The main goal of the present study was to develop an ecological integrity index for littoral wetl... more The main goal of the present study was to develop an ecological integrity index for littoral wetland management and conservation in semiarid Mediterranean areas that have been highly impacted by agriculture, including the selection of pressure and state indicators at landscape and wetlands scales that reflect the status, condition, and trends of wetlands ecosystems. We used a causality framework based on the relationship between pressure of anthropogenic activities and the ecological state of wetlands and their catch-
Biomass gasification is a technology that transforms solid biomass into syngas. The gas turbine c... more Biomass gasification is a technology that transforms solid biomass into syngas. The gas turbine controller regulates both the gas turbine and the gas turbine generator. Two fuzzy logic controllers have been developed using speed and mechanical power deviations, and a neural network has been designed to tune the gains of the fuzzy logic controllers based on the operating conditions of the biomass-based electric power plant. It is shown that by tuning the fuzzy logic controllers, optimal time domain performance of the system can be achieved in a wide range of operating conditions compared to fixed parameter fuzzy logic controllers and PID controllers.
Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 2006
The Simulation discipline has to face new challenges such as the incorporation of Collaborative T... more The Simulation discipline has to face new challenges such as the incorporation of Collaborative Technologies for professional use as well as for teaching purposes. This integration permits the creation of new kinds of support for collaborative learning processes. In this paper, we explore the potential of this synergy with DomoSim-TPC, a synchronous distributed collaborative environment for the teaching and learning of Domotics. The system supports an active, simulation-based and problem-based approach for learning house automation design. Using this learning environment, teachers propose and organize problem solving activities and the students carry out, in a collaborative way, the construction of artefacts (designs) using modelling and simulation tools. q (C. Bravo), miguel.redondo@uclm.es (M.Á . Redondo), manuel.ortega@uclm.es (M. Ortega), felisa@lsi.uned.es (M.F. Verdejo).
Some tasks supported by educative and collaborative tools can be more realistic and accessible if... more Some tasks supported by educative and collaborative tools can be more realistic and accessible if they are tackled using mobile devices. This approach allows students to benefit from the mobility features of this kind of devices, which are expected to revolutionize teaching in the next decade. In this paper we present an application called DomoSim-Mob to carry out practical activities of domotical design using PDAs. We introduce the task of collaborative planning of design which is supported by DomoSim-Mob and describe its materialization starting from the user tasks supported by the previous desktop computer version.
Much of the research on collaborative work focuses on the quality of the group outcome as a measu... more Much of the research on collaborative work focuses on the quality of the group outcome as a measure of success. There is less research on the collaboration process itself, but an understanding of the process should help to improve both the process and the outcomes of collaboration. Understanding and analyzing collaborative learning processes requires a fine-grained analysis of group interaction in the context of learning goals. Taking into account the relationships among tasks, products and collaboration this paper presents a set of measures designed to evaluate the collaborative learning process. We emphasise: direct system-based measures based on data produced by a collaborative learning system during the collaboration process, and suggest that these measures can be enhanced by also considering participants' perceptions of the process.
In the last years the production of systems supporting learning and work in-group has been high. ... more In the last years the production of systems supporting learning and work in-group has been high. However, the design and development of this kind of systems is difficult, especially due to the multidisciplinarity involved. We propose a design and development process of the presentation layer. This process is based on the use of several models for representing collaborative and interactive aspects of this kind of systems. In this process several techniques and notations are used. In this paper we introduce our methodological approach and the conceptual framework on which our proposal is based.
Design plays a central role in a range of subjects at different educational levels. Students have... more Design plays a central role in a range of subjects at different educational levels. Students have to acquire the knowledge necessary for the execution of tasks that enable them to construct an artefact or model that can be tested by simulation and that satisfies some requirements and verifies some constraints. They achieve this by means of a design process. In some design domains there is a lack of teaching tools from a learnercentred perspective. Moreover, when these domains are complex, the design problems that the students have to solve during their learning process require the design activity to be carried out in group. In response to this situation, we have developed a design model and a collaborative learning method. Using this conceptual framework, we have built a collaborative environment for the learning of domotical 1 design by means of complex problem solving, with an emphasis on synchronous collaboration for work distribution, discussion, design in shared surfaces and simulation. This environment has already been evaluated and used in real teaching experiences.
The design of the groupware systems is a progressively extended task, which is difficult to tackl... more The design of the groupware systems is a progressively extended task, which is difficult to tackle. There are not proposals to support the joint modeling of collaborative and interactive issues of this kind of systems, that is, proposals that allow designing the presentation layer of these applications. In order to solve this lack we propose a methodological approach, based on a set of notations of both a graphical and a textual nature.
Simulation environments requiring the creation of a model previous to the simulation stage raise ... more Simulation environments requiring the creation of a model previous to the simulation stage raise a challenge for the student. In these environments the realization of the model itself, which is the basis for most part of the richness of the acquired knowledge, is a difficult step. This is the reason why in some cases the learning goal is not achieved. We consider of great importance to cope with this problem so that better support in model building could improve the mere free performance of the student. In this sense, we propose to include, before beginning the construction of the model, a tool allowing the expression of a first approach to the solution at a more abstract level and, consequently, easier to obtain. Finally, it is important to point out the necessity of c ollaboration of both the teacher and the student. In order to facilitate this, we will define data structures containing, among other aspects, the student's performance. This performance could be revised by the teacher, who will advise students where to reinforce their knowledge on the modeling process. This kind of collaboration can also provide an effective support for distance learning situations.
Design and simulation environments are tools offering contrasted benefits for discovery learning ... more Design and simulation environments are tools offering contrasted benefits for discovery learning in multiple domains. However, when these domains are complex the problems that the students have to solve during their learning justify the necessity to carry out the design activity itself in groups. From the perspective of modelling and simulation in collaboration, we present DomoSim-TPC, a system supporting collaborative learning in Domotics1. The system provides shared workspaces integrating tools for domain problem solving with generic but customized tools to support collaborative decisions and discussions. The potential of this synthesis to support learning tasks in modelling is described. We outline the mechanisms offered by the system and discuss our solution compared to other relevant systems.
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Papers by Manuel Ortega