bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data Mining Techniques for Web Personalization
Authors: Uchyigit Gulden
Published: May 2010

The increase in the information overload problem poses new challenges in the area of web personalization. Traditionally, data mining techniques have been extensively employed in the area of personalization, in particular data processing, user modeling and the classification phases. More recently the popularity of the semantic web has posed new challenges in the area of web personalization necessitating the need for more richer semantic based information to be utilized in all phases of the personalization process. The use of the semantic information allows for better understanding of the information in the domain which leads to more precise definition of the user’s interests, preferences and needs, hence improving the personalization process. data mining algorithms are employed to extract richer semantic information from the data to be utilized in all phases of the personalization process. This chapter presents a stateof- the-art survey of the techniques which can be used to semantically enhance the data processing, user modeling and the classification phases of the web personalization process.
ODARM
Authors: Xiao Fu , Li Xie
Published: May 2010

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) are widely deployed with increasing of unauthorized activities and attacks. However they often overload security managers by triggering thousands of alerts per day. And up to 99% of these alerts are false positives (i.e. alerts that are triggered incorrectly by benign events). This makes it extremely difficult for managers to correctly analyze security state and react to attacks. In this chapter the authors describe a novel system for reducing false positives in intrusion detection, which is called ODARM (an Outlier Detection-Based Alert Reduction Model). Their model based on a new data mining technique, outlier detection that needs no labeled training data, no domain knowledge and little human assistance. The main idea of their method is using frequent attribute values mined from historical alerts as the features of false positives, and then filtering false alerts by the score calculated based on these features. In order to filter alerts in real time, they also design a two-phrase framework that consists of the learning phrase and the online filtering phrase. Now they have finished the prototype implementation of our model. And through the experiments on DARPA 2000, they have proved that their model can effectively reduce false positives in IDS alerts. And on real-world dataset, their model has even higher reduction rate.
Concept-Based Mining Model
Authors: Shehata Shady , Karray Fakhri , Kamel Mohamed
Published: May 2010

Most of text mining techniques are based on word and/or phrase analysis of the text. Statistical analysis of a term frequency captures the importance of the term within a document only. However, two terms can have the same frequency in their documents, but one term contributes more to the meaning of its sentences than the other term. Thus, the underlying model should indicate terms that capture the semantics of text. In this case, the model can capture terms that present the concepts of the sentence, which leads to discover the topic of the document. A new concept-based mining model that relies on the analysis of both the sentence and the document, rather than, the traditional analysis of the document dataset only is introduced. The concept-based model can effectively discriminate between non-important terms with respect to sentence semantics and terms which hold the concepts that represent the sentence meaning. The proposed model consists of concept-based statistical analyzer, conceptual ontological graph representation, and concept extractor. The term which contributes to the sentence semantics is assigned two different weights by the concept-based statistical analyzer and the conceptual ontological graph representation. These two weights are combined into a new weight. The concepts that have maximum combined weights are selected by the concept extractor. The concept-based model is used to enhance the quality of the text clustering, categorization and retrieval significantly.
Fuzzy Clustering Based Image Segmentation Algorithms
Authors: Ali M. Ameer
Published: May 2010

Image segmentation especially fuzzy based image segmentation techniques are widely used due to effective segmentation performance. For this reason, a huge number of algorithms are proposed in the literature. This chapter presents a survey report of different types of classical and shape based fuzzy clustering algorithms which are available in the literature.
Use of Data Mining Techniques for Process Analysis on Small Databases
Authors: Gams Matjaz , Ozek Matej
Published: May 2010

