• Refine Query
  • Source
  • Publication year
  • to
  • Language
  • 43
  • 6
  • 3
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • Tagged with
  • 70
  • 70
  • 14
  • 11
  • 10
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 7
  • 7
  • 7
  • 6
  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
41

Planning Connected: Using Online Social Networks to Improve Knowledge About Places and Communities

Ray, Aaron Parker 01 June 2011 (has links) (PDF)
The advent of Social Networking Systems (SNS) has introduced new possibilities for planners to refine and extend conventional engagement and data-gathering techniques by leveraging user-contributed, spatially-referenced content freely available online. This study examines the use of SNS content as community input, complementing input gathered through traditional participatory processes such as workshops, public comment hearings, and charrettes. Four case studies of recent community planning projects in the United States are analyzed, comparing the data gathered from traditional participatory processes with available SNS content related to each project study area, to determine to what extent the inclusion of SNS data would improve the overall data- gathering efforts of these projects. Three significant findings emerge from this analysis: (i) that SNS data analysis can positively complement data gathered from traditional participatory processes, (ii) that although SNS data analysis can provide useful data to planners, it is not a direct replacement for conventional engagement techniques, and (iii) that SNS data analysis is most effective for projects in neighborhoods with a well- defined identity. The study also examines the characteristics of effective SNS data analysis integration and discusses broader implications for planning practitioners and additional research needed.
42

The 2014 Electronics and Telecommunications Research Seminar Series: 13th Workshop Proceedings

Sheriff, Ray E. 01 April 2014 (has links)
This is the thirteenth workshop to be organised under the postgraduate programmes in electrical and electronic engineering (EEE). In total, twenty-nine papers, divided into eight themes, comprise the Proceedings.
43

Emerging Technologies in Language Pedagogy: Language Learners' Perceptions through the Lenses of Innovation Diffusion and User Intention Theories

Polat, Mustafa January 2016 (has links)
Recently, it has been admitted by many researchers that students today are "digital natives" who already utilize several different technologies everyday with different purposes. Furthermore, while there is a plethora of research about learners' perceptions in language pedagogy, there is a paucity of information and research that could move beyond generic perception studies especially regarding new technologies. Accordingly, educators are still concerned not only with how to encourage EFL learners to adopt emerging technologies that could be invaluable in their language learning processes, but also with how to keep students interested in what they are learning. Thus, an understanding beyond students' perceptions with a purposive focus on their approach to technology by also exploring factors that have an influence on their adoption of emerging technologies is the key to knowing how to motivate students to integrate new technologies, and how to keep students interested in the learning process. Therefore, the purpose of this study was three-fold: to identify language learners' approaches to technologies; to examine their attitude toward emerging technologies with a focus on their familiarity, actual use, intentions and perceptions; and finally to analyze the factors and relationships among these factors that best predict language learners' intentions and decisions to use emerging technologies. The study specifically aimed to explore the following emerging technologies: (a) social networking, (b) mobile learning, and (c) digital games as major emerging technologies of today with also a focus on other emerging technologies: (a) augmented reality, (b) wearable technologies, (c) virtual assistants, (d) massive online open courses, (e) 3D printing and (f) online language learning platforms. This mixed methods study benefitted from multiple disciplines, and presented several different perspectives to achieve its aim. The data were obtained through a survey, open-ended questions, and semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. In addition, structural equation modeling was utilized and path analysis was employed to draw on two complementary frameworks: innovation diffusion theory (Rogers, 2003), especially its application in technology adopter categories (TACI) (Dugas, 2005), and the decomposed theory of planned behavior (DTPB) (Taylor & Todd, 1995), which was adapted for this research. The qualitative data was analyzed through thematic content analysis, and used to triangulate and affirm what the quantitative data was showing. The findings indicated that technology adopter categories were normally distributed among EFL learners at a public and a private university in Turkey. Although most EFL learners were quite familiar and confident with major emerging technologies, they were not very familiar with minor emerging technologies. As for an awareness of the benefits of all listed emerging technologies, the study revealed that EFL learners' awareness is quite high; however, it was also found that participants' intention to use these emerging technologies and their actual use were very low. Finally, the results showed that the adapted DTPB was useful in explaining much of the variance in the intention to integrate technology into language learning processes by EFL learners, and attitude was the most important predictor and factor of behavioral intention. Given these findings, this research aims to contribute to the literature in innovation diffusion, user adoption and language pedagogy by offering several theoretical, methodological, and pedagogical implications and directions for future research and applications.
44

