Quality assurance of e-learning in developing countries

In this paper some of the aspects of implementing measures for quality assurance of e-learning in developing countries are discussed. Also the main problems of establishing quality assurance of e-learning are illustrated. The advantages of adopting international measures of quality assurance in those countries together with several recommendations for the future and our conclusion are then given.     

Using wiki to build an e-learning system in statistics in the Arabic language

E-learning plays an important role in education as it supports online teaching via computer networks and provides educational services by utilising information technologies. This paper presents a case study describing the development of an Arabic language e-learning course in statistics. Under discussion are problems concerning e-learning in Arab countries with special focus on the difficulties of the application of e-learning in the Arabic world as well as designing an Arabic platform with its language and technical challenges. For the platform we have chosen a wiki that supports L^AT_EX for formulas and R to generate tables and figures as well as some interactivity. Our system, Arabic MM*Stat, can be found at http://mars.wiwi.hu-berlin.de/mediawiki/mmstat_ar.     

Prioritization of e-learning forms: a multicriteria methodology

Strategic planning of e-learning implementation includes decision making about the most suitable form of implementing e-learning on different levels in an institution. Decision making about e-learning implementation has been covered as consisting of four phases: (1) intelligence, (2) design, (3) choice and (4) implementation. During the Intelligence phase we have precisely identified our central decision problem and have conducted situation analysis. In the Design phase we have developed alternatives and established criteria and subcriteria. The questionnaire about the importance of the advantages and goals of e-learning implementation and about criteria and subcriteria significant for decision making was created. Essential for the survey was use of Croatian e-learning experts that are familiar with higher education (HE) environment. Further, we connected these findings with the results of the factor analysis which was performed on the survey. The results of the factor analysis have served as input in the multicriteria decision model (AHP) that we have developed in the Choice phase. In the implementation phase we have solved the problem of prioritisation of e-learning options with the help of multi-criteria modelling in the process of group decision making. In this article, firstly we will present and analyze the results of the survey. Secondly, the outputs of factor analysis will be stated and compared with the model used in the questionnaire. Finally, the structure of AHP model will be given and the results of the quantitative evaluation of the model will be presented.     

EPQ with Process Capability and Quality Assurance Considerations

The classical economic production quantity (EPQ) model assumes that items produced are of perfect quality and that the unit cost of production is fixed. However, in realistic situations, product quality is never perfect but is directly affected by the production processes and the quality assurance programme. In addition, the unit production cost is not fixed but increases with quality assurance expenses. We present an EPQ model with imperfect production processes and quality-dependent unit production cost. After discussion of the procedure for determining the optimal solution, a sensitivity analysis of the impacts of the cost parameters on the optimal solution is provided. Finally, the problems associated with cost estimation are addressed.     

Diagrams and math notation in e-learning: growing pains of a new generation

Current e-learning environments are ill-suited to college mathematics. Instructors/students struggle to post diagrams and math notation. A new generation of math-friendly e-learning tools, including WebEQ, bundled with Blackboard 6, and NetTutor's Whiteboard, address these problems. This paper compares these two systems using criteria for ideal math-friendly e-learning systems. NetTutor's Whiteboard is, apparently, the only system allowing two-way communication of both diagrams and math notation between instructor and students. This paper also summarizes a case study of two community college mathematics courses (calculus and algebra) using NetTutor over two semesters. Pilot studies, interviews and experimental problems revealed that NetTutor's Whiteboard is effective for 2-way communication of diagrams and math notation in college courses. Learning difficult concepts was comparable to face-to-face courses.     

OR in developing countries: A review

The relevance of Operational Research (OR) in developing countries has increasingly engaged the attention of operational researchers in both the industrialised and less developed countries over the last 50 years. With this, there has been a considerable amount of interest in the potential for using OR in developing countries. One sign of this is the emergence of a number of initiatives to promote OR in developing countries and the number of new societies for OR that have emerged from the developing world. This paper is an attempt at providing an overall picture of the state of OR in the developing countries. In particular, it will look at the coverage in terms of countries and methods. It will also highlight the contribution OR is making towards the theme of poverty, the reduction of which is regarded as the key focus of development policy interventions as reflected in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).     

