Computer Skills Research Articles

Digital Twins-Based Cognitive Apprenticeship Model in Smart Agriculture

Applying digital technologies in education has been proven to have several positive impacts on teaching and learning. Digital twins have the potential to revolutionize education by offering immersive and interactive learning experiences. They can simulate virtual environments, enabling students to conduct experiments, practice techniques, and observe outcomes in a safe and cost-effective setting, particularly when access to physical laboratories is limited or expensive. This work proposes a learning management model that applies cognitive apprenticeship learning theory as a framework for learning digital twins to enhance the programming of a smart agriculture system and computational thinking skills. The model consists of three parts: input, learning process, and output with feedback. The input phase includes setting learning objectives, analyzing learners, determining learning content, planning learning activities, and utilizing a digital twin virtual laboratory space for experimenting in the development of a smart agriculture system. The learning process involves engaging students in programming and problem-solving tasks by offering expert guidance and support in computationally solving problems. The achievement of learning outcomes and practices is included in the output and feedback sections. After evaluation, five experts in this subject agreed that the learning management model was at the most appropriate level.

On Students' Computational Thinking Skills for Solving SRAC and its Theoretical Framework on Multi-Step Time Series Forecasting on River Erosion using GNN under RBL-STEM Learning Stages

Computational thinking involves the use of computer science principles to solve complex problems, extending beyond simple programming to various life applications. In today’s educational landscape, the promotion of these skills in the classroom is critical, yet students’ computational thinking skills remain underdeveloped due to inadequate learning models. Key indicators of computational thinking include problem decomposition, algorithmic thinking, pattern recognition, abstraction, and generalization. This study presents RBL-STEM learning activities aimed at enhancing students’ computational thinking through solving the Strong Rainbow Antimagic Coloring or SRAC problem and applying it to multi-step time series forecasting on river erosion using Graph Neural Networks or GNN. The research adopts a qualitative narrative method, beginning with the development of a prototype for multi-step time series forecasting on river erosion using SRAC and GNN, and progressing to the formulation of RBL-STEM learning steps. The results include a comprehensive RBL-STEM learning framework ready for implementation in future research. Learning framework offers student and educator a structured approach to integrating STEM on real life issues. By employing RBL-STEM, students are encouraging to solve river erosion problem systematically based on RBL stages. These finding suggest that the implementation of RBL-STEM with innovative mathematical problems such as SRAC can enhance students’ combinatorial skills, leading to practical solutions for everyday issues through education.

ANALYSIS OF ELECTRONIC ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES PROVIDED IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL UNITS OF BULGARIA

Electronic administrative services are an effective tool for the modernisation of local self-government. The provided administrative services contribute to facilitating communication between citizens, businesses, and administration, as well as within the administration itself. This article aims to reveal the average provision of electronic administrative services at the local level by examining the average data for each district and to reveal the differences in the provision of electronic administrative services. For this purpose, statistical data on the population who are respondents to the services are used, and the electronic administrative services provided in Bulgaria largely meet the reliability standards. The arguments by which citizens justify the fact that they do not use electronic administrative services are related to public distrust of these services and state institutions in general, preference for personal contact with employees in the administration, concerns about insufficient information security, lack of computer skills, and personal electronic devices that allow the services to be used.

The effect of computation interventions for students with autism spectrum disorder: A meta‐analysis and systematic review

AbstractComputation is foundational to learning many mathematics concepts, as well as a functional skill in everyday life. Yet students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have challenges in learning computation skills. The current study aimed to provide quantitative and descriptive analyses of single‐case experimental studies on computation interventions for students with ASD. Our systematic search and screening procedures yielded a total of 16 eligible studies for the final analyses. An analysis of publication bias indicated an absence of publication bias in the included studies. Tau‐U was used to calculate the overall intervention effect, resulting in an omnibus effect of 0.90 (95% CI [0.81, 1.00]), indicating a medium effect. Moderator analyses showed that variables such as study design, participant characteristics, intervention characteristics, and target skills did not moderate intervention effects. However, some evidence‐based practices were identified to significantly moderate maintenance effects. Implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed.

