2,733 research outputs found
"I can survive on jam sandwiches for the next three years": the impact of the new fees regime on students' attitudes to HE and debt
No full textPurpose – The aim of this research is to draw from a project sponsored by the Higher EducationAcademy and undertaken jointly by researchers at the University of Southampton and TheKnowledge Partnership UK, which aimed to investigate the likely impact of the recently introducednew fees regime on students’ attitudes to HE and to issues of debt.Design/methodology/approach – Based on a sample of 64 students approaching the end of their Alevel study in four Further Education Colleges in the South and North of England, the research utilisedfocus group interviews to seek views about the new fees regime which were to be introduced inSeptember 2006 throughout the country.Findings – The research found that, while the issue of debt was a significant concern for manystudents, the desire to go to university either immediately or in the long term, remained a strongpriority for the students. Different types of debt aversion, including risk debt aversion, sticker typedebt aversion, value-based debt aversion and life-style debt aversion, were evident from the students’discourses.Originality/value – Overall, sufficient evidence was not found to support the general belief thatissues of student debt would significantly dissuade students from participating in HE. Rather, it wasfound that students were more likely to be rational in their decisions, as long as the increased feeswould add value to their HE experience. Significantly, the research discovers a new form of debtaversion among the participants. HE institutions need to be aware of the variety of forms of debtaversion in order to plan for more strategic recruitment in a new fees and debt economy
IMS LD Author Schemas
No full textMany XML tools encounter problems with the modular XML schemas of the IMS LD specification. Therefore non-modular XML schemas have been created for each of the levels of IMS LD. The only normative XML schemas for the IMS LD specification can be found at the IMS website
IMS LD Author Schemas
No full textMany XML tools encounter problems with the modular XML schemas of the IMS LD specification. Therefore non-modular XML schemas have been created for each of the levels of IMS LD. The only normative XML schemas for the IMS LD specification can be found at the IMS website
IMS LD Author Schemas
No full textMany XML tools encounter problems with the modular XML schemas of the IMS LD specification. Therefore non-modular XML schemas have been created for each of the levels of IMS LD. The only normative XML schemas for the IMS LD specification can be found at the IMS website
The back home trial: general practitioner-supported leaflets may change back pain behavior
No full textStudy Design: a single-blind randomized controlled trial of a leaflet developed for people with acute low back pain was compared with the usual general practitioner management of back pain.Objective: to test the effectiveness of a patient information leaflet on knowledge, attitude, behavior, and function.Summary of Background Data: despite the commonality of back pain in general practice, little evidence on the effectiveness of simple interventions such as leaflets and advice on self-management has been reported. On the basis of a five-stage needs analysis, a simple leaflet was developed that considered the views of patients and health professionals.Methods: for this study, 64 patients with acute back pain were assigned to the leaflet or control group. The participants were visited at home after 2 days, 2 weeks, then 3, 6, and 12 months, where they completed a range of self-report measures. Behavioral aspects were discreetly recorded by a "blinded" researcher. Primary outcomes were knowledge, attitude, behavior, and function.Results: in all, 272 home visits were undertaken. The findings show that at 2 weeks, knowledge about sitting posture was greater in the leaflet group (P = 0.006), which transferred to a behavioral difference (sitting with lumbar lordosis support) when participants were unaware that they were being observed (P = 0.009). This difference remained significant at 3 months. Patients in the leaflet group also were better at maintaining a wide base of support when lifting a light object than the control subjects throughout all five assessments. There were no significant differences in the functional outcomes tested.Conclusions: this trial demonstrates that written advice for patients can be a contributory factor in the initial general practitioner consultation because it may change aspects of knowledge and behavior. This has implications for the management of acute back pain, with potential health gain.<br/
Extensión de la especificación IMS Learning Design desde la adaptación e integración de unidades de aprendizaje
