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21 – 30 of over 157000Rachael Gabriel and Richard Allington
The primacy of teacher effects on student achievement has been well documented from a variety of methodological approaches within the field of education research. Governments…
Abstract
The primacy of teacher effects on student achievement has been well documented from a variety of methodological approaches within the field of education research. Governments across the globe have or will address educational equity, especially the education of the poor, by designing programs to attract, train, develop, retain, and study more effective teachers. In their Concept Note, the World Bank also raises “fundamental questions” that balance upon an understanding of the development and measurement of teacher effectiveness. These include question 1: “What are the most important challenges in the next decade for building knowledge and skills for life and work in different country contexts?” and question 3: “What educational results should the Bank be accountable for in the next ten years, and how would we measure these achievements?” In this chapter, we build upon the extensive research that suggests teacher effectiveness ought to be the primary goal of educational reform efforts across the globe. We highlight the complexity of measuring effectiveness, especially across countries and varied contexts for education. We argue that the ways in which effectiveness is measured will have a direct impact on the potential of any reform policy to positively influence the overall effectiveness of a teaching force and the achievement of its students.
Canzhi Guo, Chunguang Xu, Dingguo Xiao, Hanming Zhang and Juan Hao
With the development of materials science and technology, composite workpieces are increasingly used. This paper aims to discuss a non-destructive testing (NDT) solution for…
Abstract
Purpose
With the development of materials science and technology, composite workpieces are increasingly used. This paper aims to discuss a non-destructive testing (NDT) solution for semi-enclosed composite workpieces. A dual-robot system with one robot that grips an irregular-shaped ultrasonic probe (tool) is established.
Design/methodology/approach
According to robotics, this paper defines the orientations of the discrete points coordinate frames in trajectory and proposes an orientation constraint rule between the tool coordinate frame and the scanning trajectory. A four-posture calibration method for calibrating the transformation relationship of the irregular-shaped tool frame relative to the robot flange frame is presented in detail.
Findings
Calibration and verification experiments were performed, and good-quality C-scan images were obtained by applying the constraint rule and the calibration method. Experimental results show that the calibration method used to determine the tool centre point (TCP) position is correct, effective and efficient; the TCP orientation constraint rule can ensure the extension pole of the irregular-shaped ultrasonic probe is parallel to the axis of the semi-enclosed cylindrical workpieces; and the ultrasonic transducer axis is perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece.
Originality/value
This paper proposes a constraint method for the posture of an irregular-shaped tool in this scheme. Theoretical foundations for the four-posture calibration method of the irregular-shaped tool for dual-robot-assisted ultrasonic NDT are presented in detail. This strategy has been successfully applied in the NDT experiment of semi-enclosed composite workpieces.
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Peter Cronemyr, Ingela Bäckström and Åsa Rönnbäck
Today’s organisations face the challenge of measuring the right things and then using those measurements as a starting point to work with improved quality. The failure to generate…
Abstract
Purpose
Today’s organisations face the challenge of measuring the right things and then using those measurements as a starting point to work with improved quality. The failure to generate a shared value base is pointed out as one main cause for the inability to effectively apply quality management and lean within organisations; thus, it appears central to measure these values. However, the measuring of values and behaviours seems to be missing within both concepts. Therefore, there is a need for a tool that measures not only quality values but also behaviours that support or obstruct a quality culture. The purpose of this paper is to describe how a measuring tool which measures quality culture can be designed and structured.
Design/methodology/approach
A project with the aim to measure and develop quality culture started in 2015 by three Swedish universities/institutes and seven organisations. During several workshops, quality values and supportive and obstructive behaviours were developed and described. This resulted in a survey where employees of the participating organisations ranked performance and importance of the described behaviours. The results were presented and discussed in a fourth workshop.
Findings
A framework of behaviours and a measurement tool for a quality culture are presented in this paper.
Originality/value
The framework of behaviours, supporting or obstructing a quality culture, is original and may be very useful to diagnose and develop a quality culture.
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Nuclear waste tanks need to be cut into pieces before they can be safely disposed of, but the cutting process produces a large amount of aerosols with radiation, which is very…
Abstract
Purpose
Nuclear waste tanks need to be cut into pieces before they can be safely disposed of, but the cutting process produces a large amount of aerosols with radiation, which is very harmful to the health of the operator. The purpose of this paper is to establish an intelligent strategy for an integrated robot designed for measurement and cutting, which can accurately identify and cut unknown nuclear waste tanks and realize autonomous precise processing.
Design/methodology/approach
A robot system integrating point cloud measurement and plasma cutting is designed in this paper. First, accurate calibration methods for the robot, tool and hand-eye system are established. Second, for eliminating the extremely scattered point cloud caused by metal surface refraction, an omnidirectional octree data structure with 26 vectors is proposed to extract the point cloud model more accurately. Then, a minimum bounding box is calculated for limiting the local area to be cut, the local three-dimensional shape of the nuclear tank is fitted within the bounding box, in which the cutting trajectories and normal vectors are planned accurately.
Findings
The cutting precision is verified by changing the tool into a dial indicator in the simulation and the experiment process. The octree data structure with omnidirectional pointing vectors can effectively improve the filtering accuracy of the scattered point cloud. The point cloud filter algorithm combined with the structure calibration methods for the integrated measurement and processing system can ensure the final machining accuracy of the robot.
Originality/value
Aiming at the problems of large measurement noise interference, complex transformations between coordinate systems and difficult accuracy guarantee, this paper proposes structure calibration, point cloud filtering and point cloud-based planning algorithm, which can greatly improve the reliability and accuracy of the system. Simulation and experiment verify the final cutting accuracy of the whole system.
