bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stochastic Methods for Hard Optimization
Authors: Toscano Rosario
Published: May 2010

This chapter aims at solving difficult optimization problems arising in many engineering areas. To this end, a brief review of the main stochastic methods which can be used for solving continuous non-convex constrained optimization problems is presented i.e.: Simulated annealing (SA), Genetic algorithm (GA), and Particle swarm optimization (PSO). In addition to that, we will present a recently developed optimization method called Heuristic Kalman Algorithm (HKA) which seems to be, in some cases, an interesting alternative to the conventional approaches. The performance of these methods depends dramatically on the feasible search domain used to find out a solution as well as the initialization of the various user defined parameters. From this point of view, some practical indications concerning these issues will be given. Another objective of this chapter is to show that the stochastic methods, notably HKA, can be efficiently used to solve robust synthesis problems in the area of structured control and fault diagnosis systems. More precisely, we will deal with the following problems: the synthesis of a robust controller with a given fixed structure and the design of a robust residual generator. Some numerical experiments exemplify the resolution of this kind of problems.
An Advanced IDE for Designing Transparent Fuzzy Agents
Authors: Acampora Giovanni , Fischetti Enrico , Gisolfi Antonio , Loia Vincenzo
Published: May 2010

Recently, computational agents received significant attention in computer science research community. In fact, intelligent agents methodology is a powerful artificial intelligence technology showing considerable promise as a new paradigm for mainstream software development and able to offer new ways of abstraction, decomposition, and organization that fit well with our natural view of the world. However, despite their promise, intelligent agents are still scarce in the market place. A key reason for this is that developing intelligent agent software requires significant training and skill. Artificial Intelligence methodologies and computer networking tools represent the necessary basic knowledge to design and implement advanced agents oriented systems. This paper introduces an integrated development environment supporting the agents developers to design fuzzy-based agents in a simple and fast way. Proposed framework has been realized by integration of theoretical methodologies as fuzzy logic and labeled tree, together with Open Source Software tools as JaxMe2.
Intelligent Control and Optimal Operation of Complex Electric Power Systems Using Hierarchical Neural Networks
Authors: Chen Dingguo , Mohler Ronald R.
Published: May 2010

This chapter is aimed at developing a unified neural network based framework that can be utilized in prediction and control of complex dynamic system behaviors. In particular, in power systems, accurate prediction of system load behavior provides vital information to allow for optimal planning and most economic operation of power systems; on the other hand, the real-time system stability must be maintained against various random factors, disturbances and contingencies. The hierarchical neural networks are studied in depth in the context of prediction, optimization and control; and unified design techniques are developed for providing control robustness, optimality and prediction accuracy as well. The unified methodology builds upon hierarchical neural networks, and may be utilized and extended for other practical applications.
Fault Detection, Isolation and Characterisation for Discrete Event Systems Based on Petri Nets Models
Authors: Lefebvre Dimitri , Leclercq Edouard , El Mehdi Souleiman Ould
Published: May 2010

Petri net models are used to detect and isolate faults in case of discrete event systems as manufacturing, robotic, communication and transportation systems. This chapter addresses two problems. The first one is the structure designs and parameters identification of the Petri net models according to the observation and analysis of the sequences of events that are collected. Deterministic and stochastic time Petri nets are concerned. The proposed method is based on a statistical analysis of data and has a practical interest as long as sequences of events are already saved by supervision systems. The second problem concerns the use of the resulting Petri net models to detect, isolate and characterize faults in discrete event systems. This contribution includes the characterization of intermittent faults. This issue is important because faults are often progressive from intermittent to definitive and early faults detection and isolation improve productivity and save money and resources.
Monitoring of Non Stationary Systems Using Dynamic Pattern Recognition
Authors: Hartert Laurent , Mouchaweh Moamar Sayed , Billaudel Patrice
Published: May 2010

