bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Skills and Ways of Working
Authors: Wilson Gail
Published: May 2011

This chapter analyzes approaches to faculty development for e-learning in post-compulsory institutions. Everett Rogers’ (2003) diffusion of innovation theory provides the framework for a review of faculty development strategies adopted by institutions to foster the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by mainstream faculty into everyday teaching and learning practices. Using examples as illustration, the chapter reviews different approaches to faculty development aimed at achieving a critical mass of staff who are competent working in the e-learning context. These strategies include focusing on the characteristics of innovation; adopting a staged approach to skills acquisition; embedding skills and processes associated with teaching and learning in the e-learning context in formal, accredited courses; fostering peer learning; framing faculty development as project-based learning; and using the online environment to deliver faculty development. The chapter concludes with practical advice concerning faculty development for e-learning practice across institutions.
Cognitive Tools for Self-Regulated E-Learning
Authors: Leacock Tracey L. , Nesbit John C.
Published: May 2011

Working from the premise that students need advanced self-regulated learning (SRL) skills to succeed in e-learning environments, this chapter describes the use of a software application (gStudy) designed to help students take control of their learning and become better self-regulated learners. To address the challenges educators face in developing students’ metacognitive monitoring and self-regulatory skills, gStudy’s cognitive tools were designed in accordance with current SRL theory. Undergraduate students who used gStudy in an educational psychology course commented that they appreciated gStudy’s features, interface, and ability to positively influence their approach to learning. The authors conclude that SRL-fostering software applications such as gStudy may be key strategic elements in institutional transitions to e-learning.
Education and Organization
Authors: Rivoltella Pier C.
Published: May 2011

The goal of this chapter is to define the problems a school can have when it implements technology in education. This phenomenon is explained according to theory of organization, and especially Norman’s perspective. Norman’s theory stated, in fact, that organizations passed from fordist and tayloristic structures to the service management paradigm; finally, nowadays, they build values together with consumers. We try to show how this transition is also present in schools’ implementation of ICT. In doing this we criticize the deterministic solution (which says that implementing technology changes everything and produces innovation) and adopt a systemic vision with the characteristics of presumption, community, and value constellation.
From the Monitoring of the Teaching-Learning Process to Didactics' Transparency
Authors: Cartelli Antonio
Published: May 2011

The chapter starts with a short introduction on students’ assessment and school evaluation and the great changes investing them in last decades. Soon after the same topics are deeply analyzed with respect to results coming from educational research and to the introduction and use of ICT; as a consequence the limits of the partial application of ICT and information management to separated educational fields emerge. From the above remarks arises the author hypothesis of a paradigmatic change in education management and the consequent need for a deeper use of ICT and information systems in the management of educational data; contextually it is explained how the above change can lead to didactics’ transparency in teaching-learning processes.
Distributed Virtual Reality Learning Environments
Authors: Redfern Sam , Colhoun Micheál , Hernandez Jordi , Naughton Niall , Noonan Damien
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we discuss the emerging technologies of collaborative virtual environments (CVEs), and outline their suitability for improving the pedagogical support provided by online learning environments. We provide a critique of current approaches to online learning (ranging from Web-based to video-conferencing), and argue that they are generally poor with regard to support for complex task-based interactions, as required by modern approaches to collaborative learning, as well as being weak in
Media Selection from the Teacher's Point of View
Authors: Persico Donatella
Published: May 2011

Teachers, trainers, and educational designers often face the problem of choosing the most suitable media for achieving their educational purposes. To solve this problem, they need to take into account both the variables at play in the educational setting and the characteristics and potentialities of the media available. This chapter discusses the criteria for media choice, with particular attention to the point of view of the individual teacher who makes decisions on the basis of the educational strategies he or she deems most appropriate and, given that schools usually have limited resources, must favor techniques for material retrieval and reuse rather than new development.
Online Teaching Today and Tomorrow
Authors: Dawley Lisa
Published: May 2011

The strengths and weaknesses of each tool are discussed in detail, and educators are taught to match the strengths of the specific tool to the learning objectives they seek to achieve in their courses. Multiple examples of objectives and online learning activities are provided to help instill a deep understanding of the power of each online tool. This leaves you with a long-term ability to adapt your own curriculum over time, because you have learned options for using a variety of online tools to achieve specific learning objectives. Finally, each chapter includes a sample lesson plan that demonstrates how to integrate the tool into the learning experience. These ideas and activities provide tried and true suggestions for creating an online environment that engages and empowers learners for success. And when your students are successful in learning, you are successful in teaching.
Small Group Learning
Authors: Dawley Lisa
Published: May 2011

