bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Power Issues and Energy Scavenging in Mobile Wireless Ad-hoc and Sensor Networks
Authors: Cornetta Gianluca , Touhafi Abdellah , Santos David J. , Vázquez José Manuel
Published: May 2011

Wireless ad-hoc and sensor networks are experiencing a widespread diffusion due to their flexibility and broad range of potential uses. Nowadays they are the underlying core technology of many industrial and remote sensing applications. Such networks rely on battery-operated nodes with a limited lifetime. Although, in the last decade, a significant research effort has been carried out to improve the energy efficiency and the power consumption of the sensor nodes, new power sources have to be considered to improve node lifetime and to guarantee a high network reliability and availability. Energy scavenging is the process by which the energy derived from external sources (i.e. temperature and pressure gradients, movement, solar light, etc.) is captured, translated into an electric charge and stored internally to a node. At the moment, these new power sources are not intended to replace the batteries, since they cannot generate enough energy; however, working together with the conventional power sources they can significantly improve node lifetime. Low-power operation is the result of a complex cross-layer optimization process, for this reason, this chapter thoroughly reviews all the traditional methods aimed at reducing power consumption at the network, MAC and PHY levels of the TCP stack, to understand advantages and limitations of such techniques, and to justify the need of alternative power sources that may allow, in the future, the design of completely self-sustained and autonomous sensor nodes.
A Low Cost Wireless Sensors Network with Low-Complexity and Fast-Prototyping
Authors: Carmo João Paulo , Correia José H.
Published: May 2011

This chapter cover the following topics: • the focus and application of the wireless sensor network; • the implications of the radio system; • the test bed implementation of the proposed low cost wireless sensors networks; • the wireless link power budget, coding and data recovering; • performance metrics of the wireless sensors networks; • cost analysis versus other technologies (wired and emerging wireless).
Mission-Aware Adaptive Communication for Collaborative Mobile Entities
Authors: Lacouture Jérôme , Rodriguez Ismael Bouassida , Arcangeli Jean-Paul , Chassot Christophe , Desprats Thierry , Drira Khalil , Garijo Francisco , Noel Victor , Sibilla Michelle , Tessier Catherine
Published: May 2011

Adaptation of communication is needed to maintain the connectivity and quality of communication in group-wide collaborative activities. This becomes quite a challenge to handle when mobile entities are part of a wireless environment, in which responsiveness and availability of the communication system are required. In this chapter, these challenges are addressed within the context of the ROSACE project where mobile ground and flying robots have to collaborate either between them selves or with remote artificial and human actors during save and rescue missions in the event of disasters such as forest fires. This chapter presents our first results. The final goal is to propose new concepts, models and architectures that supports cooperative adaptation which is aware of the mission being executed. Thus, the communication system can be adequately adapted in response to predictable or unpredictable evolutions of the activity requirements and to the unpredictable changes in the communication resource constraints.
Infrastructures for Development of Context-Aware Mobile Applications
Authors: Feitosa de Figueirêdo Hugo , Eduardo da Silva Tiago , Cardoso de Paiva Anselmo , Rangel de Queiroz José Eustáquio , Baptista Cláudio De Souza
Published: May 2011

Context-aware mobile applications are becoming popular, as a consequence of the technological advances in mobile devices, sensors and wireless networking. Nevertheless, developing a context-aware system involves several challenges. For example, what will be the contextual information, how to represent, acquire and process this information and how it will be used by the system. Some frameworks and middleware have been proposed in the literature to help programmers to overcome these challenges. Most of the proposed solutions, however, neither have an extensible ontology-based context model nor uses a communication method that allows a better use of the potentialities of the models of this kind.
Providing Outdoor and Indoor Ubiquity with WLANs
Authors: Bri Diana , Coll Hugo , Sendra Sandra , Lloret Jaime
Published: May 2011

Wireless Local Area Networks are very useful for the most applications based on network. Nowadays, these types of networks are the most powerful in the communication’s world. It can be developed in almost all environments and products are cheap and robust. Moreover, these networks can be formed by different devices with wireless interfaces like IP cameras, laptops, PDAs, sensors, etc. WLANs provide high bandwidth at large coverage areas (if high gain antennas are used), which it is necessary in many applications at different research areas. All these characteristics let WLANs be a useful technology to provide ubiquity for any type of service. If they are deployed from a good and exhaustive design, they can provide connection to any device, everywhere at anytime. In this paper we present a complete guideline about how to design and deploy WLANs and to get their best performance. We start from an analytical point of view and we use mathematical expressions to design WLANs in both indoor and outdoor environments. Then, we show a method proposed by some authors of this paper some years ago and how it can be used to design WLANs in indoor environments. Next, we show WLANs design in outdoor environments. Finally, we describe two projects developed by the authors of this chapter in order to provide ubiquity in real indoor and outdoor environments.
In-TIC for Mobile Devices
Authors: Busch Cristina Diaz , Lorenzo Alberto Moreiras , Sánchez Iván Mourelos , González Betania Groba , García Thais Pousada , Riveiro Laura Nieto , Loureiro Javier Pereira
Published: May 2011