The monitoring of non stationary systems permit to follow online the evolutions and changes which occur in the course of time. In Pattern Recognition (PR) the functioning modes are represented by a set of similar patterns, called classes. These patterns are obtained by observation of the most informative parameters of the system. To realize the monitoring of a system functioning PR methods uses a classifier which determines at each instant the class of a new incoming pattern. In this paper, we propose to develop the classification method Incremental Fuzzy Pattern Matching (IFPM) to be operant in the case of dynamic classes and to be used for the online monitoring of evolving systems. IFPM gives good results for static classes and its classification time is constant according to the size of the database. However, with non stationary systems, the classifier parameters must be adapted in order to take into account the temporal changes of classes’ characteristics. These temporal changes can be represented for example by a displacement, a rotation, a splitting, or a fusion of classes. Therefore, the classification method must be able to forget the information which is no more representative of classes and it must adapt its parameters based only on the recent and useful information. This development is based on the use of an incremental algorithm allowing to follow the accumulated gradual changes of classes’ characteristics after the classification of each new pattern. When these changes reach a suitable predefined threshold, the classifier parameters are adapted online using the recent and useful patterns. The developed method is applied on several simulations and on a two tanks benchmark.
Quaternion Based Machine Condition Monitoring System
Authors: Wong Wai Kit , Loo Chu Kiong , Lim Way Soong
Published: May 2010

In this chapter, a new and effective quaternion based machine condition monitoring system using log-polar mapper, quaternion based thermal image correlator and max-product fuzzy neural network classifier is discussed. Two classification characteristics namely: peak to sidelobe ratio (PSR) and real to complex ratio of the discrete quaternion correlation output (?-value) are applied in the quaternion based machine condition monitoring system. Large PSR and ?-value are observed in case of a good match among correlation of the input thermal image with a particular reference image, while small PSR and ?-value are observed in case of a bad/not match among correlation of the input thermal image with a particular reference image. Some simulation results show that log-polar mapping actually help solving rotation and scaling invariant problems in quaternion based thermal image correlation. Log-polar mapping can help in smoothing the output correlation plane, and hence it provides a better way for measuring PSR and ?-values. Results also show that quaternion based machine condition monitoring system is an efficient machine condition monitoring system with accuracy more than 98%.
Technology Enhanced Distance Learning Utilising Sakai CLE and Adobe Connect Pro
Authors: McGourty Juley , Risquez Angelica
Published: May 2010

On-line environments have been incorporated in the Distance learning programmes of the International Equine Institute (IEI) in order to address concerns about streamlining assessment turn-around, distance student attendance at tutorials, providing more detailed and quicker assignment feedback, student peer interaction, student to tutor1 interaction and, of course, student support. The overriding concern was to provide a more flexible, active learning environment to develop and enhance learning opportunities while, concurrently, integrating more closely the learning activities of the student with the University of Limerick (UL) community. The impetus, therefore, was to make studies convenient and attractive to the location of the distance student, while maintaining educational quality through the provision of pedagogical innovations and at the same time providing a social and interactive environment to support the distance student. In so doing, the IEI uses the collaborative learning environment (CLE) Sakai (www.Sakaiproject.org) to support the distance student and also utilises Adobe Connect Pro™ to deliver on-line synchronous desktop-to-desktop tutorials. This chapter outlines aspects drawn from our experiences with the on-line support and delivery of distance learning programmes. Throughout, various recommendations on enhancing the experiences for students are also presented.
Preparing Faculty for a Learning Management System Transition
Authors: Baylen Danilo M. , Hancock Mary , Mullen Carol M. , Coleman Mary Angela
Published: May 2010

This chapter focuses on the impact of a change in the use of a learning management system (LMS) at one university. Survey data captured faculty members’ viewpoints on the transition from one LMS to another, specifically, their dispositions toward technology and change, preparation and prior experiences, need for support, and access to available resources. The inquiry focuses on potential activities and infrastructures that can be established to support the faculty, as LMS users, when a new system is introduced. Also, it explores the types of knowledge, skills, and dispositions that faculty may have or need to effectively and efficiently use the new system to support their work. Finally, strategies are recommended to enhance faculty members’ dispositions, preparation, support and access to resources.
Using a Learning Management System to Facilitate Learning Outcomes Assessment
Authors: Tello Steven F. , Motiwalla Luvai
Published: May 2010

Increased demands for accountability among state and federal policy makers require that colleges and universities improve the process of measuring student learning outcomes. Despite a growing need, there has been limited development of integrated, electronic processes and tools that facilitate assessment of student progress toward program-level learning outcomes. Collecting student course materials, classifying by program and course-level objectives and reporting the results remains a tedious and labor-intensive task. This project demonstrates how course-level assessment data from a learning management system (LMS) can be utilized for program-level outcomes assessment. A pilot system was developed to integrate data from a LMS to provide continuous reporting of program and course-level assessment with minimal additional effort from faculty and students. This chapter shares the authors’ outcomes assessment system development approach, faculty development approach, and the lessons learned from their project, including the challenges confronted during system implementation.
Integrating New Open Source Assessment Tools into dotLearn LMS
Authors: Moreno-Clari Paloma , Sanchis-Kilders Esteban
Published: May 2010

