bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creativity, Digitality, and Teacher Professional Development
Authors: Mishra Punya , Henriksen Danah , Mehta Rohit
Published: August 2015

This article describes the development of a trans-disciplinary framework for creative teaching using technology. In recent years, the authors of this paper (and collaborators) have sought to better understand the role of creativity in educational technology. Our approach seeks to inform theory, research, and practice. In this piece we step back to provide a big-picture view of the process of developing a theoretical framework for creative, transformational teaching with digital technology. We describe the development of our ideas over time, through research projects focused on highly creative teachers and their practices. We describe how we have applied these ideas in teacher education courses devoted to creativity and technology, and developed rubrics for evaluating creative products. At a meta-level we aim to provide a rich example of the reciprocal nature of theory, research, and practice in educational technology. Through this we hope to provide one example of how such a theory/research/practice development process works, with the goal of informing future work of this type.
Integration of Data Mining and Statistical Methods for Constructing and Exploring Data Cubes
Authors: Usman Muhammad
Published: August 2015

In high dimensional environments, the sheer size and volume of data poses a number of challenges in order to generate meaningful and informative data cubes. Data cube construction and exploration is a manual process in which analysts are required to visually explore the complex cube structure in order to find interesting information. Data cube construction and exploration has been dealt separately in the literature and in the past there has been very limited amount of work done which would guide the data warehouse designers and analysts to automatically construct and intelligently explore the data cubes. In the recent years, the combined use of data mining techniques and statistical methods has shown promising results in discovering knowledge from large and complex datasets. In this chapter, we propose a methodology that utilizes hierarchical clustering along with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to generate informative data cubes at different levels of data abstraction. Moreover, automatically ranked cube navigational paths are provided by our proposed methods to enhance knowledge discovery from large data cubes. The methodology has been validated using real world dataset taken from UCI machine learning repository and the results show that the proposed approach assists in cube design and intelligent exploration of interesting cube regions.
Multi-Relational Data Mining A Comprehensive Survey
Authors: Gazala Ali H. , Ahmad Waseem
Published: August 2015

Multi-Relational Data Mining or MRDM is a growing research area focuses on discovering hidden patterns and useful knowledge from relational databases. While the vast majority of data mining algorithms and techniques look for patterns in a flat single-table data representation, the sub-domain of MRDM looks for patterns that involve multiple tables (relations) from a relational database. This sub-domain has received an increased research attention during the last two decades due to the wide range of possible applications. As a result of that growing attention, many successful multi-relational data mining algorithms and techniques were presented. This chapter presents a comprehensive review about multi-relational data mining. It discusses the different approaches researchers have followed to explore the relational search space while highlighting some of the most significant challenges facing researchers working in this sub-domain. The chapter also describes number of MRDM systems that have been developed during the last few years and discusses some future research directions in this sub-domain.
Artificial Immune Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Ahmad Waseem
Published: August 2015

Artificial immune system (AIS) is a paradigm inspired by processes and metaphors of natural immune system (NIS). There is a rapidly growing interest in AIS approaches to machine learning and especially in the domain of optimization. Of particular interest is the way human body responds to diseases and pathogens as well as adapts to remain immune for long periods after a disease has been combated. In this chapter, we are presenting a novel multilayered natural immune system (NIS) inspired algorithms in the domain of optimization. The proposed algorithm uses natural immune system components such as B-cells, Memory cells and Antibodies; and processes such as negative clonal selection and affinity maturation to find multiple local optimum points. Another benefit this algorithm presents is the presence of immunological memory that is in the form of specific memory cells which keep track of previously explored solutions. The algorithm is evaluated on two well-known numeric functions to demonstrate the applicability.
The Role of Hypermutation and Affinity Maturation in AIS Approaches to Clustering
Authors: Ahmad Waseem , Narayanan Ajit
Published: August 2015

In recent years, several artificial immune system (AIS) approaches have been proposed for unsupervised learning. Generally, in these approaches antibodies (or B-cells) are considered as clusters and antigens are data samples or instances. Moreover, antigens are trapped through free-floating antibodies or immunoglobulins. In all these approaches, hypermutation plays an important role. Hypermutation is responsible for producing mutated copies of stimulated antibodies/B-cells to capture similar antigens with higher affinity (similarity) measure and responsible to create diverse pool of solutions. Humoral-Mediated Artificial Immune System (HAIS) is an example of such algorithms. However, there is currently little understanding about the effectiveness of hypermutation operator in AIS approaches. In this chapter, we investigate the role of the hypermutation operator as well as affinity threshold (AT) parameters in order to achieve efficient clustering solutions. We propose a three-step methodology to examine the importance of hypermutation and the AT parameters in AIS approaches to clustering using basic concepts of HAIS algorithm. Here, the role of hypermutation in under-fitting and over-fitting the data will be discussed in the context of measure of entropy.
An Empirical Evaluation of Feature Selection Methods
Authors: Iqbal Mohsin , Rehman Saif Ur , Gillani Saira , Asghar Sohail
Published: August 2015

