1,721,048 research outputs found
Equating Test Scores Based on Their IRT Calibration
Full text link[Atanasov Dimitar; Атанасов Димитър]; [Dimitrov Dimiter; Димитров Димитър]Common problem arising in the everyday practice of ability evaluation using tests is how one can compare or equate the scores obtained on different tests or different forms of the same test. Under the main assumption that these tests are based on the same unidimensional latent trait, their scores can be compared using the IRT calibration of the items in both tests. In this paper a procedure for test score equating, based on the sequence of tests with common items in each test are considered. 2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: 91E10, 91E45
Influence of Teaching Target Language Culture on ESL Student Motivation
Full text linkSecond language research demonstrates a strong correlation between student motivation to learn a second language and student attitudes towards native speakers of the target language and the target language culture (Gardner, 2006). To date, we have limited knowledge about how teaching about the target language culture, or lack thereof, in the second language classroom affects student attitudes and motivation to learn. This study draws from second language motivation research grounded in self-determination theory (Noels, Pelletier, Clément, & Vallerand, 2000; Pae, 2008; Ryan & Deci, 2000) and the ideal L2 self (Csizer & Dörnyei, 2005; Ryan, 2009; Taguchi, Magid, & Papi, 2009). This study is intended to deepen understanding of student motivation in second language learning, specifically in the formal classroom context. There are three areas of focus in this study: (1) student attitudes towards native speakers of the target language and the target language culture, (2) teacher support for students’ autonomous regulation, and (3) target language culturally supportive classrooms. The outcome variables in the study are persistence in second language learning as measured by student self-reports on indicators such as effort and intended effort, and gain scores from a speaking and listening assessment given to all students enrolled in the college English-as-a-second language program. Using confirmatory structural equation modeling to test the models proposed in the study, significant, direct relationships were confirmed among the variables with the exception of the variable of target language culturally supportive classrooms.This work was embargoed by the author and will not be available until August 2015
A study on Italian teachers’ sentiments, attitudes and concerns towards inclusive education
No full textInternational conference on competitive manufacturing (COMA 16) proceedings
Full text linkCITAITON: Dimitrov, D. & Oosthuizen. T. 2016. Conference Proceedings - International Conference
on Competitive Manufacturing, COMA16, presented at Stellenbosch Univerisy, January 27-29 2016, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.The original publication is available at https://conferences.sun.ac.za/index.php/doie/index/schedConfs/archiveTHEME: Resource Efficiency for Global CompetitivenessWelcome to this sixth in South Africa International Conference on Competitive Manufacturing hosted by the University of Stellenbosch and organised by the Department of Industrial Engineering. The main objective of COMA '16, the International Conference on Competitive Manufacturing is to present recent developments, research results and industrial experience accelerating improvement of competitiveness in the field of manufacturing. The 90 papers and presentations invited or selected to be delivered at the Conference, deal with wide aspects related to product design and realisation, production technologies and systems, operations management as well as enterprise design and integration. The worldwide participation and range of topics covered indicate that the Conference is truly a significant meeting of people striving similar aims. The event is an additional opportunity for communication between paper authors and attendees, which undoubtedly will serve as a further step towards exciting developments in the future. It also provides ample opportunities to further exploit
international collaboration.International Academy of Production
EngineeringRetecon (PTY) LtdNational tooling initiative programmeStellenbosch UniversityL'AvenirHaldanmesMultitrade distributorsIndustrial engineeringpublishers versio
Strategic Guidance towards Industry 4.0 - a Three-Stage Process Model
No full textManufacturing processes have changed significantly since the early days of the steam engine and Henry
Ford´s assembly line. After Ford´s mechanization and the first digitalization of industrial productions in the
1970s, currently a fourth industrial revolution (commonly referred to as Industry 4.0) is taking place.
