webadmin February 20, 2023 No Comments

How to Leverage Technology to Improve Student eLearning Outcomes

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Technology has impacted all aspects of our lives, and education is one of them. One of the advantages of technology in education is that it can bring real-world problems into the classroom for students to understand and solve. It can also create virtual and simulated environments in which students can learn by doing or exploring concepts without any adverse repercussions. Over the years, schools have made efforts to incorporate real-world context in classroom teaching through field visits, lab experiments, etc. However, activity-based contextual learning has never been at the heart of an academic curriculum in the traditional classroom setting, primarily because of logistical constraints. eLearning is a powerful means to address these constraints. Digital technologies such as videos, computer simulations, and electronic communication make learning fun, practical, engaging, and immersive. Interactive eLearning modules are emerging as a popular means to redefine education, enabling students to learn at their own pace, practice skills, and gain real-life perspectives.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Here’s how higher education institutions can leverage technology to improve student eLearning outcomes.” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1630737070445{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Simulations and 3D models As students, we have all experienced how difficult it is to grasp certain concepts especially in subjects like Math and Science. Digital simulations and 3D models can improve students’ understanding of these concepts. Technology can give shape to abstract concepts, put them into context so students not only understand the concepts but also see first-hand how they can use them in real-life situations. For instance, when they learn about geometry, they can see, understand and experience that its use is not just restricted to mathematics but that it is also integral to various art forms. Know more, how does realistic simulation can enhance K-12 learning.  Teaching aids Technology also provides a much-needed helping hand to teachers who find it difficult to explain certain things within the limits of the classroom. For instance, teaching the difference between grasslands, savanna, and a prairie. With technology, it is possible to add eLearning modules that take students to a virtual visit of these lands, allowing them to ‘see’ and identify the differences between these landforms, rather than memorizing from the textbook.  Collaboration tools Communication is an integral aspect of any activity and more so of any educational activity. Students learn by doing, they also learn by interaction with the instructor and peers. Technology has helped to bridge communication gaps and ensure a smooth flow of knowledge.  Instructors can use collaboration tools to form communities where they can interact with students, assign projects, resolve doubts, etc. Today, as most of the learning is taking place in a remote environment, these collaboration tools help students to connect with their peers across geographies and learn together. Advanced research Incorporating technology in education helps to shift responsibility and control over learning from the teacher to the students. To improve the students’ eLearning outcomes, instructors can assign projects that require learners to research and build their case for a particular topic. Once the students have collated the information, they can present their research to the entire class. The advantages are two-fold: first, the students own their learning, and second, they advance their research skills and learn to incorporate information and knowledge in their projects. Interactive assessments There are various software available that allows instructors to assign assessments and receive responses in real-time. Besides, tracking, analysis, and reporting tools can be used to glean insights into each student’s progress, and also the effectiveness of each lesson. The analytical report also helps teachers understand what further efforts are required to achieve improved eLearning outcomes. Flexible learning eLearning modules allow students to learn at their own pace. In textbook-based learning, students are more likely to skip over a concept if it isn’t clear to them. However, missing one step in a ladder breaks the entire journey. Then there may be students who take more time to absorb a certain idea. With eLearning courses that are always available to them on digital devices, they can go through the lessons as many times as they want, taking time to thoroughly understand concepts. Technology is therefore a great leveler, allowing students to progress at their own pace and improve their eLearning outcomes. Check out how you can improve user engagements with eLearning interactive modules.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”In conclusion” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1630737236365{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]While technology cannot replace classroom learning, it has emerged as a much-needed supplement to improve learning outcomes. eLearning modules supplement traditional classrooms, making learning fun, immersive and engaging. Students can learn at their own pace and understand the relevance of various concepts in the real world. Teachers too can leverage technology to explain difficult concepts and improve students’ eLearning outcomes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Need to know more about our Products & Services ? Drop us a note on marketing@hurix.com [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

