bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining factors affecting beginning teachers’ transfer of learning of ICT-enhanced learning activities in their teaching practice
Authors: Agyei Douglas D. , Voogt Joke 
Published: April 2016

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> <p>This study examined 100 beginning teachers’ transfer of learning when utilising Information Communication Technology-enhanced activity-based learning activities. The beginning teachers had participated in a professional development program that was characterised by ‘learning technology by collaborative design’ in their final year of their pre-service preparation program. Transfer of learning was proposed as characteristic of (i) the professional development program,(ii) beginning teachers and (iii) school environment. Beginning teachers held positive views about active learning and ICT use developed during the professional development program, which seemed the strongest predictor in transfer of their learning. The study also showed that a significant amount of explained differences in the level of transfer of ICT-enhanced activity-based learning innovation could be attributed to range of factors across individual beginning teachers and school environment characteristics. Implications of these findings are discussed.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 28.1pt 0pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="NL"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></p> </span>
Development of student and academic staff perceptions of the elements of an online learning environment over time
Authors: Palmer Stuart , Holt Dale 
Published: April 2016

<p>Academic staff play a fundamental role in the use of online learning environments (OLEs) by students, yet studies investigating the perspectives of staff are limited, and the least common investigations are those comparing the relative perceptions of students and staff. Many OLE evaluations present a point-in-time snapshot of the system, but extended evaluation of OLE usage is required to reveal the detail in the evolution of system use. The data from a large, repeated cross-sectional and quantitative survey of university students and staff were analysed. Drawing on 4680 survey responses over the period 2004–2011, it was found that:</p> <ul><li>both student and staff mean ratings of importance and satisfaction suggest an increasingly positive engagement with the OLE over time;</li><li>virtually all mean ratings of satisfaction, and many of the mean ratings of importance, for students were higher than for staff, supporting the view in the literature that students have a more positive attitude than staff toward OLE use; and</li><li>the general trend was a reduction in the magnitude of the differences between students and staff between 2004 and 2011.</li></ul> <p>More fine-grained analyses of the differences observed for individual elements of the OLE are also reported.</p><p> </p>
Design of a blended learning environment: Considerations and implementation issues
Authors: Gedik Nuray , Kiraz Ercan , Ozden M. Yasar 
Published: April 2016

<p>This study identified critical issues in the design of a blended learning environment by examining basic design considerations and implementation issues. Following a design-based research approach with the phenomenological tradition of qualitative research, the study investigated instructor experiences relating to the design, development, and implementation processes of a blended course. The results reveal that the design considerations centred on the pedagogical approach, course organization, materials preparation, interactions, and the instructor's and students' roles. The affordances of the implementation included the arousal of the students' interest and participation, flexibility, time conservation, the ability to track student progress, and the improvement of interaction, collaboration, and communication opportunities. The challenges were increased workload, course and time management, overlaps, and the creation of harmony between the face-to-face and online environments. The overall results show that the critical issues involved context, the pedagogical framework, instructor competency, and technical issues in the blended course design.</p><p> </p>
Using research to inform learning technology practice and policy: a qualitative analysis of student perspectives
Authors: Russell Carol , Malfroy Janne , Gosper Maree , McKenzie Jo 
Published: April 2016

<p>As learning technologies are now integral to most higher education student learning experiences, universities need to make strategic choices about what technologies to adopt and how to best support and develop the use of these technologies, particularly in a climate of limited resources. Information from students is therefore a valuable contribution when determining institutional goals, building infrastructure and improving the quality of student learning. This paper draws on a survey of student experiences and expectations of technology across three Australian universities. Analysis of text responses from 7,000 students provides insight into ways that institutional learning technologies and academic-led technologies are influencing the student experience. This paper also discusses how the three universities have used this information to develop strategic initiatives, and identifies a need for new strategies to support academic-led use of the available tools.</p><p> </p>
The e-portfolio continuum: Discovering variables for e-portfolio adoption within music education
Authors: Taylor John , Dunbar-Hall Peter , Rowley Jennifer L. 
Published: April 2016

This article presents the results of audit data compiled from a case study introducing e-portfolios into a Music Education degree program, and highlights the key challenges faced from the initial stages of student use to curricular embedding and student adoption. This article discusses the technological, social and educational impacts inherent in a student’s adoption of e-portfolios within a degree program, and critically, shows how training for e-portfolio use must manage these complex,interrelated imbalances on an individual student basis.
Experience and beliefs of technology users at an Australian university: Keys to maximising e-learning potential
Authors: Kregor Gerry , Breslin Monique , Fountain Wendy 
Published: April 2016

