本研究之目的是藉由 ICT（Information and Communication Technology）工具應用在國中英語教學及口語練習的教學實驗，來初探 ICT 工具對於英語教學及口語練習的成效。本研究的工具為一個可供老師靈活教學及學生口語練習的 ICT 工具：eCard 系統，研究時間為一學期（2008.2 – 2008.7），經由老師與學生實際應用此工具來教學及進行口語練習作業，並以 eCard 系統的學習記錄檔（log file）、問卷、訪談、錄音、隨班觀察及錄影來做為本研究的研究資料。研究結果發現，老師及學生均對使用 ICT 工具教學有正面的評價，老師利用此工具可對教學方式做不同的變化，而學生也因這種新式的教學方式而增加學習的注意力，並對字彙的記憶更加深刻；在口語練習方面，老師覺得 ICT 工具可以增加學生口語練習的機會，但因實行時間太短，對學生英語能力的提升較不顯著，而學生覺得 ICT工具提供更多的口語練習機會，並對其發音很有幫助，但對於「說」英語的信心並沒有增加。此外，本研究亦提出許多未來 ICT 工具融入英語教學及口語練習的建議與努力方向，以作為未來研究之參考。 / The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools to facilitate oral practices in learning of English. The ICT tool (ie, the eCard system) was developed for the instructor to create oral practice assignments and for the students to conduct oral drills. The study lasted one semester. Research data were collected via automatic logging of student activities, post-experiment questionnaires, student and teacher interviews, and in-class video recordings. The major findings are: (1) both the teacher and the students have good appreciation of using ICT tools in teaching and learning; (2) Students do have increased oral practices with the availability of the ICT tool; (3) the increased practices resulted in better pronunciations; (4) rise in the confidence level on English speaking was not observed.

TITLE: Conditions for the development of digital literacy of preschool children AUTHOR: Karolína Fenclová DEPARTMENT: Department of information technology and education SUPERVISOR: Ing. Irena Fialová, CSc. ABSTRACT This thesis analysis possibilities and directions of the development of digital literacy by preschool children. It describes the ways of creation and the construction of children's information-technology competencies in preparation for the first grade of elementary school. The theoretical part defines some basic terms such as digital literacy, ICT literacy and others, it describes specifics of development of the child's preschool and shows the possibilities of using of digital technology in nursery school. The practical part of the thesis investigates how information technologies are incorporated into the education of children in nursery school; it investigates development of information-technology competencies of children of preschool age by work on computer and by interview of children and of their parents. On the basis of the discovered facts are showed ways for the development of the information-technological competencies of preschool children. KEYWORDS digital literacy, ICT literacy, information-technological competencies, information and communication technologies, preschool age, preschool...

The thesis explores suitability of software for drawing formulas in organic chemistry and its preparation in elementary and high schools. It uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods and notes that this kind of software could be a practical teaching aid if it was properly placed in the educational process. The thesis represents essential functions of these programs with respect to their technical demands. It also examines the current status of the use of software for drawing formulas from the teachers perspective in primary and secondary education. Presented is an overview of the functions of software for drawing formulas with regard to their use in organic chemistry. The findings of this research indicate that organic chemistry is the topic where the editors are most commonly used. It was also found that respondents use software for drawing formulas very rarely, especially to prepare for teaching, less in the school. In today's digital age, this condition cannnot be accepted. It is necessary to examine various options for the use of information and communication technologies and to promote their effective integration into chemistry education as many researches have shown.

This thesis examines determinants of an Internet and mobile phones diffusion and potentially different impacts of these determinants in case of developing and developed countries. For this purpose panel data from 199 countries for period from 1995 to 2012 are used. There is a number of variables including economic, technological, political and human capital factors. Benefits of this thesis are that the research uses updated dataset and it also adds new variables into its econometric model. This thesis also examines in detail the adoption of information and communication technologies in the Czech Republic, which has not been published previously. One of the conclusions is a finding that penetration of mobile phones and the Internet is faster in developing countries than in developed countries. Fixed effects method in the global testing also showed that the economic wealth of a country is an important determinant for the Internet only for developed countries, while for the mobile phones the GDP is a significant variable in both groups of countries. Analysis of the Czech Republic brings different results for both technologies, but the unemployment rate, which was added to the basic model, has proven to be an important determinant for both the Internet and mobile phones. Key words: Mobile phone,...

This thesis is concerned with an issue of small and medium-sized teams project management and supporting tools analysis. The primary objective is to explore and describe currently available tools intended for project management support. In line with today's trend of Web applications and their provisioning in SaaS (Software as a Service) model, main focus is given to opensource or freely available products operating through a Web interface. Analysis of these instruments provided an overview of functionality present in individual products, which is then used as a guideline for choosing appropriate project management supporting tools under defined conditions of small and medium-sized teams in commercial and academic environment, abilities of chosen products are then proved by simulating an exemplary project.

