Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The thesis deals with the detection and tracking of dim point targets in infrared images. Research topics include image process modeling with adaptive two-dimensional Least Mean Square (LMS) and Recursive Least Squares (RLS) prediction filters. Target detection is performed by significance testing the prediction error residual. A pulse tracker is developed which may be adjusted to discriminate target dynamics. The methods are applicable to detection and tracking in other spectral bands. / http://archive.org/details/adaptivedimpoint00dema / Major, United States Marine Corps

With rapid development of science and technology, introduction of the ICT different methodologies into the learning environment today becomes one of the most important factors. Application of IT tools in classroom learning in and methodology for teaching and learning processes creates number of issues, which could be solved with the help of online Learning Management System (LMS). This paper presents experiment results using of Moodle, at the course of Linear algebra and analytic geometry (LAAG) in the first semester of 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 study year. The paper presents quantitative and qualitative rationale interdependence analysis and experiment conclusion based on midterm and final exam results of the freshman students of the National University of Mongolia.

Ingen hade nog förväntat sig att världen skulle drabbas av den Covid-19 pandemi som började spridas 2019, och som än idag hänger i juni 2021. En långdragen världsomfattande kris. Det är dock inte den enda typ av kris som kan uppstå, skogsbränder och skolskjutning är även exempel på kriser och något vi sett ske flera gånger tidigare. Kriser kräver övning och då skogsbränder och skolskjutning är något som varit återkommande är det viktigt att övning sker inför nästa eventuella kris. CriseIT-projektet är ett samarbete mellan Sverige och Norge, mer specifikt Värmland och Hedmark med syfte att ta fram verktyg och metoder för att utöka digital krisövning. Lärplattformen Canvas (Learning Management System LMS) har i en tidigare studie visats relevant som plattform för krisövning, då den uppfyllde önskad användarbarhet och gav rätt förutsättningar. En funktionalitet som CriseIT har efterfrågat är möjligheten till import av data, eftersom den saknas i dag.I en tidigare studie genomförde CriseIT en seminarieövning i Canvas, som då skrevs in manuellt via Canvas grafiska gränssnitt. Något som är tidskrävande och som önskas effektiviseras genom att i stället importera krisövningar till LMS:et. CriseIT’s mål är dock att kunna importera övningar oavsett LMS och de önskade därmed att även Moodle undersöktes för dess möjlighet att importera data. Två jämföranden genomfördes därmed i denna studie mellan lärplattformarna Canvas och Moodle av vad för funktionalitet respektive gränssnitt erbjuder, samt vilka möjligheter som finns för att importera data via Canvas REST API och Moodle Web Services API. Jämförelsen bygger på en komparativ metod och är baserad på åtta kriterier som kan tänkas ingå i en seminarieövning. Dessa kriterier testades via respektive lärplattforms gränssnitt, samt via verktyget Postman genom API-anrop bestående av testdata för att undersöka respektive API:s funktionalitet och möjlighet till dataimport. Ytterligare genomfördes ett tredje jämförande av vilka skillnader och/eller likheter som finns mellan Canvas LMS REST API och Moodle Web Services API.Resultatet av studien visade att Canvas via dess REST API kan importera alla önskade kriterier medan Moodle:s API Web Services i dagsläget inte innehåller funktionalitet för att importera några av kriterierna. Därmed genomfördes även en jämförelse av kriterierna via respektive lärplattforms grafiska gränssnitt för att studera om funktionaliteten fanns via gränssnittet. Resultatet av jämförelsen visade att både Canvas och Moodle via dess grafiska gränssnitt klarar av att genomföra alla åtta kriterier. Vidare visar resultatet av studien att Canvas REST API från ett tekniskt perspektiv är mer utvecklat än Moodle:s Web Services REST API.

