How can an author verify that his writing says what he means and means what he says? Authoring systems are generally specialized in document content creation and pay little…
Abstract
How can an author verify that his writing says what he means and means what he says? Authoring systems are generally specialized in document content creation and pay little attention to techniques for making communicative intentions more explicit. The new idea defended here is that the authors of technical or educational documents can improve access to, comprehension and reuse of documents, if they can explicitly add the intentions behind their writing process. A model called ‘writing intentions’ based on Speech Act theory, which analyzes and represents the author’s intentions is described here. The intentions are coded as a set of metadata and inserted in the document. SABRE (“Système Auteur Basé sur la REutilisation”, an Authoring System Based on Reuse) is a prototype based on the model of writing intentions. It has been implemented and used by authors of educational documents. Authors can express explicitly and edit their pedagogical and communication intentions. The usefulness of such a system is measured in terms of helping authors and readers find documents more efficiently by querying in terms of authorial intentions. Authors can also benefit from such query system to find existing documents for revisions and recycling.
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Francesco Colace, Massimo De Santo and Matteo Gaeta
The development of adaptable and intelligent educational systems is widely considered one of the great challenges in scientific research. Among key elements for building advanced…
Abstract
Purpose
The development of adaptable and intelligent educational systems is widely considered one of the great challenges in scientific research. Among key elements for building advanced training systems, an important role is played by methodologies chosen for knowledge representation. In this scenario, the introduction of ontology formalism can improve the quality of formative process, allowing the introduction of new and effective services. Ontology can lead to important improvements in the definition of courses knowledge domain, in the generation of adapted learning path and in the assessment phase. The purpose of this paper is to provide an initial discussion of the role of ontology in the context of e‐learning. It seeks to discuss the improvements related to the introduction of ontology formalism in the e‐learning field and to show a novel algorithm for ontology building through the use of Bayesian networks. Finally, it aims to illustrate its application in the assessment process and some experimental results.
Design/methodology/approach
A novel method for learning ontology for e‐learning is illustrated, using an approach based on Bayesian networks. Thanks to their characteristics, these networks can be used to model and evaluate the conditional dependencies among the nodes of ontology on the basis of the data obtained from student tests. An experimental evaluation of the proposed method was performed using real student data.
Findings
The proposed method was integrated in a tool for the assessment of students during a learning process. This tool is based on the use of ontology and Bayesian network. In particular through the matching between ontology and Bayesian network, it was found that our tool allows an effective tutoring and a better adaptation of learning process to demands of students. The assessment based on Bayesian approach allows a deeper analysis of student's knowledge.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed approach needs more experimentation with other domains and with more complex ontology.
Originality/value
This paper provides an initial discussion of the role of ontology in the context of e‐learning. The improvements related to the introduction of ontology formalism in the e‐learning field are discussed and a novel algorithm for ontology building through the use of Bayesian Networks is showed. Finally, its application in the assessment process and some experimental results are illustrated.
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Pierre Loustau, Thierry Nodenot and Mauro Gaio
The purpose of this paper is to present a computational approach and a toolset to infer spatial displacements as they occur in route narrative documents and report on first…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a computational approach and a toolset to infer spatial displacements as they occur in route narrative documents and report on first experiments done to produce computer‐aided learning (CAL) applications and instructional design editors that exploit the inferred georeferenced itineraries.
Design/methodology/approach
Identification of the structure of natural language expressions to indicate spatial displacement, as they occur in route narrative documents. Use of geographic information systems technology to treat the semantics of spatial displacements identified in route narrative documents.
Findings
It was found that French route narratives can be linguistically analyzed with a relatively simple structure (two computational models). Transducers are used to successfully analyze displacements verbs and to attach some semantics to paragraphs of route narratives.
Research limitations/implications
The same structure valid for French texts can be found in English texts as well. Further work could lead to fundamental questions about whether itineraries are linguistic universals.
Practical implications
The toolset is fully functional and can be tested on the World Wide Web for information retrieval purposes. Currently it is used for CAL applications to tutor learners in the process of reading route narratives documents.
