This thesis reports research undertaken in two rather distinct phases. Firstly, the thesis reports a study of cognitive processes involved in the task of 'concept identification': given sample instances of a concept, the task is to identify the concept. A computer model which successfully reproduces responses similar to those observed in human subjects is described. Secondly, this thesis reports the design of a case-based learning system REFINER. The system is a 'Learning Apprentice System' for differential diagnosis tasks, to aid the transfer of knowledge from a domain expert to a computer. Knowledge is obtained from the expert(s) in the form of cases which have been diagnosed or classified, and not in the traditional form of classification 'rules' which the experts often find hard to specify. The REFINER program is therefore a Knowledge Acquisiton System which helps an expert refine his knowledge in a more 'natural' way than having rules 'extracted'. Further, the system has the ability to point out that two classifications are not distinct, and can then suggest to the user ways in which the inconsistency might be resolved. Although the system has been used most extensively in the medical domain, it is essentially domain independent.

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Thesis (M.Ed.)--York University, 2003. Graduate Programme in Education. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-102). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL:http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url%5Fver=Z39.88-2004&res%5Fdat=xri:pqdiss&rft%5Fval%5Ffmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft%5Fdat=xri:pqdiss:MQ99292

Information science and technology fast development not only impact industry external competition environment, but also has the significant influence to the enterprise interior management. Along with network technology maturity, more and more enterprises Internet technical application in enterprise, thus constructs the construction enterprise exclusively intranet system, to unimpeded internal information, and provides each kind of convenient service and the function, then reduces the cost, to strengthened enterprise physique, to ensure the competitive advantage. On this occasion of the information explodes, no matter the society or individual, the lifelong study is the inevitable tendency, but constructs the construction using the enterprise interior network e-Learning to provide the multiplex study pipeline, may cause the knowledge management and study obtains more convenient and effectiveness. Steps while the whole world to the information, the science and technology and the government advocated the lifelong study, the enterprise promote the industry to encourage education, personally to take advanced courses become common practice, it reveal e-Learning potential to become the epoch-making education learning. However, from the view point of business management, lead-in e-Learning system incurs great expense. This research use the¡uUnified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology / UTAUT¡vas a foundation, from the large-scale traditional industry as a viewpoint, revises its scales, and use the way of lamination random sampling to carry on the questionnaire survey to the case study company, and obtains 180 effectively questionnaires. The main conclusion includes: To the case study company's staffs [1] Influence e-Learning system to accept a factor to be allowed to induce is "Performance Expectancy ", ¡§Effort Expectancy ", " Social Influence ¡§and " Facilitating Conditions " four items, different staff have different factor value degree. [2] The influence system use wish factor only has ¡§Performance Expectancy ", and " Facilitating Conditions " and so on two items; At the same time directly the behavior has the influence " Performance Expectancy " to "Actual use": The other two factors influence (Effort Expectancy and Social Influence) certainly does not reveal. [3] " Performance Influence" for the wish of uses and the actual behavior influence far surpass other factors.

Lithuanian society isn’t enough informed about open-source computer software, witch fully can change commercial products. In this work e-learning system and main problems of their implementation were analyzed. The open-source software e-learning system was created available for all users. We can find in it the information about the open-source software, usage tutorials, tests for knowledge examination and all related news. This e-learning system is implemented so that further its development is relied on users, with a minimal system administrator intervention. The created system was compared with ideal and now existing e-learning systems, its advantages and disadvantages were identified. According to the users opinion, the system passes all main requirements of internet systems. During implementation of this e-learning system the software configuration and implementation problems were encountered. The recommendations of experts and knowledge found in different forums were very helpful. There is the promise that the developed e-learning system will help to promote the open source software in Lithuania, for Lithuanian users.

<p><strong>Title</strong><em>: Barriers to the implementation of E-learning system with focus on organizational culture</em></p><p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Nowadays, Information Technology has become a necessity for businesses not only to gain competitive advantage but also to survive. Strategic use of new educational technologies can enhance learning and teaching process. In order to stay viable in this intense competitive environment, providers of education and trainings have developed efficient and effective learning environment, called E-learning. However with the success there also exist barriers containing the cultural aspects of the organizations throughout the implementation process. <strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this research is to describe and analyze critical factors which may affect the implementation of E-learning system with a special focus on organizational culture.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Research Question: </strong>What are the critical barriers of implementing E-learning system and what is the role of organizational culture in successful implementation of E-learning system?<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Research design: </strong><strong> </strong>This research is based on a qualitative approach and based on secondary data collection method. The required literature has been obtained by searching Mälardalen University’s library. Furthermore, authors have used online library (ebrary) as well as other libraries’ databases such as Elin, Emerald, Eric and EBSCO. Reference books from university library were also used in the course of the research. The data has been extracted from articles which are title base keywords search criteria were used for searching articles. Our research is exploratory and based on the Interactive model which consists of three activities which are data reduction, data display, and conclusion. Research analysis emphasizes more on comparing various authors’ view to analyze and describe the critical barriers and role of organizational culture to successfully employ E-learning system in organizations.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>Target audience:</strong> This research provides a general guidance to the readers and organizations interested in E-learning initiative and for those who have already implemented E-learning.<strong></strong></p><p><strong> </strong><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This research elicited and examined a number of various points of views about the barriers of implementing E-learning system in organizations. Within organization, bridging education is challenging if the organizational culture is unwilling to accept an E-learning initiative. Finally it was suggested that by behavioral change and by motivating the employees can new vitality and momentum can be brought for implementation success. Organization should underpin their implementation strategy of E-learning system proactively to reap the maximum benefits.</p><p> </p>

