bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Examination of Factors Associated with Students’ Ethical Decision Making in Post-Secondary Online Learning
Authors: M. Ramim Michelle
Published: October 2017

Technological advances and the increasing popularity of the Internet have enabled post-secondary institutions to implement e-learning technologies as a teaching environment. Students’ enrollment in e-learning courses has proliferated over the past decade. However, ethical issues with students’ conduct in e-learning courses have been raised by several scholars and were noted as a major concern. Moreover, scholars argue that students’ unethical conduct has intensified due to technology use. Ethical decision making has been associated with individuals’ conduct. Ethical decision making is grounded upon decision making theory. Various studies have linked numerous factors such as familiarity with the organization’s code of conduct, academic experience, and expertise with the use of technology with ethical decision making. Research indicates that familiarity with the organization’s code of conduct is instrumental in aiding individuals to make ethical decisions. Moreover, research suggests that academic experience and students’ expertise with the use of technology appear to contribute to students’ ethical decision making in post-secondary educational institutions.
Dealing with Social Isolation to Minimize Doctoral Attrition - A Four Stage Framework
Authors: Ali Azad , Kohun Fred
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this paper is to create a study model or framework for dealing with social isolation in doctoral programs. Previous studies have focused on the issue of attrition among doctoral students and the factors that cause doctoral students to drop out prior to completing their degrees. Among the factors that affect students’ decisions to leave doctoral programs is the feeling of social isolation; however, the studies have focused on identifying the causes rather than establishing a framework for dealing with isolation feeling in doctoral programs. This paper intends to fill the gap and to establish a framework for dealing with isolation feelings in order to minimize doctoral attrition.
Offshore Outsourcing: New Spin Or Same Old Business
Authors: Duggal Sudesh , Simkonis Carl
Published: October 2017

America has been, historically, the leading edge of much of the world’s engineering and IT innovations. However, with the current trends of Offshore Outsourcing high tech and high paying employment, the questions arise: why go into these fields at all. Why involve yourself with the rigorous academic requirements demanded of these disciplines; especially when one considers the real possibility of being outsourced out of a job to offshore companies. As more and more high paying American jobs are outsourced to foreign markets, we must start to recalculate the bene-fit/cost ratios of no holes barred free trade practices. The current economic expansion, we are currently experiencing, is a unique one. It has not created jobs; nor has it added to real wage growth. This has not added to the overall American standard of economic life. The benefits of the expansion have been skewed very favorably to corporate American.
Towards an Analysis of Poor Learner Performance in a Theoretical Computer Literacy Course
Authors: Margaretha van der Poll Huibrecht , Andrew van der Poll John
Published: October 2017

An alarming number of learners in Accounting at a large distance teaching university fail an introductory course in computer literacy. The lecturers proposed over a period of three years various methods of studying and preparing for the examination in the subject, but with limited success. The problem seems to start at school level even as early on as primary school education. Distance-teaching institutions are furthermore faced with the absence of a classroom environment, a facility which many learners, fresh from school, still have a need for. However, having marked a few thousand scripts twice a year over the past three years, the lecturers identified a number of subproblems all part of the larger problem of learners having to use English as their second or third language to master a content subject. Other problems include an inability to determine the relevance of a formulated answer to a question.
What Exactly Do You Want Me To Do? Analysis of a Criterion Referenced Assessment Project
Authors: Jewels Tony , Ford Marilyn , Jones Wendy
Published: October 2017

In tertiary institutions in Australia, and no doubt elsewhere, there is increasing pressure for accountability. No longer are academics assumed a priori to be responsible and capable of self management in teaching and assessing the subjects they run. Procedures are being dictated more from the ‘top down’. Although academics may not always appreciate ‘top down’ policies on teaching and learning, they should at least be open to the possibility that the policies may indeed have merit. On the other hand, academics should never be expected to blindly accept policies dictated from elsewhere. Responsible academics generally also need to evaluate for themselves the validity and legitimacy of externally introduced new policies and procedures.
An Architecture of a Computer Learning Environment for Mapping the Student’s Knowledge Level
Authors: Pimentel Edson , Omar Nizam
Published: October 2017

