Podcasting to support students using a business simulation

Audio or video podcasts can be a useful tool to supplement practical exercises such as business simulations. In this paper, we discuss a case study in which different types of podcast were utilised to support the delivery of a course in international business. The students work in groups and run a fictional company using business simulation software, which gives them the opportunity to evaluate their decision making skills. A number of podcasts were used as reusable learning objects for different student cohorts. Faculty members produced visually enhanced audio podcasts offered tutor discussions of key elements of the computer-assisted business simulation used by the students. The podcasts were made available via the virtual learning environment (Blackboard Vista), as well as for subscription by web browser-based RSS readers, such as Google and downloadable RSS readers, such as iTunes. Our evaluation of this approach to using podcasts takes into account pedagogic and technical issues. Firstly, faculty members involved in this case study were interviewed to obtain their views and experiences on the process of producing podcasts as well as the suitability of podcasts to support their teaching. Secondly, students were surveyed and interviewed about the value of the podcasts and the way in which they were used. This work is on-going and initial informal student feedback indicates that the podcasts engaged the students and supported their understanding of the international business module. This paper presents a snapshot of the current findings which generally support the value of this innovative way of using podcasting for learning and teaching

The enduring yod: an examination of Torah observance in the prophetic ministry and teaching of Jesus

This dissertation examines whether the Synoptic Jesus upheld the importance of Torah observance in his life and message, especially pertaining to his reputation as a miracle prophet. After surveying various viewpoints from prominent scholars, this study challenges broad trends that position Jesus in discontinuity with the Mosaic covenant and emphasize the Hellenization of Galilee. It begins with an analysis of Jesus’ Jewish context, both his devout socio-religious setting and his conservative upbringing presented by Matthew and Luke. This study then highlights indicators of Torah praxis in Jesus’ life and the significance of Jesus’ role as a prophet, restoring Israel back to covenantal fidelity. It then examines Jesus’ most explicit endorsement of the Hebrew Scriptures and the ethical injunctions of the Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus is presented as one expounding and elucidating the will of God as revealed in the Law and Prophets. Using three major controversy stories recorded in Mark, this study determines whether Jesus abolishes or disregards Torah observance related to Sabbath, food and purity, and the Temple cult. The result is that the Synoptic Jesus does not abrogate or devalue such covenantal adherences, but emerges as a conservative and passionate advocate of obedience to every yod, or smallest letter, of Hebrew Holy Writ

Weblogs in Higher Education - Why Do Students (Not) Blog?

Positive impacts on learning through blogging, such as active knowledge construction and reflective writing, have been reported. However, not many students use weblogs in informal contexts, even when appropriate facilities are offered by their universities. While motivations for blogging have been subject to empirical studies, little research has addressed the issue of why students choose not to blog. This paper presents an empirical study undertaken to gain insights into the decision making process of students when deciding whether to keep a blog or not. A better understanding of students' motivations for (not) blogging may help decision makers at universities in the process of selecting, introducing, and maintaining similar services. As informal learning gains increased recognition, results of this study can help to advance appropriate designs of informal learning contexts in Higher Education. The method of ethnographic decision tree modelling was applied in an empirical study conducted at the Vienna University of Technology, Austria. Since 2004, the university has been offering free weblog accounts for all students and staff members upon entering school, not bound to any course or exam. Qualitative, open interviews were held with 3 active bloggers, 3 former bloggers, and 3 non‑ bloggers to elicit their decision criteria. Decision tree models were developed out of the interviews. It turned out that the modelling worked best when splitting the decision process into two parts: one model representing decisions on whether to start a weblog at all, and a second model representing criteria on whether to continue with a weblog once it was set up. The models were tested for their validity through questionnaires developed out of the decision tree models. 30 questionnaires have been distributed to bloggers, former bloggers and non‑ bloggers. Results show that the main reasons for students not to keep a weblog include a preference for direct (online) communication, and concerns about the loss of privacy through blogging. Furthermore, the results indicate that intrinsic motivation factors keep students blogging, whereas stopping a weblog is mostly attributable to external factors

Using Pattern Languages in Participatory Design

In this paper, we examine the contribution that pattern languages could make to user participation in the design of interactive systems, and we report on our experiences of using pattern languages in this way. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of patterns and pattern languages in the design of interactive systems. Pattern languages were originally developed by the architect, Christopher Alexander, both as a way of understanding the nature of building designs that promote a ‘humane’ or living built environment; and as a practical tool to aid in participatory design of buildings. Our experience suggests that pattern languages do have considerable potential to support participatory design in HCI, but that many pragmatic issues remain to be resolved

John F. Sonnett Memorial Lecture Series: Advocacy: Has It a Future?

