bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances in Computer Speech Synthesis and Implications for Assistive Technology
Authors: Bunnell H. Timothy , Pennington Christopher A.
Published: May 2010

The authors review developments in Computer Speech Synthesis (CSS) over the past two decades, focusing on the relative advantages as well as disadvantages of the two dominant technologies: rule-based synthesis; and data-based synthesis. Based on this discussion, they conclude that data-based synthesis is presently the best technology for use in Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) used as communication aids. They examine the benefits associated with data-based synthesis such as personal voices, greater intelligibility and improved naturalness, discuss problems that are unique to data-based synthesis systems, and highlight areas where all types of CSS need to be improved for use in assistive devices. Much of this discussion will be from the perspective of the ModelTalker project, a data-based CSS system for voice banking that provides practical, affordable personal synthetic voices for people using SGDs to communicate. The authors conclude with consideration of some emerging technologies that may prove promising in future SGDs.
Building Personalized Synthetic Voices for Individuals with Dysarthria using the HTS Toolkit
Authors: Creer Sarah , Green Phil , Cunningham Stuart , Yamagishi Junichi
Published: May 2010

For an individual with a speech impairment, it can be necessary for them to use a device to produce synthesized speech to assist their communication. To fully support all functions of human speech communication: communication of information, maintenance of social relationships and displaying identity, the voice must be intelligible and natural-sounding. Ideally, it must also be capable of conveying the speaker’s vocal identity. A new approach based on Hidden Markov models (HMMs) has been proposed as a way of capturing sufficient information about an individual’s speech to enable a personalized speech synthesizer to be developed. This approach adapts a statistical model of speech towards the vocal characteristics of an individual. This chapter describes this approach and how it can be implemented using the HTS toolkit. Results are reported from a study that built personalized synthetic voices for two individuals with dysarthria. An evaluation of the voices by the participants themselves suggests that this technique shows promise for building personalized voices for individuals with progressive dysarthria even when their speech has begun to deteriorate.
Are Speech-Generating Devices Viable AAC Options for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities?
Authors: Sutherland Dean , Sigafoos Jeff , Schlosser Ralf W. , O’Reilly Mark F. , Lancioni Giulio E.
Published: May 2010

Many adults with intellectual disabilities have severe communication impairments and are therefore potential candidates for the use of speech-generating technologies. However, there may be reluctance to prescribe speech-generating devices for adults with intellectual disabilities in the absence of evidence demonstrating that such persons are capable of learning and interested in using this technology. In this chapter, the authors provide an overview of intellectual disability and the use of speech-generating technologies for adults with intellectual disability. This overview is followed by a systematic review of intervention studies that have sought to teach the use of speech-generating technologies to adults with intellectual disability. An overview and review of this type may help to inform and advance evidence-based practice in the provision of communication intervention for adults with intellectual disability.
XML Native Storage and Query Processing
Authors: Zhang Ning , Özsu Tamer M.
Published: May 2010

As XML has evolved as a data model for semi-structured data and the de facto standard for data exchange (e.g., Atom, RSS, and XBRL), XML data management has been the subject of extensive research and development in both academia and industry. Among the XML data management issues, storage and query processing are the most critical ones with respect to system performance. Different storage schemes have their own pros and cons. Some storage schemes are more amenable to fast navigation, and some schemes perform better in fragment extraction and document reconstruction. Therefore, based on their own requirements, different systems adopt different storage schemes to tradeoff one set of features over the others. In this chapter, the authors review different native storage formats and query processing techniques that have been developed in both academia and industry. Various XML indexing techniques are also presented since they can be treated as specialized storage and query processing tools.
Index Structures for XML Databases
Authors: Mohammad Samir , Martin Patrick
Published: May 2010

Extensible Markup Language (XML), which provides a flexible way to define semistructured data, is a de facto standard for information exchange in the World Wide Web. The trend towards storing data in its XML format has meant a rapid growth in XML databases and the need to query them. Indexing plays a key role in improving the execution of a query. In this chapter the authors give a brief history of the creation and the development of the XML data model. They discuss the three main categories of indexes proposed in the literature to handle the XML semistructured data model and provide an evaluation of indexing schemes within these categories. Finally, they discuss limitations and open problems related to the major existing indexing schemes.
Normalization and Translation of XQuery
Authors: May Norman , Moerkotte Guido
Published: May 2010