The strengths and weaknesses of each tool are discussed in detail, and educators are taught to match the strengths of the specific tool to the learning objectives they seek to achieve in their courses. Multiple examples of objectives and online learning activities are provided to help instill a deep understanding of the power of each online tool. This leaves you with a long-term ability to adapt your own curriculum over time, because you have learned options for using a variety of online tools to achieve specific learning objectives. Finally, each chapter includes a sample lesson plan that demonstrates how to integrate the tool into the learning experience. These ideas and activities provide tried and true suggestions for creating an online environment that engages and empowers learners for success. And when your students are successful in learning, you are successful in teaching.
Using Asynchronous Computer Conferencing to Support Learning and Teaching in a Campus-Based HE Context
Authors: Jefferies Pat , Seden Roy
Published: May 2011

This chapter details research into the use of asynchronous computer conferencing (ACC) within a campus-based higher education (HE) environment. Drawing from the literature, the chapter will firstly highlight some of the issues impacting implementation. It will then go on to outline some of the findings from a piece of action research that was conducted over a period of five years with final-year undergraduates studying ethics/professional issues in computing. The main objective of this research was to investigate and subsequently develop Salmon’s (2000) five-stage strategy forimplementing ACC. Finally, the chapter will not only develop the Salmon (2000) model but will also challenge the necessity for e-moderating online discussions within a campus-based HE environment. As such, it will give practitioners a greater understanding of how the learner, the learning task, and a particular technology (ACC) interact within a campus-based HE context and will provide guidelines for developing best practice.
Staff Using an Institution - Wide VLE for Blended E-Learning
Authors: Brett Paul
Published: May 2011

This chapter reports on an investigation into the institution-wide use of a virtual learning environment (VLE) in a UK University. The aim was to collect information on staff use of the VLE from the student perspective. It was used to evaluate -and reformulate- current e-learning strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the VLE-based student experience. The chapter examines how staff’s use of the VLE is impacting on the student learning experience. Three aspects were investigated: (i) the amount, mode, and location of the use of the VLE; (ii) respondents’ perceptions of the nature and value of their teachers’ VLE support; and (iii) respondents’ preferred uses of VLE-based learning. Analysis shows a predominantly information transmission mode of VLE use, with only some use of active learning. Respondents requested more VLE-based formative assessment opportunities. The chapter concludes with five considerations for strategic development of blended e-learning and with three for staff using VLEs.
Teaching Large Groups
Authors: Chester Andrea. , Francis Andrew
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes the experiences of the authors as lecturers in the development of a new approach to teaching large groups of first-year undergraduate students in psychology. Drawing on constructivist and instructivist approaches, our mixed model incorporates both face-to-face and online components, capitalising on the relative strengths of each. Online material, with a strong emphasis on active engagement, is used to introduce students to the content before undertaking a more detailed reading of the key theoretical and research issues in the textbook. With this introduction to the material, lectures function as a “Review and Discussion” session rather than a didactic monologue. Outcomes of the mixed method suggest no adverse effects on student performance, and staff and students evaluate the new approach favourably. The mixed model approach to teaching large groups is one that might be adapted for a range of disciplines and content.
Online Learning Activities in Second Year Environmental Geography
Authors: Priest Sally , Fill Karen
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses the design, technical development, delivery, and evaluation of two online learning activities in environmental geography. A “blended” approach was adopted in order to best integrate the new materials within the existing unit. The primary aim of these online activities was to provide students with opportunities to develop and demonstrate valuable practical skills, while increasing their understanding of environmental management. A purpose-built system was created in order to overcome initial technological challenges. The online activities have already been delivered successfully to a large number of students over two academic years. Evaluation and staff reflection highlight the benefits and limitations of the new activities, and the chapter concludes with recommendations for others wishing to adopt a similar approach.
Universal Information Ethics? Ethical Pluralism and Social Justice
Authors: Ess Charles
Published: May 2011

