bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transforming Continuing Healthcare Education with E-Learning 2.0
Authors: Sadasivam Rajani S. , Crenshaw Katie M. , Schoen Michael J. , Datla Raju V.
Published: May 2010

The e-learning 2.0 transformation of continuing education of healthcare professionals (CE/CME) will be characterized by a fundamental shift from the delivery of static information online to a seamless, digital operation in which all users have the ability to access, create, and share knowledge in a multidimensional, instantaneous, collaborative, and interactive manner. This transformation will be disruptive, blurring existing boundaries between CE/CME professionals, content experts, and student learners, and modifying the traditional structured learning process to a more informal one. While the opportunities are unlimited, the transformation will present not only technology challenges but also social and educational challenges. Recent experiences with similar disruptive technologies show that a meaningful transformation can be achieved only if the application of technology is accompanied by strategic operational changes. This chapter offers a conceptual framework to guide CE/CME professionals interested in transforming their operations with new e-learning 2.0 technologies. Employing several usage scenarios, a new e-learning 2.0-based model of CE/CME operation is introduced. We also present several examples of approaches adopted by our academic group to address the various challenges discussed in this chapter.
Dispatches from the Graduate Classroom
Authors: Nordengren F. R. , York Ann M.
Published: May 2010

This chapter is a practical overview of both the theoretical, evidence-based research in pedagogy and the anecdotal, experience-based practices of faculty who work daily in online and blended learning communities. This approach combines best practices with theoretical aspects of delivering and facilitating education with diverse adult learners. Issues and trends in E-learning are presented with specific examples for implementation and suggestions for future research. Using an evidence-based approach, the authors will explore and summarize recent research with a concurrent analysis of the anecdotal popular literature. The authors explore the concept of information literacy and other skills necessary to succeed in the Web 2.0 world. Their discussion takes us away from the traditional “sage on stage” versus “guide on side” dichotomy towards both a new understanding of Web 2.0’s role in education as well as a preface to what may become Web 3.0 and beyond.
Student-Centered Teaching with Constructionist Technology Tools
Authors: Kennedy Kathryn , Boyer Jeff , Cavanaugh Catherine , Dawson Kara
Published: May 2010

Using the theoretical framework of “craft” highlighted by Richard Sennett (2008) in The Craftsman, this chapter focuses on constructionism and the implications of project-based learning in an undergraduatelevel pre-service teachers’ technology integration course. The chapter evaluates an approach to teaching undergraduate pre-service teachers to teach children to use constructionist technology tools, including Web 2.0 technologies – wikis, blogs, podcasts, etc. Data were collected and analyzed to document preservice teachers’ experiences with these tools as well as to gauge their level of confidence in teaching with the technology in their future classrooms. Data collected included pre-post concept maps, pre-post preinternship interviews, and learning artifacts. Analyses show an increase in pre-service teachers’ complexity of knowledge and awareness of Web 2.0 tools and skills, and a moderate impact on their beliefs about student constructionism in their future classrooms.
Using Blogfolios to Enhance Interaction in E-Learning Courses
Authors: Yuen Steve Chi-Yin , Yang Harrison Hao
Published: May 2010

Enhancing the substantial interaction in e-learning courses can be a challenge to instructors. The chapter gave an overview of online interaction, portfolios development, and blogs use in education. It then discussed the potential uses of Weblog-based portfolio for e-learning courses in supporting interactions among students and instructors, and presented a case study on how a blogfolio approach was implemented into three hybrid courses and one fully online course at two universities in the United States. The effectiveness of the blogfolio approach on interactions in both fully online and hybrid courses has been assessed and confirmed in this study.
Knowledge in the Psychology of Thinking and Mathematics
Authors: Naidenova Xenia
Published: May 2010

This chapter offers a view on the history of developing the concepts of knowledge and human reasoning both in mathematics and psychology. Mathematicians create the formal theories of correct thinking; psychologists study the cognitive mechanisms that underpin knowledge construction and thinking as the most important functions of human existence. They study how the human mind works. The progress in understanding human knowledge and thinking will be undoubtedly related to combining the efforts of scientists in these different disciplines. Believing that it is impossible to study independently the problems of knowledge and human reasoning we strive to cover in this chapter the central ideas of knowledge and logical inference that have been manifested in the works of outstanding thinkers and scientists of past time. These ideas reveal all the difficulties and obstacles on the way to comprehending the human mental processes.
Logic-Based Reasoning in the Framework of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Naidenova Xenia
Published: May 2010

