Meeting the Needs of Distance Learners

This study draws on the experience of a cohort of 22 multinational and multilingual students enrolled in a Master in Education (MEd) distance learning program administered by a British university. It's purpose is to locate the aims and philosophies of distance learning within the experiences of actual distance learners in order to see if learners ' needs were being met by the program and to obtain a fuller understanding of core aspects of distance education. The study found that students were, on the whole, satisfied with the course materials, the choice of modules, assignment feedback, and length of time given to complete the assignments, but significant problems surfaced regarding issues of student support, and access to and provision of resource materials. Arguably, these are issues intrinsic to the successful provision of distance learning courses, and the results both concord with aspects of the research literature (Burge & Howard

The oxidation of carbon monoxide using a tin oxide catalyst

This paper outlines some of the steps involved in the development by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) of a catalytic device for the recombination of carbon monoxide and oxygen in a CO2 laser system. It contrasts the differences between CO oxidation for air purification and for laser environmental control, but indicates that there are similarities between the physical specifications. The principal features of catalytic devices are outlined and some experimental work described. This includes measurements concerning the structure and mechanical properties of the artifact, the preparation of the catalyst coating and its interaction with the gaseous environment. The paper concludes with some speculation about the method by which the reaction actually occurs

'Walking the talk': How companies succeed in managing risk at sea

This paper draws upon research about risk and risk management conducted with the support of The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust1. The wider research was large in scale comprising the analysis of over 2,300 questionnaires and a range of data relating to maritime incidents. In addition the study incorporated a detailed analysis of five case study companies. It is this latter element of the research which forms the basis for this paper which considers the differences in perceptions between shore-based, and ship-based, staff working for ship operators in relation to risk management. The paper explores the means of communication utilised for the transmission of data and ideas about safety and risk management both to, and from, management. It then goes on to consider why it is that despite considerable efforts to write and to talk about safety and risk management, many companies are unsuccessful in encouraging their sea-staff to believe that safety is a genuine company priority and therefore to adhere closely to company policy in relation to safety management

Geographical Patterns of Labor Force Participation Rates in Oklahoma Counties

The main theme of this study concerns the variations of labor force participation rates in Oklahoma counties. The study has three main objectives. First, it tries to develop a set of geographical models to investigate the extent that personal, family factors and labor market conditions affect labor force participation rates in Oklahoma counties. Second, the effect of work-residence separation on the labor force participation is examined. Finally, for more insights into geographic variability of labor force participation rates, analysis, mapping and interpretation of residuals from regression are undertaken.Geograph

Safety and perceptions of risk: a comparison between respondent perceptions and recorded accident data

This report is the third of a series examining ‘safety and perceptions of risk’ in the maritime sector. The report compares data obtained from two sources. The first are derived from a large scale questionnaire survey conducted in 2006 by The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust Research Unit (The LRETRU) at the Seafarers International Research Centre (SIRC). This was designed to identify how workers in the maritime sector perceive risk. Completed responses were received from 2,372 individuals from 50 different countries, with a response rate of 36%. The second set of data consists of incident data obtained from 16 Maritime Administrations and two shipping companies. Only six of the Administration datasets were suitable for aggregation and thus comparison. The two sets of data are compared to determine the extent to which workers’ perceptions of risk correlate with reported incident frequencies. The analysis is presented in two parts. The first examines ship level incidents, i.e. collision, fire, grounding, etc. The second focuses on factors related to personal injury, and includes the following: cause of injury; task being undertaken; broader context; place of incident aboard ship; rank; work department; nationality; age; experience; and types of vessel

Training and technology onboard ship: How seafarers learned to use the shipboard Automatic Identification System (AIS)

This report is the first of a series which will focus upon seafarer training in relation to the introduction of shipboard technology as, and when, it occurs. The report focuses upon the universal introduction of AIS in December 2004 which provided the ideal opportunity to observe the extent to which training accompanies the introduction of new onboard technology. Prior to the conduct of interviews with seafarers about the training which accompanied the introduction of AIS, we attempted to ascertain the level of errors identified in relation to information transmitted using AIS and we treated this as an indicator of the competence of seafarers in relation to its use. The report is based on data collected at three time points over a four year period (October 2004, October 2005 and October 2007). The report indicates the levels of errors in the use of AIS and how these levels varied over time. It also considers the extent to which AIS appears to encourage the “improper” use of VHF radio for collision avoidance and the implications of this for training. The use of VHF radio to negotiate collision avoidance between ships has long been held to be a problem by many agencies concerned with navigation, such as, the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA). Error

'Walking the talk': How companies succeed in managing risk at sea

This paper draws upon research about risk and risk management conducted with the support of The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust1. The wider research was large in scale comprising the analysis of over 2,300 questionnaires and a range of data relating to maritime incidents. In addition the study incorporated a detailed analysis of five case study companies. It is this latter element of the research which forms the basis for this paper which considers the differences in perceptions between shore-based, and ship-based, staff working for ship operators in relation to risk management. The paper explores the means of communication utilised for the transmission of data and ideas about safety and risk management both to, and from, management. It then goes on to consider why it is that despite considerable efforts to write and to talk about safety and risk management, many companies are unsuccessful in encouraging their sea-staff to believe that safety is a genuine company priority and therefore to adhere closely to company policy in relation to safety management