No full textIMS Learning Design (IMS-LD) representa una corriente actual en aprendizaje online y blended que se caracteriza porque: a) Es una especificación que pretende estandarizar procesos de aprendizaje, así como reutilizarlos en diversos contextos b) Posee una expresividad pedagógica más elaborada que desarrollos anteriores o en proceso c) Mantiene una relación cordial y prometedora con Learning Management Systems (LMSs), herramientas de autoría y de ejecución d) Existe una amplia variedad de grupos de investigación y proyectos europeos trabajando sobre ella, lo que augura una sostenibilidad, al menos académica Aun así, IMS Learning Design es un producto inicial (se encuentra en su primera versión, de 2003) y mejorable en diversos aspectos, como son la expresividad pedagógica y la interoperabilidad. En concreto, en esta tesis nos centramos en el aprendizaje adaptativo o personalizado y en la integración de Unidades de Aprendizaje, como dos de los pilares que definen la especificación, y que al mismo tiempo la potencian considerablemente. El primero (aprendizaje adaptativo) hace que se puedan abordar itinerarios individuales personalizados de estudio, tanto en flujo de aprendizaje como en contenido o interfaz; el segundo (integración) permite romper el aislamiento de los paquetes de información o cursos (Unidades de Aprendizaje, UoL) y establecer un diálogo con otros sistemas (LMSs), modelos y estándares, así como una reutilización de dichas UoLs en diversos contextos. En esta tesis realizamos un estudio de la especificación desde la base, analizando su modelo de información y cómo se construyen Unidades de Aprendizaje. Desde el Nivel A al Nivel C analizamos y criticamos la estructura de la especificación basándonos en un estudio teórico y una investigación práctica fruto del modelado de Unidades de Aprendizaje reales y ejecutables que nos proporcionan una información muy útil de base, y que mayormente adjuntamos en los anexos, para no interferir en el flujo de lectura del cuerpo principal. A partir de este estudio, analizamos la integración de Unidades de Aprendizaje con otros sistemas y especificaciones, abarcando desde la integración mínima mediante un enlace directo hasta la compartición de variables y estados que permiten una comunicación en tiempo real de ambas partes. Exponemos aquí también las conclusiones de diversos casos de estudio basados en adaptación que se anexan al final de la tesis y que se vuelven un instrumento imprescindible para lograr una solución real y aplicable. Como segundo pilar de la tesis complementario a la integración de Unidades de Aprendizaje, estudiamos el aprendizaje adaptativo: Los tipos, los avances y los enfoques y restricciones de modelado dentro de IMS-LD. Por último, y como complemento de la investigación teórica, a través de diversos casos prácticos estudiamos la manera en que IMS-LD modela la perzonalización del aprendizaje y hasta qué punto. Este primer bloque de análisis (general, integración y aprendizaje adaptativo) nos permite realizar una crítica estructural de IMS-LD en dos grandes apartados: Modelado y Arquitectura. Modelado apunta cuestiones que necesitan mejora, modificación, extensión o incorporación de elementos de modelado dentro de IMS-LD, como son procesos, componentes y recursos de programación. Arquitectura engloba otras cuestiones centradas en la comunicación que realiza IMS-LD con el exterior y que apuntan directamente a capas estructurales de la especificación, más allá del modelado. Aunque se encuentra fuera del núcleo de esta tesis, también se ha realizado una revisión de aspectos relacionados con Herramientas de autoría, por ser este un aspecto que condiciona el alcance del modelado y la penetración de la especificación en los distintos públicos objetivo. Sobre Herramientas, no obstante, no realizamos ninguna propuesta de mejora. La solución desarrollada, se centra en las diversas cuestiones sobre Modelado y Arquitectura encontradas en el análisis. Esta solución se compone de un conjunto de propuestas de estructuras, nuevas o ya existentes y modificadas, a través de las que se refuerza la capacidad expresiva de la especificación y la capacidad de interacción con un entorno de trabajo ajeno. Esta investigación de tres años ha sido llevada a cabo entre 2004 y 2007, principalmente con colegas de The Open University of The Netherlands, The University of Bolton, Universitat Pompeu Fabra y del departamento Research & Innovation de ATOS Origin, y ha sido desarrollada parcialmente dentro de proyectos europeos como UNFOLD, EU4ALL y ProLearn. La conclusión principal que se extrae de esta investigación es que IMS-LD necesita una reestructuración y modificación de ciertos elementos, así como la incorporación de otros nuevos, para mejorar una expresividad pedagógica y una capacidad de integración con otros sistemas de aprendizaje y estándares eLearning, si se pretenden alcanzar dos de los objetivos principales establecidos de base en la definición de esta especificación: La personalización del proceso de aprendizaje y la interoperabilidad real. Aun así, es cierto que la implantación de la especificación se vería claramente mejorada si existieran unas herramientas de más alto nivel (preferiblemente con planteamiento visual) que permitieran un modelado sencillo por parte de los usuarios finales reales de este tipo de especificaciones, como son los profesores, los creadores de contenido y los pedagogos-didactas que diseñan la experienicia de aprendizaje. Este punto, no obstante, es ajeno a la especificación y afecta a la interpretación que de la misma realizan los grupos de investigación y compañías que desarrollan soluciones de autoría. _____________________________________________IMS Learning Design (IMS-LD) is a current asset in eLearning and blended learning, due
