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.

Aim/Purpose: This preface presents the papers included in the ninth issue of the Interdisciplinary Journal of e-Skills and Lifelong Learning (IJELL) special series of selected Chais Conference best papers. Background: The Chais Conference for the Study of Innovation and Learning Technologies: Learning in the Technological Era, is organized by the Research Center for Innovation in Learning Technologies, The Open University of Israel. The 12th Chais Conference was held at The Open University of Israel, Raanana, Israel, on February 14-15, 2017. Each year, selected papers of the Chais conference are expanded and published in IJELL. Methodology: A qualitative conceptual analysis of the themes and insights of the papers included in the ninth selection of IJELL special series of selected Chais Conference best papers. Contribution: The presentation of the papers of this selection emphasizes their novelty, as well as their main implications, describes current research issues, and chronicles the main themes within the discourse of learning technologies research, as reflected at the Chais 2017 conference. Findings: Contemporary research goes ‘beyond the walls of the classroom’ and investigates systemic and pedagogical aspects of integrating learning technologies in education on a large scale. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers are encouraged to investigate broad aspects of seizing the opportunities and overcoming the challenges of integrating innovative technologies in education. Impact on Society: Effective application of learning technologies has a major potential to improve the well-being of individuals and societies. Future Research: The conceptual analysis of contemporary main themes of innovative learning technologies may provide researchers with novel directions for future research on various aspects of the effective utilization of learning technologies.

The Republic of India has witnessed an enormous leap in financial transactions after a sudden demonetisation in 2016. The study represents an in-depth analysis of the factors influencing e-wallets usage post-COVID situation covering the National Capital Region. The scientifically collected data were subjected to Pearson's correlation to recognise the correlation amongst the selected e-wallets. The usage of e-wallets is observed mainly during recharge, UPI payments, and utility payments. Through psychometric response and interaction analysis, six factors were selected and examined for data distribution and stable observation using standard deviation and variance coefficient. The coefficient of variance for six factors was observed ≤ 1. The weight of the factors noted to be secured way (0.184), to take advantage of cashback (0.182), low risk of theft (0.169), fast service (0.1689), ease to use (0.156), and saves time (0.139) using principal component eigenvectors analysis. Freecharge and Tez wallets reveal a maximum 99.2% correlation.

Book Review

CONTINENTAL has launched its Mini Program on the TNG eWallet, allowing Malaysian drivers to purchase Continental tyres with ease through their mobile phones. This launch is celebrated with exclusive promotions from 7 November to 30 November, coinciding with the 11.11 Mega Sale. Customers can enjoy up to RM1 million in cashback, with an average of 15% per transaction.

Additionally, any customer spending a minimum of RM300 from 7 November 2024 to 31 January 2025 will be entered into a lucky draw, with one entry for each RM300 spent. The grand prize includes a gold bar worth RM10,000, with other prizes like three iPhone 16 Pros, two PS5 consoles, two Huawei MatePad 11.5” PaperMatte Editions, and two Trapo Vouchers. Weekly winners can also receive cashback, a Limited-Edition Continental x Touch ‘n Go NFC Card, and more.

Andrea Somorova, Managing Director of Continental Tyre Malaysia, shared that this partnership reinforces Continental’s commitment to digital innovation and customer convenience in Malaysia, expanding their reach through the TNG eWallet alongside existing platforms like Shopee and Lazada. Alan Ni, CEO of TNG Digital, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the TNG eWallet’s role as a lifestyle app, which, with over 22 million verified users, now offers a streamlined, digital tyre purchase and installation experience.

The Mini Program simplifies tyre shopping by helping users find the right tyre pattern and size, apply promo codes, select dealers, and schedule installations at over 120 Continental outlets across Malaysia. Once payment is confirmed, customers can proceed to their selected dealer for free installation, with balancing and optional alignment services.

Meghan Markle to put an end to cold war with Royal family: ‘Needs to swallow pride’

Meghan Markle has realized that in order to build a reputation in the US, she needs to rebuild relationships with the members of the Royal family.

According to Closer Magazine, the...

While completing his apprenticeship at the kunstform BMX shop in Stuttgart, between school, work and producing rap hits, Miguel Smajli found time to film a new video with David Schaller, in which you won't notice that he's been doing anything else but filming for this video. The track, the tricks and the clips flow together seamlessly, watch this and catch some vibes!

Have fun with the video, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!