Decentralization of web is, also known as Web 3.0 or Semantic Web, is catching on quickly. Deployment of a decentralized network or system for learning purposes in an educational institution could involve the use of new cutting-edge technologies and tools behind blockchain systems and Social Networking Sites (SNS). These technologies can be applied in the education sector to reap numerous benefits. The benefits could be in the areas of longdistance learning, real-time availability of learning content and assignments, improved collaboration between instructors and students, better evaluation of student performance, secure and transparent payment systems for courses, and easy and structured access to student records. Yet other benefits could be achieved by the implementing educational institution in the form of automation (using artificial intelligence and machine learning tools), cost reduction, improved efficiency, system reliability, and data security and privacy. However, like everything else, the decentralization of web or other such networks comes with its own set of challenges. This research study focuses on the challenges associated with implementing a decentralized learning model for learning systems of an educational institution. The study involved both primary and secondary research. First, a thorough review was conducted of the existing literature on the implementation of decentralization technologies in the education sector. Then, a survey was conducted among 25 students to collect information on their views of what these challenges are and to validate the findings from literature revie. The study concludes that, to fully realize the benefits of deploying these technologies to DWeb learning models, several challenges need to be overcome quickly. The survey that was conducted corroborated the findings from the literature review to a large extent. Though many respondents showed their satisfaction with the decentralized e-learning practices where they have been deployed, there still seem to be large gaps in understanding, awareness, deployment, and fine-tuning of such learning systems. The survey results revealed a strong resistance to the use of new technologies among educators; a lack of accessibility to resources and technical support; and a lack of competency and confidence due, perhaps, to a lack of operational training. Overcoming these challenges would require better awareness and understanding of the current trends and developments among both students and instructors. Education system should be well-prepared to train and update both students and instructors on how to best utilize these technologies to reap their benefits. Collaboration through digital means, as opposed to iii one-on-one classroom interactions, would also require a change in the mindset of the users of these learning models. / <p>Master Thesis </p>

Using Learning Management Systems (LMSs) in educational environmentshas facilitated the communication between students and teachers, and raisednew challenges as well. The aim of this research is to investigate the role ofLMS in the learning and teaching processes from students and teachersperspectives. We adopted a social constructivist worldview. We used aninductive qualitative approach, a single case study design and hermeneuticalapproach for analyzing the interviews and observations. We used Garrison etal. (2000) community of inquiry framework as a theoretical guide for thestudy. The research took place at the School of Computer Science, Physicsand mathematics department at Linnaeus University, Växjö campus. Theparticipants of this research were students and teachers from two masterlevels within the program of Information Systems. The study results indicatedthat students and teachers were content with the usage of Blackboard inorganizing courses materials. Although, most teachers didn’t encourageinteractive and discussion activities on Blackboard, students expressed theneed for such activities to help them in constructing and building newmeanings.

Avsikten med denna uppsats har varit att undersöka om det går att urskilja några särskilda mönster i hur införandet av lärplattformen Fronter fungerar i olika undersökta skolor i en svensk kommun. Fokus lades på skolledarnas eget användande av lärplattformen som ett dagligt verktyg i sin verksamhet samt om det fanns några andra möjliga samband mellan grad av användande på skolorna och datortätheten eller elevernas ålder. För att ta reda på detta behövde jag få veta hur skolledarna använde sig av systemet samt hur väl systemet användes på olika undersökta skolor i kommunen. Undersökningsgruppen har varit några utvalda skolledare i den undersökta kommunen. Jag har bedrivit en tredelad undersökning. En strukturerad och standardiserad intervju med utvalda skolledare som berörde skolledarnas eget användande av systemet, skolans datortäthet med mera. Statistik över de olika skolornas användande av systemet är den andra metoden. Statistiken hjälpte mig att se om det fanns några kopplingar mellan skolans användandegrad och skolledarens användandegrad. Den tredje metoden var halvstrukturerad intervju med två utvalda skolledare. En skolledare på en skola där införandet av Fronter har gått sämre och en skolledare på en skola där införandet har gått bättre. Sammantaget gav dessa tre metoder större reliabilitet och tyngd åt mitt svar på frågeställningarna. Arbetets slutsats är att, på de undersökta skolorna, spelar skolledarnas eget användande i kombination med deras engagemang och tydliga ledning, säkerligen tillsammans med många andra faktorer, större roll för ett lyckat införande än vad exempelvis datortätheten gör. Allt handlar inte om skolledaren. Men initialt sett kan hon eller han vara den som bildar en samarbetsgrupp, påbörjar framtagandet av handlingsplan, utser administratörer eller bara nämner möjligheten på en skolkonferens och att användandegraden på skolan sedan ökar som ringar på vattnet. En tid efter införandet kommer enligt min uppfattning det stora eldprovet – om lärare och elever ser en verklig nytta med att använda systemet. / The purpose of this extended essay has been to examine if any patterns are identified when it comes to how successfull the introduction of the VLE Fronter is in different schools in a Swedish municipality. Focus is on the principals’ own activity and usage of Fronter. I have come to the conclusion that the most successful schools are the schools where the principals themselves use the system and the way they lead and encourage their teachers.