The International Journal of Learning: Annual Review, 2007
An established conception in Higher Education is that learning sessions start at the beginning of... more An established conception in Higher Education is that learning sessions start at the beginning of lectures and finish when the lecture ends. This is common among lecturers and students. However, this is not the case in Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL). At the University ...
This case-study describes the continued evaluation and development of a level-two module, Religio... more This case-study describes the continued evaluation and development of a level-two module, Religion, Culture and Gender. The main aim of this project was to support students' experiential learning of issues and challenges in inter-faith dialogue and other inter-dialogues. The emancipatory theories of feminism that underlie the module are reflected in the pedagogical approach of EBL, which emphasises the active role of the learner in knowledge construction and the link between theory and experience. These are further reflected in the participatory approach taken in the evaluation.
Two orthogonally aligned liquid crystal lenses with spherical Fresnel zone plate electrode config... more Two orthogonally aligned liquid crystal lenses with spherical Fresnel zone plate electrode configurations have been demonstrated to focus an unpolarised broadband object with resulting good quality images. Switch on times of 15ms are reported along with modulation depths of 91.5%.
Abstract- Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year, Electrical and Electronic... more Abstract- Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year, Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) module Optoelectronic Devices and Systems. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an instance of EBL, where the students ’ enquiry into a topic is triggered by an initial problem or scenario. This module begins with a PBL exercise, which covers display devices. The students are asked to imagine that they are a small company that is about to develop a new large screen High Definition Television (HDTV) consumer product for the market in a few years. This links enquiry into existing and emerging display technologies with the specification and standards for HDTV. It also requires the students to project market trends and technological advances into the near future. Key decisions in the design of the scenario, consideration
As humans start to spend more time in collaborative virtual environment (CVE), coordinating the i... more As humans start to spend more time in collaborative virtual environment (CVE), coordinating the interaction between the humans in these environments is becoming increasingly important. We have been investigating one aspect of such coordination, namely the issue of an avatar’s “personal space”. Intuitively it can be expected that CVE users might decrease their task performance when their avatar personal space is invaded since this socially unacceptable act tends to cause anxiety. To investigate the effect of personal space invasion on a user’s task performance, we have conducted a controlled experiment measuring the effect of personal space invasion on a user’s task performance. The results of the experiment suggest that a user whose personal space is invaded performs more slowly than a user whose avatar’s personal space is not invaded
This paper describes the use of problem-based Learning (PBL) in the delivery of a level 3 unit: D... more This paper describes the use of problem-based Learning (PBL) in the delivery of a level 3 unit: Design and Implementation of VLSI Systems. A “hybrid ” approach has been taken with lectures being interleaved with floating facilitator, PBL sessions. A series of four problems were presented during the course of the unit, each problem
Abstract- Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year module Robotics. Problem-B... more Abstract- Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year module Robotics. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an instance of EBL, where the students ’ enquiry into a topic is triggered by an initial scenario. A PBL scenario was introduced towards the end of this module, where the students are asked to act as consultants engaged in a systems integration activity for a selected industrial automation process. The scenario requires the selection and integration of automated material handling components, including conveyer belts, robots and sensors. Being at the end of the module, this activity provides an opportunity for the integration of earlier module content into the activity, as well as the finding, analysis and synthesis of new information. Key decisions in the design of the scenario, consideration of
Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year, Electrical and Electronic Engine er... more Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year, Electrical and Electronic Engine ering (EEE) module Optoelectronic Devices and Systems. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an instance of EBL, where the students' enquiry into a topic is trigger ed by an initial problem or scenario. This module begins with a PBL exercise, which covers display devices. The stu dents are asked to imagine that they are a small company that is about to develop a new large screen High Definit ion Television (HDTV) consumer product for the market in a few years. This links enquiry into existing and eme rging display technologies with the specification and sta ndards for HDTV. It also requires the students to project market trends and technological advances into the near fut ure. Key decisions in the design of the scenario, consid eration of the learning environment and the form of assessment are described, emphasising flexibility in approach and sensitivity to the context of this development. ...
Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year module Robotics. Problem-Based Learn... more Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year module Robotics. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an instance of EBL, where the students' enquiry into a topic is triggered by an i nitial scenario. A PBL scenario was introduced towards the end of this module, where the students are asked to act as consultants engaged in a systems integration activi ty for a selected industrial automation process. The scenari o requires the selection and integration of automated material handling components, including conveyer belts, robots and sensors. Being at the end of the module, this activity provides an opportunity for the integratio n of earlier module content into the activity, as well a s the finding, analysis and synthesis of new information. Key decisions in the design of the scenario, considerat ion of the learning environment and the form of assessment are described, emphasising flexibility in approach and sensitivity to the context of this development. This development i...
At present there is considerable interest in fixed binary optic systems made by micro- fabricatio... more At present there is considerable interest in fixed binary optic systems made by micro- fabrication techniques to produce arrays of miniature optical components for the control of light. These devices essentially replicate the phase curvature of their macroscopic counterparts by a 2n level substrate etched using n binary masks, the approximation being tolerated because of the multiplicity achieved. There exists
ABSTRACT As humans start to spend more time in collaborative virtual environments (CVEs) it becom... more ABSTRACT As humans start to spend more time in collaborative virtual environments (CVEs) it becomes important to study their interactions in such environments. One aspect of such interactions is personal space. To begin to address this, we have conducted empirical investigations in a non immersive virtual environment: an experiment to investigate the influence on personal space of avatar gender, and an observational study to further explore the existence of personal space. Experimental results give some evidence to suggest that avatar gender has an influence on personal space although the participants did not register high personal space invasion anxiety, contrary to what one might expect from personal space invasion in the physical world. The observational study suggests that personal space does exist in CVEs, as the users tend to maintain, in a similar way to the physical world, a distance when they are interacting with each other. Our studies provide an improved understanding of personal space in CVEs and the results can be used to further enhance the usability of these environments.
Proceedings of The 7th ACM SIGGRAPH International Conference on Virtual-Reality Continuum and Its Applications in Industry - VRCAI '08, 2008
ABSTRACT While personal space invasion anxiety has been studied widely in the physical world, lit... more ABSTRACT While personal space invasion anxiety has been studied widely in the physical world, little research has been conducted about it in virtual reality environments. This paper, then, discusses and evaluates the anxiety level caused by personal space invasion in a virtual reality environment (VRE) using two different methodologies. The results of the two approached did not straightforwardly parallel each other and possible reasons for that are presented and discussed.
In a world where interaction is a significant part of everyday life, personal space (PS) – an inv... more In a world where interaction is a significant part of everyday life, personal space (PS) – an invisible bubble surrounding human body -is important. This is because PS functions as a comfort zone during interaction, a factor in designing physical environments, and invading such space produces anxiety and discomfort. Little is known, however, about how personal space might operate in virtual environments and what features the interface model of these environments should incorporate in order to reduce the anxiety produced by the invasions of such space in these environments. To begin to address this, we have conducted two experiments concerning personal space invasions (PSI) in collaborative virtual environments (CVE). Results suggest that reactions to PSI in CVE tend to differ in various ways from reactions to PSI in the physical world though some participants experienced anxiety when their avatar personal space was invaded. Recommendations to incorporate some features in the interfa...
As humans start to spend more time in collaborative virtual environment (CVE), coordinating the i... more As humans start to spend more time in collaborative virtual environment (CVE), coordinating the interaction between the humans in these environments is becoming increasingly important. We have been investigating one aspect of such coordination, namely the issue of an avatar's "personal space". Intuitively it can be expected that CVE users might decrease their task performance when their avatar personal space is invaded since this socially unacceptable act tends to cause anxiety. To investigate the effect of personal space invasion on a user's task performance, we have conducted a controlled experiment measuring the effect of personal space invasion on a user's task performance. The results of the experiment suggest that a user whose personal space is invaded performs more slowly than a user whose avatar's personal space is not invaded
This paper describes the use of problem-based Learning (PBL) in the delivery of a level 3 unit: D... more This paper describes the use of problem-based Learning (PBL) in the delivery of a level 3 unit: Design and Implementation of VLSI Systems. A "hybrid" approach has been taken with lectures being interleaved with floating facilitator, PBL sessions. A series of four problems were presented during the course of the unit, each problem focusing on a different aspect of the
International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education, 2008
Abstract: Four different instances of enquiry-based learning (EBL), developed in a School of Elec... more Abstract: Four different instances of enquiry-based learning (EBL), developed in a School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, are described. Key decisions in the design of these activities are detailed, emphasising flexibility in approach. Although the activities took ...