A validation study of the use of mathematical knowledge for teaching measures in Ireland

Researchers who study mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT) are interested in how teachers deploy their mathematical knowledge in the classroom to enhance instruction and student learning. However, little data exists on how teachers’ scores on the US-developed measures relate to classroom instruction in other countries. This article documents a validation study of Irish teachers’ scores on measures of MKT that were adapted for use in Ireland. A validity argument is made identifying elemental, structural and ecological assumptions. The argument is evaluated using qualitative and quantitative data to analyse inferences related to the three assumptions. The data confirmed the elemental assumption but confirming the structural and ecological assumptions was more difficult. Only a weak association was found between teachers’ MKT scores and the mathematical quality of instruction. Possible reasons for this are outlined and challenges in validating the use of measures are identified.     

Practical aspects associated with location planning for maternal and perinatal assistance in Brazil

A study has been carried out aimed at reducing perinatal mortality in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro through a better distribution of health care facilities. The algorithmic aspects are detailed elsewhere and here the emphasis is on practical issues and difficulties encountered. A 3-level hierarchical model was developed. Both uncapacitated and capacitated versions are briefly described together with some results based on actual data. The project brought to light many contradictions between OR theory and practice in developing countries and, unfortunately, the models developed were not implemented by the municipality health authorities. Possible reasons for this outcome are analysed.     

Including principal component weights to improve discrimination in data envelopment analysis

This research further develops the combined use of principal component analysis (PCA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA). The aim is to reduce the curse of dimensionality that occurs in DEA when there is an excessive number of inputs and outputs in relation to the number of decision-making units. Three separate PCA–DEA formulations are developed in the paper utilising the results of PCA to develop objective, assurance region type constraints on the DEA weights. The first model applies PCA to grouped data representing similar themes, such as quality or environmental measures. The second model, if needed, applies PCA to all inputs and separately to all outputs, thus further strengthening the discrimination power of DEA. The third formulation searches for a single set of global weights with which to fully rank all observations. In summary, it is clear that the use of principal components can noticeably improve the strength of DEA models.     

Planning sustainable community health schemes in rural areas of developing countries

In this research, we consider the planning of community health schemes by non-governmental or faith-based organisations in rural areas of developing countries, from both top-down and ground level viewpoints. We conclude that both types of planning approach are valid and necessary for sustainability of such developments. With top-down planning in mind, we describe our hierarchical models especially designed for location of community health facilities, with objectives pertaining to both efficiency and equity of provision. As an additional case study, we present modelling of the location of a maximal number of self-sustainable primary healthcare workers in a rural region of India.     

基于面板数据的世界主要国家全要素生产率的计算

TFP是有关科技与经济增长之间关系研究领域的一个经久不衰的话题,但针对不同国家的TFP的比较研究较少.收集了美、日、中、俄等19个国家1999-2006年的国内生产总值、固定资产投资额、劳动力数、专利数、R&D人员数、R&D经费投入等数据,采用经典的生产函数模型,用面板数据计量方法,从单位根检验、协整关系和面板模型的选择等方面进行严格的推导,计算了各国的TFP值,然后将TFP值与专利数、R&D人员数、R&D经费投入等变量之间进行了相关分析,得到了一系列富有启示意义的结论.     

加工贸易产业升级的影响因素——基于发展中国家面板数据的分析

本文在Feenstra的要素连续统模型基础上,引入普遍技术水平和配套产业发展水平因素,提出了发展中国家加工贸易产业升级的理论模型。利用1992-2007年13个发展中国家的面板数据进行计量分析之后,我们发现,FDI流入、配套产业发展水平和普遍技术水平的提高都会对发展中国家加工贸易的产业升级产生正向影响,其中,配套产业发展水平的提高起到最主要的推动作用。     

Applying Bayesian approach to assess process capability for asymmetric tolerances based on Cpmk″ index

Process capability indices provide numerical measures on process reproduction capability, which are effective tools for quality assurance. They are used to realize current situations of the process, and further improve the process problems to assure of product quality to meet the preset capability requirement. For analyzing process capability, most existing methods for assessing process performance were derived based on the traditional frequentist point of view. However, the sampling distributions of the estimated capability indices are usually so complicated, this makes establishing the exact confidence interval very difficult. In this study, we adopt a Bayesian approach to obtain an interval estimation, particularly for the index $C_{\mathit{pmk}}^{″}$. Besides, a testing procedure is developed based on the derived results for practitioners to determine whether their manufacturing processes are capable of reproducing products satisfying the preset capability requirement when the manufacturing tolerance is asymmetric or symmetric.     