It is unquestionably essential for students to gather their previous knowledge of specific subjects when they are about to learn new and more complex ones. The gaps left by the absence of well-defined learning prerequisites not only contribute to the increase in the learning difficulties, but also lead many students to fail in school. This situation gets even more serious when students are not aware of these gaps and do not know how to identify them. In this scene, the learning assessment process as a knowledge measuring device occupies a fundamental role. This paper represents an attempt to set out architecture of a computer learning environment for mapping the student’s knowledge level, which allows for a more specific identification of the learning gaps in order to supply the educational system with qualitative information.
It is Time to Add Kurdish Culture to VS .NET Globalization
Authors: Ali Azad , Kohun Frederick
Published: October 2017

Starting with the introduction of Visual Studio .NET (VS .NET) application developers can write programs that may be used for different languages listed in VS .NET globalization. However, the list of languages is incomplete and is missing many. One of these missing languages from VS .NET globalization is the Kurdish: a language written and spoken by millions of Kurds around the world. Previous research conducted by the authors made a case for adding the Kurdish language to the globalization component of the .NET Framework. We were hopeful that the Kurdish will be added to VS .NET in the latest version (VS .NET 2005) that was yet to be released in full version at the time of writing that paper. However, VS .NET 2005 has been released, and to our disappointment, Microsoft excluded the Kurdish language again from the languages it supports in VS .NET. This paper is to emphasize adding Kurdish to VS .NET globalization component. It shows that there are no technical, lingual or cultural hurdles for adding Kurdish to VS .NET globalization and thus it is time to add the Kurdish Culture to the newly released Microsoft .Net Framework.
Analyzing the Affect of Culture on Curricular Content: A Research Conception
Authors: Burcik Vladimir , Kohun Fred , Skovira Robert
Published: October 2017

A research conception is developed to enable qualitative and quantitative research on the affect of culture on the curricular content of business and information systems degree programs. The frame raises the interconnected issue of globalizing business and information systems education (theories of organization, management, and employees’ motivation, and the use of information systems) and the affects of a society’s culture. The paper asserts that a society’s culture affects the business and information systems curricula. The essay assumes that any organization is an info-scape (an information landscape). A person’s culture shapes tacitly his or her understandings of the nature and functionality of an organization and its information systems and how to manage them. The conception, following Hofstede and Hofstede, presents an understanding of the Power Distance and Uncertainty Avoidance dimensions and four organizational views: the organization as Pyramid, Market, Machine, and Family. The conception also proposes a relation of organizational type to organizational governance styles: Monarchical, Feudal, Federal, and Anarchical. Finally, the conception also includes the relationship between organizational models and styles of managing organizations: Directive, Analytic, Conceptual, and Social.
Informing Young Women about Computer Careers: Examining the Pervasiveness of the Geek Image
Authors: Grant Donna , Knight Linda , Steinbach Theresa
Published: October 2017

Organizations attempting to attract more women to the Information Technology field often focus on convincing young women that the computer field is not composed primarily of geeks and loners. However, relatively little prior research focuses on whether the geek or loner image is in fact a reality in the minds of young women. This research reports on the results of a study of 412 girls, ages sixteen through eighteen, in a major Midwestern United States city. The study found that, contrary to popular opinion, most of these girls do not view those who choose computer related careers as being geeks or loners. These results call for reassessment of resources currently allocated to combat the geek and loner image, particularly in large urban areas. The research also uncovers unexpected racial differences in how those who choose computer careers are perceived.
A 'Hands on' Strategy for Teaching Genetic Algorithms to Undergraduates
Authors: Venables Anne , Tan Grace
Published: October 2017

Genetic algorithms (GAs) are a problem solving strategy that uses stochastic search. Since their introduction (Holland, 1975), GAs have proven to be particularly useful for solving problems that are ‘intractable’ using classical methods. The language of genetic algorithms (GAs) is heavily laced with biological metaphors from evolutionary literature, such as population, chromosome, crossover, cloning, mutation, genes and generations. For beginners studying genetic algorithms, there is quite an overhead in gaining comfort with these terms and an understanding of their parallel meanings in the unfamiliar computing milieu of an evolutionary algorithm. This paper describes a ‘hands on’ strategy to introduce and teach genetic algorithms to undergraduate computing students. By borrowing an analogical model from senior biology classes, poppet beads are used to represent individuals in a population (Harrison, 2001). Described are several introductory exercises that transport students from an illustration of natural selection in Biston betula moths, onto the representation and solution of differing mathematical and computing problems. Through student manipulation and interactions with poppet beads, the exercises cover terms such as population, generation, chromosome, gene, mutation and crossover in both their biological and computing contexts. Importantly, the tasks underline the two key design issues of genetic algorithms: the choice of an appropriate chromosome representation, and a suitable fitness function for each specific instance. Finally, students are introduced to the notion of schema upon which genetic algorithms operate. The constructivist model of learning advocates the use of such contextual problems to create an environment where students become active participants in their own learning (Ben-Ari, 1998; Greening, 2000; Kolb, 1984). Initial student feedback about these “hands on” exercises has been enthusiastic. As well, several students have made reference to the lessons learnt as the basis for GA coding in subsequent open-ended assignments. It seems that once the hurdle of becoming familiar with GA terminology has been surmounted, students find genetic algorithms to be particularly intriguing for their uncanny ability to solve incredibly complex problems quickly and proficiently (Moore, 2001).
Adaptive Learning by Using SCOs Metadata
Authors: Milosevic Danijela , Brkovic Mirjana , Debevc Matjaz , Krneta Radojka
Published: October 2017

