Technological aids to the efficient assessment of prior earning

Joosten-ten Brinke, D., Van der Klink, M., Kicken, W., & Sloep, P. B. (2011). Technological aids to the efficient Assessment of Prior Learning. In G. Magoulas (Ed.), E-Infrastructures and technologies for lifelong learning: Next generation environments (pp. 316-336). Hershey: IGI Global.It is generally acknowledged that learning and education plays a prominent part throughout employees’ careers across their entire lifespan. In our era of lifelong learning Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) is a powerful means for enhancing employees’ further professional development and learning, formally and informally. Though there is a growing attention for APL, the procedures, design, development and maintenance of APL remain a quite costly and time-consuming experience. After a description of the background and features of APL, this chapter examines the possibilities for re-using and interoperability by means of e-technologies. The chapter discusses the major components of the APL procedure, including the current possibilities for exchange and operability (e.g. specifications of QTI, IMS). The chapter concludes with a description and validation of an educational model of assessment for APL

Dynamic programming: An interactive approach

AbstractAn interactive approach to the formulation, modeling, analysis, and solution of discrete deterministic dynamic programming problems is presented. The approach utilizes APL both as the mathematical and the programming language. The interactive capabilities of APL and the simple one-to-one correspondence between the programming and the mathematical language provide an extremely convenient environment for dynamic programming investigations in general and for teaching/learning purposes in particular. The approach is illustrated by a simple model and a numerical example

Adapted Primary Literature (APL): An Effective Authentic Text Option for the Science Classroom

The intention of this literature review is to advocate for the incorporation of Adapted Primary Literature (APL) into secondary science classroom instruction in order to aid such science curriculum in achieving balanced authenticity. APL is a valuable instructional text option due to its novel design, an optimal compromise between authenticity and accessibility. APL is a superior reflection of authentic science as it is for professionals of science and in representation of the nature of science (NOS) than Secondary Literature (SL) and textbooks, the dominating scientific text genres of most secondary science classroom instruction. Yet, APL is more accessible in text sophistication and structure than arguably the most authentic genre, Primary Scientific Literature (PSL). In other words, due to such negotiated design, APL could prove invaluable at addressing a multitude of science education objectives associated with authenticity, such as those pertaining to the following common categorical headings: literacy, argumentation, inquiry, concept competence, and the nature of science, to name a few. In addition, APL may address the contemporary science education goals of increased student interest, motivation, and pursuit of scientific endeavors. After all, the current and likely future direction of the global economy, professional atmosphere, consumer decision-making, technological advancements, and environmental threats has required that science education be concerned with far more than just student memorization of content within an isolated, singular disciplinary year. Suggested remedies for potential incorporation challenges, areas in need of further research, and common contrary research positions will be included to provide a comprehensive and supportive examination of APL implementation. No instructive technique is without tradeoffs. Like any other educative method, the success of APL implementation is greatly influenced by the quality of surrounding instruction. Possessing scientific authenticity “in some defined way is never sufficient justification by itself for engaging in an educational practice. Authenticity is no guarantee of effectiveness” (Norris et al., 2009, p. 407)

JMSL - a language derived from APL

A new AFL-derived language called JMSL is presented which rnodifies seven aspects of APL so that many current and potential APL users could benefit from a language which is easier to learn, read, write, and maintain. JMSL uses ASCII tokens instead of APL symbols to remedy interfacing, extensibility, and readability problems with APL. JMSL revises and extends APL built-in capabilities to provide greater expression and improved symbol-meaning correspondence. JMSL includes a new notation for nested arrays (a powerful data structure which combines the array processing of APL with the tree processing of LISP). JMSL provides hierarchical directories (similar to PASCAL or PL/I records) to allow structures to be indexed by name. JMSL modifies the traditional APL library/workspace storage interface by unifying the syntax of system commands in a way which allows UNIX-like directory storage. JMSL provides high-level control structures similar to those found in block-structured languages, including an event-handling mechanism. JMSL amends the APL scope rules to alleviate problems with side effects and object localization. Some areas of future work are discussed, and a description of JMSL syntax and semantics is included

Random vibration (stress screening) of printed wiring assemblies

The results of a random vibration test screening (RVSS) study of the determination of the upper and lower vibration limits on printed wiring assemblies (PWA) are summarized. The study results are intended to serve as a guide for engineers and designers who make decisions on PWA features that need to withstand the stresses of dynamic testing and screening. The maximum allowable PWA deflection, G levels, and PSD levels are compared to the expected or actual levels to determine if deleterious effects will occur

Government response to consultation on choice and flexibility: Additional Paternity Leave and Pay

Sets out the Government's response to a public consultation on the legal and technical espects of the Additional Paternity Leave and Pay (APL&P) scheme

Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) for Modeling Multiagent Systems

The formation of high-performance teams has been a constant challenge for organizations, which despite considering human capital as one of the most important resources, it still lacks the means to allow them to have a better understanding of several factors that influence the formation of these teams. In this sense, studies also demonstrate that teamwork has a significant impact on the results presented by organizations, in which human behavior is highlighted as one of the main aspects to be considered in the building of work teams. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator seeks to classify the behavioral preferences of individuals around eight characteristics, which grouped as dichotomies, describe different psychological types. With it, researchers have sought to expand the ability to understand the human factor, using strategies with multiagent systems that, through experiments and simulations, using computer resources, enable the development of artificial agents that simulate human actions. In this work, we present an overview of the research approaches that use MBTI to model agents, aiming at providing a better knowledge of human behavior. Additionally, we make a preliminary discussion of how these results could be explored in order to advance the studies of psychological factors' influence in organizations' work teams formation

Enhancing Decision Tree based Interpretation of Deep Neural Networks through L1-Orthogonal Regularization

One obstacle that so far prevents the introduction of machine learning models primarily in critical areas is the lack of explainability. In this work, a practicable approach of gaining explainability of deep artificial neural networks (NN) using an interpretable surrogate model based on decision trees is presented. Simply fitting a decision tree to a trained NN usually leads to unsatisfactory results in terms of accuracy and fidelity. Using L1-orthogonal regularization during training, however, preserves the accuracy of the NN, while it can be closely approximated by small decision trees. Tests with different data sets confirm that L1-orthogonal regularization yields models of lower complexity and at the same time higher fidelity compared to other regularizers.Comment: 8 pages, 18th IEEE International Conference on Machine Learning and Applications (ICMLA) 201

New land governance models and management scenarios: Fitting Forest Management Units (FMUs) for forested landscapes outside forest zones in Indonesia

Many parts of non-forest zones (Areal untuk Penggunaaan Lain/APL) in Indonesia are forested but are however under intense pressure from unsustainable practices and conversion. To help preserve forested APL zones, the Ministry of Environment of Forestry is envisioning the integration of forested APL areas into the operational activities of the Forest Management Units/ FMUs (Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan/KPH), a management arm of the forest administration. Under the current governance arrangements, FMUs are not tasked to manage the areas. In this paper, we developed new governance arrangements and management scenarios that permit management of forested APL by FMUs based on iterative processes and intensive consultation with related stakeholders. We developed three plausible broad scenarios: 1) the handing over forested APLs to FMUs, 2) co-management, and 3) FMUs to provide technical assistance for preserving forested APLs. We further detailed the three scenarios into five different models. Our scenarios of institutional arrangements and management models are by no means prescriptive and readily operationalized on the ground. Instead, the processes by which the scenarios and models were developed can be adopted when the FMUs intend to develop more detailed scenarios that reflect specific situations and conditions