Cooperação e Rotas Tecnológicas para o desenvolvimento de tecnologias sobre energia solar fotovoltaica: uma análise baseada em patentes / Cooperation and Technological Routes for development of photovoltaic solar energy technologies: a patent-based analysis

Paulo, Alex Fabianne de 27 May 2019 (has links)
O desafio para amenizar a degradação do meio ambiente, principalmente referente às mudanças climáticas, tem levado a um aumento no interesse em mecanismos que incentivem o desenvolvimento e a adoção de tecnologias verdes. Uma dessas tecnologias refere-se à exploração de energia por meio da radiação solar. Por meio de patentes sobre energia fotovoltaica (PV) classificadas no IPC Green Inventory e depositadas entre 1998, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo compreender se as organizações proprietárias das tecnologias PV emergentes as desenvolvem por meio de cooperação tecnológica. A identificação das tecnologias emergentes ocorre por meio da análise de rotas tecnológicas bem como na observação da cooperação tecnológica entre titulares de patentes PV obtidas utilizando a metodologia de análise de redes sociais. Assim, foi possível descrever o perfil dos titulares das patentes PV, identificar as rotas e as tecnologias mais emergentes e promissoras e ainda mapear/caracterizar as redes de cooperação formada pelos titulares dessas patentes. Os resultados permitiram constatar que as organizações detentoras das principais patentes PV priorizam os seus desenvolvimentos exclusivamente nas suas áreas internas de P&D, abrindo mão de vantagens amplamente discutidas na literatura sobre a cooperação tecnológica. Também se concluiu que a indústria PV é predominante fechada, com relações de cooperação prioritárias entre organizações de mesma nacionalidade, organizações japonesas e americanas são as maiores influenciadoras nessas redes de cooperação e a base tecnológica para as tecnologias PV mais emergentes estão concentrados nos escritórios em patentes dos Estados Unidos e Japão. Além disso, a China tem evoluído exponencialmente na produção de patentes PV, mas ainda não se destaca como principal influenciador no desenvolvimento de inovações PV e as rotas tecnológicas também denotam um perfil de desenvolvimento não-colaborativo, com foco em criação interna ou aquisição de pesquisadores independentes. Os resultados também permitiram constatar o papel insignificante do Brasil no desenvolvimento de tecnologias PV. Apesar da crescente evolução nos últimos anos, os esforços têm sido tímidos e focados no fomento à geração de energia PV e não no desenvolvimento deste tipo de tecnologia. Apesar deste contexto, um conjunto de recomendações é dado para alavancar o potencial de desenvolvimento de tecnologias PV pelo Brasil com base em lições de países como China, Estados Unidos e Japão. Estes resultados também podem auxiliar pesquisadores, empresas e/ou universidades na identificação de tecnologias emergentes para a indústria PV. Além disso, pode apoiar nas decisões estratégicas sobre P&D, na priorização de investimentos, na identificação de potenciais parcerias (ou concorrentes) para desenvolvimento tecnológico e colaborar na definição de políticas públicas pautadas no fomento ao desenvolvimento e uso de energia PV / The challenge of mitigating the environment degradation, especially issues related to climate change, has led to an increase in interest in mechanisms that encourage development and adoption of green technologies. So, fostering innovation and development of green technologies becomes necessary for environmental and business sustainability. One of them, based on renewable and non-polluting resources, refers to the exploitation of energy through solar radiation called photovoltaic (PV). Through PV energy patents classified in the IPC Green Inventory and applied from 1998 to 2017 in the world\'s leading patent offices, this research aims to understand if assignees of emerging PV technologies develop them through technological cooperation. The identification of emerging technologies occurs using analysis of technological routes as well as the observation of technological cooperation between PV assignees is designed by analysis of social networks. Thus, it was possible to describe the profile of PV patents assignees, identify the technological routes and most promising and emerging PV technologies, and characterize technological cooperation between PV assignees. The findings pointed out that the organizations that own main PV patents prioritize their development exclusively in their internal R&D areas, leaving aside the widely discussed advantages of technological cooperation. It was also concluded that PV industry is predominantly closed in a collaborative point of view, prioritize relations between organizations of the same nationality, Japanese and American organizations are the major influencers in the cooperation networks of PV assignees and technological base of the most emerging technologies are concentrated in patent offices in the USA and Japan. In addition, China has evolved exponentially in PV patents production but still does not stand out as the main influencer in the development of PV innovations and the technological routes also denote a profile of non-collaborative development, with focus on internal creation or acquisition of independent researchers. The results also allowed us to verify the insignificant role of Brazil in the development of PV technologies. Despite the growing trend in recent years, efforts have been timid and focused on fostering PV power generation and not on the development of this type of technology. Despite this context, a set of recommendations is given to leverage the potential for development of PV technologies by Brazil based on lessons from countries such as China, the United States and Japan. These results may assist researchers, companies and universities to identify emerging technologies in the PV industry. In addition, it can support strategic decisions on R&D, prioritize investments, identify potential partnerships (or competitors) for technological development and collaborate in the definition of public policies based on development and use of PV solar energy
45

