This study aimed to investigate the impact of computer-assisted language learning (CALL), within a constructivist learning environment, on the achievement of learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) and on their attitudes toward learning EFL. The study was conducted over two phases. In Phase I, the study examined the students’ attitudes toward EFL learning and their satisfaction with their achievement and learning outcomes in language learning. Data were collected through a motivational and attitudinal survey of 215 students. The survey was adapted from Gardner’s Attitude/Motivation Test Battery and intended to examine Saudi freshmen students’ attitudes toward learning EFL using the audio-lingual and grammar-translation methods, and traditional teaching aids in the classroom. Seventeen students from the subjects who completed the survey participated in semi-structured interviews to discuss in detail their concerns and suggestions about the current EFL teaching method. The findings of Phase I confirmed the study hypothesis about the students’ negative attitudes toward learning EFL, i.e. that these attitudes were caused largely by the didactic teacher-centred teaching approach and the limited teaching aids. In Phase II, 30 students were selected for the treatment group to study an EFL course (Eng 101) using computers, the Internet and collaborative activities within a communicative language teaching (CLT) framework. The CALL course for the treatment group included selected episodes from the English for All (EFA) online course, three Web-based collaborative projects, and PowerPoint lessons designed for the course. Another group of 36 students was selected for the control group, which had the same course taught using traditional teaching aids and the grammar-translation teaching method. The study was conducted over a 16-week semester, during which both groups were taught using distinct teaching methods and different teaching aids. By the end of the term, both groups’ achievements were examined using two tests: the Cambridge Key English Test (KET), and the course-specific test designed by the Department of Languages at the students’ university. The attitudes of the treatment group were also examined at the end of the study, using a questionnaire, interviews with all of the subjects, and the observational notes collected during the treatment. The findings of the study indicated that the CALL course, using the new constructivist and technology-based approach, had a strong impact on the subjects’ attitudes and motivation toward learning EFL. As to the subjects’ language achievement, the treatment group significantly outperformed the control group. These findings have provided a strong support for the effectiveness of implementing constructivism and CLT in a technology-enhanced learning environment for foreign language teaching and learning. The results of the study imply that it is necessary to take practical steps to move from passive learning approaches and limited use of teaching aids towards a more learner-centred approach incorporating computer and modern digital technologies. The findings clearly showed that such change resulted in better learning outcomes in the Saudi contexts and in other contexts that follow similar EFL teaching practices.

This report deals with the fire resistance of cross-laminated timber (CLT). Themain purpose is to verify a new model on CLT and its ability to sustain itsbearing capacity when exposed to fire. To establish this, a series of bendingtestshas been conducted in combination with fire exposure of the CLT. Twodifferent series, with different dimensions, of beams were tested (series 1 andseries 2). Four basic set-ups: CLT in tension or compression, either equippedwith fire protective covering or not. Results from the tests has been gatheredand evaluated to verify the theoretical model of the fire resistance. Evaluationwas made through analysis of the residual cross-sections of the beamsregarding charring depth and rate and moment of inertia (I).Results of the tests verify to a large extent the Design model. Externalproblems and variations in the beams themselves caused some deviations.Analysis confirmed the CLT as being more similar to other laminated productssuch as Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) then homogenous solid beams. BothCLT and LVL experience delamination when exposed to fire resulting in anincreased charring rate. The difference in rate when using Gypsum plaster as aprotective barrier against the fire exposure is also equal to LVL.The results of the report will be used in the new version of the EuropeanStandard, Euro Code 5 and in the third edition of Fire Safe Timber Buildings.Charring rates proved to be less than expected but the CLTs ability to withstandfire while keeping its bearing capacity

