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The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the use of a computer-managed integrated learning system entitled Accelerated Math (AM) as a supplement to traditional mathematics instruction on achievement as measured by TerraNova achievement tests of third and fourth grade high-ability students. Gender, socioeconomic status, and grade level were also considered. The population consisted of 624 students who were third and fourth grade high-ability students during the 2009-2010 school year. Data were gathered that covered a 1-year period for high-ability third and fourth graders. A series of independent samples t-tests were used to identify relationship among variables. The researcher's investigation of the relationship between AM and mathematics achievement might assist educators in planning for use of technology as a supplement to the normal mathematics curriculum. The findings indicated measurable differences in the performance of high-ability third and fourth grade students who qualified for free and reduced priced lunch and participated in AM compared to high-ability students who qualified for free and reduced priced lunch and did not participate in the program. High-ability students who participated in the AM program and who qualified for free and reduced lunch scored significantly higher on the TerraNova math achievement test than students who did not participate in AM and who qualified for free and reduced lunch. There were also measurable differences in the performance of high-ability fourth grade students who participated in the AM program compared to those who did not participate in the program. Fourth grade high-ability students who participated in the AM program scored significantly higher on the TerraNova math achievement test than fourth grade students who did not participate in the program. This study indicated no significant findings among gender, students in grade 3, and students who did not qualify for free and reduced price lunch who did and did not participate in the AM program.

The introduction of e-learning made way for advancements in learning and technology with individuals being exposed to electronic learning and teaching environments. At first, the introduction of e-learning into the educational sphere was intended to simply enhance traditional teaching and learning; however, technology then took the lead as a tool to materially enhance the concept of e-learning in education. Inevitably, technology’s impact on learning drove the delivery of electronic educational content but it also caused widespread debate about best practice in the design of e-learning systems. Since then, the phenomenal influx of technology enhancements that has been created has led most learners into a digital education era that cannot now function without it. At first, e-learning systems were forced to adapt to change as a result of e-learning trends and as a symbolic move from traditional learning to more innovative methods of learning and teaching. As such, e-learning remained affected by pedagogy, technology and curriculum changes outside of a structured, guided framework. Varying definitions exist as a result of the diverse understanding of the contributions and role of pedagogy and technology toward e-learning. There is a misconception and confusion of elearning attributed to the lack of a formally accepted definition which would identify with the need for pedagogy principles and guide researchers to apply models and frameworks to implement and improve the provision of e-learning systems. Although the effects of technology on learning are conclusive, the current dilemma is the lack of effective alignment of the pedagogy principles to suitable technology – an issue which has now become detrimental to learning. This study explores the various interpretations of e-learning definitions that allude to the incorporation of learning, technology and knowledge gained during e-learning interventions. However, as the research revealed a lack of any cohesive e-learning definition, this motivated the creation of a specific definition derived particularly for this study. In considering the role of technology in the e-learning environment, similar themes began to emerge that needed to be addressed holistically through e-learning. One of these themes was a need to focus on the formulation of a structured approach and pedagogical framework for the design and development of e-learning systems. The findings of the research identified e-learning frameworks and models that were in use. The outcome of an e-learning system framework drew on the research of extant models and frameworks and investigated the critical elements, particularly that of pedagogy in an e-learning environment. The proposed pedagogical framework for elearning was evaluated by means of a survey of organisations that produce e-learning systems. The findings of the survey were analysed to assess the alignment and relevance of the dimensions and elements in the framework to the design and development of e-learning systems. The proposed pedagogical e-learning framework is intended to add value to the design and development of e-learning systems with the core focus on pedagogy. In years to come, current and existing technologies and tools may become outdated, yet learning opportunities continue to evolve based on pedagogy, technology and curriculum requirements. By harmonising the synergy between pedagogy and technology, a pedagogically aligned e-learning framework can resolve the lack of pedagogy in elearning system design and development. / Information Science / M.Sc. (Information Systems)