Méthodologie pour l'évaluation des signaux émis par les technologies émergentes. : Applications à la compatibilité électromagnétique des systèmes et à l'exposition des personnes. / Methodology for the evaluation of signals emitted by emerging technology. : Applications to electromagnetic compatibility and to human exposure.

Letertre, Thierry 11 December 2013 (has links)
La connaissance de l’exposition des personnes aux champs électromagnétiques radiofréquences, pour le public ou pour les professionnels, est encore aujourd’hui très parcellaire. Deux problématiques sont encore mal connues:• La connaissance des usages des objets communicants, en évolution constante et rapide,• L'estimation de l'impact potentiel que pourraient avoir ces nouvelles technologies sur l'environnement.Ce document est une synthèse des travaux de recherche conduits pour affiner les questions de compatibilité électromagnétique et d’exposition des personnes. Dans ce contexte, il a fallu évaluer, caractériser et définir les paramètres les plus importants des signaux rayonnés ou des niveaux des champs électromagnétiques émis par les dispositifs mettant en œuvre les technologies émergentes. Dans cette étude, on s’est également intéressé à des problématiques connexes comme l’exposition des personnes aux champs électromagnétiques de très basses fréquences induits par des lignes à très haute tension ou aux émissions rayonnées par des équipements domestiques intégrant des dispositifs électroniques potentiellement rayonnants. Il comprend également, une synthèse de tous les résultats obtenus à partir d'études de cas concrets, tant sur le plan des connaissances détaillées de la compatibilité électromagnétique des systèmes nouveaux ou émergents que sur la problématique de l’exposition des personnes. Enfin, des solutions ont été proposées, pouvant permettre d’améliorer les connaissances des signaux et des impacts potentiels par des modifications de normes, par la prise en compte de nouveaux paramètres plus pertinents, ou par la modification de procédures d’étalonnage de systèmes utilisés pour caractériser l’exposition. / The knowledge of human exposure, either general public or occupational, to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, is still incomplete. Two issues are yet to be addressed:• Knowledge of the uses of communicating objects that are ever changing,• The evaluation of the potential impact that these new technologies could have on the environment.This document provides a synthesis of studies conducted to address the issues of electromagnetic compatibility and human exposure. In this context, it was necessary to evaluate, to characterize and to define the most relevant parameters of the radiated signals or the levels of electromagnetic fields emitted by devices that implement these emerging technologies. We additionally examined related issues such as exposure to electromagnetic fields at very low frequencies induced by high-voltage lines or emissions from domestic equipment integrating potentially radiating electronic devices. It also includes a summary of all results obtained from actual case studies, in terms of the knowledge of both the detailed electromagnetic compatibility of new or emerging systems and human exposure. Finally, solutions have been proposed that can help to improve the knowledge of signals and potential impacts, through updates of either current standards by taking into account more relevant new parameters or modification of calibration procedures of the instrumentation employed to characterize the exposure.
46