Title: Barriers to the implementation of E-learning system with focus on organizational culture Introduction: Nowadays, Information Technology has become a necessity for businesses not only to gain competitive advantage but also to survive. Strategic use of new educational technologies can enhance learning and teaching process. In order to stay viable in this intense competitive environment, providers of education and trainings have developed efficient and effective learning environment, called E-learning. However with the success there also exist barriers containing the cultural aspects of the organizations throughout the implementation process.   Purpose: The purpose of this research is to describe and analyze critical factors which may affect the implementation of E-learning system with a special focus on organizational culture.   Research Question: What are the critical barriers of implementing E-learning system and what is the role of organizational culture in successful implementation of E-learning system? Research design:  This research is based on a qualitative approach and based on secondary data collection method. The required literature has been obtained by searching Mälardalen University’s library. Furthermore, authors have used online library (ebrary) as well as other libraries’ databases such as Elin, Emerald, Eric and EBSCO. Reference books from university library were also used in the course of the research. The data has been extracted from articles which are title base keywords search criteria were used for searching articles. Our research is exploratory and based on the Interactive model which consists of three activities which are data reduction, data display, and conclusion. Research analysis emphasizes more on comparing various authors’ view to analyze and describe the critical barriers and role of organizational culture to successfully employ E-learning system in organizations.  Target audience: This research provides a general guidance to the readers and organizations interested in E-learning initiative and for those who have already implemented E-learning.  Conclusion: This research elicited and examined a number of various points of views about the barriers of implementing E-learning system in organizations. Within organization, bridging education is challenging if the organizational culture is unwilling to accept an E-learning initiative. Finally it was suggested that by behavioral change and by motivating the employees can new vitality and momentum can be brought for implementation success. Organization should underpin their implementation strategy of E-learning system proactively to reap the maximum benefits.

There are kinds of English teaching materials for preschool children in the market, including English alphabets teaching materials, word cards and picture cards. It makes no exceptions that the key learning method of these materials needs either parents or teachers¡¦ accompanies in order to teach Children to recognize alphabets and to pronounce tones, helping Children to learn alphabets. The research aims to assist Children to study English alphabets more effectively. The research methods consist of the following: to study through related documents in order to comprehend specialists¡¦ advises about children studies; to observe how the specialists using teaching methods to tutor children study alphabets; to realize users¡¦ requirements through interviews. Combining the three methods above, the researcher decides to use LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robots and accessories as teaching tools which are low cost, similar to LEGO cubes in appearance, and with easy replace accessories. Associate with PC to transmit information, the researcher designs an assisting studying system that can help children to recognize and study alphabets and tones without parents or teacher¡¦s accompanying. The research intends to provide the follow-through children assisted study system developers as a reference through this research and develop methods, in order to speed the time of development.

Poster presentation from the Living the Future 6 Conference, April 5-8, 2006, University of Arizona Libraries, Tucson, AZ. / This poster session describes building an Integrated Library System (ILS) for Afghanistan academic libraries using open source software. We will present our approaches in software selection, improvements, and modifications such as Persian language support and users interface.

E-learning is increasingly adopted to support face-to-face classroom-based learning or implemented as a complete standalone learning system. Its inherent adaptable nature and ability to provide learning anywhere, everywhere and anytime makes it a versatile tool for access to basic, professional and higher education. This research proposes and develops an adaptable e-learning approach, focusing on the learner's requirement specification and negotiation of course with multiple providers to improve online learning. This addresses issues of inflexible learning model, narrow coverage of subject domains in existing systems and ineffective use of educational resources, using design research methodology (DRM). The proposed Intelligent Learning approach provides learning support by applying collaborative and deliberative capabilities of software agents to e-learning systems. Designated learning support agents negotiate with providers on behalf of the learner for courses, matching specified requirements. This is achieved through agent negotiation strategies, devising dynamic learning plans (DPLAN) and online learning contract (or EContract) between the system and a range of providers, to harness the changing needs of the learner, hence, providing an Adaptive Agent Learner Plan (ADALP) approach. It develops and applies a 'Basic Requirements Learning' model, addressing specific learning objectives, supported by a two way evaluation process that enforces learning flexibility, empowering learners and accommodating a wide spectrum of learning needs. Unlike traditional Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS), learning objectives are not fixed and are constituted dynamically from learner specifications. The ADALP approach provides multiple provider support options, generating learner feedback for goal oriented, but flexible learning. This deviates from the traditional 'top-down' approach, where instructors and designers create fixed models of different categories of learners and their needs. The prototype of multi-agent system (MAS) demonstrates contributions of the approach, applying Multi-issue-Negotiation and Contracting Courses with Multiple Providers; devising dynamic personalised learning plans and learning commitment (or e-contracts) between learners and providers. It implements designated agents which generate tasks and sub-tasks corresponding to the learners' goals and objectives; 'biding' for learning and tutoring resources from multiple providers to deliver on the derived tasks. Personalised learning plan aligned with online learning contract is generated for each learner based on the specified requirements and learning goals, as a result. It is argued that the ADALP approach empowers learners and improves on similar approaches, in comparison to existing adaptive learning systems.