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Exploring Students' Museum Experiences In The Context Of Web-Based Learning Environments, Janice M. Herrington, Gwyn J. Brickell, Barry A. Harper Jan 2006

Exploring Students' Museum Experiences In The Context Of Web-Based Learning Environments, Janice M. Herrington, Gwyn J. Brickell, Barry A. Harper

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

The paper examines the nature of school excursions to museums, and how the Internet, and in particular the web pages accompanying museum exhibitions, can be utilised to create authentic and complex learning environments for school students. The paper describes proposed research between a university and two leading museums that will investigate whether and how learners link web-based content and data in developing a broader perspective on the museum experience. It will explore in depth the use of the web to situate the onsite museum visit, not as a single one-off event, but within a complex task or problem-based learning approach …


Fostering Communities Of Practice During The Creation Of An Online Classroom-Based Simulation, Brian Ferry, Lisa K. Kervin Jan 2006

Fostering Communities Of Practice During The Creation Of An Online Classroom-Based Simulation, Brian Ferry, Lisa K. Kervin

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Working with and managing a team can be a challenge in any project development. This paper reports on how a team of researchers, an instructional designer, programmers and graphic artists worked within a community of practice, as simulation software was created and further developed. The simulated classroom represented in this software was designed to enhance the initial practicum experience of pre-service teachers. The teaching of literacy skills in primary schools framed the pedagogical focus of the software – one of the priority areas within primary schooling. We report on how research associated with each iteration of the simulation prototype software …


Design-Based Research And The Learning Designer, Deidre Seeto, Janice A. Herrington Jan 2006

Design-Based Research And The Learning Designer, Deidre Seeto, Janice A. Herrington

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

The role of the learning designer has expanded from the commonly known activities of an instructional designer to incorporate a range of new roles, largely prompted by new technologies. In this paper, we articulate an approach that further extends the role of the learning designer to encompass evaluation and design-based research, in collaboration with the subject matter expert. Such collaboration is professionally enhancing for both parties, and adds to the sum of knowledge on the effective design of learning environments, by documenting and disseminating the learning design process.


Identifying Authentic Mobile Learning In Teacher Education: A Design-Based Approach, Anthony J. Herrington, Janice A. Herrington Jan 2006

Identifying Authentic Mobile Learning In Teacher Education: A Design-Based Approach, Anthony J. Herrington, Janice A. Herrington

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

The adoption of mobile technologies in higher education has been variable and inconsistent across the sector. Little is known about how people learn best from mobile devices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants and portable digital audio players, and yet these are the technologies of choice of a generation of young adults who are proficient and competent in their use. This paper describes a project to explore, implement and document pedagogies that go beyond the use of mobile technologies for information delivery and communication. It describes a design-based approach to researching the use of mobile devices as cognitive tools …


Cross-Cultural Online Communication: Making Connections Through Project-Based Learning, Mike Keppell, Morris Jong, Harold Tsang, Susan J. Bennett, Lori Lockyer Jan 2006

Cross-Cultural Online Communication: Making Connections Through Project-Based Learning, Mike Keppell, Morris Jong, Harold Tsang, Susan J. Bennett, Lori Lockyer

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This paper examines a project that encourages cross-cultural communication among teachereducation students through online discussion and project-based learning. An authentic case was presented to eleven students (divided into two groups) who volunteered to participate in the project over one semester. The case focussed on the development of a website by the two groups which would provide information to local Hong Kong students visiting the University of Wollongong on an intensive English immersion programme. The students were encouraged to seek advice from their HKIEd mentor and UOW advisor via synchronous and asynchronous communication tools available in the Blackboard Learning Management System. …


An Agent-Based Peer-To-Peer Grid Computing Architecture, Jia Tang, Minjie Zhang Jan 2006

An Agent-Based Peer-To-Peer Grid Computing Architecture, Jia Tang, Minjie Zhang

Faculty of Informatics - Papers (Archive)

The conventional computing Grid has developed a service oriented computing architecture with a superlocal resource management and scheduling strategy. This architecture is limited in modeling computer systems with highly dynamic and autonomous computing resources due to its server-based computing model. The super-local resource management and scheduling strategy also limits the utilization of the computing resources. In this paper, we propose a multi-agent based Peer-to-Peer Grid computing architecture. This novel architecture solves the above issues, while provides reasonable compatibility and interoperability with the conventional Grid systems and clients. The main characteristics of this architecture are highlighted by its promising performance and …


