Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What Happens When Teachers Design Educational Technology? The Development of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge

We introduce Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK) as a way of representing what teachers need to know about technology, and argue for the role of authentic design-based activities in the development of this knowledge. We report data from a faculty development design seminar in which faculty members worked together with masters students to develop online courses. We developed and administered a survey that assessed the evolution of student- and faculty-participants' learning and perceptions about the learning environment, theoretical and practical knowledge of technology, course content (the design of online courses), group dynamics, and the growth of TPCK. Analyses focused on observed changes between the beginning and end of the semester. Results indicate that participants perceived that working in design teams to solve authentic problems of practice to be useful, challenging and fun. More importantly, the participants, both as individuals and as a group, appeared to have developed significantly in their knowledge of technology application, as well as in their TPCK. In brief, learning by design appears to be an effective instructional technique to develop deeper understandings of the complex web of relationships between content, pedagogy and technology and the contexts in which they function.
Offshore information systems project success: the role of social embeddedness and cultural characteristics

Agency theory has served as a key basis for identifying drivers of offshore information system project success. Consequently, the role of relational factors in driving project success has been overlooked in this literature. In this paper, we address this gap by integrating the social embeddedness perspective and the culture literature to theorize how and why relational factors affect the success of offshore IS projects that are strategic in nature. We identify organizational and interpersonal cultural differences as critical success factors in this context. Using data from a longitudinal field study of 155 offshore IS projects managed by 22 project leaders, we found evidence of a relationship between hypothesized relational factors and two measures of offshore IS project success--namely, project cost overruns and client satisfaction-- over and above the effects of project characteristics and agency factors. Specifically, we found that information exchange, joint problem solving, and trust reduce project cost overruns and improve client satisfaction. We also found a relationship between cultural differences at the organizational and team level, and offshore IS project success. The model explained 40 percent and 41 percent of the variance in project cost overruns and client satisfaction, respectively, for projects with a client representative. For projects with no client representative, the model explained 35 percent and 37 percent of the variance in project cost overruns and client satisfaction, respectively. Collectively, the results have important theoretical and practical implications for how client-- vendor relationships should be managed when partnering with offshore firms and designing offshore IS project teams.
Statistical autoregressive models for the indoor radio channel

An autoregressive model for the frequency response of the indoor radio channel is presented. It is shown that a second-order process is sufficient to represent the important statistical characteristics of the channel both in the frequency and the time domain. Based on a comparison between the statistical characteristics of the empirical data and of the channel response regenerated from the model, three statistical models are proposed for the indoor radio channel. The accuracy of the statistical models are examined by comparing the cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) of the RMS delay spread and the 3-dB width of the frequency correlation function with that of the actual measurements in several global and local indoor radio propagation measurements. <<ETX>>
Surveys as a Complementary Method for Web Log Analysis

Every research methodology for data collection has both strengths and limitations, and this is certainly true for transaction log analysis. Therefore, researchers often need to use other data collection methods with transaction logs. In this chapter, we discuss surveys as a viable alternate method for transaction log analysis and then present a brief review of survey research literature, with a focus on the use of surveys for Web-related research. The chapter then identifies the steps in implementing survey research and designing a survey instrument. We conclude with a case study of a large electronic survey to illustrate what surveys in conjunction with transaction logs can bring to a research study.
Heterogeneous by Design: An Environment for Exploiting Heterogeneity

Heterogeneity in computing environments is becoming increasingly common. Some consider this a problem, while others (including ourselves) prefer to think of it as a benefit. By exploiting the different features and capabilities of computer nodes in a heterogeneous computing network, higher levels of performance can be attained than is possible using any single type of computer found in the network. In this papel; we present the preliminary design of a heterogeneous computing environment being developed at CHPC. The environment includes a high-speed interconnection architecture capable of supporting shared memory, as well as a new programming environment for developing heterogeneous applications that exploit the available hardware.
Fast collision detection for realistic multiple moving robots

