764 research outputs found

    Hybrid human-AI driven open personalized education

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    Attaining those skills that match labor market demand is getting increasingly complicated as prerequisite knowledge, skills, and abilities are evolving dynamically through an uncontrollable and seemingly unpredictable process. Furthermore, people's interests in gaining knowledge pertaining to their personal life (e.g., hobbies and life-hacks) are also increasing dramatically in recent decades. In this situation, anticipating and addressing the learning needs are fundamental challenges to twenty-first century education. The need for such technologies has escalated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where online education became a key player in all types of training programs. The burgeoning availability of data, not only on the demand side but also on the supply side (in the form of open/free educational resources) coupled with smart technologies, may provide a fertile ground for addressing this challenge. Therefore, this thesis aims to contribute to the literature about the utilization of (open and free-online) educational resources toward goal-driven personalized informal learning, by developing a novel Human-AI based system, called eDoer. In this thesis, we discuss all the new knowledge that was created in order to complete the system development, which includes 1) prototype development and qualitative user validation, 2) decomposing the preliminary requirements into meaningful components, 3) implementation and validation of each component, and 4) a final requirement analysis followed by combining the implemented components in order develop and validate the planned system (eDoer). All in all, our proposed system 1) derives the skill requirements for a wide range of occupations (as skills and jobs are typical goals in informal learning) through an analysis of online job vacancy announcements, 2) decomposes skills into learning topics, 3) collects a variety of open/free online educational resources that address those topics, 4) checks the quality of those resources and topic relevance using our developed intelligent prediction models, 5) helps learners to set their learning goals, 6) recommends personalized learning pathways and learning content based on individual learning goals, and 7) provides assessment services for learners to monitor their progress towards their desired learning objectives. Accordingly, we created a learning dashboard focusing on three Data Science related jobs and conducted an initial validation of eDoer through a randomized experiment. Controlling for the effects of prior knowledge as assessed by the pretest, the randomized experiment provided tentative support for the hypothesis that learners who engaged with personal eDoer recommendations attain higher scores on the posttest than those who did not. The hypothesis that learners who received personalized content in terms of format, length, level of detail, and content type, would achieve higher scores than those receiving non-personalized content was not supported as a statistically significant result

    Design of an E-learning system using semantic information and cloud computing technologies

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    Humanity is currently suffering from many difficult problems that threaten the life and survival of the human race. It is very easy for all mankind to be affected, directly or indirectly, by these problems. Education is a key solution for most of them. In our thesis we tried to make use of current technologies to enhance and ease the learning process. We have designed an e-learning system based on semantic information and cloud computing, in addition to many other technologies that contribute to improving the educational process and raising the level of students. The design was built after much research on useful technology, its types, and examples of actual systems that were previously discussed by other researchers. In addition to the proposed design, an algorithm was implemented to identify topics found in large textual educational resources. It was tested and proved to be efficient against other methods. The algorithm has the ability of extracting the main topics from textual learning resources, linking related resources and generating interactive dynamic knowledge graphs. This algorithm accurately and efficiently accomplishes those tasks even for bigger books. We used Wikipedia Miner, TextRank, and Gensim within our algorithm. Our algorithm‘s accuracy was evaluated against Gensim, largely improving its accuracy. Augmenting the system design with the implemented algorithm will produce many useful services for improving the learning process such as: identifying main topics of big textual learning resources automatically and connecting them to other well defined concepts from Wikipedia, enriching current learning resources with semantic information from external sources, providing student with browsable dynamic interactive knowledge graphs, and making use of learning groups to encourage students to share their learning experiences and feedback with other learners.Programa de Doctorado en Ingeniería Telemática por la Universidad Carlos III de MadridPresidente: Luis Sánchez Fernández.- Secretario: Luis de la Fuente Valentín.- Vocal: Norberto Fernández Garcí

