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This study was based on previous research that investigated the disparity or gap between those who have access to computers and the Internet and those who do not (Hoffman and Novak, 1998; NTIA, 1999b; Carey, Chisholm and Irwin, 2002; Vail, 2003 Zeliff, 2004; Glenn, 2005). The Technology Acceptance Model developed by Davis, Bagozzi, and Warshaw (1989) was used to investigate whether computer and Internet access influenced the acceptance of e-learning technology tools such as Blackboard and the Internet. Of the studies conducted concerning adoption of these technologies, a limited number have addressed the extent to which college students accept these tools. The majority of these studies failed to consider computer access as a factor regarding computer technology acceptance. The E-Learning Technology Acceptance (ETA) survey instrument was administered to business students at two universities in North Carolina. Hierarchical regression was performed to test whether or not computer and Internet access explained variance above and beyond race and socioeconomic status. Regression analysis revealed that computer and Internet access affected the degree to which students expect Blackboard and the Internet to be easy to use. As a result, creating a technology assessment to be utilized by e-learning educators and students to measure the level of computer and Internet access was recommended. The analyses also revealed that computer and Internet access significantly impacted students' attitude toward using Blackboard and the Internet. Improving the level of technology access should be addressed to promote positive attitudes regarding e-learning tools. Additional findings revealed that socioeconomic status and race did influence computer ownership. A suggestion for educators is to explore initiatives that assist low income and minority students with obtaining home computers. Finally, the findings suggested that closing the digital divide is not enough to ensure technology acceptance of students. The researcher proposed that digital inclusion should be the goal of our society. Recommendations for further research suggested by the researcher included investigating other variables that may influence technology acceptance and computer and Internet access. / Ph. D.

The Digital Doorway (DD) is a non-standard computer system deployed to promote computer literacy amongst the underpriviledged communities in South Africa. Since its inception there has been no usability evaluation of the software installed on the DD. This study investigate the applicability of standard involved two cycles of design research phases to develop a set of multi-category heuristics for evaluating a selection of interfaces and applications installed on the DD. The heuristic evaluation method was found to be an appropriate method for the evaluating the usability of the software as well as the direct accessibility support provided on the DD. As a triangulation exercise the heuristic evaluation was complementary role of using a combination of evaluation methods. / Computing / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: Philip Doty. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

The Digital Doorway (DD) is a non-standard computer system deployed to promote computer literacy amongst the underpriviledged communities in South Africa. Since its inception there has been no usability evaluation of the software installed on the DD. This study investigate the applicability of standard involved two cycles of design research phases to develop a set of multi-category heuristics for evaluating a selection of interfaces and applications installed on the DD. The heuristic evaluation method was found to be an appropriate method for the evaluating the usability of the software as well as the direct accessibility support provided on the DD. As a triangulation exercise the heuristic evaluation was complementary role of using a combination of evaluation methods. / Computing / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

The present study is aimed at analyzing the process of inclusion sociodigital through distribution equipment, from one perspective, ongoing education, provided by one of the projects articulated by public policies directed to Information Technologies in the educational environment. This is a case study in a school of public schools covered by the project One Laptop per Child. In this sense, the objective of this research is to analyze the contributions of ongoing education offered by UCA design for the pedagogical practices of teachers. The specific research objectives are: to analyze and describe the pedagogical practice of teachers in in-service training within the UCA; analyzing tools and methodologies adopted by teachers in their practice, after the implementation of the UCA design and verify |if| and |how| occurred / teaching process in the light of the guidelines of UCA Project occurs. Data analysis revealed the experiences of teachers linked the practice to the laptop as well as the relationship of theory and practice obtained by the process of ongoing education, allowing to know how was the process of inclusion sociodigital. We conclude that involve interesting projects implemented in school to a proposed intervention that maps to the constant review process, which teachers are protagonists, signaling the priority needs in relation to the school context in which they are inserted, which, without doubt provide the best targeting of new teaching practices. / O presente estudo está voltado à análise do processo de inclusão sociodigital por meio da distribuição de equipamentos, sob uma perspectiva de formação continuada em serviço, proporcionada por um dos projetos articulados pelas políticas públicas direcionadas às Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação no meio educacional. Trata-se de um Estudo de Caso em uma das escolas da rede pública estadual contempladas pelo projeto Um Computador por Aluno. Nesse sentido, o objetivo geral desta pesquisa é analisar as contribuições da formação continuada em serviço oferecida pelo Projeto UCA para as práticas pedagógicas dos professores. Os objetivos específicos da pesquisa são: analisar e descrever as prática pedagógicas dos professores em formação em serviço no âmbito do UCA; analisar instrumentos e metodologias adotados pelos professores em sua prática pedagógica, após a implementação do Projeto UCA e verificar se e como ocorreu/ocorre o processo de ensino à luz das diretrizes do Projeto UCA. As análises dos dados revelaram as experiências dos professores atreladas à prática com o laptop, bem como a relação da teoria e da prática obtidos pelo processo da formação continuada em serviço, permitindo conhecer como se deu o processo de inclusão sociodigital entre os envolvidos. Conclui-se que é necessário associar os projetos implementados na escola a uma proposta de intervenção direcionada a um processo de avaliação constante no qual os professores sejam os protagonistas, sinalizando as necessidades prioritárias de acordo com o contexto escolar no qual estão inseridos, o que, sem dúvida, proporcionaria um melhor direcionamento em suas práticas pedagógicas futuras.