At present, the main advances in mobile technology have been aimed at improving multimedia-messaging services and reproducing videos and music. This new support system adds accessibility to mobile telephones, making them easier to use for the people who need them the most, people with reduced physical or mental capacities who cannot use a conventional mobile.
Design of Wearable Computing Systems for Future Industrial Environments
Authors: Kirisci Pierre , Kluge Ernesto Morales , Angelescu Emanuel , Thoben Klaus-Dieter
Published: May 2011

During the last two decades a lot of methodology research has been conducted for the design of software user interfaces (Kirisci, Thoben 2009). Despite the numerous contributions in this area, comparatively few efforts have been dedicated to the advancement of methods for the design of context-aware mobile platforms, such as wearable computing systems. This chapter investigates the role of context, particularly in future industrial environments, and elaborates how context can be incorporated in a design method in order to support the design process of wearable computing systems. The chapter is initiated by an overview of basic research in the area of context-aware mobile computing. The aim is to identify the main context elements which have an impact upon the technical properties of a wearable computing system. Therefore, we describe a systematic and quantitative study of the advantages of context recognition, specifically task tracking, for a wearable maintenance assistance system. Based upon the experiences from this study, a context reference model is proposed, which can be considered supportive for the design of wearable computing systems in industrial settings, thus goes beyond existing context models, e.g. for context-aware mobile computing. The final part of this chapter discusses the benefits of applying model-based approaches during the early design stages of wearable computing systems. Existing design methods in the area of wearable computing are critically examined and their shortcomings highlighted. Based upon the context reference model, a design approach is proposed through the realization of a model-driven software tool which supports the design process of a wearable computing system while taking advantage of concise experience manifested in a well-defined context model.
Intangible Heritage Management and Multimodal Navigation
Authors: Ciocca Gianluigi , Colombo Alessandro , Schettini Raimondo , Artese Maria Teresa , Gagliardi Isabella
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents tools and methods which have been developed in order to manage and consult multimedia ethnographic archives for texts, images, audios (both music and speech), and videos. The system offers the user several retrieval strategies for querying the multimedia archive database by exploiting alphanumeric relational query, audio similarity query, clustering, and image and video similarity. Once a subset of information meeting the user’s needs has been identified, this can be displayed in a 3D virtual exhibition which can be visited interactively. The system presented is actually exploited to manage and multimodally navigate the Archive of Ethnography and Social History of the Italian Lombardy Region with some 18,000 oral documents, 3,000 textual transcriptions, 2,000 musical transcriptions, 5,000 MP3 audio files, 10,000 photos, and 500 videos.
Activating the Networked Object for a Complex World
Authors: Cameron Fiona , Mengler Sarah
Published: May 2011

The ‘networked object’ is a concept that resonates with the notion of the operation of virtual collections within mobile fluids and flows of culture outside and beyond the specific museum context concerns of traditional documentation systems. It acts as a mediator between the museum world and public culture, as it circulates between these spaces, and in various cultural, social, political and technological formations, consumed in many different and unexpected ways. The context in which the networked object now circulates and interacts is what cultural theorist Mike Featherstone (2000, pp.166-67) described as ‘global variability, global connectivity and global intercommunication’. This chapter interrogates what happens when the networked object re-connects with public culture in an uncertain, complex and globalising world and how this process intersects with, challenges and re-works the ‘authoritative’ position of heritage institutions.
Heritage, Place and Interactivity
Authors: Paraizo Rodrigo Cury , Kós José Ripper
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines the requirements for heritage spatial representation to suggest design guidelines for these interpretive environments. It focuses on the concept of play and its role in the construction of place, or meaningful space, by means of rituals and regulated actions. Examples are given not only from virtual heritage applications but also from other digital works, especially video games, whose implementations to foster user engagement must be regarded as possible key strategies towards creating virtual places in their broadest sense, that is, spaces of multiple possible meanings.
Evaluating the Use of Virtual Reality and Multimedia Applications for Presenting the Past
Authors: Economou Maria , Tost Laia Pujol
Published: May 2011

