CLPL: Providing software infrastructure for the systematic and effective construction of complex collaborative learning systems

Over the last decade, e-Learning and in particular Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) needs have been evolving accordingly with more and more demanding pedagogical and technological requirements. As a result, high customization and flexibility are a must in this context, meaning that collaborative learning practices need to be continuously adapted, adjusted, and personalized to each specific target learning group. These very demanding needs of the CSCL domain represent a great challenge for the research community on software development to satisfy. This contribution presents and evaluates a previous research effort in the form of a generic software infrastructure called Collaborative Learning Purpose Library (CLPL) with the aim of meeting the current and demanding needs found in the CSCL domain. To this end, we experiment with the CLPL in order to offer an advanced reuse-based service-oriented software engineering methodology for developing CSCL applications in an effective and timely fashion. A validation process is provided by reporting on the use of the CLPL platform as the primary resource for the Master's thesis courses at the Open University of Catalonia when developing complex software applications in the CSCL domain. The ultimate aim of the whole research is to yield effective CSCL software systems capable of supporting and enhancing the current on-line collaborative learning practices.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

CAD learning in mechanical engineering at universities

In this study, we attempt to compile all the CAD-related concepts, contents and working methods that students of mechanical engineering should learn at universities. To do so, we first study the background to CAD-related methodologies. In second place, we compile the results of surveys administered over the past three years to our students of CAD studying mechanical engineering at our university. In third place, different publications in the literature relating to the need for CAD in industry are studied to understand the sort of CAD training that is needed in industry. In fourth place, an exploratory analysis is performed of the CAD-related contents taught at the 50 universities that top the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) ranking. In fifth place, a survey of possible CAD-related contents is administered to teachers, instructors, and experts in CAD from those 50 leading universities in the QS ranking. The basic pillars of modeling in 3D are: methodologies of modeling, solid modeling, assemblies, and the design of technical drawings. The use of 3D printers in CAD learning means that thinking, designing, and manufacturing any object is easy at university. Knowledge of top-down/bottom-up/in-context methodologies has to be widened both for industry and for students. Design intent must be introduced in CAD from the very beginning so that all the models are flexible and robust. The students expressed a preference to learn the concepts through a set of good practice exercises and to be evaluated by completing a final course assignment of their choice

How can we think the complex?

In this chapter we want to provide philosophical tools for understanding and reasoning about complex systems. Classical thinking, which is taught at most schools and universities, has several problems for coping with complexity. We review classical thinking and its drawbacks when dealing with complexity, for then presenting ways of thinking which allow the better understanding of complex systems. Examples illustrate the ideas presented. This chapter does not deal with specific tools and techniques for managing complex systems, but we try to bring forth ideas that facilitate the thinking and speaking about complex systems

Serendipity: why some organizations are luckier than others

Serendipity refers to the accidental discovery of something valuable. It is sometimes presented as an element of organizational learning but has been the object of scarce research. In this paper, I discuss the notion of serendipity in the organizational context, and elaborate a model of organizational serendipity. Four building blocks are considered: the conditions that facilitate serendipitous discovery, the search for a solution for a given problem, a process of bisociation leading to the combination of previously unrelated skills or information, and the discovery of an unexpected solution to a different problem. I also discuss what organizations can do to improve the chances of serendipity.serendipity; search; bisociation; chance; accidental discoveries; unintentional learning

Hidden and Uncontrolled - On the Emergence of Network Steganographic Threats

Network steganography is the art of hiding secret information within innocent network transmissions. Recent findings indicate that novel malware is increasingly using network steganography. Similarly, other malicious activities can profit from network steganography, such as data leakage or the exchange of pedophile data. This paper provides an introduction to network steganography and highlights its potential application for harmful purposes. We discuss the issues related to countering network steganography in practice and provide an outlook on further research directions and problems.Comment: 11 page