This paper presents an adaptation scenario for tailoring instructional content towards individual learner characteristics taking into consideration his/her learning style type and subject matter motivation level. Learning resources are organized through shareable content objects (SCOs) - a small digital chunks of knowledge, independent and self described pieces of instructional material delivered via Learning Management System (LMS). We use an ontology based student model for storing student information. The scenario of designing lesson content is presented as a cross section of learning style and motivation level, based on the learning object’s educational metadata. Adaptation is made through discovering those SCO’s whose educational category metadata implies that SCO is to be delivered for the learning style of user. Our future work will be to provide experiment and to test our proposed guidelines in order to get feedback on how learners see the adaptive learning environments tailored to their individual learning style and motivation characteristics.
Determinants of Worldwide Software Piracy
Authors: Kovacic Zlatko
Published: October 2017

Software piracy or ‘softlifting’, the unauthorized use or illegal copying of computer software seems to be a persistent and truly global phenomenon, in spite of international efforts to reduce it. Could the battle against it be won by just merely accepting international standards for the protection of intellectual property rights? The answer to this question is the main focus of this research. This paper explores the determinants of cross-national variation in software piracy rates by performing a quantitative analysis using economic, cultural and legal variables. Based on regression analysis results, we identified factors which have a significant impact on software piracy. Among them, economic and legal factors make the most important contribution to the variability of worldwide software piracy rates. The implications of these results both for practice and theory are discussed.
On the Self-Similar Nature of ATM Network Traffic
Authors: Elagha Humam , AlShafee Maher
Published: October 2017

Modeling multimedia traffic is an important issue in performance analysis and design of communication networks. With introduction of new applications, the characteristics of data traffic changes. In this paper, a measurement study of ATM Network traffic has been carried out and it is shown that the recorded data exhibit self-similar features. The conclusions are supported by a comprehensive analysis using one of the most popular statistical methods called Indices of Dispersion. Our results validate one of the most striking findings of the present teletraffic research: a broad range of packet network traffic has fractal-like behavior. We also investigate three popular synthetic self-similar traffic models and find out the most accurate one for the measured traffic.
The Impact of Virtual Microscopes on Students’ Approach to Learning: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Jonas-Dwyer Diana , Sudweeks Fay
Published: October 2017

This research is an exploratory study of students’ approaches to studying histology and pathology. With the introduction of virtual microscopes in Health Science at Murdoch University, Australia, in 2006, it was crucial to investigate how this new technology impacted on students’ approaches to learning. The ASSIST survey was implemented at the beginning and end of the semester to identify any changes. Results indicate that, when the technology was integrated into the curriculum with appropriate learning activities, students using virtual microscopes moved more towards a strategic approach to learning but expressed a preference for a deep approach to teaching.
Meta-Analysis of Clinical Cardiovascular Data towards Evidential Reasoning for Cardiovascular Life Cycle Management
Authors: Narasimhan Lakshmi , Wu Di , Gill Narinder
Published: October 2017

The cardiovascular disease is one of the serious and life-threatening diseases in the developed world. One aspect of medical treatment is using drugs with blood pressure reducing or cholesterol lowering functions. Importantly, such treatment needs to be individually tailored and is significantly correlated to the particular conditions of individual patients. However, such pathologies and mechanisms are still only under investigation. Several novel and unique computational methods, called meta-analyses techniques, for formatting and analyzing a wide variety of cardiac datasets are discussed in this paper with the aim to building cardiovascular database and related patient life-cycle management services. In this paper we also present an overview of a second order inference engine underlying the meta-analyses, which yields evidenced-based reasoning that is more likely to better assist decision-making on the effectiveness of cardiovascular treatment than what is available currently. Furthermore, the software architecture and other details of such a medical informatics system tailored to cardiovascular disease are also described. Research and development work on this project yields itself to application to many other areas, such as disease control and prevention in Epidemiology, and dietics. The system can therefore make a profound impact to medical informatics.
Information Retrieval Systems: A Human Centered Approach
Authors: Petratos Panagiotis
Published: October 2017

