Many governments across the world have invested a lot of resources in information and communication technology (ICT) development with an aim to enhance teaching and learning using technology in schools. New educational ICT policy issues emerged and new patterns of ICT related practices are observable in education. This initiative has necessitated the development of National ICT Policies that will guide the implementation process in schools. Namibia has adopted the National ICT policy for Education in 2005 and the National ICT Policy Implementation Plan in 2006. Since the adoption no study was done to evaluate the implementation process, especially in rural schools where the teaching has been proven difficult. This study evaluates the implementation of the National ICT Policy for Education in Namibian rural junior secondary schools, especially in science classrooms. The thesis is a mixed methods study, undertaking survey and case studies. The study was conducted in the three educational regions, namely, Ohangwena; Oshana; and Oshikoto in Northern Namibia were 163 schools were sampled. The purpose of the study was to describe how ICT is being implemented in science classrooms and also explore factors that affect ICT implementation in rural schools. The study’s findings indicate that the rural schools in Namibia are in the initial phase of ICT implementation. ICT use and pedagogical use is low due to lack of professional development courses, pedagogical support and lack of ICT related resources. However, the few schools with high pedagogical use of ICT have shown an entrepreneurial leadership style and vision of the science teachers. The relational analysis suggests three main predictors of ICT implementation in rural schools. These findings were confirmed through case studies of successful schools. In addition, the findings were legitimised by the participants of the ICT use conference. The Kennisnet model (2009) was adopted and adapted as a conceptual framework for this study. The Howie model (2002) provided the frame within which the structure of input, process and outcome could be identified. The data was consistent with the adapted Kennisnet model (2009) and added five more constructs namely, entrepreneurial leadership, science curriculum goals, entrepreneurial science teachers’ vision, general use of ICT. The general use of ICT and attitudes of the science teachers influences the pedagogical use of ICT as added to the Howie model (2002). The results of this research suggest ways to improve the pedagogical use of ICT in rural schools; enable policymakers to make informed decision about resource allocation to the rural schools; and on teacher professional development in order to improve the current rural situation regarding ICT use. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / unrestricted

Smart technology has become very extensive and popular in many areas of our lives in the last few years. Their role is to make life and activities performed by the user easier, faster, better and more interesting. Smart technology has been used for years in areas such as education, industry and transport. The response of the hospitality industry is to implement technology in hotels, usually the more luxurious ones, that improves the operation of employees and is a convenience for hotel guests. The name of this concept is a smart hotel, which is similar to the already existing smart house and smart city concepts. The purpose of the study was to examine the concept of smart hotel and investigate the impact that smart technology has on guests’ satisfaction, privacy and service quality. The study was conducted using mixed methods research whereby both qualitative and quantitative data were collected in parallel, analyzed individually and then linked with each other. Qualitative data collection constituted of in-dept interviews with hotel employees and hotel guests, and the quantitative part of the study was based on the online survey with hotel guests. The main findings are a proposal definition of a smart hotel, and the belief that smart technology contributes to a better quality of provided services by employees and increases the grade of satisfaction among guests. However, the result also shows that a greater role of hotels is needed in order to reduce the disproportion of equal access to smart technology for all hotel guests.

<p>COVID-19 forced mass transitions to remote working across industries, significantly so in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). ICT divisions were significantly tested as the provided service and support for remote work/learning. The purpose of this research is to characterize successful ICT practices in support of remote work/learning within HEIs. </p> <p><br></p> <p>This study investigates the current literature on HEIs, remote work ICT support, and Critical Success Factors (CSFs). Gaps in the current knowledge inform investigation into the factors of successful support as identified by HEI ICT professionals. A narrative literature review is conducted to explore the research on HEIs, remote work ICT support, and CSFs. Thereafter, subject matter experts are interviewed through a semi-structured interview approach. Content analysis is employed to characterize successful ICT support to remote work within HEIs. </p> <p><br></p> <p>While ICT support took on many different approaches in HEIs across North America, several themes emerged as consistent to providing successful ICT support to remote learning. The characteristics of successful support to remote work/learning are organized under the following themes: leadership qualities, customer emphasis, RW ICT tools, organizational factors, and combating digital inequity. This study offers practitioners areas of consideration to examine their plans and policies. </p> <p><br></p> <p>Future research is proposed to include studies on other emergency events, the impacts of covid lockdown on future policies, military education, and demographic specific research. Remote work practices and strategies vary greatly by industry and organizational structure. This research focuses on HEIs thus generalizability may be limited. </p>