Virtual reality applications offer various possibilities for cultural heritage interpretation, such as giving users the feeling of immersion and appealing to all their senses, making their experience lively and memorable. In order to test their effectiveness for assisting learning and successful integration in exhibitions, the authors carried out an extensive evaluation study using three case studies: the exhibition “Immaginare Roma Antica” at the Trajan Markets, Rome; the permanent displays at the Ename Museum, Belgium; and the VR displays at Hellenic Cosmos, Foundation of the Hellenic World, Athens. The chapter analyses how the applications were used, the type of learning different systems supported, how this was affected by the conditions of use, and their suitability for different groups. It also offers guidelines on evaluation methodology when studying the use of ICT in cultural settings. The study contributes to the construction of a substantial body of empirical and methodological knowledge aimed at guiding future designs and evaluations of ICT tools in exhibitions.
Personal Digital Collections
Authors: Marty Paul F. , Sayre Scott , Fantoni Silvia Filippini
Published: May 2011

Personal digital collections systems, which encourage visitors to museum websites to create their own personal collections out of a museum’s online collections, are the latest trend in personalization technologies for museums and other cultural heritage organizations. This chapter explores the development, implementation, and evaluation of different types of personal digital collection interfaces on museum websites, from simple bookmarking applications to sophisticated tools that support high levels of interactivity and the sharing of collections. It examines the potential impact of these interfaces on the relationship between museums and their online visitors, explores the possible benefits of involving users as co-creators of digital cultural heritage, and offers an analysis of future research directions and best practices for system design, presenting lessons learned from more than a decade of design and development of personal digital collections systems on museum websites.
Educational Personalized Contents in a Web Environment
Authors: Naccarato Giuseppe , Pantano Eleonora , Tavernise Assunta
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a system called Virtual Museum Net of Magna Graecia, part of a Cultural Heritage project supported by the Regional Operational Programme 2000-2006 to promote archaeological patrimony of Calabria, a region of southern Italy. In particular, the Virtual Museum Net offers personalized learning paths though an intelligent match between a user’s preferences, needs, and requests and Calabrian Cultural Heritage data from museums, archaeological sites and libraries, including maps, images, movies, historical writings, and architectural reconstructions.The system provides educational contents and recommendations on the basis of a thematic search or a map, and the user can select both the contents to visualize and the level of detail. In this way, the educational quality, the users’ entertainment, and the learning process are improved by the virtual experience.
Transformative Multicultural Engagement on a Web 2.0 Interface
Authors: Gurung Binod , Chávez Rudolfo Chávez
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses theoretical underpinnings, contradictions, opportunities, and challenges of pursuing online critical multicultural education engagement through Web 2.0 interface (MCE 2.0). Conceptualized within the social constructivist paradigm, critical MCE 2.0 is always in-the-making (emergent and discursive) phenomenon/endeavor that incorporates critical pedagogy, critical media/digital literacies, and Web 2.0 affordances as a praxis for transformative multicultural education while critically examining the pressing socio-cultural issues including cultural reproduction, power differentials, racial hierarchies, ideological social discourses, and class dominance. As cultural prosumers, teachers and students can forge emerging Web 2.0 affordances for collaboratively creating, sharing/publishing, and discoursing in a diverse reality with multicultural materials, narratives/stories, and resources in culturally responsive and multiculturally competent ways. Thus, this chapter offers afresh a viewing of technology use as a meditational means from a situated perspective (activity theory) for proactive technology-native learners and teachers who renew their agency as critical constructivist cultural actors.
Relevant Issues that Challenge the Designing of Transformative, Liberating Online Science Courses
Authors: Baptiste H. Prentice , Neakrase Jennifer J. , Ryan Ashley N.
Published: May 2011

Science as a discipline has gone through many paradigm shifts, both in terms of scientific knowledge and science pedagogy. One recent trend is the movement of science courses into an online environment. While this shift started as supplemental instruction, a movement in education is to offer entire science courses, normally taught in a face-to-face format, online. Moving science instruction into this type of environment illuminates many challenges in science education to a different and critical level. These challenges include issues in equity, accountability, identity formation, and appropriate pedagogical practices. The authors explore these challenges in general for online learning and specifically for teaching science online. It is clear that these issues, while heavily researched in face-to-face science instruction, have not been seriously considered in the online format. Currently it appears that those teaching science online have simply ported their face-to-face course without considering the fact that instruction needs to be changed when teaching online.
'Move Lips, Move Minds and Make New Meanings Flare'
Authors: Latchem Colin
Published: May 2011

