Research on Education in Developing Countries: an inventory of Dutch projects and programmes

SUMMARY The article surveys current Dutch research in the field, classifying it by theme, source of finance, and type of collaboration involved. Comment is then made on some of the concrete problems of research procedure. RESUMEN Investigación educacional en países en desarrollo: un inventarlo de los proyectos y programas holandeses El articulo analiza la investigación holandesa actual, clasificándola por tema, fuente financiera y tipo de colaboración involucrada. A continuación se hacen comentarios sobre los problemas concretos del procedimiento de investigación. SOMMAIRE Recherche sur l'éducation dans les pays en voie de développement: un inventaire des projets et des programmes hollandais L'article présente les recherches hollandaises dans ce domaine, en les classant par thème, source de financement et mode de collaboration pratiqué. Suit un commentaire concernant les problèmes concrets dans la procédure de recherche

Defining adaptation in a generic multi layer model : CAM: the GRAPPLE conceptual adaptation model

Authoring of Adaptive Hypermedia is a difficult and time consuming task. Reference models like LAOS and AHAM separate adaptation and content in different layers. Systems like AHA! offer graphical tools based on these models to allow authors to define adaptation without knowing any adaptation language. The adaptation that can be defined using such tools is still limited. Authoring systems like MOT are more flexible, but usability of adaptation specification is low. This paper proposes a more generic model which allows the adaptation to be defined in an arbitrary number of layers, where adaptation is expressed in terms of relationships between concepts. This model allows the creation of more powerful yet easier to use graphical authoring tools. This paper presents the structure of the Conceptual Adaptation Models used in adaptive applications created within the GRAPPLE adaptive learning environment, and their representation in a graphical authoring tool

Defining adaptation in a generic multi layer model : CAM: the GRAPPLE conceptual adaptation model

Authoring of Adaptive Hypermedia is a difficult and time consuming task. Reference models like LAOS and AHAM separate adaptation and content in different layers. Systems like AHA! offer graphical tools based on these models to allow authors to define adaptation without knowing any adaptation language. The adaptation that can be defined using such tools is still limited. Authoring systems like MOT are more flexible, but usability of adaptation specification is low. This paper proposes a more generic model which allows the adaptation to be defined in an arbitrary number of layers, where adaptation is expressed in terms of relationships between concepts. This model allows the creation of more powerful yet easier to use graphical authoring tools. This paper presents the structure of the Conceptual Adaptation Models used in adaptive applications created within the GRAPPLE adaptive learning environment, and their representation in a graphical authoring tool

Using Electronic Auctions to Improve Market Performance in Health Care

Electronic auctions can be applied in certain health care markets, but the effects on market structure, market behavior and market performance are unclear. We analyzed the effects of a reverse electronic auction initiative that was implemented by a new intermediary (CareAuction.nl) in the market for maternity care in the Netherlands in 2005 and 2006. We found small but significant effects on the price of maternity care (minus 2-4%), and significant effects on market structure (more care providers involved in the bidding processes) and market behavior (bidding behaviors and user preferences). We see good opportunities to improve health care market effectiveness for specific care services (non-emergency, elective, standardized care) and to further adapt the auction mechanism

Legacy of Le Grand Départ Tour de France Utrecht 2015

Abstract for the Sport Management Australia New Zealand conference in Tasmania in 2015. The aim of the abstract is to describe the research we are carrying out in Utrecht to the legacy of the first two stages of the Tour the France 2015 in the city of Utrecht – The Netherlands

Building bridges: experiences and lessons learned from the implementation of INSPIRE and e-reporting of air quality data in Europe

The collection, exchange and use of air quality data require diverse monitoring, processing and dissemination systems to work together. They should supply data, which can afterwards be used in different contexts such as planning, population exposure and environmental impact assessment. As air quality is not dependant on national borders this would only be feasible on an international level. This manuscript reports on the lessons learned from using the world’s largest data harmonization effort for environmental information infrastructure - INSPIRE as a backbone of a European wide spatial data reporting system which involves an unprecedented number of actors and volumes of data. It is important in the context of Digital Earth, and the establishment of a global SDI through the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), as the quality of ambient air is among the pressing environmental problems of today. We summarize our findings from the perspective of national public authorities, obliged by law to transmit spatio-temporal data in order to streamline reporting and facilitate the use of information, while keeping public expenditure at minimum. To identify what works in this type of reporting we established a cross-border case study, looking at the process of harmonization and exchange of data in Belgium and the Netherlands based on interoperable standards. Our results cover the legal, semantic, technological and organizational aspects of reporting. They are relevant to a cross-thematic audience, having to undergo similar processes of reporting, such as climate change, but also environmental noise, marine, biodiversity, and water management.JRC.H.6-Digital Earth and Reference Dat

European Union Location Framework - Guidelines for public procurement of geospatial technologies

These guidelines focus on the procurement of location information products and services, such as the acquisition of new location data to support applications, the acquisition of solutions for using location data and services in e Government processes and products and/or services for making data interoperable and/or accessible. The procurement can take place as part of the development of a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), the implementation of the INSPIRE regulation, or any other Directive in which such information and services are important, or within the context of regular activities of spatial data and service providers and users (e.g. Mapping and Cadastre Agencies, Government departments, local public administrations). The guidelines provide recommendations on elements of best practice in procurement in which location information and location enabled services are important, with some practical examples; and describe some concrete sample texts that could be used in invitations to tender when reference is made to location information and location enabled service requirements. The procurement process is also explained as part of a potential future e-procurement platform in which the application and updating of geospatial standards (through change requests) could be integrated as well.JRC.H.6-Digital Earth and Reference Dat

Revisiting the history, concepts and typologies of community management for rural drinking water supply in India

Community management has been widely criticized, yet it continues to play a significant role in rural drinking water supply. In India, as with other ‘emerging’ economies, the management model must now adapt to meet the policy demand for ever-increasing technical sophistication. Given this context, the paper reviews the history and concepts of community management to propose three typologies that better account for the changing role of the community and external support entities found in successful cases. It argues that external support entities must be prepared to take greater responsibility for providing ongoing support to communities for ensuring continuous service delivery