Learning analytics in massive open online courses as a tool for predicting learner performance

Learning analytics in MOOCs can be used to predict learner performance, which is critical as higher education is moving towards adaptive learning. Interdisciplinary methods used in the article allow for interpreting empirical qualitative data on performance in specific types of course assignments to predict learner performance and improve the quality of MOOCs. Learning analytics results make it possible to take the most from the data regarding the ways learners engage with information and their level of skills at entry. The article presents the results of applying the proposed learning analytics algorithm to analyze learner performance in specific MOOCs developed by Ural Federal University and offered through the National Open Education Platform. © 2018, National Research University Higher School of Economics.This study was support- ed by financial assis- tance provided under the Resolution of the Government of the Rus sian Federation No. 211, Contract No. 02. A03.21.0006. Translated from Russian by I. Zhuchkova

Personalized patterns of teachers training in document science course subjects in a vocational pedagogical university

The article is focused on the study of challenging issues which occur when updating methodological-pedagogical support and applying personalized educational paths in the training of future teachers of document science course subjects for intermediate vocational education institutions, as well as according to various other programmes of students training as part of the "Vocational training (by branches)" course. The key method of the given problem research is meant to be analysis and experience summarization of vocational-oriented, academic, teaching and guiding and scientific work with the students of Russian State Vocational Pedagogical University, being taught according to principal educational programme "Document management in an organization" as part of "Vocational training (by branches)" preparation as well as learning methodological approaches for creating personalized educational paths for them. Research results: developed approaches to applying personalized educational paths in the training of students in a vocational pedagogical university; drawn-up recommendations on updating methodological-pedagogical support in the training of future teachers of document science course subjects for intermediate vocational education institutions, undertaken analysis of the possible ways of improving their training. The content of the article may prove helpful for: university faculty and universities chief executives for the improvement of the training quality of future professionals, for more effective educational process organization, for forming personalized educational paths in the training of students; for chief executives of intermediate vocational education institutions where the specialized training "Document support of management and archive science" is provided; for students being trained as part of "Vocational training (by branches)" course. © Authors

People with mental disability as human rights carriers: the example of implementing the right to education in Russia

This study was aimed at investigating the realization of the right to education as a human right for people with mental disabilities in the context of Russi

The Outburst of the Blazar AO 0235+164 in 2006 December: Shock-in-Jet Interpretation

We present the results of polarimetric ($R$ band) and multicolor photometric ($BVRIJHK$) observations of the blazar AO 0235+16 during an outburst in 2006 December. The data reveal a short timescale of variability (several hours), which increases from optical to near-IR wavelengths; even shorter variations are detected in polarization. The flux density correlates with the degree of polarization, and at maximum degree of polarization the electric vector tends to align with the parsec-scale jet direction. We find that a variable component with a steady power-law spectral energy distribution and very high optical polarization (30-50%) is responsible for the variability. We interpret these properties of the blazar withina model of a transverse shock propagating down the jet. In this case a small change in the viewing angle of the jet, by $\lesssim 1^o$, and a decrease in the shocked plasma compression by a factor of $\sim$1.5 are sufficient to account for the variability.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures, accepted for Ap

Hole-hole interaction in a strained Inx_xGa1−x_{1-x}As two dimensional system

The interaction correction to the conductivity of 2D hole gas in strained GaAs/In$_x$Ga$_{1-x}$As/GaAs quantum well structures was studied. It is shown that the Zeeman splitting, spin relaxation and ballistic contribution should be taking into account for reliable determination of the Fermi-liquid constant $F_0^\sigma$. The proper consideration of these effects allows us to describe both th temperature and magnetic field dependences of the conductivity and find the value of $F_0^\sigma$.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Risk Assessment at the Cosmetic Product Manufacturer by Expert Judgment Method

A case study was performed in a cosmetic product manufacturer. We have identified the main risk factors of occupational accidents and their causes. Risk of accidents is assessed by the expert judgment method. Event tree for the most probable accident is built and recommendations on improvement of occupational health and safety protection system at the cosmetic product manufacturer are developed. The results of this paper can be used to develop actions to improve the occupational safety and health system in the chemical industry

Economic Aspects of Emergency Transition to Distance Education, or The Price of Going Online in Higher Education

As Russian universities switched to distance education in March 2020 to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, self‑paying students started questioning the fairness of tuition fees during the pandemic. They fled petitions, emphasizing that distance learning could not be equated to traditional classroom‑based learning, that educational services were not delivered to the full extent, and that educational quality had decreased. On those grounds, students required cutting tuition fees down to the size of those in part‑time or extramural education. To understand whether universities can afford making this step, we undertake to measure the price that they have paid for the transition to distance learning. For this purpose, we use data from a survey of faculty teaching and curriculum organization practices carried out at a federal university between March 23, 2020 and June 21, 2020, which involved 4,099 faculty members, as well as financial records of some departments within that university. Findings show that teaching workload reduced by 15% with distance learning during the pandemic, and the number of contact hours decreased 1.7 times. However, the overall amount of faculty workload increased by 50%, first of all due to a 2.4-time rise in curriculum organization activities. Therefore, the transition to distance education led to a significant increase in faculty workload, given that contact hours were preserved. Furthermore, the university invested heavily in the transition to distance learning and continuity of educational processes during the pandemic, in particular by financing the establishment of a new department for digitalization of learning processes. An inference is made that distance education imposed by the pandemic has not been reduced to part‑time or extramural studies. Decisions about cutting tuition fees for self‑paying students should be made at the institutional level, with due regard for faculty workload and digitization costs. © 202

Diffusion and ballistic contributions of the interaction correction to the conductivity of a two-dimensional electron gas

The results of an experimental study of interaction quantum correction to the conductivity of two-dimensional electron gas in A$_3$B$_5$ semiconductor quantum well heterostructures are presented for a wide range of $T\tau$-parameter ($T\tau\simeq 0.03-0.8$), where $\tau$ is the transport relaxation time. A comprehensive analysis of the magnetic field and temperature dependences of the resistivity and the conductivity tensor components allows us to separate the ballistic and diffusion parts of the correction. It is shown that the ballistic part renormalizes in the main the electron mobility, whereas the diffusion part contributes to the diagonal and does not to the off-diagonal component of the conductivity tensor. We have experimentally found the values of the Fermi-liquid parameters describing the electron-electron contribution to the transport coefficients, which are found in a good agreement with the theoretical results.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figure