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1 – 10 of 132Chee Kai Chua, Kah Fai Leong, Chu Sing Lim and Trong Thien Vu
The purpose of this paper is to detail the development of a multimedia courseware that enhances the learning of rapid prototyping (RP) among professionals, senior year and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to detail the development of a multimedia courseware that enhances the learning of rapid prototyping (RP) among professionals, senior year and graduate students.
Design/methodology/approach
The design and development of the multimedia courseware is based on a âvisit a science museumâ concept where each topic can be accessed depending on the interests or the needs of users. Factors that influence learning curve such as structure of information, application of visual and auditory components and humanâcomputer interface are addressed and discussed.
Findings
Instructions using multimedia significantly enhances the education process of RP technology. Methods to produce a good multimedia courseware have been introduced.
Originality/value
This paper describes the latest version of the multimedia courseware which is an accompaniment to the third edition of the book entitled Rapid Prototyping: Principles & Applications published in 2009.
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Chien-Hsiung Chen and Weimin Zhai
The implementation of interaction design concepts to facilitate communication between users and shopping websites has gained increasing attention in recent years. Mouse hover is a…
Abstract
Purpose
The implementation of interaction design concepts to facilitate communication between users and shopping websites has gained increasing attention in recent years. Mouse hover is a vital interaction method for users to access shopping sites and significantly impacts their decision-making experience. A well-designed mouse hover function can effectively enhance the user's search performance and improve the user experience. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the dynamic prompt designs at the hover position and the degree of feedback transparency may affect the user's task performance and personal feelings when operating the hover function on the shopping website.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employed two independent variables in the experiments: dynamic prompt and background transparency of hover feedback. A between-subject design of 2 (single flicker and continuous flicker)Â ĂÂ 3 (transparency at 0%, 25%, and 50%) was adopted in the experiment. A total of 60 participants were invited to participate in the experiment using the purposive sampling method. Participants were asked to complete four operation tasks, and the time of each was recorded. They were then asked to complete the system usability scale (SUS) questionnaire and conduct subjective evaluations before they were briefly interviewed.
Findings
The generated results revealed that: (1) In the interaction with a shopping website, the degree of background transparency of hover feedback affected the participants' task performance. (2) The effect of a single flicker had significantly higher subjective evaluation results regarding the degree of rationality compared with a continuous flicker. (3) The participants' perceptions of the information clarity were affected when the background transparency of hover feedback was 50%. (4) The effect of a continuous flicker was better than that of a single flicker when the background transparency of hover feedback was 25%. The participants' attraction to a continuous flicker was significantly higher than that of a single flicker. Nonetheless, when the degree of background transparency was at 0% or 50%, the results were the opposite.
Originality/value
The findings generated from the research can be a reference for the development of hover operation in the user interface design for shopping websites.
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Saeid SadighZadeh and Marjan Kaedi
Online businesses require a deep understanding of their customersâ interests to innovate and develop new products and services. Users, on the other hand, rarely express their…
Abstract
Purpose
Online businesses require a deep understanding of their customersâ interests to innovate and develop new products and services. Users, on the other hand, rarely express their interests explicitly. The purpose of this study is to predict usersâ implicit interest in products of an online store based on their mouse behavior through various product page elements.
Design/methodology/approach
First, user mouse behavior data is collected throughout an online store website. Next, several mouse behavioral features on the product pages elements are extracted and finally, several models are extracted using machine learning techniques to predict a userâs interest in a product.
Findings
The results indicate that focusing on mouse behavior on various page elements improves user preference prediction accuracy compared to other available methods.
Research limitations/implications
User mouse behavior was used to predict consumer preferences in this study, therefore gathering additional data on user demography, personality dimensions and emotions may significantly aid in accurate prediction.
Originality/value
Mouse behavior is the most repeated behavior during Web page browsing through personal computers and laptops. It has been referred to as implicit feedback in some studies and an effective way to ascertain user preference. In these studies, mouse behavior is only assessed throughout the entire Web page, lacking a focus on different page elements. It is assumed that in online stores, user interaction with key elements of a product page, such as an image gallery, user reviews, a description and features and specifications, can be highly informative and aid in determining the userâs interest in that product.
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Mark DeSantis, Matthew McCarter and Abel Winn
The authors use laboratory experiments to test two self-assessment tax mechanisms for facilitating land assembly. One mechanism is incentive compatible with a complex tax…
Abstract
The authors use laboratory experiments to test two self-assessment tax mechanisms for facilitating land assembly. One mechanism is incentive compatible with a complex tax function, while the other uses a flat tax rate to mitigate implementation concerns. Sellers publicly declare a price for their land. Overstating its true value is penalized by using the declared price to assess a property tax; understating its value is penalized by allowing developers to buy the property at the declared price. The authors find that both mechanisms increase the rate of land assembly and gains from trade relative to a control in which sellersâ price declarations have no effect on their taxes. However, these effects are statistically insignificant or transitory. The assembly rates in our self-assessment treatments are markedly higher than those of prior experimental studies in which the buyer faces bargaining frictions, such as costly delay or capital constraints.
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James T. Mellone and David J. Williams
The purpose of this paper is to examine the best practices in web site redesign the authors established for its two interconnected parts, the web development process and web…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the best practices in web site redesign the authors established for its two interconnected parts, the web development process and web design. The paper demonstrates how best practices were applied to coordinate a library web site redesign project and to engineer the web site for optimum usability, resulting in the creation of a new improved web site.
Design/methodology/approach
A problemâsolution approach was used to analyze how the Queens College Libraries (QCL) fell behind in web technology and how it revitalized its web operations. The paper presents a detailed exposition of a three stage project, and provides reasons for adopting best practices in redesigning each web site area.