An Ontology-Based Approach For Expert And Knowledge Mining In Complex Multi-Agent Systems, Minjie Zhang, Xijin Tang, Quan Bai, Jifa Gu Jan 2006

An Ontology-Based Approach For Expert And Knowledge Mining In Complex Multi-Agent Systems, Minjie Zhang, Xijin Tang, Quan Bai, Jifa Gu

Faculty of Informatics - Papers (Archive)

Complex problems require diverse expertise and multiple techniques to solve. In order to solve such problems, complex multi-agent systems include numbers of heterogeneous agents, which may include both of human experts and autonomous agents, to work together toward some complex problems. Most complex multi-agent systems are working in open domains. Due to heterogeneities and dynamic working environments, expertise and capabilities of agents might not be well estimated and presented in the system. Therefore, how to discover useful knowledge from human and autonomous experts, make more accurate estimation for experts' capabilities and to find out suitable expert(s) to solve incoming problems …


Wfms-Based Data Integration For E-Learning, Jianming Yong, Jun Yan, Xiaodi Huang Jan 2006

Wfms-Based Data Integration For E-Learning, Jianming Yong, Jun Yan, Xiaodi Huang

Faculty of Informatics - Papers (Archive)

As more and more organisations and institutions are moving towards the e-learning strategy, more and more disparate data are distributed by different e-learning systems. How to effectively use this vast amount of distributed data becomes a big challenge. This paper addresses this challenge and works out a new mechanism to implement data integration for e-learning. A workflow management system based (WFMS-based) data integration model is contributed to the e-learning.


Formation Of Magnesium Diboride-Based Materials With High Critical Currents And Mechanical Characteristics By High-Pressure Synthesis, Tetiana Prikhna, W. Gawalek, Ya M. Savchuk, N. V. Sergienko, V. E. Moshchil, M. Wendt, M. Zeisberger, T. Habisreuther, V. B. Sverdun, S X. Dou, S. N. Dub, V. S. Melnikov, Ch Schmidt, J. Dellith, P. A. Nagorny Jan 2006

Formation Of Magnesium Diboride-Based Materials With High Critical Currents And Mechanical Characteristics By High-Pressure Synthesis, Tetiana Prikhna, W. Gawalek, Ya M. Savchuk, N. V. Sergienko, V. E. Moshchil, M. Wendt, M. Zeisberger, T. Habisreuther, V. B. Sverdun, S X. Dou, S. N. Dub, V. S. Melnikov, Ch Schmidt, J. Dellith, P. A. Nagorny

Australian Institute for Innovative Materials - Papers

The developed method of high-pressure synthesis (HPS) allows producing nanostructural highly dense material based on MGB2, which possesses the highest superconducting and mechanical characteristics among the known world analogues, in the form of blocks that are suitable for application in SC electromotors and pumps. Additions of Zr can increase critical current density (jc) of synthesized at 2 GPa and 750-800 °C MGB2 in the same manner as additions of Ta or Ti, i.e. due to the absorption of impurity hydrogen forming the ZrH2. The formation of ZrB2 phase at higher synthesis …


Places Of Reconciliation: Gay, Lesbian And Transgender Place-Based Belongings In A Regional Australian Centre, Gordon R. Waitt, Andrew W. Gorman-Murray Jan 2006

Places Of Reconciliation: Gay, Lesbian And Transgender Place-Based Belongings In A Regional Australian Centre, Gordon R. Waitt, Andrew W. Gorman-Murray

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Place-based belonging is a key concern of geographical work on sexuality. Marginalised through practices of heterosexism and homophobia, gay men, lesbians and other sexual minorities have a heightened awareness of where they belong – of where they can perform sexual difference. Much research here focuses on place-based belonging in metropolitan centres. There is less consideration of how sexual minorities sustain place-based belonging in regional centres, which are also believed to exhibit higher levels of homophobia. Drawing on in-depth interviews, we examine how sexual minorities generate place-based belonging in Townsville. We argue that place-based belonging be understood as an ongoing relational …


