Open educational resources : conversations in cyberspace

172 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.Libro ElectrónicoEducation systems today face two major challenges: expanding the reach of education and improving its quality. Traditional solutions will not suffice, especially in the context of today's knowledge-intensive societies. The Open Educational Resources movement offers one solution for extending the reach of education and expanding learning opportunities. The goal of the movement is to equalize access to knowledge worldwide through openly and freely available online high-quality content. Over the course of two years, the international community came together in a series of online discussion forums to discuss the concept of Open Educational Resources and its potential. This publication makes the background papers and reports from those discussions available in print.--Publisher's description.A first forum : presenting the open educational resources (OER) movement. Open educational resources : an introductory note / Sally Johnstone -- Providing OER and related issues : an introductory note / Anne Margulies, ... [et al.] -- Using OER and related issues : in introductory note / Mohammed-Nabil Sabry, ... [et al.] -- Discussion highlights / Paul Albright -- Ongoing discussion. A research agenda for OER : discussion highlights / Kim Tucker and Peter Bateman -- A 'do-it-yourself' resource for OER : discussion highlights / Boris Vukovic -- Free and open source software (FOSS) and OER -- A second forum : discussing the OECD study of OER. Mapping procedures and users / Jan Hylén -- Why individuals and institutions share and use OER / Jan Hylén -- Discussion highlights / Alexa Joyce -- Priorities for action. Open educational resources : the way forward / Susan D'Antoni

Applying Architectural Analysis for Current Software Systems: A Case Study of KFC and Pizza Hut Online Food Ordering Systems in Malaysia

The main aim of this study is to discover the ability in analyzing, criticizing and providing suggestion in improving the selected important properties of a software application using architectural analysis dimensions. The researchers selected KFC and Pizza Hut online food ordering systems in Malaysia for the case study purpose. These two selected systems are critically analyzed using seven architectural dimensions such as goals of analysis, scope of analysis, primary architectural concern being analyzed, level of formality of architectural models, type of analysis, level of automation, system stakeholders who are interested in analysis. The finding suggests that there are some characteristics provided by Pizza Hut system which are better than KFC system. Furthermore, details of the findings and discussion are highlighted from seven different aspects of analysis which have been carefully studied and very well analyzed on two popular online food ordering systems

Code Synthesis in Self-improving Software Systems

This paper aims at provoking a wide discussion around code synthesis and its importance in creating the next generation of self-improving software systems. As a starting point for the discussion, a machine-to-machine self-improving framework is presented. The framework aims at improving system's performance by integrating two modules: i) a self improving online module, and ii) a code synthesiser offline module. The online module learns, at runtime, as it handles the system’s inputs, how to best compose the system from a pallet of available software components and a user-defined high level goal. The offline code synthesiser generates new components based on the perceived system’s input, executing environment and the system’s goal provided by the online module. The code synthesiser then provides better component options for the online module to integrate with the system to improve its performance. The paper describes the framework, focusing on its main challenges

Impact of collaborative online formative evaluation of the learning environment in a higher education course

Several works in the academic literature address the benefits of discussion-based formative evaluation for improving the learning environment in higher education courses. However, even one of the most widely used methods for such formative evaluation, the small group instructional diagnosis, has a few challenges and is still utilized far less than student ratings questionnaires. The present study focused on one undergraduate course in the James Madison University College of Education that promotes formative evaluation as an integral part of instructional design. The purpose of this study was to examine participants’ perception about the worth and usability of an online feedback system intended to address some of the disadvantages of small group instructional diagnosis. A prototype of the feedback system was designed using Nicenet, an open-source learning management system, and the feedback system was piloted with one instructor and twenty students from a human resource development course. The researcher used quantitative and qualitative methods to collect data through an online survey, an online discussion board, and post-pilot interviews. The research results suggest that participants found the feedback system to be valuable in theory, but inconvenient in its current design. Participants offered suggestions for improving the feedback system including integration with Blackboard. Results indicate that systems promoting continuous collaborative feedback should be efficient and user-friendly if they are to be successfully utilized

POSSIBILITIES OF DEVELOPING INTERACTIVE E-LEARNING SYSTEM FOR BORDER GUARDS TRAINING IN THE STATE BORDER GUARD COLLEGE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

Efficient use of educational technology and digital learning possibilities has always been the strategic area of high importance in border guards training at the State Border Guard College of Latvia. Recently, issues related to training during the Covid-19, have spurred and revived the discussion, topicality and practical need to use the potential of e-learning opportunities which brought up unexpected, additional, previously unsolved, unexplored, challenges and tasks to border guards training. New opportunities and challenges for trainers, learners and administration of training process both in online communication and learning administration contexts. In order to find out and define further e-learning development possibilities at the State Border Guard College the authors of this research explore the scientific literature on the current research findings, methodologies, approaches on developing interactive e-learning systems in educational contexts, particularly within the sphere of law enforcement. Based on scientific literature research findings authors put forward suggestions on improving the e-learning systems for border guards training

Assistive technologies: saviour of Mathematics in higher education

The pervasion and inclusion of new technologies into teaching and learning processes are continuously changing the higher education landscape. Selected and specific technologies termed as “assistive technologies” are being used as key tools for enabling students to access education and actively and independently participate in the education process, improving learning and supporting inclusive education. This paper presents students’ perception of the use of various assistive technologies such as mobile learning, tablet learning, lecture capture, gamification, and online intelligent systems that have been developed for learning and student support at a higher education institute. There is also a broad discussion on how these can be adopted and adapted in mathematics learning in higher education. It is well documented that students have low-esteem toward or while doing the subject and have math phobia, particularly in higher education. An online questionnaire on the students’ perception of using assistive technologies was deployed to the mathematics students. The results show that assistive technologies are indeed a saviour of mathematics with a significantly positive attitude garnered toward using them for learning mathematics

