Accommodating learner diversity in web-based learning environments: imperatives for future developments

In this article, we focus on the use of Web-based learning environments for university students. We draw on an evaluation of an online environment that was developed to supplement face-to-face components of an undergraduate education unit in an Australian university. We explore learners' affective responses to this environment, finding that students' responses were often related to their familiarity with the learning environment, their skills and confidence with computer technology, and their preferred learning styles. It is not surprising to us that different students experienced the environment differently as this is the foundation of constructivist and socio-cultural understandings of learning. Yet, the models that currently predominate in the provision of online learning environments in universities offer very little in terms of responding and adapting to students' individual needs and preferences. Instead, online Web-based learning environments are most often designed to anticipate an average, or sometimes ideal, learner. We argue that designing for an imagined average or ideal learner does not adequately respond to the challenge of accommodating learner difference. If hopes for student-centred education are to be realised, future technological and pedagogical developments in online course provision need to be sophisticated enough to respond and adapt to individual students' needs and preferences across a wide range of variables.

Shaping a more inclusive learning environment

This Project began as a Higher Education Equity Program Funding Application in March 1999, titled 'Electronic Provision of Information Resources to Students who have a Print Disability.'
Since 1999, mainstreaming of the project objectives has enhanced the access to higher education at Deakin University by students who have a print disability. Our objectives were and are:
• to integrate the provision of information resources to students who have a print disability with procedures already in place for providing information resources to other students
• to provide teaching materials electronically to empower independent learning
• to make information resources on reading lists more accessible to university students who have a print disability
• to establish a mechanism to obtain materials electronically from publishers
A growing number of people who have a print disability use computer technology to access electronic information. This paper will describe the policies, workflows, and procedures that have been implemented at Deakin University, specifically within the Learning Services area, to shape a more inclusive learning environment.

Visions of the virtual : the role of computers and artificial intelligence in a selection of Australian young adult fiction

Advances in computer technology over the last twenty years have resulted in a number of different visions of what it means to be real, and of what it means to be human. This paper will explore how computers and artificial intelligence are used as major themes in four Australian novels written for young adults: Gillian Rubinstein’s Space Demons trilogy — comprising Space Demons, Skymaze and Shinkei — and Michael Pryor’s The Mask of Caliban. In so doing, the paper will look at how these texts explore the relationship between increasingly developed technology and visions of a better world. By comparing a series of oppositions that occur in all four books, this paper will look at how the theme of technology is used to privilege particular values and to advocate particular beliefs.

Modeling data processing activity to assess the internal control function

This thesis describes research that was conducted into the potential of modeling the activities of the Data Processing Department as an aid to the computer auditor. A methodology is composed to aid in the evaluation of the Internal Controls, particularly the General Controls relative to computer processing. Consisting of three major components, the methodology enables the auditor to model the presumed activities of the Data Processing Department against the actual activities, as recorded on the Operating System Log. The first component of the methodology is the construction and loading of a model of the presumed activities of the Data Processing Department from its verbal, scheduled, and reported activities. The second component is the generation of a description of the actual activities of the Data Processing Department from the information recorded on the Operating System Log. This is effected by reducing the Operating System Log to the format described by the Standard Audit File concept. Finally, the third component in the methodology is the modeling process itself. This is in fact a new analysis technique proposed for use by the EDP auditor. The modeling process is composed of software that compares the model developed and loaded in the first component, with the description of actual activity as collated by the second component. Results from this comparison are then reviewed by the auditor, who determines if they adequately depict the situation, or whether the models description as specified in the first component requires to be altered, and the modeling process re-initiated. In conducting the research, information and data from a production installation was used. Use of the ‘real-world’ input proved both the feasibility of developing a model of the reported activities of the Data Processing Department, and the adequacy of the operating system log as a source of information to report the departments actual activities. Additionally, it enabled the involvement and comment of practicing auditors. The research involved analysis of the effect of EDP on the audit process, structure of the EDP audit process, data reduction, data structures, model formalization, and model processing software. Additionally, the Standard Audit File concept was verified through its use by practising auditors, and expanded by the development of an indexed data structure, which enabled its analysis to be conducted interactively. Results from the trial implementation of the research software and methodology at a production installation confirmed the research hypothesis that the activities of the Data Processing Department could be modelled, and that there are substantial benefits from the EDP auditor in analysing this process. The research in fact provides a new source of information, and develops a new analysis technique for the EDP auditor. It demonstrates the utilization of computer technology to monitor itself for the audit function, and reasserts auditor independence by providing access to technical detail describing the processing activities of the computer.

