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Preparing Teachers for the Challenges of Technology Integration




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Issues and Challenges in Selecting Content for Web Design Courses




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Teaching in Virtual Worlds: Opportunities and Challenges




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Responding to the Employability Challenge: Final Projects for IT-based Organizational Training




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Transitioning from Data Storage to Data Curation: The Challenges Facing an Archaeological Institution




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Challenges in Adopting Open Innovation Strategies in SMEs: An Exploratory Study in Portugal




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The Use of Kanban to Alleviate Collaboration and Communication Challenges of Global Software Development

Aim/Purpose: This paper aims to describe how various Kanban elements can help alleviate two prominent types of challenges, communication and collaboration in Global Software Development (GSD). Background: Iterative and Lean development methodologies like Kanban have gained significance in the software development industry, both in the co-located and globally distributed contexts. However, little is known on how such methodologies can help mitigate various challenges in that occur in a globally distributed software development context. Methodology: The study was conducted using a single-case study based on a general inductive approach to analysis and theory development. Through the literature review, collaboration and communication challenges that GSD teams face were identified. Data collected through semi-structured interviews was then inductively analyzed to describe how the case-study teams employed various Kanban elements to mitigate communication and collaboration challenges they face during GSD. Findings: The study found that some Kanban elements, when properly employed, can help alleviate collaboration and communication challenges that occur within GSD teams. These relate to Inclusion Criteria, Reverse Items, Kanban Board, Policies, Avatars, and Backlog. Contribution: The paper contributes to knowledge by proposing two simple concept maps that detail the specific types of communication and collaboration challenges which can be alleviated by the aforementioned Kanban elements in GSD. Recommendations for Practitioners: This paper is relevant to GSD teams who are seeking ways to enhance their team collaboration and communication as these are the most important elements that contribute to GSD project success. It is recommended that relevant Kanban elements be used to that effect, depending on the challenges that they aim to alleviate. Future Research: Future research can investigate the same research questions (or similar ones) using a quantitative approach.




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Self-efficacy, Challenge, Threat and Motivation in Virtual and Blended Courses on Multicultural Campuses

Aim/Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the sense of challenge and threat, negative feelings, self-efficacy, and motivation among students in a virtual and a blended course on multicultural campuses and to see how to afford every student an equal opportunity to succeed in academic studies. Background: Most academic campuses in Israel are multicultural, with a diverse student body. The campuses strive to provide students from all sectors, regardless of nationality, religion, etc., the possibility of enjoying academic studies and completing them successfully. Methodology: This is a mixed-method study with a sample of 484 students belonging to three sectors: general Jewish, ultra-orthodox Jewish, and Arab. Contribution: This study’s findings might help faculty on multicultural campuses to advance all students and enable them equal opportunity to succeed in academic studies. Findings: Significant sectorial differences were found for the sense of challenge and threat, negative feelings, and motivation. We found that the sense of challenge and level of motivation among Arab students was higher than among the ultra-orthodox Jewish students, which, in turn, was higher than among the general Jewish student population. On the other hand, we found that the perception of threat and negative feelings among Arab students were higher than for the other two sectors for both the virtual and the blended course. Recommendations for Practitioners: Significant feedback might lessen the sense of threat and the negative feelings and be a meaningful factor for the students to persevere in the course. Intellectual, emotional, and differential feedback is recommended. Not relating to students’ difficulties might lead to a sense of alienation, a lack of belonging, or inability to cope with the tasks at hand and dropout from the course, or even from studies altogether. A good interaction between lecturer and student can change any sense of incompetence or helplessness to one of self-efficacy and the ability to interact with one’s surroundings. Recommendations for Researchers: Lecturers can reduce the sense of threat and negative feelings and increase a student’s motivation by making their presence felt on the course website, using the forums to manage discussions with students, and enabling and encouraging discussion among the students. Impact on Society: The integration of virtual learning environments into the learning process might lead to the fulfilment of an educational vision in which autonomous learners realize their personal potential. Hence they must be given tasks requiring the application of high learning skills without compromise, but rather with differential treatment of students in order to reduce negative feelings and the sense of threat, and to reduce the transactional distance. Future Research: Further studies should examine the causes of negative feelings among students participating in virtual and blended courses on multicultural campuses and how these feelings can be handled.




