MCom / Department of Business Management / Mobile technology is progressively being used to support students’ learning, extending learning and educator-student contact beyond class hours. Mobile technology has been identified as a potential solution to the problem of scarcity of computers to access online learning materials in higher education institutions. The University of Venda distributed tablet personal computers to students so that they could use them for facilitating and enhancing their studies. However, the provision of tablet PCs to students may not be a panacea for quality learning, especially to a population that is not familiar with latest information technologies. The aim of the study was to investigate the use of digital mobile devices (tablet personal computers and smartphones) for enhancing teaching and learning at the University of Venda. The research questions focused on determining the current level of use of mobile devices, how they could be used effectively for teaching and learning; and the perceptions of students and lecturers on mobile devices as tools for teaching and learning. Case study research design was considered most suitable for this study as it involves collecting and reporting descriptive information about a specific environment. Mixed methods approach was applied with data being solicited from a convenient sample of 370 students, 8 lecturers and 1 IT technician at the University. Semi-structured questionnaires were distributed to students. The results of the study indicated that many students are active and spending much time on the different internet activities. The study also found that students prefer mobile learning and spend much time on the internet surfing information. Lecturers found it easy to communicate with the students via emails and social media platforms where they send study materials. Students use their smartphones and tablet PCs to download learning materials. However, many lecturers and students are not making use of the Learning Management System, the Blackboard due to lack of training. The results of the study are to be used to explicate, forecast, and advance the integration of the digital mobile devices for promoting learning and teaching accomplishments and standard competencies at the University of Venda. Recommendations were made on how students and lecturers can effectively use digital mobile devices for teaching and learning.

Over the past 25 years, research on the effectiveness of new technologies in teaching has been constantly evolving as teachers try to keep up with educational trends. With the current evolution of technology, it is important to find out how students feel about the use of technologies in both the classroom setting and the non-traditional learning environment. The objective of this project is to determine which applications the students of French 1010 (first semester of college-level French) at the University of North Texas use for language learning to supplement and reinforce the concepts learned in class. Two questions guided this project: (1) what are the new technologies that students in French 1010 use? and (2) if UNT were to implement hybrid classes, would students be interested in taking them? In order to answer these questions, a survey was distributed to 184 students of French 1010 at UNT during the fall 2019 semester. From these surveys, 100 were selected for analysis in the present study, and three students were interviewed as a way to collect additional data. The results of the survey showed that Duolingo was the most used application for language learning purposes, while the interviews showed that the students would be open to the possibility of taking hybrid classes. From these results arise questions related to ways in which mobile applications can be effectively incorporated in language classrooms.

A proliferação de dispositivos móveis e os avanços da rede wireless criaram uma sociedade sempre conectada, para Shen et al. (2012). Essa sociedade possibilitada pelas tecnologias móveis incorporadas no cotidiano da população apresenta novas formas de interação entre os indivíduos, entre organizações e colaboradores. Assim, não basta somente desenvolver soluções para a entrega de informações de forma ubíqua e sensível ao contexto; também é necessário compreender, de forma mais profunda, como os indivíduos reagem a esse uso e como isso afeta seu trabalho e o resultado das tomadas de decisão (JUNGES, KLEIN e BARBOSA, 2013). Partindo de estudos recentes sobre o gestor moderno e sua atuação em um contexto de tecnologias móveis, foi delimitada esta Dissertação. O trabalho buscou responder à pergunta: Como as tecnologias móveis têm influenciado as decisões gerenciais do cotidiano na percepção dos gestores do agronegócio? A natureza da pesquisa proposta foi definida como exploratória, e a abordagem dos dados escolhida foi a qualitativa, e foi delimitada a coleta de dados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas. A análise de dados foi realizada por meio da navegação dos dados utilizando-se o conjunto coletado com os oito (8) gestores, por meio da análise de conteúdo. O que se pode concluir, com base nas entrevistas, é que os entrevistados realmente utilizam tecnologias móveis no seu cotidiano. Os entrevistados relataram que utilizam as seis características do portfólio de serviços móveis: Conectividade, Intimidade, Prioridade, Pervasividade, Memória, e Portabilidade, baseado em Sorensen (2011). Dessa forma, a tecnologia móvel se apresenta como incorporada no cotidiano dos gestores do agronegócio entrevistados, com muitas vantagens relatadas pelos entrevistados, como também desvantagens e problemas, como comunicação e obtenção de informações constantes, e problemas de conexão. / The proliferation of mobile devices and advances in wireless networking have created a society that is always connected, according to Shen et al. (2012). This society is made possible by mobile technologies incorporated in the population‘s present new ways of interaction between individuals, between organizations and employees, resulting in possibly major changes in our society. Thus, it is not enough to develop solutions for the delivery of information and ubiquitous context-sensitive devices, it is also necessary to understand, in more depth, how individuals react to such use and how it affects their work and the result of their decisions, for Junges, Klein and Barbosa (2013). Building on recent studies of the modern manager and his performance in the context of mobile Technologies, it was delimited this study aimed to increase knowledge in the area. The study sought to answer the question: How mobile technologies have influenced everyday management decisions through the perception of managers of agribusiness? The nature of the proposed research was defined as exploratory and the data approach chosen was qualitative, and the data collection occurred through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed by using the navigation data collected using eight (8) managers, by analyzing the content set. What can one conclude from the interviews is that the respondents use mobile technologies in their specific everyday life. Respondents reported using the six characteristics of the of mobile services portfolio: Connectivity, Intimacy, Priority, Pervasiveness, Memory, Portability, based on Sorensen (2011). Thus, mobile technology presents itself as embedded in everyday life for the agribusiness managers interviewed, with many advantages reported by respondents as well as disadvantages and problems, access to communication and information at any time and problems with connection.

