Digital preservation at Big Data scales: proposing a step-change in preservation system architectures

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider how digital preservation system architectures will support business analysis of large-scale collections of preserved resources, and the use of Big Data analyses by future researchers. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews the architecture of existing systems, then discusses experimental surveys of large digital collections using existing digital preservation tools at Big Data scales. Finally, it introduces the design of a proposed new architecture to work with Big Data volumes of preserved digital resources – also based upon experience of managing a collection of 30 million digital images. Findings Modern visualisation tools enable business analyses based on file-related metadata, but most currently available systems need more of this functionality “out-of-the-box”. Scalability of preservation architecture to Big Data volumes depends upon the ability to run preservation processes in parallel, so indexes that enable effective sub-division of collections are vital. Not all processes scale easily: those that do not require complex management. Practical implications The complexities caused by scaling up to Big Data volumes can be seen as being at odds with preservation, where simplicity matters. However, the sustainability of preservation systems relates directly to their usefulness, and maintaining usefulness will increasingly depend upon being able to process digital resources at Big Data volumes. An effective balance between these conflicting situations must be struck. Originality/value Preservation systems are at a step-change as they move to Big Data scale architectures and respond to more technical research processes. This paper is a timely illustration of the state of play at this pivotal moment. The Polonsky Foundatio

Impact of Imagine Learning English in Two Northern Mississippi Schools

The study, Impact of Imagine Learning English in Two Northern Mississippi Schools, describes an effectiveness study of the impact that the computer program Imagine Learning English (ILE) has on English language learning. The study sought to determine the impact of ILE on the annual yearly progress and reading skills of mid-level English language learners (ELL). The objective of the study was to see if ILE was successful in raising the reading comprehension skill scores of English Language Learners (ELL) who worked the program as a language training tool. This study is the result of data that was collected from students in grades 3 through 5 with English Language Proficiency (ELP) levels of two through four. End-of the year test results were compared in the following categories: World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment\u27s (WIDA), ACCESS for ELLs and Northwest Evaluation Association\u27s Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). The results were further broken down into grade levels and ELP levels to see if the subgroups shovariance

Immersion Within Call

The purpose of this research study was to explore the idea of immersion and what constitutes immersion in Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). CALL has increasingly become important in the field of SLA (Second Language Acquisition) and continues to grow in usage each year. As a graduate instructor of a basic level French course, my research focused on the immersion factor of CALL programs. This research was designed to obtain and analyze first year French students opinions of a CD-ROM CALL program by asking the following questions: (1) Did the participants feel immersed in the French language using the CD-ROM? (2) Had the participants visited a French speaking country or did they plan on studying in a French speaking country in the future? (3) Did the participants enjoy using the CD-ROM to learn French? (4) What did the participants like most and least about using the CD-ROM CALL program? The most substantial finding of the study was that a majority of the participants did feel immersed in the French language while using the CALL program. A secondary finding was that many of the likes and dislikes mentioned specifically by the participants coincide with the main advantages and disadvantages of CALL

Developing a Repeatable and Reliable Methodology to Determine Return-on-Investment

The high costs of modern weapons systems, fuel, personnel, and increasing environmental awareness is forcing U.S. forces to rely on simulation for training. Further, the need to train in a robust and theater specific environment is critical to ensure operational readiness immediately upon reaching the combat theater. Finally, the rapidly changing nature of the conflicts, crises, or contingencies in which U.S. forces are involved requires a new approach to training. The purpose of this research is to develop and demonstrate the feasibility of a methodology that can provide a reliable, consistent method for determining ROI in various forms, focusing on the staffs of Operational level commanders (those staffs who form Joint Task Force staffs or Service Component Commander staffs) so that the most appropriate format can be utilized in determining warfighting improvement or training vs. exercise cost. The major components of the ROI formulation are costs and performance assessment which can be applied in various combinations to quantify the performance benefits achieved for the expenditure of resources that are linked to specifically assessed performance parameters. The performance and cost parameters should apply to any operational or training environment, but the ability to evaluate the potential advantages of training in a completely synthetic environment as opposed to either a live or mixture of live, virtual, and constructive environments is of special interest. The cost components required to determine ROI must provide a reliable methodology to identify the costs of live and synthetic training regardless of the Service or Headquarters staff involved. A second necessary factor is the means to assess the performance of a Component Commander or Joint Task Force staff performance during a training exercise. The development of feasible methodologies, permitting evaluation of ROI in various formats, will provide a quantifiable means to assist in decisions regarding deployment readiness or support any Service or the Department of Defense during budgetary discussions. The ability to quantify ROI in the most appropriate or most applicable format can lead to better allocation of resources and to the ability to employ the most prepared or appropriately trained staff in a given crisis scenario

