Free for all : a case study examining implementation factors of one-to-one device programs

Despite significant investment in school one-to-one device programs, little is known about which aspects of program implementation work and why. Through a comparison of two implementation models, adopter-diffusion and saturation, and using existing data from the One Laptop per Child Australia laptop program, we explored how factors of implementation may affect device diffusion, learning and educational outcomes, and program sustainability in schools. In this article we argue that more focused research into implementation of one-to-one device programs, moving beyond comparisons of “devices versus without devices,” is needed to provide reliable data to inform future program funding and advance this area of research.

A qualitative journey into cyberspace /

Educators should movefrom teacher-centered learning to student-centered learning, from isolated work to collaborative work, andfromfactual knowledgebased instructions to critical thinking and informed decision-making. The high tech classroom should be more interactive and encourage active, exploratory, inquiry-based learning, as opposed to the didactic mode in which teachersfeed students information. (Valenti,2000, p. 85) The influence of technology in schools is growing as quickly as the students it impacts. As a pioneer in an e-leaming high school, I hoped to better understand the effects and influences of this learning tool in the English classroom. Using interpretive ethnography as my main frame of reference, I examined the role of technology in a grade 9 Academic English class environment. My role was participant observer as I worked with 4 students in the Laptop Program at St. Augustine Catholic High School. Through interview, observation, joumaling, and thick description, I undertook a journey into cyberspace. I documented the experiences, the frustrations, and the highlights of being in e-leaming along with my students. In this study, I specifically considered the issues of teacher training, administrative support, technology support personnel, resource availability, the role of the teacher in a constructivist classroom, and the benefits of the laptop computer as a learning tool in classroom and school.

Phénoménologie et réflexion dans la recherche en design : l'utilisation d'un journal réflexif dans la mise en place d'un programme d'ordinateur portable

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Can the direct measurement of the load applied on the residuum of individuals with transfemoral amputation fitted with bone-anchored prosthesis help to improve the rehabilitation program?

To strive to improve the rehabilitation program of individuals with transfemoral amputation fitted with bone-anchored prosthesis based on data from direct measurements of the load applied on the residuum we first of all need to understand the load applied on the fixation. Therefore the load applied on the residuum was first directly measured during standardized activities of daily living such as straight line level walking, ascending and descending stairs and a ramp and walking around a circle. From measuring the load in standardized activities of daily living the load was also measured during different phases of the rehabilitation program such as during walking with walking aids and during load bearing exercises.[1-15] The rehabilitation program for individuals with a transfemoral amputation fitted with an OPRA implant relies on a combination of dynamic and static load bearing exercises.[16-20] This presentation will focus on the study of a set of experimental static load bearing exercises. [1] A group of eleven individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputation fitted with an OPRA implant participated in this study. The load on the implant during the static load bearing exercises was measured using a portable system including a commercial transducer embedded in a short pylon, a laptop and a customized software package. This apparatus was previously shown effective in a proof-of-concept study published by Prof. Frossard. [1-9] The analysis of the static load bearing exercises included an analysis of the reliability as well as the loading compliance. The analysis of the loading reliability showed a high reliability between the loading sessions indicating a correct repetition of the LBE by the participants. [1, 5] The analysis of the loading compliance showed a significant lack of axial compliance leading to a systematic underloading of the long axis of the implant during the proposed experimental static LBE.

Do laptop ao jogo interacional: sentidos circulantes no Fórum de discussão do Programa Conexão Professor (2008-2010)

Esta pesquisa analisa os sentidos circulantes nos textos publicados (postagens) por professores e Moderadora no Fórum de discussão online do Programa Conexão Professor, desenvolvido pela Secretaria de Estado de Educação do Rio de Janeiro (SEEDUC). Parte de dois modos de objetivação das tecnologias da informação e da comunicação (TIC): uma, em que as TIC são apontadas como revolução tecnológica no contexto da sociedade da informação; e outra centrada na recontextualização educacional das TIC. Situa a distribuição de laptops para os professores da rede estadual de ensino no contexto do Programa citado, buscando apreender ambos nos termos do ciclo contínuo de políticas, de Richard Bowe e Stephen Ball. Trata o Fórum de discussão online como locus privilegiado e os textos nele produzidos, entre dezembro de 2008 e julho de 2010, como corpus. Assume como alternativa teórico-metodológica a Análise Crítica do Discurso (ACD), formulada por Norman Fairclough, elegendo como pontos de entrada: o controle interacional, as escolhas lexicais e a modalidade. Investiga, a partir das pistas discursivas detectadas nas postagens, as relações estabelecidas entre a proposta de incorporação das TIC e a totalidade do trabalho docente. Conclui que os sentidos postos em circulação contestam a centralidade atribuída às TIC, apontando a substituição tecnológica como tendência política atual, expressa pelo deslocamento da ênfase na discussão para o fornecimento de materiais prontos, denominados objetos de aprendizagem

The Design, Implementation and Outcomes of a Mentoring Program

This paper reports on the design, implementation and outcomes of a mentoring program involving 18 employees in the IT Division of WorkCover Queensland. The paper provides some background information to the development of the program and the design and implementation phases including recruitment and matching of participants, orientation and training, and the mentoring process including transition and/or termination. The paper also outlines the quantitative and qualitative evaluation processes that occurred and the outcomes of that evaluation. Results indicated a wealth of positive individual, mentoring, and organisational outcomes. The organisation and semi-structured processes provided in the program are considered as major contributing factors to the successful outcomes of the program. These outcomes are likely to have long-term benefits for the individuals involved, the IT Division, and the broader organisation