The pharmaceutical industry was for a long time founded on rigid rules. With the new PAT initiative, control is becoming significantly more flexible. The Food and Drug Administration is even encouraging the industry to use methods like machine learning. The authors designed a new data mining method based on inducing ensemble decision trees from which rules are generated. The first improvement is specialization for process analysis with only a few examples and many attributes. The second innovation is a graphical module interface enabling process operators to test the influence of parameters on the process itself. The first task is creating accurate knowledge on small datasets. The authors start by building many decision trees on the dataset. Next, they subtract only the best subparts of the constructed trees and create rules from those parts. A best tree subpart is in general a tree branch that covers most examples, is as short as possible and has no misclassified examples. Further on, the rules are weighed, regarding the number of examples and parameters included. The class value of the new case is calculated as a weighted average of all relevant rule predictions. With this procedure the authors retain clarity of the model and the ability to efficiently explain the classification result. In this way, overfitting of decision trees and overpruning of the basic rule learners are diminished to a great extent. From the rules, an expert system is designed that helps process operators. Regarding the second task of graphical interface, the authors modified the Orange explanation module so that an operator at each step takes a look at several space planes, defined by two chosen attributes (Demšar et al., 2004). The displayed attributes are the ones that appeared in the classification rules triggered by the new case. The operator can interactively change the current set of process parameters in order to check the improvement of the class value. The task of seeing the influence of combining all the attributes leading to a high quality end product (called design space) is now becoming human comprehensible, it does not demand a highdimensional space vision any more. The method was successfully implemented on data provided by a pharmaceutical company. High classification accuracy was achieved in a readable form thus introducing new comprehensions.
Mobile Technology Adoption in the Supply Chain
Authors: Doolin Bill , Al Haj Ali Eman Ibrahim
Published: May 2010

The increasing utilization of mobile commerce technologies in e-business raises the question of their use in supply chain integration and management. This chapter presents a multiple case study investigation of the adoption of mobile technology in the supply chain. A technology-organization-environment framework of the contextual influences on technological innovation adoption is used to inform an analysis of three companies’ adoption and use of mobile data solutions for sales automation, freight tracking and service support. Analysis of the three case studies found that the relative advantage of the technological innovation and the information intensity of the company were the most important factors influencing adoption. Other factors that appeared to influence adoption included the compatibility of the technology with the company’s business approach, the presence of top management support and the degree of organizational readiness. Environmental factors such as competition within the industry or business partner influence seemed less influential for these pioneers of mobile technology use in supply-side activities.
Towards a Contextual and Policy-Driven Method for Service Computing Design and Development
Authors: Maamar Zakaria , Benslimane Djamal , Badr Youakim
Published: May 2010

Today, Web services are of interest to both academia and industry. However, little has so far been accomplished in terms of design and development methods to assist those who are responsible for specifying and deploying applications based on Web services in compliance with service computing principles. For this purpose, the authors developed in this chapter a method based on Context and Policy for Web Services known as CP4WS. In this method, policies manage various aspects related to Web services such as participation in composition scenarios and adjustment in response to environmental changes, and context provides the necessary information that permits for instance to trigger the appropriate policies and to regulate the interactions between Web services with respect to the current state of the environment. CP4WS consists of several steps such as the identification of user needs and the behavioral specification of Web services. Each step has a specific graphical notation that facilitates the representation, description, and validation of the composition operations of Web services. A case study that illustrates and highlights the use and originality of CP4WS, respectively, is provided in this chapter.
Implementation and Modeling of Enterprise Web Services
Authors: Kung Mabel T. , Zhang Jenny Yi
Published: May 2010

Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in business processes and research in distributed computing environments. Applications today can be composed of very heterogeneous components: some involve having the user in the loop; some deal with streaming data; while some require high-performance resources for their execution. This chapter examines the performance of a series of process-based models for the development of e-Business using enterprise software applications. Merging management technology in workflow systems is a critical step to provide service-oriented architecture and on-demand business. The authors propose a value-oriented process technique as a strategic alignment to improve investment value. The framework focuses on the guidelines for traditional users to identify the structural conflicts in integrating web services. A comparative study of workflow models for intra-and inter-organizational process control is presented. This chapter identifies the current progress in the adaptability in the design of process models coupled with structural changes of workflow views. The study provides a resource list of successful implementations for practitioners in organizational management. The research highlights the motivation of market facilitation, expert sharing and collaboration that enable commercial applications to support complex heterogeneous, autonomous and distributed information systems.
Brokering Web Services via a Hybrid Ontology Mediation Approach Using Multi Agent Systems (MAS)
Authors: Muthaiyah Saravanan , Kerschberg Larry
Published: May 2010

This chapter introduces a hybrid ontology mediation approach for deploying Semantic Web Services (SWS) using Multi-agent systems (MAS). The methodology that the authors have applied combines both syntactic and semantic matching techniques for mapping ontological schemas so as to 1) eliminate heterogeneity; 2)provide higher precision and relevance in matched results; 3) produce better reliability and 4) achieve schema homogeneity. The authors introduce a hybrid matching algorithm i.e. SRS (Semantic Relatedness Score) which is a composite matcher that comprises thirteen well established semantic and syntactic algorithms which have been widely used in linguistic analysis. This chapter provides empirical evidence via several hypothesis tests for validating our approach. A detailed mapping algorithm as well as a Multi-agent based system (MAS) prototype has been developed for brokering Web services as proof-of-concept and to further validate the presented approach. Agent systems today provide brokering services that heavily rely on matching algorithms that at present focus mainly only on syntactic matching techniques. The authors provide empirical evidence that their hybrid approach is a better solution to this problem.
Mobile Marketing
Authors: Yamamoto Gonca Telli
Published: May 2010

