The Need to Integrate Computer Science

This school improvement plan outlines a detailed three-year strategy designed to integrate computer science into the K-5 curriculum. Emphasizing a comprehensive approach, the action plan employs a multi-tiered strategy combining a standalone curriculum with embedded activities. Drawing insights from successful educational practices and leveraging resources, the plan strategically aligns the curriculum with CSTA standards while fostering hands-on learning experiences at various grade levels. The timeline features foundational teacher training, curriculum integration, community engagement events, and consistent assessment processes. The plan aims to create an environment where both students and educators actively participate in the dynamic landscape of computer science education. By using a phased approach, this blueprint offers a comprehensive understanding of computer science concepts, equipping students for success in a technology-driven world. The plan acknowledges the importance of monitoring potential barriers and challenges to ensure effectiveness in the integration process

User Review Analysis of Mobile English Vocabulary Learning

More and more language learners today rely on mobile assisted vocabulary learning to expand their grasp of words. Against this background, reviews left by target users are impactful in a language learning app market because online reviews play roles as a decision-making tool used by prospects before committing to any service provider and as a channel through which a mobile app developer understand users’ current expectations and their using and learning experience in depth. The aim of this study is to explore the issues users concern the most in app-based vocabulary learning and provide suggestions to mobile app developers, hoping they leverage the advice to perfect apps’ performance and gain a competitive edge in a booming app market

From Individual Creativity to Team-Based Creativity

Supporting the development of creative competency is important for the actual challenges of the society. However, creativity has been mainly approached in an individual way, without considering the specificities of team-based creativity processes. In this chapter, we establish the differences between creativity as an individual approach and creativity as a collaborative process. Then we discuss creativity from the perspective of the leaners’ and teachers’ attitudes. Subsequently, we discuss the concept of the margin of creativity in different learning activities. We finalize this chapter by discussing digital uses that can support creativity in team-based contexts

Investigating Multimodal Communication in Virtual Meetings: The Sharing of Dynamic Representations

To manage distributed work, organizations increasingly rely on virtual meetings based on multimodal, synchronous communication technologies. However, despite technological advances, it is still challenging to coordinate knowledge through these meetings with spatial and cultural separation. Against this backdrop, we present a framework for investigating the sharing of dynamic representations of co-created knowledge during such meetings. We illustrate the detailed workings of the framework by analyzing how three software managers coordinated a project over a series of virtual meetings. Grounded in audio recordings of their oral exchanges and video recordings of their shared dynamic representation of the project’s status and plans, our analysis shows how their interrelating of visual and verbal communication acts enabled effective communication and coordination. In conclusion, we offer theoretical propositions that explain how interrelating of verbal and visual acts based on shared dynamic representations enable communication repairs during virtual meetings. We argue that our proposed framework provides researchers with a novel and practical approach to investigate the complex data involved in virtual meetings based on multimodal, synchronous communication

Development of Simplified Models of Regional Groundwater and Surface Water Flow Processes based on Computational Experiments with Comprehensive Models

The development of complex decision support model systems for the analysis of regional water policies for regions with intense socio-economic development affecting and being affected by the water resources system is of increasing importance. One of the most illustrative examples are regions with open-pit lignite mining. Such model systems have to be based on appropriate submodels, e.g. for water quantity processes. The paper describes submodels for groundwater and surface water flow with special regard to open-pit lignite mining regions. Starting with a problem definition in Section 2 the methodological background is given. The state-of-the-art of comprehensive models of regional water flow processes based on groundwater flow models and of stochastic long-term management modeling are described in details. Section 3 gives the methodological approach for model reduction. The application of this approach is illustrated in Section 4 for the modeling of mine drainage and groundwater tables, for the modeling of remaining pit management and of groundwater-surface water interactions. In the appendix computer programs of some submodels are given being suitable for a more general application

Technology and Testing

From early answer sheets filled in with number 2 pencils, to tests administered by mainframe computers, to assessments wholly constructed by computers, it is clear that technology is changing the field of educational and psychological measurement. The numerous and rapid advances have immediate impact on test creators, assessment professionals, and those who implement and analyze assessments. This comprehensive new volume brings together leading experts on the issues posed by technological applications in testing, with chapters on game-based assessment, testing with simulations, video assessment, computerized test development, large-scale test delivery, model choice, validity, and error issues. Including an overview of existing literature and ground-breaking research, each chapter considers the technological, practical, and ethical considerations of this rapidly-changing area. Ideal for researchers and professionals in testing and assessment, Technology and Testing provides a critical and in-depth look at one of the most pressing topics in educational testing today

Thrive in a Digital Age: Understanding ICT-enabled Work Experiences through the Lens of Work Design

As information communication technology (ICT) becomes ever more embedded in today’s organizations, the nature of employees’ jobs and work experiences are being strongly affected by ICT usage at work. Based on the work design perspective, I conducted three studies to understand the intertwined relationships among technology, human beings, and work. This thesis helps to deepen our understanding on ICT-enabled work experiences, to stimulate the development of work design theories in the digital era, and guide contemporary managerial practices

Literature review of aquatic invasive species management in the Great Lakes region

Invasive species are foreign organisms which out-compete and take over new landscapes and are ranked as one of the most destructive forms of habitat degradation (McCormick et al. 2009). Aquatic invasive species specifically have the potential to disrupt not only ecosystem services, but the commercial industries, and recreational activities as well. The great lakes, located between Canada and the United States, are one of the largest sources of fresh water which supports the majority of North American populations. These lakes have been subject to numerous invasive species, with new species constantly threatening to invade. The purpose of this study is to assess the current level of management of invasive species from the bordering provinces and states. A literature review was conducted focusing on three species as case studies; the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), species which are currently established in the great lakes, and Asian carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, Mylopharyngodon piceus) a newly threating species coming from the United States. The established species were found to have the greatest number of publications focused on their physical (round goby) and chemical (Asian clam) control, with little publications found on their prevention or eradication. Asian carp management was centered around their prevention, with little to no studies found on control or eradication methods. The final assessment on the level of invasive species management within the great lakes, based on further research of the practicality of each method, was relatively satisfactory given current states. The suggested improvement includes the focus on creating cohesive international policies, as well as the improving public outreach programs