The current fire protection measures in buildings do not account for all contemporary fire hazard issues, which has made fire safety a growing concern. Therefore, this paper aims to present a critical review of current fire protection measures and their applicability to address current challenges relating to fire hazards in buildings.,To overcome fire hazards in buildings, impact of fire hazards is also reviewed to set the context for fire protection measures. Based on the review, an integrated framework for mitigation of fire hazards is proposed. The proposed framework involves enhancement of fire safety in four key areas: fire protection features in buildings, regulation and enforcement, consumer awareness and technology and resources advancement. Detailed strategies on improving fire safety in buildings in these four key areas are presented, and future research and training needs are identified.,Current fire protection measures lead to an unquantified level of fire safety in buildings, provide minimal strategies to mitigate fire hazard and do not account for contemporary fire hazard issues. Implementing key measures that include reliable fire protection systems, proper regulation and enforcement of building code provisions, enhancement of public awareness and proper use of technology and resources is key to mitigating fire hazard in buildings. Major research and training required to improve fire safety in buildings include developing cost-effective fire suppression systems and rational fire design approaches, characterizing new materials and developing performance-based codes.,The proposed framework encompasses both prevention and management of fire hazard. To demonstrate the applicability of this framework in improving fire safety in buildings, major limitations of current fire protection measures are identified, and detailed strategies are provided to address these limitations using proposed fire safety framework.,Fire represents a severe hazard in both developing and developed countries and poses significant threat to life, structure, property and environment. The proposed framework has social implications as it addresses some of the current challenges relating to fire hazard in buildings and will enhance overall fire safety.,The novelty of proposed framework lies in encompassing both prevention and management of fire hazard. This is unlike current fire safety improvement strategies, which focus only on improving fire protection features in buildings (i.e. managing impact of fire hazard) using performance-based codes. To demonstrate the applicability of this framework in improving fire safety in buildings, major limitations of current fire protection measures are identified and detailed strategies are provided to address these limitations using proposed fire safety framework. Special emphasis is given to cost-effectiveness of proposed strategies, and research and training needs for further enhancing building fire safety are identified.

Fire hazard in buildings: review, assessment and strategies for improving fire safety

The world of work and education is changing at a rapid pace, driven by continued technological disruption and automation. The future is uncertain and difficult to envisage. A futures thinking scenario planning approach is used in exploring and guiding education policy makers on how best to respond to the range of possible futures. The paper aims to discuss this issue.,This study utilizes elements of prior scenario planning methodologies to devise a practical model of preferred and plausible likely scenarios in the context of rapid and continuing technology disruption. Based on the notion of “impact and uncertainty,” two possible future alternatives of work and learning were developed. Incorporating elements of the possibility space scenario framework and a vignette approach of current emergent technologies, this paper assessed the usefulness of the preferred and likely outcomes.,While preferred future scenarios entailing collaborative styles such as human–machine cooperation, smart virtual active learning campuses and living knowledge learning environments may produce more desirable benefits for education stakeholders, the more likely plausible scenario is one based on continued disruptive technologies. Automation, artificial intelligence and the advent of 5G network technologies will drive customization and personalization in higher education delivery and revolutionize the work landscape in the immediate future. Universities will need to embrace and respond to these changes.,The paper gives insights into how universities can prepare their students for future of work and improve their employability. In addition, this author recommends ways in which HEIs can leverage these newer technologies to drive educational services and commercial value.

Scenario based approach to re-imagining future of higher education which prepares students for the future of work

This paper aims to examine students’ perception, views and opinions about the usage of mobile phones in an educational setting in a higher education institution located in Jamaica. The results of these findings were used to gain insights and to assist education policymakers in adopting most suitable approaches to integrating mobile technology in learning.,A survey approach was used for this study. A total of 145 students participated in the study using structured questionnaire design containing 14 questions.,The results indicated an overall positive student perception toward cell phones usage as a learning tool and integrating cell phones into learning activities. Students were keen on its usage as a social connectivity and collaborative tool, which they can use for flexible and personalized learning activities.,Less research has been done in Caribbean and developing countries in analyzing student perception toward using cell phones for learning purposes. This research provides insights in developing policies to assist with the integration of mobile phone technology in learning and how institutions can respond to the advent of advancing mobile technology.

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Student perceptions on using cell phones as learning tools: Implications for mobile technology usage in Caribbean higher education institutions

Removing the Shadow of Suspicion: The Effects of Denial Vs. Apology for Repairing Trust Violations

The purpose of this paper is to share a lecturer’s viewpoint on using mobile phone, as an academic tool, in the lecture room.,Students were encouraged to use their mobile phones and find information during the author’s class discussions, at the University of the West Indies – Mona Campus. At the end of the semester, the author asked the students if they found mobile phone, a distraction, in their learning process and did they enjoy using them. These questions were asked to understand their perspective, about mobile phone usage during class discussions.,The finding is that respondents did not see mobile phone usage in lecture room as a distraction as they learn and they also enjoyed using them.,Students’ opinion on using mobile phone as an academic tool at the University level has not been explored before in Jamaica. This viewpoint provides the lecturers and university management an opportunity to rethink the existing rules, towards mobile phone usage in class, in an effort to enhance teaching and learning in the Caribbean context particularly in Jamaica.

Mobile phones as a learning tool: a lecturer’s viewpoint

Purpose – This paper aims to assist lecturers, universities and their administrators in preparing for the evolving future of higher education. Disruptive innovations in higher education delivery, with the internet as a driver, are creating potential benefits and challenges for traditional service providers. This paper will reflect on how academics should evolve, in the age of the internet, and maximize the benefits of all stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach – This opinion piece emerged after reviewing the latest research and best practices which can improve higher education delivery. Findings – Significant benefits and opportunities can be unlocked if educators apply and incorporate new learning styles and practices. While the pace and momentum is uncertain, this paper re-confirms that disruptive technologies will lead to inevitable changes in higher education. Technology and knowledge have become more accessible and transferable irrespective of location. It is therefore imperative that educational ...

Preparing for the future of higher education

The purpose of this paper is to share the author’s viewpoint on how to increase student response rate in course evaluation surveys.,The approach is to highlight measures which increased student response rate in online surveys of the author’s teaching evaluation at The University of the West Indies, Jamaica.,This viewpoint suggests that student response rate to course evaluation can be improved by the lecturer’s effective communication. The examples of effective communication are given in this paper.,This work will encourage the lecturers to initiate more student engagement to improve response rate of their teaching evaluation.

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Teaching evaluation and student response rate

This paper aims to assist lecturers, universities, and their administrators in improving their law degrees. This is in the context of the future of work. This paper will reflect on how to tailor a law degree to improve the employability of students with this degree. This piece emerged as a viewpoint to identify best practices to prepare a law student for better employability. Significant benefits and opportunities can be unlocked if educators apply and incorporate the findings from this piece. Educators should rethink how they deliver law degrees, keeping in mind the emerging trends in their respective job markets. This paper offers insight into how to tailor an exciting law programme for the future of work.

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Preparing Law Students for the Future of Work, Technology, and Globalization

Knowledge Management for Development: Domains, Strategies and Technologies for Developing Countries: Volume 35 of Integrated Series in Information Systems

Tashfeen Ahmad

Papers

Preparing for the future of higher education

Mobile phones as a learning tool: a lecturer’s viewpoint

Teaching evaluation and student response rate

Preparing Law Students for the Future of Work, Technology, and Globalization

Knowledge Management for Development: Domains, Strategies and Technologies for Developing Countries: Volume 35 of Integrated Series in Information Systems