Industry 4.0 propagates a vision where recent developments in information technology are expected to
enable entirely new forms of cooperative engineering and manufacturing. A key idea is that intelligent
products and machines - driven by real-time data, embedded software and the internet - are organized
as autonomous agents within a pervasive and agile network of value creation. While realizing the potential
of these new concepts today´s manufacturers experience substantial problems in bringing ideas down to
the shop floor. Problems occur mainly due to different perceptions about the principal nature of Industry
4.0, the broadness and complexity of related topics, the expected impact on the strategic and operational
level and - as an inevitable consequence - the concrete measures needed to transform towards an
Industry 4.0 ready company. In this paper we suggest a three-stage process model to systematically guide
companies in their Industry 4.0 vision and strategy-finding process. The proposed model has been applied
and advanced within various real-world projects. Results show a strong need for guided support in
developing a company-specific Industry 4.0 vision and roadmap
Handling Missing Data in Educational Research Using SPSS
Full text linkThis study looked at the effect of a number of factors such as the choice of analytical method, the handling method for missing data, sample size, and proportion of missing data, in order to evaluate the effect of missing data treatment on accuracy of estimation. In order to accomplish this a methodological approach involving simulated data was adopted. One outcome of the statistical analyses undertaken in this study is the formulation of easy-to-implement guidelines for educational researchers that allows one to choose one of the following factors when all others are given: sample size, proportion of missing data in the sample, method of analysis, and missing data handling method
Predicting Nontraditional Freshman Retention Using Pre-enrollment Data
Full text linkThis thesis studies the pre-enrollment variables that predict nontraditional freshman retention and includes data from the National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS: 88-2000). Pre-enrollment variables were selected based on the availability of variables in the beginning of the fall term. This thesis examines the pre-enrollment of 10 high school and 15 college variables, and levels of nontraditional students. Blockwise logistic regression was used to determine most predictive variables. The findings identified three high school variables (high school grade, attendance, and Carnegie units) and seven college variables (enrollment status, number of math and science classes, type of degree, hours of employment, campus job, grants, and marital status). After controlling these variables, it was found that the level of nontraditional students has a unique effect on student retention. The result of this finding supports previous research of nontraditional student retention: The higher the number of nontraditional characteristics that students possess, the less they are likely to be retained. These findings are discussed in terms of measurement of the variables, handling of missing data, and logistic regression analysis combined with data visualization. Implications of future research emphasize the importance of studying nontraditional students without any age restriction
Collaborative Robotics as a Success Factor in Electronics Manufacturing
No full textSemiconductor electronics is a highly globalized, competitive, high-volume and low-cost manufacturing sector that has experienced continuous outsourcing to specialized Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) and offshoring during the last decades. While large portions of the value stream have been automated, EMS struggle to rationalize production of smaller batches in the 5 to 7 digits range due to the immense complexity and invest that comes with equipment for automated PCB assembly, testing and packaging. Thus, these processes are often still carried out manually - implicating high labor cost per piece as well as monotonous, tedious work for operators. This paper outlines the core results of an industry-oriented research project determining the potential of collaborative lightweight robotics for surface-mounted device (SMD) manufacturing. The authors show that collaborative robots are an automation technology meeting the requirements with regard to economics, flexibility and ergonomics. The paper presents not only an analytical approach but also the validation of its results by implementing a pilot application. Coping with the idea of collaboration, technologies available for SMD handling and manipulation had to be adapted to be considered safe for direct human-robot interaction and, at the same time, achieve process velocities that meet the desired customer takt. The authors expound generic fields of applications for humanrobot collaboration in SMD manufacturing that could be identified and set out an approach for and the results of the profitability analysis. With regard to the pilot implementation, an exemplary collaborative work system layout is presented. To prove conformity with relevant ISO norms and specifications, effective forces for collisions between human and robot have been evaluated experimentally
International Conference on Competitive Manufacturing COMA '16
Full text linkInternational Conference on Competitive Manufacturing COMA '16, 27 - 29 January 2016, Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.THEME:
Resource Efficiency Global CompetitivenessThe original publication is available at http://conferences.sun.ac.za/index.php/doie/coma16FOREWORD:
In a small world where global trade is the new driving force conquering countries and
continents alike, international competitiveness is becoming the ultimate challenge of
the new millennium. It requires high quality products manufactured with state-of-theart
technologies at low cost under the assumption of highly efficient operations
management as well as clear corporate goals and strategy. This in turn is facilitated
by and dependent on improved engineering training, education, and relevant applied
research, fueled by active interaction between academia and industry.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaarPublishers versio
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