New challenges in online and distance learning: Making the jump from printed module to hyperlinked-integrated module

In recent years open and distance learning (ODL) has become widely accepted and implemented by many higher education institutions. ODL aims at delivering education to learners in a distributed learning environment. Ccontrary to general perception that ODL education signifies e-learning, learners in ODL institutions still appear to rely heavily on the use of printed modules. Current learning management systems in most ODL environment do not seem to have been very successful in promoting active constructivist learning. This paper seeks to analyze the needs of ODL learners as compared to conventional learners. Based on their differing needs, the authors identify the limitations of the conventional printed modules and propose elements that need to be included in the design of effective ODL learning systems. Following that, the authors suggest the development and use of hyperlinked-Integrated Modules (HIM) to replace the conventional printed modul. Some functionalities of HIM are discussed. (Authors' abstract

Wai-Kwan Alfred Yung, MD, Oral History Interview, May 7, 2014

Major Topics Coveted: History of Neuro-Oncology services and research at MD Anderson History of the Department of Neuro-Oncology The Brain Tumor Center: collaborative relationships and shared resources with Neuro-Oncology, Neuro-Surgery, Neuro-Pathology, neuro-imaging and other support fieldshttps://openworks.mdanderson.org/mchv_interviewsessions/1048/thumbnail.jp

ArithFusion: An Arithmetic Deep Model for Temporal Remote Sensing Image Fusion

Different satellite images may consist of variable numbers of channels which have different resolutions, and each satellite has a unique revisit period. For example, the Landsat-8 satellite images have 30 m resolution in their multispectral channels, the Sentinel-2 satellite images have 10 m resolution in the pan-sharp channel, and the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) aerial images have 1 m resolution. In this study, we propose a simple yet effective arithmetic deep model for multimodal temporal remote sensing image fusion. The proposed model takes both low- and high-resolution remote sensing images at t1 together with low-resolution images at a future time t2 from the same location as inputs and fuses them to generate high-resolution images for the same location at t2. We propose an arithmetic operation applied to the low-resolution images at the two time points in feature space to take care of temporal changes. We evaluated the proposed model on three modality pairs for multimodal temporal image fusion, including downsampled WorldView-2/original WorldView-2, Landsat-8/Sentinel-2, and Sentinel-2/NAIP. Experimental results show that our model outperforms traditional algorithms and recent deep learning-based models by large margins in most scenarios, achieving sharp fused images while appropriately addressing temporal changes

Learners' evaluation of HTML modules

A major step taken by OUM, as part of the continuous effort to improve its learning system and tools was the conversion of the print module, used primarily as resource for selfmanaged learning, into the web-based HTML modules. This paper describes the research which was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of OUM’s HTML modules from learners’ perspective. A set of questionnaire was prepared for the purpose. Subsequently a user evaluation survey was administered at OUM’s various learning centres. The analyses of the study indicate that HTML modules are generally well accepted by the learners. A t-test conducted indicates that the male learners rated the HTML modules higher than the female learners. Another Pearson correlation test shows that the ICT competency of the users has little effect on their perceived quality of the HTML modules, even though the modules are basically computer-based. Recommendations for improvements are proposed. (Abstract by authors

Evaluation of OUM's Web-Based HTML Modules from the Theoretical and Practical Perspective towards proposing an Improved Model

Open University Malaysia (OUM) is an open and distance learning (ODL) institution in Malaysia. It adopts a blended learning mode of instructional delivery which comprises three components: self managed learning using the print modules, online learning and face-to-face instruction. The self-managed learning component constitutes about 80% of the estimated learning time and the print module is the main resource used by learners to guide their learning. In the past two years, the University has been embarking on a major project of converting all its print modules to the web-based HTML modules. This research study was carried out to determine the efficacy of the web-based HTML modules as a self-managed learning tool. This research study research adopted a twophase approach. In the first phase, the modules were thoroughly examined by the researchers to determine the extent to which the web-based HTML modules comply with criteria of an effective learning tool from the theoretical perspective. The examination revealed a number of missing elements which are essential for effective online selfmanaged learning. Subsequently, a survey was conducted in the second phase to depict users' ratings (OUM learners) on the adequacy of the modules from the technical, interface-design, learner-support and instructional perspective. Design of Items for evaluating the adequacies were closely guided by the seven principles of good practice in undergraduate education (Chickering and Gamson ,1987). Research results reveal that that the web-based HTML modules are generally perceived by learners to be a useful self-managed learning tool. Pearson Product correlation calculated shows that the learners' perceptions on the adequacies of the modules have weak correlations with their competencies in ICT despite the fact that using web-based modules may require some knowledge or skills in ICT. T-test conducted also reveals that there is only slight difference between male learners and female learners towards the perceived quality of the modules. Examination form the theoretical perspective together with feedbacks from the users however help to identify some missing but necessary elements for effective learning. Based on the analyses, a revised conceptual framework for the design and development of the revised web-based interactive modules (WebIM) was proposed. (Executive summary

