The advance and ubiquitous use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have changed how humans learn and reform the education sector. Although related topics have been studied in other disciplines (e.g., behavioral science, economics, psychology, etc.), IS researchers have paid less attention to the impacts of information communication technology on education (IICTE). Recently, education in the post-pandemic world calls for further investigation on this topic since most of the traditional on-site teaching around the world have moved online. The proposed two studies aim to contribute to the IS and the economics research on the role of technology in education and the underlying mechanisms of how ICT affects learning through a series of field experiments and data mining methods. The first study examines in-class mobile device use effects on students’ learning performance via a field experiment. It explores students’ attention allocation at an individual level with live video feed data. We collaborated with a vocational school in China to examine the effect of using smartphones in the classroom on students’ academic performance. We randomly allocated students taking one lecture in Chinese verbal into three experimental conditions: (i) smartphone banned; (ii) smartphone allowed and used at will by students, and (iii) smartphone allowed, used at will by students and relied upon by teachers to assist instruction. We measure the performance gain of students by the change in the scores they obtained in identical tests taken at the beginning and the end of the lecture. We find that allowing students to use smartphones during the lecture at will reduced performance by 12% (6.3 points on a 100-point scale) compared to when students could not take the smartphones into the classroom. However, allowing smartphones into the classroom and asking teachers to actively use them to assist instruction increased their performance by 20% (10.6 points). These results are driven mainly by already strong students and students in IT-related majors. To unravel the underlying mechanisms that drive the observed effects, we use video feeds collected during our experiment, allowing us to code the time students spent learning versus being distracted, with or without their smartphones. We observed that students spent a similar amount of time learning versus being distracted across all three experimental conditions. Thus, the time students allocate to learning in each condition does not predict performance. Instead, what matters for their performance is the relative time they spent learning versus being distracted when using their smartphones. We show that the increase in performance when smartphones are used to assist instruction comes from students spending a larger percentage of the time learning during the lecture. Our findings contribute to the literature on technology-assisted learning and offer practical and policy implications that teachers and schools can follow to cautiously allow smartphones in the classroom to improve student success. The second study investigates the effects of different Internet access policies on student performance via a field experiment and examines the underlying mechanisms of its impact by mining students’ online and offline behaviors. While universities invest a considerable amount to keep up with the increasing demand for Internet connectivity on campus, sufficient doubt exists on the overall efficacy of information communication technologies (ICTs) in enhancing learning. Therefore, it is essential to understand how the Internet is used on campus and whether educational institutions can design their ICT policies to improve education. To answer this question, we seek to investigate the effects of different Internet policies on educational outcomes (i.e., grades, other evaluation results, etc.) by conducting a randomized field experiment at a national public university in China. Specifically, we randomly assigned students to five experimental conditions for a whole semester: low bandwidth and limited data, low bandwidth with unlimited data, high bandwidth with limited data, high bandwidth with unlimited data, and high-quality access (high bandwidth without data limit) yet limited data to entertainment. We then collect and compare the educational outcomes and each student’s online and offline behaviors across all five conditions. With our unique context and micro-level data, we investigate the overall effect of different policies as well as the dynamics of students’ online and offline learning behaviors (i.e., online learning time, online-offline behavior change, etc.) to understand the underlying mechanisms (i.e., online/offline learning patterns on performance). Our study is the first to investigate the effect of ICT policy design on educational outcomes using a randomized controlled trial (RCT). We also offer practical guidelines to policymakers and educational institutions on optimizing campus Internet access to help improve students’ learning with the proper use of ICT. Ultimately, studies in this dissertation attempt to explore how ICT could boost learning and thus extend the boundary of IS research to the education sector. Results demonstrated in the dissertation offer clear and straightforward evidence for educators, parents, and students to make their own ICT use policies. / Business Administration/Management Information Systems