This article reports on a survey of more than 2,300 students and 250 staff members conducted at the University of Tasmania as part of a wider review of e-learning practice, demand and capacity which aims to improve planning, decision-making and the quality of the online experience of students and staff. Data was collected on access to technology, technology usage patterns, and experiences with technology at university. Respondents were also asked for comments on their experiences. Results from the quantitative component are in line with findings from similar recent surveys:high penetration of laptops, wide access to broadband Internet at home, and usage patterns concentrated strongly around common web activities. Differences in usage profiles of some applications can be explained by the difference in lifestyles of students and staff. The two cohorts also exhibit different attitudes towards technologyas a result of their different relationship with it in the context of their use of it atuniversity. Many indicated pathways and solutions to imbalances in demand and supply are straightforward and pragmatic. Support of teaching staff is considered crucially important to advancing broader and more effective use of technology at the university.
Leading the quality management of online learning environments in Australian higher education
Authors: Holt Dale , Palmer Stuart , Munro Judy , Solomonides Ian , Gosper Maree , Hicks Margaret , Sankey Michael , Allan Garry , Hollenbeck Robert 
Published: April 2016

<p>The paper presents the findings of the first year of a nationally funded Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) project on the quality management of online learning environments by and through distributed leadership. The project is being undertaken by five Australian universities with major commitments to online and distance education. Each university, however, has a distinctive location, history and profile in the sector. The first year of the project has seen the development of a quality management framework with six interrelated elements. The framework is being applied, refined and validated in the second year of the project. Allied with the development of the framework, was the conduct of focus groups at each of the five partner institutions in the middle of the first year. These focus groups composed a range of staff involved collectively in the leadership of the organisation's online learning environment. Prominence was given to the nature and value of strategic planning, due diligence conducted in selecting and mainstreaming technologies, evaluation approaches informing decision making, and the various relationships between different leadership levels and domains. A number of key issues which emerged relating to the elements identified in the framework are examined.</p><p> </p>
Real thinking with virtual hats: A role-playing activity for pre-service teachers in Second Life
Authors: Gregory Sue , Masters Yvonne 
Published: April 2016

<blockquote>Role-plays in a virtual world hold tremendous potential for higher education because they allow synchronous, immersive participation by students located across the globe. They also have the added advantage of allowing students to adopt roles and carry out tasks that are not possible in the real world. In this article, a project that involved pre-service teachers carrying out role-plays based on de Bono's <em>Six Thinking Hats</em> framework is presented. A pilot study was carried out over two years with on-campus students, who performed the role-plays both in a real-life, physical setting and within the virtual world of <em>Second Life</em>. The activity has since been extended to off-campus students exclusively using <em>Second Life</em>. The authors report selected quantitative and qualitative survey data from the pilot study that provide insight into students' perceptions of this style of learning, and discuss the challenges that were encountered and how they were overcome. The future of virtual world-based role-playing as a strategy for teaching and learning is discussed, with a focus on its application to distance education contexts.</blockquote>
LMS transitioning to Moodle: A surprising case of successful, emergent change management
Authors: Lawler Alan 
Published: April 2016

<blockquote>During 2009-10 the University of Ballarat implemented the open-source learning management system (LMS) <em>Moodle</em>alongside its existing legacy LMS, <em>Blackboard</em>. While previous IT implementations have been troublesome at the university, notably the student information and finance management systems in 2008-09, the <em>Moodle</em> implementation appears to have been a success. This article reviews the key factors in the implementation and points to several features which have made it a success. The success factors may be suitable for consideration by other organisations which are implementing change, particularly as several appear to run counter to the traditional conceptions of change and project management. This case study points to the importance of trust and empowerment of high quality LMS staff, who are focussed on the end-user rather than the technical side, to implement the project in an 'organic', emergent process. Given that the managerialist project management model, which appears to put more faith in systematic procedures than the staff who have to implement them, is more typical of many LMS and IT implementations, this case study revealed a surprising and refreshing level of approval for valuing staff expertise over 'tick box' adherence to technical checklists.</blockquote>
Can Web 2.0 technology assist college students in learning English writing? Integrating Facebook and peer assessment with blended learning
Authors: Shih Ru-Chu 
Published: April 2016

