International Journal of Education and Information Technologies
E-ISSN: 2074-1316
Volume 7, 2013
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Issue 1, Volume 7, 2013
Title of the Paper: Value Preferences and Life and Work Expectations of Higher Education Students
Authors: Vendula Teturova, Zdenek Brodsky
Pages: 1-8
Abstract: The paper is focused on the value preferences of students. The data collection of the survey was realized from 2009 to 2011 [with a sample of 340 (educationinformation) students (in total)]. The answers were classified into ten categories. Schwartz’s value types were one of the bases for this classification. The text also deals with the students’ life and work expectations in the different horizons of one year, five, and ten years. We used the same categories mentioned above in the case of life expectations. In the second case (of work expectations) the responses were classified into five categories. The results of the fields of interest are presented.
Title of the Paper: Evaluating the Innovation of Emerging Technology Curriculum
Authors: Lung-Hsing Kuo
Pages: 9-17
Abstract: Learning technological literacy is a way to prepare for innovation. How to evaluate the innovation characteristics of a emerging technology curriculum becomes a concern for promoting innovation. The purpose of this study was to create an evaluating model to measure innovation of the educational reform in a High School Emerging Technology Curriculum in Taiwan. A CIPP model was served as a foundation for both formative and summative evaluations. The core concept is based upon innovation is the target of curriculum reform. In Taiwan, science educators are seeking ways of copying emerging technology. This study is a part of response to that call. This study suggested that innovation should be supported during the process but not only the end. According to the formative evaluation results from contest, input, process, and product stages, stack holders such as administrator, teacher, student, and parent could provide better efforts to maintain innovation. For better supporting science education reform, there is a need to find a systematic evaluation for innovation of curriculum reform. The identified structure was presented and discussed in response to the innovation evaluation.
Title of the Paper: Strategy and Policy in Mobilizing Resources for Employability Enhancement (West Bengal, India)
Authors: Nibedita Saha, Beatrice I.J.M. Van der Heijden, Ales Gregar
Pages: 18-26
Abstract: Employability enhancement is a burning topic in present world. To sustain in this competitive world every human needs the capacity to adopt themselves through their own skills, efficiency and knowledge. This paper tries to investigate the prominence of employability and its current practices in that are undertaken to mobilize resources i.e. human resources and to stimulate employability of the country. The prime goal of this paper focuses on how the current trends of transformation put more stress on intellectual capital, i.e. knowledge, skills and abilities of an individual so as to be employable. This research tries to demonstrate us how career potentiality, occupational expertise and organizational factors are the key essential elements for enhancing employability through a case of West Bengal (WB), India. The investigation has been done by sample interview protocols including questionnaire survey. The outcome of this study discloses the existences of a well-trained and adaptable work force in an organization not only enhance its competitiveness, but it also enable a country to meet the global challenges along with enhancement of employability.
Title of the Paper: An Introduction to a Neurofeedback-Based Self-Rewarding Framework on Mobile Devices Using Modern HCIs
Authors: Luca Szegletes, Bertalan Forstner
Pages: 27-34
Abstract: In this paper, our aim is to introduce a new approach in developing computer assisted educational games for children of different age groups. Brain-Computer Interfaces are applied in our experiments to acquire the maximal learning ability. Recent times, tablets are rapidly gaining popularity in education and smart phones are regularly used by children and by adolescents; therefore our primary research focuses on these mobile devices. Over the past decades, reinforcement learning - a learning algorithm well-known from machine learning - was applied in cognitive neuroscience; however, here the neurotransmitter dopamine is responsible for the rewarding signal. In our study, based on reinforcement learning we show how manipulating reward by a feedback from BCI through educational games can lead to a better learning ability in general. Therefore a neurofeedback self-rewarding learning framework is provided for game developers to create adaptive educational games on mobile devices.
Issue 2, Volume 7, 2013
Title of the Paper: Case of Study for Classical Control Theory Courses Using Information and Communication Technologies
Authors: J. U. Liceaga-Castro, I. I. Siller-Alcala, J. Jaimes-Ponce, R. Alcantara-Ramirez, A. Ferreyra-Ramirez
Pages: 35-43
Abstract: The objective of this article is to show with a case of study how the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can be used to support the process of teaching the relative complex theory of Control. In this case we show how the interactive Matlab/Simulink software represents a valuable tool to visualize graphically a control process. This visualization helps the engineering students to understand the complex concepts of the control theory. To show the ICT advantages and a proposal of how they can be used via Matlab/Simulink a case of study, based on the speed control of a Series DC Motor, is presented. Two approaches, the Ziegler-Nichols and Bode-shape methodologies, and the interpretation of the PID as a one-step-ahead predictor are presented together with a robust analysis based on the Nyquist stability criteria. The Series DC Motor represents an appropriate example because it is non-linear and therefore it is suitable to explain the concepts of linearization, linear dynamics analysis, and the design and implementation of linear robust controllers like the classical PID controller.