The explosive, global diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and computer-mediated communication (CMC) confronts us with the need for an information ethics that can resolve ethical problems evoked by ICTs and CMC in ways that provide shared, perhaps (quasi-)universal responses. At the same time, however, in the name of a transcultural social justice that preserves diverse cultural identities, such an ethics must also reflect and sustain local values, approaches, and traditions. Important ethical claims from both within Western and between Eastern and Western cultures exemplify an ethical pluralism that is able to meet these requirements as this pluralism represents important ethical differences as issuing from diverse judgments and applications of shared ethical norms.
Enhancing Phronesis
Authors: Olofsson Anders D. , Lindberg J. Oola
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, the possibilities to use technology in order to improve the contextual and value-based dimensions in online distance-based teacher training in Sweden are explored. Aristotle’s (1980) concept of phronesis is used as a starting point for raising questions whether the Internet, and the establishing of educational online learning communities, can be used to enhance the teacher trainees´ skills of making moral decisions in unpredictable situations. It is argued that active participation, collaboration, and dialogue are vital in order to foster common moral and societal values among the teacher trainees, but that there is a need for rethinking how technology could be used in order to accommodate such processes. This chapter suggests that the development of a shared teacher identity is possible by expanding the scope of online community, and bridging teacher-training practices to teacher practices, thus including already practicing teachers, teacher trainers, and teacher trainees in a joint educational community.
Enhancing the Design of a Successful Networked Course Collaboration
Authors: Nilakanta Rema , Zurita Laura , Fernandez Olatz López , Sorensen Elsebeth Korsgaard , Takle Eugene S.
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a preliminary critique of an online transatlantic collaboration designed for collaborative learning. The critique by external reviewers using qualitative methods within the interpretivist paradigm hints at critical factors necessary for successful online collaborative learning. The evaluation seems to support the view that in order to raise the quality of online dialogue and enhance deep learning, it is good practice to heed, as well as give voice to participants’ needs by involving them directly in the design of the course. This has the potential to enhance student motivation and learning. The authors plan to continue their work, and present a more grounded and detailed evaluation in the near future involving multiple data sources, comprehensive surveys, and document analysis.
Enhancing Learning Through 3-D Virtual Environments
Authors: Champion Erik
Published: May 2011

We cannot begrudge students their envy in looking at popular films and computer games as major contenders for their spare time. While we as teachers could attempt to fight the popularity of games, I suggest a more useful endeavor would be to attempt to understand both the temptation of games, and to explore whether we could learn from them, in order to engage students and to educate them at the same time. There are still few applicable theories and successful case studies on how we could do this using virtual environments and associated technology (referred to by some as virtual reality, or VR). To help answer the question of “but what can we do about it,” I will outline several simplified theories of cultural learning based on interaction, and the experience I gained from employing them in two different virtual environment projects.
Contributing to Socially Relevant Public Policies on E-Governance
Authors: Goldstein Roxana
Published: May 2011

This chapter aims to introduce a conceptual framework and a case study that can contribute to deepen the understanding of the relation among the information and knowledge society, democracy, and development. In this chapter, it is argued that this relation has as its core issue the reinforcement of the governability and the governance oriented to development through the use of ICTs. Special focus is made on the contribution that ICTs can make in the consolidation of a public space where multi-actor, open, well-informed, equitable and transparent participatory processes allow all social actors to deliberate on the proposal elaboration and decision-making processes related to the public policies that shape their life conditions. It is expected that the preliminary contributions presented in this chapter will contribute to enrich the proposal elaboration and the decision-making processes of the public policies on e-governance through a new approach that takes into account the complexity, multidimensionality, and qualitative aspects that characterized the social impact of ICTs in LAC societies.
The Nature Of Strategic-Decision-Making Models
Authors: Shimizu Tamio , Monteiro de Carvalho Marley , Barbin Fernando Jose
Published: May 2011

In the multiple goal function problems, there is no optimum solution fully satisfying all goals at the same time. The individual goal’s functions are, in general, conflicting and it is not possible to have an optimization method to solve the problem. There is usually a consensus solution satisfying minimal criteria of optimum values for each individual goal function. This consensus is based on the Pareto’s principle presented in chapter nine. The optimal decision making in problems with multiple goals will be analyzed at the end of this chapter (Goicoechea et al., 1982; Keeney & Raiffa, 1976; Dyson, 1990; Saaty, 1980, 1994; Bonabeau, 2003; Charan, 2001; Choo, 1998; Day et al., 1997). In considering restrictions across several scenarios, the problem solution becomes more difficult due to the high number of possible combinations of goal functions and scenarios to be considered.
Modelling Business Processes
Authors: Portougal Victor
Published: May 2011