<blockquote>The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of integrating <em>Facebook</em> and peer assessment with college English writing class instruction through a blended teaching approach. This blended approach consisted of one-third of a semester of classroom instruction and two-thirds of a semester combining <em>Facebook</em>, peer assessment, and classroom instruction. The subjects were 23 first-year students majoring in English at a technological university in Taiwan participating in an 18 week English writing class. The students were divided into three groups with three <em>Facebook</em>platforms. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed in the study. Research instruments included pre-test and post-test of English writing skills, a self-developed survey questionnaire, and in-depth student interviews. The findings suggest that incorporating peer assessment using <em>Facebook</em> in learning English writing can be interesting and effective for college-level English writing classes. Students can improve their English writing skills and knowledge not only from the in-class instruction but also from cooperative learning. In addition, this <em>Facebook</em> integrated instruction can significantly enhance students' interest and motivation. Finally, the findings may provide useful instructional strategies for teachers of ESL English writing courses.</blockquote><p> </p>
Virtualisation of engineering discipline experiments for an Internet-based remote laboratory
Authors: Tiwari Rajiv , Singh Khilawan 
Published: April 2016

<blockquote>A comprehensive survey on the Internet based virtualisation of experiments is presented, covering several individual as well as collaborative efforts in various engineering disciplines. From this survey it could be concluded that there is a pressing need to develop full-fledged remote laboratory experiments for integrated directly into engineering curricula. The paper subsequently summarises the experiences of authors during the design, evolution and implementation of virtualisation for a number of engineering experiments, enabling these to be accessed through the Internet as virtual experiments. It also covers the features required to give the 'feel' of performing experiments, inclusion of learning components, incorporation of easy navigation, testing of effectiveness of learning, and development of useful feedback mechanisms. A detailed feedback analysis from prospective learners is presented on the effectiveness of the virtual laboratory.</blockquote><p> </p>
Informing one-to-one computing in primary schools: Student use of netbooks
Authors: Larkin Kevin , Finger Glenn 
Published: April 2016

<blockquote>Although one-to-one laptop programs are being introduced in many schools, minimal research has been conducted regarding their effectiveness in primary schools. Evidence-based research is needed to inform significant funding, deployment and student use of computers. This article analyses key findings from a study conducted in four Year 7 classrooms in which students were provided with netbook computers as an alternative to more expensive laptop computers. Variable access was provided to students including computer to student ratios of one-to-one and one-to-two. Findings indicated that increased access to the netbook computers resulted in increases in computer usage by these students, compared with their minimal use of computers before the study. However, despite the increased access, actual computer usage remained limited. The article reports that factors contributing to the minimal use of computers included individual teacher agency, a crowded curriculum, and the historical use of computers. Implications for policy and practice are suggested.</blockquote><p> </p>
Research on SNS and education: The state of the art and its challenges
Authors: Rodríguez-Hoyos Carlos , Haya Salmón Ignacio , Fernández-Díaz Elia 
Published: April 2016

<p>This paper presents, for further discussion, a review of the scientific literature produced internationally on the use of Social Network Sites (SNS) in different levels of education and settings. A total of 62 articles published in international scientific journals with peer review have been analysed. The main objective of this paper is to discuss the most recurrent lines of research since the emergence of these tools in education. The level of education in which research is carried out is also analysed, as well as the paradigms and methods used for data collection. The analysis leads to the conclusion that most of the studies analysed have been carried out in higher education, from a quantitative paradigm, focusing on the use of SNS as educational tools. This article shows that research into SNS in education is at an early stage of development, and it demonstrates the need to widen lines of research on SNS in media education to include as yet unexplored dimensions.</p><p> </p>
Effect of surface modification of zirconia on cell adhesion, metabolic activity and proliferation of human osteoblasts
Authors: Al Qahtani Waleed M.S. , Schille Christine , Spintzyk Sebastian , Al Qahtani Mohammed S.A. , Engel Eva , Geis-Gerstorfer Juergen , Rupp Frank , Scheideler Lutz 
Published: April 2016