Originality/value
The paper demonstrates that the featured computational models and toolset are mature enough to be embedded in end‐user applications.
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Bilel Elayeb, Fabrice Evrard, Montaceur Zaghdoud and Mohamed Ben Ahmed
The purpose of this paper is to make a scientific contribution to web information retrieval (IR).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to make a scientific contribution to web information retrieval (IR).
Design/methodology/approach
A multiagent system for web IR is proposed based on new technologies: Hierarchical Small‐Worlds (HSW) and Possibilistic Networks (PN). This system is based on a possibilistic qualitative approach which extends the quantitative one.
Findings
The paper finds that the relevance of the order of documents changes while passing from a profile to another. Even if the selected terms tend to select the relevant document, these terms are not the most frequent of the document. This criterion shows the asset of the qualitative approach of the SARIPOD system in the selection of relevant documents. The insertion of the factors of preference between query terms in the calculations of the possibility and the necessity consists in increasing the scores of possibilistic relevance of the documents containing these terms with an aim of penalizing the scores of relevance of the documents not containing them. The penalization and the increase in the scores are proportional to the capacity of the terms to discriminate between the documents of the collection.
Research limitations/implications
It is planned to extend the tests of the SARIPOD system to other grammatical categories, like refining the approach for the substantives by considering for example, the verbal occurrences in names definitions, etc. Also, it is planned to carry out finer measurements of the performances of SARIPOD system by extending the tests with other types of web documents.
Practical implications
The system can be useful to help research students find their relevant scientific papers. It must be located in the document server of any research laboratory.
Originality/value
The paper presents SARIPOD, a new qualitative possibilistic model for web IR using multiagent system.
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Véronique Baudin and Thierry Villemur
The purpose of this paper is to present two classes of distance learning experiments, with feedbacks. The experiments are based on constructivism theory.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present two classes of distance learning experiments, with feedbacks. The experiments are based on constructivism theory.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper adopts an experimental approach. Experiments are made with students. The assessments come from an analysis of questionnaires.
Findings
The results show technical evaluations and pedagogical evaluations of the e‐learning platform.
Research limitations/implications
There are functional improvements of the developed platform.
Practical implications
There are technical improvements of the developed platform.
Originality/value
This paper presents a student centered pedagogical approach supported by distant e‐learning platform.
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Khadija Al Arkoubi and Fadoua Tahari
After completion of the case study, students will be able to analyze disaster response mechanisms and the strategic decision-making process in high-pressure environments; assess…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
After completion of the case study, students will be able to analyze disaster response mechanisms and the strategic decision-making process in high-pressure environments; assess the intricacies of cross-sector partnerships and their impact on effective disaster response; provide recommendations for leaders of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) on how to achieve sustainable growth without jeopardizing an agile disaster response; evaluate the role of an NGO in influencing policy, advocating for vulnerable communities and driving systemic change; and craft an innovative strategy for an NGO to enhance its agility and social impact.
Case overview/synopsis
This case study outlines the transformative journey of the Food Bank of Morocco (FBM), an NGO established in 2002, focusing on eradicating hunger, extending aid during natural disasters and improving education quality in impoverished, remote areas. Under the leadership of executive director Sanae Bennesser Alaoui, who joined in 2014, FBM doubled its outreach, addressing both hunger and the broader needs of communities in crisis. The narrative captures the organization’s rapid mobilization and impactful response to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and the September 8, 2023, Al Haouz earthquake in Morocco, reflecting its agility and the trust it garnered from the community and diaspora. Highlighting its evolution, the case study details the FBM’s strategic partnerships, innovative aid distribution and commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing gender equality and education quality. It also underlines how FBM gained trust from the community and the global diaspora, setting a foundation for future expansion and enhanced support mechanisms for those in need. FBM’s successes include its designation as a public utility organization in 2022, which opened the door to larger contributions and greater visibility. However, the organization faced ongoing challenges in securing sustainable funding and expanding its volunteer base to maintain its growing impact. As FBM navigated these hurdles, it continued to innovate and build partnerships to support its mission of fostering sustainable growth while responding to an emerging market most pressing humanitarian needs.
