Universitat Politecnica De Valencia Research Articles

Architectural design communication (ADC) in online education during COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison of Turkish and Spanish universities

PurposeThe paper aims to examine the concept of architectural design communication (ADC) for updating design studio dynamics in architectural education during the Covid-19 pandemic. Within this perspective, the changing and transforming contents of architectural education, the thinking, representation and production mediums are examined through the determined components of ADC. There are five components in the study, which are (1) Effective Language Use, (2) Effective use of Handcrafts, (3) Effective Technical Drawing Knowledge, (4) Effective Architectural Software Knowledge and (5) Outputs.Design/methodology/approachThe research method is based on qualitative and quantitative methods; a survey study is applied and the comparative results are evaluated with the path analysis method. The students in the Department of Architecture of two universities have been selected as the target audience. Case study 1 survey is applied to Altinbas University (AU) and Case study 2 survey is applied to Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV) students during the COVID-19 pandemic; ‘19-‘20 spring term, online education.FindingsAs a result, two-path analysis diagrams are produced for two universities, and a comparative analysis is presented to reveal the relationships of the selected ADC components.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills an identified need to study how ADC can be developed in online education platforms.

Fracture and internal structure detection of ceramic objects using improved digital radiography images

Abstract Radiography testing (RT) is an effective, non-invasive method for the detection of hidden structures, details and fracture regions of valuable ancient ceramic objects. To maximize detail extraction from the radiographs and to better interpret images, we use an efficient image processing method that reveals the design and defect regions of objects. For larger radiographic images, it is preferable that a desktop computer is capable of processing the algorithm. Algorithms that require a large memory size and CPU time necessitate the resizing of the images, resulting in lower quality output images. In this study, the fast bilateral filter (FBF) was implemented to enhance the visualization of the radiographs of ceramic objects from the archaeological museum of Burriana, Spain. The digital radiographs were provided by a computed radiography (CR) system at the Laboratory of Documentation and Registration in the University Institute for the Restoration of the Patrimony (IRP) of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV), Spain. The FBF method based on the Fourier series and the truncated Gaussian function was successfully implemented with radiographs of antique objects. The results show that the internal structures, manufacturing processes, and fractures are better visualized and the edges and fine details are preserved. The design details were shown to be better visualized than the original radiographs based on opinions and evaluations from experts in radiography and the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.

Developing A MOOC Initiative: Lessons Learned from the Universitat Politècnica de València Experience

Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV) was the European institution with more MOOC course runs done by December 2016. This paper describes and analyses the decision-making process, and rationale of the development of this low budget real MOOC institutional initiative carried out by a traditional higher educational medium sized institution. This analysis is done using an Evaluative Research (ER) method based on an iterative approach of 6 cycles of formative evaluation. It has been a multiple stage process that includes many aspects. In this paper, we will analyze two of them: the creation, organization and management of a fast and cheap MOOC production process, including the several tools, plans, and procedures that have enabled UPV to create courses fast and with a low-cost; and the technical evolution of the initiative, with the different platforms that have been used. As a consequence of this process, UPV has its own platform (upvx.es) based on openedX and is a member of edx.org, with 50 courses, 177 editions, and more than 632.000 enrollments. The completion rate is 8.69%, and post-course surveys reveal a high level of satisfaction from students. The paper will finish addressing the challenges of making this an entirely self-sustainable initiative and reflecting about what is required for evaluating this experience globally.

