Standards for Evaluating the Remote Education Quality of Teaching Listening and Speaking Skills from the Perspectives of Teachers and Students

The research aims to prepare a list of standards necessary to measure the quality of the distance education system in teaching listening and speaking skills in the UAE, and to identify the availability of these standards in educational practices for both the teacher and the learner in teaching listening and speaking skills, as well as determining the necessary procedures to enable teachers and students to acquire these Standards in teaching listening and speaking skills. Keywords:Standards, Evaluation, quality, Distance education, Remote education DOI: 10.7176/ADS/89-03 Publication date: January 31st 202

Paving the way for better telecom performance: Evidence from the telecommunication sector in MENA countries

URL des Documents de travail : http://centredeconomiesorbonne.univ-paris1.fr/documents-de-travail/Documents de travail du Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne 2015.39 - ISSN : 1955-611XSince the 1980s, developing countries started adopting telecom reforms due to pressures from international institutions. However, Middle East and North African (MENA) countries lagged in adopting such reforms. Even after introducing telecom reforms in the MENA region beginning in 1995, not all countries became better off in terms of various performance indicators. Therefore, this paper empirically assesses the effects of regulation, privatization and liberalization reforms, as well as their simultaneous presences, in the telecommunication sector on the sector's performance using a sample of 17 MENA countries for the period 1995-2010. We assume that different reforms are affected by institutional, political and economic variables with respect to the level of democracy, the legal origin, the natural resources rents per country and the year of independence from colonization. We correct for the endogeneity of telecom reforms, and we use IV-2SLS (Instrumental Variable-Two Stages Least Squares) estimation to analyze their effect on telecom performance in terms of access, productivity and affordability. We find that the privatization of the main incumbent operator and the fixed-line market's liberalization affect the sector's performance negatively in terms of fixed access and affordability. Moreover, we find that the simultaneous presence of an independent regulator and a privatized incumbent helps to eliminate the drawbacks on the sector performance resulting from privatization. However, the simultaneous presences of the other reforms in terms of regulation-competition and privatization-fixed competition do not help to improve the sector's performance

DECENTRALIZED CONTROL OF DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING SYSTEMS

This thesis presents a methodology for implementing decentralized scheduling for distributed systems. The environment in which the controlling entities make decisions is stochastic and can be described as uncertain since each entity may have a different view of the system state. As a consequence, these entities may make inconsistent decisions. The methodology is based on defining the system state as a set of distributions and using a queueing model to predict the future behaviour of the system. The predicted state is used to schedule the individual job tasks based on minimum predicted job response time. A hypothetical real system is simulated. The methodology was tested using different queueing models and under different environments. An evaluation of the proposed technique using the simulation results indicates a consistent performance improvement over the no network case. Suggestions for extending this research are also presented

Spatio-temporal Modeling and Analysis for Wind Energy Applications

The promising potential of wind energy as a source for carbon-free electricity is still hampered by the uncertainty and limited predictability of the wind resource. The overarching theme of this dissertation is to leverage the advancements in statistical learning for developing a set of physics-informed statistical methods that can enrich our understanding of local wind dynamics, enhance our predictions of the wind resource and associated power, and ultimately assist in making better operational decisions. At the heart of the methods proposed in this dissertation, the wind field is modeled as a stochastic spatio-temporal process. Specifically, two sets of methods are presented. The first set of methods is concerned with the statistical modeling and analysis of the transport effect of wind—a physical property related to the prevailing flow of wind in a certain dominant direction. To unearth the influence of the transport effect, a statistical tool called the spatio-temporal lens is proposed for understanding the complex spatio-temporal correlations and interactions in local wind fields. Motivated by the findings of the spatio-temporal lens, a statistical model is proposed, which takes into account the transport effect in local wind fields by characterizing the spatial and temporal dependence in tandem. Substantial improvements in the accuracy of wind speed and power forecasts are achieved relative to several existing data-driven approaches. The second part of this dissertation comprises the development of an advanced spatio-temporal statistical model, called the calibrated regime-switching model. The proposed model captures the regime-switching dynamics in wind behavior, which are often reflected in sudden power generation ramps. Tested on 11 months of data, double-digit improvements in the accuracy of wind speed and power forecasts are achieved relative to six approaches in the wind forecasting literature. This dissertation contributes to both methodology development and wind energy applications. From a methodological point of view, the contributions are relevant to the literatures on spatiotemporal statistical learning and regime-switching modeling. On the application front, these methodological innovations can minimize the uncertainty associated with the large-scale integration of wind energy in power systems, thus, ultimately boosting the economic outlook of wind energy