The convergence process initiated by the European Higher Education Space (EHES) has changed the approach to the teaching and learning process focusing largely on monitoring the progress of the student. This task can be simplified with the proper use of tools integrated in the universities’ Learning Management Systems (LMS). Most of these platforms have modules for managing the evaluation and to create online examinations. However, they do not tend to contemplate ways of evaluation depending on the subjects taught. This chapter presents a tool for continuous evaluation of a variety of subjects and their integration into a LMS based on open source. In the University of Valencia’s particular case, the LMS includes facilities to create online examinations, but it does not provide a user-friendly interface. To improve the usability of this module a computer program has been developed to simplify the evaluation process.
Hybrid Dialog
Authors: Zimmermann Tobias , Bucher Karen-Lynn , Hurtado Daniel
Published: May 2010

Attendance at classical lectures usually leads to rather poor learning success. A wide variety of studies show that while lectures are as effective as any other method for transmitting information, they are inferior in many other dimensions. Lectures are not as effective as discussion methods in promoting thought and they are ineffective at teaching behavioral skills and subject-related values as well as at awakening interest in a subject. Still ex-cathedra teaching is a favored way to cope with a high student-to-teacher ratio. To solve this conflict between organizational and pedagogical requirements, a group of researchers at the Institute of Teacher Education at the University of Zurich has developed a hybrid course setting using an online learning platform. Their setting incorporates a dialog among students within a large lecture class. Furthermore a feedback loop enables the lecturer to continuously adjust the content of the lecture to the learning process of the students. In this article, the authors first present the structure of this setting and then illustrate how to implement it by the web-based open source learning management system OLAT (Online Learning and Training). Based on their research, they focus on key components for the success of their hybrid dialog. They show how individual and group learning can be fostered with corresponding assignments, assessments, and assigned roles such as moderators. Thus, the authors will define their position that the challenge of a large lecture class can be met while successfully implementing social learning and process-oriented assessments of academic achievement.
Managing Case-Based Learning with Interactive Case Study Libraries
Authors: Jiang Hao , Carroll John M. , Ganoe Craig
Published: May 2010

This chapter discusses a particular pedagogical methodology, case-based learning, and introduces an application that supports case studies. It suggests that authenticity, social interaction, community of practice, and resource accumulation are especially important for design and implementation of case-based learning systems. To make the arguments more vivid, the chapter also introduces a case study library that supports usability engineering education. Some of the suggestions are more related to case libraries or systems alike in particular, and some are valuable for learning management systems in general. The authors hope their study can invoke further research of computer-supported case studies in educational and CSCL communities, and more applications supporting this pedagogical approach will be developed.
Experiences and Opinions of Online Learners
Authors: Beaudoin Michael F.
Published: May 2010

The International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction (IBSTPI) engaged in a research study in 2007-2009 to survey learners enrolled in online education and training. The project attempts to better understand how students engage in learning in online environments, and to identify the critical factors that affect their satisfaction and success. This data is intended to arrive at a set of competencies critical to online learners’ success to be disseminated for use by online learners, as well as providers. This chapter reports findings and analyses of a 58 question survey administered online that yielded 318 responses from American, Israeli, Mexican and Japanese cohorts. The study revealed that the majority of respondents rated their satisfaction and success with online learning as positive, and that these outcomes were largely due to self-motivation and time-management, rather than provider resources. The discussion addresses the impact of instructional resources, to ascertain if characteristics of the online environment are a dominant factor in influencing students’ attitudes, behaviors, and learning outcomes. Practical application of findings is considered by articulating a preliminary set of online learner competencies.
A Model for Culturally Adaptive Policy Management in Ad Hoc Collaborative Contexts
Authors: Karat John , Sieck Winston , Norman Timothy J. , Karat Clare-Marie , Brodie Carolyn , Rasmussen Louise , Sycara Katia
Published: May 2010

