Block Mode Research Articles

Factors Affecting Learning in Block Mode Teaching: Challenges and Recommendations

Factors Affecting Learning in Block Mode Teaching: Challenges and Recommendations

Exploring the Impacts of Implementing Block Mode of Teaching in Higher Education

Exploring the Impacts of Implementing Block Mode of Teaching in Higher Education

A secure data transmission framework for IoT enabled healthcare

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) has transformed healthcare by connecting medical devices, sensors, and patients, significantly improving patient care. However, the sensitive data exchanged through IoMT is vulnerable to security attacks, raising serious privacy concerns. Traditional key sharing mechanisms are susceptible to compromise, posing risks to data integrity. This paper proposes a Timestamp-based Secret Key Generation (T-SKG) scheme for resource-constrained devices, generating a secret key at the patient's device and regenerating it at the doctor's device, thus eliminating direct key sharing and minimizing key compromise risks. Simulation results using MATLAB and Java demonstrate the T-SKG scheme's resilience against guessing, birthday, and brute force attacks. Specifically, there is only a 9 % chance of key compromise in a guessing attack if the attacker knows the key sequence pattern, while the scheme remains secure against brute force and birthday attacks within a specified timeframe. The T-SKG scheme is integrated into a healthcare framework to securely transmit health vitals collected using the MySignals sensor kit. For confidentiality, the Data Encryption Standard (DES) with various Cipher Block modes (ECB, CBC, CTR) is employed.

International Postgraduate Student Experiences of Block Mode Delivery

International Postgraduate Student Experiences of Block Mode Delivery

Student and faculty perceptions of summative assessment methods in a Block and Blend mode of delivery

The recent increase in the number of higher education institutions adopting block teaching has prompted questions about the appropriateness of assessment methods that were commonly used in a semesterised delivery model. This paper explores student and faculty perceptions of summative assessment methods in a block and blend mode of delivery at a higher education institution in the United Kingdom. In this study, we used a convergent mixed methods approach to explore student and faculty perceptions of different assessment methods as accurate evaluations of learning using surveys, combining Likert-type and open-ended questions. The findings highlight how traditional, single assessment methods occurring at the end of a block were perceived as less accurate in evaluating learning when compared to multiple smaller assessments that occur throughout a block. The thematic analysis revealed the latter was perceived as allowing for a broader range of skills to be evaluated while simultaneously facilitating effective workload management and timely feedback. These outcomes indicate the need for assessment redesign that considers the characteristics of a block and blend mode of delivery and illuminates the shared perception of students and faculty that multiple smaller assessments are more accurate evaluations of learning. Further research with larger, more diverse samples, accommodating for different fields of study, could further our understanding of effective assessment methods and inform our practice in a block and blend mode of delivery.

Research on sustainable renewal of historic blocks based on urban catalyst theory

Currently, cities in China have entered the development stage of stock renewal. Urban renewal has become the focus of urban development, and optimization of stock space has become the main aspect of urban design. At the same time, applying the concept of micro-renewal of historic blocks in recent years has also put forward new requirements for the renewal mode of old blocks. This paper discusses the possibility of micro-renewal and transformation of historic Chinese blocks in the new era from the perspective of catalyst theory. Through streetscape recognition technology and crawling of Point of Information (POI) data, the existing problems of blocks and the potential vitality points of blocks are determined, which changes the traditional research that often lacks quantitative judgment and only uses qualitative judgment. Through the intervention of quantitative technology, the problems existing in the perspective rate of commercial streets and the business model of historical blocks were found. Analyzing from the perspective of space, function, and culture, and then, selecting catalyst elements, which promotes the transformation of the historic blocks from a top-down transformation pattern to a bottom-up transformation pattern.

Multi-Story Volumetric Blocks Buildings with Lower Frame Floors

This article presents the results of experimental studies of the stress–strain state of volumetric blocks based on the underlying frame structures. The aim of the research is to evaluate the stress–strain state and the nature of damage development as a result of an increase in the load up to a critical level. Based on the analysis of the nature of the damage, recommendations have been developed to strengthen the destruction zone. Data were collected on the redistribution of stresses and deformations, the formation of cracks and joint openings, the magnitude of horizontal displacements, and the failure mode of volumetric blocks and floor frames. Five full-scale volumetric blocks were tested under the loading of hydraulic jacks, differing in concrete type, reinforcement, presence of doors, and dimensions of the stylobate beams. When the volumetric modules were supported by a frame floor the results revealed that the maximum destructive load of 10,462 kN was observed in the first specimen; the horizontal displacements of the walls decreased by 13–18 mm, and there was a decrease in the crack opening width to 0.5 mm. The cracks decreased the strength of the walls, leading to a redistribution of the compressive stresses and their increase in the support zone. The most significant compressive strains in concrete in the corner parts of longitudinal walls were in the range of (600–620) × 10−6, and in the middle part of the walls, 370 × 10−6 were observed. Furthermore, the largest cracks caused significant horizontal displacements (deplanation) of the walls, which decreased the stiffness of the conjunction of longitudinal walls with the floor slab and created an additional eccentricity of the vertical force. Based on the findings, the correlation between the measured parameters of each specimen at all stages of vertical load increase is demonstrated and illustrated in graphs of the measured parameters. The importance of quantity compliance with the initial rigid connection between the longitudinal wall and ceiling plate has been estimated.

