Números Publicados > Volumen y Número

Title- A Comparative Study of Supporting Tools for the Creation of Learning Objects

Abstract- This paper presents an experiment that evaluates the usefulness, usability and time spent developing a learning object (LO) of two tools that support the creation of LO's (exe-Learning and Reload Editor). 21 professors from upper secondary educational institution from Mexico (CONALEP) were randomly assigned to each tool; performing same tasks under controlled conditions. By a small difference, results suggest that Reload Editor is significantly more useful than exe-Learning. Regarding time spent developing a LO, results suggest a significant difference of 33% in favor of Reload Editor. Finally, results suggest that both tools are perceived with the same level of usability.

Index Terms- learning objects, authoring tools, utility, usability, experiment.

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Title- A Two-Stage Assessment of the Remote Engineering Lab VISIR at Al-Quds University in Palestine

Abstract- Os laboratórios de ciência e engenharia desempenham um papel fundamental na demonstração de conceitos e princípios, bem como na melhoria das competências técnicas. Com a introdução de laboratórios remotos foi possível partilhar dispositivos, equipamento e instrumentação entre universidades. Mais, eles evitam restrições de tempo e espaço, sendo capazes de se adaptar ao ritmo próprio de cada estudante, no caso do tempo passado no laboratório não ter sido suficiente. Neste artigo é descrito um estudo empírico, dividido em duas fases de avaliação. Na primeira fase foi avaliada a flexibilidade de aplicação do laboratório remoto em engenharia VISIR na faculdade de engenharia na Universidade de Al-Quds em Jerusalém, Palestina. Durante esta fase foi ainda avaliada a aceitação desta tecnologia, pelos estudantes, quando em interação com os laboratórios tradicionais. Na segunda fase deste estudo, que decorrerá em 2014/15, será realizada uma aprofundada análise comparativa de forma a caracterizar o VISIR perante as restantes modalidades de laboratórios de engenharia, os práticos/presenciais e os de simulação. Estas três formas de laboratório são comparadas através de testes experimentais, tendo em atenção os critérios de avaliação definidos para os laboratórios de ensino de engenharia e de acordo com os objetivos fundamentais dos cursos, nomeadamente, as taxas de retenção e de satisfação dos estudantes, bem como do seu desempenho

Index Terms- Avaliação comparativa, critérios de projeto, instrumentos de inspeção, laboratório-remoto, VISIR.

Title- Tic@ula: Designing a technological tool for supporting literacy for children with special intellectual capacities.

Abstract- Literacy development is an essential process for people with intellectual disabilities. Otherwise, they will have additional difficulties in their daily life activities and hence their social inclusion. It is a big challenge for parents and teachers, but it is easier if the process begins since children. In this paper we present Tic@ula, a web framework for creating, centralizing and sharing learning objects based on IEEE LOM standard. Tic@ula pretends to enhance the adaptation of the resources for literacy to the Costa Rican reality and extend its application to children with moderate intellectual disability. The resources are based on the literacy method proposed by Spanish authors in their book "Down syndrome: reading and writing". The method and the resources were evaluated in a case of study. The preliminary results showed that the method not only can be applied in local context but also assists to teachers and parents to design and use literacy resources for special education.

Index Terms- children with intellectual disabilities, IEEE LOM standard, learning objects, literacy acquisition, virtual repository

Title- Remote Laboratory eLab3D, a Complementary Resource in Engineering Education

Abstract- Experimental training is essential in developing the whole set of skills that an engineer must acquire. Therefore, any resource that involves an improvement in the practical training is an issue of interest to the academia. eLab3D is an electronics remote laboratory based on a configurable hardware and 3D virtual world, that allows students to perform real experiments with analog electronic circuits. This article provides a SWOT analysis about remote laboratories compiled from recent publications and presents some relevant results of the use of eLab3D in real educational contexts, concerning the teachers' assessment of its potential and the students' perceived satisfaction.

Index Terms- Remote laboratory, electronic experiments, engineering education, virtual worlds, eLearning

Title- MODEBOTS: Environment for Programming Robots for Children of 4-6 years old.

Abstract- Learning to program in early age helps children to develop some capabilities as logical thinking, problem solving and creativity. By incorporating robotics in programming children can learn in a concrete and funny way, collaborating with each other. The research project presented in this paper describes the first prototype that implement a programming environment for robots using mobile devices, for early childhood children - 4 to 6 years old. This prototype is fully functional and allows bluetooth communication one by one. We expect our research will contribute to Human-Computer Interface field, providing a new interface to support the learning process of programming in preschoolers’ kids.

Index Terms- early childhood, first prototype, mobile devices, programming environment, programming learning process, robotics.

Title- Virtual Learning Environment for the Study of the Discovery of the Electron.

Abstract- This paper describes both the construction of a system to remotely access and control a didactic and real experiment to determine the charge-to-mass ratio of the electron and the development of a virtual learning environment (VLE) in which the remote experiment is inserted. The experimental apparatus is similar to that used by Joseph John Thomson in 1897 which resulted in the discovery of the electron. The remote experiment can be accessed through the internet by a personal computer or by a mobile device under Android operating system. Results of an experimental and remote determination ot the charge-to-mass ratio of the electron is presented as well as an analisys of the VLE usability.

Index Terms- high school education, open laboratory, remote experiment, scientific education, virtual learning environment, WebLab