Thesis (M. S.)--Florida State University, 2005. / Advisor: Dr. Penny J. Gilmer, Florida State University, College of Education, Dept. of Middle and Secondary Education. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Sept. 19, 2005). Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 80 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. S.)--Florida State University, 2005. / Advisor: Dr. Sherry A. Southerland, Florida State University, College of Education, Dept. of Middle and Secondary Education. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Sept. 19, 2005). Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 89 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Louisville, 2005. Thesis (Ph. D.)--Western Kentucky University, 2005. / University of Louisville, Department of Leadership, Foundations, and Human Resource Education. Western Kentucky University, Department of Educational Administration, Leadership and Research. Vita. "May 2005." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 217-235).

Thesis (M. Med. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Construction companies are operating within an increasingly competitive environment. Work often has to be tendered for on a very low profit basis. If the tender is too high, work is lost. If too low the contract may be won, but the job completed at a loss, unless more effective working methods can be found. Plans are used throughout the construction industry to allocate resources and schedule work. Yet, the planning tools used; Gantt chart, PERT and Queuing theory to name but a few, represent jobs as if they are static in duration, which in the complex, dynamic construction environment are clearly inappropriate. The EPSRC fuelled interest in developing a simulation methodology by suggesting that the construction industry could be considered similar to the traditional manufacturing industry. The manufacturing industry faced similar production dilemmas, work was completed but using inefficient resource configurations, causing bottlenecks, increased work-in-progress leading to higher costs. To reduce number of problems the manufacturing industry sought to utilise and develop a planning technique that had the capacity for modelling the dynamic nature of the industry. Discrete-event simulation enables the problems associated with manufacturing to be anticipated and minimised, as opposed to constantly fire-fighting. Since using simulation has accrued such impressive benefits within the manufacturing industry it is therefore not without credence to believe that the construction industry could also obtain saving from embracing this management tool. Simulation has been applied to model a number of scenarios within the construction industry. Similarities between the applications were sought and an area for further development was identified. A problem was modeled using the most frequently encountered simulation paradigms found in the manufacturing and construction industries, 'Activity cycle' and 'Process based'. Of the two methodologies, 'Process based' was selected for the development of further models. A conclusion drawn from the research is that simulation is not being utilized within the construction industry due to the perception that it requires an excessive use of resources. The research project identified that the model building process may be simplified through the development of generic simulation modules. These generic modules enable a simulation model to be developed quickly and easily by a non-simulation practitioner. The generic modules can be connected to represent the layout of an earthmoving operation. A host of scenarios can thus be modeled with the minimum of time and effort. To ensure that only significant data and process logic was collected and included within the modules the experimental methodology factor analysis was employed. Using this experimental technique, the relationship between and significance of ten different factors were established. Further experiments were performed on the most significant factors establishing an appropriate level of detail for those factors. It was beyond the scope of this thesis to develop modules for every conceivable construction process. Therefore, a methodology is given documenting the development of the chosen construction processes.

The aim of this study has been to investigate the potential of collaborative learning using multimedia in the mathematics classroom. As part of the study, materials and approaches were developed and trialled in classrooms. These trials were carried out in three secondary schools in the Local Education Authorities of Rotherham, Sheffield and Barnsley. All the pupils involved in the classroom trials were 14 to 15 years old, in Years 9 and 10 of the National Curriculum. A case study approach was adopted and the study itself was divided into three major cycles. In Cycles 1 and 2 the focus of the development was on the integration of the use of the Domesday Interactive Video system, within a thematic approach involving practical activity, investigation, problem solving and small group collaboration. The chosen theme was that of Trees. The focus of development in Cycle 3 was the multimedia package entitled World of Number, which was sponsored by the National Curriculum Council. These resources were available on both laser disc and also CD ROM, with both versions being utilised in the classroom trials. Prior to Cycle 3 classroom trials the World of Number package was evaluated. This involved an initial evaluation by the researcher as an individual user, classroom observation of its use in school, interviews with classroom teachers and also a review of associated literature relating to evaluations and classroom use. The focus of the Cycle 3 classroom trials was on the multimedia-based activities involving one of the units from the package. This unit is based upon the analysis of video clips of motion from the real world using graphs involving speed, distance, height and time. The findings of this study have highlighted the potential of the use of multimedia in motivating pupils' interest and in promoting collaborative learning. The role of the system has been that of a medium for communication. As the study has developed the theoretical perspective offered by Vygotsky's cultural psychology has come to be increasingly relevant. Attention has been repeatedly drawn to the crucial importance of the role of the teacher and the notion of the orchestrating teacher has been seen to be resonant. The need for the provision of scaffolding by the teacher and also the need to integrate and coordinate multimedia-based activities with those of the wider classroom context has been emphasised. A micro-analysis of the discourse involved in the multimedia-based activities was carried out which revealed differences in terms of patterns of interaction. There was evidence of varying levels of collaboration and some quite superficial interaction. The importance of the role of the teacher in monitoring the peer interaction and in intervening where necessary has also been highlighted. By examining the development of pupil understanding, the analysis served to illuminate Vygotsky's notion of the function of egocentric speech and thus the direction of the development of thinking from the social to the individual, which is central to a sociocultural perspective. The study concludes with a consideration of the implications for the design of future multimedia resources, their mode of use, the role of the teacher and also the process of evaluation. Consideration is also given to possible further research questions and also to further related development.

