Multi-Agent Framework for General-Purpose Situational Simulations in the Construction Management Domain

The need for contextually rich education environments in construction management suggests the development of a general-purpose situational simulation framework that can be used by independent developers to build effective training environments. Design and implementation of such a framework involves an understanding of the reasoning processes underlying the construction management domain. These reasoning processes can be isolated using a conceptual classification of problems in the construction management domain into constraint satisfaction and planning. Such a classification allows us to distribute the different reasoning processes to autonomous agents that comprise the foundations of a multi-agent framework for building general-purpose situational simulations. The Virtual Coach is an implementation of the proposed framework. Experimental results from preliminary studies have shown the efficacy of the Virtual Coach as an educational tool.     

Contract learning, clinical learning and clinicians

Current trends in education and training emphasise that learners, whether they are school children, students or adults, need to acquire generic skills and personal characteristics which will enable them to become independent self-directed learners. This will enable them to continue the process of learning throughout their lives. Recent recommendations for the reform of undergraduate medical education, for training of hospital doctors and general practitioners, and the higher profile now being given to continuing medical education, reflect the strength of this particular educational current sweeping through all levels of medical education. Learning contracts, developed through negotiation between a teacher and a learner, are especially effective educational tools for stimulating independent learning. This paper examines the theoretical basis of contract-learning and its relevance to clinical settings.     

Correspondence of salivary and plasma concentrations of atrazine in rats under variable salivary flow rate and plasma concentration

We present a suite of neurosurgery supporting tools developed around (i) the Virtual Workbench, a productive environment for the control of 3-D data, in which delicate work can be performed for hours on end without strain, and (ii) the Electronic Brain Atlas, integrating the major print brain atlases in day-to-day clinical use. We describe in detail the Brain Bench, a surgical planning system for stereotactic frame neurosurgery. Its objective is to prepare faster plans; have a better and more accurate choice of target points; improve the avoidance of sensitive structures; have fewer sub-optimal frame attachments and speedier, more effective planning and training. If validated by a clinical study now under way, this will improve medical efficacy and reduce costs.     

Awards for Distinguished Education and Training Contributions: Diane F. Halpern.

These awards are given by the Education and Training Awards Committee in recognition of the efforts of psychologists who have made distinguished contributions to education and training, who have produced imaginative innovations, or who have been involved in the developmental phases of programs in education and training in psychology. These contributions might include important research on education or training; the development of effective materials for instruction; the establishment of workshops, conferences, or networks of communication for education and training; achievement and leadership in administration that facilitates education and training; and activity in professional organizations that promote excellence. This year's winner is Diane F. Halpern. Very few scholars have made so many important and diverse contributions to the advancement of quality education as has Halpern. She has applied the theories, empirical methods, and knowledge of cognitive psychology and psychometrics to educational practices that are designed to help students become better thinkers and learners. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

钢铁大学虚拟炼钢平台功能与应用

针对目前高校和企业在学习和培训中面临的成本和效果问题,推荐了互动性良好的免费电子学习资源——钢铁大学虚拟炼钢平台,介绍了该平台各模块的基本功能,以及高炉、炼钢、精炼和连铸模块的应用,提出应在高校和企业内广泛宣传和有效利用该资源,推动钢铁行业创新步伐。     

模块式实训法在高职钳工实训中的的应用

高职钳工实训是高职机械类教育的必修课程。就钳工实训中引入模块式实训法的理论、计划、教育管理等实训中的难题进行了探讨。     

Assessing pre-service teachers' training in empirically-validated behavioral instruction practices.

Although many behaviorally-based instructional practices have been shown empirically to promote student achievement, it is unknown to what extent teachers receive adequate training in these methods. This study surveyed master's-level elementary, secondary, and special education students about their coursework and applied training in 25 behavioral instruction practices and principles (e.g., prompting, graphing progress, reinforcement). A total of 110 pre-service teachers participated, representing six different colleges and universities located in the Northeast. Respondents generally reported receiving very little training in behavioral instruction practices and received the least amount of training in academic assessment strategies and instructional programs (e.g., Curriculum-Based Assessment, Direct Instruction). Special education students reported significantly more training in academic assessment than elementary or secondary education students. Implications for school consultation practices, in-service teacher training, and students' academic progress are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distributed Education and the Role of Online Learning in Training Professional Psychologists.

Distributed learning and its allied concept, distance education, have the potential to move graduate training beyond the physical classroom, providing "anytime" and "anyplace" educational opportunities to new groups of learners as well as to students in traditional campus-based programs. It is argued that the focus on online learning activities found in distributed learning institutions is most compatible with a model of pedagogy that emphasizes, among other things, asynchronous small group discussions, collaborative problem solving, reflective inquiry, competency-based outcomes, and the facilitator role of the instructor. The article concludes with suggestions for and challenges regarding the application of computer-based learning tools to the training of clinical psychologists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Education for the optometric educator

Optometric education is faced with the need for new thinking in developing and training educators and new methods of financing their education. Establishing of research faculty and the instituting of research in present schools of optometry must be given a high priority in the future of optometric education.     