to several reasons:
a) It is a specification that points to standardization and modeling of learning processes,
and not just content; at the same time, it is focused on the re-use of the information
packages in several contexts;
b) It shows a deeper pedagogical expressiveness than other specifications, already
delivered or in due process
c) It is integrated at different levels into well-known Learning Management Systems
(LMSs)
d) There are a huge amount of European research projects and groups working with it,
which aims at sustainability (in academia, at least)
Nevertheless, IMS-LD is roughly an initial outcome (be aware that we are still working
with the same release, dated on 2003). Therefore, it can and must be improved in
several aspects, i.e., pedagogical expressiveness and interoperability. In this thesis, we
concentrate on Adaptive Learning (or Personalised Learning) and on the Integration of
Units of Learning (UoLs). They both are core aspects which the specification is built upon.
They also can improve it significantly. Adaptation makes personalised learning itineraries,
adapted to every role, to every user involved in the process, and focus on several
aspects, i.e., flow, content and interface. Integration fosters the re-use of IMS-LD
information packages in different contexts and connects both-ways UoLs with other
specifications, models and LMSs. In order to achive these goals we carry out a threephase
analysis. First, analysis of IMS-LD in several steps: foundations, information
model, construction of UoLs. From Level A to Level C, we analyse and review the
specification structure. We lean on a theoretical frameword, along with a practical
approach, coming from the actual modeling of real UoLs which give an important report
back. Out of this analysis we get a report on the general structure of IMS-LD.
Second, analysis and review of the integration of UoLs with several LMSs, models and
specifications: we analyse three different types of integration: a) minimal integration,
with a simple link between parts; b) embedded integration, with a marriage of both parts
in a single information package; and d) full integration, sharing variables and states
between parts. In this step, we also show different case studies and report our partial
conclusions.
And third, analysis and review of how IMS-LD models adaptive learning: we define,
classify and explain several types of adaptation and we approach them with the specificacion. A key part of this step is the actual modeling of UoLs showing adaptive
learning processes. We highlight pros and cons and stress drawbacks and weak points
that could be improved in IMS-LD to support adaptation, but also general learning
processes
Out of this three-step analysis carried out so far (namely general, integration,
adaptation) we focus our review of the IMS-LD structure and information model on two
blocks: Modeling and Architecture. Modeling is focused on process, components and
programming resources of IMS-LD. Architecture is focused on the communication that
IMS-LD establishes outside, both ways, and it deals with upper layers of the specification,
beyong modeling issues. Modeling and Architecture issues need to be addressed in order
to improve the pedagogical expressiveness and the integration of IMS-LD. Furthermore,
we provide an orchestrated solution which meets these goals. We develop a structured
and organized group of modifications and extensions of IMS-LD, which match the
different reported problems issues. We suggest modifications, extensions and addition of
different elements, aiming at the strength of the specification on adaptation and
integration, along with general interest issues.
The main conclusion out of this research is that IMS-LD needs a re-structure and a
modification of some elements. It also needs to incorporate new ones. Both actions
(modification and extension) are the key to improve the pedagogical expressiveness and
the integration with other specifications and eLearning systems. Both actions aim at two
clear objectives in the definition of IMS-LD: the personalisation of learning processes,
and a real interoperability. It is fair to highlight the welcome help of high-level visual
authoring tools. They can support a smoother modeling process that could focus on
pedagogical issues and not on technical ones, so that a broad target group made of
teachers, learning designers, content creators and pedagogues could make use of the
specification in a simpler way. However, this criticism is outside the specification, so
outside the core of this thesis too.
