This paper reports a five-year computer-mediated intercultural exchange project between Chinese and American university students that explores the use of various social media tools with WeChat application as the main ...This paper reports a five-year computer-mediated intercultural exchange project between Chinese and American university students that explores the use of various social media tools with WeChat application as the main medium in collaborative intercultural assignments. The study combines quantitative and qualitative approaches by using questionnaires and action research, to investigate how Chinese EFL and American CFL learners increase their intercultural communication competence by assessing their knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and skills of discovery and awareness. The findings reveal their changes and progress in the following variables: knowledge about the variety and subtlety of both the home and target cultures, a different worldview, and cultural study methods;awareness of the importance of differences and similarities between the home and target cultures, their negative reactions to these differences(e.g., fear, ridicule, disgust, feeling of superiority, etc.) and therefore, critical evaluation of the target and home cultures;attitudes from excitement or blind admiration of the target culture to confusion, anxiety or frustration about the cultural differences, later to toleration and appreciation of cultural differences, adaptation to the target culture, and eventually to openness and readiness to suspend disbelief about other cultures and belief about one’s own;skills to contrast the target culture with their own, to demonstrate a capacity to interact appropriately in a variety of different social situations in the target culture and resolve cross-cultural conflicts and misunderstandings. This research will serve as a valuable reference for computer-mediated intercultural communication teaching and open up new possibilities to extend classroom teaching by bridging the gap between second-hand knowledge and hands-on experience.展开更多
Over the last decade, remote sensing technologies have provided useful tools for a diverse range of sectors. G-STEP （GMES--space technology exchange partnership） is the University of Leicester＇s flagship project fo...Over the last decade, remote sensing technologies have provided useful tools for a diverse range of sectors. G-STEP （GMES--space technology exchange partnership） is the University of Leicester＇s flagship project for innovation, training and education in GMES （global monitoring for environment and security） and GIS （geographical information systems） based technologies. G-STEP （part funded by the ERDF） is the first GMES accelerator initiative in the UK and is breaking new ground in the application of GMES and GIS. The core G-STEP team initiates and develops Knowledge Exchange Practices between the University and Life Long Learning partners in the East Midlands Region, through training packages and collaborative research projects. The programme integrates innovative research, to direct downstream applied training, supported by analytical processing of attendee assessment data. Collated information derived from these sources presents a unique opportunity to incorporate a statistically viable feedback cycle, making G-STEP the interface between pure and applied research, thus initiating downstream dissemination to groups and small business. In this paper, we outline the GMES and GIS training packages, and the route to market to increase uptake of underused data streams via university and regional entrepreneurs （start-ups） and established small business with a core interest in utilisation and dissemination of novel technologies in sustainable lifelong learning.展开更多
Aims of this paper are to improve ADI differential quadrature method （ADI-DQM） based on Bernstein polynomials and add a new application to the differential quadrature method. By using the new methodology, the numeri...Aims of this paper are to improve ADI differential quadrature method （ADI-DQM） based on Bernstein polynomials and add a new application to the differential quadrature method. By using the new methodology, the numerical solutions of the governing equations of unsteady two-dimensional flow of a polytropic gas are investigated. The numerical results reveal that the new technique is very effective and gives high accuracy, good convergence and reasonable stability.展开更多
Building engineering management is a huge and complex work, which the key to ensure the quality ofconstruction projects. With the rapid development of the domestic construction industry, the traditional engineering ma...Building engineering management is a huge and complex work, which the key to ensure the quality ofconstruction projects. With the rapid development of the domestic construction industry, the traditional engineering management model can not meet the needs of a large number of construction project information exchanges. Only realizing informationization of construction engineering management, can reduce the cost of construction projects, improve the efficiency of project management and construction progress. This paper analyzes the current situation of construction management informatization, and puts forward some suggestions to strengthen the construction management information construction.展开更多
The research dealt with assessment of logistics service providers＇ capabilities in SECs （supporting subsea engineering companies） on the Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme （TEN） project in Ghana. SECs need logistics se...The research dealt with assessment of logistics service providers＇ capabilities in SECs （supporting subsea engineering companies） on the Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme （TEN） project in Ghana. SECs need logistics service providers who offer consolidated services for project optimization and fulfillment of local content requirements of the project. Relevant Staffof7 SECs and 10 logistics service providers in Ghana formed part of the target group. The weighted scoring model was used in selecting a logistics service provider based on certain criteria. The selection criteria included Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental （QHSE） policies [Q], Compliance to regulations （GRA, Work permit, petroleum regulation） [C], Delivery of goods on time and response rate to deliver [D], Vessel, Cargo attendance and transportation （sea freight and air freight） [V], and Logistics （Personal logistics and Logistics base facilities） [L]. The study concluded Consolidated Shipping Agency （Conship） was the best Logistics Service Provider to offer the best consolidated services for project optimization under the TEN project.展开更多