Three-Dimensional Upper Bound Solution to Estimate Soil Thrust of a Track System on Saturated Clay Slopes under Undrained Conditions

This study proposes a three-dimensional upper bound solution for estimating the soil thrust of tracked vehicles on saturated clay slopes. The present study considered block, triangular wedge, and trapezoidal wedge failure modes to formulate an upper bound solution for each. The analytical solution for soil thrust was determined as the minimum upper bound solution among those for each failure mode. This analytical solution was validated through numerical simulations that modeled track-ground interactions. Parametric studies, based on the upper bound solution, assessed the impact of track system shape, vehicle weight, undrained shear strength, and ground slope on soil thrust. The analytical solutions and parametric studies provide a rapid method for assessing vehicle operability on clay slopes and offer references for designing tracked vehicles suitable for site conditions.

TA-YOLO: a lightweight small object detection model based on multi-dimensional trans-attention module for remote sensing images

Object detection plays a vital role in remote sensing applications. Although object detection has achieved proud results in natural images, these methods are difficult to be directly applied to remote sensing images. Remote sensing images often have complex backgrounds and small objects, which results in a highly unbalanced distribution of foreground and complex background information. In order to solve the above problems, this paper proposes a multi-head channel and spatial trans-attention (MCSTA) module, which performs remote pixel interaction from the channel and spatial dimensions respectively to complete the attention feature capture function. It is a plug-and-play module that can be easily embedded in any other natural image object detection convolutional neural network, making it quickly applicable to remote sensing images. First, in order to reduce computational complexity and improve feature richness, we use a special linear convolution to obtain three projection features instead of the simple matrix multiplication transformation in Transformer. Second, we obtain trans-attention maps in different dimensions in a manner similar to the self-attention mechanism to capture the interrelationships of features in channels and spaces. In this process, we use a multi-head mechanism to perform parallel operations to improve speed. Furthermore, in order to avoid large-scale matrix operations, we specially designed an attention blocking mode to reduce computer memory usage and increase operation speed. Finally, we embedded the trans-attention module into YOLOv8, added a new detection head and optimized the feature fusion method, thus designing a lightweight small object detection model named TA-YOLO for remote sensing images. It has fewer parameters than the benchmark model YOLOv8, and its mAP on the PASCAL VOC and VisDrone data sets increased by 1.3% and 6.2% respectively. The experimental results prove the powerful function of the trans-attention module and the excellent performance of TA-YOLO.

Investigation into the impact of bulk defects in the drift layer on the electrical properties of GaN-based trench Schottky barrier diodes

Using numerical simulation tools, this work systematically investigates the impact of bulk defects in the drift layer on GaN-based trench metal–insulator–semiconductor barrier-controlled Schottky rectifiers. Investigations show that in forward conduction, the acceptor-type defects significantly increase the on-resistance (R on.sp). When the device is in reverse blocking mode, donor-type defects tend to weaken the charge-coupling effect, leading to early breakdown of the device, while acceptor-type defects show the opposite feature. In addition, our report identifies that the reverse blocking effect is significantly impacted when the defects are located in the region with maximum electric field magnitude. We also find that the acceptor-type traps generate a remarkable charging/discharging effect, which will destabilize the dynamic forward conduction process. Hence, we numerically prove that bulk defects should be avoided in actual power diodes.

Ensuring Student Mental Wellbeing whilst introducing Block Mode Intensive Learning and Teaching