In this article a human centered approach for Information Retrieval IR systems is offered. The focus of this article is on human users of IR systems, who are given the opportunity to offer enhanced relevance feedback. A novel approach is offered to capture the back-propagated feedback of human users during IR sessions. According to this approach the IR system is developed to accept human bidirectional relevance feedback, which is utilized to further enhance the IR process with the aim of improving IR effectiveness.
The Importance of Partnerships: The Relationship between Small Businesses ICT and Local Communities
Authors: Onojaefe Darlington , Leaning Marcus
Published: October 2017

The deployment of new technologies such as the Internet is often understood to positively change the way that business works. However it is important to realise that success is not automatic and a number of other factors must also be considered. In this paper it is argued that a wider range of skills is needed than just technical skills, and a wider vision is needed than just the vision of one business. Small businesses, widely considered a suitable vehicle for sustainable development, must be seen in the context of their communities, for their relationship with public sector agencies and other supporting and regulatory bodies, and as partners to much larger businesses. This paper is based on small-scale qualitative fieldwork conducted with small businesses that make extensive use of ICT located in Cape Town, South Africa and Swansea in South Wales, a deprived region of the UK. It was found that for businesses to succeed a range of competencies are by business managers needed that facilitate relationships and partnerships, these are in addition to the skills needed for simple internal operational issues. Moreover as the nature of partnerships change the mix of required competencies vary from one circumstance to another. A model is presented that shows some of the critical relationships between the Internet (on the one hand) and the stakeholders of a business and the relationships with them (on the other).
Effect of Windows XP Firewall on Network Simulation and Testing
Authors: Al-Rawi Akram , Lansari Azzedine
Published: October 2017

The objective of this paper is to report findings from simulating and testing local area network (LAN) connectivity using Windows XP operating system and Cisco Networking Academy network devices. In this study, a simple routing protocol, RIP, is used as routing protocol. Two different techniques, Cisco Networking Academy hardware lab and Cisco Packet Tracer 4, were used to compare their performance to simulate network connectivity. Primary findings showed that the settings of the Windows XP firewall on the host computer have a direct impact on the test results. These findings are critical as there are no similar reports in the literature and only a careful investigation allowed the researchers to come to this conclusion. Furthermore, study results also offer suggestions for fixing problems that hinder simulation results of LANs that use Windows XP workstations. These findings can help CCNA students and faculty understand the reasons for unexplained connectivity problems when performing CCNA labs. The study also provides a simple method to avoid connectivity problems when using Windows ping.exe and tracert.exe which implement the TCP/IP protocol ICMP
Mobile Learning Cognitive Architecture and the Study of Literature
Authors: Nash Susan
Published: October 2017

The growing popularity of mobile devices, coupled with the ever-increasing number of high-quality e-books available for free download is causing a re-examination of core curriculum and instructional philosophies. Perhaps the most - making “great books” programs available and accessible - newly interesting, despite misgivings and political correctness of the last few decades. Distance learning via mobile devices, which incorporate some of the techniques of television and film, has made the classics of literature available and allowed people to have access to classics at a very low cost. At the same time, it has re-animated debates about the nature of study of comparative literature in a globalized world.
Highs and Lows of Implementing a Management Strategy Eliminating 'Free Passengers' in Group Projects
Authors: Ford Marilyn , Jewels Tony
Published: October 2017

In attempting to give students the opportunity to work on group projects with other students, yet ensuring students receive the marks that they each deserve, a management strategy for dealing with group work initially proposed by Ford and Morice (2003) was implemented. The present paper discusses the implementation of this strategy with its positive and negative outcomes. While good students were, not surprisingly, happy to receive the marks they deserved and while some of the benefits of group work were gained, there were problems that led to resentment and hostility from some students. Suggestions for improving the strategy and an initial attempt to implement the revised strategy are also discussed.
In Search of SecondLife Nirvana
Authors: Vogel Doug , Guo Maxwell , Zhou Phil , Tian Stella , Zhang Jacky
Published: October 2017