Family Language Policy within Nubian Families in Egypt: Parents’ Perspectives of Their Children’s Prospective Bilingualism

Abstract This study attempts to investigate the main features of family language policy (FLP) within Nubian families in Egypt in relation to the maintenance of the Nubian language. Further examination of the relationship between the major demographic characteristics of Nubian parents and the FLP they follow with their children is pursued along with an exploration of the role contextual factors play in FLP within these Nubian families. To this end, the study employed a mixed methodological approach for data collection starting with employing an online questionnaire and terminating with conducting a number of follow-up semi-structured interviews with a selected group from the questionnaire participants. One hundred and twenty participants took part in the questionnaire, and 11 of them participated in the follow-up interviews. Findings of this study show that the FLP applied by the Nubian parents with their children was influenced by a complex web of connections including the demographic characteristics of Nubian parents and some contextual factors that have played an important role in shaping the language profiles of these families. In terms of the demographic characteristics, the results have revealed that there is a positive correlation between the parental age and the parental language proficiency in Nubian and the FLP supporting the maintenance of the Nubian language, while there is an inverse correlation between the parental education and the FLP supporting the maintenance of the Nubian language. As for the contextual factors, it has been found that there is an inverse correlation between socioeconomic background and the acculturation of the parents on one hand, and the FLP supporting the maintenance of the Nubian language on the other hand. Also, the results have shown that there is no significant relationship between the family structure as one of the contextual factors and the FLP supporting the maintenance of the Nubian language

Enforcing Customization in e-Learning Systems: an ontology and product line-based approach

