Aim/Purpose: To capture digital training experiences, the paper introduces a novel data collection method – a graphic questionnaire. It aims to demonstrate the opportunities and limitations of this tool for collecting feedback from socially disadvantaged participants of digital literacy training about their progress. Background: In training of digital skills for disadvantaged audiences through informal educational interventions, it is important to get sufficient knowledge on factors that lead to their progress in the course of training. There are many tools to measure the achievements of formal education participants, but assessing the effectiveness of informal digital skills training is researched less. The paper introduces a small-scale case study of the training programme aimed at the developing of reading and digital skills among the participants from three socially disadvantaged groups – people with hearing impairments, children from low income families, and elderly persons. The impact of the training on participants was evaluated using different tools, including a short graphic questionnaire to capture the perceptions of the participants after each training. Methodology: We performed a thematic analysis of graphic questionnaires collected after each training session to determine how the students perceived their progress in developing literacy and digital skills. Contribution The findings of the paper can assist in designing assessment of digital literacy programmes that focus not only on final results, but also on the process of gaining digital skills and important factors that facilitate progress. Findings: The graphic questionnaire allowed the researchers to get insights into the perception of acquired skills and progressive achievements of the participants through rich self-reports of attitudes, knowledge gained, and activities during training sessions. However, the graphic questionnaire format did not allow the collection of data about social interaction and cooperation that could be important in learning. Recommendations for Practitioners: Graphic questionnaires are useful and easy-to-use tools for getting rich contextual information about the attitudes, behaviour, and acquisition of knowledge in digital literacy training. They can be used in applied assessments of digital literacy training in various settings. Their simplicity can appeal to respondents; however, in the long-run interest of respondents in continuing self-reports should be sustained by additional measures. Recommendations for Researchers: Researcher may explore the variety of simple and attractive research instruments, such as “honeycomb” questionnaires and similar, to facilitate data collection and saturate feedback with significant perception of personal experiences in gaining digital literacy skills. Impact on Society: Designing effective digital literacy programmes, including engaging self-assessment methods and tools, aimed at socially disadvantaged people will contribute to their digital inclusion and to solving the issues of digital divide. Future Research: Exploration of diverse research methods and expanding the research toolset in assessing digital literacy training could advance our understanding of important processes and factors in gaining digital skills.

This paper aims to share the author's vision on possible research directions for big knowledge-based AI. A renewed definition of big knowledge (BK) and big knowledge systems (BKS) is first introduced. Then the first BKS model, called cloud knowledge social intelligence (CKEI) is provided with a hierarchy of knowledge as a service (KAAS). At last, a new semantics, the big-and-broad step axiomatic structural operational semantics (BBASOS) for applications on BKS is introduced and discussed with a practical distributed BKS model knowledge graph network KGN and a mini example.

Can questions sent to Open-Educational-Resource (OER) websites such as Ask-An-Expert serve as indicators for students’ interest in science? This issue was examined using an online questionnaire which included an equal number of questions about the topics “space” and “nutrition” randomly selected from three different sources: a 5th-grade science textbook, the “Ask-An-Expert” website, and questions collected from other students in the same age group. A sample of 113 5th-graders from two elementary schools were asked to rate their interest level in finding out the answer to these questions without knowledge of their source. Significant differences in students’ interest level were found between questions: textbook questions were ranked lowest for both subjects, and questions from the open-resource were ranked high. This finding suggests that questions sent to an open-resource could be used as an indicator of students’ interest in science. In addition, the high correlation of interests expressed by students from the two schools may point to a potential generalization of the findings. This study contributes by highlighting OER as a new and promising indicator of student interest, which may help bring “student voices” into mainstream science teaching to increase student interest in science.

The purpose of this investigation is to define the central contents and issues of the impact of informing systems on the rise and development of Virtual Civilization. The methodology is based on an interdisciplinary big-picture view of the Virtual Civilization’s elements of development and their interdependency. Among the findings are: Virtual Civilization has infrastructural characteristics, a world-wide unlimited, socially constructed work and leisure space in cyberspace, and it can last centuries/millennia - as long as informing systems are operational. Practical implications: The mission of Virtual Civilization is to control the public policy of real civilizations in order to secure the common good in real societies. Social implication: The quest for the common good by virtual society may limit or even replace representative democracy by direct democracy which, while positively solving some problems, may eventually trigger permanent political chaos in real civilizations. Originality: This investigation, by providing an interdisciplinary and civilizational approach at the big-picture level defined the ethics question of the role of informing systems in the development of Virtual Civilization.

The burgeoning economic inequality between the richest and the poorest is a cause of concern for social, political, and ethical reasons. While businesses are both implicated and affected by growing inequality, business schools have largely neglected to subject the phenomenon to sufficient critique. This is, in part, because far too many management educators rely on orthodox economic perspectives—often represented by neoliberal capitalism—which have dominated the curricula and the teaching philosophy of business schools. To address this issue, this article underscores the need for business schools to critically examine the relationship between neoliberal capitalism and economic inequalities, and to overtly engage with this nexus in pedagogical practice. The article concludes by revisiting the concepts of relationality and answerability as paths by which to address the current predicament. Relationality and answerability collectively offer: i) conceptual and reflexive tools by which to re-imagine business school education, and, ii) space for business schools to debate important questions about the taken-for-granted, but problematic, assumptions underlying the ideology of neoliberal capitalism

Many online are raising questions about a recent spate of public violence, as officials continue to censor discussion.