Pedagogically-driven support for groups is a continuing challenge as we move forward in embracing technology in an ever changing educational environment. SecondLife (www. SecondLife.com) is a virtual environment that is receiving global attention and recognition. In this paper, we compare SecondLife to other group support technologies through an extended T echnology Acceptance Model (TAM) lens. The environment chosen is a virtual team space in which an online book is produced through interactions between graduate students in Hong Kong and the Netherlands. A portfolio of technologies including email, forums, videoconferencing, SecondLife, and MSN was provided for team support and subsequently evaluated. Results indicate that SecondLife (at least in its current incarnation) is likely to need some reincarnation prior to ascent to Nirvana. In that sense, it is a goal hoped for but yet to be attained in supporting teams. Suggestions for development and directions for future research are provided. Conclusions are drawn.
A Framework for Information Security Management Based on Guiding Standards: A United States Perspective
Authors: Sipior Janice , Ward Burke
Published: October 2017

Despite government oversight, consumers continue to be concerned about the security of personal information used by corporations. Consumer concerns give rise to the necessity for corporations to manage information security. Navigating the multitude of existing security standards, including dedicated standards for information security and frameworks for controlling the implementation of information technology, presents a challenge to organizations. In response, we propose our ISM framework which considers global, national, organizational, and employee standards to guide ISM. We contend that a strategic approach to ISM will enable a focus on managing information as a key resource in global competition. This framework is intended to promote a cohesive approach which considers a process view of information within the context of the entire organizational operational environment. This framework can be used by international, national, and regional corporations to formulate, implement, enforce, and audit information security policies and practices.
Towards the Development of a New Model for Best Practice and Knowledge Construction in Virtual Campuses
Authors: Cartelli Antonio , Stansfield Mark , Connolly Thomas , Jimoyiannis Athanassios , Magalhaes Hugo , Maillet Katherine
Published: October 2017

This paper reports on the work of a European Commission DG Education and Culture cofinanced project PBP-VC, Promoting Best Practice in Virtual Campuses, which is aimed at providing a deeper understanding of the key issues and critical success factors underlying the implementation of virtual campuses. The paper outlines a tentative model of issues underpinning best practice in virtual campuses derived from an initial literature-based investigation of existing virtual campus initiatives within the European Union. It is proposed that the tentative model will build upon key principles that have been identified for the development of an online constructivist learning environment based on problem-based learning and on a suitable model for knowledge construction and evolution.
Training Information Brokers: A Curriculum Model
Authors: Christozov Dimitar , Denchev Stoyan , Toleva-Stoimenova Stefka , Rasheva-Yordanova Katia
Published: October 2017

The paper shares experience accumulated in launching and implementing a curriculum model for bachelor level training of professionals - Information Brokers - to serve as mediators and consultants to different kind of clients. This requires that professional possess knowledge and skills in several areas as information technology, mathematics and statistics, business and economics, and consulting skills as well. The way, how to build the corpus of knowledge and skills needed for the profession of Information Brokers, how it is structured and ordered is presented, commented and assessed.
Culturally-based Adaptive Learning and Concept Analytics to Guide Educational Website Content Integration
Authors: Reiners Torsten , Dreher Heinz
Published: October 2017

In modem learning environments, the lecturer or educational designer is often confronted with multi-national student cohorts, requiring special consideration regarding language, cultural norms and taboos, religion, and ethics. Through a somewhat provocative example we demonstrate that taking such factors into account can be essential to avoid embarrassment and harm to individual learners’ cultural sensibilities and, thus, provide the motivation for finding a solution using a specially designed feature, known as adaptive learning paths, for implementation in Learning Management Systems (LMS). Managing cultural conflicts is achievable by a twofold process. First, a learner profile must be created, in which the specific cultural parameters can be recorded. According to the learner profile, a set of content filter tags can be assigned to the learning path for the relevant students. Example content filter tags may be “no sex” or “nudity ok, but not combined with religion”. Second, the LMS must have the functionality to select and present content based on the content filter tags. The design of learning material is presented via a meta-data based repository of learning objects that permits the adaptation of learning paths according to learner profiles, which include the cultural sensibilities in addition to prior knowledge and learning and categorized learning content - a detailed example is given.
Prototyping a Learning Management System for Higher Education
Authors: Saade Raafat , Huang Qiong
Published: October 2017

