Magister Educationis (Adult Learning and Global Change) - MEd(AL) / This study investigates how students in an online Masters Programme in Adult Learning, although geographically dispersed used SNs to develop a supportive environment that enables collaborative learning to support and deepen their learning. Web 2.0 social software provided the tools for various forms of communication and information sharing amongst student within the social networks. This study shows how the use of Web 2.0 tools such as wikis, podcasts, blogs, chat rooms, social networking sites and email have the potential to expand the learning environment, increase participation and enrich the learning experience. Rapid technological developments transform our world into a global society which is ever changing and interconnected. The SNs as a learning environment in this technological driven global society is complex and not clearly defined; therefore it was not easy for me to understand the nature of the SNs as learning environment. The social nature of this study has therefore urged me to use social constructivism as a conceptual framework to gain insights into how students have used the social networks to develop a supportive environment that enables collaborative learning to support and deepen their learning. The utilisation of social constructivism as theoretical lens has helped to broaden my perceptions of the SNs as learning environment, to deepen my understanding of how learning occurs in the SNs and to comprehend learner behaviour within this pedagogical space. Social constructivists view learning as a social process in which people make sense of their world by interacting with other people (Doolittle & Camp, 1999). Social constructivists belief in the social nature of knowledge, and the belief that knowledge is the result of social interaction and language usage, and, thus, is a shared, rather than an individual, experience (Prawat & Floden, 1994). Furthermore, they believe that this social interaction always occurs within a socio-cultural context, resulting in knowledge that is bound to a specific time and place (Vygotsky, 1978).

The aim of this paper is to provide enterprise system and BPMS implementers an alternative approach to address those critical success factors that can be supported by new web based collaborative technology and to propose a typical model or configuration to deploy this approach as a methodology. In order to achieve this aim the following objectives are identified: <li>Gain an understanding of enterprise and BPMS systems and the history of failed enterprise system implementations; </li> <li>Identify and analyse the critical success factors of enterprise system implementation with a specific view on those that require communication and collaboration that can be supported by a Web 2.0 technology; </li> <li>Gain an understanding of change management as a critical success factor for enterprise system implementation and the role of communication and collaboration as components of change management; </li> <li>Research the current state of Web 2.0 collaborative technology and determine the components that may be useful to support the specific requirements identified for change management as a critical success factor in enterprise system implementation; </li> <li>Propose a model using Web 2.0 tools in the BPMS deployment; </li> <li>Identify areas to be investigated in future research such as a case study. </li> The application of the principles identified and researched for the model is demonstrated through the application of the principles to a specific case, in this instance the FlowCentric Business Process Management Suite. / Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Informatics / unrestricted

There is little in the existing literature that provides practical information on the link between co-creation and the internet as well as guidance on how to facilitate cocreation in the online environment. This study sought to address these gaps and particularly the lack of guidance on the practical act of co-creation and the relationship between co-creation and the online environment. A quantitative research methodology with a descriptive design was followed. The data for the study was collected by way of an internet survey. The population for the research was defined as the users of the online cycling social network, www.thehubsa.co.za. A topic explaining the purpose of the study and inviting users to participate was posted on the website. The study revealed the existence of a new two factor solution related to the separate co-creation and Web 2.0 applications constructs. In this respect the Interact and Use components (co-creation) as well as the Creating and Sharing components (Web 2.0 applications) could provide the foundation for construct validity for more comprehensive scales.The ability of a user to Author content on a website was found to be of particular practical importance in facilitating co-creation. Providing this functionality to a customer may be the key to the missing “how to” element of online co-creation. The ability of a social networking website, such as www.thehubsa.co.za, to encourage general product/service usage appears to be the main attraction to advertisers. Advertisers looking to build their brands may not necessarily obtain the same benefits from the website. Findings regarding impact on usage were inconclusive and further research is suggested. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The relationship between the government and the governed is transforming into a digital collaboration of operations. The level of intensity for this collaboration between government and citizens have fallen behind that of the private sector. Web 2.0 tools, otherwise known as social media, internet search engines, and e-Government are now a stimulant for citizens to become informed about their government actions and to also interact with government in order to provide input to elected officials and appointed officials from citizens to the government concerning public policy making and other public concerns. This research seeks to examine the question of whether forms of local government and their hiring practices have any effect on the way local municipalities conduct their background checks using social media and search engines as supplemental information to traditional background checks. The author examines a representative sample of 871 municipalities within the U.S. having a population of 2,500 or greater. The local form of government hiring procedures characteristics of these 871 municipalities are measured using two separate independent variables. The effects of the forms of local government hiring procedures are measured using independent T-tests and Z-tests for regions selected by the U.S. Census Bureau and population size of these municipalities, municipalities that offer e-Government, and the total forms of e-Government offered. The first four hypotheses, which are especially central to this dissertation, were all rejected. Local government form, population, and region are not correlated with use of social media and search engines to obtain supplemental information about applicants. There were 448 out of 871 hiring managers in municipalities responding to this survey, 51 percent, that confirm searching social media to find supplemental information about applicants. Characteristics of the hiring managers for this study show a correlation between social media and search engines being used to obtain supplemental information about applicants, however, statistical significance was not obtained for these core hypotheses. Minor hypotheses in this study did prove to show significance between hiring managers and the use of social media and search engines to obtain supplemental information about applicants.