webadmin February 20, 2023 No Comments

How to Convert Your Test Bank to Different LMS Formats

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Computer-based testing or test bank is considered the most standardized and objective method of monitoring and evaluating learning outcomes.  A test bank essentially is a ready-made electronic testing resource that instructors can customize for their teaching. Test bank primarily attempts to provide various questions in different objective formats (recall, recognition, compare/contrast, critical thinking, essay) as students vary in how they can best demonstrate that they have learned the material.  In this blog, we explore test banks, how to program test banks, their benefits, why educational institutes should outsource their test bank conversion, and the process of converting test banks to different LMS formats.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What is a Test Bank?” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1626161240551{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]As prepackaged online resources meant for instructors creating tests and sometimes given through educational institutions, these online test banks are quite attractive. They are often created by the same publisher that produced the corresponding textbook for the particular course and thus, revolve around the main topics of that individual textbook.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What Does a Test Bank Include?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1626161230925{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]The test banks offer a diverse selection of questions that are usually tailored to the contents of an individual textbook. Further, they also include feedback on a specific answer given by students themselves and exact page references to the textbook. Questions in a test bank can be of any of the following types: Multiple choice and multiple responses  Fill in the blanks Essays/short answers True/false Matching Since test banks cater to a wide range of users, they are available in multiple LMS formats. Besides, they are also password-protected to ensure privacy and give access only to the instructors.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Why Should Educational Institutions Outsource Test Bank Conversion?” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1626161361481{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Test bank or computer-based testing offers multiple advantages to online learners and instructors, largely in terms of grading, administration, and scale. There are various test bank formats available. For instance, if the file is .zip, these are typically the old QTI formats and work only in the Canvas environment (can be added in Canvas via import as course content, courses settings, and select the option for QTI zip file). Since many of the titles of the resources have either ExamView, Respondus, and/or ParTest formats available, you can ask vendors about those as they work in most LMSs.  In the case of new titles, the option of test bank download is typically available in the IMSCC format, which would require an IMSCC file converter. IMSCC is primarily a data interchange file used mainly by Canvas. Unlike the .zip file, the IMSCC format works in most of the LMSs and would be imported as course content. The problem here is that you cannot easily tell which format is available without downloading them to see what works in major LMSs.  This is where outsourcing of test bank conversion comes in. There is a wide range of assessment tools for learning systems available in the market, including ExamView, Respondus, EZTest, and more. They help develop assessment applications for the eLearning market that many educational institutions across the globe use. These applications are powerful tools for creating and managing test banks published directly to Brightspace, Canvas, Moodle, and IMS QTI format. They are particularly useful for educational institutes looking to switch over to test banks. Further, implementing this assessment software helps everyone involved in the assessment process, including students, for whom it fully streamlines the assessment process. On the contrary, teachers can leverage it to reduce the time taken for them to create exams. Once delivered and the results are collected, teachers can use various analytical tools built into the application to better understand performance and individual students.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Process of Converting Your Test Bank to Different LMS Formats” font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1626161442455{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Here is the stepwise procedure for converting your test bank to a different LMS format: Receive the input test bank file from a client in Word format. Before beginning the test bank conversion process, format the input Word files to make them ready for import into applications such as Respodus, EZTest, and ExamView based on the client’s requirements. Once done, import the formatted Word files into the Respondus, EZTest, and ExamView applications based on the client’s requirement. In the next step, you can generate ten different types of LMS output files from Respodus, EZTest, and ExamView applications as listed below: Extent WebCT Blackboard Moodle XML D2L Brightspace IMS QTI RTF Angel Respondus ExamView Here is an example of how you can export a test bank for WebCT- Create or open a test bank in ExamView Test Generator. Click on File from the menu bar, go over Export, and select WebCT CE 6/ Vista 4. Set the location where you want to save the exported file, enter your file name, and save. Complete the export dialog option by entering a category name for the content. WebCT typically uses the category name to perform operations In various groups of questions (e.g., view all/delete all questions in a category).  Select the formatting options depending on the type of formatting required by the questions in your test bank. Click OK to export your test bank. Once done, the following LMS exports can be generated using various applications as listed below-  EZTest test banks application Blackboard WebCT RTF/DOCX extent Respodus test banks application Moodle XML D2L Brightspace IMS QTY Respodus ExamView test banks application RTF Angel ExamView Review the output files in their respective LMS and deliver the final output file to the client.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”In conclusion” font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1626161703557{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]For educational institutions, the most common method of distributing test banks is by converting them to different LMS formats. The test bank software mentioned above for conversion offer the easiest and most secure way for