A study has been made of a novel fluorescent and phosphorescent label 6-coumarinsulphonyl chloride (6-CSCl) based an the coumarin nucleus with a reactive group similar to dansyl chloride. The synthesis, analysis, derivatisation and application of the label to certain analytical problems have been studied. The label was obtained in a high state of purity by a straightforward sulphonation of the counarin nucleus. Characterisation of the label was carried out using mass spectrometry, NMR and IR, its purity was verified by elemental analysis. The label was found to be highly stable and react at room temperature with phenolic and amino groups. The luminescence properties of the label and its derivatives were investigated both at room temperature and at 77K. The room temperature fluorescence showed a strong pH dependence which was not observed at 77K. Environmental effects on the fluorescence properties of the derivatives at room temperature were investigated. Linearity range, quantum yields and the detection limits of the derivatives were determined. The optimum derivatisation conditions for various compounds were determined by HPLC. The analytical applications of the label were investigated by studying the behaviour of the derivatives in HPLC and TLC systems. In the area of HPLC, both pre-c6lumn and post-column derivatisation were attempted. The ion-pair pre-column derivatisation technique was found to be more suitable for this work. TLC analysis was performed on both normal phase and HPTLC plates. The separated components were detected using absorbance and phosphorimetry. Synthesis of the labels with substituents at the 4 and 7 position of the coumarin nucleus were carried out. The behaviour of the modified labels and their derivatives were compared with the original label and its derivatives.

Evaluation of museum audiences both in their physical and web-based spaces is a necessary component of museum education. For smaller museums without the personnel or knowledge to create a website and evaluate the on-line audience, using a web-based learning tool may be able to help these museums properly maintain an online site. A web-based Elm Fork Natural Heritage Museum (WBEFNHM) was created during the 2008 fall semester at the University of North Texas. The site included photographs and information from specimens housed within the physical Elm Fork Natural Heritage Museum. The site was available to three non-science majors' biology laboratory courses, and three science majors' biology laboratory courses during the 2009 spring and fall semesters. Student use of the WBEFNHM was tracked and found no significant difference between the amount of time science majors and non-majors spent on the site. This evaluation helps in understanding future use of an online EFNHM.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment requirement for the Degree of Master of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2009. / The study investigates the attitudes of educators towards the promotions that take place in schools. The intention of the Department of Education was to improve the quality of education through the involvement of all the stakeholders in the decision-making. There is a common dissatisfaction from the candidates especially those who have been unsuccessful after the selection process. i The main aim was to determine the attitudes of educators towards the school-based promotions. The results show that educators have a negative attitude towards the school-based promotions. They experience the manipulation of the process to favour certain individuals. Several studies indicate that the "glass ceiling" in promotions has been adopted in the past and even today another form of it, is being utilized. Politics play a major role in the promotion of educators in schools and some educators hold the position in the municipalities where they contest as politicians. The view of educators about the promotions was another aim, which the study investigated. The schools seem to adopt different strategies within one department with same policies. Monitoring is lacking from the department officials and the school governing bodies are entrusted with the selection processes, which they are unfamiliar with. The educators view the promotions as unjust and corrupt. The governing bodies are exposed-to promotions without training and others are illiterate which makes the selection process to be subjected to manipulation. Another aim was to determine the human relations after the promotions have been conducted. The sound human relations are important for the proper functioning of the school. The positions and the manner in which the school conducts promotions contribute to the deterioration of the human relations and the policies of the department discourage the approach, which depicts the policies of the school as an organisation with people who have been working. The educators feel that human relations are strained when there has been a competition and the principal is always linked with favouratism because he or she is the only representative of the department who also determines the needs of the cum'culum of a particular school.