Podcast applications in language learning : a review of recent studies.

Many dynamic approaches have emerged due to computer technology in facilitating language learning skills. Podcasting is one such novel tool being exploited by teachers to deliver educational content and to encourage learning outside the classroom. Research on podcasting pedagogy suggests that podcasting greatly helps learners develop various skills of English language. The study reviewed twenty journal articles to determine the effects of podcast on ESL students’ language skills and attitude levels. It was found that podcasts greatly support learning not just in speaking and listening but also in other language skills and areas such as grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary

Venn Diagram Multi-label Class Interpretation of Diabetic Foot Ulcer with Color and Sharpness Enhancement

DFU is a severe complication of diabetes that can lead to amputation of the lower limb if not treated properly. Inspired by the 2021 Diabetic Foot Ulcer Grand Challenge, researchers designed automated multi-class classification of DFU, including infection, ischaemia, both of these conditions, and none of these conditions. However, it remains a challenge as classification accuracy is still not satisfactory. This paper proposes a Venn Diagram interpretation of multi-label CNN-based method, utilizing different image enhancement strategies, to improve the multi-class DFU classification. We propose to reduce the four classes into two since both class wounds can be interpreted as the simultaneous occurrence of infection and ischaemia and none class wounds as the absence of infection and ischaemia. We introduce a novel Venn Diagram representation block in the classifier to interpret all four classes from these two classes. To make our model more resilient, we propose enhancing the perceptual quality of DFU images, particularly blurry or inconsistently lit DFU images, by performing color and sharpness enhancements on them. We also employ a fine-tuned optimization technique, adaptive sharpness aware minimization, to improve the CNN model generalization performance. The proposed method is evaluated on the test dataset of DFUC2021, containing 5,734 images and the results are compared with the top-3 winning entries of DFUC2021. Our proposed approach outperforms these existing approaches and achieves Macro-Average F1, Recall and Precision scores of 0.6592, 0.6593, and 0.6652, respectively.Additionally, We perform ablation studies and image quality measurements to further interpret our proposed method. This proposed method will benefit patients with DFUs since it tackles the inconsistencies in captured images and can be employed for a more robust remote DFU wound classification.Comment: 12 Pages, 7 Figure

Card game as a pedagogical tool for numeracy skills development

Given the hypothesis that card games form a strong tool capable of shaping the aforementioned interest, this study has developed a card game called Math Zap as a pedagogical tool for numeracy skills development in the context of mental computation. It is geared towards investigating the efficacy of this Math Zap card game, in facilitating the development of numeracy skills amongst learners, and their attitude towards using it as a pedagogical tool. A mix method approach using an experimental and descriptive design was taken and tested amongst 34 primary school students aged 12 to 13. From the results of the study, it is found that the Math Zap card game is a highly effective learning tool in so far as the enhancement of students’ numeracy computation skills in the areas of fractions, percentages and decimals are concerned. This is evidenced by a statistical significant pre-post test score increment. Furthermore, students were rather positive and receptive towards the game, further substantiating the claim of it being a useful pedagogical tool

An Assessment Of High School Leavers’ Development of Mathematical Thinking

This descriptive design study evaluated the mathematical thinking attainment level of 649 High School leavers, ages 18 to 19 years, in the context of their preparation for facing the challenges of the tertiary level math curriculum. The findings depict students' low level of mathematical thinking attainment regarding their paucity in critical thinking and a lack of heuristics repertoire as a guide to employing their contextual knowledge in solving fundamental non-routine problems. These findings are a matter of concern as there seems to be a mutual exclusivity between the content learned in school and the ability of students to think mathematically.  Keywords: Mathematical Thinking; Non-Routine; Problem-Solving; Heuristics eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under the responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7iSI8.390

Incidental learning of vocabulary through computer-based and paper-based games by secondary school ESL learners

This quasi-experimental study attempted to investigate which mode of language games, paper-based or computer-based, can better expand the English vocabulary size of Form Four students especially at the 2000 word-level. Seventy students were involved in this study i.e. thirty-five in each group. The study was conducted in three stages. First, the participants sat for the Productive Vocabulary Levels Test (PVLT) as a pre-treatment measurement. Then the Experimental Group 1 played the computer-based games and the Experimental Group 2 played the paper-based games for seven weeks before sitting for the first post-treatment parallel PVLT. After that, both groups switched treatments before they were assessed again using the second parallel PVLT. The statistical analysis of the pre- and post-treatment test scores were done using the t-test. The results show a significant gain for both modes of games, but the computer-based games had a higher mean gain. The study provides evidence that the computer-based games had better influence on students' vocabulary enhancement than the paper-based games

Undergraduates novel experiences with massive open online courses

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have revolutionized e-learning contexts through improvising new technology on its pedagogical features. Recently, much debate has been directed to the application of MOOCs in relation to higher education. However, research regarding students’ experiences of MOOCs is scant. Therefore, the present study aims to fill in the gap by examining undergraduates experiences with MOOCs. Data were collected from 29 undergraduates attending various degree programs at a public university in Malaysia. Undergraduates’ logbook notes were used for collecting data for this study. Results showed that most of the participants expressed positive attitudes towards learning in the MOOC. They valued the MOOC instructional features and tools and showed strong satisfaction in learning in the MOOCs environment. The empirical findings of the study have contributed to a better understanding of the nature of learning and participation in a MOOC environment from the perspective of undergraduate students. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have succeeded to create massive attention among educators, researchers, students, media, and stakeholders as elite universities from developed countries formed consortia to offer free courses on various disciplines. MOOC started with the promises to offer free education for all (Kop, Fournier, & Mak, 2011). A few number of commercial start-ups such as Udacity, Edx, Futurelearn and Coursera have been launched in collaboration with leading universities to deliver free courses online for massive participation. Many academic institutions, especially those in North America such as Duke University, Harvard University, MIT, and Stanford University have been offering courses in cooperation with MOOC providers. Big commercial institutions such as Google and Pearson are also planning to contribute to higher education by adopting MOOC instructional format (Yuan, Powell, & CETIS, 2013). While MOOCs are mushrooming in higher education, empirical research in the area is still very limited. Therefore, the present study aims to contribute some effort to this gap by scanning a small group of tertiary level students’ novel experiences with MOOC instructional features. The following part of the study deals with the background of the development of MOOC and its theoretical underpinnings