An Exploration of the Phonon Frequency Spectrum and Born–von Karman Periodic Boundary Conditions in 1D and 2D Lattice Systems Using a Computational Approach

Periodic boundary conditions (PBCs) are a pivotal concept in the treatment of ideal lattices of infinite extent as a finite lattice. Most undergraduate texts that delve into the analytical treatment of lattice dynamics solve the problem in the reciprocal space with an implicit assumption of PBCs. While the traditional approach centered in the reciprocal or [Formula: see text]-space is elegant for simple one-dimensional lattice structures, the method becomes mathematically cumbersome for more complex lattices with real-world applications, such as a honeycomb lattice involving a [Formula: see text] secular determinant. In this work, we have explored the solution of lattice dynamics in direct space numerically, by constructing unit cells through an explicit implementation of Born–von Karman PBCs and solving the lattice dynamical equations in the displacement–time domain using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta algorithm. The Fast Fourier Transform technique is then used to obtain the phonon frequency spectrum corresponding to the computed instantaneous displacements. The fidelity of the model is validated by the agreement of the computational results obtained for the phonon spectrum at high symmetry points in the Brillouin zone with the analytical values for the given problem. Initially, the dynamics and the phonon spectrum are explored for monatomic and diatomic linear lattices which serve to act as introductory cases for the approach before investigating the 2D monatomic square and honeycomb lattices using the nearest and next-nearest neighbor approximations. A short-range force constant model employing the central forces and angular forces is used for the monatomic square lattice to account for the interatomic interactions. Our computational approach is expected to be physically more intuitive for a student for visualizing the periodicity of a given lattice and understanding its related dynamics. The approach demonstrates the usage of Born–von Karman PBCs in constructing a unit cell that effectively captures the dynamics of a lattice system, complementing the traditional secular determinant formalism. The work also illustrates an instance of how the computer programming can be used as a tool to empower the students to explore abstract concepts in physics. A honing of programming and computational skills of students enables them to interact with dynamic models in physics and gain deeper insight into the real-world applications of physics principles. Target group of this work is the students and educators at undergraduate level who seek a thorough and didactic comprehension of lattice dynamics.

NHỮNG THÁCH THỨC MÀ SINH VIÊN NGOẠI NGỮ GẶP PHẢI TRONG LỚP HỌC NÓI TIẾNG ANH TRỰC TUYẾN TẠI TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC VINH TRONG THỜI KỲ COVID-19

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many universities switched rapidly to the online learning mode to maintain the continuity of the teaching and learning process. This explanatory mixedmethods study was an attempt to investigate the problems EFL students encountered in their online English speaking classes. The study involved 135 EFL students at Vinh University, a key national university in Vietnam. To collect data, a questionnaire and semi-structured interview were used. The results showed that there were six barriers that influenced EFL students’ speaking skills in online classes, including facilities, computer skills, coordination, teaching method, learners’ attitudes and assessment. From the findings, the study tried to suggest some pedagogical solutions in order to improve the quality of online English speaking learning for EFL university students

Evidence - based practice competency among nursing students at the University Of Medicine And Pharmacy At Ho Chi Minh City And Associated Factors

ABSTRACT Background: Evidence - based practice (EBP) in healthcare is an essential trend for improving patient safety and care quality, making it crucial to ensure EBP competency among nursing students. This study aimed to assess EBP competency among nursing students and identify associated factors. Methods: A descriptive cross - sectional study was conducted on 230 nursing students in second, third, and fourth year in the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. An online survey questionnaire was emailed to the students during the sampling period from ... Results: The participants had an average age of 21.2 ± 0.97 years. The majority were female (89.1%) and of the Kinh ethnic group (85.7%). The average EBP competency score of the students was 3.56 ± 0.39. Specifically, EBP - related competencies of the students were at a moderate level or higher (> 2.61), with the highest average score observed for attitude at 3.77 ± 0.45. Factors such as research and EBP course grades, confidence levels in computer skills and English proficiency, frequency of EBP application, completion of the thesis, and participation in research clubs all positively influenced students’ EBP competency (p < 0.05). Knowledge, skills, and attitude regarding EBP are closely related. Students with good knowledge usually have good skills and a positive attitude towards EBP (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Nursing students demonstrated EBP competency at a moderate level or higher. The identified associated factors provide a foundation for enhancing the role of EBP among nursing students.

Computational Thinking Measurement of CS University Students

The measurement of computational thinking ability among computer science (CS) university students is of paramount importance. This study introduces UniCTCheck, a novel method designed to assess the main components of computational thinking in CS students. Utilising two key instruments, namely, the web application CTScore and the psychometric scale CTProg, this research aims to precisely evaluate seven core components of computational thinking and six programming concepts skills essential for CS students. The study, conducted at Rey Juan Carlos University and Atlantic Technological University Galway, involved a diverse sample of students from different year levels and programme specialisations. Through a rigorous research design, including sampling strategies and data collection tools, this study seeks to address critical research questions related to the measurement of variations in students’ computational thinking and programming skills by gender, university level, and location. By shedding light on the significance of computational thinking and programming in the educational realm, this research contributes to the existing literature and underscores the essential role of computational skills in the modern era.