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) are widely used in commercial, scientific, and military missions for various purposes. What makes this technology challenging is the increasing mission duration and unknown environment. It is necessary to embed fault-tolerant control paradigms into UUVs to increase the reliability of the vehicles and enable them to execute and finalize complex missions. Specifically, fault-tolerant control (FTC) comprises fault detection, identification, and control reconfiguration for fault compensation. Literature review shows that there have been no systematic methods for fault-tolerant control of UUVs in earlier investigations. This study presents a hierarchical methodology of fault detection, identification and compensation (HFDIC) that integrates these functions systematically in different levels. The method uses adaptive finite-impulse-response (FIR) modeling and analysis in its first level to detect failure occurrences. Specifically, it incorporates a FIR filter for on-line adaptive modeling, and a least-mean-squares (LMS) algorithm to minimize the output error between the monitored system and the filter in the modeling process. By analyzing the resulting adaptive filter coefficients, we extract the information on the fault occurrence. The HFDIC also includes a two-stage design of parallel Kalman filters in levels two and three for fault identification using the multiple-model adaptive estimation (MMAE). The algorithm activates latter levels only when the failure is detected, and can return back to the monitoring loop in case of false failures. On the basis of MMAE, we use multiple sliding-mode controllers and reconfigure the control law with a probability-weighted average of all the elemental control signals, in order to compensate for the fault. We validate the HFDIC on the steering and diving subsystems of Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) UUVs for various simulated actuator and/or sensor failures, and test the hierarchical fault detection and identification (HFDI) with realistic data from at-sea experiment of the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). For both occasions, we model actuator and sensor failures as additive parameter changes in the observation matrix and the output equation, respectively. Simulation results demonstrate the ability of the HFDIC to detect failures in real time, identify failures accurately with a low computational overhead, and compensate actuator and sensor failures with control reconfiguration. In particular, verification of HFDI with FAU data confirms the performance of the fault detection and identification methodology, and provides important information on the vehicle performance. / Ph. D.

e-Learning, defined as the use of information and communications technology (ICT) for supporting the educational process, has motivated Tanzania to apply ICT in its education systems. Tanzanian secondary schools which are geographically and socially isolated face a number of problems, including a way to get learning materials. The impact of these problems is poor performance in National Examinations. This poor performance however is most noted in science and mathematics. The problem in get- ting learning materials can be reduced by employing ICT. This research developed an interactive e-learning management system (e-LMS) to be used by Tanzanian secondary schools. Tanzania Secondary Schools e-Learning (TanSSe-L) system is the name adopted for an interactive e-LMS developed. The re- search is aimed at supporting teaching and learning functions by allowing for the creation and storage of learning materials, making them available, easily accessed and sharable by students from different secondary schools in Tanzania. It is a context- driven research work of knowledge production in a specific context for application. Initially, the research work focused on two selected pilot schools; Kibaha Secondary School and Wali-ul-Asr Girls’ Seminary in Kibaha town, Pwani region. Features of the TanSSe-L system represent the standard form of any secondary school registered by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. The development of the TanSSe-L system made use of software engineering discipline. The research used Unified Modelling Language (UML) and integrated Object-Orient- ed System Analysis and Design (OOSA&amp;D) and Model Driven Architecture (MDA) to address the System Development Life Cycle (SLDC) in a systemic way. UML design class diagram (DCD) is a Platform Independent Model (PIM) that was transformed into a Platform Specific Model (PSM) in MDA for implementation. Implementation made use of open source LMS to help generate a timely solution to TanSSe-L system development. In this specific context, focus group discussion as inspired by action re- search methodology was used. The research evolved into a triple helix process in close cooperation with other stakeholders. Finally, it is considered that replication and mirroring will make learning materials highly available to end-users.