Trä är och har sedan länge varit en av Sveriges mest exporterade råvaror. Branschen sysselsätter idag omkring 100 000 människor i landet. I samband med de senaste årens miljödiskussioner bör husens uppbyggnad diskuteras. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att främja husbyggnation i massivträ som de senaste åren fått mer publicitet inte bara på den svenska marknaden men också i centraleuropeiska länder. Frågorna i detta arbete handlar om att identifiera de vanligast förekommande ytterväggskonstruktionerna och jämföra deras materialkostnader samt kostnader för arbete vid montering. För att ha kunnat göra en rättvis jämförelse har BBR’s energikrav varit den gemensamma nämnaren för ytterväggskonstruktionerna. Frågorna har besvarats genom intervjuer med tillverkare av prefabricerade massivträväggar, träregelväggar och betongväggar varpå energiberäkningar utförts i samband med framtagning av olika väggkonstruktioner för att få fram tre lika energieffektiva väggar. Dessa väggar har sedan kostnadsjämförts. Resultatet visar att den vanligast förekommande massivträväggen består av tre till fem lager korslimmade bräder som tillsammans bildar en KL-skiva. På dessa kan isolering och fasad appliceras och på så sätt få en vägg jämförbar med en träregelvägg eller betongvägg. Det visade sig efter gjorda undersökningar att massivträväggen är marginellt dyrare än träregelväggen men väsentligt mycket billigare än betongväggen. / Wood is and has long been one of Sweden’s most exported commodities. The industry currently employs about 100 000 people in the country. In conjunction with the recent environment discussions the construction of houses should also be discussed. The purpose of this study is to promote housing construction in solid wood, which in recent years has received more publicity not only in the Swedish market but also in central European countries. The questions in this project is about identifying the most common exterior wall constructions and compare their costs for materials and labor costs during assembly. To have a fair comparison, the BBR's energy requirements have been the common denominator of the exterior wall constructions. The questions have been answered through interviews with manufacturers of prefabricated solid wooden walls, wooden stud walls and concrete walls after which energy calculations conducted in connection with the development of various wall constructions to produce three equal energy-efficient walls. These walls have then been compared by their costs. The results show that the most common wall of solid wood consists of three to five layers of cross-laminated planks that make up a CLT-board. On these insulation and façade are applied and thus obtain a wall which is similar to the wooden stud wall or concrete wall. It was found after the investigations were made that the wall of solid wood is marginally more expensive than the wooden stud wall but significantly cheaper than the concrete wall.

<p>This report deals with the fire resistance of cross-laminated timber (CLT). Themain purpose is to verify a new model on CLT and its ability to sustain itsbearing capacity when exposed to fire. To establish this, a series of bendingtestshas been conducted in combination with fire exposure of the CLT. Twodifferent series, with different dimensions, of beams were tested (series 1 andseries 2). Four basic set-ups: CLT in tension or compression, either equippedwith fire protective covering or not. Results from the tests has been gatheredand evaluated to verify the theoretical model of the fire resistance. Evaluationwas made through analysis of the residual cross-sections of the beamsregarding charring depth and rate and moment of inertia (I).Results of the tests verify to a large extent the Design model. Externalproblems and variations in the beams themselves caused some deviations.Analysis confirmed the CLT as being more similar to other laminated productssuch as Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) then homogenous solid beams. BothCLT and LVL experience delamination when exposed to fire resulting in anincreased charring rate. The difference in rate when using Gypsum plaster as aprotective barrier against the fire exposure is also equal to LVL.The results of the report will be used in the new version of the EuropeanStandard, Euro Code 5 and in the third edition of Fire Safe Timber Buildings.Charring rates proved to be less than expected but the CLTs ability to withstandfire while keeping its bearing capacity</p>

This investigation reports on a study that explores the views of students, teachers and parents about the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approach in learning English as a second language in Bangladesh. This study focuses on the improvement of English language outcomes in Bangladesh. Though compulsory for fifteen years of schooling, public examination results indicate that students perform poorly in English. This research is conducted at the secondary schools in Bangladesh where English is compulsory because of its global nature as the second or foreign language. Mainstream students learning English using the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approach are facing many challenges. The study employs a mixed methods approach which includes qualitative interviews, semi-structured focus group interviews and observations; and quantitative data involved achievement tests to find gaps between oral and written attainment, in order to determine the effectiveness of CLT developing language skills to communicate in and outside the classrooms. ESL learners in Bangladesh have been using CLT for nearly two decades, but the attainments are not satisfactory particularly in oral language (listening and speaking) compared to written language (reading and writing). Four schools (two high and two low achievement) were selected