In this chapter, the authors consider an approach to advancing the value of context-sensitive policy management technology for collaborative mission planning and execution through integration of algorithms based on cultural models and collaborative decision making. Three research teams collaborated to leverage their research frameworks and results in policy lifecycle management, cultural analysis, and decision support in this effort. The chapter describes the three technical areas, and the results of a theoretical analysis of the potential value of their integration in a new perspective, combined with a set of research questions that might be addressed in further inquiry in this new area. The theoretical work identifies opportunities for addressing challenging issues in policy, culture, and collaborative decision making. The authors conclude with a view of future research that might provide a breakthrough in this intersection of disciplines and lead to the creation of a culturally aware policy management system for collaborative activities.
The Network-Extended Mind
Authors: Smart Paul R. , Engelbrecht Paula C. , Braines Dave , Strub Michael , Giammanco Cheryl
Published: May 2010

Whereas the traditional view in cognitive science has been to view mind and cognition as something that is the result of essentially inner, neural processes, the extended cognition perspective claims that at least some human mental states and processes stem from complex webs of causal influence involving extra-neural resources, most notably the resources of our social and technological environments. In this chapter the authors explore the possibility that contemporary and near-future network systems are poised to extend and perhaps transform our human cognitive potential. They also examine the extent to which the information and network sciences are relevant to their understanding of various forms of cognitive extension, particularly with respect to the formation, maintenance and functioning of extended cognitive systems in network-enabled environments. Their claim is that the information and network sciences are relevant on two counts: firstly, they support an understanding of the mechanisms underpinning socially- and technologically-mediated forms of cognitive extension; secondly, they serve to guide and inform engineering efforts that strive to enhance and expand our cognitive capabilities. The authors discuss the relevance and applicability of these conclusions to current and future research exploring the contribution of network technologies to military coalition operations.
Conversation Analysis of Coalition Communication in Network Centric Operations
Authors: Xue Ping , Poteet Stephen , Kao Anne
Published: May 2010

Team verbal communication is a central component of coalition operations. Investigating the nature of (mis)communication in coalition operations, we conducted analyses based on both natural discourse data recorded during mission execution exercises, and the data collected through interviews of experienced coalition personnel. The authors’ analyses shows that pragmatic aspects of language use are essential parameters to successful understanding of communication threads, which demonstrate the ineffectiveness of purely semantic-similarity-based approaches to conversational data. This analysis provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of current computational approaches such as Latent Semantic Analysis as a methodology for analyzing conversational discourse. As a result, the authors propose a computational framework that incorporates both LSA and computational pragmatics for automating the analysis of coalition communication to support the concept of network-centric operations.
Exceptions in Ontologies
Authors: Jouis Christophe , Bourdaillet Julien , Habib Bassel , Ganascia Jean-Gabriel
Published: May 2010

This chapter is a contribution to the study of formal ontologies. It addresses the problem of atypical entities in ontologies. The authors propose a new model of knowledge representation by combining ontologies and topology. In order to represent atypical entities in ontologies, the four topological operators of interior, exterior, border and closure are introduced. These operators allow to specify whether an entity, belonging to a class, is typical or not. The authors define a system of topological inclusion and membership relations into the ontology formalism, by adapting the four topological operators with the help of their mathematical properties. These properties are used as a set of axioms which allows to define the topological inclusion and membership relations. Further, the authors define combinations of the operators of interior, exterior, border and closure that allow the construction of an algebra. They model is implemented in AnsProlog, a recent logic programming language that allows negative predicates in inference rules.
An Algebra of Ontology Properties for Service Discovery and Composition in Semantic Web
Authors: Pollet Yann
Published: May 2010

The authors address in this chapter the problem of the automated discovery and composition of Web Services. Now, Service-oriented computing is emerging as a new and promising paradigm. However, selection and composition of Services to achieve an expected goal remain purely manual and time consuming tasks. Basing our approach on domain concept definitions thanks to an Ontology, the authors develop here an algebraic approach that enables to express formal definitions of Web Service semantics as well as user information needs. Both are captured by the means of algebraic expressions of ontology properties. They present an algorithm that generates efficient orchestration plans, with characteristics of optimality regarding Quality of Service. The approach has been validated by a prototype and an evaluation in the case of an Health Information System.
Approaches for Semantic Association Mining and Hidden Entities Extraction in Knowledge Base
Authors: Slimani Thabet , Ben Yaghlane Boutheina , Mellouli Khaled
Published: May 2010