This section overviews marketing and the impacts of technology on marketing, and presents the current situation where certain traditional rules of marketing are not valid anymore and certain new efforts are required. Also the mechanism of exploration is taken into consideration before going into the details of mobile marketing. Mobile marketing is discussed with its narrow and wide meanings.
Mobile Marketing Practices
Authors: Yamamoto Gonca Telli
Published: May 2010

Business types seen in e-commerce such as: e-shopping, e-store, e-tailing, e-auctioning, e-banking, e-trading, e-entertaining, e-learning, e-realtor, e-gambling, e-directory, e-news, e-zine, e-advertising, and e-logistics are now transforming into m-shopping, m-store, m-tailing, m-auctioning, m-banking, mtrading, m-entertaining, m-learning, m-realtor, m-gambling, m-directory, m-news, m-zine, m-advertising, and m-logistics.
Mobile Customer
Authors: Yamamoto Gonca Telli
Published: May 2010

Organizations and people, whenever they need to, aim to fulfill their requirements with suitable products and services. The suppliers of these requirements perform a certain marketing process until the requirement is fulfilled. In this process, first the attributes of the product or service are determined. Various studies are made during the identification of these attributes. These studies are evaluated from the customer’s perspective for conformity to taste, functionality, suitability to place and culture, convenience for budget and time. The purchasing process is concluded upon the final decision of the people or organizations that see the suitability of the product to fulfill their requirements. In this context, the mobile customer tries to cover his or her requirements with the knowledge based on information obtained from the virtual environment, and reaches facts via virtual data, and the customer creates a new structure with different features. This section aims to detail the changing customer structure, the individualization and the experienced changes and considers the transformation of individuals into mobile customers. Generations who depended on products of high-technology development, which show themselves with different aspects, have also brought differences to marketing. They have both changed the production and service approach, and began to benefit from different types of products and services. In addition to other environmental conditions that affect life, human generations who change due to the effects of the means of the age should also be examined in this context.
E-Government Organizational Performance Framework
Authors: Chhabra Susheel , Jaiswal Mahadeo
Published: May 2010

The objective of this chapter is to design an e-government organizational performance framework and to suggest ICTs solutions through a case study of Haryana state government in India so as to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of services provided to citizens. The framework is suggested using responses collected from 150 government departments. The ICTs solutions were validated by data collected from 90 e-government experts. A log linear regression analysis is used to develop the framework. The framework with minor modifications can be developed for similar other e-government settings.
Institutions, Organizations, and Interorganizational IT Projects in the Mexican Federal Government
Authors: Luna-Reyes Luis F. , Gil-Garcia J. Ramon
Published: May 2010

Electronic government has the potential of transforming the way government works and interacts with citizens. However, recent research has found that the promised benefits are rarely completely achieved. Some of these studies highlight the importance of institutions in shaping the development, implementation, and use of information technologies in government settings. Based on a survey and a set of interviews with Mexican federal government managers, this chapter explores the relationships between institutional arrangements, organizational forms, information technologies, and the outcomes of Mexican IT initiatives. Overall, the authors found that there are important interactions among these variables and important similarities exist between developed countries and other realities, such as Latin America. The research presented here contributes to the field by testing causal relationships often cited in the digital government literature, but with little empirical quantitative exploration. Moreover, understanding those relationships offers guidance in the implementation of interorganizational IT applications in government, potentially increasing their probability of success as well as the benefits for citizens and other stakeholders.
Exploring Government Role in Promoting IT Advancement in China
Authors: Cui Lili , Zhang Cheng
Published: May 2010

