ICT in community-based lifelong learning center: model for northeast Thailand

This thesis investigates how rural and remote communities in northeast Thailand harness information and communication technologies (ICTs) for community development and develops a new model of ICT-based lifelong learning centre for local communities. The main research questions are: 1. How to adapt ICTs to fit rural communities? 2. How to integrate ICTs into their lifestyle? 3. How to use ICTs to forge stronger ties within and between local communities? 4. How to develop ICTs in community-based lifelong learning centre? The objective of this research is to develop a model of ICT in community-based lifelong learning centers (CLC) that is suitable for northeast Thailand, and to propose policies for implementing ICTs in CLCs. This study used qualitative methodologies to explore the problem. Data collection took place in Thailand between April, 2005 to March, 2006. The fieldwork covered two communities in Krainun Village, Katharawichai District and Khok Yai Community Forest, Wapi Pathum District, Mahasarakham Province. The data collection procedures included using surveys and questionnaires to develop the research agenda with the target groups while focus group techniques were used as the main data-gathering instrument to further investigate their needs and develop the CLC model. Interviews, observations, workshops and study trips were needed for additional data. A triangulation approach was used to analyse the data from surveys, interviews, observations and discussions. The basic data from the surveys were categorised into four aspects: geographical data, public utilities, social data, and economic data. Using the issues-based analysis methodology, the qualitative data from the focus groups were analysed and interpreted and triangulation was applied to difference data sources. The recorded materials were transcribed and issues related to the research questions were identified. The next step focused on developing the CLC model which applied Knowles’ program development model for adult education and training. This focus on process is a distinguishing feature of this research and comprises the ‘new’ characteristic in the model presented. The study showed that the rural communities grasped the benefits of ICTs and through concrete situations, realised that ICTs could meet their needs. ICT learning activities using a hands-on practical approach motivated them to adapt and integrate ICT in their daily life. They applied their experiences to acquire new knowledge and technology. Their CLCs were developed based on a similar model of their understanding of, and motivation to use, ICT. The model of CLC in both communities is based on their needs, including the concept of establishing a CLC, CLC objectives, CLC management, implementation and evaluation

ifo Migrationsmonitor: Einwanderer und Asylbewerber in Deutschland – Zahlen, demographische Angaben, Qualifikationsstrukturen und Arbeitsmarktpartizipation

Der Artikel gibt einen Überblick über Einwanderungs- und Asylbewerberzahlen. Zudem werden demographische Angaben, Qualifikationsstruktur und Arbeitsmarktpartizipation von Ausländern sowie die Ergebnisse der im Jahr 2014 vom Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge durchgeführten Flüchtlingsstudie präsentiert. Die Arbeitsmarktpartizipation der Flüchtlinge ist deutlich niedriger als die der ausländischen Bevölkerung, die wiederum niedriger als die der deutschen Bevölkerung ist. Die Integration der Flüchtlinge in den deutschen Arbeitsmarkt ist eine zentrale Herausforderung für die kommenden Jahre

ifo Migrationsmonitor

Der ifo Migrationsmonitor, der vom Ifo Center of Excellence for Migration and Integration Research (CEMIR) herausgegeben und vierteljährlich erscheinen wird, stellt aktuelle Informationen zur regulären Einwanderung und zu den Asylsuchenden in der Europäischen Union bereit. Der erste Artikel in der neuen Reihe beschreibt die Einwandererströme sowie die in Deutschland lebenden Einwanderer und geht insbesondere auf die in letzter Zeit nach Deutschland kommenden Asylbewerber ein. Es zeigt sich, dass die Einwanderer im Durchschnitt weniger gut ausgebildet sind als der Durchschnitt der deutschen Bevölkerung. Ein hoher Anteil der Flüchtlinge verfügt über eine sehr geringe oder gar keine Bildung. Dies stellt eine große Herausforderung für die Integration derjenigen dar, die in Deutschland bleiben dürfen