A ShadowNet-based communication mode was designed,and some related activities planned and carried out,for an experimental cooperative project between two universities in China and the US.The students' post-survey ...A ShadowNet-based communication mode was designed,and some related activities planned and carried out,for an experimental cooperative project between two universities in China and the US.The students' post-survey results from both parties were analyzed and compared and it appeared that the ShadowNet system helped the students improve the following:an awareness of cultural difference,an openness toward cultural diversity,and a deeper appreciation for the significance of cultural identity in language learning and teaching.It also facilitated some direct improvements in the language acquisition of the Chinese ESL learners and the teaching ability of their American counter-parts.展开更多
文摘This paper reports a five-year computer-mediated intercultural exchange project between Chinese and American university students that explores the use of various social media tools with WeChat application as the main medium in collaborative intercultural assignments. The study combines quantitative and qualitative approaches by using questionnaires and action research, to investigate how Chinese EFL and American CFL learners increase their intercultural communication competence by assessing their knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and skills of discovery and awareness. The findings reveal their changes and progress in the following variables: knowledge about the variety and subtlety of both the home and target cultures, a different worldview, and cultural study methods;awareness of the importance of differences and similarities between the home and target cultures, their negative reactions to these differences(e.g., fear, ridicule, disgust, feeling of superiority, etc.) and therefore, critical evaluation of the target and home cultures;attitudes from excitement or blind admiration of the target culture to confusion, anxiety or frustration about the cultural differences, later to toleration and appreciation of cultural differences, adaptation to the target culture, and eventually to openness and readiness to suspend disbelief about other cultures and belief about one’s own;skills to contrast the target culture with their own, to demonstrate a capacity to interact appropriately in a variety of different social situations in the target culture and resolve cross-cultural conflicts and misunderstandings. This research will serve as a valuable reference for computer-mediated intercultural communication teaching and open up new possibilities to extend classroom teaching by bridging the gap between second-hand knowledge and hands-on experience.
文摘Over the last decade, remote sensing technologies have provided useful tools for a diverse range of sectors. G-STEP （GMES--space technology exchange partnership） is the University of Leicester＇s flagship project for innovation, training and education in GMES （global monitoring for environment and security） and GIS （geographical information systems） based technologies. G-STEP （part funded by the ERDF） is the first GMES accelerator initiative in the UK and is breaking new ground in the application of GMES and GIS. The core G-STEP team initiates and develops Knowledge Exchange Practices between the University and Life Long Learning partners in the East Midlands Region, through training packages and collaborative research projects. The programme integrates innovative research, to direct downstream applied training, supported by analytical processing of attendee assessment data. Collated information derived from these sources presents a unique opportunity to incorporate a statistically viable feedback cycle, making G-STEP the interface between pure and applied research, thus initiating downstream dissemination to groups and small business. In this paper, we outline the GMES and GIS training packages, and the route to market to increase uptake of underused data streams via university and regional entrepreneurs （start-ups） and established small business with a core interest in utilisation and dissemination of novel technologies in sustainable lifelong learning.
文摘Aims of this paper are to improve ADI differential quadrature method （ADI-DQM） based on Bernstein polynomials and add a new application to the differential quadrature method. By using the new methodology, the numerical solutions of the governing equations of unsteady two-dimensional flow of a polytropic gas are investigated. The numerical results reveal that the new technique is very effective and gives high accuracy, good convergence and reasonable stability.
文摘Building engineering management is a huge and complex work, which the key to ensure the quality ofconstruction projects. With the rapid development of the domestic construction industry, the traditional engineering management model can not meet the needs of a large number of construction project information exchanges. Only realizing informationization of construction engineering management, can reduce the cost of construction projects, improve the efficiency of project management and construction progress. This paper analyzes the current situation of construction management informatization, and puts forward some suggestions to strengthen the construction management information construction.
文摘The research dealt with assessment of logistics service providers＇ capabilities in SECs （supporting subsea engineering companies） on the Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme （TEN） project in Ghana. SECs need logistics service providers who offer consolidated services for project optimization and fulfillment of local content requirements of the project. Relevant Staffof7 SECs and 10 logistics service providers in Ghana formed part of the target group. The weighted scoring model was used in selecting a logistics service provider based on certain criteria. The selection criteria included Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental （QHSE） policies [Q], Compliance to regulations （GRA, Work permit, petroleum regulation） [C], Delivery of goods on time and response rate to deliver [D], Vessel, Cargo attendance and transportation （sea freight and air freight） [V], and Logistics （Personal logistics and Logistics base facilities） [L]. The study concluded Consolidated Shipping Agency （Conship） was the best Logistics Service Provider to offer the best consolidated services for project optimization under the TEN project.
文摘A ShadowNet-based communication mode was designed,and some related activities planned and carried out,for an experimental cooperative project between two universities in China and the US.The students' post-survey results from both parties were analyzed and compared and it appeared that the ShadowNet system helped the students improve the following:an awareness of cultural difference,an openness toward cultural diversity,and a deeper appreciation for the significance of cultural identity in language learning and teaching.It also facilitated some direct improvements in the language acquisition of the Chinese ESL learners and the teaching ability of their American counter-parts.
