Journal of Information Technology and Application in Education

105-116

Authors: Marichelle Van Deventer, A. Seugnet Blignaut

This article evaluates a residential higher education institute’s (HEI) implementation of laptops as part of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) to Virtual Generation students at a small faculty. The study population comprised 36 first year Humanities students, between the ages of 19-43, the Faculty Dean, and the lecturers of six first year modules. Over a period of one year, the qualitative case study collected data using various data collection strategies: semi-structured interview with the dean, semi-structured individual interviews with purposefully selected students, semi-structured focus groups discussions with lecturers and students, and an open-ended questionnaire. An integrated dataset captured the transcribed interviews as a hermeneutic unit in Atlas.ti™, a computer-based qualitative data analysis software. The researchers coded and categorised the textual data into four themes according to the constant comparative analysis method. Findings relate to the use of laptops as learning tools: (i) students’ experiences of technology; (ii) improving teaching and learning, (iii) technology issues; and (iv) project outcomes. The themes relating to campus-based TEL experience of students comprised six areas, grouped as two patterns. While e-communication, Internet access and comperacy constituted the customary background aspects, students, lecturers and course material were the main concerns that required support to enhance the teaching and learning experiences of students at this residential campus.

61-66

Authors: Savaş Şahin

This paper introduces design and implementation of Modbus-based supervisory control and data acquisition/human machine interface (SCADA/HMI) applications. In reaction to the severe problems such as incompatibility and complexity occurring in in the course of the selection of SCADA/HMI packet programs, controllers and instruments, a brief survey on SCADA programs produced by industrial automation vendors is presented and then two Modbus-based SCADA/HMI applications are designed and implemented via National Instrument (NI) Lookout program. Thus, obligation in harmony with same vendor’s industrial automation products is eliminated for any SCADA/HMI system. In this study, Modbus-based SCADA/HMI applications have been developed using frequency-controlled inverter, programmable logic controller, and NI Lookout program in order to meet industrial and educational application needs.

80-84

Authors: Chang Liu, Charles Downing

Customization and flexibility are needed for drill-down and drill-through data analysis in a business intelligence cube design. This paper presents an easy way of customized grouping dimensional attribute members in Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services. The approach described in this paper indicates that such customization yields quicker learning and more complete understanding of a cube design by students.

95-104

Authors: Fatma Ozmen, Songül Karabatak

Electronic communication (e-communication) as a result of rapid development of information and communication technologies (ICT), gaining momentum over the last decade, has become an important communication tool that has profoundly affected our lives with its great opportunities and possibilities. E-communication inevitably influenced educational institutions, and the institutions which implement e-communication effectively, have begun to provide significant advantages in terms of time, space, labor, and cost. This situation creates an impact on the educational institutions, especially on higher education institutions, so as to achieve more effective use of e-communication. In this study, based on the views of academic staff and undergraduate students, the reasons that make underground students use e-communication, advantages and disadvantages of e-communication, and the issues related to what should be done for the use of e-communication more effectively, have been examined. In the research, an interview technique was utilized as a means of data collection. Opinions of both 25 academic staff and 25 undergraduate students in the Faculty of Technology at Firat University, were taken by means of semi-structured questions. The obtained data were coded and the themes were determined. Then based on the frequencies of the repetition of the themes, the data were analyzed. The findings revealed that undergraduate students used e-communications, especially for sharing knowledge related educational issues, and that beside advantageous sides, there were disadvantageous features of e-communication as well.

1-15

Authors: Hong Gao, Margareta Maria Thomson, E Shen

This qualitative study examined the process of knowledge construction of a bounded case study (a group of graduate students). Participants were from the United States and were enrolled in an Educational Psychology course; they were collaboratively involved in the process of knowledge construction using concept maps as the primary data. To examine the processes and tensions during the knowledge construction activity we used the lens of the Activity Systems Theory. Study findings showed that the process of knowledge construction differed from individual to individual based on their domain expertise and concept map procedures. Also, one of the primary tools used in this activity, language, was focused upon by all participants and was identified as a source of tension as well in the group. Attempts were made by the group to establish the language used in the corresponding portion of the concept map constructed. Instructional implications for task construction and approach facilitating knowledge construction are discussed in connection with study findings.

23-32

Authors: Vaiva Grabauskiene, Valentina Dagiene

The paper deals with transformations of the holistic conception of primary geometric education in the context of mixed reality. This concept is aimed at the analysis of education implying a simultaneous insight into the geometric education from the viewpoint of philosophy, mathematics, technology, pedagogics, psychology, linguistics and aesthetics. The main attention and analyses are addressed to technological peculiarities of the holistic conception framed by the shape of situated learning. Due to the complexity of learning environment, UML (Unified Modelling Language) is chosen for the description of the education process. The process of developing the model is illustrated by using different types of UML diagrams: Use case, Class and Activity. Finally, peculiarities of the object-oriented approach applied in modelling the situated geometry learning environment are discussed.

47-54

Authors: Hou-Tsan Lee

Humanoid robots are moving from the factories into our homes to imitate human actions or to do works in our daily life. Thus, the interaction between users and humanoid robots becomes more and more important in these applications. On the other hand, more and more applications of robots help people in training or education. This work has designed a voice-controlled typesetting robot of alphabet letters which can help those physically disabled to select the alphabet letters they want by voice as well as help with the learning of English letters for children. A simplified prototype of such design has been proposed in this paper. By a proper arrangement of microphone, actuators and mechanism structure, the chosen alphabet letters by voice input can be displayed by typesetting of bricks within a 3X3 grid plate via the operation of a robotic arm. Some experimental results are given to validate the satisfactory performance. Besides, 20 children between 2 and 5 years old are randomly chosen to play with this prototype and a primary conclusion is therefore summarized also shown in the proposed paper.

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.