The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a web-based strategic, interactive computer application (Fun Fraction) on the ability of middle school students with LD, who have mathematics goals on their IEPs, to solve word problems with fractions and multiplication including two factors of a whole number (less than or equal to 4) and proper fractions. A multiple-probe single case research design across subjects was applied for the study. Three middle school students with learning disabilities participated in baseline, intervention, and maintenance test sessions over a 13-week period. Findings showed that there was an experimental effect for all three students, tested on their instructional probes; students' performance improved from baseline to intervention phases after receiving instruction through Fun Fraction. John and Alec reached the mastery level of 80% on two of the three review days. The level of change from baseline to intervention phases ranged from 28.67% to 68.89%. Even through there was no immediacy effect for John, the trend of his data (10.33) revealed a substantial growth in general. Additionally, the percentage of data showing improvement between baseline and intervention phases was 70% for Tiffany, 56% for John, and 100% for Alec. In particular, the improvement trend of Alec's data was statistically significant (Tau[subscript novlap] = 1, p < .05, CI 90% = .341<>1.659). All of them reached 80% accuracy percentage on their one-time maintenance tests. Regarding the three problem types of combine, partition, and compare for each representation and equation question, students struggled the most with combine representation questions and showed relatively better competence in compare equation questions. A learning-related social validity questionnaire and usability questionnaire indicated that students liked learning through Fun Fraction and recognized well the useful interaction design features embedded in Fun Fraction. Cognitive and metacognitive strategy questionnaires also indicated that students liked the represent strategy that allowed students to manipulate the rectangular area model, and students expressed positive views on the thinking process through metacognitive strategies embedded in Fun Fraction. / text

The research is based on fieldwork in the Johannesburg East District where fifteen teachers from different schools participated. The teachers were from a variety of backgrounds in teaching the subject. Each of the teachers voluntarily completed an open-ended questionnaire that was based on their own interpretation of the setting of formal assessment tests or examinations. Document analysis was performed on the preliminary theory examinations that were set by the teachers using an adapted form of Krathwohl‟s two-dimensional taxonomy which was made specific for CAT. The teachers were requested to supply an example of a taxonomy which they themselves had used when analyzing the preliminary theory examination according to cognitive levels. The research findings were derived from the responses to the questionnaires that indicated the teachers‟ opinions about the setting of formal assessments as well as from formal test papers the teachers provided. The vast majority of the participant teachers used examinations set by others, either those purchased from publishers or publically accessible past papers downloaded from the internet with minimal change. It appears that the teachers did not use any taxonomy of cognitive levels even when they designed their own question papers. The cognitive level addressed was primarily memorisation and recall. The teachers were more concerned about the format and style of their examination papers than the cognitive levels the papers addressed. Additionally the overwhelming majority did not believe that training in assessment design would be of value to them (as experienced teachers), although some suggested that such training may be useful for beginning teachers. This suggests that further research on the teachers‟ experiences in using taxonomies when setting formal assessments, as well as potential in-service training interventions that address their knowledge of cognitive levels and appropriate assessments is needed. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / unrestricted

This thesis starts by observing a change problem in a medical computer application. The change problem occurs when data and rules that make up the core of a computer application, degenerate. Sometimes the process is slow, but it is not unusual for the application to be out of date even before it has been put into use. The aim of this work is to develop a theoretical framework in which it is possible to formulate the change problem such that it becomes more accessible for conscious consideration and a base for design principles. Accordingly, the thesis follows a theoretical approach. In order to place the work in a historical perspective, some major lines of research in administrative data processing are outlined. The change problem has led the author to investigate the birth and change of facts. The result of this investigation is that two fundamental points of view can be identified. One is closely related to a view of knowledge that is characteristic of the age of enlightenment. The basic idea in this "depictive" view is that facts are more or less depictions of reality. The other point of view can be associated with philosophers such as Kant and Hegel. The fundamental idea in this "constructive" view is that facts are related to measuring systems that are created by man. The constructive view is developed to include computer applications, encompassing a concept with seven key elements. To demonstrate the usefulness of the concept, two case studies are discussed: a computer aided travel agency and the argumentation around a computer aided social research project. An attempt is then made to use the constructive view as an approach to the change problem. One important result of this work is that the change problem shifts into a problem of justice. The conclusion is that a depictive view of facts gives theoretical support for transforming every human activity into deterministic machinery. When this fails, we experience a change problem. A constructive view of facts gives theoretical support for participation in a redesigning process. When this fails we experience a problem of injustice among clients. Following that conclusion, one way to approach the injustice problem is to encourage clients to take part in a continuous reconstruction of the activity. This is the same thing as looking for solutions to the change problem. The focus of the thesis then turns to different strategies to encourage clients to participate in the reconstructive work, which is also knovyn as the question of implementation. The following complementary strategies for implementation are considered: The Metaphorical Strategy, the Heuristic Strategy, the Documentation Strategy, the Computer Application Strategy, the Education Strategy. These strategies are then applied to the first mentioned medical computer application. The thesis concludes with some outlines for further research and some fundamental questions conceiving constructive computer applications. These questions focused on the necessity for further work on ethical aspects of a constructive view. / digitalisering@umu