THE tragic crash of a Tesla Model Y in Toronto in October has raised serious concerns about the accessibility and usability of the car’s electronic door handles during emergencies. The fiery accident claimed the lives of four individuals: Neelraj Gohil (25), his sister Ketaba Gohil (29), Jay Sisodiya, and Digvijay Patel, leaving a sole survivor, a woman in her 20s.

The woman’s escape was made possible by Rick Harper, a Canada Post employee, who heroically smashed the car’s window with a metal pole. Harper described the survivor as “desperate to get out,” but unable to open the car’s doors from inside. Tesla vehicles rely on an electronic button to open doors rather than traditional handles, and if the car’s power system fails in a crash, the doors may become inoperable.

Concerns About Tesla’s Safety Design

While Tesla promotes a “safety-first design” and manual override mechanisms for emergencies, these features are not widely known or intuitive. The manual override involves removing a door panel and pulling a hidden cable — a process that could be difficult or impossible in the chaos and panic of a serious accident.

Safety experts and crash investigators have raised concerns that victims may not be aware of the override feature or may lack the presence of mind to locate and use it under duress.

The Accident

The Tesla reportedly crashed into a guardrail at high speed along Lake Shore Boulevard East. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but the crash’s aftermath has drawn attention to Tesla’s safety protocols, particularly in situations involving power failure. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has several ongoing investigations into the Tesla Model Y, ranging from “unexpected brake activation” to “sudden unintended acceleration.”

A Heroic Rescue Effort

Harper’s quick action saved the survivor, but he was unaware that others were trapped inside due to the dense smoke. “I didn’t know there were other people in there. The smoke was so thick,” he said. It remains unclear if the other passengers also struggled to open the doors.

Broader Implications

This tragedy underscores the need for automakers to improve safety features in EVs, especially during power failures. Intuitive and easily accessible escape mechanisms are critical, and greater public awareness of emergency procedures is vital.

As investigators work to determine the exact cause of the crash, this incident highlights the balance that must be struck between advanced technology and real-world practicality in automotive safety.

Apex court issued its written order on the matter of the harassment of journalists

Self-driving cars have the potential to dramatically change transportation, but collisions between humans and autonomous vehicles pose complicated legal challenges.

"Noncitizens will vote in November. The only question is how many," according to the editorial board of Issues & Insights, a news and opinion site.

EKLIPSE is an EU-funded project that aims to develop a mechanism for supporting better informed decisions about our environment based on the best available knowledge. This short video (4 minute) explains the EKLIPSE process and you can find out more about our science-policy activities on the EKLIPSE website. The project now invites you to describe your views on how to improve the science-policy interface related to biodiversity and ecosystem services and potential ways in which you, or your background organization, would like to contribute to the EKLIPSE mechanism.

Have your say here!

With about 87 percent of precincts reporting, 57 percent of residents voted against the measure, according to the Associated Press.

The post Question 4: Voters reject legalization of some psychedelic substances appeared first on Boston.com.

“It's a real shame for sufferers of PTSD and CPTSD, who can greatly benefit from therapy with these substances,” one respondent said.

The post Voters rejected Question 4. Here’s why readers are ‘disappointed.’ appeared first on Boston.com.

The post Need relationship advice? Send your question to Love Letters. appeared first on Boston.com.

Opera singers, like anyone doing a job in the public eye, get asked a lot of questions. Audience members and fans are keen to find ... Read more

The post Six Questions You Shouldn’t Ask An Opera Singer appeared first on CMUSE.

“Society needs standards. No bar equals low bar," one respondent said.

The post Boston.com readers are divided over Question 2 results appeared first on Boston.com.

Conditions are so bad in refugee camps in Greece, some refugees are considering returning to the war torn countries they came from.

Also on the programme, residents of a disappearing island speak up; a former Pentagon official describes one moment that changed how she thinks about drones; a slam poet from Sudan shares her poetry; and a Silicon Valley entrepreneur thinks manufactured diamonds might replace real ones. Plus, some new emojis right some wrongs when it comes to gender equality.

Picture: A boy sits on a bus as he waits to be transferred to a refugee reception centre in Greece, Credit: Yannis Kolesidis/AFP/Getty Images

The post Everything you need to know about the 2024 Mass. ballot questions appeared first on Boston.com.

Some election lawyers suggested that Musk is inching closer to the legal line.

The post Elon Musk’s $1 million offer raises new legal questions appeared first on Boston.com.

Meet Flavio Sala! Flavio is a remarkably well-rounded Italian guitarist from Bojano, currently living in the United States. Throughout his career Flavio has been captivating all kinds ... Read more

The post 3 Questions with Flavio Sala, Italian Guitarist appeared first on CMUSE.