Cette recherche s’inscrit dans le domaine des technologies de l’information et de la communication pour l’enseignement (Tice) et a pour objet d’étudier l’articulation du présentiel et de la distance dans le contexte capverdien. Elle vise la compréhension de cette modalité d’apprentissage hybride. Un dispositif permettant aux étudiants d’échanger et de collaborer autour de tâches collaboratives a été mis en place.Le cadre théorique fait référence au socioconstructivisme, à la communication médiée par ordinateur (CMO) et à l’écrit comme fondement de base pour cette recherche. Celle-ci a une visée compréhensive et praxéologique, l’objectif général et à terme étant d’apporter des éclairages permettant d’appréhender plus facilement les Tice en vue de les intégrer efficacement dans des formations en français autorisant l’usage des outils technologiques. La démarche que nous avons adoptée est axée sur une approche ethnométhodologique. Les données obtenues ont été analysées quantitativement et qualitativement puis, elles ont été croisées selon le principe de la triangulation (Van Der Maren, 1997).Cette recherche propose quelques éléments de réponse. L’usage des outils technologiques facilite les échanges entre les étudiants, leur permet de co-construire leur apprentissage, autorise des rétroactions sur les formes linguistiques. Elle facilite l’encadrement et l’accompagnement des étudiants. Les conditions technologiques et techniques sont également importantes. / This research is in the field of information technology and communication for teaching (ITC) and aims at studying the joint-face and distance in the Cape Verdean context. It is in order to understand this form of blended learning that a device allowing students to share and collaborate around collaborative tasks has been established.The theoretical framework refers to social constructivism, communication mediated by computer (CMC) and written as basic foundation for this search. It has a comprehensive and praxeological reference, the overall objective is to provide insights for easier understanding of the ITC to effectively integrate the use of technological tools in training in teaching French. The approach we have adopted is based on an ethnomethodological approach. The data obtained were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively, then they were crossed according to the principle of triangulation (Van Der Maren, 1997).This research provides some answers. The use of technological tools facilitates exchanges between students, allowing them to co- construct their learning, and enables feedback on linguistic forms. It also facilitates management and support to students. Technological and technical conditions are also important.

The introduction of e-learning made way for advancements in learning and technology with individuals being exposed to electronic learning and teaching environments. At first, the introduction of e-learning into the educational sphere was intended to simply enhance traditional teaching and learning; however, technology then took the lead as a tool to materially enhance the concept of e-learning in education. Inevitably, technology’s impact on learning drove the delivery of electronic educational content but it also caused widespread debate about best practice in the design of e-learning systems. Since then, the phenomenal influx of technology enhancements that has been created has led most learners into a digital education era that cannot now function without it. At first, e-learning systems were forced to adapt to change as a result of e-learning trends and as a symbolic move from traditional learning to more innovative methods of learning and teaching. As such, e-learning remained affected by pedagogy, technology and curriculum changes outside of a structured, guided framework. Varying definitions exist as a result of the diverse understanding of the contributions and role of pedagogy and technology toward e-learning. There is a misconception and confusion of elearning attributed to the lack of a formally accepted definition which would identify with the need for pedagogy principles and guide researchers to apply models and frameworks to implement and improve the provision of e-learning systems. Although the effects of technology on learning are conclusive, the current dilemma is the lack of effective alignment of the pedagogy principles to suitable technology – an issue which has now become detrimental to learning. This study explores the various interpretations of e-learning definitions that allude to the incorporation of learning, technology and knowledge gained during e-learning interventions. However, as the research revealed a lack of any cohesive e-learning definition, this motivated the creation of a specific definition derived particularly for this study. In considering the role of technology in the e-learning environment, similar themes began to emerge that needed to be addressed holistically through e-learning. One of these themes was a need to focus on the formulation of a structured approach and pedagogical framework for the design and development of e-learning systems. The findings of the research identified e-learning frameworks and models that were in use. The outcome of an e-learning system framework drew on the research of extant models and frameworks and investigated the critical elements, particularly that of pedagogy in an e-learning environment. The proposed pedagogical framework for elearning was evaluated by means of a survey of organisations that produce e-learning systems. The findings of the survey were analysed to assess the alignment and relevance of the dimensions and elements in the framework to the design and development of e-learning systems. The proposed pedagogical e-learning framework is intended to add value to the design and development of e-learning systems with the core focus on pedagogy. In years to come, current and existing technologies and tools may become outdated, yet learning opportunities continue to evolve based on pedagogy, technology and curriculum requirements. By harmonising the synergy between pedagogy and technology, a pedagogically aligned e-learning framework can resolve the lack of pedagogy in elearning system design and development. / Information Science / M.Sc. (Information Systems)

