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Article
Publication date: 1 December 2000

A.M.A. Nada, M.A. Yousef, K.A. Shaffei and A. Salah

Bagasse and rice straw lignins undergo different treatments, e.g. acid hydrolysis, oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and thermal treatment, before being used as a partial…

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Abstract

Bagasse and rice straw lignins undergo different treatments, e.g. acid hydrolysis, oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and thermal treatment, before being used as a partial replacement for phenol in phenol formaldehyde resin. These treatments improved the resin formation properties of the lignin. The effect of these treatments on the improvement of the properties of the resin produced has the following sequence: lignin treated with HCl (1‐3N) > lignin treated with H2O2 (1‐3 per cent) > thermally treated lignin (120‐140°C). The improvement of the properties of the resin produced from bagasse lignin is greater than that produced from rice straw lignin. The treatment of rice straw lignin with acid increases its ability to form a resin. Treatment of rice straw lignin with acid leads to its increased concentration in the phenol lignin formaldehyde resin with good properties. In general, the resin produced from treated lignin has better properties than resin produced from untreated lignin.

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Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 29 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

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Article
Publication date: 1 June 2020

Eli Fianu, Craig Blewett and George Oppong Ampong

The study seeks to investigate the factors that influence MOOC usage by students in tertiary institutes in Ghana.

1240

Abstract

Purpose

The study seeks to investigate the factors that influence MOOC usage by students in tertiary institutes in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

As this study sought both to test existing UTAUT variables and potentially identify additional variables impacting MOOC usage, a mixed method approach was used. The quantitative study was used to test the significance of UTAUT variables on MOOC usage while the qualitative study was conducted to validate the quantitative results and potentially determine additional factors impacting MOOC usage.

Findings

The results of the quantitative data analysis showed that computer self-efficacy, performance expectancy and system quality had a significant influence on MOOC usage intention. Facilitating conditions, instructional quality and MOOC usage intention were found to have a significant influence on actual MOOC usage. The results of the qualitative data analysis showed that information-seeking behaviour and functional Internet access were dominant non-UTAUT factors that influence actual MOOC usage, while teacher motivation was a dominant non-UTAUT factor that influenced MOOC usage intention.

Research limitations/implications

The study employed a non-probability sampling technique which imposes limitations on the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the study was conducted in two out of the ten geographical and administration regions of Ghana; this also imposes limitations on the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

It is important that lecturers and university management find ways of motivating students to participate in MOOCs. Lecturers can influence students to use MOOCs if they regularly and persistently spur the students on to use MOOCs. Lecturers can also adopt other innovative strategies such as posting MOOC information on student noticeboards, the formation of MOOC clubs and the commissioning of MOOC champions on campuses.

Social implications

The significance of functional Internet access in MOOC usage implies that good Internet connectivity is critical for online learning in developing countries. Regulators of Internet service providers must enforce strict adherence to quality of service standards regarding the provision of Internet service. The Internet service pricing regime must favour the use of the Internet for learning purposes.

Originality/value

The study adopted a mixed method approach to explore MOOC usage in a West African university context. The non-significance of two key UTAUT variables (effort expectancy and social influence) points to a key difference between the application of adoption and usage models to information systems compared to e-learning systems. Additionally, three other variables, namely information-seeking behaviour, functional Internet access and teacher motivation, were found to impact MOOC usage. The study presents a model of MOOC usage (MMU).

Details

Education + Training, vol. 62 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

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Publication date: 26 November 2020

Anna Moni

With the increasing mobility of higher education students across the world, institutions and instructors are confronted with the need to mitigate the linguistic challenges that…

Abstract

With the increasing mobility of higher education students across the world, institutions and instructors are confronted with the need to mitigate the linguistic challenges that multilingual students face in learning advanced content in universities or colleges where English or another language is the medium of instruction. This usually pertains to students who have low competence in the language of instruction, as it is a second or third foreign language for them, hence encountering difficulties in the mastery of discipline-specific content and knowledge. First and foremost, this chapter explores the specific linguistic barriers that multilingual students encounter in this context, which relate to several elements of communicative competence in the language of instruction, while investigating empirical studies on instructional strategies for multilingual classes. Secondly, it discusses the use of Merrill’s (2013) first principles of instruction as the main framework in the design of technology-enhanced lesson plans and in the selection implementation of technology-nested instructional strategies, which can assist instructors in creating linguistically inclusive learning environments across disciplines, while maintaining high academic standards. The chapter critically addresses the use of ICT tools in supporting instructional strategies and lesson plan design to mitigate students’ linguistic difficulties with the receptive and productive language skills within discipline-specific contexts. Finally, it provides a lesson plan template and examples encouraging instructors to carefully plan and design instruction and to experiment and monitor the outcomes in their classes.