Digital divide research has recently begun to address the functional gaps between Internet-connected technologies, specifically mobile and wired devices. This study uses nationally representative survey data from the Pew Internet and American Life Project to address this area of research and explores how smartphone-dependence compared to multi-modal access impacts Internet use among key demographic groups including race, sex, age, income, and education. This study also explores how demographic characteristics and smartphone use interact to affect reliance on smartphones and perceptions of the utility of mobile devices. Results show that race, sex, age, income, and education, exhibit different rates of smartphone-dependence, and also perform different online activities with their smartphones. Minorities and younger users are more likely to be smartphone-dependent and multi-modal users suggesting that these demographic groups are adopting mobile Internet technologies faster than Whites and older individuals. Minorities also use smartphones for more news and information activities than Whites, which contradicts traditional usage gap predictions.

The aim of this study is to determine whether the targeted university students have a more equal picture regarding Africa than what the Swedish society in general has, which by Sida’s researches has shown to be an oldfangled picture. The research is based on a quantitative method in terms of a survey that in total reached out to 286 responding students at the Linnaeus University in Växjö. The theoretical framework is based on the Digital Divide, Diffusion of Innovation and The model of Newsworthiness. The research discusses the oldfangled picture of Africa that remains within the Swedish society, why it remains and what different characters that is to be blamed for the formation, as well as it presents optional efforts that could be used to update the picture of Africa. The result from the survey shows that neither do Swedish students at the Linnaeus University possesses a more updated picture, even though they are said to belong to a privileged group in the society, in the manner of access to information from both media, education, Internet and other diverse sources. We conclude that there is a gap in the information distribution regarding Africa, what information that is available for the Swedish society is mostly negative and oldfangled. What can be argued to be an optional solution to this remaining problem is a closure of the digital divide, which would provide an important interpersonal communication channel that is missing today. This is further explained in the thesis with support of earlier researches together with theories and result.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Science in Information Technology in Education

This research examines how social networking fosters the mobility of young people in a rural Spain. Generally, rural areas have been overlooked in the discourse on Globalization and Network Society, which is the foundation of the concept of “linked city”. Although many scholars have highlighted the direct link between the increase in the modes of communication of people and the increase of any kind of interaction, face-to-face included, it is necessary to stress that most of these studies are conducted in urban context where a certain grade of efficient transport exists. This study provides an approach to the impact of mediated communication on the lives of people in villages. Based on the concept of Digital Natives this study addresses the Social Network use of young people in a determined rural area in Spain and its correlation with the aim of mobility of the respondents. The results bring to light a certain degree of correlation between the increase of interaction via the Internet and the wish of mobility. Besides, this study uncovers a transportation shortage among locations in this rural area that forces young people to reduce the face-to-face interactions around specific nodes (e.g. High School or a near big city). Finally this study stresses the need for improvement of the transportation networks in terms of cost, flexibility, functionality and reach among rural population in order to avoid a cultural, economic and social backwardness in comparison to urban environments.