Comparisons Between Sciamachy And Ground-Based Ftir Data For Total Columns Of Co, Ch4, Co2 And N2o, B Dils, M De Maziere, J F. Muller, T Blumenstock, Nicholas B. Jones, David W. Griffith, C P Rinsland, E Mahieu, S Wood, R De Beek, P Demoulin, M Buchwitz, P Duchatelet, C Frankenberg, A Gloudemans, T Kerzenmacher, I Kramer, J Mellqvist, H Shrijver, A Strandberg, D Smale, W Stremme, A G. Straume, R Sussmann, M Van Den Broek, T Wagner, K Strong, Aldona Wiacek, J R. Taylor, Hans Fast, Thorsten Warneke, Richard L. Mittermeier, Justus Notholt, Voltaire A. Velazco Jan 2006

Comparisons Between Sciamachy And Ground-Based Ftir Data For Total Columns Of Co, Ch4, Co2 And N2o, B Dils, M De Maziere, J F. Muller, T Blumenstock, Nicholas B. Jones, David W. Griffith, C P Rinsland, E Mahieu, S Wood, R De Beek, P Demoulin, M Buchwitz, P Duchatelet, C Frankenberg, A Gloudemans, T Kerzenmacher, I Kramer, J Mellqvist, H Shrijver, A Strandberg, D Smale, W Stremme, A G. Straume, R Sussmann, M Van Den Broek, T Wagner, K Strong, Aldona Wiacek, J R. Taylor, Hans Fast, Thorsten Warneke, Richard L. Mittermeier, Justus Notholt, Voltaire A. Velazco

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Total column amounts of CO, CH4, CO2 and N2O retrieved from SCIAMACHY nadir observations in its near-infrared channels have been compared to data from a ground-based quasi-global network of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers. The SCIAMACHY data considered here have been produced by three different retrieval algorithms, WFM-DOAS (version 0.5 for CO and CH4 and version 0.4 for CO2 and N2O), IMAP-DOAS (version 1.1 and 0.9 (for CO)) and IMLM (version 6.3) and cover the January to December 2003 time period. Comparisons have been made for individual data, as well as for monthly averages. To maximize the number of reliable coincidences …


First Detection Of Meso-Thermospheric Nitric Oxide (No) By Ground-Based Ftir Solar Absorption Spectroscopy, Aldona Wiacek, Nicholas B. Jones, K Strong, J R. Taylor, Richard L. Mittermeier, Hans Fast Jan 2006

First Detection Of Meso-Thermospheric Nitric Oxide (No) By Ground-Based Ftir Solar Absorption Spectroscopy, Aldona Wiacek, Nicholas B. Jones, K Strong, J R. Taylor, Richard L. Mittermeier, Hans Fast

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

We report the first detection of mesospheric-lower thermospheric (MLT, 50–130 km) NO from ground-based FTIR solar absorption spectra using Lorentz- and Doppler-broadened solar absorption lines in the stratosphere and in the MLT, respectively. We present the first characterization of vertical sensitivity in the FTIR NO retrieval and show that MLT NO partial columns can be retrieved with ~1 independent piece of information using a climatological NO profile extending up to 130 km. The information content analysis also improves the characterization of stratospheric partial column retrievals and is relevant to NO results obtained at other Network for the Detection of Stratospheric …


Discrete Cosine Transform Based Shift Estimation For Fringe Pattern Profilometry Using Generalized Analysis Model, Jose F. Chicharo, Jiangtao Xi, Yingsong Hu, Zongkai Yang, Enbang Li Jan 2006

Discrete Cosine Transform Based Shift Estimation For Fringe Pattern Profilometry Using Generalized Analysis Model, Jose F. Chicharo, Jiangtao Xi, Yingsong Hu, Zongkai Yang, Enbang Li

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

This paper presents a new analysis algorithm to carry out profile measure- ment with low computational complexity and less noise-sensitivity. Firstly, a discrete cosine transform (DCT) based representation method is introduced to express the height distribution of the three-dimensional surface. Then, a novel shift estimation algorithm, called DCT based shift estimation (DCT-SE) is presented to reconstruct three-dimensional object surfaces by using the proposed expression and the generalized analysis model. The advantage of DCT-SE is that without loss of measurement precise it provides lower computational complexity to implement three-dimensional reconstruction from distorted fringe patterns and at the same time survives from …


A Robotic Gripper Based On Conducting Polymer Actuators, Gursel Alici, Nam N. Huynh Jan 2006

A Robotic Gripper Based On Conducting Polymer Actuators, Gursel Alici, Nam N. Huynh