    Izolirana i nestala banijska naselja

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    IN CROATIAN: Ruralna naselja u kontinentalnoj Hrvatskoj obilježena su snažnom depopula[1]cijom, prometnom izoliranošću i velikim brojem napuštenih i praznih mjesta. Područje Banije desetljećima je posebno izloženo snažnoj depopulaciji. Od 195 nenaseljenih mjesta u Hrvatskoj 2021. godine, čak njih 13 je na području Ba[1]nije. Banijska napuštena naselja, u kojima nitko više ne živi pored ruševina ili tragova kuća i okućnica, s devastiranom infrastrukturom, nepostojećim jav[1]nim prijevozom i, na kraju, u potpuno zapuštenim ruralnim krajolicima, svje[1]doče demografskom slomu, izumiranju i nestajanju. Raznoliki razlozi (migra[1]cije, ratovi i katastrofe, ekonomski i politički razlozi) doveli su do društvene i kulturne izolacije. U ovome radu prikazat će se prazna i napuštena naselja (Baturi, Bišćanovo, Brubno, Donja Trstenica, Donji Selkovac, Gornje Jame, Turčenica, Kobiljak, Ostojići, Zut, Bukovica i Mala Vranovina) pomoću doku[1]mentiranja devastiranih i danas jedva vidljivih ostataka materijalne kulture. Uz to analizirat će se „svakodnevica u prošlosti“ korištenjem arhivske građe o stanovnicima i životu u prošlosti te pomoću iskustava, doživljaja, sjećanja i privatne arhive (sačuvani predmeti, fotografije) njihovih bivših stanovnika. --------------- IN ENGLISH: Rural settlements in Continental Croatia are characterized by severe depopulation, traffic isolation, and a large number of abandoned and empty settlements. The Banija Region has been particularly affected by severe depopulation for decades. Of the 195 uninhabited settlements in Croatia in 2021, as many as 13 are in the Banija Region. Uninhabited and abandoned settlements, where no one lives anymore next to the ruins or traces of houses and gardens, with devastated or destroyed infrastructure, non-existent public transport, and completely neglected rural landscapes testify to demographic collapse, extinction, and desertion. Various reasons (migrations, wars and disasters, economic and political reasons) have led to social and cultural isolation. In this paper, we will show empty and abandoned settlements (Baturi, Bišćanovo, Brubno, Donja Trstenica, Donji Selkovac, Gornje Jame, Turčenica, Kobiljak, Ostojići, Zut, Bukovica, and Mala Vranovina) by documenting the devastated and barely visible remains of material culture. In addition, we will analyse “everyday life in the past” using archival material about life in the past, and through the experiences, memories, stories, and private archives (preserved objects, photos) of their former residents

    Celebrating the reconciliation : potentialities of Pentecostal worship for reconciliation and peace in the context of the Great Lakes Region

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    Original doctoral dissertation: 2014, UNISA, Celebrating the reconciliation: toward a reconstructed Pentecostal worship in the Great Lakes RegionThis publication focuses on the research question: "What can the potential role of Christian worship in the Great Lakes region be to promote reconciliation and peace and healing after social and ethnic violence and conflicts?" The answer this book proposes is that a reconstructed Pentecostal Worship will significantly contribute to the process of reconciliation, peace-making, and healing of the ethnic groups in the Great Lakes region. The study theorises a Pentecostal practical theology backed in the theologies of reconstruction, politics and reconciliation. Using an empirical approach, this book draws on the spiritual, cultural, demographical and sociological potentials at the disposal of Pentecostal leaders to promote a reconstructed Pentecostal worship. It envisions a new praxis of spiritual potentials like prophecy, testimony, glossolalia, and emotional praising as opportunities to reconcile and heal people

    Evaluación de la Accesibilidad y Adaptabilidad de Objetos de Aprendizaje y cursos online a través de estándares y metadatos