La recherche se situe au carrefour de la didactique des langues-cultures et de l’ALAO (Apprentissage des Langues Assistée par Ordinateur) via des dispositifs hybrides. Elle porte sur les usages des dispositifs médiatisés d’apprentissage de la langue étrangère par des apprenants non-spécialistes. Le postulat de départ est qu’une recherche sur les usages constitue un moyen pour les concepteurs d’appréhender les manières dont les apprenants s’approprient ces dispositifs. L’hypothèse émise est qu’il y a un décalage entre les usages attendus par les enseignants et les usages réels des apprenants et qu’il est pertinent, d’un point de vue didactique, de travailler sur ces décalages afin, d'une part, que les enseignants concepteurs puissent modifier les modèles d’usages en amont de la mise en œuvre du dispositif d’apprentissage et d'autre part, puissent réagir de manière plus adéquate pendant l’utilisation du dispositif par les apprenants. Cette hypothèse conduit à formuler deux questions de recherche principales. Premièrement, quels usages font les apprenants de langues étrangères des dispositifs hybrides ? Et deuxièmement, sur quels éléments des usages les concepteurs peuvent-ils s’appuyer pour la conception ou pour l’actualisation du dispositif ?La recherche est une recherche-action de type expérimental. Elle s’effectue sur deux terrains particuliers : un terrain en contexte français qui constitue le terrain d’analyse et un terrain en contexte malgache qui est le terrain de conception et d’expérimentation. Ces deux terrains présentent des points communs : public-cible constitué d’étudiants non-spécialistes de la langue et spécialistes d’autres disciplines, inscrit en première année de formation, apprentissage de la langue-cible s’effectuant à distance via une plateforme. Deux formes de données de recherche sont exploitées de ces deux terrains : des données invoquées (traces laissées par les apprenants sur la plateforme), suscitées (des questionnaires en direction des apprenants et des entretiens semi-directifs auprès des enseignants-concepteurs afin de cerner les usages prescrits). Les résultats attendus sont de trois types. Sur le plan herméneutique, la recherche permet de caractériser les usages des apprenants selon leurs modes d’interprétation et d’appropriation du dispositif. Sur le plan praxéologique, elle constitue un appui à la conception de dispositifs hybrides, par le biais de recommandations soulignant le rôle de la scénarisation, l’importance de l’articulation d’un côté, des outils mis à disposition des apprenants avec les tâches proposées et de l’autre côté, du présentiel et du distantiel dansl'hybridation. Enfin, elle participe à la promotion, à la diffusion et à l’apprentissage de la langue française en direction des étudiants malgachophones. / This research work is situated at the crossroads of the didactics of Languages and Cultures and CALL (Computer-Assisted Language Learning) via blended learning courseware systems. It focuses on the learners’ usage of computer-mediated learning environments for foreign languages. The premise is that research on usage constitutes a means for course designers to apprehend the ways learners adapt to these tools. Our hypothesis is that there is a discrepancy between the usage prescribed by the teachers and the real usage made by the learners. We believe that it is therefore relevant, from a didactic perspective, to work on these discrepancies so that teacher-designers can improve their practices of these learning systems by adapting their usage models ahead of the implementation of the course setup and by reacting in a more appropriate way during the time the learners are using the tools. This hypothesis raises two main research questions. On the one hand, what use do foreign language learners make of blended learning systems? And, on the other hand, what particular information on usage will help courseware designers in the design or update of their system?The research can be described as experimental action research. This is performed in two research fields: a French context, which is the analytical field and a Malagasy context, which is the field of design and experimentation. These two fields share some common points: a target group of non-specialist language students and specialists of other disciplines enrolled in the first year of their courses and the learning of the target language taking place on a distancelearning platform. Two forms of research data are utilised in both of these fields: invoked data (learners’ traces left on the platform) and raised data (questionnaires completed by the learners and semi-guided interviews of teacher-designers in order to better understand the prescribed uses). The results are of three kinds. At the hermeneutic level, the research enables learners’ usage to be characterised according to their ways of interpreting and adapting to the system. At the praxeological level, it supports the design of courseware systems by giving advice which underlines the role of scenario design and the importance of the strategic use of the tools available to the learner for the tasks proposed. Finally, it helps promote and disseminate the French language to Malagasy students.