The lessons of history and findings of social psychologists suggest that there will always be some clash of cultures in the world. Nevertheless, it is important to try to find ways of overcoming prejudice and discrimination. These demean us as well as others, and the challenges facing our world require everyone to try to reconcile their differences and work together. This chapter discusses the roots and causes of prejudice and discrimination and, using examples from around the globe, illustrates ways in which ICT can be used to unlearn these learned behaviours in educational and community contexts.
Using Transformative Pedagogy to Facilitate Personal Growth and Development in Web-Based Service-Learning Courses
Authors: McCracken Holly J. , Guthrie Kathy L.
Published: May 2011

There is an inherent complexity and importance to achieving life transformations by intellectual means (Mezirow, 1991). Such educational journeys take place in many different forms in applied instructional settings in which learning is experientially based; such processes take on particularly unique qualities when facilitated in virtual environments. When utilized creatively technologies have the capability to enhance educational experiences beyond individual learning, extending the construction of knowledge within an outreach framework to, for example, participants’ local and regional communities. The following chapter explores the capacity for transformative learning inherent in experientially-based education, specifically within service-learning contexts, and the methods by which such experiences can be facilitated in web-based academic settings.
Online Injustice, Poverty and Fear
Authors: Adebowale O.F.
Published: May 2011

The chapter examines the concept of injustice with special reference to its occurrence online. It also focuses on poverty as economic deprivation and fear together with injustice as essential components of vicious circle which may seriously impact transformative education, noting that transformative education is basically focussed at imbibing values and skills that will develop the individual’s worldviews and encourage them to act individually or collectively so that they can improve social conditions and eventually eradicate the ills of society.
Digital Storytelling
Authors: Christopher Lee
Published: May 2011

It is the purpose of this chapter to introduce and discuss one ancient and proven methodology made new with technology that can help to close the technological gap between teachers, and students—Digital Storytelling. In this chapter the definition of what a story is and what a digital story is given. Included in this chapter is a discussion on the theoretical framework for the story with examples. Also, in this chapter is a brief overview of recommended future research in the area of Digital Storytelling. Further, included in this chapter is a discussion concerning the benefits and limitations of this methodology and how the limitations can be addressed.
‘O’ is for Organic
Authors: Gündogan Miraç Banu
Published: May 2011

Participants with diverse backgrounds, various expectations and different teaching/learning styles either individually or within communities are attracted by the benefits of online learning presented by the ‘any time and any place’ motto. Although this motto is perceived as a factor for freedom, diversity of learners, institutions and instructors, together with the differences in affordance of technology may set limitations which need to be resolved. An ecological perspective introducing analogies between online learning and organic agriculture may help maintaining an online learning ecosystem where all participants cherish the feeling of freedom and regardless of their diverse backgrounds or competencies, perceive that their needs are understood and responded equally. Online learning and organic agriculture have more than the letter ‘O’ as a common denominator for achieving successful and sustainable ecosystems of their own.
Poverty and Phobia of Internet Connectivity and Usage Among University Students in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Adeoye Blessing F. , Adebo Grace Modupe , Olakulehin Felix Kayode
Published: May 2011

The impact of the Internet on teaching and learning processes has taken previously unimaginable dimensions, by curriculum specialists and educational technologists, from both developed and developing societies. Though the Internet has transformed the way knowledge is created, presented and acquired, it has also deepened the fundamental inequalities which have affected the quality of higher education provision in the 21st century, especially in developing societies like Nigeria, where poverty and underdevelopment are still an integral part of the social realities. This chapter examines the phenomenon of poverty and phobia regarding Internet connectivity and usage among university students in south-western Nigeria. Using the descriptive survey research method, a five-point likert-type structured questionnaire was administered on 362 randomly selected students from 7 universities in south-western Nigeria. Findings indicated that respondents have a high confidence level of 78% for Internet usage, with the major challenge being the cost and low quality Internet connectivity, notwithstanding the urban locations of the institutions. Internet access by students is generally low due to high costs of Internet connectivity, access, sporadic and unstable electricity. There is general absence of financial aid mechanisms and this makes it difficult for students to procure reliable Internet access, even though they have high confidence level to utilize it.
Making Sense of Knowledge Productivity
Authors: Stam Christiaan D.
Published: May 2011