In the era of e-Learning, educational materials are considered a crucial point for all the stakeholders. On the one hand, instructors aim at creating learning materials that meet the needs and expectations of learners easily and effec-tively; On the other hand, learners want to acquire knowledge in a way that suits their characteristics and preferences. Consequently, the provision and customization of educational materials to meet the needs of learners is a constant challenge and is currently synonymous with technological devel-opment. Promoting the personalization of learning materials, especially dur-ing their development, will help to produce customized learning materials for specific learners' needs. The main objective of this thesis is to reinforce and strengthen Reuse, Cus-tomization and Ease of Production issues in e-Learning materials during the development process. The thesis deals with the design of a framework based on ontologies and product lines to develop customized Learning Objects (LOs). With this framework, the development of learning materials has the following advantages: (i) large-scale production, (ii) faster development time, (iii) greater (re) use of resources. The proposed framework is the main contribution of this thesis, and is char-acterized by the combination of three models: the Content Model, which addresses important points related to the structure of learning materials, their granularity and levels of aggregation; the Customization Model, which con-siders specific learner characteristics and preferences to customize the learn-ing materials; and the LO Product Line (LOPL) model, which handles the subject of variability and creates matter-them in an easy and flexible way. With these models, instructors can not only develop learning materials, but also reuse and customize them during development. An additional contribution is the Customization Model, which is based on the Learning Style Model (LSM) concept. Based on the study of seven of them, a Global Learning Style Model Ontology (GLSMO) has been con-structed to help instructors with information on the apprentice's characteris-tics and to recommend appropriate LOs for customization. The results of our work have been reflected in the design of an authoring tool for learning materials called LOAT. They have described their require-ments, the elements of their architecture, and some details of their user inter-face. As an example of its use, it includes a case study that shows how its use in the development of some learning components.En la era del e¿Learning, los materiales educativos se consideran un punto crucial para todos los participantes. Por un lado, los instructores tienen como objetivo crear materiales de aprendizaje que satisfagan las necesidades y ex-pectativas de los alumnos de manera fácil y efectiva; por otro lado, los alumnos quieren adquirir conocimientos de una manera que se adapte a sus características y preferencias. En consecuencia, la provisión y personaliza-ción de materiales educativos para satisfacer las necesidades de los estudian-tes es un desafío constante y es actualmente sinónimo de desarrollo tecnoló-gico. El fomento de la personalización de los materiales de aprendizaje, es-pecialmente durante su desarrollo, ayudará a producir materiales de aprendi-zaje específicos para las necesidades específicas de los alumnos. El objetivo fundamental de esta tesis es reforzar y fortalecer los temas de Reutilización, Personalización y Facilidad de Producción en materiales de e-Learning durante el proceso de desarrollo. La tesis se ocupa del diseño de un marco basado en ontologías y líneas de productos para desarrollar objetos de aprendizaje personalizados. Con este marco, el desarrollo de materiales de aprendizaje tiene las siguientes ventajas: (i) producción a gran escala, (ii) tiempo de desarrollo más rápido, (iii) mayor (re)uso de recursos. El marco propuesto es la principal aportación de esta tesis, y se caracteriza por la combinación de tres modelos: el Modelo de Contenido, que aborda puntos importantes relacionados con la estructura