Details

Technology-enhanced Learning and Linguistic Diversity: Strategies and Approaches to Teaching Students in a 2nd or 3rd Language
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83982-128-8

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Article
Publication date: 11 August 2021

Brenton Lawson, Larissa Statsenko and Morteza Shokri-Ghasabeh

Adopting a qualitative research design and following a single case study research methodology 21 semi-structured interviews with asset integrity project managers (PM), project…

487

Abstract

Purpose

Adopting a qualitative research design and following a single case study research methodology 21 semi-structured interviews with asset integrity project managers (PM), project sponsors (PS) and members of the project management office (PMO) were conducted. These were complemented with company’s project management framework documents and tools and direct observation by the researcher’s observation.

Design/methodology/approach

The data on the value creation in the mining asset integrity and improvement project portfolio was collected through 21 interviews with PM, PS and members of the PMO and complemented by observational data and the analysis of the Australian mining company process documentation.

Findings

The study finds that establishing a culture of delivering value supported by functional governance is critical for effective value creation practice in asset integrity and improvement project portfolios. In addition, early engagement of the key stakeholders with clearly defined roles and utilisation of project value management artifacts, enables effective value delivery throughout the project lifecycle.

Originality/value

The research offers an empirically grounded framework to facilitate value creation throughout the project lifecycle in asset integrity and improvement project portfolios drawing on a benchmarking case of an Australian mining company.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 20 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

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Article
Publication date: 1 June 1999

A.M.A. Nada, M.A. Yousef, K.A. Shaffei and A.M. Salah

Lignin precipitated from different black liquors wasted from the cooking of rice straw, bagasse and cotton stalks, to produce pulp and paper, can replace phenol by up to 40 per…

753

Abstract

Lignin precipitated from different black liquors wasted from the cooking of rice straw, bagasse and cotton stalks, to produce pulp and paper, can replace phenol by up to 40 per cent in phenol formaldehyde resin. The properties of the resin produced from bagasse lignin formaldehyde are nearly the same as when the resin IS produced from phenol formaldehyde. Replacement of phenol by lignin in phenol formaldehyde resin has an economical effect and reduces the pollution caused by draining black liquor into rivers and streams. The properties of the resin produced from rice straw lignin are lower than resin from bagasse and cotton stalk lignin. The effect of increasing the content of lignin in the resin on the resin properties was studied. The effect of polymerization time and temperature on the resin properties is also clarified. The molecular structure of the lignins used plays an important role on the properties of the phenol lignin formaldehyde produced.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 28 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 27 August 2019

Martha de Jesús Beltrán Hernández de Galindo, Luis M. Romero-Rodriguez and Maria Soledad Ramirez Montoya

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have been gaining popularity as non-formal lifelong learning educational platforms. However, they have been criticized for their low completion…

1796

Abstract

Purpose

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have been gaining popularity as non-formal lifelong learning educational platforms. However, they have been criticized for their low completion rate and low ability for networking. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how incorporating entrepreneurial competencies in MOOCs develops attributes of educational innovation and collaborative projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The research followed a three-stage process: in first stage, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify dimensions of entrepreneurial skills and attributes of educational innovation in MOOCs. In the second stage, a quantitative study was carried out, based on the analysis of pre- and post-test surveys taken by a sample of 6,517 participants. In the last stage, the interaction analysis model/computer-mediated communication analysis model was applied through qualitative analysis, using the MAXQDA tool to identify if entrepreneurship opportunities were generated in the interactions within the discussion forums of the MOOCs.

Findings

The results show that the analyzed MOOCs have an overall completion rate of 12.55 per cent, above the average of the rates found in the literature review. However, only 14.29 per cent of the participants expressed at least one opportunity to generate ventures related to the topics of energy in the discussion forums.

Practical implications

This research could help instructional designers and universities to consider the inclusion of entrepreneurship issues in the design of MOOCs’ content and to encourage more activities that promote networking among participants, to identify business potential from the educational materials.

Originality/value

This research is one of the very few studies on entrepreneurship competencies in MOOCs to understand how the inclusion of issues related to entrepreneurship in MOOCs can generate a positive impact on participants.

Details

Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4604

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Article
Publication date: 16 December 2019

Rajasshrie Pillai and Brijesh Sivathanu

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the online learning experience (LE) of massive open online courses (MOOCs) among the students in India using the lens of community of…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the online learning experience (LE) of massive open online courses (MOOCs) among the students in India using the lens of community of inquiry (CoI) model and two additional contextual factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted a survey using a structured questionnaire among the undergraduate and postgraduate students to examine the LE of MOOCs using the CoI framework and contextual variables – technical barrier (TB) and hedonic motivation (HD). The primary data were analyzed with the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

The results show that teaching presence (TP) influences cognitive presence (CP) and social presence (SP). SP influences CP. It is also found that TP, SP and CP influence the LE of MOOCs. It is found that TB negatively influences LE but is not significant and HD significantly influences LE positively for MOOCs.