By analyzing the survey data from 1211 firms across 14 industries and across various ownerships in Shanghai, the study examines factors that influence information technology (IT) usage in Chinese firms applying a technology – organization - environment framework and institutional theory. This study provides an in-depth investigation into the government’s role in promoting Chinese firms’ IT advancement. The finding suggests distinct paths where government actions affect firms’ IT adoption and usage. Although government cannot directly influence firms’ IT adoption, it does so by influencing firms’ IT infrastructure construction and management respectively. In other words, firms’ IT infrastructure development and IT management decision plays as a mediator between different government actions and firms’ IT adoption. Furthermore, firms adapt to governmental impact distinguishingly. The findings suggest that e-government approaches and government promotion policies have significant impact on IT usage in manufacturing firms, in local firms and in national-background firms. The study also provides valuable implications to government administrators in China, particularly to those in the modern cities like Shanghai.
Development of a Scale to Measure Information Technology Capability of Export-Focused SMEs in China
Authors: Zhang Man , Sarker Suprateek , McCullough Jim
Published: May 2010

This chapter addresses the conceptual and measurement issues related to the study of information technology capability (ITC) in small to medium businesses that focus on exports. The authors review the concept of ITC and its components and reports on the construction and psychometric assessment of a measure of ITC. The authors develop a multi-dimensional scale showing strong evidence of reliability and validity in samples from export-focused SMEs based in Mainland China. Finally, this chapter demonstrates nomological validity by examining the relationship between ITC and export-focused SMEs’ performance.
Current Ethically Globalized Institutions
Authors: Schultz Robert A.
Published: May 2010

As I noted in the previous chapter, the world is currently not organized into a single economy sharing benefits and burdens. But at the same time, institutions have developed which transcend national boundaries. We are looking for ethically globalized institutions, those which raise ethical problems which cannot be divided into pieces belonging to different nations. I will begin with a list of international organizations. International organizations are those which have an official presence in more than one nation. Among these, we will separate out those which are ethically globalized institutions and therefore the concern of this book.
Internet Affordances and Teens' Social Communication
Authors: Mesch Gustavo S.
Published: May 2010

As the Internet has been adopted and integrated in the daily lives of an increasing number of young adolescents in western countries, scholars and commentators are debating and speculating on the impact of these new media on the activities, social relationships and worldview of the young generation. The communication environment has become more and more complex, as youth combine the use of electronic mail, open forums, chat rooms, instant messenger and social networking sites. In this chapter the author argues that the use of different social applications, partially define the structure and content of social communication and association. In this chapter the author reviews the literature on the motivations for the use of each social application and the impact of the use on the type, size and quality of social ties that are maintained and created.
Unravelling the Web
Authors: Widyanto Laura , Griffiths Mark
Published: May 2010

It has been alleged by some academics that excessive Internet use can be pathological and addictive. This chapter reviews what is known from the empirical literature on “Internet addiction” and its derivatives (e.g., Internet Addiction Disorder, Pathological Internet Use etc.) and assesses to what extent it exists. The chapter briefly overviews (i) the history and concept of Internet addiction, (ii) research on (adolescent and adult) Internet addiction, (iii) the attraction of the online world to adolescents, (iv) Internet users in their own words, an (v) an examination of online versus offline identity. The chapter has demonstrated that research into adolescent Internet addiction is a relatively little studied phenomenon although most effects found among adult users are thought to occur among adolescents too. In conclusion it would appear that if Internet addiction does indeed exist, it affects only a relatively small percentage of the online population and there is very little evidence that it is problematic among adolescents.
The Internet and Adolescent Sexual Identity
Authors: Paul Bryant , Samson Lelia
Published: May 2010

This chapter considers the potential role of the Internet in the process of adolescent sexual identity construction. It starts by providing evidence of the ever-increasing role the Internet is playing in the lives of adolescents and by considering the potential impact such a technology is likely to have given the transitional nature of the adolescent brain. A consideration of theoretical approaches for understanding the role the Internet is likely to play in individuals’ sexual self-identity development is then undertaken. A review of the specific role Internet communication technologies have come to play in the process of adolescent sexual socialization is then carried out. In doing so the authors argue that future research addressing the role of the Internet in the process of adolescent sexual socialization and identity development must consider both the specific structure of the adolescent brain and the unique nature of the Internet as a source of information and an opportunity for social networking.
Effects of Motives for Internet Use, Aloneness, and Age Identity Gratifications on Online Social Behaviors and Social Support among Adolescents
Authors: Leung Louis
Published: May 2010