Potato starch modification using the ozone technology / Modificação de amido de batata utilizando a tecnologia do ozônio

Silva, Nanci Castanha da 08 February 2017 (has links)
Starch modification is a widely employed and important technique, allowing to obtain ingredients with different characteristics, expanding the range of applications of starches and bringing competitive advantages for different industries. Despite the production of toxic residues, and despite the increasing concern about environmental issues, the use of chemical agents in starch modification by oxidation is still very popular. Ozone can be a solution to change it, since is a very powerful oxidising agent that can be quickly decomposed into oxygen, whose residues meet the global demand for sustainability. Therefore, it can be a safer alternative for both consumers and environment. In this work the use of ozone in aqueous solution as a starch modification method was evaluated. The effects of the different ozonation times on the structure and properties of the potato starch were investigated. With increasing the ozonation time, it was observed an increase in the carbonyl, carboxyl and reducing sugar contents, as well as a decrease in the pH, apparent amylose content and molecular size, demonstrating that the potato starch processed with ozone was modified in its molecular level. Further, X-ray diffraction analysis showed no significant changes in the relative crystallinity of the granules, while in the microscopy analysis it was observed some alterations in the granules morphology. All these changes directly affected the modified starch properties, resulting in significant differences in the pasting properties, gel texture and paste clarity. The obtained results are promising, since they can prove the effectiveness of using ozone, a still little explored and sustainable method, as an efficient oxidizing agent for starch modification. / Modificação de amidos é uma técnica amplamente empregada e muito importante, permitindo a obtenção de ingredientes com diferentes características, ampliando a gama de aplicação dos amidos e trazendo vantagens competitivas para diferentes indústrias. Apesar da produção de resíduos tóxicos, e apesar da crescente preocupação com as questões ambientais, o uso de agentes químicos na modificação de amidos ainda é muito popular. O ozônio pode ser uma alternativa para mudar este cenário, uma vez que é um poderoso agente oxidante que pode ser rapidamente decomposto em oxigênio, cujos resíduos vão de encontro com a demanda global por sustentabilidade. Portanto, esta pode ser uma alternativa mais segura tanto para os consumidores quanto para o meio ambiente. Neste trabalho avaliou-se o uso de ozônio em solução aquosa como método de modificação de amido. Foram investigados os efeitos de diferentes tempos de ozonização na estrutura e nas propriedades do amido de batata. Com o aumento do tempo de ozonização, foram observados aumento nos teores de carbonila, carboxila e açúcares redutores e diminuição no pH, no teor de amilose aparente e no tamanho molecular, demonstrando que o amido de batata processado com ozônio foi modificado a nível molecular. Além disso, análises de difração de raio-X não mostraram alterações significativas na cristalinidade relativa dos grânulos, enquanto nas análises de microscopia foram observadas algumas alterações na morfologia dos grânulos. Todas estas alterações afetaram diretamente as propriedades do amido modificado, resultando em diferenças significativas nas propriedades de pasta, textura de gel e claridade de pasta. Os resultados obtidos são bastante promissores, uma vez que provam a eficácia de se utilizar o ozônio, um método sustentável e ainda pouco explorado, como um eficaz agente oxidante para a modificação de amido.
47

Investigation de l’impact de l’interaction sociale vocale sur l’expérience utilisateur dans les environnements 3D temps-réel immersif / Investigation of the impact of vocal social interaction on the user experience in immersive real-time 3D environments.