Early approaches to XQuery processing proposed proprietary techniques to optimize and evaluate XQuery statements. In this chapter, the authors argue for an algebraic optimization and evaluation technique for XQuery as it allows us to benefit from experience gained with relational databases. An algebraic XQuery processing method requires a translation into an algebra representation. While many publications already exist on algebraic optimizations and evaluation techniques for XQuery, an assessment of translation techniques is required. Consequently, they give a comprehensive survey for translating XQuery into various query representations. The authors relate these approaches to the way normalization and translation is implemented in Natix and discuss these two steps in detail. In their experience, their translation method is a good basis for further optimizations and query evaluation.
Online Learning Environments, Scientific Argumentation, and 21st Century Skills
Authors: Clark Douglas , Sampson Victor , Stegmann Karsten , Marttunen Miika , Kollar Ingo , Janssen Jeroen , Erkens Gijsbert , Weinberger Armin , Menekse Muhsin , Laurinen Leena
Published: May 2010

A workshop held at the National Academies in the United States in 2007 highlighted five broad categories of skills that appear valuable across a range of jobs for people working in modern global economies. Engaging students in scientific argumentation can support the development of these 21st century skills. Unfortunately, opportunities are rare in typical classrooms for students to learn how to engage in scientific argumentation. Over the past ten years several online environments have been developed to support students engaging with one another in scientific argumentation. This paper considers how engaging students in scientific argumentation through the activity structures and scripts in these online environments could also support the development of 21st century skills. More specifically, the paper considers how WISE Seeded Discussions, CASSIS, VCRI, and DREW can support students’ development of Adaptability, Complex Communication Skills, Non-Routine Problem-Solving Skills, Self-Management/Self-Development, and Systems Thinking.
Flexible Peer Assessment Formats to Acknowledge Individual Contributions During (Web-Based) Collaborative Learning
Authors: Sluijsmans Dominique M.A. , Strijbos Jan-Willem
Published: May 2010

In (web-based) collaborative learning, practitioners increasingly stress the need to acknowledge individual efforts. To this end, peer assessment is regarded as a valuable tool. Research, however, shows shortcomings in the calculations and flexibility of peer assessment formats that are used to transform a group score into individual scores. This chapter proposes an innovative approach by presenting peer assessment formats that underlie sound formulas, but moreover allow flexibility in peer assessment design. Subsequently, the effects of the formats on individual scores are investigated. The results reveal that our formulas and formats outweigh ‘traditional’ practices to utilise peer assessment for transforming a group score into individual scores. Guidelines for practitioners on the application of peer assessment formats are presented, as well as an outline for a research agenda with a strong focus on the development of flexible peer assessment in (web-based) collaborative based learning.
Three Stages in the Social Construction of Virtual Learning Environments
Authors: Stevens Ken
Published: May 2010

Schools located in rural communities are often physically small in terms of the number of students who attend them in person on a daily basis, but through the introduction of e-learning partnerships, they can become large educational institutions based on the enhanced range of teaching and learning they can provide. Small school capacities can be enhanced by e-learning and the creation of virtual learning environments. Structurally, the capacity of schools can be enhanced by internet-based inter-institutional collaboration. Pedagogically, e-learning can enable schools to share teaching and learning within virtual learning environments spanning participating sites to facilitate student engagement with ideas, people and places in new, interactive ways. Three stages are identified in the development of teaching and learning in the virtual structures that complement traditional schools.
The Learning Impact of Violent Video Games
Authors: Ireland Alice , Payne Nathaniel
Published: May 2010

There is strong research evidence to suggest that exposure to violent video games is related to an increase in aggressive behaviors in children. Violent video games trigger short-term bursts of aggression, but more importantly they can actually change the user’s thinking processes over time. However, there is also strong evidence to the contrary. This chapter presents an overview of recent evidence for and against the argument on violent games and aggression, together with suggestions for ways that parents can help to mitigate negative effects.
Usability Guidelines for a Generic Educational Game Shell
Authors: Sauvé Louise
Published: May 2010

This chapter discusses usability rules for avoiding defects in the media design for Generic Educational Game Shell (GEGS) components, including visual interfaces, text, and sound. These rules served as a guide for the Web design of the Parcheesi™ GEGS and the games that it generates. The first section of the chapter deals with the screen, text, color, windows, images, and video as well as sound used in the input forms of the GEGS. The final section discusses some errors to be avoided in the interface design.
Risks and Benefits of Technology in Health Care
Authors: Kabene Stefane , Wolfe Melody
Published: May 2010

