Degree of Scaffolding: Learning Objective Metadata: A Prototype Leaning System Design for Integrating GIS into a Civil Engineering Curriculum

Digital media and networking offer great potential as tools for enhancing classroom learning environments, both local and distant. One concept and related technological tool that can facilitate the effective application and distribution of digital educational resources is learning objects in combination with the SCORM (sharable content objects reference model) compliance framework. Progressive scaffolding is a learning design approach for educational systems that provides flexible guidance to students. We are in the process of utilizing this approach within a SCORM framework in the form of a multi-level instructional design. The associated metadata required by SCORM will describe the degree of scaffolding. This paper will discuss progressive scaffolding as it relates to SCORM compliant learning objects, within the context of the design of an application for integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into the civil engineering curriculum at the University of Missouri - Rolla

A systematic evaluation of preservice teachers' opinions on learning objects

The purpose of this study is to investigate preservice teachers’ opinions on LOs in teaching and learning. ‘’LOs Perception Questionnaire” was developed and applied among preservice teachers. The survey consisted of four parts: “Merit of LOs’’, “Use of LOs”, “Accessing LOs”, and “Developing LOs”. The study included 336 preservice teachers from art, math, computer, and elementary education. Before the survey, participants took a three-hour learning module on LOs and repositories. The module included a one-hour teacher lecture, a one-hour web-quest, and a one-hour class discussion on LOs. Results indicated that instead of valuing, accessing, and using LOs to merely deliver content, it seemed more challenging for preservice teachers to know how to develop them for teaching and learning.The purpose of this study is to investigate preservice teachers’ opinions on Learning Objects (LO) in teaching and learning. ‘LOs Perception Questionnaire’ was developed and applied among preservice teachers. The survey consisted of four parts: “Merit of LOs’’, “Use of LOs”, “Accessing LOs”, and “Developing LOs”. The study included 336 preservice teachers from art, math, computer, and elementary education. Before the survey, participants took a three-hour learning module on LOs and repositories. The module included a one-hour teacher lecture, a one-hour web-quest, and a one-hour class discussion on LOs. Results indicated that instead of valuing, accessing, and using LOs to merely deliver content, it seemed more challenging for preservice teachers to know how to develop them for teaching and learning

Development and implementation of clinical guidelines : an artificial intelligence perspective

Clinical practice guidelines in paper format are still the preferred form of delivery of medical knowledge and recommendations to healthcare professionals. Their current support and development process have well identified limitations to which the healthcare community has been continuously searching solutions. Artificial intelligence may create the conditions and provide the tools to address many, if not all, of these limitations.. This paper presents a comprehensive and up to date review of computer-interpretable guideline approaches, namely Arden Syntax, GLIF, PROforma, Asbru, GLARE and SAGE. It also provides an assessment of how well these approaches respond to the challenges posed by paper-based guidelines and addresses topics of Artificial intelligence that could provide a solution to the shortcomings of clinical guidelines. Among the topics addressed by this paper are expert systems, case-based reasoning, medical ontologies and reasoning under uncertainty, with a special focus on methodologies for assessing quality of information when managing incomplete information. Finally, an analysis is made of the fundamental requirements of a guideline model and the importance that standard terminologies and models for clinical data have in the semantic and syntactic interoperability between a guideline execution engine and the software tools used in clinical settings. It is also proposed a line of research that includes the development of an ontology for clinical practice guidelines and a decision model for a guideline-based expert system that manages non-compliance with clinical guidelines and uncertainty.This work is funded by national funds through the FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) within project PEst-OE/EEI/UI0752/2011"

Guatemala’s Public Health Messaging in Mayan Languages during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Guatemala is a pluriethnic country in Central America. The 24 languages (22 Mayan languages, Xinca, and Spanish) spoken in the country present a challenge in the effective dissemination of  public health messaging in an already understaffed and underresourced public health system. This paper examines how the government, community members, and NGOs have worked to ensure the translation—both linguistic and cultural—of messaging in Mayan languages during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper describes the case of messaging in Mayan languages generally; however, the examples draw heavily from our own work in Kaqchikel and K’iche’ Maya communities. These are the two most commonly spoken Mayan languages in Guatemala and present a best case scenario, especially related to the availability of effective public health messaging. Our examination demonstrates that while all translations are important, if only symbolically, effective public health messaging must be mindful of local contexts. Translations need to adhere to the linguistic form of everyday speech and reflect the appropriate cultural contexts

