bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research Utility of Intravascular Ultrasound
Authors: Garcia-Garcia Hector M. , Garg Scot , Brugaletta Salvatore , Diletti Roberto , Shin Eun-Seok , Serruys Patrick W.
Published: November 2011

Intravascular ultrasound was designed to overcome the limitations of angiography, and in the process it has helped greatly with our understanding of coronary artery disease. There is no doubt that it plays an important role in contemporary interventional cardiology. In this regard, this chapter reviews the most important uses of intravascular ultrasound in current research.
Imaging by Angioscopy
Authors: Rees Michael
Published: November 2011

Within this chapter, the basic clinical and research utilities of Angioscopy are described. Among its paragraphs, an attempt is made to outline the role of angioscopy to the understanding of cardiovascular disease as well as its contribution to the understanding of cardiovascular procedures. Additionally, the techniques, which combine stenting procedures with angioscopy, are detailed.
Research Utility of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
Authors: Toutouzas Konstantinos , Karanasos Antonios , Stefanadis Christodoulos
Published: November 2011

Within this chapter, the research utility of OCT is detailed. Issues like the potential of OCT for plaque characterization are covered. Additionally, a comparative evaluation of OCT with other invasive imaging techniques, as far as plaque components identification is concerned, is attempted. Finally, the role of OCT for the evaluation of plaque progression is discussed as well as its part in the future research arena.
Intravascular Imaging of Lipid Core Plaque by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Brilakis Emmanouil S. , Sum Stephen T. , Madden Sean P. , Muller James E.
Published: November 2011

Intracoronary near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a novel catheter-based technique that allows determination of the chemical composition of the coronary artery wall. This is accomplished by measuring the proportion of near-infrared light diffusely reflected by the arterial wall after scattering and absorption have occurred. Histology and clinical studies have validated that NIRS can detect with high accuracy the presence of coronary lipid core plaques, which form the substrate for most acute coronary syndromes and complicate stenting procedures. Coronary NIRS is currently being evaluated as a tool to: (Clarke, Figg, & Maguire, 2006) optimize the outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), (Ross, 1999) identify coronary lesions at risk for causing events and optimize the medical management of such patients, and (Kagan, Livsic, Sternby, & Vihert, 1968) allow evaluation of novel anti-atherosclerotic treatments.
Analysis of the Existing Data Fusion Methodologies for 3D Coronary Imaging
Authors: Siogkas Panagiotis , Fotiadis Dimitrios I. , Bourantas Christos V. , Tweddel Ann C. , Garg Scot , Michalis Lampros K. , Koutsouris Dimitris
Published: November 2011

New developments in the treatment of coronary artery disease have increased the demand for a more detailed, accurate, and comprehensive evaluation of coronary artery functional anatomy. Though there are a multitude of modalities available for the study of coronary anatomy, each has significant limitations, and thus, do not permit a complete functional assessment of coronary anatomy. To overcome these drawbacks, fusion of different imaging modalities has been proposed. The aim of this chapter is to describe the most prevalent and emerging of these fused imaging modalities and present their current and potential applications, highlighting their impact in the clinical and research arena.
Future Trends in Intravascular Imaging
Authors: Giannoglou George D. , Chatzizisis Yiannis S.
Published: November 2011

Vulnerable plaques have certain histopathologic and regional characteristics. The advent of novel invasive and non-invasive imaging modalities aim to identify the histopathologic and regional characteristics of vulnerable plaque, thereby enabling the early diagnosis and potential application of treatments strategies to avert future acute coronary events.
Software Process Lines
Authors: Niazi Mahmood , Zahran Sami
Published: November 2011

The industrial revolution transformed the cottage industry into mass production. In this chapter, the authors trace the recent advancement of the software industry and establish that it is following a similar route followed by the manufacturing industry towards industrialization. The chapter positions the concept of Software Product Lines (http://www.sei.cmu.edu/productlines/), as a possible foundation for software industrialization, and the authors introduce the concept of Software Process Lines as complimentary foundation for software industrialization. The chapter discusses a number of questions: What are the Software Process Lines? What are the justifications and benefits of Software Process Lines? What are the steps for implementing Software Process Lines? How can Software Process Lines enable and facilitate the establishment of a continuous Software Process Improvement environment?
Design and Development Research in Instructional Technology
Authors: Alias Nor Aziah , Hashim Sulaiman
Published: November 2011