Due to the rapidly increasing use of information and communications technology, Semantic Web technology is being increasingly applied in a large spectrum of applications in which domain knowledge is represented by means of an ontology in order to support reasoning performed by a machine. A semantic association (SA) is a set of relationships between two entities in knowledge base represented as graph paths consisting of a sequence of links. Because the number of relationships between entities in a knowledge base might be much greater than the number of entities, it is recommended to develop tools and invent methods to discover new unexpected links and relevant semantic associations in the large store of the preliminary extracted semantic association. Semantic association mining is a rapidly growing field of research, which studies these issues in order to create efficient methods and tools to help us filter the overwhelming flow of information and extract the knowledge that reflect the user need. The authors present, in this work, an approach which allows the extraction of association rules (SWARM: Semantic Web Association Rule Mining) from a structured semantic association store. Then, present a new method which allows the discovery of relevant semantic associations between a preliminary extracted SA and predefined features, specified by user, with the use of Hyperclique Pattern (HP) approach. In addition, the authors present an approach which allows the extraction of hidden entities in knowledge base. The experimental results applied to synthetic and real world data show the benefit of the proposed methods and demonstrate their promising effectiveness.
Reusing the Inter-Organizational Knowledge to Support Organizational Knowledge Management Process
Authors: Leung Nelson K. Y. , Lau Sim Kim , Fan Joshua
Published: May 2010

Various types of Knowledge Management approaches have been developed that only focus on managing organizational knowledge. These approaches are inadequate because employees often need to access knowledge from external knowledge sources in order to complete their works. Therefore, a new inter-organizational Knowledge Management practice is required to enhance knowledge sharing across organizational boundaries in their business networks. In this chapter, an ontology-based Inter-organizational knowledge Network that incorporates ontology mediation is developed so that heterogeneity of knowledge semantic in the ontologies could be reconciled. The reconciled inter-organizational knowledge could be reused to support organizational Knowledge Management process semi- or automatically. The authors also investigate the application of ontology mediation that provides mechanisms of reconciling inter-organizational knowledge in the network.
Ontology Evolution
Authors: Djedidi Rim , Aufaure Marie-Aude
Published: May 2010

Ontologies evolve continuously throughout their lifecycle to respond to different change requirements. Several problems emanate from ontology evolution: capturing change requirements, change representation, change impact analysis and resolution, change validation, change traceability, change propagation to dependant artifacts, versioning, etc. The purpose of this chapter is to gather research and current developments to manage ontology evolution. The authors highlight ontology evolution issues and present a state-of-the-art of ontology evolution approach by describing issues raised and the ontology model considered (ontology representation language), and also the ontology engineering tools supporting ontology evolution and maintenance. Furthermore, they sum up the state-of-the-art review by a comparative study based on general characteristics, evolution functionalities supported, and specificities of the existing ontology evolution approaches. At the end of the chapter, the authors discuss future and emerging trends.
Ontology Learning from Thesauri
Authors: Nogueras-Iso Javier , Lacasta Javier , Teller Jacques , Falquet Gilles , Guyot Jacques
Published: May 2010

Ontology learning is the term used to encompass methods and techniques employed for the (semi-)automatic processing of knowledge resources that facilitate the acquisition of knowledge during ontology construction. This chapter focuses on ontology learning techniques using thesauri as input sources. Thesauri are one of the most promising sources for the creation of domain ontologies thanks to the richness of term definitions, the existence of a priori relationships between terms, and the consensus provided by their extensive use in the library context. Apart from reviewing the state of the art, this chapter shows how ontology learning techniques can be applied in the urban domain for the development of domain ontologies.
Applications of Ontologies and Text Mining in the Biomedical Domain
Authors: Jimeno-Yepes A. , Berlanga-Llavori R. , Rebholz-Schuchmann D.
Published: May 2010

Ontologies represent domain knowledge that improves user interaction and interoperability between applications. In addition, ontologies deliver precious input to text mining techniques in the biomedical domain, which might improve the performance in different text mining tasks. This chapter will explore on the mutual benefits for ontologies and text mining techniques. Ontology development is a time consuming task. Most efforts are spent in the acquisition of terms that represent concepts in real life. This process can use the existing scientific literature and the World Wide Web. The identification of concept labels, i.e. terms, from these sources using text mining solutions improves ontology development since the literature resources make reference to existing terms and concepts. Furthermore, automatic text processing techniques profit from ontological resources in different tasks, for example in the disambiguation of terms and the enrichment of terminological resources for the text mining solution. One of the most important text mining tasks that exploits ontological resources consists of the mapping of concepts to terms in textual sources (e.g. named entity recognition, semantic indexing) and the expansion of queries in information retrieval.
Promoting Reflective Discourse through Connectivity
Authors: Guthrie Kathy L. , McCracken Holly
Published: May 2010

