Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Learning technologies'

This research proposes sets of design patterns of learning environments as an innovative approach towards an intelligent architectural design process. These patterns are based on teachers’ spatial and pedagogical use of their learning environments. The study is based in the desired condition that learning environments are expected to host learning technologies efficiently, to adapt to the fact that its life span is much longer than that of any technology within it, and to accommodate a variation of teaching modes and learning styles. In an effort to address these issues; calls for designing flexible learning spaces have emerged, as well as recommendations for alternative layouts. Yet, more challenging questions emerge; how efficiently do these technologies integrate with other systems in the classroom space? What should architects and facility planners consider for a successful systems’ integration which incorporates learning technologies in the design of the classroom space? And how can these spaces support variations in pedagogical practice. This study attempts to answer these questions by developing a pattern language to support the early design phases of a technology-rich learning environment. The study is qualitative in nature, and based on interviews with a sample of teachers at academic year Governor’s science and technology schools in Virginia. The researcher attempts to capture problems and challenges related to occupants’ performance within the physical boundaries of the classroom when learning technologies are in use. The variation of teaching-learning modes is taken into consideration. In this process, the researcher focuses on integration patterns of learning technologies with the envelope and the interior systems. The findings are then translated into the design language in the form of a pattern language at the building systems scale.
Ph. D.

One of the teacher’s main task is to make his subject as more creative as it can be possible for students to interest them in it. There are many ways to make your lesson more cognitive and useful (for instance, usage of free open educational resources), but nowadays visual interactive learning tools become more popular and popular. And the problem is where to find or how to create necessary staff for you. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/29464

La present memòria de tesi, aborda d'un mode interdisciplinar i holístic l'ús d'estratègies de joc (conegudes com gamificació) per incrementar la motivació de l'estudiant universitari usant les anomenades TEL (Technology Enhanced Learning). Amb l'ús d'aquest tipus de tecnologies (entre les que es podrien trobar la Realitat Virtual, RV, la Realitat Augmentada, RA; mètodes híbrids de presentació, etc.) es pretén aconseguir una manera de fer més eficaç, eficient i satisfactoria en l'adquisició de determinades competències. Aquest plantejament basat en tècniques d'investigació lligades a l'experiència d'usuari (UX), es focalitza en millorar el rendiment acadèmic (currículum) dels alumnes objecte d'estudi: estudiants de 1r i 2n any dels graus d'Arquitectura, Ciències i Tecnologies de la Construcció i Enginyeria Multimèdia (La Salle Campus Barcelona, Universitat Ramon Llull). La tesi comença definint els objectius i hipòtesis de treball, per a continuació analitzar les metodologies de l'aprenentatge i de l'educació, i presentar la metodologia emprada en la investigació. Seguidament es centra en els aspectes de l'avaluació de la motivació, la tecnologia TEL i la gamificació aplicada a l'educació. S'han desenvolupat diferents casos d'estudi en les matèries d'Eines Informàtiques I - II i Animació per Ordinador I - II de les àrees anteriorment indicades. Aquestes matèries comparteixen una sèrie de competències transversals: capacitat espacial, treball autònom i en equip, habilitat informàtica, visualització tridimensional. La introducció de mètodes gamificats per a la millora en l'adquisició d'aquestes competències i l'avaluació dels sistemes tecnològics utilitzats per a la seva consecució, és sens dubte, el fet diferencial i innovador d'aquesta tesi. Els articles presentats per compendi en aquesta tesi són un clar exemple dels resultats obtinguts. En ells es pot observar, com l'ús conjunt de mecàniques de joc i tecnologies avançades de visualització generen una major motivació de l'estudiant. Aquests resultats comporten una més ràpida i millor adquisició de les competències on es comproba una correlació directa d’una millora curricular.
La presente memoria de tesis, aborda de un modo interdisciplinar y holístico el uso de estrategias de juego (conocidas como gamificación) para incrementar la motivación del estudiante universitario usando las denominadas TEL (Technology Enhanced Learning). Con el uso de este tipo de tecnologías (entre las que se podrían encontrar la Realidad Virtual, RV; la Realidad Aumentada, RA; métodos híbridos de presentación, etc) se pretende conseguir un modo más eficaz, eficiente y satisfactorio en la adquisición de determinadas competencias. Este planteamiento basado en técnicas de investigación ligadas a la eXperiencia de Usuario (UX), se focaliza en mejorar el rendimiento académico (curriculum) de los alumnos objeto de estudio: estudiantes de 1er y 2º año de los grados de Arquitectura, Ciencias y Tecnologías de la Construcción e Ingeniería Multimedia (La Salle Campus Barcelona, Universitat Ramon Llull). La tesis comienza definiendo los objetivos e hipótesis de trabajo, para a continuación analizar las metodologías del aprendizaje y de la educación, y presentar la metodología empleada en la investigación. Seguidamente se centra en los aspectos de la evaluación de la motivación, la tecnología TEL y la gamificación aplicada en la educación. Se han desarrollado diferentes casos de estudio en las materias de Herramientas Informáticas I - II y Animación por Ordenador I - II de las áreas anteriormente indicadas. Dichas materias comparten una serie de competencias transversales: capacidad espacial, trabajo autónomo y en equipo, habilidad informática, visualización tridimensional. La introducción de métodos gamificados para la mejora en la adquisición de dichas competencias y la evaluación de los sistemas tecnológicos utilizados para su consecución, es sin duda alguna, el hecho diferencial e innovador de esta tesis. Los artículos presentados por compendio en esta tesis son un claro ejemplo de los resultados obtenidos. En ellos se puede observar, como el uso conjunto de mecánicas de juego y tecnologías avanzadas de visualización generan una mayor motivación del estudiante. Estos resultados conllevan una más rápida y mejor adquisición de las competencias lo cual se correla directamente con una mejora curricular.
This PhD dissertation addresses an interdisciplinary and holistic manner using game strategies (known as gamificación) to increase the motivation of college student using TEL (Technology Enhanced Learning). With the use of these technologies (among them could find the Virtual Reality, RV, Augmented Reality, RA; hybrid methods of presentation, etc) is to achieve a more effective, efficient and satisfactory manner in the acquisition of certain competences. This research based on techniques related to user experience (UX) approach focuses on improving academic performance (curriculum) of students under study: students 1st and 2nd year of the Degree of Architecture, Building Engineering and Multimedia Engineering (La Salle Campus Barcelona, Universitat Ramon Llull). The thesis begins defining the objectives and working hypotheses, then analyze the methodologies of learning and education, and the methodology used in the investigation. Then it focuses on aspects of assessing motivation, TEL and gamification technology applied in education. They have developed different case studies in the areas of software tools I - II and Computer Animation I - II of the areas indicated above. These materials have a number of generic skills: spatial ability, autonomous and team work, computer skills, three-dimensional visualization. Gamification methods for acquiring these skills and assessment of technological systems undoubtedly innovative differential fact of this thesis. The papers presented in this thesis by compendium are a clear example of the results obtained. These papers explain how game mechanics and advanced display technologies generate greater student motivation. These results imply a faster and better acquisition of skills which are directly correlates with curriculum improvement.