This chapter introduces the reader to design and development research (Richey & Klein, 2007) which is theory driven, action and interventionist orientated, participant centred and collaborative. The features of this research are similarly explicated in the methodology of design experiment (Brown, 1992; Collins, 1992), development research (Van Den Akker, 1999), formative research (Reigeluth & Frick, 1999) and design based research (Bannan-Ritland, 2003). Of late, the term “educational design research” has been profusely utilized to signify this approach (Plomp & Nieveen, 2009; Van Den Akker, Gravemeijer, Mckenney & Nieveen, 2006; Vos, DeVesse & Rassul, 2006; Kelly, Lesh & Baek, 2008). Design and development research combines both pragmatic design and traditional research methods and tools such as case study, evaluation, expert reviews and interviews, allowing the appropriate method to be selected for the appropriate task and to answer specific research questions. Most importantly is the potential of design and development research to spur innovation. This chapter will act as an anchor for the rest of this book that aims to illustrate cases put forward by authors from different educational research backgrounds. The aspects of design and development research unique to each chapter are explicated as lessons learned and are expected to guide novice and proficient IT researchers.
Technodiversity
Authors: Nettleton Kimberely Fletcher , Lennex Lesia
Published: November 2011

What happens when technology, culture, and education intersect? How does culture of place impact technology communication? How does this affect baccalaureate education? While examining cultural awareness and diversity in two separate projects, the researchers discovered key elements to understanding technodiversity and its impact on the exchange of ideas. Morehead State University in eastern Kentucky and Western New Mexico University, near the Mexican border, participated in joint project about privilege. Using a technological platform, issues impacting technodiversity were discovered. Understanding and harnessing the principles of technodiversity will impact distance education, online communities, and the use of technology as a conduit for communication. The diversity exchanges formed future ideas about curriculum providing baccalaureate candidates not only with a remarkable background in developing goals and assessments of achievement but also with technology and diversity tools to enable teaching in diverse circumstances.
Developing a Method for the Design of Sharable Pedagogical Scenarios
Authors: Maina Marcelo
Published: November 2011

This chapter presents a research that adopted the Design and Development Research (DDR) approach for the development and validation of a theoretically-grounded and pedagogically-inclusive instructional design method aimed at the creation of reusable and interoperable pedagogical scenarios. The first phase grounds the research in a theory of instructional design that aligns with other related design disciplines, and decomposes the design problem into layers of artifact functionalities. This theory corresponds to software-engineering-infused instructional design methods also known as courseware engineering. The second phase explores ways to integrate an educational modeling language within an instructional design method for enabling the representation of pedagogical scenarios of computational facture. The third phase presents an initial developmental solution, which is tested in a case study. The fourth and final phase extends the development and validation of a solution by way of a two-round Delphi method. Each phase is followed by reflections on the lessons learned during the DDR process.
Using a Design Research Approach to Investigate the Knowledge-Building Implications of Online Social Networking and Other Web 2.0 Technologies in Higher Education Contexts
Authors: Richards Cameron
Published: November 2011

Online social networking and related Web 2.0 technologies have taken the world of Internet users by storm in recent years. However beyond the use of blogs for reflective learning journals and University alumni pages on Facebook, there has generally been little integrated use of social networking tools in higher education. This chapter will explore how a design research approach may assist in not only recognizing but also developing the knowledge-building implications of a convergence between such tools and technologies on one hand, and also on the other constructivist approaches to related domains of learning, research and professional reflective practice in academic communities and contexts. The process of designing and developing an applied research problem and related central question or inquiry focus is approached in terms of two ‘design research’ proposals. One, it considers the idea that if a critical mass of both basic skills and actual usage could only be achieved by teachers, administrators and researchers then social networking has the potential to significantly and productively transform higher education. Two, it considers the idea that the key to achieving such a ‘critical mass’ in education contexts perhaps lies in designing meaningful contexts or purposes of interaction – that is, in linking the function of social networking to an appropriate design paradigm for using associated Web 2.0 tools. In this way the chapter will explore the requirements for a more effective harnessing of the exemplary possibilities of online social networking in higher education contexts.
Qualitative Research Dilemma in the Study of Blog Forums
Authors: Thayalan Xavier , Noor Faridah
Published: November 2011

Despite positive aspects of online forums, very little is made known of the practical issues of using online forums for data collection and analysis. This chapter describes the issues encountered in collection and analysis of data in blog forums. Although, this was a qualitative-quantitative study, the focus of this chapter will be on its qualitative aspect. Throughout the study, the researchers were challenged to ensure quality and trustworthiness of the study ranging from data collection procedures to serious ethical dilemmas. Two practical issues related to credibility were identified: naturally occurring data and automatic transcripts. An issue related to dependability was on deciding the language categories identified in the data and the choice of analytical methods for the study. It was also observed that blog interactions were individualized and therefore, may not be generalizable in other contexts. The analysis of these issues suggests several implications for future researchers on online forums as a qualitative data collection method.
An Instructional Design “Use Case”
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: November 2011