ALGEBRAIC COUNTERMEASURE TO ENHANCE THE IMPROVED SUMMATION GENERATOR WITH 2-BIT MEMORY

Recently proposed algebraic attack has been shown to be very effective on several stream ciphers. In this paper, we have investigated the resistance of PingPong family of stream ciphers against algebraic attacks. This stream cipher was proposed in 2008 to enhance the security of the improved summation generator against the algebraic attack. In particular, we focus on the PingPong-128 stream cipher’s resistance against algebraic attack in this paper. In our analysis, it is found that an algebraic attack on PingPong family of stream ciphers require much more operations compare to the exhaustive key search on the internal state of the LFSRs. It will be shown that due to the irregular and mutual clock controlling in PingPong stream cipher the degree of the generated equation tends to grow up with each successive clock which in turn increases the overall complexity of an algebraic attack. Along with the PingPong 128 stream cipher the other instances of PingPong family stream ciphers are also investigated against the algebraic attack. Our analysis shows that, PingPong family stream ciphers are highly resistant against the algebraic attack due to their mutual and irregular clocking function

Designing and implementing an exit communication test to gauge oral proficiency in a university

Innovation in education is an encouraged enterprise that could help to solve problems relevant to education. In Malaysia, the lack of English language ability has been constantly identified as a factor that contributes to graduate unemployment. To address this concern, measures are exponentially explored to articulate some solid answers as a basis for educational change. In Universiti Putra Malaysia, an innovative and proactive step was taken to introduce an exit oral communication test (Universiti Putra Malaysia Test of Communication Skills in English). The in-house test enables a system-wide assessment and reporting of students' English oral language ability as the students exit university to the work world. This paper examines issues in the designing and implementation of an exit test with due attention given to its credibility and usability. The step-by-step procedural moves are described and some salient educational outcomes pertaining to the improving of English language competence are discussed

The translator’s voice through the translation of characters’ names in Bian Cheng

Bian Cheng is a representative novel of Modern Chinese Literature. One of the most translated works of Modern Chinese Literature, the novel demonstrates diversified folklore, which is fully embedded and embodied in the images presented by the names of its characters. This qualitative study compares the images of names in the original Chinese version and an English version translated by Kinkley in an attempt to reveal how translator’s voice is reflected by varying translation techniques. Newmark’s model of translation techniques and MillánVarela’s model of translator’s voice are employed for the nuanced analysis. The investigation uncovers two major translation techniques in this regard: amplification and reproduction. The former, which shows a stronger translator’s voice, is used more frequently than the latter, which displays a relatively weaker translator’s voice. The study also shows that the strong translator’s voice does not necessarily convey the corresponding and equivalent image, and the weak one fails to do so even at a less satisfactory level. It is thus concluded that complicated source culture should be paid sufficient and accurate attention through the proper articulation of translator’s voice so that the equivalent and similar images could be successfully presented and communicated through translation

Efekti korišćenja astaksantina u ishrani na rast, pigmentaciju mišića i antioksidantne aktivnosti mlađi kalifornijske pastrmke (oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study was designed to test the effects of dietary astaxanthin on growth, muscle pigmentation, antioxidant activity and biochemical composition of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Experimental diets were formulated to contain 50, 75 and 100 ppm astaxanthin (designed as AS50, AS75 and AS100). The diet without supplementation of astaxanthin was considered as the control diet. Each experimental diet was fed to three replicate groups of fish (18.5 g/fish) to visual satiation two times a day for 10 weeks. Growth performance and proximate composition of muscle of fish were not affected by dietary AS levels (P> 0.05). Total carotenoid concentration in the muscle of fish fed the AS50 diet was higher than that of fish fed the control diet, but no different to that of fish fed the AS75 and AS100 diets. The astaxanthin concentration in the muscle of fish fed AS50, AS75 and AS100 diets were higher than that of control diet. The redness (a*) of the muscle of fish fed AS50, AS75 and AS100 diets were higher than that of fish fed the control diet (P 0.05) nije uticao na performansu rasta i hemijski sastav mišića ribe. Ukupna koncentracija karotenoida u mišiću ribe koja je hranjena AS50 hranom bila je viša nego kod riba hranjenih kontrolnom hranom, ali nije bila drugačija od riba hranjenih AS75 i AS100 hranom. Koncentracija astaksantina u mišiću riba hranjenih AS50, AS75 i AS100 hranom bila je viša nego kod riba hranjenih kontrolnom hranom. Crvena boja (a*) mišića ribe koja je hranjena AS50, AS75 i AS100 hranom bila je jača nego kod ribe hranjene kontrolnom hranom (P< 0.05). Antioksidantna aktivnost DPPH, radikala hidroksila i alkila u plazmi i jetri riba nisu zavisili od nivoa astaksantina osim kod plazme koja je imala antioksidantnu aktivnost alkilnih radikala. Rezultati ove studije nagoveštavaju da se hrana koja sadrži 50 ppm astaksantina može koristiti da bi se poboljšala crvena boja mišične pigmentacije kod mlađi kalifornijske pastrmke