The interplay between learning and technology is a growing field that is often referred to as Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL). Within this context, learning applications are software components that are useful for learning purposes, such as textbook replacements, information gathering tools, communication and collaboration tools, knowledge modeling tools, rich lab environments that allows experiments etc. When developing learning applications, the choice of technology depends on many factors. For instance, who and how many the intended end-users are, if there are requirements to support in-application collaboration, platform restrictions, the expertise of the developers, requirements to inter-operate with other systems or applications etc. This thesis provides guidance on a how to develop learning applications based on Semantic Web technology. The focus on Semantic Web technology is due to its basic design that allows expression of knowledge at the web scale. It also allows keeping track of who said what, providing subjective expressions in parallel with more authoritative knowledge sources. The intended readers of this thesis include practitioners such as software architects and developers as well as researchers in TEL and other related fields. The empirical part of the this thesis is the experience from the design and development of two learning applications and two supporting frameworks. The first learning application is the web application Confolio/EntryScape which allows users to collect files and online material into personal and shared portfolios. The second learning application is the desktop application Conzilla, which provides a way to create and navigate a landscape of interconnected concepts. Based upon the experience of design and development as well as on more theoretical considerations outlined in this thesis, three major obstacles have been identified: The first obstacle is: lack of non-expert and user friendly solutions for presenting and editing Semantic Web data that is not hard-coded to use a specific vocabulary. The thesis presents five categories of tools that support editing and presentation of RDF. The thesis also discusses a concrete software solution together with a list of the most important features that have crystallized during six major iterations of development. The second obstacle is: lack of solutions that can handle both private and collaborative management of resources together with related Semantic Web data. The thesis presents five requirements for a reusable read/write RDF framework and a concrete software solution that fulfills these requirements. A list of features that have appeared during four major iterations of development is also presented. The third obstacle is: lack of recommendations for how to build learning applications based on Semantic Web technology. The thesis presents seven recommendations in terms of architectures, technologies, frameworks, and type of application to focus on. In addition, as part of the preparatory work to overcome the three obstacles, the thesis also presents a categorization of applications and a derivation of the relations between standards, technologies and application types.

QC 20121105

Modern Internet technologies have allowed new learning methods to appear for the realisation of which e-learning information technologies are created. While organizing distance learning the problems of selecting and integrating these technologies surface. That has motivated to conduct research on e-learning information technologies. It can be stated that the especially important task today is to create such infrastructure of the Virtual University that enables to merge both various distance learning methods and various learning environments used for creating distance courses as well as to conform to e-learning standards. This work introduces: · the formulation of the requirements for the distance education information system; · the concept of the distance education information system and selected technologies for its implementation have been designed; · the architecture of two different application servers that enables to use different information technologies in a single information system have been offered. It is scalable, it does not depend on the platform and has a unified identification mechanism; · the unified system that enables to manage education processes, educational programmes, e-courses created in various virtual learning media and other resources as well as to administer the activities of students and lecturers. The system created is open, multiplatform and adapted for various information technologies and different application servers, supports various... [to full text]
Šiuolaikinės internetinės technologijos leido atsirasti naujiems mokymo metodams, kurių realizavimui kuriamos e. mokymosi informacinė technologijos. Organizuojant nuotolines studijas, iškyla šių technologijų pasirinkimo ir derinimo problemos. Tai paskatino atlikti e. mokymosi informacinių technologijų tyrimą.

Many health technologies exhibit some form of learning effect, and this represents a barrier to rigorous assessment by randomised controlled trials. There is reluctance to evaluate while the technique is being learnt, yet unwillingness to admit uncertainty once it has been learnt. In principle, statistical description of a learning curve and subsequent adjustment of an evaluation to take account of learning effects should solve this problem. Exactly how the analyses should be performed has been unclear. This thesis has three components: Systematic review of health technology assessment literature: a systematic description of studies that directly assessed the learning curve effect of health technologies. Systematic search of non-health technology assessment literature: a systematic identification of 'novel' statistical techniques applied to learning curve data in other fields, such as psychology and manufacturing. Testing of statistical methods: testing of these statistical techniques in sets of data describing a variety of health technologies where learning curve effects are known to exist.

With the growing popularity of the World Wide Web, materials presented to learners in the form of hypertext have become a major instructional resource. Despite the potential of hypertext to facilitate access to learning materials, self-directed learning from hypertext is often associated with many concerns. Self-directed learners, due to their different viewpoints, may follow different navigation paths, and thus they will have different interactions with knowledge. Therefore, learners can end up being disoriented or cognitively-overloaded due to the potential gap between what they need and what actually exists on the Web. In addition, while a lot of research has gone into supporting the task of finding web resources, less attention has been paid to the task of supporting the interpretation of Web pages. The inability to interpret the content of pages leads learners to interrupt their current browsing activities to seek help from other human resources or explanatory learning materials. Such activity can weaken learner engagement and lower their motivation to learn. This thesis aims to promote self-directed learning from hypertext resources by proposing solutions to the above problems. It first presents Knowledge Puzzle, a tool that proposes a constructivist approach to learn from the Web. Its main contribution to Web-based learning is that self-directed learners will be able to adapt the path of instruction and the structure of hypertext to their way of thinking, regardless of how the Web content is delivered. This can effectively reduce the gap between what they need and what exists on the Web. SWLinker is another system proposed in this thesis with the aim of supporting the interpretation of Web pages using ontology based semantic annotation. It is an extension to the Internet Explorer Web browser that automatically creates a semantic layer of explanatory information and instructional guidance over Web pages. It also aims to break the conventional view of Web browsing as an individual activity by leveraging the notion of ontology-based collaborative browsing. Both of the tools presented in this thesis were evaluated by students within the context of particular learning tasks. The results show that they effectively fulfilled the intended goals by facilitating learning from hypertext without introducing high overheads in terms of usability or browsing efforts.

This dissertation presents an in-depth, qualitative case study that documents the efforts of two UK universities to integrate on-line learning technologies into their teaching practices and course design. It has been claimed that on-line learning technologies have the capacity to transform the provision of higher education. In order to address such claims, participant / observer research was conducted at two institutions, simultaneously, over a period of 18 months. Using ideas from the sociology of association, the organisational, pedagogic and technological activities surrounding the case study institutions' purchase and integration of two leading on-line learning technologies are described. Distinctions between different areas of activity both in and around the university are represented as they emerged 'in practice', allowing ostentive divisions between, for example, 'the education', 'the technological' and 'the organisation' to be temporarily, placed to one side. Building on these empirically grounded findings, this thesis considers the question of 'educational values'. Powerful discourses relating to knowledge, learning and the 'market for education' currently compete for primacy over pedagogic, epistemic and educational interests. By rejecting normative ascriptions of value, in either economic or moral terms, this thesis considers 'values-in-practice', or 'valence' as the enacted priorities that are set as part of organisational work. Through this analysis, values are understood as the basis upon which lines of reason or 'ways of reckoning' are constructed. This analytical approach is shown to be particularly relevant to the study of complex, integration work, where totalising or dichotomous conceptions of knowledge prove insufficient to capture or inform processes of negotiation. Together, the concepts of valence and ways of reckoning serve to support critical reflection on how educational values are constructed in the case of on-line learning. It is argued that only by understanding education as a collective endeavour, capable of promoting and supporting substantive diversity, can educational priorities be properly assessed and asserted.