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Conducting polymer actuators or as widely known as artificial muscles have many promising features such as being biocompatible and suitable to open loop control, and having high force to weight ratio. If properly engineered, they can be employed as actuators plus joints like active flexure joints articulating monolithic structures. Such structures or systems not containing any sliding and/or rolling components potentially have high positioning accuracy, which is crucial for micro/nano manipulation applications. In this paper, we employ a bending type polymer actuator to articulate two separate rigid links made up of carbon fibre such that a two-finger gripper is formed. …


Three-Dimensional Profilometry Based On Shift Estimation Of Projected Fringe Patterns, Jose F. Chicharo, Jiangtao Xi, Yingsong Hu, Zongkai Yang, Enbang Li Jan 2006

Three-Dimensional Profilometry Based On Shift Estimation Of Projected Fringe Patterns, Jose F. Chicharo, Jiangtao Xi, Yingsong Hu, Zongkai Yang, Enbang Li

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

This paper presents a new approach to fringe pattern profilometry. In this paper, a generalized model for describing the relationship between the projected fringe pattern and deformed fringe pattern is derived, where the projected fringe pattern can be arbitrary rather than being limited to be sinusoidal as those for the conventional approaches. Based on this model, a new approach is proposed to reconstruct the three-dimensional object surface by estimating the shift between the projected and deformed fringe patterns. Additionally, theoretical analysis and computer simulation results are presented, both of which show the proposed approach can significantly improve the measurement accuracy, …


Blind Source Separation Based On Time-Domain Optimization Of A Frequency-Domain Independence Criterion, Tiemin Mei, Jiangtao Xi, Fuliang Yin, A. Mertins, Jose F. Chicharo Jan 2006

Blind Source Separation Based On Time-Domain Optimization Of A Frequency-Domain Independence Criterion, Tiemin Mei, Jiangtao Xi, Fuliang Yin, A. Mertins, Jose F. Chicharo

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

A new technique for the blind separation of convolutive mixtures is proposed in this paper. Inspired by the works of Amari, Sabala , and Rahbar, we firstly start from the application of Kullback-Leibler divergence in frequency domain, and then we integrate Kullback-Leibler divergence over the whole frequency range of interest to yield a new objective function which turns out to be time-domain variable dependent. In other words, the objective function is derived in frequency domain which can be optimized with respect to time domain variables. The proposed technique has the advantages of frequency domain approaches and is suitable for very …


Contact State Determination For Robotic-Based Cylindrical Pair Height Adjustment Under Dynamic Conditions, Prasan I. De Waas Tilakaratna, Bijan Shirinzadeh, Gursel Alici Jan 2006

Contact State Determination For Robotic-Based Cylindrical Pair Height Adjustment Under Dynamic Conditions, Prasan I. De Waas Tilakaratna, Bijan Shirinzadeh, Gursel Alici

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

This paper investigates fine motion strategies associated with the height adjustment manipulations of a cylindrical pair which can be utilised in dynamic assembly and reconfigurable workholding systems. The outer link of the cylindrical pair is held by the end-effector of a 6DOF serial articulated robot. The environment which holds the inner link can be dynamic. Formulations capable of identifying the type of contact between the links and parameters vital for control purposes based on the force and torque data provided by a wrist mounted F/T sensor are established for a generic spatial case. Experimental results indicate that the established methodology …


Cellular Neural Network Based Deformation Simulation With Haptic Force Feedback, Yongmin Zhong, Bijan Shirinzadeh, Gursel Alici, Julian Smith Jan 2006

Cellular Neural Network Based Deformation Simulation With Haptic Force Feedback, Yongmin Zhong, Bijan Shirinzadeh, Gursel Alici, Julian Smith

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

This paper presents a new methodology for deformable object modelling by drawing an analogy between cellular neural network (CNN) and elastic deformation. The potential energy stored in an elastic body as a result of a deformation caused by an external force is propagated among mass points by the non-linear CNN activity. An improved CNN model is developed for propagating the energy generated by the external force on the object surface in the natural manner of Poisson equation. The proposed methodology models non-linear materials with nonlinear CNN rather than geometric non-linearity in the most existing deformation methods. It can not only …


Scaffolding Learners In Authentic, Problem-Based E-Learning Environments: The Geography Challenge, Janice A. Herrington, Gwyn J. Brickell Jan 2006

Scaffolding Learners In Authentic, Problem-Based E-Learning Environments: The Geography Challenge, Janice A. Herrington, Gwyn J. Brickell

