Interactive Tool Research Articles

FOREIGN EXPERIENCE IN USING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN MUSIC EDUCATION

This article analyzes the necessity and benefits of using innovative technologies in music education. On the basis of foreign experiences, issues of modernization of music education, introduction of new pedagogical approaches and use of interactive tools are considered. The article also demonstrates how innovative technologies can be used to develop students' creativity, musical skills and knowledge. Examples will be given to improve the effectiveness of music education through innovative pedagogical methods, distance learning platforms and digital tools. This research provides useful resources for teachers and educational institutions in shaping the modern music education system.

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from Carthamus caeruleus L. rhizome: Integrating central composite design, Gaussian process regression, and multi-objective Grey Wolf optimization approaches

The prediction of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) for total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) from Carthamus caeruleus L. rhizomes was conducted using a Gaussian process regression model (GPR) with a multi-objective Grey Wolf optimization approach (MOGWO). A central composite design (CCD) was employed first, examining ethanol concentration, temperature, time, and solvent-to-solid ratio as independent variables. TPC and TFC responses were analyzed under various conditions, revealing significant quadratic and interaction effects (p < 0.05). The GPR was then utilized to predict TPC and TFC, showing high accuracy with correlation coefficients near 1 and minimal root mean square error (RMSE) values. To simultaneously maximize TPC and TFC, the MOGWO was used in a multi-objective framework. Validation through CCD and GPR highlighted GPR's superior predictive accuracy. Optimal conditions (10% ethanol, 40°C, 20minutes sonication, and 50mLg-1 solvent to solid ratio) showed significant discrepancies in CCD predictions but high accuracy in GPR predictions. An interactive tool predicts TPC and TFC using CCD and GPR models. Users input extraction parameters and receive predictions, with a GWO-based optimization module for optimal conditions. The interface enables model comparison, improves process understanding, and optimizes bioactive compound extraction.

SUPPLEMENTARY EDUCATION PORTAL CREATION FOR STUDENTS

The aim of the research described in this article is to develop and implement an educational portal that enables students to acquire additional knowledge and skills by studying the process of creating electronic resources in the educational field. The portal addresses the current demands of digital learning and provides access to supplementary educational opportunities. The article discusses software development methods, the selection of an optimal environment for application creation, and the key stages of the development process. The focus of the research is on creating a supplementary education portal, emphasizing the use of object-oriented programming (OOP) methods, web technologies, web programming, and electronic educational resource creation techniques. As a result of the research, technologies such as PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript were chosen, leading to the successful implementation of the application. An analysis of existing educational portals, such as BilimLand and Daryn Online, was conducted. The outcome of the work was the creation of a functional educational portal that allows students to effectively gain additional knowledge, meeting modern requirements. The portal offers interactive tools available to users and adapts to individual educational needs.

Enhancing the Inference Skills of Selected AP (Araling Panlipunan)-Grade 7 Students at OCABIS (Old Cabalan Integrated School): A Study Utilizing the Snake and Ladder Board Game

The integration of game-based learning has gained popularity for enhancing cognitive skills such as critical thinking and inference. Interactive tools such as board games nurture engagement and assist in comprehending complex concepts. The Araling Panlipunan curriculum in the Philippines emphasizes critical thinking, making innovative teaching methods essential. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of using the snake and ladder board game in enhancing the inference skills of Grade 7 Emerald students from the Old Cabalan Integrated School (OCABIS) in Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) during the 2023-2024 academic year. The study employed a convergent parallel approach that included pre-tests, post-tests, and focus group interviews to collect data. Statistical analyses were used to examine the results, including frequency distribution, percentage, mean, Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann–Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and thematic analysis. The results revealed that integrating the snake and ladder board game positively impacted students' critical thinking and inference skills, with post-test scores showing significant improvement as it revealed a notable enhancement in scores, showing a median pre-test score of 8 and a post-test score of 12 (W = 630.000, z = -5.184, p = .000), resulting in a moderate effect size (d = .62). The study also found that the board game strategy was equally effective for male and female students, providing a more engaging learning environment and reducing boredom. Based on these findings, the researchers proposed guidelines for further improving the snake and ladder board game strategy to enhance students’ inference skills.

Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Computer Systems, and Interactive Systems: a Holistic Approach to Enhancing Creative Talent in Art Design

With the rapid development and wide application of artificial intelligence, virtual computer systems and interactive systems, they play an important role in improving innovative talents in art and design. The purpose of this paper is to explore the overall approach of using these technologies to improve innovation in the field of art and design as well as to cultivate innovative talents. Firstly, we introduce the current development of artificial intelligence in art and design. Secondly, we explore the application of AI, virtual computer systems and interactive systems in art and design innovation. Artificial intelligence technology can help designers discover new inspirations and ideas by analysing a large number of artworks and design cases; virtual computer systems can provide designers with a virtual creative environment so that they can experiment and create in an infinite space; interactive systems can provide learners with a personalised learning experience, and, through intelligent educational platforms and interactive tools, help them develop their creative thinking and problem-solving skills. By making full use of these technologies, we can cultivate more creative and innovative art and design talents, and promote the sustainable development of the art and design field.

Criteria and tools for improving trust relations between dairy cluster stakeholders

The article shows the necessity and timeliness of building trusting relationships between stakeholders in projects to create a dairy cluster - an association of institutionally independent enterprises integrated into an inter-industry complex, in order to obtain a synergetic result from balanced cooperative relations between them. The cluster should take into account the interests of all its participants, so maintaining trust between them is necessary for the formation of the food chain in the dairy business, which in turn serves as a catalyst for the effective development of the dairy industry, increasing the volume of production and quality of dairy products. The aim is to study the influence of factors on the common interest, partnership between stakeholders in the project environment, as well as the development of methodological and practical recommendations for the application of tools of effective interaction between them, which contributes to the success of the project and the achievement of common goals. Methods - abstract-logical to identify problems and causes, online survey of respondents using Google-form, Cronbach's Alpha modeling methods are used to assess the reliability and internal consistency of questions in the model created in the Smart PLS program when analyzing complex relationships between latent variables (constructs) that cannot be measured directly. In the course of the study 76 respondents from all regions of Kazakhstan, which are potential stakeholders in the activities of the dairy subcomplex, were interviewed. Results - reliability and validity of the chosen conceptual model were established, the necessity of deepening the hypotheses put forward during the life cycle of the project on the functioning of the dairy cluster was proved. Conclusions - innovative entrepreneurship cannot be successful without managing the process of forming an atmosphere of trusting relations along the entire chain of the production process - from investors to consumers.

Жиһаз индустриясы үшін мамандар даярлаудағы инновациялық цифрлық шешімдер

In the context of the rapid development of technologies and changing market requirements, this approach is becoming increasingly relevant, as it contributes to the formation of creative and innovative specialists. The purpose of the study is to analyze the use of digital design and design thinking in the educational process, as well as to assess their impact on the formation of professional competencies of students. The paper examines modern practices and methodologies, including the use of 3D modeling software, virtual reality and other digital tools that allow students to interact with real-time projects. The study used interactive multimedia tools, digital methods of graphic design, and virtual experiences adapted in the learning process. The results of the analysis show that the integration of digital technologies into training not only increases the level of student participation, but also contributes to the development of critical thinking, teamwork skills and the ability to solve practical problems in furniture design and production. These conclusions indicate the need to adapt educational programs to modern requirements and challenges, and also open up new opportunities for the use of innovative teaching methods in the furniture industry, which, in turn, can contribute to increasing the competitiveness of specialists in the labor market.

