The acceptance and use of computer based assessment

The effective development of a computer based assessment (CBA) depends on students’ acceptance. The purpose of this study is to build a model that demonstrates the constructs that affect students’ behavioral intention to use a CBA. The proposed model, Computer Based Assessment Acceptance Model (CBAAM) is based on previous models of technology acceptance such as Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Usage of Technology (UTAUT). Constructs from previous models were used such as Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Computer Self Efficacy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions and Perceived Playfulness. Additionally, two new variables, Content and Goal Expectancy, were added to the proposed research model. Data were collected from 173 participants in an introductory informatics course using a survey questionnaire. Partial Least Squares (PLS) was used to test the measurement and the structural model. Results indicate that Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Playfulness have a direct effect on CBA use. Perceived Usefulness, Computer Self Efficacy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, Content and Goal Expectancy have only indirect effects. These eight variables explain approximately 50% of the variance of Behavioural Intention.     

Computer based assessment: Gender differences in perceptions and acceptance

This study identifies the constructs that affect male and female students’ behavioural intention to use a computer based assessment (CBA). It extends the Computer Based Assessment Acceptance Model (CBAAM) (Terzis & Economides, 2011) by taking into consideration the genders. An appropriate survey questionnaire was completed by 56 male and 117 female students. Results indicate that both genders are more likely to use the CBA if it is playful and its content is clear and relative to the course. Men are also motivated by their perceptions regarding how much useful the CBA is. Also, their attitude towards the CBA is influenced by their social environment. On the other side, women are more likely to use the CBA if it is easy to use and stimulates their efforts for better final exam preparation. The CBAAM incorporating genders explains approximately 50% of the variance of behavioural intention for each gender. These findings are useful for researchers and practitioners in order to understand better the different constructs that affect each gender regarding the acceptance of a CBA system.     

基于用户实时反馈的点击率预估算法

当前主流的在线广告点击率（CTR）预估算法主要通过机器学习方法从大规模日志数据中挖掘用户与广告间的相关性从而提升点击率预估精度,其不足之处在于没有充分考虑用户实时行为对CTR的影响。对大规模真实在线广告日志进行分析后发现,在会话中,用户CTR的动态变化和用户先前的反馈行为高度相关,不同的用户行为对用户实时CTR的影响不尽相同。基于上述分析结果,提出一种基于用户实时反馈的点击率预估算法。首先,从大规模真实在线广告日志数据中定量分析用户反馈和点击率预估精度的相关关系;然后,根据分析结果将用户的反馈行为特征化;最后,使用机器学习方法对用户的行为进行建模,并根据用户的反馈实时动态调整广告投放,从而提升在线广告系统的点击率预估精度。实验结果表明,用户实时反馈特征和用户点击率高度相关;相比于传统没有用户实时反馈信息的预测模型,该算法在测试集上对AUC（Area Under the Curve）和RIG（Relative Information Gain）指标提升分别为0.83%和6.68%。实验结果表明,用户实时反馈特征显著提高点击率预估的精度。     

Effects of hedonic components and user's gender on the acceptance of screen-based information services

To compete successfully with other information media, screen-based information services would have to offer hedonic qualities that appeal to a wide range of users, men as well as women. To study effects of hedonic components of information services, a software simulation of an interactive service was designed. In an experiment, 59 female and 73 male subjects were exposed to this software simulation. Hedonic features (presence or absence of colour, graphics, and music) of the simulated information service were factor-ially varied to form eight unique treatment configurations. Music and colour were shown to affect level of enjoyment and intention to use the service. The effects varied according to gender: females showed greater intention to use the service than did males. Males showed greater preference for the colour version. These findings provide some basic design guidelines for information service marketers and point to the need for future research-based exploration of this area.     

