bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are All Distance Learners Created Equal? A Quantitative Analysis of Academic Performance in a Distance Tertiary Institution
Authors: J Kovacic Zlatko , Steve Green John
Published: October 2017

This paper reports initial research results on the relationship between student learning styles and academic achievement in a distance education computing course with Internet-based student support. The learning styles of students in a computer concepts class were evaluated and classified according to the Felder-Soloman Learning Style Index. We have identified statistically significant differences in performance between different learner types, i.e. groups of students with different learning preferences. The best course performance in both course components: in-course assessment and final examination was identified in students with reflective, sensing, verbal and global learning preferences. One possible explanation of this result might be that the current teaching styles and distance learning environment (course material and online student support) gives an advantage to this type of learner. To test this hypothesis we are planning changes in the learning environment and methodology to cater for a variety of student learning styles. We can then test if academic achievement has been improved by comparing it with the results presented in this paper.
The Roles of Challenge and Skill in the Flow Experiences of Web Users
Authors: Pace Steven
Published: October 2017

Numerous researchers have employed Csikszentmihalyi's flow theory in their analyses of the behavior of Web users. Flow is a state of consciousness that is experienced by people who are deeply involved in an enjoyable activity such as surfing the Net. The experience is characterized by some common elements such as concentration on the task at hand, a sense of control, a merging of action and awareness, a distorted sense of time, and the autotelic experience, to mention a few. A recognized precondition for flow is that the challenges an individual faces in a particular activity must be matched by the skills he or she uses in meeting those challenges. This paper discusses the roles that challenge and skill play in the flow experiences of Web users.
Exploring Change and Innovation by ICT Teaching Staff in the New Zealand Polytechnic Sector
Authors: Potgieter Christo
Published: October 2017

Papers presented at the 2003 conference of HERDSA (Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia) proposed guidelines for change and innovation in higher education. This paper empirically studied these guidelines in the ICT environment of an institution. We explored change and innovation outputs by ICT staff at ITPs (Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics), aspects of the environment in which ICT staff work and the leadership of that environment. It appears that the particular environment does not emphasize change and innovation that one would typically expect of the ICT environments. Staff perceptions indicate that change and innovation are not highly emphasized and visibly lead by management. We advise on ways that leadership could create this environment. Empirically study of the organization for change and innovation by ICT staff will require further development of instruments that considers the observations made in this project.
Web Based vs. Web Supported Learning Environment - A Distinction of Course Organizing or Learning Style?
Authors: Wu Hong
Published: October 2017

This paper describes an online course “Construction Engineering and Project Calculations”, conducted by 0stfold University College of Norway in 2002. The course was targeted to the college’s engineering students, mainly on campus, with a possibility for off-campus course participants. It was intended to introduce online courseware (LearningSpace) as a learning tool for the course, and the students were encouraged to use LearningSpace as their basic learning tool. The course analysis indicated, however, their use of this courseware, only limited as a supportive tool, but not as a basic learning tool. The course observation also shows a factor that even for student online activities, the majority of online activities were concentrated on campus, within normal working days. Their main online activities are also categorized for assignments (duty based) with very little discussions (voluntary based). As a result, the course instructor had to conduct face-to-face lectures fully as an ordinary teaching plan. The course conducting was rather defined as a web supported, not a web based learning environment.
"We Work as a Team Really": Gender Homophily in the Australian Cotton Industry
Authors: Mackrell Dale
Published: October 2017

This paper is based on an ongoing study that looks at farm management practices by Australian women cotton growers using farm management software, most particularly an agricultural decision support system, CottonLOGIC. The study is informed through a theoretical framework of structuration theory as a metatheory for probing the recursiveness of farm management and technology usage, and diffusion of innovations theory as a lower-level theory for analysing software adoption characteristics. Empirical research indicates that effective information exchange flows from homophilous communication. In this paper, the principles of homophily and heterophily in communication networks were initially drawn from diffusion theory. The findings suggest that despite apparent gender disparities, the presence of empathy and shared goals between farming partners overrides ‘gender heterophily’ to become gender homophily. Therefore cotton growers are informed of scientific research through homophilous communication, influencing the construction and reconstruction of innovative software usage and existing farm management practices.
New Pathways to Learning: The Team Teaching Approach. A Library and Information Science Case Study
Authors: Partridge Helen , Hallam Gillian
Published: October 2017