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Integrated Information Systems - A Challenge for Long-Term Digital Preservation




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(SNTL #3) Design and Implementation Challenges to an Interactive Social Media Based Learning Environment




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Challenges of Knowledge and Information Management during New Product Introduction: Experiences from a Finnish Multinational Company

Efficient knowledge and information management is essential for companies to prosper in the rapidly changing global environment. This article presents challenges of a large Finnish multinational company relating to their current knowledge and information management practices and systems. The focus is on New Product Introduction (NPI) process. The study is based on interviews and facilitated workshops in the Research and Development (R&D) and Production departments. Furthermore, the identified challenges are reflected to the findings presented in knowledge and information management literature. The results gained from the company case study were well in line with the findings in the literature. Three main topics, which can be generalized to cause challenges for knowledge and information management in most companies, were recognized: 1) Issues related to human behavior, individual characteristics and capabilities, different backgrounds, and professional vocabulary; 2) Codifying tacit knowledge into explicit information, which can be saved to company information system; 3) Lack of interoperability between different information systems. The study provides the management of the case company, and other similar organizations, focus points while seeking for better knowledge and information management. From a scientific perspective, the main contribution of this article is to give practical examples of how the theoretical findings presented in literature manifest themselves in real industrial practices.




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The Challenge of Evaluating Virtual Communities of Practice: A Systematic Mapping Study

Aim/Purpose: This paper presents a study of Virtual Communities of Practice (VCoP) evaluation methods that aims to identify their current status and impact on knowledge sharing. The purposes of the study are as follows: (i) to identify trends and research gaps in VCoP evaluation methods; and, (ii) to assist researchers to position new research activities in this domain. Background: VCoP have become a popular knowledge sharing mechanism for both individuals and organizations. Their evaluation process is complex; however, it is recognized as an essential means to provide evidences of community effectiveness. Moreover, VCoP have introduced additional features to face to face Communities of Practice (CoP) that need to be taken into account in evaluation processes, such as geographical dispersion. The fact that VCoP rely on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to execute their practices as well as storing artifacts virtually makes more consistent data analysis possible; thus, the evaluation process can apply automatic data gathering and analysis. Methodology: A systematic mapping study, based on five research questions, was carried out in order to analyze existing studies about VCoP evaluation methods and frameworks. The mapping included searching five research databases resulting in the selection of 1,417 papers over which a formal analysis process was applied. This process led to the preliminary selection of 39 primary studies for complete reading. After reading them, we select 28 relevant primary studies from which data was extracted and synthesized to answer the proposed research questions. Contribution: The authors of the primary studies analyzed along this systematic mapping propose a set of methods and strategies for evaluating VCoP, such as frameworks, processes and maturity models. Our main contribution is the identification of some research gaps present in the body of studies, in order to stimulate projects that can improve VCoP evaluation methods and support its important role in social learning. Findings: The systematic mapping led to the conclusion that most of the approaches for VCoP evaluation do not consider the combination of data structured and unstructured metrics. In addition, there is a lack of guidelines to support community operators’ actions based on evaluation metrics.




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Challenges in Contact Tracing by Mining Mobile Phone Location Data for COVID-19: Implications for Public Governance in South Africa

Aim/Purpose: The paper’s objective is to examine the challenges of using the mobile phone to mine location data for effective contact tracing of symptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and asymptomatic individuals and the implications of this technology for public health governance. Background: The COVID-19 crisis has created an unprecedented need for contact tracing across South Africa, requiring thousands of people to be traced and their details captured in government health databases as part of public health efforts aimed at breaking the chains of transmission. Contact tracing for COVID-19 requires the identification of persons who may have been exposed to the virus and following them up daily for 14 days from the last point of exposure. Mining mobile phone location data can play a critical role in locating people from the time they were identified as contacts to the time they access medical assistance. In this case, it aids data flow to various databases designated for COVID-19 work. Methodology: The researchers conducted a review of the available literature on this subject drawing from academic articles published in peer-reviewed journals, research reports, and other relevant national and international government documents reporting on public health and COVID-19. Document analysis was used as the primary research method, drawing on the case studies. Contribution: Contact tracing remains a critical strategy in curbing the deadly COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa and elsewhere in the world. However, given increasing concern regarding its invasive nature and possible infringement of individual liberties, it is imperative to interrogate the challenges related to its implementation to ensure a balance with public governance. The research findings can thus be used to inform policies and practices associated with contact tracing in South Africa. Findings: The study found that contact tracing using mobile phone location data mining can be used to enforce quarantine measures such as lockdowns aimed at mitigating a public health emergency such as COVID-19. However, the use of technology can expose the public to criminal activities by exposing their locations. From a public governance point of view, any exposure of the public to social ills is highly undesirable. Recommendations for Practitioners: In using contact tracing apps to provide pertinent data location caution needs to be exercised to ensure that sensitive private information is not made public to the extent that it compromises citizens’ safety and security. The study recommends the development and implementation of data use protocols to support the use of this technology, in order to mitigate against infringement of individual privacy and other civil liberties. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers should explore ways of improving digital applications in order to improve the acceptability of the use of contact tracing technology to manage pandemics such as COVID-19, paying attention to ethical considerations. Impact on Society: Since contact tracing has implications for privacy and confidentiality it must be conducted with caution. This research highlights the challenges that the authorities must address to ensure that the right to privacy and confidentiality is upheld. Future Research: Future research could focus on collecting primary data to provide insight on contact tracing through mining mobile phone location data. Research could also be conducted on how app-based technology can enhance the effectiveness of contact tracing in order to optimize testing and tracing coverage. This has the potential to minimize transmission whilst also minimizing tracing delays. Moreover, it is important to develop contact tracing apps that are universally inter-operable and privacy-preserving.