The uptake and diffusion of the use of learning technologies in UK Higher Education is an instance of the adoption of change. There has been considerable research into the ways in which the uptake and diffusion of innovation can bring about change processes. This work has identified the importance of barriers and drivers to change as a part of the process. Areas of study have included general instances, those specific to technology and those relevant to the use of learning technology in higher education. It has also been shown that a Higher Education institution’s organisational structure may itself inhibit or constrain the way in which the institution can respond to external changes and adopt new practices. This study reviews the development and growth in the use of learning technologies. It sets these activities in the context of changes in computing in education and psychology from a UK and a US perspective. The study analyses an extensive survey of the use of learning technology at the University of Southampton, suggesting that institutional approaches are associated with organisational models and may amplify or dampen the known barriers and drivers for change. A study of experiences across a range of UK Higher Education Institutions provides further evidence for this argument.

Metric classification methods and their features, OLAP-cubes advantages, methods of their application in practice are studied. This work discusses the methods of OLAP-technologies applied use in machine learning, their synthesis with metric classification objects methods.
Изучаются методы метрической классификации и их особенности, преимущества OLAP- кубов данных, способы применения их на практике. В данной работе рассматриваются способы прикладного использования OLAP-технологий в машинном обучении, их синтез с метрическими методами классификации объектов.

This thesis investigates how mobile and social technologies are influencing informal learning in the context of online community membership. The development of mobile technologies that use Global Positioning System (GPS) data to pinpoint geographical location together with the rapidly evolving Web 2.0 applications supporting the creation and consumption of content suggest a potential for cooperative informal learning linked to location. This research explores whether this potential has been realised. Two pilot studies were conducted, a technology-enhanced Birdwatch (16 participants) and a GPS-guided Nature Trail (11 participants) to evaluate the effects of connected, location aware technology on informal learning and community building. The main study focused on the Geocaching community, a geographically dispersed group who use mobile and Web 2.0 technologies to link the virtual social spaces of the internet with the physical spaces that surround them. This research built on insights from the Mobilearn project that mobile learning is connected to the mobility of the learner moving between different sources of technological and social resources, rather than the technology (Attewell and Savill-Smith, 2004). Online survey participants were recruited from the Geocaching forums. From the 659 responses, five linked case studies were selected for interviews. This data was supplemented by information collected from the Geocaching website and forums and analysed using qualitative techniques. The work reported in this thesis reinforces the Preece and Shneiderman (2009) four stage communities model, illustrating that learning opportunities are built into the community membership trajectory. It uncovered novel ways of using mobile and Web 2.0 technologies to create learning activities connected to location. It also revealed a growing undercurrent of cooperative informal learning through distributed networks of connected individuals who made innovative use of both mobile and social technologies to create a persistent digital narrative of location which served as a community resource.

This dissertation investigates the development and use of self-images in augmented reality systems for learning and learning-based activities. This work focuses on self- modeling, a particular form of learning, actively employed in various settings for therapy or teaching. In particular, this work aims to develop novel multimedia systems to support the display and rendering of augmented self-images. It aims to use interactivity (via games) as a means of obtaining imagery for use in creating augmented self-images. Two multimedia systems are developed, discussed and analyzed. The proposed systems are validated in terms of their technical innovation and their clinical efficacy in delivering behavioral interventions for young children on the autism spectrum.

This work seeks to explore and evaluate some of the evolving technological tools available for instruction and learning in the field of education. An assessment is made of the value and effectiveness of using new technologies, and associated educational theories on existing and emergent technologies are considered. A study is made of Second Life, an online virtual reality simulator, and its educational potentials are considered along with those of video-gaming and other emerging learning tools and spaces. These are the foundations for the discussion about the potentials of integrating new technologies into teaching, learning, and education as a whole.
Ce travail engage à explorer et analyser certains des instrumentstechnologiques disponibles pour l’instruction et l’apprentissage dans le domaine del’éducation. L’utilisation des nouvelles technologies dans le domaine sont mis enrevue, et les théories associées aux outils existant et émergeant sont évalués. Uneétude est faite de Second Life, un logiciel simulant la réalité virtuelle, et sespotentiels éducatifs sont considérés avec ceux des jeux vidéo et d’autres nouveauxgenres d’apprentissage. Ceci fait la base de la discussion concernant les potentielsde l’intégration des nouvelles technologies dans l’enseignement, l’apprentissage, etl'éducation dans son ensemble.

This was a collaborative action research project with three, mixed method evaluation cycles. Its aim was to increase the impact of new learning technologies (NLT) in two Police Forces. The first reconnaissance cycle found a significant absence of uptake for one computer based training system (<1% impact after five years) with only assumptions of ‘technological determinism’ driving the process. A range of individual, work related and cultural factors were illuminated, towards understanding how the Force might become a ‘network’ organisation, where technology fundamentally transforms how work is done (Symon, 2000). Following the qualitative interview study, a quantitative survey was carried out with 164 respondents on the areas of concern for NLT in the Police. Factor analysis of this data reinforced a parsimonious five factor solution, accounting for 55% of the variance and on which to proceed with cycles two and three. In the second cycle, 130 Police Probationers completed a battery of psychometrics to assess individual difference factors associated with successful outcomes in training with NLT. Results showed 27% of the variance on a bespoke NLT learning measure was predicted by computer attitudes. Age, gender, education, motivational and almost all personality measures offered no significant contribution to explaining the data. The bespoke learning criterion was used as a pre-test, post-test and retention measure and showed significant increases in knowledge were gained from NLT: effective and efficient learning was evidenced. Also in the second cycle, a sub-sample of (n=20-34) Probationers participated in two stages of repertory grid interviews rating different elements of Police training methods. From these data an ‘Ideal Probationer Learning Event’ (IPLE) model was proposed. This was stable over time and positioned NLT within a conceptual structure that identified preferred and non-preferred construct poles equating to four dimensions along which Police officers reliably rated any training event. In essence, it highlighted sites of perceived credibility and offered these as levers for creative change. Follow-up work with 120 Probationers using another example of NLT explored how integration of learning from NLT could occur from a learner-centered point of view, using an interpretive concept mapping technique. This illuminated sites of power exchange and the location of ‘ownership’ of learning in Police culture. The IPLE model was used to direct the third cycle which included constructivist and contingency perspectives. It was propsed that by creatively designing an NLT event to increase elements of the preferred constructs discovered in cycle two, integration of an NLT event would enable the transformative properties of NLT as a to manifest themselves. A sample of up to 60 Police Staff used an NLT package alongside a bespoke, collaborative e-learning group. Criterions were developed according to skill breadth, frequency and difficulty and significant increases in learning were not only found, but maintained following completion of NLT when retention was measured. The e-learning group brought some of the credible elements of training to the NLT event, thereby constituting a ‘unique solution’ (Seltzer, 1971). It created peer learning groups, despite geographical separation. Data for each level of Kirkpatrick’s (1959; 1960) ‘best practice’ training evaluation model was collected enabling the conclusion that creative integration is key to a network uptake of NLT.