The key objective of the chapter would be to study the classification accuracy, using feature selection with machine learning algorithms. The dimensionality of the data is reduced by implementing Feature selection and accuracy of the learning algorithm improved. We test how an integrated feature selection could affect the accuracy of three classifiers by performing feature selection methods. The filter effects show that Information Gain (IG), Gain Ratio (GR) and Relief-f, and wrapper effect show that Bagging and Naive Bayes (NB), enabled the classifiers to give the highest escalation in classification accuracy about the average while reducing the volume of unnecessary attributes. The achieved conclusions can advise the machine learning users, which classifier and feature selection methods to use to optimize the classification accuracy, and this can be important, especially at risk-sensitive applying Machine Learning whereas in the one of the aim to reduce costs of collecting, processing and storage of unnecessary data.
Data Mining Driven Rule Based Expert System for Medical Billing Compliance
Authors: Abdullah Umair , Ahmed Aftab , Asghar Sohail , Zafar Kashif
Published: August 2015

Most of the data mining projects generate information (summarized in the form of graphs and charts) for business executives and decision makers; however it leaves to the choice of decision makers either to use it or disregard it. The manual use of the extracted knowledge limits the effectiveness of data mining technology considerably. This chapter proposes an architecture, in which data mining module is utilized to provide continuous supply of knowledge to a rule based expert system. Proposed approach solves the knowledge acquisition problem of rule based systems and also enhances effective utilization of data mining techniques (i.e. by supplying extracted knowledge to rule based system for automated use). The chapter describes the details of a data mining driven rule based expert system applied in medical billing domain. Main modules of the system along with the final analysis of performance of the system have also been presented.
Segmentation of Crops and Weeds Using Supervised Learning Technique
Authors: Zafar Noureen , Rehman Saif Ur , Gillani Saira , Asghar Sohail
Published: August 2015

In this article, segmentation of weeds and crops has been investigated by using supervised learning based on feed forward neural network. The images have been taken from the satellite imaginary for a specified region on the geographical space in Pakistan and perform edge detection by classical image processing scheme. The obtained samples are classified by data mining, based on artificial neural network model based on linear activation function at the input and output layer while threshold ramp function at hidden layer. A scenario based results are obtained at a huge samples of the weeds of the corn field and crop in the form of the mean square error based fitness evaluation function. The given scheme has the perks on the existed schemes as applicability of the designed framework, ease in implementation and less hardware needed for implementation.
An Overview of EFL Teachers' Individual Differences in CALL
Authors: Yadollahi Samaneh
Published: August 2015

Individual differences have been proven to be among the most important factors affecting technology acceptance and use among teachers. Individual differences consist of a range of traits from personal characteristics, to cognitive and emotional components. The purpose of this study was investigating two sets of variables affecting teachers' use of technology in language classes including personality characteristics (such as age, teaching experience, and gender) and technology-related variables (such as computer literacy, anxiety, attitude, use and ownership) in the literature. The chapter reviews the research done on the role of these factors in language teachers' acceptance and use of technology in language classes.
Asynchronous Online Peer Written Corrective Feedback
Authors: Vaezi Shahin , Abbaspour Ehsan
Published: August 2015

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether there is any statistically significant difference between the effects of asynchronous online peer WCF through blogging and face-to-face peer WCF on the writing achievement of Iranian EFL learners. The study also investigated the extent to which students revise their writings based on peer comments provided. This study also measured the attitude of students towards peer WCF through blogging as compared with that of the participants receiving face-to-face peer WCF. The findings indicated that there is no statistically significant difference between the effects of face-to-face and asynchronous online peer WCF on the writing achievement of the Iranian EFL learners. In terms of the extent of incorporating the peer comments in their final drafts, the participants in the FF group incorporated more of the comments they received into their second drafts in comparison with the OL group. Finally, it was revealed that the participants of each group generally expressed their satisfaction with both methods of peer review.
Integrating a Learning Management System into a Writing Course
Authors: Rahimi Mehrak , Miri Seyed Shahab
Published: August 2015

