In developing training for new technologies, designers encounter many options in an effort to increase system knowledge and produce effective system usage. Technological advancements do, however, provide the opportunity for more dynamic and interactive training methods. Moreover, technology may require the acquisition of time-sensitive skills. Many technologies have automatic shut-off or low-power functions, like the shutting off the backlight of a cell phone after 30 seconds. These system functions may lead to errors for novice users or for infrequent tasks. To develop effective training for time-sensitive tasks, the learner needs instruction on how to accurately perform the task at a particular pace. One potentially fruitful avenue of exploration is to provide the learning goal during training through the pace of the training materials. This presentation pace is the rate at which training tasks are presented to the learner during training; this pace may be fixed or self-regulated. The goal of the current study was to examine the role of presentation in learning a complex technology using four types of pacing for younger adults (Experiment 1) and older adults (Experiment 2). The results of this study show there seems to be a benefit of self-paced training for younger adults and older adults. These findings provide insight into future studies investigating the underlying mechanisms related to the benefits of self-paced training. Additionally, the findings have implications for the development of training paradigms for time-sensitive technologies.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2003. / "Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Communication, Design and Media, University of Western Sydney, 31 August 2003" Includes bibliography.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Illinois State University, 2003. / Title from title page screen, viewed March 21, 2005. Dissertation Committee: Dent Rhodes (chair), Temba Bassoppo-Moyo, Cheri Toledo, David B. Williams, Larry W. Long. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 113-117) and abstract. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.F.A.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 1994. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 33-40).

É notável o avanço da utilização de aplicações multimídia nos diversos setores da atividade humana. Independente da área, seja ela educação ou entretenimento, a possibilidade de agregar recursos dinâmicos como áudio e vídeo aos já largamente utilizados como texto e imagem acarreta em benefícios aos usuários destas aplicações. Além disso, com a popularização da Internet, ha uma crescente demanda pela sua execução em ambientes distribuídos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver MUSE, um ambiente gráfico para modelagem de aplicações multimídia interativas. Através de uma interface gráfica avançada e de um novo modelo de autoria de alto nível, e possível a criação de sistemas complexos de forma rápida e intuitiva. 0 modelo de autoria proposto neste trabalho e adotado pelo ambiente prevê a possibilidade de os elementos que constituem a aplicação estarem dispersos em uma rede de computadores, permitindo a definição de limiares aceitáveis de atraso e componentes alternativos. Pela grande expressividade do modelo, no entanto, podem ser geradas especificações com inconsistências lógicas e temporais. Por esta razão, o ambiente prove ainda especificações E-LOTOS - uma extensão temporal de LOTOS - utilizadas para fins de analise e verificação, permitindo a validação dos requisitos temporais das aplicações definidas pelo autor. A formalização das especificações através de uma TDF, além de viabilizar sua validação, prove descrições sem ambigüidades, que podem ser alternativamente utilizadas por autores que sejam familiarizados com a técnica de descrição formal. Este trabalho é parte do projeto DAMD (Design de Aplicações Multimídia Distribuídas) dentro do programa PROTEM fase 2, que tem por objetivo fornecer uma metodologia que cubra o ciclo completo das aplicações multimídia distribuídas e que permita a um autor não especializado em métodos formais desenvolver essas aplicações naturalmente. / It is notable the advance of multimedia applications utilization in several fields of human activity. Independent from the area, whether education or entertainment, the possibility to aggregate dynamic resources like audio and video to the ones already widely used like text and image results in benefits to the users of such applications. Besides, with the popularization of the Internet, there is an increasing demand for their execution in distributed environments. This work presents MUSE, a graphical environment for modeling interactive multimedia applications. Through an advanced graphic interface and a new high-level authoring model, it is possible to create complex systems in a fast and intuitive way. The authoring model proposed in this work and adopted by the tool deals with media objects distributed in a computer network, allowing the definition of acceptable delay thresholds and alternative media objects. Due to the large expressiveness of the model, however, specifications can be generated with logical and temporary inconsistencies. For this reason, the tool also provides E-LOTOS specifications used with the purpose of analyzing and verifying the applications aiming at validating the temporal requirements defined by the author. The formalization of the specifications by means of a TDF, beyond making their validation possible, provides descriptions free of ambiguities, which may be alternatively used by authors familiarized with the formal description technique. This work is part of DAMD (Distributed Multimedia Applications Design) project, sponsored by the Brazilian research council. Its main objectives are to provide a methodology to completely cover the distributed multimedia applications development cycle and to allow authors who are not expert in formal methods to easily develop their applications.