This chapter focuses on the tasks of knowledge engineering related mainly to knowledge acquisition and modeling integrated logic-based inference. We have overlooked the principal and more important directions of researches that pave the ways to understanding and modeling human plausible (commonsense) reasoning in computers.
The Coordination of Commonsense Reasoning Operations
Authors: Naidenova Xenia
Published: May 2010

In this chapter, a conception of commonsense reasoning is developed based on mutually coordinated operations on objects, classes of objects, and properties of objects. This conception goes back to the model of classification processes advanced and described in (Piaget, & Inhelder, 1959). The classification operations are the integral part of any reasoning about time, space, things, events, motions, etc. They consolidate all the forms of reasoning and make it possible to present knowledge as a system of interconnected relations.
Object-Oriented Technology for Expert System Generation
Authors: Naidenova Xenia
Published: May 2010

A technology for rapid prototyping expert systems or intelligent systems as a whole is proposed. The main constituents of the technology are the object-oriented model of data and knowledge representation and the mechanism for data-knowledge transformation on the basis of an effective algorithm of inferring all good classification tests. An approach to expert system development by means of this technology is analyzed. The toolkits for expert system generation are described and the application of these tools to the development of a small geological expert system is demonstrated.
Commonsense Reasoning in Intelligent Computer Systems
Authors: Naidenova Xenia
Published: May 2010

This chapter deals with the description of possible mechanisms for data-knowledge organization and management in intelligent computer systems. Challenges and future trends will be discussed in the last section of this chapter, followed by the concluding remarks.
A Fingerprint Forensic Tool for Criminal Investigations
Authors: Marcialis Gian Luca , Roli Fabio , Coli Pietro , Delogu Giovanni
Published: May 2010

In this chapter, the authors describe the software module developed in the context of a joint research work between the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of the University of Cagliari, and Raggruppamento Carabinieri Investigazioni Scientifiche (Scientific Investigation Office) of the “Arma dei Carabinieri”, that is the militia maintained by the Italian government for police duties. Aim of the joint research work has been the study of state of the art on methods and algorithms for automatic analysis of latent fingerprint images and for fake fingerprints identification. The result of this research has been the development of a prototype software tool, whose aim is to help the human expert in analyzing latent fingerprints collected during investigations. This software exhibits several features which are not present in standard AFIS tools. Advanced modules for fingerprint image processing, comparison among fingerprints, and, finally, a module for discriminating fake latent fingerprints from “live” ones, characterize this tool. With the term “fake latent fingerprints”, we mean latent fingerprint images released on the crime scene by a “stamp” reproducing a certain true fingerprint.
Biometrical Processing of Faces in Security and Forensics
Authors: Puslecki Pawel T.
Published: May 2010

The aim of this chapter is the overall and comprehensive description of the machine face processing issue and presentation of its usefulness in security and forensic applications. The chapter overviews the methods of face processing as the field deriving from various disciplines. After a brief introduction to the field, the conclusions concerning human processing of faces that have been drawn by the psychology researchers and neuroscientists are described. Then the most important tasks related to the computer facial processing are shown: face detection, face recognition and processing of facial features, and the main strategies as well as the methods applied in the related fields are presented. Finally, the applications of digital biometrical processing of human faces are presented.
Semi-Fragile Image Watermarking, Authentication and Localization Techniques for Law Enforcement Applications
Authors: Zhao Xi , Ho Anthony T.S.
Published: May 2010

With the tremendous growth and use of digital cameras and video devices, the need to verify the collected digital content for law enforcement applications such as crime scene investigations and traffic violations, becomes paramount if they are to be used as evidence in courts. Semi-fragile watermarking has become increasingly important within the past few years as it can be used to verify the content of images by accurately localising the tampered area and tolerating some non-malicious manipulations. There have been a number of different transforms used for semi-fragile image watermarking. In this chapter, we present two novel transforms for semi-fragile watermarking, using the Slant transform (SLT) as a block-based algorithm and the wavelet-based contourlet transform (WBCT) as a non-block based algorithm. The proposed SLT is compared with existing DCT and PST semi-fragile watermarking schemes. Experimental results using standard test images and simulated law enforcement images indicate that the SLT is more accurate for copy and paste attacks with non-malicious manipulations, such as additive Gaussian noise. For the proposed WBCT method, watermarking embedding is performed by modulating the parent-children relationship in the contourlet domain. Again, experimental results using the same test images have demonstrated that our proposed WBCT method achieves good performances in localising the tampered regions, even when the image has been subjected to non-malicious manipulations such as JPEG/JPEG2000 compressions, Gaussian noise, Gaussian filtering, and contrast stretching. The average miss detection rate is found to be approximately 1% while maintaining an average false alarm rate below 6.5%.
A Novel Multilevel DCT Based Reversible Data Hiding
Authors: Cai Hong , Agaian Sos S.
Published: May 2010

