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My first encounter with Bill Cox and Frank Matthews was quite memorable. It took place in 1984 at a higher education conference at MIT, shortly after they had decided to [...]

This article aims to demonstrate the technical capabilities and effectiveness of an energy production and management system for school facilities using a modular solution. The system is assumed to generate electricity from renewable sources, such as wind or sun. The potential of renewable energy sources in Cracow, Poland, was assessed, with a focus on solar energy (photovoltaic panels, PV). Taking into account the installation of heating and other equipment, an analysis of the facility's electricity demand was carried out. The study recommended the use of a heat pump system to heat and cool the facility. Renewable energy sources will meet 81% of the facility's projected annual demand, according to the study. An analysis of the energy consumption and production profiles shows that almost 69% of the energy produced by the PV panels is consumed on site. Of the remaining energy, 31% is fed back into the grid and sold to the grid operator or used by other facilities within the shared settlement. The overall balance results in a small electricity deficit that must be covered by the grid. If suitable sites are available, the facilities under study could consider installing a wind turbine as a potential supplement to the energy deficit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The period between 1900 and 1936 was decisive in the evolution of the city of Madrid, certifying its conversion to a modern European capital. However, the urban transformations in these decades were not uniform and led to noticeable contrasts in the investments made in its different socio-spatial areas. This article will focus on understanding the management and administration of these problems by studying the municipal political action by a socialist movement that gradually stepped up its social support until it took over the reins of the local authority before the Civil War. Starting from the analysis of its actions on three fronts (those implemented on the installations in the areas with the greatest deficits in terms of urbanization, in the field of enhancing subsistence, and in educational facilities), this article will seek to show how socialist policy in the Spanish capital took on an urban profile, in line with European ideas, beyond those that traditionally invoked socio-economic goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By leveraging a multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model, this paper delves into the intricate factors that influence housing prices in the prototypical mountainous cityscape of Chongqing's central urban area. The key findings are as follows: Firstly, the distribution of housing prices in the study region exhibits pronounced spatial heterogeneity, with the core area exhibiting a distinct "high-high" clustering pattern and manifesting characteristics of a multicenter group distribution. Secondly, the MGWR model effectively assigns an individual bandwidth to each feature quantity, allowing for a more nuanced portrayal of the varying influence scales exerted by diverse variables. Lastly, the study reveals that factors such as property cost, greening rate, building age, and proximity to rivers have a notable negative impact on housing prices, whereas, educational facilities exert a marked positive influence. Elevation, floor area ratio, and distance from the Central Business District (CBD) exhibit a more complex influence on housing prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In teaching chemistry, laboratory activities increase student's interest because it provides hands-on experience for learning. Unfortunately, the school lack these facilities; thus, hands on learning were barely possible. Due to this reason the researcher opted to utilize virtual chemistry laboratory to address the problem. This study attempted to determine the effect of virtual chemistry laboratory to enhance learning performance and engagement of Grade 10 Learners. Pre-experimental research design involving one-group pretest-posttest was utilized. T-tests were used to determine the significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores. Pearson correlation was used to determine the significant relationship between the students' engagement and learning performance and Cohen's d was used to determine the effect size. The result revealed an increase in learning performance of students. Moreover, students agreed that they were moderately engaged. There was a significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores of both learning performance and engagement. However, there was no significant relationship between the two variables. The result further revealed that virtual chemistry Laboratory has a large effect to learning performance and engagement. In the teaching and learning process, technology plays an important role in providing an educational atmosphere that stimulate students and motivate them for better learning. In light of the results of this study, since the app utilized was downloaded by the researcher, modifications as to what the virtual laboratory should have been and should have been not possible. Thus, it is recommended that training and seminars could be provided to teachers in developing useful technologies that are personalized and based on their own context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the perceptions of students and graduates regarding the quality of learning experiences within the undergraduate programs at USAMV Bucharest. The study focuses on nine key factors integrated into the educational journey, including course content and structure, teaching quality, the university's reputation to employers, practical orientation of courses, knowledge acquisition levels, skill development, usefulness of career counseling services, available employment opportunities during studies, and the quality of university facilities. Through the analysis of responses from 582 students and graduates, the research reveals