The integration of technology into health care has created both advantages and disadvantages for patients, providers, and healthcare systems alike. This chapter examines the risks and benefits of technology in health care, with particular focus on electronic health records (EHRs), the availability of health information online, and how technology affects relationships within the healthcare setting. Overall, it seems the benefits of technology in health care outweigh the risks; however, it is imperative that proper measures are taken to ensure successful implementation and integration. Accuracy, validity, confidentiality, and privacy of health data and health information are key issues that must be addressed for successful implementation of technology.
Healthcare among the People
Authors: von Lubitz Dag
Published: May 2010

The revolution in information technology and in information and knowledge management contributed to the generation of actionable information and actionable knowledge required to address critical problems of national and global health care. Yet, despite expectations, e-based approaches are far from fulfilling the dream of equitable and universal access to health across the globe. A dramatically new approach is needed if health care is to be brought “among the people.” Based on maximum integration of computer technology (CT), information technology (IT), information management (IM), and knowledge management (KM), and multidimensional human expertise, the concept of “Teams of Leaders” (ToL) provides a foundation for such an approach. Utilizing the entire spectrum of IT/IM/KM, irrespective of specific platforms, and harnessing globally distributed human expertise, Teams of Leaders transcend bureaucracies and politics, create “bottom-up” flows of ideas and knowledge, and generate horizontal and vertical collaboration among hitherto isolated actors. By empowering people rather than concentrating on technology-facilitated improvements of processes, ToL may prove to be one of the pivotal concepts behind the desperately needed healthcare revolution.
Integrating Supports for Ubiquitous Eldercare
Authors: Bottazzi Dario , Montanari Rebecca , Taleb Tarik
Published: May 2010

The demographic compression, along with heightened life expectancy and decreases in fertility rates, is dramatically raising the number of older adults in society, thus putting many countries’ healthcare systems under significant pressure. Eventual loss of physical and cognitive skills makes it quite difficult for elders to maintain autonomous life-styles and often forces them to move to assisted living environments, with severe emotional and social impacts. The main challenge for the years to come is, therefore, to identify more sustainable approaches to eldercare, capable of improving elders’ independence in order to avoid, or at least to delay, hospitalization. Providing suitable support for elders is, indeed, a highly challenging problem. However, recent advancements in pervasive computing enable the development of advanced eldercare services. The main focus of eldercare research to date has been directed towards the development of smart environments capable of assisting elders, for example, in monitoring their psychophysical conditions, and of reminding and facilitating their routine activities. Few research efforts have been directed towards the investigation of solutions capable of improving social engagement for elders living alone, and of facilitating the coordination of care-giving efforts. The chapter provides an overview of the state-of-the-art technology in eldercare research and suggests the extension of available solutions by adopting integrated approaches that aim at addressing both assistance and social/coordination issues stemming from eldercare.
How Games and Simulations Can Help Meet America's Challenges in Science Mathematics and Technology Education
Authors: Kelly Henry
Published: May 2010

The quality of the U.S. workforce is critical for a competitive economy in today’s fast-paced, tightly connected global economy. Given current trends the quality of the U.S. workforce, measured in educational attainment and knowledge of key concepts in science, mathematics, and engineering will actually decline in coming years. Conventional methods will simply not be adequate to the enormous task of improving this situation. The technology and management tools that have been used so successfully to increase both quality and productivity in other service enterprises can play a vital role in improving science and mathematics education and training.
Games for Peace
Authors: Gonzalez Cleotilde , Czlonka Lisa
Published: May 2010

This chapter presents an investigation on decision-making in a dynamic and complex situation, the solution of international conflict, and the achievement of peace. The authors use an award winning video game to collect behavioral data, in addition to questionnaire surveys given to players. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the most difficult political problems of our times, and PeaceMaker represents the historical conditions of the conflict and provides players with an opportunity to resolve the conflict. Students in an Arab-Israeli history course played PeaceMaker from the perspectives of the Israeli and Palestinian leaders at the beginning and end of the semester. The authors recorded and analyzed their actions in the game and information on their personality, religious, political affiliation, trust attitude, and number of gaming hours per week. Results indicate the number of actions taken in the game alone cannot distinguish between good and bad performers. Rather, individual identity variables such as religious and political affiliation, personal affiliation to the conflict, and general trust disposition relate to the scores obtained in the game. They discuss the implications for policy and general conflict resolution and present their ideas for future research.
Pervasive Health Games
Authors: Knöll Martin
Published: May 2010

