Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:42:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Adriane da Silva Higuchi.pdf: 1128917 bytes, checksum: 714bc33f2cde671ec6798d5668d8cc0d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-23 / The use of the mobile technology has caused several changes in all segments of society. Due to their being inserted in people s lives, the digital mobile devices cause changes in the way people communicate, interact, work, purchase, entertain and learn. In search for greater flexibility, convenience and mobility, society has increasingly taken control of the digital language and sets new characteristics on the sender-receiver, consumer-supplier, employee-employer, media-reader and even State citizen relationships. The so-called digital generation is born, grows, learns and lives being connected to a digital world full of ―rotating and mutant‖ pieces of information, available through mobile digital devices, like cell phones, net books, tablets, etc. Unlike past generations, today s one shows skills to browse through various web channels, all at the same time and on the go. In this context, education is not immune to the effects of the mobile technology as well. How does the appropriation of this technology occur in schools? How does the traditional education system perceive and cope with cell phones inside the classroom? What are the challenges? This research starts up an interdisciplinary reflection, which involves information technology, communication and education, in search for answers to these questions. Keeping focus on the mobile device, we seek to learn whether and how the school environment incorporates the mobile technology in its educational process. This research presents the exploratory study accomplished in a public school in the city of Mogi das Cruzes, located in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo, concerning students of the 9th year of the elementary school and 1st year of high school levels, using the mobile device as an aid in the pedagogical activities punctually and intermittently accomplished by the history teacher. The study shows and encourages thinking on how the mobile device is being incorporated as an apparatus to assist the pedagogical practice in the formal education environment / O uso da tecnologia móvel tem provocado mudanças em vários segmentos da sociedade. Inseridos no cotidiano das pessoas, os dispositivos móveis digitais transformam a cada dia a maneira como as pessoas se comunicam, se relacionam, trabalham, consomem, se divertem e aprendem. Em busca de maior flexibilidade, comodidade e mobilidade, a sociedade se apropria cada vez mais da linguagem digital e imprime novas características às relações emissor-receptor, consumidor-empresa, trabalhador-empregador, imprensa-leitor e até a de cidadão-Estado. A chamada ―geração digital‖ nasce, cresce, aprende e vive conectada a um mundo digital repleto de informações circulantes e mutantes, disponibilizadas por meio de dispositivos digitais móveis, como aparelhos celulares, netbooks, tablets etc. Diferentemente de gerações passadas, a atual geração demonstra habilidades para navegar em movimento nas informações de inúmeros canais e veículos, tudo ao mesmo tempo. Nesse contexto, a educação também não está imune aos efeitos da tecnologia móvel. De que maneira ocorre a apropriação desta tecnologia nas escolas? Como a educação ―formal‖ percebe e lida com os aparelhos celulares dentro da sala de aula? Quais são os desafios? Este trabalho de pesquisa inicia uma reflexão interdisciplinar, que envolve tecnologia da informação e comunicação e educação, em busca de respostas para esses questionamentos. Com ênfase no aparelho celular, busca-se aqui saber se e como o ambiente escolar incorpora a tecnologia móvel no processo educacional. Este trabalho apresenta o estudo exploratório que foi realizado em uma escola pública da cidade de Mogi das Cruzes, localizada na Grande São Paulo, com alunos do 9º ano do curso Ensino Fundamental e 2º ano do curso Ensino Médio, que utilizam o aparelho celular como auxiliar em atividades pedagógicas desenvolvidas, de forma pontual e esporádica, pela educadora na área de conhecimento em História

Recent trends show an increase in the availability and functionality of handheld devices, wireless network technology, and electronic display networks. We propose the novel integration of these technologies to provide wireless access to content delivered to large-screen display systems. Content adaptation is used as a method of reformatting web pages to display more appropriately on handheld devices, and to remove unwanted content. A framework is presented that facilitates content adaptation, implemented as an adaptation layer, which is extended to provide personalization of adaptation settings and response to network conditions. The framework is implemented as a proxy server for a wireless network, and handles HTML and XML documents. Once a document has been requested by a user, the HTML/XML is retrieved and parsed, creating a Document Object Model tree representation. It is then altered according to the user’s personal settings or predefined settings, based on current network usage and the network resources available. Three adaptation techniques were implemented; spatial representation, which generates an image map of the document, text summarization, which creates a tree view representation of a document, and tag extraction, which replaces specific tags with links. Three proof-of-concept systems were developed in order to test the robustness of the framework. A system for use with digital slide shows, a digital signage system, and a generalized system for use with the internet were implemented. Testing was performed by accessing sample web pages through the content adaptation proxy server. Tag extraction works correctly for all HTML and XML document structures, whereas spatial representation and text summarization are limited to a controlled subset. Results indicate that the adaptive system has the ability to reduce average bandwidth usage, by decreasing the amount of data on the network, thereby allowing a greater number of users access to content. This suggests that responsive content adaptation has a positive influence on network performance metrics.