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) challenges its teachers to provide innovative and dynamic learning environments that foster excellence in student learning. This paper discusses how the Faculty of Information Technology is using collaborative teaching and learning strategies to meet this challenge. The paper explores how team teaching and learning is being implemented within the Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies. The core unit ITN336 Information Resources is used as a case study. The paper discusses the practical implications of incorporating team teaching into a unit’s curriculum and how it impacts on the teaching and learning process. Student attitudes towards team teaching are explored. The paper concludes by discussing how team teaching is not just a technique that can be applied to divide the labour within a unit, rather it is a creative and thoughtful mechanism for fostering a dynamic student-centred learning environment.
The Poverty of Empiricism
Authors: Mende Jens
Published: October 2017

Many researchers - and their advisors on research method - adopt a doctrine called empiricism, which claims that researchers may only use empirical methods. This restrictive doctrine impoverishes any academic discipline where it is dominant. The main reason is that a discipline only qualifies for the status of a science after it has progressed beyond empirical generalisations to explanatory theories; but although empirical methods are useful for discovering the former, they are inherently useless for creating the latter. So the empiricist doctrine retards scientific progress. Researchers should be aware of this danger, and research methodologists should attempt to counter it.
Open Source: A Metaphor for E-Learning
Authors: Koohang Alex , Harman Keith
Published: October 2017

This paper explores open source as a metaphor for e-leaming. It builds the case that e-leaming and open source movement are rooted in the constructivist movement and the constructivist movement is itself rooted in the pragmatism and instrumentalism that pervades John Dewey’s theories of understanding as applied to learning. As a result, it is recommended that the use of open source as metaphor for e-learning be further explored in three areas: instructional practices, instructional platforms, and instructional philosophy.
Validation of the Learning Machine
Authors: Maris Jo-Mae
Published: October 2017

As Web-based courses become more prevalent, tools need to be created that go beyond electronic page turning. The tools should allow for easy development of Web-based interactive instruction. The Learning Machine is data-driven tutorial software that is based on behavioral education philosophy. Development and presentation use the same database, but separate scripts, so that changes to content do not require changes to the presentation script. This decoupling enables content providers to concentrate on course development. This paper validates the effectiveness of Learning Machine tutorials as compared with classroom lectures. The experiment conducted to validate the Learning Machine tutorials showed that the tutorials were at least as good as classroom lectures.
Decoupling the Information Application from the Information Creation: Video as Learning Objects in Three-Tier Architecture
Authors: Mu Xiangming
Published: October 2017

In this paper a new three-tier video application infrastructure is proposed. Video learning object is introduced as the intermedia tier and it connects the video metadata and video application tier. In addition to the traditional text metadata such as title and description, a wide range of visual metadata including key frames, video storyboards, and fast-forward video are integrated into the video learning object. The visual metadata is organized in hierarchical structure. Video timestamps are used to “mark” different video channels (i.e., visual channel, audio channel, text channel) for the purpose of synchronization. A MPEG-7 compatible XML metadata schema was developed to encode the video learning objects to achieve the reusability and interoperability—different video applications can use the same video learning object without having to reinvent the wheel. A semi-automatic video metadata authorization system called Video Annotation and Summary Tool (VAST) was developed to facilitate the creation of video metadata. The automatic process generates a series of key frame “candidates” (primitive frames) but human beings have to manually select the key frames. The number and the image size of the primitive frames are reconfigureable. The fast-forward version of the original video can also be created from the primitive frames. Finally, we demonstrate how the new three-tier infrastructure is used to guide the development of two independent video application projects: the Open-video digital library project and distance learning using the Interactive Shared Educational Environment (ISEE) project. Both projects utilize the same set of video learning objects.
An Assessment of Software Project Management Maturity in Mauritius
Authors: Sukhoo Aneerav , Barnard Andries , M. Eloff Mariki , A. Van der Poll John
Published: October 2017