This thesis deals with application of Critical Chain in IT/ICT Project management in an international IT company. Beginning with a definition of Theory of Constraints and Critical Chain from a theoretical point of view the thesis provides knowledge base for practical implementation of Critical Chain. The thesis proceeds with selection and division of various IT/ICT projects types providing their evaluation according to their usability with CCPM (Critical Chain Project Management). The thesis also contains research and overview of available resources dealing with application of Critical Chain in IT projects management. This research is presented in a form of case studies and also concluded as a summary of both achieved successes and critical success factors that should be taken into account when implementing CCPM. Based on the knowledge acquired from the previous chapters a formal step-by-step procedure defining how to proceed with CCPM in a project was defined. This procedure will be applied in a real project management as a part of this diploma thesis. The thesis also presents analysis of currently used methodology and approaches to project management in the company and using the procedure created in the previous part the methodology is extended by relevant parts of CCPM. These approaches and methodology are formalized in a Methodical Pattern for IS Development (FI) -- CCPM and this pattern is then used for application of CCPM in a software development project. The project is prepared, planned and controlled according to principles of Critical Chain. The thesis captures this process step-by-step including monitoring of the project and its buffers. For evaluation of the Critical Chain implementation in a software development project a set of criteria was developed and used for assessment. Also every member of the given project team was sent a questionnaire to provide feedback. Originally planned comparison of the CCPM project with a project managed by currently used approaches could not, unfortunately, be carried out due to lack of data and their sensitivity. Considering the scope of this thesis, the application of CCPM in a real project represents verification of validity of the Methodical Pattern for IS Development (FI) -- CCPM and the contribution is also in creation of criteria and verification of their usability for evaluation of projects and potential comparison of two or more projects. Based on the practical application of Critical Chain in a real project, suggestions and recommendation for adjustments to current methodology and also further work with CCPM in the company were provided.

Abstract Digitalization is a megatrend that also drives public sector reforms toward improved citizen service processes by adopting digital technologies. The digitalization of the public sector, also referred to as e-government transformation, is a strenuous institutional change process that starts with strategy and policy formation and is eventually carried out through individual information and communication (ICT) development projects and programs. ICT projects in the public sector still struggle due to challenges and complexities such as technological uncertainty. These project-level struggles impair e-government efforts that are already facing strategic and regulative difficulties, which, again, affect ICT project performance. How a temporary project is connected and contributes to the strategic objectives of a more permanent structure is the focus of project governance. In e-government context it can be applied to describe and elaborate on the ICT project alignment and control practices in and between different organizations within the e-government transformation. The underlying academic motivation for this research is to improve the current understanding of project governance in e-government: how ICT project governance can be applied to enact the institutional change of public sector digitalization. The dissertation study follows a constructive research approach, using multiple qualitative methods on empirical data from the Finnish central government. By synthesizing the results from four individual research publications, this dissertation explores the ICT project governance practices and tensions that take place in different levels within the e-government transformation. The study contributes to the literature by elaborating how project governance is perceived in and affected by the e-government transformation and by providing new information on how flexible and collaborative project models, namely agile models and project alliances, are applied in the context. The dissertation proceeds to construct a multi-level model that indicates how the perceived challenges and tensions could be remedied, thus enabling managers and practitioners in the field to conduct the right ICT projects properly and, hence, support the e-government transformation. / Tiivistelmä Digitalisaatio on yksi megatrendeistä, joka vaikuttaa myös julkisen sektorin reformaatioihin, joilla tavoitellaan tehokkaampia asiakaspalveluprosesseja hyödyntämällä digitaalisia teknologioita. Julkisen sektorin digitalisoituminen, tai e-hallinnon muutos, on vaativa institutionaalinen muutosprosessi, joka alkaa strategisten ja poliittisten linjausten määrittelyllä ja toteutetaan lopulta yksittäisten informaatio- ja kommunikaatioteknologia (ICT) projektien ja ohjelmien kautta. Julkisen sektorin ICT projekteja haastaa edelleen muun muassa tekniset epävarmuustekijät. Nämä projektitason haasteet vaikuttavat myös e-hallintoon, johon liittyy jo valmiiksi strategisia ja hallinnollisia vaikeuksia. Tämä taas vastavuoroisesti vaikeuttaa yksittäisten projektien toimintaa. Projektihallintoa käytetään kuvaamaan, miten kertaluontoinen projekti liittyy ja vaikuttaa pysyvämpiin rakenteisiin ja niiden strategisten tavoitteiden toteutumiseen. E-hallinnon digitaalisen muutoksen yhteydessä projektihallinnon kautta voidaan esittää ICT projektien ohjaus- ja kontrollointikäytäntöjä eri organisaatiotasoilla. Tämä tutkimuksen akateeminen motivaatio on parantaa nykyistä tietämystä projektihallinnosta e-hallinnon kontekstissa tarkastelemalla, miten ICT projektihallintoa voidaan käyttää julkisen sektorin digitalisoitumisen toteuttamiseen. Tämä väitöstyö noudattaa konstruktiivista tutkimusotetta, käyttäen useita laadullisia menetelmiä Suomen valtionhallinnosta kerätyn empiirisen datan analysointiin. Syntetisoimalla neljän osajulkaisun tulokset tämä väitös perehtyy ICT projektihallinnon käytänteisiin ja jänniteisiin eri organisaatiotasoilla digitalisoitumisen yhteydessä. Tämä väitös tuottaa uuttaa tietoa esittämällä, miten projektihallinto näyttäytyy ja vaikuttaa e-hallinnon muutoksessa, sekä kuvaamalla miten joustavia projektimalleja, kuten ketterä ja projektiallianssi, voidaan käyttää tässä kontekstissa. Väitöstutkimus luo lisäksi monitasoisen mallin, jonka avulla havaittuja haasteita ja jännitteitä voidaan lieventää. Täten tutkimus auttaa käytännössä alan asiantuntijoita johtamaan oikeita ICT projekteja oikealla tavalla ja siten edesauttaa julkisen sektorin digitalisointia.

