Modeling computer-based distance learning platforms

Pragmatic problems in computer-based distance learning platforms concern generally the correct use of technological tools. These problems have technical solutions and do not represent the most important preoccupation in a platform design phase: even a repetitive utilization of the platform could become their naïf users very farniliar with its functionalities. Theoretical problems, in contrast, are more complex because they involve learner's cognitive gains and requirements of dynamic and independent decisions. The dichotomy cognitive gain x punctual leaner's Socratic reasoning is a good example of this complexity. So, it is irnportant to represent the dynamical knowledge and reasoning involved in learner's cognitive parameters (i.e., learner's abilities and features such as mental representations, knowledge acquisitions, use of inferences, heuristics, deductive or inductive reasoning etc). The diagnosis of these parameters (that are naturally fluctuating in a platform during a learning activity) is crucial to provide dynamic inference processes and interpretation of information in order to generate data and metadata to the platform. This paper aims theoretical supports for computer-based distance learning platforms. We discuss about the design of this kind of platform, which uses uniform and diagnosis processes in order to generate dynamical data and metadata. These data are used to extract new multi-sensorial knowledge to be integrated or then to perform an interoperational search of common knowledge resident on online learning platforms: the status from this knowledge should to shift from a platonic methodology -where the objects are independent from the discuss- to an intuitionist methodology -where the objects are represented as the result of a mental construction-. We affirm that a platform based on these theoretical supports alIows a safer learning process

Remote learning of design patterns

Since the early 1990's, the software community focuses on the significant benefits of software reuse. Nowadays, the design pattems in object-oriented systerns have been considered one of the best strategies in order to improve software design, based on the idea of reusable solutions to design problerns. A pattem addresses a recurring design problem that arises in specific design situations and presents an abstract solution to it. Although its application is not simple (since they have a complexity cost), it describes the problem, the solution (when it applies the solution) and its consequences. So, it is necessary to let important learning period to help the software designers in the learning process of using correctly design pattems. Our research team is actually designing and developing a flexible platform model aimed to computer-based distance learning, which is going to support plug-in of intelligent learning systerns. In this paper we describe a tutoring system to support presence and distance learning of design pattems in object-oriented systerns -LeSOOP (Learning System of Object-Oriented Pattems). This system uses uniform and contextual diagnosis processes ín order to help the software designers in the correct application of design pattems. We also discuss about the plug-in and integration features of our system in a distance-learning platform

Learning of data structures and algorithms using a distance learning platform

Learning has been considered as a non-trivial human activity because it involves some complex tasks. In distance learning there is an additional complexity due to space and time shift in learning and teaching activities. Computer-based distance learning has an incremental difficulty: the use of technological tools by both learning interaction actors (learner and teacher). These tools are generally grouped in a platform system that is usually designed and implemented under some common rules: to allow the development of instructional material, to manage synchronous and asynchronous dialogues, etc. Unfortunately, in the design of this kind of platforms, knowledge about technological aspects can get more attention than learner's knowledge acquisition processes or teacher's strategies: the resultant platforms frequently are no flexible systems that do not support the plug-in of tutoring systems. In this paper we describe a system aimed to support computer-based distance learning of data structures and algorithms. The learner's understanding of this area of Computer Science depends on integration between dynamical visualization and logical reasoning: the presentation of the domain knowledge should put more emphasis on this dynarnism Finally, we discuss about technological feasibility to plug-in our system in a flexible computer-based distance-learning platform being developed

CONTROLE E DISPUTA PELA DEMOCRACIA NA COMUNICAÇÃO SOCIAL

This article analyzes the current state of the Brazilian media in relation to the influence of the companies that constitute Mass Communication Enterprises in Brazil . On the other hand, observes the participation of the movements for democratizing the media. The paper looks to contribute for the theoretical debate and of perspectives for a better performance on the part of the activists of communitarian communication, as well as the popular movement. The article goes through a bibliographical and documental research, besides the analysis of recent data, looking to evidence the importance of the constitution of democratic public politics for the people empowerment in our country

On the nature of the spin-polarized hole states in a quasi-two-dimensional GaMnAs ferromagnetic layer

A self-consistent calculation of the density of states and the spectral density function is performed in a two-dimensional spin-polarized hole system based on a multiple-scattering approximation. Using parameters corresponding to GaMnAs thin layers, a wide range of Mn concentrations and hole densities have been explored to understand the nature, localized or extended, of the spin-polarized holes at the Fermi level for several values of the average magnetization of the Mn ystem. We show that, for a certain interval of Mn and hole densities, an increase on the magnetic order of the Mn ions come together with a change of the nature of the states at the Fermi level. This fact provides a delocalization of spin-polarized extended states anti-aligned to the average Mn magnetization, and a higher spin-polarization of the hole gas. These results are consistent with the occurrence of ferromagnetism with relatively high transition temperatures observed in some thin film samples and multilayered structures of this material.Comment: 3 page