Background : Studies of self-rated oral health are always done at either the individual level or the aggregate level. Partitioning individual and neighbourhood sources of variation also enables explorations of the influences of people’s social context on their self-rated oral health. Objective : The main objective of the study was to examine the influence of the social context in which people live on their self-rating of their oral health, independent of individual indicators of good oral health. Method : This study used a secondary analysis of data on a nationally representative sample of 2 907 South African adults (aged ≥ 16 years) who had participated in the 2007 annual South African Social Attitude Survey (SASAS). The 2007 SASAS used a multi-stage probability sampling strategy, with census enumeration areas as the primary sampling unit. Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, the information obtained included socio-demographic data, the respondents’ level of trust in people (a proxy measure for social capital), oral health behaviours and self-rated oral health. Using the 2005 General Household Survey (GHS) (persons’ n=107 987; households’ n=28 129), the living environment characteristics of participants of the SASAS were obtained, including sources of water and energy supply and household cell phone ownership as a proxy measure for social networking. A mixed-effects model was then constructed to determine factors associated with a self-rating of oral health as ‘very good/good’. Results : Of the respondents, 51.7% were female. Among the respondents, 76.3% self-rated their oral health as good. There was a significant gender modifying effect, thus analyses was stratified by gender. The odds of self-rating oral health as good was significantly higher only among females living in areas with higher household cell phone ownership density, even after controlling for potential confounders. At the individual level, trust was positively associated with good self-rated oral health only among males, and higher social ranking in the society was positively associated with good self-rated oral health only among females. Overall, 55% of the total variance in self-rated oral health was explained by factors operating at the individual level, whereas 18% of the total variance was explained by factors operating at the community level. Self-report of recent oral health problems such as toothache and oral malodour were significantly associated with lower odds of self-rating their oral health as good, as was with reporting less frequent brushing. Conclusion : Good self-rated oral health may be positively associated with indicators of higher levels of social capital both at the level of the individual and the community and with less physical impairments of oral functioning. Furthermore, the findings indicate that unlike men’s oral health ratings, women’s oral health ratings are more likely to be influenced by women’s social relationships with others in the society. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) / Unrestricted

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>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The importance of mobile technology in improving the quality of life is not restricted to only a Hearing person, and the use of mobile devices among Deaf people is no longer limited, due to the advancements in technology Hearing loss cannot be seen but its effect is clearly visible to the persons suffering the loss. This results in a limited ability to communicate with the large world of hearing people. This research effort aims to design a SignSupport for emergency mobile application for Deaf people in Cape Town, empowering them with the same access to emergency service resources as hearing people. The proposed approach is to use a mobile application to contact standard emergency services on behalf of a Deaf person to a representative. The app will use a phone's GPS module to share the location of the victim and contact the nearest emergency service provider to attend to the Deaf victim; as well as keep the victim’s circle of family and friends informed. The app design is intuitive, simply requiring the Deaf victim to launch the app and choose an emergency type from the available options.

This thesis project identifies an issue of limited interaction options with cell phones and considers it to be a design opening and opportunity, rather than a problem. The design opportunity presented in this work is for shaping of future cell phone interactions by allowing users to design their own cell phones. To explore this provocative yet complex design opportunity a programmatic design research approach is used. The design program in this thesis is referred to as the ‘Design-It-Together cell phone’, or the DIT cell phone, design program and can be described as a design research effort into how users working together to design and make their own cell phones could offer a new set of perspectives and possibilities in shaping future interaction options with cell phones in contrast to an industry lead cell phone design and development process. Furthermore, the motivation for this thesis is not problem-based but rather exploratory, where the intention is not to build an ideal phone but rather to explore the opportunities and challenges faced by the design program, and what that can mean for shaping the future of cell phone interactions. A comprehensive exploration of this design space was done in nine main explorations or nine main experiments. Each experiment was formulated to challenge a perspective of the design program. The results of the explorations generated a repertoire of examples relating to understanding the current situations and predictions for future possibilities for cell phone interactions. Interpretation of the design program was done by analyzing this repertoire of examples from the perspective of n nine specified dimensions of the design program. The dimensions acted as a guide in thinking about possible futures of cell phone interactions within the design space of the program. Interpretation of the design program in this way allowed for comprehensive scenarios to be created of what the future of cell phone interactions could be like, as well as gaps and bigger picture impacts of the design program. The overall results and contribution of this work adhered to what is expected from a programmatic design research approach and is stated here as knowledge generated from explorations and interpretation of the DIT cell phone design program, based on the generated repertoire of examples, which helps shape possible futures for cell phone interactions.