In the knowledge economy knowledge productivity is the main source of competitive advantage and thus the biggest management challenge. Based on a review of the concept from two distinct perspectives, knowledge productivity is defined as the process of knowledge-creation that leads to incremental and radical innovation. The two main elements in this definition are ‘the process of knowledge creation’ and ‘incremental and radical innovation’. The main aim of this chapter is to contribute to a better understanding of the concept of knowledge productivity in order to support management in designing policies for knowledge productivity enhancement. After elaborating on the concept of knowledge productivity, the two main elements are combined in a conceptual framework: the knowledge productivity flywheel. This framework appeared to be an effective model for supporting initiatives that aim for enhancing knowledge productivity.
Measuring and Managing Intellectual Capital for both Development and Protection
Authors: Erickson G. Scott , Rothberg Helen N.
Published: May 2011

This chapter considers the strategic management of intellectual capital, balancing the need to develop knowledge assets with the need to protect them. In making more strategic decisions, metrics on the level of intellectual capital and degree of knowledge management necessary to compete in an industry are required, as are those on the threat from competitive intelligence activity. The authors develop the case for appropriate metrics that accomplish these purposes, noting both potential and limitations. The authors also consider alternatives, additional data that could contribute to the usefulness and understanding of the core metrics, and provide suggestions for further research.
Measuring and Valuing Knowledge-Based Intangible Assets
Authors: Pike Steve , Roos Göran
Published: May 2011

This chapter offers a practical guide to the structure, taxonomy, measurement and use of intellectual capital (IC) in business. It traces the roots of IC and exposes and explains the remarkable lack of consensus that has been allowed to develop over the years and the methods used to try to measure it. In keeping with the practical, yet grounded, approach of the chapter, the chapter focuses on business innovation from an IC perspective. Most importantly, through a case study, the chapter introduces a practical means of measuring IC and modelling businesses predictively connecting soft issues such as human capital and relationship management with hard financial output. Recognising that IC is still an evolving discipline, the chapter offers a number of areas for future research and case study.
Motives for the Financial Valuation of Intangibles
Authors: García-Merino José Domingo , Arregui-Ayastuy Gerardo , Rodríguez-Castellanos Arturo , Vallejo-Alonso Belén
Published: May 2011

This chapter aims to analyse the Basque Country companies’ view about the financial valuation of intangibles relevance and its influence on business performance. To achieve this objective, a field study has been done with 440 telephone calls to Basque Country companies’ financial managers. Then, their responses and theirs firm’s performance are analysed. The results show that the companies that are interested in the financial valuation of the intangibles, especially for internal motivation, perform better; however, this improvement is not statistically significant. Otherwise, the companies that are more interested in the valuation of their intangibles for external reasons need to provide information to stakeholders about their ability to generate income.
The Problems and Challenges of Researching Intellectual Capital
Authors: Spender JC
Published: May 2011

The chapter presents an overview of the present state of thinking and research around intellectual capital (IC). I explore IC’s potential as a concept and/or a path towards improved organizational measurement and performance. I distinguish theorizing IC as an alternative form of capital that can be summed with tangible capital (TC) from thinking of IC as that which mediates the economic value of TC. This suggests two quite different IC-engaging theories of the firm. I conclude that IC is simply a metaphor for our experience of sometimes dealing successfully with Knightian uncertainty. If this view can be sustained it follows that there is no way of measuring IC and our community’s principal project - to correct our accounting methods’ failure to do this - is deeply misguided.
Knowledge Assets and Value Creation Dynamics
Authors: Moustaghfir Karim , Schiuma Giovanni
Published: May 2011

Today’s business landscape is increasingly complex and turbulent, forcing firms to develop their capabilities in order to be able to face macro-forces such as globalization, hyper-competition, reduced product cycles and continuous innovation. In such a competitive scenario, firms have to identify and manage the crucial resources and sources for competitive advantage. The management literature has identified knowledge assets as critical drivers of performance and value creation. However, the understanding of how these strategic resources contribute to shape the organisational value creation dynamics still remains a concern to be fully disclosed. Especially the dynamic nature of knowledge assets and how they contribute to firm performance need to be clarified. This chapter, on the basis of a systematic literature review, aims to define a theoretical framework to explain how knowledge asset define the pillars to shape organisational capabilities and provide firms with a sustainable competitive advantage and long-term superior performance.
Why Measure Knowledge Assets?
Authors: Gray Dina
Published: May 2011

Organisations are struggling to understand what benefits can be realised through the measurement of their knoweldge assets even though many performance managers understand the importance of establishing causality between knowledge assets and business performance. This chapter discusses whether companies are truly realising benefits against the cost of spending time in creating, collecting and analysing knowledge asset data and if so, do those same companies understand what specific measures afford the greatest insight into improving their organisational efficiency and effectiveness.
Knowledge Asset Dynamics and Firm Performance
Authors: Moustaghfir Karim
Published: May 2011

