Use of the internet for information organization, distance learning, and specimen presentation

The advent of the internet has had an effect on the discipline of entomology. The history of the relationship between entomology and the internet is summarized, and several effects are examined in detail. One effect is to create an explosion of available information about insects and pest management, largely available on the world-wide web (WWW). A metadata-based solution to categorizing, searching and filtering this information is presented, along with a case study that used this solution to examine the value added by the use of metadata. In the case study website, one third of the users arrived at web pages containing entomological information by following links that were autogenerated based on metadata. Original software for extracting, assigning and managing metadata across sites is presented. A second effect is the enabling of new teaching methods, including the use of three-dimensional (3D) virtual reality insect models. Photographic 3D models were created using QuickTime VR and compared to standard teaching methodology. The QTVR models were significantly more effective. Lastly, the internet enables distance education. A web-based online introductory distance education course in entomology was constructed and offered for several years. Enrollment increased markedly over the time course was offered. Retention averaged 79% +/- 7.9% in the online section compared to 93% +/- 4.0% in the traditional section. Analysis of log files showed that problems with cheating during online evaluations was rampant, with 15 of 22 students cheating on one or both of the exams analyzed. Potentional solutions to this problem are presented.*;*This dissertation is a compound document (contains both a paper copy and a CD as part of the dissertation)

Managing evolution and change in web-based teaching and learning environments

The state of the art in information technology and educational technologies is evolving constantly. Courses taught are subject to constant change from organisational and subject-specific reasons. Evolution and change affect educators and developers of computer-based teaching and learning environments alike – both often being unprepared to respond effectively. A large number of educational systems are designed and developed without change and evolution in mind. We will present our approach to the design and maintenance of these systems in rapidly evolving environments and illustrate the consequences of evolution and change for these systems and for the educators and developers responsible for their implementation and deployment. We discuss various factors of change, illustrated by a Web-based virtual course, with the objective of raising an awareness of this issue of evolution and change in computer-supported teaching and learning environments. This discussion leads towards the establishment of a development and management framework for teaching and learning systems

INSPIRAL: investigating portals for information resources and learning. Final project report

INSPIRAL's aims were to identify and analyse, from the perspective of the UK HE learner, the nontechnical, institutional and end-user issues with regard to linking VLEs and digital libraries, and to make recommendations for JISC strategic planning and investment. INSPIRAL's objectives -To identify key stakeholders with regard to the linkage of VLEs, MLEs and digital libraries -To identify key stakeholder forum points and dissemination routes -To identify the relevant issues, according to the stakeholders and to previous research, pertaining to the interaction (both possible and potential) between VLEs/MLEs and digital libraries -To critically analyse identified issues, based on stakeholder experience and practice; output of previous and current projects; and prior and current research -To report back to JISC and to the stakeholder communities, with results situated firmly within the context of JISC's strategic aims and objectives

The provision of education and training for healthcare professionals through the medium of the internet

This paper describes a new initiative to provide Internet based courses to student and professional occupational therapists in four centres in the UK, Belgium the Netherlands and Sweden. The basis of this collaborative Occupational Therapy Internet School (OTIS) is the concept of the “Virtual College”. This comprises the design and implementation of a sophisticated Internet-based system through which courses can be managed, prepared and delivered online in an effective fashion, and where students can communicate both with the staff and their peers. The aim is to support and facilitate the whole range of educational activities within a remote electronic environment. A major feature of the course organisation is the adoption of a problem-based approach in which students will collaborate internationally to propose effective intervention in given case study scenarios. The paper outlines the rationale for OTIS, the content and structure of the courseware, the technical specification of the system and evaluation criteria. In addition to the more conventional web-based learning facilities generally offered, a number of agent-based approaches are being adopted to assist in the management of the course by ensuring the proper delivery of course materials and to assist the functioning of project groups. </p

The e-revolution and post-compulsory education: using e-business models to deliver quality education

The best practices of e-business are revolutionising not just technology itself but the whole process through which services are provided; and from which important lessons can be learnt by post-compulsory educational institutions. This book aims to move debates about ICT and higher education beyond a simple focus on e-learning by considering the provision of post-compulsory education as a whole. It considers what we mean by e-business, why e-business approaches are relevant to universities and colleges and the key issues this raises for post-secondary education

Evaluating the development of wearable devices, personal data assistants and the use of other mobile devices in further and higher education institutions

This report presents technical evaluation and case studies of the use of wearable and mobile computing mobile devices in further and higher education. The first section provides technical evaluation of the current state of the art in wearable and mobile technologies and reviews several innovative wearable products that have been developed in recent years. The second section examines three scenarios for further and higher education where wearable and mobile devices are currently being used. The three scenarios include: (i) the delivery of lectures over mobile devices, (ii) the augmentation of the physical campus with a virtual and mobile component, and (iii) the use of PDAs and mobile devices in field studies. The first scenario explores the use of web lectures including an evaluation of IBM's Web Lecture Services and 3Com's learning assistant. The second scenario explores models for a campus without walls evaluating the Handsprings to Learning projects at East Carolina University and ActiveCampus at the University of California San Diego . The third scenario explores the use of wearable and mobile devices for field trips examining San Francisco Exploratorium's tool for capturing museum visits and the Cybertracker field computer. The third section of the report explores the uses and purposes for wearable and mobile devices in tertiary education, identifying key trends and issues to be considered when piloting the use of these devices in educational contexts

Machining feature-based system for supporting step-compliant milling process

STEP standards aims at setting up a standard description method for product data and providing a neutral exchanging mechanism that is independent of all the information processing systems for product information model. STEP Part 21 is the first implementation method from EXPRESS language and implemented successfully in CAD data. However, this text file consists of purely geometrical and topological data is hardly to be applied in machining process planning which requires machining features enriched data. The aim of this research is developing a new methodology to translate the EXPRESS language model of CAD STEP data into a new product data representation and enriched in machining features which is more beneficial to machining process planning. In this research, a target Database Management System (DBMS) was proposed for developing this system by using its fourth-generation tools that allow rapid development of applications through the provision of nonprocedural query language, reports generators, form generators, graphics generators, and application generators. The use of fourth-generation tools can improve productivity significantly and produce program that are easier to maintain. From this research, a new product data representation in a compact new table format is generated. Then this new product data representation has gone through a series of data enrichment process, such as normal face direction generation, edge convexity/concavity determination and machining features with transition feature recognition. Lastly, this new enriched product data representation is verified by generating to a new STEP standard data format which is according to ISO1030-224 standard format and providing an important part of solution for supporting STEP-compliant process planning and applications in milling process