This document presents a five year development initiative that sought to implement a learning management system clearly differentiated from the CMS domain. The present article reports on our research work showing our effort towards a design of a true learning management system which entails pedagogical strategies embedded into the system design and the online learning environment. This is characterized by its highly interactive and collaborative learning tools. The ability of the system to measure student effort and performance via the summation of the learning objects usage clearly differentiate the concept of true online learning from the traditional distance learning via content management systems. Results from student usage of the learning management system provide some insight into learning, performance and behavior in online learning. Due to limitations only three learning objects were briefly analyzed to demonstrate their value to learning specifically and to the value of the system in general.
Integrating the Web - A Study of Hotel Web Use
Authors: Lukaitis Audra , Davey Bill
Published: October 2017

This study looks at web use in hotels using a set of dimensions developed by Hashim, Murphy & Law (2007). The study investigates future directions of web use by looking at trends in one of the most established web communities. We found that the web features in the Hashim et al. dimensions model were universal across all types of hotel accommodation. We also found that directions such as disintermediation and the use of alliances did vary across the population. These differences seem to indicate the need for a richer model based on or incorporating strategic planning.
The Use of Wiki in an Academic Course: A Qualitative Investigation
Authors: Aharony Noa
Published: October 2017

The current research aims to explore and analyze the application and use of a wiki, in a knowledge-management academic course. The research will focus on the level of collaboration among students and on the kind of interaction that takes take place during the learning process. The population of this study was comprised of wiki pages which were gathered from a knowledge-management wiki course in Israel. To understand the comments directed at each student on the wiki, a thorough content analysis was conducted. The results of the current research reveal that the major part of the interaction that took place on the wiki centered on content-related comments and contained both collaboration among the students and use of deep levels of cognition.
Issues and Challenges in Selecting Content for Web Design Courses
Authors: Ali Azad , Mensch Scott
Published: October 2017

This paper discusses the pedagogical considerations and the steps that have been taken by faculty members within a technology program to update their web design courses. The department of T echnology Support and Training (TST) - Eberly College of Business and Information Technology (ECOBIT) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) has been updating their courses in response to technological changes and market demand. This study outlines the processes that were followed and the pedagogical considerations that have been taken into account when updating two ofthe TST’s web design courses. The paper explains first the challenges that web design educators lace when selecting content for their courses. The paper then outlines how these difficulties were addressed when designing the courses at the TST program.
Wisdom in Student Assignments: Its Operationalisation and Manifestation
Authors: Fink Dieter , Garner Stuart
Published: October 2017

The paper examines the presence of knowledge-related wisdom in student assignments by applying the constructs of wisdom developed by researchers at the Max Plank Institute for Human Development in Berlin. They are factual knowledge, procedural knowledge, contextualisation, relativism, and uncertainty. Reciprocal instructor wisdom was operationalised as intellectual excellence, inter-personal skills and experience. The manifestations of wisdom were observed in the completion of a case study requiring students to analyse IT benefit management practices. The findings of the study indicated satisfactory to good levels of factual and procedural knowledge, high levels of relativism but low levels of contextualisation and dealing with uncertainty. Even though previous research has shown the presence of wisdom at an early age, the findings of this student-oriented study should be pleasantly surprising to most academics.
Using a Learner-Centered Approach to Teach ICT in Secondary Schools: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Hadjerrouit Said
Published: October 2017

Despite the importance of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) as a school subject in secondary education, there is a lack of an integrated ICT pedagogy that is elucidated within a broad framework of educational practice. The focus is still on technicalities and reproduction of knowledge rather than conceptual understanding of ICT. To realize the potential inherent in ICT, there is a need for innovative ICT pedagogies in secondary education. The purpose of this work is to involve student teachers in applying and evaluating a learner-centered ICT teaching method in their teaching practice at the secondary school level. The goal is to explore student teachers’ learning processes when practicing the method and critical factors of success.
ICT Attitudinal Characteristics and Use Level of Nigerian Teachers
Authors: Jegede Philip
Published: October 2017

The study investigates the nature of relationship between ICT attitudinal constructs and use level of Nigerian teachers. A total of 467 teachers randomly drawn from teacher-training institutions participated in the study. Two research instruments; Teachers ICT Attitudinal Scales and Teachers’ Use of ICT Checklist were employed in collecting relevant information. Data collected were analysed using Multiple Regression Analysis and Spearman Correlation. It was discussed that ICT Use Level of teachers is significantly related with each and the combination of attitude constructs. The findings also revealed that perceived control factor, behavioural factors and defense factors contributed mostly to the prediction of ICT Use Level of teachers.
Blogs - The New Source of Data Analysis
Authors: Jones Michael , Alony Irit
Published: October 2017