Pendampingan Anggota Igra dalam Melaksanakan Proses Belajar Mengajar Kreatif dan Menyenangkan Berbasis Konten Kreator

Education is an effective way to combat poverty, with teachers playing key roles as facilitators, motivators, and guides in the learning process. In early childhood education, particularly in Raudhatul Athfal (RA), teachers play a crucial role in instilling values of faith, independence, and good moral character in children during their golden age (0-5 years old). This research aims to empower RA teachers in Kecamatan Turen to create social media-based learning content as an innovative method to enhance student engagement.The research method employed is Participatory Action Research (PAR), involving 13 RA institutions in Kecamatan Turen, with a focus on training teachers to produce digital learning content. The findings reveal that most teachers already use digital tools in teaching, but there are still challenges in developing digital content that aligns with the cognitive development of young children. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of creating official social media accounts and websites for each RA, integrated into a unified platform at the district level.The outcomes of this program are expected to enhance teachers' abilities in utilizing social media as an interactive and engaging learning tool. Thus, empowering teachers to create educational digital content is key to improving the quality of education, especially for early childhood. Continuous evaluation through feedback allows for the refinement of teaching methods, fostering a more effective and creative learning environment.

A STUDY OF POPULAR ONLINE EDUCATIONAL PORTALS (WEB APPS) IN INDIA

This research paper investigates the landscape of popular online educational portals in India, examining their features, user engagement, and impact on learning outcomes. As the demand for digital education surges, especially post-pandemic, platforms like BYJUS and Unacademy have emerged as significant players. The study employs a study of secondary data from the selected portals. Key metrics analysed include user accessibility, content variety, pedagogical effectiveness, and user satisfaction. Findings reveal a diverse range of educational resources tailored to different learning needs, highlighting the effectiveness of interactive tools and personalized learning paths. A Modern-Day Approach: The NEP 2020 has a special focus on online education. Universities and institutions like NITs and IGNOU will be conducting pilot research studies to maximize the benefits of digital learning in India. Online tools and platforms like DIKSHA and SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) will be upgraded with new insight into training content, in-class resources, assessment aids, profiles, etc. that will allow seamless interaction. It also focuses on the creation of public digital and interoperable infrastructure that can be utilised by multiple platforms. NEP 2020 emphasizes the creation of virtual labs wherein students can practice their theoretical knowledge and make course content available in different languages. The newly renamed Ministry of Education proposes to set up a dedicated unit for the promotion of digital learning. The dedicated unit will comprise experts from the field of education, educational technology, administration, and e-governance who will focus on the online learning needs of both the school and higher education. More emphasis will be given to online assessment and examinations. The present age is driven by digital technology and the whole globe comes under the influence of the Internet and the World Wide Web. The internet equipped both the education seeker as well as the education provider and laid them together under the virtual roof. Due to this, the concept of virtual classrooms is already popularized across the globe. Therefore, in the modern era, the role of online technology in providing education is vital and with its flexible nature online educational technology has gained popularity. The online education is now more accessible to the less privileged groups in comparison to the centralized classroom education system.

Effects of the use of a conversational artificial intelligence chatbot on medical students’ patient-centered communication skill development in a metaverse environment

This study investigated how the use of a conversational artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot improved medical students' patient-centered communication (PCC) skills and how it affected their motivation to learn using innovative interactive tools such as AI chatbots throughout their careers. This study adopted a onegroup post-test-only design to investigate the impact of AI chatbot-based learning on medical students' PCC skills, their learning motivation with AI chatbots, and their perception towards the use of AI chatbots in their learning. After a series of classroom activities, including metaverse exploration, AI chatbot-based learning activities, and classroom discussions, 43 medical students completed three surveys that measured their motivation to learn using AI tools for medical education, their perception towards the use of AI chatbots in their learning, and their self-assessment of their PCC skills. Our findings revealed significant correlations among learning motivation, PCC scores, and perception variables. Notably, the perception towards AI chatbot-based learning and AI chatbot learning motivation showed a very strong positive correlation (r=0.72), indicating that motivated students were more likely to perceive chatbots as beneficial educational tools. Additionally, a moderate correlation between motivation and self-assessed PCC skills (r=0.54) indicated that students motivated to use AI chatbots tended to rate their PCC skills more favorably. Similarly, a positive relationship (r=0.68) between students' perceptions of chatbot usage and their self-assessed PCC skills indicated that enhancing students' perceptions of AI tools could lead to better educational outcomes.

