Impact of quantitative evaluation methods on the quality of scientific research conducted by university teachers

The theoretical part of this paper analyzes the issue of professional development of university teachers in the context of lifelong learning, points out the character of currently used methods of evaluation of their scientific research, as well as the importance and effects of legislation that deals with quantitative methods for the evaluation of scientific research conducted by university teachers and associates. The methodological framework of the research is based on the research goal focused on examining opinions of teachers and associates at teacher training faculties about the contribution of quantitative evaluation methods of scientific research conducted to the quality of professional development and scientific research of teachers and associates at teacher training faculties with respect to a) belonging to the university where they are employed, b) experience, c) gained scientific degree, d) the number of papers published on the SCI list. The overall objective of the research was realized through two research objectives: 1) to examine how teachers at teacher training faculties perceive the impact of quantitative methods for the evaluation of scientific research on the quality of their own scientific research; 2) to establish how teachers see the correlation between the quality of scientific research and normative acts of the university related to election and appointment to teaching positions; 3) to determine whether and to what extent existing quantitative evaluation methods affect the autonomy of researchers in terms of the choice of their research content and time dynamics. By implementing the descriptive method, Likert attitude scale, we examined and analyzed the attitudes of 97 teachers and associates at teacher training faculties in Užice, Belgrade, Vranje and Jagodina. Results show that, in the opinion of teachers and associates at teacher training faculties, quantitative evaluation methods do contribute to the quality of teaching and professional development of both teachers and associates, but not to a sufficient extent

Underwater mixed environments

In this chapter we give a systematic overview over Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in underwater settings. Based on a novel classification scheme we illustrate the broad range of available and future implementation options. Whilst we find a variety of previous work on creating and using virtual underwater worlds, quite few examples of real underwater settings exist up to now. So we concentrate on this new category, sketch attractive application areas that go beyond entertainment and derive requirements for Underwater Mixed Environments (UWME). Combined with a short summary on relevant aspects of underwater optics, we formulate some topics of future research to overcome current limitations of UWME

Emerging Techniques and Materials for Water Pollutants Detection

Rapid industrialization and population boom have led to deterioration of water quality, rising health issues and environmental damage, which made it imperative to monitor and regulate the water pollutants. Earlier, water samples were monitored using grab sampling method and then analysis was performed in the laboratory. This process is arduous and time consuming; also, there are poor chances of detecting a periodic pollution. For a proactive response sensor technology is popular these days for pollutant monitoring. A variety of sensing techniques and materials are available. But recently nanomaterials have absorbed attention for fabricating sensors owing to their high surface to volume ratio, ease of functionalization which enable them to have high specificity and sensitivity. This chapter intends to review the emerging materials used for making water pollutant sensors and gives an insight into the emerging techniques like microfluidic sensors, biosensors, wireless sensor network and smart sensors