O e-Learning é um conceito que consiste na utilização de recursos computacionais e audiovisuais para promover o aprendizado a uma comunidade ou a um grupo de pessoas. O aprendizado é realizado por meio de lições executadas em um computador, também chamado de treinamento on-line, em que o participante pode contar com diversos recursos, tais como: simulações interativas, vídeos, apresentações dinâmicas, ambientes colaborativos, entre outros recursos que a tecnologia permita. No e-Learning o participante pode ser submetido à avaliação para testar seus conhecimentos e ter seu desempenho acompanhado por profissionais responsáveis pelo seu desenvolvimento. O objetivo do presente trabalho é identificar e analisar diferenças sensíveis entre o sistema de aprendizagem presencial e o sistema de aprendizagem e-Learning, comparando-os por meio de indicadores de desempenho e retornos alcançados. Foram analisados dados obtidos a partir do estudo de um caso em que uma multinacional do setor de bens de consumo treinou seus colaboradores utilizando dois sistemas de aprendizagem distintos: um inteiramente presencial e outro com e-Learning. Este trabalho ainda oferece como subproduto um método para implementação de um sistema de aprendizagem e-Learning, construído a partir do estudo teórico e prático do tema. / E-Learning is a concept that involves using computer and multimedia resources to help a community or a group of people learn something. People learn by executing lessons in computer, called as on-line training too. The participant can count with many kinds of content, as: interactive simulations, videos, presentations, collaborative tools and others. According to e-Learning concept, the participants could have their performance evaluated by tests or professionals. The objective of the present study is to identify and analysis the differences between traditional live learning and e-Learning, by comparing both using performance indicators and evaluating the benefits of each other. To achieve the proposed objective, it was made a case study in a multinational enterprise where many people were trained by two learning strategies: pure traditional live and blend e-Learning training. Then the results were analyzed. This study still offers a method to implement an e-Learning training system, developed according to conceptual and practice analysis.

L’objet de cette recherche porte sur l’évolution des dispositifs de formation avec l’introduction de technologies de réalité virtuelle dans des contextes industrialisés. Cette thèse Cifre s’appuie sur une intégration au sein du département « training » d’Airbus Helicopters. La démarche de recherche-action mise en œuvre permet d’observer et de participer à l’élaboration d’une technologie immersive pour la formation de pilotes. Cet outil est mis en situation avec des clients en formation et plusieurs démonstrations sont faites auprès d’acteurs de différents métiers. Nous mettons en avant des configurations hybrides dans le sens ou les situations de formation révèlent des aspects de la pratique et de la théorie telles qu’elles sont pensées dans la « langue de l’organisation ». Nous montrons alors que la mise en œuvre de telles technologies pourrait remettre en question les modèles rationalisés dans l’organisation. Ces éléments nous permettent d’envisager qu’une « approche par l’hybridation des dispositifs » amène l’organisation à interroger à chaque étape du projet ses propres modèles (objets structurés de partage d’information, organigramme, compétences et métiers des acteurs). C’est alors une remise en question en « profondeur » du projet de l’organisation apprenante qui est rendue possible, à partir de l’expérience des sujets. / The purpose of this research is to better understand how training devices evolve, with the introduction of virtual reality technology, in industrialized training situations. This work I based on an immersion in the "training" department of Airbus Helicopters. The research-action approach allows us to observe and participate in the emergence of a technology of reality for pilot’s training. The tool is put in situation with customers as part of their training and several demonstrations are made to actors of different trades around the training. We identify hybrid configurations in the sense that training situations are both practical and at the same time theoretical in the language of the organization. Then we show that the implementation of these technologies requires to rethink a traditional rationalization. These elements allow to suggest an "approach by the hybridization of systems" gives the organization the ability to reconsider its own project (structured objects of information, organization chart, skills and trades of actors). It is a depth questioning of the learning organization that is possible, from the experience of subjects.