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    El emprendimiento ha adquirido relevancia como tema de investigación en los últimos años. El individuo emprendedor tiene un rol influyente en la economía, por lo que entender sus motivaciones y aspiraciones es clave en esta investigación. El emprendimiento puede considerarse desde dos perspectivas, a nivel individual y desde el punto de vista de la organización, tratando así el intraemprendimiento o emprendimiento corporativo. Así pues, este trabajo tiene como objetivo principal analizar los diferentes niveles en los que se desarrolla la actividad emprendedora y entender el vínculo existente con las soft skills, permitiendo así considerar esta actividad como elemento de dinamización. Para abordar el objetivo general planteado se ha estudiado en primera instancia la literatura anterior vinculada con el concepto de emprendimiento, la cual queda vinculada al entorno individual y organizacional. Posteriormente, se analizan las habilidades o soft skills determinantes como elementos influyentes que permiten el desarrollo y crecimiento emprendedor. De esta forma, se consigue abordar la repercusión de la actividad emprendedora e intraemprendedora desde una perspectiva general. En esta línea, elementos como la creatividad y el conocimiento han quedado vinculados a lo largo de toda la investigación, puesto que los emprendedores requieren la actualización constante de conocimientos, y la búsqueda y el aprovechamiento de las oportunidades existentes. En consecuencia, esta investigación contribuye con el gap existente en la literatura y permite poner en valor las capacidades más relevantes en el entramado laboral, permitiendo con esto analizar los nuevos vínculos entre la sociedad y la iniciativa emprendedora. Las primeras aproximaciones de la investigación se han desarrollado a través del análisis de la base de datos European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO), la cual ha permitido destacar las cualidades y competencias clave en el desarrollo emprendedor. A su vez, se ha realizado, como primer artículo de la tesis un análisis bibliométrico del concepto de emprendimiento. Con esto se ha conseguido destacar a los investigadores más representativos en este ámbito, y entender las redes y conexiones existentes entre ellos. De igual forma, se han destacado las palabras innovación y formación vinculadas a este concepto siendo clave para continuar con la investigación en el tema. A nivel del individuo se ha desarrollado un análisis de las motivaciones del emprendedor, quedando reflejado en el segundo artículo de la tesis. En este caso, la investigación ha examinado cómo influyen las variables de creatividad, comunicación y liderazgo en la decisión de convertirse en emprendedor en una situación prepandémica y en la situación actual, considerada como la nueva normalidad. En este sentido, la motivación emprendedora ha destacado por quedar influenciada por factores como la incertidumbre. Además, las variables creatividad, comunicación y liderazgo no son representativas en la presencia de emprendedores potenciales en la situación post-pandémica de nueva normalidad, sin embargo, sí que lo eran antes de la Covid-19. Por consiguiente, se vuelve necesario mencionar que debido a la Covid-19 se desarrolló un análisis comparativo, enriqueciendo en gran medida los resultados obtenidos. Por último, y debido a la dificultad que supone acceder a los datos estratégicos internos de las organizaciones, se han estudiado las variables que impactan en la estrategia de la empresa a través del desarrollo de una encuesta a 241 pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYMES). Esto, ha permitido considerar la influencia que ha tenido cada variable destacada en el análisis anterior, creatividad, comunicación y liderazgo, en la organización. En consecuencia, a través del tercer artículo se consigue un análisis en profundidad de la repercusión de la formación y las skills determinantes en la estrategia empresarial. Se investiga en este artículo si esas variables impactan directamente en el desarrollo de iniciativas intraemprendedoras. La investigación destaca la relevancia de la formación de los empleados en las organizaciones como componente diferencial y generador de valor. Así pues, la formación en habilidades y competencias les permitirá desarrollar actividades emprendedoras, lo que ayudará a la toma de decisiones estratégicas y a la diferenciación en el actual mercado competitivo y cambiante

    An teagasc ábharbhunaithe trí mheán na mionteanga: iniúchadh criticiúil ar chreidiúintí, tuiscintí agus cleachtais an mhúinteora eacnamaíochta baile san Iar-bhunscoil ghaeltachta

