Real-time information that informs transit riders about transit schedules, next bus or train arrivals, and service alerts, is becoming increasingly available, particularly through internet-enabled smartphone applications. However, the extent of communication technology usage amongst transit riders, specifically their access to mobile applications and alternative technologies that can provide real-time information, is largely unknown. Without this information, transit agencies are risking investing in an alternative technology that may not sufficiently supply real-time information to as many as possible riders. The purpose of this study is to identify the differences in individual technology accessibility and prioritize investing in real-time information application development that mirrors the unique characteristics of transit riders. This recognition and development will allow a wider availability of real-time information amongst transit riders. Paired with an investigation of cellular phone usage among transit riders and the general American population, an analysis of Saint Louis Metro’s Onboard Survey was performed. Cross tabulations and chi-squared tests were conducted to examine riders’ communication technology usage. Binary logit models were used to understand how, and whether, the ownership of smartphone applications is dependent on various demographic factors. These analyses identified specific demographic groups that would benefit from supplemental technology methods more conducive to their particular information accessibility. Results showed that communication technology usage has risen substantially in recent years but a portion of riders are still without access to smartphone applications. Specific demographic groups (e.g., riders over 40 years of age) were less likely to own smartphones, and these results indicate that computer-based websites and IVR are the best supplementary alternatives for those groups.

This study examined the effect of constructed web-supported instruction on students&rsquo / achievement related to research methods. Also, in this study, constructed web site was tracking the activities of students, namely entrance and exit time, logs of each entrance to the tests as well as the results of each entrance, and posts to the forum. Another intention of the study was to construct a web support system for traditionally offered courses in order to decrease both instructor and students efforts to communicate and reach for sources. In addition, the web site was prepared as a dynamic web site to decrease the instructor&rsquo / s construct and update time of the web site to the minimum level. The subjects of the study were 24 graduate students of SSME 520 Research Methods in Education course offered by the SSME Department of METU. None of the subjects was offered an on-line course before. The study used both quantitative and qualitative measurements to analyze the effectiveness of the site and. The results of the study showed that students had an average achievement value of 68%. There was significant correlation between the summary section usage of web site and research methods achievement, and test section usage of web site and research methods achievement. But there was no significant correlation between forum section usage of web site and research methods achievement. Another result showed that supportive web site should provide asynchronous communication for more effective usage. It can also be concluded that the speed and the visual design of the web site is very important for the students. During the development process, properties of web-based course management systems were taken as the models. Preferences of those systems were tried to accomplish. Unlike those systems, the developed site was not created for stand-alone course management systems but for an aid to the traditionally delivered courses. The framework was prepared not only for graduate courses, but also for other courses, because the study has intended to end up with a framework which would be easily adapted for all courses.

Thesis (B.C.S.)--Dalhousie University, Halifax. / "Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of bachelor of computer science with honours at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 2004." Includes bibliographical references (p. 33-35). Also available in PDF via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on October 15, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Helderberg.com started out as a Virtual Village, with its roots firmly entrenched in the community newspaper from which it developed - the DistrictMail. It quickly evolved into a full blown community newspaper website with its own business model, earning its own way. Dotcoms are based on a virtual business model not seen up till now, trying to replace 'bricks and mortar' with 'clicks and mortar', making it difficult for investors to evaluate its worth. The DistrictMail community newspaper has been the heartbeat of the Helderberg, reflecting the news and views of the people of the area, for almost seventy-five years. Helderberg.com adds value and completes the circle. The success of companies depends on profitability. Bringing old and new media together, helderberg. com is the first community newspaper website to carry its own advertisers, and the first to break even and even make profit in the notoriously difficult dotcom internet arena. This paper examines how a community newspaper website is made - dissecting the internal and external makings, and shows helderberg. com is based on a structure and business model that has economic sustainability on which similar sized community newspapers, can launch or build their online enterprise. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Helderberg.com het begin as 'n Feitedorp ("Virtual Village"), stewig gewortel in die streekkoerant waaruit dit ontwikkel het - die DistriksPos. Dit het spoedig 'n volwaardige gemeenskapskoerant-webtuiste geword met 'n eie sakemodel en in staat om geld te verdien. Dotcom besighede is gebaseer op 'n virtuele sakemodel soos wat tot dusver nog nie gesien is nie. En probeer om 'klippe en pleister' met 'klikke en pleister' ('bricks and mortar' with 'clicks and mortar') te vervang met die gevolg dat dit vir beleggers moeilik is om die waarde daarvan behoorlik te evalueer. Die DistriksPos is die hartslag van die Helderberg en reflekteer die standpunte van sy inwoners vir langer as 75 jaar. Helderberg.com voltooi hierdie kringloop en voeg waarde daaraan toe. Die sukses van 'n maatskappy word beoordeel na gelang van verdienste. Deur ou en nuwe media bymekaar te bring word helderberg. com die eerste gemeenskapskoerant-webtuiste wat adverteerders dra en die eerste wat finansieel gelyk breek en selfs 'n wins wys in die berugte dotcom internetarena. In hierdie mini-tesis word ondersoek gedoen oor hoe 'n gemeenskapskoerant-webtuiste geskep word deur die interne en eksterne kwaliteite daarvan te ontleed. Dit toon hoe helderberg. com gebaseer is op strukture en 'n sakemodel wat ekonomies volhoubaar is, en waarop gemeenskapskoerante van soortgelyke grootte hul internet-bedrywe kan grond.

