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1 – 10 of over 1000Magdalena Mo Ching Mok and Yin Cheong Cheng
Aims to develop a theoretical model for understanding and enhancing effective self‐learning in a networked human and information technology (IT) environment. Recent educational…
Abstract
Aims to develop a theoretical model for understanding and enhancing effective self‐learning in a networked human and information technology (IT) environment. Recent educational reforms in different parts of the world emphasize that independent self‐learning throughout the life span is a sine qua non of education. Parallel to this is the development that the Internet and information technology have changed the modes of teaching and learning fundamentally and created unlimited opportunities for learning. There is an urgent need to develop a theory or model that can be used to deepen the understanding of the nature and process of self‐learning and facilitate students becoming highly motivated and effective self‐learners with the support of a networked human and IT environment. The implications drawn from the theory can contribute to the paradigm shift of education in current worldwide education reforms.
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Xiaoliang Qian, Heqing Zhang, Cunxiang Yang, Yuanyuan Wu, Zhendong He, Qing-E Wu and Huanlong Zhang
This paper aims to improve the generalization capability of feature extraction scheme by introducing a micro-cracks detection method based on self-learning features. Micro-cracks…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to improve the generalization capability of feature extraction scheme by introducing a micro-cracks detection method based on self-learning features. Micro-cracks detection of multicrystalline solar cell surface based on machine vision is fast, economical, intelligent and easier for on-line detection. However, the generalization capability of feature extraction scheme adopted by existed methods is limited, which has become an obstacle for further improving the detection accuracy.
Design/methodology/approach
A novel micro-cracks detection method based on self-learning features and low-rank matrix recovery is proposed in this paper. First, the input image is preprocessed to suppress the noises and remove the busbars and fingers. Second, a self-learning feature extraction scheme in which the feature extraction templates are changed along with the input image is introduced. Third, the low-rank matrix recovery is applied to the decomposition of self-learning feature matrix for obtaining the preliminary detection result. Fourth, the preliminary detection result is optimized by incorporating the superpixel segmentation. Finally, the optimized result is further fine-tuned by morphological postprocessing.
Findings
Comprehensive evaluations are implemented on a data set which includes 120 testing images and corresponding human-annotated ground truth. Specifically, subjective evaluations show that the shape of detected micro-cracks is similar to the ground truth, and objective evaluations demonstrate that the proposed method has a high detection accuracy.
Originality/value
First, a self-learning feature extraction method which has good generalization capability is proposed. Second, the low-rank matrix recovery is combined with superpixel segmentation for locating the defective regions.
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The purpose of this paper is to present an exploratory analysis of the blog sites built by older adults and public libraries in Taiwan in order to explore what improvements public…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an exploratory analysis of the blog sites built by older adults and public libraries in Taiwan in order to explore what improvements public library blogs can make to support self‐learning for older adults.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was conducted in three stages: location of blogs built by older adults that meet the search criteria; location of blogs built by public libraries in Taiwan; and examination of data related to the blog posts by adopting a content analysis methodology.
Findings
The content of blogs built by older adults is categorised into eight major themes, i.e. spiritual growth and religion, health and medicine, leisure activities, learning, food, politics, investment, and selling. Blogs built by public libraries concentrate on four dimensions, i.e. news or announcements, library instruction materials, learning information or materials, and book clubs. Only a few blogs support self‐learning by supplying learning materials and/or initiating learning activities.
Research limitations/implications
This study has two limitations: there are cut‐off dates for the target content (31 January 2010 for blogs built by older adults and 28 February 2010 for blogs built by public libraries in Taiwan); and it is possible that some of the blogs targeted were not detected and identified.
Practical implications
The paper is useful as an introduction for public libraries to build or redesign their blogs, so that they can support self‐learning for senior citizens.
Originality/value
This study represents a timely analysis of rapidly growing blogs built by older adults and public libraries and makes an original contribution by identifying what has not been discussed in the literature.
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Lin Jia, Lijuan Huang, Zhijun Yan, Dianne Hall, Jiahe Song and David Paradice
Although the use of instant messaging (IM) at work has been studied in the IS field, its effective use and impact on performance have not been adequately addressed. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Although the use of instant messaging (IM) at work has been studied in the IS field, its effective use and impact on performance have not been adequately addressed. The purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents and consequences of the effective use of IM at work by adapting Burton-Jones and Grange’s theory of effective use.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors introduce “Comprehensive IM policy” as a facilitator of adaptation and learning actions to improve the effective use of IM, which will improve communication quality and productivity. The impact of IM competence on effective use is also discussed. Based on a survey of 215 managers, this study applies the partial least square technique to test the research model.
