Institutional support is an essential antecedent for lecturer's preparedness for e-learning. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of institutional support through appropriate training programs and...Institutional support is an essential antecedent for lecturer's preparedness for e-learning. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of institutional support through appropriate training programs and budgetary allocation on lecturers' preparedness for e-learning at the University of Nairobi. A cross-sectional survey design was applied to source data from 212 lecturers and 96 administrative staff. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were applied to process, analyze, and interpret the data. Quantitative analysis yielded descriptive statistics as well as cross tabulations with Chi-square (x^2) statistic. The study found lack of significant relationship between lecturer's preparedness for e-learning and knowledge of the existence of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training program. The existing training program was still underdeveloped in terms of funding and strategies. Lecturers' preparedness for e-learning was also not significantly associated with perceived effectiveness of the existing training program; but was significantly related to training in software tools, as well as the source of funding for training. Although a team of ICT experts has been mandated to help academic staff prepare for e-learning, the team's functionality was constrained by under-funding and multiple roles. Lecturer's preparedness for e-learning also significantly associated with perceived adequacy of budgetary allocation for ICT program at the departmental level. Under-funding was a key factor constraining access to computers at the workplace, reliable internet connectivity and timely technical support, all of which significantly associated with lecturers' preparedness for e-learning. Universities in resource-poor settings should consider creating necessary partnerships to create avenues for information and resource sharing, revamp existing training programs with fmancial and human resources, create linkages with funding institutions, as well as improve budgetary allocation to ensure universal access to functional computers at the workplace, reliable internet connectivity and timely technical support.展开更多
This study investigated the factors affecting the English language learning of students in SL (synchronous) and ASL (asynchronous) e-learning. The subjects were 102 undergraduate students at Bang Khen and Kamphaen...This study investigated the factors affecting the English language learning of students in SL (synchronous) and ASL (asynchronous) e-learning. The subjects were 102 undergraduate students at Bang Khen and Kamphaengsaen Campus, Kasetsart University. Before the experiment, the subjects answered an online questionnaire adopted from Reid (1998) to measure their perceptual learning style preferences. Then, they were grouped according to their English grades and were randomly assigned to two experimental groups. Each group was given learning tasks requiring different cognitive strategies. The two groups received two treatments with SL and ASL simultaneously. After each treatment, both groups were tested. They were given a questionnaire at the end of the treatments to retrieve their opinions, Data from both tests were analyzed using 2 ~ 2 factorial ANOVA repeated measures. The results showed no significant difference between the two tasks and no interaction effect among types of tasks and SL and ASL. However, a significant difference was found between SL and ASL. The results of the survey showed that the subjects preferred ASL which was in contrast to the results from statistical analyses. The learning style preferences of the two experiment groups were not different; therefore, they were not the factors in the analysis展开更多
This mixed methods study investigated language learning motivation in an one-year e-learning course for technological university students to bridge the geographical divide between students on industrial placements whe...This mixed methods study investigated language learning motivation in an one-year e-learning course for technological university students to bridge the geographical divide between students on industrial placements when studying graded readers using an e-learning course to improve their English competence and to pass the General English Proficiency Test. Data was collected through questionnaires and course feedback. The results of this study extend Gardner's socio-educational model in an e-learning environment by adding the new category, Computer Attitudes, which was proven to be highly correlated with Motivation. Although the low proficiency English students had good computer skills, their habits of using the computer for entertainment and their lack of the skill of "technological communication efficacy" caused increased anxiety when using computers and thus provided them with a lower computer confidence over time. Consequently, it is recommended that sound e-learning training should be provided to all of the students prior to embarking on an e-leaning course so that these learners can benefit from online language learning in the future.展开更多
