As organizações públicas não vêm recebendo a mesma atenção que o setor privado quando se trata de avaliação institucional, fato que tem gerado perda de eficácia e distanciamento da sociedade. Este trabalho apresenta uma formulação conceitual preliminar, com o intuito de propor um processo de avaliação institucional para a Divisão de Confiabilidade Metrológica Aeroespacial, organização militar pertencente ao Instituto de Fomento e Coordenação Industrial e subordinada ao Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia Aeroespacial do Comando da Aeronáutica. A Divisão de Confiabilidade Metrológica Aeroespacial é uma entidade pública responsável pelo gerenciamento de várias atividades no âmbito do Sistema de Metrologia Aeroespacial, entre as quais se destacam a normalização metrológica, a coordenação de programas interlaboratoriais e o aperfeiçoamento dos recursos humanos voltados à atividade metrológica na Aeronáutica brasileira. Este trabalho é baseado em revisão teórica e está sendo discutido no nível gerencial da organização para futura utilização. O processo de avaliação ora proposto engloba não somente uma sugestão de modelo conceitual de avaliação, como também a identificação inicial dos atuais fatores críticos de sucesso e dos indicadores de desempenho considerados mais adequados para a organização em foco. / Public organizations have not received the same attention as the private ones, concerning institutional evaluation, which generates loss of effectiveness and estrangement of the society. This work presents an authors preliminary formulation to propose a process of institutional evaluation for the Aerospace Metrological Reliability Division (a military organization pertaining to the Industrial Fostering and Coordination Institute), subordinated to the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology, which belongs to the Brazilian Aeronautical Command. Aerospace Metrological Reliability Division is a public entity, responsible for managing and coordinating several activities related to the Aerospace Metrology System, among which stands out for its metrological standardization processes, interlaboratory comparison programs and human resources improvement, related to calibration and test activities in the Brazilian Air Force. This work is based on theoretical revision and it is being currently discussed in the managerial level of the organization to be used in the near future. The evaluation process proposed includes not only a suggested conceptual evaluation model, but also the identification of current Critical Success Factors and more adjusted Performance Indicators for the Organization on focus.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) challenges us to explore whether human-to-human relationships can extend to AI, potentially reshaping the future of coaching. The purpose of this study was to examine client perceptions of being coached by a simulated AI coach, who was embodied as a vocally conversational live-motion avatar, compared to client perceptions of a human coach. It explored if and how client ratings of coaching process measures and outcome measures aligned between the two coach treatments. In this mixed methods randomized controlled trial (RCT), 81 graduate students enrolled in the study and identified a personally relevant goal to pursue. The study deployed an alternative-treatments between-subjects design, with one-third of participants receiving coaching from simulated AI coaches, another third engaging with seasoned human coaches, and the rest forming the control group. Both treatment groups had one 60-minute session guided by the CLEAR (contract, listen, explore, action, review) coaching model to support each person to gain clarity about their goal and identify specific behaviors that could help each make progress towards their goal. Quantitative data were captured through three surveys and qualitative input was captured through open-ended survey questions and 27 debrief interviews. The study utilized a Wizard of Oz technique from human-computer interaction research, ingeniously designed to sidestep the rapid obsolescence of technology by simulating an advanced AI coaching experience where participants unknowingly interacted with professional human coaches, enabling the assessment of responses to AI coaching in the absence of fully developed autonomous AI systems. The aim was to glean insights into client reactions to a future, fully autonomous AI with the expert capabilities of a human coach. Contrary to expectations from previous literature, participants did not rate professional human coaches higher than simulated AI coaches in terms of working alliance, session value, or outcomes, which included self-rated competence and goal achievement. In fact, both coached groups made significant progress compared to the control group, with participants convincingly engaging with their respective coaches, as confirmed by a novel believability index. The findings challenge prevailing assumptions about human uniqueness in relation to technology. The rapid advancement of AI suggests a revolutionary shift in coaching, where AI could take on a central and surprisingly effective role, redefining what we thought only human coaches could do and reshaping their role in the age of AI.