Findings
In a resourceâchallenged midâsized academic library, like QCL, it is still possible to create a fully functional easyâtoâuse web site.
Practical implications
The QCL experience has lessons for other libraries in similar circumstances. A midâsized academic library adopting a best practices approach to web redesign can successfully coordinate an open and inclusive development process and use public web standards to engineer a functional web site responsive to user needs.
Originality/value
Unlike other case studies of web redesign projects at academic libraries, this paper focus on both the web development process and web design, explicating the establishment and application of best practices for both areas.
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Kung Wong Lau, Chi Wai Kan and Pui Yuen Lee
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the use of stereoscopic virtual technology in textile and fashion studies in particular to the area of chemical experiment. The development…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the use of stereoscopic virtual technology in textile and fashion studies in particular to the area of chemical experiment. The development of a designed virtual platform, called Stereoscopic Chemical Laboratory (SCL), is introduced.
Design/methodology/approach
To implement the suggested educational approaches of SCL, a set of teaching and learning materials with emphasis on the application methods was revised from the existing subjects. The architecture of SCL includes building of virtual objects with the Autodesk software Maya and designing of interactivity by using Unity, a game engine system. Prototype version of the SCL has been passed to selected academic colleagues and students for further evaluation and application feedback.
Findings
Textile students can conduct laboratory experiments associated with coloration and finishing of textile technologies in a stereoscopic 3D and multisensory laboratory, and hence enhance their learning experience. With the use of SCL, students can learn relevant experiment tools, experimental processes, procedures, and safety and health precautions.
Originality/value
There is very limited educational or training approach in applying stereoscopic virtual reality in teaching activities. In the area of textile experiment, the authors could say it is virtual and does not exist in current research domains.
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Discusses how to deliver a library service via an intranet or the Internet, using our library as an example. The main emphasis is on setting up a service to suit an online…
Abstract
Discusses how to deliver a library service via an intranet or the Internet, using our library as an example. The main emphasis is on setting up a service to suit an online environment, designing userâfriendly pages to ensuring acceptance of the new service and training your users to make full use of it
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The aim of this article is to describe the genesis and structural components for an openâsource MusicXML digital library platform.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this article is to describe the genesis and structural components for an openâsource MusicXML digital library platform.
Design/methodology/approach
After briefly discussing music information retrieval within the context of emerging approaches to digital music notation formats, specifically MusicXML, the article discusses how the author's graduate school project evolved into a search and delivery platform for MusicXML files and their manifestations, with particular emphasis on the platform's underlying software structure. A discussion of the platform's end user interface and administrative scripts provides further explanation regarding how the system functions.
Findings
Although work remains to be done, digital libraries are poised to use MusicXML and its supporting software for the advancement of musicârelated services offered to patrons.
Originality/value
The paper discusses a proofâofâconcept, openâsource MusicXML digital library platform that may be of interest to librarians with and without musical and/or programming backgrounds.
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William D. Brink and M. Dale Stoel
The purpose of this study is to identify the specific skills and abilities within the broad category of data analytics that current business professionals believe are most…
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to identify the specific skills and abilities within the broad category of data analytics that current business professionals believe are most important for accounting graduates. Data analytics knowledge is clearly important, but this category is broad. Therefore, this study identifies the specific skills and abilities that are most important for accounting graduates so that faculty can create classroom materials most beneficial for the future accounting graduates. In 2013, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business developed new standards for accounting programs, including standard A7, related to information technology and analytics. The intent of the standard clearly focuses on increasing the level of technology and analytics studied within the accounting curriculum. However, the specific details and methods for achieving the intent of A7 remain an open question. This chapter uses prior research focused on business analytics education to identify potential analytic skills, tools, techniques, and management issues of concern within the accounting profession. A survey of 342 accounting professionals identifies suggested areas of analytic competencies for accounting graduates. Specifically, the authors find preferences for skills related to data interpretation and communication over any individual technical skills or statistical knowledge. These skills suggest a role for accountants as intermediaries who may need to translate analytic activities into business language. Post hoc, the authors examine the survey results for differences based on respondent characteristics. Interestingly, female respondents report lower beliefs about the importance of analytic skills. The authors also find some differences when examining different demographics within the respondents.
Judith Stoop, Paulien Kreutzer and Joost G. Kircz
The aim of this paper is to research the difference in reading and learning from print versus electronic media in a professional and educational setting. To what extent does the…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to research the difference in reading and learning from print versus electronic media in a professional and educational setting. To what extent does the materiality of the medium influence the efficiency and effectively of the reader? What is needed to create âdigital bornâ information rich texts? In part 2 changing presentations of educational texts on paper, LCD screen and through a mind map are addressed.
Design/methodology/approach
In depth comparative tests with a great number of subjects between print-on-paper, e-ink screens and LCD screens. In part 2 the results of learning from differently structured texts from paper, screen and mind maps respectively are reported. The subjects had to read the texts and subsequently had to answer knowledge questions about the content. Group discussions have been carried out thorough the test.
Findings
All tests show that print-on-paper is still a superior medium for learning and digesting complicated and elaborate texts, while electronic screens are appreciated for quick information gathering, communication and navigation. Electronic representations of information and knowledge demands that the structure of the writing has to change.
Research limitations/implications
Given the rapid development in electronic displays, many issues â in particular ergonomical â become a âmoving targetâ. An important limitation â which is one of the quests of this research â is the lack of sufficient genuine digital born texts.
Practical implications
The need is to start and review the writing process; the appearance but also the structure of information and knowledge rich texts. A second issue is the need to develop easy capabilities to make electronic texts as easy a âtoolâ as the print text with underlining, comments and notes.
Originality/value
This is deep qualitative research in comparison with quantitative tests and a comparison between professional information acquisition and learning
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