Concept mapping as a medium of shared cognition in computer-supported collaborative problem solving

This article presents an experimental study aimed at investigating the learning effectiveness of concept mapping for computer-supported collaborative problem solving. The main assumption underlying this research is that shared cognition is substantial for cognitive construction and reconstruction and that concept mapping is an effective tool for mediating computer-supported collaboration. Three scenarios for "mediated group interaction" by concept mapping have been designed-distributed, moderated, and shared. They are based on the assumption that the form in which knowledge is shared strongly influences the process of shaping, and shared cognition subsequently influences the effectiveness of collaborative learning. These three scenarios demonstrated differential effects towards various aspects of learning effectiveness both at the group and at the individual level. It is concluded that both the mode of sharing and the representation of knowledge as expressed by students are more important than the access to the distributed resources itself. The sharing scenarios showed to be most appropriate for establishing a supportive learning environment

Preface: Distributed Cognition and Educational Practice

Traditionally, cognition has been treated as residing in the head, as being a property of the individual mind. To a large extent, current psychological and educational practice is founded upon this conception of cognition. Nevertheless, in recent years and in cognitive traditions such as educational psychology and cognitive science it has been advocated that cognition does not reside only in the head. Rather, it is suggested that cognition extends beyond the skin, essentially being distributed along two main dimensions; material and social. Assuming that an individual is performing a certain task, the material dimension of the distribution refers to the incorporation of all kinds of mental and physical artifacts in which cognition is encapsulated. On the other hand, the social dimension of the distribution of cognition refers to the involvement of social others who provide assistance in many ways during task execution by functioning as cognitive resources

SMILE Maker: Concept-Orientation in Agent-Based Architectures for Personal Assistance and Collaborative Problem Solving

The paper presents some experimentally validated design solutions on the groupware module ‘Partner’ of SMILE Maker for mobile and personal support facilities. Three types of scenarios for collaborative problem solving have been tested. Pin-cards, Delphi and BrainMapping modes proved to have a differential effect on learning and collaborative problem solving suggesting concrete design solutions. SMILE Maker is a web-based knowledge support system promoting with just in time, just enough and just at point of need intelligent support in dealing with ill-structured problem situations. Conceptually SMILE Maker lies in a cross-section area of four recently strongly recognized paradigms: problem solving, concept mapping, collaborative learning and instructional design. The module ‘Partner’ of SMILE Maker enables a shared group environment for distributing learning resources. It supports externalis ation and sharing the individual potential in terms of formal expertise and tacit knowledge, organised by the personalised meaningful perception of the problem space

Cisplatin delivery vehicles based on stabilized polymeric aggregates comprising poly(acrylic acid) chains

This is the final peer-reviewed manuscript accepted for publication in Polymer Journal. Citation of the published version is: Polymer Journal 49, 607–615 (2017)

Learning effectiveness of concept mapping in a computer-supported collaborative problems solving design

The paper presents an experimental study aimed at investigating the learning effectiveness of concept mapping in a computer supported collaborative problem solving design. The main assumption underlying this research is that shared cognition is a substantial for cognitive construction and reconstruction and that concept mapping is an effective tool for mediating computer supported collaboration. Based on the assumption that the form in which knowledge is shared influence strongly the process of building a shared cognition and hence – the effectiveness of collaborative learning, three scenarios of concept mapping mediated group interaction have been designed – Distributed, Moderated and Shared. These tree scenarios demonstrated differential effect towards different aspects of learning effectiveness both at a group and at an individual level. It is concluded that the mode of sharing and the form of knowledge, which students communicate are more important than the access to the distributed resources itself. The Sharing scenarios showed to be the most appropriate for establishing a supportive learning environment in computer supported collaborative problem solving

EVALUATION OF SOIL CONTAMINATION DEGREE IN THE REGION OF MARITZA-EAST THERMAL POWER PLANTS USING MAGNETIC METHODS

Pilot study on soil contamination degree around the Maritza East thermal power plants, evaluated through applying magnetic methods, is presented. The magnetometry method is based on the well-established fact that anthropogenically contaminated with fly ashes soils display enhanced magnetic susceptibility, as well as other specific magnetic characteristics. Results from the magnetic investigations carried out in our study evidence significant soil contamination near the pollution sources and decreasing degree of anthropogenic load further away. The method applied is economically more efficient compared to classical physical and chemical methods for evaluation of soil contamination

Serological and Molecular Biological Studies of Parvovirus B19, Coxsackie B Viruses, and Adenoviruses as Potential Cardiotropic Viruses in Bulgaria

Background: Inflammatory diseases of the heart (myocarditis, pericarditis) are commonly caused by viruses. Among the human cardiotropic viruses, parvovirus B19, Coxsackie B viruses, and adenoviruses play a leading role