Considering the dimensions of life-long learning tools

Life-long learning is a term that has different meanings. It can refer to the learning that occurs in relation to a particular career path, learning inside or outside the workplace, or informal learning that occurs as a part of a hobby or personal interest. Tools that support life-long learning should be malleable enough to effectively adapt to changes in learning mode, behavior and context to take into account changes in the personal circumstances and objectives of learners. This paper presents the beginning of a process to uncover some of the dimensions that can govern the design of adaptable, extensible and customisable life-long learning systems

The Stores Model of Code Cognition

Program comprehension is perhaps one of the oldest topics within the psychology of programming. It addresses a central issue: how programmers work with and manipulate source code to construct effective software systems. Models can play an important role in understanding the challenges developers and engineers contend with. This paper presents a model of program comprehension, or code cognition, which has been derived from literature found within the disciplines of computing and psychology. Drawing on direct experimentation, this paper argues that a model of code cognition should take account of the visual, spatial and linguistic abilities of developers. The strengths and weaknesses of this model are discussed and further research directions presented

Creating accessible SCORM content from OpenLearn material

This presentation shows how OpenLearn material has been used to create accessible SCORM learning objects that can be delivered using a third party virtual learning environment (dotLRN). This work was carried out as a part of a European Union project called ALPE. The activity of adapting the OpenLearn material has helped the VLE developers further understand the activity of creating accessible learning material and help inform the development of the VLE

Localization and synthesis of prenylquinones in isolated outer and inner envelope membranes from spinach chloroplasts

The prenylquinone content and biosynthetic capabilities of membrane fractions enriched in outer and inner envelope membranes from spinach chloroplasts were analyzed. Both envelope membranes contain prenylquinones, and in almost similar amounts (on a protein basis). However, the outer envelope membrane contains more -tocopherol than the inner one although this prenylquinone is the major one in both fractions. On the contrary, plastoquinone-9 is present in higher amounts in the inner envelope membrane than in the outer one. In addition, it has been demonstrated that all the enzymes involved in the last steps of -tocopherol and plastoquinone-9 biosynthesis i.e., homogentisate decarboxylase polyprenyltransferase, S-adenosyl-methionine: methyl-6-phytylquinol methyltransferase, S-adenosyl-methionine: -tocopherol methyltransferase, homogentisate decarboxylase solanesyltransferase, S-adenosyl-methionine:methyl-6-solanesylquinol methyltransferase, and possibly 2,3-dimethylphytylquinol cyclase, are localized on the inner envelope membrane. These results demonstrate that the inner membrane of the chloroplast envelope plays a key role in chloroplast biogenesis, and especially for the synthesis of the two major plastid prenylquinones

Site of biosynthesis of a-tocopherol in spinach chloroplasts

The chloroplast envelope is a continuous boundary of two osmiophilic membranes and has an important role in galactolipid synthesis [ 11. It was interesting to determine whether the envelope is the site of synthesi

Tocopherol and plastoquinone synthesis in spinach chloroplasts subfractions

Subfractions isolated from intact purified spinach chloroplasts are able to prenylate the aromatic moiety of -tocopherol and plastoquinone-9 precursors. The biosynthesis of -tocopherol and plastoquinone-9 is a compartmentalized process. The chloroplast envelope membranes are the only site of the enzymatic prenylation in -tocopherol synthesis whereas the thylakoid membrane is also involved in the prenylation and methylation sequence of plastoquinone-9 biosynthesis. A very active kinase which forms phytyl-PP is localized in the stroma. Phytol but not geranylgeraniol is the polyprenol precursor of the side chain of -tocopherol in spinach chloroplasts

Adapting e-learning and learning services for people with disabilities

Providing learning materials and support services that are adapted to the needs of individuals has the potential to enable learners to obtain maximal benefit from university level studies. This paper describes EU4ALL project which has been exploring how to present customized learning materials and services for people with disabilities. A number of the technical components of the EU4ALL framework are described. This is followed with a brief description of prototype implementations. This is then followed by a discussion of a number of research directions that may enhance the adaptability, usability and accessibility of information and support systems can be used and consumed by a diverse user population