Browsing by Author "Rodriguez, P"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Beyond Nintendo: design and assessment of educational video games for first and second grade students
    (PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2003) Rosas, R; Nussbaum, M; Cumsille, P; Marianov, V; Correa, M; Flores, P; Grau, V; Lagos, F; Lopez, X; Lopez, V; Rodriguez, P; Salinas, M
    The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the introduction of educational videogames into the classroom, on, learning, motivation, and classroom dynamics. These effects were studied using a sample of 1274 students from economically disadvantaged schools in Chile. The videogames were specifically designed to address the educational goals of the first and second years of school, for basic mathematics and reading comprehension. The sample was divided into experimental groups (EG), internal control groups (IC) and external control groups (EC). Students in the EG groups, used the experimental video games during an average of 30 h over a 3-month period. They were evaluated on their acquisition of reading comprehension, spelling, and mathematical skills, and on their motivation to use video games. Teachers' expectations of change due to the use of video games, their technological transfer, and handling of classroom dynamics, were assessed through ad hoc tests and classroom observations. The results show significant differences between the EG and IC groups in relation to the EC group in Math, Reading Comprehension and Spelling, but no significant differences in these aspects were found between the EG and the IC groups. Teacher reports and classroom observations confirm an improvement in motivation to learn, and a positive technological transfer of the experimental tool. Although further studies regarding the effects of learning through videogame use are imperative, positive effects on motivation and classroom dynamics, indicate that the introduction of educational video games can be a useful tool in promoting learning within the classroom. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
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    Hydraulic model of the energy-dissipating stilling basin of a Howell-Bunger valve
    (THOMAS TELFORD SERVICES LTD, 2002) Varas, EA; Rodriguez, P
    The traditional design for a Howell-Bunger stilling basin has a valve discharging at atmospheric pressure, a channel with a 30degrees bottom slope and an end still. The design produces an adequate dissipation of energy and has been tested thoroughly in laboratory and field conditions. However, in this study, the valve is submerged and discharges water under an 8 m pressure head. This configuration produces a completely different hydraulic flow pattern, with high surface agitation and incomplete energy dissipation. This paper describes the experimental model and prototype and gives conclusions and recommendations for stilling basin behaviour across the entire range of flows tested.
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    Knowledge-based language for modeling linear programming problems
    (PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 1998) Dombrovskaia, L; Rodriguez, P; Nussbaum, M
    The innovative aspect of this research is to apply knowledge-based methodology to model linear programming problems. This article introduces a graphic and declarative language. and shows the modeling process from the knowledge acquisition to the automatic generation of the algebraic model to be used by a solver. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
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    Methodology for evaluating a novel education technology: a case study of handheld video games in Chile
    (PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2006) Margolis, JL; Nussbaum, M; Rodriguez, P; Rosas, R
    Many school systems, in both the developed and developing world, are implementing educational technology to assist in student learning. However, there is no clear consensus on how to evaluate these new technologies. This paper proposes a comprehensive methodology for estimating the value of a new educational technology in three steps: benefit analysis, through the administration of a well-designed experiment; cost analysis, which incorporates costs to weigh against the benefits; and feasibility analysis, which introduces real-world concerns that may affect the ability to actually implement the technology. To illustrate the methodology, a case study from Chile is used where portable educational video games were introduced into first and second grade classrooms with the aim of improving learning in mathematics and language. This paper demonstrates the importance of all three steps in the evaluation process and provides a framework for future analyses. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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    Using global search heuristics for the capacity vehicle routing problem
    (PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 1998) Rodriguez, P; Nussbaum, M; Baeza, R; Leon, G; Sepulveda, M; Cobian, A
    In this work, a Frame is posed which allows to define global search heuristics in an efficient and declarative way, which interacts with a specific computational implementation of a problem. An overview of different ways to solve problems by the use of global search is presented, followed by the specification of the language proposed. A real decision support system was developed through the use of the language. The problem faced was an extension of the capacity vehicle routing problem. The followed approach minimizes the development cost of a decision support system for logistic and productive environments, since the performance of different heuristics can be tested using the language in a straightforward way. Besides, when new requirements or additional knowledge about the problem appear, the solving engine can be easily modified through the heuristic language. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd All rights reserved.