webadmin February 19, 2023 No Comments

Top 7 Best Practices to Follow in Scientific Publishing

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Publications constitute the essential means of communication in science. Although the electronic age has, in general, made the publication process easier and much faster, optimizing the structure of a scientific publication requires a completely different set of skills, proficiency, and best practices. These best practices represent a set of fixed criteria and scientific publication guidelines along with the roles of key people involved in the process, from both ethical and operational points of view. The main aim of adopting these best practices in a scientific publication is to contribute strongly to the consolidation of different areas as fields of scientific knowledge.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What are the scientific publication guidelines best practices?” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1677529394735{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]1. Transparency Scientific publishing process should use a transparent electronic management system for the editorial process, ensuring uniformity, agility, standardization, and traceability. Further, the first page of each article should include complete bibliographic information along with information regarding copyright and editorial processing history, including revision, receipt date, acceptance, and availability on the website. Apart from this, there needs to be a clear definition of all the requirements and procedures for the choice of roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved, such as editor-in-chief and associate editors of members of the scientific/editorial policy board. 2. Originality  Another important thing in scientific publishing is the need for originality. All published content must be original, which means that it needs to be ensured that the content has never been published before in any other way, except in conference annuals. Likewise, dissertations and theses must be verified that the author of the said work is necessarily the author of the article, even allowing the provision for the insertion of other authors.  When it comes to articles with previous publications in conference annuals, only the ones containing substantial advances concerning the version presented in the events should be published. It should be explicitly mentioned on the article’s first page, even in the case of fast-track publishing. 3. Ethics in Scientific Publication  Another important area to take care of in scientific publication is the verification of any kind of similarities with existing published work. It should ideally be done during desk review, and the work should be rejected if there is any occurrence of plagiarism. Also, any kind of fees charged by the journal for editing and/or publication should be mentioned to the author(s) right at the time of manuscript submission for evaluation to avoid conflicts at a later stage. 4. Authorship  When it comes to authorship in scientific publication, it must reflect an individual’s contribution to a publication. It should ideally denote their significant scientific or intellectual share in the development of the publication. The idea here is to follow general as well as disciplinary authorship standards when communicating through scientific publications. This translates to describing the roles and contributions of all authors and maintaining a degree of transparency when communicating with policymakers, researchers from other disciplines, and the general public. The authors of a scientific research article or other communication also must ensure that all the press releases and similar institutional documents describing the particular work are factually accurate, updated, and unexaggerated. For this, researchers should work in collaboration with their institutional media affairs team to avoid unfounded claims and reveal various aspects (both positive and negative) of scientific research results.  5. Information Standardization  Information standardization is a critical element of scientific publication. This means to include in the footnotes of each page a properly and summarized bibliographical legend (volume, journal name, article pages) and the logo of the creative common license.  Also, the top of each page should have alternate author name(s) and article title, along with identifying authors and assigning a digital object identifier to all published manuscripts. 6. Institutional and Authorial Multiplicity  Scientific publication requires the editorial process to be shared unbiasedly between researchers and teachers belonging to diverse institutions in a way that avoids conflict or the creation of a proprietary journal, that is, one produced mainly by people affiliated with a specific institution. It is also important to keep in mind that each year, the total share of scientific articles/publications originating from one single institution should not be more than 15% of the total number of published articles. Additionally, irrespective of the author’s position, there shouldn’t be more than one article published by one author. 7. Diligent Data Handling Diligent and effective record keeping and data management are crucial to any scientific publication. This includes everything from undertaking research, collating data, and complete sharing of data/models/code when publicly reporting results. The need is to manage scientific research data in a very effective, responsible, and transparent manner throughout the research process. This includes giving open and free access to research models, data, code, and underlying reported results to the maximum extent possible, keeping in line with various disciplinary standards, publishing policies, and all relevant laws and regulations (such as those related to intellectual property). The best strategy here is to develop a robust data management and sharing plan at the outset of a project. Once done, try to incorporate appropriate data management expertise in the team and understand/ follow all the data collection/ sharing standards, different policies, and regulations of the discipline, journal, institution, and relevant government agencies.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”In Conclusion” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1634812632869{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Scientific publications are gaining a lot of importance in multiple areas of policy-making, including education, environmental protection, economic development, public health, and many other areas. Following the above-mentioned best practices in scientific publication ensures maximum accuracy concerning data. This is true for both database-related reporting and bibliometric purposes, thus increasing the visibility of data and the impact for the greater benefit of authors. At Hurix, we provide scientific publishing services, helping authors publish their research to a wide audience. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Need to know more about our Products & Services? Drop us a Note. We respect your privacy. We use the information you provide us

webadmin February 18, 2023 No Comments

Comparison Between the Waterfall Model and the V Model in Software Development

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”What is the Waterfall model?” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1636639302786{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]The first-ever process model, the waterfall model, is also known as the linear sequential life cycle model in which each phase is completed, and only then can the next phase begin, without any overlapping of phases. It is a sequential process in which the output of a phase serves as the input for the next phase. The sequential phases in the Waterfall model are – requirement analysis, system design, implementation, testing and integration, deployment, and maintenance. Waterfall model application The waterfall model works when the requirements are clear, specific, and fixed. It is ideal when the product is defined clearly, is stable when the technology is non-dynamic and has ample resource back up. The pros of this method are that it is ideal for short projects where the objectives are defined clearly and do not change.  The phases are completed one by one Each stage is well defined It is easy to line up the tasks for each phase It is easy to process and document the results well The cons of this model are: Working software is produced quite late into the life cycle. So one cannot expect results early There is a high amount of risk and uncertainty as it is executed stage by stage: so if there is a change in the objectives or requirements, it cannot be accommodated It is not an appropriate model for long, complex and ongoing projects Intra-stage measuring of progress is not possible Since the final integration is done at the very end, any issue, technological or other, cannot be detected early on in the process [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What is the V model?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1636639518078{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]The V model is a model in which the processes are executed sequentially, resembling a V. The V-shaped model is also called the Verification and Validation model. It is also a sequential process and is an extension of the Waterfall model: the difference or rather the addition is that there is a directly associated testing phase for every single phase in the development cycle. In this model, the testing phase is conducted in parallel with the rest of the process. The verification stage involves business requirement analysis, system design, implementation design, module design. The Verification phases make up one side of the V, and the Validation phases make up the other. The Validation phase comprises unit testing, integration testing, system testing, acceptance testing. The two are joined by the Coding phase. The coding phase: In the coding phase, the actual coding used while the system modules were designed in the Design phase is taken up. The most suitable programming language is chosen based on the architectural and system requirements. And the coding is performed based on the coding guidelines and standards. The code is optimized for best performance after numerous code reviews, and then the final build is checked into the repository. V-Model application V- Model application closely resembles that of the waterfall model, as both are of a sequential type. Requirements must be stated very clearly before the project starts because it is typically expensive to go back and make changes. This model is widely used in the field of medicine as it is very much a disciplined domain. Merits of the V Model: It is easy to understand and apply, owing to its fixed nature. It is a highly-disciplined model, and the phases are completed one by one. It is recommended for smaller projects where the requirements are understood clearly. Easy management due to the rigidity of the model. Every phase has specific deliverables and a review process. The demerits of the V model: There is an element of high risk and uncertainty It is not suitable for complex, dynamic, and object-oriented projects It is not suited for long and continuously running projects, and the projects where requirements keep changing It is difficult to go back and change a functionality once an application enters the testing stage Working software is produced late into the life cycle [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”In conclusion” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1636639636591{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Both the Waterfall model and the V model share similarities, as both are suitable for short, predictable projects that are not dynamic and frequently changing. In response to the demerits of the waterfall model, many modified waterfall models have been introduced that may address some of the criticisms of the primary version. These include the Rapid Development models, Peter DeGrace’s “sashimi model” (waterfall with overlapping phases), waterfall with subprojects, and waterfall with risk reduction and incremental waterfall model.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