It is sometimes very difficult for an organization to adopt a specific software project management methodology in a short space of time. It requires sufficient time, adequate financial support and skilled human resources in order to start with a comprehensive methodology. It is, however, often more appropriate to use a maturity model so as to progress from one maturity level to the next. Assessment of the maturity level of an organization provides a good benchmark to rate the success of its operations. One such exercise was carried out in South Africa in 2003, and the overall average project management maturity was found to be 2.92 (Sonnekus & Labuschagne, 2004) on a scale of 1 to 5. The maturity level was found to be closely linked to the success rate of projects. In this paper we report on a similar exercise conducted in Mauritius regarding the maturity level of software development projects. The average maturity of software development companies in Mauritius can provide a useful indication of, among others, the current status of software project management with a view of bringing about improvement in this sector. Given that Mauritian software development companies are making use of European/Western software project management methodologies, this study has been carried out and a preliminary attempt was made to also assess their ability to deal with factors related to cultural, social, economic and political situation within the local context. These factors, when incorporated into existing project management methodologies, can bridge the gap between developing and developed countries and also contribute towards the globalization of software project management.
Accommodating Soft Skills in Software Project Management
Authors: Sukhoo Aneerav , Barnard Andries , M. Eloff Mariki , A. Van der Poll John , Motah Mahendrenath
Published: October 2017

Software project management probably is a sector that has witnessed the highest rate of project failure in the world. This is not the case with project management concerned with other disciplines due to better management of their inherent strengths and weaknesses. Hard skills, often described as a science and comprising processes, tools and techniques applied to projects are the main focus of many project management methodologies. Extensive research has been carried out in the project management domain with greater focus on hard skills. Soft skills described as an art, are very often ignored during software project management. Such skills, acquired through experience, are concerned with managing and working with people, ensuring customer satisfaction and creating a conducive environment for the project team to deliver high quality products within budget and on time and exceeding stakeholder expectations. This paper summarizes the soft skills that can possibly improve the success rate of software projects. These projects, if not managed properly can lead to escalation of budget and time schedules beyond expectations. Deterioration of quality may be inevitable while deploying efforts to deal with cost overrun and schedule extension. Research in the field of soft skills required has been carried out at the University of Arkansas. The results show that IT organizations are conscious of the need for soft skills. Furthermore, a number of organizations, like Polaris, Sun Microsystems and Mastek have found it necessary to include soft skills in their training agenda.
Online Handwritten Character Recognition Using an Optical Backpropagation Neural Networks
Authors: A. Salameh Walid , A. Otair Mohammed
Published: October 2017

There are many successful applications of Backpropagation (BP) for training multilayer neural networks. However, they have many shortcomings. Learning often takes insupportable time to converge, and it may fall into local minima at all. One of the possible remedies to escape from local minima is using a very small learning rate, but this will slow the learning process. The proposed algorithm is presented for the training of multilayer neural networks with very small learning rate, especially when using large training set size. It can apply in a generic manner for any network size that uses a backpropgation algorithm through optical time. This paper studies the performance of the Optical Backpropagation algorithm OBP (Otair & Salameh, 2004a, 2004b. 2005) on training a neural network for online handwritten character recognition in comparison with backpropagation BP.
Information Systems Success in the Public Sector: Stakeholders' Perspectives and Emerging Alignment Model
Authors: Elpez Ivana , Fink Dieter
Published: October 2017

There have been many attempts to define Information Systems (IS) success but they have mostly been in the private sector. This paper reviews existing IS success models and then takes into account stakeholders as well as public sector perspectives in conducting qualitative case studies of 3 major Western Australian government agencies. Findings of the study identified key IS success variables relevant to the public sector and characteristics that distinguish the public from the private sector. By aligning success variables with these characteristics, it was possible to conceptualise an early theoretical IS success model for the sector.
Development of Scoring Rubrics for Projects as an Assessment Tool across an IS Program
Authors: Petkov Doncho , Petkova Olga
Published: October 2017

This paper describes the experience of the authors with the development of scoring rubrics for projects in the core subjects of an Information Systems program. It presents an overview of student learning assessment issues in professional courses and the role of educational projects for that purpose. Then the steps of deriving project rubrics in different subjects across the Information Systems program are shown along with some suggestions for future work.
Would Regulation of Web Site Privacy Policy Statements Increase Consumer Trust?
Authors: Meinert David , Peterson Dane , Criswell John , Crossland Martin
Published: October 2017

Proponents of e-commerce have known for some time that limited participation by consumers partially reflects their concern over the privacy of personal information. To address consumer concerns, web site operators have employed security mechanisms, including privacy policy statements to increase their perceived trustworthiness. While empirical evidence is limited, there is some question regarding the ability of privacy policy statements to engender significantly greater levels of trust. The limited effectiveness of such statements may reflect their voluntary implementation, self-enforcement, and\or significant variance (protection and enforcement) from one web site to another. One possible remedy would be the imposition of legally mandated statements. This study examined the efficacy of legally mandated privacy policies vis-a-vis both voluntary statements of varying degrees of protection and the absence of any such statement. The results were mixed, as legally mandated privacy policy statements were found to be comparable to strong voluntary statements, but superior to none, weak or moderate policies. Perhaps more important, the nature of the privacy policy statement interacted with type of information requested.
Web Design Curriculum and Syllabus Based on Web Design Practice and Students' Prior Knowledge
Authors: Krunic Tanja , Ruzic-Dimitrijevic Ljiljana , Petrovic Branka , Farkas Robert
Published: October 2017