Prevention and therapy of emerging lifestyle diseases are strongly linked to daily behavior, physical activity, and knowledge of healthy life. The potentials of serious game applications in a health context for user’s motivation, education, and therapy compliance is investigated and so far widely accepted. Pervasive Health Games (PHGs) combine pervasive computing technologies with serious game design strategies, in order to unfold user’s playground to the city and therefore to their everyday life. The following article presents the typology of PHG within Games for Health as an interdisciplinary working field consisting of health care, psychology, game design, sports science, and urban research. A brief introduction to the theme is illustrated with a conceptual “showcase,” a pervasive game concept for young diabetics.
Influencing Physical Activity and Healthy Behaviors in College Students
Authors: Johnston Jeanne D. , Sheldon Lee , Massey Anne P.
Published: May 2010

Physical inactivity is largely preventable through education, individual, and/or community-based interventions. Yet, in the college-age population, traditional interventions (e.g., lecture-based academic courses) may not fully meet their social and learning needs. Here, the authors report on a study regarding the effectiveness of an Alternate Reality Game (ARG) – called The Skeleton Chase – in influencing physical activity and wellness of college-age students. A growing game genre, an ARG is an interactive narrative that uses the real world as a platform and involves multiple media (e.g., game-related web sites, game-related blogs, public web sites, search engines, text/voice messages, video, etc.) to reveal a story. The authors’ initial results are extremely promising relative to the impact on physical activity, as well as tangential learning such as teamwork and problem-solving. They also report students’ reactions to the game itself, highlighting game design strengths and weaknesses that may inform game designers.
Safe Motherhood Clinical Skills
Authors: Kiplinger Nancy , Wallace Hannum
Published: May 2010

This case explores the challenges of providing training to health care personnel in Ghana that is appropriate 1) in terms of training content to enable them to perform well in their positions, and 2) in terms of training delivery to take into account the geographic, social, and economic circumstances in Ghana. The approach taken uses self-paced learning modules, paired learning teams, clinical practice with feedback, and supervision. The strategy is illustrated through an example of a learning package that was evaluated for effectiveness, efficiency, and acceptability. The evaluation demonstrated that this approach produced greater learning gains than a traditional approach and was cost-effective. The case proposes solutions to strengthen pedagogy and a strategy for ensuring that the learning design is effective before it is deployed via technology.
Impact of Spatial Ability Training in Desktop Virtual Environment
Authors: Rafi Ahmad , Samsudin Khairulanuar
Published: May 2010

This case study reports an experimental research based on pretest-post test design that was carried out to investigate the extent of Spatial Visualization (SV) and Mental Rotation (MR) training improvement, differential impact attributed to gender and training method, and training transfer to engineering drawing task. The participants of the study were 101 eight graders comprising 42 girls and 59 boys (mean age = 15 years) and were randomly assigned into two experimental groups and one control group. The first experimental group employed interaction-based training in a desktop virtual environment trainer, the second group used animation-based training, and the control group trained using printed materials and all the three groups were trained for 8 weeks. Data were collected through spatial ability tests and a survey and were analyzed using SPSS version 14. Analysis of data reveals that there were substantial performance gains in SV and MR accuracy, but not in MR speed. Main effects of training in SV and MR accuracy were found where those trained by novel methods especially the interaction-enabled method outperforming the control group. Interaction effects were observed where differential improvement gain in SV and MR accuracy only involved male participants but not their female counterparts. Transfer of training to performance in solving engineering drawing task was observed by differential performances of groups, where those with higher spatial ability managed to perform the task better than those with lower spatial ability after spatial training. This transfer was qualified by the multiple linear regression procedure revealing that spatial visualization was a significant factor in predicting performance in basic engineering drawing task.
Bracing to Teach Online in Teacher Education
Authors: Ukpokodu Omiunota N.
Published: May 2010

