Effects of a metacognitive support device in learning environments

Successful learning is mainly based on metacognitive activities which have to be performed and constantly monitored during learning. Research reveals that many learners have difficulties in performing such metacognitive activities spontaneously, which most probably results in lower learning outcomes. The aim of this study is to experimentally analyse the effects of a metacognitive support device combined with a paper-based prompting scheme. With this support device, students are instructed to activate their repertoire of metacognitive knowledge and skills which should further enhance learning and transfer.     

Speech and Language processing as assistive technologies

We are delighted to bring you this special issue on speech and language processing for assistive technology. It addresses an important research area that is gaining increased recognition from researchers in speech and language processing as a rich and fulfilling area on which to focus their work, and by researchers in assistive technology as the means to dramatically improve communication technologies for individuals with disabilities. This special issue brings a wide swath of approaches and applications highlighting the variety this area offers.     

Modelling spectral reflectance of open cork oak woodland: a simulation analysis of the effects of vegetation structure and background

This study analyses the influence of vegetation structure (i.e. leaf area index and canopy cover) and seasonal background changes on moderate-resolution imaging spectrometer (MODIS)-simulated reflectance data in open woodland. Approximately monthly spectral reflectance and transmittance field measurements (May 2011 to October 2013) of cork oak tree leaves (Quercus suber) and of the herbaceous understorey were recorded in the region of Ribatejo, Portugal. The geometric-optical and radiative transfer (GORT) model was used to simulate MODIS response (red, near-infrared) and to calculate vegetation indices, investigating their response to changes in the structure of the overstorey vegetation and to seasonal changes in the understorey using scenarios corresponding to contrasting phenological status (dry season vs. wet season). The performance of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) is discussed. Results showed that SAVI and EVI were very sensitive to the emergence of background vegetation in the wet season compared to NDVI and that shading effects lead to an opposing trend in the vegetation indices. The information provided by this research can be useful to improve our understanding of the temporal dynamic of vegetation, monitored by vegetation indices.     

Using job-shop scheduling tasks for evaluating collocated collaboration

Researchers have begun to explore tools that allow multiple users to collaborate across multiple devices in collocated environments. These tools often allow users to simultaneously place and interact with information on shared displays. Unfortunately, there is a lack of experimental tasks to evaluate the effectiveness of these tools for information coordination in such scenarios. In this article, we introduce job-shop scheduling as a task that could be used to evaluate systems and interactions within computer-supported collaboration environments. We describe properties that make the task useful, as well as evaluation measures that may be used. We also present two experiments as case studies to illustrate the breadth of scenarios in which this task may be applied. The first experiment shows the differences when users interact with different communicative gesturing schemes, while the second demonstrates the benefits of shared visual information on large displays. We close by discussing the general applicability of the tasks.     

Low-temperature SEM studies of beam-induced voltage contrast in YBCO thin films

Beam-induced voltage contrast has been demonstrated in a superconducting thin film of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x (YBCO) grown on MgO. Copper-rich inclusions in the material contribute to spatially varying resistive behaviour but do not account for all the observed details. A new method of scanning in which the beam was moved away from the sample between each data acquisition point was found to increase the resolution by limiting thermalisation, to allow imaging of resistive features as small as 0.5 μm. Direct comparisons of beam-induced contrast and micro-structure at 9000 times magnification were possible using simultaneous image acquisition via a purpose-built image store. Mounting a preamplifier within the scanning electron microscope chamber, to give a variable overall gain of 1000–100,000, was also found to significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio.     

Effects of automation of information-processing functions on teamwork

We investigated the effects of automation as applied to different stages of information processing on team performance in a complex decision-making task. Forty teams of 2 individuals performed a simulated Theater Defense Task. Four automation conditions were simulated with computer assistance applied to realistic combinations of information acquisition, information analysis, and decision selection functions across two levels of task difficulty. Multiple measures of team effectiveness and team coordination were used. Results indicated different forms of automation have different effects on teamwork. Compared with a baseline condition, an increase in automation of information acquisition led to an increase in the ratio of information transferred to information requested; an increase in automation of information analysis resulted in higher team coordination ratings; and automation of decision selection led to better team effectiveness under low levels of task difficulty but at the cost of higher workload. The results support the use of early and intermediate forms of automation related to acquisition and analysis of information in the design of team tasks. Decision-making automation may provide benefits in more limited contexts. Applications of this research include the design and evaluation of automation in team environments.     

Adaptive tuning of a Kalman filter via fuzzy logic for an intelligent AUV navigation system

This paper describes the implementation of an intelligent navigation system, based on the integrated use of the global positioning system (GPS) and several inertial navigation system (INS) sensors, for autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) applications. A simple Kalman filter (SKF) and an extended Kalman filter (EKF) are proposed to be used subsequently to fuse the data from the INS sensors and to integrate them with the GPS data. The paper highlights the use of fuzzy logic techniques to the adaptation of the initial statistical assumption of both the SKF and EKF caused by possible changes in sensor noise characteristics. This adaptive mechanism is considered to be necessary as the SKF and EKF can only maintain their stability and performance when the algorithms contain the true sensor noise characteristics. In addition, fault detection and signal recovery algorithms during the fusion process to enhance the reliability of the navigation systems are also discussed herein. The proposed algorithms are implemented to real experimental data obtained from a series of AUV trials conducted by running the low-cost Hammerhead AUV, developed by the University of Plymouth and Cranfield University.     

Word processing technology and perceptions of control among clerical workers

A set of four hypotheses about the relationships between word processor attributes and employee perceptions of control and satisfaction are developed and then tested in a sample of 109 clerical workers. Findings from this perliminary study support the first hypothesis, that electronic word processors, in contrast to typewriters, increase an employee's ability to control his or her work. The second hypothesis, that users of both word processors and typewriters will report the highest levels of control, was not supported. The second part of the study concerns attributes of electronic word processors. The third hypothesis was that employees who use computers that are more dependable, easier to use, and have higher quality screens will report higher levels of control. This hypothesis was only partially supported. Support was found for the fourth hypothesis, that the above trio of computer attributes Would be positively related to employee satisfaction with the word processor. Practical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.     

The maintenance, distribution and development of biomedical computer software: an exercise in software engineering

The growing reliance of biomedical investigations on computer software in almost all facets of their work places considerable emphasis on the need for the integrated management of the software. In order to efficiently develop, distribute, and maintain the software, tools are required which not only automate these tasks but also, wherever possible, 'semi-intelligently', alert their user to irregular situation. We describe an assortment of such tools routinely used in the management of the SAAM/CONSAM biokinetic software and illustrate their application. Furthermore, using these techniques we have presented some comparative performances of numerical integrators and of computer processors.     

Structure, technology, and dependence on a parent organization: Organizational and environmental correlates of individual responses.

155 managers in 14 organizations completed a questionnaire in which they described their jobs and their responses to work. A high-level manager in each firm provided information of organizational and environmental characteristics during a structured interview. Findings indicate that both organizational and environmental characteristics were related to individual responses and job perceptions. Further, job perceptions mediated the relationship of both organizational and environmental characteristics to individual responses. (39 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)