Video: David Schaller

Related links:

• all products of Subrosa
• all products of kunstform

Federal and local authorities ramped up security measures across downtown Washington, D.C. this weekend, with businesses installing protective barriers and federal buildings receiving additional fortification ahead of Tuesday's presidential election.

U.S. stocks are drifting Tuesday as some momentum comes out of the torrid "Trump trade" that swept Wall Street following Donald Trump's presidential victory.

Call it the "Tax Cuts and Wall Act." Republicans, on the verge of a full sweep of government, are plotting immediate legislation that would extend and expand tax cuts, bolster U.S. energy production and perhaps provide money to finish building the southern border wall.

It’s not just the wall. There are lots of invisible barriers keeping immigrants from coming into the US. On this edition we explore some of those barriers.

We meet a three-year-old on Canada’s no-fly list; we speak to a student from India who grew up in the United States yet his visa expires as soon as he turns 21; we find out how much it costs to smuggle someone across the border and the lasting impact that debt can have on a family; and lastly we get a little loopy with musician Joe Kye.

(Image: A border patrol officer stands guard along the U.S.-Mexico border February 7, 2018 in San Ysidro, California. Credit: Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

Master Wall ReCote is a beautiful lightly textured acrylic coating that rejuvenates surfaces of brick, concrete, masonry or tilt-up concrete. The integral colors enhance the surface while maintaining the modular patterns of the wall surface.

One-Step Trowel-On Membrane is a self-gauging trowel-on membrane that acts as both moisture/air barrier and adhesive. One-Step Trowel-On Membrane produces a level surface of approximately 1.5 mm thickness of membrane and adhesive and allows simultaneous installation of drainage insulation. This feature makes waterproofing applications fast and easy, saving labor costs of 25% or more in efficient application of drainage insulation over vapor/air barrier membrane.

Join us at our upcoming webinar “Using Spray Textures on Walls and Ceilings for Stunning Results” on Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. ET.

If you’ve ever purchased ready-to-assemble furniture at IKEA or if you’ve put together toys on Christmas Eve you have been involved with prefabricated products. 

All Weather Insulated Panels has introduced two new mineral wool panels to its existing category of fire-rated insulated metal panels. The pair of new mineral wool panels — HE42-MW and PL42-MW — are both non-combustible and provide hourly ratings.

Before you hurt yourself jumping out of your Barcalounger so you can dial up the editor to launch complaints about this piece, a thread on the Walls and Ceilings bulletin board regarding "Box Marts" struck a nerve in yours truly and was the motivation behind this month's diatribe.

The year was 1977 and yours' truly was trying desperately to hold the end of a 12-foot sheet up while trying to finger a nail into the edge of the board and hit the nail instead of my fingers with a roofing hatchet. If memory serves, back then we were using blue ring shank nails. The heads were barely larger than the circumference of the rings, so it was virtually impossible to drive one without ripping the face paper under ideal conditions, and these were not ideal conditions.

Once upon a time, long before there were ads for lawyers on every corner, television, radio station, billboard and listed on 72 pages of every phone book in the country, job-site practical jokes were commonplace.

Being on the front line of the drywall trade allows this reporter a unique perspective into the everyday trials and tribulations of a broad spectrum of drywall dogs.

When a blues music aficionado uses the term “old school,” he may be referring to artists such as Muddy Waters, Etta James, John Lee Hooker or B.B. King. When old school country music artists are discussed, names such as Bob Wills, Hank Williams Sr., Jimmie Rogers and Patsy Cline will certainly be mentioned. In this instance, old school is used in a positive way. The inference is that these artists were pioneers in their field and that their contributions have stood the test of time and that their art is still considered relevant, even though it was produced decades ago.

I was fortunate enough to attend the Specialties of the Drywall Trade Instructor Seminar held from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 at the IUPAT facility in Baltimore. It was obvious that a lot of planning went into setting up this building, with classrooms on the upper level and a lower level that is wide open, allowing plenty of room for the attendees to hone their skills on miles of drywall.

We had dodged more than one nor’easter up to that point, and were enjoying the effects of global warming, so when a friendly competition between three friends materialized into the Rock-Off for Michael’s Way, weather was not even a consideration.

By always being willing to do work that was specialized and making sure that it was done right, I kept busy. I have suggested this idea in previous articles. And when I hear guys complaining that they can’t compete against the 30-man crews, I wonder if they have considered doing specialized work.