The advent of new media technologies, such as e-mail, blogs, MSN, online games, mobile phones, iPods, MP3, PS3, NDS, video on demand (VOD), and DVDs, to name a few, has dramatically changed both the nature and number of social compensation and mood management devices available to most youngsters. Although previous research has examined how the Internet has become an important resource for information and entertainment, little research has focused on the ways in which individuals use the Internet for social communication and support. In particular, how personality traits, such as perception of aloneness and age identity gratifications, together with motives for Internet use impact Internet habits and perceived social support are much-neglected areas of research. This chapter investigates how differences in these constructs among adolescents and children influence their online social behavior (such as use of instant messaging, online games, and participating in forums).
A Review of Building Information Modeling Tools from an Architectural Design Perspective
Authors: Çetiner Olcay
Published: May 2010

Building Information Modeling (BIM) continues to evolve and grow along with its respective application in practice. One of the key advantages of BIM is that it facilitates the development of detailed information and analysis much earlier in the building process to improve decision making and reduce downstream changes. This chapter provides a review on the BIM tools from an Architectural Design Perspective.
Delivering BIM to the UK Market
Authors: Bew Mark , Underwood Jason
Published: May 2010

Technology has developed dramatically over the past five and particularly three decades. The way we live our lives has changed and is set to change ever more with the effects this technology has on our planet’s environment. Construction is one of the world’s oldest industries and has been slow to adapt and change with the arrival of these developing technologies. For example, it has been nearly two decades since Building Information Modelling (BIM) was first mooted and we still await significant adoption. The UK picture is further burdened with a fragmented supply chain, slow consolidation and generally low investment in the industry. However, BIM is not CAD. It is so much more; like the move from old accounting packages to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), it includes the formal management of processes on a consistent, repeatable basis. Like ERP, this is a very difficult transition to make. The product vendors have not helped through creating a confused market, with patchy product capability and no process management tools available on a scalable production basis. Furthermore, the construction industry’s approach to contracts, training and education also need attention if it is to deliver this operating model. However, the key questions are: does it work and is it worth pursuing in the competitive UK market? The answer to both questions is yes, but it is important to be aware of what is involved, to understand the evolution and to take sensible steps to achieve the reward. The focus of this chapter is to begin exploring the issues towards the delivery of BIM to the UK construction market sector.
The US National Building Information Modeling Standard
Authors: Suermann Patrick C. , Issa Raja R.A.
Published: May 2010

The publication of the National BIM Standard (NBIMS) at the end of 2007 after two years of work by the most highly diverse team ever assembled by the National Institute of Building Sciences brought a symbolic shift in the architecture, engineering, construction, and facility ownership (AECO) community. However, what impact did it have on the industry? This chapter looks at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and impact of the NBIMS into 2009 and beyond. Specifically, this chapter will delve into some of the strengths of the NBIMS, such as promulgating a standardized approach for documenting information exchanges between stakeholders, and applying the NBIMS Interactive Capability Maturity Model (I-CMM) to evaluate a project or portfolio for BIM maturity. Opportunities exist in the areas of sustainability, modularity, and fabrication, as demonstrated in several industry projects to date. Weaknesses of the NBIMS are that it is not directly applicable yet at the technical level such as the National CAD Standard (NCS). Along with the NCS, the NBIMS and their umbrella parent organization, the Facility Information Council of the National Institute of Building Sciences are gradually being absorbed into the buildingSMART™ Alliance. Lastly, the primary impact of the NBIMS will be felt in terms of current and future projects promoting interoperable information exchange for specific stakeholders. These include multiple applications of interoperable-IFC-based approaches.
A CAD-Based Interface Management System using Building Information Modeling in Construction
Authors: Lin Yu-Cheng
Published: May 2010

Many interface events and problems occur in Architecture/Engineering/Construction (A/E/C) projects during the construction phase. Identifying and controlling related interface events and problems are essential to construction management. Interface management (IM) has become the most important projectmanagement strategy in construction management. Interface management is the systematic control of all communications that support an operational process. Construction IM affects cost, scheduling, and quality directly and indirectly. Despite many academic studies and considerable discussion regarding IM, information about systematic approaches for managing interface events and problems during the construction phase is lacking. Interface or changed events can be identified and traced in IM such that participants can improve construction processes, minimize mistaken rework, and reduce total duration. This study presents a novel practical methodology for tracking and managing interfaces using Building Information Modeling (BIM). When using BIM, users can obtain an overview of previous and current interfaces in a given project and implement appropriate advanced control strategies and manage interfaces and problems in A/E/C projects. This pilot study utilizes BIMs for IM to the construction/ mechanical/electrical interfaces in a building project and develops a construction CAD-based Interface Management (CBIM) system for project participants. The CBIM system is applied to a case study of a construction building project in Taiwan to verify the proposed methodology and demonstrate the effectiveness of IM.
Automated Building Process Monitoring
Authors: Rebolj Danijel , Babic Nenad Cuš , Podbreznik Peter
Published: May 2010