This inter-disciplinary study develops a group level approach to learning design and practice in the classroom. This is supported by the use of technology to support learners in their collaborative development of questions. General use of these technologies has tended to focus on tutors setting questions and students responding. This thesis explores a more sophisticated view of these technologies using a student-generated perspective. Five case studies are presented including induction, professional development and placement review. These cases are each in different contexts. This study also develops a group-level concept of learning design. This approach has a structural view of group learning which consists of different ways of organising interaction amongst the whole class. In addition, it also has a psychological view of group learning based around the psychological impact of group membership and different group-level perspectives. This is in contrast with conventional instructional design approaches to pedagogy which are based on representative individuals. In response to this group-level approach, this study reviews individual and socio-cultural theories of learning on order to understand the interaction between individual and whole-group perspectives which are a feature of this practice. Social Identity theory is added to this as a potential bridge between these different theoretical frameworks. Shared Thinking, the name given to this group-level practice, completes the design, theory and practice framework of this study. This practice points to the pedagogical complexity implied by new uses of classroom technologies discussed in this study. The combination of an instrumentalist and a social psychological aspect of pedagogy illustrate this complexity based around the development and manipulation of a shared sense of identity. The tutor’s role therefore combines management of the process with the curation of social identity.

This thesis explores the impact of new technologies on learning and teaching and draws on research work carried out over a ten-year period. The thesis looks at the facilitators and barriers to using digital technologies effectively and explores the challenges for educators as they respond to the changes brought about by these digital technologies. It presents eight published works that have investigated the impact of digital technologies and collected data using a range of qualitative and quantitative techniques. The core paper provides a model by which the impact of digital technologies can be analysed and understood and the remaining papers populate that model. The model identifies a system of learning spaces that describe the ways that learners, teachers and managers respond to the challenges and opportunities that digital technologies bring to learning. The papers explore how the school space, the teaching space, the personal learning space and the living space have all been transformed by digital technologies. These papers highlight the ongoing tension within education brought about by the conflicting ambitions of managers to control learning while at the same time encouraging personalisation. The papers consider the nature of digital divides and also the potential hazards presented to young people by digital technologies. Finally, the papers explore the relationship between the use of digital technologies and academic achievement. The work presented here provides a coherent contribution to the field that offers new understandings of the impact of digital technologies on learning, and identifies key issues for further research.

This study explores the potential use of mobile learning in higher education with a focus on student and academic staff requirements of a potential mobile application. The research examines the stakeholders’ new technology acceptance behaviour within a post-1992 university and examines how new mobile technologies are able to contribute to enhancement of the learning experience of students and additionally the roles of educators in facilitating enhancement of the learning experience. A post-positivistic paradigm has been used to explore a wider view of the stakeholders’ (academic staff and students) understanding of the new technologies and the potential benefits of mobile applications. An electronic questionnaire was sent to over 900 undergraduates for their views on the use of new mobile technologies and in what ways these could be used to support their learning needs. This was followed by individual interviews and questionnaires to academic staff (n=44) to identify whether they would be interested in the use of mobile applications in their teaching and learning. The research explores the learning, concepts, theories and models which influence mobile device adoption and proposes a mobile application that has the potential to support teaching and learning. The data collected provides an invaluable insight into the potential use of a mobile learning platform at the University’s Faculty of Business. The participants describe their uses of four distinct types of devices; potential frequency of specific use, and their views on the attraction and/or disadvantages of mobile use for learning. The research findings lead to the recommendation for a mobile learning trial within the Faculty with the potential for application to other academic subjects within the university. Two elements have emerged from the research carried out and comprise an original contribution of the study, namely: an enhancement of the Technology Acceptance Model and development of the existing PESTEL model into a PESTEEL model by including Educational Factors and hence identifying a number of areas currently not addressed by the PESTEL model. The uniqueness of the study and the development of this work`s original contribution to new knowledge was enhanced by approaching data collection and analysis within a Technology Acceptance Model and the PESTEEL model. This was also achieved by interpreting the gathered data within the broader concept of professionalism, sub-divided and conceptualised into examining the adherence of participants. It is acknowledged that a limiting factor is that the study examined only one academic school within an institution, but it is anticipated that future research will include a comparison with other similar academic institutions.

The lifelong learning is a regular thing for the leading world countries. In France, for instance, “Law of Uninterrupted Education” was enacted in 1976, in Finland a corresponding national strategy was adopted, and in China it is a condition of successful economic progress if adults study, thus, 1300 special higher schools, most of which are public, work for adults’ good When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/29420

Thesis (Ph.D)--Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010.
Committee Chair: Paul Hasler; Committee Co-Chair: David V. Anderson. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