Findings
The results indicate that comprehensive IM policy encourages adaptation and learning actions, which improve the effective use of IM and thereafter improve communication quality and productivity. Meanwhile, IM competence has a substitutive interaction effect with IM reconfiguration and self-learning on effective use.
Originality/value
The results refine the general theory of effective use and provide managers with an approach to leverage IM use at work for performance gains.
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In this article, we return to a piece of work we did with two NHS trusts in the mid 1990s that focused squarely on tackling institutional racism. We do this for two reasons…
Abstract
In this article, we return to a piece of work we did with two NHS trusts in the mid 1990s that focused squarely on tackling institutional racism. We do this for two reasons. First, because we feel that the current context for equalities may be obscuring the need to continue to find ways to tackle institutional racism. Second, we brought together very achievable survey and group work techniques in a co‐produced process, which makes tackling institutional racism less laden with rhetoric and much more of a practical proposition. This article articulates a three‐staged approach to identifying racism operating inside the trusts, an appraisal of the experience of black patients and the development of learning groups. In these learning groups, black and white practitioners and managers engaged with each other on their impacts and relationships with black patients, thereby changing their practices with all patients. What achieves equality of health service response from this experience is the creation of an environment in which practitioners can become self‐motivated in re‐working ‘with and for themselves’ the way they work with patients based on a recognition of racial identities in service relationships.
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Dan Bouhnik, Yahel Giat and Yafit Sanderovitch
The purpose of this study is to characterize learning from asynchronous sources among research and development (R&D) personnel. It aims to examine four aspects of asynchronous…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to characterize learning from asynchronous sources among research and development (R&D) personnel. It aims to examine four aspects of asynchronous source learning: employee preferences regarding self‐learning; extent of source usage; employee satisfaction with these sources and the effect of the sources on the workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 120 R&D employees of a high‐tech firm were administered questionnaires consisting of open‐ended and close‐ended questions regarding different features of asynchronous learning.
Findings
The study finds that a synchronous sources are highly utilized by employees and are used both for general‐purpose learning and solving specific problems. Despite the high usage and satisfaction from these sources, we do not find evidence to support the creation of an expert community of practice.
Research limitations/implications
The research is limited to a single, albeit large, firm. Possibly, in different organizational, cultural or geographical settings, expert communities of knowledge may be created in a more pronounced manner.
Practical implications
Managers should: consult with employees as to what they need most to complement the asynchronous sources; put more emphasize on measuring satisfaction from asynchronous sources to predict the value of these sources to the organization; and encourage and ensure the creation of an expert community of practice and support and maintain it thereafter.
Originality/value
Empirical research about the implications of asynchronous sources on the workplace is scarce. This paper complements previous research and provides new insight into understanding these effects.
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The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel improved teaching and learning-based algorithm (TLBO) to enhance its convergence ability and solution accuracy, making it more…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel improved teaching and learning-based algorithm (TLBO) to enhance its convergence ability and solution accuracy, making it more suitable for solving large-scale optimization issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing multiple cooperation mechanisms in teaching and learning processes, an improved TBLO named CTLBO (collectivism teaching-learning-based optimization) is developed. This algorithm introduces a new preparation phase before the teaching and learning phases and applies multiple teacher–learner cooperation strategies in teaching and learning processes. Applying modularization idea, based on the configuration structure of operators of CTLBO, six variants of CTLBO are constructed. For identifying the best configuration, 30 general benchmark functions are tested. Then, three experiments using CEC2020 (2020 IEEE Conference on Evolutionary Computation)-constrained optimization problems are conducted to compare CTLBO with other algorithms. At last, a large-scale industrial engineering problem is taken as the application case.
Findings
Experiment with 30 general unconstrained benchmark functions indicates that CTLBO-c is the best configuration of all variants of CTLBO. Three experiments using CEC2020-constrained optimization problems show that CTLBO is one powerful algorithm for solving large-scale constrained optimization problems. The application case of industrial engineering problem shows that CTLBO and its variant CTLBO-c can effectively solve the large-scale real problem, while the accuracies of TLBO and other meta-heuristic algorithm are far lower than CLTBO and CTLBO-c, revealing that CTLBO and its variants can far outperform other algorithms. CTLBO is an excellent algorithm for solving large-scale complex optimization issues.