In this chapter the impact of using a leaning management system (LMS) to manage homework assignments on students' achievement in a letter writing course was investigated. Additionally, the relationship between students' attitudes toward the online system and their motivated strategies for learning was investigated. Two groups of students participated in the course. The experimental group used the LMS as the homework assistance to submit their homework for one semester. The control group did and delivered their homework using paper-and-pencil approach. The result of the data analysis revealed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in the writing post-test. Further, the students were found to have positive attitudes toward using technology to manage their homework and this attitude was found to be related to their motivated strategies for learning. The motivated strategies were found to be related to achievement in writing, while attitudes towards the system were not.
New Concepts, Old Known Issues
Authors: Pontes Halley M , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: August 2015

Background: Following the growing concern about ‘gaming addiction', the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and numerous scholars have suggested the need for unification and consensus for the assessment of gaming addiction, which is now possible given the recent formal recognition of ‘Internet Gaming Disorder' (IGD) by the APA since its inclusion in the DSM-5. Aims: In light of this, the aim of this chapter is to present the main findings concerning the development of the Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGD-20 Test) and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), two newly developed psychometric tools aimed to measure the extent of gaming disorder in online and/or offline players. Conclusions: The present findings support the viability of the two newly developed measures as adequate standardized psychometrically robust tools for assessing internet gaming disorder. Consequently, the new instruments represent the first step towards unification and consensus in the field of gaming studies.
“I Can't Do It by Myself”
Authors: Kuss Daria Joanna
Published: August 2015

The addiction to Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) is a contemporary phenomenon which emerges against the background of the dissolution of traditional communities. The individuals who participate in these games seek sociability and find a variety of options to partake in social life online. For a number of players, their engagement may take on addictive qualities, as characterised by symptoms similar to substance-related addictions. These symptoms include craving, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms as well as significant impairments in different areas of the individuals' lives. The aim of this chapter is to provide a qualitative account of how the fascination with playing MMORPGs can turn into addiction as experienced by clients seeking help in a specialized outpatient treatment centre in Germany. Moreover, it addresses their therapy motivation as indicated by their contemplation about and preparation for action. Five clients are interviewed and the results are analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Implications are discussed.
A Theoretical Model, Including User-Experience, Aesthetics, and Psychology, in the 3D Design Process
Authors: Photiadis Thomas , Souleles Nicos
Published: August 2015

This paper presents a theoretical model based on a formula that combines three theoretical factors which – it is argued - significantly contribute to the process of designing 3D avatars. These factors are aesthetics, user experience and psychology. The purpose of the paper is to put forward new ideas on what informs the design process of 3D avatars. An additional reason of the formulation and the proposal of a visualization through a formula, is to simplify the procedure of 3D avatars design while at the same time comprehending the influence of aesthetics, user experience and psychology. The paper provides an overview of existing research on aesthetics, user experience and psychology and how these can inform 3D avatars design procedure. As all theoretical models, this one too needs to be tested further so we propose a set of future research questions based on the model.
Advent of Information Technology in the world of Tourism
Authors: Iyer Vishak Ramesh , Dey Nilanjan , Chakraborty Sayan
Published: August 2015

Information Technology is one of the key factors of competitiveness. Internet is especially relevant to tourism since it enables knowledge about a consumer or a tourist to be gathered and vice versa. Tourism is dominated by the need to provide fast and accurate information to a consumer. The implications of IT revolution for tourism competitiveness and promotions are identified in different sectors of tourism and its closely associated industries. Globally IT is widely used in industries such as airlines and travel, hospitality, tour operators, travel agencies, reservation systems for tourism and destinations. This chapter looks at the different uses of information and communication technologies in tourism sector. It examines the impact of ICT on tourism industry and the new and innovative technologies which are used in tourism industry. It also indicates the problems and issues concerning information technology applications in tourism.
The Role of Marketing Strategies in the Tourism Industry
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: August 2015

This chapter introduces the role of marketing strategies in the tourism industry, thus explaining the application overview of marketing strategies in the tourism industry in terms of the consumer-oriented approach, the competitor-oriented approach, and the trade-oriented approach; the characteristics of consumer behavior in the tourism industry; brand management in the tourism industry; and strategic marketing in the tourism industry. This chapter has explained a wide variety of marketing strategies and an interdisciplinary perspective of tourism marketing that encompasses the academic and practical areas to effectively understand the concept of tourism marketing. Tourism marketing keeps up with the dynamic evolutions and the demands of tourism industry in relation to the diversity of tourism marketing in modern organizations. Applying the marketing strategies will significantly enhance marketing performance and achieve business goals in the tourism industry.
Tourism Marketing in Developing Countries
Authors: Hegazy Nermeen Atef Ahmed
Published: August 2015