Title of the Paper: Non-Computer Science Majored Women Students Perspective on a Pictorial Programming Environment
Authors: Shannon Sillessi, Cihan Varol, Hacer Varol
Pages: 44-51
Abstract: Although, programming classes have been taught with variety of ways and different tools to increase the student retention, women and minorities are still underrepresented in computer science and the awarded degree numbers are still way behind from the 2000 - 2006 numbers. In order to address this problem, a drag-on-drop programming environment is created to teach introductory level object oriented programming course for the students who have no prior programming experience. The framework eliminates one of the main challenges, if not the most, namely syntax issues with creating the programming statements automatically. With that way the students focus more on the logical issues of the task, instead of spending time on correcting typos and syntax errors. The applied survey to the student who is majored in another program but taking the Introduction to Programming course revealed that 88 percent of them found the application beneficial. Survey completed by non-Computer Science (CS) majored women students indicates that this new application will increase the interest level in computer science, while 82 percent of the non-CS majored women students prefer to use this application instead of current programming environment.
Title of the Paper: The Importance and Potential for Development of Entrepreneurship Students at Middle and University Schools
Authors: K. Krpalkova Krelova, P. Krpalek, J. Chromy, D. Dvorak
Pages: 52-61
Abstract: Many experts in the field of educationinformation and politics anticipate a dynamic increase in entrepreneurship in the 21 century. Realizing that entrepreneurship is crucial for the companies who want to be competitive worldwide, the European Commission pays special attention to supporting entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial skills have been included into key competencies in the field of education and training and should therefore be acquired continuously within all stages of education, starting from primary through secondary up to the university institutions, including life-long education. Only well trained teacher is able to support the features of student as responsibility, creativity, initiative, sense for team work and others. These features with knowledge and skills from area of entrepreneurship are one presupposition that students will be successful at job market. This is one of the reasons of education change. Teaching process should be focused on entrepreneurship skills. The paper mentions examples from a good practice in the form of research results which were dealing with development of students’ entrepreneurship skills at middle and university schools. Surveys were made at middle schools and universities in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Particular training of future teachers of specific subjects (economic and technological) presents the main meaning.
Title of the Paper: Pedagogical Practice and its Significance for Future Teachers
Authors: K. Krpalkova Krelova, P. Krpalek, D. Dvorak
Pages: 62-71
Abstract: In this article, we are addressing the issue of professional preparation of the teachers who teach the technical and economic subjects at secondary vocational schools. Our analysis is based on domestic and foreign researches about the preparation of teachers – engineers. We believe the connection between theory and practice is a significant element and that is why we consider it to be important to pay attention to this particular part of pedagogical practice. This is the platform where all the innovations can be made and most importantly its range is not adequate. Our goal is to find an optimal model that would prepare the future teacher – engineer for his career in the most comprehensive way, as well as to enhance competences of a teacher who functions as a training teacher.
Issue 3, Volume 7, 2013
Title of the Paper: Applying Problem-Based Learning Model and Creative Design to Conic-Sections Teaching
Authors: Wen-Haw Chen
Pages: 73-80
Abstract: To help students integrate and apply learned mathematical concepts is definitely an important topic for a mathematics teacher. It is known that problem-based learning (PBL) model is an effective approach to help students self-learning from the problems. In particular, it can help them to integrate the knowledge and concepts previously learned in the classroom. This paper presents an idea in teaching and learning geometry to integrate the concept of creative design into a problem-oriented learning model. Our method is based on the learning of conic sections contents included in mathematics curriculum. In the learning process, students learn how to recognize the problem given by the teacher and applying classroom knowledge into practice. Further, through this learning activity’s emphasis on problem-based learning, students acquire creative thinking skills and professional skills as they can use them to solve interdisciplinary and real-situation problems. Our goal is to set a model of teaching to integrate the conic sections concepts in high school mathematics. In addition to master the geometric concepts, students will create their own creation with geometric knowledge and team cooperation under this teaching model. It will enhance the effectiveness of teaching and learning related geometric concepts, and hence enable students to integrate and apply the material.