A Novel Web-Based Approach for Monitoring Biodiversity.

Understanding complexities in biodiversity is one of the fundamental goals of ecology and its monitoring is significant for ecosystem sustainability, maintenance, and conservation. However, biodiversity monitoring needs improvement to handle complex datasets and their analyses. This study attempts to understand these ecological complexities quickly, efficiently, and easily. The aim is to provide an alternative to ecologists, researchers, instructors, and stakeholders for biodiversity monitoring with the flexibility to visualize and customize outputs without software knowledge. A novel web-based technique is applied to monitor the biodiversity of a complex mountain ecosystem using a national database. The species-environment relationships of different vegetation types across a mountain ecosystem's elevation gradient are investigated using open-source climatic, physiographic, and socioeconomic variables. The proposed interactive tool to monitor biodiversity and understand its complexities is designed to visualize the data structure, summary, correlations, and sampling effectiveness quickly and easily. Plant species richness patterns and life forms (herb, shrub, and tree) across elevational gradients are investigated. We highlight the preliminary investigation of the data structure and their spatial distribution and apply the multicollinearity test to select variables for modeling. The drop-down menu helps users browse different datasets and select those datasets for instant visualization. Preliminary investigations on interactions between variables and species richness of vegetation types along elevation gradient interactively displayed with options to select variables, plant richness, and an elevational range. Species-environment relationships are investigated using multiple modeling protocols, and results are interactively displayed with options to download in different file formats and colors at the click of a button. This visualization tool helps to understand ecosystem structure, species richness patterns and species-environment relationships easily and efficiently. The R-codes used in this tool are reproducible and can be implemented with multiple datasets to monitor ecosystems.

Sex Differences in Intracranial Aneurysms: A Matched Cohort Study.

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) predominantly affects women, accounting for 65% of cases. Women have a 1.3 times higher relative risk than men, with the incidence rising particularly in women aged 55-85 years. Women also have a higher prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs), especially after the age of 50 years, and are at greater risk of aneurysm growth and rupture. This study aimed to isolate the influence of sex on rupture rate, bleeding severity, functional outcomes, and complications by using a matched cohort, while also examining the impact of sex on aneurysm localization and multiplicity. Methods: We utilized a retrospectively collected database of 300 patients with 511 IAs. Inclusion criteria included the availability of clinical data and 3D angiography for semi-automatic reconstruction of IA morphology. Female patients and their IA were matched with male patients according to clinical parameters and 21 morphological characteristics using an interactive visual exploration tool for multidimensional matching. Results: Contrary to previously published results, our study found no significant sex differences in rupture rates or vasospasm rates between male and female patients. The severity of SAH, functional outcomes, and complications such as hydrocephalus were also similar in women and men. However, women exhibited a higher prevalence of multiple aneurysms and distinct localization patterns. Conclusions: This study underscores the complex role of sex in IA development and rupture. Although sex-specific biological factors influence aneurysm characteristics, they do not necessarily translate into differences in clinical outcomes. Further research is needed to explore these factors and their impact on aneurysm development and management.

Facilitating integrative and personalized oncology omics analysis with UCSCXenaShiny.

The continuous generation of multi-omics and phenotype data is propelling advancements in precision oncology. UCSCXenaShiny was developed as an interactive tool for exploring thousands of cancer datasets available on UCSC Xena. However, its capacity for comprehensive and personalized pan-cancer data analysis is being challenged by the growing demands. Here, we introduce UCSCXenaShiny v2, a milestone update through a variety of improvements. Firstly, by integrating multidimensional data and implementing adaptable sample settings, we create a suite of robust TPC (TCGA, PCAWG, CCLE) analysis pipelines. These pipelines empower users to conduct in-depth analyses of correlation, comparison, and survival in three modes: Individual, Pan-cancer and Batch screen. Additionally, the tool includes download interfaces that enable users to access diverse data and outcomes, several features also facilitate the joint analysis of drug sensitivity and multi-omics of cancer cell lines. UCSCXenaShiny v2 is an open-source R package and a web application, freely accessible at https://github.com/openbiox/UCSCXenaShiny .

