Behavioral intention,use behavior and the acceptance of electronic learning systems: Differences between higher education and lifelong learning

Widespread implementation of e-learning systems – learning management systems, virtual learning environments – across higher education institutions has aroused great interest on the study of e-learning acceptance. Acceptance studies focus on the predictors of system adoption and use, with behavioral intention to use the system as a proxy for actual use. This study proposes a TAM3-based model – with the inclusion of two additional variables: personal innovativeness in the domain of information technology and perceived interaction – to study the factors influencing the acceptance of e-learning systems. Attention is also brought towards the role of behavioral intention, especially in its relation with use behavior. In order to do so, two different settings were considered: higher education and lifelong learning; data was gathered from a survey administrated to Spanish graduate and lifelong learning students, and partial least squares analysis was used to test the research model. Results supported TAM relations, except for the intention-behavior linkage, and unveiled a dual nature of perceived usefulness – with one component related to efficiency and performance, and another component related to flexibility. The adequacy of applying TAM3-based models in educational contexts and suitability of actual system usage measures are also discussed.     

Discrediting in a Message Board Forum: The Effects of Social Support and Attacks on Expertise and Trustworthiness

Given the prevalence of online media today, credibility continues to be a popular subject of empirical research. However, studies examining the effects of discrediting strategies are rare. This issue is significant given the popularity of online media and the ease of such sources to spread misinformation. Therefore, the present study examines the effects of attacking the expertise and trustworthiness of a proponent of a major social issue. Results showed that support as well specific combinations of discrediting attack strategies significantly reduced message board readers' perceptions of the proponent's credibility. In addition, attacks on either the proponent's expertise or trustworthiness resulted in a reduced likelihood of readers taking action with respect to the issue.     

Behavioral aspects of regulation: A discussion on switching and demand response in Turkish electricity market

Electricity sector has been transformed from state-owned monopolistic utilities to competitive markets with an aim to promote incentives for improving efficiency, reducing costs and increasing service quality to customers. One of the cardinal assumptions of the liberalized and competitive electricity markets is the rational actor, and decision-makers are assumed to make the best decisions that maximize their utility. However, a vast literature on behavioral economics has shown the weakness of economic theory in explaining and predicting individuals’ decision-making behavior. This issue is quite important for competition in electricity markets in which consumers’ preferences have a significant role. Despite its importance, this issue has almost been neglected in Turkey, which has taken major steps in electricity sector restructuring. Therefore, this paper aims to examine switching and demand response behavior in Turkish electricity market by using multiple correspondence and panel data analysis, and findings are discussed in light of the neoclassical and behavioral economics literature. Analyses’ results show that consumers’ switching and demand response behavior is consistent with the neoclassical literature to some extent; however, behavioral factors are also affecting consumers’ decisions. Furthermore, there are systemic problems that hinder effective functioning of the electricity market and restrict competition.     

Behavioral adaptation of young and older drivers to an intersection crossing advisory system

An advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) provided information about the right of way regulation and safety to cross an upcoming intersection. Effects were studied in a longer-term study involving 18 healthy older drivers between the ages of 65 and 82 years and 18 healthy young drivers between the ages of 20 and 25 years. Participants repeatedly drove 25 km city routes in eight sessions on separate days over a period of two months in a driving simulator. In each age group, participants were randomly assigned to the control (no ADAS) and treatment (ADAS) group. The control group completed the whole experiment without the ADAS. The treatment group drove two sessions without (sessions 1 and 7) and six times with ADAS. Results indicate effects of ADAS on driving safety for young and older drivers, as intersection time and percentage of stops decreased, speed and critical intersection crossings increased, the number of crashes was lower for treatment groups than for control groups. The implications of results are discussed in terms of behavioral adaptation and safety.     

从师承关系的角度研究日本当代建筑设计的主流特征

日本有着完整的现代建筑发展史,日本建筑师凭借着其一代代的传承与创新在世界范围内取得了广泛的影响力。同时,在每一代建筑师的努力下,日本每个时期的建筑都呈现出鲜明的特点。对比现代主义时期,日本当代建筑已经呈现出完全不同的风格。本文将结合日本建筑师的代际关系与时代背景,纵向解读日本现代建筑的发展演变并剖析日本当代建筑设计倾向转变的原因,同时,以师承关系为主要线索,通过对日本当代几位重要建筑师的创作手法及其创作观念的分析,总结出日本当代建筑设计的主流特征。     

当代苏南城市公园空间的地域个性营建

在多元理念介入的现代风景园林中,城市公园呈现出鲜明时代特征的同时也面临着园林空间个性的缺失。苏南各地公园凭借着深厚的造园根基和人文内涵,在景观营建上拥有深远的意境,丰富的空间,精致的建构和素雅的色彩,在中国当代公园建设中形成了富有个性的地域特色。     

泉州南安桃源宫陀罗尼经幢的建筑特征及其宗教作用

回顾我国石经幢的起源,进而探究南安桃源宫陀罗尼经幢的建筑特征以及雕刻艺术的文化内涵,并把它与泉州及江南和中原地区的石经幢进行对比,探索其建筑样式演变的历程,分析其宗教作用。     

郊居离学背景下乡镇小学学生通学出行特征研究——以南京市江宁区秣陵中心小学为例

在城乡统筹背景下,“撤点并校”政策的落实使得乡镇中心学校学生居住地与上学地距离较远——“郊居离学、通学难”现象日益突出。本研究以南京市江宁区秣陵乡镇中心小学为调研对象,在统计分析学生居住地—上学地空间分布、通学出行特征等综合信息基础上,对远距离上学学生的主导交通方式——校车的路线、通学时间、出行需求及意愿进行了剖析,并对校车与其他各出行方式的上学优劣势进行了比较。最后根据凋研结果,提出了优化学生通学出行方式的相应战略与措施,提高了乡镇学生就学可达性。     

基于空间行为的数字几何空间建造 上海卜石艺术馆改造设计

文章通过介绍卜石艺术馆的改造,探讨了空间行为塑形在建筑设计方法上的应用。指出建筑师在对人的行为过程进行推演和模拟时,形成了几何折叠的空间界面,这种反向生形手法,是一个自下而上的过程,也是在数字性能化设计中所用到的设计逻辑,这种逻辑同时又作为建造方式的指导,给予建筑师实现多维空间创造的可能。     

根植地域特色的文化商业街区设计 ——以重庆奉节县兴隆新城旅游商业街设计为例

本文结合重庆奉节县兴隆新城旅游商业街设计方案,从设计理念、空间场所营造、地域特征与建筑造型等方面进行解析,总结了该方案的理性生成过程,并提出了具有地域特色的文化商业街区的设计原则,即本次设计不是简单的对传统样式的拼凑,而是挖掘地域建筑的内涵,并对其再诠释的过程。