R. Subramaniam

Handbook of research on new media literacy at the K-12 level : issues and challenges

Digital literacy Electronic portfolios Ethical and legal issues Globalizing technological literacy Information problem solving using the Internet Internet chat rooms Knowledge management and communities of practice Learning with laptop computers, handheld computers and tablet PCs Measuring technological literacy Media pathways Online learning communities Perspectives on technological literacy Teaching and learning with technology Teaching English as a second language with technology Technological issues related to teacher education Using technology to create childrenii?½i?½s books for students by students Using Weblogs to advance literacy Virtual literacy communities

E-learning and virtual science centers

A sample of chapters: Weaving Science Webs: E-learning and Virtual Science Centers Resource-Based Learning and Informal Learning Environments: Prospects and Challenges Interactivity Techniques: Practical Suggestions for Interactive Science Web E-learning and Virtual Science Centers: From the Physical to the Virtual: Bringing Free-Choice Science Education Online Storytelling-Based Edutainment Applications

Congestion Control of Heavy Vehicles Using Electronic Road Pricing: The Singapore Experience

Intelligent transportation systems based on electronic road pricing are shown to be an effective way to moderate congestion levels caused by heavy vehicles on Singapore roads. The system is the first of its kind in the world, and the technology permits structuring of pricing regimes based on time of day, point of entry into the road network and class of vehicle. This study suggests that in the general congestion equation, the role played by heavy vehicles is rather significant, and ought to be given greater weight than has previously been recognised.

Challenges Facing Developing Countries in Communicating Science to the Public

Developing countries face a range of challenges in communicating science to their people. This chapter explores a selection of such challenges from the lens of our observations and experiences, and suggests some possible foci for attention. We focus on six key issues: weak ‘modern science’ culture, lack of or inadequate institutional mechanisms to popularize science, inertia on the part of the scientific community to establish scientific academies and scientific societies, inadequate mechanisms for the dissemination of the results of scholarly scientific activities, lackadaisical efforts in science journalism, and social factors. The chapter concludes by arguing that for developing countries, aid that leads to capacity building can be more effective than handouts for promoting the cause of science.

Role of Learned Societies in Communicating Science

Examination of the scientific society movement in the developed world shows the predominance of three key constructs that account for their effectiveness and dynamism – civic activism by the scientific community, pursuit of scholarship through science communication, and entrepreneurship. Some examples of these learned societies in different regions of the world are explored with a view towards identifying some best practices. It is shown that leveraging on the brick-and-mortar model for the establishing of scientific academies and scientific societies is not a particularly prudent option for countries in the developing world. The “invisible college” model represents a more effective model for the setting up of such learned societies in the shortest possible time. It is argued that the institutional framework provided by scientific academies and scientific societies affords immense scope for realizing the multidimensional facets of science communication in tandem with other efforts.