An evolving approach to learning in problem solving and program development : the distributed learning model

Technological advances are paving the way for improvements in many sectors of society. The US education system needs to undergo a transformation of existing pedagogical methods to maximize utilization of new technologies. Traditional education has primarily been teacher driven, lectured-based in one location. Advances in technology are challenging existing paradigms by developing tools and educational environments that reach diverse learning styles and surpass the boundaries of current teaching methods. Distributed learning is an emerging paradigm today that has promise to contribute significantly to learning and improve overall academic success. This research first explores various systems that provide different modes of learning. The problem domain of this research is the difficulty novice programmers\u27 face when learning to program. This paper proposes how distributed learning can be used in a teaching environment to enrich learning and the impacts for the given problem domain

The Relationship Between Personality Type and Software Usability Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) and the Software Usability Measurement Inventory (SUMI)

This study attempted to determine if there is a relationship between user\u27s psychological personality types, measured by the Myers Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) and distinct measures of usability measured by the Software Usability Measurement Inventory (SUMI). The study was expected to provide an answer to the following basic research question: When interacting with a typical user interface, do different users perceive usability differently? Specific hypotheses were formulated to answer this research question. Hypotheses were tested to determine if there was any statistically significant relationship between specific MBTI® personality types and individual measure of usability as measured by the SUMI. Each hypothesis was tested using ANOVA analysis in two ways. The 16 MBTI® types were condensed together using two letters of the full MBTI® type. First, the data was grouped by MBTI® function pair: STs, SFs, NFs and NTs, then by Keirsey temperament: SJs, SPs, NFs and NTs. By grouping data, the effects of small numbers of certain individual types from the sample should be minimized. When grouping by MBTI® function pair statistical analysis indicated all six hypotheses were supported, indicating no significant relationship between personality type as measured by the MBTI®, and usability as measured by the SUMI in this sample. When grouping by Keirsey temperament, statistical analysis indicated five hypotheses were supported, indicating no significant relationship between personality type as measured by the MBTI®, and usability as measured by the SUMI in this sample. Data analysis showed a significant relation between MBTI® personality type and the SUMI sub-scale of Helpfulness in this sample. Since only a limited relationship was found between MBTI® types and SUMI usability scales, developers may need to rethink the process of including individual differences as a component of interface design, at least based on personality. However, this study used only one measure of personality- the MBTI®. Different personality measures could offer different results. Finally, this research provided another analysis of how the typical computer user envisions usability and provides a basic summary of usability scales by personality MBTI® types

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ROMANIA

The purpose of this paper is to identify the main opportunities and limitations of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The survey was defined with the aim to involve the highest possible number of relevant CSR topics and give the issue a more wholesome perspective. It provides a basis for further comprehension and deeper analyses of specific CSR areas. The conditions determining the success of CSR in Romania have been defined in the paper on the basis of the previously cumulative knowledge as well as the results of various researches. This paper provides knowledge which may be useful in the programs promoting CSR.Corporate social responsibility, Supportive policies, Romania

Integration of Reciprocal Teaching-ICT Model To Improve Students’Mathematics Critical Thinking Ability

This research examines the effectiveness on how mathematics teachers have begun to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) with reciprocal teaching model to improve students’ mathematics critical thinking ability into seventh junior high school classroom practice. This study was experimental research with a quasi-experimental design. The samples of the study are 36 students for classroom experiments and 36 students for classroom control. The instruments employed in this study were pre-test and post-test. All the instruments are made in essays forms. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Based on the research findings, it was gotten that (1) the development of teaching instructional multimedia of the seven grade students of junior high school; (2) the improvement of students’ mathematics critical thinking ability in experimental class; (3) the aspect of attractiveness shows that the developed instructional multimedia was very interesting; and (4) reciprocal learning has good impact on students’ mathematics critical thinking ability