An unplugged remix of culturally responsive computing for early childhood education

AbstractDespite a growing movement towards expanding computer science education in PreK‐12, gaps in computing opportunities along lines of race, ethnicity, class, and gender have widened. Emergent theories and practices related to culturally responsive computing show promise in addressing this gap; however, little is known about engaging Black, Latinx, and Indigenous preschoolers in computer science. In this paper, we utilized qualitative content analyses to explore how an early childhood computer science curriculum created opportunities for young Black and Latinx preschoolers to develop computational thinking skills while engaging in culturally responsive computing. Overwhelmingly, we found the curriculum, co‐developed with educators and caregivers, emphasized unplugged tools and coding activities to support computational thinking. These unplugged opportunities positioned children as innovators with technology and technosocial change agents, in developmentally‐appropriate, play‐based ways. Findings demonstrate a need to emphasize the value of unplugged tools and coding activities in order to support computational thinking and align the goals of culturally responsive computing with the unique needs of young children. We discuss implications for a theory of culturally responsive computing specifically for early childhood education.

Educational robotics or unplugged coding activities in kindergartens?: Comparison of the effects on pre-school children's computational thinking and executive function skills

This study compares the effects of coding education with educational robot and unplugged coding activities on pre-school students' computational thinking and executive function skills. This study used a pre-test and post-test comparison group quasi-experimental design. The study was conducted in a public kindergarten with 48 pre-school students (24 educational robot- BeeBot® group and 24-unplugged coding group) aged 5-6. The TechCheck-K test was used to measure computational thinking skills, and Executive Functions Battery-Computerized Touch was used to measure executive function skills. The process started with pre-test applications and ended with post-tests after four weeks (16 different sessions) of the implementation in both groups. The study found a statistically significant difference between the computational thinking pre-test and post-test scores of pre-school students in both groups in favor of the post-test. It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in favor of the educational robot group between the post-test scores of computational thinking skills. In addition, when the findings regarding executive functions were evaluated, there was a statistically significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores of total executive function in favor of the post-test in both groups. However, it was observed that there was no statistically significant difference between the post-test scores of both groups in terms of total executive function skills scores. In addition, when the post-test scores of pre-school students in two groups were evaluated, it was determined that there was no significant difference in computational thinking and executive function skills according to gender. Consequently, it was determined that coding education with an educational robot was more effective for gaining computational thinking skills than unplugged coding activities for pre-school students. However, it was observed that there was no difference between the two groups in terms of the development of executive function skills in pre-school education.

PECULIARITIES OF TRAINING PERSONNEL RESOURCES OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN THE SPHERE OF EPIDEMIOLOGY

Aim. An analysis of educational approaches to the training of specialists in the public health system in the field of epidemiology in Ukraine and the world was carried out with the definition of the main competencies, in accordance with the best educational international practices. Conducting an analysis of educational approaches to the training of specialists in the public health system in the field of epidemiology in Ukraine and the world with the definition of core competencies, in accordance with the best educational international practices. Materials and methods. Critical narrative literature review, based on scientific works indexed in the scientometric databases Medline, Google Scholar, PubMed, with directory of open access journals (Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)) and data from the global network educational (TEPHINET) was conducted. Results. The world experience of training specialists in the field of epidemiology, with the aim of strengthening the health care system, shows that efforts are being directed to the training of practically oriented specialists. The main subject areas are necessary for the modern training of epidemiologists in the field of public health: epidemiological method and biostatistics, epidemiological surveillance and biosafety, epidemiology of infectious and non-infectious diseases, communication, management and leadership, computer skills. An epidemiologist must possess basic competencies: apply epidemiological research methods, synthesis of knowledge and interpretation of data to monitor diseases, respond to outbreaks, manage public health surveillance, manage staff and resources, develop written and oral communications. There is a valid opinion that competences in the field of epidemiology should be standardized, which would make the epidemiologist universal in different countries aimed at formation qualified and experienced epidemiologists who can detect, investigate and control disease outbreaks; conduct observations; analyze epidemiological data; measure the impact of interventions; and conduct applied epidemiological studies. Conclusions. The practical orientation of educational programs should provide a strong component for creating a sustainable capacity to respond to emergency situations in the field of health care at the national, regional and global levels. The Ukrainian approach to the training of epidemiologists requires changes using programs that combine theoretical learning with the predominant experience of practical work, taking into account the basic competencies with elements of mentoring and peer training, should meet modern standards of andragogy and approaches to motivating future specialists to learn throughout their lives.