Monitoring of building process activities is the basis for effective control and management of a building project. In its traditional way it is, however, time consuming, inaccurate and expensive. To improve the monitoring process researchers are investigating methods to automate monitoring and support project managers with accurate and timely information about activity progress. The chapter describes some of these methods and then concentrates on a solution, which takes into account all three aspects of project management: coordination, control and communication. Activity progress is monitored directly by using a combination of data collection methods, which are based on the building information model (BIM), especially on the 4D model of the building. The resulting system is described, evaluated and discussed.
BIM Integration with Geospatial Information within the Urban Built Environment
Authors: Wang Hongxia , Hamilton Andy
Published: May 2010

In the construction industry, BIM is enabling the information sharing and integration practise culture to emerge. Consideration of the geo-location is essential at the design and planning stage for building construction. It is important to integrate BIM with surrounding geo-spatial information which will not only benefit the construction industry in getting site information, but also help urban management in getting building details in the city. This chapter reports the emerging efforts on BIM integration with geospatial information within the urban built environment. The authors have been working on the design and development of the integration framework of BIM and geospatial information. In this framework, a BIM web service, Building Feature Service (BFS), is defined to retrieve building objects and elements information based on OGC’s Web Service. This framework can extend the scope of BIM to the urban built environment to support life cycle information services for both city management and the construction industry.
Query Support for BIMs using Semantic and Spatial Conditions
Authors: Borrmann André , Rank Ernst
Published: May 2010

A query language for Building Information Models allows users and third-party application programmers to not only analyze the digital building under specific criteria but also to extract partial models from a full building model. This functionality is of crucial importance, since the full BIM is meant to comprise the information of all domains involved in the planning process, but an individual user or programmer is normally interested in only a small subset of it. To specify this subset, a formal language is required which makes it possible to formulate conditions the resulting data set has to fulfill. This concept is also known as providing a certain view of the data available. This chapter gives an overview of the currently available query technologies for BIMs and compares the different options in terms to expressive power and ease of use. The emphasis of the chapter, however, lies in the introduction of spatial query technology for BIMs that has been developed by the authors. Spatial operators extend the analysis and submodel specification capabilities of a query language substantially by providing an intermediate level of abstraction that is close to the human understanding of the geometric-toplological properties of building components and the relationships between them.
BIM Adoption
Authors: Gu Ning , Singh Vishal , Taylor Claudelle , London Kerry , Brankovic Ljiljana
Published: May 2010

This chapter presents a comprehensive analysis of the current state of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Facility Management (AEC/FM) industry and a re-assessment of its role and potential contribution in the near future, given the apparent slow rate of adoption by the industry. The chapter analyses the readiness of the industry with respect to the (1) tools, (2) processes and (3) people to position BIM adoption in terms of current status and expectations across disciplines. The findings are drawn from an ongoing research project funded by the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation (CRC-CI) that aims at developing a technological, operational and strategic analysis of adopting BIM in the AEC/FM industry as a collaboration platform.
Building Information Modeling in the Australian Architecture Engineering and Construction Industry
Authors: Gerrard Alex , Zuo Jian , Zillante George , Skitmore Martin
Published: May 2010

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a modern approach to the design, documentation, delivery, and life cycle management of buildings through the use of project information databases coupled with object-based parametric modeling. BIM has the potential to revolutionize the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry in terms of the positive impact it may have on information flows, working relationships between project participants from different disciplines and the resulting benefits it may achieve through improvements to conventional methods. This chapter reviews the development of BIM, the extent to which BIM has been implemented in Australia, and the factors which have affected the up-take of BIM. More specifically, the objectives of this chapter are to investigate the adoption of BIM in the Australian AEC industry and factors that contribute towards the uptake (or non uptake) of BIM. These objectives are met by a review of the related literature in the first instance, followed by the presentation of the results of a 2007 postal questionnaire survey and telephone interviews of a random sample of professionals in the Australian AEC industry. The responses suggest that less than 25 percent of the sample had been involved in BIM – rather less than might be expected from reading the literature. Also, of those who have been involved with BIM, there has been very little interdisciplinary collaboration. The main barriers impeding the implementation of BIM widely across the Australian AEC industry are also identified. These were found to be primarily a lack of BIM expertise, lack of awareness and resistance to change. The benefits experienced as a result of using BIM are also discussed. These include improved design consistency, better coordination, cost savings, higher quality work, greater productivity and increased speed of delivery. In terms of conclusion, some suggestions are made concerning the underlying practical reasons for the slow up-take of BIM and the successes for those early adopters. Prospects for future improvement are discussed and proposals are also made for a large scale worldwide comparative study covering industry-wide participants.
Building Lifecycle Information Management Case Studies
Authors: Riese Martin
Published: May 2010