Connectivity is vital to the creation of virtual spaces in Web-based academic courses which allow for students to reflect on curricular content and personal experiences. This chapter provides a case study of online service-learning courses utilizing technology to promote reflective conversations and the development of emotional bandwidth.
B-Log on Social Change and Educational Reform
Authors: Sideri Eleni
Published: May 2010

The use of blogs as a teaching method is something new for the Greek education. The financial and structural problems of the latter however, have not yet permitted the application of new technologies to be fully explored despite the intentions of different parties, like the political authorities or the academics. This paper will argue that blogs could enhance class interaction without replacing face to face communication. Their use could play a positive role in an education system burdened by the gradual increase of its student population, restricted funding and infrastructural problems. In this framework, blogs could act as an arena that encourages critical dialogue and assessment regarding courses, educators and students. The author’s personal engagement in blogging as part of her teaching methods coincided with a major social and political unrest in Greece, conditions that affected the ways students related to their blogs as a form of communication. This paper will examine how blogs could play a role in the democratization of the assessment methods by enhancing classroom’s dynamics and the interaction between educators and students. It will also consider how blogs would contribute to the engagement of both students and educators with social and political critical thinking. Finally, this chapter will discuss how blogging could result in the formation of more active citizens.
Towards More Productive Online Discussions
Authors: Kehrwald Benjamin
Published: May 2010

This chapter deals with a case study into social presence in text-based online learning at the postgraduate level. The case seeks to address questions related to the social dynamics of online learning environments through a study of learner experiences with social presence. The case highlights the role and function of social presence in the development of interpersonal relations and the effects of those relations on social processes in online learning environments. The findings identify a set of social-relational mechanisms and a progression of relational states which promote understanding of social processes in text-based online environments.
A Close Look at Online Collaboration
Authors: Markman Kris M.
Published: May 2010

This chapter employs a conversation analytic approach to the study of group interaction in synchronous chat. Chat has been used in educational settings as an adjunct to traditional face-to-face classes and as part of distance learning. This case study examines how chat was used for virtual team meetings by specifically focusing on the structural features of chat conversation as they relate to various aspects of online teamwork. Chat conversations are characterized by disrupted turn adjacency and multiple conversational threads, requiring participants to adapt different strategies to maintain coherence. The advantages and disadvantages of using chat for group work are discussed, and suggestions for implementing chat in education settings are presented.
Online Discussion and Interaction
Authors: Chovanec Jan
Published: May 2010

This contribution discusses linguistic aspects of discussion and interaction in a new genre of journalism?live text commentary?that has recently come into existence thanks to new communication technologies, most notably the Internet. Live text commentary is a professional journalistic text that is produced online contemporaneously with the event that it describes. The technology enables the text’s consumers to provide instant feedback to the author, thus enhancing interpersonal interaction. Structurally, the resulting texts contain elements of discussion because readers’ comments are used to co-construct the texts, while also manifesting numerous linguistic features of reader-oriented interactiveness. Live text commentary is viewed as an instance of mediated quasi-interaction. This is because the readers interact in a virtual space, discursively enacting their membership in an imaginary community, rather than participating in a real interpersonal interaction. Using material from live text commentaries of sports events, this contribution provides an analysis of such online discussion and interaction from the perspective of discourse analysis and sociolinguistics.
Online Interpersonal Interactions Utilizing an Extremely Limited Communication Interface
Authors: Patkin Terri Toles
Published: May 2010

This research examines the influence of a very limited communication interface on interactions within an online backgammon game context. The ways in which four factors controlled by the player (level of play, language selected, use of the preloaded chat interface, and game play) influence interaction are described. The ability of players to engage in impression management and express social presence within such a limited communication environment is considered in both positive and negative game contexts.
What We Do Online Everyday
Authors: Lapadat Judith C. , Atkinson Maureen L. , Brown Willow I.
Published: May 2010