As De Montfort University, a UK-based University, introduced block delivery across the undergraduate portfolio the University sought to maintain a continued focus on, and commitment to, an institution-wide approach to embedding mental wellbeing. With mental wellbeing relevant to the whole university community and recognising the power of transformational change to impact wellbeing, the university cross-examined student feedback to understand and ensure mental wellbeing. An intensive block model was introduced at De Montfort University (DMU) from the start of the academic session 2022-23. Undergraduate student experiences and learning from the initial months, focused on those in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media, are presented alongside an examination of the methods and impact of embedding mental wellbeing in this new intensive mode; ensuring the continued institutional approach to embedding mental wellbeing in the curriculum, providing inclusive support for all learners. The learning and impact identified from initial experiences indicate areas of strength and areas for development, enhancement and growth. This article presents educational practice implications for other providers exploring and implementing block delivery in intensive learning and teaching modes. The University’s HealthyDMU philosophy recognises mental wellbeing is relevant to all, informed by a social model of wellbeing, in which a student’s experience of mental wellbeing is directly related to their environment and experiences, based on the five ways to wellbeing (Aked, Marks, Cordon & Thompson, 2008). Embedding this throughout the curriculum reduces wellbeing barriers to facilitate student success, establishing pro-active approaches to mental wellbeing and a health promoting environment. This article provides a unique focus on student experience from the position of mental wellbeing embedded in curriculum design and delivery. This paper presents an exploration of student responses to the introduction of intensive delivery at undergraduate level within a UK university, positioned around support for mental wellbeing.

Evaluations of Crypto-System AES Using Multiple Bloc Ciphering Mode

Cryptography, a scientific field that has existed even before the beginning of computer science. This article looks at the development symmetric crypto-system, which falls within the framework of image security, by Advanced Encryption Standard (AES- Advanced Encryption Standard) algorithms. AES algorithm is not integrity protected. Cryptanalysis could use modified encrypted image of each ciphered bloc for generating oracle and getting the key. A new crypto-system uses hash function named AES-GCM (Advanced Encryption Standard-) for solving this problem. Using Galois Counter Mode (GCM) combined with Secure Hash Algorithm 256 bits (SHA-256) or BLAKE2s hash function, the old mode of ciphering like: Cipher FeedBack (CFB), Output FeedBack (OFB), Cipher Block Chaining (CBC), Electronic Codebook Block (ECB) and CounTeR (CTR) mode encryption, will increase the security level at confidentiality and integrity. In this article, robustness of the crypto-system will be evaluated by multiple criteria, indeed the statistical analysis, sensitivity measurement and performance measurement. For the statistical analysis, the histogram is flat and the correlation between adjacent pixel is not linear for the encrypted image. The relation between clear image and encrypted image doesn’t exist. For the sensitivity analysis, Number of Pixel Changing Rate (NPCR) and Unified Averaged Changed Intensity (UACI) permit to avoid differential attack of the crypto-system. The two values are respectively near 99% and 30%. For performance measurement, the similarity of the decrypted image and original image will be tested. The Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Mean Square Error (MSE) are equals of infinity and zero. The decrypted image and original image are the same. The integrity of the image on the crypto-system will be evaluated by modifying one bit of the encrypted image. The decryption process doesn’t give decrypted image and show that the tag value is incorrect.

One-step three-parameter optimized hybrid block method for solving first order initial value problems of ordinary differential equations

A one-step three-parameter optimized hybrid block method and second derivative hybrid block method with optimized points were proposed to solve first-order ordinary differential equations. The techniques of interpolation and collocation were adopted for the derivation of the methods using a three-parameter approximation. The hybrid points were obtained by optimizing the local truncation error of the method. The schemes obtained were reformulated to reduce the number of occurrences of the source term. The hybrid points were used in the derivation of the second derivative hybrid block method. The discrete schemeswere produced as a by-product of the continuous scheme and used to simultaneously solve initial value problems (IVPs) in block mode. The resulting schemes are self-starting, do not require the creation of individual predictors, and are consistent, zero-stable, and convergent. The accuracy and efficiency of the methods were ascertained using several numerical test problems. The numerical results were favourably compared to some techniques from the cited literature.

Comparison of the traditional and block mode of delivery on undergraduate nursing students' perceived levels of preparedness to use evidence-based practice: a two-group experimental study.

To examine how delivery time impacted on undergraduate nursing students' preparedness for evidence-based practice (EBP) by comparing the traditional semester mode and block mode of delivery models. This two-group experimental study compared the traditional semester and block modes of delivery using a self-reported questionnaire. The factor of time was the variable in relation to learning with the block mode delivery being in a compressed timeframe. From a purposive sample, 219 students participated in the self-reported questionnaire. There were only two significant differences were the block mode of delivery students responded less positively to the statements 'the unit of study prepared them for knowledge and skills for EBP' and 'EBP should be discussed and shared in practice'. The transition from the traditional semester mode to the block mode delivery has had minimal impact on undergraduate nursing students' perceptions of EBP and its application to clinical practice.

Synthesis and near-infrared photothermal conversion of Cp*Rh-based [2]-catenanes in trapezoidal metallacycles

Minor differences among pyridine ligands led to [2]-catenanes with dramatically different stacking modes of the building blocks, which facilitated the production of assemblies with different photothermal conversion abilities.