The Advanced Technical School from Novi Sad set up a completely new study group for web design in 2004. The paper explains its organization and gives course descriptions. When it was established, there were not many similar groups in the world exclusively dealing with web design, whose programs could serve as role models, hence the curriculum and syllabus had to be based on our own experience. They cover inevitable web issues like usability, user-oriented web design, accessibility, privacy and security, which are briefly discussed in the paper. The purpose of the research referring to web accessibility and privacy presented in one of the sections was to help create the two documents. The students' prior knowledge was also an important parameter in their writing. The curriculum and syllabus have been updated recently, and the improved version given herein will be in use from the next academic year.
Data Warehouse - The Source of Business Information
Authors: Nycz Malgorzata , Smok Barbara
Published: October 2017

Recently the role and importance of database application in supporting the decision making process has been still increasing. Data warehouse can be an answer for this challenge. Data collected in a warehouse deliver different information e.g. about market, demand, selling goods, trends, anomalies on market. The paper presents data warehouse as a potential source of business information.
The Application of Semantic Enablers in the Context of Content Management Systems
Authors: Sambasivam Samuel , Kanakis Tilemachos
Published: October 2017

Content management can be viewed as the concepts, processes, technologies and practices that deal with the development, management and publishing of information. Traditionally, a Content Management System (CMS) does not offer the means for content classification, management and retrieval of data based on dynamically defined information models. Furthermore, Content Management Systems usually rely on indexed text, syntactic and/or structural metadata for content classification and retrieval. The paper discusses the design of an experimental Semantic CMS (SCMS), which exercises the application of semantic enablers - ontologies, classification & metadata - in order to achieve capture and utilization of content meaning. Lastly, it suggests that the application of semantic enablers in the context of Content Management Systems can provide the means for better information organization and retrieval as well as enhanced machine interoperability.
Information Access for Development: A Case Study at a Rural Community Centre in South Africa
Authors: Jacobs SJ , Herselman Marlien
Published: October 2017

This paper examines the theoretical linkage between ICT and advances within a business in a rural community in the North West Province of South Africa. Various aspects are addressed like services and service delivery mechanism, locally adapted content and context, realistic approach to technologies and financial sustainability. A rural community centre in Itsoseng was investigated regarding the above aspects and the results are provided. It became apparent that if these above aspects are not seen as integrated activities within a rural community, success is difficult to achieve. Success in providing human and institutional capacities that harness information and knowledge is imperative.
Fighting Intrusive Thoughts Using Podcasts: A Strategy for Effective E-Learning
Authors: Smith Nash Susan
Published: October 2017

Delivering course content via portable/mobile audio players can be a part of an effective selfregulatory strategy that also accommodates multiple learning styles while overcoming intrusive thoughts and the anxiety that accompanies them. As a result, academic performance can improve, while increasing self-concept and self-efficacy. Preliminary results of a literature search tracing the impact of intrusive thoughts on performance and a survey of students in extreme conditions where intrusive thoughts are common, suggest that audio downloaded via podcast and played on mobile players can be an effective strategy for combating intrusive thoughts. The combination of surveys and published research also suggested that further studies are warranted in order to explore the most appropriate podcast-based solution to numerous varieties of negative cognitive and emotional responses.
Semantics Ontologies and Information Systems in Education: Concerns and Proposals
Authors: Cartelli Antonio
Published: October 2017

The author describes his experience with students interacting with some websites he made for didactics and research and how this led him to an appreciation for the need for better searching tools and strategies for education. The students’ difficulties emerging from the above observations were a special case of the more general problem evidenced from people while searching information on the web. Semantic web is then discussed as a way to help people overcome their difficulties in using the web to gain knowledge. The paper describes some models for knowledge construction and analyzes them in terms of their suitability as instruments for the introduction of semantics on the web. The paper then provides evidence regarding some limits for the systematic use of semantic search engine and ontology domain systems in everyday teaching and knowledge construction. Finally, the paper reports and explains a hypothesis of an information system for building communities of practice and letting them work on the construction of domain ontology. The paper concludes that this construct is well adapted to the model for knowledge construction firstly hypothesized, and can give good results in teaching-learning planning and carrying out and in helping scientists and scholars to analyze scientific paradigms and to find new trends for research.
Attitudes toward WebCT and Learning: An Omani Perspective
Authors: Jafar Naqvi Syed , Ali Ajiz Manzur
Published: October 2017