Lecture introduction to Chief Justice Thomas A. Finlay of the Supreme Court of Ireland (1985-1994). Handwritten notes are included.https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/events_programs_sonnet_lectures/1023/thumbnail.jp

Mapping and controlling nucleation

This thesis reports on an investigation of two non-trivial nucleation phenomena, with the goal that understanding these will enable greater understanding of nucleation generally. Non-photochemical laser-induced nucleation (NPLIN) phenomena have been investigated for more than twenty years but lack a complete explanation. The laser-induced phase separation and nucleation (LIPSaN) phenomenon has been discovered and it is proposed as the mechanism behind NPLIN. A laser generates a potential which, when incident on a binary mixture in proximity to its critical point, causes the high-refractive index component to migrate to the focus. The effect bears a similarity to optical trapping of particles, as the trapped particle has a higher refractive index than the medium it is in. It has been shown that nucleation can be induced in metastable binary mixtures, which is analogous to the metastable supersaturated solutions which are typical in NPLIN experiments. It is proposed that NPLIN can only work if there is a hidden liquid-liquid critical point in the supersaturated regime. The liquid-liquid transition (LLT) is a ubiquitous example of polyamorphism – the transition between one liquid state with no long-range ordering to another. There are several examples of LLTs, but none that are quite as fiercely debated as triphenyl phosphite (TPP). The debate can be summarised as two competing hypotheses: Hédoux – the second liquid does not exist; it is actually the untransformed liquid mixed with nano or micro scale crystals, or Tanaka – the second liquid state exists, but nano or micro crystals are also produced at higher LLT temperatures. It will be shown using a wide range of techniques that Tanaka is at least partially correct, but the two sides are two sides of the same coin. The second liquid state exists and there is a first order LLT, but the so-called nanocrystals are better described as locally favoured structures that are similar to the structure of the crystal. There are three crystal polymorphs of TPP and their distinct unit cells and conformers have been characterised with single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). There is a conformational change during the LLT which has been characterised using infrared, density functional theory (DFT) and XRD data. The LLT is associated by a flip of a phenoxy arm and change from parallel ‘sandwich’ to T-shaped π- π stacking. Both avenues of investigation emphasise the importance of critical points and their influence in how nucleation proceeds. The work presented here sheds some light on two poorly understood nucleation phenomena and will hopefully aid in a more robust understanding of nucleation generally

Invitation to the Fifteenth Annual John F. Sonnett Memorial Lecture Series: Advocacy Has It a Future?

Invitation to Advocacy: Has It a Future? by Chief Justice Thomas A. Finlay of the Supreme Court of Ireland (1985-1994).https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/events_programs_sonnett_miscellaneous/1021/thumbnail.jp

The Westminster Confession: unfinished business

In an extended study, Dr Macdonald gives an historical account of the changing status of the Westminster Confession of Faith in the Scottish Reformed churches. He focuses in particular on the debate within the Church of Scotland about what place a seventeenth-century statement of faith should have in a modern church, and whether the Westminster Confession should continue to be considered the Kirk’s ‘principal subordinate standard’ or simply a ‘historic statement of the faith of the Reformed Church’. In examining the issues and the work that went into formulating potential ways forward on this, Dr Macdonald shares useful insights as to the purpose and value of confessions and statements of faith. He concludes by suggesting that the status of the Westminster Confession is an issue the Church of Scotland would do well to return to.Publisher PD

The Westminster Confession: Unfinished business

In an extended study, Dr Macdonald gives an historical account of the changing status of the Westminster Confession of Faith in the Scottish Reformed churches. He focuses in particular on the debate within the Church of Scotland about what place a seventeenth-century statement of faith should have in a modern church, and whether the Westminster Confession should continue to be considered the Kirk’s ‘principal subordinate standard’ or simply a ‘historic statement of the faith of the Reformed Church’. In examining the issues and the work that went into formulating potential ways forward on this, Dr Macdonald shares useful insights as to the purpose and value of confessions and statements of faith. He concludes by suggesting that the status of the Westminster Confession is an issue the Church of Scotland would do well to return to.Note: This paper was originally published in Theology in Scotland vol. 23, no. 2 (2016)&nbsp