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Experiences and Opinions of E-learners: What Works, What are the Challenges, and What Competencies Ensure Successful Online Learning




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Challenges of Integrating Technologies for Learning: Introduction to the IJELLO Special Series of Chais Conference 2010 Best Papers




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Plagiarism Management: Challenges, Procedure, and Workflow Automation

Aim/Purpose: This paper presents some of the issues that academia faces in both the detection of plagiarism and the aftermath. The focus is on the latter, how academics and educational institutions around the world can address the challenges that follow the identification of an incident. The scope is to identify the need for and describe specific strategies to efficiently manage plagiarism incidents. Background: Plagiarism is possibly one of the major academic misconduct offences. Yet, only a portion of Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) appear to have well developed policies and procedures aimed at dealing with this issue or to follow these when required. Students who plagiarize and are not caught pose challenges for academia. Students who are caught pose equal challenges. Methodology: Following a literature review that identifies and describes the extent and the seriousness of the problem, procedures and strategies to address the issue are recommended, based on the literature and best practices. Contribution: The paper alerts academics regarding the need for the establishment of rigorous and standardized procedures to address the challenges that follow the identification of a plagiarism incident. It then describes how to streamline the process to improve consistency and reduce the errors and the effort required by academic staff. Recommendations for Practitioners: To ensure that what is expected to happen takes place, HEIs should structure the process of managing suspected plagiarism cases. Operationalization, workflow automation, diagrams that map the processes involved, clear in-formation and examples to support and help academics make informed and consistent decisions, templates to communicate with the offenders, and data-bases to record incidents for future reference are strongly recommended. Future research: This paper provides a good basis for further research that will examine the plagiarism policy, the procedures, and the outcome of employing the procedures within the faculties of a single HEI, or an empirical comparison of these across a group of HEIs. Impact on Society: Considering its potential consequences, educational institutions should strive to prevent, detect, and deter plagiarism – and any type of student misconduct. Inaction can be harmful, as it is likely that some students will not gain the appropriate knowledge that their chosen profession requires, which could put in danger both their wellbeing and the people they will later serve in their careers.




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Teaching Information Management to Honors Degree Students: The Information Challenges Approach




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Overcoming the Challenge of Cooperating with Competitors: Critical Success Factors of Interorganizational Systems Implementation




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Collaborative Transdisciplinary Research In A Small Institution: Challenges And Opportunities