Evolving nature of fraud investigation and prevention

This thesis is concerned with the evolution of fraud investigation and prevention in light of the advances in computing technology. These recent advances have impacted upon traditional fraud offences as well as creating a range of new crimes. The financial significance of fraud is growing whereas law enforcement and the judicial system appear to be unable to meet the demands of these emerging crimes and its victims. This research compares the responses of our present and future investigators with those of our current business leaders from the government and the commercial sectors. This research establishes the needs of corporate decision-makers and the attitudes of police with regard to fraud. Data relating to persons arrested and convicted of fraud was also analysed to identify the issues that may be responsible for the non-reporting of offences to police by victims. The research found that victims are seeking solutions that are not available through law enforcement, for example financial compensation. Law enforcement also under-utilises the potential of proactive responses to prevent offences and they are reluctant to acknowledge the benefits of preventative measures and to incorporate this strategy within criminal investigation training programmes. The lack of deterrence offered by the judicial system does not make the situation any better. The police function is still primarily a reactive one. In order to overcome fraud and to be able to adapt to changes there needs to be collaboration between stakeholders. This requires a joint effort from the police, government, commerce and the victims of fraud. An innovative model involving stakeholders has been formulated that represents an alternative to the current system. This approach utilises the financial resources and expertise from the commercial sector as well as the skills of criminal investigators from the police. This means adopting a combined package of both reactive and proactive measures in order to minimise the impact of fraud. This model will be adaptive and will be able to accommodate any future requirements arising out of further inevitable advances in computer technology.

Enhancing music composition opportunities through techology in upper primary classrooms

The research contributes original knowledge about an e-learning model for music education delivery in schools. An innovative project called 'Compose' which combines a range of developments and resources based on computer technology with specific initiatives to addess the identified barriers to composition was designed. This model offers a potentially viable way to make the expertise of music specialists available online in primary classrooms where such expertise would not normally otherwise be available.

Condensing a priori data for recognition based augmented reality

My research proposes novel methods to reduce the cardinality of a priori data used in recognition based augmented reality, whilst retaining distinctive and persistent features in the sets. This research will help reduce latency and increase accuracy in recognition based pose estimation systems, thus improving the user experience for augmented reality applications.

A percepção dos indivíduos sobre a inserção de tecnologias de informática nos processos de mudança organizacional: um estudo de caso

This dissertation presents a research aimed at identifying and explaining the individual perceptions as far as the introduction of computer technology concerning the organization change process and the reason underlying those changes, utilizing for study purposes, a customer attendance agency of INSS , located in São Luís-MA, which data collection was carried out by interviews with three managers and application of to thirty employees, all of them working at the unit researched. The core point was to identify feelings and perceptions of individuals, and the reason steering the change actions deployed in this office. Based on this perception, it is presented a literature review on the main thinkers who discussed the role, and the relevance of reasoning in the development of human relations, both in the organizations and in society. To start with, Max Weber thinking on rationality was introduced, on the sequence, the discussion raised by the Frankfurt School in its first phase, mainly on the Max Horkheimer thinking and finally it is shown a summary of Jurgen Habermas thinking, mainly concerning its communicative action theory proposed as a path to emancipation of individual of current instrumental reasoning. Summing up, we can conclude from this research that perceptions, feelings and opinions indicate that the institution uses to discuss with the civil servants the implementation of change process. For those servants the excessive functional control, the limitation of knowledge production and an artificial functional integration are consequences of the shape and intensity, as well as of computer technologies deployed in the institution. It is also shared by most of civil servants, including managers, that the overall participation would have more validity and would decrease the resistance to those changes. And it is also worth registering that despite of the servants having job stability, only 50% have positive expectations as far as its future in the institution.

Cidade inteligente Búzios : entre paradigmas e percepções

A partir da segunda metade da década de 1990, com o avanço da informática, passou-se a integrar Tecnologia da Informação (TI) em vários processos de gestão das cidades. A partir desta integração, nasce o conceito genérico de Smart City, traduzido – não literalmente – para o português como Cidade inteligente. O conceito está sendo disseminado rapidamente, mas destaca-se que não há consenso em sua definição, o que faz com que os projetos desta natureza sejam bastante heterogêneos. A concessionária de energia elétrica Ampla S.A., que atende 66 municípios no estado do Rio de Janeiro, está desenvolvendo um projeto que tem como premissa transformar a cidade de Armação dos Búzios na primeira cidade inteligente da América Latina. Iniciado em 2011, o projeto da concessionária é basicamente pautado em melhorias da rede elétrica, o que seria apenas um dos elementos de um projeto de cidade inteligente. A presente dissertação está dividida em duas partes. Na primeira, o objetivo é apresentar um panorama atualizado das pesquisas sobre cidades inteligentes e projetos que estão sendo desenvolvidos, buscando compreender as interpretações que pode-se ter do conceito. A segunda parte aproxima-se do cotidiano de Búzios a partir de entrevistas realizadas com alguns moradores em novembro de 2013. As entrevistas propõem debater questões relacionadas a qualidade de vida na cidade, incluindo as transformações promovidas pelo projeto Cidade inteligente Búzios. O resultado deste trabalho é uma reflexão acerca dos limites e possibilidades do conceito cidade inteligente, considerando, em primeira instância, os impactos no cotidiano da população.