This case study documents one teacher educator’s successful adaptations of traditional pedagogies in online teaching. Specifically, using data from a graduate online course, it examines the general concern and beliefs that online teaching is an inadequate and inappropriate substitute for the traditional faceto- face instruction in a teacher education course aimed at transformative learning. Both quantitative and qualitative data revealed that online teaching evidenced successful student quality learning and adaptability of traditional pedagogies. It discusses the promises and challenges associated with designing and implementing an online teacher education course.
Project Learning, the Linked Course, and Ramifications for Global Research
Authors: Robbins Ruth , Cunningham Merrilee
Published: May 2010

In a regionally accredited urban university, high risk students enrolled in a freshman English course are simultaneously enrolled in a freshman level computer information systems class where project learning is taking place. This linkage allows faculty for both courses to design course instructional objectives which will complement what students are learning in the other linkage course as well as cover the objectives of their respective discipline’s course.
Blended Assessment Methods in Online Educational Programs in Turkey
Authors: Yukselturk Erman , Curaoglu Orhan
Published: May 2010

This study analyzed eleven online educational programs of different universities in Turkey regarding their assessment methods with several aspects. The results showed that online quizzes and tests, assignments, individual and group projects, participation to the discussions, proctored face-to-face midterm and final exams are major blended assessment methods used in the online programs. All methods have benefits and challenges while preparing and administering in the courses. Therefore, online and traditional assessments methods are used complementarily to overcome their respective disadvantages. The main parts of student success scores are assessed based on human proctored face-to-face final exams at the end of the courses to get accreditation in the programs.
Generic Themes for Developing Research Skills through E-Learning
Authors: Bazargan Abbas , Mousavi Amin
Published: May 2010

Research competencies are considered as a major part of post-graduate programs. With the introduction of new technologies in higher education, there has been particular emphasis to move to an e-learning variant of the teaching-learning process in developing research competencies. Based on the recent experiences, it seems the blended approach is more promising. In this regard, an experimental approach in designing and developing an e-course was adopted at a private e-learning university in Iran. The ecourse was organized through a design-based approach. This chapter is a case study which presents an analysis of the factors that affected designing and developing the e-course. It points to the experiences gained through building the community of inquiry and discusses lessons learned.
The Challenges of Technology-Enhanced Instructional System in Nigeria
Authors: Sofowora O. A. , Adekomi A. A. , Adeyanju J. O. , Bada T. A. , Oyewusi L. M. , Egbedokun A. O. , Idowu Lanre , Oyeniran F. M.
Published: May 2010

The development and deployment of innovative Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in higher education is being given prominent attention today. This is because of its pedagogical and socio-economic forces that include; greater information access; cost effectiveness, enhancement of collaboration and cooperation; and its ability to solve numerous problems confronting education in the developed and developing countries. It is also essential as it allows learners to acquire and exploit information within every sphere of human activities. However, the integration of technology into teaching and learning is facing some problems and challenges. This case presents an overview of the integration and application of modern technologies in providing higher quality teaching/learning in the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Nigeria, how to solve the problem of providing equitable access to education and how to improve the teaching and learning of Science and Technology in Post Basic Institutions using Technology Enhanced Instruction. It also highlights the problems, challenges and the lessons learnt from such innovation using OAU Ile-Ife as a case study of Nigeria.
Interaction Design for Inclusive Learning
Authors: Graham Deryn , Benest Ian , Nicholl Peter
Published: May 2010

The findings for a case study on improving interaction design for teaching visually impaired students, in an inclusive learning environment, are presented. The crux of the problem is the ability to draw and understand diagrams. The cognitive issues are often underestimated with insufficient attention being given to the use of metaphors, etc. and “one size fits all solutions” are often the norm. The findings of the original seed funded project, which was conducted by three universities in the United Kingdom, have led to design criteria and to an application for a large scale project, to produce generic tools and to enable “multi-modal” teaching and learning, with connotations for the support of people with cognitive as well as physical impairments, especially relevant with respect to an increasingly ageing European population.
Marketing a Blended University Program
Authors: Ley Kathryn , Gannon-Cook Ruth
Published: May 2010

This case study describes a successful marketing effort to recruit prospective graduate students for a blended program delivered to a culturally diverse urban and suburban adult nontraditional population. An effectiveness evaluation analyzed and measured program and per class enrollment from the marketing plan from inception through the first three years. The authors detail a plan grounded in simple marketing principles and revealed through analyses based on memoranda, documents, program enrollment data, and planning and meeting notes. A collaborative team developed, implemented and analyzed how the effort increased enrollments by over a third in less than two years.
Person-Centered Learning
Authors: Miller Christopher T.
Published: May 2010