Organizational life cycle assessment: suitability for higher education institutions with environmental management systems

The purpose of this study is to analyze the suitability of organizational life cycle assessments (O-LCAs) for higher education institutions (HEIs) with special attention to the benefits and particularities of those adopting environmental management systems (EMSs) verified according to Environmental Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). A thorough analysis following ISO/TS 14072 and UNEP Guidance was carried out using the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV) EMS verified by the EMAS for guiding principles to develop the methodological proposal. The self-sufficiency of UPV EMS for developing an O-LCA was tested at the university pilot unit. The four steps of the O-LCA were applied to the pilot. A reporting organization, the organization to be studied (boundaries and scope), was defined in consideration of the environmental units (EU) of the EMS. Operational control was selected as a consolidation method. Reporting flows and system boundaries are also discussed. A three-scope scheme of the GHG protocol is introduced and combined with the ISO 14072 boundary definition to support better alignment with the HEI structure. For the life cycle inventory analysis, a mechanism for identifying activities and processes as well as their material and energy flows is proposed in consideration of the particularities of HEIs. A procedure for the prioritization of data collection efforts and cutoffs was developed. The procedure integrates current EMAS actions based on the significance of environmental aspects combined with the influence of reporting organizations under their control. Impact categories focus on midpoint indicators along with an additional inventory level indicator as part of the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). Unfortunately, due to a lack of quality data available, LCIA can only be assessed in part with little interest in outcomes. Partial results are presented. An EMS verified by EMAS is proven to be useful in the assessment of O-LCA for HEIs. However, EMAS requirements do not ensure the availability of all data needed to develop an O-LCA. An accounting system should complement a lack of data if it is properly structured. Considerable efforts are required to obtain an accurate result. EMS and the accounting system may be able to provide information that supports an O-LCA approach based on a coherent prioritization of data collection efforts and cutoff procedures along with a set of justified impact category indicators. Overall, organization managers must be in favor of such an assessment to meet the requirements of successful implementation.

Integrating E-tandem in Higher Education

Abstract This paper describes the experience of the pilot project “E-Tandem-Projekt Valkoln”, between a group of German learners at Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV) and a group of Spanish learners at the Language Learning Center of TH Koln during the summer semester of 2015. Following the philosophy of the tandem methodology, the aim of the pilot project was to promote action-oriented learning, autonomous learning , and effective communication skills in all domains (reading, writing , speaking and listening), intercultural exchange and international collaboration by the use of web 2.0-tools. For the realization of the asynchronous online-based collaboration a wiki software was used as virtual learning environment. For synchronous conversations students used Skype where they exchanged information about their academic lives. The project also involved a synchronous online session with the two language courses by using the virtual meeting tool Adobe Connect. This project was carried out within an institutional context. Therefore, it is important to focus the preparation and collaborative facilitation between the two institutions. The results of the e-tandem pilot project shows that students were more motivated and felt more interested in engaging in conversation with native speakers and exchanging personal and academic information.

An overview of measurements of radionuclides in foods of the Comunidad Valenciana (Spain)

Abstract Environmental radioactivity monitoring includes the determination of radionuclides in foods since they are an important way of intake of radionuclides to the human organism. Moreover, knowledge of the levels of radionuclides in foodstuffs will inform about the environmental radioactivity background permitting to control possible contamination due to human activity, such as agriculture activity, nuclear power plants or other radioactive facilities. The Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory (LRA) at the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV) performs measurements on representative foods from all over the Comunidad Valenciana (CV). Those measurements are part of several monitoring programs promoted by the Generalitat Valenciana . A total of 2200 samples of fruits, cereals, vegetables, milk, meat, eggs and fish coming from markets, agricultural cooperatives or small producers have been analyzed. A gamma-ray spectrometry analysis has been performed in all samples. It has been detected 40 K in all samples, 7 Be in some of them. Radiochemical separation of 90 Sr has been carried out in some of the samples collected, mainly orange and lettuce. Samples of lettuce and chard collected following Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) accident present activity concentration of 131 I (0.10–1.51 Bq kg −1 ). In this paper, a review of the data obtained at the 1991–2013 period in the framework of the development of the Environmental monitoring program is presented.

¿El dinero importa? Relación entre el presupuesto de la biblioteca y la productividad investigadora de la Universitat Politècnica de València

The aim of this paper is to determine whether there is a significant correlation between the library budget allocated to information resources and the scientific output at Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV). This situation was studied from 2001 to 2012, taking into account different variables: budget, collection size, number of research staff, research output, and use of the collection. In addition, full-text citations in the scientific output of the UPV from 2008 to 2011 were analysed to attempt to study the correlation with the budget and the use of the collection. A correlation was not observed between the budget allocated to information resources and scientific output, with the correlation being strong between the budget for electronic resources and scientific output. Finally, it was not possible to determine a causeeffect relationship between the budget and scientific output.