Title of the Paper: Problems and Solutions of Web Communications at Czech Universities
Authors: J. Chromy, J. Sedivy
Pages: 81-89
Abstract: In this time, when communication through information and communication technologies are part of the life of each socially and psychologically mature individuals and potential customers, are user-friendly web site quality foundation of modern marketing company. They can also form part of an information system used to control the relations between electronic commerce and customer. This is called CRM - Consumer Relationship Management. On this basis, describes in broad terms the possibility of effective use of websites for marketing research in the specific communication. Also provides research support for two-way communication website, which was focused on the websites of universities in the Czech Republic
Title of the Paper: Improving Students Learning Process by Analyzing Patterns Produced with Data Mining Methods
Authors: Lule Ahmedi, Eliot Bytyçi, Blerim Rexha, Valon Raça
Pages: 90-97
Abstract: Employing data mining algorithms on previous student’s records may give important results in defining new ways of learning and during the process of development of a new curriculum for educational institutions. Creating group profiles by analyzing certain attributes of the students helps in defining more specifically the needs of the students. Achieving this requires manipulation of data in a structured database, and most important a complete data set, having that incomplete data sets may produce unreliable outputs. This paper presents the results of different data mining algorithms applied on previous student’s records to produce predicted success results, and the comparison with the real data in database. Results show that, even if there is lack of attributes, one may still apply certain data mining algorithms over school data to gain knowledge on the mainstream flow. Besides prediction, one can cluster data in order to get main characteristics on the student’s performance. The experiment presented in this paper will emphasize that dividing data in fewer classes will result in higher cluster sum of squared errors, which in fact show that there exist big difference between data.
Title of the Paper: Computer Modeling, Simulations and Design in the Engineering - Research of Selected Indicators
Authors: J. Šedivý
Pages: 98-106
Abstract: Spatial intelligence is the ability of manifesting good orientation in space and ease of creating visual images. Using spatial intelligence we see better pictures or movies, or movies. Individual spatial intelligence easily fitted using tables, graphs, maps, etc. Spatial intelligence was considers as one of the basic skills they need members of the technical professions. They are engineers, planners, surveyors, architects, artists, sculptors, artists. The basis of spatial intelligence is the high level of perception and attention. Essential in solving problems based on the use of spatial intelligence is also a systematic exercise (special training). We may also discuss the factors of spatial orientation and visualization again in the context of perception and attention.
Title of the Paper: Comparing Polysemy of English and Croatian Verbs by Using FrameNet
Authors: Maja Živko
Pages: 107-115
Abstract: In this paper will be shown the way of describing polysemy of Croatian and English verb from a contrastive point of view by using FrameNet. This paper will follow the theoretical and practical advantages of Fillmore’s Frame Semantics. Semantic frames can be used not only for describing and comparing polysemy of verbs of two languages but also as organizational devices for structuring the lexicon in bilingual dictionaries. This means that semantic frames can be used for describing polysemy in linguistics theory but also in applied lexicography.
Title of the Paper: Research of Electronic Marketing on Czech Universities
Authors: J. Chromý, J. Šedivý
Pages: 116-123
Abstract: Each university must perceive marketing as part of their business, just as it does any other company. Each potential customer in the high school student needs accurate and detailed information about the service offered product, on which he is interested. Likewise, each manufacturer of a specific product needs to know whether it is a product of his interest, as it assesses the consumers (students) how to effectively and positively affect the life cycle of a product, how to get and keep customers.
Title of the Paper: On Online Courses
Authors: Mirela-Catrinel Voicu
Pages: 124-131
Abstract: In this paper, we are focused on online courses in the context of entrepreneurship. We describe some important features of existing online courses. We point out some aspects on tools used to developing online courses: hardware, software, e-learning platforms, online advertising, etc. In order to maintain the relationship with the customers, we can apply many surveys. In our paper we present such an survey and the results of data analysis.
Issue 4, Volume 7, 2013
Title of the Paper: Performance of Static Voltage Stability Analysis in MATLAB Environment with Further Applications
Authors: Jan Veleba, Tomas Nestorovic
Pages: 133-145
Abstract: Nowadays, electric power systems have been often operated close to their feasible limits due to increased electric power consumptions, large installments of renewable power sources, and deliberated power market policies. These pose a serious threat to stable network operation and control. Therefore, both static and dynamic voltage stabilities are currently one of the key topics worldwide for preventing related black-out and islanding scenarios. In this paper, modelling and simulations of static voltage stability problems in MATLAB environment are performed using author-developed computational tool implementing both conventional and more advanced numerical approaches. Their performances are compared with Simulink-based library Power System Analysis Toolbox (PSAT) in terms of solution accuracy, CPU time and possible limitations. Furthermore, their use for locating critical network buses/branches/areas and most critical loading scenarios in terms of voltage stability are demonstrated. Eventually, their both real-time and off-line monitoring and assessment capabilities of system's voltage stability are also discussed.