Published Article / This paper reports on a mixed methods study that investigated access to, use, and perceptions of current and emerging technologies among Information Technology (IT) staff and students at universities of technology (UoTs) in South Africa. Fifty-eight IT staff and 410 IT students from 4 UoTs participated in the study. The primary research instrument was an online survey questionnaire, which was supplemented by semi-structured interviews with 31 of the study participants. Web investigations and conversations with IT support staff from UoTs also formed part of the mixed methods employed in the study. The findings of the online survey are analysed both from individual institutional perspectives and in aggregate form representative of the sector as a whole. Cross tabulations are used to analyse the data across institutions. The quantitative analysis reveals interesting trends and patterns in how students and staff are taking advantage of the potential held by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for teaching and learning and for use in their daily lives. The qualitative findings question the assumptions that have been made about a digital divide between digital native students and their digital immigrant lecturers, suggesting that we need to develop a more sophisticated understanding of the role that technologies play in the lives of both students and staff. Results indicate that while students are very enthusiastic about using various ICTs and Web 2.0 tools, most have still to be convinced about their use for formal academic functions. Academic staff, on the other hand, continues to be cautiously optimistic about the use of ICTs in teaching and still harbour a number of concerns.

No atual contexto tecnológico percebe-se a relevância das bibliotecas universitárias buscarem formas de manter e ampliar o seu alcance e interação com o seu usuário. Uma maior visibilidade da biblioteca proporciona a seus usuários conhecerem o que a biblioteca pode lhes oferecer e potencializar seu acesso ao conhecimento científico. Cabe às unidades de informação buscar novos recursos que cativem seus usuários e que ao mesmo tempo permitam a biblioteca ampliar seu alcance a usuários potenciais. A partir disso, o objetivo geral da pesquisa é investigar as melhores práticas para promover e divulgar a Biblioteca da Escola de Enfermagem da UFRGS (BIBENF) utilizando ferramentas da Web 2.0. Trata-se de um estudo de caso com uma proposta exploratória da realidade, de caráter quantitativo e qualitativo. Para a coleta de dados foram utilizados instrumentos eletrônicos: questionário, análise das atividades no perfil da biblioteca no Facebook e relatórios do Google Analytics. A amostra é composta pela comunidade acadêmica da Escola de Enfermagem da UFRGS, egressos, servidores da área de enfermagem do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, indivíduos com vínculo na Escola de Saúde Pública - RS, profissionais registrados no Conselho Regional de Enfermagem e Associação Nacional de Enfermagem - RS, seguidores do perfil da BIBENF no Facebook e usuários que acessaram o site da biblioteca. Os dados obtidos demonstram o Facebook como a ferramenta da Web 2.0 mais utilizada. O WhatsApp é a ferramenta mais sugerida para uso pela BIBENF. A análise dos dados do site aponta uma capacidade de abrangência não limitada geograficamente, pois apenas 30% são de Porto Alegre, cidade onde se localiza o BIBENF. Como produto final do mestrado profissional foi criado um manual de melhores práticas no uso de ferramentas da Web 2.0 para a promoção e divulgação de bibliotecas universitárias. Os resultados demonstraram a importância de também identificar as necessidades dos usuários potenciais dos serviços oferecidos com ferramentas da Web 2.0. Concluiu-se que o uso intensivo de tais ferramentas, como meio de promoção e divulgação, pode vir a atender de uma forma mais eficaz às necessidades informacionais de seus usuários reais e potenciais. O uso dessas ferramentas também permite melhorar a fidelização dos usuários quanto ao uso dos serviços e produtos desenvolvidos pela biblioteca. / In the current technological context, we can see the relevance of university libraries seek new ways to keep and expand its reach and interaction with its users. A greater library visibility allows its users to know what the library can offer them and to increase their access to scientific knowledge. It is up to information units get new features that captivate their users and at the same time allow the library to expand its reach to potential users. Thus, the main aim of this research is to investigate best practices to promote and publicize the Library of UFRGS’s School of Nursing (BIBENF) using Web 2.0 tools. This is a case study with an exploratory proposal and using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. We used the following electronic instruments to collect data: questionnaires, analysis of activities in the library profile on Facebook, and Google Analytics reports. The sample is composed by the academic community of UFRGS School of Nursing, graduates, workers from nursing area in