In an economy characterized by rapid change, continuous innovation and high intensity and dynamism of competition, the analysis of strategy and competitive advantage has shifted from the more aggregate competitive forces to the idea that firms are essentially different and compete on the basis of their specific physical, human and organizational resources. The key to this new view of the firm as a collection of resources both human and material is understanding the relationships between resources, capabilities, competitive advantage, and profitability, in particular, an understanding of the mechanisms through which competitive advantage can be sustained over time. Even if knowledge assets have been widely recognized as the firm’s main value drivers, little guidance is provided of how these unique attributes affect the firm’s profitability and its overall performance. Through a case study research in the IT sector, this chapter provides empirical evidence as regards such interdependencies and analyze the effects of knowledge asset dynamics on firm’s performance and value creation mechanisms.
Patient Journey Record Systems (PaJR)
Authors: Martin Carmel M. , Biswas Rakesh , Joshi Ankur , Sturmberg Joachim P.
Published: May 2011

This chapter argues the need for a paradigm shift to focus health care from a top down fragmented process driven activity to a user-driven journey of the individual whose health is at stake. Currently many person/patients express needs that are often overlooked or not understood in the health system, and the frontline care workers express frustration in relation to care systems that prevent them from optimizing their care delivery. We argue that complex adaptive systems and social constructionist theories provide a link for knowledge translation that ultimately will lead to improved health care and better personal health outcomes/experiences. We propose the Patient Journey Record System (PaJR) as a conceptual framework to transform health care so that it supports and improves the experience of patients and improves the quality of care through adaptable and interconnected provider information and care systems. Information technology, social networking and digital democracy is proposed as a major solution to the need to put the patient and their journey at the centre of health and health care with real time shaping of care to this end. Placing PaJR at the centre of care would enable patients, caregivers, physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and students to contribute to improving care. PaJR should become a ‘discovery tool’ of new knowledge arising from different types of experiences ranging from the implicit knowledge in narratives through to the explicit knowledge that is formalized in the published peer reviewed literature and translated into clinical knowledge.
Practical Pointers in Medicine Over Seven Decades
Authors: James Richard
Published: May 2011

This chapter illustrates a life in medical practice and emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning in medicine through sharing of lived experiences. The life narratives display the authors own observations of what he has learned and unlearned over the years. Also added are observations about his retirement project - editing and publishing abstracts of the current primary care medicine literature - that exemplifies the need for health care professionals to continue sharing life-long.
Medical Humanities
Authors: Shankar P. Ravi
Published: May 2011

Medical Humanities (MH) provide a contrasting perspective of the arts to the ‘science’ of medicine. A definition of MH agreed upon by all workers is lacking. There are a number of advantages of teaching MH to medical students. MH programs are common in medical schools in developed nations. In developing nations these are not common and in the chapter the author describes programs in Brazil, Turkey, Argentina and Nepal. The relationship between medical ethics and MH is the subject of debate. Medical ethics teaching appears to be commoner compared to MH in medical schools. MH programs are not common in Asia and there are many challenges to MH teaching. Patient and illness narratives are become commoner in medical education. The author has conducted MH programs in two Nepalese medical schools and shares his experiences.
The User Driven Learning Environment
Authors: Biswas Rakesh , Sturmberg Joachim P. , Martin Carmel M.
Published: May 2011

This chapter is an introduction to user driven learning that initially dwells on features that are unchanged such as the role of collaborative social interactions in human learning and certain aspects that are evolving and helping create a learning transformation through web based technologies. The chapter is interspersed with user driven learning narrative examples taken from the authors’ own experience of sharing data over the web to accumulate learning points as well as the experience of a significant population of other web based learners in discussion forums, blogs and other networking sites. This is an attempt to create a background that may help illustrate the evolution of user driven health care, which is another form of user driven learning on the web with particular reference to individual user clinical problem solving, be it initiated by patients, health professionals or other actors in a care giving collaborative network across a web interface.
A User Driven Learning Environment in Botany
Authors: Garg J. M. , Valke Dinesh , Overton Max
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces the reader to a sample ‘User driven learning environment’ created in an online community with a special interest centred on trees and plants. It traces the development of an online learning community through the lived experiences and thoughts of its founding members and also includes conversational learning experiences of other users to illustrate the process of ‘user driven learning’ in online communities. It illustrates innovative sense making methodologies utilized by group members to create a more meaningful ‘User driven learning environment’ while simultaneously contributing in a positive way to create information resources at no cost along with creating awareness & scientific temper among members.
Online Learning in Discussion Groups
Authors: Schaefer David J. , Dervin Brenda
Published: May 2011