r-learning,which is based on e-learning and u-learning,is defined as a learning support system that intelligent robots serve verbal and nonverbal interactions on ubiquitous computing environment.In order to guarantee ...r-learning,which is based on e-learning and u-learning,is defined as a learning support system that intelligent robots serve verbal and nonverbal interactions on ubiquitous computing environment.In order to guarantee the advantages of r-learning contents with no limits of timc and place and with nonverbal interaction which are not in e-learning contents,in recent years,assessment criteria for r-learning contents are urgently rcquired.Therefore,the reliable and valid assessment criteria were developed for nonverbal interaction contents in r-learning,and its detailed research content is as follows.First,assessment criteria for nonverbal interaction in r-learning contents will be specified into gesture,facial expression,semi-verbal message,distance,physical contact and time.Second,the validity of the developed assessment criteria will be proved by statistics.Consequently,the assessment criteria for nonverbal interaction contents will be helpful when choosing the better r-learning content and producing the better r-learning content,and the reliability of school education is improved ultimately.展开更多
This paper aims at investigating the teletandem learning interactions between a group of Brazilian students from Instituto Federal de Educagao, Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Goias, Brazil, and a group of foreign s...This paper aims at investigating the teletandem learning interactions between a group of Brazilian students from Instituto Federal de Educagao, Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Goias, Brazil, and a group of foreign students from two German universities. In this study, the Brazilian students helped their foreign partners with Portuguese learning and were helped by them in the English learning. The participants used a synchronous computer software called Openmeetings and also an electronic dictionary as a complementary tool. Adopting a qualitative perspective in the data collection and analysis, this case study was conducted in the second semester of 2010. The data were collected by means of conversation sessions through Openmeetings and were analyzed in the light of studies on sociocultural theory as well as on tandem/teletandem language learning researches. The data analyses showed that the participants used English as an anchoring language to work with Portuguese and English itself, and German was introduced in the teletandem sessions. The data also showed that the whiteboard and the electronic dictionary were used as complementary resources to the use of audio and video for the language learning process the participants engaged in.展开更多
Recently, we developed a nonbuckling interconnect design that provides an effective approach to simultaneously achieving high elastic stretchability, easiness for encapsulation, and high electric performance for stret...Recently, we developed a nonbuckling interconnect design that provides an effective approach to simultaneously achieving high elastic stretchability, easiness for encapsulation, and high electric performance for stretchable electronics. This paper aims to systematically study its mechanical and electric behaviors, including comparisons of the nonbuckling and buckling interconnect designs on stretchability, effects of the thickness on electric performance, and modeling and experimental investigations on the finite deformation mechanics. It is found that the results on stretchability depend on the layouts. Long straight segments and small arc radii for nonbuckling interconnects yield an enhancement of stretchability, which is much better than that of buckling designs. On the other hand, shorter straight segments or thicker interconnects are better to lower the resistances of interconnects.Therefore, optimization of the designs needs to balance the requirements of both the mechanical and electric performances. The finite deformation of interconnects during stretching is analyzed. The established analytic model is well validated by both the finite element modeling and experimental investigations. This work is key for providing the design guidelines for nonbucklingbased stretchable electronics.展开更多
Ferroelectricity and metallicity are usually believed not to coexist because conducting electrons would screen out static internal electric fields.In 1965,Anderson and Blount proposed the concept of"ferroelectric...Ferroelectricity and metallicity are usually believed not to coexist because conducting electrons would screen out static internal electric fields.In 1965,Anderson and Blount proposed the concept of"ferroelectric metal",however,it is only until recently that very rare ferroelectric metals were reported.Here,by combining high-throughput ab initio calculations and data-driven machine learning method with new electronic orbital based descriptors,we systematically investigated a large family(2964)of two-dimensional(2D)bimetal phosphates,and discovered 60 stable ferroelectrics with out-of-plane polarization,including 16 ferroelectric metals and 44 ferroelectric semiconductors that contain seven multiferroics.The ferroelectricity origins from spontaneous symmetry breaking induced by the opposite displacements of bimetal atoms,and the full-d-orbital coinage metal elements cause larger displacements and polarization than other elements.For 2D ferroelectric metals,the odd electrons per unit cell without spin polarization may lead to a half-filled energy band around Fermi level and is responsible for the metallicity.It is revealed that the conducting electrons mainly move on a single-side surface of the 2D layer,while both the ionic and electric contributions to polarization come from the other side and are vertical to the above layer,thereby causing the coexistence of metallicity and ferroelectricity.Van der Waals heterostructures based on ferroelectric metals may enable the change of Schottky barrier height or the Schottky-Ohmic contact type and induce a dramatic change of their vertical transport properties.Our work greatly expands the family of 2D ferroelectric metals and will spur further exploration of 2D ferroelectric metals.展开更多
