Priming Numbas for formative assessment in a first-year mathematics unit

This paper outlines an initiative that involved implementing ‘Numbas’ as a computer-based tool to support mathematics learning. ‘Numbas’ was implemented within the existing learning management system at Queensland University of Technology, where students engaged in formative assessment activities independently and were provided with automated feedback along the way. An initial evaluation was undertaken by learning designers using the ‘Assessment Design Decisions Framework’, and although more rigorous evaluation is underway, results indicate positive outcomes, and appropriate adjustment is likely to be made before rolling it out to other units within the School of Mathematical Sciences. This paper will be of interest to other educators looking for ways to embed independent computer-aided learning of mathematics.

COVID19 and Management Impact of Covid-19 on Education Management in Lebanon

With the emergence of Covid-19, education management raised eyebrows as schools and universities were the first ones to shift to computer aided learning technologies (CAT) with the vision that learning must never stop. ICT based learning methods have been widely applicable to this date.

Enhancing undergraduate engineering education quality through using computer-aided design software

The computer‐aided design software has been developed as a support aid for improving the creativity and the ability of students to understand the concept of the practice courses. Therefore, the study reviewed previous scientific studies associated with computer-aided learning (CAL) to identify the importance of CAL in supporting engineering education learning. Additionally, this study aimed to develop a vision for the future of education through the use of an effective technological means to reduce as much effort and time as possible in engineering departments. The results demonstrated that the use of CAL in engineering courses improved the quality of education and increased the ability of the student to solve complex engineering problems. Consequently, the authors recommend that the institute should conduct training courses for instructors in CAL/design/programme and their role in supporting engineering learning. Keywords: Computer-aided learning, education learning, engineering department, institute, problem-solving skills.

Words of encouragement: how praise delivered by a social robot changes children’s mindset for learning

This paper describes a longitudinal study in which children could interact unsupervised and at their own initiative with a fully autonomous computer aided learning (CAL) system situated in their classroom. The focus of this study was to investigate how the mindset of children is affected when delivering effort-related praise through a social robot. We deployed two versions: a CAL system that delivered praise through headphones only, and an otherwise identical CAL system that was extended with a social robot to deliver the praise. A total of 44 children interacted repeatedly with the CAL system in two consecutive learning tasks over the course of approximately four months. Overall, the results show that the participating children experienced a significant change in mindset. The effort-related praise that was delivered by a social robot seemed to have had a positive effect on children’s mindset, compared to the regular CAL system where we did not see a significant effect.

Introduction to Computer-Aided Learning

In modern times, technology has taken on a dominant role in many aspects of human life, and computeraided learning (CAL) is an educational tool that makes learning easier. By employing user interface (UI) design it is easy for students to access learning materials and relevant courses. UI design is an important factor for designing useful and usable CAL to appeal to a wide range of users by making the system flexible, attractive, interactive and easy to use.

A Multi-Nodal Approach to Teaching Literature-In-French at Tertiary Levels

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to propose solutions to the problems posed by the teaching of Literature-in-French to the Anglophone learner who has not gained mastery of the appropriate collocations, registers, jargons and expressions that can adequately describe an experience, an emotion or a philosophical position as to be able to analytically engage in the debates or polemics raised by the author of a literary text.Methodology: The methodology used is explanatory and historical in which the brief account of French language teaching and its importance to the Nigerian economy is traced; the foundational teaching at the secondary and teacher training levels and French teaching for special purposes are fundamental to mastery and ability to communicate and engage in literary analyses, which is the major discourse. The teaching of French is explored and the practice of traditional approaches is juxtaposed with the innovative multi-nodal approach, developed from the author’s over thirty years of tertiary teaching.Findings: The findings are that a multi-nodal approach to teaching Literature-in-French to Anglophone learners will improve their linguistic and communicative abilities and is a predictor of better achievement in French.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This research has proposed a multi-nodal technique for teaching Nigerian students whose limited lexical and syntactical competencies in French do not allow for elaborate analysis of literary subjects. The implication for teaching literature-in-French is that it will be theory based, the type that falls within the experience of learners and that they can discuss with ease. The multi-nodal approach comprises of other innovative activities like translation, comparative study, computer-aided learning, students’ participation in roles plays, skits and in particular the use of easy-to-read texts. All these activities combined should enable an all-round achievement in French language and literary performance