167 research outputs found
Needs and challenges for online language teachers - the ECML project DOTS
The growing use of digital technologies in educational settings, paralleled by a paradigm change in educational theory from an instructivist transmission approach to constructivist and sociocultural theories of learning, demands more adapted teacher training programs, both technical and pedagogical. Looking at factors influencing teachersâ implementation of ICT in the foreign language classroom and guided by the results of a needs analysis survey conducted among twenty six language teachers from twenty five different European countries, the DOTS project aims to develop an online workspace with bite-sized learning objects for autonomous use by language professionals, particularly freelance teachers who frequently miss out on the training opportunities provided for their full-time colleagues
Needs and challenges for online language teachers: The ECML Project DOTS
The growing use of digital technologies in educational settings, paralleled by a paradigm change in educational theory from an instructivist transmission approach to constructivist and sociocultural theories of learning, demands more adapted teacher training programs, both technical and pedagogical. Looking at factors influencing teachers' implementation of ICT in the foreign language classroom and guided by the results of a needs analysis survey conducted among twenty six language teachers from twenty five different European countries, the DOTS project aims to develop an online workspace with bite-sized learning objects for autonomous use by language professionals, particularly freelance teachers who frequently miss out on the training opportunities provided for their full-time colleagues
Band bending inversion in BiSe nanostructures
Shubnikov-de-Haas oscillations were studied under high magnetic field in
BiSe nanostructures grown by Chemical Vapor Transport, for different
bulk carrier densities ranging from to
. The contribution of topological surface states
to electrical transport can be identified and separated from bulk carriers and
massive two-dimensional electron gas. Band bending is investigated, and a
crossover from upward to downward band bending is found at low bulk density, as
a result of a competition between bulk and interface doping. These results
highlight the need to control electrical doping both in the bulk and at
interfaces in order to study only topological surface states.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Language Teachers and Their Trajectories Across Technology-Enhanced Language Teaching: Needs and Beliefs of ESL/EFL Teachers
In this article, we present the initial results of the first phase of our international Research Network, which sets out to revisit the current needs of language teachers in terms of training to achieve the integration of technology within their educational contexts. We focus on the type of needs and their order of priority from the viewpoint of English as a Second/Foreign Language (ESL/EFL) teachers and suggest some recommendations for training programs. These data, collected via an online questionnaire distributed in several countries, were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively in relation to participantsâ perceptions of needs regarding language education technology, as well as participantsâ perceptions of the âidealâ teacher, and their relation to the use of technology. Results indicate that despite overall satisfaction regarding training received, many teachers mention their need for a post-training follow-up. They also express interest in developing âlearning task designâ skills and in exploring course management platforms such as Moodle. Furthermore, while most participants fully or partially agree with the relationship between technology and excellence in language teaching, their definition of the âidealâ language teacher rarely includes the use of technology. A shift in âidealâ teacher beliefs seems, therefore, necessary for better adoption and use of technology in language education
Uniqueness of Iris Pattern Based on AR Model
The assessment of iris uniqueness plays a crucial role in analyzing the
capabilities and limitations of iris recognition systems. Among the various
methodologies proposed, Daugman's approach to iris uniqueness stands out as one
of the most widely accepted. According to Daugman, uniqueness refers to the
iris recognition system's ability to enroll an increasing number of classes
while maintaining a near-zero probability of collision between new and enrolled
classes. Daugman's approach involves creating distinct IrisCode templates for
each iris class within the system and evaluating the sustainable population
under a fixed Hamming distance between codewords. In our previous work [23], we
utilized Rate-Distortion Theory (as it pertains to the limits of
error-correction codes) to establish boundaries for the maximum possible
population of iris classes supported by Daugman's IrisCode, given the
constraint of a fixed Hamming distance between codewords. Building upon that
research, we propose a novel methodology to evaluate the scalability of an iris
recognition system, while also measuring iris quality. We achieve this by
employing a sphere-packing bound for Gaussian codewords and adopting a approach
similar to Daugman's, which utilizes relative entropy as a distance measure
between iris classes. To demonstrate the efficacy of our methodology, we
illustrate its application on two small datasets of iris images. We determine
the sustainable maximum population for each dataset based on the quality of the
images. By providing these illustrations, we aim to assist researchers in
comprehending the limitations inherent in their recognition systems, depending
on the quality of their iris databases
Recommended from our members
From the editors: stepping stones to teaching lnguages with technology
Introduction to the Special Issue of Teaching English with Technology. 10/2. 2010
A model of CPT violation for neutrinos
Any local relativistic quantum field theory of Dirac-Weyl fermions conserves CPT. Here we examine whether a simple nonlocal field theory can violate CPT. We construct a new relativistic field theory of fermions, which we call ``homeotic'', which is nonlocal but causal and Lorentz invariant. The free homeotic theory is in fact equivalent to free Dirac theory. We show that a homeotic theory with a suitable nonlocal four-fermion interaction is causal and as a result has a well-defined perturbative S-matrix. By coupling a right-handed homeotic fermion to a left-handed Dirac-Weyl fermion, we obtain a causal theory of CPT-violating neutrino oscillations
Online teacher development: collaborating in a virtual learning environment
Over recent years educational institutions have been making increasing use of virtual environments to set up collaborative activities for learners. While it is recognized that teachers play an important role in facilitating learner collaboration online they may not have the necessary skills to do so successfully. Thus, a small scale professional development programme was set up and piloted by two distance universities. The aims were to develop teachersâ experience of online group work; to trial a set of pilot activities which would raise awareness of factors contributing to successful collaborative online activity; and to identify professional development needs in this area. This article reports on the hands-on experience of a group of 20 teachers, examines some of the competences that are needed to successfully collaborate in virtual environments, and presents the skills that teachers need to foster online collaborative learning in the virtual classroom. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected, examining the levels of participation among participants, the collaborative activity of two groups, and teacher perception of the collaboration which took place. The skills identified include planning and managing the collaboration, designing appropriate activities, giving clear instructions and getting students to negotiate ground rules for participation, moderating at the right level, and choosing the right environment and the appropriate tool(s). While this study was carried out with language teachers, many of the findings are applicable to other subject areas where growing emphasis is placed on the development of collaborative skills
Enhancing protective microglial activities with a dual function TREM2 antibody to the stalk region
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is essential for the transition of homeostatic microglia to a diseaseâassociated microglial state. To enhance TREM2 activity, we sought to selectively increase the fullâlength protein on the cell surface via reducing its proteolytic shedding by A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase (i.e., αâsecretase) 10/17. We screened a panel of monoclonal antibodies against TREM2, with the aim to selectively compete for αâsecretaseâmediated shedding. Monoclonal antibody 4D9, which has a stalk region epitope close to the cleavage site, demonstrated dual mechanisms of action by stabilizing TREM2 on the cell surface and reducing its shedding, and concomitantly activating phosphoâSYK signaling. 4D9 stimulated survival of macrophages and increased microglial uptake of myelin debris and amyloid ÎČâpeptide in vitro. In vivo target engagement was demonstrated in cerebrospinal fluid, where nearly all oluble TREM2 was 4D9âbound. Moreover, in a mouse model for Alzheimer's diseaseârelated pathology, 4D9 reduced amyloidogenesis, enhanced microglial TREM2 expression, and reduced a homeostatic marker, suggesting a protective function by driving microglia toward a diseaseâassociated state
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