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Cloud computing has emerged as one of the most hyped information technology topics of the decade. Accordingly, many information technology service offerings are now termed as cloud offerings. Cloud computing has attracted, and continues to attract, extensive technical research attention. However, little guidance is given to prospective consumers of the cloud computing services who may not possess technical knowledge, or be interested in the in-depth technical aspects aimed at information technology specialists. Yet these consumers need to make sense of the possible advantages that may be gained from utilising cloud services, as well as the possible incremental risks it may expose an enterprise to. The aim of this study is to inform enterprise managers, who possess business knowledge and may also be knowledgeable on the main aspects of COBIT, on the topic of cloud computing. The study focuses on the significant benefits which the utilisation of cloud computing services may bring to a prospective consumer enterprise, as well as the significant incremental risks this new technological advancement may expose the enterprise to. Proposals of possible controls that the prospective consumer enterprise can implement to mitigate the incremental risks of cloud computing are also presented. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: “Cloud computing” (wolkbewerking) het na vore getree as een van die mees opspraakwekkende inligtingstegnologieverwante onderwerpe van die dekade. Gevolglik word talle inligtingstegnologie-dienste nou as “cloud”-dienste aangebied. Uitgebreide aandag in terme van tegnologiese navorsing is en word steeds deur “cloud computing” ontlok. Weinig aandag word egter geskenk aan leiding vir voornemende verbruikers van “cloud”-dienste, wie moontlik nie tegniese kennis besit nie, of nie belangstel in die diepgrondige tegniese aspekte wat op inligtingstegnologie-spesialiste gemik is nie. Tog moet hierdie verbruikers sin maak van die moontlike voordele wat die gebruik van “cloud”-dienste mag bied, asook die moontlike inkrementele risiko’s waaraan die onderneming blootgestel mag word. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die bestuurders van ondernemings, wie besigheidskennis besit en moontlik ook kundig is oor die hoof aspekte van COBIT, in te lig oor wat “cloud computing” is. Die studie fokus op die beduidende voordele wat die benutting van “cloud computing”-dienste aan die voornemende verbruikersonderneming mag bied, asook die beduidende inkrementele risiko’s waaraan die onderneming blootgestel mag word as gevolg van hierdie tegnologiese vooruitgang. Voorstelle van moontlike beheermaatreëls wat die voornemende verbruikersonderneming kan implementeer ten einde die inkrementele risiko’s van “cloud computing” teë te werk word ook aangebied.

Thesis (MEd)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis explores the use of educational technologies in grades 10 to 12 life sciences classrooms at a local high school. I argue that the application of educational technologies in science classrooms has the potential to engender critical teaching and learning, and to contribute to professional development. By reflecting on my own professional development as a science teacher over the past three years (2008-2010), I show that the use of educational technologies cultivates moments of critical pedagogy that link strongly with reflective teaching, critical thinking and transformative learning. Drawing on two intertwined narratives, I show how educational technologies can enhance reflective teaching whereby, firstly, teachers can take seriously theories and expertise in their practices; secondly, organise their classrooms so as to facilitate critical learning; and, thirdly, take up broader institutional and social issues. In addition, I show that the use of educational technologies opens up pedagogical spaces for critical thinking and transformative learning – that is, whereby learners learn creatively, actively, engagingly and reflecting on their own practices. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die gebruik van onderwystegnologie in grade 10 tot 12 lewenswetenskapklaskamers by ʼn plaaslike hoërskool. Ek argumenteer dat die toepassing van onderwystegnologie in wetenskapklaskamers die potensiaal het om kritiese onderrig en leer teweeg te bring, en ʼn bydrae tot professionele ontwikkeling te maak. Deur te reflekteer op my eie professionele ontwikkeling as ʼn wetenskaponderwyser oor die afgelope drie jaar (2008-2010), dui ek aan hoedat die gebruik van onderwystegnologie krities pedagogiese oomblikke kultiveer wat sterk aanklank vind by reflektiewe onderrig, kritiese denke en transformatiewe leer. Met betrekking tot twee narratiewe dui ek aan hoedat onderwystegnologie reflektiewe onderrig kan bevorder deurdat, eerstens, onderwysers teorieë en kundighede in hulle gebruike ernstig opneem; tweedens, klaskamers organiseer om kritiese leer te fasiliteer; en derdens, breër institusionele en sosiale kwessies aanspreek. Daarenbowe dui ek aan hoedat onderwystegnologie ook pedagogiese ruimtes vir kritiese denke en transformatiewe leer bied – dit is, waarby leerders kreatief, aktief en betrokke is, en op hulle eie praktyke reflekteer.