Blogs are a new and intriguing form of communication and personal expression. Researchers are only just beginning to realise the value that these media present as sources of data for research. This paper begins to unveil the untapped potential that the blogosphere provides for research. The paper begins by introducing blogs, explaining their evolution and the important role they play in society. A major contribution to knowledge comes from the paper’s analysis of the motivation behind blogging - providing a framework of seven different motivational schemes. Building on this, the paper explores why blogs are a valuable and reliable source of data for analysis. The paper illustrates how blogs can be used for analysis, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of their use. The paper concludes with a brief note on some of the ethical considerations of using blogs for research.
Weaving the Web - From Myth to Modernity
Authors: Simpson Nikakis Karen
Published: October 2017

The discovery, development or invention of new objects and phenomena by humankind, requires a new set of words to be coined or adopted to describe it. This is also true of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) world. Words are not neutral, regardless of which dialect or language they occur in. They carry with them associations and connotations based on their previous applications and alliances, and augmented by their shapes, sounds, rhymes and rhythms. The subtext that word choice creates, while often not recognised or acknowledged, is important in considering how communication operates in, and shapes Information Technology (IT) environments. Many words that are now embedded in the ICT lexicon continue to be informed by these earlier meanings, some of which, in the English lexis, are drawn from myths. The vernacular of the ICT lexis reflects its openness to new ideas, the nature of its users, its English language roots and its Western cultural origins. This contributes to a particular communication style. But such lexis can prove problematic for non-English speaking background users and/or those from different cultures. As the ICT vocabulary continues to evolve, these language and cultural underpinnings are coming under challenge, suggesting a language and cultural future very different to the past. This in turn, will create a subtext that affects all users.
Use of the Normalized Word Vector Approach in Document Classification for an LKMC
Authors: Parker Kevin , Williams Robert , Nitse Philip , Tay Albert
Published: October 2017

In order to realize the objective of expanding library services to provide knowledge management support for small businesses, a series of requirements must be met. This particular phase of a larger research project focuses on one of the requirements: the need for a document classification system to rapidly determine the content of digital documents. Document classification techniques are examined to assess the available alternatives for realization of Library Knowledge Management Centers (LKMCs). After evaluating prominent techniques the authors opted to investigate a less well-known method, the Normalized Word Vector (NWV) approach, which has been used successfully in classifying highly unstructured documents, i.e., student essays. The authors propose utilizing the NWV approach for LKMC automatic document classification with the goal of developing a system whereby unfamiliar documents can be quickly classified into existing topic categories. This conceptual paper will outline an approach to test NWV’s suitability in this area.
Senior Citizens and E-commerce Websites: The Role of Perceived Usefulness Web Site Usability
Authors: Smith Terry
Published: October 2017

Many companies now actively use the Web as a key marketing and sales vehicle for their goods or services. To be successful, e-commerce Web sites must be useful, easy to use, easy to navigate, and easy to understand - measures of the Technology Acceptance Model’s (TAM) variables Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use. Although many studies have used the model to better understand e-commerce, the problem is that they have ignored one very important external variable - the effects that an aging population may have on the usability the Internet and of e-commerce Web sites. As people age, they begin to experience problems with their vision, their hearing, cognitive functions, and their mobility. It was posited that the TAM and its variables of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, influenced by the product and services offered by the Web site, the usability of the Web site, and the senior’s ability to use the Internet, determine a senior’s attitude toward and behavioral intention to use e-commerce Web sites. It was found that the research model accurately reflects the effects of the aging process and that the perceived usefulness of e-commerce Web sites positively and significantly influenced a senior’s attitude toward using and intention to use the Web sites. It was also found that a Web site’s usability positively and significantly influenced the perceived ease of use of e-commerce Web sites.
Services Provisioning on Mobile Devices via Bluetooth in a Localized Setting Using a Proposed System - BTServ
Authors: Awodele Oludele , Dibia Victor , Onoruvie Oghenerukevwe , Okoruwa Sharon
Published: October 2017

Conventionally, enterprise services that can be utilized by mobile devices such as E - mail, instant messaging, data transfer, news and event notification have been typically achieved using GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) connections to access internet servers that provide these services. Thus, even in a local area, disadvantages such as full dependence on GPRS service providers, incurred GPRS costs and slow data/communication rates constitute formidable drawbacks. This paper describes a system /Architecture (BTServ) in which these same services can be supplied via Bluetooth, with notable benefits such as high data rates, minimal dependence on external (GPRS) networks, higher security (internet attacks are totally avoided) and reduced cost, in a localized setting such as a corporate house.
Framework for Quality Metrics in Mobile-Wireless Information Systems
Authors: Gafni Ruti
Published: October 2017