Aim/Purpose: In this paper, we discuss how a Transdisciplinary (TD) and a Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) initiative was conceptualized, developed, implemented, and sustained at a small academic institution with limited research infrastructure, emphasizing the role of capacity building. Background: Most examples of the implementation of TD research come from large-scale initiatives in research-intensive institutions or centers with multiple resources to establish collaborations among experts from different disciplines. However less is known about the implementation of TD and CBPR initiatives in small academic settings. Methodology: This paper includes a discussion of the challenges and lessons learned of this process in a teaching-intensive Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), which included a research component as part of the institutional priorities when it transitioned to a 4-year college in 2001. Contribution: We hope that our experience helps other researchers in similar institutions to engage in this type of research. Findings: In this case, a collaborative TD and CBPR initiative was successfully implemented despite limited resources for capacity building and research infrastructure, as well as diversity among researchers and community members. Recommendation for Researchers: To sustain institutional collaborative capacity in this type of institution, authors recommend continuous capacity building efforts and the development of modules and/or courses to provide formal TD training for junior faculty while encouraging researchers to interact and collaborate. In addition, the importance of the role of the community liaison is highlighted. Impact on Society: Successful TD and CBPR initiatives may have a positive impact on the reduction or elimination of health disparities which involve complex phenomena that requires a broad view from different perspectives. Future Research: Even though capacity building can facilitate the implementation of TD and CBPR, many challenges arise as an inherent result of community engagement and the integration of different disciplines. Thus, the need of continuous reflection to acknowledge them becomes critical for advancing TD and CBPR efforts.




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Challenges in Designing Curriculum for Trans-Disciplinary Education: On Cases of Designing Concentration on Informing Science and Master Program on Data Science

Aim/Purpose: The growing complexity of the business environment and business processes as well as the Big Data phenomenon has an impact on every area of human activity nowadays. This new reality challenges the effectiveness of traditional narrowly oriented professional education. New areas of competences emerged as a synergy of multiple knowledge areas – transdisciplines. Informing Science and Data Science are just the first two such new areas we may identify as transdisciplines. Universities are facing the challenge to educate students for those new realities. Background: The purpose of the paper is to share the authors’ experience in designing curriculum for training bachelor students in Informing Science as a concentration within an Information Brokerage major, and a master program on Data Science. Methodology: Designing curriculum for transdisciplines requires diverse expertise obtained by both academia and industries and passed through several stages - identifying objectives, conceptualizing curriculum models, identifying content, and development pedagogical priorities. Contribution: Sharing our experience acquired in designing transdiscipline programs will contribute to a transition from a narrow professional education towards addressing 21st-century challenges. Findings: Analytical skills, combined with training in all categories of so-called “soft skills”, are essential in preparing students for a successful career in a transdiciplinary area of activities. Recommendations for Practitioners: Establishing a working environment encouraging not only sharing but close cooperation is essential nowadays. Recommendations for Researchers: There are two aspects of training professionals capable of succeeding in a transdisciplinary environment: encouraging mutual respect and developing out-of-box thinking. Impact on Society: The transition of higher education in a way to meet current challenges. Future Research The next steps in this research are to collect feedback regarding the professional careers of students graduating in these two programs and to adjust the curriculum accordingly.




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Irish crowd waits hours for Halloween parade, only to find it was fake

A representational image showing people wearing costumes during a Halloween parade. — AFP/File

DUBLIN: In a rather intriguing yet disturbing revelation, a Pakistan-based artificial intelligence-powered website has been found to be behind a hoax Halloween parade in Dublin that led to...




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Per-Song or Per-Album? Record Labels Challenge Court’s Piracy Damages Ruling

Several major record labels are asking the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for a rehearing en banc in their piracy lawsuit against Grande Communications. They argue that the court erred in holding that piracy damages should be calculated per album, rather than per song. They argue that this decision, which will lower the $47 million damages award, doesn't reflect the way that music is commercialized today.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.




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BTM Halloween-Jam #3



At the 27th October 2018, the BTM Halloween-Jam will take place the third time in a row at the Rolling Bonez e.V. Freiberg Skatepark. The contest will be splitted in 3 groups. The Contest fees are for Group A: 5€ - Group B: 4€ - Kids (U12) 2€ a part from that every one who's dressed up for Halloween must only pay half. Everyone got 2 runs inlcuding 1 best trick. Food, drinks and music will be provided, so just come over and have a good time.

All the best, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!

What:
BTM Halloween-Jam #3

When:
27th of October 2018

Where:
Skatehalle Freiberg
Fuchsmühlenweg 13
09599 Freiberg


More infos on Facebook.




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Robin Kachfi - Halloween 2018 Video






Robin Kachfi filmed together with Michael Lorenz a really rad Halloween Video, which you can watch now at Robin's Youtube Channel. You definitely shouldn't miss this!

Enjoy the video, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!



Video: Robin Kachfi



subscribe to our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/kunstformbmxshop




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20Inch Trophy 2019 Skatehalle Innsbruck



The 20Inch Trophy BMX Contest celebrates their 10th anniversary! From the 15th to 17th of March 2019, the 20Inch Trophy BMX Contest will take place for the 10th time at the Skatehall in Innsbruck. Get ready for some cool specials like the pre- and afterparty, which will definitely be amazing!