A proliferação de dispositivos móveis e os avanços da rede wireless criaram uma sociedade sempre conectada, para Shen et al. (2012). Essa sociedade possibilitada pelas tecnologias móveis incorporadas no cotidiano da população apresenta novas formas de interação entre os indivíduos, entre organizações e colaboradores. Assim, não basta somente desenvolver soluções para a entrega de informações de forma ubíqua e sensível ao contexto; também é necessário compreender, de forma mais profunda, como os indivíduos reagem a esse uso e como isso afeta seu trabalho e o resultado das tomadas de decisão (JUNGES, KLEIN e BARBOSA, 2013). Partindo de estudos recentes sobre o gestor moderno e sua atuação em um contexto de tecnologias móveis, foi delimitada esta Dissertação. O trabalho buscou responder à pergunta: Como as tecnologias móveis têm influenciado as decisões gerenciais do cotidiano na percepção dos gestores do agronegócio? A natureza da pesquisa proposta foi definida como exploratória, e a abordagem dos dados escolhida foi a qualitativa, e foi delimitada a coleta de dados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas. A análise de dados foi realizada por meio da navegação dos dados utilizando-se o conjunto coletado com os oito (8) gestores, por meio da análise de conteúdo. O que se pode concluir, com base nas entrevistas, é que os entrevistados realmente utilizam tecnologias móveis no seu cotidiano. Os entrevistados relataram que utilizam as seis características do portfólio de serviços móveis: Conectividade, Intimidade, Prioridade, Pervasividade, Memória, e Portabilidade, baseado em Sorensen (2011). Dessa forma, a tecnologia móvel se apresenta como incorporada no cotidiano dos gestores do agronegócio entrevistados, com muitas vantagens relatadas pelos entrevistados, como também desvantagens e problemas, como comunicação e obtenção de informações constantes, e problemas de conexão. / The proliferation of mobile devices and advances in wireless networking have created a society that is always connected, according to Shen et al. (2012). This society is made possible by mobile technologies incorporated in the population‘s present new ways of interaction between individuals, between organizations and employees, resulting in possibly major changes in our society. Thus, it is not enough to develop solutions for the delivery of information and ubiquitous context-sensitive devices, it is also necessary to understand, in more depth, how individuals react to such use and how it affects their work and the result of their decisions, for Junges, Klein and Barbosa (2013). Building on recent studies of the modern manager and his performance in the context of mobile Technologies, it was delimited this study aimed to increase knowledge in the area. The study sought to answer the question: How mobile technologies have influenced everyday management decisions through the perception of managers of agribusiness? The nature of the proposed research was defined as exploratory and the data approach chosen was qualitative, and the data collection occurred through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed by using the navigation data collected using eight (8) managers, by analyzing the content set. What can one conclude from the interviews is that the respondents use mobile technologies in their specific everyday life. Respondents reported using the six characteristics of the of mobile services portfolio: Connectivity, Intimacy, Priority, Pervasiveness, Memory, Portability, based on Sorensen (2011). Thus, mobile technology presents itself as embedded in everyday life for the agribusiness managers interviewed, with many advantages reported by respondents as well as disadvantages and problems, access to communication and information at any time and problems with connection.