Tourism is an attractive tool for economic development, especially in the developing world because tourism industry is considered as one of the largest and the most diverse industries in the world and it is one of the fastest growing sectors of the global economic. Many countries are seeking a way to improve their economic conditions; they see tourism as a major source of income, employment, and development of economic. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) researches assesses that the Travel & Tourism industry's contribution to GDP and jobs for 184 countries and 24 regions and economic groups in the world1.
A Birds Eye Views on Leisure Services
Authors: Raghunathan P. N.
Published: August 2015

This chapter highlights the conceptual framework of Leisure services like reviews of literature, importance, past and present scenario, benefits and challenges in leisure services, various view points on leisure, Christian perspective of leisure, kinds of leisure activities, leisure industry and its types. It is pinpointed in this chapter that people live like a machine in this modern computer world and having more stress. Hence, this chapter describes how one can plan and spend his\her free time fruitfully to come out of stress, to get relaxation and benefits out of it. Finally in conclusion clearly emphasize the importance of using leisure services without become addict of wrong choice of leisure activities.
Tourist Inflow in a Temple City
Authors: Sengupta Atanu , Hazra Anirban
Published: August 2015

This paper wishes to study the visitors' outlook & evaluation of a tourist place as experienced by them. We have selected Bishnupur in West Bengal, India as our sample sight. Our study reveals that opinion about Bishnupur as a tourist destination is negatively related with the problems & positively with the advantages. Socio economic factors such as occupation, caste as well as sub situational variables such as number of visits, reason for visit are important. In all Bishnupur is not a very attractive place as a tourist center even within the state. Given that Bishnupur has a long cultural history as well as cited in the official tourist website, the issue is alarming. The Government has started a number of initiatives (such a Bishnupur mela, renovation of the temple structure of Bishnupur & so on) to facilitated the place & make it attractive to the tourists. Our analysis show that there is a lot yet to done to bring up Bishnupur in the tourist center of the state, not to speak the Indian perspective.
Giving Brand Image to a Nation
Authors: Handayani Bintang , Rashid Basri
Published: August 2015

Adapting Keller's brand image theory (1993), this paper presents an exploratory framework for giving brand image to a nation. Utilizing unstructured interviews, the result suggests that tourism and hospitality attributes can be used for giving brand image to a nation and behavioral intention. Specifically, the result denotes that the perceived brand image of a nation is formed according to tourists' cognitive and affective beliefs, which at the end; influence the action to recommend to others and/or for repeat visitation. In addition, the “pretentious” nation brand campaign and national identity found in this exploratory study should be focused upon as variables for further research and testing the framework.
Role of Tourism Industry in Employment Generation
Authors: Esakki Thangasamy
Published: August 2015

Globally, ‘Tourism industry' has been considered as the second largest employer amongst other significant sectors contributing to economic growth. It is having a close nexus with employment generation and economic growth. When a country moves forward socially and economically, a need for expansion of employment avenues also grows simultaneously. Hence, Tourism Sector has a tremendous potential, especially in India, for development. The industry extends its territory by launching multifarious allied projects such as setting up of parks, sports clubs, hotels and restaurants, transport operations etc., In North East India, Nagaland is one of the States possessing an enormous potential for development of Tourism industry. This chapter is proposed to study the role of Tourism industry in boosting socio-economic development Nagaland, to focus on contribution of hotels and restaurants towards employment generation, to identify major marketing issues/bottlenecks the industry and to suggest corrective measures to ensure sustainable tourism marketing in the State.
The Impact of Ethnically Matched Animated Agents (Avatars) in the Cognitive Restructuring of Irrational Career Beliefs Held by Young Women
Authors: Hacker Robyn L. , Hardy Amanda O. , Webster Jacqueline , Xue (Yidan) Zhang  , Horan John J. , Atkinson Robert K. , Homer Judith
Published: August 2015

