The goal of Intelligent Tutoring systems (ITSs) is to engage the students in sustained reasoning activity and to interact with students based on a deep understanding of student behavior. In order to understand student behavior, ITSs rely on student modeling methods to observes student actions in the tutor and creates a quantitative representation of student knowledge, interests, affective states. Good student models are going to effectively help ITSs customize instructions, engage student's interest and then promote learning. Thus, the work of building ITSs and advancing student modeling should be considered as two interconnected components of one system rather than two separate topics. In this work, we utilized the theoretical support of a well-known learning science theory, the spacing effect, to guide the development of an ITS, called Automatic Reassessment and Relearning System (ARRS). ARRS not only validated the effectiveness of spacing effect, but it also served as a testing field which allowed us to find out new approaches to improve student learning by conducting large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The rich data set we gathered from ARRS has advanced our understanding of robust learning and helped us build student models with advanced data mining methods. At the end, we designed a set of API that supports the development of ARRS in next generation ASSISTments platform and adopted deep learning algorithms to further improve retention performance prediction. We believe our work is a successful example of combining theory and practice to advance science and address real- world problems.

Ce travail de thèse s'articule autour des caractéristiques de la performance dans la discipline du Vélo Tout-Terrain Cross-Country Olympique (VTT XCO). La performance produite dans une situation d’interaction homme-matériel résulte de l’adéquation optimale entre le pratiquant et son matériel. Elle résulte aussi bien de facteurs mécaniques (géométrie et rigidité du cadre, réglage des suspensions, taille des pneumatiques, transmission), biomécaniques (adoption d’un patron de pédalage adapté au terrain), physiologiques (économie du geste, endurance, fatigue) ou encore motivationnels (confiance en soi). La discipline spécifique du XCO a fortement évolué, au niveau réglementaire et technologique, depuis un peu moins d'une décennie. C’est pourquoi l’objectif de mes recherches a été de caractériser à la fois la performance in-situ et en laboratoire de manière à améliorer notre compréhension de la discipline dans son état actuel, afin de proposer des interventions au niveau de l'entrainement et sur des aspects plus fondamentaux du geste de pédalage en VTT. En s’intéressant notamment à la pratique de haut-niveau, à la dynamique des efforts et à certains aspects biomécaniques du pédalage, les résultats de ces travaux nous ont permis de mettre en évidence que le format actuel de course correspond à une épreuve de haute intensité à la fois acyclique et intermittente, mais aussi que la modification du matériel n’entraine pas forcément de changement dans le pattern de pédalage des coureurs. / This thesis focuses on performance characteristics in the Cross-Country Olympic Mountain Bike (MTB XCO) discipline. The performance produced in a man-material interaction situation results from the optimal adequacy between the rider and his equipment. It results as much from mechanical factors (frame geometry and rigidity, suspension adjustment, tyre size, transmission) as biomechanical (adoption of a pedalling pattern adapted to the terrain), physiological (economy of movement, endurance, fatigue) or motivational (self-confidence). The XCO's specific discipline has evolved considerably, both in terms of regulations and technology, in just under a decade. Therefore, the objective of my research has been to characterize both in-situ and laboratory performance in order to improve our understanding of the discipline in its current state, in order to propose interventions at the level of training and on more fundamental aspects of pedalling in mountain bikes. By focusing in particular on high-level practice, the dynamics of effort and certain biomechanical aspects of pedalling, the results of this work have enabled us to highlight that the current racing format corresponds to a high intensity event that is both acyclic and intermittent, but also that changing the equipment does not necessarily lead to a change in the pedalling pattern of riders.