Tritium spelta L. – Suebian crop? An ethnographic hypothesis on genetic trial

Until the 20th century, spelt (Triticum spelta) was the traditional wheat used in the North-West of the Iberian Peninsula. A recently proposed ethnographic thesis states that this cereal was a vestige and heritage of the Germanic Suebi kingdom that established in Gallecia between 410 and 584. The present study aims to verify the mentioned thesis and to draw conclusions about possible migrations routes of the suebians. The genetic comparison included Triticum spelta L. samples of North-West-Iberian origin and a large number of samples from other Eurasian regions, including alleged suebian homeland regions (e.g. Suabia/Germany) before they immigrated in the Peninsula. An approximately 1-kb sequence, including a part of the promoter and the coding region of the high molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin B1-1 subunit gene of 48 accessions were analysed by allelic differentiation. The mutual similarities between all sequences were determined by multiple alignment and using the Neighbor Joining clustering method (Bionumerics software). Our data show that Iberian, Mediterranean and Eurasian varieties clearly shared genetic similarities, whereas the varieties from Central and North Europe grouped in other clusters. We therefore suggest that this cereal was not a vestige of the Germanic Suebi kingdom that established in Gallecia.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - POCI 2010; POCI/HEC/56971/2004.FEDER

Seismic and geodetic constraints on Cascadia slow slip

Automatically detected and located tremor epicenters from episodic tremor and slip (ETS) episodes in northern Cascadia provide a high-resolution map of Washington’s slow slip region. Thousands of epicenters from the past four ETS events from 2004 to 2008 provide detailed map-view constraints that correlate with geodetic estimates of the simultaneous slow slip. Each of these ETS events exhibits remarkable similarity in the timing and geographic distribution of tremor density and geodetically inferred slip. Analysis of the latest 15-month inter-ETS period also reveals ageodetic tremor activity similar both in duration and extent to ETS tremor. Epicenters from both ETS and inter- ETS tremor are bounded between the 30- and 45-km plate interface depth contours and locate approximately 75 km east of previous estimates of the locked portion of the subducting Juan de Fuca plate. Inter-ETS tremor overlaps but is generally downdip of ETS tremor and does not yet correlate with geodetically observed slip, but this is likely because the slip is below current GPS detection levels. Based on the tremor and slip correlation and the tremor-duration and slip magnitude relationship, we suggest that the well-resolved, sharp updip edge of tremor epicenters reflects a change in plate interface coupling properties. The region updip of this boundary may accumulate stress with the potential for coseismic shear failure during a megathrust earthquake. Alternatively, plate convergence in this region could be accommodated by continuous slow slip with no detectable tremor or by slow slip events with sufficiently long recurrence intervals that none have been detected during the past 10 years of GPS observations

Comparative study about the powers and the representativeness of employee representatives in French and German enterprises

The first part of the study compares the institutional settings of employee representation and collective bargaining in France and Germany. One important difference is that in France, many aspects of collective agreements are defined by labour law, whereas in Germany, collective bargaining partners are given far greater scope for negotiation. The second part of the study analyses the economic effects of different institutional settings. Greater wage flexibility has positive effects on competitiveness and employment. In the last part of the study, reform proposals made by Jean-Denis Combrexelle, President of the Department of Social Affairs of the government council, are evaluated. His proposals to enlarge the scope of collective bargaining and also allow firm-level bargaining are judged positively. Moving from the indeterminate duration of firm agreements to well-defined contract periods would reduce uncertainty for both firms and workers. The implementation of these reform proposals would be most effective if they were combined with a peace obligation, meaning that no strikes would be allowed for an agreed period of time. The proposal to maintain extensions of industrial agreements by the Labour Minister is counterproductive and would partly eliminate gains from other proposals

Sylvains-les-Moulins – Coulonges

Au début du iie s., afin de répondre aux nouveaux besoins en eau de l’agglomération gallo-romaine du Vieil-Évreux et pour pallier l’absence de ressources naturelles, les ingénieurs antiques ont projeté la construction d’un aqueduc de plus de 20 km de long, permettant de conduire les eaux depuis un point encore inconnu de la vallée de l’Iton, en amont de Damville, jusque sur le site du Vieil-Évreux où un réseau complexe permettait la gestion urbaine de l’eau (Wech 2004).L’une des principales ..