Residual quantification and oxidative stress induced by malachite green after subacute and sublethal exposure in red tilapia

Background and Aim: Malachite green (MG) is an effective antiparasitic and antifungal chemical for treatment of fish. However, MG is reported to be a potential carcinogen. Yet, it is widely used in aquaculture despite its prohibition for use in food-producing animals by the EU and USFDA. The present study quantified MG residues and evaluated the oxidative stress in red tilapia when exposed to subacute and sublethal concentrations of MG. Materials and Methods: Red tilapia exposed to subacute (0.105 mg/L for 20 days) and sublethal (0.053 mg/L for 60 days) concentrations were evaluated for total plasma protein, total immunoglobulin, nitroblue tetrazolium activity, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) activity levels. The residues of MG and leuco-MG (LMG) were also quantified in the fish muscles using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Fish exposed to subacute concentration showed higher CAT on day 10 in the liver and days 5 and 15 in the spleen, whereas in fish exposed to the sublethal concentration, higher levels of GSH were observed on day 1 in the kidney and day 50 in the spleen. Fish muscle was able to accumulate the sum of MG and LMG of 108.04 μg/kg for subacute (day 20) and 82.68 μg/kg for sublethal (day 60). Conclusion: This study showed that red tilapia was able to adapt to the stress caused by exposure to MG at sublethal concentration

Kajian rintis kesan Program Webinar SHIELDS ke atas ketahanan diri dalam kalangan pelajar berisiko di Kampar, Perak

Kajian rintis eksperimen ini bertujuan melihat kesahan dan memeriksa kebolehpercayaan instrument ketahanan diri dan mengkaji kesan Program Webinar SHIELDS ke atas ketahanan diri dalam Kalangan pelajar berisiko. Keberkesanan Program Webinar SHIELDS diukur dari segi peningkatan ketahanan diri bagi kumpulan rawatan. Kajian eksperimen ini dijalankan kepada pelajar berisiko di sebuah sekolah berisiko di daerah Kampar, Perak. Pelajar berisiko didefinisikan sebagai individu yang mempunyai tahap yang rendah dari segi tahap ketahanan diri. Soal selidik kajian ini mengandungi dua bahagian iaitu maklumat demografi pelajar dan soal selidik kajian Skala Ketahanan Diri 25 item (Wagnild & Young, 1993). Seramai 32 subjek yang memiliki ketahanan diri yang rendah telah dipilih dan dibahagikan kepada dua kumpulan iaitu kumpulan rawatan dan kumpulan kawalan. Subjek dari kumpulan rawatan telah mengikuti program webinar SHIELDS yang merangkumi 12 aktiviti secara dalam talian masa 3 hari melalui aplikasi Google Meets. Data kajian dianalisis menggunakan perisian IBM SPSS (26) dengan menggunakan melalui analisa diskriptif, Analisis faktor penerokaan dan ujian-t dengan aras signifikan 0.5. Hasil Analisa akhir faktor penerokaan, sebanyak 12 item perlu disingkirkan dan selebihnya iaitu 13 item dikenalpasti sesuai untuk digunakan untuk mengukur ketahanan diri dari pada 25 item keseluruhan. Dapatan kajian mendapati kumpulan rawatan yang menerima program webinar SHIELDS berkesan dalam meningkatkan pembolehubah terikat ketahanan diri bagi kumpulan rawatan berbanding dari kumpuan kawalan. Kajian ini memberi sumbangan kepada Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM), Agensi Antidadah Kebangsaan (AADK), dan kepada pengkaji lain dalam mengaplikasikan program webinar SHIELDS bagi meningkatkan ketahanan diri dalam kalangan pelajar berisiko. Sehubungan itu, ia amat berguna bagi membantu meningkatkan keperbagaian program pencegahan penyalahgunaan dadah di Malaysia khususnya

Influence of light on biomass and lipid production in microalgae cultivation

Microalgae have a diverse application in food, pharmaceutical, beauty, animal feed and bioenergy industry. The demand for high-quality pure microalgae biomass has steered the large-scale production of microalgae in the photobioreactor. The usage of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source is gaining attention as to conventional fluorescent lamps due to the higher energy conversion ratio, lower heat dissipation and its flexible application in photobioreactors. Besides, the narrow spectrum of LEDs could efficiently promote specific compounds in microalgae. This article reviews the influence of using various LED spectra on the biomass and lipid composition of microalgae. In addition, suggestions on the use of different LEDs cultivating common microalgae species in aquaculture are provided