Reconsidering Instructional Design with Web 2.0 Technologies

Emerging technologies such as Web 2.0 afford interconnections, content creation and remixing, which provide rich opportunities to for more personally meaningful, collaborative, and socially relevant learning (Greenhow, Robelia, & Hudges, 2009). Web 2.0 and other emerging technologies offer new possibilities of designing collaborative activities that engage learners in meaningful learning (Chai & Tan, 2009; Cress & Kimmerle, 2008). Despite the enthusiasm of integrating Web 2.0 technologies into learning environment design, researchers found that few instructors know the pedagogies that could lead to productive innovation (Collis & Moonen, 2008). This symposium consists of one theoretical paper and three case studies that investigated how emerging technologies such as collaborative web annotation tools, microblogging tools, and collaborative multimedia content creation tools can impact teaching and learning in higher education settings. The purpose of the symposium is to investigate the affordances and constraints of the emerging technologies, and discuss opportunities for optimal technology integration

Modeling the Impact of Operator Trust on Performance in Multiple Robot Control

We developed a system dynamics model to simulate the impact of operator trust on performance in multiple robot control. Analysis of a simulated urban search and rescue experiment showed that operators decided to manually control the robots when they lost trust in the autonomous planner that was directing the robots. Operators who rarely used manual control performed the worst. However, the operators who most frequently used manual control reported higher workload and did not perform any better than operators with moderate manual control usage. Based on these findings, we implemented a model where trust and performance form a feedback loop, in which operators perceive the performance of the system, calibrate their trust, and adjust their control of the robots. A second feedback loop incorporates the impact of trust on cognitive workload and system performance. The model was able to replicate the quantitative performance of three groups of operators within 2.3%. This model could help us gain a greater understanding of how operators build and lose trust in automation and the impact of those changes in trust on performance and workload, which is crucial to the development of future systems involving human-automation collaboration

Developing an Instrument to Measure Physical Activity Related Self-Worth in Women: Rasch Analysis of the Women\u27s Physical Activity Self-Worth Inventory (WPASWI)

Objectives: The objective of this study is to report on the development of an instrument to assess non-physical aspects of physical activity (PA) -related self-worth (SW). Methods: Three hundred thirty five women (mean age = 36.69 ± 15.94 yrs, BMI = 24.87 ± 4.56) completed the Women’s Physical Activity Self-Worth Inventory (WPASWI), General SW Scale, and a PA Questionnaire. Rasch analysis was used to evaluate the WPASWI. Results: Three PA-related SW subscales were identified: PA Knowledge (16 items), PA Emotional (13 items), and PA Social (8 items). Rasch analysis supported construct validity, and items demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .90, .87 and .72) and test re-test reliability (r = .79, .70, .81). Women who reported regular PA participation had higher PA Knowledge, PA Emotional, PA Social, and General SW than those who reported some or no PA (p \u3c .01) and correlations between Knowledge, Emotional, and Social SW subscales and General SW were .207, .130, and .220, respectively. PA Knowledge and PA Emotional SW had stronger correlations with PA (r = .344, .273, respectively) than did General SW (r = .133). Conclusions: The WPASWI demonstrated good internal consistency, reliability, construct validity and a stronger relationship with PA than a General SW instrument

\u3cem\u3eWomen Bound to Be Active\u3c/em\u3e (Year 3 & 4): Can a Book Club Help Women Overcome Barriers to Physical Activity and Improve Self-Worth?

Little progress has been made toward increasing physical activity (PA) in women. This study aimed to determine if an 8-month theory-based book club intervention (Women Bound to Be Active) was effective in increasing: (a) self-worth, (b) benefits relative to barriers to PA, and (c) PA in women (n=51). Findings suggested a book-club was effective for improving: self-worth, the benefits relative to barriers to PA, and possibly participation in PA. This is an innovative model to help women become more active and learn skills that may enable them to be active on their own long after a PA program has ended

Real-time PCR of the mammalian hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) gene for analysis of flea (Ctenocephalides felis) feeding patterns on dogs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Precise data on quantitative kinetics of blood feeding of fleas, particularly immediately after contact with the host, are essential for understanding dynamics of flea-borne disease transmission and for evaluating flea control strategies. Standard methods used are inadequate for studies that simulate early events after real-life flea access to the host.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Here, we developed a novel quantitative polymerase chain reaction targeting mammalian DNA within fleas to quantify blood consumption with high sensitivity and specificity. We used primers and fluorescent probes that amplify the hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) gene, an evolutionary divergent gene that is unlikely to be detected in insects by mammalian-specific primers and probes. To validate this assay, fleas were placed on dogs, allowed to distribute in the hair, and removed at specific time points with single-use combs. Fleas were then immediately homogenized by vigorous shaking with ceramic beads in guanidinium-based DNA preservation buffer for DNA extraction.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The specificity of this assay was ascertained by amplification of canine, feline and equine blood with differential product melting temperatures (<it>T</it>_m), and lack of amplification of bovine and porcine blood and of adult fleas reared from larvae fed with bovine blood. Sensitivity of the assay was established by limiting dilution and detection of single copies of HMBS DNA equivalent to 0.043 nL blood. Application of the assay indicated that after 15 minutes on a dog, male and female fleas had ingested low, but similar amounts of approximately 1.1. nL blood. Saturation uptake of 118 and 100 nL blood per flea was found at 30 and 60 min on the dog, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The HMBS PCR method developed here offers the advantages of both exquisite sensitivity and specificity that make it superior to other approaches for quantification of blood ingested by fleas. The capability to detect minute quantities of blood in single fleas, particularly immediately after colonization of the host, will provide a superior tool for studying flea-host interactions, flea-borne disease transmission, and flea control strategies.</p