Title of the Paper: Creating a High-Scope On-Line Course for Cloud Computing
Authors: Lung-Hsing Kuo, Jui-Chen Yu, Hsieh-Hua Yang, Wen-Chen Hu, Hung-Jen Yang
Pages: 146-159
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to design an online course of introducing cloud computing for high-school students in Taiwan. This course is part of formal high education for the technology Education subject. A content analysis procedure was applied to verify the content selection. The digitizing course evaluation standard was applied to ensure the virtual learning quality. Based upon the evaluators' consistency, the reliability was reached 0.88. There are seven lessens. Those are "The Industry of Cloud Computing", "Principle and Application of the Cloud Computing", "Applications of The Cloud Computing Service", "Distributions of the Cloud Computing", "The development trend of Cloud Computing" "Safety Issues of the Cloud Computing", "The Impact of Society and life resulted by the Cloud Computing", and "Regulations and Ethics of the Cloud Computing". Based upon the evaluation results, it was confirmed that this on-line course are both content and digital learning qualified.
Title of the Paper: Business Intelligence in the Access of Czech Universities in the Education Market
Authors: J. Chromy, J. Šedivy, Čestmír Bárta
Pages: 160-169
Abstract: In a teaching, and in activities that relate to it, every teacher must have a certain amount of support. This support is characterized by being individualized, and must allow a relatively wide range of activities. In analyzing the functions this support should fulfill, it is necessary to begin with the main activities that make up the instructor’s total teaching experience. Consequently, it is necessary to combine the various functions of support for the teacher’s activities into one system that will be interactively available in all the required moments.
Title of the Paper: Comparative Study on Employability Skills of Engineering Graduates of Different Disciplines
Authors: M. M. G. V. Shyamalee, W. M. V. S. K. Wickramasinghe, S. Dissanayake
Pages: 170-177
Abstract: It is vital that fresh engineering graduates are aware of the requirements of a modern working environment and the employability skills that they should require to succeed in their professional career. The required skills may differ from one discipline to another. In this paper, the required employability skills for the electrical and electronic, and mechanical engineering disciplines are identified and compared with those of the civil engineering discipline. For this purpose, Descriptive Analysis, Principal Component Analysis together with Factor Analysis and Cronbach’s Alpha Test were employed for analyzing the data collected through a questionnaire survey in which twenty eight attributes were extracted from the accreditation manual of the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL). These attributes were measured using five point Likert scale based on their importance levels. Through the analyses, six types of skills were found for the electrical and electronic engineering discipline namely Personal and Working attitudes, Communication Skills, Intellectual Skills, Engineering Principles, Technical Knowledge and Skills, and Knowledge on Standards of Engineering Practice. On the other hand, five types of skills were extracted for the mechanical engineering discipline namely Personal and Working Attitudes, Skills on Communication and Engineering Knowledge, Knowledge on Technical Standards and Specifications, Technical Skills, and Knowledge on Basic Principles and Intellectual Skills. Further, the one-way analysis of variance test revealed that there were no significant differences within the levels of importance of employability skills of four major sectors of each discipline except for the employability skill named Knowledge on Standards of Engineering Practice of the electrical and electronic engineering discipline.
Title of the Paper: Electronic Communication Channels at Czech Universities
Authors: J. Sedivy, J. Chromy
Pages: 178-186
Abstract: The paper describes the use of communication tools of modern mobile devices and the Internet in education. Of course, we can assume some of the advantages and disadvantages of internet services from the subjective factors and objective view of the educational process. The article presents the results of authors own research, which focuses on the practical use of mobile devices and communication channels of internet that are typical of the research, student respondent sample. Research was conducted in the university environment in the Czech Republic.
Title of the Paper: Perceptions of Satisfaction, Usefulness, and Ease-of-Use in the Use of Health Education Website
Authors: Su Mei Teng, Shan Shan Cheng, Bo-I Chen, Eric Zhi Feng Liu
Pages: 187-194
Abstract: Excessive computer use often leads to health-related problems, particularly among students. This study developed a health education website in accordance with the needs and preferences of university level students, by incorporating pertinent information within an interactive format using extensive animation. Participants then evaluated the website according to perceived usefulness, ease-of-use, and overall satisfaction. Most of the results were positive; however, a number of participants did not feel that the information was pertinent for people their age. These results indicate that, with regard to the acceptance of a tool or technology with the purpose of learning new information, the need for that information may outweigh the influence of usefulness and ease-of-use in its presentation.
Title of the Paper: Research of the Deployment of Tools of Computer Modeling for Design and Simulations in Technical Education
Authors: Josef Šedivý
Pages: 195-204
Abstract: Procedures applied in the current industrial engineering practice put new demands on knowledge and skills of graduates of technical schools, connected with a significant proportion of using of tools for design, simulation, production technology and data management solutions for the design and technological tasks. Computer-aided engineering activities open up new approaches to creation and analysis of designs and also for creation of processes of manufacturing and assembly. A large number of data sets, the complexity of procedures and the need of sharing of information in various points on the planet with adequate check and security of shared information required the deployment of data management systems and processes.