Eynard, Rémy 29 April 2016 (has links)
L’expérience utilisateur est récemment devenue un sujet central dans la conception de produits ou services. Avec la démocratisation de la Réalité Virtuelle (RV), de plus en plus d’acteurs économiques prennent conscience du potentiel de la RV dans leurs secteurs respectifs.Dans ce contexte de plus en plus dynamique, l’expérience utilisateur (UX) permet d’anticiper les attentes des utilisateurs et des concepteurs afin de proposer l’expérience la plus satisfaisante possible. De plus, au travers de l’anticipation de l’expérience utilisateur, nous sommes en mesure de prédire de plus en plus précisément le degré d’adoption d’une solution technologique par les futurs utilisateurs. Nous avons aujourd’hui compris que la seule dimension technologique n’est plus suffisante pour assurer la réussite d’un produit matériel et/ou logiciel. En revanche, ce produit doit correspondre à l’usage que l’utilisateur compte en faire, et plus encore, il doit offrir une expérience unique, au travers de sensations, de perceptions, d’émotions et de réflexion, induisant un degré de satisfaction le plus élevé possible.Un consensus est depuis longtemps établi sur le fait que jouer, créer, apprendre ensemble est plus efficace et amusant qu’une activité solitaire. Partager et communiquer est primordial, c’est au travers des interactions sociales avec nos semblables que nous sommes capables de combler nombre de nos besoins, des plus pragmatiques aux plus éthérés. Nous avons, au travers de l’étude empirique conduite dans le cadre de cette thèse, apporté une meilleure compréhension de l’impact des interactions sociales (par la modalité vocale) dans le processus d’expérience utilisateur en 3D-IVE (3D Immersive Virtual Environment). À l’aide d’un état de l’art s’appuyant sur les études existantes de l’impact de l’interaction sociale sur la présence virtuelle (sentiment d’être là) ou l’engagement de l’utilisateur (flow). Nous proposons une vision plus holistique de cet impact par une étude centrée sur l’expérience utilisateur globale.Pour ce faire, nous avons conduit trois expérimentations immergeant des binômes d’utilisateurs dans un 3D-IVE. Par la répartition des participants en deux échantillons, l’un étant en mesure de communiquer vocalement, l’autre ne l’étant pas, nous avons pu comparer des données quantitatives et qualitatives afin de mettre en exergue l’impact des interactions sociales (vocales) sur l’expérience vécue. Les résultats quantitatifs obtenus ont confirmé nos postulats quant à l’impact bénéfique de l’interaction sociale (vocale) sur les performances des utilisateurs. Fait surprenant, nous avons aussi observé que la présence virtuelle ressentie tendait à être plus forte lorsque les participants, ne pouvant pas communiquer vocalement, se complétaient par le phénomène naturel de « translucence ». Toutefois, nous avons dû pondérer ces résultats, eu égard aux groupes de discussion qui ont fait émerger des différences d’appréhension de la performance, de la présence virtuelle et sociale. Cette triangulation entre quantitatif objectif, quantitatif subjectif et qualitatif a confirmé la nature variable de l’UX (en fonction de l’utilisateur et du temps) et l’influence forte de la nature de l'activité de l’expérimentation.Nos travaux ont permis de valider la capacité des environnements immersifs simples (logiciel de jeu Minecraft) à générer un bon niveau de présence virtuelle et d’engagement et, de manière générale, un haut niveau de satisfaction chez les utilisateurs. Nous apportons aussi un éclairage sur les méthodes à employer dans ce type de contexte vis-à-vis de la conception des tâches à accomplir; en effet, une même tâche présentée différemment peut induire une expérience assez dissemblable. Malgré la difficulté à généraliser un résultat dû à la nature très variable de l’expérience utilisateur, nous pensons que nos travaux contribueront à une plus grande compréhension de l’impact des interactions sociales vocales sur l’UX dans les 3D-IVEs. / User experience has recently become a central issue regarding to the design of products or services. With the democratization of Virtual Reality (VR), more and more economic actors start to being aware of the potential of VR in their respective sectors.In this increasingly dynamic context, user experience (UX) allows the anticipation of users’ and designers’ expectations in order to offer the most satisfying experience as possible. In addition, through the anticipation of user experience, we are able to predict more precisely the adoption level of a technological solution by future users. We have understood today that the only technological dimension is no longer enough to ensure the success of a hardware and/or software product. However, this must fit to the use that user will have of it, and more, it must provide a unique experience, through sensations, perceptions, emotions and thinking, inducing the highest satisfaction possible.A consensus has been established since a long time about the fact that play, create, learn together are more effective and fun than a lonely activity. Share and communicate is a primary need, it is through social interactions with our peers that we are able to fulfill many of our needs, from the most pragmatic to the most ethereal. We have, through the empirical study conducted as part of this thesis, brought a better understanding of the impact of social interactions (vocal mode) on the user experience process in a 3D-IVE (3D Immersive Virtual Environment). Through a literature review based on existing studies of the impact of social interaction on virtual presence (feeling of being there) or on users’ engagement (flow), we propose a more holistic view of this impact by a study focused on the overall user experience.With this aim, we have conducted three experiments immersing pairs of users in a 3D-IVE. By the division of participants into two samples, one being able to vocally communicate, the other not being so, we were able to compare quantitative and qualitative data to highlight the impact of social interactions (voice) on the user experience. Obtained quantitative results have confirmed our assumptions regarding the beneficial impact of social interaction (voice) on user performance. Surprisingly, we also observed that the perceived virtual presence tended to be higher when participants that were not able to communicate vocally, relied on the natural phenomenon of “translucence”. However, we had to balance these results, given to focus groups that have arisen differences regarding to the apprehension of performances, virtual and social presence. This triangulation between objective quantitative, subjective quantitative and qualitative data has confirmed the variable nature of the UX (depending on the user and time) and the strong influence of the nature of the activity of the experimentation.Our studies have validated the ability of simple immersive environments (Minecraft game software) to generate a high level of virtual presence and engagement, and in general, a high level of satisfaction among users. We also provide an insight into methods to be used in this type of context regarding to the design of tasks. Indeed, the same task presented differently can induce a quite dissimilar experience. Despite the difficulty to generalize a result due to the highly variable nature of user experience, we believe that our work will contribute to a greater understanding of the impact of vocal social interactions on UX in 3D-IVEs.
48