Probabilistic assessment of user's emotions in educational games

We present a probabilistic model to monitor a user's emotions and engagement during the interaction with educational games. We illustrate how our probabilistic model assesses affect by integrating evidence on both possible causes of the user's emotional arousal (i.e., the state of the interaction) and its effects (i.e., bodily expressions that are known to be influenced by emotional reactions). The probabilistic model relies on a Dynamic Decision Network to leverage any indirect evidence on the user's emotional state, in order to estimate this state and any other related variable in the model. This is crucial in a modeling task in which the available evidence usually varies with the user and with each particular interaction. The probabilistic model we present is to be used by decision theoretic pedagogical agents to generate interventions aimed at achieving the best tradeoff between a user's learning and engagement during the interaction with educational games.     

User perceptions and expectations of an information retrieval system

Abstract

Performance measures are frequently used to evaluate user friendliness of a system. An equally important, but often overlooked factor is the users' attitudes towards a system. A prototype interface for information retrieval was developed for presenting engineering manuals online. It was tested on a representative sample of the intended end user community. We found that subjects' expectations were based on their experience with printed materials and other computer systems. Familiar search mechanisms (e.g., table of contents, index) were important for getting them started, even though they switched to other mechanisms as they gained more experience with the system. The fact that the index was more detailed than the one in the printed manual was seen by the subjects as critical for speedy and efficient information retrieval. Keyword search of the database was generally the preferred retrieval mechanism. However, some users preferred the index. The ‘Table of Contents’ which was a tree structured menu based system was found to be of limited use in the electronic medium, in contrast to the printed manual.     

User perceptions and expectations of an information retrieval system

Performance measures are frequently used to evaluate user friendliness of a system. An equally important, but often overlooked factor is the users' attitudes towards a system. A prototype interface for information retrieval was developed for presenting engineering manuals online. It was tested on a representative sample of the intended end user community. We found that subjects' expectations were based on their experience with printed materials and other computer systems. Familiar search mechanisms (e.g., table of contents, index) were important for getting them started, even though they switched to other mechanisms as they gained more experience with the system. The fact that the index was more detailed than the one in the printed manual was seen by the subjects as critical for speedy and efficient information retrieval. Keyword search of the database was generally the preferred retrieval mechanism. However, some users preferred the index. The 'Table of Contents' which was a tree structured menu based system was found to be of limited use in the electronic medium, in contrast to the printed manual.     

Continuance intention of E-portfolio system: A confirmatory and multigroup invariance analysis of technology acceptance model

The technology acceptance model (TAM) has been applied in various fields to study a wide range of information technologies. Although TAM has been developed in this research stream in Taiwan, TAM's issues of measurement have received scant attention. A robust model must perform measurement invariance across different respondent subgroups to ensure that various sample profiles have the same relationship. A survey of regarding E-portfolio system reuse intention was constructed, resulting in 360 valid responses across subgroups differing in gender, grade, and levels of willingness to share, to examine the measurement invariance of TAM. The results empirically support the validity of our TAM instrument for evaluating E-portfolio reuse intentions behavior. These findings suggest that men and women, differing grades, levels of willingness to share conceptualize the TAM construct in similarly. The implications of these results enable us to understand TAM's validity in E-portfolio acceptance research.     

Teachers perceptions of the availability of computer hardware

Abstract Mathematics teachers in 40 secondary schools in the Greater Manchester region were sent questionnaires asking them, amongst other things, to comment on the availability of various forms of computer hardware for use in their teaching of mathematics. Seventy-five replies were received and analysed. In respect of a single computer in a classroom –a provision which teachers seem to see as being of little benefit–most believe they can achieve bookable access although spontaneous availability is unlikely for all but a minority. For computer suites–the more favoured provision–even booking in advance guarantees access for less than half of all teachers with spontaneous access granted to less than one teacher in ten. Some implications of these findings and possible ways forward are discussed.     