Since the development of the Internet, the amount of individuals and organisations making use of the World Wide Web (or Web) has grown significantly, and it is likely to continue increasing as the world continues to become intertwined. With the Internet, users are able to conduct various activities online, one being online shopping which has changed the retailing sector. Online shoppers are able to purchase goods and services over the Web in the comfort of their own homes without having to set foot into a physical store. Due to the fact that greater numbers of South African consumers are becoming accustomed to online shopping and the number of online retailers is growing, there is a need to determine which quality factors of websites influence these consumers when shopping online, which is the primary purpose of this study. A broad and in-depth literature review was provided on online shopping as well as the website quality factors influencing online shopping. An empirical study was conducted, where the data were collected from South Africans who met the requirements by means of an Internet-based self-administered questionnaire. The study followed a quantitative approach in order to satisfy the research objectives of the study. Based on the research results, it was found that all system, information and service quality factors influence respondents when shopping online and therefore need to be taken into consideration by online retailers when developing shopping sites. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Customer satisfaction is a key concern in any business strategy. It is often assumed that customer satisfaction can be enhanced using e-services. E-service is defined as interactive service received via the Internet (Jiang et al., 2013). E-service has contributed to business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce by providing on-demand solutions to customers. The relationship with the customer is enhanced by introducing self-service options, product customisation and variety. However, there may also be negative impacts, such as techno-stress and lack of online customer assistance. The primary aim of this research was to develop a conceptual framework to describe the correlation relationship between the factors that influence customers’ adoption of e-services. Organisations use the Internet to attract customers, to conduct financial services and obtain information. This research focussed specifically on online shopping. The Grounded Theory research methodology was chosen for its flexibility and iterative comparison of data. A quantitative survey was conducted to determine the relative significance of the factors uncovered by the Grounded Theory methodology and to validate the hypothesis of the conceptual model. Customer adoption is attained where customer satisfaction is high, where the customer sees value in the service, and where there is customer loyalty or trust. To date, research has focussed primarily on developed countries. Many challenges face South Africa as a Newly Industrialised Country (NIC). The negative factors facing developing countries in terms of e-service adoption include: lack of infrastructure, economic constraints and an emergent socio-political framework. The aim of this research was to build a conceptual model for explaining interrelationships between the identified factors that have an impact on customer e-service adoption. The customer’s perception of technology-driven services affects the organisation’s reputation, which in turn affects profitability. This research will be beneficial to managers in local organisations that thrive on e-services. An understanding of customer preferences will lead to improvement of customer services in South Africa. / Information Science / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

Thesis (MTech(Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012 / To design from a human perspective rather than from existing technological opportunities, and involving multiple stakeholders with their different perspectives, is an important aspect of participatory design and user-centered design. This thesis project was an explorative study done on a wine estate, in the Western Cape, South Africa, to find novel ICT solutions, for supporting co-operation and planning between multiple and individual work tasks in the work practice. This research explored potentials to manage multiple stakeholders and use their different perspectives to inform design research. The thesis project shows the ethnographic research gathered through video shadowing, workshop results involving the users to contribute to the development of the design by acting with a projection, leading up to a design opening and further focused on the concept development with the stakeholders.The thesis proposes a simulated concept namely the Visual Calculator (VC). This system is designed to involve several participators within a work practice. It supports calculation activities for spraying and buying chemicals. It saves the user time by incorporating standard calculations to output needed information faster. It supports planning, management and record keeping aspects of the farm manager’s work practice in the vineyard spraying process. Although the concept was more fully developed for the farm manager, the VC involves two other work roles including the owner and foreman. The concept focuses on a human centered perspective, instead of making the system fully automated, giving users control and not controlling the users. For this to be successful work should be divided and have equal responsibilities, each stakeholder can contribute and value their part of the work, knowing where it fits in, why it is important and how it influences other aspects of the work practice. The research outcome involves, envisioning the future potentials of the design (VC), design for participation, a way to identify design openings, problem solving and conceptualizing by utilizing user’s strengths.

