Effective E-Learning: Perspective of Adult Learners in Hong Kong

This article examines what constitute effective online learning from the perspective of students in web-enhanced programmes offered in Hong Kong. To investigate the success factors of e-Learning, as well as the role of Internet-based technologies in adult learning in Hong Kong, survey of students studying web-enhanced programmes was conducted in 2005. This survey is designed to 1) investigate students’ perception on how e-Learning technologies, student and teacher affect the learning process and 2) the enhancement to learning effectiveness brought by e-Learning. The implications for effective online adult learning in Hong Kong will be discussed. Technology should be used primarily as a tool and a communication device to enable human relationship and enhance interactiveness among learners. Even though student respondents perceived teacher as the imparter of wisdom, and demanded for teacher’s presence and heavy participation in the online environment, the new facilitating role of teachers should be promoted. Students should switch from a dependent role to a self-directed role and actively engage in the knowledge construction process in the online environment. The findings will provide useful reference for educators to enhance learning in adult education.published_or_final_versionCentre of Information Technology in Education, University of Hong Kong and Education and Manpower Bureau, the Government of the Hong Kong SA

Ab initio calculations on SF₂ and its low-lying cationic states : anharmonic Franck-Condon simulation of the uv photoelectron spectrum of SF₂

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Franck-Condon simulation of the single-vibronic-level emission spectra of HPCI/DPCI and the chemiluminescence spectrum of HPCI, including anharmonicity

2004-2005 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Ab initio calculations on SCl₂ and low-lying cationic states of SCl₂⁺ : Franck-Condon simulation of the UV photoelectron spectrum of SCl₂

Author name used in this publication: F. T. Chau2006-2007 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

A new method of calculation of Franck-Condon factors which includes allowance for anharmonicity and the Duschinsky effect : simulation of the He I photoelectron spectrum of ClO₂

2000-2001 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

An ab initio study on the ground and low-lying doublet electronic states of SbO₂

2006-2007 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

A study of the BrO and BrO₂ radicals with vacuum ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy

Author name used in this publication: J. M. DykeAuthor name used in this publication: E. P. F. LeeAuthor name used in this publication: D. K. W. MokAuthor name used in this publication: F. T. ChauVersion of RecordPublishe

The validity of using ICD-9 codes and pharmacy records to identify patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Administrative data is often used to identify patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), yet the validity of this approach is unclear. We sought to develop a predictive model utilizing administrative data to accurately identify patients with COPD. Methods: Sequential logistic regression models were constructed using 9573 patients with postbronchodilator spirometry at two Veterans Affairs medical centers (2003-2007). COPD was defined as: 1) FEV1/FVC <0.70, and 2) FEV1/FVC < lower limits of normal. Model inputs included age, outpatient or inpatient COPD-related ICD-9 codes, and the number of metered does inhalers (MDI) prescribed over the one year prior to and one year post spirometry. Model performance was assessed using standard criteria. Results: 4564 of 9573 patients (47.7%) had an FEV1/FVC < 0.70. The presence of ≥1 outpatient COPD visit had a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 67%; the AUC was 0.75 (95% CI 0.74-0.76). Adding the use of albuterol MDI increased the AUC of this model to 0.76 (95% CI 0.75-0.77) while the addition of ipratropium bromide MDI increased the AUC to 0.77 (95% CI 0.76-0.78). The best performing model included: ≥6 albuterol MDI, ≥3 ipratropium MDI, ≥1 outpatient ICD-9 code, ≥1 inpatient ICD-9 code, and age, achieving an AUC of 0.79 (95% CI 0.78-0.80). Conclusion: Commonly used definitions of COPD in observational studies misclassify the majority of patients as having COPD. Using multiple diagnostic codes in combination with pharmacy data improves the ability to accurately identify patients with COPD.Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research and Development (DHA), American Lung Association (CI- 51755-N) awarded to DHA, the American Thoracic Society Fellow Career Development AwardPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/84155/1/Cooke - ICD9 validity in COPD.pd

Ab initio calculations on SnCl₂and Franck-Condon factor simulations of its ã-X˜ and B˜-X˜ absorption and single-vibronic-level emission spectra

2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

On defining the Hamiltonian beyond quantum theory

Energy is a crucial concept within classical and quantum physics. An essential tool to quantify energy is the Hamiltonian. Here, we consider how to define a Hamiltonian in general probabilistic theories, a framework in which quantum theory is a special case. We list desiderata which the definition should meet. For 3-dimensional systems, we provide a fully-defined recipe which satisfies these desiderata. We discuss the higher dimensional case where some freedom of choice is left remaining. We apply the definition to example toy theories, and discuss how the quantum notion of time evolution as a phase between energy eigenstates generalises to other theories.Comment: Authors' accepted manuscript for inclusion in the Foundations of Physics topical collection on Foundational Aspects of Quantum Informatio