Les actes de consommation réalisés au moyen de la téléphonie mobile prolifèrent en Afrique de l’Ouest et à bien des égards, leur appréhension par le droit apparaît incohérente. Un hiatus s’observe donc entre l’encadrement juridique des contrats de consommation mobile et leur réalité pratique de conclusion. Tel est le constat de notre recherche qui se propose par ailleurs de relever les difficultés applicatives du droit tenant aux spécificités techno-ergonomiques du média ainsi qu’aux pratiques contractuelles adolescentes des professionnels. Plus spécifiquement, il est question d’analyser la formalisation légale du processus contractuel de la consommation mobile à l’aune de la pratique en contexte de téléphonie mobile. À l’évidence, il s’observe une désarticulation entre le droit et les faits. Mais, comment corriger ce hiatus ? Prenant appui sur la théorie du droit en contexte, notre recherche soumet l’hypothèse d’un processus contractuel intégré dont le but principal est de permettre le rapprochement entre le « conçu » législatif et « vécu » contractuel. Cette hypothèse suppose que des correctifs tenant compte de l’architecture du média soient apportés sur le plan législatif et que de nouvelles voies pour des pratiques moins pathologiques soient explorées. / In West Africa, consumer acts carried out by means of mobile telephony are proliferating, and in many respects, the law's approach to them appears inconsistent. There is therefore a gap between the legal framework for mobile consumer contracts and the practical reality of their conclusion. This is the finding of our research, which also sets out to identify the difficulties in applying the law to the specific techno-ergonomic features of the medium, as well as to the adolescent contractual practices of professionals. More specifically, the aim is to analyze the legal formalization of the contractual process of mobile consumption in the light of practice in the mobile telephony context. Clearly, there is a gap between law and practice. But how can this hiatus be corrected? Based on the theory of law in context, our research hypothesizes an integrated contractual process whose main aim is to reconcile the legislative "conceived" and the contractual "lived". This hypothesis presupposes that corrective action is taken at the legislative level, considering the architecture of the medium, and that new avenues for less pathological practices are explored.

The aim of the study is to do qualitative research with the help of phenomenological strategy on the effect of cell phone use on the peer group relationships of early adolescents within the framework of the systems theory. The population existed of early adolescents aged between 13 and 15 years old in grades 8 and 9. Information was initially obtained through a written assignment where by the early adolescents described their cell phone use and their relationships with their peers. Thereafter three focus group discussions were held to obtain data saturation. Data was then thematically analysed and five themes with categories were identified. Findings and deductions were made regarding the cell phone as communication medium and the importance of the cell phone for the early adolescent, as well as with regard to the effect the cell phone may have on peer group relations. Lastly it is indicated that the cell phone can also be employed as a instrument of recreation within the context of the cell phone and peer group relations. It is concluded that cell phone use has an effect on peer group relations. Early adolescents find a real opportunity to exercise their social skills with their peer group through the cell phone as medium. Regarding this research done with these specific early adolescents, the study concludes that the cell phone has a positive influence on peer group relations as it creates a feeling of “belonging” amongst them. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The aim of the study is to do qualitative research with the help of phenomenological strategy on the effect of cell phone use on the peer group relationships of early adolescents within the framework of the systems theory. The population existed of early adolescents aged between 13 and 15 years old in grades 8 and 9. Information was initially obtained through a written assignment where by the early adolescents described their cell phone use and their relationships with their peers. Thereafter three focus group discussions were held to obtain data saturation. Data was then thematically analysed and five themes with categories were identified. Findings and deductions were made regarding the cell phone as communication medium and the importance of the cell phone for the early adolescent, as well as with regard to the effect the cell phone may have on peer group relations. Lastly it is indicated that the cell phone can also be employed as a instrument of recreation within the context of the cell phone and peer group relations. It is concluded that cell phone use has an effect on peer group relations. Early adolescents find a real opportunity to exercise their social skills with their peer group through the cell phone as medium. Regarding this research done with these specific early adolescents, the study concludes that the cell phone has a positive influence on peer group relations as it creates a feeling of “belonging” amongst them. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The licence is a regulatory tool that regulatory use to assist in their regulatory functions. Licences restricts operator’s’ functions, but also serve as a guideline of acceptable conduct because a licence is a legally binding document containing prescribed conditions that the licencee must meet. If the licencee does not comply with these prescribed obligations and requirements, the licence may be revoked or the licencee may be penalized (Bladwin & Cave 1999). However, in order fro the mechanism of issuing a licence to be an effective mechanism of regulation, the regulator needs to regulate effectively in order to ensure that the licencee’s performance is of acceptable standard. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between issuing a licence and the licencee’s performance; to investigate whether the performance indicators, as defined by ICASA, are adequate, and to develop appropriate performance indicators in order to evaluate Cell C’s performance. Issuing a licence to licencee does not guarantee that the performance of the licencee, such as Cell C, will be effective. Thus, the licencee needs to be evaluated. The case study design has been used for this project. The methodology includes in-dept interviews, documentary analysis, and implementation evaluation research. The report concludes that Cell C has met its licence obligations, that licencing is coupled with effective mechanisms to ensure that the licencee complies with performance requirements, but that, in order for the licencee to improve its performance, effective regulatory intervention is needed. / Communication Science / MA (International Communication)