A model based integration framework for computer numerical control system development

As a typical complex embedded computer control system, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) system development is confronted with a great challenge because of its specific requirements as well as some recent development trends such as ever more complex products while at lower prices and shorter develop cycle. In this paper, a model based integration framework (CNCMIF) for CNC system design and development is presented, which integrates modeling, simulation, verification and implementation in a uniform environment. The CNCML (CNC modeling language) with well defined syntax and unambiguous semantics is developed to describe the CNC system in an accurate and explicit way. Model transformation strategy for formal verification and code automatic generation for implementation in the framework are also presented. The approach is an attempt to create an infrastructure to support the CNC system design in an efficient way, while at the same time guarantees the function and performance requirements with advanced capability of the system such as modularity, flexibility, reusability, etc.     

Gender differences in perceptions and relationships among dominants of e-learning acceptance

This research attempts to extrapolate the results of education research about computer usage and IS research about technology acceptance to e-learning. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the objectives of this study are to explore gender differences in perceptions and relationships among dominants affecting e-learning acceptance. A survey of 67 female and 89 male employees taken from six international companies at the Hsin-Chu Science-based Industrial Park in Taiwan shows that men’s rating of computer self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioral intention to use e-learning are all higher than women’s. Additionally, we found that women were more strongly influenced by perceptions of computer self-efficacy and ease of use, and that men’s usage decisions were more significantly influenced by their perception of usefulness of e-learning. These findings also suggest that researchers should take into consideration factors of gender in the development and testing of e-learning theories. Managers and co-workers, moreover, should realize that e-learning may be perceived differently by women and men. Based on these findings, implications for theory and practice are discussed.     

An approach to automatic learning assessment based on the computational theory of perceptions

E-learning systems output a huge quantity of data on a learning process. However, it takes a lot of specialist human resources to manually process these data and generate an assessment report. Additionally, for formative assessment, the report should state the attainment level of the learning goals defined by the instructor.This paper describes the use of the granular linguistic model of a phenomenon (GLMP) to model the assessment of the learning process and implement the automated generation of an assessment report. GLMP is based on fuzzy logic and the computational theory of perceptions. This technique is useful for implementing complex assessment criteria using inference systems based on linguistic rules. Apart from the grade, the model also generates a detailed natural language progress report on the achieved proficiency level, based exclusively on the objective data gathered from correct and incorrect responses. This is illustrated by applying the model to the assessment of Dijkstra’s algorithm learning using a visual simulation-based graph algorithm learning environment, called GRAPHs.     

On the perceptions and acceptance of artificially intelligent robotics and the psychology of the future elderly

ABSTRACT

The demographic shift marks the beginning of a social transformation with far reaching implications, and differences in aging processes across individuals render one-size fits-all policies ineffective. An area of increasing importance is assistive technology, including physical and Social Assistance Robots (SARs) for elderly support. In order to increase the effectiveness of such technologies, their design, functionality, and acceptance by target users must be evaluated. This paper presents a study that examines SAR technology acceptance among the future elderly (aged 20–60) in a German-speaking population (N=188). In doing this, we investigated the relationships between personality, resilience, technology experience, expectations for technology, fulfilment of expectations for technology, and technology acceptance. The study found significant correlations between age, gender, education, personality, resilience, experience, expectations, and technology acceptance and its subdimensions. Of the personality dimensions, agreeableness and neuroticism were found most relevant. Small effects were found between resilience and acceptance, and highly significant ones between technology acceptance, technology experience, expectations for SARs, and fulfilment of expectations for SARs. In keeping with previous research, the findings suggest that personality plays a significant role in the acceptance of SAR technologies. This study may be one of the first that considers and evaluates resilience as a factor in technology acceptance.     