A proliferação de dispositivos móveis e os avanços da rede wireless criaram uma sociedade sempre conectada, para Shen et al. (2012). Essa sociedade possibilitada pelas tecnologias móveis incorporadas no cotidiano da população apresenta novas formas de interação entre os indivíduos, entre organizações e colaboradores. Assim, não basta somente desenvolver soluções para a entrega de informações de forma ubíqua e sensível ao contexto; também é necessário compreender, de forma mais profunda, como os indivíduos reagem a esse uso e como isso afeta seu trabalho e o resultado das tomadas de decisão (JUNGES, KLEIN e BARBOSA, 2013). Partindo de estudos recentes sobre o gestor moderno e sua atuação em um contexto de tecnologias móveis, foi delimitada esta Dissertação. O trabalho buscou responder à pergunta: Como as tecnologias móveis têm influenciado as decisões gerenciais do cotidiano na percepção dos gestores do agronegócio? A natureza da pesquisa proposta foi definida como exploratória, e a abordagem dos dados escolhida foi a qualitativa, e foi delimitada a coleta de dados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas. A análise de dados foi realizada por meio da navegação dos dados utilizando-se o conjunto coletado com os oito (8) gestores, por meio da análise de conteúdo. O que se pode concluir, com base nas entrevistas, é que os entrevistados realmente utilizam tecnologias móveis no seu cotidiano. Os entrevistados relataram que utilizam as seis características do portfólio de serviços móveis: Conectividade, Intimidade, Prioridade, Pervasividade, Memória, e Portabilidade, baseado em Sorensen (2011). Dessa forma, a tecnologia móvel se apresenta como incorporada no cotidiano dos gestores do agronegócio entrevistados, com muitas vantagens relatadas pelos entrevistados, como também desvantagens e problemas, como comunicação e obtenção de informações constantes, e problemas de conexão. / The proliferation of mobile devices and advances in wireless networking have created a society that is always connected, according to Shen et al. (2012). This society is made possible by mobile technologies incorporated in the population‘s present new ways of interaction between individuals, between organizations and employees, resulting in possibly major changes in our society. Thus, it is not enough to develop solutions for the delivery of information and ubiquitous context-sensitive devices, it is also necessary to understand, in more depth, how individuals react to such use and how it affects their work and the result of their decisions, for Junges, Klein and Barbosa (2013). Building on recent studies of the modern manager and his performance in the context of mobile Technologies, it was delimited this study aimed to increase knowledge in the area. The study sought to answer the question: How mobile technologies have influenced everyday management decisions through the perception of managers of agribusiness? The nature of the proposed research was defined as exploratory and the data approach chosen was qualitative, and the data collection occurred through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed by using the navigation data collected using eight (8) managers, by analyzing the content set. What can one conclude from the interviews is that the respondents use mobile technologies in their specific everyday life. Respondents reported using the six characteristics of the of mobile services portfolio: Connectivity, Intimacy, Priority, Pervasiveness, Memory, Portability, based on Sorensen (2011). Thus, mobile technology presents itself as embedded in everyday life for the agribusiness managers interviewed, with many advantages reported by respondents as well as disadvantages and problems, access to communication and information at any time and problems with connection.

Not a long while ago mobile technologies were introduced in Lithuania and now they are quickly spreading in our everyday life. Having been a luxury, a mobile telephone today is being used not only for calling and SMS sending, but it also performs many other functions. The considerable use of mobile technologies all over the world has determined the development of wireless networks and device technologies as well as services fitted for the devices, particularly in the recent years. As a result, mobile technologies are becoming an inseparable part of entertainment, business, education and politics in Lithuania. This work dwells upon the analysis of mobile e-journal development technologies, seeking to improve the form of e-journal which has been used up to now – the journal could be accessed and managed using mobile devices. Besides, the analyzed technologies could be applied to the development of similar programs for mobile devices. In the work, GSM, wireless network technologies, architecture for mobile devices and development tools for individual and network applications are analyzed. The analysis of Java platform and Java-based WebSphere software family and tools for the synchronization of databases is also presented. This work also dwells upon the description of e-journal specifications, model development and realization.

Current trends in libraries require that students are able to access information and services beyond library buildings. Makerere University Library (Maklib) faces a number of challenges with regard to online and remote access to library resources and services. One possible solution to this problem lies in the use of mobile technologies. This study attempted to investigate how mobile technologies can be used to provide mobile-based library services at Makerere University library. A pilot study was conducted involving 31 postgraduate and 37 undergraduate students using questionnaires as the data collection tool. Qualitative data was collected and analyzed using Google Drive and was presented in form of text and graphs. Findings indicate that majority of Makerere University students own mobile phones that are internet enabled and those who do not own them have expressed interest in acquiring them in order to stay abreast with new technology. Although students owned internet enabled phones, they mainly used these devices to make and receive calls, and access different kinds of information ranging from news, social media to academic information. The services that students wanted to access using their mobile devices were: search the catalogue, request an e-book, request an item, chat with a librarian, view library news, access subject guides, search the library database, view library opening hours, View library contact information, Quick response, renew library items, book study group rooms, text messaging, book computer labs and view library map. There are also various resources that students expressed interest in and these include: Google searches, Google scholar, e-books, reference materials and e-journals. Convenience, flexibility, time saving, affordability are some of the reasons for acceptability of Mobile library services and resources. The majority of the respondents were positive about the implementation of the mobile services at Maklib however, some of the challenges mentioned by students include high cost of the devices and the ability to access internet services while in office. The study concludes that:  Mobile technology awareness is rapidly increasing among Ugandans especially students in higher education such as those at Makerere University.  Ownership of mobile devices is widespread among both the postgraduate and undergraduate students.  Both postgraduate and undergraduate students expressed their interest in accessing mobile library services and resources. Recommendations that ought to be adopted by Maklib and any other academic library willing to implement mobile library services are discussed. / Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Information Science / Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Unrestricted

