Su-I Hou, Esteban Santis, Anna V. Eskamani and Khristen Holmes
The “Village” model has become an emerging, community-based, social initiative to help older adults age in place. This study aims to examine neighborhood social cohesion (NSC), or…
Abstract
Purpose
The “Village” model has become an emerging, community-based, social initiative to help older adults age in place. This study aims to examine neighborhood social cohesion (NSC), or social connectedness and quality of life, from the perspective of village members.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-method evaluation was used to examine two Florida villages, a master-planned village (FV1) and a diverse neighborhood village (FV2). Both are full members of the National Village to Village Network.
Findings
The quantitative and qualitative data provided complementary and deeper understanding. Quantitative findings showed that FV1 members scored higher at NSC, and qualitative findings further confirmed that village program social activities were critical to building connections, especially for those who have lost loved ones and were single.
Research limitations/implications
Findings should be interpreted considering the predominantly white racial makeup and affluence of village participants.
Practical implications
Findings point to the importance of NSC as older adults age and suggest that programs should prioritize activities that strengthen social connectiveness.
Originality/value
This is one of the first mixed-methods evaluations examining NSC and quality of life among village participants.
Details
Keywords
Chunli Li, Liang Li, Yungming Cheng, Liang Xu and Guangming Yu
This paper aims to develop an efficient algorithm combining straightforward response surface functions with Monte Carlo simulation to conduct seismic reliability analysis in a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop an efficient algorithm combining straightforward response surface functions with Monte Carlo simulation to conduct seismic reliability analysis in a systematical way.
Design/methodology/approach
The representative slip surfaces are identified and based on to calibrate multiple response surface functions with acceptable accuracy. The calibrated response surfaces are used to determine the yield acceleration in Newmark sliding displacement analysis. Then, the displacement-based limit state function is adopted to conduct seismic reliability analysis.
Findings
The calibrated response surface functions have fairly good accuracy in predicting the yield acceleration in Newmark sliding displacement analysis. The seismic reliability is influenced by such factors as PGA, spatial variability and threshold value. The proposed methodology serves as an effective tool for geotechnical practitioners.
Originality/value
The multiple sources of a seismic slope response can be effectively determined using the multiple response surface functions, which are easily implemented within geotechnical engineering.
Details
Keywords
Yueh-Min Huang and Pei Hsuan Lin
Advances in technology have led to continuous innovations in teaching and learning methods. Ubiquitous-learning (u-learning) practices are still in the development stages. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Advances in technology have led to continuous innovations in teaching and learning methods. Ubiquitous-learning (u-learning) practices are still in the development stages. The current lack of effective learning strategy tools means that students often experience difficulty focusing on the learning objectives. Little research has been done on the educational benefits of integrating augmented reality (AR) technology running on tablet PCs (TPCs), either in the classroom or in a u-learning environment. Still, classroom instruction using TPCs has been shown to be attractive to students and able to effectively increase their motivation to learn. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a TPC game (an app called SkyView) to help young students understand the theory and practically implement the astronomy concepts of prograde and retrograde motion. The study design is based on the use of AR technology, and the authors divide students into “tablet PC application” (experimental group) and “astrolabe” (control group) games. The authors investigate whether the experimental group surpasses the control group in terms of learning motivation, flow experience (FE), self-efficacy regarding technology, self-efficacy regarding science, positive feelings about the learning experience, and satisfaction with the learning approach (SL).
Findings
The findings show that students in the experimental group performed better in regards to learning achievement. In general, the improved FE helped students enjoy the learning activity to the point that they did not notice the passage of time. In regards to SL, the findings show that the students in the experimental group had an increased willingness to use the TPC to learn.
Originality/value
There is a lack of research investigating the effects of the FE with tangible and AR technology in learning environments. The results of this study show the responses and performance of elementary students who participated in such a learning experience, in terms of their feelings regarding the method and tools, and in terms of their motivation, willingness to learn, and actual learning achievement.