[ES] Esta tesis se centra en tres tecnologías móviles: podcasting, aplicaciones móviles y Twitter, y evalúa su potencial para el aprendizaje de idiomas basándose en una serie de estudios con distintos tipos de participantes, incluyendo estudiantes de enseñanza formal, de contextos informales de aprendizaje, y profesores. El objetivo general de los diferentes estudios de investigación es evaluar las tres tecnologías a través de procesos para a) identificar el potencial de esas tecnologías, b) investigar cómo las utilizan los aprendices y los profesores, y c) analizar si la forma de utilizarlas cumple con el potencial identificado y es propicio para el aprendizaje de lenguas extranjeras. La introducción presenta los antecedentes de la investigación realizada y seis conceptos que afectan nuestra comprensión del aprendizaje de idiomas a través de estas tecnologías: el concepto de enseñar a personas desconocidas, el desarrollo de capacidades digitales, la micro-credencialización, el aumento de la atención parcial continua, la ansiedad por el idioma extranjero y la normalización. El capítulo dos es un compendio de los nueve trabajos publicados y se divide en tres secciones. La primera sección trata sobre el uso de podcasting como herramienta de aprendizaje de idiomas. La primera publicación proporciona una taxonomía de recursos de podcasts, revisa los materiales de podcasting a la luz de las teorías de adquisición de segundas lenguas, aboga por un mejor diseño y sugiere direcciones para futuras investigaciones. Esta investigación se presenta en las publicaciones dos y tres. La sección dos del capítulo dos se enfoca en el uso de aplicaciones móviles para el aprendizaje y la enseñanza de idiomas. La publicación cuatro revisa la investigación actual sobre el potencial para el aprendizaje de idiomas de las aplicaciones y presenta una taxonomía de las aplicaciones disponibles y su uso para ello. El artículo también presenta un marco que consta de cuatro categorías para evaluar aplicaciones de aprendizaje de idiomas (tecnología, pedagogía, experiencia del usuario y aprendizaje de idiomas). La publicación concluye con una propuesta de áreas de investigación adicional, incluido el uso por parte del aprendiz en contextos formales e informales. Estas áreas de investigación se investigan en las publicaciones cinco y seis. La sección tres se centra en la tercera tecnología: Twitter como herramienta de enseñanza y aprendizaje de idiomas. La publicación siete destaca el potencial de Twitter como herramienta de aprendizaje de idiomas. La publicación ocho muestra cómo un grupo de profesores de idiomas utiliza Twitter como herramienta para el desarrollo profesional continuo y evalúa el impacto de su red de Twitter en sus prácticas docentes. Por último, la publicación nueve presenta un estudio a gran escala de aprendices autónomos de idiomas que utilizan Twitter. Los resultados de estos estudios se discuten en el capítulo tres. El capítulo cuatro vuelve a los principales temas y conceptos presentados en la introducción y proporciona algunas consideraciones basadas en los resultados de la investigación realizada. A continuación, propone que puede ser necesario reenfocar la agenda de investigación de MALL y sugiere posibles áreas de desarrollo. La investigación presentada en esta tesis contribuye a los campos de CALL y MALL de varias maneras. Primero, proporciona perfiles de usuario de los aprendices que utilizan estas tecnologías. En segundo lugar, proporciona evidencia de cómo esos usuarios utilizan las tecnologías y evalúan su experiencia de aprendizaje. En tercer lugar, presenta una nueva taxonomía de recursos MALL. En cuarto lugar, describe un proceso para evaluar el uso de tecnologías móviles para el aprendizaje de idiomas, con un nuevo marco teórico de evaluación basado en cinco criterios: tecnología, experiencia del usuario, aprendizaje de idiomas, interacción y pedago
[CA] Aquesta tesi se centra en tres tecnologies mòbils: podcasting, aplicacions mòbils i Twitter, i avalua el seu potencial per a l'aprenentatge d'idiomes basant-se en una sèrie d'estudis amb diferents tipus de participants, incloent estudiants d'ensenyament formal, de contextos informals d'aprenentatge, i professors. L'objectiu general dels diferents estudis d'investigació és avaluar les tres tecnologies a través de processos per a) identificar el potencial d'aqueixes tecnologies, b) investigar com les utilitzen els aprenents i els professors, i c) analitzar si la manera d'utilitzar-les compleix amb el potencial identificat i és propici per a l'aprenentatge de llengües estrangeres. La introducció presenta els antecedents de la investigació realitzada i sis conceptes que afecten la nostra comprensió de l'aprenentatge d'idiomes a través d'aquestes tecnologies: el concepte d'ensenyar a persones desconegudes, el desenvolupament de capacitats digitals, la micro-credencialització, l'augment de l'atenció parcial contínua, l'ansietat per l'idioma estranger i la normalització. El capítol dos és un compendi dels nou treballs publicats i es divideix en tres seccions. La primera secció tracta sobre l'ús de podcasting com a eina d'aprenentatge d'idiomes. La primera publicació proporciona una taxonomia de recursos de podcasts, revisa els materials de podcasting a la llum de les teories d'adquisició de segones llengües, advoca per un millor disseny i suggereix direccions per a futures investigacions. Aquesta investigació es presenta en les publicacions dues i tres. La secció dues del capítol dos s'enfoca cap a l'ús d'aplicacions mòbils per a l'aprenentatge i l'ensenyament d'idiomes. La publicació quatre revisa la investigació actual sobre el potencial per a l'aprenentatge d'idiomes de les aplicacions i presenta una taxonomia de les aplicacions disponibles i el seu ús per a això. L'article també presenta un marc que consta de quatre categories per a avaluar aplicacions d'aprenentatge d'idiomes (tecnologia, pedagogia, experiència de l'usuari i aprenentatge d'idiomes). La publicació conclou amb una proposta d'àrees d'investigació addicional, inclòs l'ús per part de l'aprenent en contextos formals i informals. Aquestes àrees d'investigació s'investiguen en les publicacions cinc i sis. La secció tres se centra en la tercera tecnologia: Twitter com a eina d'ensenyament i aprenentatge d'idiomes. La publicació huit mostra com un grup de professors d'idiomes utilitza Twitter com a eina per al desenvolupament professional continu i avalua l'impacte de la seua xarxa de Twitter en les seues pràctiques docents. Finalment, la publicació nou presenta un estudi a gran escala d'aprenents autònoms d'idiomes que utilitzen Twitter. Els resultats d'aquests estudis es discuteixen en el capítol tres. El capítol quatre torna als principals temes i conceptes presentats en la introducció i proporciona algunes consideracions basades en els resultats de la investigació realitzada. A continuació, proposa que pot ser necessari reenfocar l'agenda d'investigació de MALL i suggereix possibles àrees de desenvolupament. La investigació presentada en aquesta tesi contribueix als camps de CALL i MALL de diverses maneres. Primer, proporciona perfils d'usuari dels aprenents que utilitzen aquestes tecnologies. En segon lloc, proporciona evidència de com aqueixos usuaris utilitzen les tecnologies i avaluen la seua experiència d'aprenentatge. En tercer lloc, presenta una nova taxonomia de recursos MALL. En quart lloc, descriu un procés per a avaluar l'ús de tecnologies mòbils per a l'aprenentatge d'idiomes, amb un nou marc teòric d'avaluació basat en cinc criteris: tecnologia, experiència de l'usuari, aprenentatge d'idiomes, interacció i pedagogia.
[EN] This thesis focuses on three mobile technologies: podcasting, mobile apps, and Twitter, and evaluates their potential for language learning purposes based on a series of studies with a range of users including formal learners, informal learners, and teachers. The overarching aim of the different research studies is to evaluate the three technologies through a process of a) identifying the potential of those technologies, b) investigating how they are used by learners and (where applicable) teachers, and c) analysing whether the way they are used meets the identified potential and is conducive to language learning. The introduction presents the background to the research carried out. This is followed by the introduction of six concepts that shape our understanding of language learning through these technologies: the concept of teaching strangers, the development of digital capabilities, micro-credentialing, the rise in continuous partial attention, foreign language anxiety, and normalisation. Chapter two is a compendium of the nine published works that explore the potential of the three technologies and evaluate them. It is separated into three sections. Section one deals with the use of podcasting as a language learning tool. The first publication provides a taxonomy of podcast resources, reviews podcasting materials in the light of Second Language Acquisition theories, argues for better design, and outlines directions for future research. This research is presented in publications two and three. Section two of Chapter two concerns the use of mobile apps for language learning and teaching. Publication four reviews current research about the potential of apps for language learning and presents a taxonomy of available apps and their use for language learning. The paper also presents a framework consisting of four categories for evaluating language learning apps (technology, pedagogy, user experience, and language learning). The publication concludes with a proposal for areas for further research, including learner use in formal and informal contexts. These research areas are investigated in publications five and six. Section three focuses on the third technology: Twitter as a language learning and teaching tool. Publication seven highlights the identified potential of Twitter as a language learning tool. Publication eight shows how a group of language teachers use Twitter as a tool for continuous professional development through a hashtag and evaluates the impact of their Twitter network on their teaching practices. Finally, publication nine reports on a large-scale study of autonomous language learners who use Twitter. The results from these studies are discussed in chapter three, which also showcases the impact the research has had on the fields of CALL and MALL. Chapter four returns to the main topics and concepts presented in the introduction and provides some considerations based on the results of the research carried out. It then proposes that there may be a need to refocus the MALL research agenda and suggests directions that future developments may take. The research presented in this thesis contributes to the fields of CALL and MALL in a number of ways. First, it provides user profiles of the learners who use the three technologies. Second, it provides evidence of how those users utilise the technologies and evaluates their learning experience. Third, it presents a new taxonomy of MALL resources. Fourth, it outlines a process for evaluating the use of mobile technologies for language learning purposes, including a new evaluation framework with five criteria: technology, user experience, language learning, interaction and pedagogy.
Rosell Aguilar, F. (2021). Evaluating the use of mobile technologies for language learning purposes [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/163675
TESIS