As the distance grows between the instructor and student within education it becomes necessary to explore new ways of addressing the instruction that goes into distance education. This chapter will describe a distance-based instructional model, the person-centered model of instruction, as well as a case study implementation of the person-centered model of instruction in a web-based course. The case study will focus on an investigation of whether differences in significant learning occurred between a group that used the person-centered model of instruction and a group participating in a constructivist learning experience.
Employing Fuzzy Logic for a Real-time Comprehensive Quality Assessment Model of Service Providers in E-learning Environments
Authors: Fazlollahtabar Hamed
Published: May 2010

Assessing quality is obviously a key concern in many aspects of learning, education and training, so why should it be especially crucial in relation to e-learning? The e-learners, as with other distance learners, are working in isolation with limited or sometimes non-existent human support. This means that the first impact of any failure in the providers’ quality assessment regime falls directly on the e-learner. When an e-learner encounters errors caused by a failure in a providers’ quality assessment regime the impact might be immediately evident or not become evident until the learner undertakes an assessed outcome. Since e-learning development is fundamentally a team-based activity, the effectiveness or quality of an e-learning program depends on the weakest link in the production chain. E-learning exists at a point of convergence between technology based disciplines and human-centered disciplines.
Extending Educational Opportunities in Rural Areas
Authors: Hannum Wallace , Irvin Matthew , de la Varre Claire
Published: May 2010

Rural schools in many countries face problems in providing educational opportunities to children and youth for a variety of reasons. There has been the tendency in many countries to migrate to urban areas, often in search of better economic opportunities. The resulting shift from rural areas to urban/suburban areas has placed increased pressures on schools in rural communities. Schools often form the hub of social and civic activity in rural communities. Although they are an important component to rural communities, many rural schools are struggling under the weight of declining populations, declining budgets, staffing difficulties, and increased pressures to better prepare students for the workforce or further education. Rural schools face particular difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified teachers. Faced with problems of providing a comprehensive curriculum and qualified teachers, many rural schools in the United States have turned to distance education. This case explores the use of distance education in the United States through a national survey of distance education use, analysis of barriers to distance education and an experimental study of enhancing distance education through more appropriate training of local facilitators to support students.
Technological Adaptability in the Ethiopian Education System
Authors: Bitew Getnet
Published: May 2010

Ethiopia has been using live “plasma” TV as a major mode of instructional delivery in the government secondary schools since 2004/2005 academic year. Since then, some improvements have been observed in terms of students’ listening skill. However, many students, teachers and parents argued that students are becoming mere listeners of the TV. They were not active in the learning process due to the large amount of instructional time taken by the live transmission. The “plasma” TV was also too fast to understand, pre-programmed, non-rewindable, and non-repeatable in character. This mode of instructional delivery should be assessed in terms of, among other criteria, its appropriateness (benefit for students’ learning); level of sophistication for the students (with respect to their language skill, etc); cost effectiveness; and availability and technical quality. Unfortunately, the current “plasma” TV was not effective in light of the above criteria. This study indicates that the “plasma” TV lessons shall be distributed on CDs to every school and teacher, and used as a supplementary instructional aid. The current “plasma” mode of instruction shall not continue in the way it is if we are genuinely intending to help our students develop their creativity, problem solving and critical skills. Teachers and students should get enough instructional time in the classrooms for discussion.
Building an Interactive Fully-Online Degree Program
Authors: Mitchell Jennie , Kim Daesang
Published: May 2010

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) expects to launch an interactive fully-online undergraduate degree program in 2010. This program will fill a market need not currently met at SMWC. The program is designed for an online community of learners with a format and focus that appeals to net generation (millennial), neo-millennial, and computer savvy non-traditional students, including military personnel. The General Studies in the new program will focus on seven themes of Leadership for Environmental and Social Justice and will build upon a subset of the existing General Studies. This new program will complement the Woods External Degree (WED), an existing distance education program, established in 1973, that was built on the “correspondence model.” In the new program, students will not be required to come to campus, but will become a vibrant part of the SMWC community by being empowered to explore, discover, and interact through innovative technologies.
Building Relationships in an International Blended Learning Program
Authors: Mathur Ravisha , Oliver Lisa
Published: May 2010