Rework has been a primary cause of cost and schedule overruns in the construction of heavy industrial projects such as those related to oil and gas. It has been reported that the direct cost of rework is about 5% of total construction costs. Several research studies have analyzed the causes and effects of rework in construction projects, but almost no research exists to support decisions with respect of an effective strategy for mitigating the effects of rework on the cost and schedule of the project. This research introduces a new schedule analysis mechanism that considers the impact of rework on project delays and then optimises corrective actions for mitigating those delays. The proposed mechanism considers rework from three perspectives: (1) a schedule representation of the magnitude of rework as a negative percentage completed with respect to the activities affected, as documented on a specific schedule date, (2) a day-by-day delay analysis for quantifying and apportioning project delays among the parties responsible, and (3) an optimization mechanism for determining the best mitigation strategy for recovering rework at a minimum additional cost. The proposed mechanism can represent and mitigate rework caused by both the Owner and the Contractor. The proposed schedule analysis mechanism has been applied to a case study in order to demonstrate its usefulness and applicability. The resulting mechanism offers a quantitative approach to the consideration of rework in delay analysis and the optimization of corrective action, which are important aspects of effective project control.

Rework has been a primary cause of cost and schedule overruns in the construction of heavy industrial projects such as those related to oil and gas. It has been reported that the direct cost of rework is about 5% of total construction costs. Several research studies have analyzed the causes and effects of rework in construction projects, but almost no research exists to support decisions with respect of an effective strategy for mitigating the effects of rework on the cost and schedule of the project. This research introduces a new schedule analysis mechanism that considers the impact of rework on project delays and then optimises corrective actions for mitigating those delays. The proposed mechanism considers rework from three perspectives: (1) a schedule representation of the magnitude of rework as a negative percentage completed with respect to the activities affected, as documented on a specific schedule date, (2) a day-by-day delay analysis for quantifying and apportioning project delays among the parties responsible, and (3) an optimization mechanism for determining the best mitigation strategy for recovering rework at a minimum additional cost. The proposed mechanism can represent and mitigate rework caused by both the Owner and the Contractor. The proposed schedule analysis mechanism has been applied to a case study in order to demonstrate its usefulness and applicability. The resulting mechanism offers a quantitative approach to the consideration of rework in delay analysis and the optimization of corrective action, which are important aspects of effective project control.

The development of the Flower Constellation theory offers an expanded framework to utilize constellations of satellites for tangible interests. To realize the full potential of this theory, the beta version of Bouquet was developed as a practical computer application that visualizes and edits Flower Constellations in a user-friendly manner. Programmed using C++ and OpenGL within the Qt software development environment for use on Windows systems, this initial version of Bouquet is capable of visualizing numerous user defined satellites in both 3D and 2D, and plot trajectories corresponding to arbitrary coordinate frames. The ultimate goal of Bouquet is to provide a viable open source alternative to commercial satellite orbit analysis programs. As such, the coding of Bouquet puts heavy emphasis on flexibility, upgradability and methods to provide continued support through open source collaboration.

Computer applications can be described as largely rigid structures within which an information seeker must navigate in search of information - each screen, each transaction having underlying unique code. The larger the application, the higher the number of lines of code and the larger the size of the application executable. This study suggests an alternative pattern based approach, an approach driven by the information seeker. This alternative approach makes use of value embedded in intelligent patterns to assemble rules and logic constituents, numerous patterns aggregating to form a ‟virtual screen‟ based on the need of the information seeker. Once the information need is satisfied, the atomic rules and logic constituents dissipate and return to a base state. These same constituents are available, are reassembled and form the succeeding ‟virtual screen‟ to satisfy the following request. The pattern based approach makes use of multiple pattern ‟instances‟ to deliver functionality each pattern instance has a specific embedded value. Numbers of these patterns aggregate to drive the formation of a ‟virtual screen‟ built using patterns, each pattern referencing and associating (physical) atomic logic and spatial constituents. This is analogous to painting a picture using removable dots. The dots can be used to describe a fish, and then, once appreciation has been completed, the image is destroyed and the dots are returned to the palette. These same dots can later be reapplied to present the picture of a dog, if that is requested by the information seeker. In both pictures the same ‟dots‟ are applied and reused. The form of the fish and dog are retained as value embedded within the patterns, the dots are building blocks aligned using instructions within the patterns. This group classifies current solutions within the ‟Artefact-Pattern-Artefact‟ (APA) group and the pattern based approach within the ‟Pattern-Artefact-Pattern‟ (PAP) group. An overview and characteristics of each are discussed. The study concludes by presenting the results obtained when using a prototype developed using the PAP approach. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Information Technology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