Friday, 15th March 2019:
3pm – Free riding
5pm – Superspecialsurprisecontest
8pm – Preparty Moustache | Café – Bar | Innsbruck


Saturday, 16th March 2019:
10am – Practice
1pm – Qualification
5pm – Finals
10pm – After Party @Projectibk


Sunday, 17th March 2019:
12pm – 12am – Hangover


What:
20Inch Trophy in Innsbruck 2019

When:
15th - 17th of March 2019

Where:
Skatehall Innsbruck
Matthias Schmid Straße 12d
6020 Innsbruck Austria


More infos on Facebook.




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kunstform BMX Team @ Skatehalle Innsbruck






As part of the 20Inch Trophy BMX Contest, we sent almost our entire BMX Team to Innsbruck. Unfortunately, the weather on this BMX trip was not too good. But luckily, Innsbruck has a newly renovated skate hall, which our bros were allowed to take apart in a small private BMX-only session. Thanks to Skatehalle Innsbruck for making this happen!

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

Video: Robin Kachfi

Related links:




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Winter Escape BMX Sessions @ Skatehalle Berlin



We all know how chilly winters in Berlin can be. Therefore, we would like to invite you to our monthly "Winter Escape" BMX sessions in the Skatehalle Berlin! A big thank you goes out to kunstform BMX Shop Berlin & Subrosa, because admission to the hall is free for all BMX riders!

Find all facts below:

  • Dates: December 1st, January 5th, February 2nd, March 1st, April 5th, from 08:00 pm - 00:00 am
  • Place: Skatehalle Berlin
  • Entry fee: free
  • Please note: Plastic Pegs, Plastic Pedals, Plastic Barends are MANDATORY!
We look forward to seeing you at the Skatehalle Berlin, shredding the Bowl or Street area.

See you soon, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!

Related links:




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Winter Escape BMX Session #1 - Skatehalle Berlin Video





The first Winter Excape BMX Session took place in the Skatehalle Berlin on December 1st 2019, just in time for the cold season. Andrej from Ridewithfriends was so nice and summarized the BMX Session for you so you can watch it. Thanks Bro!

Schedule Winter Escape BMX Sessions 2020:

  • Dates: December 1st, January 5th, February 2nd, March 1st, April 5th, from 08:00 pm - 00:00 am
  • Place: Skatehalle Berlin
  • Entry fee: free
  • Please note: Plastic Pegs, Plastic Pedals, Plastic Barends are MANDATORY!


We look forward to seeing you at the Skatehalle Berlin, shredding the Bowl or Street area.

Enjoy the video, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!

Video: Andrej/Ridewithfriends

Related links:




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Winter Escape BMX Session #2 - Skatehalle Berlin Video





The second Winter Escape BMX Session is already in the books, as soon as the new year has started. Our bros Andrej & Dan from Ridewithfriends were there again to put the whole thing on tape. So what are you waiting for, just hit play!

Schedule Winter Escape BMX Sessions 2020:

  • Dates: December 1st, January 5th, February 2nd, March 1st, April 5th, from 08:00 pm - 00:00 am
  • Place: Skatehalle Berlin
  • Entry fee: free
  • Please note: Plastic Pegs, Plastic Pedals, Plastic Barends are MANDATORY!


We look forward to seeing you at the Skatehalle Berlin, shredding the Bowl or Street area.

Enjoy the video, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!

Video: Andrej&Dan/Ridewithfriends

Related links:




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Winter Escape BMX Session #3 - Skatehalle Berlin Video





Our bros Andrej & Dan from Ridewithfriends were attending the Winter Escape BMX Session #3 at the Skatehalle Berlin once again to ride, have fun and put all the finest BMX action on tape. There is still a last session on the first Sunday in April before hopefully spring will come!

Schedule of the last Winter Escape BMX Sessions 2020:

  • Dates: April 5th, from 08:00 pm - 00:00 am
  • Place: Skatehalle Berlin
  • Entry fee: free
  • Please note: Plastic Pegs, Plastic Pedals, Plastic Barends are MANDATORY!


We look forward to seeing you at the Skatehalle Berlin, shredding the Bowl or Street area.

Enjoy the video, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!