webadmin February 17, 2023 No Comments

How to Enable Personalized and Adaptive Learning in K-12 Education

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Gone are the days when K-12 education followed a one-size-fits-all approach. With learners clamoring for more engaging, impactful training sessions, institutions are experimenting with innovative methods to make their classroom sessions more interesting. Although the phrases personalized and adaptive learning have recently made their way into the K-12 lexicon, its effects are far-reaching. Personalized and adaptive learning is gradually redefining the K-12 education landscape. A study conducted by Pane and RAND researchers on 11,000 students at 62 schools found that learners exposed to personalized learning approaches are better equipped to handle math and reading than other students. It also found that the more they are exposed to personalized learning, the more significant is their cognitive development and achievement growth. The study prompted Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg to declare that he can go the extra mile to bet big on personalized learning’s future.  By now, you must have got adequately sensitized to understand the positive effects of personalized and adaptive learning. But, the question arises – how can you introduce these educational methods in your K-12 institution? The answer is contained in the following sections. Read on to know the best ways to enable personalized and adaptive learning in K-12 education for proven results.  But, before delving deeper, let’s understand the definition and scope of personalized and adaptive learning in brief. What is Personalized Learning? Personalized learning is a relatively modern technique of making education more impactful and learner-centric. While in a generic classroom, teachers typically deliver lectures in an impersonal way, in personalized learning, they tweak the teaching methodology to cater to each learner uniquely. To do this, the teacher identifies each learner’s strengths, weaknesses, desires, and skills. The comprehensive review of a student’s cognitive prowess helps the teacher design the lesson appropriately so that the learner feels engaged and motivated to learn. Personalized learning has multiple benefits. Since every student gets ample time to interact with teachers, they can quickly clarify their doubts. While conventional educational programs focus on learners’ weaknesses, personalized learning identifies the strengths and interests of each learner and empowers them to work on their weaknesses. What is Adaptive Learning? Adaptive learning is an inclusive educational strategy that helps teachers identify each child’s unique abilities and suit the content to help them achieve excellence. It generally follows personalized education, improves learner engagement rates, and scales up their confidence. Technology has made adaptive learning considerably easy for educational institutions. Instead of asking students to respond manually, a software does the complex calculations and provides the trainer with an accurate insight into a learner’s capabilities and interests. Simply put, adaptive learning is making the educational content more technology-led, learner-centric, culturally sensitive, and sustainable. Now that you know what personalized and adaptive learning is, let’s understand the best ways to incorporate these techniques to make K-12 education world-class. How to Make K-12 Education Personalized and Adaptive 1. Blended Learning Paves the Way With computers and smartphones becoming more powerful than ever, learners gradually shift towards these electronic devices to fulfill their entertainment needs. However, these devices can be your trusted aide to make learning personalized and adaptive.  Blended learning refers to the combination of in-person teaching sessions and digital education tools, such as web conferences, simulations, eBooks, online science experiments, games, and more. Blended learning makes learning holistic since you can control or assist the learners even from a distance. As learning becomes more immersive, learners feel more connected to your institution and grasp the true essence of the training programs.    Blended learning offers many significant benefits, including higher engagement rates, more learner autonomy, better comprehension, excellent time management, and a safer learning environment. Hence, it gives you the right thrust on your K-12 institution’s journey on the path of personalized and adaptive learning.  2. Content Management System Holds the Key When it comes to managing the content, institutions and learners find it overwhelming to access the vast data repository. High-quality content combines video, audio, text, eBooks, and whatnot. And shifting between so many content types may confuse the learners, forcing them to move away from learning and waste time on unproductive activities.  Educational content management platforms manage content efficiently. All you need to do is create an account and provide access keys to the students and teachers. Teachers may upload different types of content, including PDF, PPT, video, audio, eBook, documents, etc., and create a multi-content playlist. Once learners enter the platform after validating their login credentials, they can access the resources posted by the teachers and watch them all in quick succession, seamlessly. You may also create tests and quizzes to help them evaluate their understanding. Advanced analytics makes it easy for the management to check students’ progress and modulate the training program.     3. Make Room For Guided Inquiry Design Guided Inquiry Design is a vital aspect of personalized and adaptive learning. Simply put, it is the process of making a course more appealing to students by giving them the authority to design the course. When your learners feel that the course is for them, they take an active interest in it, and learning becomes seamless.  Here is how educational institutions include Guided Inquiry Design in course designing to make learning more personalized and adaptive.  Start – Here, the trainer introduces the broad concept before taking up a particular topic. For example, if you want to teach students about parts of speech, you may start with a brief idea of grammar. Immerse – After learners understand the basics, you can expose them to interesting facets of the topic. For instance, you may show your students an animated movie explaining the concept of parts of speech.  Explore – Expose learners to various types of resources like eBooks, quizzes, audio, video, etc., to let them explore the concept in greater detail.  Formulate – Here, learners prepare themselves to ask relevant questions about the topic they have learned. After framing the questions, they look for like-minded individuals with similar questions. Collect – After framing the questions, learners strive to