Rational expectations and the service of public debt: a recursive approach

This paper uses dynamic programming to study the time consistency of optimal macroeconomic policy in economies with recurring public deficits. To this end, a general equilibrium recursive model introduced in Chang (1998) is extended to include govemment bonds and production. The original mode! presents a Sidrauski economy with money and transfers only, implying that the need for govemment fmancing through the inflation tax is minimal. The extended model introduces govemment expenditures and a deficit-financing scheme, analyzing the SargentWallace (1981) problem: recurring deficits may lead the govemment to default on part of its public debt through inflation. The methodology allows for the computation of the set of alI sustainable stabilization plans even when the govemment cannot pre-commit to an optimal inflation path. This is done through value function iterations, which can be done on a computeI. The parameters of the extended model are calibrated with Brazilian data, using as case study three Brazilian stabilization attempts: the Cruzado (1986), Collor (1990) and the Real (1994) plans. The calibration of the parameters of the extended model is straightforward, but its numerical solution proves unfeasible due to a dimensionality problem in the algorithm arising from limitations of available computer technology. However, a numerical solution using the original algorithm and some calibrated parameters is obtained. Results indicate that in the absence of govemment bonds or production only the Real Plan is sustainable in the long run. The numerical solution of the extended algorithm is left for future research.

Vídeo-aula de história da matemática: uma possibilidade didática para o ensino de matemática

In this work we are disagreeing with the possibility of production and of the use of video-class for the disciplines of history of mathematics by the teachers of elementary e middle school as a way to contribute to the development of their classes. Our goal is to provide to the mathematics teachers the option of connecting social, scientific, cognitive, and didactic aspects of topics in math thoughts to their students. That shall be based in the presence of mathematics in the history of humanity. Thus, we consider possible that teachers and their students can link and relate mathematics to other sciences, education culture, and reflect about the many ways of represent them, as well as the patters of organization of nature and of culture. In this way, they shall be able to observe and interpret situations that involve mathematical questions associated to the various means of historic-epistemological studies already done by other researchers and scholars in the field of history of mathematics who works in creating video-classes. In addition to that, we can use all the available media in order to give edifying dynamics to the mathematical formulations established throughout history. In this sense, we are based and focused on the objectives, which are sustained by educational computer technology, techniques for video making, as well as mathematical teaching proposals and the historical inquiring made by Mendes (2001, 2009a, 2009b). The validating experimentation allowed us to conclude that the techniques we used in the production of the history of mathematics video-classes proved they to be valid ones. They are able to be executed with the minimum of technological resources. In addition, they have the same efficacy as far as classroom use

Comparing the Teaching-Learning Process With and Without the Use of Computerized Technological Resources

Computerized technological resources have become essential in education, particularly for teaching topics that require the performance of specific tasks. These resources can effectively help the execution of such tasks and the teaching-learning process itself. After the development of a Web site on the topic of nursing staff scheduling, this study aimed at comparing the development of students involved in the teaching-learning process of the previously mentioned topic, with and without the use of computer technology. Two random groups of undergraduate nursing students from a public university in São Paulo state, Brazil, were organized: a case group (used the Web site) and a control group (did not use the Web site). Data were collected from 2003 to 2005 after approval by the Research Ethics Committee. Results showed no significant difference in motivation or knowledge acquisition. A similar performance for the two groups was also verified. Other aspects observed were difficulty in doing the nursing staff scheduling exercise and the students' acknowledgment of the topic's importance for their training and professional lives; easy access was considered to be a positive aspect for maintaining the Web site.

Espaços educativos impulsionadores da educação ambiental

A educação ambiental (EA) vem-se expandindo no Brasil em diversos espaços educativos formais e não-formais. Este texto considera a EA provocadora de mudanças políticas, estimuladora de uma racionalidade ética e ecológica e promovedora de atitudes e valores pessoais e de práticas sociais compatíveis com a sustentabilidade da vida na Terra. Sob esta visão, o artigo tem como objetivo refletir sobre a expansão da educação ambiental nas universidades brasileiras, nos últimos vinte anos; discutir as possíveis mudanças educacionais das políticas públicas da área, a partir da Constituição de 1988; considerar a possível influência das forças dos movimentos sociais da sociedade organizada e das redes de EA locais, regionais e nacionais formadas com a generalização do uso da informática, como impulsionadora da sua expansão. A EA se constitui e se formaliza com o respaldo de uma política nacional que propicia sua permanência e aprofundamento nos espaços já conquistados e promove sua inserção nos demais contextos da sociedade organizada.

Uso de um objeto de aprendizagem no ensino de ciências tomando-se como referência a teoria sócio-construtivista de Vygotsky

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Professores-multiplicadores: uma maneira de organizar a formação de professores de matemática para o uso da informática na escola

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)