Advanced Screencasting With Embedded Assessments in Pathophysiology and Therapeutics Course Modules

Objective. To implement and assess the effectiveness of a hybrid learning model using advanced screencasting with embedded assessments in pathophysiology and therapeutics modules. Design. Two pathophysiology and therapeutics course modules on viral hepatitis and the clinical pharmacokinetics of aminoglycosides were chosen for study. The preclass portion of the hybrid model involved student completion of interactive e-lectures that were created with the use of advanced screencasting and included embedded assessments. Students viewed the e-lectures and completed the assessment questions prior to in-class lecture. Assessment. Preimplementation and postimplementation test scores were compared and student survey data were analyzed. Test scores improved significantly and students’ perceptions of the learning method were favorable. Test scores improved most significantly on higher-level Bloom’s taxonomy questions. Conclusion. A hybrid model that used advanced screencasting with embedded assessments offered a novel method to afford students active-learning opportunities to progress to higher cognitive domains of learning

PICES Press, Vol. 18, No. 1, Winter 2010

•Major Outcomes from the 2009 PICES Annual Meeting: A Note from the Chairman (pp. 1-3, 8) •PICES Science – 2009 (pp. 4-8) •2009 PICES Awards (pp. 9-10) •New Chairmen in PICES (pp. 11-15) •PICES Interns (p. 15) •The State of the Western North Pacific in the First Half of 2009 (pp. 16-17, 27) •The State of the Northeast Pacific in 2009 (pp. 18-19) •The Bering Sea: Current Status and Recent Events (pp. 20-21) •2009 PICES Summer School on “Satellite Oceanography for the Earth Environment” (pp. 22-25) •2009 International Conference on “Marine Bioinvasions” (pp. 26-27) •A New PICES Working Group Holds Workshop and Meeting in Jeju Island (pp. 28-29) •The Second Marine Ecosystem Model Inter-comparison Workshop (pp. 30-32) •ICES/PICES/UNCOVER Symposium on “Rebuilding Depleted Fish Stocks – Biology, Ecology, Social Science and Management Strategies” (pp. 33-35) •2009 North Pacific Synthesis Workshop (pp. 36-37) •2009 PICES Rapid Assessment Survey (pp. 38-40

Experimental and simulation study on the aerodynamic performance of a counter rotating vertical axis wind turbine

The Darrieus H-rotor has gained much interest in the last few decades as among the reliable devices for wind energy conversion techniques, for their relatively simple structure and aerodynamic performance. In the present work, development and aerodynamic performance predictions of a unique contra-rotating VAWT have been studied through experimental and computational approaches as it has yet to be applied to a VAWT. The main purpose of this study is to develop and investigate the practicality of employing the contra-rotating concept to a VAWT system while enhancing its conversion efficiency. The simulation study was performed using three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models based on K-omega shear stress transport (SST) model. The computational work covers a wider range of simulation processes compared to the experiment which includes a parametric study based on the axial distance between the two rotors and blade height. The performance evaluations of the current models were established in terms of key aerodynamic parameters such as torque and power. The systematic analysis of these quantities showed the usefulness of the contra-rotating technique on a VAWT system and the ability to extract additional more than threefold power over the entire operating wind speeds covered. The system has also improved the inherent difficulties of the Darrieus rotor to self-start. The results also demonstrated a significant increase in terms of conversion efficiency for both power and torque compared to a single-rotor system of a similar type. A maximum of 43% and 46% of power and torque coefficients were respectively possible with the current dual-rotor system. The simulation results indicate that smaller axial distance tends to enhance the performance output of the system relatively better compared to a larger distance. However, in terms of the blade height, longer blades generated the highest amount of power. It is anticipated that this current technique could revolutionize wind energy harvesting strategies and would find applications in a wide range of sites that are characterized by low and moderate wind regimes and particularly be useful in the urban environment where turbulence is high

A framework for e-learning: a blended solution?: current developments in technology-assisted education

This paper describes a Framework for e-Learning and presents the findings of a study investigating whether the use of Blended Learning can fulfill or at least accommodate some of the human requirements presently neglected by current e-Learning systems. This study evaluates the in-house system: Teachmat, and discusses how the use of Blended Learning has become increasingly prevalent as a result of its enhancement and expansion, its relationship to the human and pedagogical issues, and both the positive and negative implications of this reality. [From the Authors

Assessing and enhancing quality through outcomes-based continuing professional development (CPD): a review of current practice

Numerous professional bodies have questioned whether traditional input-based continuing professional development (CPD) schemes are effective at measuring genuine learning and improving practice performance and patient health. The most commonly used type of long-established CPD activities, such as conferences, lectures and symposia, have been found to have a limited effect on improving practitioner competence and performance, and no significant effect on patient health outcomes. Additionally, it is thought that the impact of many CPD activities is reduced when they are undertaken in isolation outside of a defined structure of directed learning. In contrast, CPD activities which are interactive, encourage reflection on practice, provide opportunities to practice skills, involve multiple exposures, help practitioners to identify between current performance and a standard to be achieved, and are focused on outcomes, are the most effective at improving practice and patient health outcomes

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