The modelling of business processes is vital not only for business processmanagement, but also for implementation of enterprise systems. For example,when we look at the process life cycle introduced earlier, three of the sevenphases involve business process modelling, to a large extent. But apart fromthat, the models that are generated in these three phases are used in all the sevenphases of the business process management life cycle. The phases where thesemodels are developed are in the second phase of process modelling; and it isused in the third phase, where we do the analysis; and is used in the fourth phase,where we improve upon the as-is models, come up with the to-be models, andmodel them, using whatever tools that are available. But then, the to-be modelsthat are developed in the fourth phase are used in the process implementationphase, in the execution phase, in the monitoring phase, and even in the processidentification phase, when you think of it as a life cycle.
Enterprise Systems Implementation Phases
Authors: Portougal Victor
Published: May 2011

Markus and Tannis (2000) recognise four distinct phases in an enterprisesystems implementation as viewed from the adopter’s perspective. The veryfirst phase is called “chartering.” They suggest that even before the projectstarts, a business case is usually made whether to go ahead with the enterprisesystem implementation or not, and it is only after the business case has beenmade, and the constraints of the solution have been understood, that the projectactually starts. The project never starts if the constraints are too much, or thebusiness case is not strong enough. The second phase is the project phase inwhich the software is configured to suit the requirements of the organisation andimplemented in the organisation.
Electronic Health Records
Authors: Galani Olga , Nikiforou Ageliki
Published: May 2011

The electronic health record is a means of organizing patient data making profound use of the advances in the field of information technology. Its purpose is to fulfill the various needs for information not only of patients and healthcare providers but also of other beneficiaries. The implementation of EHR systems in healthcare organizations is very complex and involves many parameters. This article is about the challenges faced by those undertaking such a task and about the potential benefits from a successful implementation.
Understanding Telemedicine with Innovative Systems
Authors: Berikou Irene , Lazakidou Athina A.
Published: May 2011

A system of innovation (SI) is a new approach for the study of innovations as an endogenous part of the economy. An SI can be defined as encompassing all the important factors that influence the development, diffusion, and use of innovations as well as the relations between these factors. For example, the SI approach is also used as a framework for designing innovation policy at the national level in some EU (European Union) member countries such as Finland and Ireland. It is simply at the center of modern thinking about innovation and its relation to economic growth, competitiveness, and employment. In this chapter, the adaptation of this framework for telemedicine applications is simply presented.
Nature-Inspired Knowledge Mining Algorithms for Emergent Behaviour Discovery in Economic Models
Authors: Al-Dabass D.
Published: May 2011

Economic models exhibit a multiplicity of behaviour characteristics that are nonlinear and time-varying. Emergent behaviour appears when reduced order models of differing characteristics are combined to give rise to new behaviour dynamics. In this chapter we apply the algorithms and methodologies developed for nature-inspired intelligent systems to develop models for economic systems. Hybrid recurrent nets are proposed to deal with knowledge discovery from given trajectories of behaviour patterns. Each trajectory is subjected to a knowledge mining process to determine its behaviour parameters. The knowledge mining architecture consists of an extensible recurrent hybrid net hierarchy of multi-agents where the composite behaviour of agents at any one level is determined by those of the level immediately below. Results are obtained using simulation to demonstrate the quality of the algorithms in dealing with the range of difficulties inherent in the problem.
Modeling Qualitative Development
Authors: Pyka A.
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces agent-based modeling as a methodology to study qualitative change in economic systems. The need to focus on qualitative developments is derived from evolutionary economics, where the quantitative orientation of mainstream economic approaches is strongly criticized. It is shown that agent-based models can cope with the challenges of an evolutionary setting and fulfill the requirements of modeling qualitative change. In particular agent-based models allow a detailed representation of knowledge and the underlying dynamics, which are considered the major driving force of economic growth and development. The chapter also gives an illustrative example of an agent-based model of innovation processes organized in networks of actors.
Heterogeneous Learning Using Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Vallee T.
Published: May 2011

The goal of this chapter is twofold. First, assuming that all agents belong to a genetic population, the evolution of inflation learning will be studied using a heterogeneous genetic learning process. Second, by using real-floating-point coding and different genetic operators, the quality of the learning tools and their possible impact on the learning process will be examined.
Simulating Product Invention Using InventSim
Authors: Brabazon A. , Silva A. , Sousa T. F.S. , Matthews R. , O’Neill M.
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes a novel simulation model (InventSim) of the process of product invention. Invention is conceptualized as a process of directed search on a landscape of product design possibilities, by a population of profit-seeking inventors. The simulator embeds a number of real-world search heuristics of inventors, including anchoring, election, thought experiments, fitness sharing, imitation, and trial and error. A series of simulation experiments are undertaken to examine the sensitivity of the populational rate of advance in product sophistication to changes in the choice of search heuristics employed by inventors. The key finding of the experiments is that if search heuristics are confined to those that are rooted in past experience, or to heuristics that merely generate variety, limited product advance occurs. Notable advance occurs only when inventors’ expectations of the relative payoffs for potential product inventions are incorporated into the model of invention. The results demonstrate the importance of human direction and expectations in invention. They also support the importance of formal product/project evaluation procedures in organizations, and the importance of market information when inventing new products.
Genetic Algorithms for Organizational Design and Inspired by Organizational Theory
Authors: Yu T.
Published: May 2011