This three-year research (2004-2007) has been carried out along with colleagues from
The Open University of The Netherlands, The University of Bolton, Universitat Pompeu
Fabra and from the Department of Research & Innovation of ATOS Origin. In addition, a
few European projects, like UNFOLD, EU4ALL and ProLearn, have partially supported it
The meaning of significance in data testing
No full textDespite frequent calls for the overhaul of null hypothesis significance testing (NHST), this controversial procedure remains ubiquitous in behavioral, social and biomedical teaching and research. Little change seems possible once the procedure becomes well ingrained in the minds and current practice of researchers; thus, the optimal opportunity for such change is at the time the procedure is taught, be this at undergraduate or at postgraduate levels. This paper presents a tutorial for the teaching of data testing procedures, often referred to as hypothesis testing theories. The first procedure introduced is Fisher’s approach to data testing—tests of significance; the second is Neyman-Pearson’s approach—tests of acceptance; the final procedure is the incongruent combination of the previous two theories into the current approach—NSHT. For those researchers sticking with the latter, two compromise solutions on how to improve NHST conclude the tutorial
Comparative analysis of adaptation in adaptive educational hypermedia and IMS-learning design
No full textCurrently, Adaptive Educational Hypermedia (AEH) and IMS Learning Design (IMS-LD) are separate research areas, with little shared knowledge between them. Their goal, however, is the same: to design, author and implement the best possible learning experience for the learner. This paper addresses the issue of differences and similarities between AEH and IMS-LD with regard to knowledge representation and adaptation and investigates, generically, as well as for the specific case of the Layered AHS Authoring-Model and Operators (LAOS) framework, how these paradigms can benefit from each other
Lógica Dupla LD e Gráficos Existenciais Gama-LD
No full textIn this paper, the deductive system for double propositional logic (DL) and gamma-DLexistential graphs are presented. It rigorously proves the consistency of the DL and that the DL theoremscorrespond exactly to the valid existential graphs of gamma-DL. When the language of DL isrestricted to the language of classical propositional logic (CL), the restriction associated with gamma-DL coincides with the valid existential graphs of Charles Sanders Peirce’s alpha system. It turns outthat intuitionistic propositional logic (IL) theorems are DL theorems; furthermore, when the languageof DL is restricted to the language of IL, the restriction associated with gamma-DL coincides with thevalid existential graphs of Arnold Oostra’s intuitionistic alpha system. As a consequence, it is inferredthat gamma-LD has as particular cases, the alpha existential graphs of LC and LI. Finally, in DL, theAristotelian definitions of truth and falsity are derived, with which the ability of DL to solve a versionof the liar paradox, where LC and LI fail, is illustrated.En este trabajo se presenta el sistema deductivo para la lógica proposicional doble (LD) y los gráficos existenciales gamma-LD. Se prueba, de manera rigurosa, la consistencia de la LD y que los teoremas de LD corresponden, exactamente, con los gráficos existenciales válidos de gamma-LD. Cuando se restringe el lenguaje de la LD al lenguaje de la lógica proposicional clásica (LC), la restricción asociada a gamma-LD coincide con los gráficos existenciales válidos del sistema alfa de Charles Sanders Peirce. Resulta que los teoremas de la lógica proposicional intuicionista (LI) son teoremas de la LD; además, cuando se restringe el lenguaje de la LD al lenguaje de la LI, la restricción asociada a gamma-LD coincide con los gráficos existenciales válidos del sistema alfa intuicionista de Arnold Oostra. Como consecuencia, se infiere que gamma-LD tiene como casos particulares los gráficos existenciales alfa de LC y de LI. Finalmente, en la LD se derivan las definiciones aristotélicas de verdad y falsedad, con las cuales, se ilustra la capacidad de la LD para solucionar una versión de la paradoja del mentiroso, donde LC y LI fracasan.Neste artigo, apresenta-se o sistema