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.

Professionals in education continue to explore technology as a way to instruct young students, and there is an accompanying belief that this technology can make an educational and academic difference. Despite the high percentage of young students in classrooms using technology, the impact of this technology on the early literacy skills of young children remains largely unknown. Guided by Vygotsky’s social learning theory, this study reports a 24-week investigation on whether regular use of Istation®, an integrated learning system used by approximately 3,000,000 students in the United States, had an effect on the early literacy achievement of children in twelve kindergarten classrooms. A mixed-method, quasi-experimental design was constructed using propensity scores. Also investigated were the effects of the level of teacher literacy support on early literacy achievement and the interaction between Istation® use and the level of teacher literacy support. A descriptive discriminant analysis was performed to determine the main effect of Istation®. The level of teacher support and the interaction effect was then tested using a multivariate between-subject analysis. Results indicated that Istation® did have a statistically significant effect on the early literacy skills of the 72 kindergarten students studied and was able to explain 17.7% of the variance in group differences. Hearing and recording sounds and letter sound knowledge were the main contributors to group differences. Teacher literacy support and the interaction between teacher support and Istation were not significant. This study considers the relationship between technology and early literacy and concludes that Istation® can serve as a more knowledgeable other as students develop some early literacy skills; however, teachers are still needed to provide complete literacy instruction for young students.

Driven by intense competition, increasing operational cost and strict environmental regulations, the modern process and energy industry needs to find the best possible way to adapt to maintain profitability. Optimization of control and operation of the industrial systems is essential to satisfy the contradicting objectives of improving product quality and process efficiency while reducing production cost and plant downtime. Use of optimization not only improves the control and monitoring of assets but also offers better coordination among different assets. Thus, it can lead to considerable savings in energy and resource consumption, and consequently offer a reduction in operational costs, by offering better control, diagnostics and decision support. This is one of the main driving forces behind developing new methods, tools and frameworks that can be integrated with the existing industrial automation platforms to benefit from optimal control and operation. The main focus of this dissertation is the use of different process models, soft sensors and optimization techniques to improve the control, diagnostics and decision support for the process and energy industry. A generic architecture for an optimal control, diagnostics and decision support system, referred to here as a learning system, is proposed. The research is centred around an investigation of different components of the proposed learning system. Two very different case studies within the energy-intensive pulp and paper industry and the promising micro-combined heat and power (CHP) industry are selected to demonstrate the learning system. One of the main challenges in this research arises from the marked differences between the case studies in terms of size, functions, quantity and structure of the existing automation systems. Typically, only a few pulp digesters are found in a Kraft pulping mill, but there may be hundreds of units in a micro-CHP fleet. The main argument behind the selection of these two case studies is that if the proposed learning system architecture can be adapted for these significantly different cases, it can be adapted for many other energy and process industrial cases. Within the scope of this thesis, mathematical modelling, model adaptation, model predictive control and diagnostics methods are studied for continuous pulp digesters, whereas mathematical modelling, model adaptation and diagnostics techniques are explored for the micro-CHP fleet. / FUDIPO – FUture DIrections for Process industry Optimization

The aim of this work is to design and implement E-learning system. This system will be targeted on the Algorithms course education in English. Thanks to this fact, foreign students will be able to attend the course, too. The introduction part offers an overview of basic conceptions related to E-learning systems: conceptual and detailed design of E-learning system, system development, designing system testing and maintenance and system improving. Theoretical part of this project is focused on selected topics from data structures, searching and sorting algorithms. The work is dealing with the development of E-learning system from the entire beginning to activities related with its release. Through the interface of administrator the application enables administration of courses and users. The other part of the system serves for checking of students´ results. Student part of the application makes the Algorithms course materials available and provides convenient means of knowledge testing. The results of tests are processed in a form of statistics within the system.

This diploma thesis is about design and implementation of an e-learning system to help the students in daily course of Circuits Theory. This system works with different requirements based on special rights for appropriate user-groups. Implementation of the system requires support the specific mathematical formulas, creation of study materials and functions for testing knowledges in Circuits Theory and in Safety work on electrical devices. The system is implemented using XHTML and PHP, the design using cascade style sheets CSS. The educational material is created in XML, MathML and XSL languages and tests are saved in a database. The database is designed using the UML language and implemented in MySQL database system. This system is a part of diploma thesis.