Modularity is widely used in system analysis and design such as complex engineering products and their organization, and modularity is also the key to solving optimization problems efficiently via problem decomposition. We first discover modularity in a system and then leverage this knowledge to improve the performance of the system. In this chapter, we tackle both problems with the alliance of organizational theory and evolutionary computation. First, we cluster the dependency structure matrix (DSM) of a system using a simple genetic algorithm (GA) and an information theoretic-based metric. Then we design a better GA through the decomposition of the optimization problem using the proposed DSM clustering method.
An Object-Oriented Framework for Rapid Genetic Algorithm Development
Authors: Medaglia A. L.
Published: May 2011

JGA, the acronym for Java Genetic Algorithm, is a computational object-oriented framework for rapid development of evolutionary algorithms for solving complex optimization problems. This chapter describes the JGA framework and illustrates its use on the dynamic inventory lot-sizing problem. Using this problem as benchmark, JGA is compared against three other tools, namely, GAlib, an open C++ implementation; GADS, a commercial MatlabÒ toolbox; and PROC GA, a commercial (yet experimental) SASÒ procedure. JGA has proved to be a flexible and extensible object-oriented framework for the fast development of single (and multi-objective) genetic algorithms by providing a collection of ready-to-use modules (Java classes) that comprise the nucleus of any genetic algorithm. Furthermore, JGA has also been designed to be embedded in larger applications that solve complex business problems.
Applications of JGA to Operations Management and Vehicle Routing
Authors: Medaglia A. L.
Published: May 2011

Two of the most complex activities in production and operations management (POM) are inventory planning and operations scheduling. This chapter presents two problems related to these activities, namely, the capacitated lot-sizing and scheduling problem and the capacitated vehicle routing problem. For each of these problems, the authors discuss several solution methods, present a competitive genetic algorithm, and describe its implementation in the Java Genetic Algorithm (JGA) framework. The purpose of this chapter is to illustrate how to use JGA to model and solve complex business problems arising in POM. The authors show that JGA-based solutions are quite competitive and easier to implement than widely used methods found in the literature.
Solving Facility Location Problems with a Tol for Rapid Development of Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs)
Authors: Medaglia A. L.
Published: May 2011

The low price of coffee in the international markets has forced the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia (FNCC) to look for cost-cutting opportunities. An alternative that has been considered is the reduction of the operating infrastructure by closing some of the FNCC-owned depots. This new proposal of the coffee supplier network is supported by (uncapacitated and capacitated) facility location models that minimize operating costs while maximizing service level (coverage). These bi-objective optimization models are solved by means of NSGA II, a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA). From a computational perspective, this chapter presents the multi-objective Java Genetic Algorithm (MO-JGA) framework, a new tool for the rapid development of MOEAs built on top of the Java Genetic Algorithm (JGA). We illustrate MO-JGA by implementing NSGA II-based solutions for the bi-objective location models.
3D Avatars and Collaborative Virtual Environments
Authors: Li Koon-Ying Raymond , Sofra James
Published: May 2011

With the exponential growth in desktop computing power and advancements in Web-based technologies over the past decade, the virtual community is now a reality. The latest derivative of the virtual community, made possible by 3D avatars, is called the collaborative virtual environment (CVE). These CVEs often provide “fantasy-themed online worlds” for participants to socially interact. Instead of placing emphasis on teamplaying, the sharing of information, and collaborative activities, a CVE focuses on social presence and communication processes. Unlike virtual environments which allow participants to discuss what is going on in the real world, the participants’ experiences of the virtual world provided by the CVE are often the main topics for discussion. These CVEs, just like their real counterparts, have their own issues and problems. This article will analyze the potential benefits of avatars, helping to build virtual communities and explore the possible issues that are associated with the CVE.
Access Control for Healthcare
Authors: Shen Yifeng
Published: May 2011