Ce travail explore le potentiel des technologies du web sémantique et de la gestion des connaissances dans le cadre des systèmes de e-learning, notamment ceux présentant des contenus de cours « en-ligne » de manière facilitée et éventuellement personnalisée, et dans lesquelles le problème de la réutilisation de ressources existantes demeure un problème difficile. Dans ce contexte nous proposons une méthodologie et un système associé (QBLS), inspiré des pratiques en gestion des connaissances et reposant sur des outils et formalismes avancés du web sémantique. Notre proposition repose principalement sur trois points : La réutilisation de ressources pédagogiques existantes au travers d’un processus dit de « sémantisation ». Ce processus vise à contextualiser le contenu par rapport à la conceptualisation et la stratégie pédagogique de l’enseignant. L’exploitation de ressources pédagogiques annotées dans des interfaces web dynamiques. Nous insistons sur l’intérêt des standards du web sémantiques (OWL, RDF, SPARQL) dans une perspective pratique, reposant sur le déploiement du moteur de recherche sémantique Corese. Le suivi et l’analyse de l’activité de l’apprenant. Nos explorons le potentiel des visualisations et inférences à base de graphes pour l’analyse automatique ou manuelle des traces d’activités dans un cours sémantisé. Cette proposition théorique est appuyée par notre implémentation du système QBLS, pour « Question Based Learning System », où des ressources pédagogiques sont réutilisées, annotées et exploitées dans le cadre d’expérimentations en situation réelle menées à l’EPU de Nice Sophia-Antipolis
This work explores the potential applications of semantic web and knowledge management technologies for e-learning systems for accessing courses. It particularly addresses the difficult problem of reusing existing resources. In this scope, we propose a methodology and an associated system (QBLS) relying on cutting-edge semantic web tools and formalisms, that particularly develops three aspects: Reusing existing pedagogical resources through a process called "semantization". Pedagogical content is semi-automatically annotated with ontological concepts, from several points of view (domain, pedagogy, structure). It aims at contextualizing the material with regard to the teacher's conceptualization and pedagogical strategy. Exploiting annotated pedagogical resources in dynamic web interfaces. We show how semantic web technologies efficiently perform inferences based on ontological knowledge to personalize and adapt courses. The interest of semantic web standards (OWL, RDF, SPARQL) is highlighted in a practical perspective, relying on the deployment of the semantic search engine Corese. Tracking learner activity and analysis of this activity. We explore the potential of graphic based visualization and inferences to manually or automatically analyze activity traces on a semantized course. The theoretical proposal is supported by our implementation of the Question Based Learning System where learning resources available on the web are reused, annotated and exploited in real world experiments using semantic web technologies. The practical examples mentioned in this work are illustrated by two experiments conducted at the EPU of Nice Sophia-Antipolis

This paper gives an account of themes that emerged from a preliminary analysis of a large corpus of electronic communications in an online, mediated course for intercultural learners. The goals were to test assumptions that electronic communication is internationally standardized, to identify any problematic aspects of such communications, and to construct a framework for the analysis of electronic communications using constructs from intercultural communications theory. We found that cyberspace itself has a culture(s), and is not culture-free. Cultural gaps can exist between individuals, as well as between individuals and the dominant cyberculture, increasing the chances of miscommunication. The lack of elements inherent in face-to-face communication further problematizes intercultural communications online by limiting opportunities to give and save face, and to intuit meaning from non-verbal cues. We conclude that electronic communication across cultures presents distinctive challenges, as well as opportunities to course planners.

Distance education institutions have always employed a variety of technological media, and developing technologies are incorporated into the learning blend as their advantages are identified. Modern distance learning has, therefore, become linked implicitly with the latest media and handheld communication technologies are now being used to communicate with members of the educational community, share information and resources, and enable investigation, discussion and learning. The use of similar mobile technologies for the purposes of student support is under-represented in the literature. This action research study explored the limitations and benefits of handheld technologies for supporting distance learning students, and the drivers and barriers that might affect their use by students. The literature review helped to identify the attributes and limitations of m-learning and handheld technologies, and the aspects of student support that might be enabled through mobile options. The research design included a questionnaire, a year-long study in which associate lecturers developed mobile-accessible resources to use with their students, and interviews with study support experts. The research data was collected in a UK distance education institution. The study showed that handheld technologies can be used to support students for a number of different purposes: to provide an additional informal means of communication with staff and other students; to prompt participation oraction; to suggest resources or personalise the support for students; to enable access to advice and guidance; to offer factual information for study and administrative purposes; to encourage revision and review of learning. The research also suggested that students felt that increased group cohesion was promoted within the learning community through using their personal mobile technologies within the student support framework. A model of this potential method of support is presented, giving examples of the types of communications, resources and services that could be implemented within a distance education institution.