DCT and wavelet based techniques have been widely used in image processing, for example, the applications involving JPEG, MPEG and JPEG2000. To combine the advantages of DCT and wavelet, we introduce in this chapter a novel multilevel DCT decomposition method by exploiting the modified inverse Hilbert curve. The experimental results showed that the proposed multilevel decomposition can extract characteristic DCT coefficients and assign the coefficients to new neighborhoods with distinct frequency properties. We discuss a powerful reversible data hiding algorithm in JPEG images based on this new multilevel DCT. This lossless data hiding algorithm features a key-dependent (multilevel structure) coefficient-extension technique and an embedding location selector, and it can achieve high quality reconstructed images with disparate content types.
Massively Threaded Digital Forensics Tools
Authors: Marziale Lodovico , Movva Santhi , Richard III Golden G. , Roussev Vassil , Schwiebert Loren
Published: May 2010

Digital forensics comprises the set of techniques to recover, preserve, and examine digital evidence, and has applications in a number of important areas, including investigation of child exploitation, identity theft, counter-terrorism, and intellectual property disputes. Digital forensics tools must exhaustively examine and interpret data at a low level, because data of evidentiary value may have been deleted, partially overwritten, obfuscated, or corrupted. While forensics investigation is typically seen as an off-line activity, improving case turnaround time is crucial, because in many cases lives or livelihoods may hang in the balance. Furthermore, if more computational resources can be brought to bear, we believe that preventative network security (which must be performed on-line) and digital forensics can be merged into a common research focus. In this chapter we consider recent hardware trends and argue that multicore CPUs and Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) offer one solution to the problem of maximizing available compute resources.
A Novel Intrusion Detection System for Smart Space
Authors: Zhou Bo , Shi Qi , Merabti Madjid
Published: May 2010

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is a tool used to protect computer resources against malicious activities. Existing IDSs have several weaknesses that hinder their direct application to ubiquitous computing environments like smart home/office. These shortcomings are caused by their lack of considerations about the heterogeneity, flexibility and resource constraints of ubiquitous networks. Thus the evolution towards ubiquitous computing demands a new generation of resource-efficient IDSs to provide sufficient protections against malicious activities. In this chapter we proposed a Service-oriented and User-centric Intrusion Detection System (SUIDS) for ubiquitous networks. SUIDS keeps the special requirements of ubiquitous computing in mind throughout its design and implementation. It sets a new direction for future research and development.
Identity Theft through the Web
Authors: Chen Thomas M.
Published: May 2010

Most people recognize there are risks to online privacy but may not be fully aware of the various ways that personal information about them can be stolen through the Web. People can be lured to malicious Web sites designed to deceive them into revealing their personal information or unknowingly download malicious software to their computer. Even worse, legitimate sites can be compromised to host attacks called drive-by downloads. This chapter describes the online risks to identity theft and the technological means for protecting individuals from losing their personal information while surfing the Web.
Forensic Implications of Virtualization Technologies
Authors: Anglano Cosimo
Published: May 2010

In the recent past machine and application virtualization technologies have received a great attention from the IT community, and are being increasingly used both in the Data Center and by the end user. The proliferation of these technologies will result, in the near future, in an increasing number of illegal or inappropriate activities carried out by means of virtual machines, or targeting virtual machines, rather than physical ones. Therefore, appropriate forensic analysis techniques, specifically tailored to virtualization environments, must be developed. Furthermore, virtualization technologies provide very effective anti-forensics capabilities, so specific countermeasures have to be sought as well. In addition to the above problems, however, virtualization technologies provide also the opportunity of developing novel forensic analysis techniques for non-virtualized systems. This chapter discusses the implications on the forensic computing field of the issues, challenges, and opportunities presented by virtualization technologies, with a particular emphasis on the possible solutions to the problems arising during the forensic analysis of a virtualized system.
Legal Issues for Research and Practice in Computational Forensics
Authors: Elmaghraby Adel , Keeling Deborah , Losavio Michael
Published: May 2010

We examine legal issues that must be considered in the use of computational systems in forensic investigations. There is a general framework for the use of evidence relating to legal proceedings, including computational forensic (CF) results, that all nations employ; we note some differences in procedures in different countries, although the focus in on Anglo-America practice as it is the most strict. Given the expert nature of computational systems and forensics using computation, special issues of reliability relating to science-based forensic conclusions must be addressed. We examine those generally (applicable to all CF) and as specifically applied to certain CF methods, examining two case studies on the possible use of CF methods in legal forums.
Vehicular Embedded System Architecture
Authors: Young Chung-Ping
Published: May 2010