Unlocking Fluent Speech: Enhancing Student Speaking Skills through Digital Storytelling

This study evaluates the impact of digital storytelling on improving college students' speaking skills, based on Vygotsky’s Social Constructivism, which emphasizes the role of social interaction and cultural tools in learning. Using a quasi-experimental design, 60 fourth-semester students at the Islamic Institute of Sunan Kalijogo Malang were divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group from the Faculty of Islamic Da'wah and Broadcasting engaged in digital storytelling, while the control group, including students from the Tarbiyah and Teaching Faculty, did not. Narrative texts such as fairy tales and fables were used in the intervention. The experimental group showed a significant improvement in speaking skills, with their mean post-test score increasing from 55.39 to 61.72, compared to a decrease in the control group's score from 57.01 to 55.12. Digital storytelling effectively enhances students' speaking skills by providing engaging, interactive learning experiences. The study supports the integration of digital storytelling into language instruction to improve oral communication abilities

Site selection for a high-level nuclear waste repository in Germany: a short guide

The government agency BGE started a site selection process for a high-level nuclear waste repository in 2017. The first phase of data screening was completed in 2020 and resulted in the identification of search areas covering 54% of the national territory. The actual second phase will be completed by 2027 or later, and the areas for aboveground investigations will be identified. The obligatory nongovernment input is provided by follow-up regional conferences, which are best supported by external scientific expertise. The large amount of text documents and maps and the interactive internet tools such a 3D viewer provide a suitable basis for external evaluation. The rationale is to apply stricter criteria than those used in the first phase to drastically reduce the size of the search area. With this updated set of criteria, the size of the search area can be reduced to 2,662 km2 or 0.7% of the national territory. This size is convenient for detailed aboveground investigations such as high-density 3D seismic surveys.

The OBS UK Dashboard: an interactive tool for representative trial site selection to facilitate equality and diversity in maternity research

BackgroundObstetric Bleeding Study UK (OBS UK) (award ID: 152057) is a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial of a complex intervention for postpartum haemorrhage. This was developed in Wales and evaluated in a feasibility study, with improvements in maternal outcomes observed. Generalisability of the findings is limited by lack of control data and limited ethnic diversity in the Welsh obstetric patient population compared to the United Kingdom (UK): 94% of the Welsh population identifies as White, versus 82% in the UK. Non-White ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation are linked to increased risk of adverse maternal outcomes. Traditionally, decisions regarding site selection are based on desire to complete trials on target in ‘tried and tested’ research active institutions. To ensure widespread applicability of the results and investigate the impact of ethnicity and social deprivation on trial outcomes, maternity units were recruited that represent the ethnic diversity and social deprivation profiles of the UK.MethodUsing routinely collected, publicly available data, an interactive dashboard was developed that demonstrates the demographics of the population served by each maternity unit in the UK, to inform site recruitment. Data on births per year, ethnic and socioeconomic group of the population for each maternity unit, across the UK, were integrated into the dashboard.ResultsThe dashboard demonstrates that OBS UK trial sites reflect the ethnic and socioeconomic diversity of the UK (study vs UK population ethnicity: White 79.2% vs 81.7%, Asian 10.5% vs 9.3%, Black 4.7% vs 4.0%, Mixed 2.5% vs 2.9%, Other 3.0% vs 2.1%) with variation in site demography, size and location. Missing data varied across sites and nations and is presented.ConclusionThe NIHR equality, diversity and inclusion strategy states studies must widen participation, facilitating individuals from all backgrounds to engage. The development of this novel interactive dashboard demonstrates an innovative way of achieving this. National Health Service (NHS) maternity researchers should consider using this tool to enhance diversity in research, address health disparities and improve generalisability of findings. This approach could be applied to healthcare settings beyond maternity care and across different global populations.Trial registrationISRCTN 17679951. Registered on August 30, 2023.

