Gamification is an approach that solves real-life motivational problems with game design techniques by target a long-term behavioral change in participants. However, the application models in gamification design are limited and lack a holistic approach in scope. While existing models may seem sufficient on their own, they tend to focus on certain…

As part of ongoing design-based research exploring financial literacy teaching and learning, ten tasks termed "financial dilemmas" were trialled by 14 teachers and more than 300 Year 5 and 6 students in 4 government primary schools in urban Darwin. Drawing on data related to two tasks--"Catching the bus" and "Buying…

Online course design has experienced an upheaval recently with the arrival of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), turning the model which underpins many online courses on its head. In contrast to MOOCs, conventional online courses have usually been designed for small private groups of participants, giving access to closed content and online…

This paper aims to draw attention to the sustainability of distance learning in terms of the design process based on learner characteristics and technology usage. Distance learning has become a cyberized system owing its presence to developments in digital technologies. Technological developments solve some immediate problems but also have the…

There is increasing interest in making more effective use of schools as community hubs, both in Australia and internationally. Investment in shared facilities aims to engage parents and local communities in schooling, encourage civic participation, co-ordinate educational and community services and overcome disadvantages of location or service…

As the use of mobile learning educational applications has become more common anywhere in the world, new concerns have appeared in the classroom, human interaction in software engineering and ergonomics. new tests of foreign languages for a number of purposes have become more and more common recently. However, studies interrelating language tests…

The purpose of this study was to investigate proper website and courseware for e-learning in higher education. Methods used in this study included the data collection, the analysis surveys, the experts' in-depth interview, and the experts' focus group. Results indicated that there were 16 components for website, as well as 16 components for…

Examination of the barriers to a regional interlending and document supply system in the Caribbean discusses barriers beyond the control of libraries and within the control of libraries. The requirements for an effective interlending system are discussed, problems with those requirements in the Caribbean are identified, and practical solutions are…

Increased attention in organizational theory on how to improve the design of a learning organization has indicated a need for the development of a theory on how employees learn in, and in relation to, organizations. This paper focuses on the part of the learning process that deals with how learners understand the object at hand, in this case,…

Awareness in Europe of the possible health hazards of certain building materials has increased. Many new building products have had no long-term testing, and competition leads to constant product changes. For example, asbestos-laden materials were used widely in schools, and now they must be removed or treated at great cost. Scientists and…

When two biological simulations on evolution and genetics (one originally developed for a conventional university undergraduate course) were introduced into Open University distance education classes, the difficulties encountered required a reappraisal of the concept of using computer simulation for distance learning and decisions on which…

This paper discusses the design of flexible and intelligent library buildings. The first section addresses how flexibility, as one of the requirements of a library building, that has high priority in the planning process. Intelligent libraries are considered in the second section, and functionality is stressed. The third section examines…

This paper reports a series of studies of environmental cognition. Conducted among American preschoolers, Navajo and Puerto Rican school children, and American, Mexican and Maori adults, all of the studies employ techniques of environmental modelling that permit objects such as buildings, trees and vehicles. A pilot test of the environmental…

Two papers on mobile libraries were presented at the 1983 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference. In "The Development, Tasks, and Organization of Mobile Libraries in West Germany," Horst Buschendorf describes the history of mobile libraries in West Germany since 1926 and notes that there are currently 150 such…

The Open Learning Institute (OLI) is both an academic institution offering distance education courses and a publishing house for developing and producing distance education course materials. OLI has no resident faculty, but draws science content experts (course writers and consultants) from other academic institutions. The development process…