Several challenges that were encountered in establishing a joint international Masters program in Instructional Technology in a Central American country were explored. These challenges involved aspects of program development, delivering effective course content, using appropriate learning strategies, operating in a cross-cultural context, and working in an organization that had limited technological capacities. The foundation for working with these challenges involved establishing strong, mutually beneficial relationships with the Central American country, the Central American University (CAU), and the students. In addition, the overriding theme in developing this blended learning program was to allow for capacity-building since one goal for creating this program was so that the North American University (NAU) would build the program and relationships to the point that the CAU would be able to take over and manage the Instructional Technology program on its own.
Temporal and Spatial Consistency
Authors: Duke-Williams Oliver , Stillwell John
Published: May 2010

One of the major problems challenging time series research based on stock and flow data is the inconsistency that occurs over time due to changes in variable definition, data classification and spatial boundary configuration. The census of population is a prime example of a source whose data are fraught with these problems, resulting in even the simplest comparison between the 2001 Census and its predecessor in 1991 being difficult. The first part of this chapter introduces the subject of inconsistencies between related data sets, with general reference to census interaction data. Various types of inconsistency are described. A number of approaches to dealing with inconsistency are then outlined, with examples of how these have been used in practice. The handling of journey to work data of persons who work from home is then used as an illustrative example of the problems posed by inconsistencies in base populations. Home-workers have been treated in different ways in successive UK censuses, a factor which can cause difficulties not only for researchers interested in such working practices, but also for those interested in other aspects of commuting. The latter set of problems are perhaps more pernicious, as users are less likely to be aware of the biases introduced into data sets that are being compared. In the second half of this chapter, we make use of a time series data set of migration interaction data that does have temporal consistency to explore how migration propensities and patterns in England and Wales have changed since 1999 and in particular since the year prior to the 2001 Census. The data used are those that are produced by the Office of National Statistics based on comparisons of NHS patient records from one year to the next and adjusted using data on NHS patients re-registering in different health authorities. The analysis of these data suggests that the massive exodus of individuals from major metropolitan across the country that has been identified in previous studies is continuing apace, particularly from London whose net losses doubled in absolute terms between 1999 and 2004 before reducing marginally in 2005 and 2006. Whilst this pattern of counterurbanisation is evident for all-age flows, it conceals significant variations for certain age groups, not least those aged between 16 and 24, whose migration propensities are high and whose net redistribution is closely connected with the location of universities. The time series analyses are preceded by a comparison of patient register data with corresponding data from the 2001 Census. This suggests strong correlation between the indicators selected and strengthens the argument that patient register data in more recent years provide reliable evidence for researchers and policy makers on how propensities and patterns change over time.
Internal Migration Patterns by Age and Sex at the Start of the 21st Century
Authors: Dennett Adam , Stillwell John
Published: May 2010

Moving home is an event that most people experience at some stage in their lives. Previous research has shown that while men and women tend to have similar rates of migration overall, significant variations occur according to age. In this chapter, the authors examine these demographic influences on migration for internal migration in Britain using data from the 2001 Census Special Migration Statistics at district scale. The analysis of migrations rates reveals some subtle differences between males and females by age but spatial patterns of net migration for both sexes emphasise that losses for London and provincial urban centres and gains in rural Britain vary significantly by age. The chapter uses a national area classification framework to summarise the patterns of net migration taking place in the year before the 2001 Census at district scale and the latter part of the chapter explores indices of population stability – turnover and churn – that provide alternative insights into migration patterns across the country, particularly when disaggregated by age. These measures of migration are important because it is apparent that some areas that exhibit relatively low net rates of movement, actually have large numbers of migrants moving within their boundaries as well as inflows from and outflows to other areas – movements which clearly impact on the stability of their populations and have policy implications.
Modelling Migration with Poisson Regression
Authors: Flowerdew Robin
Published: May 2010

