Using 3D printing to improve access to graphics by vision-impaired people. This project aims to investigate the possible benefits of 3D printing for production of accessible materials for vision-impaired people. Currently tactile graphics are used to provide severely vision-impaired adults and children with access to graphical content used in education and in orientation and mobility training. This project is expected to clarify the kinds of graphics for which 3D prints are better suited than ta ....Using 3D printing to improve access to graphics by vision-impaired people. This project aims to investigate the possible benefits of 3D printing for production of accessible materials for vision-impaired people. Currently tactile graphics are used to provide severely vision-impaired adults and children with access to graphical content used in education and in orientation and mobility training. This project is expected to clarify the kinds of graphics for which 3D prints are better suited than tactile graphics, and to build capacity within the national accessible format provision sector for the production and use of 3D prints. Benefits will include increased educational opportunities and quality of life for Australians with severe vision impairment, through improved access to graphic materials used in education and orientation and mobility training.
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Models for Australian Electricity Derivatives. Electricity derivatives, such as electricity futures and options are used to manage the risk associated with volatility in prices of electricity. This project aims to develop models for pricing electricity derivatives specifically suited for Australia. Because of the non-storable nature of electricity the standard option pricing principle of "no-arbitrage" does not apply to electricity options, such as caps and floors, but applies to options on elec ....Models for Australian Electricity Derivatives. Electricity derivatives, such as electricity futures and options are used to manage the risk associated with volatility in prices of electricity. This project aims to develop models for pricing electricity derivatives specifically suited for Australia. Because of the non-storable nature of electricity the standard option pricing principle of "no-arbitrage" does not apply to electricity options, such as caps and floors, but applies to options on electricity futures. Therefore a specific model is needed that takes into account the pricing principle of "no-arbitrage" and combines it with other factors that drive electricity prices. The novel element in this proposal is incorporation of the weather forecasts into the models for electricity options. As a result of this study appropriate models for electricity derivatives for various geographical regions in Australia will be developed.Read moreRead less
Humanising the Convergence of Information and Communication Technology. The convergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) enables delivery of multiple services by a single mobile device. Frequently ICT convergence is driven by the capabilities of the technology. However, if technologies are to be appropriated, that is enter into long-term use, they must be compatible with that use.
The University of Melbourne and Novell will establish a way of identifying opportunities f ....Humanising the Convergence of Information and Communication Technology. The convergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) enables delivery of multiple services by a single mobile device. Frequently ICT convergence is driven by the capabilities of the technology. However, if technologies are to be appropriated, that is enter into long-term use, they must be compatible with that use.
The University of Melbourne and Novell will establish a way of identifying opportunities for ICT convergence based on an understanding of appropriation. Our research project will examine the social and personal use of mobile ICTs by young people 16 to 22 years as the basis for understanding the human drivers of convergence.
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Enhancing the content and experience of Interactive Childrens Television. Interactive television (iTV) as a participatory, on-demand communication provides a unique opportunity to significantly engage, entertain and educate preschool children. Through considerable industry partner collaboration and participation, this project will evaluate three distinct interactive options produced from selected children's television programs with proven success in Australia. Usability studies employing a vari ....Enhancing the content and experience of Interactive Childrens Television. Interactive television (iTV) as a participatory, on-demand communication provides a unique opportunity to significantly engage, entertain and educate preschool children. Through considerable industry partner collaboration and participation, this project will evaluate three distinct interactive options produced from selected children's television programs with proven success in Australia. Usability studies employing a variety of surveillance techniques will evaluate content design and user response. Children's viewing habits will be evaluated within a social context (the home) and a mobile lab setting using qualitative and quantitative assessment. The results will identify effective ways to produce meaningful interactivity and will encourage future industry based research.Read moreRead less
Space to Grow: The Faulkes Telescope and improving science engagement in schools. Exceptional opportunities exist to engage, develop and enrich science students and their teachers through access to the cutting-edge Faulkes Telescopes (FTs). The FT South (sited in Australia) is the world's largest dedicated to educational use with Australia enjoying a 15% share as the host country of this exceptional educational initiative. Operated remotely via the internet, the FT provides natural links to ICT, ....Space to Grow: The Faulkes Telescope and improving science engagement in schools. Exceptional opportunities exist to engage, develop and enrich science students and their teachers through access to the cutting-edge Faulkes Telescopes (FTs). The FT South (sited in Australia) is the world's largest dedicated to educational use with Australia enjoying a 15% share as the host country of this exceptional educational initiative. Operated remotely via the internet, the FT provides natural links to ICT, on-line learning, physics, astronomy and mathematics. Given appropriate support, it can play a valuable role in re-engaging students in science and enhancing science education and literacy outcomes in Australian schools over the next 20 years.Read moreRead less
Growing old and staying connected: touch screen technology for ameliorating older people’s experience of social isolation. Social isolation affects many older people. This project investigates novel technologies to prevent and to ameliorate social isolation experienced by older adults. This project will implement and trial a software application over an 18 month period, using a 3G connected touch-screen tablet, and evaluate its impact on alleviating social isolation.