The work of an instructional designer is highly dependent on an instructional technology substrate, at every phase of the instructional design work: research, planning, communication and coordination, prototyping, design, content searches, content development, branding, alpha and beta testing, revisions, the delivery of course contents, and the archival in learning object repositories. Technologies in this substrate are built to a variety of standards. There are standards for interoperability, for machines to communicate with each other, for information to be held securely (information assurance), for from-life information to be captured and recorded (whether light, detail, sound, or motion), for communications to be exchanged among people, and for digital artifacts to be labeled and protected and delivered to users. The instructional designer “use case” then refers to the on-ground realities of instructional design work and the critical reliance on instructional technologies, and what this in vivo perspective shows about the need for (in part) user-based insights for instructional technology research, design, and development. Every technology has multiple use cases, or theoretical situations in which users use that technology. An instructional designer use case shows the many uses of technologies by an instructional designer, to shed light on how the software technologies may be better tailored to the needs of instructional designers and other digital content developer stakeholders.
Globalizing and Localizing
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin , Montelone Beth A. , Freeman Lisa C.
Published: November 2011

Public health is a demanding field that draws from a number of disciplines: medicine, veterinary medicine, nutrition, nursing, law enforcement, research, policy-making, engineering, and public outreach and education. The nature of this field requires multi-media educational resources that can introduce diverse learners to this curricular and real-world complexity. This chapter describes how a virtual team of faculty members from four Kansas institutions of higher learning collaborated to create an online course titled “Introduction to Public Health”. Drawing from the larger environment, the online course uses global and culturally sensitive techniques to reach a wide learner base and to make use of local resources for its geographically diverse learners. The online learning environment constructed is tied in a deliberate fashion to the values and practices of public health. The online course is built to be more widely adoptable by a range of faculty members from different related fields. As a result, students from rural, urban, and suburban backgrounds will have an opportunity to learn public health and related careers early in their undergraduate education. Public universities and community colleges will have access to a new collaborative model for course development and delivery. This course build involved a consistent tactic of building learning adaptable to local and culturally variant conditions for global transferability, with some of these practices transferable to other online course builds. This chapter explores the uses of research and design in a specific case to enhance the global inheritability of the shared course.
Vertical Integration of Science
Authors: Currás Emilia
Published: November 2011

In this chapter, there is an attempt to consider an organization of knowledge regarding a vertical integration of science, which is focused as a systems unity of greater complexity then what has been considered before. An ascending or descending vertical integration of science might be to interpret questions posed by human in general and information scientist in particular. It could provide answers that they are looking for. All aspects of the global information could have a widest sense, appear to be treated, and the problems need to be freshly addend as required solutions. This vertical integration of science is considered here from the vision of the systems science theories. A study of this integration, with all its complexity could provide important solutions for an adequate organization of knowledge.
Information
Authors: Nafría José María Díaz
Published: November 2011

Delving into the nature of observation, we will find a solid ground to pose information as a bridge between objects and subjects, therefore providing the possibility to overcome the inveterate segregation of the objectivist and subjectivist understandings. As we will see, such vision also provides the possibility to articulate an understanding of information in its multifaceted reality.
Management Systems of User Interfaces Functionalities in Latin
Authors: Barber Elsa , Pisano Silvia , Romagnoli Sandra , Parsiale Verónica , de Pedro Gabriela , Gregui Carolina , Blanco Nancy
Published: November 2011

Taking into account the fundamental role of online public access catalogs in the dissemination of scientific and technical information, it was considered relevant to look into the situation of user interfaces of OPACs Web of university, special, public and national libraries in Latin America. A quantitative methodology has been adopted and a checklist of system functions (Hildreth, 1982) updated was used as data collection tool. A sample of 846 OPACs was obtained from predefined search queries and classified according to type of software, type of library and country. A subset of 374 units was selected of those whose system presented a frequency of appearance = 10. The percentage of presence of functionalities in each area was calculated and functionalities were compared according to type of software by test of independence. It was then possible to typify the interfaces of the analyzed OPACs according to the selected types of software and in relation to their category.
Cultural Management 2.0
Authors: Méndez Margarita Cabrera
Published: November 2011

