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Mathematics is a foundation subject within Computer Science which students continue to find challenging. Technology-enhanced learning pedagogies provide opportunities to improve educational learning outcomes, supporting dialogue and best practice. Research conducted over a three-year period at National College of Ireland's "Introduction to Mathematics for Computing" module with different cohorts investigated flipped and traditional pedagogy and flipped and traditional pedagogy with retrieval practice. The flipped classroom environment had a positive impact on student learning, and that effect was enhanced in a subsequent cohort by combining flipped classroom with retrieval practice. Maximizing performance in the practice tests, completing two to three practice tests and leaving a retention interval of 15 to 21 days optimised student learning outcomes. Future work will investigate the application of the Practice Testing Learning Framework with larger study sample sizes and extend the range of treatment topics in other domains.

This research paper investigates the effectiveness of combined Flipped Classroom (FC) and Problem-based Learning (PBL) teaching approach in a computer programming module. Combined FC-PBL makes use of learning technologies and supports authentic learning in terms of authentic context, multiple perspectives through team work and collaboration. FC involves watching educational videos prior to class session, and using the class session for practical tasks, thus supporting programming skills development. PBL enables authentic learning activities through group work and helps students to develop 21st century skills such as self-direction, collaboration, creativity and innovation. A research case study was conducted that considered a three-stage based delivery of the module that involved traditional, only FC, and combined FC-PBL teaching approaches applied on a number of programming topics. Both the educational and edutainment benefits were analyzed. The results show that combined FC-PBL approach is effective and the knowledge acquired by students improves, in particular, for the weaker students. Only 1.9% of students have scored an assessment mark lower than 40% compared to 28.3% and 24.5% when the traditional teaching and FC-only approaches respectively were used. Overall, a 26.56% increase in the assessment results was noticed when combined FC-PBL was used. The edutainment element was investigated through a questionnaire that assessed learning environment, engagement, learner satisfaction and whether the students have enjoyed learning sessions. The survey analysis shows that the combined FC-PBL approach does aid in the edutainment of mature students and provides an enjoyable learning experience.

Nitrate esters are important organic compounds having wide application in energetic materials, medicines and fuel additives. They are synthesized through nitration of aliphatic polyols. But the process safety challenges associated with nitration reaction makes the production process complicated and economically unviable. Herein, we have developed a continuous flow process wherein polyol and nitric acid are reacted in a microreactor to produce nitrate ester continuously. Our developed process is inherently safer and efficient. The process was optimized for industrially important nitrate esters containing two, three and four nitro groups. Substrates include glycol dinitrates: 1,2‐propylene glycol dinitrate (PGDN), ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN), diethylene glycol dinitrate (DEGDN), triethylene glycol dinitrate (TEGDN); trinitrates: trimethylolethane trinitrate (TMETN), 1,2,4‐butanetriol trinitrate (BTTN); and tetranitrates: erythritol tetranitrate (ETN). The optimized process for each molecule provided yield >90 % in a short residence time of 1 min corresponding to a space time yield of >18 g/h/mL of reactor volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a safer, scalable and continuous process for synthesis of picramide. The process consists of two steps: step‐1. nitration of p‐nitroanisole (PNAN) to 2,4,6‐trinitrianisole (TNAN); step‐2. ammonolysis of TNAN to picramide. Both the steps were optimized in flow, with yield of 90% and 98% in step‐1 and step‐2 respectively. Picramide with HPLC purity greater than 99% was obtained. When compared with batch, in step‐1, flow process provided significant advantage in selectivity and yield. The optimized flow process was scaled to 25 g/hr production rate in a laboratory flow reactor. The method can be considered fit for the safe production of picramide at commercial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]