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Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have largely been used in communication and high-performance computing and given the recent advances in big data and emerging trends in cloud computing (e.g., serverless [18]), FPGAs are increasingly being introduced into these domains (e.g., Microsoft’s datacenters [6] and Amazon Web Services [10]). To address these domains’ processing needs, recent research has focused on using FPGAs to accelerate workloads, ranging from analytics and machine learning to databases and network function virtualization. In this paper, we present an ongoing effort to realize a high-performance FPGA-as-a-microservice (FaaM) architecture for the cloud. We discuss some of the technical challenges and propose several solutions for efficiently integrating FPGAs into virtualized environments. Our case study deploying a multithreaded, multi-user compression as a microservice using the FaaM architecture indicate that microservices-based FPGA acceleration can sustain high-performance compared to straightforward implementation with minimal to no communication overhead despite the hardware abstraction.

This research article examines math anxiety in pre-service teachers. The Mathematics Anxiety Scale-Revised (MARS-R) was administered to 481 university students. Significant results were found in areas of gender, educational level, and educational major. (Contains 1 figure and 2 tables.)

Implementing true inquiry teaching is challenging. Many teachers confuse hands-on activities with inquiry and fail to provide opportunities for students to think critically and analytically. As with any teaching, teachers must guide, focus, challenge, and encourage students to continue questioning and exploring. The level of inquiry that a teacher chooses to implement depends upon the goals of the particular lesson. Both highly structured and more open-ended inquiries have their place in science classrooms. In this article, the authors present a project that three university professors used with preservice teachers in a middle-level teacher education program. The goal was to incorporate inquiry teaching and literature-based instruction within the disciplines of science, language arts, and social studies, which is the method of interdisciplinary instruction supported by the National Middle School Association.

Students can use seed characteristics to discriminate between the different kinds of legumes using taxonomic classification processes of sorting and ranking, followed by construction of taxonomic keys. The application of the Learning Cycle process to taxonomic principles, hierarchical classification, and construction of keys presents the components of classification that include sorting (grouping) and ranking as separate stages in classification. In addition, it separates production and use of keys from the classification process and presents it as a useful product of classification. Students frequently use keys to identify trees, insects, wildflowers, minerals, or rocks. Understanding concepts behind the classification process and production of taxonomic keys will enable the students to select appropriate keys for their region. This article describes activities in which this can be successfully achieved in the classroom.

Describes the development of procedures, strategies, and resources to welcome new students into a British elementary school. Parent visits to the school and supporting the child's language needs were important features. A truly multicultural school is welcoming and accepting of diversity from the child's first entrance. (SLD)