This chapter addresses the collaborative participatory nature of online interactivity within the range of social networking spaces afforded by Web 2.0 (O’Reilly, 2005). Each individual, through his or her situated usage patterns and choices, creates a unique digital fingerprint or electronic biography. Using a multiple case study method including children and youth ranging in age from five to fifteen years of age, the authors examined children’s online interactivity through their electronic biographies. This case report focuses on the children’s experiences of online interaction as a seamless component of their literacy (Thomas, 2007) and presents a profile of each young person that characterizes his or her unique online fingerprint. The findings provide insight into how children learn online interactivity, and their communities of practice at different stages of development. Their roles ranged from passive surfer-viewer-seekers to interactive discussant-displayer-players. Infrequently, some youth showed proactive leadership as host-builder-creators. The experiences of these young people provide practical evidence of the transformation of literacy; for them, the Internet serves as an information resource, a collaborative medium, and a design environment (Lapadat, Atkinson, & Brown, 2009). Narrative plays a key role online, especially in the construction of identity. The results of this study have implications for educators, parents, social scientists, and policy makers, and in particular, raise concerns about the commodification of childhood and how commercial interests have shaped sites used by children.
ELATEwiki
Authors: McHaney Roger W. , Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: May 2010

A small team at Kansas State University worked to plan, create and launch an e-learning wiki to support faculty in their work. The advantages of the wiki technology—with its technological affordances of wide access and dissemination, digital content archival, multimedia expressiveness, remote collaboration, subscribability, and the reversibility of postings –appealed to this team. Even initially, there seemed to be opportunities for building novice and professional capacities in e-learning through the co-creation and sharing of information, problem-solving, and virtual community building. This chapter describes the research literature and pedagogical theories on wikis. It addresses the team’s efforts in exploring and then building the wiki site. Additionally, this explains the team’s rationales in terms of the intellectual property policies, the work to create accessibility, the wiki’s fortuitous naming, the seeding of the wiki with contents, its low-key branding strategy, and the publicity plan for a “hard launch” of the ELATEwiki to the Wikisphere. This also describes the datamining techniques used to track use of the site and how those affect the site’s continuing evolution. Finally, this chapter will provide perspectives on the work of a wiki-master in a peer-to-peer, collaborative, and open wiki.
A Conversation Approach to Electronic Collections Development Within University Libraries
Authors: Luppicini Rocci , Bratanek Laura
Published: May 2010

Electronic collections development within university libraries is transforming university research and academic life. This case explores the topic of electronic collections development within university libraries from a student perspective. By mobilizing Conversation Theory (CT) and a conversational modeling framework, a case on electronic collections development is presented that utilizes research literature and focus group discussion data derived from undergraduate students within a large urban university. Findings reveal student perspectives and factors affecting students’ stances towards current and future electronic collections development trends. In addition, the findings indicate a variety of conversation modeling strategies are used by students in fostering perspective sharing and mutual understanding about electronic collections development. This case sheds light on electronic collections development from a student perspective and offers recommendations on how to use conversation modeling to leverage mutual understanding and consensual decision-making in contexts where communication gaps surrounding technology and its use in society exist.
Technoethical Study of Electronic Technology Ab/Use at University
Authors: Luppicini Rocci
Published: May 2010

This case explores how university students view non-work related use of electronic technology within universities (I.e., electronic monitoring technology and personal use of electronic technologies). Of particular interest are student experiences and ethical stances concerning non-work related use of electronic technologies within universities as well as the variables that affect their decision to engage in or not engage in personal electronic technology use during class. To this end, a technoethical case study utilizes research literature and conversational data derived from online group work taken from a research course offered by the communication department of a large urban university. Findings indicate the presence of ethical tensions and contradictions in how students rationalize non-work related use of electronic technology within universities. This case study sheds light on student’s attitudes, subjective norms, attributions of responsibility, and factors affecting students’ ethical stances towards non-work related technology use at university. It also offers recommendations on how to leverage mutual understanding and consensual decision-making in similar contexts where ethical and social controversies arise, surrounding technology and its use in society.
The Potential for Student Engagement Using Clickers in a Large Introductory Class
Authors: Terrion Jenepher Lennox , Aceti Victoria
Published: May 2010

This pilot project employed personal response systems, or clicker technology, in an effort to address student inattention and the distractions created by electronics in a large, first-year introductory communication class. The objectives of the project were to increase student engagement through a more hands-on, active and collaborative learning environment and to better gauge student understanding of important concepts throughout the lecture. This case discusses the challenges of student engagement, in particular with today’s millennial students, examines the role of technology generally in engaging students and the personal response systems specifically, describes the pilot project and presents a series of exercises that may be used to most effectively take advantage of this technology in the classroom.
Purpose-Oriented Small Software
Authors: Anzelotti Giancarlo , Valizadeh Masoumeh
Published: May 2010