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    Bhí sé mar aidhm ag an taighde seo iniúchadh criticiúil a dhéanamh ar chreidiúintí, tuiscintí agus cleachtais an mhúinteora Eacnamaíochta Baile san iar-bhunscoil Ghaeltachta. Bíodh is go bhfuil raidhse leathan litríochta sa ghort a thráchtann ar na castachtaí oideolaíochta roimh mhúinteoirí tumchláir, is beag taighde atá déanta ar an bhfeiniméan céanna i gcomhthéacs an oideachais Ghaeltachta, go háirithe an taighde sin a nochtann fíorthaithí mhúinteoirí ábhair iar-bhunleibhéil ó theacht i bhfeidhm an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta. Chuige sin, díríodh aird an taighde seo ar pheirspictíochtaí iarbhír seisear rannpháirtithe i gcúig iar-bhunscoil cláraithe faoin Scéim Aitheantais Scoileanna Gaeltachta. D’fhonn guth a thabhairt don taithí bharántúil rinneadh iniúchadh ar ábhar an staidéir trí lionsa na paraidíme bunathraithí. Chuathas i muinín modhanna measctha taighde agus an taighde feidhmeach mar dhearadh taighde agus baineadh úsáid as raon fairsing d’ionstraimí bailithe sonraí. Ar a bharr sin, reáchtáladh idirghabhálacha taighde ar bhonn timthriallach leis an éabhlú sa chleachtas agus sa smaointeoireacht a éascú. Cuimsíodh meonta, bonn eolais agus modhanna múinte rannpháirtithe san anailísiú ar shonraí agus thángthas ar dhá mhórthéama taighde, ina measc, Creidiúintí agus Tuiscintí Ábharbhunaithe mar aon le Cleachtas Oideolaíoch Ábharbhunaithe. Sonraíodh i bhfianaise na dtorthaí taighde cé go raibh rannpháirtithe báúil don lántumadh, gur beag tuisceana a léiríodh i dtaobh choincheap an chomhtháthaithe ábhar agus teanga i ndáil lena chur i bhfeidhm sa chleachtas teagaisc; narbh ionann inniúlacht sa teanga agus na hinniúlachtaí éigeantacha leis an oideolaíocht theangabhunaithe a chur i ngníomh; go raibh an múnla teagaisc faoi chomaoin fhorlámhas an ábhair acadúil agus nach raibh cianteagasc na héigeandála sláinte COVID-19 ina choinníoll fhabhrach le haghaidh an dea-theagaisc ábhairbhunaithe a chur chun cinn. Ar deireadh, eascraíodh moltaí ón staidéar a bhain le cleachtas agus le beartas ar mhaithe leis an idé-oideolaíocht chomhtháite a chur chun cinn thar achar an chontanaim oideachais lán-Ghaeilge.N

    Imagined futures of work in the making: the politics of platform workers’ contract classification in Denmark, France, Italy, and the Netherlands