This thesis reports on an inquiry on enhancing students’ learning experiences outside school (LEOS) using digital technologies. The inquiry took the nature of an ethnographic case study which was conducted over a year. The case study involved a private religious school in rural New Zealand, where Year 10 (14 year old) students visited informal science institutions (ISIs) at the end of each school year. The sample comprised 65 students and 10 teachers. Two research questions guided this inquiry. The first research question sought to understand current practices involved in preparing and assessing students’ learning experiences at an ISI, in this case a predator-free native forest. Student, teacher, and ISI staff perceptions of these experiences were explored using semi-structured interviews, before, during, and after the visit. These data were triangulated using photographs, field-notes, unobtrusive classroom observations, student work-books, and teacher planning diaries. The findings from this first part of the study revealed that very little preparation was done for each LEOS and that the site visit was scheduled on the second last day of the school year. Additionally, the teachers who taught these topics were not necessarily involved in planning the visit and most did not accompany the students to the ISI. It appeared then that LEOS was seen as a reward instead of an informal learning experience where students could construct knowledge through social interactions. These findings then led to the second research question which explored an integrated learning model to enhance science learning when students and teachers engaged in LEOS.The second research question examined whether or not an intervention based on learning support provided by digital means had any effect on the desired learning outcomes when evaluated against the New Zealand Curriculum achievement standards. The same cohort of students now in Year 11 (15 years old) and their teachers were involved in the intervention part of the inquiry. This stage of the inquiry comprised a three phase intervention. The first phase of the intervention placed emphasis on improved pre- and post-visit planning for a Physics achievement standard titled AS90943, The Design Game-Keeping Your Home Warm. The ISI visited was the Show Home which provided the context for informal learning on vi building design and heat insulation. Students, teachers, and the ISI staffs’ perceptions of these experiences were explored using semi-structured interviews, before, during and after the visit. These data were triangulated using photographs, field-notes, making unobtrusive classroom observations, analysing student work-books, assessment results, and teachers’ planning diaries. The findings revealed a substantial improvement in both students’ engagement with the topic, their engagement with the ISI staff, and better performance in their summative assessment. While the teachers spent time to improve pre- and post-visit planning, this phase did not see the use of any social software technologies, even though the students were keen to share their findings with each other, digitally. The second phase of the intervention employed one tool of the learning management system, Moodle namely, forum. The achievement standard explored was Biology, AS90926, Report on Biological Issues.The ISIs visited were a pine forest (Rakau Paina Stand) beside the school, which involved experts on pest control from the Regional Council, and an Island Ecological Reserve, a predator-free forest (the same sight used for the first part of the study to address research question one). The concepts covered were biosecurity and biodiversity. The School Career Advisor accompanied the students who looked for volunteer job opportunities during school holidays. The teaching and learning utilised a blended learning environment where students and teachers collaborated using forum. Once again students, teachers, and the ISI staffs’ perceptions of these experiences were explored using semi-structured interviews before, during and after the visit. Data triangulation involved photographs, field-notes, unobtrusive classroom observations, student work-books, forum postings, assessment results, and teachers’ planning diaries. The summative assessment results revealed a slight improvement in student performance compared to the previous year. While students collaborated using forum, this phase did not see the use of wiki, which led to the third phase of the intervention. The third phase of the intervention integrated the second tool of Moodle called wiki. The achievement standard explored was on Space Science, AS90954, Lunar-Our Moon. The ISI visited was an Observatory. Student attainment on this standard showed a poor pass rate in previous years, attributed by the teachers to the lack of teaching resources. For this phase of the study, the concepts on astronomical cycles. affecting Earth were delivered using a blended learning approach. Data triangulation involved photographs, field-notes, and unobtrusive classroom observations, student work-books, wiki postings, assessment results, and teachers’ planning diaries.This phase saw improvement in pre- and post-visit planning, and co-construction of knowledge using wiki, which resulted in a substantial improvement in student attainment for this achievement standard. The findings from this inquiry suggest that science students can benefit from the use of an integrated learning model when engaging in LEOS. The New Zealand curriculum emphasizes contextualizing science learning, which it seems can be achieved by sound pre- and post-visit planning, and helping students collaborate and co-construct knowledge using digital technologies within learning management systems such as forum and wiki on Moodle. The findings of the third phase of this inquiry also have implications for including informal science education settings (ISIs) in the learning of science and potentially in science teacher preparation resulting in the development of positive attitudes (e.g., value, interest, excitement for science), an open mind for change, and confidence in teaching. It is also thought to help in the development of preservice teachers’ science skills as they themselves experience teaching in diverse contexts relating to the diverse needs of students. Another benefit for preservice teachers would be autonomy in learning because using ISIs to engage students with science learning provides for a deeper understanding of learning, along with diversifying their teaching strategies.

The ever increasing push to graduate students who are reflective lifelong learners has placed tertiary teaching practices under significant scrutiny. Web 2.0 technologies are being adopted at a growing rate by instructors as contexts for improving student learning. Yet, the affordances and capabilities of such technologies, although they have been touted as transformative and superior, may not always be adding value to student learning. Instructors can be left wondering why there is limited value-add from the technology and students can find themselves wondering why technology is being used in these ways. These are the issues that this thesis explores. Through a case study involving teachers and students using Web 2.0 technologies in various disciplines in higher education, the thesis investigates the relationship between teaching practices when implementing Web 2.0 technologies and subsequent student learning. In this way, the thesis explores enhanced learning outcomes from the use of Web 2.0 technologies. Enhanced learning requires students to engage in meaningful learning. The underlying premise of the study was that reflection plays a crucial role in learning: without high levels of reflection, meaningful learning will not occur. A critical reading of the principal theories surrounding learning in higher education was used to develop a conceptual framework that identified four levels of reflection indicative of learning: stimulated, descriptive, dialogic and critical. A blend of qualitative and quantitative approaches was used to gather data: instructor pre and post-activity questionnaires (open-ended) sought information about how the learning environment was constructed, how the instructor perceived the task to promote reflection and the success of the activity; student questionnaires (Likert-style and open-ended) canvassed student perceptions regarding the learning environment and levels of reflection; and, student work samples provided evidence of student reflection achieved while completing the tasks. The model of reflection and cognitive processing provided the conceptual basis through which analyses were made to identify evidence of the depth and level of learning. Consistent with other findings, theresults revealed limited occurrences of meaningful learning with Web 2.0 technologies. The study sought to explore the instructional factors that influenced learning and used these to propose strategies that could enhance outcomes. A series of strategies were proposed as a means of enhancing learning outcomes through the use of Web 2.0 technologies.

Information technologies have become relevant enablers in knowledge management (KM) initiatives in academic institutions. A previous study by Anduvare (2015) revealed that the Marist International University College, Nairobi - Kenya had not adequately adopted information technologies into KM practices entwined in teaching, learning and research. This research study, therefore, set out to explore technologies that are capable of supporting KM practices in academic institutions in order to recommend some to the MIUC. Purposive sampling was used to select the MIUC full-time academic staff members as the target population as the researcher believed that they actively use knowledge at the MIUC and hence, would be in a position to understand the extent of information technology usage in KM practices. The study employed a qualitative research design that involved the use of Google forms to conduct an online survey in order to collect data from the target population. The study achieved a 100% response rate. Content analysis was utilised to analyse the data during which data within the specified themes (collaborative and distributive learning; knowledge discovery; knowledge mapping and knowledge application) was scrutinised for meaning. The data was then interpreted, presented and discussed based on the research sub-questions set for the study. The findings of the study confirmed the existence of KM practices at the MIUC. The study, thus, recommended some information technologies that support the KM practices to the MIUC which had been established through a review of literature.
Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2016.
Information Science
MIT
Unrestricted

付記する学位プログラム名: デザイン学大学院連携プログラム
Kyoto University (京都大学)
0048
新制・課程博士
博士(情報学)
甲第22577号
情博第714号
新制||情||122(附属図書館)
京都大学大学院情報学研究科社会情報学専攻
(主査)教授 緒方 広明, 教授 守屋 和幸, 教授 黒田 知宏
学位規則第4条第1項該当

This thesis is devoted to learning supported by modern information technologies. It describes the methodological approaches used to create e-learning-based education programmes, summarizes current trends and analyzes evolution of the global market with learning technologies. Due to the focus on the Czech Republic, it also analyzes the results of 2 surveys, namely use of e-learnning in the corporations and use of e-learning at the University of Economics, Prague.