Most statistical analysis is based on the assumption that error is normally distributed, but many data sets are based on discrete data (the number of migrants from one place to another must be a whole number). Recent developments in statistics have often involved generalising methods so that they can be properly applied to non-normal data. For example, Nelder and Wedderburn (1972) developed the theory of generalised linear modelling, where the dependent or response variable can take a variety of different probability distributions linked in one of several possible ways to a linear predictor, based on a combination of independent or explanatory variables. Several common statistical techniques are special cases of the generalised linear models, including the usual form of regression analysis, Ordinary Least Squares regression, and binomial logit modelling. Another important special case is Poisson regression, which has a Poisson-distributed dependent variable, linked logarithmically to a linear combination of independent variables. Poisson regression may be an appropriate method when the dependent variable is constrained to be a non-negative integer, usually a count of the number of events in certain categories. It assumes that each event is independent of the others, though the probability of an event may be linked to available explanatory variables. This chapter illustrates how Poisson regression can be carried out using the Stata package, proceeding to discuss various problems and issues which may arise in the use of the method. The number of migrants from area i to area j must be a non-negative integer and is likely to vary according to zone population, distance and economic variables. The availability of high-quality migration data through the WICID facility permits detailed analysis at levels from the region to the output areas. A vast range of possible explanatory variables can also be derived from the 2001 Census data. Model results are discussed in terms of the significant explanatory variables, the overall goodness of fit and the big residuals. Comparisons are drawn with other analytic techniques such as OLS regression. The relationship to Wilson’s entropy maximising methods is described, and variants on the method are explained. These include negative binomial regression and zero-censored and zero-truncated models.
Artificial Clonal Selection Model and Its Application
Authors: Gao Shangce , Tang Zheng , Tamura Hiroki
Published: May 2010

Artificial Immune System as a new branch in computational intelligence is the distributed computational technique inspired by immunological principles. In particular, the Clonal Selection Algorithm (CS), which tries to imitate the mechanisms in the clonal selection principle proposed by Burent to better understand its natural processes and simulate its dynamical behavior in the presence of antigens, has received a rapid increasing interest. However, the description about the mechanisms in the algorithm is rarely seen in the literature and the related operators in the algorithm are still inefficient. In addition, the comparison with other algorithms (especially the genetic algorithms) lacks of analysis. In this chapter, several new clonal selection principles and operators are introduced, aiming not only at a better understanding of the immune system, but also at solving engineering problems more efficiently. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is verified by applying it to the famous traveling salesman problems (TSP).
Risk-Management Models Based on the Portfolio Theory Using Historical Data under Uncertainty
Authors: Hasuike Takashi
Published: May 2010

This chapter considers various types of risk-management models based on the portfolio theory under some social uncertainty that received historical data includes ambiguity, and that they are assumed not to be constant. These models with uncertainty are represented many social problems such as assets allocation, logistics, scheduling, urban project problems, etc.. However, since these problems with uncertainty are formulated as stochastic and fuzzy programming problems, it is difficult to solve them analytically in the sense of deterministic mathematical programming. Therefore, introducing possibility and necessity measures based on the fuzzy programming approach and considering the concept of risk-management based on the portfolio theory, main problems are transformed into the deterministic programming problems. Then, in order to solve the deterministic problems efficiently, the solution method is constructed.
Standardization & Standards
Authors: van Wessel Robert
Published: May 2010

The inherently multidisciplinary process of standardization and its outcome, standards, are fascinating and complex subjects since it involves issues ranging from technological, organizational and economic to legal and sociological aspects (Hesser and Inklaar, 1997). Standards have been with us for over 5000 years, starting with the first alphabets and measurement systems and centuries later by national coin-based currencies. In the 19th century there was an enormous struggle with dozens of railroad gauges throughout Europe and the USA, that cried out for standards. This was also an issue as regards electricity (voltages, net frequencies, etc). Only in 1865 the International Telegraph Union (which became the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 1932), founded by twenty countries, addressed this problem. And just after the Second World War in 1947, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) was established (Hesser and Inklaar, 1997; Spivak and Brenner, 2001). In the following section a literature study is presented on both standardization and standards to identify key characteristics and benefits & risks as far as relevant to this thesis. Basically three types of literature (journals and books) have been studied related to: 1) Information System (IS) management, 2) General management and 3) Standardization and standards. The first category included primary IS journals (MIS Quarterly; Journal of Management Information Systems; Communications of the ACM) and secondary IS journals (including Computer Standards and Interfaces; Database for Advances in Information Systems; Knowledge, Technology & Policy) which were reviewed on the subject of IT standardization and IT standard usage. The second category consisted of top management journals such as Academy of Management Review, Harvard Business Review, Sloan Management Review and California Management Review whereas the third category included more popular journals (like Information and StandardView). ‘Standard’ books on this subject were included also, for instance the ones from Verman (1973), Cargil (1989) and De Vries (1999). Rationale was to determine the current “state of the art” on standardization with special focus on IT standardization and its effects on business performance in companies.