In-depth Analysis of Students' Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills: Influence Factors Motivation and Effective Teaching Strategies

Problem-solving (PS) skills are efforts to find solutions when faced with challenges. This study aims to examine students' mathematical PS skills by focusing on the influence of learning motivation and identifying factors that were previously overlooked. A qualitative approach with a case study design was used, where the researcher acted as the primary instrument. The research also utilized PISA-type test instruments, observation sheets, and interviews. PISA-type questions were designed around content, context, and process components, adhering to the PISA framework. The study was conducted in a school in Surakarta, chosen for its alignment with the minimum competency assessment system similar to PISA. Using snowball sampling, nine students were selected for response analysis. These students were categorized based on their motivation levels: high, moderate, and low. The results show that students with high motivation are proactive in problem-solving, directly addressing the problem, reviewing each step as they proceed, and ensuring accuracy. Moderately motivated students take more time, often using scratch paper, and review their work only at the end. Low-motivation students face greater difficulties, frequently making mistakes, relying heavily on scratch paper, and often skipping the review process due to time pressure. To improve PS skills, future research could explore the integration of interactive digital tools with instant feedback, adaptive learning platforms tailored to student motivation, and collaborative learning exercises. Additionally, incorporating real-world scenarios into problem-based learning could enhance engagement and develop deeper problem-solving abilities across different motivation levels.

The Comparative Performance of Large Language Models on the Hand Surgery Self-Assessment Examination.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) models have emerged as capable of producing human-like responses and have showcased their potential in general medical specialties. This study explores the performance of AI systems on the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Self-Assessment Exams (SAE). ChatGPT 4.0 and Bing AI were evaluated on a set of multiple-choice questions drawn from the ASSH SAE online question bank spanning 5 years (2019-2023). Each system was evaluated with 999 questions. Images and video links were inserted into question prompts to allow for complete AI interpretation. The performance of both systems was standardized using the May 2023 version of ChatGPT 4.0 and Microsoft Bing AI, both of which had web browsing and image capabilities. ChatGPT 4.0 scored an average of 66.5% on the ASSH questions. Bing AI scored higher, with an average of 75.3%. Bing AI outperformed ChatGPT 4.0 by an average of 8.8%. As a benchmark, a minimum passing score of 50% was required for continuing medical education credit. Both ChatGPT 4.0 and Bing AI had poorer performance on video-type and image-type questions on analysis of variance testing. Responses from both models contained elements from sources such as PubMed, Journal of Hand Surgery, and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. ChatGPT 4.0 with browsing and Bing AI can both be anticipated to achieve passing scores on the ASSH SAE. Generative AI, with its ability to provide logical responses and literature citations, presents a convincing argument for use as an interactive learning aid and educational tool.

Effects of highlights and annotations on EFL learners’ Reading comprehension: an application of computer-assisted interactive reading model

This mixed-methods study investigates the effects of highlights and annotations on reading comprehension among Chinese EFL students majoring in teaching English as a foreign language, within a computer-assisted interactive reading model. The study involved 183 participants, randomly assigned to three experimental groups and a control group, each utilizing distinct combinations of highlights and annotations to evaluate their impact on reading comprehension. The results indicate that the intervention groups exhibited significant improvements in reading comprehension compared to the control group. Qualitative feedback from participants revealed increased engagement and metacognitive awareness, suggesting that these interactive features function as effective cognitive scaffolds. By facilitating information processing and reducing cognitive load, highlights and annotations enhance the reading experience and comprehension. These findings support cognitive load theory and underscore the pedagogical potential of integrating interactive elements into digital reading materials. This integration can promote active reading strategies and learner-centered instruction, offering valuable insights for educators and curriculum designers. By demonstrating the efficacy of technology-enhanced reading interventions, this research contributes to the broader field of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), emphasizing the role of interactive tools in improving language proficiency and academic success among EFL learners.

Comparison of Procedural Content Item Generator versus Interactive Tool for Clinical Skills Acquisition in Physiotherapy Students

Comparison of Procedural Content Item Generator versus Interactive Tool for Clinical Skills Acquisition in Physiotherapy Students