Video: Andrej&Dan/Ridewithfriends

Related links:




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Winter Escape BMX Session #4 - Skatehalle Berlin Video





Our bros Andrej & Dan from Ridewithfriends attended the last Winter Escape BMX Session #4 to have a good time and to stack clips for your viewing pleasure. Just in time for the arrival of spring, the last date of the Winter Escape Sessions in the Skate Hall Berlin is now history. The only thing left to say is thank you to everyone who was there! We will of course keep you up to date on whether and when there will be further winter escape sessions in autumn/winter.

Enjoy the video, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!

Video: Andrej&Dan/Ridewithfriends

Related links:




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Winter Escape BMX Session #5 - Skatehall Berlin Video





With our friends from Drop e.V. and the support of Subrosa Brand, Demolition Parts and Verde Bikes, we got the opportunity to hold a smooth BMX session in the "Skatehalle Berlin". A really cool day with relaxed vibes and action from Elias Bauer, Lara Lessmann, Tom Venzke and more. Our Bro @mndrej_aitic from the RidewithFriendsCrew captured everything on camera!

Enjoy the video, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!

Video & Edit by: Mndrej Aitic




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Eminem, Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow, N.W.A. and Janet Jackson get Songwriters Hall of Fame nods

Eminem, Boy George, George Clinton, Sheryl Crow, Janet Jackson, the Doobie Brothers, N.W.A. and Alanis Morissette are among the nominees for the 2025 class at the Songwriters Hall of Fame, an eclectic group of rap, rock, hip-hop and pop pioneers.




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Davis puts up 25 points as Seton Hall beats Georgetown

Dre Davis had 25 points and 10 rebounds in Seton Hall's 76-70 victory over Georgetown on Wednesday night.




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Georgetown legend, Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo dies at 58 from cancer

Dikembe Mutombo, a Basketball Hall of Famer who was one of the best defensive players in NBA history and a longtime global ambassador for the game, died Monday from brain cancer, the league announced. He was 58.




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Hall of Famer Mutombo had a major impact far beyond basketball

The finger wag. The enormous smile. The unmistakable voice. Dikembe Mutombo played defense at a level and with a flair that few others in basketball history ever possessed, all among the many reasons why he's immortalized in the Hall of Fame.




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My Little Pony finally hits the Toy Hall of Fame, alongside Phase 10 and Transformers

My Little Pony finally made it to the winner's circle.




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Maryland frontrunner Alsobrooks sweats out challenge from Hogan in Senate race

An unusually competitive Senate race in Maryland went down to the wire Tuesday night with Democrat Angela Alsobrooks hoping her robust polling lead turned into victory against Republican Larry Hogan, a former two-term governor banking on his popularity to fuel an upset win the deep-blue state.




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Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia fends off GOP challenger Hung Cao to win 3rd term

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia won reelection to his third term Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Hung Cao.




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Halloween History And Christian Life

Christian Halloween History explains what Halloween is, where the customs came from, why it involves the dead, and whether Christians should participate. Be ready to be startled by some of the answers.




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Undefeated and new look Indiana provides Maryland's biggest challenge to date

Last season, Maryland beat Indiana so bad that the Hoosiers fired their offensive coordinator less than 24 hours later. How much things can change in just one year, as Indiana is at 4-0 in 2024 as they await the Terrapins on Saturday.




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LOVERRO: Brown, Bailey and Branch head new D.C. Hall of Fame class

The Washington metro area is a hotbed for basketball talent. You can find all the proof you need of the area's hoops legacy at the Washington D.C. Basketball Hall of Fame.




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Bobby Allison, NASCAR Hall of Famer and 3-time Daytona 500 winner, dies at 86

Bobby Allison, founder of racing's "Alabama Gang" and a NASCAR Hall of Famer, died Saturday. He was 86.




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Hall of Famer Michael Strahan grilled for failing to place hand over heart during national anthem

NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan grew up in a military family, but that didn't save him from an onslaught of criticism on Sunday when he failed to place his hand over his heart during the national anthem.




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Idaho challenges abortion 'airlift' claims

When opponents of Idaho's strict abortion law said it was forcing women to be emergency-airlifted out of state to have their pregnancies terminated, it shocked the Supreme Court. Now Idaho says the claim is not true.