文摘Institutional support is an essential antecedent for lecturer's preparedness for e-learning. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of institutional support through appropriate training programs and budgetary allocation on lecturers' preparedness for e-learning at the University of Nairobi. A cross-sectional survey design was applied to source data from 212 lecturers and 96 administrative staff. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were applied to process, analyze, and interpret the data. Quantitative analysis yielded descriptive statistics as well as cross tabulations with Chi-square (x^2) statistic. The study found lack of significant relationship between lecturer's preparedness for e-learning and knowledge of the existence of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training program. The existing training program was still underdeveloped in terms of funding and strategies. Lecturers' preparedness for e-learning was also not significantly associated with perceived effectiveness of the existing training program; but was significantly related to training in software tools, as well as the source of funding for training. Although a team of ICT experts has been mandated to help academic staff prepare for e-learning, the team's functionality was constrained by under-funding and multiple roles. Lecturer's preparedness for e-learning also significantly associated with perceived adequacy of budgetary allocation for ICT program at the departmental level. Under-funding was a key factor constraining access to computers at the workplace, reliable internet connectivity and timely technical support, all of which significantly associated with lecturers' preparedness for e-learning. Universities in resource-poor settings should consider creating necessary partnerships to create avenues for information and resource sharing, revamp existing training programs with fmancial and human resources, create linkages with funding institutions, as well as improve budgetary allocation to ensure universal access to functional computers at the workplace, reliable internet connectivity and timely technical support.
文摘This study investigated the factors affecting the English language learning of students in SL (synchronous) and ASL (asynchronous) e-learning. The subjects were 102 undergraduate students at Bang Khen and Kamphaengsaen Campus, Kasetsart University. Before the experiment, the subjects answered an online questionnaire adopted from Reid (1998) to measure their perceptual learning style preferences. Then, they were grouped according to their English grades and were randomly assigned to two experimental groups. Each group was given learning tasks requiring different cognitive strategies. The two groups received two treatments with SL and ASL simultaneously. After each treatment, both groups were tested. They were given a questionnaire at the end of the treatments to retrieve their opinions, Data from both tests were analyzed using 2 ~ 2 factorial ANOVA repeated measures. The results showed no significant difference between the two tasks and no interaction effect among types of tasks and SL and ASL. However, a significant difference was found between SL and ASL. The results of the survey showed that the subjects preferred ASL which was in contrast to the results from statistical analyses. The learning style preferences of the two experiment groups were not different; therefore, they were not the factors in the analysis
文摘This mixed methods study investigated language learning motivation in an one-year e-learning course for technological university students to bridge the geographical divide between students on industrial placements when studying graded readers using an e-learning course to improve their English competence and to pass the General English Proficiency Test. Data was collected through questionnaires and course feedback. The results of this study extend Gardner's socio-educational model in an e-learning environment by adding the new category, Computer Attitudes, which was proven to be highly correlated with Motivation. Although the low proficiency English students had good computer skills, their habits of using the computer for entertainment and their lack of the skill of "technological communication efficacy" caused increased anxiety when using computers and thus provided them with a lower computer confidence over time. Consequently, it is recommended that sound e-learning training should be provided to all of the students prior to embarking on an e-leaning course so that these learners can benefit from online language learning in the future.
基金Project(2011)supported by the research grant of the Chungbuk National University,South Korea
文摘r-learning,which is based on e-learning and u-learning,is defined as a learning support system that intelligent robots serve verbal and nonverbal interactions on ubiquitous computing environment.In order to guarantee the advantages of r-learning contents with no limits of timc and place and with nonverbal interaction which are not in e-learning contents,in recent years,assessment criteria for r-learning contents are urgently rcquired.Therefore,the reliable and valid assessment criteria were developed for nonverbal interaction contents in r-learning,and its detailed research content is as follows.First,assessment criteria for nonverbal interaction in r-learning contents will be specified into gesture,facial expression,semi-verbal message,distance,physical contact and time.Second,the validity of the developed assessment criteria will be proved by statistics.Consequently,the assessment criteria for nonverbal interaction contents will be helpful when choosing the better r-learning content and producing the better r-learning content,and the reliability of school education is improved ultimately.
