Students' experience of component versus integrated virtual learning environments

Abstract The use of virtual learning environments (VLEs) has become increasingly common in most higher education (HE) institutions. Recent developments have proposed the interoperability of software systems and content, to create component VLEs in contrast with the integrated, monolithic ones that are currently prevalent. This paper examines the student experience of two VLEs, one integrated approach and the other component. In general, students preferred the component system, although this may have been influenced by other factors such as performance. Although the study is limited to one cohort of student it makes a number of suggestions relevant to anyone deploying a VLE. These are that the component approach is a viable one from a student perspective, the broader context in which the VLE operates is important in student perception and that poor system performance may have unpredictable consequences for the learning experience.     

A Learning Community of University Freshman Design,Freshman Graphics,and High School Technology Students: Description,Projects, and Assessment

A learning community was developed to enhance the teamwork and communication components of a freshman design course. The learning community was comprised of students from a freshman design course, a freshman graphics course, and a high school technology course. Design teams were formed by combining three to four students from each of these courses. These teams were required to research, design, build, and test a specified product. The high school and university students communicated only using e‐mails and Internet conferencing. This paper outlines how the learning community is implemented, describes three design projects, and presents the assessment methods. Assessment reveals that university students who participate in the learning community have a better understanding and confidence in the technical aspects of the design project than the students who do not participate in the learning community. It also reveals that high school participants display notable interest in the engineering design process.     

Initial on-line evaluations of the LF-ASD brain-computer interface with able-bodied and spinal-cord subjects using imagined voluntary motor potentials

Previous research has focused on developing a brain-controlled switch named the low frequency asynchronous switch design (LF-ASD) that is suitable for intermittent control of devices such as environmental control systems, computers, and neural prostheses. On-line implementations of the LF-ASD have shown promising results in response to actual index finger flexions with able-bodied subjects. This paper reports the results of initial on-line evaluations of the LF-ASD brain-controlled switch with both able-bodied subjects and subjects with high-level spinal-cord injuries. This paper has demonstrated that users can activate the LF-ASD switch by imagining movement. In this paper, two able-bodied subjects were able to control the LF-ASD with imagined voluntary movements with hit (true positive) rates above 70% and false positive rates below 3% while two subjects with high-level spinal-cord injuries demonstrated hit rates ranging from 45-48% and false positive rates below 1%.     

Proposal for a simple quantum-error-correction test gate in linear optics

We describe a linear quantum optical circuit capable of demonstrating a simple quantum-error-correction code in a four-photon experiment.     

Modeling peirce-smith converter operating costs

A cost model for the operation of copper converters is developed in this study, allowing an evaluation of the economic impact of changes to operating procedures and/or injection technologies. The model uses material and enthalpybalances for the slag and copper blows in a Peirce-Smith converter. The length of the converting cycle is calculated from the capacity of the blowers and the required blast along with the times required for other operations such as charging and skimming and idle time. Downtime, labor, and materials for converter lining repair as well as other costs such as oxygen enrichment are also considered in the cost calculations. The model is formulated in a spreadsheet using common programming language and is easily extended to examine the costs of alternative operating strategies or injection technologies such as high-pressure, shrouded injection. Example calculations showing the cost benefits of changing operating procedures and technology are presented.     

3,4-Dicyanomaleic Anhydride,A New Dienophile

Thermolysis of 2,3-dicyano-bicylo[2,2,1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride ( 6 ) at 580-590 °C or of 3,4,5,6-tetraazidophthalic anhydride ( 9 ) at 110 °C affords 3,4-dicyanomaleic anhydride ( 1 ).     

Axial Chiral Liquid Crystals–Synthesis of Trisubstituted Allenyl Ethers

The synthesis of racemic and enantiomerical enriched axial chiral liquid crystalline compounds incorporating a trisubstituted allene unit is described. All compounds 16 – 28 display the smectic C-phase and mostly also a nematic mesophase. All investigated enantiomerically enriched compounds have a ferroelectrically switchable chiral smectic S_C*-phase.     

Comparison of international mail trays

This study compared the performance and procurement issues related to six different types of international mail trays. These trays are used to handle and transport mail among various member countries of the European Community and the United States. The purpose of the test was to develop the minimum parameters for an ideal international mail tray based on the performance of existing trays. The trays were evaluated for performance using laboratory simulated tests in accordance with ISO standards and procedures that were developed by the International Post Corporation. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.