In this thesis, research efforts are dedicated towards the development of practical adaptable techniques to be used in Smart Homes and Buildings, with the aim to improve energy management and conservation, while enhancing the learning capabilities of Programmable Communicating Thermostats (PCT) – “transforming” them into smart adaptable devices, i.e., “Smart Thermostats”. An Adaptable Hybrid Intelligent System utilizing Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques is presented, based on which, a novel Adaptive Learning System (ALS) model utilizing WSN, a rule-based system and Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART) concepts is proposed. The main goal of the ALS is to adapt to the occupant’s pattern and/or schedule changes by providing comfort, while not ignoring the energy conservation aspect. The proposed ALS analytical model is a technique which enables PCTs to learn and adapt to user input pattern changes and/or other parameters of interest. A new algorithm for finding the global maximum in a predefined interval within a two dimensional space is proposed. The proposed algorithm is a synergy of reward/punish concepts from the reinforcement learning (RL) and agent-based technique, for use in small-scale embedded systems with limited memory and/or processing power, such as the wireless sensor/actuator nodes. An application is implemented to observe the algorithm at work and to demonstrate its main features. It was observed that the “RL and Agent-based Search”, versus the “RL only” technique, yielded better performance results with respect to the number of iterations and function evaluations needed to find the global maximum. Furthermore, a “House Simulator” is developed as a tool to simulate house heating/cooling systems and to assist in the practical implementation of the ALS model under different scenarios. The main building blocks of the simulator are the “House Simulator”, the “Smart Thermostat”, and a placeholder for the “Adaptive Learning Models”. As a result, a novel adaptive learning algorithm, “Observe, Learn and Adapt” (OLA) is proposed and demonstrated, reflecting the main features of the ALS model. Its evaluation is achieved with the aid of the “House Simulator”. OLA, with the use of sensors and the application of the ALS model learning technique, captures the essence of an actual PCT reflecting a smart and adaptable device. The experimental performance results indicate adaptability and potential energy savings of the single in comparison to the zone controlled scenarios with the OLA capabilities being enabled.

In this thesis, research efforts are dedicated towards the development of practical adaptable techniques to be used in Smart Homes and Buildings, with the aim to improve energy management and conservation, while enhancing the learning capabilities of Programmable Communicating Thermostats (PCT) – “transforming” them into smart adaptable devices, i.e., “Smart Thermostats”. An Adaptable Hybrid Intelligent System utilizing Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques is presented, based on which, a novel Adaptive Learning System (ALS) model utilizing WSN, a rule-based system and Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART) concepts is proposed. The main goal of the ALS is to adapt to the occupant’s pattern and/or schedule changes by providing comfort, while not ignoring the energy conservation aspect. The proposed ALS analytical model is a technique which enables PCTs to learn and adapt to user input pattern changes and/or other parameters of interest. A new algorithm for finding the global maximum in a predefined interval within a two dimensional space is proposed. The proposed algorithm is a synergy of reward/punish concepts from the reinforcement learning (RL) and agent-based technique, for use in small-scale embedded systems with limited memory and/or processing power, such as the wireless sensor/actuator nodes. An application is implemented to observe the algorithm at work and to demonstrate its main features. It was observed that the “RL and Agent-based Search”, versus the “RL only” technique, yielded better performance results with respect to the number of iterations and function evaluations needed to find the global maximum. Furthermore, a “House Simulator” is developed as a tool to simulate house heating/cooling systems and to assist in the practical implementation of the ALS model under different scenarios. The main building blocks of the simulator are the “House Simulator”, the “Smart Thermostat”, and a placeholder for the “Adaptive Learning Models”. As a result, a novel adaptive learning algorithm, “Observe, Learn and Adapt” (OLA) is proposed and demonstrated, reflecting the main features of the ALS model. Its evaluation is achieved with the aid of the “House Simulator”. OLA, with the use of sensors and the application of the ALS model learning technique, captures the essence of an actual PCT reflecting a smart and adaptable device. The experimental performance results indicate adaptability and potential energy savings of the single in comparison to the zone controlled scenarios with the OLA capabilities being enabled.