de los materiales de aprendizaje, su granularidad y niveles de agregación, el Modelo de Persona-lización, que considera las características y preferencias específicas del alumno para personalizar los materiales de aprendizaje, y el modelo de Línea de productos LO (LOPL), que maneja el tema de la variabilidad y crea ma-teriales de manera fácil y flexible. Con estos modelos, los instructores no sólo pueden desarrollar materiales de aprendizaje, sino también reutilizarlos y personalizarlos durante el desarrollo. Una contribución adicional es el modelo de personalización, que se basa en el concepto de modelo de estilo de aprendizaje. A partir del estudio de siete de ellos, se ha construido una Ontología de Modelo de Estilo de Aprendiza-je Global para ayudar a los instructores con información sobre las caracterís-ticas del aprendiz y recomendarlos apropiados para personalización. Los resultados de nuestro trabajo se han plasmado en el diseño de una he-rramienta de autor de materiales de aprendizaje llamada LOAT. Se han des-crito sus requisitos, los elementos de su arquitectura, y algunos detalles de su interfaz de usuario. Como ejemplo de su uso, se incluye un caso de estudio que muestra cómo su empleo en el desarrollo de algunos componentes de aprendizaje.En l'era de l'e¿Learning, els materials educatius es consideren un punt crucial per a tots els participants. D'una banda, els instructors tenen com a objectiu crear materials d'aprenentatge que satisfacen les necessitats i expectatives dels alumnes de manera fàcil i efectiva; d'altra banda, els alumnes volen ad-quirir coneixements d'una manera que s'adapte a les seues característiques i preferències. En conseqüència, la provisio' i personalitzacio' de materials edu-catius per a satisfer les necessitats dels estudiants és un desafiament constant i és actualment sinònim de desenvolupament tecnològic. El foment de la personalitzacio' dels materials d'aprenentatge, especialment durant el seu desenvolupament, ajudarà a produir materials d'aprenentatge específics per a les necessitats concretes dels alumnes. L'objectiu fonamental d'aquesta tesi és reforçar i enfortir els temes de Reutilització, Personalització i Facilitat de Producció en materials d'e-Learning durant el procés de desenvolupament. La tesi s'ocupa del disseny d'un marc basat en ontologies i línia de productes per a desenvolupar objec-tes d'aprenentatge personalitzats. Amb aquest marc, el desenvolupament de materials d'aprenentatge té els següents avantatges: (i) produccio' a gran esca-la, (ii) temps de desenvolupament mes ràpid, (iii) major (re)ús de recursos. El marc proposat és la principal aportacio' d'aquesta tesi, i es caracteritza per la combinacio' de tres models: el Model de Contingut, que aborda punts im-portants relacionats amb l'estructura dels materials d'aprenentatge, la se-ua granularitat i nivells d'agregació, el Model de Línia de Producte, que ges-tiona el tema de la variabilitat i crea materials d'aprenentatge de manera fàcil i flexible. Amb aquests models, els instructors no solament poden desenvolu-par materials d'aprenentatge, sinó que també poden reutilitzar-los i personalit-zar-los durant el desenvolupament. Una contribucio' addicional és el Model de Personalitzacio', que es basa en el concepte de model d'estil d'aprenentatge. A partir de l'estudi de set d'ells, s'ha construït una Ontologia de Model d'Estil d'Aprenentatge Global per a ajudar als instructors amb informacio' sobre les característiques de l'aprenent i recomanar els apropiats per a personalitzacio'. Els resultats del nostre treball s'han plasmat en el disseny d'una eina d'autor de materials d'aprenentatge anomenada LOAT. S'han descrit els seus requi-sits, els elements de la seua arquitectura, i alguns detalls de la seua interfície d'usuari. Com a exemple del seu ús, s'inclou un cas d'estudi que mostra com és el desenvolupament d'alguns components d'aprenentatge.Ezzat Labib Awad, A. (2017). Enforcing Customization in e-Learning Systems: an ontology and product line-based approach [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/90515TESI