The Believe It! program developed and evaluated by was the first interactive, multimedia, psychological-education intervention deployed on the Internet. In a controlled study, the authors reported that the ethnically diverse cartoon models were partially successful in using cognitive restructuring to promote more reasonable career beliefs among Caucasian middle-school young women. It was not clear if the program's lack of efficacy among minority young women was due to computer literacy factors affected by SES. Subsequently, four studies explored the role of matching or mismatching the ethnicity of animated agents in a graphically enhanced program with young women receiving the cognitive restructuring treatment. Each of the studies used the same four outcome measures (Occupational Sex-Role Questionnaire, Believe It Measure, Career Beliefs Inventory, and the Career Myths Scale) before and after matched and mismatched participants received the Believe It! intervention. analyzed data from African-American participants, Latinas, Asian-Americans, and ethnically isolated Caucasian young women. The current article reports that the results of these four studies are consistent with similar research involving live counselor and client dyads (e.g., ). The Believe It! program had a clear impact on ethnically matched African-American young women, whereas pairings on ethnicity produced, at best, marginally improved outcomes for Latinas, Asian-Americans, and ethnically isolated Caucasian young women.
A Study on Job Cognition of Internet Pushing Hands
Authors: Wu Mei , Chen Zhiqun
Published: August 2015

The so-called “Internet pushing hands” (wangluo tuishou) are participants of promotional information propagation specific to Chinese cyberspace, which is based on a pay-per-post business model and viral marketing. Internet pushing hands operatives utilize paid commentators who under multiple identities post coordinated messages to social media sites according to a prearranged strategy of commentary production and distribution. If the campaign grows through the electronic word of mouth and goes viral, it draws attention of print and broadcast media and creates national news centered on the promoted product, service, or person. This study examines the phenomenon of Internet pushing hands through cognitions of its workforce, i.e., how wangluo tuishou feel about their jobs. Using Q methodology, the authors identify four types of workers employed by Internet pushing hand operations, namely: peripheral, hype-oriented, career-minded, and task-oriented workers. The analysis explicates the ambiguous status of the unregulated Internet pushing hand industry in China and its uncertain future.
A Brief History of Networked Classrooms to 2013
Authors: Abrahamson Louis , Brady Corey
Published: August 2015

The original work spoke of a burgeoning sense of excitement surrounding networked classrooms and their growing use throughout universities worldwide. Today, the picture is more complex and substantially more interesting. Driving forces, which include growing acceptance of the evolving nature of teaching and learning, high quality experiments showing what works, and a revolution in the capability, cost, and ease of use of the enabling technologies, are changing the world of education. This is evidenced by the dramatic spread of networked classrooms: today almost every K-12 school and 1 in 6 classrooms in the USA have a system. This evolution, and the interwoven forces that have produced it, make an interesting tale. But, perhaps even more interesting is the future that these events portend. This paper tries to relate the past in order to look toward that future. Beginning with a brief history of early response systems, it takes up the story from the first author's own experience leading a team through hardware barriers, misconceptions about pedagogy, and subsequent classroom successes, to summarize the variety of uses of classroom networks, and how they can lead to improved teaching and learning. It then describes the struggles to evolve the technology from 1st to 2nd generation, and a subsequent nationwide randomized control trial in the teaching of Algebra, using this newer technology, which yielded significant gains in student learning. Finally, imbedded within the narrative, are growing revelations that show why this is such a potentially important area of study for improving education, and why more powerful types of modern systems appear imminent.
Problems First, Second, and Third
Authors: Hill Gary , Turner Scott
Published: August 2015

This paper considers the need to focus initial programming education on problem-solving, prior to the teaching of programming syntax and software design methodology. The main vehicle for this approach is simple Lego based robots programmed in Java, followed by the programming of a graphical representation/simulation to develop programming skills. Problem solving is not trivial (Beaumont & Fox, 2003) and is an important skill, central to computing and engineering. The paper extends the authors earlier research on problems first and problem solving () to further emphasise the importance of problem-solving, problem based learning and the benefits of both physical and visual solutions. An approach will be considered, illustrated with a series of problem-solving tasks that increase in complexity at each stage and give the students practice in attempting problem-solving approaches, as well as assisting them to learn from their mistakes. Some of the problems include ambiguities or are purposely ill-defined, to enable the student to resolve these as part of the process. The benefits to students will be discussed including students' statements that this approach, using robots, provides a method to visually and physically see the outcome of a problem. In addition, students report that the method improves their satisfaction with the course. The importance of linking the problem-solving robot activity and the programming assignment, whilst maintaining the visual nature of the problem, will be discussed, together with the comparison of this work with similar work reported by other authors relating to teaching programming using robots (). In addition, limitations will be discussed relating to the access to the physical robots and the alternative attempts to simulate the robots using three options of, Microsoft Robotics Studio (MSRS), Lego Mindstorms and Greenfoot simulators.
Widening the Participation of Disadvantaged Students in Engineering
Authors: Sciffer Scott , Shah Mahsood
Published: August 2015

