Gradient estimation in dendritic reinforcement learning

We study synaptic plasticity in a complex neuronal cell model where NMDA-spikes can arise in certain dendritic zones. In the context of reinforcement learning, two kinds of plasticity rules are derived, zone reinforcement (ZR) and cell reinforcement (CR), which both optimize the expected reward by stochastic gradient ascent. For ZR, the synaptic plasticity response to the external reward signal is modulated exclusively by quantities which are local to the NMDA-spike initiation zone in which the synapse is situated. CR, in addition, uses nonlocal feedback from the soma of the cell, provided by mechanisms such as the backpropagating action potential. Simulation results show that, compared to ZR, the use of nonlocal feedback in CR can drastically enhance learning performance. We suggest that the availability of nonlocal feedback for learning is a key advantage of complex neurons over networks of simple point neurons, which have previously been found to be largely equivalent with regard to computational capability.

Simulation of titration experiments

Nowadays computer simulation is used in various fields, particularly in laboratories where it is used for the exploration data which are sometimes experimentally inaccessible. In less developed countries where there is a need for up to date laboratories for the realization of practical lessons in chemistry, especially in secondary schools and some higher institutions of learning, it may permit learners to carryout experiments such as titrations without the use of laboratory materials and equipments. Computer simulations may also permit teachers to better explain the realities of practical lessons, given that computers have now become very accessible and less expensive compared to the acquisition of laboratory materials and equipments. This work is aimed at coming out with a virtual laboratory that shall permit the simulation of an acid-base titration and an oxidation-reduction titration with the use of synthetic images. To this effect, an appropriate numerical method was used to obtain appropriate organigram, which were further transcribed into source codes with the help of a programming language so as to come out with the software.

A real time simulation model of glucose-insulin metabolism for type 1 diabetes patients

In this paper, a simulation model of glucose-insulin metabolism for Type 1 diabetes patients is presented. The proposed system is based on the combination of Compartmental Models (CMs) and artificial Neural Networks (NNs). This model aims at the development of an accurate system, in order to assist Type 1 diabetes patients to handle their blood glucose profile and recognize dangerous metabolic states. Data from a Type 1 diabetes patient, stored in a database, have been used as input to the hybrid system. The data contain information about measured blood glucose levels, insulin intake, and description of food intake, along with the corresponding time. The data are passed to three separate CMs, which produce estimations about (i) the effect of Short Acting (SA) insulin intake on blood insulin concentration, (ii) the effect of Intermediate Acting (IA) insulin intake on blood insulin concentration, and (iii) the effect of carbohydrate intake on blood glucose absorption from the gut. The outputs of the three CMs are passed to a Recurrent NN (RNN) in order to predict subsequent blood glucose levels. The RNN is trained with the Real Time Recurrent Learning (RTRL) algorithm. The resulted blood glucose predictions are promising for the use of the proposed model for blood glucose level estimation for Type 1 diabetes patients.

Kostenorientiertes Controlling von E-Learning-Plattformen mit dem TCO-Konzept

Zur administrativen Unterstützung von Lehr- und Lernprozessen werden E-Learning-Plattformen eingesetzt, die auf der Grundlage des Internet Funktionen zur Distribution von Lehr- und Lernmaterialien und zur Kommunikation zwischen Lehrenden und Lernenden anbieten. Zahlreiche wissenschaftliche Beiträge und Marktstudien beschäftigen sich mit der multikriteriellen Evaluation dieser Softwareprodukte zur informatorischen Fundierung strategischer Investitionsentscheidungen. Demgegenüber werden Instrumente zum kostenorientierten Controlling von E-Learning-Plattformen allenfalls marginal thematisiert. Dieser Beitrag greift daher das Konzept der Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) auf, das einen methodischen Ansatzpunkt zur Schaffung von Kostentransparenz von E-Learning-Plattformen bildet. Aufbauend auf den konzeptionellen Grundlagen werden Problembereiche und Anwendungspotenziale für das kostenorientierte Controlling von LMS identifiziert. Zur softwaregestützten Konstruktion und Analyse von TCO-Modellen wird das Open Source-Werkzeug TCO-Tool eingeführt und seine Anwendung anhand eines synthetischen Fallbeispiels erörtert. Abschließend erfolgt die Identifikation weiterführender Entwicklungsperspektiven des TCO-Konzepts im Kontext des E-Learning. Die dargestellte Thematik ist nicht nur von theoretischem Interesse, sondern adressiert auch den steigenden Bedarf von Akteuren aus der Bildungspraxis nach Instrumenten zur informatorischen Fundierung von Investitions- und Desinvestitionsentscheidungen im Umfeld des E-Learning.

E-Learning 2.0 in hydraulic engineering education

In this contribution the experiences with e-Learning 2.0 applications by using a Wiki for the education in hydraulic engineering are shown. Up to now important information for the students has been prepared by the instructor. For this project the students were asked to collaborate and search on their own for the information they needed. Therefore a Wiki-system was used. For the engineering practice a self dependent realisation of tasks is an important requirement which students should be prepared for. With the help of online communication there should be shown the possibilities for students for working together in an interdisciplinary team. The positive experiences as well as the results of the evaluation of this project plead for a continuation of the application of e-Learning 2.0 for education. The comparison of results of tests without using Wiki and with using Wiki shows a qualitative tendency of better marks. In this contribution we present the application of Wiki in hydraulic engineering but the results can also be used for other engineering disciplines.

Accessible e-learning

People with disabilities often encounter difficulties while trying to learn something, because teaching material is for example not accessible to blind people or rooms, where courses take place, are not accessible to people using a wheelchair. E-learning provides an opportunity to disabled people. With the new German law on the equalisation of opportunities for people with disabilities for the first time access to information technology was explicitly taken up in German legislation. As a consequence of this law the framework law on universities (Hochschulrahmengesetz) was changed. The law now commit universities not to discriminate disabled students in their studies. For references on how universities can design accessible e-learning contents and provide accessible information online see http://wob11.de/links/anleitungen.html#elearning.

Learning Software Engineering via Internet

In recent years, education authorities worldwide, including the German Federal Government, have invested heavily in the development of e-learning and multimedia materials for institutions of higher learning. While for some subject matters the benefits of e-learning seem obvious, there are subjects, often consisting of a number of tenuously connected topics or requiring a balance of learning and training, for which it is a valid question whether appropriate learning materials can be presented via the Internet. Software Engineering belongs to this second group, both for its broad collection of topics and, particularly, for the required emphasis on teamwork and communication training.

MetaCampus REAL – ein europäischer Marktplatz für E-Learning Leistungen

This article addresses the discussion about open source solutions in the e-learning business. In contrast to critics by commercial suppliers this article comes to different conclusions. On the one hand such a discussion seems to be useless in this early state of the e-learning market. On the other hand solutions without costs might have a strong influence of which commercial suppliers could profit as well.

MetaCampus REAL – a European Marketplace for Lifelong Learning

This article addresses the discussion about open source solutions in the e-learning business. In contrast to critics by commercial suppliers this article comes to different conclusions. On the one hand such a discussion seems to be useless in this early state of the e-learning market. On the other hand solutions without costs might have a strong influence of which commercial suppliers could profit as well.

Zur Implementierung von e-Learning-Kursen an Bayerischen Behörden

Dieser Artikel gibt Einblicke in den Verbreitungsgrad von e-Learning-Kursen in öffentlicher Verwaltung und Behörden. Am Beispiel der Bildungsplattform BayLern® der Bayerischen Behörden werden praxisnahe Leitlinien zur Implementierung von e-Learning an Behörden aufgezeigt.