a comprehensive overview of their satisfaction levels which underlines valuable insights into the multifaceted aspects of student satisfaction and provides a foundation for further enhancements in the educational landscape of USAMV Bucharest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines how the urban fabric of Lagos is being transformed by neo‐Pentecostal forms of Christian religiosity—a transformation not only of inner, 'private' lives but also of urban infrastructures and their provision. Neo‐Pentecostal churches in Lagos now provide a range of infrastructures such as roads, bridges, electricity, water, healthcare, plus banking and educational facilities as well as a range of residential options. Church emblems are common features of the Lagos streetscape and can be found on buildings, vehicles and advertisement hoardings. In addition to their symbolic, moral and aesthetic register, Pentecostal urban infrastructures can be understood as a response to the crisis of social reproduction in Lagos, within the context of a postcolonial state that has adopted a position of entrenched neoliberalism. Critical questions remain, however, regarding whose interests are served by this arrangement. The article aims to understand (1) the ontological status of neo‐Pentecostal infrastructures, taking seriously the production and delivery of material infrastructures that are understood by some users to also be spiritual; and (2) the novel relations between church, state, market and citizen articulated by these infrastructures. Our arguments are based on qualitative data collected in Lagos between 2018 and 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proper education and menstrual hygiene management facilities form a pathway for the overall growth and development of an adolescent girl. Poor availability of menstrual hygiene facilities in school can have a negative impact on the reproductive health of a girl as well as contribute to school absenteeism, sometimes resulting in school dropout. This study evaluates the various factors associated with school absenteeism during menstruation, and to assess knowledge of reproductive health. Objectives: 1. To assess the various factors affecting school absenteeism among adolescent girls. 2. To assess the availability and quality of sanitation facilities available in school washrooms 3. To evaluate the knowledge and practice of reproductive health in adolescent school going girls. Materials and Methods: A school based cross sectional study was conducted among 505 school girls urban and rural areas (Government and Private schools) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. A semi-structured, pretested close and open-ended questionnaire was prepared in both Hindi and English language to obtain maximum results. Data Entry was done in MS excel and was analysed in SPSS software. Results: 51.56% girls in urban areas and 31.33% girls in rural areas remained absent from school during menstruation. Despite good level of knowledge of RTI/STIs 21, 48% girls in urban areas and 24.10% girls in rural areas said that they have had infection during or around menstruation. The sanitary facility in rural schools was less than that available in urban areas. Only 34.94% girls in rural areas reported of having soaps available in their school washrooms. Conclusion: Adolescent girls should be given appropriate knowledge regarding menstruation and reproductive health. This study is able to identify the lack of knowledge and hygiene facilities which can be improved in bringing them out of misconceptions and promote menstrual health and hygiene and increase the education among girls. Separate functioning sanitary facilities are necessities that should be in school at all girls empowerment and improvement in reproductive health is to be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the progress of the 4th objective of the sustainable development goals (SDG) in Latin America. Objective 4 aims to guarantee inclusive, equitable, and quality education while promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. The ten goals of this objective are examined and according to the assessment conducted by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC, 2022), five goals are considered: 4.1) terminal efficiency in primary and secondary studies, 4.2) attention to preschool education, 4.6) literacy levels, 4.a) school facilities, and 4.c) qualified teachers. The results show that these goals are going in the right direction but will not be achieved due to insufficient actions. Goal 4.c is observed to be in decline. It is concluded that Latin American countries need to strengthen their knowledge sector through the improvement of their educational system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the association between observers and students' reports of instructional support at the classroom-level, and whether students' off-task behavior predicted their perception of instructional support over time. The sample consisted of 1306 students and 79 teachers. Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling was applied to the analysis. The results showed a positive association between observed and student-reported instructional support at classroom-level, and the students' perceptions of their teachers' instructional support remained stable across the school year at the classroom- and student-levels. Students' off-task behavior was negatively related to perceptions of teachers' instructional support, and students high on off-task behavior in the fall reported decrease in (perceived) instructional support across the school year. This paper discusses the practical implications of this study and lists out directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights West Coast University's successful transformation of an outdated corporate building into a state-of-the-art educational facility, emphasizing stakeholder engagement in the process. Topics discussed include the integration of technology-rich learning environments, the design process driven by student and faculty input, and the collaboration with community partners to meet local needs and expectations.

