Traditionally, civil engineering infrastructures have been represented through two-dimensional (2D) drawings, which can lead to interpretation errors and jeopardize engineers' understanding of complex projects. However, with the development of building information modeling (BIM) methodology, civil engineering projects can now be virtually modeled…

The recent interest in the use of Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) in education seems to correspond with the increased affordability, accessibility and functionality of IVR hardware and software. IVR has the potential to enhance immersion, improve spatial capabilities, promote empathy, increase motivation and possibly improve learning outcomes.…

In product design, there is often a disconnect between the engineers creating the product and the marketing team determining the best characteristics for the product. The research areas of "design for market systems" and "decision-based design" seek to bridge that disconnect through quantitative approaches that facilitate…

Efficient self-organizing virtual clusterheads that supervise data collection based on their wireless connectivity, risk, and overhead costs, are an important element of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). This function is especially critical during deployment when system resources are allocated to a subsequent application. In the presented research,…

Higher education is deploying a range of innovative strategies in response to rising costs and financial challenges. This report presents findings from a NASPA [National Association of Student Personnel Administrators] study on cost-saving initiatives at three institutions. Each institution aimed to creatively address different areas affecting…

Traditional colleges and universities face a unique challenge of increasing the scope of educational operations to accommodate the growing demand for online education. While online enrollments in higher education have grown at a rapid pace, faculty resources have remained stagnant at many institutions due to budget constraints and a sluggish…

Computer simulation of the Alonso household location model can enrich the intermediate microeconomics course. The model includes decisions on location, land space, and other goods and is a valuable complement to the usual textbook model of household consumption. It has three decision variables, one of which is a "bad," and one good's price is a…

Explores economic aspects of digital journal production and delivery using Ithink Analyst, a modeling software package. Three models were developed and simulations were used to monitor the effect of variations in the values of key model elements. Discusses results that show staff costs and overhead are the most substantial costs for scholarly…

Engineering design graphics education has come a long way in the past two decades. The emergence of solid geometric modeling technology has become the focal point for the graphical development of engineering design ideas. The main attraction of this 3-D modeling approach is the downstream application of the data base to analysis and…

Developed to identify and qualitatively assess computer system evaluation techniques for use during acquisition of general purpose computer systems, this document presents several criteria for comparison and selection. An introduction discusses the automatic data processing (ADP) acquisition process and the need to plan for uncertainty through…

Discusses a computerized cost-simulation model, BRIDGE, designed to compare the cost of expanding a campus using distance instruction to that of classroom instruction. Discusses cost comparison examples from classroom, television/broadcast, and asynchronous network courses. The model also demonstrates the cost-saving potential of sharing courses…

Reviews an article that explains BRIDGE, a computerized cost simulation model that compares the cost of expanding a campus through distance instruction versus traditional classrooms. Results of case studies showed that if a television broadcast-delivered class has an enrollment of 150-300 it can be cost competitive with the traditional classroom.…

These instructions describe the use of BRIDGE, a computer software simulation model that is designed to compare the costs of expanding a college campus using distributed instruction (television or asynchronous network courses) versus the costs of expanding using lecture/lab type instruction. The model compares the projected operating and capital…

Student achievement, cost, rural context, and qualitative differences relative to small/rural schools were analyzed in Alberta to address the choice between small elementary school construction and school consolidation with student busing. Studies in both the United States and Canada have found no consistant significant differences in student…