This study investigated the students attitudes toward the use of World Wide Web Course Tools (WebCT) and its influence on learning taking a course Introduction to Computers in Business offered at the College of Commerce and Economics in Sultan Qaboos University in Oman. Sultan Qaboos University is a co-educational institution where in most computer classes the male and female students are equally distributed. Omani society is a segregated society where male and female students have some how different life style and have different attitudes towards learning Information Technology. This research is exploring the difference if any of their attitudes toward WebCT, where WebCT was introduced in their “Introduction to Computers in Business” course as a supplementary learning tool. The finding showed that though male students have little more exposure of WebCT at the beginning of the course than the females, but towards the end of the course the male and female students have appreciated almost equally the importance and the use of WebCT as it is easily accessible from any Internet enabled location and at any time in addition it helps them in better understanding and learning the course material.
Over 283 693 Reasons to Elaborate Education Work and Apply E-learning
Authors: Wahlstedt Ari
Published: October 2017

Data from the national databases about the population and education shows that about 283 693 under 5-year old children stepped into the Finnish educational system in 2004. Their future learning, a lifelong interaction amid developing and decision-making people, is supported with the education that promotes understanding the decisions and knowledge related to them. In Europe, the demand for a high educated labour force and the need for elaborating e-learning are emerging. E-learning enhances crossing of distances like space and time between educational content and the learners. By making advanced learning opportunities accessible to potential and motivated learners over cultural and spatial boundaries, e-learning can aid in distributing economic growth. However, we argue that economic factors should not be superior reasons when justifying the further utilizations of e-learning for our children.
Creating Web-Based Learning Systems: An Evolutionary Development Methodology
Authors: Hadjerrouit Said
Published: October 2017

In order to become a crucial resource for learners, Web-based learning must take into consideration that education has triggered a shift from the teaching paradigm to the learning paradigm. As a result, students are becoming more independent from the teacher. Besides the evolution of the learning paradigm, educational technologies are evolving constantly. Moreover, changes caused by academic institutions, course content, ethical, legal, cultural issues need to be considered in the development of Web-based learning. Clearly, Web-based learning systems must constantly evolve in order to meet their requirements. But still, much of the development of Web-based learning is carried out without a true understanding of requirements that are proper to Web-based learning, resulting in bad analysis and design, poor quality, and maintainability. This paper focuses on the application of an evolutionary software development process model to translate Web-based learning requirements into a system that provides learners with information that supports effective learning.
Business Intelligence Systems in the Holistic Infrastructure Development Supporting Decision Making in Organisations
Authors: Olszak Celina , Ziemba Ewa
Published: October 2017

The paper aims at analysing Business Intelligence Systems (BI) in the context of opportunities for improving decision-making in a contemporary organisation. The authors - taking specifics of a decision-making process together with heterogeneity and dispersion of information sources into consideration - present Business Intelligence Systems as some holistic infrastructure of decisionmaking. It has been shown that the BI concept may contribute towards improving quality of decision-making in any organisation, better customer service and some increase in customers’ loyalty. The paper is focused on three fundamental components of the BI systems, i.e. key information technologies (including ETL tools and data warehouses), potential of key information technologies (OLAP techniques and data mining) and BI applications that support making different decisions in an organisation. A major part of the paper is devoted to discussing basic business analyses that are not only offered by the BI systems but also applied frequently in business practice.
Integration for a New Generation - Technological Solutions for Linking Core Functions of Teaching and Learning
Authors: Connoley Kathy
Published: October 2017

The Teaching and Learning Group, in the Faculty of Arts, Deakin University, Australia, has successfully implemented Stage One of a Teaching and Learning Database. The database is unique in Deakin, and aims to integrate the core functions of curriculum, unit chair and assessment panel maintenance, academic workloads and quality assurance reporting for the Faculty of Arts. Stage One developments have already replaced many hard-copy forms. The following paper describes the database project, how it was initiated in the Faculty, the options considered, and an illustration of its progress to date. It will also describe the future developments planned for this project during the next six months, developments that will add capabilities to manage academic workloads.
Quality of Informing: Credibility Provisional Model of Functional Dependencies
Authors: Gackowski Zbigniew
Published: October 2017