from two divisional cities according to the public examination results. Five students, all English subject teachers and five parents from each school were invited randomly to participate. Findings indicated a confirmation of the gap between oral and written language achievements and highlighted that CLT is not working effectively to develop communicative competence to the learners. The participants identified several factors causing this. Among these were large class sizes (number of students), an extensive curriculum, insufficient class time (duration), an inappropriate examination system, excessive teacher workload, lack of parent awareness of CLT, and negative relationships between home and school. All of these factors impact on the effectiveness of CLT in Bangladesh. All participants agreed that CLT as an approach is better than other approaches used in Bangladesh to develop English language learning, but the varied interpretation and implementation (practice) makes it less effective. Therefore, they suggested some issues for local and national level policy makers that could enhance the CLT practice in Bangladesh.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo geral verificar como uma empresa gerencia seus riscos trabalhistas com vistas a preveni-los. É um estudo de caso único, de natureza descritiva e qualitativa. Foi desenvolvido junto ao Grupo Eberle Mundial, através de entrevista do Gerente de Recursos Humanos, questionário auto-aplicado por sete membros do corpo executivo da organização, exame de documentos e análise de artigos de revistas e de jornais. Paralelamente, buscou experiências e opiniões de quatro especialistas da área trabalhista, também mediante questionário auto-aplicado. Em face dos resultados obtidos, o trabalho descreve a forma de gerenciamento de riscos trabalhistas adotada pelo Grupo Eberle Mundial e atende os objetivos específicos nos termos adiante sintetizados. Demonstra que o Grupo mantém rotinas para identificação de riscos trabalhistas, porém, não pratica a definição prévia do que sejam riscos relevantes e não relevantes. Identifica uma diversidade de riscos trabalhistas percebidos pelo Grupo e verifica que esses não abrangem riscos operacionais. Mostra que o Grupo criou métodos e instrumentos de trabalho próprios para o gerenciamento de seus riscos trabalhistas, atua de forma permanente na prevenção desses e faz a revisão anual de seus processos, buscando chegar à incorporação dessa filosofia à cultura da empresa, contudo, não mantém um sistema que integre seus procedimentos, na forma proposta pela literatura. Confirma que, através do projeto implantado pela nova administração, o Grupo que, em 1998, estava com sua sobrevivência comprometida, até 2003 já reduziu em mais de 50% as perdas financeiras que vinha sofrendo e restabeleceu sua credibilidade e imagem internas e externas. Constata que existe comprometimento da alta direção do Grupo com o gerenciamento de riscos trabalhistas, todavia, esse comprometimento não é do conhecimento de todos membros do corpo executivo da organização. Aponta que o Grupo não mantém área específica para gerenciamento de seus riscos trabalhistas, nem tem claro quem são os profissionais responsáveis por esses procedimentos. / This work has the general objective of verifying how a company manages its labor risks in order to prevent them. It is a one case study, with descriptive and qualitative nature. It was developed at "Grupo Eberle Mundial", through interview of the Manager of Human Resources, auto-applied questionnaire by seven members of the executive board of the company, document examination and analysis of articles of periodicals and newspapers. At the same time, it searched the experiences and opinions of four specialists in labor law, also by means of auto-applied questionnaire. In accordance with the obtained results, the work describes the form of labor risk management adopted by "Grupo Eberle Mundial" and answers the specific objectives in the terms ahead synthesized. It demonstrates that the enterprise keeps routines for identification of labor risks; however, it does not define previously what relevant and non relevant risks are. It identifies a diversity of labor risks perceived by the company and verifies that these do not enclose operational risks. It shows that the organization created its own methods and tools for the management of its labor risks; that it acts in a permanent way to prevent these risks and makes the annual revision of its processes, searching to achieve the internalization of this philosophy as part of its culture. Nevertheless, it crystallizes that the company does not keep a system that integrates its procedures, in the form proposed by the bibliography. It confirms that, through the project developed by the new administration, up to 2003 the "Grupo Eberle Mundial", which in 1998 was with its survival compromised, has reduced in more than 50% the financial losses that it has been suffering and reestablished its internal and external credibility and image. It evidences that there is compromise of the high management of the company with the labor risk management; however, this is not known by all members of the executive board. It points out that the company does not keep specific area for management of its labor risks, nor does it have clear who is responsible for these procedures.