A report issued in 2012 by the United States Government Accountability Office (US Government Accountability Office, 2012) concluded that the United States is not producing enough graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to meet the demands of its economy. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (2001), fewer than fifty percent of students nationally possess a solid command of mathematical content. This study tested whether the insertion of Academic Service Learning (ASL) into intermediate algebra courses improved students’ performance, their motivation to learn the subject, and attitudes towards mathematics learning. ASL is an educational strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities (Duffy, Barrington, West, Heredia, & Barry, 2011). The subjects in this study were thirty-four students enrolled in intermediate algebra at a large public university in southeast Florida. The participant group consisted of fifteen students who completed the requirements of the ASL program and the comparison group consisted of nineteen students who initially showed interest in the program but dropped out of the study early in the semester. Through a mixed method analysis, the study found that the proportion of students who passed the course in the ASL group was greater than the proportion of students in the non-ASL group. Similarly, the mean final course grade in the ASL group was higher than the mean final course grade in the non-ASL group. The results of the qualitative analyses showed that all the participants enjoyed the ASL experience. In addition, some participants felt that the ASL project raised their motivation to learn mathematics and increased their competence in mathematics. However, both quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed that the students’ participation in the ASL project did not affect their attitudes towards mathematics learning. The study concluded that Academic Service Learning has the potential to help improve students’ success rates in developmental mathematics courses as well as increase their motivation to learn the subject. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Avaliar o rendimento da atividade científica e seu impacto na sociedade, com a finalidade primordial de adequar a distribuição dos recursos destinados à atividade de investigação e desenvolvimento, é um ponto indispensável na gestão e planejamento científico de qualquer instituição, instância de governo ou país para conseguir uma rentabilidade máxima nos investimentos neste campo. Este trabalho analisou o \"Estado da Arte\" no campo da Economia da Saúde no Brasil, através da pesquisa de publicações brasileiras e de publicações sobre temas brasileiros neste campo, no período de 1989 a 1998. Para tal utilizou-se a bibliometria como instrumento de análise para medir a atividade científica no campo da economia da saúde. O conhecimento organizado da literatura disponível em economia da saúde é muito importante, pois evidenciou além dos temas mais estudados pelos pesquisadores desta área, quais instituições e autores estão envolvidos com esta atividade. Para os países em desenvolvimento, onde a escassez de recursos é mais aguda, a utilização das técnicas de análise desenvolvidas pela ciência econômica, serve para subsidiar as decisões no campo da política de saúde. Embora tenham ocorrido oscilações durante o período de dez anos estudados, a aparente tendência de crescimento desse campo entre os anos de 1989 e 1995, que talvez se explique pela dificuldade do financiamento do Sistema Único de Saúde, posto que este é um dos temas que mais se destaca dentre as matérias de interesse dos pesquisadores desta área, parece ter decrescido e no ano de 1998 volta para níveis de produção quase idênticos aos de 1989. / The necessity of the evaluation of Science and Technology activities and its impact have been looked as objective strategies which aim to allocate resources conveniently on research and development. This is the essential point to manage and plan scientific activities at organisations. This work has studied the \"state of art\" in health economics in Brazil, during the past ten years. In order to carry out this proposition we have used bibliometric assessments to measure scientific activities in the field of health economics. The organised knowledge of available literature is useful because health economics aims to equip policy-makers, planners and managers with a set of analytical tools based on economic principles. Health economics is becoming increasingly influential in decisions about financing health services, and how limited budgets should be allocated to improve health. It was found that there is an apparent trend in the overall growth in literature about health economics. Perhaps, the difficulties on financing the Unified Health System can explain this trend, because this is the favourite issue of the researcher. The scientific outcome in this field grows up from 1992 to 1995, thence decreasing until 1998.