This is an inquiry into the “actionable credibility” of information values in informing and how it depends on other attributes of data and information quality. Empirical survey-based research by Wang and Strong (1996) ignores the multidimensional aspects of credibility. Studies that ignore them may produce unreliable results. Most publications discuss these attributes as independent quality factors. This paper identifies and describes the ignored dependencies. To yield research results of a more lasting validity, one must go beyond empirical studies. This inquiry continues the development of a theoretical model of operations quality requirements of data and information values as proposed by Gackowski (2004, 2005a, 2005b). The results are presented for challenge, critique, and discussion.
Development of the Web Users Self-Efficacy Scale (WUSE)
Authors: Eachus Peter , Cassidy Simon
Published: October 2017

The aim of this research was to develop a scale that could evaluate an individuals confidence in using the Internet. Web-based resources are becoming increasingly important within higher education and it is therefore vital that students and staff feel confident and competent in the access, provision, and utilisation of these resources. The scale developed here represents an extension of previous research (Cassidy & Eachus, 2002) that developed a measure of self-efficacy in the context of computer use. An iterative approach was used in the development of the Web User SelfEfficacy scale (WUSE) and the participants were recruited from the student body of a large University in the North West of the United Kingdom, and globally via a web site set up for this purpose. Initial findings suggest that the scale has acceptable standards of reliability and validity though work is continuing to refine the scale and improve the psychometric properties of the tool.
The Ontogeny of Memory and Learning: Natural Intelligence versus Artificial Intelligence in Information Technology Education
Authors: Motah Mahendrenath
Published: October 2017

Over the past decades Information Technology has made a tremendous impact on the lives of humans, so much so, that one can safely state that humans eat, breathe and live IT. Each and every aspect of the life of those living in the “modern” world is under the spell of IT. The talk of the day is E-economy, E-education, E-commerce, E-finance, E-government, E-entertainment, E-communication, E-mail; E-learning.. ..the world we are living in has become an E-world. In this whirlpool, many are still groping in the dark while a lot more have kept the pace in both developed and developing countries. The impact of the E thing and IT has attained such dimensions that concepts like cognition, cognitive development, fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence, emotional intelligence, memory, learning, sensation and perception, and other related terms used to qualify, quantify and explain human experiences have become almost empty concepts in the face of what is nowadays known as artificial intelligence. This paper aims to analyse the biological, physiological and psychological aspects of memory and learning and to critically look at the impact of Information Technology Education and Information Technology in the every day dealings of humans. It also aims to be a thought provoking piece of work, to the scientific minds working on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Computers and derivatives, and all the perspectives that Artificial Intelligence offers to humanity, not forgetting that “the human mind and natural intelligence is behind it all”.
A Memory Optimized Public-Key Crypto Algorithm Using Modified Modular Exponentiation (MME)
Authors: Oluwatope Ayodeji , Ojo Bamidele , Adesola Aderounmu G. , Adigun Matthew
Published: October 2017

Since the advent of data communication over networks, it has become imperative to ensure security of information. Cryptography is a technique that is being employed. This paper takes a look at an important aspect of the public key encryption scheme, the modular exponentiation technique, with the view of optimizing it. Taking a look at some public key encryption schemes, it would be observed that the modular exponentiation process is primal to achieving high speed algorithms in data encryption. With special emphasis on the Montgomery exponentiation algorithm, a blend of this algorithm with the sliding window method of exponentiation is proposed. A detailed complexity analysis of the proposed and selected algorithms was carried out. Both algorithms were implemented and simulated using MATLAB 6.5. While the proposed algorithm did not prove to be faster than the classical Montgomery exponentiation algorithm, it was rather observed that it makes lesser number of calls to the Montgomery reduction sub-function. This means 10% lesser number of loops during execution and thus better optimized for lower memory applications.
Gender Differences in Students’ Perceptions of Information Technology as a Career
Authors: Thomas Theda , Allen Alesha
Published: October 2017