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agricultural Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Information Communication Technology tools in facilitating development within Community-Based Farming Projects (CBFPs) served by Mankweng Service Centre (MSC). The objectives of the study were to identify various ICT tools through which farmers get agricultural information, to determine the types of ICT-based agricultural information preferred by farmers in Mankweng, to examine the factors influencing use of ICTs by farmers in Mankweng and also to identify the challenges encountered by Mankweng farmers in their use of ICT. The study was cross-sectional in design and included 102 farmers from the Community-Based Farming Projects in Mankweng Service Centre as participants. Participants were selected using multi-stage sampling of combined cluster and systematic random sampling. Quantitative data was collected from participants using a structured questionnaire under the supervision of the researcher. Descriptive and inferential methods of analysis were employed. Data was summarised using frequency distribution of variables followed by measures of central tendency, measures of variance, and relationship of variables. Summary of findings was presented in the form of tables, figures and frequencies. Univariate regression model was used to analyse factors influencing use of ICT amongst farmers. The findings of the study show that majority (64%) of the farmers were women and (36%) of the farmers were men. Majority of the farmers (56%) were less than 50 years of age with 79% of the farmers having no tertiary education. The results of this study also revealed that the demographics of the participants were not the critical determinant factors in ICT usage (p>0.2) amongst farmers. The level of education farmers acquired was rather a very important predictor of the utilization of the ICT tools available to the farmers. The study revealed cell phones to be the most commonly used ICT device followed by Radio and TV. The study revealed that the affordability of ICT devices is the main challenge which ultimately limits access. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the Limpopo Department of Agriculture (LDoA) should make a provision of informal education sessions for farmers on the use of ICT devices, and ICT infrastructure and smart phones. In addition, the study recommends advocacy for more agricultural programmes through affordable platforms like TV and community radio stations media. Keywords: ICT tools, Education, CBFPs, MSC, LDA, Farmers

Using a case study approach this study investigated how college students in Vlore, Albania seek and use information resources for academic and personal needs and whether they follow a pattern similar to Brenda Dervin's sense-making, or Marcia Bates' berry-picking information seeking models. Influencing factors studied were economic factors, information communication technologies and information culture/policy. A literature review showed that no previous published research has studied information seeking behavior of college age students and faculty in Albania. Thirty-four college students and two full time faculty completed a survey and a smaller group were interviewed. The results of the study indicate that Google is the main source for seeking information for both academic and personal purposes. College students are not introduced or taught on how to evaluate information sources. The information communication technology needs improvement to support information needs. The library as a major information resource was not apparent to most students. College students utilize berry-picking as the information seeking model and faculty use sense-making, as a model of information seeking. This study adds to the knowledge of the information seeking behavior of college students in a developing country, the need for information literacy courses at the university level, and the identification of additional areas of research regarding information communication technologies, information policy, and literacy for developing countries.

This dissertation examines localization of Open Educational Resources (OER) in Himalayan community technology centers of Nepal. Specifically, I examine strategies and practices that local knowledge-workers utilize in order to localize educational content for the disparate needs, interests, and ability-levels of learners in rural villages. This study draws on insights from non-formal education (NFE) stakeholders in Nepal, including government, UN, international and national NGOs, local knowledge-workers, and learners from different villages. I specifically focus on a sample of seven technology centers to better understand how localization is defined, designed, and executed at a ground level. I illuminate obstacles knowledge-workers face while localizing content and strategies to overcome such barriers. I conclude by offering key principles to support theory development related to OER localization. This study is anchored in hermeneutic inquiry and is augmented by interpretive phenomenological analysis and quasi-ethnographic research methods. This qualitative study employed interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and artifact reviews to identify patterns of localization practices and themes related to localization of critical content in Himalayan community technology centers of Nepal. This dissertation provides valuable evidence not only why localization matters (a statement that has been hypothesized for the past decade); but also provides proof of how localization is executed and concrete ways that localization could be improved in order for OER to reap efficacious learning gains for more rural people in developing countries and in other rural communities across the globe. The full text of this dissertation may be downloaded for free from http://etd.byu.edu/