Granting and managing loans for micro-entrepreneurs: New developments and practical experiences

We present a methodology to grant and follow-up credits for micro-entrepreneurs. This segment of grantees is very relevant for many economies, especially in developing countries, but shows a behavior different to that of classical consumers where established credit scoring systems exist. Parts of our methodology follow a proven procedure we have applied successfully in several credit scoring projects. Other parts, such as cut-off point construction and model follow-up, however, had to be developed and constitute original contributions of the present paper. The results from two credit scoring projects we developed in Chile, one for a private bank and one for a governmental credit granting institution, provide interesting insights into micro-entrepreneurs’ repayment behavior which could also be interesting for the respective segment in countries with similar characteristics.     

Application of the analytical hierarchy process to establish health care waste management systems that minimise infection risks in developing countries

This paper focuses on the application of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) technique in the context of sustainable development to establish and optimise health care waste management (HCWM) systems in rural areas of developing countries. This is achieved by evaluating the way in which the AHP can best be combined with a life cycle management (LCM) approach, and addressing a main objective of HCWM systems, i.e. to minimize infection of patients and workers within the system. The modified approach was applied to two case studies: the sub-Saharan African countries of South Africa and Lesotho. Quantitative weightings from the AHP are used to identify alternative systems that have similar outcomes in meeting the systems objective, but may have different cost structures and infection risks. The two case studies illustrate how the AHP can be used (with strengths and weaknesses) in environmental engineering decision support in developing countries.     

基于FDI收益分成视角的FTA网络演化

本文假定双边自由贸易协定(bilateral free trade agreement,简称FTA)包含着无限制对外直接投资(foreign direct investment,简称FDI),并且通过FDI销售到非FTA伙伴国的收益按照一定比例在母国和东道国之间进行分配。基于Goyal和Joshi^[1],本文构建了FTA网络形成博弈模型。本文发现,FTA网络演化过程分为两个阶段:第一阶段,从空FTA网络到星状FTA网络,存在一条路径使得个体国家福利、世界总福利均改善,在此过程中,国家福利存在不对称性;第二阶段,从星状FTA网络到全连接FTA网络,存在一条路径使得个体国家福利改善,在此过程中,世界总福利不变,国家福利不对称性逐步消除。     

Study of on-line measurement of traffic self-similarity

The research focuses on the analysis of university e-learning network traffic to work out and validate the methods that are most suitable for robust analysis and on-line monitoring of self-similarity. Time series of network traffic analyzed are formed by registering data packets in a node at different regimes of network traffic and different ways of sampling. The results obtained have been processed by Fractan, Selfis programmes and the modules library SSE (Self-similarity Estimator) developed in the paper, which employs the robust analysis methods. The methods implemented in the SSE (Self-similar Estimator) have been tested by computer simulation applying the Janicki and Weron (2000) algorithm for generating random standard stable values. The research results show that the regression method implemented by the software modules library SSE is most applicable to the network traffic analysis. The investigation of traffic in the Siauliai University e-learning network has been shown that the network traffic is self-similar with the Hurst coefficient that changes in the interval [0.53, 0.70], the correspondent stability index changes in the interval [1.43, 1.89], the skewness not observed because the estimated β = 0.     

Math MOOC UniTo : an Italian project on MOOCs for mathematics teacher education,and the development of a new theoretical framework

This paper focuses on MOOCs (massive open online courses), a fairly recent paradigm in e-learning educational projects. Despite the high dropout rate, and     

Eigenvalue immobility measures for Markov chains 1

Two eigenvalue measures of immobility are proposed for social processes described by a Markov chain. One is the second largest eigenvalue modulus of the chain's transition matrix. The other is the second largest eigenvalue modulus of a closely related transition matrix. The two eigenvalue measures are compared to each other and to correlation and regression‐to‐the‐mean measures. In illustrative applications to intergenerational occupational mobility, the eigenvectors corresponding to the eigenvalue measures are found to be good proxies for occupational status rankings for a number of countries, thus reinforcing a pattern noted by Klatsky and Hodge and by Duncan‐Jones.     

Perturbation analysis of the analytic hierarchy decision method

The input set for the Analytic Hierarchy Process consists of the integers less than ten and their reciprocals. A perturbation in the input may cause significant change in the output vector, particularly when the dimension of the input matrix is small (n ≤ 4) and the inputs are close together. We examine that change using numerical computational schemes. The cardinal values of the output vector are seen to suffer significant perturbation due to small integral changes on all the inputs. Ordinal perturbations are less pronounced and can be better quantified by a numerical scheme. Known indices of consistency provide an indicator of truly poor input data. For an unskilled modeler, they can provide a false sense of assurance, but these consistency measures do not protect the modeler from consistently inaccurate inputs.