The dramatic advancement of IC technologies makes electronic devices be smaller and run faster, so they are able to implement more functions in a limited space. The car electronics play an increasingly important role in automobile industry, and the embedded system has already been extensively employed for improving the operation and performance of vehicles, such as safety, comfort, convenience, and energy consumption. In terms of electronic system, an automobile is a distributed embedded system, and the control messages to each electronic control unit (ECU), go through in-vehicle networks. An ECU is a computing system, integrated with a data acquisition module or an electromechanical driver. A variety of ECUs implement versatile functions, such as powertrain, antilock braking system (ABS), traction control system (TCS), adaptive cruise control (ACC), and electronic stability program (ESP), etc. Sensors provide measurements of specific vehicle parameters in a format suitable for the digital microcontroller, while actuators are electrically operated devices that drive electromechanical components. Human machine interface is the input and output of vehicle operations to users.
Design and Implementation of Vehicle Navigation Systems
Authors: Chen Min-Xiou
Published: May 2010

Vehicle Navigation System (VNS) is a complicated and integrated system. A reliable vehicle navigation system should integrate the wireless communication technologies, positioning technologies, embedded computer, geographic information database, and so on. The major purpose of the chapter is to help understanding the architecture of vehicle navigation system. This chapter first introduces the system requirements and system analysis, and show the system platform of vehicle navigation system. The system platform can be divided into six components. There are the digital map database, positioning devices, map-matching process, route planning process, route guidance process, human-machine interface, and wireless communication interface. The design issues and system communication of these components are detail illustrated in the chapter. Finally, the authors also present some vehicle navigation systems proposed in the past few years, and show the difference of these systems. The aim of vehicle navigation system is to guide the vehicle along the optimal path from the starting point to destination. A reliable vehicle navigation system can reduce the traffic chaos in the city and improve the transportation delay. In order to achieve reliable vehicle navigation system, the detail system requirements, system analysis, and system architecture are shown in the chapter. Each component of vehicle navigation system is briefly illustrated, and the system communication is also described. The authors also present the architecture of the proposed vehicle navigation system, and show the difference of these systems. Therefore this chapter helps understanding the architecture of vehicle navigation system.
Mobility Models of Vehicular Networks
Authors: Lan Kun-Chan
Published: May 2010

A key component for VANET simulations is a realistic vehicular mobility model that ensures conclusions drawn from simulation experiments will carry through to real deployments. However, VANET simulations raise many new questions about suitable levels of details in simulation models. To get accurate results, the mobility models of Vehicular Networks should be as realistic as possible, and involve road-maps with all constraints and facilities related to the vehicular movement. In this chapter, the authors provide an overview of some mobility models that are relevant to VANETs. The criteria of applicability they consider here is the employment of road maps, and thus limiting the nodes movements into the routes, instead of moving them in a wide open area. They compare different models based on the parameters they use. For instance, some models use traffic control mechanisms (stop signs or traffic lights) at route intersections, and some just assume continuous movement at these points. Some assume routes to be single-lane, some others support multi-lanes routes. Some define the security distance, while others just ignore this parameter.
Beyond Control
Authors: Williams Peter
Published: May 2010

Blended learning seems to entail a relatively innocuous set of techniques, but closer examination reveals some of these carry implicit assumptions–of constructivist philosophy, peer collaboration, and situative learning–which may make their export to other countries and national cultures problematic. They also provide a route to the Internet: a storehouse of Westernised, unauthorized, and anarchic content. So will blended learning subvert national curricula? This chapter contributes to the debate by examining the milieu of national educational policy, relating it to forms of knowledge. Web 2.0 applications and open educational resources are discussed in relation to the growing gap between traditional curricula and the digitally-enabled communities of mass collectivism and direct action. Blended learning is shown to pose cultural threats, but also open opportunities, and whether these threats can be turned to advantage depends crucially upon how national policies are formulated and implemented. The conclusion poses key questions for policy-makers and practitioners.
Student Profile and Its Effects on Online and Hybrid Courses
Authors: Boghikian-Whitby Seta , Mortagy Yehia
Published: May 2010