Unattended lecture recording: the VIDEOAPUNTES project

Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV) has developed a pilot program for automated recording of lectures called Videoapuntes during the academic year of 2012-2013. In this project we have recorded up to 36 lecture halls, from which students in the pilot courses have access to a high quality recording of the lecture comprising audio, video and the screen from the computer used by the teacher. Students access this content through the virtual campus platform. This recording has been made using the technology developed by the Opencast international consortium, in which UPV is an active member. Results from this pilot have been very successful, both in terms of quality and the number of recordings and in terms of student feedback, with more than 85% of the students valuating this resource as helpful or very helpful. In this paper we will present the plan, the technology that we are using, and the results we have obtained from the student feedback.

Experiencia Praktikum con máquinas eléctricas y control automático

El proyecto Praktikum se basa en una experiencia pionera y colaboradora entre la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia y alumnos de primer curso de Bachillerato que cursan Tecnología Industrial I, seleccionados por expediente académico y de entre todos los institutos de enseñanza secundaria de la Comunidad Valenciana. En concreto, la experiencia en estudio relata las actividades y prácticas realizadas en colaboración con el departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica de la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, durante una semana, por una alumna de la cual fui profesor titular del instituto, y guiada por profesores tutores de la Universidad, en los ámbitos del mantenimiento y cálculo de máquinas eléctricas y de instalaciones eléctricas domésticas y del control automatizado de las mismas.

The Internationalisation of Higher Education in Brazil: Analysis of a Spanish-Brazilian Scientific Cooperation Project in CAL

Abstract Over the past few years, the internationalisation of Higher Education has become a priority in Brazilian educational policies. The importance of internationalisation has become apparent thanks to numerous initiatives, ranging from the increase in funding for graduate and postgraduate research stays abroad to projects of scientific cooperation between universities in different countries. In this context, this paper explores a scientific cooperation project developed by two universities in Brazil and Spain: the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) and the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV), relating to the field of Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL). First of all, the internationalisation of the Brazilian Higher Education will be discussed, and the different initiatives - such as the Ciencia sem Fronteiras (Science without Borders) Programme launched by the Brazilian Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq) - will be presented. Following that, the paper will focus on the original proposal for the ongoing cooperation project between the UNICAMP and the UPV and on the results obtained until now. Next, the initiative will be analysed with special attention to the importance and the impact that internationalisation has made on Brazilian higher education. Finally, the authors will further explore the ways in which cooperation projects such as the one dealt with in this paper contribute towards the improvement of education. This improvement is mainly due to factors such as: fostering the integration of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) into teaching-learning practices; investing in teacher training in their home countries and abroad; and encouraging the development of high-quality multimedia materials and authoring tools

The Role of Social and Collaborative Networks in the Development of in-House Multimedia Language Learning Materials

Abstract The development of in-house language learning materials has being going on for many decades. In the past, it was difficult for language teachers worldwide to share their in-house materials with other teachers, and so was having access to the materials developed by others. This often produced a feeling of isolation and, very frequently, provoked a duplication of efforts and a bigger investment of time. However, thanks to the Web 2.0 teachers and practitioners worldwide can communicate with each other and share experiences and materials. While this aspect of the so-called Social Web has being successfully exploded in the past few decades, especially in the case of online communities of teachers and practitioners worldwide, the possibilities of non-dedicated social and collaborative networks have not been so attentively looked. This paper describes the development of different language learning materials as well as some of the steps taken in order to get collaboration from users of two non-dedicated websites worldwide so as to increase the quality, authenticity and variety of those in-house language learning materials. The materials are part of the English online Course and Tester developed by the CAMILLE Research Group at the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV), in Spain.