Todd S. Rushing, Ghassan Al-Chaar, Brian Andrew Eick, Jedadiah Burroughs, Jameson Shannon, Lynette Barna and Michael Case
This paper aims to qualify traditional concrete mixtures for large-scale material extrusion in an automated, additive manufacturing process or additive construction.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to qualify traditional concrete mixtures for large-scale material extrusion in an automated, additive manufacturing process or additive construction.
Design/methodology/approach
A robust and viable automated additive construction process must be developed that has the capability to construct full-scale, habitable structures using materials that are readily available near the location of the construction site. Accordingly, the applicability of conventional concrete mixtures for large-scale material extrusion in an additive construction process was investigated. A qualitative test was proposed in which concrete mixtures were forced through a modified clay extruder and evaluated on performance and potential to be suitable for nozzle extrusion typical of additive construction, or 3D printing with concrete. The concrete mixtures were further subjected to the standard drop table test for flow, and the results for the two tests were compared. Finally, the concrete mixtures were tested for setting time, compressive strength and flexural strength as final indicators for usefulness in large-scale construction.
Findings
Conventional concrete mixtures, typically with a high percentage of coarse aggregate, were found to be unsuitable for additive construction application due to clogging in the extruder. However, reducing the amount of coarse aggregate provided concrete mixtures that were promising for additive construction while still using materials that are generally available worldwide.
Originality/value
Much of the work performed in additive manufacturing processes on a construction scale using concrete focuses on unconventional concrete mixtures using synthetic aggregates or no coarse aggregate at all. This paper shows that a concrete mixture using conventional materials can be suitable for material extrusion in additive construction. The use of conventional materials will reduce costs and allow for additive construction to be used worldwide.
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Deja Bailey and Matthew J. Etchells
Twenty-first century education has been reconfigured to keep up with growing societal shifts in an effort to support a wide variety of learners. As changes occur, the workload for…
Abstract
Twenty-first century education has been reconfigured to keep up with growing societal shifts in an effort to support a wide variety of learners. As changes occur, the workload for teachers continues to expand with little to no support and resources within classroom spaces to keep up with the current times. Post pandemic, the expectations and systems have shifted emphasizing the need for more programming around social emotional learning and systems to help mitigate the learning disruption. The insurmountable pressure placed on teachers has led to a robust and persistent departure of the profession causing the entire education system to rethink the policies, structures, and systems that influence teacher burnout.
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Using the backdrop of an (apparently) extended visit to the West Indies, analogies with key concerns of internal audit are drawn. An unusual and refreshing way of exploring the…
Abstract
Using the backdrop of an (apparently) extended visit to the West Indies, analogies with key concerns of internal audit are drawn. An unusual and refreshing way of exploring the main themes ‐ a discussion between Bill and Jack on tour in the islands ‐ forms the debate. Explores the concepts of control, necessary procedures, fraud and corruption, supporting systems, creativity and chaos, and building a corporate control facility.
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Using the backdrop of an (apparently) extended visit to the West Indies, analogies with key concerns of internal audit are drawn. An unusual and refreshing way of exploring the…
Abstract
Using the backdrop of an (apparently) extended visit to the West Indies, analogies with key concerns of internal audit are drawn. An unusual and refreshing way of exploring the main themes ‐ a discussion between Bill and Jack on tour in the islands ‐ forms the debate. Explores the concepts of control, necessary procedures, fraud and corruption, supporting systems, creativity and chaos, and building a corporate control facility.
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Language is a fundamental and yet extraordinarily powerful medium. Language is more than the primary feature distinguishing humans from other species. As our principle means of…
Abstract
Language is a fundamental and yet extraordinarily powerful medium. Language is more than the primary feature distinguishing humans from other species. As our principle means of communication, language links us to culture, and in so doing, shapes our perceptions and determines the way in which we think (Clark, Eschholz & Rosa, 1981; Thorne, Kramarae & Henley, 1983). Language is inseparable from social life. Through language, individuals learn cultural patterns and political and social values (Mueller, 1973). Language also reflects the prejudices of society, with assumptions about relative status, power or appropriate behavior often built into the words we use to talk about different groups of people. As Frank and Anshen (1983) note, ageism, racism, and most importantly for this discussion, sexism, are all perpetuated by our language, even among those who consciously reject those prejudices.
Laura I. Spears and Marcia A. Mardis
The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which academic researchers consider the relationship between broadband access and children’s information seeking in the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which academic researchers consider the relationship between broadband access and children’s information seeking in the United States. Because broadband has been cited as an essential element of contemporary learning, this study sought to identify gaps in the attention given to the role of broadband in the information seeking environment of youth.
Approach
The researchers conducted a mixed method synthesis of academic research published in peer-reviewed journals between 1991 and 2011 that reported the information seeking of children aged 5–18 years. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered from leading databases, analyzed separately, and conclusions drawn from integrated results.
Results
The results of this study indicated that broadband is rarely considered in the design of children’s information seeking published in peer-reviewed research journals. Only 15 studies showed any presence of broadband in study design or conclusions. Due to the small number of qualifying studies, the researchers could not conduct the synthesis; instead, the researchers conducted a quantitative relationship analysis and qualitative content analysis.
Practical implications
Given the focus of policymaking and public discussion on broadband, its absence as a study consideration suggests a crucial gap for scholarly researchers to address.
Research limitations
The data set included only studies of children in the United States, therefore, findings may not be universally applicable.
