Course evaluation: reconfigurations for learning with learning management systems

The introduction of online delivery platforms such as learning management systems (LMS) in tertiary education has changed the methods and modes of curriculum delivery and communication. While course evaluation methods have also changed from paper-based in-class-administered methods to largely online-administered methods, the data collection instruments have remained unchanged. This paper reports on a small exploratory study of two tertiary-level courses. The study investigated why design of the instruments and methods to administer surveys in the courses are ineffective measures against the intrinsic characteristics of online learning. It reviewed the students' response rates of the conventional evaluations for the courses over an eight-year period. It then compared a newly developed online evaluation and the conventional methods over a two-year period. The results showed the response rates with the new evaluation method increased by more than 80% from the average of the conventional evaluations (below 30%), and the students' written feedback was more detailed and comprehensive than in the conventional evaluations. The study demonstrated the possibility that the LMS-based learning evaluation can be effective and efficient in terms of the quality of students' participation and engagement in their learning, and for an integrated pedagogical approach in an online learning environment

Student interactivity and teacher participation: an application of legitimate peripheral participation in higher education online learning environments

Lave and Wenger’s legitimate peripheral participation is an important aspect of online learning environments. It is common for teachers to scaffold varying levels of online participation in Web 2.0 contexts, such as online discussion forums and blogs. This study argues that legitimate peripheral participation needs to be redefined in response to students’ decentralised multiple interactions and non-linear engagement in hyperlinked learning environments. The study examines students’ levels of participation in online learning through theories of interactivity, distinguishing between five levels of student participation in the context of a first-year university course delivered via a learning management system. The data collection was implemented through two instruments: i) a questionnaire about students’ interactivity perception in the online reflective learning (n = 238) and then ii) an open discussion on the reason for the diverse perceptions of interactivity (n = 34). The study findings indicate that student participants, other than those who were active, need high levels of teacher or moderator intervention, which better enables legitimate peripheral participation to occur in online learning contexts

Water absorption and maintenance of nanofiber cellulose production by Gluconacetobacter rhaeticus TL-2C

Physiochemical properties of bacterial cellulose producing by Gluconacetobacter rhaeticus TL-2C was investigated for confirming its possibility as wound care dressing material. Scanning electron micrograph showed that the diameter of bacterial cellulose fiber was 40 to 50 nm. Solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data showed that the bacterial cellulose had amorphous peak of C-4 and C-6 and the crystallinity index of bacterial cellulose was 75.4. Water absorption ability of bacterial cellulose was 19-fold higher than α-cellulose. Bacterial cellulose had 2-fold higher water maintenance ability than α-cellulose.Key words: Bacterial cellulose, Gluconacetobacter rhaeticus, nanofiber, water absorption

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF YANG HAK-SEON VAULT AND TSUKAHARA 1260? VAULT IN GYMNASTICS

The study was a single-subject study on the top-elite vaulter in the world. This study was purposed to compare kinematic differences between Yang Hak-Seon vault (Yang-1) and Tsukahara 1260? vault (Yang-2) performed by Yang Hak-Seon. Fourteen high-speed cameras were used to capture a whole body segment motion of Yang-2 vault during the practice session. Yang-1 vault showed faster CM vertical velocity until the vault table takeoff and faster CM horizontal velocity prior to the vault table touchdown. However, the trunk rotation angle and its angular velocity of Yang-2 vault exceeded Yang-1 vault significantly. This might be due to a half turn off the springboard onto the vault table of Yang-2 vault, which resulted in larger initial angular momentum at the vault table touchdown and further increase in angular velocity during the vault table contact

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the sphenoid sinus presenting as isolated oculomotor nerve palsy

BACKGROUND: Solitary involvement of the sphenoid sinus has rarely been reported in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy is uncommon as an initial presentation of malignant tumors of the sphenoid sinus. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old woman presented with a three-month history of headache and diplopia. Neurological examination revealed complete left oculomotor nerve palsy. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) demonstrated a homogenous soft-tissue lesion occupying the left sphenoid sinus and invading the left cavernous sinus. The patient underwent transsphenoidal biopsy and the lesion was histologically diagnosed as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell type. Tumor cells were positive for CD20 and negative for CD3. Following six cycles of chemotherapy, the left oculomotor nerve palsy that had been previously observed was completely resolved. There was no enhancing lesion noted on follow-up MRI. CONCLUSION: It is important to recognize that non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the sphenoid sinus can present with isolated oculomotor nerve palsy, although it is extremely rare. The cranial nerve deficits can resolve dramatically after chemotherapy.ope