Acompanha: Tecnomatemática - ensino de matemática e informática / Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a utilização de um site como ferramenta tecnológica de auxílio para o ensino de frações no 6º Ano do ensino fundamental, utilizando as TIC (Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação). O site intitulado Tecnomatemática foi desenvolvido com base nas dificuldades encontradas por professores no uso das TIC. A realização da pesquisa ocorreu em sete momentos, desenvolvidos na sala dos professores e no laboratório de informática, usando a metodologia qualitativa e interpretativa, contando com a participação de nove professores de Matemática de uma escola estadual do município de JacarezinhoPR. A coleta de dados ocorreu a partir de avaliações, atividades em momentos semanais e questionários aplicados aos professores em momento de hora-atividade coletiva. Além disso, a pedido de um dos professores participantes, aplicamos a pesquisa com seus alunos do 6º ano. Após a obtenção dos dados, a análise foi realizada apontando como positiva a utilização do site pelos professores e alunos, mostrando que o uso do software JClic disponibilizado pelo site Tecnomatemática pode contribuir para o ensino e a aprendizagem Matemática, no que se refere ao conteúdo de frações. / The objective of this research was to analyze the use of a website as a technological aid tool for the teaching of fractions in the 6th year of elementary school, using ICT (Information and Communication Technologies). The website titled Tecnomathematics was developed based on the difficulties encountered by teachers in the use of ICT. The research was carried out in seven moments, developed in the teachers room and in the computer lab, using the qualitative and interpretative methodology, with the participation of nine mathematics teachers from a state school in the municipality of Jacarezinho-PR. The data collection was based on evaluations, activities at weekly moments and questionnaires applied to teachers in time of collective activity. In addition, at the request of one of the participating teachers, we applied the survey to their 6th grade students. After obtaining the data, the analysis was carried out aiming positively the use of the site by the teachers and students, showing that the use of the JClic software provided by the Tecnomathematics website can contribute to the teaching and learning Mathematics, regarding the content of Fractions.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. José Kenichi Mizukoshi / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Mestrado Nacional Profissional em Ensino de Física - MNPEF, 2017. / Os documentos ociais que regulamentam o ensino no Brasil contemplam a presença de física moderna e contemporânea como parte integrante do Ensino Médio. No entanto, nas salas de aula os temas relacionados a esta área de conhecimento são muito raros, limitando o ensino de física a teorias clássicas. No intuito de contribuir com a mudança desse cenário educacional, foi construído um website sobre a física de partículas elementares. O produto educacional desenvolvido tem o objetivo de constituir uma fonte de pesquisa sobre o tema e uma base de dados com acesso a diversos recursos multimídia. O formato de website naturalmente atrai a atenção dos estudantes deste nível de ensino, por fazer parte de seu cotidiano e por ter o potencial de atingir um grande público por todo o território nacional, não somente formado por estudantes, mas também de curiosos. O tema sobre a física de partículas tem atraído a atenção de um amplo público, visto que atualmente é tema de pesquisa com forte presença na grande mídia e obras de cção cientíca. Além disto, o entendimento dos fenômenos que ocorrem, como por exemplo no grande colisor de hádrons responsável pela descoberta do bóson de Higgs , contempla muitos aspectos das teorias clássicas, sendo que grande parte de seu princípio de funcionamento é explorado no currículo tradicional. Assim, o tema é motivador também para o estudo da física clássica. A partir de uma pesquisa de satisfação com mais de duas centenas de visitantes do website, foi possível concluir que uma grande parcela dos visitantes aprova a forma e o conteúdo do produto educacional. / The ocial documents that regulate the educational system in Brazil contemplate the modern and contemporary physics in the high school curriculum. However, the themes related to this area are rarely seen in the classrooms, where the physics teaching is limited mostly to classical theories. In order to contribute with the change in this scenario, we constructed a website about elementary particle physics. This educational product was developed aiming to constitute a research source and a data basis with a great variety of multimedia resources. The format naturally attracts the high school student's attention, because websites are incorporated in their daily routine and this format has also a potential to reach a huge public in all national territory, not only students but also curious people. The theme particle physics has attracted the attention of a wide public, since it is currently a research subject with a large presence in the media and in the science ction products. Moreover, the understanding of the phenomena ocurring for instance in the Large Hadrons Collider responsible for the discovery of the Higgs Boson contemplates many aspects of the classical theories, where their principles are explored in the high school curriculum. Therefore, the theme is also a motivator for classical physics studies. From a satisfaction survey with more than two hundreds of website's visitors, it was possible to conclude that most of them approves the form and content of our educational product.