webadmin October 28, 2022 No Comments

5 Ways to Ensure Student Engagement in Online Learning

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The current pandemic has brought about a paradigm shift in the way classroom teaching is imparted. Online learning has re-engineered the entire classroom experience by making course material available remotely. However, with a lack of face-to-face interaction and peer-to-peer bonding, online learning can take a toll on student engagement. Also Read: Learning in the Times of COVID-19 Hence, as an educator, it is important to ensure that such engagement gets boosted in every way possible so that students can better understand their lessons. In this post, we will take a look at some of the ways in which you can overcome the usual challenges and ensure maximum student engagement during online learning.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What is Student Engagement and Impediments?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1667291932823{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Online learning poses similar challenges to both students as well as educators, as it is relatively new and will take time to become the norm. Hence, it is imperative that both parties establish seamless access and understand the relevant technology before they can start. As far as educators are concerned, designing immersive and interactive courses, and honing teaching skills can make online learning efficient. Furthermore, you should also set clear course expectations for all learners, especially for those pursuing higher education. Care should be taken to make course interactions smooth and set new possibilities through remote learning, which otherwise is not available in a classroom scenario. Also Read: 5 Effective Ways to Gamify Learning in Higher Education[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”A Format That Hints At Success” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1667291940623{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]You might be interested to know that a majority of classical learning theories, practices, and pedagogies seem to fit in just right in an online learning scenario. In other words, this is really good news for educators who are worried about transitioning to an online learning scenario.  Online learning is expected to touch the $400 billion mark by the end of 2026. Don’t be surprised if it reaches the projected figure way sooner than anticipated, owing to COVID. Now, major educational institutions globally have made significant investments to cultivate and figure out different avenues for student engagement. Research reports indicate how more than 50% of students at the graduate level in the US alone showed a preference for online learning, compared to on-campus study. Also Read: Ensuring Continuity in Learning in the Times of COVID-19 The following 5 points shed more light on the things that every single online educator needs to do to foster continuous student engagement.  1. Strive for Active Learning What makes student engagement strategies work? Is it a good educator or skillful teaching? Neither. It’s all about active learning. And what does one mean by that? Well, it invariably means engaging students through action, compared to just sitting and learning. As an educator, let go of the instructor-led approach and develop activities that get students to actively collaborate. Debates, online presentations, or pop speeches are all effective tools of online learning engagement and can be used to your advantage. 2. Setting Clear Expectations While focusing on engagement is always a good thing, educators should also try to keep things simple. Here’s an example. In most cases, a typical course syllabus sees way too elaborate introductory presentations. This is never a good idea, especially when things are set virtually. Instead, you should always set clear and consistent requirements that do not diminish student enthusiasm and can help them effectively network with coursework. Adding layers of instructions, criteria, and deadlines deter students from the main goal by putting too much cognitive load. 3. Working in Parts Garnering student attention is a gamble. As an educator, it is necessary to know and understand the limits of memory and retention abilities. Hence, breaking your course content into smaller chunks can work wonders. Commence the class by informing students about the day’s agenda, well in advance. This will make them mentally prepared for what all they can expect over the day, and bind them to a certain level of interest. Also, try working with fewer ideas at one go. Focus on an in-depth discussion on a simple topic, rather than working on multiple concepts at once. 4. Setting Goals, Tackling Competitions And Failure Educators should always find a way to incentivize students for reaching their goals. In essence, they should also help them set their own goals for success and create milestones along the way to track their progress. Such an approach not only transfers the ownership of engagement from educator to students, but also keeps the latter motivated and full of enthusiasm. Additionally, it is also important to chart out a healthy competition map where students are encouraged to beat their own milestone with a better turnaround time.  Also, it is important to foster the ability within a learner to perceive things as “real” and project their true self online. This would invariably lead to more effective expressions, enhanced group cohesion, and an open line of communication. As an educator striving for increased student engagement, it is your responsibility to devise ways to make the academic environment an incubator for healthy ideas. Offering a clear perspective for both success and failure is imperative to essential learning and should always be taken into consideration. 5. Immersive Ways of Learning And Feedback Online educators should always try and find new ways of learning to keep up the interest level of the student. Without effective engagement, one is sure to lose the thread. Multimedia presentations and videos can be your key to success for teaching online courses. Today, in a world where social media rules the roost, the efficacy of video content needs no introduction. As an educator, you will need to use the idea to your advantage and reshape the content into video and audio presentations with catchy texts, note-taking facilities, and an engrossing layout to do away with the monotony. Remember to pay some attention to your feedback mechanism as well. These