the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, linked individuals to the School of Public Health - RS, registered professionals in the Conselho Regional de Enfermagem e Associação Nacional de Enfermagem - RS, followers of BIBENF profile on Facebook and users who accessed the library website. The data obtained show Facebook as the most used Web 2.0 tool. The WhatsApp is the most suggested tool for use by BIBENF. The data analysis of website points to a not limited geographical coverage, since only 30% of the users are from Porto Alegre, where BIBENF is located. A manual of best practices in the use of Web 2.0 tools for the promotion and dissemination of university libraries was constructed as a professional master’s outcome. The results showed the importance of also identify the needs of potential users of the services offered by Web 2.0 tools. We conclude that the intensive use of such tools, as a means of promotion and dissemination, could meet in a more effective way to the informational needs of its real and potential users. The usage of these tools also improves the customer loyalty in the use of services and products developed by the library.

No atual contexto tecnológico percebe-se a relevância das bibliotecas universitárias buscarem formas de manter e ampliar o seu alcance e interação com o seu usuário. Uma maior visibilidade da biblioteca proporciona a seus usuários conhecerem o que a biblioteca pode lhes oferecer e potencializar seu acesso ao conhecimento científico. Cabe às unidades de informação buscar novos recursos que cativem seus usuários e que ao mesmo tempo permitam a biblioteca ampliar seu alcance a usuários potenciais. A partir disso, o objetivo geral da pesquisa é investigar as melhores práticas para promover e divulgar a Biblioteca da Escola de Enfermagem da UFRGS (BIBENF) utilizando ferramentas da Web 2.0. Trata-se de um estudo de caso com uma proposta exploratória da realidade, de caráter quantitativo e qualitativo. Para a coleta de dados foram utilizados instrumentos eletrônicos: questionário, análise das atividades no perfil da biblioteca no Facebook e relatórios do Google Analytics. A amostra é composta pela comunidade acadêmica da Escola de Enfermagem da UFRGS, egressos, servidores da área de enfermagem do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, indivíduos com vínculo na Escola de Saúde Pública - RS, profissionais registrados no Conselho Regional de Enfermagem e Associação Nacional de Enfermagem - RS, seguidores do perfil da BIBENF no Facebook e usuários que acessaram o site da biblioteca. Os dados obtidos demonstram o Facebook como a ferramenta da Web 2.0 mais utilizada. O WhatsApp é a ferramenta mais sugerida para uso pela BIBENF. A análise dos dados do site aponta uma capacidade de abrangência não limitada geograficamente, pois apenas 30% são de Porto Alegre, cidade onde se localiza o BIBENF. Como produto final do mestrado profissional foi criado um manual de melhores práticas no uso de ferramentas da Web 2.0 para a promoção e divulgação de bibliotecas universitárias. Os resultados demonstraram a importância de também identificar as necessidades dos usuários potenciais dos serviços oferecidos com ferramentas da Web 2.0. Concluiu-se que o uso intensivo de tais ferramentas, como meio de promoção e divulgação, pode vir a atender de uma forma mais eficaz às necessidades informacionais de seus usuários reais e potenciais. O uso dessas ferramentas também permite melhorar a fidelização dos usuários quanto ao uso dos serviços e produtos desenvolvidos pela biblioteca. / In the current technological context, we can see the relevance of university libraries seek new ways to keep and expand its reach and interaction with its users. A greater library visibility allows its users to know what the library can offer them and to increase their access to scientific knowledge. It is up to information units get new features that captivate their users and at the same time allow the library to expand its reach to potential users. Thus, the main aim of this research is to investigate best practices to promote and publicize the Library of UFRGS’s School of Nursing (BIBENF) using Web 2.0 tools. This is a case study with an exploratory proposal and using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. We used the following electronic instruments to collect data: questionnaires, analysis of activities in the library profile on Facebook, and Google Analytics reports. The sample is composed by the academic community of UFRGS School of Nursing, graduates, workers from nursing area in the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, linked individuals to the School of Public Health - RS, registered professionals in the Conselho Regional de Enfermagem e Associação Nacional de Enfermagem - RS, followers of BIBENF profile on Facebook and users who accessed the library website. The data obtained show Facebook as the most used Web 2.0 tool. The WhatsApp is the most suggested tool for use by BIBENF. The data analysis of website points to a not limited geographical coverage, since only 30% of the users are from Porto Alegre, where BIBENF is located. A manual of best practices in the use of Web 2.0 tools for the promotion and dissemination of university libraries was constructed as a professional master’s outcome. The results showed the importance of also identify the needs of potential users of the services offered by Web 2.0 tools. We conclude that the intensive use of such tools, as a means of promotion and dissemination, could meet in a more effective way to the informational needs of its real and potential users. The usage of these tools also improves the customer loyalty in the use of services and products developed by the library.