This new step has to be managed by institutions that are able to understand and add the new philosophy 2.0 in their corporative and communication culture. It is not longer one-way communication as the role of the users is essential. The author will analyse the strategies and models of some institutions that have incorporated digital practices and culture in their organizations and communication and therefore, the way they connect with their different audiences (Creators/artists, users and other organizations.) have changed.
NASATalk as a Discovery Learning Space
Authors: Piecka Debra C. Burkey , Ruberg Laurie , Ruckman Christopher , Fullwood Dynae
Published: November 2011

The NASATalk online collaborative (www.nasatalk.com) gives educators a virtual place to talk about the many opportunities available from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASATalk participants include K-16 educators, NASA-affiliated educators’ support staff, and others interested in advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. This chapter examines the self-discovery learning opportunities afforded by NASATalk for a three-day professional development workshop from the perspectives of the NASATalk team members, two NASA Aerospace Education Services Project specialists, and the workshop participants. For the conference, NASATalk hosted a public collaborative named the NASA STEM Educators Workshop as well as several blogs. The analysis discusses how various needs are met for orientation and entry, learner decision making, individuated learning, intercommunications and collaboration, and original discovery in the NASATalk content collaborative. A professional virtual community emerges where educators gathered onsite to receive instruction, but they turned to NASATalk to share their ideas and experiences by posting articles, blogs, comments, multimedia, links, and other educational resources.
Knowledge Spaces for Online Discovery Learning
Authors: McHaney Roger W.
Published: November 2011

Constructivist learning environments have been enhanced with emerging digital infrastructures, particularly those based on Internet and Web 2.0 technologies. In this chapter, the impact of these technologies on a constructivist-rooted pedagogy known as discovery learning is discussed in detail. Specifically, the use of knowledge spaces for online discovery learning is explored within the context of case-based learning, incidental learning, learning by exploring/conversing, learning by reflection, and simulation-based learning. This chapter first provides a theoretical rationale for enhancing these approaches and then describes several low cost and free tools that can be used in each of the five areas. Technology implementation and practitioner-oriented examples are provided for each with a particular emphasis on Web 2.0 applications in higher education venues.
Web-Based 3D Virtual Learning Environments
Authors: Adamo-Villani Nicoletta , Clase Kari L. , Heyden Robin J. , Wiecha John
Published: November 2011

This chapter is an overview of web-deliverable three-dimensional (3D) virtual learning environments. In Section 1 (Introduction) we define Virtual Reality (VR) Technology and Virtual Learning Environments; in Section 2 (Virtual Environments and Learning) we discuss literature findings on the benefits of using web-based VEs for self-discovery learning. In Section 3 (Developing online VE: technologies, challenges and solutions) we give an overview of the latest technologies/platforms used to develop online VEs, discuss development and delivery challenges posed by complex, information-rich web-based 3D environments, and describe possible solutions that can be adopted to overcome current limitations. In Section 4 (A review of two projects) we present two 3D web virtual learning environments that were recently developed by the authors: the Interactive 3D Tour of MSHHD and The pilot postgraduate medical education program in Second Life. A summary and conclusive remarks are included in section 5 (Summary and Conclusion).
Design Guidelines for Self-Assessment Support for Adult Academic Distance Learning
Authors: Blanco Maria Menendez , van der Veer Gerrit C. , Benvenuti Laura , Kirschner Paul A.
Published: November 2011

This contribution focuses on adult distance learning. Based on experiences at the Open University of the Netherlands we investigate specific problems that our students have with self-assessment and metacognition while studying. Starting from a literature review and complementing this with available student data from our teaching research center, we developed a conceptual framework that was iteratively adjusted and assessed by a questionnaire study and interviews. This allowed us to develop design guidelines for self-assessment support in distance learning environments. These guidelines were reviewed by experts. The input from the experts was used to modify the guidelines and iterate until they were considered complete. Tangible designs (i.e., mock-ups) for each of the self-assessment methods were proposed. These tangible designs were prototyped for later evaluation. Finally, we provide our conclusions and propose recommendations for actual application and systematic design.
Protection Survivability Architectures
Authors: Babarczi Péter , Tapolcai János
Published: November 2011

Survivable routing serves as one of the most important issues in optical backbone design. Due to the high data rates enabled by the wavelength division multiplexing technology, any interruption in the service results in the loss of a large amount of application data. Thus, making efforts to calculate and signal the protection resources promptly after the failure occurred would lead to an unacceptable high delay. As the main purpose of this chapter, the principles of pre-planned protection approaches in mesh optical backbone networks are discussed. The Shared Risk Link Group (SRLG) concept is introduced modeling physical and geographical dependency among seemingly unrelated link failures. Finally, methods are presented for calculating the exact end-to-end availability of a connection.
Maximizing Primary Capacities in Survivable Networks
Authors: Somani Arun K. , Lastine David W.
Published: November 2011