Rapporten behandlar tre sammansättningar av träbjälklag och när det är mest fördelaktigt att använda de olika bjälklagen ur de tre aspekterna bjälklagshöjd, kostnad och materialåtgång. De tre sammansättningarna av träbjälklag som presenteras i denna rapport är ett plattbjälklag av CLT, korslimmat trä, ett ribb-bjälklag bestående av en fläns av CLT och liv av limträ och slutligen ett ribb-bjälklag med en sammansättning av en fläns av CLT och liv av LVL, fanérträ. Rapporten fokuserar på frågeställningen utifrån tre olika verksamheter; bostad, kontor och affärslokal och är framtagen för att hjälpa beställare och projektörer att optimera val av bjälklag efter de behov och krav som finns för de specifika projekten. Rapporten undersöker när det är mest fördelaktigt att använda de olika bjälklagstyperna utifrån de krav och förutsättningar beställaren/projektörerna har på projektet. Detta utifrån de tre aspekterna kostnad, materialåtgång och bjälklagshöjd. Rapporten är framtagen med hjälp av beräkningar genomförda i dataprogrammet Calculatis by Stora Enso och rapporten har genomförts i samarbete med Byggnadstekniska Byrån Sverige AB och Dala Massivträ AB. Bakgrunden till rapporten grundar sig i de rådande klimatförändringar som i snabb takt påverkar vår jord. För att minska denna påverkan och förstöring är behovet av att bygga med förnybara material stor samtidigt som användandet av dessa material inte får leda till slöseri. Detta, i samband med ett ökat behov av längre spännvidder, leder till att låg bjälklagshöjd, materialåtgång och kostnad är viktiga aspekter att behandla. Resultatet visar att valet av bjälklag i princip alltid står mellan plattbjälklag och ribb-bjälklag då resultaten mellan de två olika sammansättningarna av ribb-bjälklag skiljer relativt lite. Resultatet visar även att det ur materialåtgång och ekonomisk synpunkt är mest fördelaktigt att använda ribb-bjälklag istället för ett plattbjälklag. Däremot visar resultatet att det ur en tredje synpunkt, bjälklagshöjd, är mest fördelaktigt att välja ett plattbjälklag vid små spännvidder och ett ribbbjälklag vid stora. Slutligen lämnas rekommendationer för hur beställare och aktörer under projekteringsskedet ska resonera vid val av bjälklagstyp.