This study aimed to understand how Muni University Library can effectively use mobile technologies to deliver social media-based library services. Data was collected from 100 undergraduate students and 4 members of staff of the University Library on the use of mobile and social media technologies for provision of library services and resources using self-administered questionnaires and face-to-face interviews, respectively. Only 88 student questionnaires were returned while all 4 members of staff participated in the face-to-face interviews. The results show that the majority (96.6 per cent) of the students own mobile devices and social media accounts that are used for both academic and personal purposes. There is convergence in responses among students and staff that mobile and social media technologies are crucial for provision of library services and resources in the 21st Century. They suggest that these technologies be used in the Muni University Library to access subject guides, MOPAC, mobile website, library map, and e-resources, and reference services. Also, the results show that the Muni University Library is already providing services to its users through mobile technologies and social media using WhatsApp, Facebook, and Kindle Fires e-readers. However, this study identified challenges that hinder the use of mobile and social media technologies, including unreliable internet connectivity, lack of a member of staff of the library responsible for managing technologies, lack of adequate skills among users and library staff required to use social media technologies, and lack of an independent library social media strategy. Discussion of the results and recommendations are presented in this mini-dissertation. / Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Carnegie Corporation of New York / University of Pretoria / Muni University / Information Science / MIT / Unrestricted

The use of mobile technologies has permeated the business arena rapidly over the last decade. Research has been conducted to understand the nature of these mobile technologies and their adoption into business. With the ever growing importance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in countries such as South Africa, there is need to better understand the impact of mobile technologies on SMEs. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of mobile technologies on the business models of SMEs. A theoretical definition of a business model is used to understand the impact of mobile technologies on the customer value proposition, the profit formula, key resources and the value chain of SMEs. The study takes into account some of the challenges that SMEs face, namely limited resources, low levels of productivity and small management teams. SMEs registered with the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business (PCB) are used as a sample to assess the impact of mobile technologies. The results show that mobile technologies have a significant impact on the profit formula and certain aspects of key resources. Specifically, mobile technologies are used to firstly cut costs and then to enhance the utilisation of assets, improve knowledge management while ensuring adequate governance structures. The outcome of this study can be used by SMEs to plan for the adoption of mobile technologies and measure their impact on the business. Mobile technology companies can consider the development of mobile technologies tailored for the SME environment. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

L'expérience montre que les technologies de l'information et des communications (TIC), et services de télécommunications mobiles en particulier, peuvent stimuler une croissance économique soutenue et contribuer au développement humain. Au coeur du secteur des TIC, les technologies mobiles sont de plus en plus utilisées comme un outil transformationnel pour favoriser la croissance économique, accélérer le transfert des connaissances, développer les capacités locales, améliorer la productivité et réduire la pauvreté dans de nombreux secteurs. À cet égard, au cours de la dernière décennie, le développement des TIC est devenu un domaine stratégique d'engagement politique dans les économies émergentes. Afin d'accompagner les décideurs politiques et les marketeurs dans la conception des stratégies optimales de développement du secteur des télécommunications, les chercheurs s’intéressent de plus en plus aux obstacles entravant le déploiement des solutions TIC dans le monde en voie de développement. En tant que contribution à ce domaine de recherche, cette étude vise à (i) identifier les déterminants économiques et socioculturels affectant la capacité des pays émergents à adopter les nouvelles technologies et innovations, et à (ii) proposer des principes d’actions et de politiques susceptibles de favoriser la diffusion des solutions TIC dans les pays émergents qui sont caractérisés par une forte inégalité des revenus et par l'aversion au risque. / Evidence shows that information and communications technologies (ICT), especially mobile telecommunications services, can lead to sustained economic growth and human development. Mobile technologies are increasingly used as a transformational tool to foster economic growth, accelerate knowledge transfer, develop local capacities, raise productivity, and alleviate poverty in a variety of sectors. In that respect, in the last decade, ICT development has become a key strategic area for policy engagement in emerging economies. To support policy-makers and marketing practitioners in designing optimal telecommunications sector development strategies, an increasing research focus is now being placed on the impediments to implementing ICT solutions in the developing world. As a contribution to this field of research, this study aims at (i) identifying the economic and socio-cultural determinants affecting the capacity of developing countries to adopt new technologies and innovations, and at (ii) defining relevant policy principles likely to foster the diffusion of ICT solutions in emerging economies that are characterized by strong income inequality and uncertainty avoidance.