The University of Newcastle, Australia has a long history of providing enabling education which provides access and opportunity for students to participate in undergraduate education. The enabling programs at the University allow higher school leavers, and mature aged adults to prepare for undergraduate degrees. Students who complete enabling education at the University undertake undergraduate studies in various disciplines including engineering. This paper outlines the extent to which enabling programs have played an important role in widening the participation of disadvantaged students in engineering disciplines. The different levels of academic preparedness of students in enabling programs and barriers faced in learning require effective strategies for teaching and engaging students in learning. The paper outlines the strategy used in teaching an advanced level of mathematics to the diverse groups of students to prepare them for success in first year undergraduate engineering programs. While research on undergraduate engineering education is significant, limited studies have been undertaken on enabling or university preparatory programs and their impact in various professions.
Gender and Self-Selection Among Engineering Students
Authors: Cook Maci , Chimka Justin
Published: August 2015

Gender and graduation rates of first time engineering college students have been analyzed as a function of academic and demographic variables in order to investigate the hypothesis that an advantage to women with respect to student success might be attributed to their socioeconomic advantages as a student population. The authors present descriptive, graphical, and model-based evidence to support their ideas about gender and self-selection driven by other demographic factors that leave a disproportionate number of women out of higher education, but create a group of female students more likely than their male counterparts to succeed.
Framework of Competencies for Internationalizing Engineering Curriculum
Authors: Ayokanmbi Fola Michael
Published: August 2015

The globalization of corporate activities requires corporations to function through their international network of subsidiaries and has major implications for engineering education. Hence, it is imperative that engineering students have a global view of engineering practice because engineering solutions have impact across geographical borders. The cultural, geographic, social, and economic realities of the global economy require that modern engineers be competent in foreign language and culture in order to succeed in the global business environment. Equipping engineering students with social and cultural competencies would provide students, who may potentially work on international assignments, with the ability to collaborate with foreign nationals and successfully function in a global engineering environment. This paper examines the impact of globalization on engineering and technology education and discusses the competencies required to ensure that engineering and technology students are adequately prepared to make them more effective in foreign environments.
Professional Skills Assessment
Authors: Kulturel-Konak Sadan , Konak Abdullah , Kremer Gul Okudan , Esparagozza Ivan E.
Published: August 2015

Today's global economy demands that new graduates excel in not only technical knowledge but also professional skills. In fact, the lack of professional skills in project teams has been identified among the most important factors contributing to the high failure rate of complex engineering projects. As a response, academic programs have incorporated professional skills in their curricula. However, there are challenges in the assessment of learning outcomes related to professional skills. This paper presents a novel assessment framework based on the Model of Domain Learning, to assess students' development in professional skills across different disciplines. The proposed assessment model can be tailored to various learning objectives and student levels to facilitate integration of the assessment of professional skills into an overall program assessment plan. An empirical study, which assesses the teamwork communication skills, is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework and its advantages as compared to other traditional assessment rubrics in engineering and technology education.
Quality Facets in Educational Process for Enhanced Knowledge Creation
Authors: Baporikar Neeta
Published: August 2015

Education is a complex business with many interacting facets of quality in many varied contexts. To understand what is going on it is necessary to have a way of conceiving these varied facets or variables involved. What does quality mean in the context of education? Many definitions of quality in education exist, testifying to the complexity and multifaceted nature of the concept. Incessant assessment and improvement can focus on any or all of the facets. The extent to which indicators of quality have shaped both the politics of higher education and institutional priorities is not a new phenomenon. Through grounded theory and content analysis this paper will examine quality facets in educational process for enhanced knowledge creation which is the need of the current hour. It is important to keep in mind education's systemic nature, however; these facets are interdependent, influencing each other in ways that are sometimes unforeseeable.
Extended Earned Value Management Based on Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making
Authors: Golpîra Hêriş
Published: August 2015

This paper proposes an extended earned value management (EEVM) as an integrated comprehensive project progress measurement technique. The method considers all of project key success factors, simultaneously. That is the method guaranties the realistic weights achievement to implement project control and scheduling. The weights are employed to publish a correct and comprehensive progress reports which can guarantee the future decisions for the project. It is noteworthy that the weighting approach is not just an earned value management (EVM), but it covers its concept. Since, the method is comprehensive and according to its ability to take any key success factors in to account, it can be used as a good alternative for the EVM approach, and can be called as an EEVM. The method combines the fuzzy group analytic hierarchy process (FGAHP) and fuzzy technique of order performance by similarity to ideal solution (FTOPSIS) to define activity weights according to some projects uncertain data. Taking to account the advantages of FGAHP for criteria weighting besides FTOPSIS for activity weighting provides a flexible method works with human habits and projects vagueness and uncertainty. Efficiency of the proposed method has been practically verified on a stadium in Kurdistan. The results illustrate superiority of the method in case of comprehensiveness and flexibility in comparison with the other methods.
Innovation Policies in Managing Growth for High-Tech Companies
Authors: Xia Belle Selene
Published: August 2015

