Landscape Study in Wireless and Mobile Learning in the post-16 sector

In the post-16 sector (further and higher education, and adult and community learning) there is a need to understand how wireless and mobile technologies can contribute to improving the student experience of learning, and help institutions fulfil their missions in an age of incomparably fast technological change. In the context of this interest and growing need, a Landscape Study project was commissioned by JISC through the Innovation strand of the JISC e-Learning Programme in 2004-5. Our project aims were to take a birds-eye view of developments and practice in the UK and internationally, and to communicate our findings to a broad and varied audience. The Summary report is accompanied by 3 associated reports on 'Current Uses', 'Potential Uses' and 'Strategic Aspects'. (The four reports are available in one single document here.

Paper Session I-C - The Spaceborne Imaging Radar and X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/ X-SAR) Mission: Toward an Understanding of our Changing Planet

Data from the Spaceborne Imaging Radar and X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) are being used by the international science community to understand the global environment and how it is changing. Fifty-two teams of scientists from 13 countries were originally selected to analyze SIR-C/X-SAR for studies of Ecology, Hydrology, Geology and Oceanography. Access to the data through a public archive, has also made it possible for many additional scientists to use the unique perspective of space and this sophisticated sensor to explore our planet in more detail than has ever before been possible. Data have already been used to validate models for mapping vegetation type and amount, measuring snow and soil moisture, and mapping flooding extent. Data acquired in the radar interferometry mode have been used to generate topographic maps and measure topographic changes in the six months between the two flights of SIR-C/X-SAR in April and October, 1994. SIR-C/X-SAR not only represents a highly successful international collaboration for science, but also for the advancement of space technology. SIR-C/X-SAR uses three microwave wavelengths L-band (24 cm), C-band (6 cm) and Sband (3 cm). SIR-C was developed by NASA\u27s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, X-SAR was developed by the Dornier and Alenia Spazio companies for the German Space Agency, Deutsche Agentur fuer Raumfahrtangelegenheiten (DARA), and the Italian Space Agency, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), with the Deutsche Forschangeanstalt fuer Luft und Raumfahrt e.v. (DLR), the major partner in science, operations and data processing of X-SAR

Comparisons of Phonetic Context Distributions in Lexical and Child-Generated Nonsense Utterances

No abstract provided by author

Algorithms for operations on probability distributions in a computer algebra system

In mathematics and statistics, the desire to eliminate mathematical tedium and facilitate exploration has lead to computer algebra systems. These computer algebra systems allow students and researchers to perform more of their work at a conceptual level. The design of generic algorithms for tedious computations allows modelers to push current modeling boundaries outward more quickly.;Probability theory, with its many theorems and symbolic manipulations of random variables is a discipline in which automation of certain processes is highly practical, functional, and efficient. There are many existing statistical software packages, such as SPSS, SAS, and S-Plus, that have numeric tools for statistical applications. There is a potential for a probability package analogous to these statistical packages for manipulation of random variables. The software package being developed as part of this dissertation, referred to as A Probability Programming Language (APPL) is a random variable manipulator and is proposed to fill a technology gap that exists in probability theory.;My research involves developing algorithms for the manipulation of discrete random variables. By defining data structures for random variables and writing algorithms for implementing common operations, more interesting and mathematically intractable probability problems can be solved, including those not attempted in undergraduate statistics courses because they were deemed too mechanically arduous. Algorithms for calculating the probability density function of order statistics, transformations, convolutions, products, and minimums/maximums of independent discrete random variables are included in this dissertation

Comparisons of Phonetic Context Distributions in Lexical and Child-Generated Nonsense Utterances

No abstract provided by author

Digital Transformation in Australian Local Government: A Systematic Literature Review

Rapid technological growth has led to increased demand from technology-savvy citizens for their local government (LG) to offer efficient and effective digital services. Many Australian LGs are either considering taking or have taken first step towards digitally transforming their LGs. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify and analyse current knowledge about digital transformation (DT), with a focus on LGs. Evidence of a gap in the literature was found about lack of LGs\u27 understanding of DT and approaches they take to digitally transform. Literature review indicated that customer expectations, outdated technology, and strategic directions are key drivers of DT in LGs. LGs also face challenges in adopting DT, due to lack of management support, insufficient resources, and absence of transformed LGs to benchmark against. Based on review, a holistic picture of what transformation means to LGs, challenges to achieve such transformation, and the need for further research were identified

Bifurcations and the Emergence of L2 Syntactic Structures in a Complex Dynamic System

We report on a complex dynamic systems study of an untutored adult French learner\u27s development of English syntax, specifically two non-finite adverbial constructions. The study was conducted over one academic year of 30 weeks. From an analysis of L2 speech samples collected weekly, certain patterns in the flux emerged. The learner\u27s ensuing second language development is characterized by a series of bifurcations, stemming from forms competing for the same functional terrain. Each bifurcation is accompanied by turbulence as the system moves from one attractor state to another. The transition is characterized by loss of stability, an increase in variability, and a period of dysfluency. It is in the dynamic relationship of accuracy and fluency that novel syntactic forms emerge, both convergent with and divergent from dominant contextual patterns, with dominance established by consulting a well-known corpus of contemporary English. Non-linear development occurs with continuous and iterative exposure to and interaction in English-from relexification to adaptation and synchronization, animated by the learner\u27s perception and memory of regular sequential associations, to pruning of divergent forms. What results over time is a branching hierarchy, connecting online processing with over time development. Multiple competing forms continue to co-exist in the learner\u27s repertoire, which is likely more typical of adult L2 development than of L1 acquisition