Former factory fotokemika as a museum of photography

Au cours du procédé de transmission du médium photographique, du support argentique au support numérique, un phénomène voit le jour à la fin du 20ème siècle: la plupart des fabricants de supports argentiques au fur et à mesure ferment leurs portes. En conséquence, la production de matériel photographique s‘arrête et cette tradition séculaire de la photographie argentique doit faire face à l‘abandon et à la disparition progressive. Dans l'étude de cas du fabricant Fotokemika (1947-2012), une ancienne fabrique de matériel photographique en Yougoslavie et plus tard de la République croate, mon objectif est de démontrer ce que ce processus de transmission signifie au niveau local ainsi qu‘à l‘échelle mondiale. Ce document, à travers l'étude du cas de Fotokemika, en tant qu‘exemple d'unité industrielle fermée qui fabrique du matériel pour la photographie argentique, tente de contribuer à une meilleure compréhension de la situation du processus et de la technique de la photographie argentique au 21ème siècle. L‘étude explore l'histoire de la fabrique, ses réalisations dans les domaines de la science, de la technologie, la technique, la publicité, le design et son influence sur le développement de la photographie argentique sur le territoire de la Croatie en créant des critères pour la valorisation du patrimoine de la photographie argentique. L'objectif de la recherche est d'examiner comment les musées, en tant qu‘institutions responsables pour la protection et la sauvegarde du patrimoine, surtout après leur nouvelle définition, pourraient encourager la conservation du patrimoine industriel dans un processus de réaménagement d‘un ancien bâtiment industriel en musée; ABSTRACT: In the transmission process of a photography medium, from analog to digital, a phenomenon that occurs at the end of the 20th century, most of the analog photo factories are being shut down. As a result, production of photo equipment dies and centuries-old tradition of analogue photography is disappearing into history. In the case study of Fotokemika factory (1947-2012), once a famous and respectable photo equipment factory during Yugoslavia, later the Croatian Republic, I am showing what this transmission process means on a local and global level. This paper, trough case study of Fotokemika factory, as an example of shut down industrial unite that produced equipment for processing analog photography, is trying to contribute to a better understanding of position of analog photography process and technique in 21st century. The study examines the history of the factory, the achievements in the fields of science, technology, technique, advertisement, design and its influence on developing of analog photography in the territory of Croatia creating criteria for valorization of analog photography heritage. The research aim is to examine how museums like an institution for protection and safeguarding of heritage, especially after the new definition, can give a solution in maintaining industrial heritage in a process of reusing former industrial buildings into museum; RESUMO: Ao longo do processo de transmissão do suporte fotográfico, do suporte analógico ao suporte digital, fenómeno esse que vê a luz no fim do século XX, a maior parte das fábricas de suportes analógicos vêm os seus dias contados. Como consequência disso, a produção de equipamento fotográfico analógico desaparece e a tradição secular de fotografia analógica está a acabar. No caso de estudo da fábrica Fotokemika (1947-2012), já famosa e reputada fábrica de produtos fotográficos durante a Yugoslávia, e depois durante a República Croata, o meu objetivo é o de demostrar o que esse processo de transmissão significa ao nível local e global. Este documento, pelo estudo da fábrica de Fotokemika, como exemplo de unidade industrial fechada que produzia equipamento para processar fotografia analógica, tenta contribuir para um melhor entendimento da posição do processo e da técnica de fotografia analógica no século 21. Este trabalho examina a história da fábrica, os seus resultados nos campos da ciência, tecnologia, técnica, publicidade, design e suas influências ao desenvolver fotografia analógica no território da Croácia criando critérios para a valorização da herança da fotografia analógica. O objetivo desta pesquiza é o de examinar como é que museus, sendo instituições para a proteção e salvaguarda da herança, sobretudo com a nova definição de museu, podem dar soluções para manter a herança do património industrial num processo de reutilização do edifício antigo num museu

Mission specification in underwater robotics

This paper describes the utilization of software design patterns and plan-based mission specification in the definition of AUVs missions. Within this approach, a mission is described in terms of a set of task-oriented plans in order to simplify mission definition and favor reutilization of some aspects of a mission. Each plan organizes how and when basic tasks like measurement sampling, navigation or communication are to be carried out. The usage of design patterns for AUVs has been considered in order to ease system architecture design.This work has been partially supported by the following research projects: Project PI2007/039 funded by the Autonomous Government of Canary Islands (Gobierno de Canarias — Consejería de Educación, Cultura y Deportes, Spain) with FEDER funding; and Project TIN2008-06068 funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Investigación, Gobierno de España

Learning of the Object Oriented Paradigm Through Interactive Video-Games Development

The Object Orientation Paradigm (OOP) is more than Object Oriented languages. Learning the syntax of a language as C++ or Java is a relatively easy task compared with the understanding of the principles of OO Modeling and Design (OOD), which require a high ability of abstract reasoning. Moreover, it is not enough to teach the artifacts of Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) as the Unified Modeling Language (UML) if those principles are not properly understood. We wanted to engage the students in a motivating framework, so both the principles of OOD are properly acquired and put in practice with CASE and programming tools

Moodle as a central platform for the Virtual Campus

Moodle als zentrale Plattform für den virtuellen CampusThe Moodle technology served as base for the creation and implementation of the eCampus, a simple system, that integrates all digital services of the school and that, at the same time, gives the professors access to some e-learning resources. Pre-existing digital resources were adapted and combined with new functionalities on top of a Moodle base. These resources and the context of their use will be presented, as well as some of the necessary technical efforts to implement a useful e-learning platform, while keeping it as easy-to-use as possible. This is why this paper can also described as a hands-on case study of the implementation of a holistic e-learning strategy, with the help of Moodle

A Framework to Analyse the Approach Adopted in the Information Systems Requirements Engineering Activity

The activity of requirements engineering (RE) is the initial stage for the information systems development process. The RE is often developed using an excessive technological-driven approach. This aspect is pointed as a factor for the failure of the RE and consequently to the corresponding information system.We present an evaluation framework for the requirements engineering activities within organizational settings that can help on analysing how this important activity is carried out in organizations. This framework, designed by RETIS, is composed by three parts. The first part focuses on the organizational domain, the second focuses on the users and information systems’ stakeholders, and the third focuses on the underlying methods and techniques.The initial validation of this investigation was based in the application of the RETIS in five real organizational settings. Organizations that demonstrate higher maturity in their information systems’ function presented a less technological-driven RE approach