Avaliar o rendimento da atividade científica e seu impacto na sociedade, com a finalidade primordial de adequar a distribuição dos recursos destinados à atividade de investigação e desenvolvimento, é um ponto indispensável na gestão e planejamento científico de qualquer instituição, instância de governo ou país para conseguir uma rentabilidade máxima nos investimentos neste campo. Este trabalho analisou o \"Estado da Arte\" no campo da Economia da Saúde no Brasil, através da pesquisa de publicações brasileiras e de publicações sobre temas brasileiros neste campo, no período de 1989 a 1998. Para tal utilizou-se a bibliometria como instrumento de análise para medir a atividade científica no campo da economia da saúde. O conhecimento organizado da literatura disponível em economia da saúde é muito importante, pois evidenciou além dos temas mais estudados pelos pesquisadores desta área, quais instituições e autores estão envolvidos com esta atividade. Para os países em desenvolvimento, onde a escassez de recursos é mais aguda, a utilização das técnicas de análise desenvolvidas pela ciência econômica, serve para subsidiar as decisões no campo da política de saúde. Embora tenham ocorrido oscilações durante o período de dez anos estudados, a aparente tendência de crescimento desse campo entre os anos de 1989 e 1995, que talvez se explique pela dificuldade do financiamento do Sistema Único de Saúde, posto que este é um dos temas que mais se destaca dentre as matérias de interesse dos pesquisadores desta área, parece ter decrescido e no ano de 1998 volta para níveis de produção quase idênticos aos de 1989. / The necessity of the evaluation of Science and Technology activities and its impact have been looked as objective strategies which aim to allocate resources conveniently on research and development. This is the essential point to manage and plan scientific activities at organisations. This work has studied the \"state of art\" in health economics in Brazil, during the past ten years. In order to carry out this proposition we have used bibliometric assessments to measure scientific activities in the field of health economics. The organised knowledge of available literature is useful because health economics aims to equip policy-makers, planners and managers with a set of analytical tools based on economic principles. Health economics is becoming increasingly influential in decisions about financing health services, and how limited budgets should be allocated to improve health. It was found that there is an apparent trend in the overall growth in literature about health economics. Perhaps, the difficulties on financing the Unified Health System can explain this trend, because this is the favourite issue of the researcher. The scientific outcome in this field grows up from 1992 to 1995, thence decreasing until 1998.