Practical robot motion planning for multiple moving objects in large complex scenarios requires very fast collision detection. We present an approach to collision detection between multiple moving objects for robot motion planning. It is based on a spherical hierarchy of detail. The objects can be non-convex and curved and they are not decomposed into convex ones. We present results that show the stability of the approach with respect to the number of polygons used to model the scene. Numerical evidence of the efficiency of the algorithm is also shown with several experiments, obtaining average intersection detection times of a few milliseconds for two closely moving robots involving 1,900 polygons. A parallel version of the algorithm is also described with which computation times of around one millisecond are obtained in an average case.
Concept Maps and Information Systems: An Investigation into the Assessment of Students' Understanding of IS

At the end of a four-year undergraduate program, it is often difficult to capture the knowledge of the graduating students. The use of mental models, specifically concept maps, can aid in the assessment of this knowledge at a conceptual level. Concept maps provide a visual representation of conceptual and relationship knowledge within a particular domain. Students in a senior-level, undergraduate class were given an assignment of creating conceptual maps of Information Systems. These maps were coded and analyzed for their “coverage” or conceptualization of the sub-field of Telecommunications. The analysis included both quantitative and qualitative assessments as well as comparisons across students’ maps. Preliminary assessments have indicated that there is a fairly large degree of overlap between maps, though a full analysis is not yet complete.
A domain-independent system that aids in constructing knowledge-based consultation programs

Abstract : This thesis demonstrates an effective domain-independent system, called EMYCIN, for constructing one class of expert computer programs: rule-based consultants. Such a consultant uses knowledge specific to a problem domain to provide consultative advice to a client. Domain knowledge is represented in EMYCIN primarily as production rules, which are applied by a goal-directed backward-chaining control structure. Rules and consultation data may have associated measures of certainty, and incomplete data are allowed. The system includes an explanation facility that can display the line of reasoning followed by the consultation program, or answer questions from the client about the contents of its knowledge base. Other built-in human-engineering features allow the system architect to produce, with a minimum of effort, a consultation program that is pleasing in appearance to the client. To aid the system designer in producing a knowledge base for a domain quickly and accurately, EMYCIN provides a terse, stylized, but easily understood language for writing rules; performs extensive checks to catch common user errors, such as misspellings; and handles all necessary bookkeeping chores. To improve efficiency in a running consultation program, EMYCIN provides a rule compiler that transforms the system's production rules into a decision tree, eliminating the redundant computation inherent in a rule interpreter. It then compiles the resulting tree into machine code. The program can thereby use an efficient deductive mechanism for running the actual consultation, while the flexible rule format remains available for acquisition, explanation, and debugging.
Neuro Bayesian blind equalization with BER estimation in digital channels

The implementation of an optimal Bayesian algorithm for digital equalization is infeasible due to its computational complexity. We present a new approach to Bayesian blind equalization which is based on a hybrid architecture involving neural networks and evolutionary computation concepts. We develop a theoretical analysis which leads to recursive formulas to estimate the probability density functions (PDFs) of both the channel and the received samples. These parameters are used directly by the algorithms to perform equalization. Beginning with a revision of previous neural, genetic and radial basis function (RBF) networks-based approaches, we outline the theoretical algorithm that will serve as a reference for future neuro-evolutionary derivations. We also show the capability of these structures to perform blind bit error rate (BER) estimation in reception. Finally, several computer simulations and comparative results are exposed.
Voyage optimization for mitigating ship structural failure due to crack propagation

Fatigue damage in ship structures starts to be accumulated from the first day when a ship is launched, while the average age of current ship fleets in different shipping segments is often older than 15 years. After many years of fatigue accumulation, fatigue cracks are widely existing in today’s ocean-crossing ships. The existence of fatigue cracks brings great challenges to ship safety, structural maintenance, associated operation cost, and so on. In order to reduce the crack propagation and enhance a ship’s structural safety during its service period, various methods could be implemented, such as decreasing cargo loadings, reducing ship speed, or even changing trade regions to be sailed in moderate sea environments. In this article, the so-called voyage optimization is proposed to plan a ship’s sailing courses with a well-designed schedule to minimize the fatigue accumulation in ship structures. Two types of optimization algorithms are used for the voyage planning, namely, the static waypoint/grid–based and dynamic waypoint/grid–based optimization systems. The capabilities of these two optimization systems are demonstrated by a 2800TEU container vessel, which was also instrumented with an old style weather routing system. One entire year of full-scale measurement data are available for the demonstration, and the crack propagation is estimated by a linear fracture mechanics–based spectral method. It is concluded that the benefits of using the proposed voyage optimization to mitigate the risk associated with a structural crack failure by more than 50%.
Using Prototypical Objects to Implement Shared Behavior in Object Oriented Systems