Designing Outdoor Education Units for the Block

In 2018, Victoria University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia implemented the VU Block Model® for the teaching of undergraduate degree programs. This was a radical shift from a traditional 12-week semester approach and required a complete overhaul of how outdoor education units would be taught moving forward. However, there is a lack of literature on the block mode delivery for outdoor education. The aim of this discussion paper is to identify the challenges of designing and delivering outdoor education in an intensive block mode. To explore this issue, the paper examines unit design and delivery practices undertaken in outdoor education curricula at an Australian university. A reflective practitioner case study research method was applied, with two units being evaluated. This approach was adopted due to the broad range of variables influencing program delivery and student engagement. The discussion is formed around the three years of experience that the authors have in designing, delivering, and reviewing the two units. The outcomes, observations and feedback presented in the discussion suggest that this process has improved the quality of teaching and learning and the student experience. Findings provide practical solutions for delivering and assessing tertiary curriculum outcomes consistent with a nationally recognised framework.

To read or not to read

Reading continues to be a critical skill for success in university studies. However, students have competing interests and activities which make academic reading less of a priority. The aim of the study is to explore the reasons why students do or do not engage with set reading tasks using an extant survey instrument. The literature highlights several factors, including a lack of interest in the academic subject, family duties and work obligations, which contribute to this behaviour and indicates how it might possibly be addressed. The theoretical foundations of this work stem from areas such as strategic learning, reading non-compliance, curriculum structure, and student engagement. The aim of the study is to explore the reasons why students do or do not engage with set reading tasks using an extant survey instrument. Building on the literature which discusses why students do not read, the pilot study presented in this paper examines the reading behaviours amongst a group of first year business students studying in block mode at Victoria University (Australia). The paper explores the implications for teaching practice and the potential for further research.

Teaching on the Block

This article presents case writing research that explored the pedagogical benefits of teaching in Block mode through a university educators’ perspective. The authors of this research examined their tertiary teaching experiences of Block Model delivery. Through two teacher-authored cases, the researchers engaged in a collaborative practitioner research framework to critically reflect on their own teaching experiences in Block Model to uncover and examine the patterns occurring across iterations of various deliveries. The aim of the research is to examine approaches to teaching and learning in Block and unearth the pedagogical changes required to effectively teach in Block. The aim of this paper is to contribute to our understanding of Block delivery from a teacher perspective and examine the benefits to teaching and learning experienced through Block model delivery. The findings suggest that the systematic foundation of Block delivery, coupled with the immersive nature of Block led to a range of pedagogical benefits such as an enhanced sense of belonging, increased notions of student agency and it promoted scaffolded instruction. The hope is that this classroom-focused research will provide the basis for further research and refinement of Block teaching and learning.

Preparation, optimization and electrochromic properties of dual-band device with four modes

A dual-band electrochromic device with four modes was fabricated to selective modulate the transmittance from visible to near-infrared bands for the energy-saving field. The new LiClO4 + TBACl + AgNO3 electrolyte was prepared to respectively regulate the redox reactions of silver ion and lithium ion to prove the four modes of the device. The dual-band device with a sandwich structure was fabricated by the titanium dioxide electrochromic film, the gallium doped zinc oxide ion storage film and the LiClO4 + TBACl + AgNO3 electrolyte. The titanium dioxide and gallium doped zinc oxide films were prepared by a nanoparticle deposition system, which is an environmentally friendly dry deposition technique. By controlling the supplied potential, the redox reactions of silver ion and lithium ion present four modes, including transparent mode, warm mode, cold mode and full block mode. For warm mode, the localized surface plasmon resonance effect was excited by generating silver nanoparticles using two-stage potential. Moreover, the titanium dioxide film with high surface roughness shown the large light scattering effect, the transmittance of ∼0% at whole wavelengths was obtained in full block mode. The electrochromic device shown the large transmittance modulation (71%) and excellent cyclic stability (600 cycles). Therefore, it is proved that the transmittance can be adjusted at a specific wavelength by the electrochromic device, which provides an effective way for developing dual-band smart devices to reduce energy consumption.

Turning whispering-gallery-mode responses through Fano interferences in coupled all-dielectric block-disk cavities.

Here, we theoretically demonstrate a strategy for efficiently turning whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) responses of a subwavelength dielectric disk through their near-field couplings with common low-order electromagnetic resonances of a dielectric block. Both simulations and an analytical coupled oscillator model show that the couplings are Fano interferences between dark high-quality WGMs and bright modes of the block. The responses of a WGM in the coupled system are highly dependent on the strengths and the relative phases of the block modes, the coupling strength, and the decay rate of the WGM. The WGM responses of coupled systems can exceed that of the individual disk. In addition, such a configuration will also facilitate the excitation of WGMs by a normal incident plane wave in experiments. These results could enable new applications for enhancing light-matter interactions.