Research limitations/implications

This study has a few limitations as it is a cross-sectional study in India, which surveyed undergraduate and postgraduate MOOCs learners, and caution needs to be taken while generalizing the outcomes. Further studies can be conducted across other countries considering demographic factors like age, gender, income groups, education and profession.

Practical implications

This research highlights the antecedents influencing the LE of MOOC learners using the CoI framework which will help the MOOC designers and marketers to apprehend the factors influencing LE. The results of this research will help them formulate suitable strategies in the design and delivery of MOOCs to improve the LE of learners.

Originality/value

This unique research investigates and empirically validates the CoI framework to understand LE of MOOC learners in India. This research extends the CoI framework by adding contextual factors – TB and HD in the context of a developing country.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 34 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 13 September 2022

Anna Sung, Kelvin Leong and Ching Lee

This study aims to explore how learners prefer to interact with microlearning videos. Microlearning is an emerging topic in work-based learning, and the benefits of using video in…

3889

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore how learners prefer to interact with microlearning videos. Microlearning is an emerging topic in work-based learning, and the benefits of using video in supporting learning have been widely discussed. However, only very few of previous works were conducted on discussing how learners prefer to interact with microlearning video. This paper aims to fill this knowledge gap.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was used in this study for data collection purposes. In total, the invitation had been sent to 236 enrolled learners from the three targeted modules through emails. A total of 77 participants completed the survey with the response rate of 32.6%. The chi-square test is used in this study in order to conclude whether the findings from the sample related to hypotheses are statistically significant.

Findings

By analysing primary data collected from a United Kingdom (UK) university, the findings suggest that 1) the perceived usefulness of the control functions and the expression functions of multimedia microlearning videos are generally high and 2) more participants, on the one hand, prefer to have more control in their multiple-choice questions’ arrangement and open-ended questions’ arrangement; on the other hand, there was no significant difference on the preference of when to attempt assessment.

Originality/value

This is the first time that a study like this had been conducted to review and discuss the interactive preferences between learners and multimedia microlearning. This study could shed some lights on future research in the field of microlearning and work-based learning.

Details

Journal of Work-Applied Management, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2205-2062

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2003

Reggie Davidrajuh

The main work in this paper covers a methodology, tools and implementation techniques for automation of supplier selection procedures as an e‐commerce application. The work could…

3088

Abstract

The main work in this paper covers a methodology, tools and implementation techniques for automation of supplier selection procedures as an e‐commerce application. The work could be divided into two main parts. First, the development of a modeling methodology which can be used for automation of supplier selection procedures. By this modeling methodology, supplier selection procedures are divided into pre‐selection, selection and the post‐selection procedures. The selection procedure is further divided into the following stages: bidder selection, partner selection, and performance evaluation. The second part is about realization of automation. Three modules for automation are identified; they are the data collection system for bidder selection stage, the inference engine for partner selection stage, and the performance evaluation engine for the performance evaluation stage.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 103 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

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Article
Publication date: 10 July 2007

H.Y. Mostafa, A.M.A. Nada, A.M.M. Elmasry and M.E. Mahdi

The purpose is to focus on improving the water or metal ion uptake of modified cellulose.

1010

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose is to focus on improving the water or metal ion uptake of modified cellulose.

Design/methodology/approach

Grafting copolymerisation of hydrophilic monomers such as acrylamide or hydrophobic monomers as acrylonitrile onto cotton linters was performed.

Findings

The grafting process has two advantages. The first is to replace the hydroxyl group of C6 of the glucose units in the substrate by carboxyl group that attract the metal ions from the solution. The second is to decrease the number of the hydroxyl groups in the cotton linters so that the hydrogen bonding between the cotton linters strands decreases and so the crystallinity index of substrate decreases by introduction of this hydrophilic group so it becomes more chemically active.

Research limitations/implications

Partial substitution of hydroxyl groups of cellulose by more hydrophilic ones via grafting reaction followed by alkaline hydrolysis was performed. The effects of different conditions such as temperature, time, initiator concentration, monomer concentration and kind of substrate were studied. The polymerisation per cent, grafting per cent, the grafting efficiency and the nitrogen per cent of the grafted samples were determined. The molecular structures of cotton linters, grafted cotton linters with acrylamide and its hydrolysis product were studied using infrared spectroscopy, which indicates the fixation of the monomers on the cotton linters. Sodium binding capacity and the metal ion uptake of some metal ions by the product were determined.

Originality/value

The water or metal ion uptake of the modified cellulose was improved.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 36 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Keywords

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