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Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:33:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EDIVALDO CESAR CAMAROTTI MARTINS.pdf: 3064380 bytes, checksum: a86a04b8ed1862453c505b582a7f37f4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-26 / The research project was developed in the strict sensu post-graduate course, master's degree in Education at the Catholic University of Campinas. It is framed in the field of Social Sciences, specifically in the area of Education, in the line of research: Public Policy in Education. It aimed to study the good school practices and high performance factors in schools located in high social vulnerability regions. In order to achieve the proposed objectives a review of the literature was carried out, establishing the so-called the State of the Question. Then there was a field survey to collect empirical data through semi-structured interviews and focus groups with principals, teachers, staff, students and parents in two schools in the municipal schools in Ferraz de Vasconcelos, selected according to the results of the Basic Education Development Index 2011 and based in S?o Paulo Social Vulnerability Index, of the State System of Data Analysis Foundation. Among these schools, one had high performance in 2011, and the other one, low performance. Both school units are located in highly vulnerable regions. In terms of methodology we adopted Durkheimian and Weberian principles, classics of Sociology of Education, to support the theoretical foundations of the research. We identified fourteen good school practices and fifteen high performance factors in the school of high social vulnerability. It was evident that good practice and school factors related to pedagogical practices were what most influenced the outcomes of high social vulnerability school, followed by school resources, management and school climate / O projeto de pesquisa foi desenvolvido no curso de p?s-gradua??o scricto sensu, mestrado em educa??o da Pontif?cia Universidade Cat?lica de Campinas. Est? enquadrado no campo das ci?ncias sociais, especificamente na ?rea da Educa??o, na linha de pesquisa: Pol?ticas P?blicas em Educa??o. Teve como objetivo estudar as boas pr?ticas escolares e os fatores de alto desempenho em escolas localizadas em regi?es de alta vulnerabilidade social. Para atingir os objetivos propostos foi realizada a revis?o da literatura especializada, estabelecendo-se o chamado Estado da Quest?o. Em seguida, realizou-se uma pesquisa de campo para coleta de dados emp?ricos, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas e grupos focais com diretores, professores, funcion?rios, alunos e pais, em duas escolas da rede municipal de ensino, em Ferraz de Vasconcelos, selecionadas de acordo com os resultados do ?ndice de Desenvolvimento da Educa??o B?sica de 2011 e com base no ?ndice Paulista de Vulnerabilidade Social, da Funda??o Sistema Estadual de An?lise de Dados. Dentre essas escolas, uma apresentou alto desempenho em 2011, outra, baixo desempenho. Ambas as unidades escolares est?o localizadas em regi?es de alta vulnerabilidade social. Em termos metodol?gicos, adotaram-se princ?pios durkheinianos e weberianos, cl?ssicos da sociologia da educa??o, para fundamentar os alicerces te?ricos da pesquisa. Identificaram-se quatorze boas pr?ticas escolares e quinze fatores de alto desempenho na escola de alta vulnerabilidade social. Evidenciou-se que as boas pr?ticas e fatores escolares relacionados com as pr?ticas pedag?gicas, s?o os que mais influenciam os resultados da escola de alta vulnerabilidade social, seguido dos recursos escolares, da gest?o e do clima escolar.