This diploma thesis deals with a new trend in the corporate sector -- social networks. These in fact have become a phenomenon due to its growing popularity in recent years. The aim of this thesis is to introduce the social networks in a broader context -- especially the analysis of milestones of social networks. Further comparison of selected social networks from the perspective of business alias what options the company offers a social network for your presentation with access to user data (Social CRM). The third part of the aim of this work is to analyze the critical factors in the integration of social networks into the enterprise information system. The work can be divided into the descriptive (Chapters 2-4) and the practical (Chapters 5-6) part. The first part presents the social networks, the concept of Social CRM and basic characteristics of systems integration. The practical part is focused on all those aims. Author of the work receives information primarily from the electronic information resources that are available at University of Economic in Prague and also from various sources that are on the principle of Web 2.0 (Czech and foreign). Finally, the author also receives information from social networks (social networks options). The work serves as a summary and mapping of existing communication channels on the Internet (e-mail, IRC, selected social networks) and summarizes the critical factors in the integration of social networks into the enterprise information system according to the individual project phases.

Background: Previous studies have shown that ICT applications could affect elderly people who suffer from mild dementia (MD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) positively. These applications might help patients with MD or MCI, improving their cognitive performance, independency and, their quality of life. Elderly may also be able to live alone at their own home with the help of these ICT applications. Therefore, the burden of caregivers and family members can be reduced. An IT-enabled solution was proposed to create new knowledge and experience among MCI and MD patients and their caregivers. The project was funded by European union and four countries i.e. Sweden, Spain, Italy and Israel were involved in it. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to apply a technology-enabled integrated care model. Two aspects of the study were to measure the quality of life of the elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia (MD) after using the model and to understand the professional caregivers’ perspectives of the model. Method: A mixed-method approach was applied in this research which was a combination of using standard and internally developed questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Conclusion: The result of the study showed that DECI could have positive effect as a complementary tool for the care process of the elderly who suffered from dementia. The general perception in all sites was positive and professionals confirmed the willingness to use DECI in the future.

Text in English / There is general consensus about the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) security in South Africa. This consensus is evident from initiatives related to the formulation of legislation and policies like the Electronic Communications and Transactions (ECT) Act and the National Cyber Security Policy. A number of South African academic institutions have also come on board with initiatives aimed at enhancing ICT security awareness all over the country. In fact, ICT security awareness has been classified as an important component of South Africa’s national security. Many countries use ICT to improve and enhance the standard of their education systems. A number of scholars in South Africa have conducted studies with the aim of proving that ICT can play a major role in improving the quality of education in the country. The research in hand investigates the lack of integration of ICT security awareness into the South African education system. The literature review that was conducted reveals that there is a huge problem especially when it comes to the integration of ICT security awareness into the South African schooling system. The advancement of technology has come with a number of advantages and disadvantages. The easy access to information via the internet, coupled by unsupervised access to instant messaging applications (Skype, MXiT) and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and many more), hugely increases the vulnerability of school learners to ICT security attacks and ICT-related crime. The current research therefore investigates the vulnerability caused by the lack of ICT security awareness among school learners as one of the main disadvantages of the advancement of information technology. An analysis of existing models and frameworks in the two spheres of ICT, namely education and ICT security was conducted. The aim was to determine any similarities or overlap between these spheres and to determine whether the existing ICT models and frameworks are relevant to South Africa. The analysis showed a significant disparity and inconsistency between the two spheres and proved that there is a definite need for a framework (relevant to South Africa) that can be used for the integration of ICT security awareness into South African education. Hence, the researcher proposed a more integrated approach in the form of a framework that is directed at South African school learners, based on an in-depth literature review of past scholarly work, models and frameworks. Having reviewed a number of existing models and frameworks, and identifying the potential gaps, the researcher proposed a framework to address the lack of integration of ICT security awareness into the South African education system. The proposed framework, called the South African ICT Security Awareness Framework for Education (SAISAFE), was reviewed for its potential applicability in the South African context, and the results of the literature review analysis are reported to support the analysis of models and frameworks. / School of Computing / M. A. (Computing)