52,740 research outputs found
The Effect of Student Learning Styles on the Learning Gains Achieved When Interactive Simulations Are Coupled with Real-Time Formative Assessment via Pen-Enabled Mobile Technology
This paper describes results from a project in an undergraduate engineering
physics course that coupled classroom use of interactive computer simulations
with the collection of real-time formative assessment using pen-enabled mobile
technology. Interactive simulations (free or textbook-based) are widely used
across the undergraduate science and engineering curriculia to help actively
engaged students increase their understanding of abstract concepts or phenomena
which are not directly or easily observable. However, there are indications in
the literature that we do not yet know the pedagogical best practices
associated with their use to maximize learning. This project couples student
use of interactive simulations with the gathering of real-time formative
assessment via pen-enabled mobile technology (in this case, Tablet PCs). The
research question addressed in this paper is: are learning gains achieved with
this coupled model greater for certain types of learners in undergraduate STEM
classrooms? To answer this, we correlate learning gains with various learning
styles, as identified using the Index of Learning Styles (ILS) developed by
Felder and Soloman. These insights will be useful for others who use
interactive computer simulations in their instruction and other adopters of
this pedagogical model; the insights may have broader implications about
modification of instruction to address various learning styles.Comment: 6 pages 2 tables and 1 figur
Content-access QoS in peer-to-peer networks using a fast MDS erasure code
This paper describes an enhancement of content access Quality of Service in peer to peer (P2P) networks. The main idea is to use an erasure code to distribute the information over the peers. This distribution increases the usersâ choice on disseminated encoded data and therefore statistically enhances the overall throughput of the transfer. A performance evaluation based on an original model using the results of a measurement campaign of sequential and parallel downloads in a real P2P network over Internet is presented. Based on a bandwidth distribution, statistical content-access QoS are guaranteed in function of both the content replication level in the network and the file dissemination strategies. A simple application in the context of media streaming is proposed. Finally, the constraints on the erasure code related to the proposed system are analysed and a new fast MDS erasure code is proposed, implemented and evaluated
Health literacy practices in social virtual worlds and the influence on health behaviour
This study explored how health information accessed via a 3D social virtual world and the representation of âselfâ through the use of an avatar impact physical world health behaviour.
In-depth interviews were conducted in a sample of 25 people, across 10 countries, who accessed health information in a virtual world (VW): 12 females and 13 males. Interviews were audio-recorded via private in-world voice chat or via private instant message. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
The social skills and practices evidenced demonstrate how the collective knowledge and skills of communities in VWs can influence improvements in individual and community health literacy through a distributed model. The findings offer support for moving away from the idea of health literacy as a set of skills which reside within an individual to a sociocultural model of health literacy. Social VWs can offer a place where people can access health information in multiple formats through the use of an avatar, which can influence changes in behaviour in the physical world and the VW. This can lead to an improvement in social skills and health literacy practices and represents a social model of health literacy
Evaluating a virtual learning environment in the context of its community of practice
The evaluation of virtual learning environments (VLEs) and similar applications has, to date, largely consisted of checklists of system features, phenomenological studies or measures of specific forms of educational efficacy. Although these approaches offer some value, they are unable to capture the complex and holistic nature of a group of individuals using a common system to support the wide range of activities that make up a course or programme of study over time. This paper employs Wenger's theories of 'communities of practice' to provide a formal structure for looking at how a VLE supports a pre-existing course community. Wenger proposes a Learning Architecture Framework for a learning community of practice, which the authors have taken to provide an evaluation framework. This approach is complementary to both the holistic and complex natures of course environments, in that particular VLE affordances are less important than the activities of the course community in respect of the system. Thus, the VLE's efficacy in its context of use is the prime area of investigation rather than a reductionist analysis of its tools and components. An example of this approach in use is presented, evaluating the VLE that supports the undergraduate medical course at the University of Edinburgh. The paper provides a theoretical grounding, derives an evaluation instrument, analyses the efficacy and validity of the instrument in practice and draws conclusions as to how and where it may best be used
Connectivity of confined 3D Networks with Anisotropically Radiating Nodes
Nodes in ad hoc networks with randomly oriented directional antenna patterns
typically have fewer short links and more long links which can bridge together
otherwise isolated subnetworks. This network feature is known to improve
overall connectivity in 2D random networks operating at low channel path loss.