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

The affordances of online learning technologies have enabled more widespread development of learning environments that facilitate the exploration and solving of complex and realistic problems. In this paper, we describe the design of a real world geography problem, embedded within a web environment that is facilitated by an onsite excursion for data collection. The learning environment has been designed to deliberately address known problems associated with the problem solving approach, specifically in regard to three issues, and uses scaffolding prompts and supports embedded within the environment to facilitate student learning. The paper describes the theoretical foundations for the approach, the …


Electronic Health Record System Evaluation Based On Patient Safety, Yung-Yu Su, Khin Than Win, John A. Fulcher Jan 2006

Electronic Health Record System Evaluation Based On Patient Safety, Yung-Yu Su, Khin Than Win, John A. Fulcher

Faculty of Informatics - Papers (Archive)

After describing the general characteristics of Electronic Health Records (EHRs), we consider patient safety. We then proceed to discuss IS evaluation in general terms, followed by HIS system evaluation in particular. The D&M IS Success model, Technology Acceptance model and Task-Technology Fit model are considered as potential candidates for EHR System evaluation. Based upon a critical review of the available literature, we draw some conclusions about the appropriateness of current HIS/EHR evaluation approaches. Finally, we suggest that by incorporating patient safety attributes in any EHR System evaluation framework, then this could lead to improved accuracy, and in turn improved patient …


Fiber-Optic Temperature Sensor Based On Interference Of Selective Higher-Order Modes, Enbang Li, X L Wang, Chao Zhang Jan 2006

Fiber-Optic Temperature Sensor Based On Interference Of Selective Higher-Order Modes, Enbang Li, X L Wang, Chao Zhang

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

A fiber-optic temperature sensor based on the interference of selective higher-order modes in circular optical fibers is described. The authors demonstrate that by coupling the LP01 mode in a standard single-mode fiber to the LP0m modes in a multimode fiber, and utilizing the interference of the higher-order modes, a fiber-optic temperature sensor which has an extremely simple structure and is suitable for high-temperature measurements can be constructed. The sensing principle, temperature measurement experiments, and results are presented.


Atmospheric Carbonyl Sulfide (Ocs) Variation From 1992-2004 By Ground-Based Solar Ftir Spectrometry, Nicholas M. Deutscher, Nicholas B. Jones, David W. Griffith, S. W. Wood, F Murcray Jan 2006

Atmospheric Carbonyl Sulfide (Ocs) Variation From 1992-2004 By Ground-Based Solar Ftir Spectrometry, Nicholas M. Deutscher, Nicholas B. Jones, David W. Griffith, S. W. Wood, F Murcray

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Analysis of ground-based high-resolution solar FTIR absorption spectra from four sites was performed to determine trends and variability in OCS columns over the period 1992–2004. The sites were Wollongong, Australia (34.45° S, 150.88° E), Lauder, New Zealand (45.0° S, 169.7° E), Arrival Heights, Antarctica (77.8° S, 166.6° E) and Mauna Loa, Hawaii (19.5° N, 155.6° W). Small but significant long-term trends of −0.18±0.02% yr-1 above Hawaii, −0.30±0.12% yr-1 above Wollongong and −0.29±0.14% yr-1 above Lauder, were seen. No significant trend was seen above Arrival Heights. A large peak-to-peak seasonal difference observed in 1996–1997 above Wollongong and reported …


Thermal Stability And Crystallization Kinetics Of Mechanically Alloyed Tic/Ti-Based Metallic Glass Matrix Composite, Laichang Zhang, J. Xu, J Eckert Jan 2006

Thermal Stability And Crystallization Kinetics Of Mechanically Alloyed Tic/Ti-Based Metallic Glass Matrix Composite, Laichang Zhang, J. Xu, J Eckert

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

A Ti-based metallic glass matrix composite with 10vol% TiC is synthesized by mechanical alloying. The thermal stability and crystallization kinetics of the metallic glass and compositepowders are investigated by differential scanning calorimetry in the mode of isochronal heating and isothermal annealing. The isothermal transformation kinetics is analyzed by the Kolmogorov-Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation. The values of the Avrami exponent calculated for low crystallization volume fractions imply that the crystallization of both types of powders is governed by diffusion-controlled three-dimensional growth. The mean activation energy of crystallization for the composite is slightly lower than that of the Ti-based metallic glass. The addition of …