Avec la place prépondérante qu’occupent les technologies de l’information et de la communication (TIC) en éducation, nous avons cherché lors de cette étude à comprendre le processus d’adoption d’une innovation pédagogique avec les TIC. Plus précisément, c’est avec un environnement numérique d’apprentissage (ENA) que le contexte d’innovation a été mis en place. Pour ce faire, un ENA a été déployé pour l’ensemble des enseignants et des élèves du secondaire d’une commission scolaire de la région de Montréal. Au préalable, les enseignants n’avaient pas accès à un ENA et la plupart n’avaient jamais été en contact, autant comme enseignant ou en tant qu’apprenant, à un ENA. Nous pouvions par conséquent considérer la situation comme étant innovante. C’est donc dans ce contexte d’innovation pédagogique avec les TIC que nous avons réalisé cette recherche. L’objectif général de la recherche avait pour but de mettre en place un prototype d’ENA afin d’identifier les facteurs qui favorisent l’adoption de l’innovation par les enseignants du secondaire puis de voir quelles sont les perceptions de l’ENA lors d’un design de fonctionnalités pédagogiques et dans quelle mesure les enseignants ont perçu les affordances. Également, cela a permis d’élaborer des principes de design pour que les enseignants puissent mieux exploiter les TIC avec l’ENA. Pour réaliser cette recherche, nous avons utilisé l’approche méthodologique Design-Based Research. Ainsi, nous avons effectué trois itérations qui comprennent chacune un cycle caractérisé par le design d’un prototype, son implémentation, sa mise à l’essai dans un contexte réel et son évaluation. L’objectif de la première itération était d’abord exploratoire. Celle-ci visait l’implémentation et l’expérimentation de l’ENA en prévision d’une diffusion large. Une entrevue de groupe et un journal de bord ont permis de documenter cette itération. Les résultats obtenus ont montré que l’ENA était pertinent pour les enseignants. Cependant, nous avons relevé qu’un ensemble d’adaptations et de modifications avaient été nécessaires avant de procéder à la diffusion large de la plateforme. Ces interventions visaient à s’assurer que l’ENA réponde le mieux possible au contexte et à la réalité des enseignants. Lors de la deuxième itération, nous avions pour objectif d’identifier avec le Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) de Davis, Bagozzi et Warshaw (1989) les facteurs qui favorisent l’adoption de l’ENA. Les résultats de cette phase nous ont montré que, d’une part, nos données s’ajustent bien avec le modèle TAM et que, d’autre part, la dimension de l’utilité est un bon prédicteur pour l’adoption de l’ENA. Pour la troisième itération, nous avons réalisé avec neuf enseignants, répartis sur deux sites, un design participatif de fonctionnalités pédagogiques. Cette démarche avait pour objectif d’analyser les perceptions des enseignants relatives à l’ENA. Cette itération a été évaluée par des entrevues semi-dirigées. L’analyse des résultats nous a permis de confirmer l’utilité de l’ENA, notamment en matière de réinvestissement des activités réalisées. Également, les enseignants ont mentionné l’importance de la formation et de l’accompagnement dans la démarche de design de fonctionnalités pédagogiques. Cette itération visait aussi à voir dans quelle mesure les affordances des TIC dans l’ENA ont été perçues. Cette démarche d’intervention consistait également à placer les enseignants en situation de perception d’affordances. Cela ne nous a cependant pas permis d’articuler une relation directe entre le design de fonctionnalités pédagogiques et sa mise en œuvre en contexte réel avec la perception explicite des affordances de l’ENA. / With the ever increasing place that information and communication technologies (ICT) occupy in education, we sought to understand the process by which teaching innovations, by means of ICT, were adopted in classrooms. More specifically, the context of innovation in this study was set up through a Leaning Management System (LMS). In order to do this, a LMS was set up for the secondary school teachers and students of a greater Montreal area school board. As a premise, teachers did not have access to LMS and the majority had never been in contact with LMS as teachers or learners. We could therefore consider this learning situation as being innovative in and of itself. Thus, it is in this innovative teaching context, using ICT, that this research was carried out. The general objective of our research was to set up a LMS prototype in order to identify the factors which support the adoption of teaching innovations by secondary school teachers. Then, we wanted to see to what extent the teacher’s perceptions of the LMS