Klimatpåverkan från byggprocesser i Sverige uppgår till cirka 10 miljoner ton koldioxid årligen. Varav 40 procent beräknas komma från husprojekt och resterande 60 procent från anläggningsprojekt. I dagens samhälle finns ett stort intresse av att optimera byggnader till att bli så energisnåla som möjligt och därav så billiga som möjligt i drift. Vilket även medfört att miljöpåverkan från driftsektorn har minskat markant. Däremot betraktas sällan påverkan från framställning av ingående material och produktionen på bygget. En väl känd fras är att så mycket som 85 procent av en byggnads totala koldioxidutsläpp uppkom i drift och brukarskedet. Så är inte fallet i dagsläget, nu beräknas en byggnad under sin produktions- och bruksfas ha i princip samma miljöpåverkan genom koldioxidutsläpp. Materialval har under en längre tid gjorts efter vad de innehåller och hur det kommer påverka människans hälsa. Nu görs materialval även med tanke på mängd koldioxidutsläpp under dess livscykel. Vid val av material kan en avgörande skillnad för miljön och klimatets framtid göras. NCC folkboende är ett koncepthus av platsgjuten betong som är omtyckt av beställare och även av NCC att bygga. NCC bygger mycket bostäder och i många fall är det Folkboenden. Därför är det av intresse att undersöka hur ett byte av betongstomme till KL-trä påverkar byggnadens koldioxidutsläpp. Arbetet skall förtydliga om stombytet genererar en reducering av koldioxid samtidigt som det är möjligt att behålla det omtycka konceptets planlösningar. Det som framgår av examensarbetet är hur ett hus på åtta våningar påverkas av att stommen byggs i KL-trä jämfört med att platsgjutas. I miljödelen av arbetet behandlas framställning av de olika materialen samt dess transport till bygget. Dimensionering av byggnaden påvisar att samma planlösning i lägenheter är möjlig att behålla, samtidigt som en reducering på 20 procent gentemot ursprungliga stommens koldioxidutsläpp erhålls. Examensarbetet kan fungera som ett underlag för NCC att motivera trä som stommaterial till kund genom att påvisa den reducering av koldioxid som är tillgänglig för dem att bidraga med. / Climate influences from building processes in Sweden is around 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. In today’s society there is a big interest in to get buildings as energy effective as possible and thru that also less expensive to own. This has also caused that the impact on the environment have become a little smaller. In a while ago it was said that a building had 85 percent of its total carbon dioxide emissions during the operational phase. Now a day’s the impact of carbon dioxide during operational phase and impact of construction phase is pretty much the same. Materials have since a while back been chosen for what impact it has on the personal health. Today there’s also a lot of thought on what impact the material have on the environment thru carbon dioxide during its lifecycle. When choosing material an important difference for the future environment can be done. NCC Folkboende is a concept building that’s grout on site. The concept is popular among its clients and also among NCC to build. Since NCC are building a lot of housings and not rarely Folkboende its interesting to see what effect the change of framework has on carbon dioxide emissions and if it’s possible to keep the popular planning. This report will show how an eight stories high concrete building will be affected if the framework would be of cross-laminated timber instead of reinforced concrete. The building will be sized and proved to be able to keep the same planning on the housing, together with a 20 percent carbon dioxide reduction thanks to the material choice. This report could be used as basis for NCC to convince its clients to choose a framework of CLT without affecting the planning and at the same time make the environment a good favor.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo geral verificar como uma empresa gerencia seus riscos trabalhistas com vistas a preveni-los. É um estudo de caso único, de natureza descritiva e qualitativa. Foi desenvolvido junto ao Grupo Eberle Mundial, através de entrevista do Gerente de Recursos Humanos, questionário auto-aplicado por sete membros do corpo executivo da organização, exame de documentos e análise de artigos de revistas e de jornais. Paralelamente, buscou experiências e opiniões de quatro especialistas da área trabalhista, também mediante questionário auto-aplicado. Em face dos resultados obtidos, o trabalho descreve a forma de gerenciamento de riscos trabalhistas adotada pelo Grupo Eberle Mundial e atende os objetivos específicos nos termos adiante sintetizados. Demonstra que o Grupo mantém rotinas para identificação de riscos trabalhistas, porém, não pratica a definição prévia do que sejam riscos relevantes e não relevantes. Identifica uma diversidade de riscos trabalhistas percebidos pelo Grupo e verifica que esses não abrangem riscos operacionais. Mostra que o Grupo criou métodos e instrumentos