Transforming distance learning in South Africa with emerging technologies: the academic view.

Erasmus, Margaretha. January 2008 (has links)
<p> <p>&nbsp / </p> </p> <p align="left">Within a context of rapid technological change and shifting market conditions, the South African education system is challenged with providing increased education opportunities without increased budgets. Many educational institutions are answering the challenge without increased budgets. Several educational institutions are answering the challenge by developing distance education programs through information technology, but in the case of one institution, strategic intentions involving information technology and distance learning have not been fulfilled. At its most basic level, distance education takes place when a teacher and student(s) are separated by physical distance. Technology, often in combination with face-to-face communication, can be used to bridge instructional gaps. It can be argued that modes of teaching and learning are changing, and we must redefine what is meant by the word &ldquo / student&rdquo / . For example: what should we really call an adult involved in life long learning? The term &ldquo / student&rdquo / seems inappropriate. These types of programs can provide adults with a second chance at tertiary education, reach those disadvantaged by limited time, distance or physical disability, and update the knowledge base of workers at their places of employment. The aim of this research is to determine and understand the growing role of information technology in promoting quality assurance in higher education, and in expanding the education opportunities and workplace learning through the use of distance learning. This work investigates how distance learning can be improved by making use of IT with <font face="Times-Roman" size="3">particular regard to the underprivileged, and the potential contribution to national transformation. This is summarized in the research question: </font><i><font face="Times-Italic" size="3"><font face="Times-Italic" size="3">&ldquo / How can we improve distance learning in South Africa with emerging technologies?&rdquo / </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="3">&nbsp / review of the literature, interviews with experts, and reviews of conference papers provided the principle inputs. The academic literatures were supplemented by studies of papers from the Department of Education and other non-academic sources. Based on the reading of the literature, and the views of experts, questionnaires and field experiments were designed and applied to a statistically significant population of respondents. A combination of statistical analysis and content analysis of open questions from the questionnaires lead to comparative evidence about different learning styles and different communities of learners, and the extent to which different learning styles are effective for the different kinds of learners.</font></i></p>
49