<p>An on-line quality assessment system in the industry is essential to prevent artifacts and guide manufacturing processes. Some well-developed systems can diagnose problems and help control the output qualities. However, some of the conventional methods are limited in time consumption and cost of expensive human labor. So, more efficient solutions are needed to guide future decisions and improve productivity. This thesis focuses on developing two image-based machine learning systems to accelerate the manufacturing process: one is to benefit nitrate sensor fabrication, and the other is to help image quality control for inkjet printers.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In the first work, we propose a system for predicting the nitrate sensor's performance based on non-contact images. Nitrate sensors are commonly used to reflect the nitrate levels of soil conditions in agriculture. In a roll-to-roll system, for manufacturing thin-film nitrate sensors, varying characteristics of the ion-selective membrane on screen-printed electrodes are inevitable and affect sensor performance. It is essential to monitor the sensor performance in real-time to guarantee the quality of the sensor. We also develop a system for predicting the sensor performance in on-line scenarios and making the neural networks efficiently adapt to the new data.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Streaks are the number one image quality problem in inkjet printers. In the second work, we focus on developing an efficient method to model and predict missing jets, which is the main contributor to streaks. In inkjet printing, the missing jets typically increase over printing time, and the print head needs to be purged frequently to recover missing jets and maintain print quality. We leverage machine learning techniques for developing spatio-temporal models to predict when and where the missing jets are likely to occur. The prediction system helps the inkjet printers make more intelligent decisions during customer jobs. In addition, we propose another system that will automatically identify missing jet patterns from a large-scale database that can be used in a diagnostic system to identify potential failures.</p>

This paper is an explorative interaction design study focusing on the development of a wearable device for enhanced learning of bodily skills. It uses a variation of technology scouting and matchmaking to explore possible technologies related to assistive technology for learning. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people in the concerned fields and analysis of the interviews resulted in insights that could inform the development of the design. Research findings suggest that a wearable learning system that leverages AI to guide and assist learning of bodily skills through a haptic interface could be possible with current technology. The paper proposes a schematic diagram of the system, UX goals and evaluates user attitudes towards such a system. Overall, this design study could serve as a resource for future development of AI-assisted education for activities involving bodily movement.

網際網路的蓬勃發展，造成資訊快速成長。身處在全面數位化的時代中，知識爆炸與淘汰速度加快，人民唯有不斷的學習才能適應知識的革新，才不會被時代所淘汰。 網路學習是最佳終身學習途徑，透過網路學習，不但能提昇學習者的學習動機與專業能力，且能培養終身學習者學習將理論與實務結合的問題解決能力、資訊的搜尋、整合與應用能力。遠距學習、網路學習成為廿一世紀知識經濟知識工作者不可或缺的全方位學習策略。 本研究為瞭解國家圖書館遠距教學實施現況及國家圖書館遠距教學系統中圖書資訊學課程使用者意見，以文獻分析及問卷調查的方法對國家圖書館遠距教學系統使用者基本背景資料、網頁設計、課程設計、教學系統功能、課程需求等做一問卷調查。歸納研究結果重點如下：（1）圖書館應用遠距教學系統推展終身學習、個人化服務等功能值得肯定；（2）英美國家圖書館遠距教學服務發展模式可供國內發展參考；（3）我國國家圖書館遠距教學圖書資訊學課程頗具發展潛力；（4）資訊科技與網際網路對遠距教學服務發展深具影響力；（5）學員對國家圖書館遠距學園課程需求非常期盼，希望課程多元化；（6）學員對國家圖書館遠距教學服務大都持滿意態度；（7）頻寬不足是實施網路遠距教學一大障礙；（8）國家圖書館遠距教學有關課程影音講解與課程網頁內容不同步，網頁畫面連結不穩定，影響學習效果。 根據研究結果，本研究提出八項建議：（1）國家圖書館遠距課程內容宜加深加廣；（2）國家圖書館遠距教學系統宜善用數位典藏內容，發展數位內容教材庫；（3）國家圖書館遠距教學系統宜加強課程互動與學習社群經營；（4）國家圖書館遠距教學宜加強遠距教學系統之維護與更新；（5）國家圖書館遠距教學服務宜加強推廣與宣導；（6）國家圖書館遠距教學系統宜發行遠距教學電子報；（7）國家圖書館遠距教學系統宜與專業學會合作發展網路教學方式研習課程；（8）國家圖書館遠距教學系統宜建立學習認證機制，頒予學習證書、學分、學位等以提高學習誘因。 / The Internet has been prosperous and the quantity of information has been increased rapidly. The accumulation of knowledge is so fast and the information is out-of-date so quickly. Only by learning can people keep up with the innovation of knowledge in the digitized age. E-Learning is the best way for lifelong learning. E-Learning can facilitate motivation of learning and professional ability. Meanwhile, e-learning can enhance the ability of searching, integrating and applying of information. E-Learning is a good strategy of learning for a knowledge worker in knowledge economy society. This study is carried out to understand that National Central Library’s Distance e-Learning System state-of-the-art and the learners’ opinions of library and information science courses in that system. This study uses literature review and questionnaire survey of the basic background information, homepage design, course design, function of system and the demand of learners. The results of the study are as follows ：（1）Library uses of the e-learning system to promote lifelong learning, personalized services etc. are confirmed.（2）The local library can learn the experience from the United Kingdom and America in the development module of e-learning. （3）Library and information science courses have potential development.（4） E-Learning service is under the influence of information technology and Internet. （5）The demand of e-learning courses is diversified. （6）Most learners are satisfied with the National Central Library’s e-learning service. （7）The insufficient bandwidth of the connection will be an obstacle of Web-Based Instruction.（8）The learning efficiency will be affected by asynchronous pace of courses’ video instruction and the appearance of content，and unstable linkage of web pages will also impact the efficiency. According to the result of the study, there are eight suggestions ：First, contents and scope of e-learning courses are broadened. Second, teachers can use digitized contents to create digital teaching materials. Third, the interaction of courses and the learning community management demand improvements. Fourth, maintenance of the Distance e-Learning System needs to be emphasized. Fifth, the promotion of the distance e-learning service is necessary. Sixth, the issue of e-learning electronic newsletter is suggested. Seventh, cooperative production of e-learning courses with professional associations is recommended. Finally, establishing an authentication mechanism and giving certificate，credit hour, or academic degree of e-learning will increase the motivation of learners.