de trabalho próprios para o gerenciamento de seus riscos trabalhistas, atua de forma permanente na prevenção desses e faz a revisão anual de seus processos, buscando chegar à incorporação dessa filosofia à cultura da empresa, contudo, não mantém um sistema que integre seus procedimentos, na forma proposta pela literatura. Confirma que, através do projeto implantado pela nova administração, o Grupo que, em 1998, estava com sua sobrevivência comprometida, até 2003 já reduziu em mais de 50% as perdas financeiras que vinha sofrendo e restabeleceu sua credibilidade e imagem internas e externas. Constata que existe comprometimento da alta direção do Grupo com o gerenciamento de riscos trabalhistas, todavia, esse comprometimento não é do conhecimento de todos membros do corpo executivo da organização. Aponta que o Grupo não mantém área específica para gerenciamento de seus riscos trabalhistas, nem tem claro quem são os profissionais responsáveis por esses procedimentos. / This work has the general objective of verifying how a company manages its labor risks in order to prevent them. It is a one case study, with descriptive and qualitative nature. It was developed at "Grupo Eberle Mundial", through interview of the Manager of Human Resources, auto-applied questionnaire by seven members of the executive board of the company, document examination and analysis of articles of periodicals and newspapers. At the same time, it searched the experiences and opinions of four specialists in labor law, also by means of auto-applied questionnaire. In accordance with the obtained results, the work describes the form of labor risk management adopted by "Grupo Eberle Mundial" and answers the specific objectives in the terms ahead synthesized. It demonstrates that the enterprise keeps routines for identification of labor risks; however, it does not define previously what relevant and non relevant risks are. It identifies a diversity of labor risks perceived by the company and verifies that these do not enclose operational risks. It shows that the organization created its own methods and tools for the management of its labor risks; that it acts in a permanent way to prevent these risks and makes the annual revision of its processes, searching to achieve the internalization of this philosophy as part of its culture. Nevertheless, it crystallizes that the company does not keep a system that integrates its procedures, in the form proposed by the bibliography. It confirms that, through the project developed by the new administration, up to 2003 the "Grupo Eberle Mundial", which in 1998 was with its survival compromised, has reduced in more than 50% the financial losses that it has been suffering and reestablished its internal and external credibility and image. It evidences that there is compromise of the high management of the company with the labor risk management; however, this is not known by all members of the executive board. It points out that the company does not keep specific area for management of its labor risks, nor does it have clear who is responsible for these procedures.

I projektet dimensionerades ett tre våningar högt flerbostadshus i KL-trämoduler med utgångspunkt från dagens byggande av moduler som främst görs i träregelstommar. Vägg- och bjälklagsdimensioner beräknades och ritades upp. Metoder för infästningar och lyft av moduler med träregelstommar undersöktes genom intervjuer och applicerades i den mån som är möjlig för KL-trämoduler. Syftet var att ta fram en konstruktionsutformning för moduler av KL-trä avsedda för bostadsbyggande. Utformningen skall principiellt även kunna användas för andra liknande byggnader. Dimensioneringen visade att KL-träskivorna klarar av lasterna med god marginal. Avgörande för vägg- och bjälklagstjockleken var branddimensioneringen. Infästningar mellan olika byggnadsdelar kan göras på liknande sätt med KL-trä som med träregelstomme. Metoden att använda sig av stålförband i form av vinkelbeslag eller spikplåtar kan användas till de båda stomalternativen. Modullyft kan i viss mån utföras på samma sätt i de båda stommarna. / A three storey tall building was used as a reference object in this project and dimensioned with a starting point from timber frame modular constructions. Wall and floor dimensions are calculated and drawn. Methods for attachment and lifting of modules are examined through interviews and are, when possible, applied for the CLT modules. The purpose of this project was to design CLT modules intended for residential use. The goal of the design was that it can be used in similar buildings. The calculations showed that the fire requirements were the decisive factor when deciding the thickness of the walls and floors. Attachments between different building parts can be designed similarly in both timber frame modules and CLT modules. The method of using angle irons and nail plates is possible for both timber frame and CLT. The lifting of the modules can to some extent be executed similarly for the two frameworks.