文摘This paper aims at investigating the teletandem learning interactions between a group of Brazilian students from Instituto Federal de Educagao, Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Goias, Brazil, and a group of foreign students from two German universities. In this study, the Brazilian students helped their foreign partners with Portuguese learning and were helped by them in the English learning. The participants used a synchronous computer software called Openmeetings and also an electronic dictionary as a complementary tool. Adopting a qualitative perspective in the data collection and analysis, this case study was conducted in the second semester of 2010. The data were collected by means of conversation sessions through Openmeetings and were analyzed in the light of studies on sociocultural theory as well as on tandem/teletandem language learning researches. The data analyses showed that the participants used English as an anchoring language to work with Portuguese and English itself, and German was introduced in the teletandem sessions. The data also showed that the whiteboard and the electronic dictionary were used as complementary resources to the use of audio and video for the language learning process the participants engaged in.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11572323,11772331,11302038,51365013,and 11732004)the Chinese Academy of Sciences via the "Hundred Talent Program"+8 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.XDB22040501)the State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis for Industrial Equipment,Dalian University of Technology(Grant No.GZ1603)the State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology,Huazhong University of Science and Technology(Grant No.DMETKF2017008)the Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST(Grant No.2015QNRC001)the Opening Fund of State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanicsthe Personnel Training Plan of Tianjin City in China for the Key Young and Middle-Aged Innovation Talentsthe National Key Research and Development Plan(Grant Nos.2016YFB0201600,2016YFB0201601,2017YFB0202800,and 2017YFB0202802)the Program for Changjiang Scholars,Innovative Research Team in University(PCSIRT)the 111 Project(Grant No.B14013)
文摘Recently, we developed a nonbuckling interconnect design that provides an effective approach to simultaneously achieving high elastic stretchability, easiness for encapsulation, and high electric performance for stretchable electronics. This paper aims to systematically study its mechanical and electric behaviors, including comparisons of the nonbuckling and buckling interconnect designs on stretchability, effects of the thickness on electric performance, and modeling and experimental investigations on the finite deformation mechanics. It is found that the results on stretchability depend on the layouts. Long straight segments and small arc radii for nonbuckling interconnects yield an enhancement of stretchability, which is much better than that of buckling designs. On the other hand, shorter straight segments or thicker interconnects are better to lower the resistances of interconnects.Therefore, optimization of the designs needs to balance the requirements of both the mechanical and electric performances. The finite deformation of interconnects during stretching is analyzed. The established analytic model is well validated by both the finite element modeling and experimental investigations. This work is key for providing the design guidelines for nonbucklingbased stretchable electronics.
基金the National Key R&D Program of China(2018YFA0305800)the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDB28000000)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(11834014)Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission(Z191100007219013)University of Chinese Academy of Sciences。
文摘Ferroelectricity and metallicity are usually believed not to coexist because conducting electrons would screen out static internal electric fields.In 1965,Anderson and Blount proposed the concept of"ferroelectric metal",however,it is only until recently that very rare ferroelectric metals were reported.Here,by combining high-throughput ab initio calculations and data-driven machine learning method with new electronic orbital based descriptors,we systematically investigated a large family(2964)of two-dimensional(2D)bimetal phosphates,and discovered 60 stable ferroelectrics with out-of-plane polarization,including 16 ferroelectric metals and 44 ferroelectric semiconductors that contain seven multiferroics.The ferroelectricity origins from spontaneous symmetry breaking induced by the opposite displacements of bimetal atoms,and the full-d-orbital coinage metal elements cause larger displacements and polarization than other elements.For 2D ferroelectric metals,the odd electrons per unit cell without spin polarization may lead to a half-filled energy band around Fermi level and is responsible for the metallicity.It is revealed that the conducting electrons mainly move on a single-side surface of the 2D layer,while both the ionic and electric contributions to polarization come from the other side and are vertical to the above layer,thereby causing the coexistence of metallicity and ferroelectricity.Van der Waals heterostructures based on ferroelectric metals may enable the change of Schottky barrier height or the Schottky-Ohmic contact type and induce a dramatic change of their vertical transport properties.Our work greatly expands the family of 2D ferroelectric metals and will spur further exploration of 2D ferroelectric metals.