No atual contexto tecnológico percebe-se a relevância das bibliotecas universitárias buscarem formas de manter e ampliar o seu alcance e interação com o seu usuário. Uma maior visibilidade da biblioteca proporciona a seus usuários conhecerem o que a biblioteca pode lhes oferecer e potencializar seu acesso ao conhecimento científico. Cabe às unidades de informação buscar novos recursos que cativem seus usuários e que ao mesmo tempo permitam a biblioteca ampliar seu alcance a usuários potenciais. A partir disso, o objetivo geral da pesquisa é investigar as melhores práticas para promover e divulgar a Biblioteca da Escola de Enfermagem da UFRGS (BIBENF) utilizando ferramentas da Web 2.0. Trata-se de um estudo de caso com uma proposta exploratória da realidade, de caráter quantitativo e qualitativo. Para a coleta de dados foram utilizados instrumentos eletrônicos: questionário, análise das atividades no perfil da biblioteca no Facebook e relatórios do Google Analytics. A amostra é composta pela comunidade acadêmica da Escola de Enfermagem da UFRGS, egressos, servidores da área de enfermagem do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, indivíduos com vínculo na Escola de Saúde Pública - RS, profissionais registrados no Conselho Regional de Enfermagem e Associação Nacional de Enfermagem - RS, seguidores do perfil da BIBENF no Facebook e usuários que acessaram o site da biblioteca. Os dados obtidos demonstram o Facebook como a ferramenta da Web 2.0 mais utilizada. O WhatsApp é a ferramenta mais sugerida para uso pela BIBENF. A análise dos dados do site aponta uma capacidade de abrangência não limitada geograficamente, pois apenas 30% são de Porto Alegre, cidade onde se localiza o BIBENF. Como produto final do mestrado profissional foi criado um manual de melhores práticas no uso de ferramentas da Web 2.0 para a promoção e divulgação de bibliotecas universitárias. Os resultados demonstraram a importância de também identificar as necessidades dos usuários potenciais dos serviços oferecidos com ferramentas da Web 2.0. Concluiu-se que o uso intensivo de tais ferramentas, como meio de promoção e divulgação, pode vir a atender de uma forma mais eficaz às necessidades informacionais de seus usuários reais e potenciais. O uso dessas ferramentas também permite melhorar a fidelização dos usuários quanto ao uso dos serviços e produtos desenvolvidos pela biblioteca. / In the current technological context, we can see the relevance of university libraries seek new ways to keep and expand its reach and interaction with its users. A greater library visibility allows its users to know what the library can offer them and to increase their access to scientific knowledge. It is up to information units get new features that captivate their users and at the same time allow the library to expand its reach to potential users. Thus, the main aim of this research is to investigate best practices to promote and publicize the Library of UFRGS’s School of Nursing (BIBENF) using Web 2.0 tools. This is a case study with an exploratory proposal and using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. We used the following electronic instruments to collect data: questionnaires, analysis of activities in the library profile on Facebook, and Google Analytics reports. The sample is composed by the academic community of UFRGS School of Nursing, graduates, workers from nursing area in the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, linked individuals to the School of Public Health - RS, registered professionals in the Conselho Regional de Enfermagem e Associação Nacional de Enfermagem - RS, followers of BIBENF profile on Facebook and users who accessed the library website. The data obtained show Facebook as the most used Web 2.0 tool. The WhatsApp is the most suggested tool for use by BIBENF. The data analysis of website points to a not limited geographical coverage, since only 30% of the users are from Porto Alegre, where BIBENF is located. A manual of best practices in the use of Web 2.0 tools for the promotion and dissemination of university libraries was constructed as a professional master’s outcome. The results showed the importance of also identify the needs of potential users of the services offered by Web 2.0 tools. We conclude that the intensive use of such tools, as a means of promotion and dissemination, could meet in a more effective way to the informational needs of its real and potential users. The usage of these tools also improves the customer loyalty in the use of services and products developed by the library.