gave them the impression that the pedagogical design functions used were useful and how the affordances was perceived. This made it possible for us to determine principles of design that would allow teachers to better exploit ICT in a LMS. To carry out this research, we used the Design-Based Research methodological approach. Thus, we carried out three iterations each of which involved one cycle characterized by the design of a prototype, its implementation in an authentic setting and its evaluation. The objective of the first iteration was mainly exploratory. It aimed at the implementation and the experimentation of the LMS in preparation for a broader distribution. A group interview and logbook entries made it possible to document this iteration. The results obtained tend to show that the LMS was relevant for teachers. However, we also observed that a set of adaptations and modifications were necessary before carrying out the broader distribution of the platform. By making these interventions, we wanted to make sure that the LMS catered to the teaching context and the teachers’ reality as best as possible. In the second iteration, we used Davis, Bagozzi and Warshaw (1989) Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to identify the factors which support the adoption of a LMS. The results of this phase indicate that, on the one hand, our data conforms well with the TAM model and that, on the other hand, the perceived usefulness dimension appears to be a good predictor of the adoption of the LMS by teachers. For the third iteration, we implemented a participatory design of teaching features process with nine teachers divided into two sites. This approach was aimed at analyzing teacher perceptions concerning the LMS. This iteration was evaluated using semi-directed interviews. Result analysis enabled us to confirm the utility of the LMS, more specifically with respect to the level of reinvestment of the activities carried out. In addition, teachers mentioned the importance of training and coaching in the design of teaching features process. In this iteration, we also wanted to see the extent to which the affordances of ICT was perceived in the LMS. This intervention process involved placing teachers in a situation of perception of affordances as well. This, however, did not allow us to articulate a direct relationship between designing teaching features and their implementation in authentic contexts with the explicit perceptions of affordances of the LMS.

Information and Communication Technology is used in the education field in Sweden toimprove learning quality. The aim of this research is to investigate the use of LearningManagement Systems in primary schools, in the specific context of the role of LearningManagement System (LMS) in learning and teaching processes from teachers‟perspectives. Furthermore, This Thesis aims to explore teachers‟ perceptions of how touse this learning management system which is used in primary Swedish schools.Six teachers from two different primary schools in small municipality in the south ofSweden participated in semi-structured interviews. The theoretical model of UnifiedTheory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) inspired this qualitativeresearch along with the other related past studies. This quantitative model was only usedto sensitize the research process, for collecting and analysing qualitative data in thisstudy.The different elements of the theory such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy,social influence and facilitating conditions along with studies helps in conducting studybasedon qualitative approach for analysing the interviews. The research results indicatethat teachers were content with the usage of this learning management system, but thereis a lack of knowledge regarding this system. The system is helpful in performanceevaluation, planning, communication and overall working for routine tasks. Theresponses of interviews showed that teachers are not trained for using the features ofLearning management system in the way that it is designed for. The findings showed thatteachers require the support from professionals to integrate the system into their routineplanning. Furthermore, they also emphasise on the need to make the system user-friendlywith easy navigation. The findings of this study were compared to previous studies, anda further comparison was carried out regarding how it relates to the determinants andmoderating factors such as peer influence, internal perceptions and motivations, timeconstraints, organisational structure and facilitating conditions. Hence, support andtraining are needed to enhance learning and teaching through this Learning managementsystem.