Analyzing problem solving strategies under a cognitive viewpoint

In this paper we investigate the hurnan reasoning applied to the rnathernatical problem resolution process. Our approach is based on two main settings: a. the investigation of mental processes involved in the human reasoning applied to problem resolution; b. the analysis of differences in the categorization and resolution of rnathematical problems by beginners and specialists. In a. we sought to contribute for the rupture of the logical-formal reasoning paradigm. In fact, we sought to contribute for the rupture of the idea that identifies the hurnan as a completely rational entity, which invokes a thinking way that adheres the rules of an explicit form. Our results show that the human reasoning is not determined exclusively by logical- forrnal guidelines, but is rather determined by characteristics and aspects of the context. In b. we sought to analyze more effectively the problem-resolution process. We concentrated our discussion on the differences in the categorization and resolution of mathematical problems by beginners and specialists. Our results indicate for a problem categorization and subsequent resolution: specialists are guided by organized logical principIes, and beginners are guided by superficial elements found in its enunciation

The importance of the environment in everyday school life: working with deaf students using active methodologies

It is relevant that the study presented presents an analysis of the main methodologies used in the education of students that emerged in Elementary School, having as a model the theme, The Environment in School Daily Life and its Active Methodologies. The study aims to evaluate the results by the capacity of the students acquired Environment in the Daily School Life of these deaf students, through active methodologies. The student is encouraged to take an active and responsible stance in their learning process, seeking self-regulation and meaningful learning. Learning methods and techniques that stimulate student-teacher and student-student interaction, teaching materials and resources and handouts, almost always, in collaborative learning, taking the student to be responsible for the construction of their knowledge. Based on this premise, we will present a qualitative research and significant results. Expand our information through field research by observation studies and studies, expanding experiences with students emerging from a state school in Manaus. Therefore, we will present some methodologies, among which are Recycle, Reuse and Reduce solid waste. It was found that the methodologies used are oriented according to child-centered learning theories. In this investment in the deaf and their registration, student, context, thus, the service to useful services for stimulation and development is essential. Based on the evaluation of the results by the applicability of the environment themes obtained in the school routine, and the uses of active methodologies, to propose a new method of study to train deaf students. We will seek the best way to work as methodologies in the training of the deaf subject. It was verified the use of the methodologies that motivate the use of the methodologies that motivate the use of their disks and the direction of solutions to make an impasse and promote their development, which is an adequate and necessary instrument for a new learning. It is concluded that the teaching and learning process with deaf students still lacks research opportunities aimed at the adoption of new techniques that favor learning at better levels of qualification for the child

A cognitive approach to mental representation in mathematical problem solving

In this paper we investigate mental-representation strategies applied to solve contextual problerns that involve mathematical calculus. We are interested in formal procedures, algorithrms, and strategies that could be used by three groups of peoples: with specific mathematical knowledge (the expert group); without this knowledge (the control group); and without this specific knowledge but acquainted with the designed problem context (the familiar group ). Our investigation demonstrates that the reasoning developments of these three groups are quite different from one to another: in the expert group the reasoning is only based on algorithmic operations; in the control group the reasoning combines algorithm with other mathematical strategies; and the familiar group uses a more intuitive reasoning. probably influenced by their familiarity with the problem context and by their special mental strategies. In this research we aim to come through with Cognitive Science studies on the nature of human knowledge. Mathematical problem resolutions in general and arithmetic calculus in particular are tools very interesting to recognize the difference between expert and beginner knowledge and reasoning

Design and implementation of a distance education system aimed to the teaching of object-oriented technologies

In the new connected and distributed electronic world, the object-orientation (00) paradigm has been recognized as a strategy for software development, based on the idea of producing systems starting from reusable components. Problems of the rea1 world are easier to be dea1t with when 00 developrnent approach is used than when the structured and traditiona1 one is applied. In the software engineering cornmunity, the question of rnanaging changes has been a permanent concern arnong the developers who look forward to flexible and reusable systems. In this paper , we present a description of a flexible framework, aimed to peer-to-peer applications, that can be plugged-in a distance education platform. This framework is the hosting of a remote computerbased learning system (called TOOHELP). TOOHELP aims the learning of object-oriented techniques: it focuses on a faster development of complex software of high quality. Basically, the TOOHELP utilizes a simplified 00 meta model and it follows a process pattem that unifies the most known patterns of process in use today

A semiquantitative approach to the impurity-band-related transport properties of GaMnAs nanolayers

We investigate the spin-polarized transport of GaMnAs nanolayers in which a ferromagnetic order exists below a certain transition temperature. Our calculation for the self-averaged resistivity takes into account the existence of an impurity band determining the extended ("metallic" transport) or localized (hopping by thermal excitation) nature of the states at and near the Fermi level. Magnetic order and resistivity are inter-related due to the influence of the spin polarization of the impurity band and the effect of the Zeeman splitting on the mobility edge. We obtain, for a given range of Mn concentration and carrier density, a "metallic" behavior in which the transport by extended carriers dominates at low temperature, and is dominated by the thermally excited localized carriers near and above the transition temperature. This gives rise to a conspicuous hump of the resistivity which has been experimentally observed and brings light onto the relationship between transport and magnetic properties of this material