This chapter is based on a longitudinal descriptive study that identifies the types of students enrolled in a Management Information Systems class offered in face-to-face and online delivery modalities over 15 semesters. The study used a total sample of 622 students where 296 students were enrolled in the faceto- face control section and 326 students were enrolled in the online experimental sections. The study profiles the demographics of students including: student type (traditional undergraduate or adult), age, gender, ethnicity, Myers Briggs personality profile, religion, citizenship, marital status, academic family generation, academic major, academic standing (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior), and grade point average (GPA). The study findings include: (1) adult students dominated the online delivery modality. (2) African American and Hispanic female adult students prefer taking online courses compared to face-to-face. (3) Forty percent of the students enrolled in online delivery modality were of extravert type. (4) The majority of the first generation students were enrolled in face-to-face delivery modality. Recommendations include short modules, use of different exercises in order to accommodate various learning styles. The chapter and the study results will assist administrators and faculty members to make better decisions by understanding the student population type.
Examining Individual Students' Perceptions of Curiosity Utilizing a Blend of Online and Face-to-Face Discussions
Authors: Shroff Ronnie H.
Published: May 2010

Research has established that the exploratory behavior of an individual student has a positive effect on learning and academic achievement. However, very little is known about the impact of a blended learning approach on individual student curiosity and whether combinations of online and face-to-face learning activities significantly enhance student exploratory behavior. This chapter assesses the effects of blended learning on perceived individual student curiosity, utilizing a blend of online and face-toface discussions. This research collates elements from the theories of curiosity. A qualitative research methodology was utilized for the purpose of the research. Data were obtained through in-depth and semi-structured one-on-one interviews with undergraduate students. Results from the qualitative study showed that individuals’ perceptions of curiosity were strongly supported. The results of our study may suggest that future research should explore more deeply, the importance of technology on learning and academic achievement (Alavi & Leidner, 2001). For example, specific studies could address various aspects of online learning and instruction, such as an individual’s patterned ways of thinking, feeling and reacting. These interconnected thoughts, feelings and behaviors, may reflect the differences in motivational behavior between an individual and groups.
Online Discussion and E-Mentoring Strategies in Blended Continuing Education Courses
Authors: Wong Lung-Hsiang , Looi Chee-Kit
Published: May 2010

This study analyzes online discussions in a course portal that supplemented class discussion in three continuing education courses. Our student groups were full-time professionals who studied on a parttime basis. We use and adapt some elements of Henri’s model for content analysis to quantitatively and qualitatively analyse the online discourse (Henri, 1992). Transcript content analyses show that students’ messages were on-task, thoughtful, and indicative of student-initiated learning and a good amount of peer help. While other studies have studied effective discussion through similar forums or computermediated instruction, we emphasize the role of the e-mentors in promoting and mediating the discussions. We discuss factors that contributed to the effective use of the discussion forums for fostering learning, including e-mentors’ enthusiasm in responding to the messages, and e-mentoring strategies. We also induce several strategies adopted by the e-mentors in facilitating online forum discussions.
A Case Study of Infusing Web 2.0 Tools for Blended Learning
Authors: Lai Yiu Chi , Ng Eugenia M.W.
Published: May 2010

In the era of Web 2.0, students are not restricted to search and collect information from existing Internet resources. They are expected to be able to collaborate, create, and share new information on the Web through different tools. On the other hand, students of this era are also familiar with sharing multimedia contents on the Internet. We can also observe that presentations are not limited to face-to-face and university students should be able to present virtually using multimedia technology. It seems that Web 2.0 tools open another space for the assessment modes for teachers. This study aims to describe an innovative practice of having two groups of student teachers conducting a virtual presentation about their final assignments, which could either be videos or other digital formats. One group of students was final year undergraduate while another group consisted of post-graduate Diploma of Education student teachers. For the purpose of the study, the virtual presentation materials were uploaded to a learning management system (LMS) platform to enable the two different classes to comment each other’s work within one week. Thereafter, the data collected from tracked statistics provided by the learning platform and students’ reflections of this interclass activity were analyzed and compared with each other. It was found that most of the participants were positive about this new presentation approach and ready to accept it as a part of the assessment. However, the undergraduate students were more active in participating in virtual presentations of both classes. Furthermore, their attitudes were influenced by the tutors’ participation. Thus, it is suggested that tutors involved in virtual presentations should play an active role and give encouragement to their students regularly.
Allegheny Women's Biotechnology Workforce Collaborative
Authors: Zuckerman-Parker Michelle , Compliment Christine , Rodella Megan , Ehrlich Garth , Post J. Christopher
Published: May 2010