webadmin March 7, 2022 No Comments

Embedded Testing: Types and Challenges

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Embedded Testing is a process where functional and non-functional attributes of both software and hardware are checked to make sure that the final product is free of defects. Embedded testing validates if the final product (of embedded hardware and software) fulfills the business requirements.  It is an excellent approach owing to its rigor to ensure security in critical applications. Embedded testing should be carried out carefully before granting certification. Embedded Testing: How it is performed In Embedded Testing, the software is provided with some inputs and a piece of the software is executed. Then the state of the software is observed and checked if the output matches the expected outcome, and conforms to the business requirements and if there are no crashes of the system. Types of Embedded Testing Software Unit Testing In this, the unit module is either a class or a function and the testing is done by the developer, typically in a peer-review model. Based on the module’s specification, test cases are developed. Integration Testing Integration testing can be further classified into: Software integration testing Software/hardware integration testing. Right at the end, the interaction of the hardware domain and software components are tested, which might include examining the interaction between the software and the built-in peripheral devices. Embedded software development focuses on the actual environment, in which the software is run, which is generally created in parallel with the software. This causes inconvenience while testing since comprehensive testing cannot be performed in a simulated condition. System unit testing The module being tested is a full framework consisting of the complete software code and all real-time operating system (RTOS) and platform-related pieces like tasking mechanisms, communications, interrupts, and so on. The Point of Control protocol is not a call to a function/a method invocation but a message sent/received utilizing the RTOS message queues. System resources are observed to evaluate the system’s ability to support embedded system execution. For this aspect, grey-box testing is the preferred method of testing. Depending on the organization, system unit testing is performed by a developer or a dedicated system integration team. You might also like to read: Network Testing for Configuration Changes System integration testing In this, the module begins from a set of components within a single node. The Points of Control and Observations (PCOs) here are a mix of RTOs and network-related communication protocols and RTOS. Also, a Virtual Tester can play the role of a node to a component. System validation testing Here, the module is a subsystem of the complete embedded system (a complete implementation). The aim of this final test is that the output should meet the functional requirements of the external entity, which can be a person, or a device in a telecom network, or both. Challenges in Embedded Software Testing Dependency on hardware Given the limited access to hardware, hardware dependency is really one of the main difficulties encountered in embedded software testing. Simulators and Emulators may not accurately represent the device’s behavior or interaction and could give an incorrect sense or indication of the system performance and application’s usability. Open-source software If it is embedded software components, then it is most likely open source in nature and not created in-house: this means that there is an absence of a complete test present for it. There is a vast range of test combinations and resulting scenarios. Software and hardware defects When new software is being developed, a high proportion of hardware defects are usually identified and these defects are not only limited to software but related to hardware also.  Difficulty in reproducing defects In embedded systems, defects are harder to reproduce. This leads to the embedded testing procedure to value every defect occurrence substantially higher than in a standard case. You might also like to read: All You Need To Know About Configuration Testing Requirement of continuous software updates Regular software updates are required for embedded systems such as the kernel upgrade, security fixes, different device drivers, etc. Any constraints in these updates make spotting the bug difficult. Also, the significance of the build and deployment procedure increases. Conclusion Embedded software testing is much more difficult than regular software testing, especially owing to its dependence on the hardware environment, which is required regularly to perform high-quality software testing.  Without custom tools, it is difficult to test the software. It is best to opt for automated software testing, as embedded automated testing provides a quicker resolution of software issues in a matter of a few hours. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

webadmin March 4, 2022 No Comments

Best Practices in Content Ingestion for Publishers

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In a highly complex and evolving business environment, businesses can retain a competitive edge by making data-driven decisions. Content ingestion is a means to collect customer data and use it to meet demand and secure a loyal and dependable customer base. By providing the customers the exact products or services they are looking for, organizations can achieve higher sales.  What is Content Ingestion Content ingestion refers to the process of scanning, importing and processing data and information from all your documents. Once all data is collated in a specific database, it can be more efficiently and accurately correlated, analyzed and reported for data-driven actionable insights.  Content ingestion can take place in two phases, real-time and batch time. Batch Content Ingestion In this process, data and information is collected and grouped periodically and then transferred to a destination system.  Real-time Content Ingestion As the name suggests, real-time content ingestion is a process in which data is continuously processed and the output is instantly generated. Content Ingestion for Publishers As a publisher, with content ingestion, you can collect, correlate and analyze data on your reader preferences, for instance, which article they like to read, what books they browse on the listings pages of your website.  Audience targeting is the ability to show ads to a specific audience, based on their history of browsing, rather than to all your website visitors. Content ingestion, therefore, provides for very targeted marketing. Carrying out content ingestion with 100% accuracy becomes important for the success of any project.  Best Practices in Content Ingestion for Publishers Profile Your Readers Leverage content ingestion to collect and analyze the profiles of readers at both an aggregate and the micro-level. You can use these insights to identify the common traits your readers exhibit while browsing from one article to another. As a case point, the commonalities may be content that generates the maximum eye-balls or social media buzz, or articles the readers share and comment upon. As a publisher, you can use these content ingestion insights to understand key interest areas, demographics and motivation of users to engage with your content. You can understand like never before what works and what doesn’t with your audience and user experience. Personalize Readers’ Experience In today’s digital era, the customer is the king. The way to your readers’ heart and consequently to the wallet is to provide them a personalized experience. Your content may be similar to that of your competitors, but how you ensure a deep personal connect can set you apart from competition.  Use a content ingestion platform that allows you to personalize user experience through tailored content recommendation, depending on your customers’ demographics, historical use and preferences.  Grow Your Readership Content ingestion allows publishers to market and promote their content, drive social engagement and increase the overall readership. Leverage smart, data-driven promotion strategy to amplify content on social media, search, display, video and mobile.  You can improve your user base, enjoy increased traffic levels, improve campaign scalability, prospect for a more like-minded audience, and support higher levels of demand. Address Tactical Campaign Opportunities Apart from leveraging first party data to personalize end-user experience, you can also use insights around your current data assets to identify new data to feed into your data strategy.  Use a content ingestion platform that allows you to use even second-party data, for instance, data of your advertisers to fill gaps and address tactical campaign opportunities.  As a best practice in content ingestion, your content ingestion platform should be able to integrate first, second and third party data for more targeted actionable insights. In conclusion Content ingestion service providers allow publishers to import, collect, correlate, analyze and report data from various sources, including second and third-party content. You can use these insights for impactful decision-making and personalizing end-user experience and engagement with the content.  One of the crucial aspects of any data ingestion software is the ability to extract data. The other is that it should allow for dataflow visualization. A simple and intuitive drag and drop interface will allow you to simplify and visualize complex data. Next, the content ingestion tool should be scalable to meet your data processing requirements in sync with business expansion.  [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