Achieving low blocking probability and connection restorability in the presence of a link failure is a major goal of network designers. Typically fault tolerant schemes try to maintain low blocking probability by maximizing the amount of primary capacity in the network. In this chapter, we assume the total capacity on each link is fixed, and then it is allocated into primary or backup capacity. The distribution of primary capacity affects blocking probability for dynamic traffic. This can be seen by simulating dynamic traffic with different ways to distribute capacities in a network. A Hamiltonian p-cycle is a capacity optimal way of allocating primary and backup capacity. However, different Hamiltonian p-cycle may deliver different blocking probability for dynamic traffic. In general, more evenly distributing the backup and primary capacity lowers the blocking probability. This chapter provides upper bounds on how much primary capacity a network can provide if it uses a link based protection strategy to guarantee survivability for one or more link failures. Using integer linear programs we show that requiring preconfiguring carries a cost in terms of capacity if the solution is structured as a set of cycles.
Dynamic Traffic Grooming under a Differentiated Resilience Scheme for WDM Mesh Networks
Authors: El-Gorashi Taisir E.H. , Elmirghani Jaafar
Published: November 2011

Due to its huge bandwidth, optical fibre is currently widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunications services and applications. Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) has emerged as the technology of choice to harness the huge bandwidth available in an optical fibre. Traffic grooming supports efficient utilization of network resources by allowing sub-wavelength granularity connections to be groomed onto a single lightpath. Fault-tolerance for WDM networks is a major architectural and design issue as a single link failure can cause loss of an enormous amount of information. However, providing 100% guaranteed resilience to all types of traffic supported by existing and future networks may be unnecessary and wasteful in terms of resource utilization and cost efficiency. This chapter investigates the problem of dynamic traffic grooming for WDM networks under a differentiated resilience scheme. We propose two differentiated resilience schemes at different grooming levels— Differentiated Resilience at Lightpath (DRAL) level scheme, and Differentiated Resilience at Connection (DRAC) level scheme. These schemes explore different ways of provisioning backup paths and tradeoff between bandwidth efficiency and the number of required grooming ports. Both schemes support three resilience classes: dedicated protection, shared protection, and restoration. Simulation is carried out to evaluate and compare the two differentiated resilience schemes. Simulation results show that the DRAL scheme is not very sensitive to the changes in the number of grooming ports, while the DRAC scheme utilizes grooming ports more aggressively as it trades grooming ports for bandwidth efficiency in routing and grooming.
Self-healing on Transparent Optical Packet Switching Mesh Networks
Authors: Razo-Zapata Iván S. , Castañón Gerardo , Mex-Perera Carlos
Published: November 2011

This work presents a novel approach for dealing with failures and attacks on Transparent Optical Packet Switching (TOPS) mesh networks. The approach is composed of two phases, whereas the first one dynamically dimensions the resources in the network, the second one applies an incremental learning algorithm that generates an intelligent policy. At each node, such a policy allows a self-healing behavior when there are failures or attacks in the network. Finally, the performance of this approach is presented as well as future research lines.
Optical Communication
Authors: Strobel Otto , Seibl Daniel , Lubkoll Jan
Published: November 2011

The idea of this chapter is to give an overview on optical communication systems. The most important devices for fiber-optic transmission systems are presented, and their properties discussed. In particular, we consider such systems working with those basic components which are necessary to explain the principle of operation. Among them is the optical transmitter, consisting of a light source, typically a low speed LED or a high speed driven laser diode. Furthermore, the optical receiver has to be mentioned; it consists of a photodiode and a low noise, high bit rate, front-end amplifier. Yet, in the focus of the considerations, you will find the optical fiber as the dominant element in optical communication systems. Different fiber types are presented, and their properties explained. The joint action of these three basic components can lead to fiber-optic systems, mainly applied to data communication. The systems can operate as transmission links with bit rates up to 40 Gbit/s. But communication systems are also used for recent application areas in the MBit/s region, e.g. in aviation, automobile, and maritime industry. Therefore—besides pure glass fibers—polymer optical fibers (POF) and polymer-cladded silica (PCS) fibers have to be taken into account. Moreover, even different physical layers like optical wireless and visible light communication can be a solution.
Collaborative Distance
Authors: Pallot Marc , Martínez-Carreras Maria Antonia , Prinz Wolfgang
Published: November 2011