Given the high percentage of turnover invested in R&D, the cost structure and segmentation of investment in high-tech firms necessitate regular review of resource allocation. For high-tech firms, the vital importance of innovation management is one of the building stones of a successful business. The key question remains how innovations can be managed throughout the S-curve of technological performance from the strategic point of view? The aim of this study is to capture an innovation framework for high-tech firms enabling them to actualize the value of technological breakthroughs based on a case study. The author's results are performance-driven. She will address some of the causes behind a technological failure along with its impact on the firm's profit margins. Based on the management insights of her case company, the author sees that innovation policies in high-tech companies can be dissected into four main management phases: sources, formulation, execution and maintenance. New research opportunities are opened in the performance review of technological innovations for listed companies.
Empowering Microfinance Processes through Hybrid Cloud Based Services
Authors: Gasmelseid Tagelsir Mohamed
Published: August 2015

Microfinance plays an important role in the improvement of the livelihood of people especially in developing countries. The provision of microfinance services (such as micro loans, insurance, savings and technical assistance, among others) are considered as good measures for the reduction of poverty and levels of unemployment. The expansion of microfinance services has been accompanied with unprecedented technological developments that significantly affected the operational efficiency of microfinance institutions and dictated new axioms for information sharing. This paper is concerned with the use of hybrid cloud information infrastructures to facilitate engagement with stakeholders and improve the ability of MFIs to realize their business and social goals. The proposed infrastructure adopts a holistic approach that goes beyond viewing cloud services as being limited to the use of software-as-a-service (SaaS). In addition to describing the entire hybrid cloud environment, this paper reflects on the collective use of its “private” and “public” cloud components.
Requirement Prioritization of Complex Web 2.0 Application based on Effects on Regression Testing
Authors: Gupta Varun , Chauhan D.S. , Dutta Kamlesh
Published: August 2015

Web 2.0 applications are complex information systems. Likewise any desktop applications, web applications are complex and require effective requirement prioritization preceded by effective decision aspect prioritization by involving diverse stakeholders. During the release of new increments, objective is to provide value to the software and simultaneously lowering the regression testing effort. This can be achieved by implementing all highest priority requirements along with those dependent on them so that next increments implemented requirements independent of already implemented ones. The challenges involved in aspect selection, requirement prioritization, and effective selection of the security requirements of Web 2.0 application makes its incremental deliveries a complex task as compared to that of desktop applications. The proposed requirement prioritization process is hybrid approach i.e. Based on combination of negotiations and methods to prioritize both decision aspects and software requirements. This technique reduces regression testing effort by taking an impact on regression testing as one of the parameters during prioritization and overcomes various problems related to prioritization of web 2.0 applications. This technique is applied on live system of “Virtual Classroom”, by employing three stakeholder groups with total 8 stakeholders. Results were promising since it resulted in the successful delivery of web application due to effective aspect and requirement prioritization thereby leading to reduced regression testing effort.
Alert Driven Communications Management for Children Music Learning Based on Suzuki Method
Authors: Chan Cheuk-Ting , Cheng Kiko Tsz Lan , Chiu Dickson K.W.
Published: August 2015

It is widely believed that parents' involvement in students' music learning is vital to their success. Shinichi Suzuki not only provided teachers with useful and logical teaching skills, but also stressed on the importance of the parents as a “home teacher”. To enhance the interactions among parents, students, and teachers as well as encourage parental participation, this paper proposes a Web 2.0 learning platform (WASSAP) with an Alert Management System (AMS) as a solution to tackle problems of busy parents who do not have adequate time to involve in students' music learning. The system can facilitate busy parents to pay more attention to students' learning progress, with the AMS managing the underlining communication among various parties involved.
MedLink: A Mobile Intervention to Address Failure Points in the Treatment of Depression in General Medicine
Authors: Mohr David , Montague Enid , Stiles-Shields Colleen , Kaiser Susan , Brenner Christopher , Palac Hannah , Carty-Fickes Eric , Duffecy Jenna
Published: August 2015