AbstractTitanium dental implants with sandblasted and/or acid-etched surfaces have shown clinical superiority in comparison to their smooth, machined counterparts, and are now state of the art. Sandblasting of finished, sintered zirconia implants, however, will damage the surface structure and affect the mechanical properties. To improve osseointegration of zirconia dental implants without impairing the original mechanical strength by crack initiation and partial phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic, roughening of the zirconia surface by sandblasting before the final sintering step was employed. Impact of the treatments on cellular reactions of SAOS-2 human osteoblast-like cells was investigated. Sandblasting of Yttrium-stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP) with 120 μm and 250 μm Al
An adaptive delineator for photoplethysmography waveforms
Authors: Soundararajan Mohanalakshmi , Arunagiri Sivasubramanian , Alagala Swarnalatha 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPhotoplethysmography (PPG) waveforms are rich in cardiovascular information, and hence, their analysis is significant in the diagnosis and prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The second derivative of photoplethysmography (SDPPG) analysis for the accurate detection of significant points in characterising the PPG waveform is challenging. In this paper, a SDPPG analysis algorithm is proposed based on a resampling technique which normalises the signal and ensures the presence of all significant points of interest in all its recurrences. The proposed delineator detects
Enantiomeric purity control of R-cinacalcet in pharmaceutical product by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Ginterová Pavlína , Znaleziona Joanna , Knob Radim , Douša Michal , Petr Jan , Ševčík Juraj 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe capillary zone electrophoresis method was developed for the chiral separation of
UV light-assisted mineralisation and biodetoxification of Ponceau S with hydroxyl and sulfate radicals
Authors: Sahoo Mihir K. , Marbaniang Morten , Sharan Rajeshwar N. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe present study reports simultaneous mineralisation and biodetoxification of Ponceau S (3-hydroxy-4-(2-sulfo-4-[4-sulfophenylazo]phenylazo)-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid sodium salt), an azo dye, by UV light assisted oxidation with hydroxyl and sulfate radicals. Metal ion catalysts used in the work were: Fe
Use of 6-O-mono-substituted derivatives of β-cyclodextrin-bearing substituent with two permanent positive charges in capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Havlikova Martina , Bosakova Zuzana , Benkovics Gabor , Jindrich Jindrich , Popr Martin , Coufal Pavel 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis study details the use of two permanently positively charged mono-substituted
Simulation study on the assembly of rod-coil diblock copolymers within coil-selective nanoslits
Authors: Su Ya-Juan , Ma Ze-Xin , Huang Jian-Hua 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Dissipative particle dynamics simulations are performed to study the self-assembly of rod-coil (RC) diblock copolymers confined in a slit with two coil-selective surfaces. The effect of rod length and slit thickness on the assembly structure is investigated. A morphological phase diagram as a function of slit thickness and rod length is presented. We observe several ordered structures, such as perpendicular cylinders, parallel cylinders, and puck-shaped structure. In the assembly structures, long-range rod-rod orientational order is observed when the rod length exceeds a critical rod length. Our results show that the coil-selective slit influences the assembly structure as well as the rod orientation of RC diblock copolymers.
The simultaneous effect of nucleating and blowing agents on the cellular structure of polypropylene foamed via the extrusion process
Authors: Fasihi Mohammad , Targhi Ali Asgari , Bayat Hossein 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe current work presents the preparation of polypropylene (PP) foams by the extrusion process, focusing on the influence of the foaming agent and nucleating agent on the microstructure of the foams. Sodium bicarbonate alone and also its mixture with citric acid were used as the chemical blowing agents. Expanded graphite nanoparticle and talc were also used as the nucleating agents. Great differences were found in terms of the foam structure depending on the type of nucleating and blowing agents. Using expanded graphite nucleating agent instead of talc resulted in foams with higher cell densities and more uniform cellular structures. Moreover, the foams including the mixed blowing agents exhibited higher cell densities and upper expansion ratio.
Comparison of two in vitro methods for the detection of ivermectin resistance in Haemonchus contortus in sheep
Authors: Urda Dolinská M. , Königová A. , Babják M. , Várady M. 
Published: April 2016

Summary
Gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes in sheep cause severe economic losses. Anthelmintics are the most commonly used drugs for prophylaxis and therapy against parasitic helminths. The problem of drug resistance has developed for all commercially available anthelmintics in several genera and classes of helminths. In vitro and in vivo tests are used to detect anthelmintic resistance. Two in vitro methods (larval migration inhibition test and micromotility test) for the detection of ivermectin (IVM) resistance were compared using IVM-resistant and IVM-susceptible isolates of Haemonchus contortus. The degree of resistance for each test was expressed as a resistance factor (RF). The micromotility test was more sensitive for quantitatively measuring the degree of resistance between susceptible and resistant isolates. The RFs for this test for IVM and eprinomectin ranged from 1.00 to 108.05 and from 3.87 to 32.32, respectively.