The impact of affect on learning and performance has caused many researchers in the field of cognitive psychology to acknowledge the value of motivationally supportive instruction. Goal orientation, which refers to the perceptions and behaviors of the learner in achievement situations, has been the most predominant theory in learning motivation. However, research suggests multiple components are responsible for affecting student cognitive engagement. The traditional framework distinguishes individuals who are self-motivated to master challenging tasks from those who are motivated to earn favorable judgments of performance as intrinsic and extrinsic learners, respectively. In addition, learners may be further categorized by an eagerness to ensure a positive outcome or by their vigilance in avoiding negative outcomes. As such, my research explores how these motivational categories can be utilized to construct a more robust instructional model. The objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of adaptive remediation strategies on motivation and learning performance. Research suggests the cost of integrating cognitive tasks with error analysis outweigh the benefits of sparse learning gains. However, further investigation is required to understand how feedback can improve these outcomes. The experiment presented here seeks to evaluate the adaptive instruction of two pedagogical agents embedded within two separate versions of the Virtual BNI Trainer. The basic coach uses a model of the learner's experience level to determine an appropriate level of elaboration required during remediation. In contrast, the motivationally enhanced coach uses a model of the learner's goal orientation to construct feedback that appeals to their natural disposition. A controlled experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of adaptive instruction on student self-efficacy, engagement, and learning performance in the Virtual BNI Training Environment. The results of this experiment are used to establish guidelines for integrating goal orientation, error analysis, and feedback within a virtual coach, to improve motivation and learning performance. In addition, these findings also indicate areas for future research.

Aim of thesis was to create an electronic version of an information database and the e-learning system, focusing on predatory insects and mites. The e-learning system provides information about the main types of predatory insects and mites used in biological plant protection, including the types of naturally occurring entomofauna and acarifauna agroecosystems in the Czech Republic. The system contains information about the taxonomy, morphology, development cycles, prey, methods of control, etc. Thesis is a combination of text, tables, photographs and line drawings from professional publications. The various components of the system are interconnected through hyperlinks. The system includes information on the ecotoxicology, dictionary terms and the ability to search based on various criteria. In the photo gallery you can find together 310 images, which are intended to create a picture of the morphology, development cycles and behavior of individual organisms.