The purpose of this research study was to explore the impact of specific Web 2.0 tools on students' experience of teaching, social, and cognitive presence and motivation when enrolled in a very large hybrid course. With online course enrollments continuing to grow at a higher rate than traditional enrollments in higher education (Allen & Seaman, 2011) and universities increasing class sizes as a way to meet this demand with fewer fiscal resources, it is imperative to find ways to keep students engaged and motivated when enrolled in very large classes. This study used the Community of Inquiry framework (Garrison, Anderson & Archer, 2000) to examine the effect of specific Web 2.0 tools (asynchronous discussion, streaming lectures, multimedia lecture demonstrations, Twitter, and the Second Life virtual world) on teaching, social, and cognitive presence and motivation. The sample population for this study (n = 567) consisted of undergraduate students enrolled in a very large hybrid accounting course in the fall of 2010 at the University of Central Florida. The total enrollment for the course was 943 students. Students could attend face-to-face (f2f) class sessions in a large lecture room that seated 285 students or they could view a streaming video capture of the lectures online. Students were not required to attend the f2f class sessions and could complete the course entirely online. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variances (ANOVA), and results of the statistical analyses indicated that students who frequently used the Web 2.0 tools had statistically significant higher mean motivation scores than students who did not use the tools as frequently. Additionally, students who frequently attended the f2f sessions had statistically significant higher mean social presence scores compared to students who attended sometimes or not at all. Attending the f2f sessions, however, did not result in higher mean scores of teaching or cognitive presence. When examined for the impact of the specific Web 2.0 tools, analysis of the ANOVA results indicated that students who used the discussion, streaming lectures, multimedia lecture demonstrations, and Twitter all of the time had significantly higher mean scores of teaching, social, and cognitive presence compared to those students who used the tools less frequently. Further research should be conducted on large hybrid and online courses in different content areas and on those that use different types of learning approaches.

Novice teachers do not have sufficient opportunities to troubleshoot real-world teaching situations prior to having their own classrooms. Antiquated professional development (PD) models lack the collaboration element that provides authentic application of concepts. This qualitative case study was conducted to fill a gap in research on novice teachers' voluntary participation in an online community of practice. The study explored how the situated learning in this virtual community addressed the cognitive and social needs of early career teachers as they made the theory to practice connections. The community of practice framework and the social learning theories supported socialization as essential in early career teachers' growth. Research questions in the study examined five teachers' beliefs about collaboration- in promoting community engagement, the influence of voluntary participation on the quality of teacher engagement, and teachers' perceptions of the use of Web 2.0 technology to build community. A priori codes were created using the theoretical frame and research questions to guide the analysis of audio, transcriptions, observations, and other coded artifacts to find themes and patterns promoting internal validity. Findings revealed teachers' belief in collaboration impacted their level of engagement virtually. While voluntary participation motivates teacher participation, it does not guarantee high quality engagement without accountability. Since attrition is a continual threat to the teaching workforce, study results validate recommending the use of virtual resources to facilitate CoPs to remedy the mentoring and coaching void for early career teachers. Also, innovative use of Web 2.0 tools should be used to expose new teachers to diverse experiences that bridge theory to practice gaps and encourage teacher leadership, which promotes retention.