The Application of Virtual Tools in Teaching Dynamics in Engineering

Student success in Dynamics, a core subject in Mechanical Engineering courses, requires conceptual understanding of complex systems. Dynamics covers motion of particles and objects, and usually relies on 2 dimensional images and/or written descriptions to explain models and problems. This paper explores the value of visual representation of Dynamics problems with an assumption that it would facilitate student understanding of the content. Two approaches were applied for representation of Dynamics problems with the premise of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): used with augmented reality and web animation activities. Responses from students and reflection from lecturers were collected and reviewed in relation to the applicability and the ease of use. Students and lecturers both appreciated the benefits of visual representation of complex models, and the possibility of manipulating with virtual objects. Lecturers also appreciated the easy access and use of tools during the class

A community of practice approach to enhancing academic integrity policy translation: a case study

Abstract Introduction Academic integrity policy that is inaccessible, ambiguous or confusing is likely to result in inconsistent policy enactment. Additionally, policy analysis and development are often undertaken as top down processes requiring passive acceptance by users of policy that has been developed outside the context in which it is enacted. Both these factors can result in poor policy uptake, particularly where policy users are overworked, intellectually critical and capable, not prone to passive acceptance and hold valuable grass roots intelligence about policy enactment. Case description The case study presented in this paper describes the actions of a community of practice (CoP) at a regional Australian university to deconstruct and translate ambiguous academic integrity policy into a suite of accessible academic integrity resources that were intelligible to staff and students, and which assisted academic staff to consistently enact policy. The paper narrates the formation of the CoP, the tangible and intangible value it created, the social learning practices enacted by its members, its grassroots policy work and the material resources produced from that work. Discussion and evaluation An evaluation of the CoP was conducted using a value creation framework to explore its immediate value, potential value, applied value, realised value, and reframing value. These values were considered at each stages of the CoP’s lifespan. The evaluation was a useful process that demonstrated the wide-ranging value created by the CoP. Six insights were drawn from the evaluation which promote understanding of the value created for a university by a CoP, particularly in contributing to academic integrity culture over a sustained period of time. Conclusions This paper contributes to a research gap on specific examples of discretion within rule-based systems. It illustrates how academics and members of the CoP used their discretion to interpret and enact academic integrity policy within a higher education setting. Drawing from the evaluation of the CoP we argue for greater understanding of the grass-roots contribution of academic and professional staff to academic integrity policy translation and enactment

Incremental crop tolerance to weeds: a measure for selecting competitive ability in Australian wheats

Total reliance on herbicides for weed control is unsustainable with the spread of herbicide resistance and the environmental need to reduce pesticide use. Strongly competitive wheat crops that have high tolerance to weed pressure and therefore maintain high yields in the presence of weeds are a low-cost option for reducing dependence on herbicides. We examined the feasibility of selecting for wheat tolerance to weeds by crossing varieties differing for traits associated with competitiveness. Competitive ability and yield potential must be treated as separate traits for selection. Current measures of crop tolerance to weed competition do not separate the two traits so that selection based on these measures is often synonymous with selection for yield potential rather than pure tolerance. We propose a new measure, termed Incremental Crop Tolerance (ICT) that reflects the incremental yield difference between genotypes associated with tolerance, over and above differences in underlying yield potential

Interaction of Genotype, Environment and Herbicides in wheat (Triticum aestivuum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) across a range of environments in Australia

Wheat and barley cultivars can display differential tolerance to herbicides used in Australian cereal production. Seasonal variability can be seen across single cultivars in response to herbicide application. However, it is unknown how much herbicide damage can be explained by seasonal variability, and whether cultivars respond similarly across a range of environments. Currently five Australian states are conducting herbicide by cultivar tolerance research projects; however crossover between these projects has been limited due to differing nature of cultivar and herbicide uses in each state. To overcome this, from 2010 to 2012, a series of genotype x environment x herbicide trials were simultaneously conducted across five states (NSW, QLD, SA, WA and Vic). Trials comprised of barley cultivars Hindmarsh and Buloke and wheat cultivar Janz with eight herbicide treatments and an untreated control to ensure uniformity across all states. Observations made throughout the year included normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI), grain yield, grain protein, small grain screenings and test weight. Results identified that environmental effects can significantly impact the herbicide response of barley and wheat cultivars with considerable amounts of variation observed site-to-site and year-to-year. Grouping of barley cultivars Hindmarsh and Buloke showed similar trends in results, suggesting that herbicide responses can be repeated from one season to the next. The limited correlation between the sites highlighted the degree of variation in herbicide response across environment and genotype, and therefore agro-ecological region specific testing over longer periods would be advantageous to gain increased confidence in identifying levels of herbicide tolerance

Moving forward with digital badges

This symposium is based on a recently published edited volume “Foundations of Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials” which aims to provide insight into how digital badges may enhance formal and informal education by focusing on technical design issues including organizational requirements, instructional design, and deployment. All panel members are contributors to the edited volume and will share their perspectives on (1) digital badges’ impact on learning and assessment, (2) digital badges within instructional design and technological frameworks, and (3) the importance of stakeholders for the implementation of digital badges

The Centenary Community Engagement Fund Working Paper: Partnership working, current community challenges and interdisciplinary research opportunities

The University of Leicester’s centenary celebrations provide a timely opportunity for academics, staff and students to endorse our civic mission and engage anew with partners and stakeholders in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR). The University owes its existence to the foresight and commitment of local people, who in the aftermath of the First World War helped to champion and establish University College Leicester in 1921, in the belief that access to higher education would enable a better future for all in the city and counties. The College was awarded university status in 1957, and its history and fortune has been inextricably linked with the city and local communities in LLR. Over the years, we have worked together passionately, to reap new opportunities, face immense challenges and help to improve lives in communities locally across the UK and internationally. Community partnership and collaboration can readily be witnessed through the hundreds of academics, students and staff who are actively involved with mission driven charities and third sector organisations many of whom participated in the Centenary Community Engagement Fund Workshop in November. Our leading researchers also have very strong links with community facing organisations and major institutions such as the University Hospitals of Leicester Trust. The same is true of multi-disciplinary academic research teams collaborating proactively with charities, businesses, social enterprises and organisations in a wide range of sectors from social care to arts and culture. This paper is concerned with the Centenary Community Engagement Fund just one of the new civic initiatives launched during our Centenary year. This Fund will provide £125,000 in philanthropic funding for novel interdisciplinary research with partners and for more sought after internships for our talented students