Reality-based interaction affecting mental workload in virtual reality mental arithmetic training

ABSTRACT

The concept of digital game-based learning (DGBL) evolves rapidly together with technological enhancements of virtual reality (VR) and smart phones. However, the mental workload (MWL) that VR-training applications demand and motivational qualities originating from user experience (UX) should be identified in order to create effective and enjoyable training/learning challenges that fit with individual users’ capabilities. This study examined the effects of reality-based interaction (RBI) and VR on measures of student motivation and MWL, in a mental arithmetic game for secondary school pupils. In a randomised controlled trial with sixty school children, a mental arithmetic game was tested with three different interaction and two different presentation methods – VR RBI, VR head-mounted-display tapping and tablet flick-gesture. Results found a significant effect of RBI on MWL but no differences in enjoyment of training were found between VR-experience and tablet training-experience. In fact, adding the gaming-context to the mental arithmetic task created an enjoyable, motivating experience regardless of presentation or interaction-style.     

Usability of a cloud-based collaborative learning framework to improve learners’ experience

Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) is concerned with how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) might facilitate learning in groups which can be co-located or distributed over a network of computers such as Internet. CSCL supports effective learning by means of communication of ideas and information among learners, collaborative access of essential documents, and feedback from instructors and peers on learning activities. As the cloud technologies are increasingly becoming popular and collaborative learning is evolving, new directions for development of collaborative learning tools deployed on cloud are proposed. Development of such learning tools requires access to substantial data stored in the cloud. Ensuring efficient access to such data is hindered by the high latencies of wide-area networks underlying the cloud infrastructures. To improve learners’ experience by accelerating data access, important files can be replicated so a group of learners can access data from nearby locations. Since a cloud environment is highly dynamic, resource availability, network latency, and learner requests may change. In this paper, we present the advantages of collaborative learning and focus on the importance of data replication in the design of such a dynamic cloud-based system that a collaborative learning portal uses. To this end, we introduce a highly distributed replication technique that determines optimal data locations to improve access performance by minimizing replication overhead (access and update). The problem is formulated using dynamic programming. Experimental results demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed collaborative learning system used by institutions in geographically distributed locations.     

Animations showing Lego manipulative tasks: Three potential moderators of effectiveness

Evidence suggests that transient visual information, such as animations, may be more challenging to learn than static visualizations. However, when a procedural-manipulative task is involved, our evolved embodied cognition seems to reverse this transitory challenge. Hence, for object manipulative tasks, instructional animations may be more suitable than statics. We investigated this argument further by comparing animations with statics using a Lego task shown to university students, by examining three potential moderators of effectiveness: (a) the environment of manipulation (virtual or physical), (b) the quality of visual information (focused or unfocused), and (c) the presence of hands (no hands or with hands). In Experiment 1 we found an advantage of animation over statics, and no differences among the environments. In Experiment 2, we again observed an animation advantage, a small advantage of focused static information compared to unfocused static information, and a positive effect of not showing the hands.     

动力环境集中监控系统可靠性的提高

为实现电源设备乃至通信机房的少人或无人值守和集中维护,必须建立一套完善的电信局动力环境集中监控系统。文中结合番禺区电信局的实际,讨论了提高系统运行可靠性的几点措施,包括硬件方面与软件方面的手段,关键在于加强系统的运行管理。     

动力环境网络监控精细管理

叙述动力环境运行质量分析管理，包括故障管理，性能管理和专题分析管理，以动力环境网络监控细致八微、言之有据的月度分析管理实例展现了其精细管理的效果。     

基于ADSP21XXC运行环境下FFT的实现

介绍了数字信号处理器ADSP21XX芯片的特点以及实现FFT(快速离散付里叶变换)的方法，给出了ADSP21XX的C和汇编混合编程的特点及技巧。     

核电材料在模拟反应堆环境中应力腐蚀破裂测试技术与性能评价

简要介绍了采用慢应变速率试验，Ｕ型弯曲和Ｃ形环试验等技术，分别对８００合金，３０４和３１６及３１６Ｔｉ不锈钢Ａ５３３Ｂ压力容器用多在模拟核反应堆环境中的应力腐蚀破裂敏感性性进行的试验研究的一些主要结果；并结合电化学测试和表面膜俄歇电子能谱分析结果进行了讨论。     

Corrosion behaviour of low-Si alloyed steels in neutral reducing conditions at 90 °C

Electrochemical investigations on low-Si alloyed steels with Si content ranging from 0.25 to 3.2 wt.% were carried out in a 0.1 M NaCl borate-buffered solution (pH 8.4) in reducing conditions at 90 °C. Silicon as an alloying element was proved to degrade at first the steel ability to passivate. For longer immersion times, protective effects developed more efficiently on the steel containing 3.2 wt.% silicon. Passive layers electrochemically formed in the transpassive domain on the steel containing 3.2% Si were shown to be significantly different from those grown at rest potential.     

发展我国制革企业刍议

中国已入世 ,制革业将拥有无限机遇 ,但制革厂还现存一些亟待解决的问题。解析了制革厂的技术创新、经营管理等方面的问题。     

环境敏感因素对电站正常蓄水位选择的影响

卜寺沟水电站预可阶段正常蓄水位是考虑规划成果、地形、地质务件、梯级衔接、水库淹没、筑坝技术、水能资源利用等因素综合初选的.从理论角度分析,水库淹没时水库内寺庙的影响,按全部淹没进行经济补偿处理代价较小;其社会环境敏感因素对正常蓄水位的选择不应起决定性作用.但是,考虑到少数民族群众、僧侣和地方政府的要求,适当降低正常蓄水位,以减少对扎西日岗寺庙的影响,将带来较积极的社会影响.