This paper reports on an investigation into first year students’ perceptions of IT as a career. There are many stereotypes of the typical IT professional. These stereotypes are often depicted in the media and affect students’ perceptions of the career and whether they should study IT or not. An exploratory study into male and female first year students’ perceptions of the IT professional is presented. The participants included students studying the Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Information Systems degrees at ACU National in Melbourne, Australia. The study investigated the differences and similarities between the perceptions of males and females as well as where they came by those perceptions. The study found that the majority of students had chosen to drop IT as a subject at school by Year 10 of their schooling. Males and females differ in their reasons for giving up IT, with females listing computer illiteracy and dislike of being called a nerd as their main reasons and males listing boredom, teachers not being encouraging and little creativity as their main reasons for stopping. The students were then asked questions relating to the IT industry. A t-test showed that females were significantly more negative about the industry in their answers to three of the questions, namely “Is it ‘uncool’ to be interested in computers?” “Does the IT industry offer good job prospects?” and “Are people working in the IT industry ‘nerds/computer geeks’?” The survey then went on to look at the technical versus non-technical issue in perceptions of an IT career. The majority of the participants believed that an IT job consists mainly of technical work and working at a computer. This was true for all the students across both genders. The majority of students did not know any females in the IT industry and could not name any female role models from real life or from TV or film. Some of the role models that they did mention were cartoon characters.
ICT Experiences in Two Different Middle Eastern Universities
Authors: Tubaishat Abdallah , Bhatti Arif , El-Qawasmeh Eyas
Published: October 2017

This research explores the impact of technology and culture on higher education in two Arab countries. In western countries where higher education is common, individuals regardless of their gender can meet, communicate, and collaborate at anytime at any place of their choice. This may not be true in Arab countries due to the social, cultural, and religious reasons. We argue that adoption of technology could provide a comparable learning environment to students in these countries. We present results of a case study based on surveys conducted in two universities, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) in Jordan and Zayed University (ZU) in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Survey results show that adoption of technology has (a) improved the motivation and confidence level of students, (b) improved their communication and technical skills, (c) encouraged students to collaborate using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools, and (d) allowed students to be more independent. These improvements would not have been possible without technology in a gender-segregated society.
Evolution of the Philosophy of Investments in IT Projects
Authors: Misra Ram
Published: October 2017

This paper discusses the changes in Information Technology (IT) investment philosophy of both private and public sector companies. Based on the available published material in scholarly journals and magazines, our analysis is focused on the USA and the UK. The paper analyzes the past and current behaviors of business investments in technology and the factors that have prompted companies to change their IT investment patterns. The paper discusses how the success of IT can not be measured with traditional methods of calculating return on investments (ROI) but must be evaluated in other ways. It highlights specific points proving that IT has slowly evolved over the years from an uncontrollable technological change to a strategic management tool that creates and increases competitiveness. In this strategic role, investment in IT has become a tool of meeting business objectives for the companies.
Principals Agents and Prisoners: An Economical Perspective on Information Systems Development Practice
Authors: Kautz Karlheinz , Nielsen Bjarke
Published: October 2017

Information systems development takes place within an economical context. However, the economical conditions, which shape systems development in practice, are hardly researched. In this paper we are investigating the question how a given price structure influences systems development projects. Our analysis is based on a multi case study and a Grounded Theory inspired research approach. Our work is informed by economic theories, which deal with the relationship of suppliers and customers and their mutual dependency. We thus apply principal-agent theory and economic game theory in form of the prisoner’s dilemma. As a result we provide three interlinked models for understanding the impact of pricing structure on systems development practice. The main elements of these models are pricing structure, risk distribution and price level, and opportunistic behavior. We discuss how these elements are interrelated and examine their impact on information systems development in practice.
Effectiveness of Self-selected Teams: A Systems Development Project Experience
Authors: Scott Elsje , Pollock Michael
Published: October 2017

The third year systems development group project forms an essential part of the Information Systems major at the University of Cape Town. The field of Information Technology / Information Systems requires the maintenance or development of large information systems which often involves complex tasks. As effective teams are at the core of high performance organizations exposure to teamwork is important in the preparation of students for the real world environment. To ensure high quality products and limit high failure rates of projects, teams should be carefully selected. This paper explores existing team selection approaches and discusses the mechanisms put in place in the systems development group project with the emphasis on self-selected teams as a sound base for team formation. It further reports on the incorporation of the criteria defining effectiveness and effective teams into the course to prepare individual members for the rigours of industry.
Relationship Building in Virtual Teams: An Academic Case Study
Authors: Egea Kathy
Published: October 2017