A comparison of integration architectures

This paper presents GenSIF, a Generic Systems Integration Framework. GenSIF features a pre-planned development process on a domain-wide basis and facilitates system integration and project coordination for very large, complex and distributed systems. Domain analysis, integration architecture design and infrastructure design are identified as the three main components of GenSIF. In the next step we map Beilcore\u27s OSCA interoperability architecture, ANSA, IBM\u27s SAA and Bull\u27s DCM into GenSIF. Using the GenSIF concepts we compare each of these architectures. GenSIF serves as a general framework to evaluate and position specific architecture. The OSCA architecture is used to discuss the impact of vendor architectures on application development. All opinions expressed in this paper, especially with regard to the OSCA architecture, are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the point of view of any of the mentioned companies

Smart e-Learning Systems with Big Data

Nowadays, the Internet connects people, multimedia and physical objects leading to a new-wave of services. This includes learning applications, which require to manage huge and mixed volumes of information coming from Web and social media, smart-cities and Internet of Things nodes. Unfortunately, designing smart e-learning systems able to take advantage of such a complex technological space raises different challenges. In this perspective, this paper introduces a reference architecture for the development of future and big-data-capable e-learning platforms. Also, it showcases how data can be used to enrich the learning process

The Development of Legal Databases in Refugee Work

Today's information technology can be used to improve the legal protection of refugees, by providing information relevant to the asylum procedure, and laying the foundation for progressive development at the international level. The positive potential of legal databases is only now beginning to be realised, thanks to pioneering efforts within human rights and related documentation centre networks. UNHCR is helping to set up a case law database, in co-operation with non-governmental organizations. A database on national legislation is also planned, as is a full text database of international legal instruments database. Legal literature continues to be covered by the database REFLIT (REFugee LITerature) of UNHCR'S Centre for Documentation on Refugees (CDR/UNHCR). This article examines two basic kinds of information-retrieval systems, ‘free text', and ‘indexed', and considers their different structures, uses and search procedures, with reference to work on a forthcoming refugee thesaurus. The author calls attention to the need for standard formats, such as those of HURIDOCS, and to problems of scope and coverage. He suggests that information and documentation are areas in which practical co-operation between the UN, governments and non-governmental organizations could be implemented to advantag

Learning Content Development methodology for Mobile Devices

AbstractMobile devices are becoming increasingly popular; basically mobile devices are reaching all levels of society. Thanks to the popularity of mobile devices, mobile learning has become great tool for delivering educational resources. The continuously increasing demand for mobile technology based learning materials, renders adoption of educational resources for these requirements. Technology by itself does not contribute much to education that is why the aim of this research is to present and evaluate methodology for visualisation and production of electronic materials in mobile environments. Methodology focuses on instructional design and mobile content design and the navigation control. Findings showed that given methodology and recommendations is effective for improving m-learning design across mobile devices

Role of the Physical Environment on Team-Based Primary Care in the Military Health System

Primary care in the United States has shifted from a physician-centered care approach to a multidisciplinary, team-based care approach. This shift has resulted in many day-to-day changes in the care delivery process including how clinical staff collaborate; interact with patients; and use space, equipment, and various technologies. Team-based approaches, such as the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model, are demonstrating improvements in patient health outcomes. The U.S. Military Health System, one of the largest healthcare organizations in the world, has adopted the PCMH model for primary care clinics. To support this new care model, a team-based clinical module is emerging as a spatial concept that colocates the resources staff need for delivering care. Several different design configurations of team-based clinical modules exist in MHS clinics despite the organization’s emphasis on clinic standardization. The purpose of this dissertation is to understand staff perceptions concerning the environmental factors that best support team-based care in the MHS. Using a qualitative approach and a case study research strategy along with ethnographic data collection techniques, this study investigates how six team-based clinical module configurations in three different clinics influence the delivery of team-based care. Data collection included 58 semi-structured interviews with primary care providers, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and specialty care providers. Additionally, 11 hours of observations in team rooms provided insight on how the staff use space. Findings were translated into a set of design recommendations for planning team-based clinical modules aimed at improving staff workflow, functionality, and workspaces to facilitate both team collaboration and focused work. This study provides initial evidence that can directly support the MHS in updating design guidance criteria to support team-based primary care