This case emphasizes on the power of virtual tools for engineering subjects. As a more accessible approach, the authors suggest the development and application of Purpose-Oriented small software. The aim of developing these e-tools is enhancing the understanding of concepts taught in the undergraduate and graduated Mechanical, Material, Civil and many other engineering branches. The main idea behind this case is to show that even light software which is focused on a particular subject can be used as a key for engineering education.
Architectural Web Portal and Interactive CAD Learning in Hungary
Authors: Somfai Attila
Published: May 2010

It is the aim of this case to show the teaching web portal of the Faculty of Architecture at “Széchenyi István” University (www.arc.sze.hu/indexen.html) and its many uses. Nowadays, the Internet helps us to look into Hungarian and foreign study aids, and architectural websites. The Internet has created potential new and effective ways of cooperation between lecturers and students of the university and other institutions of higher education. The teaching web portal mentioned above realizes diversity and complexity of architecture, with efficient grouping of information, while being attentive to high professional standards. Computer Aided Architectural Modeling (www.arc.sze.hu/cad) is one of the new types of online lecture notes, where many narrated screen captured videos show the proper usage of cad software instead of texts and figures. This interactive type of learning assists students to become more independent learners. This type of teaching modality provides the opportunity for students who need more time to acquire subject matter through viewing video examples. The success of our departments’ common web initiations can be measured through Internet statistics and feedback of the students and external professionals.
Designing Effective Web-Based Courses in Engineering
Authors: Brad Stelian
Published: May 2010

Developing engineering study programs of high quality, able to satisfy customized needs, with flexible paths of study, with easy and rapid access to the most appropriate educational facilities and lecturers is a critical and challenging issue for the future of engineering education. The latest developments in communication and information technologies facilitate the creation of reliable solutions in this respect. Provision of web-based courses in engineering represents one of these solutions. However, the absence of physical interactions with the training facilities and the specificity of remote collaboration with lecturers rise up additional challenges in designing a high-quality web-based engineering course. In order to define superior solutions to the complex set of requirements, quality planning and an innovative problem solving are parts of web-based engineering courses design process. In this context, the present chapter introduces a generic roadmap for competitive design of web-based engineering courses. Methodology application is illustrated in a case study. An important conclusion arising from the case study is that no unique, best-of-the-world solution exists in developing a web-based engineering course; therefore customized approaches should be considered for each course category to maximize the impact of the web-based educational process.
Web-Based Approaches in Engineering Education
Authors: Valizadeh Masoumeh , Anzelotti Giancarlo , Salehi Arezou S.
Published: May 2010

Among different branches of human knowledge and sciences, engineering, like medicine, is more involved in practical and daily-life aspects where the virtual utilities and educational software can be utilized to consummate the practical features of engineering education. Furthermore the virtual environment of e-learning courses can provide cheaper, safer, more comprehensive and more inclusive approaches to engineering educational material. The aim of this case is to count the requirements of engineering education and to accord the facilities and inadequacies of e-learning as training technique in engineering instruction.
A Study on the Relations Between Organizational Identity and Intellectual Capital
Authors: Campos Eduardo Bueno , Somoza Mónica Longo , Salmador M. Paz
Published: May 2010

This chapter studies the relations between the emergent concept of Organizational Identity and the concept of Intellectual Capital. Specifically, the chapter focuses on the idea that when new technology-based firms develop the social process of construction of their Organizational Identity, at the same time they develop the social interaction needed to define variables of their Organizational Capital. This proposition is grounded in a theoretical review of the concept of Organizational Identity and Organizational Capital in the Intellectus Model, and it is empirically tested in five case studies of new technology-based firms created at Madrid Science Park. Finally, the limitations and suggestions for future research as well as conclusions of the study are presented.
Problem Finding and Solving
Authors: Heiman Bruce A. , Hurmelinna-Laukkanen Pia
Published: May 2010

In this chapter the authors focus on a problem-oriented view of managing innovation. In particular, they ask what it means to manage innovation well, so that innovation outcomes are enhanced. They start by briefly reflecting on the rise in value of intangibles as an asset class (notably knowledge), and by defining terms. They then briefly review selected literature on strategic management as an example of the typical manner in which innovation has been previously approached. Looking at selected macro- and micro-organizational theories the authors reflect on several shortcomings of extant literature. They then introduce the knowledge-based view and identify a particular sub-field, the problem finding/problem solving (PF/PS) perspective, as one promising way to address these issues. They identify several challenges in the present formulation of the perspective, and discuss further research opportunities. Though the PF/PS perspective presently lacks compelling empirical evidence, it shows promise for developing into a useful logic for managing and enhancing innovation.