The impact of scripts on blended and online socially shared regulation of learning: A role-playing game theory perspective

International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning - Self-regulated learning theory is central to computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) and depends on learner autonomy to...     

Level of abstraction and feelings of presence in virtual space: Business English negotiation in Open Wonderland

Virtual spaces allow abstract representations of reality that not only encourage student self-directed learning but also reinforce core content of the learning objective through visual metaphors not reproducible in the physical world. One of the advantages of such a space is the ability to escape the restrictions of the physical classroom, yet reproduction of reality may surpass what is needed to encourage feelings of presence. Simultaneously, too high an abstraction level may change participants’ attitudes in relation to the core learning goals. This quantitative study examined the relationship between level of environment abstraction, within a virtual space, and feelings of presence for business negotiation role playing. Negotiation values were also measured, in relation to environment abstraction. Two levels of virtual space abstraction were implemented, through the open source software Open Wonderland, where class lectures and student driven negotiation role playing took place over a semester. Results indicated a high abstract environment reduced feelings of presence compared to a low abstract environment, even when the low abstract level was not realistic but rather employing a metaphor related to instructional goals. The values students used in negotiation across the two abstraction levels exhibited no difference, indicating the fundamental approach to negotiating was not related to the virtual environment design.     

A method for rating counselor social reinforcement and persuasion.

Describes (a) a counselor social reinforcement scale, based on the verbal conditioning model and the assumption that approval is a basic interpersonal reinforcer; and (b) a counselor persuasion scale, based on the the assumption that counselor conviction and client agreement with the couselor are the central aspects of counselor persuasiveness. The scales require the client to respond as if he has been reinforced or persuaded. To assess the immediate effect upon the client, 3-min segments from counseling interviews were divided into client-counselor-client statement units. Using the scales and their supplementary rules, a sample of 900 such units from 35 counselors of a variety of theoretical orientations were reliably rated and rerated by 6 experienced raters. Statistical and substantive characteristics of the scales are given and implications discussed. (25 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some environmental factors affecting free amino acid composition in six varieties of peanuts

This study involved six Spanish type entries (five commercial varieties and a plant introduction) grown in the National Variety Tests in Oklahoma and Georgia under both irrigated and nonirrigated conditions. Significant effects (Georgia vs Oklahoma) were observed on aspartic acid, proline, glycine, valine, isoleucine, peptide, ammonia, and histidine. Significant differences for irrigated vs nonirrigated in the two states for aspartic acid, threonine, proline, glutamic acid, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, peptide, ammonia, and histidine were observed. Significant differences among the six entries were observed for glutamic acid, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, ammonia, histidine, arginine, tryptophan, and total amino acids. None of the treatments produced significant changes in measured amounts of serine, alanine, methionine, and lysine. Significant differences for Georgia vs Oklahoma and irrigated vs nonirrigated for Kjeldahl nitrogen of the whole peanut were noted. Presented at the AOCS Spring Meeting, New Orleans, May 1973. Journal paper 2636 of the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station. ARS, USDA.     

Efficient parallel algorithms for graph problems

We present an efficient technique for parallel manipulation of data structures that avoids memory access conflicts. That is, this technique works on the Exclusive Read/Exclusive Write (EREW) model of computation, which is the weakest shared memory, MIMD machine model. It is used in a new parallel radix sort algorithm that is optimal for keys whose values are over a small range. Using the radix sort and known results for parallel prefix on linked lists, we develop parallel algorithms that efficiently solve various computations on trees and unicycular graphs. Finally, we develop parallel algorithms for connected components, spanning trees, minimum spanning trees, and other graph problems. All of the graph algorithms achieve linear speedup for all but the sparsest graphs.Part of this work was done while the first author was at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, the second author was at Carnegie-Mellon University, and the third author was at the Hebrew University and the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University. A preliminary version of this work was presented at the 1986 International Conference on Parallel Processing.     

Asymptotic output tracking with a two level hierarchical system

In this paper a two level hierarchical system is considered. This system consists of two discs that have limited rotational movement. It is assumed that one disc has large inertia and low angular acceleration and the other disc has low inertia and high angular acceleration. The disc with large angular acceleration is mounted on the periphery of the disc with low acceleration. The angular velocity and orientation of both discs is controllable. It is shown how the theory of asymptotic output tracking for linear systems, combined with some easily programmable mathematical optimization problems leads to very good results when designing a controller for asymptotically tracking a moving object, in particular meeting the angular acceleration limits imposed on the two discs. The paradigm for this system is the human eye-head-neck system and the tracking of a moving object at a distance from the eye.     

REQUIREMENTS OF REFRACTORIES FOR ELECTRIC FURNACES1

This article is essentially a survey, giving, however, not generalized statements, but a definite discussion of the refractories problems now existing in the important electric furnace processes. After summarizing some of the general refractory requirements of electric furnace work, the author discusses the specific conditions and refractory requirements in steel, iron, and non-ferrous metal melting, smelting furnaces for producing iron, ferro-alloys and calcium carbide, anti in furnaces for melting refractory materials. The article closes with a summary of outstanding present developments. Varied conditions probably make an ideal, universal refractory almost impossible of attainment. The relatively cheap refractories standardized in fuel-fired furnaces have been very largely used in electric furnaces. There is, however, a growing use for specialized “super-refractories,” even at greatly increased cost, that will stand various especially severe conditions in certain kinds of work. Important recent developments are higher firing temperatures, the use of high aluminous fire clays, and increased experimental work on fused refractories. The commercial production of sufficiently high firing temperatures, and the development of satisfactory bonds for special refractories are at present perplexing problems.     

ERP plans and decision-support benefits

Management and implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have tended to concentrate on their transactional and record-keeping aspects, rather than on their decision-support capabilities. This paper explores connections between ERP systems and decision support based on the perceptions of 53 ERP system adopters. It offers new insights into the important objectives that are (and should be) considered in ERP plans, including decision-support objectives. It provides insights into the decision-support benefits of ERP systems. The study also examines relationships between the importance of various objectives in ERP planning and the subsequent realization of decision-support benefits from an ERP system.     

Charles Gilbert-Wrenn (1902-2001).

Memorializes C. Gilbert-Wrenn, a counseling psychologist, author, and professor who believed that because people are all a part of one another, caring for each other is the primary concern in counseling and living. He emphasized that the person of the counselor was as important as his or her knowledge and skills. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Disinhibition of communicated thought: Generality and role of cognitive style.

Studied the effects on thought functioning in 80 male and 80 female adults of vocal occlusion by white noise masking (WNM). The interruption of vocal feedback did not change performance on either a cognitive task (a reading test) or on a visual-motor test (digit substitution) when no vocal activity was involved. For men there was a slight but significant performance decrement on the reading test when oral reading was involved. For all Ss, WNM produced an increase in impulse-related themes and a decrease in defensive themes on the TAT. Findings suggest that (a) hearing oneself as one speaks is necessary for modulating impulse and affect and for smooth reality testing in general; and (b) for men, the disinhibition effects of WNM tend to occur in the setting of a leveling cognitive style. Results are discussed in terms of their relevance to defensive organization and the need for vocal feedback in maintaining the stability of defense. (38 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)