Computer applications can be described as largely rigid structures within which an information seeker must navigate in search of information - each screen, each transaction having underlying unique code. The larger the application, the higher the number of lines of code and the larger the size of the application executable. This study suggests an alternative pattern based approach, an approach driven by the information seeker. This alternative approach makes use of value embedded in intelligent patterns to assemble rules and logic constituents, numerous patterns aggregating to form a ‟virtual screen‟ based on the need of the information seeker. Once the information need is satisfied, the atomic rules and logic constituents dissipate and return to a base state. These same constituents are available, are reassembled and form the succeeding ‟virtual screen‟ to satisfy the following request. The pattern based approach makes use of multiple pattern ‟instances‟ to deliver functionality each pattern instance has a specific embedded value. Numbers of these patterns aggregate to drive the formation of a ‟virtual screen‟ built using patterns, each pattern referencing and associating (physical) atomic logic and spatial constituents. This is analogous to painting a picture using removable dots. The dots can be used to describe a fish, and then, once appreciation has been completed, the image is destroyed and the dots are returned to the palette. These same dots can later be reapplied to present the picture of a dog, if that is requested by the information seeker. In both pictures the same ‟dots‟ are applied and reused. The form of the fish and dog are retained as value embedded within the patterns, the dots are building blocks aligned using instructions within the patterns. This group classifies current solutions within the ‟Artefact-Pattern-Artefact‟ (APA) group and the pattern based approach within the ‟Pattern-Artefact-Pattern‟ (PAP) group. An overview and characteristics of each are discussed. The study concludes by presenting the results obtained when using a prototype developed using the PAP approach. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Information Technology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

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Submitted by Rosangela Silva (rosangela.silva3@unioeste.br) on 2017-08-31T17:31:02Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Rafael Gil Ferques.pdf: 3690928 bytes, checksum: 17c4b08062f8653c149c33ca36510c74 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-31T17:31:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Rafael Gil Ferques.pdf: 3690928 bytes, checksum: 17c4b08062f8653c149c33ca36510c74 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-23 / The objective of this work was the development of a computational application for the design of wind power generation systems in small-scale On-Grid and Off-Grid installations, using a user friendly and interactive process. For this, the concepts of artificial intelligence were used in conjunction with genetic algorithms, to verify the technical and economic viability of the implantation of the wind power generation system. Also, implement an integrated database, containing technical specifications and component costs of a wind system. The encoding of the application was done through the languages Java, C, C++ and the database in MySQL language. For the development of the neural networks and genetic algorithms, it was used to the Encog library. With wind data, demand, energy consumption and type of configuration desired, the application performs the sizing of the wind system and then, using artificial intelligence, verifies the best scenario for the project. Following is a report with the physical and financial information. The calculations used for the design were according to Pinho et al. (2008), CRESESB (2014) and Albano (2009). The application has proven effective in scaling and economical analysis of small wind systems, allowing fast and simple simulation of On-Grid systems and Off-Grid systems. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de uma aplicação computacional para dimensionamento de sistemas de geração de energia eólica em instalações On-Grid e Off-Grid de pequeno porte, utilizando-se um processo amigável e interativo ao usuário. Para isso foram utilizados os conceitos de inteligência artificial em conjunto com algoritmos genéticos, para verificação da viabilidade técnica e econômica da implantação do sistema de geração eólica. Ainda, implementar um banco de dados integrado, contendo especificações técnicas e custos de componentes de um sistema eólico. A codificação da aplicação foi feita por meio das linguagens Java, C, C++ e o banco de dados em linguagem MySQL. Para o desenvolvimento das redes neurais e algoritmos genéticos, foi utilizado a biblioteca Encog. Com os dados de vento, demanda, consumo energético e tipo de configuração desejada, o aplicativo realiza o dimensionamento do sistema eólico e em seguida, com o uso da inteligência artificial, verifica o melhor cenário para o projeto. Na sequência é apresentado um relatório com as informações físicas e financeiras. Os cálculos utilizados para o dimensionamento foram conforme Pinho et al. (2008), CRESESB (2014) e em Albano (2009). O aplicativo mostrou-se eficaz no dimensionamento e análise econômica de sistemas eólicos de pequeno porte, permitindo de forma rápida e simples a simulação de sistemas On-Grid e sistemas Off-Grid.