Meet Anna Leonova! Anna Leonova is an Ukrainian composer of contemporary classical music, pianist, composition teacher, piano and music theory teacher, currently living in Qatar. At an ... Read more

The post 3 Questions with Anna Leonova, Ukrainian Composer appeared first on CMUSE.

Back in 2011, Belgian harpist Anneleen Lenaerts, now a soloist at the Vienna Philharmonic, recorded an album containing harp arrangements of Chopin’s and Liszt’s most ... Read more

The post 3 Questions with Anneleen Lenaerts, Principal Harpist of the Vienna Philharmonic appeared first on CMUSE.

An explanation of a few "whys" of EIFS installation.

Before the dust has settled on 2017, contractors should invest some time and effort into reviewing what really happened this year.

Finding new software for your construction business can be overwhelming. If you’re in the market for the right estimating software, you are looking for the fastest, more accurate tools to help you calculate labor and materials.

Arlington, VA — Top-ranking Democrats in the House Education and the Workforce Committee and the Workforce Protections Subcommittee are questioning the legality of a Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission decision to remove a Sophia, WV, mine from Mine Safety and Health Administration Pattern of Violations status.

This white paper walks you through OSHA's workplace injury and illness recordkeeping requirements, including recent revisions pertaining to COVID-19.

Washington — Julie Su emphasized her commitment to “finding and expanding the vast areas of common ground between employers and employees” during her April 20 confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

East Lansing, MI — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s mandate on the use of electronic logging devices to record commercial motor vehicle driver hours of service “did not immediately achieve its goal of reducing accidents,” and may be linked to increases in unsafe driving behaviors and crashes, results of a recent study suggest.

Washington – Providers of Safety Data Sheets and chemical labeling may include additional information on a contained substance if it presents a combustible dust hazard, OSHA said in an interpretation on the recently revised Hazard Communication Standard.

In this comprehensive white paper, J. J. Keller’s subject matter experts provide answers to the most frequently asked questions about safety plans and share essential steps for successful implementation.

Are there any private jets that have at least one comfortable and real bed to sleep on - for a transatlantic overnight flight? Not talking about seats the go flat bed or even sofas that open up. A real bed...

I’d first driven by this land en route to elsewhere. When I saw the bunkers—over a thousand set upon the desert—I was so stunned by the terrain’s alien disfigurement that I stopped at an overpass to absorb the view. To my eye, the concrete bunkers were dystopian in their sum and structure and sprawl—scarring nine […]

The post A Golden Land? Questioning Frontiers, Fantasies and Fulfillment in the Pacific Northwest was curated by information for practice.

Academic journals are not immune from ideological bias.

The post Why Progressives Should Question Their Favorite Scientific Findings was curated by information for practice.

Donald Trump has been declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election. Tell us what questions you have about how a second Trump presidency might affect Minnesota.

We talk about what you need to know about the importance and safety of the COVID-10 vaccine in children, and the status and process of vaccination approval for children under twelve. Also, how to navigate summer activities, travel, and masks with unvaccinated children, and the impacts of the virus on kids.

Added January 24, 2006:

Updated July 25, 2006: Young-Earth creationists consider the helium diffusion studies of D. Russell Humphreys and others to be one of their greatest achievements in arguing for a 6,000 year old Earth. A geologist shows that these studies are extensively flawed and include: serious miscalculations in their data, sampling the wrong rock type, failing to eliminate possible contamination, using equations that are based on invalid assumptions and relying on questionable data. Appendices C and D have been added in response to Dr. Humphreys' most recent statements in his January 2006 "Trueorigins" essay.

Investigation of isostructurality leads to a deeper understanding of close-packing principles and contributes to the ability of crystal engineering. A given packing motif may tolerate small molecular changes within a limit. Slight alterations of a crystal packing arrangement are carried out in order to fine-tune the structural and macroscopic properties, keeping the balance of the spatial requirements and electrostatic effects of the altered molecules in the crystals, preserving their isostructurality. Even so, the definition of isostructurality is not explicit about several issues. Are the corresponding structures required to have the same stoichiometry, Z', symmetry elements and the same space group? Because it is not obvious in the definition, studies on structure analysis and software calculating various numerical descriptors developed for the quantitative comparison of the degree of similarity of isostructural crystals self-define their criteria. The extent of the difference between corresponding crystal structures referred to as isostructural is not limited. Should it be determined numerically? There is nothing in the definition about a demand for similar supramolecular arrangements in isostructural crystals. Should the similarity of supramolecular interactions be a criterion of isostructurality? The definition of isostructurality deserves reconsideration regarding symmetry, measure of similarity and formation of supramolecular interactions.

Ten questions driving the geological and planetary sciences were identified today in a new report by the National Research Council.

Eleven questions that should shape the next decade of geographical sciences research were identified today in a new report by the National Research Council.

In a letter to the U.S. Department of State, the presidents of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Medicine expressed concern that a proposal to add supplemental questions for visa applicants.

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine says that enhancements to the geodetic infrastructure are needed to answer important questions about sea level rise, water resources, geological hazards, and more over the next decade.

Formed earlier this month, the National Academies’ Standing Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats was assembled at the request of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.