The mobile phone has been regarded as one of the most significant inventions in the field of communications and information technology over the past decade. Due to the rapid growth of mobile phone subscribers, hundreds of phone models have been introduced. Therefore, customers may find it difficult to select the most appropriate mobile phone because of information overload. The aim of this study is to investigate web support for customers who are selecting a mobile phone. Firstly, all the models of mobile phones in the New Zealand market were identified by visiting shops and local websites. Secondly, a list of all the features of these mobile phones was collated from local shops, websites and magazines. This list was categorised into mobile phone properties and performance criteria. An experiment then compared three different selection support methods: A (mobile phone catalogue), B (mobile phone property selection) and C (mobile phone property and performance criteria selection). The results of the experiment revealed that selection support methods B and C had higher overall satisfaction ratings than selection support method A; both methods B and C had similar satisfaction ratings. The results also suggested that males and females select their mobile phones differently, though there was no gender preference in selection support methods.

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of teacher trainers and trainees about a web-support system and its components developed and implemented as an integral part of the in-service teacher training program entitled &ldquo / Certificate for Teaching English&rdquo / (CTE) program for the newly hired teachers in the two departments of the School of Foreign Languages at Middle East Technical University (METU). The overall design of this study was a case study which was conducted as action research within the qualitative research paradigm. Some participants&rsquo / perceived the file system as usable, reachable, and beneficial because the file types used in the web-support were in congruence with the CTE program. Some participants had difficulty finding files that they were looking for. The participants were not able to use the forum frequently enough because they did not have enough time and they were always in contact with each other during their work hours. However, they suggested the usage of compulsory activities that are separated to be used within the forum. The participants perceived the online tasks as beneficial in terms of retention and revision of sessions and showing examples of how to use video in class. The participants thought that the presence of the curriculum information on the web was essential as information. The participants perceived that the integration of web support and sessions was partial and they wanted to do some sessions online in the future. The participants perceived news section as beneficial in directing them but they thought it should be updated more often.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of web supported statistics education environment for graduate level students. The aim was to develop a web support system to ease the graduate students&#039 / understanding of statistical concepts. This study also examined the perceptions of the students about web supported instruction. Although there are some studies conducted about technology aided statistics education, they are insufficient in the amount according to other areas. Besides these few studies were conducted mainly among lower grades. There is a need to find out and overcome students&rsquo / learning difficulties about statistical concepts in graduate levels. The intention of the study was to construct a web support system for traditionally offered Educational Statistics course in order to decrease both instructor and students efforts to communicate, present, reach and use the resources. The subjects of the study were 21 graduate students of Educational Statistics course offered. 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 perceptions of the users. The results of the study indicated that there was an improvement in students&rsquo / achievement related to educational statistics through web supported instruction. Besides, the perceptions of the students were collected with interview questions about the functions and usability of the system. The highly positive perceptions of the students showed that, it is necessary for the students to have such a course support system. The framework was developed not only support for traditionally offered courses, but also support for lifelong learning processes. The researcher believed that the study revealed the most realistic usage pattern of a course support system. The results can be used by the instructors in order to offer the best web support system with minimum effort. Moreover, the proposed system can be used in any learning content management systems without the need for technical knowledge.