Journal of Information Technology and Application in Education

125-142

Authors: Kevin M. Oliver, Melinda Mollette, Jeni Corn

School leaders from eleven middle and seven high schools implementing ubiquitous computing programs in the United States, participated in focus groups in 2011, providing insights into strategies for successfully integrating laptops into their schools. Advice was sorted into three major themes that can be used by future administrators tasked with planning ubiquitous computing initiatives: program planning and leadership (policies, procedures); infrastructure planning (networks, software); and promoting teacher motivation and buy-in.

152-163

Authors: Alcinia Z Sampaio

Besides the constant updating of training in the new graphic resources available to engineering and architecture professions, and in widespread and frequent use, the school should also adapt its teaching activities to the new tools of visual communication. In Civil Engineering, the capacity to visualise the construction, management and maintenance of buildings can be added through the use of three-dimensional (3D) models which, facilitate the interpretation and understanding of target elements of maintenance and construction and of 4D models (3D + time) through which the evolution of construction steps and deterioration of materials can be visually demonstrated and understood. Furthermore, the possibility of interaction with the geometric models can be provided through the use of Virtual Technology (VR). The text presents diverse perspectives of introduction a new technology in school. It can be used as a tool to create didactic applications and as a new issue in the training of students. The students involved, in the research works had to learn advanced software of geometric modelling and visualization and to explore the capacities of a VR technology system. Also programming skills had to be adapted to establish the integration needed for the creation of virtual prototypes. Furthermore, the structure of different kind of databases had to be studied and implemented, integrating diverse type of information, needed to develop the interactive virtual model. The VR technology was introduced in school in order to prepare civil engineering students to consider this knowledge as an important support, later in professional activity, and also to facilitate the link between, engineering theory and its implementation.

173-183

Authors: Karyn Cooper, Robert E. White

The qualitative paradigm of educational research continues to incorporate fast-evolving technologies to improve and bolster interpretive approaches. The use of modern digital technology, combined with scholar autobiographies, serves as an example of an innovative method that can be used to delve into significant educational issues. Drawing upon video interviews with distinguished scholars such as Professors Elliot Eisner, Clifford Geertz, Henry Giroux, Maxine Greene, William Pinar, and Max Van Manen, this digital account highlights the innovative scholarship of these renowned researchers whose work has been used to improve education and to serve the public good. Challenges associated with modern digital technology are also addressed.

195-206

Authors: Charles Downing, Chang Liu

A course enhancement is described as a way to help alleviate educational problems in content understanding, need for multiple explanations, and lack of extra assistance. The method operationalizes students helping each other, and receiving credit for it. The method uses a web-based information system and the process works as follows: Mary helps Joe with a difficult course concept. As compensation, Joe logs in to the information system and registers the fact that Mary has helped him. He also gives Mary a “helpfulness” rating and comments on the help he received. Ratings translate into course points (for Mary and others), and students who accumulate enough points received Bronze, Silver, or Gold “Helper Status”. Students who reach Gold status get letters of recommendation from the professor upon request. A survey study conducted in classes using this Helper System versus one not using it suggests that such a system can help with the problems of content understanding, need for multiple explanations, and lack of extra assistance. Student performance on individual course assignments also improved when the Helper System was implemented.

97-104

Authors: Robin Kay

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of video podcasts designed to teach software skills in a preservice teacher education program. It was observed that most preservice teachers used video podcasts one or two times per month to learn specific tasks involving specialty software (e.g., web design, subject-specific, multimedia presentations). The majority of preservice teachers agreed that video podcasts were easy to find, clear, simple to follow, and delivered at a good pace. Preservice teachers specifically enjoyed the just-in-time, instant access to video podcasts. Preference for using video podcasts varied according to gender, age, and level of computer experience. Finally, preservice teachers indicated that the video clips were useful in helping them to learn new software tasks.

108-111

Authors: Erchun Chen, Jie Liu

Abstract- This study focuses on the problems and solutions regarding the application of multimedia technology to the teaching and learning of College English in China. At first, this study points out the existing problems in the teaching and learning of College English in China, mainly including excessive dependence on multimedia technology, the lack of proper capacities among teachers, the lack of the real integration of multimedia technology into the classroom teaching, inappropriate design of the teaching courseware, a large gap between the potentials of multimedia technology and teachers and students’ understanding and proficiency, the insufficiency of students’ awareness and ability of autonomous learning, the lack of good management and maintenance of the multimedia facilities, and the outdated system of teaching evaluation and management. Later, this paper puts forward some suggestions on solving these problems, namely, strengthening College English teachers’ education and professional development, triggering students’ learning potentials and initiatives, integrating multimedia teaching into traditional classroom teaching, and working out a practical and effective system of College English teaching evaluation and management.