Thanks to the rapid development in the field of information technology, healthcare providers rely more and more on information systems to deliver professional and administrative services. There are high demands for those information systems that provide timely and accurate patient medical information. High-quality healthcare services depend on the ability of the healthcare provider to readily access the information such as a patient’s test results and treatment notes. Failure to access this information may delay diagnosis, resulting in improper treatment and rising costs (Rind et al., 1997).
Advertising in the Networked Environment
Authors: Papagiannidis Savvas , Bourlakis Michael
Published: May 2011

Advances in technology, in particular the Internet and mobile/wireless devices, have significantly affected business operations. As technology changes, communicating and interacting with customers could not be left untouched; the dot.com era saw many new forms of marketing emerge on the electronic landscape. In this article, we discuss the possible marketing implications of the convergence of electronic media focusing on the delivery of advertising messages. We acknowledge the profound impact of information technology on marketing channels (Leek, Turnbull, & Naude, 2003) and use examples of various technologies to present changes that occurred in existing channels to illustrate the future potential of emerging channels. For each of the above, we provide examples of applications that can potentially be integrated to deliver advertising convergence.
Anonymous Peer-to-Peer Systems
Authors: Zhao Wenbing
Published: May 2011

A peer-to-peer (P2P) system refers to a distributed system in which the role played by each member is roughly equivalent, that is, a member both consumes and provides services to other members. Therefore, a member in such a system is often referred to as a peer. The primary design goal of P2P systems is to facilitate sharing of resources, including files, processing power, and network bandwidth.
Conflicting Value of Digital Music Piracy
Authors: Butler Matthew
Published: May 2011

The term MP3 conjures up a great many different thoughts and feelings. To some the creation and proliferation of the MP3 music file has meant the ability to transport a vast music collection on devices no bigger than a deck of cards. It has meant the ability to listen to music that until several years ago would have not been readily available to the average consumer. To others, the MP3 represents one of the biggest challenges in business models and retaining business revenue their industry has seen. To both collectives however, the MP3 has links to the topic of digital piracy.
Digital Divide Implications and Trends
Authors: Chen Irene , Kidd Terry T.
Published: May 2011

Within the past decade, a growing body of evidence supports the ever-widening technological gap among members of the society and world, in particular children and the elderly (NTIA, 1995, 1997, 1999). This “digital divide” has become a leading economic and civil rights issue. The digital divide is referred to as a social/political issue encompassing the socio-economic gap between communities that have access to computers, the Internet, and other information technology- related services and those that do not. The term also refers to gaps that exist between groups regarding their ability to use ICTs (information and communications technologies) effectively and the gap between those groups that have access to quality, useful digital content, and those that do not.
Engineering Multi-Agent Systems
Authors: Gasmelseid Tagelsir Mohamed
Published: May 2011

The migration of business enterprises to decentralized operations, location independence, and micromanagement has been accompanied by the emergence of different computing paradigms, enterprise architectures, and communication platforms. Software agents perform some tasks on behalf of their users, other agents, or programs with some degree of autonomy using multiple information and communication platforms. The use of wireless devices and networks has significantly improved information transmission and transaction processing in support of virtual and physical mobility and the acquisition, customization, and use of context specific information for electronic and mobile shopping, finance, banking, and payment services.
Ethical Behaviour in Technology-Mediated Communication
Authors: Chatterjee Sutirtha
Published: May 2011

In this information age, serious concerns with unethical behaviour in information technology (e.g., software piracy, deception, plagiarism, etc.) have cast doubts on the claims of the unmitigated success of rapid adoption of information technology. Surprisingly, there have been very few studies in information systems (IS) that have tried to understand the general rise in such unethical behaviours with respect to information technology. Especially, the question that remains to be understood is: Are these problems of unethical behaviour representative of the human nature at large, or are they related to characteristics of technology in any way? This article tries to partly answer this question. It looks at dyadic communicative behaviour using technology-mediated communication and proposes a conceptual model of unethical communicative behaviour.
Formulating a Code of Cyberethics for a Municipality
Authors: Averweg Udo Richard
Published: May 2011

The diversity of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applications and the increased use of ICTs have created a variety of ethical issues. Du Plessis (2004) suggests that one way in which high ethical standards in public service can be promoted is by developing codes of conduct.
Hackers and Cyber Terrorists
Authors: Warren M. J.
Published: May 2011

Many aspects of our modern society now have either a direct or implicit dependence upon information technology (IT). As such, a compromise of the availability or integrity in relation to these systems (which may encompass such diverse domains as banking, government, health care, and law enforcement) could have dramatic consequences from a societal perspective.
Internet Piracy and Copyright Debates
Authors: Sugden Paul
Published: May 2011