Urban parks are important for improving the quality of living environments. Although the impact of parks on housing prices has been well documented, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic remain vague. This paper analyzes the housing prices of neighborhoods around Meixi Lake park in Changsha, at the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020 and the stable stage of the recovery period in June 2023, which demonstrates the impacts of urban parks on property pricing and housing choice based on residential transaction data. The results indicate that urban parks are given a high priority in determining people's choices. In June 2020, the risk of epidemic transmission and noise interference lowered the price of property that is close to public parks and recreational facilities. However, good management and social services in residential areas increase housing prices. However, when the pandemic ended, the strong demand for outdoor activities led to a price rise in the properties near Meixi Lake park. People are most likely to choose houses in a neighborhood characterized by good educational facilities and a high-quality living environment. More specially, the houses with a short distance to parks and where residents can enjoy the view of a lake or mountains are preferable to any others. A residential area adjacent to a super large park paired with a small park is the most valuable consideration for property developers and housing consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amsterdam's National Holocaust Museum is due to open in March 2024. It is the first and only museum to tell the story of the attempt by the Nazis to eradicate Jews from the Netherlands, a history of segregation, persecution, and murder. Yet the story is also one of rescue, survival, and solidarity. One of the museum's main goals is to engage visitors by involving them in a learning experience, in particular, to encourage young people to study and to develop the skills they need to be able to understand the past, to see how this impacts the present, and to recognize and challenge discrimination and antisemitism today. This article begins by sketching the presentation in the new museum and examines how the museum's educational facilities (presentation and programs) encourage audiences to think about what they can do to combat discrimination in general, and antisemitism in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production processes become more and more complex in terms of engineering implementation. During the operation of equipment for nuclear power plants or research reactor facilities, it is advisable to consider big data volumes, their change dynamics and deviations from the normal state. The IRT-T reactor facility at the School of Nuclear Science and Technology in National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, is used for machine learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining the quality of indoor environments in educational facilities is crucial for student comfort, health, well-being, and students' learning performance. Current indoor environment maintenance practices and building systems for educational facility spaces often fail to include feedback from students and exhibit limited adaptability to their needs. To address this problem, this paper introduces a novel artificial intelligence of things (AIoT)-based framework to predict multidimensional indoor environment quality (IEQ) conditions. The proposed framework integrates internet of things (IoT) systems with deep learning algorithms to systematically incorporate multidimensional IEQ data and multimodal feedback from occupants. By collecting, fusing, and analyzing real-time IEQ and occupant feedback data, the proposed framework predicts the future IEQ condition based on current conditions. This framework yields insights into the IEQ conditions and their potential impacts on student well-being, thereby facilitating the future development of climate-adaptive, data-driven, and human-centric educational facilities. This framework was deployed, validated, and tested in selected educational facilities at the Virginia Tech Blacksburg campus, with encouraging results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The E-Performance application for Civil Servants is a system used to monitor, evaluate and manage the performance of employees in a government agency. This application is usually developed as part of modernization and bureaucratic reform efforts to increase efficiency, transparency and accountability in the implementation of government tasks. This research aims to 1) To determine and analyze the use of the E-Performance application for civil servants in the Tomohon-Minahasa Branch Regional Education Office; 2) To find out and analyze what are the factors inhibiting the use of the E-Performance application for civil servants with different numbers of employee allowance recipients at the Tomohon-Minahasa Branch Regional Education Office. The type of research used is qualitative research. The data collection techniques used are observation, interviews and documentation. The research results show that in using e-Performance, all work units in the education department collaborate well and share information with each other. The attendance mechanism in the e-Performance application requires State Civil Apparatus (ASN) to be present on time and their presence cannot be delegated. The implementation of the use of e-Performance encourages ASN "forcibly" to be disciplined in terms of attendance. The reward and punishment system after using e-Performance is very transparent. Resources to support application use are available. Those who experience problems with the application device are caused by their own negligence, such as not understanding the features in the application and not personally owning an Android cellphone. Collaboration between units or sections within the relevant education service regarding the use of the e-Performance application is very good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenomena‐based approaches have become popular for elementary school teachers to engage children's innate curiosity in the natural world. However, integrating such phenomena‐based approaches in existing science courses within teacher education programs present potential challenges for both preservice elementary teachers (PSETs) and for laboratory instructors, both of whom may have had limited opportunities to learn or teach science within the student and instructor roles inherent within these approaches. This study uses a convergent parallel mixed‐methods approach to investigate PSETs' perceptions of their laboratory instructor's role within a Physical Science phenomena‐based laboratory curriculum and how it impacts their conceptual development (2 instructors/121 students). We also examine how the two laboratory instructors' discursive moves within the laboratory align with their's and PSETs' perceptions of the instructor role. Qualitative data includes triangulation between a student questionnaire, an instructor questionnaire, and video classroom observations, while quantitative data includes a nine‐item open response pre‐/post‐semester conceptual test. Guided by Mortimer's and Scott's analytic framework, our findings show that students primarily perceive their instructors as a guide/facilitator or an authoritarian/evaluator. Using Linn's knowledge integration framework, analysis of pre‐/post‐tests indicates that student outcomes align with students' perceptions of their instructors, with students who perceive their instructor as a guide/facilitator having significantly better pre‐/post‐outcomes. Additional analysis of scientific discourse from the classroom observations illustrates how one instructor primarily supports PSETs' perspectives on authentic science learning through dialogic–interactive talk moves whereas the other instructor epistemologically stifles personally relevant investigations with authoritative–interactive or authoritative–noninteractive discourse moves. Overall, this study concludes by discussing challenges facing laboratory instructors that need careful consideration for phenomena‐based approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Western countries, school systems have employed modern school building designs as symbols for progressive and innovative educational change. Yet, how does this design symbolism change teaching and learning? To address this, we examine the challenges and complexities of innovative school design by drawing on case studies of preschool and primary-level schools from non-Western cultural contexts. A conceptual framework that links social, organisational, cultural, and material elements is used to analyse two new schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Uruguay that used modern school designs as a basis for changes to local pedagogical approaches. Our findings suggest that school building design is not able, by itself, to drive educational changes; and that there are inherent challenges involved in its alignment with localities in terms of staff cultures, student dynamics, and school organisation. Special focus is given to the design of the new school facilities, and the voice of educators in this process. The conclusion points out the need for an adaptive alignment between non-Western educational conventions and introduced education and design concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]