Post-Cold War military conflicts have highlighted the need for a flexible, agile joint force responsive to emerging crises around the globe. The 2005 Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) acquisition policy document mandates a shift away from stove-piped threat-based acquisition to a capability-based model focused on the multiple ways and means of achieving an effect. This shift requires a greater emphasis on scenarios, tactics, and operational concepts during the conceptual phase of design and structured processes for technology evaluation to support this transition are lacking. In this work, a methodology for quantitative technology evaluation for systems-of-systems is defined. Physics-based models of an aircraft system are exercised within a hierarchical, object-oriented constructive simulation to quantify technology potential in the context of a relevant scenario. A major technical challenge to this approach is the lack of resources to support real-time human-in-the-loop tactical decision making and technology analysis. An approach that uses intelligent agents to create a "Meta-General" capable of forecasting strategic and tactical decisions based on technology inputs is used. To demonstrate the synergy between new technologies and tactics, surrogate models are utilized to provide intelligence to individual agents within the framework and develop a set of tactics that appropriately exploit new technologies. To address the long run-times associated with constructive military simulations, neural network surrogate models are implemented around the forecasting environment to enable rapid trade studies. Probabilistic techniques are used to quantify uncertainty and richly populate the design space with technology-infused alternatives. Since a large amount of data is produced in the analysis of systems-of-systems, dynamic, interactive visualization techniques are used to enable "what-if" games on assumptions, systems, technologies, tactics, and evolving threats. The methodology developed in this dissertation is applied to a notional Long Range Strike air vehicle and system architecture in the context of quantitative technology evaluation for the United States Air Force.

Ein wirtschaftlich optimal ausgelegtes Magnetschwebebahnsystem kann zur Lösung der weltweit drohenden Verkehrsprobleme beitragen, die im Zuge von Globalisierung und steigender Bevölkerung vor allem Regionen mit hohem Wachstumspotential bevorstehen. Im Grenzbereich zwischen Technikbewertung und Wirtschaftlichkeitsbetrachtung werden in der vorliegenden Forschungsarbeit einerseits Optimierungsansätze für das Subsystem „Antrieb und Energieversorgung“ des Transrapid vorgestellt. Sie leisten einen Beitrag zur Erhöhung der Wirtschaftlichkeit des Gesamtsystems über den Lebenszyklus. Auf der anderen Seite wird eine Methodik präsentiert, die es ermöglicht, die betriebswirtschaftlichen Wirkungen der einzelnen Optimierungsmaßnahmen für das Gesamtsystem abzuschätzen. Ausgangspunkt der Untersuchungen ist die Analyse von Zielsystem und aktuellem Entwicklungsstand des Transrapid-Systems. Darauf aufbauend lassen sich mögliche Optimierungsschwerpunkte für das Teilsystem „Antrieb und Energieversorgung“ ableiten und Varianten in Abhängigkeit der Auslegungsparameter erstellen. Kernstück der vorliegenden Ausarbeitung ist die Erstellung einer Optimierungsstrategie, die eine makroskopische Bewertung der Optimierungsansätze ermöglicht. Dies ist erforderlich, da sämtliche Optimierungen stark divergierende Auswirkungen auf die Betriebswirtschaftlichkeit des Gesamtsystems haben - neben den Kosten werden über die Leistungsfähigkeit auch die Erlöse eines Projekts beeinflusst. Basis der Strategie ist die Verknüpfung von Kostenänderungsfaktoren mit Leistungsfähigkeitsparametern. Infolgedessen wird im Ergebnis der Arbeit ein Werkzeug geschaffen, das unter projektspezifischen Randbedingungen als Entscheidungshilfe zur Auslegung des Transrapid-Subsystems „Antrieb und Energieversorgung“ dient.

Increasingly, virtual reality therapy (VRT) technologies are being used to augment pediatric rehabilitation. The mechanisms underlying success/failure of VRTs are not well understood. This thesis proposed an innovative 3-phase framework for evaluating VRT technologies with respect to neuroplasticity based on results of a scoping review of 21 studies. A case study was undertaken to demonstrate use of the framework to design and evaluate ‘Musical Steps’, a VRT technology aimed at promoting heel contact in toe-walking children. 5 therapists and 4 children were engaged in this study. The system accurately detected 88%(SD=7%) of heel contacts and was rated positively in usability testing (phase 1). Feasibility studies indicated that, while enjoyable, children did not understand the feedback provided and hence, heel contact was not increased (phase 2). These findings will direct future reiterations prior to evaluating clinical impact (phase 3). The proposed framework may enhance design and translation of therapeutically relevant VRTs.