Superman, the Marvel Comic superhero, has captured the imagination of another generation, guaranteeing a box office blockbuster and merchandising bonanza. However, even before the movie’s release, Internet pirates are copying and releasing it over the Internet. Hundreds of thousands of these illegal copies are downloaded every day, from sites such as Morpheus and KaZaA. Each pirated copy is a lost sale and a copyright infringement of the creator’s rights as it is created without the permission of the copyright owner.
Internet Research Ethics Questions and Considerations
Authors: Buchanan Elizabeth
Published: May 2011

The Internet, as a global research phenomenon, has developed along two parallel lines: as a medium for research (e.g., databases, electronic indexes, online catalogs) and as a field or locale of research (e.g., MUDs, MOOs, online communities, Usenet, listservs, blogs, etc.). This article will discuss this second phenomenon, and the ethical implications that arise with such research endeavors, an emerging field known as Internet Research Ethics (IRE). Specifically, this article will call attention to the major areas of online research ethics, while acknowledging that hard-and-fast “answers” to some of the questions are elusive. IRE fits into a larger framework of research and information ethics, both of which have a longer history and more firmly established research base from which to inform this growing field.
Managing the Environmental Impact of Information Technology
Authors: Dyson Laurel Evelyn
Published: May 2011

This article explores a much under-researched field of ethics: the impact of information technology (IT) on the environment. Reducing the ecological impact of IT requires a holistic approach including better design of computers, the development of non-polluting manufacturing processes, and effective management strategies. The latter have received much attention in recent years. The three main areas of management focus have been the problems of hardware disposal, the energy consumed by computer technology in operation, and paper usage by printers and photocopiers.
Measuring Ethical Reasoning of IT Professionals and Students
Authors: Abdolmohammadi Mohammad
Published: May 2011

Information technology (IT) professionals are entrusted with the design, implementation, and operation of the information systems that support key business processes within organizations. Many organizational stakeholders such as management, investors, and regulators expect these professionals to act ethically, as these systems must accurately reflect all business activity. This expectation has been particularly heightened in the early 2000s due to the substantial business scandals in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere.
Moral Rights in the Australian Public Sector
Authors: Hocking Lynley
Published: May 2011

The interpretation of the moral rights legislative changes should not only be viewed in terms of implementing legal requirements. The implementation of the moral rights amendments in public sector organizations also requires careful consideration of the corporate culture and objectives of the organization. The legislative amendments can provide impetus for positive cultural changes that improve corporate memory, promote innovation, and provide recognition and reward incentives when monetary rewards are not available or appropriate.
Parental Rights to Monitor Internet Usage
Authors: Halpert Benjamin J.
Published: May 2011

Technological advances do not occur in isolation of the society in which they are intended to be used. As the demand, evolution, and maturation of computing technologies continues to increase, the price of entry computer may now have several computing devices for each member of the family (Ketchum Global Research Network, 2005). Technologies, for the most part, are not developed to be bound by social or ethical norms (Hansson & Palm, in press). Just as a gun can do no harm unless it is used by an individual with malicious intent, so too is the case with computing technologies. A chat room that is frequented by children for the purposes of casual conversation and exchange of ideas can also be used by a pedophile to recruit children to exploit for purposes of cybersex, cyberporn, molestation, or other socially reprehensible and criminal purposes. In addition to inappropriate uses of technology, ethically questionable material, such as instructions on how to build a bomb, manufacture illegal drugs, and access child pornography, can be found on the Internet.
Accessible Personalized Portals
Authors: Doulgeraki C.
Published: May 2011

Web portals constitute a rapidly evolving medium for transferring information and knowledge, as well as for establishing the means for cooperation and the coordination of activities among different parties. More specifically, a Web portal is a Web site that provides a gateway to resources available on the Internet or within an intranet. A Web portal typically includes a number of facilities for access and navigation of information, socialization, collaboration, and trade, as well as other user aid facilities. Although portals are accessed by a wide range of different parties, most portals are designed with limited attention to the different individual needs and preferences of Web users. As a result, they often present serious shortcomings in terms of usefulness, ease of access and use, and subjective satisfaction of the users.
Adoption of Portals Using Activity Theory
Authors: Uden Lorna , Salmenjoki Kimmo
Published: May 2011