PatternJ: an ImageJ toolset for the automated and quantitative analysis of regular spatial patterns found in sarcomeres, axons, somites, and more.

Regular spatial patterns are ubiquitous forms of organization in nature. In animals, regular patterns can be found from the cellular scale to the tissue scale, and from early stages of development to adulthood. To understand the formation of these patterns, how they assemble and mature, and how they are affected by perturbations, a precise quantitative description of the patterns is essential. However, accessible tools that offer in-depth analysis without the need for computational skills are lacking for biologists. Here, we present PatternJ, a novel toolset to analyze regular one-dimensional patterns precisely and automatically. This toolset, to be used with the popular imaging processing program ImageJ/Fiji, facilitates the extraction of key geometric features within and between pattern repeats in static images and time-lapse series. We validate PatternJ with simulated data and test it on images of sarcomeres from insect muscles and contracting cardiomyocytes, actin rings in neurons, and somites from zebrafish embryos obtained using confocal fluorescence microscopy, STORM, electron microscopy, and brightfield imaging. We show that the toolset delivers subpixel feature extraction reliably even with images of low signal-to-noise ratio. PatternJ's straightforward use and functionalities make it valuable for various scientific fields requiring quantitative one-dimensional pattern analysis, including the sarcomere biology of muscles or the patterning of mammalian axons, speeding up discoveries with the bonus of high reproducibility.

Studi Literatur Review : Analisis Kemampuan Berpikir Komputasi Siswa Melalui Aplikasi Sebagai Media Pembelajaran

This research aims to comprehensively examine students' computational thinking skills through applications as existing learning media. This research uses the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method to draw conclusions from the results of research examining mathematical problem solving skills in terms of student self-efficacy. SLR research aims to identify, review, and make conclusions from all research results related to the research topic. Literature collection that becomes research data is done by tracing the results of research published in journals online using the Publish or Perish search engine on Google Scholar and based on inclusion criteria. The results of the literature study that has been carried out, can be concluded that the ability of students' computational thinking through applications as learning media is quite good. The researcher recommends that further research be conducted on existing applications that can help students in learning.

Productive Failure-based Programming Course to Develop Computational Thinking and Creative Problem-Solving Skills in a Korean Elementary School

Productive Failure-based Programming Course to Develop Computational Thinking and Creative Problem-Solving Skills in a Korean Elementary School

Awareness and Perceptions of ChatGPT Among Academics and Research Professionals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Implications for Responsible AI Use.

BACKGROUND Chat Generative Pre-Trained (ChatGPT) Transformer was created by OpenAI and has a powerful tool used in research. This study aimed to assess the awareness and perceptions of ChatGPT among researchers and academicians at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MATERIAL AND METHODS A self-administered cross-sectional study was conducted among academicians and researchers from November 2023 to March 2024 using electronic questionnaires prepared in Google Forms. The data were collected using the Tawasul platform, which sent the electronic questionnaires to the targeted population. To determine the association between variables, the chi-square or Fisher exact test was applied at a significance level of <0.05. To find predictors of use of ChatGPT, multiple linear regression analysis was applied. RESULTS A response rate of 66.5% was obtained. Among those, 60.2% (n=121) had expertise in computer skills and 63.7% were familiar with ChatGPT. The respondents' gender, age, and specialization had a significant association with familiarity with ChatGPT (p<0.001). The results of the multiple linear regression analysis revealed that there was a significant association between the use of ChatGPT, age (B=0.048; SE=0.022; t=2.207; p=.028; CI=0.005-0.092) gender (B=0.330; SE=0.067; t=4.906; p=.001; CI=197-.462) and nationality, (B=0.194; SE=0.065; t=2.982; p=.003, CI=.066-.322). CONCLUSIONS The growing use of ChatGPT in scholarly research offers a chance to promote the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence. Future studies ought to concentrate on assessing ChatGPT's clinical results and comparing its effectiveness to those of other ChatGPT and other AI tools.

Optimization-based design exploration of building massing typologies—EvoMass and a typology-oriented computational design optimization method for early-stage performance-based building massing design

In the past decade, there has been an increasing recognition of the role of computational design optimization in early-stage performance-based architectural design exploration. However, it remains challenging for designers to apply such optimization-based design explorations in practice. To address this issue, this paper introduces a design tool, called EvoMass, and an associated design method that facilitates design exploration for building massing typologies in performance-based design tasks. EvoMass is capable of offering architects design options reflecting performance-related building massing typologies for the design task, without necessitating advanced computational design skills. More importantly, it can provide architects with insights into the underlying performance implications, thereby enhancing early-stage performance-based design exploration. EvoMass and its associated design method overcome the limitation in the conventional typology-first-optimization-second design procedure adopted by most existing tools, and it promotes a typology-oriented design exploration method of using computational optimization in performance-based architectural design. To demonstrate the efficacy of EvoMass, case studies derived from architectural design studio tasks, incorporating daylighting, solar exposure, and subjective design intents, and the result of a user survey are presented, which highlights how EvoMass and the performance-based design optimization and exploration can enable architects to achieve a more performance-aware design.