Planning flexible learning to match the needs of consumers: a national survey

The injection of market forces into the National Health Service (NHS) has led to nurse education being viewed as a commodity which educational institutions supply and NHS employers purchase. Conscious of the costs of paying for courses within this new consumer culture, NHS trusts and other health service employers are increasingly looking for cost-effective flexible training to educate their workforce quickly and efficiently. Parallel to this is the accelerated demand for continuing professional development (CPD) brought about by the inception of the UKCC's Post-Registration Education and Practice Project (PREPP). Both registered and enrolled nurses are finding they need professional updating and skills and thus increased access to courses. The increased demand for education and training brought about by these changes cannot be met through traditional methods alone, requiring educational institutions to re-appraise their methods of delivery and introduce more flexible approaches to learning. There is every evidence that this is now the case with open learning, distance learning and flexible approaches to learning ever growing in popularity as providers of nurse education recognize the benefits such approaches offer. The emphasis is on meeting the diverse needs of the health care employers and individuals by providing education that is flexible, learner-centred and customer focused. This paper presents the findings of a national survey to ascertain how providers of flexible education plan educational programmes to meet the needs of their customers. Based on data collected from 120 educational institutions within the higher education, health and social care and private sectors, it highlights: the ways in which flexible learning programmes and courses are delivered; what aspects of flexibility are considered important when designing programmes to meet the needs of prospective customers; and what approaches are used to assess demand for flexible education. The study stresses the need for providers of flexible education to take into account the dual perspectives of those who have a stake in the flexibility of nurse education; NHS employers as funders of students and individual healthcare professionals themselves.     

Student evaluation of courses: determining the reliability and validity of three survey instruments

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of three instruments designed for student evaluation of courses: the Course, Library, and Computer (CLC); the Clinical (CLIN); and the Nursing Skills Lab (NSL) evaluation tools. Using data from 294 anonymous associate degree nursing students, internal consistency and reliability were demonstrated by the high alpha coefficients ranging from .85 to .94. An exploratory principal component analysis, with the varimax rotation, provided an estimate of construct validity.     

Experimental Research in Construction

Humans’ unique use of tools originated with their capability to observe, to link causes with effects and to conduct trial and error experiments. Experimental research today is still using these same basic elements albeit augmented by sophisticated tools and methods. Researchers conducting scientific experiments in the construction arena, however, face a “harsh” environment to work in. This paper draws from 20 years of experimental work in construction and engineering education. It provides a short historic background before discussing a framework useful to categorize the various ways researchers conducted experiments that provided meaningful results. Many examples are used to underscore the most important points.     

The current state of brief therapy training in American Psychological Association-accredited graduate and internship programs.

Did your graduate education include training in the types of therapy most in demand today? The present study surveyed training directors at graduate and internship sites accredited by the American Psychological Association to ascertain if their programs offered training in brief therapy. With response rates of 87% and 78%, respectively, the authors found that almost all internship sites and a simple majority of graduate schools provide some brief therapy training. The brief therapy teachers and supervisors in these settings were also surveyed with regard to course content, educational methods, amount of supervision, and problematic training issues. It is the authors' position that given the nature of the emerging marketplace, clinical training programs should include brief therapy as part of their curricula. Specific recommendations for increasing trainees' and professionals' knowledge base in this area are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of a cinema seminar in psychiatric education

As the goals of psychiatric education are evaluated and innovative teaching methods are sought, the current cinema represents an untapped resource. Thoughtful viewing of contemporary films with serious discussion of them in a film discussion group as part of the residency training program is a useful and enjoyable teaching format that helps bridge the gap between the art and science of psychiatry.     

PLC虚拟数字实验室

采用计算机仿真技术,开发了由虚拟的多种常用PLC系统和多种多媒体图形动画虚拟PLC被控对象组成的PLC虚拟数字实验室系统;提出了解决工程教育中虚拟数字实验室的设计方案、框架结构、实验环境、实验方法和实验操作步骤.     

An assessment of ergonomic educational resources. An important tool for occupational health nurses

1. Extensive ergonomic education and training resources exist at the organizations responding to OSHA's survey. However, the availability and use of ergonomic resources by employees is low and varies considerably among industry types. 2. Limited research is available about effective methods of ergonomic training to workers and their supervisors. A critical need exists to determine the best methods for the successful dissemination of ergonomic information. 3. Occupational health nurses can contribute significantly to the advancement of ergonomic knowledge and skills, and the dissemination of ergonomic information in the workplace, primarily through health education and research.     

The right angle. Otitis media and infant feeding position

Analysis of continuous education of physicians in Dagestan helped the author distinguish the main trends in its development. They include development and introduction of a system of continuous professional and economic education of physicians; improving the planning and prediction of need in advanced medical training; development and introduction of a system of control of continuous education of physicians; stimulation the introduction of modern equipment and technologies in practical medicine; creation of scientific and information provision for continuous education of physicians. Special attention is paid to introduction of novel didactic systems, information technologies, forms and methods of advanced medical training.     

Issues in Infrastructure Health Monitoring for Management

The most critical issues that have been identified as being needed to implement meaningful and beneficial applications of health monitoring for infrastructure management are discussed. Issues related to infrastructure health monitoring for management can be defined in three overlapping categories. In this context, engineering tools, methods, and knowledge should be developed and utilized to answer societal and educational aspects of the problem while taking advantage of the information tools and methodologies available today. The need for integrated research, education, and practice for infrastructure management is emphasized. The challenges in the integration of intelligent transportation and structural systems concepts within an optimum integrated asset management framework are described and illustrated. Examples from ongoing research on the health monitoring of short-span bridge families and long-span bridges are presented to illustrate the issues.     

Psychology at age 75: The psychology teacher comes into his own.

A review of research on college teaching methods indicates that methods are differentially effective for differing goals of education and differing students. For goals such as retention of knowledge, problem solving, attitude change, and motivation for further learning, small classes are more effective than large, discussion is more effective than lecture, and student-centered discussion is more effective than instructor-centered discussion. Teacher and student interaction is considered important for learning. The new media can provide useful tools in allowing the teacher to pursue more creative and mutually educative aspects of learning. (30 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)