Originality/value
Despite national imperatives for ubiquitous broadband and a tradition of information seeking research in library and information science (LIS) and other disciplines, a lack of academic research about how broadband affects children’s information seeking persists.
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Annie Booth, Sinead Earley, Kyle Aben, Barbara Otter, Todd Corrigal and Christie Ray
The purpose of this paper is to discuss an innovative course offered as a partnership between the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) (Canada), the Prince George…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss an innovative course offered as a partnership between the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) (Canada), the Prince George Chamber of Commerce (Canada) and local businesses: UNBC’s third-year undergraduate/graduate course, carbon and energy management.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors have all participated in the development, design and/or delivery of the course and have provided their reflections on the experience. In addition, they sought insights from students and other interested people on the impact and significance of this course.
Findings
Carbon and energy management is an action learning-based co-created course initiated by the Chamber to address an interest in mitigating climate change amongst local businesses. Among businesses, the carbon economy is under considerable discussion. The increased awareness of climate change, and the need to better manage carbon, has led to local businesses eager to reduce greenhouse gases but lacking the expertise necessary. UNBC students (undergraduate and graduate) learn innovative and practical skills through creating carbon footprint analyses for small- to medium-sized business/non-profit clients, providing recommendations on reducing reliance on fossil fuels and formally presenting their findings to their clients. After five years, 46 businesses and non-profit organizations have participated in the course along with over 30 students and 5 separately hired student interns. The Chamber is now rolling out the program for Canadian Chamber of Commerce interested in similar community–university partnerships.
Originality/value
This paper describes a course that is a novel approach to university–community partnerships, both in approach and focus area. The linking, through the course, of small- to medium-sized businesses with the provision of plans for carbon reduction developed by university students is an unusual approach. However, there is significant value to all partners in the approach. Allowing the main community partner to serve as the lead in the project also offers an unusual experience and perspective for the university partner, as often such partnerships are largely driven by the post-secondary institution’s interests and needs, which can create a challenging power dynamic. Instead, the course offers a lesson in how a university can be clearly in service to the community at the community’s invitation. Finally, this paper offers reflections on the value of this type of project for creating sustainability initiatives from the perspective of all participants, students, faculty, university administration, city government, participating businesses and the Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating the critical need for understanding a project as an intersection of all participating actors.
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Todd Reynolds, Leslie S. Rush, Jodi Patrick Holschuh and Jodi P. Lampi
The purposes of this study is to expand on previous work in English language arts (ELA) disciplinary literacy and to unpack literary text reading processes across three different…
Abstract
Purpose
The purposes of this study is to expand on previous work in English language arts (ELA) disciplinary literacy and to unpack literary text reading processes across three different participant groups.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors recruited literary scholars and first-year college students to read literary texts aloud and voice their thoughts. Transcripts were collaboratively coded and analyzed using a priori and emergent coding.
Findings
This study presents the findings in two ways. First, this study grouped the codes into four categories, namely, background knowledge, comprehension, disciplinary knowledge and building an interpretation. This described the differences in frequencies among the participants’ strategy use. Next, to more fully describe how participants read literary texts, this study presents the data using three processes, namely, generating, weaving and curating. These findings indicate a continuum of strategies and processes used by participants.
Practical implications
The study suggests using the ELA heuristic for instruction, which includes moving students beyond generating and weaving by asking them to do their own interpretive work of curation. This potential roadmap for instruction avoids a deficit mindset for students by recommending low-stakes opportunities that meet students where they are as they build their capacity for interpretive moves.
Originality/value
The findings help the field to gain an understanding of what novices and experts do when they read literary text, including both strategies and processes. This study also provide an ELA heuristic that has instructional implications. This study adds to the body of knowledge for disciplinary literacy in ELA in both theoretical and practical ways.
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Harsha Desai, Kiran J. Desai, Susie Cox, Sushma Patel and Christy De Vader
The case primarily deals with the HR issues confronted by a US telecom company entering India for software development.
Abstract
Subject area
The case primarily deals with the HR issues confronted by a US telecom company entering India for software development.
Study level/applicability
The case can be used of MBA and BA level courses in human resource management and international management.
Case overview
The focus of the case is on the international HR issues that emerge and how this company goes about solving its challenges of charting an international course. The telecom company establishes an Indian subsidiary, USTC-I, for this purpose and recruits fresh graduates and experienced professionals for USTC-I. The case describes the human resources challenges faced by Todd Johns, an HR Manager with the US company as the company attempts to recruit professional for USTC-I. This case deals with specific HR tools and techniques that can, and perhaps, should be used in identifying, recruiting, hiring and retaining employees.
Expected learning outcomes
Students should be able to: evaluate the current situation of the organization and offer possible remedies and solutions for improving future human resource practices in a global context, identify and analyze the effectiveness of how HR tools (recruiting methods, interviews, selection methods, orientation programs, reward systems) are implemented, develop a plan for improvement of HR recruiting and selection in an international context, explain the factors and problems that can undermine an interview's usefulness, and techniques for eliminating these problems in an international context, explain the pros and cons of background investigations, reference checks, and pre-employment information services in an international context.
Supplementary materials
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J. Patrick O'Halloran and Todd R. Wagner
Taking a page from just‐in‐time manufacturing, many companies have found a way to create better, faster, cheaper—and infinitely more effective—marketing campaigns.