Originality/value
The innovation of this paper lies in the improvement strategies in changing the original TLBO with two-phase teaching–learning mechanism to a new algorithm CTLBO with three-phase multiple cooperation teaching–learning mechanism, self-learning mechanism in teaching and group teaching mechanism. CTLBO has important application value in solving large-scale optimization problems.
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Wing‐Ming Cheung and Yin Cheong Cheng
Argues for the importance of self‐management in ensuring quality of teacher performance. Aims to propose a framework of teacher self‐management and draw implications for teacher…
Abstract
Argues for the importance of self‐management in ensuring quality of teacher performance. Aims to propose a framework of teacher self‐management and draw implications for teacher training. Teacher self‐management is a continuous process comprising two self‐propelling cycles. The major cycle consists of five sequential stages, in which teachers as strategic actors will be aware of the changing education environment and able to readjust their personal goals and action plans to meet emerging challenges. The support cycle facilitates action learning in various stages of the major cycle. Practising in the major and support cycles, teachers may develop the necessary self‐renewal and competence for ensuring the quality of their professional work in the changing environment. From this conception of self‐management, the traditional staff development practice in school can be re‐engineered to maximize opportunities for facilitating teachers’ self‐management and self‐learning. For both pre‐service and in‐service teacher training, the self‐management theory can also bring alternative ideas for reforming teacher education programmes and preparing teachers for quality performance in a changing education environment. The implications should be useful not only to educational organizations but also to other professional organizations.
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This study aims to analyze the engagement of community members in an English as a second language (ESL) live broadcast. A platform for encouraging language and culture learning in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the engagement of community members in an English as a second language (ESL) live broadcast. A platform for encouraging language and culture learning in ESL was planned and implemented. Research purposes were to explore the following aspects for engaging students’ participation: operation-monitoring, planning and implementation, incentives and motives, interactions with multiple formats and challenges.
Design/methodology/approach
The platform used for the ESL live broadcast was Open Broadcaster Software Studio. Through the live videos and instant messages delivered by the network, real-time interactions from different virtual sites were achieved. Observations and operation documentation were recorded. Interviews with the teacher, the library administrator and the students were carried out for collecting data. Inductive analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data from the different sources.
Findings
It was observed that the ESL broadcast reached a great number of users weekly. To engage the ESL broadcast community, efforts to monitor and plan for implementation were made. Students were encouraged by both external incentives and internal motivation. Managing the connectivity problems was essential for guaranteeing the quality of the real-time interactions. From their experiences, the participants were positive about the broadcast approach to learning ESL. More diverse topics and alternatives for oral interactions in the class are suggested in future implementations.
Research limitations/implications
The implementation of the ESL live broadcast provides a model for inviting members within the university community to engage in the language and culture learning. The research is preliminary and is limited to a specific university. Future research on diverse learning settings is needed.
Originality/value
The findings of this study will contribute to the research in streaming media interactions. The case might be applied to other settings and other subject domains.
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Unlike common evaluation procedures where students are only used to gather information without being involved in the utilisation of the information, the procedure applied in this…
Abstract
Purpose
Unlike common evaluation procedures where students are only used to gather information without being involved in the utilisation of the information, the procedure applied in this study involved students in the process of implementing the gathered information in the improvement of learning and the development of a student-centred learning resource. This study aims to improve learning by involving students in the improvement process through appreciative inquiry (AI) and give students a different teaching method.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, AI was used to identify the best of an existing learning resource; co-envisioning the possibilities that can improve the learning resource and co-constructing the possibilities along with the students that will benefit from the improved learning resource.
Findings
Through the five phases of AI, students generated ideas for improving the learning resource and the ideas were implemented in creating an improved learning resource. The improved learning resource was evaluated by other students that did not participate in creating the improved learning resource. Majority of the students said the improved learning resource was more impactful on their learning, better than the original learning resource.
Originality/value
AI has hitherto been mostly focussed on other aspects of teaching and learning than aspects that require subject knowledge such as the development of teaching and learning resources. Hence, in this study, students were engaged as co-creators in developing a student-centred self-learning study manual.
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