<p>As evidenced by several trials, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (PD). However, therapists are short in supply, and patients with agoraphobia may not seek therapy due to fear of leaving their homes or traveling certain distances. A major challenge therefore is to increase the accessibility and affordability of evidence-based psychological treatments.</p><p>This thesis is based on five studies; three treatment studies set up as randomized controlled trails (RCT), one prevalence study, and one study testing the equivalence of an Internet-administered diagnostic assessment tool with a clinician-administered interview.</p><p>Study I showed that the Swedish 12-month PD prevalence is consistent with findings in most other parts of the Western world (2.2%; CI 95% 1.0%-3.4%). There was a significant sex difference, with a greater prevalence for women (3.6%) compared to men (0.7%).</p><p>Study II showed that the validity of the computerized diagnostic interview (CIDI-SF) was generally low. However, the agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder modules had good specificity and sensitivity, respectively.</p><p>The three RCTs showed, directly or indirectly, that Internet-based self-help is superior to a waiting-list. When 10 individual weekly sessions of CBT for PD was compared with a 10-module self-help program on the Internet, the results suggest that Internet-administered self-help, plus minimal therapist contact via e-mail, is as effective as traditional individual CBT (80% vs. 67% no longer met criteria for panic disorder; composite within-group effect size was Cohen’s <i>d</i>= 0.78 vs. 0.99). One-year follow-up confirmed the results (92% vs. 88% no longer met criteria for panic disorder; <i>d</i>= 0.80 vs. 0.93). The results generally provide evidence to support the continued use and development of Internet-distributed self-help programs.</p>

As evidenced by several trials, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (PD). However, therapists are short in supply, and patients with agoraphobia may not seek therapy due to fear of leaving their homes or traveling certain distances. A major challenge therefore is to increase the accessibility and affordability of evidence-based psychological treatments. This thesis is based on five studies; three treatment studies set up as randomized controlled trails (RCT), one prevalence study, and one study testing the equivalence of an Internet-administered diagnostic assessment tool with a clinician-administered interview. Study I showed that the Swedish 12-month PD prevalence is consistent with findings in most other parts of the Western world (2.2%; CI 95% 1.0%-3.4%). There was a significant sex difference, with a greater prevalence for women (3.6%) compared to men (0.7%). Study II showed that the validity of the computerized diagnostic interview (CIDI-SF) was generally low. However, the agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder modules had good specificity and sensitivity, respectively. The three RCTs showed, directly or indirectly, that Internet-based self-help is superior to a waiting-list. When 10 individual weekly sessions of CBT for PD was compared with a 10-module self-help program on the Internet, the results suggest that Internet-administered self-help, plus minimal therapist contact via e-mail, is as effective as traditional individual CBT (80% vs. 67% no longer met criteria for panic disorder; composite within-group effect size was Cohen’s d= 0.78 vs. 0.99). One-year follow-up confirmed the results (92% vs. 88% no longer met criteria for panic disorder; d= 0.80 vs. 0.93). The results generally provide evidence to support the continued use and development of Internet-distributed self-help programs.

Contexto: Modificações químicas da superfície dos implantes dentários com o objetivo de aumentar a molhabilidade resultam em uma osseointegração mais rápida e melhor. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o quociente de estabilidade do implante (ISQ) (implant stability quotient) de implantes com geometria idêntica, mas com tratamentos de superfície diferentes: jateamento de areia e ataque ácido (SAE) e a mesma superfície com uma modificação química para aumento da hidrofilia, dentro das primeiras 16 semanas de cicatrização. Materiais e Método: neste estudo clínico randomizado um total de 64 implantes (32 SAE - Grupo Controle e 32 SAE modificado - Grupo Teste) com o mesmo desenho geométrico, comprimento e diâmetro (cônico e compressivo, 4,3x10 mm) foram colocados na maxila posterior de 21 pacientes parcialmente desdentados. Os valores de ISQ foram coletados no pós - cirúrgico imediato (T0), com 1 semana (T1), 2 (T2), 3 (T3), 5 ( T4), 8 (T5), 12 (T6) e 16 semanas (T7). Os resultados foram comparados por meio do ANOVA de medidas repetidas. Resultados: O grupo teste apresentou valores de ISQ mais altos que o grupo controle (ANOVA - p<0,01) a partir da 5a semana. Quando comparados os grupos em relação ao tempo necessário para se atingir o ISQ >= 70 como uma referência, houve uma diferença estatisticamente significante (p<0,01) e um Hazard Ratio de 2,24 (IC 1,62-3,11). No acompanhamento de um ano um paciente com 2 implantes abandonou a pesquisa, e estes não puderam mais ser avaliados. A taxa de sobrevida de ambos grupos foi de 100% após um ano de acompanhamento. Conclusão: O presente estudo sugere que implantes com superfície hidrofílica osseointegram mais rápido que implantes com superfície SAE convencional. O ganho de estabilidade do grupo teste foi 2,24 vezes mais rápido que do grupo controle após 5 semanas de avaliação em leitos na maxila posterior. / Background: Chemical modifications of dental implant surface, to improve the wettability, results in a faster and better osseointegration. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the implant stability quotient (ISQ) of implants with the same design, treated with two different surfaces: Sandblasted Acid-Etched (SAE) and hydrophilic SAE, within the initial 16 weeks of healing. Materials and Method: For this RCT a total of 64 implants (32 SAE - Control Group and 32 modified SAE - Test Group) with the same design, length and diameter (conical and compressive, 4.3x10 mm) were inserted in the posterior maxillae of 21 patients partially edentulous. The ISQ values were collected at the post-surgery (T0), 1-week (T1), 2-weeks (T2), 3- weeks (T3), 5-weeks (T4), 8-weeks (T5), 12-weeks (T6) and 16-weeks (T7). The statistic test was ANOVA. Results: Test group presented ISQ values higher than the Control group (ANOVA - p<0.01) from 5th week. When comparing groups regarding the amount of time required to achieve ISQ >= 70 as a reference, there was a statistically significant difference (p <0.01), and a HR (Hazard Ratio) of 2.24 (CI 1.62- 3.11). At the one-year follow up, there was a drop out of one patient and two implants were no longer evaluated. Survival rate for both groups was of 100% after one year of follow up. Conclusion: The current study suggests that implants with hydrophilic surface (modified SAE) integrates faster than implants with SAE surface. Stability gain of the tested group was 2.24 times faster than the control group after five weeks of evaluation at the posterior region of maxillae.

Contexto: Modificações químicas da superfície dos implantes dentários com o objetivo de aumentar a molhabilidade resultam em uma osseointegração mais rápida e melhor. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o quociente de estabilidade do implante (ISQ) (implant stability quotient) de implantes com geometria idêntica, mas com tratamentos de superfície diferentes: jateamento de areia e ataque ácido (SAE) e a mesma superfície com uma modificação química para aumento da hidrofilia, dentro das primeiras 16 semanas de cicatrização. Materiais e Método: neste estudo clínico randomizado um total de 64 implantes (32 SAE - Grupo Controle e 32 SAE modificado - Grupo Teste) com o mesmo desenho geométrico, comprimento e diâmetro (cônico e compressivo, 4,3x10 mm) foram colocados na maxila posterior de 21 pacientes parcialmente desdentados. Os valores de ISQ foram coletados no pós - cirúrgico imediato (T0), com 1 semana (T1), 2 (T2), 3 (T3), 5 ( T4), 8 (T5), 12 (T6) e 16 semanas (T7). Os resultados foram comparados por meio do ANOVA de medidas repetidas. Resultados: O grupo teste apresentou valores de ISQ mais altos que o grupo controle (ANOVA - p<0,01) a partir da 5a semana. Quando comparados os grupos em relação ao tempo necessário para se atingir o ISQ >= 70 como uma referência, houve uma diferença estatisticamente significante (p<0,01) e um Hazard Ratio de 2,24 (IC 1,62-3,11). No acompanhamento de um ano um paciente com 2 implantes abandonou a pesquisa, e estes não puderam mais ser avaliados. A taxa de sobrevida de ambos grupos foi de 100% após um ano de acompanhamento. Conclusão: O presente estudo sugere que implantes com superfície hidrofílica osseointegram mais rápido que implantes com superfície SAE convencional. O ganho de estabilidade do grupo teste foi 2,24 vezes mais rápido que do grupo controle após 5 semanas de avaliação em leitos na maxila posterior. / Background: Chemical modifications of dental implant surface, to improve the wettability, results in a faster and better osseointegration. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the implant stability quotient (ISQ) of implants with the same design, treated with two different surfaces: Sandblasted Acid-Etched (SAE) and hydrophilic SAE, within the initial 16 weeks of healing. Materials and Method: For this RCT a total of 64 implants (32 SAE - Control Group and 32 modified SAE - Test Group) with the same design, length and diameter (conical and compressive, 4.3x10 mm) were inserted in the posterior maxillae of 21 patients partially edentulous. The ISQ values were collected at the post-surgery (T0), 1-week (T1), 2-weeks (T2), 3- weeks (T3), 5-weeks (T4), 8-weeks (T5), 12-weeks (T6) and 16-weeks (T7). The statistic test was ANOVA. Results: Test group presented ISQ values higher than the Control group (ANOVA - p<0.01) from 5th week. When comparing groups regarding the amount of time required to achieve ISQ >= 70 as a reference, there was a statistically significant difference (p <0.01), and a HR (Hazard Ratio) of 2.24 (CI 1.62- 3.11). At the one-year follow up, there was a drop out of one patient and two implants were no longer evaluated. Survival rate for both groups was of 100% after one year of follow up. Conclusion: The current study suggests that implants with hydrophilic surface (modified SAE) integrates faster than implants with SAE surface. Stability gain of the tested group was 2.24 times faster than the control group after five weeks of evaluation at the posterior region of maxillae.

The overall aim of this thesis is to investigate if the somatic comorbidity and increased mortality among persons with psychiatric disability (residents in supported housing facilities) can be influenced. The thesis comprises four papers. Paper I describes the lived experience of health and body. Papers II and III examine the effects of a lifestyle programme on physiological markers (II) and on psychological and quality of life parameters (III). Paper (IV) illustrates the meaning of participating in a life style programme. The data in Papers I and IV comprises narrative interviews with residents (n=11). The studies in Papers II and III are focused on residents and were carried out with a randomized design. The randomization was performed on a group level (supported housing facility). The 12 month intervention consisted of study circles with a theoretical and practical application of dietary information and physical activity for two hours, on a twice weekly basis under the supervision of a study circle leader. The controls were offered an aesthetic study circle and met once a week. The data in Paper II comprises physiological quantitative data from both residents (n=41) and staff (n=41) and in Paper III questionnaires on symptoms and quality of life completed only by residents (n=41). The data was analysed with Qualitative description (I), Phenomenological-hermeneutics (IV), and for papers II and III relevant statistical calculations were used. Health is described in paper I as “having a life as others have” and discloses the losses of important life domains (family, work, security) and the experiences of being deviant and stigmatized. Health is described as “absence of psychological and physical problems” and its hampering effects on quality of life and self-esteem. Health is understood as a phenomenon that could “be influenced by one self”, and there is an insight that health is manageable. Participating in a life style intervention (paper II) meant a significant improvement in risk factors for metabolic syndrome among the residents in comparison with controls. No differences were seen on weight, BMI and improved physical capacity. In paper III a significant positive increase in the Sense of Coherence compared to controls was seen. However no effect was seen on quality of life, psychosocial function or on reduction of symptoms in comparison with controls. Participating in a lifestyle intervention can be understood as the gaining of insights that health can be improved and that the daily life is partly given a changed content (paper II). The participation is also described as meaning an increased sense of closeness and equality in relation to the staff and sometimes a painful insight of their life situation. Participating is also described as entailing a hope that one’s life situation can be affected. In summary this thesis shows that there is some possibility of influencing the physical health (reduced risk of metabolic syndrome) among persons with psychiatric disability by participating in a 12 month intervention programme. The intervention does not show any effects on measures such as quality of life, psychosocial function and presence of symptoms. However, the participants describe that the participation had a meaning in a number of respects. This is a finding that is confirmed by the positive change in sense of coherence. The need to develop preventive care for persons with psychiatric disability and the importance of monitoring the treatment with neuroleptics and its side effects on physical health is an important clinical implication. Furthermore the importance of the responsibility of the care staff is emphasized as well as the importance of supporting a change in lifestyle.