Affective computing (AC) has been regarded as a relevant approach to identifying online learners’ mental states and predicting their learning performance. Previous research mainly used one ...single-source data set, typically learners’ facial expression, to compute learners’ affection. However, a single facial expression may represent different affections in various head poses. This study proposed a dual-source data approach to solve the problem. Facial expression and head pose are two typical data sources that can be captured from online learning videos. The current study collected a dual-source data set of facial expressions and head poses from an online learning class in a middle school. A deep learning neural network using AlexNet with an attention mechanism was developed to verify the syncretic effect on affective computing of the proposed dual-source fusion strategy. The results show that the dual-source fusion approach significantly outperforms the single-source approach based on the AC recognition accuracy between the two approaches (dual-source approach using Attention-AlexNet model 80.96%; single-source approach, facial expression 76.65% and head pose 64.34%). This study contributes to the theoretical construction of the dual-source data fusion approach, and the empirical validation of the effect of the Attention-AlexNet neural network approach on affective computing in online learning contexts.
Social network analysis is one of effective methods and techniques to analyze the interactions in online collaborative learning. This paper introduces our researches in which a web-based system ...visualizing and analyzing interactions in online collaborative learning was developed. Firstly, the function model, user interface and ar0063hitecture of the system are presented. Then, Three key steps and technologies in the implementation of the system are described. Lastly, we presented the case study in which the system is used to analyze and visualize the structures of interaction network in the collaborative learning. The case study proved that the system can visualize the socio-gram of the interaction network in different view, and can calculate the structures’ indexes of the interaction interwork.
In this paper, an online theme-based collaborative learning model (OTBCL model) is proposed. Unlike the current approaches, the model takes into account the two aspects in learning: interpersonal ...socialization and mental internalization, and joins them with learning portfolios in learning activities of themes. Then, the architecture, user interfaces and learning portfolio module of OTBCL system are elaborately presented, some useful principles are summarized which guide the process of developing learning systems. Finally, a case study was introduced, which explains how to intuitively analyze the participation in group lifecycle with statistical diagrams automatically generated by the system.
How to optimize the high-value interaction between learners will become the next driver of efficient learning. Social network analysis provides meaningful and quantitative insights into the quality ...of knowledge construction process. This paper introduces why SNA can effectively assess the performance of knowledge building process. Then, five useful and efficient methods of assessment are presented in detail.
Cohesion is one of key factors influencing the performance of collaborative learning. But it is hart to reckon and assess it in online collaborative learning environments. Social network analysis ...(SNA) is a new method and technique analyzing the properties of the interaction relations between participants. In this paper, we introduced the related key concepts in SNA, and presented an analysis model which can analyze the cohesion of groups effectively and precisely, and then showed a case study which was from a quasi-experiment in our instruction practice, lastly, drew several useful principles on reckoning cohesion in online collaborative learning by SNA.
The purpose of this study is to design and develop a Web based circuit virtual laboratory for undergraduate student courses, which can be treated as an accessorial tool for enhancing instruction. The ...study firstly reviews the general concept of virtual laboratory and some related works. Secondly, the design and development of the system framework of this circuit virtual laboratory is discussed. Finally, the paper introduces the evaluation from the tutors and students using the virtual laboratory. One of the major objectives of this project is the client adopted rich Internet applications (RIAs) to enhance the students' learning experience and provides significant impact on users' learning motivation. With the support of this system, the students' uninfluenced learning and experiment process can be carried out at any place of the world where Web access is available.
A high-accuracy multiresolution method is proposed to solve mechanics problems subject to complex shapes or irregular domains. To realize this method, we design a new wavelet basis function, by which ...we construct a fifth-order numerical scheme for the approximation of multi-dimensional functions and their multiple integrals defined in complex domains. In the solution of differential equations, various derivatives of the unknown function are denoted as new functions. Then, the integral relations between these functions are applied in terms of wavelet approximation of multiple integrals. Therefore, the original equation with derivatives of various orders can be converted to a system of algebraic equations with discrete nodal values of the highest-order derivative. During the application of the proposed method, boundary conditions can be automatically included in the integration operations, and relevant matrices can be assured to exhibit perfect sparse patterns. As examples, we consider several second-order mathematics problems defined on regular and irregular domains and the fourth-order bending problems of plates with various shapes. By comparing the solutions obtained by the proposed method with the exact solutions, the new multiresolution method is found to have a convergence rate of fifth order. The solution accuracy of this method with only a few hundreds of nodes can be much higher than that of the finite element method (FEM) with tens of thousands of elements. In addition, because the accuracy order for direct approximation of a function using the proposed basis function is also fifth order, we may conclude that the accuracy of the proposed method is almost independent of the equation order and domain complexity.
•A new multiresolution method based on wavelet theory for solving irregular domain nonlinear problems is proposed and applied to extremely large-deflection bending of irregular plates.•This method ...can reach an accuracy order of six as has been verified in the displacement and stress solutions of various large-deflection problems of irregular plates.•Accuracy order of the proposed method is almost not affected by the high equation order, strong nonlinearity, and complex domain shape of the problem being solved.
A very rare sixth-order multiresolution method based on wavelet theory for solving irregular domain problems is proposed and applied to the large-deflection bending of irregular plates. High accuracy approximation of multiple integrals of functions defined in the irregular domain is realized by suggesting a new method of boundary extension of functions, which is associated with a boundary node removal technique to avoid singular matrices in the integration process. Each derivative of the unknown function is defined as a new function in the solution of the governing differential equations of the problem. The original equations containing derivatives of different orders can then be transformed into a system of algebraic equations with only discrete nodal values of the highest-order derivative, based on integral relations between these functions and excellent accuracy features on the wavelet approximation of multiple integrals. Various boundary conditions for irregular domains can be automatically and almost exactly included in the integration operation. The proposed method is applied to the solution of large-deflection bending of various irregular plates. The displacement and stress results demonstrate that the accuracy of the proposed method is still as high as the rare sixth order even when the problems are strongly nonlinear and defined in irregular regions, showing a much better accuracy and efficiency than those of classical methods such as the finite element method.
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