An Intelligent Software-AGENT: Innovates Adaptive Workplace eTraining Tools. Maintaining well skilled and knowledgeable employees is key to sustaining our competitive advantage through smarter information use of digital technologies. By reviewing current government training practice and IT governance, the Project Team will share valuable insight enabling multi-disciplinary collaboration for effective information systems development. Access to our individual virtual learning space is critical; th ....An Intelligent Software-AGENT: Innovates Adaptive Workplace eTraining Tools. Maintaining well skilled and knowledgeable employees is key to sustaining our competitive advantage through smarter information use of digital technologies. By reviewing current government training practice and IT governance, the Project Team will share valuable insight enabling multi-disciplinary collaboration for effective information systems development. Access to our individual virtual learning space is critical; this Project places Australia at the centre of virtual reality and emerging Web 2.0 technologies in the race to empower the global reach of an individual's access to adaptable eLearning tools and the unyielding intellectual thirst for new learning spaces for the next decade.Read moreRead less
Helping Central Banks Measure Unobserved Variables Using Real-time Forecasts. The project addresses structural measurement problems confronted routinely by central bankers. The techniques developed, and the estimates provided, will aid directly the Partner Organisations (the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and Norges Bank) and other central banks in formulating monetary policy. The analysis will allow interest rates in Australia and elsewhere to be set with greater pre ....Helping Central Banks Measure Unobserved Variables Using Real-time Forecasts. The project addresses structural measurement problems confronted routinely by central bankers. The techniques developed, and the estimates provided, will aid directly the Partner Organisations (the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and Norges Bank) and other central banks in formulating monetary policy. The analysis will allow interest rates in Australia and elsewhere to be set with greater precision. The techniques developed in this project will facilitate the understanding and communication of monetary policy within the central banks concerned, and enhance communication of monetary policy strategy to the public.Read moreRead less
Minimising the inappropriate and unnecessary hospital admissions of frail older people. The health system will continue to experience massive pressures in both fiscal and human resource terms. Older patients present with multiple, complex conditions and tend to be admitted because clinicians often do not have the time to explore other options. This project will develop and evaluate a unique and robust model for minimising inappropriate hospital admissions through rapid assessment of suitability ....Minimising the inappropriate and unnecessary hospital admissions of frail older people. The health system will continue to experience massive pressures in both fiscal and human resource terms. Older patients present with multiple, complex conditions and tend to be admitted because clinicians often do not have the time to explore other options. This project will develop and evaluate a unique and robust model for minimising inappropriate hospital admissions through rapid assessment of suitability for home care and complete referral information for safety and quality. Read moreRead less
The Adoption of Information Technologies by Rural General Practitioners: A Socio-Technical Analysis. Many information technology (IT) products have been developed to support general practitioners (GPs) in aspects of their work (GPSRG, 1998). It is apparent that GPs are not making best use of these systems. The question is: if IT applications have been developed, why are GPs reluctant to use them? This study contrasts two approaches to innovation in researching the adoption of IT by rural gener ....The Adoption of Information Technologies by Rural General Practitioners: A Socio-Technical Analysis. Many information technology (IT) products have been developed to support general practitioners (GPs) in aspects of their work (GPSRG, 1998). It is apparent that GPs are not making best use of these systems. The question is: if IT applications have been developed, why are GPs reluctant to use them? This study contrasts two approaches to innovation in researching the adoption of IT by rural general practitioners. It aims to identify and model socio-technical factors that enable and inhibit the uptake of IT.
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