Problem-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogical methodology that presents the learner with a proble... more Problem-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogical methodology that presents the learner with a problem to be solved to stimulate and situate learning. This paper presents key characteristics of a problem-based learning environment that determines its suitability as a data source for workrelated research studies. To date, little has been written about the availability and validity of PBL environments as a data source and its suitability for work-related research. We describe problembased learning and use a research project case study to illustrate the challenges associated with industry work samples. We then describe the PBL course used in our research case study and use this example to illustrate the key attributes of problem-based learning environments and show how the chosen PBL environment met the work-related research requirements of the research case study. We propose that the more realistic the PBL work context and work group composition, the better the PBL environment as a data s...
ABSTRACT Government-led interorganizational alliance networks present a sensible opportunity to o... more ABSTRACT Government-led interorganizational alliance networks present a sensible opportunity to overcome many societal challenges through collaborative governance. In particular, few researchers have studied alliance networks in the field of energy conservation in commercial buildings—a sector with unique barriers to greater diffusion of innovative cost-saving strategies. We applied an analytic inductive case-based method and social network analysis to study one particular alliance network: the United States Commercial Building Energy Alliances representing interests from retail, commercial real estate, and healthcare sectors. This alliance network was initiated by the United States Department of Energy, with assistance from several federally funded research laboratories in the United States, to promote the diffusion of knowledge and ultimately encourage greater deployment of energy efficiency and clean energy strategies in commercial buildings. We draw upon interview data from 28 cases of private, non-profit, and governmental organizations and complete network data from the alliance participants. We honed in on eight focal cases of governmental organizations to provide insight on how the four forms of energy and environmental data, information, and knowledge shared within an alliance network address the challenge of a vastly underutilized energy resource, namely conservation. Further, we identify and discuss the public's four roles—Commissioner, Interpreter, Marketer, and User—in providing balance to the diffusion of both private and public goods in a network.
Development, implementation and tentative validation of a prototype of the Haztimator system, a k... more Development, implementation and tentative validation of a prototype of the Haztimator system, a knowledgebased (expert) system (KBS) intended to provide design and time/cost estimates for hazardous waste remediation projects, is presented. The prototype evaluates one ...
ABSTRACT The life-cycle of complex engineering products involves many disciplines, each of which ... more ABSTRACT The life-cycle of complex engineering products involves many disciplines, each of which is responsible for a stage, or phase, in the design-to-production process. Concurrent engineering principles are capable of bringing together the traditionally disparate groups involved. However, in order to facilitate the essential sharing of product and process information, there is a need to provide a common environment capable of supporting the various requirements of designers, production workers and managers while ensuring that communication and appropriate support is maintained. This paper describes model-based planning research in the construction industry. At the heart of the system are a central generic computer model of a certain type of construction and a knowledge-based system able to apply engineering knowledge in the constraint satisfaction process, leading to a planned sequence of construction activities. The environment comprises the central representation and reasoning mechanism, a symbolic computer-aided design facility, and a commercial project planning and management system. The paper details experiences in developing and applying the environment in the planning of `real-life' construction projects
... We also describe some recent approaches to the integration of representations of engineeringk... more ... We also describe some recent approaches to the integration of representations of engineeringknowledge. ... models are mathematical ones in which we describe objects in the language of continuous mathematics, such as differential and integral calculus. ... Domain Knowledge ...
Building a Sustainable Future - Proceedings of the 2009 Construction Research Congress, 2009
Infrastructure PPPs have been shown to overcome public sector capital and capacity constraints in... more Infrastructure PPPs have been shown to overcome public sector capital and capacity constraints in the short term, and therefore, increase the viability of desired infrastructure projects. Their long-term impacts on the capacities of governments have, however, not been considered as explicitly. This paper explores this issue through a review of literature on "public sector capacity," the changing role of government,
Problem-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogical methodology that presents the learner with a proble... more Problem-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogical methodology that presents the learner with a problem to be solved to stimulate and situate learning. This paper presents key characteristics of a problem-based learning environment that determines its suitability as a data source for workrelated research studies. To date, little has been written about the availability and validity of PBL environments as a data source and its suitability for work-related research. We describe problembased learning and use a research project case study to illustrate the challenges associated with industry work samples. We then describe the PBL course used in our research case study and use this example to illustrate the key attributes of problem-based learning environments and show how the chosen PBL environment met the work-related research requirements of the research case study. We propose that the more realistic the PBL work context and work group composition, the better the PBL environment as a data s...
ABSTRACT Government-led interorganizational alliance networks present a sensible opportunity to o... more ABSTRACT Government-led interorganizational alliance networks present a sensible opportunity to overcome many societal challenges through collaborative governance. In particular, few researchers have studied alliance networks in the field of energy conservation in commercial buildings—a sector with unique barriers to greater diffusion of innovative cost-saving strategies. We applied an analytic inductive case-based method and social network analysis to study one particular alliance network: the United States Commercial Building Energy Alliances representing interests from retail, commercial real estate, and healthcare sectors. This alliance network was initiated by the United States Department of Energy, with assistance from several federally funded research laboratories in the United States, to promote the diffusion of knowledge and ultimately encourage greater deployment of energy efficiency and clean energy strategies in commercial buildings. We draw upon interview data from 28 cases of private, non-profit, and governmental organizations and complete network data from the alliance participants. We honed in on eight focal cases of governmental organizations to provide insight on how the four forms of energy and environmental data, information, and knowledge shared within an alliance network address the challenge of a vastly underutilized energy resource, namely conservation. Further, we identify and discuss the public's four roles—Commissioner, Interpreter, Marketer, and User—in providing balance to the diffusion of both private and public goods in a network.
Development, implementation and tentative validation of a prototype of the Haztimator system, a k... more Development, implementation and tentative validation of a prototype of the Haztimator system, a knowledgebased (expert) system (KBS) intended to provide design and time/cost estimates for hazardous waste remediation projects, is presented. The prototype evaluates one ...
ABSTRACT The life-cycle of complex engineering products involves many disciplines, each of which ... more ABSTRACT The life-cycle of complex engineering products involves many disciplines, each of which is responsible for a stage, or phase, in the design-to-production process. Concurrent engineering principles are capable of bringing together the traditionally disparate groups involved. However, in order to facilitate the essential sharing of product and process information, there is a need to provide a common environment capable of supporting the various requirements of designers, production workers and managers while ensuring that communication and appropriate support is maintained. This paper describes model-based planning research in the construction industry. At the heart of the system are a central generic computer model of a certain type of construction and a knowledge-based system able to apply engineering knowledge in the constraint satisfaction process, leading to a planned sequence of construction activities. The environment comprises the central representation and reasoning mechanism, a symbolic computer-aided design facility, and a commercial project planning and management system. The paper details experiences in developing and applying the environment in the planning of `real-life' construction projects
... We also describe some recent approaches to the integration of representations of engineeringk... more ... We also describe some recent approaches to the integration of representations of engineeringknowledge. ... models are mathematical ones in which we describe objects in the language of continuous mathematics, such as differential and integral calculus. ... Domain Knowledge ...
Building a Sustainable Future - Proceedings of the 2009 Construction Research Congress, 2009
Infrastructure PPPs have been shown to overcome public sector capital and capacity constraints in... more Infrastructure PPPs have been shown to overcome public sector capital and capacity constraints in the short term, and therefore, increase the viability of desired infrastructure projects. Their long-term impacts on the capacities of governments have, however, not been considered as explicitly. This paper explores this issue through a review of literature on "public sector capacity," the changing role of government,
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Papers by Raymond Levitt