Mobile and wireless devices and networks enable "any place, any time" use of information systems, providing advantages, such as productivity enhancement, flexibility, service improvements and information accuracy. These benefits can be nullified by using systems of insufficient quality. Mobile-wireless information systems face new kinds of problems: narrow bands, small devices, tiny screens, and diversity of users and devices. Information systems quality cannot be measured only by software faults absence; it must be broader, including characteristics to cover all aspects, life-cycle phases, and viewpoints. This research develops a methodology to define and quantify the quality components of such systems, merging two fields together: mobile-wireless applications and standards for product quality assurance. The research has developed a list of questions from which new quality metrics were defined and empirically validated, extending the ISO/IEC 9126 quality standard for mobile-wireless information systems. The paper describes the metrics development process and presents examples of metrics.
Bias Misinformation and the Paradox of Neutrality
Authors: Bednar Peter , Welch Christine
Published: October 2017

What is normally described as bias? A possible definition comprises attempts to distort or mislead to achieve a certain perspective, i.e. subjective descriptions intended to mislead. If designers were able to exclude bias from informing systems, then this would maximize their effectiveness. This implicit conjecture appears to underpin much of the research in our field. However, in our efforts to support the evolution and design of informing systems, the way we think, communicate and conceptualize our efforts clearly influences our comprehension and consequently our agenda for design. Objectivity (an attempt to be neutral or transparent) is usually regarded as exclusion of bias. However, claims for objectivity do not, by definition, include efforts to inquire into and reflect over subjective values. Attempts to externalize the mindset of the subject do not arise as part of the description. When claims to objectivity are made, this rarely includes any effort to make subjective bias transparent. Instead, objectivity claims may be regarded as a denial of bias. We suggest that bias can be introduced into overt attempts to admit subjectivity. For example, where people are asked to give subjective opinion according to an artificially enforced scale of truth-falsity (bi-valued logic), they may find themselves coerced into statements of opinion that do not truly reflect the views they might have wished to express. People do not naturally respond to their environment with opinions limited to restricted scales; rather, they tend to use multi-valued, or para-consistent logic. This paper examines the impact of bias within attempts to establish communicative practice in human activity systems (informing systems).
Network Power Sharing Device: Power Sharing Via USB to Power Port with Output Voltage/Current 17v-19v/4A-
Authors: Awodele Oludele , Onoruvie Oghenerukevwe , Okoruwa Sharon , Dibia Victor
Published: October 2017

The ongoing migration of mobile lifestyles and the increasing capabilities of portable systems will continue to drive demand for more flexible and portable battery charging systems (Brown, 2006). The use of computers has been limited due to lack of constant availability of power -issues such as data loss, transaction breakages, data compromise have become major challenges in areas (especially third world countries) where power supply is a problem. Thus there is a need to provide a means of power sharing through USB for computers to share power between two systems (with special emphasis on laptops). Related works/ research has shown that the power sharing between a computer system has only been possible with smaller devices like iPod, since the USB port gives 500mA/ +5V maximum. This paper describes a device that draws similar voltage and current as the iPod for a destination system after an amplification operation has been carried out on the supplied voltage and power. The power being transferred is initiated by the software driver on detection with destination voltage and current 18V-19V/4.5A with female connector. After construction it will be available to notebook computers system specification and very useful in emergencies and available to all due to its ease of use.
Object-Oriented Hypermedia Design and J2EE Technology for Web-based Applications
Authors: Karimpour Habib , Isazadeh Ayaz , Sadighi Moshkenani Mohsen
Published: October 2017

Web-based application development is a difficult task, since these applications include various features, like graphical interfaces, navigational structures, business models, and wireless communications, as well as other issues, such as serving a multitude of users, and the need for shorter development time. To overcome these complexities, it is indispensable to use web-based application designs and software architectures. In this paper, we use a multi-tiered, component based software architecture based on the J2EE technology. This technology separates the different parts of a complex application, and the development time is reduced through the use of components and distributed structure. Unfortunately, the J2EE technology lacks rich hypermedia and navigational structures, and the mapping of prepared designs to components is not carried out properly. For this reason, in this article, a combined architecture called OOHDM-J2EE is defined which uses the benefits of both schemes and solves the mentioned problems, provides the possibility of reuse, and further reduces the development time.