Recording problems and diagnoses in clinical care: developing guidance for healthcare professionals and system designers

BACKGROUND: Accurate recording of problems and diagnoses in health records is key to safe and effective patient care, yet it is often done poorly. Electronic health record systems vary in their functionality and ease of use, and are not optimally designed for easy recording and sharing of clinical information. There is a lack of professional consensus and guidance on how problems and diagnoses should be recorded. METHODS: The Professional Record Standards Body commissioned work led by the Royal College of Physicians Health Informatics Unit to carry out a literature review, draft guidance, carry out an online consultation and round table discussion, and produce a report including recommendations for systems. A patient workshop was held to explore patient preferences for mechanisms for sharing diagnosis information between primary and secondary care. RESULTS: Consensus was reached among medical specialties on key elements of diagnosis recording, and draft guidance was produced ready for piloting in a variety of care settings. Patients were keen for better ways for diagnosis information to be shared. DISCUSSION: Improving the recording of diagnoses and problems will require a major effort of which the new guidance is only a part. The guidance needs to be embedded in training, and clinical systems need to have improved, standardised functionality. Front-line clinicians, specialist societies, clinical informaticians and patients need to be engaged in developing information models for diagnoses to support care and research, accessible via user-friendly interfaces

Recording problems and diagnoses in clinical care: developing guidance for healthcare professionals and system designers.

Funder: Professional Record Standards BodyFunder: Royal College of Physicians; FundRef: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000395BACKGROUND: Accurate recording of problems and diagnoses in health records is key to safe and effective patient care, yet it is often done poorly. Electronic health record systems vary in their functionality and ease of use, and are not optimally designed for easy recording and sharing of clinical information. There is a lack of professional consensus and guidance on how problems and diagnoses should be recorded. METHODS: The Professional Record Standards Body commissioned work led by the Royal College of Physicians Health Informatics Unit to carry out a literature review, draft guidance, carry out an online consultation and round table discussion, and produce a report including recommendations for systems. A patient workshop was held to explore patient preferences for mechanisms for sharing diagnosis information between primary and secondary care. RESULTS: Consensus was reached among medical specialties on key elements of diagnosis recording, and draft guidance was produced ready for piloting in a variety of care settings. Patients were keen for better ways for diagnosis information to be shared. DISCUSSION: Improving the recording of diagnoses and problems will require a major effort of which the new guidance is only a part. The guidance needs to be embedded in training, and clinical systems need to have improved, standardised functionality. Front-line clinicians, specialist societies, clinical informaticians and patients need to be engaged in developing information models for diagnoses to support care and research, accessible via user-friendly interfaces

Blended learning in higher education: Current and future challenges in surveying education

The development of a blended learning approach to enhance surveying education is discussed. The need for such learning strategy is first investigated based on a major review of the Surveying course including analysis of its content, benchmarking with key national/international universities, and surveys to key stakeholders. Appropriate blended learning methods and tools that couple learning theoretical principles and developing technical skills are discussed including using learning management systems, flip teaching, collaborative learning, simulation based e-learning, and peer-assessment. Two blended-learning tools that have been developed for surveying units are presented as examples. The first is an online interactive virtual simulation tool for levelling, one of the key tasks in surveying. The second is an e-assessment digital marking, moderation and feedback module. Surveys of students showed that they found the interactive simulation tool contributes to improving their understanding of required tasks. Students also found that the developed e-assessment tool helpful in improving their performance and in helping them to focus on the objectives of each activity. In addition, the use of peer e-assessment to improve student learning and as a diagnostic tool for tutors is demonstrated. The paper concludes with a discussion on developing generic skills through authentic learning in surveying education

Student problem solving communication processes while completing multimedia case studies: a look into the relationship among levels of collaboration, problem solving processes, and problem solving performance on individual and group levels

In an effort to better prepare students to become productive members of the work force, educators must grant students the opportunities to become critical thinkers. Students need to be able to learn to inquire, create, and think critically in order to obtain meaningful information from the abundance of knowledge that is accessible to them through the Internet and the World Wide Web. This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of online collaborative problem solving processes during a multimedia case study. Sixty-one students in two undergraduate management information systems classes agreed to participate. The experimental class, section 01, was required to use the online collaboration forum to discuss the multimedia Powertel Case Study with their group members, while the control class, section 02, was not. Analyses were run to determine any differences in the two sections on actual learning, perceived learning, and attitudes toward MIS. This study also investigated the problem solving process in the online discussion forum and the relationships of that process with actual and perceived learning, as well as attitudes toward MIS. Results of the study indicate that there were no significant differences in the media used to communicate with each other in collaborative groups, but instead the difference resulted from the depth and breadth of the contributions. For those students who participated in the online collaboration forum, it was clear that the better the students were at participating in the discussion forum, the more positive their attitude toward MIS became and the more confident they became in their own abilities concerning MIS. This research indicates that the students increased their actual learning and reported positive evaluations of the Powertel Case Study. Students reported that the case study was useful in improving higher order thinking skills. Multimedia case studies used in the MIS classes, therefore, can provide a venue for students to improve the teamwork and higher order thinking skills needed upon entering the workforce