Major depression is common, and imposes Major depression is common, and imposes a high burden in terms of cost, morbidity, and suffering. Most people with depression are treated in general medicine using antidepressant medication. Outcomes are poor due to failure points across the care system, including patient non-adherence, failure of physicians to optimize the treatment regimens, and lack of patient-physician communication. This study reports on the 4-week pilot deployment of MedLink, a mobile intervention aimed at systemically addressing each of these failure points. A mobile app provides the patient with information and collects data on symptoms and side-effects. A cellularly enabled pill bottle monitors medication adherence. Data from these are provided to the physician and patient to foster communication and medication adjustments. Usability evaluation was generally favorable. Medication adherence rates in this first deployment were high with no patients discontinuing, and 84% of doses taken. Depressive symptom severity was significantly reduced. This study supports the use of a comprehensive, systemic approach to mHealth solutions to enhance processes of care for depression by general medicine physicians.
Mining Minds: an innovative framework for personalized health and wellness support
Authors: Banos Oresti , Amin Muhammad , Khan Wahajat , Ali Taqdir , Afzal Muhammad , Kang Byeong , Lee Sungyoung
Published: August 2015

The world is witnessing a spectacular shift in the delivery of health and wellness care. The key ingredient of this transformation consists in the use of revolutionary digital technologies to empower people in their self-management as well as to enhance traditional care procedures. While substantial domain-specific contributions have been provided to that end in the recent years, there is a clear lack of platforms that may orchestrate, and intelligently leverage, all the data, information and knowledge generated through these technologies. This work presents Mining Minds, an innovative framework that builds on the core ideas of the digital health and wellness paradigms to enable the provision of personalized healthcare and wellness support. Mining Minds embraces some of the currently most prominent digital technologies, ranging from Big Data and Cloud Computing to Wearables and Internet of Things, and state-of-the-art concepts and methods, such as Context-Awareness, Knowledge Bases or Analytics, among others. This paper aims at thoroughly describing the efficient and rational combination and interoperation of these modern technologies and methods through Mining Minds, while meeting the essential requirements posed by a framework for personalized health and wellness support.
Older Adults’ Attitudes to Self-Management of Health and Wellness through Smart Home Data
Authors: Doyle Julie , Caprani Niamh , Bond Rodd
Published: August 2015

Smart homes have significant potential to enhance the lives of older adults, extending the period of healthy ageing, through monitoring wellbeing, detecting decline and applying interventions to prevent or slow down this decline. In this paper we present results from interviews with 7 older adults who have been living in smart homes for over 4 years. Our aims were to 1) examine attitudes to living with sensors and AAL technology over time; 2) gather opinions on the usefulness of this data for supporting self-management of health and wellbeing and 3) evaluate the effectiveness of various visualization techniques for presenting sensor-based health and wellness data. Our findings show that older adults are interested in receiving feedback from sensor technology to support them self-managing their wellbeing. Potential beneficial information includes time spent inside and outside the home, walking time, sleep, activity, blood pressure and weight. This information needs to be enhanced by education and goal-setting and by representing data using visualisations that are simple and intuitive.
Towards Designing Social Question-and-Answer Systems for Behavioral Support of Individuals with Autism
Authors: Hong Hwajung , Abowd Gregory , Arriaga Rosa
Published: August 2015

Individuals with autism need a network of support to overcome the wide range of challenges in their daily life. Social media hold the promise for improving the quality of life of individuals with autism by offering remote advice for these daily challenges. In the paper, we study an online autism forum as a social question-and-answer (Q&A) venue. We examine 1,277 threads on the forum to characterize topics and types of questions asked by members. Our findings indicate that the majority of questions seek subjective advice and require knowledge about socially appropriate behavior—knowledge perhaps not easily elicited from the forum itself. Based on the identified opportunities and challenges, this paper contributes design recommendations for features in pervasive social computing systems that enhance online Q&A experience for individuals with autism.
Authorization-based Approach for Customized Automated Resource Provisioning Services
Authors: Orawiwattanakul Tananun , Otsuki Hideki , Kawai Eiji , Shimojo Shinji
Published: August 2015

Combining the concept of software control with existing legacy network technology promotes new networking services with low capital expenditure. Currently, many testbeds and academic operators provide bandwidth on demand (BoD) services over layers 2 and 3 wide area network. BoD decreases operational expenditures and manual errors. However, administrators must continue to manually configure virtual circuits for different stakeholders to accommodate configuration conflicts, quality of service (QoS), and service policies. This paper proposes a BoD framework called AutoNET to provide a set of BoD services with independent abstract topologies, resource allocation, and different QoS levels. User authorization is employed to control the eligibility to access a given BoD service. AutoNET uses the extended On-Demand Secure Circuits and Advance Reservation System (OSCARS) as controller software and MultiProtocol Label Switching (MPLS) as a transport technology.