A traditional philosophical controversy between representing general concepts as abstract sets or classes and representing concepts as concrete prototypes is reflected in a controversy between two mechanisms for sharing behavior between objects in object oriented programming languages. Inheritance splits the object world into classes , which encode behavior shared among a group of instances , which represent individual members of these sets. The class/instance distinction is not needed if the alternative of using prototypes is adopted. A prototype represents the default behavior for a concept, and new objects can re-use part of the knowledge stored in the prototype by saying how the new object differs from the prototype. The prototype approach seems to hold some advantages for representing default knowledge, and incrementally and dynamically modifying concepts. Delegation is the mechanism for implementing this in object oriented languages. After checking its idiosyncratic behavior, an object can forward a message to prototypes to invoke more general knowledge. Because class objects must be created before their instances can be used, and behavior can only be associated with classes, inheritance fixes the communication patterns between objects at instance creation time. Because any object can be used as a prototype, and any messages can be forwarded at any time, delegation is the more flexible and general of the two techniques.
Personal Learning Environments for Supporting Out-of-Class Language Learning.

2 0 1 4 N u m b e r 4 | E n g l i s h T E a c h i n g F o r u m A Personal Learning Environment (PLE) is a learnercontrolled environment for language learning. More specifically, it is a combination of tools (usually digital) and resources chosen by the learner to support different aspects of the learning process, from goal setting to materials selection to assessment. The importance of PLEs for teachers lies in their ability to help students develop autonomy and prepare them for lifelong learning. New technologies are making the creation of PLEs easier and their use more effective. Although PLEs can be created without the aid of technology, in this article I will consider their use mostly in the context of online resources. I will also discuss PLEs’ use for language learning and look at ways in which teachers can use them to help students take responsibility for their own learning.
Assessing text-picture correspondence in television news: The development of a new coding scheme.

A new coding scheme and method of analysis were proposed to assess the level of text-picture correspondence in television news. The method focuses on alternating text-picture correspondences within news items and uses the proportional time devoted to each correspondence category as the dependent variable. It is argued that the coding method could be used in large-scale analyses of television news content as well as in effect studies that examine recall for news information.
Soil moisture estimation under sparse vegetation using microwave radiometry at C-band

The space borne microwave radiometer will have a lowest frequency in the C-band. The authors have to prepare the use of this band to estimate the soil moisture. This paper considers the case of sparsely vegetated areas encountered in a semi-arid area. This paper is based on the HAPEX-Sahel data set. The authors show that the single scattering albedo could be neglected at C-band when the amount of vegetation is low. The vegetation transmission coefficient can be estimated from the polarization difference at 5.05 GHz and an angle of incidence of 45/spl deg/. However the obtained relationship needs to be tested in various wetness conditions.
Understanding students’ satisfaction with OERs as course materials

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a survey instrument to measure three components of students’ perceptions of open and affordable course materials – quality, integration, and experience – and discuss its reliability and predictive validity. Design/methodology/approach The authors distributed an end-of-semester online survey to students enrolled in sections of 12 courses that adopted OER in Fall 2016, as well as conducting a within-interview survey with the instructors of those courses. The authors calculated the descriptive statistics from the responses to the student survey, as well as examining the inter-item and inter-rater reliability of the instrument. Finally, explored correlations in the data gathered through both the student and faculty surveys were explored. Findings The authors found that both students and faculty were generally pleased with the quality and experience of using open and affordable digital materials. The authors also found that our three survey subscales had strong inter-item reliability, and that the quality and experience subscales had predictive validity in terms of whether students would choose a traditional or digital text in future courses. Originality/value In addition to providing evidence in terms of the full survey instrument’s reliability and predictive validity, factor analysis indicates that a short scale of quality and experience Likert scale items could be used by practitioners to effectively assess satisfaction of digital materials among traditionally aged undergraduate students.
Short term load forecasting using a multilayer neural network with an adaptive learning algorithm