webadmin February 28, 2022 No Comments

How to Make Accessible Word Documents

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]According to the World Health Organization, nearly 15% of the global population has some kind of disability. So, if your word documents and educational resources are not accessible, you might unknowingly deny people with disabilities their right to information. Many countries, such as the US and UK, have specific laws governing digital accessibility for word documents and other digital content.   MS-Word is 100% assistive technology-friendly, meaning you can use Braille devices or screen readers to read a Word file. Accessible word documents not only gel well with assistive technology, but you can also upload them conveniently on educational platforms. In general, using accessible word documents can make your campaign organically robust and scalable. However, creating accessible word documents is no less an art, a reason why you need to understand the various steps necessary to make your word documents topical yet interesting. There are also various benefits of accessibility for businesses and publishers.  4 Steps To Make Exciting Accessible Word Documents  1. The Heading Style Matters Headings give a word document the right start and set you on course to make it more accessible. By looking at the heading, the reader understands the core value proposition of the following section. A good heading also makes the word document more accessible for visually impaired people. Moreover, Braille users and screen readers can efficiently jump between headings if they are provided.  Although you can enlarge the heading font or underline it to make it appear stylish, it hardly serves the real purpose of making your document accessible. Here are the steps you need to take to make the headings functional yet classy: Use Heading Styles – On opening MS-Word’s Home tab, you will see the ‘Styles’ section. Under Heading Styles, you can find various style options. Select the one you like the most to make your Word documents accessible.  Edit for Perfection – Word also allows you to customize the heading section. So, if you feel a particular font best suits your purpose, go ahead and edit it to give your article the perfect look.  Create a Table of Contents – You can also use the Style option to create a Table of Contents (TOC). Unlike Heading Styles, you can find the TOC in the ‘References’ menu. You can also use the menu options to update the TOC and jump directly to a level in the TOC.  Nest the Headings – Headings must follow a sequence. For example, generally, an article starts with a Title (H1), followed by subheadings (H2, H3, H4, and so on). The sequence follows a decreasing order of importance. So, H2 is more important than H3 and so on. 2. Create Lists How many times have you felt bored reading a monotonous article with no section division or bulleted lists? All of us have experienced this to varying degrees. Sticking to the normal might be boring and dysfunctional when your objective is to make your documents more accessible. Hence, it is wise to use lists and bulleted points.  Fortunately, MS-Word offers various intuitive features to add lists to your document seamlessly. In fact, if you create a list without using Word’s built-in tools, your aspiration of making accessible documents will remain a distant dream.  You can follow the steps below to create a fascinating list in Word: Bulleted List – Open the Home tab in MS-Word and look for the ‘Bullets’ option. A pop-up window will open once you click on it, displaying all the available bulleted (Unordered) list types. You can either choose from the available options or customize the list. Do not forget to save it, though.  Numbered List – Numbered (Ordered) lists are of two types – numbered and outline numbering. Numbered lists are the most common type. A numbered list allows you to use numerical figures, roman numerals, or alphabets like a,b,c, etc., to create a list.        You might also like to read: A Guide to Creating Accessible PDF Files 3. Take Hyperlinks Seriously While it is perfectly normal to write statements like ‘Click here to visit us’ in normal documents, you must not do so for documents that are meant to be accessible. Since readers may also print accessible word documents, paying proper attention to hyperlinks is crucial to make them meaningful. Hence, instead of writing ‘Click here to visit the XYZ Institute website’ and hyperlinking ‘Click here,’ it is prudent to write ‘Visit the XYZ Institute website,’ and hyperlink ‘XYZ Institute website.’ Below is the easiest way to add hyperlinks in accessible word documents: Right-Click – Select the phrase you want to hyperlink to. Then, right-click it and select Hyperlink. After the pop-up window opens, click on ‘Browse Files’ and choose the file. Alternatively, you may add a website address (URL) in the ‘Address’ box. 4. Use Alt Text for Images Alt Text or Alternative Text is used to help visually impaired people understand the meaning of an image. The Alt Text must be short, crisp, and succinct. It should not contain any unnecessary information, only as much as is needed to convey the primary meaning of the image. Assistive technology usually announces the image first before moving on to reading the Alt Text.   You can add Alt Text by clicking the correct option in the Image Properties dialog. However, keep the following points in mind to improve the quality of your accessible word documents: Complicated Graphics – If you have used charts or infographics, Alt Text might not suit them well. In such a case, you must add a full section explaining the images.  Decorative Images – If you have added a decorative image that cannot be explained, you may enter an inverted comma in the Alt Text field.  The End Note Besides the points mentioned above, you can also add a header row in tables, always left-align text, number the pages in a long document, use colors with textual interpretation, and keep the font size higher than 12. Also, it is wise to use non-serif fonts, such as Helvetica

