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"McAndrew, Alasdair"
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Investigating the impact of space design, visual attractiveness and perceived instructor presence on student adoption of learning management systems
Education industry has available a range of educational technologies to support student learning. A Learning Management System (LMS) is one of the most important educational technologies used in the tertiary sector, providing an online platform for teaching, as well as supporting student learning. Despite all the effort put through deployment of most LMSs, in many universities, a below expectation student engagement and acceptance of the LMS is normally reported. To address this issue, this paper develops a conceptual model and investigates the impact of space design, visual attractiveness and perceived instructor presence on student acceptance of LMS. The results generally confirmed the positive impact of space design, visual attractiveness and perceived instructor presence on student acceptance of LMS. The only hypothesis which was not confirmed by the data of this study was the impact of perceived instructor’s presence on the LMS perceived usefulness.
Journal Article
Introduction to Cryptography with Open-Source Software
This text illustrates algorithms and cryptosystems using examples and the open-source computer algebra system of Sage. It enables students to run their own programs and develop a deep and solid understanding of the mechanics of cryptography. The author, a noted educator in the field, covers the methods, algorithms, and applications of modern cryptographic systems. He provides a highly practical learning experience by progressing at a gentle pace, keeping mathematics at a manageable level, and including numerous end-of-chapter exercises.
eBook
Connecting with the horizon : developing teachers' appreciation of mathematical structure
A professional learning program for teachers of junior secondary mathematics regarding the content and pedagogy of senior secondary mathematics is the context for this study of teachers' mathematical and pedagogical knowledge. The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Mathematics Professional Learning Program was designed for practicing 'out-of-field' teachers of junior secondary mathematics, that is, teachers who had not completed a sub-major in tertiary mathematics and may not have undertaken initial teaching education in mathematics, to prepare them to teach senior secondary mathematics. The analysis of teachers' reflections on their learning explored teachers' understanding of mathematical connections and their appreciation of mathematical structure. The findings indicate that a professional learning program about senior secondary mathematics can enable practicing teachers to deepen and broaden their knowledge for teaching junior secondary mathematics and develop their practice to support their students' present and future learning of mathematics. Further research is needed about professional learning approaches and tasks that may enable teachers to imbed and develop awareness of structure in their practice. [Author abstract, ed]
Journal Article
A design science research methodology for developing a computer-aided assessment approach using method marking concept
Assessment has been defined as an authentic method that plays an important role in evaluating students’ learning attitude in acquiring lifelong knowledge. Traditional methods of assessment including the Computer-Aided Assessment (CAA) for mathematics show limited ability to assess students’ full work unless multi-step questions are sub-divided into sub questions. This issue persisted significant drawback especially within the notion of method marking approach. To address this issue, the aim of the study is to develop a methodological framework that will create an information and communications technology (ICT) artefact prototype. The prototype (termed as method marking assessment (MMA) artefact) implements a method-marking assessment concept to assess through multi-step questions. Extensive literature reviews have revealed that there are features in common between complex-problem solution characteristics and multi-steps questions assessment using ICT; therefore complex problems paradigm is used in the study for developing the MMA prototype.
Journal Article
Using a Computer Algebra System to Facilitate the Learning of Mathematical Induction
Mathematical induction is one of the major proof techniques taught to mathematics students in the first years of their undergraduate degrees. In addition to its importance to mathematics, induction is also required for computer science and related disciplines. However, even if the concepts of a proof by induction are taught and understood, many students fall down on the algebra required to prove the inductive step. Using a computer algebra system allows students to leap this particular hurdle, and thus expend more effort in understanding the concepts of proofs by induction. An added advantage is that students can prove statements requiring far messier algebra than is reasonable to expect them to do by hand.
Journal Article
An elementary, limit-free calculus for polynomials
This work grew out of a simple problem: how could I introduce the basic concepts of calculus to students who were mathematically under-prepared? It has been pointed out by many authors (see [1] and its references) that limits are a major stumbling block for many students beginning their study of calculus. Part of the difficulty with limits is the conceptual confusion between process and value . Some limits can be evaluated by a simple process of substitution, for example, while others cannot, for example,
Journal Article
Developing explicit Runge-Kutta formulas using open-source software
Runge-Kutta formulas are some of the workhorses of numerical solving of differential equations. However, they are extremely difficult to generate; the algebra involved can be very complicated indeed. It is now standard, following the work of Butcher in the 1960's and 70's, to use the theory of trees to simplify the algebra. More recently, however, several authors have shown that it is quite feasible to use a computer algebra system to generate Runge-Kutta formulas. This article shows that, instead of using commercial systems as has been done previously, open-source systems can be used with equal effect. This has the advantage that anybody can experiment with the code.
Paper
Block ciphers and the data encryption standard
Block ciphers, which operate on an n-bit block of plaintext (the length of which
is a function of the cipher), are some of the most powerful, fastest, and most
used cryptosystems in existence. Unlike public-key systems, which obtain
their security from a well-known hard mathematical problem, block ciphers
are secret key systems based on bit operations, and obtain their strengths from
a mixture of non-linear operations, such as substitutions, and permutations.
Book Chapter