A multilayer feedforward neural network is proposed for short-term load forecasting. To speed up the training process, a learning algorithm for the adaptive training of neural networks is presented. The effectiveness of the neural network with the proposed adaptive learning algorithm is demonstrated by short-term load forecasting of the Taiwan power system. It is found that, once trained by the proposed learning algorithm, the neural network can yield the desired hourly load forecast efficiently and accurately. The proposed adaptive learning algorithm converges much faster than the conventional backpropagation-momentum learning method. >
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AUTONOMOUS LANGUAGE LEARNING

The starting point for enabling language learning autonomy is for the student to develop effective strategies for pursuing individual learning, while being willing and able to change and improve those strategies over time, as the language learning progresses. Writing learner diaries has traditionally been one of the ways used to help learners develop this kind of metacognitive knowledge. Leni Dam has written extensively about “logbooks” used for this purpose, both by students and teachers. Writing works well for this purpose, as it invites self-reflection, an important component of learning to learn. Today, online writing through class or personal blogs, can serve this purpose, with the added benefits of sharable diaries, potential for resource linking, and inclusion in an electronic portfolio. Another possible tool is an online editor such as Google Docs. Documents created are by default private but can be shared as well, allowing learning diaries, as appropriate, to be read by teachers or peers. Dam herself sees the future as elogs. E-portfolios c an be an effective means to document both personal achievements and learning trajectories. They serve a variety of purposes: personal, educational and vocational. The European Language Portfolio, as does the LinguaFolio on which it is based, includes a language bi ography, self-assessments based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and a collection of learner-created language samples. Portfolios of this kind, in addition to their more formal role, can perform a powerful pedagogical function, in encouraging both further language study and learner autonomy. They give the student concrete evidence of achievement and build confidence in one’s ability, an important component in language learning success. As is the case for other mechanisms to encourage autonomous language learning, use of language portfolios works best if separated both from an educational setting and from a proprietary platform, so that the portfolios can be seen as personal documents (not a school assignment) and can be used long after schooling has been completed. The IMS ePortfolio project is an effort to
Analytical modeling for determination of pull-in voltage for an electrostatic actuated MEMS cantilever beam

A new analytical model has been developed for determining the pull-in voltage of an electrostatic actuated microelectromechanical system (MEMS) cantilever beam. The model takes into account the beam curvature caused by residual stress or stress gradient in the beam material. It can be used to model straight, curled and beam with mixture of straight and curled sections. Modeling result has been compared with published work of other researchers as well as with experimental measurement of this work and is found to be accurate.
Microcell engineering in CDMA cellular networks

The demand for cellular radio services is growing rapidly, and in heavily populated areas the need arises to shrink the cell sizes and "scale" the clustering pattern. The extension of the service into the PCN domain, mostly in-buildings and in pedestrian areas, further enhances this trend. The vision of the "third generation" cellular systems incorporates micro- and picocells for pedestrian use, with macrocells for roaming mobiles. Connectivity between all these cells, while maximizing total system capacity, is the main challenge facing the "third generation architects. " The CDMA cellular system, which shares the same frequency channel across the system (reuse pattern of one) and applies soft handoff between the cells, has already shown, both by analysis and by tests, to have full connectivity between the microcells and the overlaying macrocells without capacity degradation. The parameters involved in the engineering of a heterogeneous CDMA network are discussed in the paper. Factors that determine the size of the cell, the soft handoff zone, and the capacity of the cell clusters are analyzed, and engineering techniques for overlay-underlay cell clustering are outlined. >