dedutivo para lógica proposicional dupla (LD) e gráficos existenciais gama-LD.. É rigorosamente testado quanto à consistência LD que os teoremas LD correspondem exatamente a gráficos gama-LD existenciais válidos. Quando a linguagem da LD estárestrita à linguagem da lógica proposicional clássica a (LC), a restrição associada à gama-LD coincide com os grafos existenciais válidos do sistema alfa de Charles Sanders Peirce. Acontece que os teoremas da lógica proposicional intuicionista (LI) são teoremas DL; além disso, quando a linguagem de LD é restrita à linguagem de IL, a restrição associada a gama-LD coincide com os gráficos existenciaisválidos do sistema alfa intuicionista de Arnold Oostra. Como consequência, infere-se que gama-LD tem como casos particulares, os gráficos existenciais alfa de LC e LI. Finalmente, em DL, derivam-se as definições aristotélicas de verdade e falsidade, com as quais se ilustra a capacidade de DL de resolver uma versão do paradoxo do mentiroso, onde LC e LI falham
Lógica Dupla LD e Gráficos Existenciais Gama-LD
No full textIn this paper, the deductive system for double propositional logic (DL) and gamma-DLexistential graphs are presented. It rigorously proves the consistency of the DL and that the DL theoremscorrespond exactly to the valid existential graphs of gamma-DL. When the language of DL isrestricted to the language of classical propositional logic (CL), the restriction associated with gamma-DL coincides with the valid existential graphs of Charles Sanders Peirce’s alpha system. It turns outthat intuitionistic propositional logic (IL) theorems are DL theorems; furthermore, when the languageof DL is restricted to the language of IL, the restriction associated with gamma-DL coincides with thevalid existential graphs of Arnold Oostra’s intuitionistic alpha system. As a consequence, it is inferredthat gamma-LD has as particular cases, the alpha existential graphs of LC and LI. Finally, in DL, theAristotelian definitions of truth and falsity are derived, with which the ability of DL to solve a versionof the liar paradox, where LC and LI fail, is illustrated.En este trabajo se presenta el sistema deductivo para la lógica proposicional doble (LD) y los gráficos existenciales gamma-LD. Se prueba, de manera rigurosa, la consistencia de la LD y que los teoremas de LD corresponden, exactamente, con los gráficos existenciales válidos de gamma-LD. Cuando se restringe el lenguaje de la LD al lenguaje de la lógica proposicional clásica (LC), la restricción asociada a gamma-LD coincide con los gráficos existenciales válidos del sistema alfa de Charles Sanders Peirce. Resulta que los teoremas de la lógica proposicional intuicionista (LI) son teoremas de la LD; además, cuando se restringe el lenguaje de la LD al lenguaje de la LI, la restricción asociada a gamma-LD coincide con los gráficos existenciales válidos del sistema alfa intuicionista de Arnold Oostra. Como consecuencia, se infiere que gamma-LD tiene como casos particulares los gráficos existenciales alfa de LC y de LI. Finalmente, en la LD se derivan las definiciones aristotélicas de verdad y falsedad, con las cuales, se ilustra la capacidad de la LD para solucionar una versión de la paradoja del mentiroso, donde LC y LI fracasan.Neste artigo, apresenta-se o sistema dedutivo para lógica proposicional dupla (LD) e gráficos existenciais gama-LD.. É rigorosamente testado quanto à consistência LD que os teoremas LD correspondem exatamente a gráficos gama-LD existenciais válidos. Quando a linguagem da LD estárestrita à linguagem da lógica proposicional clássica a (LC), a restrição associada à gama-LD coincide com os grafos existenciais válidos do sistema alfa de Charles Sanders Peirce. Acontece que os teoremas da lógica proposicional intuicionista (LI) são teoremas DL; além disso, quando a linguagem de LD é restrita à linguagem de IL, a restrição associada a gama-LD coincide com os gráficos existenciaisválidos do sistema alfa intuicionista de Arnold Oostra. Como consequência, infere-se que gama-LD tem como casos particulares, os gráficos existenciais alfa de LC e LI. Finalmente, em DL, derivam-se as definições aristotélicas de verdade e falsidade, com as quais se ilustra a capacidade de DL de resolver uma versão do paradoxo do mentiroso, onde LC e LI falham
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