The effectiveness of tour destination selection is dependent on pre-visit information sources. As competition increases in the tourism industry, destination organisations need to improve current destination selection processes. Research on current processes indicate that information sources accessed by potential tourists when making travel decisions may not be a true reflection of what the destination is offering. Any negative difference between perceived images during pre-visit and real images during the actual visit may result in poor destination reputation and dissatisfied customers. This research addresses this gap by improving the process of destination selection using a real-time data streaming mediation technique as an additional pre-visit information source. The researcher adopted a social-technologist research paradigm and a design-science approach. The research process was executed in three phases; the first phase focused on gathering knowledge on destination selection and pre-visit information sources. The findings in Phase 1 were used in Phase 2 to develop and test the performance of a prototype. Phase 3 involved the evaluation of the prototype tool in a real-world setting. One of the main outcomes of this research is the development of a destination selection framework using real-time data streaming mediation and a tool (http://www.tourcamportal.com) as proof of concept. This research has shown that real-time images are valuable pre-visit information sources when making travel decisions. Real-time images authenticate destination attractions, provide real-time availability of destinations, reduce speculations on destination attractions, and provide actual representations of destinations. The findings of this study contribute the body of knowledge and practice in the tourism sector and provide new areas for further research. / Computing / D. Phil. (Information Systems)

É notável o avanço da utilização de aplicações multimídia nos diversos setores da atividade humana. Independente da área, seja ela educação ou entretenimento, a possibilidade de agregar recursos dinâmicos como áudio e vídeo aos já largamente utilizados como texto e imagem acarreta em benefícios aos usuários destas aplicações. Além disso, com a popularização da Internet, ha uma crescente demanda pela sua execução em ambientes distribuídos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver MUSE, um ambiente gráfico para modelagem de aplicações multimídia interativas. Através de uma interface gráfica avançada e de um novo modelo de autoria de alto nível, e possível a criação de sistemas complexos de forma rápida e intuitiva. 0 modelo de autoria proposto neste trabalho e adotado pelo ambiente prevê a possibilidade de os elementos que constituem a aplicação estarem dispersos em uma rede de computadores, permitindo a definição de limiares aceitáveis de atraso e componentes alternativos. Pela grande expressividade do modelo, no entanto, podem ser geradas especificações com inconsistências lógicas e temporais. Por esta razão, o ambiente prove ainda especificações E-LOTOS - uma extensão temporal de LOTOS - utilizadas para fins de analise e verificação, permitindo a validação dos requisitos temporais das aplicações definidas pelo autor. A formalização das especificações através de uma TDF, além de viabilizar sua validação, prove descrições sem ambigüidades, que podem ser alternativamente utilizadas por autores que sejam familiarizados com a técnica de descrição formal. Este trabalho é parte do projeto DAMD (Design de Aplicações Multimídia Distribuídas) dentro do programa PROTEM fase 2, que tem por objetivo fornecer uma metodologia que cubra o ciclo completo das aplicações multimídia distribuídas e que permita a um autor não especializado em métodos formais desenvolver essas aplicações naturalmente. / It is notable the advance of multimedia applications utilization in several fields of human activity. Independent from the area, whether education or entertainment, the possibility to aggregate dynamic resources like audio and video to the ones already widely used like text and image results in benefits to the users of such applications. Besides, with the popularization of the Internet, there is an increasing demand for their execution in distributed environments. This work presents MUSE, a graphical environment for modeling interactive multimedia applications. Through an advanced graphic interface and a new high-level authoring model, it is possible to create complex systems in a fast and intuitive way. The authoring model proposed in this work and adopted by the tool deals with media objects distributed in a computer network, allowing the definition of acceptable delay thresholds and alternative media objects. Due to the large expressiveness of the model, however, specifications can be generated with logical and temporary inconsistencies. For this reason, the tool also provides E-LOTOS specifications used with the purpose of analyzing and verifying the applications aiming at validating the temporal requirements defined by the author. The formalization of the specifications by means of a TDF, beyond making their validation possible, provides descriptions free of ambiguities, which may be alternatively used by authors familiarized with the formal description technique. This work is part of DAMD (Distributed Multimedia Applications Design) project, sponsored by the Brazilian research council. Its main objectives are to provide a methodology to completely cover the distributed multimedia applications development cycle and to allow authors who are not expert in formal methods to easily develop their applications.

