Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1976 / Bibliography: leaf 115. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management

Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1977 / Bibliography : leaves 123-125. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management

Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1977 / Bibliography : leaves 54-55. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management

Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1976 / Bibliography: leaves 153-155. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management

Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1978 / Bibliography: leaves 167-170. / by Sara Jane Clope, Edward Kingsbury Osborn, John Edward Pototsky. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Library and Information Studies at the University of Zululand, 2016. / Information literacy is fundamental for lifelong learning, especially for the teaching profession, where information is critical for imparting knowledge to students who are expected to be creative, critical thinkers and lifelong learners. The study investigates the information literacy skills and personal abilities of secondary school teachers in Lagos, Nigeria and Durban, South Africa. The following research questions and hypotheses were pursued in the study: the teachers’ perceptions about the need for information literacy; the purposes for which they need information; the types of information resource they access for teaching purposes; the frequency of use of information resources; the search strategies employed in using online information resources; the level of teachers’ information self-concept; and metacognitive abilities employed in using information resources. The study also embarks on an analytical evaluation of information literacy in the contexts of the two cities of Lagos and Durban. A proposed conceptual model was also suggested to ensure the information literacy of teachers in secondary schools. The study was guided by null hypotheses and tested at a 0.05 level of significance, to ascertain whether there were any significant differences in teachers’ perceptions of the need for information literacy, and also whether there was any significant difference in the information literacy, frequency of use of information, information search strategy, and metacognitive abilities of teachers in Lagos and Durban. The study adopted a post-positivist research paradigm combining both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies largely through multi case study research design. Data were gathered through questionnaires, interviews, observation and document analysis that included a literature review. The target population was secondary school teachers in Lagos and Durban. The sample for the research was drawn from teachers in government secondary schools in Lagos and Durban. Lagos State has 20 local governments, and at the time of the research a total teacher population of 8 329. Durban is divided into four Circuits representing 16 wards. Excluding primary schools, independent schools and combined secondary schools, there are 41 secondary schools and 4 887 teachers. Face and content validity was achieved through the verification of and response to the research instruments by academics in the Department of Information Studies at the University of Zululand. Dependability of the research instruments was achieved through a pilot survey that tested the instruments among 57 teacher-librarians at the University of Zululand. In addition, Cronbach alpha technique was used to determine the reliability of the instruments. The data collected for this research were subjected to reliability coefficient tests variable by variable. The outcome shows that the overall reliability coefficient, when all the items in the questionnaire were taken together, was .801 (r =.801). Therefore all the items in the questionnaire were found to be reliable, and hence the questionnaire was reliable, trustworthy and dependable. Interviews and observation were also used as instruments of data collection to triangulate and validate the research results obtained by the questionnaire. Multistage sampling technique was used in the first instance to purposively select samples from the two cities of Lagos and Durban in order to make comparisons. The second stage involved stratified random sampling, and the third stage applied simple random sampling. A sample of six local governments was selected from 20 in Lagos State, and referred to as primary sampling units (PSUs). Lagos State was divided into six educational districts (EDs). The first stage sampling involved selecting one local government out of three or four in each ED. The second stage sampling comprised a few secondary schools selected at random from all the schools in selected local governments, and the third stage was a selection of some teachers from all the teachers in the selected secondary schools. The selected local secondary schools were called secondary sampling units (SSUs). All the responding units in each SSU, i.e. the teachers, were given the questionnaires to fill in. Triangulation of three data gathering instruments enabled convergence measurement for confidence in the outcome of the research. Content analysis of the contextual setting relating to the information literacy environment in Nigeria and South Africa was done. The respondents were drawn from secondary school teachers in Lagos and Durban, with 368 valid questionnaires returned with useful responses, 193 (52.4%) in Lagos and 175 (47.6) in Durban. Eight librarians were also interviewed to validate the responses from the questionnaires, four in Lagos and four in Durban. The theoretical underpinning of this research was based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), which helps in understanding human-machine interface (HMI) through perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU). The rationale for TAM is to present a foundation for ascertaining the impact of external variables on internal beliefs, personal abilities, attitude, mind-set and intention in attaining information literacy (IL) skills. This study evaluated the TAM’s main variables for information literacy acquisition such as perceived usefulness (the intention to use, user training, computer experience, system quality) and perceived ease of use (computer self-efficacy, perception of external control, ease of use, internet self-efficacy, efficacy of library use, computer anxiety, information anxiety, perceived enjoyment and objective usability, behaviour and intention). The study also contextualises the TAM by analysing and explaining how the variables are applied in relationship to IL among school teachers. The outcome provided a deeper understanding of how TAM applies to information communication and technology for development (ICT4D) in general and IL research in particular. The study revealed that teachers in Durban had a higher level of perception of the need for information literacy than their counterparts in Lagos. The inference from the study showed that teachers in the countries of study need information on a regular basis mainly for the purposes of teaching, and administrative and professional development. The study also showed that electronic information resources were infrequently used by the teachers. Regardless of government regulation stating the qualifications of school librarians, many of those employed in the two cities were not professionally qualified librarians. The study shows a significant level of decline in information literacy in relation to the ages of teachers. Younger teachers tend to possess a higher level of information literacy than their older colleagues, which makes in-service training imperative. Female teachers are significantly more information literate than their male counterparts. Many of the school libraries seem to have been afterthoughts, and the specifications for library building and planning were not observed as itemised by IFLA library building guidelines. The library environments showed that most of the facilities were not specifically built for the teachers, in terms of space and furniture. Interaction and collaboration between teachers and librarians is limited. The information in the literature review, and contextualisation of information literacy in Nigeria and South Africa present new insights. The study recommended that continuous training for teachers in information literacy is essential. School authorities should establish relationships between teachers and librarians, and employ qualified librarians capable of competently handling modern information facilities in the school library. The quality of library facilities should be improved for better information access and services, and encourage change in teacher’s perceptions about information literacy and services. Adequate funding for school libraries is essential to acquire resources and ensure maintenance. It is also recommended that librarians should receive regular education to cope with changes in information access, usage and services required in modern libraries.

Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1975 / Bibliography: leaves 86-87. / by Peter F. Hollings and George Raff. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management

Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1978 / Bibliography: leaves 82-84. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management

As of autumn 2011, all schools in Sweden have adopted and applied the latest curriculum for the compulsory school system. The following is written in concern to technology: "The school is responsible for ensuring that each pupil on completing compulsory school: [...] can use modern technology as a tool in the search for knowledge, communication, creativity and learning." (Skolverket, 2011, pp.13-14) With this said, there are no guidelines or manuals on how this is to be conducted. In a report from the Swedish Schools Inspectorate it was concluded that the investment in technology is not being used for school education. The education systems keep investing in technology in the belief that schools and teachers will sooner or later adopt and benefit from the use of mobile and ubiquitous technologies. The aim of this study is to “create an understanding of the aspects that have an impact on adopting novel use of mobile and ubiquitous technologies in everyday teaching and learning practices in compulsory schools.” The empirical foundation will be based upon three projects: Geometry Mobile (GeM); Learning Ecology with Technologies from Science for Global Outcomes (LETS GO); and Collaborative Learning Using Digital Pens and Interactive Whiteboards (Collboard). All were conducted at local compulsory schools in Växjö municipality, Sweden, in collaboration with teachers, students and fellow researchers from the CeLeKT research group at Linnaeus University. Two Thematic Analyses have been conducted: the first, an inductive analysis exploring the Students’ and Teachers’ Experience of using Mobile and Ubiquitous Technologies in their learning and teaching environment. The second analysis is deductive and uses themes from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology models with the aim of understanding the Perception and Acceptance of Teachers’ use of Mobile and Ubiquitous Technologies. In the results from the two analyses there are clear indicators on the added value that mobile and ubiquitous technology brings to the classrooms: students are able to actively participate, collaborate and discuss in different learning settings, which enhances their understanding of the subject at hand. The challenges are mainly to be found in the lack of training and education in use of the technology as a supporting tool for teaching and learning. Further factors influencing the teachers and the students are ease of use and reliability of the technology and societal changes. The results of the analysis and the theoretical base of Technology Enhanced Learning have been illustrated with Soft Systems Methodologies Rich Picture, providing a holistic view of the problematic situation and making it possible to discuss the various parts as well as the situation as a whole. This study indicates that there are several factors influencing the adoption of the novel use of mobile and ubiquitous technologies in everyday teaching and learning within a complex situation on different levels.

Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1978 / Includes bibliographical references. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management