The Allegheny Women’s Biotechnology Workforce Collaborative (AWBWC) is a research based educational intervention designed to support participants with “lifelines” using blended learning as they further their education and enter the biotechnology workforce. This holistic educational approach provides didactic instruction with a focus on individualized learning using technology to foster personal skill development and mentoring from industry professionals. The AWBWC participants live at 60% below the poverty level and 90% have been victimized. This comparative study is based on a new model and its impact upon achievement. The quantitative data includes participant grade point average (GPA), technology usage, and rate of attrition. The qualitative data includes emails, text messages, focus group and face-to-face interviews. Additionally, anecdotal evidence indicates the children of participants have increased selfesteem, perform better in school as measured by GPA, and desire to pursue higher education.
Blending Classroom Activities with Multi-User Virtual Environment for At-Risk Primary School Students in an After-School Program
Authors: Tay Lee Yong , Lim Cher Ping
Published: May 2010

This chapter documents how a group of 14 academically at-risk Primary 5 students have been engaged in academic related tasks in an after-school program mediated by a game-like 3D multi-user virtual environment (MUVE), Quest Atlantis (QA). The case study explores the possibilities and potentials of using the game-like 3D MUVE for the re-engagement of this group of academically at-risk students. From the observation notes, interviews with the students and students’ activities in the MUVE, the two main elements in the MUVE that have been found to engage the students are: ‘play and fun’ and ‘recognition and affirmation of performance.’ However, these engaging elements alone could not purposefully engage these students. Non-ICT activities such as orientation tasks, support by teachers, and the careful selection of authentic assignments are necessary to further enhance their engagement with their learning.
Comparing Face-to-Face with Blended Learning in the Context of Foreign Language Education
Authors: Vlachos Kosmas
Published: May 2010

The discussion presented in this chapter is based on the findings of a post doctoral research, which compared face-to-face with blended learning in the field of foreign language education and the learning of English in Europe. The studying conditions that are present in each of these two modes are explored and juxtaposed in order to draw the reader’s attention to a number of benefits that spring from blended learning, namely the development of skills and strategies, the cultivation of positive attitudes towards learning, the promotion of literacies, and the unfolding of communicative competence. Specifically, as we assert in this chapter, it follows from our research that the combination of blended learning with cross cultural online collaboration supports the construction of foundational and new literacies, enhances the development of linguistic, pragmatic, strategic, sociolinguistic, and intercultural competences, and boosts students’ cognitive, metacognitive, and social strategies, as well as their critical thinking skills. Overall, the chapter emphasizes the need for blended learning in foreign language education.
Online Literacy among Students and Faculty
Authors: Miltenoff Plamen , Hoover John H. , Tzokov Galin
Published: May 2010

Based on the recent proliferation of online education and the ongoing technological revolution, this research focused on interaction of students and faculty as a main contributor to the success of online education. During 2003, a survey was distributed to convenience samples of faculty members and students from the Midwest of the U.S. and three Eastern European countries. The data reflects students’ and faculty members’ opinions about the state of technology, online communication, and instruction. The results confirm findings from the literature about the existence of a digital divide between developed and emerging nations. Although Eastern European respondents don’t benefit from the technology base of their American correspondents, their satisfaction and comfort with technology remains relatively strong. The digital divide may result from administrative rigidity; Eastern European students enjoy less access to computer labs, due to fewer and less flexible hours. Faculty members and administrators remain entrenched in “old” technologies such as e-mail, whereas Millennials expect newer communication tools and prefer synchronous ones. Considering the available technology, online assessment is employed relatively inconsistently. Libraries as technology providers are perhaps underutilized particularly in Bulgaria, Moldova, and Macedonia.
Target State for Defense Information Enterprise
Authors: Ghosh Supriya
Published: May 2010

As the first chapter on transformational perspectives, this chapter provides you how the DoD and the military are moving toward a target state for the enterprise. The defense information enterprise has a particular set of goals and mission needs that stem from the overall defense transformation. A guest author perspective provides a unique window to the activity. The vision and mission of the business transformation has been stated, along with providing a proper definition of the defense information enterprise. A pictorial depiction of the reference model for the enterprise is then presented, and each element is further described. We provide a transformation perspective on the DoD information enterprise. We then discuss enterprise as it relates to a set of net-centric goals. These net-centric goals branch into a set of priorities that include data and services deployment, secured availability, communications infrastructure readiness, communications readiness and NetOps agility. As we discuss Net Centricity and the ongoing net-centric transformation, we plan to provide perspectives as to how this mindset is affecting our military and civilian enterprise. The first section of this book provided an in-depth understanding of the concept of Net Centricity and defined important concepts such as information interoperability. In this chapter we discuss the Defense Information Enterprise since this provides a tangible product of the DoD transformation activities. The idea is to define the target state of the Defense Enterprise – what are its basic tenets, and how it leads to a greater level of Net Centricity. Based on our earlier discussion on today’s information enterprise and the various information forms and the decision making capabilities, we now branch into how this is configured for our nation’s defense. We also provide a guest author perspective on the transformation and the defense information enterprise.
Healthcare Transformation in a Net-Centric Environment
Authors: Janczewski Mark
Published: May 2010