Transforming distance learning in South Africa with emerging technologies: the academic view.

Erasmus, Margaretha. January 2008 (has links)
<p> <p>&nbsp / </p> </p> <p align="left">Within a context of rapid technological change and shifting market conditions, the South African education system is challenged with providing increased education opportunities without increased budgets. Many educational institutions are answering the challenge without increased budgets. Several educational institutions are answering the challenge by developing distance education programs through information technology, but in the case of one institution, strategic intentions involving information technology and distance learning have not been fulfilled. At its most basic level, distance education takes place when a teacher and student(s) are separated by physical distance. Technology, often in combination with face-to-face communication, can be used to bridge instructional gaps. It can be argued that modes of teaching and learning are changing, and we must redefine what is meant by the word &ldquo / student&rdquo / . For example: what should we really call an adult involved in life long learning? The term &ldquo / student&rdquo / seems inappropriate. These types of programs can provide adults with a second chance at tertiary education, reach those disadvantaged by limited time, distance or physical disability, and update the knowledge base of workers at their places of employment. The aim of this research is to determine and understand the growing role of information technology in promoting quality assurance in higher education, and in expanding the education opportunities and workplace learning through the use of distance learning. This work investigates how distance learning can be improved by making use of IT with <font face="Times-Roman" size="3">particular regard to the underprivileged, and the potential contribution to national transformation. This is summarized in the research question: </font><i><font face="Times-Italic" size="3"><font face="Times-Italic" size="3">&ldquo / How can we improve distance learning in South Africa with emerging technologies?&rdquo / </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="3">&nbsp / review of the literature, interviews with experts, and reviews of conference papers provided the principle inputs. The academic literatures were supplemented by studies of papers from the Department of Education and other non-academic sources. Based on the reading of the literature, and the views of experts, questionnaires and field experiments were designed and applied to a statistically significant population of respondents. A combination of statistical analysis and content analysis of open questions from the questionnaires lead to comparative evidence about different learning styles and different communities of learners, and the extent to which different learning styles are effective for the different kinds of learners.</font></i></p>
50

Concevoir avec des technologies émergentes pour la construction conjointe des pratiques et des artefacts : apports d’une méthodologie participative à l’innovation technologique et pédagogique / Designing with emerging technologies for the joint definition of artifacts and of professional practices : benefits of participatory methods for technological and pedagogical innovation