Software processes, assessment and ISO 9000-certification: A user's view

The Austrian Research Centre Seibersdorf and its IT-Department are involved in the development of critical computer systems and in standardization in this field for many years (SAFECOMP '89, '90, '91, '93, IEC SC 65A WG9 and WG10, IEC TC 56, partners in the European initiative ESPITI and the networks ENCRESS and OLOS). The certification process for ISO 9001 started with a pre-audit in December 1993, and the certificate was successfully achieved at the end of June 1994. ISO 9000–3 (somehow more process-related than ISO 9001) and the ESA Software Engineering Standards (lifecycle model, process models) were the key input to the Quality Management (QM) System of the IT-Department. Additionally, the Department of Information Technology has successfully applied for a BOOTSTRAP license early in 1994. Four members of the staff of the IT department are qualified as external BOOTSTRAP assessors at the moment. In preparation for ISO 9000-certification and during BOOTSTRAP-training we learnt much about organizations, process improvement and project management, especially by reviewing our own processes critically as well as reviewing the impact and relevance of the schemes to follow when ISO 9000 certification or BOOTSTRAP licensing is the goal to achieve. Direct as well as indirect business benefits were achieved.     

Delineating the effects of general and system-specific computer self-efficacy beliefs on IS acceptance

This paper discusses extensions to previous research on computer self-efficacy (CSE) and systems acceptance by examining the impact of multilevel CSE on IS acceptance. Based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), we examined the effects of general and system-specific CSE on perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and behavioral intention to use a system. The results of a field experiment indicated that system-specific CSE represented a stronger predictor of perceived usefulness and behavioral intention than general CSE. In contrast, general CSE had a stronger effect on perceived ease of use. The research and practical implications of these findings are discussed.     

多参数融合的飞行品质评估模型的建立

目前航空管理机构与航空公司进行飞行品质评估主要是依据经验与简单飞行参数统计数字,这样做难以得出科学、客观的评估结果。基于提升全行业安全保障能力和运行品质的需求,研究了利用计算机技术对飞行品质进行综合评估的方法。选取了理想值逼近法作为飞行品质综合评估的手段,结合波动通道模型作为飞行品质评估的理论基础,基于提出的飞行品质评估模型对飞行品质评估系统进行了设计。对真实的飞行参数数据建立综合评估模型,同时考察多次航班的多个飞行参数,给出综合的飞行品质评估结论,为飞行评估、训练提供理论基础和科学的评判方法。     

Personal learning through the computer

This paper discusses the role of the computer as an aid towards human learning. A set of computer programs has been developed which interact with the cognitive modelling processes of the participant, helping him to increases his awareness of himself and his understanding of the world.Conversational heuristics are employed to embody the philosophy of the ‘personal scientist’ who classifies, categorises and builds theories about his world, testing these against his personal experience, reviewing and revising his theories in order to anticipate events and act effectively.PEGASUS is an interactive program which acts as a content-free psychological reflector by applying the real-time data processing of the computer to the individual's system of constructs as it is elicited. Continuous feedback commentary is provided in such a way as to act as a participant in a conversation which makes explicit to the user implicit similarities and cross-references in his dimensions of thinking. In this way he is encouraged to build and rebuild a model of any topic in his own terms. This is the basis of learning. Where an area of public knowledge is involved, there is also the facility to compare his model with that of an expert in the field; or to investigate his standing in a group of people. These techniques have successfully been used in a number of educational and industrial studies.Most of what is called computer assisted learning is indistinguishable from instruction. If the philosophy of the personal scientist is amalgamated with the role of the computer as a tool used by a craftsman to enhance his skill rather than that of a machine which takes from man that essentially human aspect of the process, the learner is offered a facility which allows him to attempt new ventures with a firm basis and support in the system.     

The theatre through the computer

There is a long history of the theatre being used with educational purposes. Now the evolution of multimedia resources provide an opportunity to implement theatre through the computer. Although software for the production of multimedia stories exist, they give little attention to the necessary interface aspects required for a virtual theatre implementation. The objective of this work is to present the Theatre in the Computer (TC); software especially developed for the education of children. This software can be used to produce and to distribute plays through the Internet. The educational possibilities of TC are discussed here.     

数字PID调节器的计算机实现

本文讨论了用计算机实现数字调节器的几种方法,并对各种方法作了比较,最后总结出各自的特点。