This paper introduces the topic of “Collaborative Distance” within Distributed Collaboration as being an introduction to this Special Issue on Collaborative Working Environments1 (CWE). In this paper, the authors discuss various related concepts, identified during an extensive literature review, on both proximity and distance in distributed collaboration. Then, a Collaborative Distance Framework (CDF) is proposed in deriving its four dimensions and related factors from the existing body of knowledge. The following section discusses the interest of such a CDF and introduces the articles published in this special issue. The concluding section discusses the articles’ contributions, limitations and future work as well as recommendations for future research in this area.
Communication Genres for Dispersed Real-Time Collaboration (RTC)
Authors: Frößler Frank
Published: November 2011

In this paper, the author examines RTC and its implications on people’s lives. This paper analyzes the production and reproduction of presence and awareness through (RTC-mediated) communication genres. Specifically, the author argues that presence and awareness are two interrelated concepts. Four communication genres are presented, which people intentionally or unintentionally draw on in dispersed settings to create awareness. Furthermore, presence, understood as a person’s sensation of being perceived by others in whatever he or she is doing, is influenced by the information imparted through communication genres. The author argues that the sensation of presence shapes the characteristics of communication genres and that RTC technology modifies existing or enables new communicative practices. Consequently, emerging RTC technologies may affect the sensation of presence in dispersed settings. The line of argument is developed by presenting the working conditions and communication practices of a university professor, working on several projects with both dispersed and co-located colleagues.
Using WarpPLS in E-Collaboration Studies
Authors: Kock Ned
Published: November 2011

Most relationships between variables describing natural and behavioral phenomena are nonlinear, with U-curve and S-curve relationships being particularly common. Yet, structural equation modeling software tools do not estimate coefficients of association taking nonlinear relationships between latent variables into consideration. This can lead to misleading results, particularly in multivariate and complex phenomena like those related to e-collaboration. One notable exception is WarpPLS (available from: warppls.com), a new structural equation modeling software currently available in its first release. The discussion presented in this paper contributes to the literature on e-collaboration research methods by providing a description of the main features of WarpPLS in the context of an e-collaboration study. The focus of this discussion is on the software’s features and their use and not on e-collaboration study itself. Particular emphasis is placed on the five steps through which a structural equation modeling analysis is conducted through WarpPLS.
Mapping the Need for Mobile Collaboration Technologies
Authors: Sarker Saonee , Campbell Damon E. , Ondrus Jan , Valacich Joseph S.
Published: November 2011

With the growing popularity of mobile technologies and the increasing use of groups within organizations, it is important to understand the collaboration contexts where mobile collaboration technologies (MCTs) are essential. This is especially critical given the high cost associated with the acquisition and implementation of MCTs and the need to make an informed decision regarding the appropriateness of MCTs. In this paper, the authors address this issue by first drawing on real life-based collaboration scenarios and examining the technology requirements of groups; second, comparing the features offered by MCTs with those of FTF and two types of CMCTs; third, proposing a collaboration environment-technology fit perspective in realizing optimal usage of a collaboration technology; and fourth, creating the Group Collaboration Technology Repertoire Grid, which maps the “ideal” collaboration technology(s) repertoire for each type of collaboration environment. The grid highlights the collaboration environments that would need MCTs and provides managers or organizational group leaders the ability to map their collaboration environments into a specific category and thus more easily decide on the particular collaboration technology repertoire that would be most beneficial.
The Hispanic View of E-mail, Popup, and Banner Advertising
Authors: Korgaonkar Pradeep , Silverblatt Ronnie , Becerra Enrique P.
Published: November 2011

In this paper, the authors broadly investigate Hispanic consumer attitudes and their sociological behaviors toward online advertising. The study documents the correlation between Hispanic attitudes, behaviors, and three types of online advertising that have an effect on cultural distinctions. Additionally, the study compares the group’s attitudes toward TV advertising vis-à-vis the three types of online advertising to compare the two medium’s similarities and differences. Notably, Hispanics favor e-mail advertising and banner advertising over popup advertising, while Hispanics continue to enjoy advertising on television more than any of the three types of Web advertising that this paper will discuss.
An Exploratory Look at Attributes of Internet Use and Adoption by Franchisees
Authors: O’Reilly Kelley , Ugray Zsolt
Published: November 2011

