated management of water-resources ( resources modelling and economics decision making). IMWS is an interactive model. The objective is to train decision–makers or young engineers in the management of water resources through both technical and economic aspects. The participant's objectives are to respond to a tender concerning the following project.

Distribution network of drinking water in an expanding rural area North of Saint-Etienne (France) taking into account a predetermined budget and schedule, and the distribution of agricultural water in the Bievre-Valloire rural area. The tasks are: first, to design an initial strategy (pre–study) second, to take a set of decisions to implement the project and third, to manage the distribution company. The methods used were: (a) hydrodynamical simulation with computer models; (b)automated interpretation of pumping tests; (c) automated interpretation of geophysical data; (d) technico–economic optimisation of the network, with computer models (operational research, linear programming); (e) management control and strategy evaluation.     

Doctoral and Postdoctoral Education in Science and Engineering: Europe in the international competition

In this article, we discuss the recent evolutions of science and engineering doctoral and postdoctoral education in Europe. Indeed, Ph.Ds are crucial to the conduct of research and innovation in the national innovation systems, as they provide a large amount of input into creating the competitive advantage, notably through basic research. First, we show that Asia, and notably China, is producing more Ph.Ds than the United States and Europe. In many EU countries, the number of Ph.Ds has levelled off or even declined recently in many natural sciences and engineering fields. Second, we discuss the European situation in the international competition for talents. We study the European brain drain question, mainly at the doctoral and postdoctoral level. We find that there is an asymmetry in the flows of Ph.D students and postdoctorates between Europe and the United States, at the advantage of this latter country. These two points — production of Ph.Ds, international flows of doctorates and postdoctorates — lead us to be concerned about the future growth and innovation in Europe. In conclusion, we outline some European policy responses in the perspective of building the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area.     

Experimental Research and the Managerial Attitude: a tension to be resolved?

This article analyses some typical consequences of a specific research policy on experimental research in biology. The policy is conducted by a national funding agency — the Swiss National Science Foundation — through a particular programme, the 'National Centres of Competence in Research' which is designed to promote both 'scientific excellence' and 'managerial professionalism'. To study the possible tension between the two objectives, as a practical matter for researchers, the proposed analysis focuses on the interaction between two laboratory scientists and the administrators of a genomic platform. Access to the instruments of this platform is granted through a preliminary interview with those in charge of the platform. During that interview, researchers are required to explain why they want to use the platform services and what their expectations concerning their envisaged activities are. A tape-recorded interview is analysed in order to describe how turns at talking by the various parties, as well as the formulation of the problems encountered by a researcher, prove category-bound. The first part of the meeting ('problem exposition') is structured by the categorical device 'generalist researcher vs. specialist researcher', whilst the second part ('problem solving') is organised by the categorical device 'manager vs. user of the platform'. The 'scientific' problem becomes a 'technical' one and the choice of technique is partly based on financial reasons. The situation shows how managerial injunctions of research policy are not without practical consequences for research activities in situ .     

Self-Regulated Learning in a TELE at the Université de Technologie de Compiègne: an analysis from multiple perspectives

Self-regulation has become a very important topic in the field of learning and instruction. At the same time, the introduction of new technologies in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has made it possible to create rich Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments (TELEs) with multiple affordances for supporting self-regulated learning (SRL). This study was conducted within the framework of the TELEPEERS project where we wanted to identify TELEs that seemed to have a potential for supporting SRL. For the last ten years, our University has been deeply involved in research, innovation, and exploration of digital technologies for training (initial and continuous). Local, regional, national, European and international projects were conceived and developed, so that a very significant knowledge base exists today. Our study focuses on a course called 'Introduction to Algorithms and Programming' (NF01) which our University is offering and on the perception of different stakeholders (experts and students) of its affordances for supporting SRL.