Learning through Computer Model Improvisations

It has been convincingly argued that computer simulation modeling differs from traditional science. If we understand simulation modeling as a new way of doing science, the manner in which scientists learn about the world through models must also be considered differently. This article examines how researchers learn about environmental processes through computer simulation modeling. Suggesting a conceptual framework anchored in a performative philosophical approach, we examine two modeling projects undertaken by research teams in England, both aiming to inform flood risk management. One of the modeling teams operated in the research wing of a consultancy firm, the other were university scientists taking part in an interdisciplinary project experimenting with public engagement. We found that in the first context the use of standardized software was critical to the process of improvisation, the obstacles emerging in the process concerned data and were resolved through exploiting affordances for generating, organizing, and combining scientific information in new ways. In the second context, an environmental competency group, obstacles were related to the computer program and affordances emerged in the combination of experience-based knowledge with the scientists' skill enabling a reconfiguration of the mathematical structure of the model, allowing the group to learn about local flooding.

Learning through role-playing games: an approach for active learning and teaching

This study evaluates the use of role-playing games (RPGs) as a methodological approach for teaching cellular biology, assessing student satisfaction, learning outcomes, and retention of acquired knowledge. First-year undergraduate medical students at two Brazilian public universities attended either an RPG-based class (RPG group) or a lecture (lecture-based group) on topics related to cellular biology. Pre- and post-RPG-based class questionnaires were compared to scores in regular exams and in an unannounced test one year later to assess students' attitudes and learning. From the 230 students that attended the RPG classes, 78.4% responded that the RPG-based classes were an effective tool for learning; 55.4% thought that such classes were better than lectures but did not replace them; and 81% responded that they would use this method. The lecture-based group achieved a higher grade in 1 of 14 regular exam questions. In the medium-term evaluation (one year later), the RPG group scored higher in 2 of 12 questions. RPG classes are thus quantitatively as effective as formal lectures, are well accepted by students, and may serve as educational tools, giving students the chance to learn actively and potentially retain the acquired knowledge more efficiently.

Customer relationship management through life cycle analysis, case professional service firm in B2B market

The objective of this master’s thesis was to study how customer relationships should be assessed and categorized in order to support customer relationship management (CRM) in the context of business-to-business (B2B) and professional services. This sophisticated and complex market is utilizing possibilities of CRM only rarely and even then the focus is often on technology. The theoretical part considered first CRM from the value chain point of view and then discussed the cyclical nature of relationships. The case study focused on B2B professional service firm. The data was collected from company databases and included the sample of 90 customers. The research was conducted in three phases first studying the age, then the service type of relationships and finally executing the cluster analysis. The data was analysed by statistical analysis program SAS Enterprise Guide. The results indicate that there are great differences between developments of customer relationships. While some relationships are dynamically growing and changing, most of customers are remaining constant. This implies expectations and requirements of customers are similarly divergent and relationships should be managed accordingly.

Fostering product innovation by learning through exporting in Eastern Europe

This study discusses the importance of learning through the process of exporting, and more specifically how such a process can enhance the product innovativeness of a company. The purpose of this study is to investigate the appropriate sources of learning and to suggest an interactive framework for how new knowledge from exporting markets can materialize itself into product innovation. The theoretical background of the study was constructed from academic literature, which is related to concepts of learning by exporting, along with sources for learning in the market and new product development. The empirical research in the form of a qualitative case study was based on four semi-structured interviews and secondary data from the case company official site. The interview data was collected between March and April 2015 from case company employees who directly work in the department of exporting and product development. The method of thematic analysis was used to categorize and interpret the collected data. What was conclusively discovered, was that the knowledge from an exporting market can be an incentive for product innovation, especially an incremental one. Foreign customers and competitors as important sources for new knowledge contribute to the innovative process. Foreign market competitors’ influence on product improvements was high only when the competitor was a market leader or held a colossal market share, while the customers’ influence is always high. Therefore, involving a foreign customer in the development of a new product is vital to a company that is interested in benefiting from what is learned through exporting. The interactive framework, which is based on the theoretical background and findings of the study, suggests that exporting companies can raise their product innovativeness by utilizing newly gained knowledge from exporting markets. Except for input, in the form of sources of learning, and product innovation as an output, the framework contains a process of knowledge transfer, the absorptive capacity of a firm and a new product development process. In addition, the framework and the findings enhance the understanding of the disputed relationship between an exporting experience and product innovation. However, future research is needed in order to fully understand all the elements of the framework, such as the absorptive capacity of a firm as well as more case companies to be processed in order to increase the generalization of the framework

Learning through enquiry : making sense of geography in the key stage 3 classroom.