As a transformative perspective, this chapter discusses a specific area of DoD that is undergoing a large transformation to provide healthcare to today’s military and engage with the Department of Veterans Affairs to take care of veterans. We provide an overview of military medicine and veteran care, and discuss the important concept of the patient care continuum. We then discuss a continuum of care scenario for wounded warriors from DoD to VA. We describe the type of transformation that is being conducted in the Military Health System, and then provide a case study of a military health program known as Theater Medical Information Program (TMIP). We end with a transformation perspective on net-centric medicine provided by a retired DoD medical officer. In this chapter, as part of our section objective to address net-centric transformation perspectives, we provide a synopsis that specifically caters to the healthcare for our military warfighters and veterans. This then leads to the discussion of DoD Military Health System which is currently trying to transform itself to address Net Centricity. As part of this discussion, we describe the DoD Continuum of Care that happens for a warfighter from the point of injury in the battlefield all the way to him receiving veteran care. We use the Theater Medical Information Program (TMIP) as a net-centric example case study to address military healthcare requirements and the Net-Centric Key Performance Parameter mandates. The chapter then provides a guest author perspective on the DoD and VA healthcare transformation.
Technology Evolution Assessment for the Future
Authors: Ghosh Supriya
Published: May 2010

This next chapter addresses assessment describes the technology evolution process that involves government and corporate firms to perform technology validation and evolution planning. We go ahead and assess key technology areas, and provide a system technology forecast that can be used by a representative organization on the road to net-centric readiness. We then mention the acquisition trade study process and provide an understanding as to how vendor products can be assessed in an objective and documented manner. We end the chapter by providing a case study and information on the Net-Centric Operations Industry Consortium (NCOIC).
Achieving a Net-Centric Service-Oriented Enterprise
Authors: Ghosh Supriya
Published: May 2010

This last chapter focuses on the target state of achieving a Net-Centric Service-Oriented Enterprise (NCSOE). All of our previous discussions led to the point of defining this target state, the transition processes that allow us to get there, and the benefits of the future state. The transition mechanism provides a life cycle methodology that includes a business roadmap, service enablement, and service sustainment. We describe each of these transition processes, their inputs and outputs. We then discuss a number of the technology features that we obtain based on a service oriented enterprise. We provide example net-centric services that can be defined as the common set for the overall enterprise. We then provide a set of benefits of NCSOE to different industry sectors.
Mining Association Rules from Fuzzy DataCubes
Authors: Marín Nicolás , Molina Carlos , Sánchez Daniel , Vila M. Amparo
Published: May 2010

The use of online analytical processing (OLAP) systems as data sources for data mining techniques has been widely studied and has resulted in what is known as online analytical mining (OLAM). As a result of both the use of OLAP technology in new fields of knowledge and the merging of data from different sources, it has become necessary for models to support imprecision. We, therefore, need OLAM methods which are able to deal with this imprecision. Association rules are one of the most used data mining techniques. There are several proposals that enable the extraction of association rules on DataCubes but few of these deal with imprecision in the process and give as result complex rule sets. In this chapter the authors will present a method that manages the imprecision and reduces the complexity. They will study the influence of the use of fuzzy logic using different size problems and comparing the results with a crisp approach.
Patterns for E-Government Development
Authors: Córdoba José-Rodrigo
Published: May 2010

This chapter presents three different patterns to understand and manage e-government initiatives. The word pattern means a set of values, beliefs and actions that can be distinguished as informing e-government development. The patterns are derived from the literature on the information society and information systems practice. They aim to help people involved in e-government to make sense of their work and impacts and to facilitate communication. In the chapter we use the patterns to critically review an e-government initiative in Colombia called Gobierno en Línea (Online Government).
E- Government Systems Architecture
Authors: Savvas Ioannis , Pimenidis Elias , Sideridis Alexander B.
Published: May 2010

Based on the inclusion of several types of stakeholders for e-government services, the authors propose an architecture of multiple levels that ensures adaptability to new technological and organizational demands for these services; thus the authors emphasize the possibility of representing public services as electronic services which can be continuously improved.
Objective-Oriented Assessment in Desire2Learn for Quality Matters
Authors: Wang Haomin , Shao Mingming
Published: May 2010