abstract: This study was conducted to assess the performance of 176 students who received algebra instruction through an online platform presented in one of two experimental conditions to explore the effect of personalized learning paths by comparing it with linearly flowing instruction. The study was designed around eight research questions investigating the effect of personalized learning paths on students’ learning, intrinsic motivation and satisfaction with their experience. Quantitative results were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and split-plot ANOVA methods. Additionally, qualitative feedback data were gathered from students and teachers on their experience to better explain the quantitative findings as well as improve understanding of how to effectively design an adaptive personalized learning platform. Quantitative results of the study showed no statistical difference between students assigned to treatments that compared linear and adaptive personalized instructional flows. The lack of significant differences was explained by two main factors: (a) low usage and (b) platform and content related issues. Low usage may have prevented students from being exposed to the platforms long enough to create a potential for differences between the groups. Additionally, the reasons for low usage may in part be explained by the qualitative findings, which indicated that unmotivated and tired teachers and students were not very enthusiastic about the study because it occurred near the end of school year. Further, computer access was a challenging issue at the school throughout the study. On the other hand, platform and content related issues worked to inhibit the potential beneficial effects of the platforms. The three prominent issues were: (a) the majority of the students found the content boring or difficult, (b) repeated recommendations from the adaptive platform created frustration, and (c) a barely moving progress bar caused disappointment among participants. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Technology 2015

É notável o avanço da utilização de aplicações multimídia nos diversos setores da atividade humana. Independente da área, seja ela educação ou entretenimento, a possibilidade de agregar recursos dinâmicos como áudio e vídeo aos já largamente utilizados como texto e imagem acarreta em benefícios aos usuários destas aplicações. Além disso, com a popularização da Internet, ha uma crescente demanda pela sua execução em ambientes distribuídos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver MUSE, um ambiente gráfico para modelagem de aplicações multimídia interativas. Através de uma interface gráfica avançada e de um novo modelo de autoria de alto nível, e possível a criação de sistemas complexos de forma rápida e intuitiva. 0 modelo de autoria proposto neste trabalho e adotado pelo ambiente prevê a possibilidade de os elementos que constituem a aplicação estarem dispersos em uma rede de computadores, permitindo a definição de limiares aceitáveis de atraso e componentes alternativos. Pela grande expressividade do modelo, no entanto, podem ser geradas especificações com inconsistências lógicas e temporais. Por esta razão, o ambiente prove ainda especificações E-LOTOS - uma extensão temporal de LOTOS - utilizadas para fins de analise e verificação, permitindo a validação dos requisitos temporais das aplicações definidas pelo autor. A formalização das especificações através de uma TDF, além de viabilizar sua validação, prove descrições sem ambigüidades, que podem ser alternativamente utilizadas por autores que sejam familiarizados com a técnica de descrição formal. Este trabalho é parte do projeto DAMD (Design de Aplicações Multimídia Distribuídas) dentro do programa PROTEM fase 2, que tem por objetivo fornecer uma metodologia que cubra o ciclo completo das aplicações multimídia distribuídas e que permita a um autor não especializado em métodos formais desenvolver essas aplicações naturalmente. / It is notable the advance of multimedia applications utilization in several fields of human activity. Independent from the area, whether education or entertainment, the possibility to aggregate dynamic resources like audio and video to the ones already widely used like text and image results in benefits to the users of such applications. Besides, with the popularization of the Internet, there is an increasing demand for their execution in distributed environments. This work presents MUSE, a graphical environment for modeling interactive multimedia applications. Through an advanced graphic interface and a new high-level authoring model, it is possible to create complex systems in a fast and intuitive way. The authoring model proposed in this work and adopted by the tool deals with media objects distributed in a computer network, allowing the definition of acceptable delay thresholds and alternative media objects. Due to the large expressiveness of the model, however, specifications can be generated with logical and temporary inconsistencies. For this reason, the tool also provides E-LOTOS specifications used with the purpose of analyzing and verifying the applications aiming at validating the temporal requirements defined by the author. The formalization of the specifications by means of a TDF, beyond making their validation possible, provides descriptions free of ambiguities, which may be alternatively used by authors familiarized with the formal description technique. This work is part of DAMD (Distributed Multimedia Applications Design) project, sponsored by the Brazilian research council. Its main objectives are to provide a methodology to completely cover the distributed multimedia applications development cycle and to allow authors who are not expert in formal methods to easily develop their applications.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document A CD containing, A Program in Interior Design, accompanies the paper copy of this dissertation. It can be consulted in the Unit for Special Collections in the Merensky Library on the main campus of the University of Pretoria / Dissertation (MA (Information Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Information Science / unrestricted