Está destinado al apoyo de los profesores en su desarrollo profesional, pues es una referencia útil para aquellos que quieran conocer temas de investigación en pedagogía geográfica. Aunque los ejemplos se han tomado principalmente de las escuelas de Inglaterra, pueden ser aplicados a las aulas de geografía de todo el mundo. También muestra cómo es el aprendizaje de la geografía promovido por la autora del libro, que favorece la participación activa de los estudiantes, al demostrar la importancia de estimular su curiosidad y promover un comportamiento crítico hacia los datos, y ofrecer, asimismo, oportunidades para qué los propios alumnos busquen nuevas ideas e información y reflexionen sobre lo aprendido.

Global geography : learning through development education at key stage 3.

Este manual, pensado para la etapa tres, aunque también puede aplicarse a la etapa cuatro, es el resultado de la colaboración entre el Development Education Centre (DEC) de Birmingham y la Geographical Association. Está escrito por profesores en ejercicio de educación secundaria y terciaria, que han trabajado en el Development Education Centre y, demuestra por qué y cómo los conceptos y métodos de educación para el desarrollo deben estar al servicio de profesores y alumnos en el estudio de la geografía.

Making meaning : learning through logovisual thinking.

Es la culminación de cuarenta años de trabajo en el aprendizaje y en el pensamiento, por parte de un equipo de jóvenes licenciados que buscaba formas más eficaces de construcción de significados a través de un enfoque llamado de comunicación estructural. Después de años de desarrollo, primero en ambientes educativos y luego en los negocios y en la gestión, su propuesta ha dado lugar al método y las herramientas del pensamiento logovisual y este texto es el primer intento para documentar su aplicación en las escuelas. Los beneficios de este método de pensamiento logovisual son múltiples tanto para los alumnos como para los profesores y los administradores educativos.

Learning through play : a work-based approach for the early years professional.

Este manual trata sobre los niños que aprenden a través del juego y sobre el papel del adulto en este proceso. Tiene tres objetivos generales: ayudar a los profesionales a ser más hábiles e imaginativos cuando están involucrados en el aprendizaje lúdico; apoyar el desarrollo de contextos efectivos para el aprendizaje a través del juego; ayudar a los profesionales a tener confianza en su papel. Cada capítulo es una unidad independiente que se puede trabajar con la intención de desarrollar un aspecto particular de práctica, conocimiento o comprensión. El manual, en su conjunto, ofrece un programa para desarrollar el pensamiento y el entendimiento poniendo énfasis en la aplicación práctica y la conciencia de sí mismo.

Innovation pedagogy : learning through active multidisciplinary methods. 'Pedagogía de la Innovación : aprendiendo con métodos activos multidisciplinares'.

Monográfico con el título: 'Buenas prácticas docentes en la enseñanza universitaria'. Resumen basado en el de la publicación

Living up to the value agenda: the empirical realities of through-life value creation in construction

Current research agendas are increasingly encouraging the construction industry to operate on the basis of 'added value'. Such debates echo the established concept of 'high value manufacturing' and associated trends towards servitization. Within construction, the so-called 'value agenda' draws heavily from the notion of integrated solutions. This is held to be especially appropriate in the context of PFI projects. Also relevant is the concept of service-led projects whereby the project rationale is driven by the client's objectives for delivering an enhanced service to its own customers. Such ideas are contextualized by a consideration of broader trends of privatization and outsourcing within and across the construction industry's client base. The current emphasis on integrated solutions reflects long-term trends within privatized client organizations towards the outsourcing of asset management capabilities. However, such trends are by no means uniform or consistent. An in-depth case study of three operating divisions within a major construction company illustrates that firms are unlikely to reorientate their business in response to the 'value agenda'. In the case of PFI, the tendency has been to establish specialist units for the purposes of winning work. Meanwhile, institutionally embedded operating routines within the rest of the business remain broadly unaffected.