A number of industries in other sectors have experienced substantial improvements in productivity due to the implementation of new technologies and associated working practices. In the industry of the built environment these new technologies and working practices are helping to bring about global “construction industry transformation.” Very large and complex three dimensional design and construction information databases can now be aggregated and managed collaboratively over the internet by large project teams working remotely from each other. Whilst person to person meetings are still essential for project teams, a certain amount of remote working can be accommodated. In the past, construction projects experienced many problems resulting from incompletely coordinated and two dimensional construction information that often contained inaccuracies and inconsistencies. The improved quality of design and construction information that is being produced now is making it possible to deliver better quality buildings. By reducing abortive works on site, buildings can be delivered on time and with reduced post construction claims and penalties. Accelerated and enhanced innovation is being enabled by connecting state of the art modelling and simulation technologies directly to the three dimensional design and construction databases. This is making it possible to deliver previously impossible designs. Affordable mass customization and the potential for industry supply chain integration is being enabled by the application of automation to design and construction information management. Additional improvements in efficiency and innovative design, delivery and facilities management are being made possible by this integration of all aspects of the supply chain (i.e. industry supply chain integration). In addition, substantial improvements to the everyday quality of life throughout the world will be brought about by the growing application of parametric generative computer-aided design, virtual prototyping, and lifecycle analysis and simulation.
Online Learning of Electrical Circuits Through a Virtual Laboratory
Authors: Gómez-Tejedor J. A. , Moltó G.
Published: May 2010

This work describes a Java-based virtual laboratory accessible via the Internet by means of a Web browser. This remote laboratory enables the students to build both direct and alternating current circuits. The program includes a graphical user interface which resembles the connection board, and also the electrical components and tools that are used in a real laboratory to build electrical circuits. Emphasis has been placed on designing access patterns to the virtual tools as if they were real ones. The virtual laboratory developed in this study allows the lecturer to adapt the behaviour and the principal layout of the different practical sessions during a course. This flexibility enables the tool to guide the student during each practical lesson, thus enhancing self-motivation. This study is an application of new technologies for active learning methodologies, in order to increase both the self-learning and comprehension of the students. This virtual laboratory is currently accessible at the following URL: http://personales.upv.es/jogomez/labvir/ (in Spanish).
A Model for Online Instruction and Faculty Assessment
Authors: Shaw Michael Thomas , Schmidt Thomas M.
Published: May 2010

Differing methods of course development can lead to widely varying results. The University of Phoenix develops courses for both on-campus and on-line (e-learning) delivery, using electronic collaboration as well as in-person teamings. Course developers at the University rigorously measure feedback about course materials, and revise courses based on learners’ input. This paper describes a model for developing and delivering e-learning doctoral-level curricula based on current research and a learner needs analyses. Suggestions for further improvements and surprising results about the most effective method for deriving E-learning materials are explored.
Enhancing Scholarly Conversation Through an Online Learning Community
Authors: Thoms Brian , Garrett Nathan , Ryan Terry
Published: May 2010

This paper reports on action research (AR) that implements online learning community (OLC) software to foster conversation and community at a specific graduate school. Informed by theories of conversation, online learning, and social networking we incorporate Web 2.0 technologies in the creation of a user-centric OLC. A distinguishing feature of our software is that, rather than being centered on courses like traditional course management software (CMS), our software is oriented towards and controlled by individuals. Results indicate that stakeholders—graduate students and faculty—appreciate and find value in the OLC we implemented.
Evaluating WebCT use in Relation to Students' Attitude and Performance
Authors: Hammoud Lamis , Love Steve
Published: May 2010

