TOLD LIKE IT IS! AN EVALUATION OF AN INTEGRATED ORAL DEVELOPMENT PILOT PROJECT

Much established pedagogical and CALL (computer-assisted language learning) research advocates an integrated constructivist approach to the use of technology in language learning. This paper reports on a pilot project delivered to first year undergraduate French students. The project aim was to deliver a blend of collaborative and individual learning through a combination of CALL programs and online activities alongside traditional face-to-face conversation classes. Using quantitative analysis of a pre- and posttest and a variety of questionnaires, this project assessed student progress in developing oral skills across two groups, one (the treatment group) using technology and the other (the comparison group) being a traditional conversation class. Each group covered the same content and underwent the same assessment procedures. In addition, through qualitative analysis measures, the project evaluated the role played by additional variables in the learning process, as well as student and staff reactions to the two approaches. The study concludes by showing that while progress was made by both groups, the progress made by those not using technology was significantly greater than that made by students using technology over a short-term study. It also highlights the need for developing pedagogy to ensure that CALL-based teaching goes beyond rehearsal activity to achieve message-orientated communication

'Renouvellement, integration et evaluation des pratiques pedagogiques d'Apprentissage des langues Assiste par Ordinateur dans la salle de classe multimedia SmartClass

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The OSCAR code: modelling and simulation of the corrosion product behaviour under nucleate boiling conditions in PWRs

International audienceThe PWR primary circuit materials are subject to general corrosion leading to metallic elements (mainly Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn, Co) transfer and subsequent ion precipitation and particle deposition processes on the primary circuit surfaces. When deposited on fuel rods, these species are activated by neutron flux. Thus, crud erosion and dissolution processes result in primary coolant activities. During a normal operating cycle in an EDF PWR, the volume activities in the coolant are relatively stable (usually about 10-30 Bq.g-1 in Co-58). During some cycles (depending on fuel management), a significant increase in Co-58 and Cr-51 volume activities can be observed (10 to 100 times the ordinary volume activities). This increase in volume activities is due to local sub-cooled nucleate boiling on the hottest parts of some fuel assemblies. Indeed, it is well known that nucleate boiling enhances the deposition and precipitation processes. Crud growth in boiling conditions is related to different phenomena: Enrichment: concentration increases at crud-coolant interface, Boiling deposition by vaporisation: fluid vaporization at wall results in particle deposition and ion precipitation. As the crud growth, boiling occurs in the crud itself, so do the ion precipitation and deposition of the small particles. Boiling deposition by trapping: some of the small particles trapped at the interface bubble/fluid make deposit when a bubble leaves the wall. Enhanced erosion: turbulences generated by bubbles collapsing close to the wall and spalling above a certain deposit thickness enhance erosion; it results in the release of particle agglomerates.These phenomena have been modelled in the OSCAR V1.3 code. In this article, we present the modelling of these mass transfer mechanisms in boiling conditions and we show that the crud amount on fuel rods and the volume activities in the primary coolant in case of boiling calculated by OSCAR are in accordance with the experimental feedback on French PWRs

Modelling of crud growth phenomena on PWR fuel rods under nucleate boiling conditions

International audiencePWR primary circuit materials undergo general corrosion leading to a release of metallic element release and subsequent process of particle deposition and ion precipitation on the primary circuit surfaces. The species accumulated on fuel rods are activated by neutron flux. Consequently, crud erosion and dissolution induce primary coolant contamination. In French PWRs, 58 Co volume activity is generally low and almost constant (< 30 MBq.m-3) throughout an ordinary operating cycle. In some specific cases, a significant increase in volume activity is observed after the middle of a cycle (100-1000 MBq.m-3 for 58 Co) when conditions for nucleate boiling are locally reached in certain fuel assemblies. Indeed, it is well known that nucleate boiling intensifies the deposition process. The thickness of the crud layer can reach some micrometers in non-boiling areas, whereas it can reach 100 micrometers in boiling areas

The OSCAR code: modelling and simulation of the corrosion product behaviour under nucleate boiling conditions in PWRs

International audienceThe PWR primary circuit materials are subject to general corrosion leading to metallic elements (mainly Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn, Co) transfer and subsequent ion precipitation and particle deposition processes on the primary circuit surfaces. When deposited on fuel rods, these species are activated by neutron flux. Thus, crud erosion and dissolution processes result in primary coolant activities. During a normal operating cycle in an EDF PWR, the volume activities in the coolant are relatively stable (usually about 10-30 Bq.g-1 in Co-58). During some cycles (depending on fuel management), a significant increase in Co-58 and Cr-51 volume activities can be observed (10 to 100 times the ordinary volume activities). This increase in volume activities is due to local sub-cooled nucleate boiling on the hottest parts of some fuel assemblies. Indeed, it is well known that nucleate boiling enhances the deposition and precipitation processes. Crud growth in boiling conditions is related to different phenomena: Enrichment: concentration increases at crud-coolant interface, Boiling deposition by vaporisation: fluid vaporization at wall results in particle deposition and ion precipitation. As the crud growth, boiling occurs in the crud itself, so do the ion precipitation and deposition of the small particles. Boiling deposition by trapping: some of the small particles trapped at the interface bubble/fluid make deposit when a bubble leaves the wall. Enhanced erosion: turbulences generated by bubbles collapsing close to the wall and spalling above a certain deposit thickness enhance erosion; it results in the release of particle agglomerates.These phenomena have been modelled in the OSCAR V1.3 code. In this article, we present the modelling of these mass transfer mechanisms in boiling conditions and we show that the crud amount on fuel rods and the volume activities in the primary coolant in case of boiling calculated by OSCAR are in accordance with the experimental feedback on French PWRs

Modelling of crud growth phenomena on PWR fuel rods under nucleate boiling conditions

International audiencePWR primary circuit materials undergo general corrosion leading to a release of metallic element release and subsequent process of particle deposition and ion precipitation on the primary circuit surfaces. The species accumulated on fuel rods are activated by neutron flux. Consequently, crud erosion and dissolution induce primary coolant contamination. In French PWRs, 58 Co volume activity is generally low and almost constant (< 30 MBq.m-3) throughout an ordinary operating cycle. In some specific cases, a significant increase in volume activity is observed after the middle of a cycle (100-1000 MBq.m-3 for 58 Co) when conditions for nucleate boiling are locally reached in certain fuel assemblies. Indeed, it is well known that nucleate boiling intensifies the deposition process. The thickness of the crud layer can reach some micrometers in non-boiling areas, whereas it can reach 100 micrometers in boiling areas

Bacterial diversity on stained glass windows

International audienceIn order to explore the role of bacteria in the alteration of stained glass windows, and especially on the browning phenomenon, it is necessary to have an overview of the microbial inhabitants likely to be found on this kind of material. In this study, biological samples were collected on stained glass of different colours, both on site and stored in a conservation workshop. Cultivable bacterial communities were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. Similarity values ranged from 99 to 100% to known bacteria. Sequence analysis showed different bacterial communities depending on the sampling site. The more represented genera were Arthrobacter, Micrococcus, Paenibacillus and Bacillus. Some of the identified bacteria are known for their weathering potential