Challenges of mega construction projects in developing countries

Mega Construction Projects (MCPs) represent a strategic option towards achieving sustainable development objectives in developing countries. On the one hand, these projects are charaterised with the need for high design knowledge and technical skills; competent human resources and managerial capabilities as well as excessive cost investment. Conversely, developing countries experience shortage of many of these requirements, which obstruct the development of (MCPs). This paper aims to identify, validate, and classify the challenges of delivering (MCPs) in developing countries. Towards achieving this aim, two approaches were employed, namely literature review and case studies, to accomplish four objectives. • Reviewing the nature and characteristics of developing countries and (MCPs); identifying the challenges of delivering (MCPs) in developing countries and establishing the need for (MCPs) in developing countries. • Validating the challenges identified from Litearture review through collecting and analysing 36 case studies of (MCPs) in developeding countries. Case studies confirmed many of the identified challenges and added new insights that were not covered in current literature. • Classifying the identified clalenges into four categories: engineering challenges, human development challenges, managerial and political challenges and sustainability challenges. • Outlining research conclusions and recommendations useful for delivering successful (MCPs) in developing countries

Factors Affecting the Routine Immunization Activities During a Disease Outbreak, Epidemic and Covid-19 Pandemic in Africa

Background: The emerging disease outbreaks and pandemics affect immunization activities. In Africa, it has contributed to a significant decline in vaccination coverage and the provision of essential health services. The contributing factors which affect the immunization activities are unclear and vary as per the country's situation and response strategy to the emerging outbreaks and pandemics. Hence, we aimed to explore those factors related to disease outbreak, epidemic, and covid-19 pandemic affecting the delivery of immunization services in Africa. Methods: Our study is qualitative exploratory research, which included five countries selected using convenience sampling according to the regional classification of Africa by ACDC. Factors affecting routine immunization activities in the countries were identified through interviews with relevant stakeholders involved in vaccination services. The interviewees were selected using snowballing sampling, 4 participants from each country, twenty key informants ranking (routine immunization directors, national immunization officers, EPI officers, and some health workers and caregivers) were included for open-ended and semi-structured virtual in-depth interviews. Additionally, some parents were interviewed for their perceptions about vaccinating their children during the current pandemic. We also did a literature review on the impact of previous emerging disease outbreaks on routine immunization activities in the countries and the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supportive trend data based on measles vaccination coverage and disease rates based on WHO country reports over time were included. Data generated from the literature review and in-depth interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. We used the thematic framework to organize our findings; each country was identified according to the following variables: Country name, the current situation of covid-19, covid-19 impact on the following factors (health system, governance, and community), and the impact of a previous disease outbreak on the measles immunization coverage. Findings were grouped according to the country's perspective. We compared factors during previous outbreaks and covid-19 pandemics in Africa and addressed some interventions that can support immunization activities during disease x outbreak. Results: 40% of our participants emphasized that fear of infection was behind the interruption in the immunization activities during covid-19 pandemics. 35% agreed that movement restrictions limited many activities. Resource limitation and misinformation comes as an individual barrier representing 10-15%. Some of the addressed health system factors included: surveillance defect, human resource shortage, lack of training, infrastructure, and PPE inadequacy. On the community base: misinformation, vaccine hesitancy and refusal, and fear of infection were identified. Governance factors included: movement restriction, travel ban, closed health facilities, lockdown, and social distancing factors were addressed. Few gaps were identified, as providing the proper training to the health workers and the caregivers, community engagement, national planning, building a proper registry system with implementing the proper plans for fast service recovery after a pandemic. By fulfilling those gaps, we may be able to provide better access to routine immunization during a disease outbreak, epidemic, and pandemic. Conclusions: The study addressed the various factors affecting Africa’s routine immunization activities during disease outbreaks and pandemics. It also addressed the impact of a previous disease outbreak on the measles immunization coverage, which may predict the covid-19 impact on the immunization coverage. It is, therefore, essential for decision-makers to address those factors to ensure immunization coverage without any missed opportunities. Keywords: vaccination, outbreaks, covid-19, factors, Africa, misinformation, hesitancy.open석

Improving Building Performance through Integrating Constructability in the Design Process

The traditional procurment approaches commonly adopted in construction projects and the involvement of multitude of various project participants with diverse objectives, skills and interests tended to separate design from construction.This separation obstructs contractors from providing designers with construction feedback and suggestions for design improvement, which ultimately hampers the improvement of building performance. Because of the importance of the design phase and the vital role played by contractors in the construction industry, this paper aims to investigate the integration of construction knowledge and contractor’s experience in the design process as an approach for improving building performance. In order to achieve this aim, a research methodology is designed to accomplish four objectives. Firstly, reviewing the nature of the construction industry;constructability; architecture and the design process and measuring building performance. Secondly, presenting case studies of successful projects benefited from applying the concept of constructability during the design process. Thirdly, developing an innovative framework to facilitate the integration of construction knowledge and contractor’s experience in the design process and establishing the strategies that support its application. Finally, summarising research conclusions and recommendations useful to construction professionals and further research. Findings of the research showed that integrating the concept of constructability during the design process improves building performance (e.g. reducing construction time, cost and waste as well as improving quality and productivity) and enhances the relationships between project participants. The research adds a valuable contribution to the built environment body of knowledge through presenting a practical approach for integrating construction knowledge and contractor’s experience in the design process

Exploring language game strategy for teaching Arabic speaking skills

The current research study aims to examine the language game strategy as an effective teaching method of Arabic language speaking skill. Participants of the study were two groups of first graders in one of the Egyptian schools. The researcher selected a number of sub-skills and designed a set of activities, after that two groups of students were assigned as control and experimental groups. The experimental group used to take their classes in speaking with the language game strategy while the control group students used to take their classes with the traditional way of teaching. The findings of the study found that teaching Arabic speaking with the language game strategy is an effective way after comparing the results of both control and experimental groups in the pre and posttests. Keywords: Arabic Language, teaching methods, language game strategy DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-30-11 Publication date:October 31st 2019