This chapter presents and discusses the results of a study we carried out to investigate students’ attitude and performance to using a managed online learning environment known as WebCT. The chapter starts off with an overview of the literature in this area of research, including a definition of the main technical terms referred to in the research literature. The chapter then goes on to provide a detailed description of the study set-up and presents the main findings obtained from this study. The results are then discussed in relation to previous findings in the research literature.
Formative Assessment and Certification in Lifelong Learning with Cognitive and Metacognitive Measurements
Authors: Pimentel Edson P. , Porto Feitosa Marcio , Omar Nizam
Published: May 2010

Traditional forms of assessment used in face-to-face and distance learning education are insufficient to ascertain the increase of the knowledge acquired and the learners progress, therefore do not provide enough information to detect their learning gaps necessary to improve their competencies . Another point is that traditional assessment ways rarely involve the student in monitoring his own learning through his metacognitive abilities. Nowadays, professional skills to obtain a working position changes at the same velocity than the increase of knowledge and have to be considered by any professional and/or student to be qualified for a new job. This paper presents a model for formative assessment and certification in Lifelong Learning based on cognitive and metacognitive measurements that will make possible the identification of the professional learning gaps showing a roadmap to obtain educational and conceptual certification for his/her competence. Moreover, it presents the architecture of a computational environment for student knowledge mapping that will allow identifying more specifically the learning gaps in order to supply the educational system with qualitative information.
Emerging Educational Technologies and Science Education
Authors: Howard Bruce C. , Tomei Lawrence
Published: May 2010

When discussing emerging educational technologies, the complaint around the globe is common enough: we may be outfitting schools with classrooms of the future, but teaching methods remain mired in the past. In the six articles that follow we describe our research on choosing and applying emerging educational technologies in the light of what we know about best practice teaching methods. Whereas many well-respected experts have addressed the need for new methodologies, we chose to focus on the process of choosing the technologies themselves. We set out to determine how to evaluate the individual promise an educational technology may hold and to provide guidelines to those who choose and use the technologies for teaching and learning.
Evaluating Educational Technologies
Authors: Ruberg Laurie , Calinger Manetta , Howard Bruce C.
Published: May 2010

Our team of researchers reviewed published results from the last 15 years to compile a list of the characteristics of effective educational uses of technology. All the studies considered technical, administrative, and learning features, while more recent investigations emphasized administrative characteristics necessary to support No Child Left Behind reporting. Recommended characteristics have evolved over time as expectations for technology integration have shifted from a focus on technology skill development to integrated use of technology as part of effective teaching and learning practices. Technology literacy is now considered as an integrated component of curriculum support and professional development. A timeline of relevant historical milestones in the evaluation of educational technologies illustrates how the understanding of and expectations for effective use of educational technologies has progressed to keep pace with advances in technological affordances.
From e-Learning to e-Education
Authors: Ben-Asher Zohar
Published: May 2010

The chapter examines the educational (and schooling) processes as related to the overall social, political and economic processes, so as to set the context within which e-Learning has to be explored and discussed and within which a strategy for it can be forged. Such issues as the economic implications of the educational system, the extent to which economic considerations and realities are actually taken into account in curricula building and in the process of teacher training are discussed, along with the notion of acquisition of knowledge and/or information. The chapter portrays the parameters that are required to create a well balanced strategy for the developing of e-Learning as a major vehicle for the implementation of the overall social goals of education, of which one essential seems to be lacking at times: the preparation of the system’s customer, the pupil, as a critical observer of reality and a careful and discriminative customer of the ever developing consumption oriented society.
Using E-Learning to Achieve Fluency in Foreign Languages
Authors: Zock Michael , Afantenos Stergos
Published: May 2010

Speaking a language and achieving pro?ciency in another one is a highly complex process which requires the acquisition of various kinds of knowledge, declarative and procedural (skills), like the learning of words, rules or patterns and their connection to communicative goals (intentions), the usual starting point. In order to help the learner acquire these skills we propose an electronic version of an age old method: pattern drills (henceforth PDs). While being highly regarded in the ?fties, PDs have become unpopular since then, partially because of their rigidity and lack of contextual and communicative grounding. Despite these shortcomings we do believe in the virtues of this approach, at least with regard to the acquisition of basic linguistic re?exes or skills (automatisms), necessary to produce language at a ’normal’ rate. Of course, the method needs improvement, and we will show here how this can be achieved. Unlike tapes or books, computers are open media, allowing for dynamic changes, taking users’ performances and preferences into account. Our DT, a small web-application still in its prototype phase, allows for this. It is a free, electronic version of PDs, i.e. an exercise generator, open and accomodatable to the users’ ever changing needs.