This study examines the benefits of learning innovations in e-learning (asynchronous classrooms only) and blended learning (asynchronous virtual classrooms plus traditional learning) compared to traditional learning (classroom lectures). It specifically investigates effects on student satisfaction, retention, progression and achievement. We focussed on core biomedical science modules at London Metropolitan University: and four such modules were electronically supported using a learning and content management system programme. The collaborative learning intervention (N = 193, 71 males, 122 females), showed there was no significant change observed in performance across pre-intervention and post intervention modules over five years, with the exception of the 2010 cohort (p = 0.008) where students responded positively to the intervention. Interestingly, the quality of student online posts and final group grade for coursework revealed a strong positive relationship (r = +0.69, p < 0.0001, 42% improvement). We determined that tutors enhance work quality via moderation of online posts. The availability of personalised, timely and iterative feedback is likely to be responsible for this difference. Gender differences were apparent. There was a strong positive correlation between overall group rating and individual rating in male students only (r = +0.81**, p < 0.0001, 65% of predictions correct) and with males’ personal expectation (r = +0.5**, p < 0.0001) (Table 4.4). Males’ mean self-rating was 9/9 and females 7.9/9. Interestingly, 52% of females were likely to predict their final grade accurately, appearing to base this judgement on their interaction with the work and results self and peer assessment. The judgement of male students appeared to be based solely on self-belief that out stripped attainment with correct predictions in 25% of cases. The mean coursework pass mark for the post intervention module increased compared to previous years. Student self-evaluation showed that >80% enjoyed the collaborative learning work elements. For an optional formative assessment intervention, impact was evaluated over five-years. This study identified a significant difference between the intervention cohorts and the non-intervention year group, who were educated traditionally. When the post intervention groups were compared to the control, highly significant p values were obtained (p = < 0.0001 to < 0.00001). Additionally, students who were ‘quiz avoiders’ attained lower grades. The control group (N = 190), attained a mean mark of 55.3%, within this group, quiz avoiders achieved marks ranging from 34.4-42.6%. Quiz takers performed better than the control group with the mean marks ranging from 59.2-61.2%. Thus, blended learners’ achievements significantly improved (p = 0.0001), compared with those pre-intervention and those not engaging. In terms of self-evaluation, 60% of students rated the formative assessment (online quizzes) as ‘useful’ or ‘very useful’. Web-based collaboration improved academic performance and student satisfaction. Comparisons between pre-intervention and intervention groups were significantly different to the fraction of final exam first sit passes (p = 0.048). The intervention group showed the improvement. Interventions were applied at specific time points so that intra-annual comparisons could be drawn. This study detected profound differences: the mid-year exam (pre-intervention) was compared to the final exam (post-intervention) and showed a significant first sit performance (p = < 0.0001). Interestingly, 70% of students stated they would like the intervention (BB Collaborate) in more of their modules. We have shown, for the first time, that longitudinal studies over five year of large cohorts, there is a consistent significant improvement in student performance and engagement-using reward based formative assessment (Jacoby, et al., 2013 – incorporates data from this thesis). These interventions have subsequently been incorporated into the successful London Metropolitan University biomedical science course and in combination led to enhanced retention, progression and achievement over the study period. Furthermore, the practices illustrated are applicable to a modern higher education environment and are likely to enhance many similar course routes across the sector.

This submission represents a journey of learning about learning within accounting education, and, in particular, the role of learning technologies and students’ skills in the process of learning. The work presented was published over the past decade and a half and addresses issues concerned with accounting education both past and present, and includes research on the author of the first printed text on double entry bookkeeping, Fra’ Luca Pacioli. The overriding research interest at the core of this submission and which has guided the various and varied phases and themes within in it is a concern to learn from how learning technologies are and have been an integral part of the educational environment, and to gain insight into how learning technologies might best be utilised in the field of accounting education. The work is presented in two themes with an additional two publications related to methodological approach. The first theme is related to students’ skills and technology and the second theme includes historical research into early accounting education. The published work in these themes is predominantly represented by research published in leading refereed journals in the fields of accounting education and accounting history. The additional two publications are included as they relate to and illustrate the methodological approaches that underlie the overall approach to the research that is presented and developed in the two themes: an approach that privileges, as far as practical, subjects’ contextual understandings of their worlds. Given the diversity of the work included in this submission there is no single research question and there are a diverse range of contributions. The work included contributes to our understanding of the introduction and utilisation of learning technologies in the teaching of accounting, both printed books in the 15th century and Information Technology (IT) in the late 20th/early 21st centuries, and the skills required to facilitate learning within the discipline of accounting. The practical value and importance of the research is supported by, inter alia, reference to the author’s applied work (not part of the submission) that illustrates how the published work contributes to good practice in skills development and the introduction and integration of learning technologies in the accounting curriculum. The papers on IT skills adds to our understanding of the IT skills that students bring with them to university, and raises awareness of the need to challenge the taken for granted assumptions about the abilities of new generations of students. The work on generic skills, whilst showing the importance of skills development also highlights the complexities in this area particularly in relation to issues concerned with confidence in making choices, in the subject matter, via modelling choices, and in time management: not knowing what to do, what to study. The paper on matrix accounting in a Russian university illustrates the potential of an approach to accounting education that is facilitated by the use of IT based learning. The work on Pacioli contributes significantly to our knowledge and understanding of Pacioli as a pioneer in the field of accounting education, and the role of his writing within Summa in the education, development and spread of double entry bookkeeping and accounting, in particular by relating the works to literature in fields such as renaissance art, educational systems and social development. In contrast, the sole authored work on Pacioli concentrates on an element of the minutiae of the bookkeeping process, the accounting for goods inventory, traces the longevity of this method of recording transactions, and shows how this had potential to provide important decision information to merchants, who were the prime market for Pacioli’s writing at the time. The two themes addressed in this submission include works that have individually made unique and significant contributions to the fields of accounting education and accounting history, and the two publications included to illustrate the methodological approach have made a contribution methodologically and to the finance literature. Taken together the works presented also provide a significant and original contribution to the knowledge and understanding of the role of learning technologies in accounting education and, by investigating new learning technologies in the different periods of time, provide a platform for further research to help us to appreciate the importance of technologies in accounting, and in accounting education.

Includes bibliographical references.
E-learning is the use of electronic devices and networks to engage in synchronous and asynchronous learning activities. E-learning is being increasingly adopted in higher educational institutions. Research in this area has tended to focus on innovations and implementations and little has been done on adoption of this highly pervasive technology at an institutional level, particularly within Africa. The motivation for this study was to examine how an African University, in this case Makerere University, can enhance the adoption of e-learning in teaching and learning. The research used Rogers’ diffusion of innovations (DoI) theory to explore the initial adoption of e-learning. It was felt that the enormous amount of experiences that early adopters and innovators could share regarding e-learning could assist as e-learning becomes more of a mainstream activity within the university.

The significance of teaching the basics of engineering education in middle- and high-schools is generally acknowledged by policy makers, teachers and researchers in the U.S.A. as well as a number of developed and developing countries. Nevertheless, engineering topics are rarely covered by precollege curriculums. A key contributing factor is that engineering hinges on the usage of technology to expose learners to fundamental concepts otherwise difficult to demonstrate. For example, learning the concepts of systems' design, optimization, and trade-offs can be a challenging task when teachers and students limited access to tools to practice their engineering knowledge. Thus, a deficiency of operational learning technologies for diverse precollege environments affects the availability of engineering learning experiences. The aim of this dissertation is to unveil the relationships between influential factors for the advancement of precollege engineering education. We proposed a framework for the development of curriculum and technology derived from analyzing design issues from the perspective of multiple entities encompassing a broad of stage holders including students, teachers and technology developers. Several influential factors are considered including human-computer interaction issues, the problem of a digitally divided population and the lack of engineering curriculum that reconciles precollege engineering education with state and national educational standards. The findings of this dissertation are based on quantitative and qualitative re- search performed during a four year span working with five local schools in the Tucson Unified School District.