This chapter is a report on using a course management system Desire2Learn® to facilitate the implementation of the quality assurance standards recommended by Quality Matters. After a brief introduction to the Quality Matters standards, the chapter describes how the Desire2Learn learning environment can be structured to build an interconnected framework to promote objective-oriented, criterion-referenced, dynamic assessment. A pilot study was conducted to explore how learning activities can be assessed in alignment with measurable learning objectives, with reference to criterion-based rubrics. The chapter discusses issues found through the study and lessons learned in using the competency structure of Desire2Learn to enforce objective-oriented assessment.
Cost Effectiveness in Course Redesign
Authors: Kendrick David
Published: May 2010

As Web-based technologies march forward, improved access to higher education by traditional and non-traditional student, alike, is a certainty, but such technologies as a mechanism for lowering costs are still subject for further exploration. Course redesign from traditional to electronic delivery serves not only to grant access or improve achievement for the student, but can offer a cost savings for the institution. Educational leaders in higher education may consider the Web-based redesign alternative as not only a learning instrument, but a means to cut instructional costs. An explanation and application of a cost-measuring instrument, as well as reviews of literature and Web-based instructional models or strategies, is at the heart of this examination of course redesign. Educational content has become a commodity. Improved networks provide rapid and flexible dissemination of course content, opening up numerous options for organizing programs. Rather than designing content delivery around the schedule and resources of the provider, the institution, it can be customized around the needs of the recipient (Lovett, 1996). Courses, programs, and even degrees, can be organized around a combination of flexible course modules to accommodate particular student/client needs. Technology-mediated instruction, taken to its anywhere-anytime extreme, makes traditional academic calendars and curricular structures irrelevant or even a barrier to effective education.
When Distance Technologies Meet the Student Code
Authors: Wherry Peg , Windes Deborah Lundberg
Published: May 2010

This case study outlines problems with student conduct in an online undergraduate program and explains how a student code was applied to resolve the issues and institute procedures to reduce future incidents of academic dishonesty and incivility. The study describes several instances of student misconduct and explains how online program administrators responded by improving communication with both students and faculty and by modifying course design and development processes as well as instructional practices. It also reports on how other administrators assisted in handling resolution and discipline. While technology itself may both complicate the maintenance of conduct standards and provide new ways to protect academic integrity, this study demonstrates that the introduction of technology should not change the rules.
The Proliferation, Pitfalls, and Power of Online Education
Authors: Blakey Leah
Published: May 2010

Online education has been a growing field in higher education for the last decade, and the number of students choosing online over seated classes continues to increase. The proliferation of online programs forces one to ask, “Is online education a good thing?” The resounding answer is YES, when best practices are followed. However, even the best online programs experience challenges as they deal with institutional, student, and growth issues. These struggles, their resolutions, and the knowledge gained from them are the focus of this chapter.
The Appropriation of Wiki in a Higher Blended Learning Course
Authors: Fainholc Beatriz
Published: May 2010

This chapter introduces the description of wiki appropriation. It considers the tool inclusion in an online educational innovation, supported in student and group-centered learning approach, to improve the quality of the blended learning offered. It states that the university course of educational technology, through wiki application as an appropriated methodology, beyond its consideration as a Web 2.0 tool, gives the opportunity to enhance the student protagonism into the deepening of the conceptual field of the subject by a collaborative knowledge construction. The evidence shows that the application worth to develop the learning strategies towards the student comprehension and its social skills in universities contexts. The results shows that the transformation of reactive attitudes into creative ones is a long process of change mediated by emotions and metacognitive work. Both facilitate a change of the students’ focus, perspectives, and mentalities, understandable by the help of collective learning, among diverse variables.
Budding Researchers in the Humanities
Authors: Viana Vander , Chesnokova Anna , Zyngier Sonia , van Peer Willie
Published: May 2010

This chapter aims at describing the networks within the Research and Development in Empirical Studies (REDES) Project, an intercultural enterprise aimed at promoting empirical studies of culture. Probably the first and only international project in the Humanities which prepares new researchers through online communication, the experience is believed to be scalable to other areas as it enables students to acquire the methodological techniques needed to undertake and carry out research in an environment totally different from the traditional university classroom. The chapter traces the history of the project from its foundation in 2002, explains in detail how it was set up, and evaluates the contributions of this joint effort. The problems met along the way are also pointed out. The chapter concludes with the challenges still to be faced. This case report stands as a proof of the impact of technology in preparing human resources for the Humanities.