The importance of digital skills for the Western Balkans -comparative analysis between the Western Balkans and the European Union

In knowledge-intensive economies, skills emerged as crucial resources, determining economic development. Thus, in the post-pandemic, digital world, digital skills gain new ground, attracting the interest of researchers and practitioners, especially in the Western Balkan (WB) countries, which aspire to be a part of the European Union (EU). As a result, the article aims to investigate the level of digital, computer, and skills in evaluating data, information, and digital content in WB and to compare it with the EU region. Furthermore, we found that EU countries are way ahead in terms of basic or above basic overall digital skills on average. In the WB context, Serbia and Montenegro are close to converging with the EU average related to computer skills while Montenegro and North Macedonia lead in skills in evaluating data, information, and digital content. The results point out that the level of digital skills highly correlates with labor productivity and GDP per capita in WB.

Computational Thinking Skills Theorization in The Vocational High School Computer Programming Subject Context

The purpose of the study is to compile concepts related to computational thinking skills in the context of computer programming subject. The research design used is data theorization (grounded theory) with open coding and axial coding data analysis techniques. Three types of data collection protocols are used: interview protocols, observation protocols, and recording protocols. The characteristics informants used are students who have experience learning computer programming in the vocational high school. The research produced several concepts, namely the problem concept, which then gave rise to the computational thinking skills concept. The problem concept consists of three sub-concepts: the common problem sub-concept, the medium problem sub-concept, and the high problem sub-concept. The concept of computational thinking skills is a set of skills required in the problem-solving process in computer programming. Computational thinking is not just a thought process but an expression of skills that others can observe. In the computer programming subject context, two concepts influence the process of mastering computational thinking skills: the guidance strategies concept and the information sources concept. The concept of success becomes a mediator in developing computational thinking skills. The theory produced in this study can be used as a basis for conducting research with quantitative designs related to deductive proof of the theory.

PACSAB Server: A Web-Based Tool for the Study of Aggregation and the Conformational Ensemble of Disordered and Folded Proteins.

We present in this article the PACSAB server, which is designed to provide information about the structural ensemble and interactions of both stable and disordered proteins to researchers in the field of molecular biology. The use of this tool does not require any computational skills as the user just needs to upload the structure of the protein to be studied; the server runs a simulation with the PACSAB model, a highly accurate coarse-grained model that is much more efficient than standard molecular dynamics for the exploration of the conformational space of multiprotein systems. The trajectories generated by the simulations based on this model reveal the propensity of the protein under study for aggregation, identify the residues playing a central role in the aggregation process, and reproduce the whole conformational space of disordered proteins. All of this information is shown and can be downloaded from the web page.

Challenges and advantages of electronic prescribing system: a survey study and thematic analysis

IntroductionElectronic prescribing (e-prescribing) systems can bring many advantages and challenges. This system has been launched in Iran for more than two years. This study aimed to investigate the challenges and advantages of the e-prescribing system from the point of view of physicians.MethodsIn this survey study and thematic analysis, which was conducted in 2023, a researcher-made questionnaire was created based on the literature review and opinions of the research team members and provided to the physician. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS software, and qualitative data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti software. Rank and point biserial, Kendall’s tau b, and Phi were used to investigate the correlation between variables.ResultsEighty-four physicians participated in this study, and 71.4% preferred to use paper-based prescribing. According to the results, 53.6%, 38.1%, and 8.3% of physicians had low, medium, and high overall satisfaction with this system, respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation between the sex and overall satisfaction with the e-prescribing system (p-value = 0.009) and the computer skill level and the prescribing methods (P-value = 0.042). Physicians face many challenges with this system, which can be divided into five main categories: technical, patient-related, healthcare providers-related, human resources, and architectural and design issues. Also, the main advantages of the e-prescribing system were process improvement, economic efficiency, and enhanced prescribing accuracy.ConclusionThe custodian and service provider organizations should upgrade the necessary information technology infrastructures, including hardware, software, and network infrastructures. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to incorporate the perspectives of end users in the system design process.