webadmin February 21, 2022 No Comments

6 Time-tested Video-based Learning Strategies

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The field of learning has witnessed revolutionary changes in the recent past. Students and teachers are moving ahead of the traditional chalk-and-talk method of teaching and learning and embracing video-based learning.  In a survey conducted, 74% of learners admitted that they employ video-based learning to make their learning more catchy, attractive, and impactful. Microsoft experimented with video-based learning and found it immensely helpful for reducing their learning delivery costs.  This article details six time-tested, impactful video-based learning strategies you can implement to make your learning programs world-class.    Why Do You Need Video-Based Learning? Here are the top reasons why video-based learning must occupy a prominent space in your higher education learning plan: 1. Engage Learners A study found that learners remember a paltry 10% of a text while 65% of a video and a whopping 95% of audio-visual content. Hence, video-based learning might be the ultimate solution if you struggle to retain learners’ attention with conventional learning techniques. 2. Is Inclusive You can usually find three types of learners in a class – visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Since videos combine visuals, audio, and physical movement, they satisfy all types of learners. 3. Cost-Efficiency Videos are more cost-efficient than all other modes of learning. For instance, if you have more than one learning facility, you have to hire multiple trainers for conducting learning sessions. However, if you create videos, you can send them to all learning centers, thereby saving money while making your sessions more resourceful. The following sections discuss the six best video-based learning strategies to scale up your institute or organization’s reputation and brand value. 6 Highly Powerful Video-Based Learning Strategies To get the optimal output out of video-based learning, you must promote it as a perk, not an obligation. So, your videos must be catchy, attractive, creative, appropriate, topical, interactive, and readily available. The following are the top video-based learning strategies adopted by institutions and organizations: Promote Bite-Sized Learning  Bite-sized learning, also known as microlearning, has dominated the education landscape for quite some time. It helps learners select the units they want to learn and pick them up quickly. Microlearning is the ultimate solution if maximum efficiency with minimum time investment makes you happy.  Bite-sized learning is nothing but condensing the information into nuggets. For instance, if you want to teach adjectives, instead of creating one full-scale module, you may divide it into three parts – absolute, comparative, and superlative, and release one unit every day.  Since learners will focus on one topic a day, they can understand better and remember more. Creating and delivering bite-sized learning videos will be effective to promote student engagement.  Deliver Interactive Learning Experiences Some people believe that video-based learning is a one-way process. Since learners cannot influence the video’s subject, they remain passive observers and not active participants. However, this is a half-truth.  Digital content solution providers like HurixDigital empower learners to take charge of their learning. You can create learning sessions with video and other materials like PDF, PPT, audio, etc., to offer an immersive experience to learners. Moreover, modern technologies like Augmented Reality (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), etc., make content designing super smooth.   Hence, video-based learning might be a one-way process when you create a video alone. If you merge video with other content types, learners can get a better experience than the usual chalk-and-talk method of learning.  Create Relevant and Timely Updated Content Video-based learning opens you up to a new world of possibilities. However, you can realize the full potential of video-based learning if you create relevant content and publish them at preset intervals. Remember, consistency is the key.  Many video creators create a stockpile of videos before launching their video-based learning campaigns. When you have a library of quality content, you can release them conveniently according to a schedule.  Also, before creating content, you must analyze the latest trends to make the videos as exciting as possible. To make your videos catchy, you can mix images with animations and music and attract the fancy of learners.  You might also like to read: 10 Ways to Use Videos in K-12 Education Make it Accessible Before creating video-based learning materials, you must set the technology straight. It is imperative to analyze your learners’ preferences before designing the content. Ask yourself questions like “Does the audience prefer watching the videos on their mobile or laptop?” “What is their age group?” “What is their demography?” etc. After figuring out your audience’s needs and preferences, you can create the best video-based learning materials learners can access from anywhere and at any time they want.  Monitor Your Audience’s Consumption Patterns Creating or publishing video-based learning materials makes you smart. But, if you want to become the smartest, you must analyze your audience’s consumption habits and modify your content accordingly. Fortunately, digital content solution providers make this kind of number crunching super easy. You can check the meticulously compiled reports to understand your audience’s preferences and make informed decisions.  Numbers speak louder than words. They can give insights into your audience’s content consumption patterns. Hence, analyzing the data must be an integral part of your video-based learning strategy.  Take Timely Feedback From Students While data can give you good insights into your audience’s preferences, likes, and dislikes, you can engage with them personally to find what works and what does not. You can also create a logbook to record and retain learners’ feedback and use it to optimize the video-based learning materials.  Feedback is extremely important to scale up the content quality of the videos you release.  Conclusion Learning is no more a one-size-fits-all activity. Educational institutions and corporate houses continually invest in R&D to make their learning materials more powerful and impactful. Video-based learning can provide you with the right thrust to improve your visibility and acceptability in the market.  [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]