Complexity academic level
This case study is suitable for senior undergraduate and graduate levels.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS7: Management Science.
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This paper aims to explore how couples reflect gender role–related attitudes in their family formation process and whether these processes could be described through the lens of…
Abstract
This paper aims to explore how couples reflect gender role–related attitudes in their family formation process and whether these processes could be described through the lens of ambivalence. Using qualitative methods, semi-structured interviews with Estonian married and cohabiting couples were conducted (all together 24 interviewees). Analysis revealed themes of ambivalence toward gender roles among married and cohabiting couples. The present study could be classified as exploratory in identifying ambivalence, with open-ended and emergent analysis.
It is known that Estonians have adopted Western values and their family behavior resembles that of Nordic countries. However, our interviews showed that on the level of the individual, gender role–related attitudes in relationships have remained traditional. The reason for this might lie in the rapid change of values that occurred after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Western lifestyle was seen as an ideal, and copied in behavior before the actual family or gender role values could undergo the transformation needed to support egalitarian family values.
Our study reveals that the societal context of a rapid change in values and norms might create confusion and ambivalence in attitudes. Therefore, a high proportion of cohabiting couples might not be the product of egalitarian gender role–related attitudes but a product of ambivalent couple relations where the couple has not discussed thoroughly the vision and expectations they have for each other and their relationship.
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Abdelmajid Ibenrissoul, Zakaria Benjouid and Souhaila Kammoun
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the compliance of environmental risk management systems implemented by Moroccan banks with ISO 14001 certification or environmental…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the compliance of environmental risk management systems implemented by Moroccan banks with ISO 14001 certification or environmental charters.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through the distribution of an environmental risk management questionnaire to all Moroccan banks’ branches, business centers and various central entities. The study uses regression analysis to model the relationship between environmental management system (EMS) compliance and environmental management explanatory variables to identify the most relevant indicators that can explain the effectiveness and reliability of an EMS.
Findings
Empirical evidence reveals that the evaluation of EMS compliance in Moroccan banks should consider two categories of variables: the first category is related to the culture of environmental risk management, and the second one is related to environmental management practices.
Originality/value
The results show that the “information” variables play a key role in the overall design of an EMS and represent essential variables in the general definition of the environmental policy and in raising awareness and providing information on the bank’s commitment to a pro-environmental approach. The “application” variables confirm that environmental management practices need to be put in place to manage the different environmental risks. The study raises some managerial implications and further research directions.
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The purpose of this paper is to find out how financial capital from rural banks is contributing to the livelihoods development of women farmers who constitute the most vulnerable…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to find out how financial capital from rural banks is contributing to the livelihoods development of women farmers who constitute the most vulnerable and disadvantaged group in Ghana and other developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach
Women farmers were randomly sampled, resulting in 100 beneficiary and 100 non‐beneficiary women farmers who were used for the study. The incomes of women farmers were compared and the factors influencing income earnings estimated using simple regressing analysis.
Findings
Financial capital from rural banks was found to have positive contributions to the livelihood development of the women farmers and the poor in general. Whereas, the beneficiary women farmers had significant improvement in their access to health care, education and increased income among others, the non‐beneficiaries only had marginal improvements.
Research limitations/implications
Women farmers do not keep accurate records on their production activities and had to rely on their memories to give costs of production and outputs obtained. This might have slightly affected the results.
Practical implications
Governments and development partners in third world countries should integrate the provision of financial capital in their development policy formulations. This is critical for the attainment of the millennium development goals (MDGs), especially on the reduction of extreme poverty and hunger as well as gender equality and empowerment.
Originality/value
This research paper brings to light the fact that financial capital is an important tool that can be used to turn life around for poor families and individuals in developing countries in Africa and elsewhere. It demonstrates how financial capital is critical for the attainment of the MDGs.