Den ökande och snabba utvecklingen av informations- och kommunikationsteknik har skapat ett nytt ekosystem inom hälso- och sjukvårdssektorn bestående av digitala plattformar. Detta har gjort det möjligt för patienter att söka och ta emot vård på nya sätt som tidigare inte var möjligt. Att digitalisera patientresan har visat sig vara effektivt och underlättar självständigt boende och enkel åtkomst för uppföljningskonsultationer för de som lider av kroniska sjukdomar. Trots detta är många människor, särskilt äldre, underrepresenterade i användningen av digitala vårdplattformar. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka äldre patienters beteende inom digitala vårdplattformar för att tillgodose behoven hos den större befolkningen och minimera den digitala klyftan. För att uppnå syftet formulerades följande forskningsfrågor: Vilka är skillnaderna i användningsbeteende mellan äldre och yngre primärvårdspatienter på digitala vårdplattformar? Vilka är de viktigaste förebyggande faktorerna som påverkar äldres användningsbeteende? Denna studie följde en mixad forskningsdesign. Vi använde SPSS för att utföra one-way ANOVA följt av ett Games-Howell post hoc-test för varje variabel som möjligtvis kunde förklara en skillnad i användningsbeteende mellan yngre och äldre primärvårdspatienter. För att svara på vår andra forskningsfråga genomförde vi 17 intervjuer med respondenter i åldern 60+ som tidigare använt en digital vårdplattform. Våra resultat visar att det finns en signifikant skillnad i användningsbeteende mellan äldre och yngre primärvårdspatienter. Den äldre generationen spenderar mer tid under anamnes, onboarding och i väntekö, där de i åldern 75+ sticker ut mest på alla uppmätta variabler. Den äldre generationen tenderade också att betygsätta tjänsten något lägre, uppskatta deras hälsa högre och bli tilldelad färre antal sjukvårdsexperter i processen jämfört med den yngre generationen. De viktigaste förebyggande faktorerna som påverkar äldres användningsbeteende är den upplevda användbarheten, upplevda användarvänligheten, deras digitala mognad, förtroende, och attityd till digital vård. Denna studie bidrar till den glesa litteraturen inom digitala vårdplattformar och äldres beteende efter adoption av informations- och kommunikationsteknik. Vi tillhandahöll ny kunskap om äldres användning av digitala vårdplattformar i jämförelse till den yngre generationen och lade till en förklaring angående vilka faktorer som påverkar användningsbeteendet hos den äldre generationen. Dessutom stärker vi nuvarande teori genom att betona vikten av att undersöka de påverkande faktorerna snarare än kronologisk ålder. Våra praktiska bidrag riktar sig till både plattformsägare och vårdpersonal med syftet att ge vägledning i hur dessa två aktörer ska agera för att öka användningen bland den äldre generationen, där utformning av plattformen och information är särskilt viktigt att ta hänsyn till. / The rise and rapid development of information communication technologies have created a new ecosystem in the healthcare sector consisting of digital platforms. This has enabled patients to access, seek, and receive care in new ways which was not previously possible. Digitizing the patient journey is proven to be effective while facilitating independent living and easy access for follow-up consultations for those who live in rural areas and are suffering from chronic diseases. Yet, many people, especially elderly, are underrepresented in the usage of digital healthcare platforms. The purpose of this master thesis is to investigate elderly patients’ behavior inside the digital healthcare platforms to accommodate the needs of the greater population and minimize the digital divide. To achieve the purpose, the following research questions were formulated: What are the differences in usage behavior between elderly and younger primary care patients in digital healthcare platforms? Which are the key antecedent factors that influence the usage behavior of the elderly? This study followed a mixed method research design. We used SPSS to perform a one-way ANOVA followed by a Games-Howell post hoc test for each variable that possibly could explain a difference in usage behavior between younger and elderly primary care patients. To answer our second research question, we held 17 interviews with respondents in the age of 60+ that previously had used a digital healthcare platform. Our findings reveal that there is a significant difference in usage behavior between elderly and younger primary care patients. The elderly generation spend more time during anamnesis, onboarding, and in waiting lines, where those in the age 75+ stand out the most on all measured variables. The elderly generation also tended to rate the service slightly lower, estimate their health higher and get assigned to fewer healthcare professionals in comparison to the younger generation. The key antecedent factors that influence the usage behavior of elderly is the perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, their digital maturity, trust, and attitudes towards digital healthcare. This study contributes to the sparsely literature within digital healthcare platforms and elderly’s behavior after adoption of ICTs. We provided new knowledge regarding elderly’s usage of digital healthcare platforms in contrast to the younger generation and added an explanation of factors that influence the usage behavior. In addition, we strengthen current theory by highlighting the importance of examining influencing factors rather than chronological age. Our practical contributions address both platform owners and healthcare professionals and aims to give direction in how these two actors should act to increase usage among the elderly generation, where design of the platform and information are especially essential to take into consideration.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Curriculum Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / This study explored the use of information communication technology (ICT) to enhance teaching and learning in selected schools in Limpopo Province of South Africa. The study examined how ICT could be used to the advantage of the educator and learners in the classroom. The research is important because of the need to shift from teacher centred to learner centred approaches through using technology in the classroom. In addition, today’s learners are different from those of 20 years ago in that they are inquisitive and want to discover knowledge on their own. In the past twentyfive years that the researcher has been a teacher, she has seen a significant change in the learners’ attitude towards education. The current learners are energetic, enjoy change and are opposed to traditional teaching approaches that focus on rote learning. This qualitative research implemented the principle of life-long learning to increase a variety of educational mediums and promote the learners’ technology literacy. The research also sought to encourage the culture of learning through the development of learning skills. To achieve the study objectives, a case study design which is an aspect of qualitative research, was adopted. This led to a naturalistic inquiry which allowed the researcher to collect data by interacting with selected individuals in their everyday setting. The study exploits the constructive-interpretivist paradigm because this enabled the researcher to critically explore the use of ICT in enhancing teaching and learning at secondary schools. Data was collected through interviews with participants. Subsequently, the data was analysed to gain in-depth understanding about how educators implement and ensure quality teaching and learning through the use of ICT in the classroom. Data was transcribed verbatim and then grouped according to different themes. The research findings indicate that the use of ICT in the classroom promotes teaching and learning. ICT is an innovative tool which also allows diverse perspectives to emerge, enabling learners to develop a group identity.