This case study explores the attitudes and perceptions of franchise owner-operators in regard to their acceptance of advanced Internet innovation and technologies. Because these franchisees serve a dual role as both the decision maker and the end user of new technology and innovation, they provide a dichotomy of perspectives that yield insights into many aspects of business leadership, customer service, and operational proficiency. Findings suggest five key attributes of Internet use and adoption by franchisees. The data in this exploratory case study also reveals three areas of disparity regarding franchisee behavior worthy of consideration by practitioners and academics: (1) The inward focus of franchisees, (2) project costs are considered superficially, and (3) the micro SME as change agent. This research is significant and accretive by capturing the voice of franchisees in regard to Internet acceptance and by providing a strategic look at how the franchise micro SME is significantly different than non-franchised and larger SMEs.
Taking a Strategic Alliance Approach to Enhance M-Commerce Development
Authors: Zhao Fang
Published: November 2011

Current m-commerce business models show that m-commerce depends on complex networks of business relationships, which often comprise telecommunications service providers, mobile device makers, banking industry, Internet search engine providers, and various third-party value-adding companies. Due to the nature of m-commerce, the key to success in m-commerce lies predominantly in managing a network of alliances. This paper answers research questions, such as why do companies team up for m-commerce? What are the key challenges facing the alliances? How can companies address the challenges? What does the future hold for the study of strategic alliances including m-commerce alliances? This paper extends strategic alliance theories to the study of m-commerce alliances that are formulated in various cultural and national backgrounds. The authors examine both strategic and operational strategies for m-commerce alliances and discuss a wide range of issues in the formulation and implementation of m-commerce alliance strategy.
Teachers and Technology
Authors: Blankson Joseph , Kyei-Blankson Lydia , Keengwe Jared
Published: November 2011

In addition to possessing content knowledge required to teach students, today’s teachers must be well equipped with appropriate technology skills and tools to guide and support student learning. The identification of this need has led teacher education programs to mandate all preservice teachers to enroll in technology courses as part of their teacher preparatory curriculum. Similarly, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has established the National Education Technology Standards for teachers (NETS- T) to help promote teacher technology competencies. The purpose of the study was to evaluate preservice teachers’ self-assessed technology competency to determine whether preservice teachers perceived that their technology class enabled them to meet ISTE’s required standards. Specifically, this paper explores the extent to which an educational technology course at a participating midwest college helped to improve preservice teachers’ technology skills as well as to prepare them attain ISTE NETS- T.
Enhancing Students’ Loyalty to the Information Systems Major
Authors: Hunsinger D. Scott , Land Judy , Chen Charlie C.
Published: November 2011

Many colleges and universities face the problem of recruiting and retaining students in information systems-related majors. The authors’ study proposes a model to identify the primary factors leading to the retention of existing Computer Information Systems (CIS) majors. They identify four factors leading to student intention to remain a CIS major or to refer others to become a CIS major: (1) expectations, (2) perceived service quality, (3) satisfaction, and (4) regret. They discover that certain factors play a significant role in influencing a student’s intention to remain a CIS major and/or to encourage others to major in CIS. By determining which factors impact students’ intentions to remain a CIS major and to encourage others to major in CIS, we can focus our resources on these areas instead of spending time and money on those services which are not influential.
Bringing AI to E-Learning
Authors: Giotopoulos K. , Alexakos C. , Beligiannis G. , Stefani A.
Published: November 2011

This paper presents a newly developed student model agent, which is the basic part of an e-learning environment that incorporates Intelligent Agents and Computational Intelligence Techniques. The e-learning environment consists of three parts, the E-learning platform Front-End, the Student Questioner Reasoning and the Student Model Agent. The basic aim of this contribution is to describe in detail the agent’s architecture and the innovative features it provides to the e-learning environment through its utilization as an autonomous component. Several basic processes and techniques are facilitated through the agent in order to provide intelligence to the e-learning environment.
Materials-to-Standards Alignment
Authors: Adamich Tom
Published: November 2011

One way of identifying an effective materials-to-standards relationship (often defined educationally as “alignment”) is through the use of metadata for books, visual media, computer software, educational kits, and manipulative materials. Embedded in the metadata is vocabulary containing standards-based terminology and other elements of educational pedagogy—evidence of an effective materials-to-standards relationship or alignment. This article attempts to define the materials-to-standards alignment process (as it relates to state standards) and its relationship to formative assessment and the use of learning objects—successful strategies being used in today’s educational instruction and testing environment. The article also looks at two statewide examples of the use of metadata reflecting materials-to-standards alignment and identifies both current successes and future challenges associated with the broad use of each.
Effectiveness of International Distance Education in High School between Thailand and Japan
Authors: Pavasajjanant Natcha
Published: November 2011