Information Technology (IT) provides the infrastructure for communication and collaboration tools for virtual teams, but Henttonen and Blomqvist (2005) suggest that it is the relational communication and factors of trust, commitment and communication that attention. This case study presents a team building strategy for such interaction. Off-campus students in an undergraduate course apply technological design concepts for social mechanisms in communication and collaboration to virtual teamwork. Students utilise the themes of conversation, awareness and coordination and document their reflection on their use over the team lifecycle. All functioning teams indicated that these social mechanisms helped to build team trust and commitment. Seventy-two percent of students indicated positive team experience, despite constraints of workload, time pressure, technology tools, distance and uncooperative team members. This study argues that use of guided and iterative reflections on social mechanisms support virtual team functioning and strengthen relationships.
Thinking and Behaving Scientifically in Computer Science: When Failure is an Option!
Authors: Venables Anne , Tan Grace
Published: October 2017

In a Finnish study of four different academic disciplines, Ylijoki (2000) found that in Computer Science there was a disparity between the conceptions held by undergraduate students and staff about their discipline; students viewed it as being far more pragmatic and results focused than did their instructors. Not surprisingly, here at our Australian university where the undergraduate Computer Science program emphasizes programming and problem solving skills, the authors had noticed a similar inconsistency between staff and student beliefs. This paper reports on an effort to realign these conceptions and broaden student experience using an assessment task. Centered on solutions to the popular ‘Sudoku’ puzzle (Sudoku, 2005), the task was designed and introduced into an Intelligent Systems course, a final year elective of a Computer Science degree. The goal was to expose students to some of the ‘pure’ rather than applied aspects of the Computer Science discipline (Becher & Trowler, 2001), by using assessment to encourage experimental learning (Kolb & Fry, 1975). The assessment specification instructed students to design and conduct several ‘in silica’ Computer Science experiments to solve and/or create Sudoku puzzles. Importantly, students were asked to keep a Research Diary documenting their thoughts, attempts, backtracking and progresses as they attempted the assignment. Most unique from a student’s perspective was that ‘failure’ to solve the given problem by experimentation was a viable option; their efforts would be rewarded given they conducted themselves ‘scientifically’ in their attempt.
Accreditation of Monash University Software Engineering (MUSE) Program
Authors: Ramakrishnan Sita
Published: October 2017

Engineering programs in Australian Universities are accredited by Engineers Australia (EA) based on certain strict guidelines. This paper discusses the undergraduate SE curriculum and accreditation effort undertaken over the last ten years at Monash University in order to achieve a successful outcome. The paper describes how the SE curriculum has evolved over this period at Monash and maintained its product quality by benchmarking against various international efforts such as the CMU-SEI effort in early 1990s, ACM/IEEE efforts on Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK, versions 2001-2004) and the curriculum guidelines for each major area of computing in Computing Curricula (CC2001) such as a Software Engineering volume (SE2004). Currently at Monash, student-centric evaluations are used to determine the teach-ing/learning outcome and in-form the world through the web to support the University’s quality assurance and improvement strategies. We discuss our effort in providing an aligned, evidence-based approach to quality assurance for continued accreditation of MUSE.
Is There a Value Paradox of E-learning in MBA Programs?
Authors: Geri Nitza , Gefen David
Published: October 2017

Academic institutions invest considerable resources in improving the website quality of their MBA courses, in the hope of increasing student retention and willingness to recommend the programs to others. Despite this investment, it seems that the old "keep it simple" rule is also true for e-learning. Data collected from students enrolled in a blended distance learning MBA program at the Open University of Israel, shows that the students were most satisfied with the simple and relatively inexpensive e-learning tools, which did not require their active participation. The paper discusses bounded rationality and attention economy as suggested theoretical explanations for this phenomenon, as well as practical implications for academic institutions and educators.
Viability of the “Technology Acceptance Model” in Multimedia Learning Environments: A Comparative Study
Authors: Saade Raafat , Nebebe Fassil , Tan Weiwei
Published: October 2017

In recent years, more and more higher education institutions have interests of integrating internet-based technologies in the classroom as part of the learning environment. Compared to studies on other information technologies, users’ behavior towards this type of systems, however, has not been assessed and understood thoroughly. In order to get more experience about human behaviors on multimedia learning environment, we conducted a comparative study consisting of 362 students, which is almost three times the sample size of the previous study, participating to test the theoretical model. Results suggest that TAM is a solid theoretical model where its validity can extend to the multimedia and e-learning context. The study provides a more intensive view of the multimedia learning system users and is an important step towards a better understanding of the user behavior on the system and a multimedia acceptance model.