立足台灣，前瞻兩岸，放眼全球已經不再是台灣企業的未來策略方針了，而是台灣企業已陸續進入目標市場，進行開發和建立成長的階段中。近年來，全球貿易經濟加速全球化，跨國企業無不把握市場脈動，提早卡位捷足先登。台灣的企業也由製造、貿易、行銷到服務的轉型過程，提升自有品牌的附加價值，以便在握有許多產品的供應鏈優勢上，建造一條更順利又長遠的成長到路。尤其在高科技的資通訊產品，台灣有具有重要的全球地位。從代工到研發創新的轉變，使台灣的品牌，在激烈的全球化競爭下，已漸漸戴上的一道光環，那就是市場價值。 當進入到世界市場的行銷競爭時，如何掌握客戶的行為模式，達成最佳的產品最終使用者滿意度，往往過去都將焦點注目於消費性產品的市場研究居多，較少投入產業性產品與服務的研究，而對於以資通訊產品占出口相當大比例的台灣廠商，若能進一步研究探討各國產業市場的行為模式，相信對於產品的研發設計有所助益，並將擴大在全球市場的成長機會。 在拓展全球市場的同時，如何在起步較晚的狀況下，超越歐美、日本的國際企業，開創出新一代的優勢競爭模式，取得市場先機，強化企業組織效能，網羅培育各地人才，提供滿意的顧客服務品質，創立長遠的品牌價值。在Ben Q併購西門子的經驗，莫不是台灣企業整體的學費成本，在國際化的競合腳步快速邁向前的科技網路時代，如何培養更多的國內外人才來迎接這個台灣優勢，順利去延展我們的國際市場，相信對於國際市場的研究，台灣應該有更多的用心與重視。今年初，在美國航空公司JetBlue的誤點意外，對客戶滿意度造成衝擊的案例，引起媒體大眾和政府的關注，這對於在國際上正在開疆闢土的台灣企業，應該引以為戒，並在相關的國際市場顧客行為研究，應該同時給予相對的投入與支持。 吾人希望藉對於資通訊服務業在國際市場的客戶滿意度比較研究，探討相關在產業市場對科技服務的客戶行為，同時選擇一個全球型的國際企業，並且擁有各國子公司的資通訊科技的系統整合服務業者進行相關的個案研究，而調查訪談的對象，屬於跨國企業(MNCs)的經營模式超過一半，分布於不同產業。考慮如何透過提供資通訊的科技軟硬體產品與服務，經由銷售、解決方案、諮詢、設計、專案管理、安裝建置、維護到客服服務的各項服務功能，對於亞太地區13國家200個的主要客戶，進行客戶滿意度的調查和研究。預期從這些相關的分析探討，深一層比較研究各國的客戶在滿意度是否有差異？而藉此訪談的過程，收集分析影響客戶滿意度的因素為何？ 本研究共計分為五章，包含第一章 緒論、第二章 文獻探討、第三章 研究方法與架構、第四章 資料分析和第五章 結論與建議。期望這份研究，對於個案公司、相關業者和後續學術研究，都能提供一定的幫助。 / Today, the rapid movement towards globalization has forced enterprises in Taiwan to transform from manufacturing, trading, and marketing type of business model to a more services oriented one. During the process of transformation, enterprises realize that increasing the value of private brand could bring them more competitive advantages in the supply chain, and ultimately create the market value which allows them to stand out in the severe competition of the global marketplace. In recent years, customer satisfaction has become an important index to evaluate whether a product or commodity is being successful in the market. However, not many researches are focusing the satisfaction studies of the services or products provided by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry. As Taiwan has been the major export country of ICT products, a case study in the Asia Pacific market will help us understand more about the industry and provide more insights for Taiwan companies. The paper will use a multinational company in the ICT industry to examine the key factors that impact the client satisfaction survey. Result shows that the gap between clients’ perceptions and expectations of service quality will vary based on products, services, level of usage, personal experience and organization. This fulfils the concept of P.Z.B. model and the theory of DeLone and McLean model of information systems success. Also cultural difference plays a significant role in the survey result and could lead to diverse interpretation of service quality. It is hoped that this paper could be a reference for ICT companies in Taiwan to understand clients in different countries, making them to gain better market value in today’s competitive global market.