Recently, theorists concerned about the democratic quality of electronic group discussions have advocated the incorporation of situational information to facilitate consensus/dissensus activity. In this chapter, we demonstrate the utilization of a discussion group design and analytical process informed by Sense-Making Methodology to highlight the relationship between situational aspects of online dialogue and consensus/dissensus activity. We analyzed 1,360 messages submitted to three pedagogical discussion groups. The postings fell into two broad situational modes: (a) dialogic, which coincided with an outward orientation and a greater number of agreeing/disagreeing micro-practices, and (b) contemplative, which demonstrated more inwardly-focused personalized observations and far fewer agreeing/disagreeing micro-practices. These findings suggest that, counter to received theories advocating the privileging of user-to-user interaction within online discussion groups, both modes appeared to be important for robust communicative activities.
Unlearning and Relearning in Online Health Education
Authors: Sarbadhikari Suptendra Nath
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses the role of integrating medical education with medical practice through online collaborative learning among the various stakeholders involved with healthcare education and practice. It elaborates the discussion with examples of information needs and information-seeking behaviors of patients and physicians. The role of the Internet (infrastructure), and especially the WWW (applications and content), is elucidated with respect to the concepts of online collaborative learning as applied to medical education and practice where the emphasis is on user driven healthcare. “
Healthcare Narratives and Self-Care Stories
Authors: Greenop Daz , Glenn Sheila , Walshaw Martin , Ledson Martin
Published: May 2011

The aim of this chapter is to explore how a group of adults with cystic fibrosis (N=40) manage and account for self-care. By focussing on the development of character and plot, narrative analysis will illustrate how distinct patient identities may be constructed and performed as participants defend and justify their preferred self-care practices. These stories do not, however, always fit with the prevailing master narratives on which healthcare is often premised. Drawing on exemplars of 5 distinct types of storytelling an alternative user-driven taxonomy will be suggested which not only recognizes a range of self-care practices but also affirms their legitimacy beyond the horizons of mainstream biomedicine1.
Ubiquitous Information Therapy Service through Social Networking Libraries
Authors: Gavgani Vahideh Zarea
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces a model for Information Therapy service through social networks. It discusses how health care providers including physicians, medical specialist and residents can prescribe reliable, evidence based health information to the patients in web 2.0 environment. How evidence based health information incorporated into freely available health information sources? How health information is disseminated to general public through collaboration of health information professional and health care professionals? How health literacy can be improved through social networking health information? And, how user driven health information is disseminated through web 2.0? Recent advances in Information and Communication Technology especially social applications of web 2.0 have given new possibilities and abilities to librarians in rendering better, faster and ubiquitous information services. At the same time, it has created an equivalent right to information for patients/care givers and health providers. Nowadays, the importance of availability and accessibility of health information in healthcare system is realized and emphasized by healthcare providers, policy makers as well as consumers. Provision of reliable, timely, evidence based, right health information to patients/caregivers/consumers in the course of Information Therapy is a necessity for National Health Systems in all countries. This chapter deals with the definition of Information Therapy, importance of information therapy, changes in the preference of information users on how to access right information, Web 2.0, application of Web 2.0 in rendering Information Therapy Service, and a proposal model for Information Therapy service through Web 2.0.
Bridging Online and Offline Social Networks to Promote Health Innovation
Authors: Norman Cameron
Published: May 2011

Complex problems require strategies that leverage the knowledge of diverse actors working in a coordinated manner in order to address them in a manner that is appropriate to the context. Such strategies require building relationships among groups that enable them to network in ways that have the intensity of face-to-face meetings, but also extend over time. The Complexity, Networks, EHealth, & Knowledge Translation Research (CoNEKTR) model draws upon established methods of face-to-face social engagement and supported with information technology and proscribes an approach to issue exploration, idea generation and collective action that leverages social networks for health innovation. The model combines aspects of communities of practice, online communities, systems and complexity science, and theories of knowledge translation, exchange and integration. The process and steps of implementing the model are described using a case study applied to food systems and health. Implications for health research and knowledge translation are discussed.
Emerging Trends in User-Driven Healthcare
Authors: Victan Handan
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to explore transformations in market roles and relations that reflect collaborative, connective and communal characteristics among healthcare market actors, in light of technological advances and changing consumer-marketer institutional relationships. I exemplify how these transformations influence current market dynamics by providing a deep understanding of Web 2.0 applications in healthcare, specifically organizations that turn social networking into an enterprising virtual community in healthcare. In doing so, I explore how and why such systems develop and function, what makes patients and other actors in healthcare become a part of these systems, and how their interest and participation in these systems are maintained as they share their private health information and contribute to real-time medical research. Consequently, I suggest that current market dynamics in healthcare may be changing as a result of these systems utilizing social networking and engaging in reformation/reconstitution in the healthcare market.
An Inquiry into the Policies and Practices for Online Education at One U.S. Doctoral/Research-Extensive University
Authors: Bruce Peter A. , Zheng Robert Z.
Published: May 2011