To this end, we advance recently established results to obtain analytic
expressions for the mean degree of 3D networks for simple but practical
anisotropic gain profiles, including those of patch, dipole and end-fire array
antennas. Our analysis reveals that for homogeneous systems (i.e. neglecting
boundary effects) directional radiation patterns are superior to the isotropic
case only when the path loss exponent is less than the spatial dimension.
Moreover, we establish that ad hoc networks utilizing directional transmit and
isotropic receive antennas (or vice versa) are always sub-optimally connected
regardless of the environment path loss. We extend our analysis to investigate
boundary effects in inhomogeneous systems, and study the geometrical reasons
why directional radiating nodes are at a disadvantage to isotropic ones.
Finally, we discuss multi-directional gain patterns consisting of many equally
spaced lobes which could be used to mitigate boundary effects and improve
overall network connectivity.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure
Probabilistic analysis of concrete beams during fire
In this paper a simple computational tool is presented, which provides insight in the time and temperature dependent reliability of concrete beams during fire. The uncertainty of basic variables is taken into account through Monte Carlo simulations, resulting in a quantification of the uncertainty regarding the bending of these full-probabilistic simulations are compared with the semi-probabilistic calculation methods as specified in EN 1992-1-2
The distance to the C component of I Zw 18 and its star formation history: A probabilistic approach
We analyzed the resolved stellar population of the C component of the
extremely metal-poor dwarf galaxy Izw18 in order to evaluate its distance and
star formation history as accurately as possible. In particular, we aimed at
answering the question of whether this stellar population is young. We
developed a probabilistic approach to analyzing high-quality photometric data
obtained with the Advanced Camera for Surveys of the Hubble Space Telescope.
This approach gives a detailed account of the various stochastic aspects of
star formation. We carried out two successive models of the stellar population
of interest, paying attention to how our assumptions could affect the results.
We found a distance to the C component of I Zw 18 as high as 27 Mpc, a
significantly higher value than those cited in previous works. The star
formation history we inferred from the observational data shows various
interesting features: a strong starburst that lasted for about 15 Myr, a more
moderate one that occurred approx 100 Myr ago, a continuous process of star
formation between both starbursts, and a possible episode of low level star
formation at ages over 100 Myr. The stellar population studied is likely approx
125 Myr old, although ages of a few Gyr cannot be ruled out. Furthermore,
nearly all the stars were formed in the last few hundreds of Myr.Comment: 13 pags., 17 (low-resolution) Figs. Accepted by A&
Magnetic Accretion and Photopolarimetric Variability in Classical T Tauri Stars
We employ a Monte Carlo radiation transfer code to investigate the multi-
wavelength photopolarimetric variability arising from a spotted T Tauri star
surrounded by a dusty circumstellar disk. Our aim is to assess the ability of
the magnetic accretion model to explain the observed photopolarimetric
variability of classical T Tauri stars, and to identify potentially useful
observational diagnostics of T Tauri star/disk/spot parameters. We model a
range of spot sizes, spot latitudes, inner disk truncation radii, and system
inclination angles, as well as multiple disk and spot geometries. We find that
the amplitude, morphology, and wavelength dependence of the photopolarimetric
variability predicted by our models are generally consistent with existing
observations; a flared disk geometry is required to reproduce the largest
observed polarization levels and variations. Our models can further explain
stochastic polarimetric variability if unsteady accretion is invoked, in which
case irregular -- but correlated -- photometric variability is predicted, in
agreement with observations.
Potentially useful observational diagnostics of system parameters of interest
are discussed. We also investigate the reliability of modeling spot parameters
via analytic fits to multi-band photometric variations.Comment: 25 pages, 8 figures To be published in ApJ, 1999, 51
Stochastic and Reactive Methods for the Determination of Optimal Calibration Intervals
The length of calibration intervals of measurement instrumentations can be determined by means of several techniques. In this paper three different methods are compared for the establishment of optimal calibration intervals of atomic clocks. The first one, is based on a stochastic model, and provides the estimation of the calibration interval also in the transient situation, while the others, attain to the class of the soâcalled reactive methods, which determine the value of the optimal interval on the basis of the last calibration outcomes. Algorithms have been applied to experimental data and obtained results have been compared in order to determine the most effective technique. Since the analyzed reactive methods present a large transient time, a new algorithm is proposed and applied to the available data
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