Everyone who grinds it out day after day in the construction trenches, has at least one story of “stupidity unbecoming a human.” Some stories have tragic endings, while others generate belly laughs for years to come.

In May 2000 some of the features and benefits of building with steel were discussed in an AID article co-written with my old pal Bill entitled “Life After Wood: Steel Studs on the Rise.” Like anything else, along with the benefits there are challenges.

When times are good, people become complacent. Riding in gas guzzling land-yachts and dwelling in cavernous McMansions tends to dull the senses and lulls people into a false sense of security. The scale that was once used to measure the distance between wants and needs became dangerously off-kilter.

I once witnessed a contractor mixing red chalk into a bucket of mud, and when I inquired what he was doing, he responded, “I’m making firestop.”

Well folks, it’s been awhile since I have felt whole enough to pen anything meaningful for these pages. The economic issues surrounding the collapse of the construction industry that is such a big part of my life and yours made anything that I may have had to say seem meaningless. After much soul searching and a little prodding from John Wyatt, I have decided to end my self-imposed exile from these pages. 

The preceding is the beginning of a song performed by Styx that was a hit in the ’80s. It describes the trials and tribulations that many people faced during that time by misusing a certain illegal white substance.

As some of you know, I grew up in a little town in northwestern Nebraska. Chadron was your stereotypical Andy-of-Mayberry town with only one stoplight and still only has one to this day. Frankly, it was a great place for a kid to grow up.

Over the past three decades I have met all sorts of Drywall Dogs.

Passive fire protection is an essential aspect of gypsum construction. Gypsum firewalls of various types (shaft walls, simple partitions, etc.) prevent fire from spreading without relying on mechanical means of control, such as sprinkling.

Modular building concepts—also known as off-site construction—have been utilized for decades. However, the use of pre-fabrication and modular building techniques is increasingly common now. 

One product that can help save time and money and reduce waste

Save time with Plastic Components’ non-rusting continuous insulation trims. They improve job quality and deliver a better finish.

 The Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe, La., strives to maintain a first-class medical facility, both in terms of patient case and overall appearance.  

With the introduction of Tectum DesignArt– Lines Finale PB ceiling and wall panels, Armstrong World Industries offers architects and designers an opportunity to deliver unique visuals created by panels providing excellent sound absorption.

The FWCCA invites you to participate at its Jan. 30-31 Executive Conference, which is taking place at the OMNI Champion Gate Resort. The FWCCA is searching for individuals who have informative, educational, technical and/or business programming that are willing to share with FWCCA members.

Walls & Ceilings names the second winner of its annual Leadership Award.

Knight Wall Systems announced Jan. 25 that it has partnered with design software development company RIB to create a new specification section for cladding support systems within RIB’s SpecLink building specification platform.

A Utah drywall contractor is suing a developer for work it completed at The Austin Townhomes in Draper, Utah, in May 2023, reported Luke Garrott of Building Salt Lake.

This September, South Valley Drywall held its 29th Annual Customer Appreciation Golf Tournament for 160 of its valued customers and trade partners at Omni Interlocken Golf Club in Colorado. For the event, it partnered with National Sports Center for the Disabled and raised more than $18,000.

The owners of Evolution Drywall Inc. in Palm Coast, Florida, were charged with insurance fraud and organized fraud in 2018 but were cleared a year later, reported Ray Boone of Palm Coast Observer. A judge ruled that no restitution needed to be made.

The QuickSpan Locking Drywall Grid System from Certainteed Gypsum is an innovative ceiling grid system that provides the industry’s longest unsupported spans for flat drywall. It’s engineered and designed for quick, easy installation of spans for drywall ceilings in hallways and corridors.

There is a lot of confusion in the field over area-separation firewalls and utility placement. I know that the GA has a position statement that clarifies criteria for the placement of utilities in the flanking walls on either side of a two-hour, steel H-stud, gypsum shaftliner panel area-separation wall.

JB Insulation & Drywall LLC of Oakland, New Jersey, recently met W&C at this year’s ICAA Annual Convention & Trade Show. Its owner, Jonathan Belanus, took time to speak with the magazine on how business is, the market and more.

Knight Wall Systems announced on Sept. 17 the hire of Anna Allen as human resources manager, according to Knight operations manager Pat Collins.

The Brainy Insights estimates that the $5.1 billion drywall repair services market will reach $10.22 billion by 2033. Rapid urbanization and strategic initiatives by the private players in the global market may fuel the growth of the drywall repair services market.