An obvious goal of a Web site today is to dynamically acquire content and make it available. A portal is a group of services provided electronically, through the Web, to a set of users. The items that are typically included in the portals consist of business intelligence, content and document management, enterprise resource planning systems, data warehouses, data-management applications, search and retrieval, and any other application. The ultimate portal provides the Holy Grail for organizational knowledge, true data aggregation and information integration coupled with knowledge worker collaboration (Roberts-Witt, 1999). A portal is the next evolutionary step in the use of Web browsers.
African Web Portals
Authors: Adomi Esharenana E.
Published: May 2011

The World Wide Web (WWW) has led to the advent of the information age. With increased demand for information from various quarters, the Web has turned out to be a veritable resource. Web surfers in the early days were frustrated by the delay in finding the information they needed. The first major leap for information retrieval came from the deployment of Web search engines such as Lycos, Excite, AltaVista, etc. The rapid growth in the popularity of the Web during the past few years has led to a precipitous pronouncement of death for the online services that preceded the Web in the wired world.
Australian General Practitioners' Use of Health Information
Authors: Carbone Daniel
Published: May 2011

Over the past 30 years the health framework in which doctors and other healthcare professionals practise has changed relatively little in comparison with the enormous changes seen in transport, manufacturing, and telecommunications (Yellowlees & Brooks, 1999). In Australia, the health system, like others in developed countries worldwide, is deteriorating quickly. Productivity commission reports, parliamentary inquiries, and numerous academic papers describe the current waste and lack of focus on outcomes in our health system (Weyden & Armstrong, 2004), at a time when communities and dedicated health professionals are screaming for the resources to provide acceptable care for their communities (Jackson, 2005).
Bioinformatics Web Portals
Authors: Cannataro Mario
Published: May 2011

Bioinformatics involves the design and development of advanced algorithms and computational platforms to solve problems in biomedicine (Jones & Pevzner, 2004). It also deals with methods for acquiring, storing, retrieving and analysing biological data obtained by querying biological databases or provided by experiments. Bioinformatics applications involve different datasets as well as different software tools and algorithms. Such applications need semantic models for basic software components and need advanced scientific portal services able to aggregate such different components and to hide their details and complexity from the final user. For instance, proteomics applications involve datasets, either produced by experiments or available as public databases, as well as a huge number of different software tools and algorithms. To use such applications it is required to know both biological issues related to data generation and results interpretation and informatics requirements related to data analysis.
Business Module Differentiation
Authors: Bing Zhu
Published: May 2011

SINA, SOHU, and NETEASE have been regarded as the most successful general Web portals in the Chinese market. However, they have quite different strategies in their business modules, which makes them quite different in terms of their revenue constitution. What are the major reasons and what will be the future direction for Chinese Web portals?
Commercial and Open-Source Web Portal Solutions
Authors: Sampaio Américo
Published: May 2011

Web portals present an effective way to integrate applications, people, and business by offering a unique point of access to these resources within an organization and also with external business partners. Moreover, the integration of business processes, automation of daily tasks, and data integration contribute to cut down costs and accelerate business operations. However, Web portal development and maintenance imposes many challenges to developers, such as how to provide personalization features to users (organizations and individuals), how to control access from different users, how to integrate and present data from different sources, and how to maintain the content of the Web portal.
Commercialization of Web Portals
Authors: Millham Richard C.
Published: May 2011

Portals may be defined as starting points on the Web for users which may lead them to e-business services (Adar & Huberman, 2000). Portals are part and parcel of e-business (Kappel, Werner, & Schroder, 1998) whose common goal is the electronic support of business or market transactions (Book, Gruhn, & Schope, 2000). E-business affects the way businesses interact with consumers, as well as the way businesses interact with one another. Electronic interactions both increase the efficiency of purchasing and allow an increased reach across a global marketplace. Partially as a result of competition among various Web portals, a more open e-business environment is developing, which allows businesses to trade more flexibly with each other (Trastour, 2003).
Design of a Proposed Nursing Knowledge Portal
Authors: Theng Yin-Leng
Published: May 2011

Nurses responsible for making strategic decisions in the hospital are tracking performance metrics that accurately measure how well the hospital is performing. These nurses are always looking for the appropriate strategies that can be combined with qualitative measures to respond just in time and accurately to clients. The information presented to strategic decision makers is used to monitor and analyse the performance of the hospital so that, when necessary, appropriate modifications can be made for the hospital to remain relevant to the community. Hence, information leveraged on demand in hospitals would enhance knowledge discovery with better content organization and management of patient and non-patient related information from multiple sources to assist nurses in their day-to-day work.