The case study examines the policies and practices for online education at one doctoral/research-extensive university. It uses interview findings from the Chief Information Officer (CIO) as well as key secondary sources to better understand these policies and practices. The context for the study is one of dynamic interest in online education and reduced funding for public higher education nationwide. There were six recurring themes throughout the primary and secondary data. These were: 1) students; 2) technology; 3) teachers; 4) services; 5) resources; and 6) costs. These emergent themes are analyzed using the standards for online programs established by the agencies that accredit all American universities. The participating university was found to be a leader and innovator in the application of online and technology-mediated higher education. The case study methodology is offered as a template for the further study of online higher education. Applications in secondary and transition programs are also noted.
Full-Surround “Instructional Design” Support for Quality E-Learning
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: May 2011

Supporting quality e-learning in an institution of higher education is a non-trivial task. This challenge stems from the complexity of online learning with a mesh of laws (such as intellectual property and accessibility ones) and policies that undergird the foundational level of quality. There are the ever-evolving technological challenges—of technological learning platforms, digital learning objects, authoring tools, multimedia, the Internet, and the Web. In an academic environment which emphasizes academic freedom, there are few levers to motivate quality—except through faculty-imposed standards, funding mechanisms, quality endorsements, or other incentives. The variance in learning domains may make a shared concept of quality more elusive and likewise variant. Professional subject matter experts and faculty members have different preferences and standards as well, and their choices of teaching methods will vary. Learner expectations affect the concept and perception of quality. The normal constraints of resources, budget, time, knowledge, and skills, also apply as potential challenges to a friction-free development of quality e-learning. This chapter uses the instructional design framework to reflect on practical ways to support quality e-learning.
Old Dogs, New Tricks
Authors: Gallavan Nancy P.
Published: May 2011

Gallavan’s Critical Components and Multiple Contexts of Self Assessment Model provides the structure for monitoring one’s instructional efficacy coupled with guidelines for monitoring growth and pursuing appropriate professional development. Through the action research methodology of self study, the author conducted an extensive self assessment of her self efficacy as a seasoned teacher educator (one of many old dogs) analyzing her change processes as she expanded her repertoire to include online instruction (the new tricks). Reporting her findings based on the author’s emerging MIND over Matter framework, the outcomes of this study provide useful implications for the author and all instructors engaged in both face-to-face and online instruction.
God of War
Authors: Rauch Peter
Published: May 2011

In God of War, the protagonist Kratos seeks revenge against the Ares of Greek mythology. As Kratos, the player is called upon to act in a manner reminiscent of Nietzsche’s “master morality,” reveling in power unrestricted by concern for any “objective” moral code or sympathy for his fellow man. The structure of the action/adventure genre in which God of War operates is particularly well-suited to this kind of morality. With one hero amid a world of disposable non-player characters, punctuated by the occasional appearance of a “boss” figure that behaves more like Kratos, a stark distinction is made between the powerful and the weak. This dichotomy is at the heart of Nietzsche’s master/slave distinction. Kratos and Ares seek to inspire fear; the hordes of disposable Athenians they both slaughter so carelessly seek only to avoid it. In allowing gamers to “play with” a moral worldview so starkly defined, God of War becomes a valuable tool for investigating and critiquing moral ideas in general.
Teaching Executive Functions, Self-Management, and Ethical Decision-Making through Popular Videogame Play
Authors: Kulman Randy , Stoner Gary , Ruffolo Louis , Marshall Stephanie , Slater Jennifer , Dyl Amanda , Cheng Alice
Published: May 2011

Numerous studies support the contention that videogames can be useful in developing specific attention and memory skills. Videogames and other digital technologies also require the practice of critical-thinking and executive-functioning skills, but there is little evidence that these skills, which lead to decision-making and problem-solving skills, can be generalized from the game to the real world. This chapter examines strategies that use videogames to enhance the development of these problem-solving and ethical decision-making skills. This chapter discusses the use of these strategies with a clinical population of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities and considers methods for parents, teachers, and game publishers to make popular videogames a potent teaching tool for developing decision-making skills in children.