119-123

Authors: Liqin Chen, Xuejun Kang, Xiaoling Zhou, Yu Wang, Lei Ma

Abstract-This study established a novel non-invasive and efficient analysis method which can be applied in research of individual’s psychological stress. Because in the different state of psychological stress, the oral secretion of salivary α-amylase will be changed under the control of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal medulla secretion system. Many studies have confirmed that salivary α-amylase measurements may be employed as a non-invasive measure of autonomic (sympathetic) nervous system activation and are related to a variety of behavioral, social, health, and cognitive phenomena in human subjects. In this experiment, a flow injection system for sample analysis and data collection was established to determine the activation of salivary α-amylase. Because flow injection system has the merits of rapid analysis, high precision and accuracy, easily operating and popularizing, it could meet the requirements of quickly and accurately determining of salivary α-amylase. This study collected salivary samples of individual at different times of a day, and drew an individual’s salivary α-amylase secretion curve according to the measured results (one hour for the sampling interval). In addition, after sampling analysis of volunteer’s samples before and after the examination, it was verified that individual’s salivary α-amylase secretion would be changed under psychological stress, which suggested that salivary α-amylase could be used as a biochemical marker of individual’s psychological stress changes. The founded method in this paper is easy to be universalized because of its non-invasive and quick features.

40-46

Authors: Peter Serdyukov, Nataliya Serdyukova

Abstract - As education is becoming more expensive and less affordable, educators need to find ways to make education more cost-efficient. One of the most promising approaches is to increase productivity of learning defined as the output (learning outcomes) per time unit. So time can be used as a measure of educational cost-efficiency. This paper discusses the significance of time in online learning, both for students and instructors, presents some research data regarding time investment in teaching and learning, and offers practical recommendations for making online college education more time-efficient.

74-79

Authors: Hsiu-Mei Huang, Shu-Sheng Liaw, Yi-Chun Teng

The study attempts to build a collaborative virtual reality learning system (CVRLS) for medical education.The CVRLSwas designed by using Xj3D and was based upon the imagination, interaction and immersion features of virtual reality (VR) and the benefits of collaborative learning. With the cross-platform feature and networking resources supports from Xj3D, CVRLS establishes a multi-user,cross-platform collaborative virtual learning environment. Under this environment, learners and instructors are able to perform collaborative learning and engage in group discussions regardless of their locations and types of computer systems.

1-8

Authors: Kwang B. Lee, Raied Salman

Mobile devices are quickly becoming devices powerful enough to run personal computers with the advancement of wireless and mobile technology. Learning by means of mobile phones is becoming a new approach towards education, and it is unique in its own way and offers learning opportunities anywhere and anytime. Mobile Collaborative Learning (MCL) has been getting more importance in educational environment as one type of mobile learning application. This paper introduces the theoretical and technical foundations for designing and developing an effective MCL environment as well as describing a new approach for building a learning application towards mobile technology. Finally the proposed prototype will be designed and constructed using the Android operating system with a suggestive infrastructure for this type of system.

19-27

Authors: Ernest Redondo, David Fonseca, Albert Sánchez, Isidro Navarro

In this paper we report our experience in designing, developing and evaluating new didactic methods, in order to help students to improve their spatial and graphical skills. Specifically, in this educational research investigation, the goal is to evaluate the use of Augmented Reality (AR) in architecture, urbanism, to build construction and interior design of undergraduate, and to master students learning processes. We have used mobile phones, laptops, as well as low cost AR applications.

35-39

Authors: Raquel Hijón-Neira, Ángel Velázquez-Iturbide

We have developed several tools to allow instructors analyzing students’ interactions in a Course Management System. In this paper we describe a Systematic Usability Evaluation made to test the usability of one of these tools, based on cookies. The evaluations were based on task analysis and follow-up studies. In addition to regular observation and questionnaires, 3D video was used to provide the evaluator with more information about interactions. The use of this technology helped us in identifying functions and features that need to be improved.