Hierarchical Intermolecular Interaction Models of N-Heteroaromatic STM Adlayer Structures

The molecular scale electronic device concept was initiated in 1974 with the semi-quantitative analysis of a hemiquinone molecule. Because of the molecule's electron donor and acceptor properties, and ability to transfer electrons along the -network, it was proposed that the molecule could perform as a circuit rectifier. Many investigations of molecular scale systems have occurred since then, in particular, of organic molecules with large, fused ring systems that spontaneously self-organize after deposition onto a substrate. The directionality and molecular specificity of hydrogen bonding differentiates it from the other weak interactions, driving molecules into specific arrangements and enabling spontaneous rearrangement after addition of only a small amount of enthalpic energy. A direct application of molecular recognition through self-assembly has been the design of patterned self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for the construction of microelectrodes and supramolecular templates. However, the intermolecular interactions that drive ordered structures to form, including molecular chains and large aggregates, has not been well understood. To elucidate a quantitative description of the intermolecular forces of network systems of aromatics that control such features as packing density and porosity, two individual model heteroaromatic systems of 9-acridinecarboxylic acid and isonicotinic acid are investigated using both experimental and computational resources. Supported by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) topographies, x-ray diffraction (XRD) data and x-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectra, this class of N-heteroaromatics adsorbed on Ag (111) serves as a model system to systematically investigate 2-dimensional intermolecular (2-D) interactions and their impact on forming different structural phases of molecular chain domains. To approach an understanding of the dynamics of N-heteroaromatic film growth, an intermolecular interaction model of 1-D single phase chains and clusters is performed. The model considers the anisotropy of the electrostatic force interactions to determine what charge arrangements (dipole, quadrupole, etc.) better characterize the molecular interactions. Furthermore, the competition between phase chain types is shown to be length dependent and in qualitative agreement with the coverage dependent STM structural phase composition

Qualitative Methods and Sight-impairment: developing a toolkit for inclusive teaching.

Background Research methods is a key component of a psychology degree and recognised as a challenging topic to learn and teach. However, students who have sight-impairments experience additional barriers to its study, which could inhibit life-long learning in this area. Despite a growing body of literature to guide inclusive teaching practices for quantitative methods, little (if anything) is available for qualitative methods. However, these methods are traditionally taught using visual techniques (e.g. thematic maps), presenting barriers to learners with sight-impairments. This (ongoing) project explores the experience of learning qualitative methods from the perspectives of both students and tutors, in order to develop a “toolkit” to guide inclusive teaching-practice. Developing more inclusive teaching practice would likely benefit all students and help to promote engagement and learning of research methods. Design This inductive qualitative research forms part of a “Students as Academic Partners” project, due to be completed by May 2018. Methods Students and tutors from the University of Worcester, with experience of learning/teaching qualitative methods in relation to sight-impairment will be recruited using opportunistic and snowball sampling. Data will be collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Results Barriers to learning qualitative methods and strategies adopted to manage these will be explored. In particular, it is important tutors recognise sight-impairment is not “one thing”, and that a range of strategies for adapting teaching-practice is required for diverse needs to be met. Conclusions The experience of learning qualitative methods for students who have sight-impairments has received little attention, making it difficult to identify inclusive teaching-practice in this area. This research outlines a toolkit with practical recommendations that tutors can draw on so their practice can better meet the needs of learners with sight-impairments

A comparison of handwritten and computer-assisted prescriptions in an intensive care unit

BACKGROUND: We conducted a prospective comparative study to evaluate the potential benefit of computer-assisted prescribing (CAP). We compared the accuracy, completeness and time use of CAP with that of conventional handwritten prescribing at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK. RESULTS: Twenty-five clinicians and 2409 drug entries were evaluated for accuracy, completeness, legibility and time spent prescribing. One hundred and twenty-eight handwritten and 110 CAP charts were monitored. One hundred percent of CAP charts were complete compared to 47% of handwritten charts.Drug prescriptions were divided into three categories: intravenous fluids, intravenous infusions and intermittent drugs. Percentage of correct entries in each category were 64%, 47.5% and 90% for handwritten, compared to 48%, 32% and 90% for CAP charts, respectively.The mean time taken to prescribe was 20 s for hand written prescribing and 55 s for CAP. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-assisted prescriptions were more complete, signed and dated than handwritten prescriptions. Errors in prescribing, including failure to discontinue a drug were not reduced by CAP. Handwritten prescribing was quicker than CAP. Simple enhancements of the computer software could be introduced which might overcome these deficiencies. CAP was successfully integrated into clinical practice in the ICU