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Ander Garcia, Maria Teresa Linaza, Aitor Gutierrez and Endika Garcia
The purpose of this paper is twofold: to present gamified mobile experiences as valid tools for DMOs to enrich the experience of tourists, and to present the benefits provided to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is twofold: to present gamified mobile experiences as valid tools for DMOs to enrich the experience of tourists, and to present the benefits provided to DMOs by analytics tools integrated on gamified mobile experiences.
Design/methodology/approach
Staff from three DMOs have generated a gamified mobile experience using a custom authoring tool designed and developed to fulfil their requirements. This gamified experience has targeted families with children visiting Basque Country during off-peak season. The experience has been validated over a period of seven weeks within a pilot project promoted by the local tourist information offices of the DMOs. Data directly provided by tourists and data gathered from analytic tools integrated on the gamified mobile experience have been analysed to fulfil the research objectives presented on the paper.
Findings
Both DMOs and tourists can benefit from gamified mobile experiences. The integration of analytics tools to gain insights into the behaviour of tourists can be a relevant information source for DMOs.
Research limitations/implications
The pilot project has targeted a niche tourism market, families with children visiting Basque Country, and has been running during off-peak season. Further studies focusing on other tourist types and different tourism season and destination types will be required to strengthen the validation of the research objectives presented on this paper.
Practical implications
The paper promotes both the development of gamified mobile experiences and the inclusion of analytics tools for DMOs to obtain relevant information about tourists and the mobile experiences.
Originality/value
A gamified mobile experience is generated by DMOs, validated on the basis of experience of real tourists. The analytics tools inside the gamified mobile experience provide DMOs with relevant information.
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Mustafa M. Rashid and Hossam Ismail
The purpose of this paper is to describe a generic method and tool for assessing the reliability and robustness of the product development process.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a generic method and tool for assessing the reliability and robustness of the product development process.
Design/methodology/approach
By extending the integrated definition for function modelling (IDEF0)‐based modelling approach, the paper demonstrates how to calculate the effectiveness of the process and the quality of the process output based on the quality of inputs, the controls and the tools used within the process. To illustrate and validate the proposed approach, it is applied to a case study of a product development process incorporating incomplete, fuzzy and uncertain inputs and resources.
Findings
Demonstrates the effectiveness of the tool in providing a quantified assessment of the process as well as its ability to identify those critical areas which will yield a significant improvement in the outcome of the product development process.
Originality/value
The technique is a valuable tool to assess the robustness and sensitivity of the process to changes in the quality of inputs, controls and tools, and can be integrated into businesses processes and management systems, and used as a tool to support continuous business and manufacturing decisions at any point of time.
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Tessa Withorn, Jillian Eslami, Hannah Lee, Maggie Clarke, Carolyn Caffrey, Cristina Springfield, Dana Ospina, Anthony Andora, Amalia Castañeda, Alexandra Mitchell, Joanna Messer Kimmitt, Wendolyn Vermeer and Aric Haas
This paper presents recently published resources on library instruction and information literacy, providing an introductory overview and a selected annotated bibliography of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents recently published resources on library instruction and information literacy, providing an introductory overview and a selected annotated bibliography of publications covering various library types, study populations and research contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper introduces and annotates English-language periodical articles, monographs, dissertations, reports and other materials on library instruction and information literacy published in 2020.
Findings
The paper provides a brief description of all 440 sources and highlights sources that contain unique or significant scholarly contributions.
Originality/value
The information may be used by librarians, researchers and anyone interested in a quick and comprehensive reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.
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The purpose of this paper is to argue that taking the educational purposes of schools into account is central to understanding the place and importance of facilities to learning…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to argue that taking the educational purposes of schools into account is central to understanding the place and importance of facilities to learning outcomes. The paper begins by observing that the research literature connecting facility conditions to student outcomes is mixed. A closer examination of this literature suggests that when school facilities are measured from an engineering perspective, little connection to learning outcomes is evident. By contrast, when school facilities are rated in terms of educational functions, a connection to learning outcomes is apparent.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper provides an empirical test of the educational relevance of how school facilities are measured. Using the schools in a Canadian division, the condition of school facilities was measured in two ways, including both conventional, engineering tools and a survey capturing principals' assessments. School facility ratings using these alternate measurement methods were correlated with schools' quality of teaching and learning environments (QTLE).
Findings
Two central findings emerge. First, engineering assessments of facilities are unrelated to the QTLE in schools. Second, educators' assessments of school facilities are systematically related to the QTLE in schools.
Originality/value
The findings indicate that more research needs to be directed at developing sound tools for measuring school facilities in terms of their educational relevance. In addition, school administrators need to reconsider policies that devalue the contribution that facilities make to learning outcomes.
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Measuring research’s policy influence is challenging, given the complexity of the policy process, the gradual nature of policy influence, and the time lag between research…
Abstract
Purpose
Measuring research’s policy influence is challenging, given the complexity of the policy process, the gradual nature of policy influence, and the time lag between research investment and impact. This paper assesses measurement approaches and discusses their merits and applications to overcome various hurdles.
Design/methodology/approach
Relevant articles and studies were selected and analyzed. First, the research-policy interface was revisited to understand their link and how research influences policy making. Second, the most common approaches for measuring policy influence were reviewed based on their features, strengths, and limitations.
Findings
The three approaches reviewed — pyramid, influencing, and results chain — have their respective strengths. Thus, research organizations planning to design a program for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of policy influence have to adopt the best possible features of each approach and develop a customized method depending on their objectives and overall M&E framework.
Originality/value
This paper fosters a deeper understanding of leveraging the three approaches.
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Westland Engineering Limited (WEL), part of GKN plc's Westland Group, has improved the heat treatment processes it uses in the manufacture of transmission system gears.