A Conceptual Framework for Web-based Intelligent Learning Environments using SCORM 2004

Abstrac

Addressing Regional Inequality Issues in Bangladesh Public Expenditure

Traditionally development effort of Bangladesh government have aimed at achieving equitable economic growth. The concept is an overriding factor in formulating national policy strategies of poverty alleviation. In this context, the objectives of poverty alleviation are mostly designed with social development factors, particularly improvements in health and education indicators. One of the most important policy documents Unlocking the potential : National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction (the PRSP paper which was extended till June 2008), and other government documents embody such with great importance (Medium Term Budget Framework 2007- 2010 documents on website of the Ministry of Finance. Since returning to democracy in 1991, Bangladeshs economy has achieved a steady growth rate with concomitant fall of poverty incidences at an accelerated pace. In fact, the country experienced more than 10 percentage point fall in poverty rate between 2000 and 2005 (Table 1), which is indeed a commendable achievement aligned to other better performances that Bangladesh has been experiencing for the last three decades since independence. One feature of this development is, however, less assuring. Regional analysis of poverty incidences shows that reduction rate is not equal across the country, rather the situation is worsening in some cases. Such picture reflects an unequal progress in overall economic activity throughout the country.Bangladesh, Regional Inequality, public expenditure, Poverty Alleviation

Automating assessment and evaluation for a bachelor’s degree program

Outcome-based education (OBE) makes learning happen and measures automating assessment and evaluation system. The objective of the study is to assess student’s learning in International Finance course and report OBE and propose strategies for continual quality improvement (CQI). In this study, a widely accepted self-developed spreadsheet used to measure course learning outcomes (CLO) and program learning outcomes (PLO) of international finance in a bachelor’s degree program of fall 2021. The method of sampling technique is purposive and a sample of 27 students have been considered for the analysis. Using direct method on specific parameters (quiz, assignment, presentation, and exams), an overall CLO attainment has been measured and compared with a targeted key performance indicators (KPI) (70% is set). Findings reveal that the first three out of five CLO have met the standard KPI. However, a CQI has been proposed for further improvement of CLO. Also, future works proposed to instrument CQI processes, engage industry experts and external OBE experts from foreign universities. Program self-assessment is mandatory for quality assurance at university and also preparation for accreditation of the program needs self-assessment. Therefore, CLO is mandatory for assessment and evaluation urgently

Addressing Regional Inequality Issues in Bangladesh Public Expenditure

The public expenditure allocation in Bangladesh has played a substantial role in improvements of physical infrastructure, health, education, community development, etc. during the recent decades. There have been allegations that inequality in the distribution of political power has often led to some extent to a disproportionate public spending, which in turn may hinder prospects of poverty reduction. The current study aims to examine the research question of whether regional inequality issues are properly addressed within the framework of the public expenditure allocation in Bangladesh during the recent years and if not, whether this has been influenced by some other considerations, which are mainly political by nature. We analyze a panel data set where the dependent variable is the (greater district) per capita ADP allocation within a sector and the independent variables are some explanatory variables, and a variable of interest measuring the proportion of the total number of constituencies within the greater district that belongs to the political party in power. In summary, the study provides evidence of some in-built regional inequality features within the public expenditure allocation in Bangladesh in association with the political favoritism issues involved in a supposedly parliamentary democratic system

Addressing Regional Inequality Issues in Bangladesh Public Expenditure

The public expenditure allocation in Bangladesh has played a substantial role in improvements of physical infrastructure, health, education, community development, etc. during the recent decades. There have been allegations that inequality in the distribution of political power has often led to some extent to a disproportionate public spending, which in turn may hinder prospects of poverty reduction. The current study aims to examine the research question of whether regional inequality issues are properly addressed within the framework of the public expenditure allocation in Bangladesh during the recent years and if not, whether this has been influenced by some other considerations, which are mainly political by nature. We analyze a panel data set where the dependent variable is the (greater district) per capita ADP allocation within a sector and the independent variables are some explanatory variables, and a variable of interest measuring the proportion of the total number of constituencies within the greater district that belongs to the political party in power. In summary, the study provides evidence of some in-built regional inequality features within the public expenditure allocation in Bangladesh in association with the political favoritism issues involved in a supposedly parliamentary democratic system

Addressing Regional Inequality Issues in Bangladesh Public Expenditure

The public expenditure allocation in Bangladesh has played a substantial role in improvements of physical infrastructure, health, education, community development, etc. during the recent decades. There have been allegations that inequality in the distribution of political power has often led to some extent to a disproportionate public spending, which in turn may hinder prospects of poverty reduction. The current study aims to examine the research question of whether regional inequality issues are properly addressed within the framework of the public expenditure allocation in Bangladesh during the recent years and if not, whether this has been influenced by some other considerations, which are mainly political by nature. We analyze a panel data set where the dependent variable is the (greater district) per capita ADP allocation within a sector and the independent variables are some explanatory variables, and a variable of interest measuring the proportion of the total number of constituencies within the greater district that belongs to the political party in power. In summary, the study provides evidence of some in-built regional inequality features within the public expenditure allocation in Bangladesh in association with the political favoritism issues involved in a supposedly parliamentary democratic system

INVESTMENTS IN PRODUCT QUALITY WITH HETEROGENEOUS FIRMS: THEORY AND EVIDENCE FROM BANGLADESH

This dissertation investigates how competition among heterogeneous firms affects R&D in quality enhancement in a quality-ladder type framework for a Cournot oligopolistic industry. The research also analyzes the welfare implications of various policies that promotes R&D. Some of the theoretical predictions are then tested empirically using firm-level data for Bangladesh from the World Bank\u27s enterprise survey. Chapter 1 shows that a rise in the cost of production of the competitor will induce a firm to invest more in R&D if and only if the quality difference between the existing product and the product emerging from R&D activities is sufficiently large. Also, welfare-reducing effect of helping a `minor\u27 firm is lower in the presence of possible quality differences. Empirical results supports the theoretical findings. Chapter 2 shows that protecting domestic industry of high quality goods encourages firms to invest more in R&D. The size of the optimal tariff depends on the degree of product differentiation and market share of the foreign firms and is not necessarily positive. Chapter 3 shows that a small tariff imposed by the trading partner on the high quality good will deter R&D. However, as the tariff gets bigger, the relationship changes sign. The size of an R&D subsidy depends on the market share of the firms. Empirical results provide support to the theoretical findings

WEB TECHNOLOGY: PREPARING STUDENTS FOR KNOWLEDGE-BASED SOCIETY THROUGH TUTORING

Abstract: To maximise the learning potential of young students and better prepare them for the knowledge-based economy, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) will be exploiting web-based tutoring technology to deliver lesson-specific activities efficiently to many students at the same time and yet allowing each one of them to learn at their own level, pace and time. A topic on double entry practice in an Accounting Course has been developed for the web-based tutoring delivery approach. The topic is aimed at teaching students how to use a T-accounting method to enter a set of business transactions into the appropriate account books. Through a web-based interface that replicates the T-accounting method, students would process all the transactions one at a time. For each completed transaction entry, answers are checked against “Expert Answers ” and students are allowed two more attempts to correct their errors. A “Student Model ” database stores students ’ performance history, which is used to determine the amount and level of practice for them to attain mastery. In this way, students can learn at their own pace and according to their learning potential. To make learning more interesting, the web-based user interface has been designed with motivational features