Engineering, Life Sciences, and Health/Medicine Synergy in Aerospace Human Systems Integration: The Rosetta Stone Project

In the realm of aerospace engineering and the physical sciences, we have developed laws of physics based on empirical and research evidence that reliably guide design, research, and development efforts. For instance, an engineer designs a system based on data and experience that can be consistently and repeatedly verified. This reproducibility depends on the consistency and dependability of the materials on which the engineer works and is subject to physics, geometry and convention. In life sciences and medicine, these apply as well, but individuality introduces a host of variables into the mix, resulting in characteristics and outcomes that can be quite broad within a population of individuals. This individuality ranges from differences at the genetic and cellular level to differences in an individuals personality and abilities due to sex and gender, environment, education, etc

The Impact Of Rosetta Stone On Students’ Pronunciation For English Subject

The Objective of the study was to ascertain how Rosetta Stone in English class affected students’ ability to pronounce English. This methodology employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with 30 samples split into two groups. The technique used was non-probability sampling. Pronunciation test technique was employed for data collecting. To compare Pronunciation abilities before and after using Rosetta Stone, data analysis used a t-test. The findings demonstrated that the t-Stat statements derived from the material discussed had value. A key element of Pronunciation is the students’ capacity to pronounce the words and sentences that are practiced by imitating the application. The findings of this study have significance for students’ knowledge of how to pronounce the words and sentences correctly and influence their level of pronunciation. The findings demonstrated that the t-test-table value was (1,699 1,331), indicating that Rosetta Stone gave a significant effect on treatment class on students’ pronunciation. This result finding recommend other researcher to use the Rosetta Stone as an alternative media used for future

Going solo : case-studies of learners grappling with self-instructed CALL

This thesis reports on an investigation of the use of commercial computerassisted language learning (CALL) programs marketed for self-instruction (i.e. learners working with CALL programs alone, without teacher, classroom, or institutional support). To better understand learning in this context, I conducted II case-studies using a primarily qualitative, multi-method design, employing diaries, interviews, observations, and online tracking. Working with one of two commercial CALL programs in one of six languages, fue participants logged a total of 96 learning sessions and approximately 75 hours of study between October 2007 and July 2008. Overwhelmingly, participants were disappointed with their CALL programs, and many chose to drop out of the study earlier than planned. Three research questions were proposed for the purposes of this study: I. What are the experiences of learners working with commercial CALL programs marketed for self-instruction? J What common themes emerge as most relevant to shaping these experiences? 3. What are the pedagogical implications of the learners' experiences for CALL theory and program design? In answer to research question I, I created case files for the participants, bringing together all of the data collected through the various methods. These case files describe each individual participant's experience from inception to conclusion, highlighting the positive and negative aspects that had the greatest bearing on the final outcomes on a case by case basis. In answer to research question 2, I adopted a grounded theory approach to data analysis and identified five key themes as being most relevant across the entire group of II participants (i.e. need for increased selfdiscipline, dealing with technical problems, encountering ambiguity, working outside the program, and questioning the program's ability to teach). In answer to question 3, I used a framework of five criteria for evaluating CALL materials to discuss the key themes in terms of their impact on learner experience with self-instructed CALL and their pedagogical implications for CALL theory and program design. The framework, modified from Chapelle (2001 b) addresses issues of learner fit, authenticity, practicality, construct validity, and impact. Pedagogical implications highlight suggestions for improvement and directions for future research and development.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceSocial Sciences and Humanities Research Council of CanadaGBUnited Kingdo

Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Digital Preservation

The 12th International Conference on Digital Preservation (iPRES) was held on November 2-6, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. There were 327 delegates from 22 countries. The program included 12 long papers, 15 short papers, 33 posters, 3 demos, 6 workshops, 3 tutorials and 5 panels, as well as several interactive sessions and a Digital Preservation Showcase