The International Journal of Learning: Annual Review, 2007
An established conception in Higher Education is that learning sessions start at the beginning of... more An established conception in Higher Education is that learning sessions start at the beginning of lectures and finish when the lecture ends. This is common among lecturers and students. However, this is not the case in Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL). At the University ...
This case-study describes the continued evaluation and development of a level-two module, Religio... more This case-study describes the continued evaluation and development of a level-two module, Religion, Culture and Gender. The main aim of this project was to support students' experiential learning of issues and challenges in inter-faith dialogue and other inter-dialogues. The emancipatory theories of feminism that underlie the module are reflected in the pedagogical approach of EBL, which emphasises the active role of the learner in knowledge construction and the link between theory and experience. These are further reflected in the participatory approach taken in the evaluation.
Two orthogonally aligned liquid crystal lenses with spherical Fresnel zone plate electrode config... more Two orthogonally aligned liquid crystal lenses with spherical Fresnel zone plate electrode configurations have been demonstrated to focus an unpolarised broadband object with resulting good quality images. Switch on times of 15ms are reported along with modulation depths of 91.5%.
Abstract- Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year, Electrical and Electronic... more Abstract- Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year, Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) module Optoelectronic Devices and Systems. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an instance of EBL, where the students ’ enquiry into a topic is triggered by an initial problem or scenario. This module begins with a PBL exercise, which covers display devices. The students are asked to imagine that they are a small company that is about to develop a new large screen High Definition Television (HDTV) consumer product for the market in a few years. This links enquiry into existing and emerging display technologies with the specification and standards for HDTV. It also requires the students to project market trends and technological advances into the near future. Key decisions in the design of the scenario, consideration
As humans start to spend more time in collaborative virtual environment (CVE), coordinating the i... more As humans start to spend more time in collaborative virtual environment (CVE), coordinating the interaction between the humans in these environments is becoming increasingly important. We have been investigating one aspect of such coordination, namely the issue of an avatar’s “personal space”. Intuitively it can be expected that CVE users might decrease their task performance when their avatar personal space is invaded since this socially unacceptable act tends to cause anxiety. To investigate the effect of personal space invasion on a user’s task performance, we have conducted a controlled experiment measuring the effect of personal space invasion on a user’s task performance. The results of the experiment suggest that a user whose personal space is invaded performs more slowly than a user whose avatar’s personal space is not invaded
This paper describes the use of problem-based Learning (PBL) in the delivery of a level 3 unit: D... more This paper describes the use of problem-based Learning (PBL) in the delivery of a level 3 unit: Design and Implementation of VLSI Systems. A “hybrid ” approach has been taken with lectures being interleaved with floating facilitator, PBL sessions. A series of four problems were presented during the course of the unit, each problem
Abstract- Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year module Robotics. Problem-B... more Abstract- Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year module Robotics. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an instance of EBL, where the students ’ enquiry into a topic is triggered by an initial scenario. A PBL scenario was introduced towards the end of this module, where the students are asked to act as consultants engaged in a systems integration activity for a selected industrial automation process. The scenario requires the selection and integration of automated material handling components, including conveyer belts, robots and sensors. Being at the end of the module, this activity provides an opportunity for the integration of earlier module content into the activity, as well as the finding, analysis and synthesis of new information. Key decisions in the design of the scenario, consideration of
Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year, Electrical and Electronic Engine er... more Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year, Electrical and Electronic Engine ering (EEE) module Optoelectronic Devices and Systems. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an instance of EBL, where the students' enquiry into a topic is trigger ed by an initial problem or scenario. This module begins with a PBL exercise, which covers display devices. The stu dents are asked to imagine that they are a small company that is about to develop a new large screen High Definit ion Television (HDTV) consumer product for the market in a few years. This links enquiry into existing and eme rging display technologies with the specification and sta ndards for HDTV. It also requires the students to project market trends and technological advances into the near fut ure. Key decisions in the design of the scenario, consid eration of the learning environment and the form of assessment are described, emphasising flexibility in approach and sensitivity to the context of this development. ...
Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year module Robotics. Problem-Based Learn... more Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) was developed in the third-year module Robotics. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an instance of EBL, where the students' enquiry into a topic is triggered by an i nitial scenario. A PBL scenario was introduced towards the end of this module, where the students are asked to act as consultants engaged in a systems integration activi ty for a selected industrial automation process. The scenari o requires the selection and integration of automated material handling components, including conveyer belts, robots and sensors. Being at the end of the module, this activity provides an opportunity for the integratio n of earlier module content into the activity, as well a s the finding, analysis and synthesis of new information. Key decisions in the design of the scenario, considerat ion of the learning environment and the form of assessment are described, emphasising flexibility in approach and sensitivity to the context of this development. This development i...
At present there is considerable interest in fixed binary optic systems made by micro- fabricatio... more At present there is considerable interest in fixed binary optic systems made by micro- fabrication techniques to produce arrays of miniature optical components for the control of light. These devices essentially replicate the phase curvature of their macroscopic counterparts by a 2n level substrate etched using n binary masks, the approximation being tolerated because of the multiplicity achieved. There exists
ABSTRACT As humans start to spend more time in collaborative virtual environments (CVEs) it becom... more ABSTRACT As humans start to spend more time in collaborative virtual environments (CVEs) it becomes important to study their interactions in such environments. One aspect of such interactions is personal space. To begin to address this, we have conducted empirical investigations in a non immersive virtual environment: an experiment to investigate the influence on personal space of avatar gender, and an observational study to further explore the existence of personal space. Experimental results give some evidence to suggest that avatar gender has an influence on personal space although the participants did not register high personal space invasion anxiety, contrary to what one might expect from personal space invasion in the physical world. The observational study suggests that personal space does exist in CVEs, as the users tend to maintain, in a similar way to the physical world, a distance when they are interacting with each other. Our studies provide an improved understanding of personal space in CVEs and the results can be used to further enhance the usability of these environments.
Proceedings of The 7th ACM SIGGRAPH International Conference on Virtual-Reality Continuum and Its Applications in Industry - VRCAI '08, 2008
ABSTRACT While personal space invasion anxiety has been studied widely in the physical world, lit... more ABSTRACT While personal space invasion anxiety has been studied widely in the physical world, little research has been conducted about it in virtual reality environments. This paper, then, discusses and evaluates the anxiety level caused by personal space invasion in a virtual reality environment (VRE) using two different methodologies. The results of the two approached did not straightforwardly parallel each other and possible reasons for that are presented and discussed.
In a world where interaction is a significant part of everyday life, personal space (PS) – an inv... more In a world where interaction is a significant part of everyday life, personal space (PS) – an invisible bubble surrounding human body -is important. This is because PS functions as a comfort zone during interaction, a factor in designing physical environments, and invading such space produces anxiety and discomfort. Little is known, however, about how personal space might operate in virtual environments and what features the interface model of these environments should incorporate in order to reduce the anxiety produced by the invasions of such space in these environments. To begin to address this, we have conducted two experiments concerning personal space invasions (PSI) in collaborative virtual environments (CVE). Results suggest that reactions to PSI in CVE tend to differ in various ways from reactions to PSI in the physical world though some participants experienced anxiety when their avatar personal space was invaded. Recommendations to incorporate some features in the interfa...
As humans start to spend more time in collaborative virtual environment (CVE), coordinating the i... more As humans start to spend more time in collaborative virtual environment (CVE), coordinating the interaction between the humans in these environments is becoming increasingly important. We have been investigating one aspect of such coordination, namely the issue of an avatar's "personal space". Intuitively it can be expected that CVE users might decrease their task performance when their avatar personal space is invaded since this socially unacceptable act tends to cause anxiety. To investigate the effect of personal space invasion on a user's task performance, we have conducted a controlled experiment measuring the effect of personal space invasion on a user's task performance. The results of the experiment suggest that a user whose personal space is invaded performs more slowly than a user whose avatar's personal space is not invaded
This paper describes the use of problem-based Learning (PBL) in the delivery of a level 3 unit: D... more This paper describes the use of problem-based Learning (PBL) in the delivery of a level 3 unit: Design and Implementation of VLSI Systems. A "hybrid" approach has been taken with lectures being interleaved with floating facilitator, PBL sessions. A series of four problems were presented during the course of the unit, each problem focusing on a different aspect of the
International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education, 2008
Abstract: Four different instances of enquiry-based learning (EBL), developed in a School of Elec... more Abstract: Four different instances of enquiry-based learning (EBL), developed in a School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, are described. Key decisions in the design of these activities are detailed, emphasising flexibility in approach. Although the activities took ...
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