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    A vibrant debate on the digitalisation of the economy has taken place over the last decade. Among the various manifestations of digitalisation, the rise of platform companies has divided scholars over whether a ‘platformised’ future of work would be desirable. The contract classification of platform workers, i.e. whether they should qualify as independent contractors or employees, has been among the top-debated issues. While some have stressed that coverage of freelancer platform workers should be strengthened regardless of their contract classification, others have highlighted how platform work has all the features of dependent work and should therefore qualify as such. Various national regulatory processes resulted in numerous statutory measures and collective agreements. Starting from these developments, and unsatisfied with existing institutionalist accounts of platform work regulation, this dissertation asks two research questions: i) How have national actors problematised and responded to the question of platform workers’ contract classification? ii) What were the drivers of such problematisation and responses? To address such queries, this thesis investigates the politics of platform workers’ contract classification by concentrating on i) the (evolution of) actors’ positions, ii) the building of actor coalitions, iii) the content of regulatory measures in cases they were adopted. It focuses on four actor types, namely governments, social partners, platforms, and independent platform worker organisations. It adopts a qualitative comparative case-study design to study the cases of Denmark, France, Italy and the Netherlands. Such countries represent different ‘varieties of liberalisation’: ‘dualisation’ countries (France – Italy), ‘embedded flexibilisation’ countries (Denmark – Netherlands). Methodologically, this work combines 68 semi-structured elite interviews with selected policy documents and quality newspaper articles. Data was analysed through a thematic analysis using MAXQDA software. Theoretically, an ‘Imaginative Institutional Work’ approach is developed. Such an approach adopts the concept of ‘institutional work’ to understand how ‘uncertain’ actors affect institutions. In this work, institutions are the rules linking contract classification and employment/social protection. To account for the drivers of such an institutional work, this work theorizes learning mechanisms of three kinds, i.e. ‘learning by puzzling’, ‘learning by experimenting’, and ‘learning by researching’. In turn, such mechanisms are conceived of as cognitively bounded by ‘imagined futures’, i.e. expectations on future states of the world. Thus, this dissertation unveils institutional work objectives and practices and associated learning mechanisms that have shaped the rules linking contract classification and employment/social protection. Further, it finds that learning mechanisms were anchored in three ‘imagined futures of work’, i.e. ‘Start-up Nation’, ‘Creative digitalisation’, and ‘Embedded digitalisation’. While the ‘start-up nation’ future was especially relevant in France and to some extent in the Netherlands, ‘creative digitalisation’, and ‘embedded digitalisation’ were prominent in the Italian, Danish and Dutch cases. This shows how processes of imaginative institutional work were often not in line with expectations deriving from the variety of liberalisation profile of selected countries. More broadly, this thesis contributes to the understanding of how the implications of technology are socially shaped by providing a fine-grained account of how future-oriented actors affect the rules governing the use of such a technology. In so doing, actors do not merely enact institutional dictates. Rather, they creatively navigate the uncharted waters of novel technologies, seeking to realize their preferred ‘imagined futures of work’

    A Self-Regulated Learning Approach to Educational Recommender Design

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    Recommender systems, or recommenders, are information filtering systems prevalent today in many fields. One type of recommender found in the field of education, the educational recommender, is a key component of adaptive learning solutions as these systems avoid “one-size-fits-all” approaches by tailoring the learning process to the needs of individual learners. To function, these systems utilize learning analytics in a student-facing manner. While existing research has shown promise and explores a variety of types of educational recommenders, there is currently a lack of research that ties educational theory to the design and implementation of these systems. The theory considered here, self-regulated learning, is underexplored in educational recommender research. Self-regulated learning advocates a cyclical feedback loop that focuses on putting students in control of their learning with consideration for activities such as goal setting, selection of learning strategies, and monitoring of one’s performance. The goal of this research is to explore how best to build a self-regulated learning guided educational recommender and discover its influence on academic success. This research applies a design science methodology in the creation of a novel educational recommender framework with a theoretical base in self-regulated learning. Guided by existing research, it advocates for a hybrid recommender approach consisting of knowledge-based and collaborative filtering, made possible by supporting ontologies that represent the learner, learning objects, and learner actions. This research also incorporates existing Information Systems (IS) theory in the evaluation, drawing further connections between these systems and the field of IS. The self-regulated learning-based recommender framework is evaluated in a higher education environment via a web-based demonstration in several case study instances using mixed-method analysis to determine this approach’s fit and perceived impact on academic success. Results indicate that the self-regulated learning-based approach demonstrated a technology fit that was positively related to student academic performance while student comments illuminated many advantages to this approach, such as its ability to focus and support various studying efforts. In addition to contributing to the field of IS research by delivering an innovative framework and demonstration, this research also results in self-regulated learning-based educational recommender design principles that serve to guide both future researchers and practitioners in IS and education
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