Knibbe, Cédric 20 December 2016 (has links)
Les Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication pour l’Enseignement (TICE) peuvent transformer profondément les pratiques pédagogiques. Cependant, pour que ce bénéfice potentiel se réalise, il faut que les solutions produites en conception puissent à la fois s’intégrer à ces pratiques et être sources d’innovation potentielles, en termes de plus-values pour les activités d’enseignement et d’apprentissage. L’objectif de cette thèse est de mettre en avant des facteurs de conception qui permettent d’articuler ces enjeux dans le cadre d’un projet de conception sur technologie émergente pour l’enseignement. Ainsi, la recherche s’intéresse à une démarche participative mise en œuvre dans la conception conjointe d’un système technique (l’application sur table interactive) et des pratiques enseignantes (par l’intermédiaire de scénarios pédagogiques). Nos hypothèses concernent les effets de différents facteurs sur l’élaboration d’un compromis entre des enjeux d’intégration et d’innovation : implication de futurs utilisateurs « pionniers » ; opportunités de confrontation de leurs hypothèses de conception ; cadrage du champ des possibles. Les analyses portent sur l’ensemble de la démarche de conception, afin de caractériser ces effets d’un point de vue longitudinal en les situant par rapport aux différentes méthodes mobilisées et à l’avancement des solutions de conception. En particulier, les justifications des choix de conception relatifs à certaines composantes de l’artefact en cours d’élaboration sont étudiées pour caractériser, d’une part, les facteurs de la conception qui ont contextualisé ces choix et, d’autre part, leurs liens avec les enjeux d’innovation ou d’intégration, voire les deux. Les résultats montrent que : (i) la mobilisation et la redéfinition des scénarios pédagogiques, l’implication d’enseignants en tant que co-concepteurs, la confrontation des solutions de conception sur prototype et en simulation et enfin le recueil des besoins favorisent la définition de caractéristiques techniques et l’intégration du système technique ; (ii) la définition des caractéristiques techniques de l’application, l’implication d’enseignants pionniers, l’identification de leurs besoins et la simulation des solutions favorisent l’adaptation des pratiques enseignantes aux caractéristiques de la technologie en vue d’optimiser son intégration ; (iii) les différentes formes de confrontation à la nouvelle technologie ainsi que les apprentissages mutuels en conception participative vis-à-vis du potentiel technique et interactif des tables interactives contribuent à l’exploitation de ce potentiel par les concepteurs ; (iv) les caractéristiques innovantes des tables interactives, l’anticipation de leurs usages potentiels en salle de classe, la mise en œuvre des solutions de conception en situation réelle, la participation d’enseignants futurs utilisateurs leur permettant de s’approprier la nouvelle technologie et l’identification de leurs difficultés actuelles favorisent l’innovation dans les scénarios pédagogiques et l’amélioration des activités d’enseignement et d’apprentissage. / Information and Communication Technologies have the potential for deeply transforming teachers’ practices. However, this requires design solutions to be adapted to these practices and, at the same time, to foster innovations, in terms of improvements for teaching and learning activities. This thesis aims at highlighting design factors that allow the articulation between these goals, in the context of a design project with emerging technologies for education. The research focuses onthe design process: joint definition of a technical system (an application on an interactive tabletop) and of teaching practices (via pedagogical scenarios); involvement of future users; design hypothesis assessment modalities; framing the scope of design possibilities. Our hypotheses concern the potential effects of these factors on the reaching of a compromise between integration and innovation related goals.Analyses cover the entire design process, in order to longitudinally examine the various design techniques used and the design process advancement. In particular, design choices related to some of the features of the artifact are analyzed to investigate the links between design factors and integration/innovation related goals.Results show that: (i) using and redefining pedagogical scenarios, involving users as co-designers, confronting the design solutions with prototypes and simulations and identifying users’ needs facilitate the technical definition of the application and its integration in future teaching activities; (ii) defining the technical properties of an artifact, involving teachers as experimenters, identifying their needs and simulating on the design solution foster the adaptation of teachers’ practices to the specificities of the technologies and optimize its integration ; (iii) allowing participants to interact with the emerging technology in different ways and the mutual learning processes between designers, regarding tabletops technical and interactional potential,help them capitalize on this potential ; (iv) identifying the innovative features of tabletops, anticipating their potential uses, testing prototypes in real class situations and involving teachers, to let them learn how to use an emerging technology and to express the existing limits of in their teaching practices, foster innovation in their pedagogical scenarios and, thus, can improve teaching and learning activities.

Page generated in 0.1092 seconds