This paper presents a view of the effectiveness of teaching and learning systems by focusing on how courses using ICT can be designed based on educational theories and evaluated using student feedback. This study analyzes a distance learning project in which Thai and Japanese (grade 10) students studied how to use MX Flash software for the creation of animations. In designing the course prior to implementation, the theoretical framework was examined and the Constructivism theory and the Bloom’s taxonomy were adopted. From these perspectives, effective learning-teaching methods are determined by course content, conditions of teaching processes, and media usage. The teaching processes were classified with the following three stages determined: (1) traditional lecture; (2) self-learning; and (3) collaborative learning. At the end of each class, the students were asked to respond to the course evaluation related to following the three domains: (1) comprehension; (2) cognitive load; and (3) motivation. These evaluations by the students were fully utilized in a regression analysis which examined whether the course design was appropriate for student understanding.
Technology Integration and Urban Schools
Authors: Kidd Terry T. , Keengwe Jared
Published: November 2011

With the call for educational reform in American public schools, various school districts have embarked on the process of reforming classroom instructional practices through technology to enhance quality education and student learning. This article explores the implications for educational technology practices within the context of urban schools. Additionally, this article highlights the need for administrators, policy makers and other educational stakeholders to reflect on effective ways to eliminate inequities and the gaps that exist between high and low Social Economic Status (SES) schools and teachers related to practices, resources, training, and professional development.
Applications of Mobile Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Gupta Babita , Koo Yangmo
Published: November 2011

As mobile devices’ use among consumers accelerates at an exponential rate, there is a need to examine how these mobile devices can be used as effective learning tools and not just a form of communication. In this paper, the authors use an empirical survey methodology to study various mobile learning tools that are currently available for use in higher education, their advantages and disadvantages in m-learning versus e-learning implementations, and to explore the current trends in m-learning.
Emerging Trends and Technologies for Enhancing Engineering Education
Authors: Sidhu Manjit Singh , Kang Lee Chen
Published: November 2011

Improving and enhancing education has been a prime goal for higher learning institutions that seek to provide better learning techniques, technologies, educators, and to generate knowledgeable students to fulfill the needs of industries. A significant area where improvements are required is in the engineering field. In this regard, one approach is to review the delivery and pedagogies used in current education systems. This paper examines the problems faced by staff and students in the field of Mechanical Engineering, which are found in the literature. Finally, the authors explore new technologies that could help enhance and promote the learning process of students experiencing problems.
Accessing ICT Enabled Content in Low-Income Countries
Authors: Negash Solomon
Published: November 2011

While the digital revolution has transformed the way many of us work and live, more than half the world’s population lives in rural areas that have been shut-out of the digital transformation. Low-income countries have yet to realize the benefits from the digital revolution; therefore, a need exists for innovative and alternative models to overcome the lack of access to knowledge and learning. This paper examines the challenges faced by low-income countries in accessing ICT enabled content and proposes a Big-Small model where low-income countries can harness the ICT revolution. This paper concludes with a discussion on sustainability and future research directions.
Faculty Adopters of Podcasting
Authors: Yang Jin
Published: November 2011

Educators have started incorporating iPods for academic purposes and a growing interest exists in using podcasting as an educational tool. However, it remains uncertain whether podcasting will hit the critical mass and become an indispensable teaching tool for the classroom. In this regard, it is critical to evaluate the adoption experience of the faculty and identify the benefits and challenges encountered in the process. This paper derives its theoretical framework from two threads, the original model of the diffusion of innovation and the modified model in the organizational setting, which will help explore the phenomenon of podcast use at universities. This paper examines factors that might have a significant role in the faculty’s experiential use of podcasting.
Investigating the Properties of a Social Bookmarking and Tagging Network
Authors: Angelova Ralitsa , Lipczak Marek , Milios Evangelos , Pralat Pawel
Published: November 2011

Social networks and collaborative tagging systems are rapidly gaining popularity as a primary means for storing and sharing data among friends, family, colleagues, or perfect strangers as long as they have common interests. del.icio.us3 is a social network where people store and share their personal bookmarks. Most importantly, users tag their bookmarks for ease of information dissemination and later look up. However, it is the friendship links, that make del.icio.us a social network. They exist independently of the set of bookmarks that belong to the users and have no relation to the tags typically assigned to the bookmarks. To study the interaction among users, the strength of the existing links and their hidden meaning, we introduce implicit links in the network. These links connect only highly “similar” users. Here, similarity can reflect different aspects of the user’s profile that makes her similar to any other user, such as number of shared bookmarks, or similarity of their tags clouds. The authors investigate the question whether friends have common interests, they gain additional insights on the strategies that users use to assign tags to their bookmarks, and they demonstrate that the graphs formed by implicit links have unique properties differing from binomial random graphs or random graphs with an expected power-law degree distribution.