This study was undertaken to investigate whether there is a performance management system within the security industry, applicable specifically to Security Officers. To investigate which performance factors, apply to security officers and how security officers perceived performance management. The management of Security Officers’ performance is an aspect of management which has not garnered much interest compared to other operational and management areas – hence the paucity of research on the performance management of security officers. They make a major contribution to the labour market with 7 949 security companies listed on the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) website, and 2 973 companies (37%) based in Gauteng alone. However, despite the high number of companies, the industry has attracted the least attention in terms of performance. The overall research purpose of this study was to explore the management of security officers’ performance in a private security company operating in South Africa,focussing specifically on a company based in the Gauteng Province. The scope of the study was aimed at investigating security officers’ perception of performance management and to link performance to actual job performance and security officers’ perceived work performance. The researcher also investigated whether biographical factors had an influence on security officers’ performance. A quantitative research methodology was utilised to conduct the study. The main research instruments were primary data, comprising a self-developed questionnaire and secondary data, comprising company records. The respondents consisted of security officers whom had been subjected to the Dependability and Safety Instrument (DSI) during the period 2013 to 2015, in the region, who were still employed at the company at the time of the study. The findings of the study identified 11 performance management factors and indicated links between self-reported and actual work performance. Biographical characteristics did not seem to influence the work performance of the security officers. However, the results did indicate that employees with less tenure were more prone to disciplinary action by the company and those with higher levels of education were prone to fewer disciplinary actions and dismissals based on AWOL. The study identified the areas that play a significant role in the management of security officers’ performance. The identification of performance management factors in the security industry and security officers’ perceptions about performance management should enable HR officers to develop and implement a performance management system that will contribute to better service delivery to both internal and external clients in this industry. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Die kindliche Lebenswelt unterlag im vergangenen Jahrhundert enormen Veränderungen. Der Alltag der Kinder und Jugendlichen ist geprägt durch einen zunehmenden Bewegungsmangel, der die Entwicklung auf motorischer, kognitiver und sozialer Ebene beeinträchtigt. Motorische Defizite, Übergewicht und Adipositas, chronisch-degenerative Erkrankungen sowie psychosomatische Störungen werden bereits bei immer jüngeren Kindern beobachtet. Die Ursachen für diese Entwicklung sind Gegenstand zahlreicher Forschungsbestrebungen, die allerdings aufgrund differenter methodischer Herangehensweisen und abhängig von der Stichprobenauswahl häufig zu unterschiedlichen Ergebnissen gelangen. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit bestand vor dem Hintergrund der Relevanz einer adäquaten Entwicklung im Kindesalter darin, den Gewichtsstatus, die motorische Leistungsfähigkeit, das Bewegungsverhalten, die familiäre Situation sowie vorliegende Entwicklungsbeeinträchtigungen von Schulanfängern auf einer umfassenden biopsychosozialen Ebene einzuschätzen. Die anschließenden Zusammenhangsanalysen sollten Aufschluss über die Bedingungsfaktoren des kindlichen Unter- und Übergewichts sowie motorischer Leistungsschwächen zum Schuleintritt der Kinder geben. 4.281 Erstklässler absolvierten den Deutschen Motoriktest für Kinder und Jugendliche (DMT 6-18). An einer Elternbefragung nahmen 3.003 Erziehungsberechtigte teil und die Befunde der Schuleingangsuntersuchung lagen von 5.629 Schulanfängern vor. Unter den untersuchten Erstklässlern wiesen 4,8 % starkes Untergewicht (≤ 3. Perzentile) und 8,9 % leichtes Untergewicht (> 3. bis ≤ 10. Perzentile) auf. Lediglich 5,0 % der Kinder waren übergewichtig (≥ 90. bis < 97. Perzentile), weitere 2,4 % adipös (≥ 97. Perzentile). Im Motoriktest zeigten 36,8 % der Schulanfänger überdurchschnittliche Ergebnisse, lediglich 11,8 % lagen unter dem Altersdurchschnitt. Anhand der Mittelwertunterschiede und Effektstärken konnten keine relevanten Einflüsse des Bewegungsverhaltens, der familiären Situation sowie der medizinischen oder geistig-sprachlichen Auffälligkeiten auf den Gewichtsstatus der Kinder festgestellt werden. Die motorische Leistungsfähigkeit der Kinder wurde entscheidend durch den wöchentlichen Umfang ihrer Sportaktivität, der Schichtzugehörigkeit der Familie, vorliegenden Störungen der Feinmotorik sowie vom Übergewicht oder der Adipositas der Schulanfänger beeinflusst. In der vorliegenden Untersuchung lässt sich der Entwicklungstrend der Zunahme von Übergewicht und motorischen Leistungsdefiziten bereits im Kindesalter nicht verallgemeinern. Anscheinend können sowohl die Familie als auch der Kindergarten, die Schule und der Sportverein den aufkommenden Bewegungsmangel durch das wachsende Angebot medienorientierter Freizeitbeschäftigungen zu einem großen Teil kompensieren. Alarmierende Berichte über die Zunahme von Übergewicht und Adipositas bereits im Kindesalter bei gleichzeitig reduzierter körperlicher Leistungsfähigkeit und einer allgemeinen Bewegungsarmut konnten nicht bestätigt werden, allerdings sollten sowohl der Gewichtsstatus als auch die motorische Leistungsfähigkeit im Kindesalter, insbesondere hinsichtlich ihrer regionalen Verteilung, weiter untersucht werden.

The purpose of the study was to develop an ethical context and behaviour model by investigating the relationship between individuals’ ethical context and behaviour variables and their job retention and performance related-factors, which has been under-researched in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s working environment. A quantitative cross-sectional survey approach was followed in this study. The population consisted predominantly of a non–probability sample of (N=839) permanently employed employees in an organisation in this country. The results revealed significant relationships between the construct variables. Structural equation modelling indicated a good fit of the data with the canonical correlations-derived measurement model. The main findings are reported and interpreted in terms of an empirically-based ethical context and behaviour model. These findings may provide new knowledge for the design of retention and performance practices which add to the body of knowledge in relation to ethical context and behaviour, job retention and performance / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D. Admin. (Industrial & Organisational Psychology)

The thesis deals with possibilities of an application of system dynamics methodics for an understanding and teaching the project management. A dynamic simulation model has been created for this purpose by using Vensim. A web simulator for the project management, which is based on the simulation model, has been created in the next part of the thesis. The benefit of the simulator over the model is its user- friendliness and its self-explanatory graphic interface, which makes it possible to use the simulation model for purposes of teaching and further reaserch in the field of project management. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

The purpose of the study was to develop an ethical context and behaviour model by investigating the relationship between individuals’ ethical context and behaviour variables and their job retention and performance related-factors, which has been under-researched in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s working environment. A quantitative cross-sectional survey approach was followed in this study. The population consisted predominantly of a non–probability sample of (N=839) permanently employed employees in an organisation in this country. The results revealed significant relationships between the construct variables. Structural equation modelling indicated a good fit of the data with the canonical correlations-derived measurement model. The main findings are reported and interpreted in terms of an empirically-based ethical context and behaviour model. These findings may provide new knowledge for the design of retention and performance practices which add to the body of knowledge in relation to ethical context and behaviour, job retention and performance / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D. Admin. (Industrial & Organisational Psychology)