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"Biodiversity and Integrated Environmental Monitoring": A new book explores the challenges in front of biodiversity data management and implementation in the future

The Brazilian initiative PPBio (The Program for Research on Biodiversity) launches a new book based on over a decade of experience in implementing the biodiversity monitoring system RAPELD in the Brazilian Amazon. Richly illustrated and written in simple language, the book "Biodiversity and Integrated Environmental Monitoring" addresses the issues that led to the system development, covering topics such as the spatial organization and representation of biological diversity, environmental monitoring, and data management.

Monitoring of biodiversity is not merely an academic endeavor. Although scientific aspects such as representation of biodiversity and biodiversity data integration, management and preservation are of a great importance, it is also essential to think about the political context in which decisions will be made and how to incorporate political stakeholders and decision makers.

"As this important book makes clear questions about biodiversity are far from purely scientific. Biodiversity matters. Our needs to assess it embed in a complex of questions posed by managers, policy makers and those who live in or otherwise benefit from biodiversity.",  explains Dr Stuart L. Pimm in the preface of the book. "So how do we ensure that data collected now will be useful for purposes we cannot yet imagine at some unexpected time in the future? Or provide comparison to some other place that we might survey some day?"

Those and many more questions regarding biodiversity data management and policy involvement are discussed in the new book "Biodiversity and Integrated Environmental Monitoring".

 





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Job Alert: GEO BON Executive Director, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg in cooperation with GEO BON and iDiv

The Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg offers in cooperation with GEO BON and iDiv the position of Executive Director for the duration of 30 months (initially limited till September 30th, 2016 with possibility of extension). The Executive Director will work in close collaboration with the incoming Chair of the GEO BON Steering Committee, Prof. Henrique M. Pereira (iDiv) and the incoming vice-chair, Dr. Mike Gill (Environment Canada), thematic workgroup coordinators, regional BON coordinators, the GEO BON Steering Committee and the GEO secretariat.

Requirements:
• Ph.D. in ecology or related field
• excellent diploma or master degree in a relevant field
• demonstrable experience in project management with executive leadership in organizations a plus
• excellent communication skills, fluency in English, knowledge of other languages being a plus
• willingness to travel abroad frequently, outgoing and at ease in multicultural backgrounds


Topic/job description:
• Providing visible leadership for GEO BON and representing GEO BON at scientific and policy meetings
• Creating funding opportunities through engagement with potential donors
• Coordinating activities of GEO BON Working Groups and Regional Observation Networks
• Liaising with national and regional organizations involved in biodiversity monitoring and reporting
• Organize the Steering Committee, All-hands and other meetings of GEO BON and manage the communication activities of GEO BON, including a regular newsletter and a website
• Manage, as and when required, activities and inputs requested by the GEO secretariat

Applications should be directed to emily.keller@idiv.de and addressed to Henrique M. Pereira, Professor of Biodiversity Conservation, iDiv. Applications should be in a single PDF file with reference file number (D 189/2013). Applications are accepted until January 6th, 2014.

For more information see attached the full text of the job offer.

 

 

 





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SETAC Europe 25th Annual Meeting - Environmental protection in a multi-stressed world: challenges for science, industry and regulators

The SETAC Europe 25th Annual Meeting will be held in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, from 3-7 May 2015.  

The innovative use of chemicals and nanomaterials in new technologies, industry and agriculture challenges many aspects of the ecosystem functioning of the global environment. However, these new technologies and materials also offer opportunities to remediate or minimise these anthropogenic insults. Finding innovative solutions to environmental problems is ever more important in the current economic scenario.  This international conference brings together experts from government, industry, consultancy and academia to meet this challenge. The conference will focus on the most recent advances in environmental sciences and will provide platforms for implementing this knowledge, for improving the protection of our environment and to shape policies from current viewpoints to future needs.

Learn more here: http://barcelona.setac.eu/general_info/welcome!/?contentid=790&pr_id=766&last=769&sub=790

 





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BIOTALENT EU Conference: Tackling biodiversity challenges through innovative e-learning

BIOTALENT is a multilingual blended e-learning training programme to gain crucial skills and knowledge in biodiversity. Protecting life on earth in all its forms also involves introducing innovative ways to address pressing environmental issues of today. A strong investment in environmental education and a passion for science is therefore essential to this programme.

This one-day event, Taking place on 18 May 2017, in Brussels, will illustrate the uniqueness of the BIOTALENT project and programme in the way environmental education is brought to the course participant. The various expert speakers that are invited are all very passionate about innovation in education and the new ways in which scientific and environmental education can contribute to conserving biodiversity.  

To register and find out more visit the official announcement.