bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of a Computerized System in an Oncology Unit
Authors: Botsis Taxiarchis , Syrigos Konstantinos
Published: February 2011

Information management is essential for health professionals in order to maintain a level of productivity for health care services management. This is significant when treating cancer patients. The main target of this study was to employ computers to enhance the daily practice of Oncology Unit (Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece). Accordingly, a computerized system was developed consisting of three modules: the EPR, the Image Archive, and the Lab Module. The EPR Module is a database application that stores clinical results, physician orders, and several administrative data. The Image Archive Module is used mainly for the reduction of images volume and the Lab Module stores information about the patient blood samples. These two modules interoperate through EPR Module under strict data security policies. Key physicians, biologists, and secretary personnel are involved in data entry and information management, while the system administrator is responsible for the system functioning. Improved health care, user satisfaction, and cost savings were the most important benefits gained with this system. The need of similar systems in oncology is crucial and could involve additional applications, such as quality of life (QoL) systems.
Integrated Process and Data Management for Healthcare Applications
Authors: Jablonski Stefan , Lay Rainer , Melier Christian , Faerber Matthias , Volz Bernard , Dornstauder Sebastian , Gotz Manuel , Muller Sascha
Published: February 2011

Healthcare applications are demanding with respect to their IT needs. Due to their complexity they need strong IT support which must provide enough freedom to their users in the medical domain because of the high degree of flexibility required by them. We have chosen a process based technology, called data logistics, which can cope with these almost conflicting requirements. Data logistics is based on clinical processes. However, when data logistics processes are executed, this happens transparently to the users and provides them a huge degree of freedom in determining the sequence of process execution. In order to cope with these challenging features, the process execution environment for data logistics processes is generated according to our model driven development approach called process driven architecture (PDA). Several clinical studies illustrate the feasibility, effectiveness, and efficiency of the data logistics approach. This article both exposes the rationale of the data logistics approach and provides a deep inside into the implementation concepts.
Envisioning a National e-Medicine Network Architecture in a Developing Country
Authors: Lemma Fikreyohannes , Denko Mieso K. , Tan Joseph K. , Kassegne Samuel Kinde
Published: February 2011

Poor infrastructures in developing countries such as Ethiopia and much of Sub-Saharan Africa have caused these nations to suffer from lack of efficient and effective delivery of basic and extended medical and healthcare services. Often, such limitation is further accompanied by low patient-doctor ratios, resulting in unwarranted rationing of services. Apparently, e-medicine awareness among both governmental policy makers and private health professionals is motivating the gradual adoption of technological innovations in these countries. It is argued, however, that there still is a gap between current e-medicine efforts in developing countries and the existing connectivity infrastructure leading to faulty, inefficient and expensive designs. The particular case of Ethiopia, one such developing country where e-medicine continues to carry significant promises, is investigated and reported in this article.
Scrutinizing the Rule
Authors: Al-Fedaghi S.
Published: February 2011

Privacy policies, laws, and guidelines have been cultivated based on overly verbose specifications. This article claims that privacy regulations lend themselves to a firmer language based on a model of flow of personal identifiable information. The model specifies a limited number of situations and acts on personal identifiable information. As an application of the model, the model is applied to portions of the Privacy Rule of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
In What Ways Does Web Technology Support the Individual in Choice Reforms in Health Care? A Comparison among Norway, Denmark, and Sweden
Authors: Ranerup Agneta
Published: February 2011

The aim of this article is to evaluate the provision of Web support in choice reforms in health care in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Two main issues are investigated: (1) What institutional frameworks for choice in health care exist, and how is the exercise of choice supported by Web technology in these countries? (2) As a consequence of this, what roles of the individual are mediated by this technology? The present study provides a critical analysis of current technologies for providing information about health care. It is concluded that in Norway the individual is equipped to be a reasonably informed consumer, customer, and citizen. A similar situation exists in Denmark, but here the consumer role is even more prominent. In Sweden, there has been little technological support for these roles, but recently national actors have initiated a project aimed at creating a national portal for public health care.
Characteristics of Good Clinical Educators from Medical Students' Perspectives
Authors: Sutkin Gary , Burley Hansel , Zhang Ke , Arora Neetu
Published: February 2011

Medical educators have a unique role in teaching students how to save lives and give comfort during illness. This article reports a qualitative inquiry into medical students’ perspectives on the key qualities which differentiate excellent and poor clinical teachers, using a Web-based questionnaire with a purposeful sample of third- and fourth-year medical students. Thirty-seven medical students responded with 465 characteristics and supportive anecdotes. All participants’ responses were analyzed through reviewing, coding, member checking, recoding and content analysis, which yielded 12 codes. Responses from 5 randomly chosen participants were recoded by two authors with an inter-rater reliability coefficient of 0.72, implying agreement. Finally, 3 larger categories emerged from the data: Content Competence, Teaching Mechanics, and Teaching Dynamics. We incorporate these codes into a diagrammatic model of a good clinical teacher, discuss the relationships and interactions between the codes and categories, and suggest further areas of research.
Intelligent Agent Framework for Secure Patient-Doctor Profiling and Profile Matching
Authors: Mohammadian Masoud , Jentzsch Ric
Published: February 2011

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a promising technology for improving services and reduction of cost in health care. Accurate almost real time data acquisition and analysis of patient data and the ability to update such a data is a way to improve patient’s care and reduce cost in health care systems. This article employs wireless radio frequency identification technology to acquire patient data and integrates wireless technology for fast data acquisition and transmission, while maintaining the security and privacy issues. An intelligent agent framework is proposed to assist in managing patients’ health care data in a hospital environment. A data classification method based on fuzzy logic is proposed and developed to improve the data security and privacy of data collected and propagated.
Ethnographic Discovery of Adverse Events in Patient Online Discussions
Authors: Rada Roy
Published: February 2011

A healthcare provider can extend its customer relationship management program by sponsoring an online, patient discussion group. In those groups, patients may discuss adverse events that are inadequately addressed in the literature. The author, as a cancer patient, joined two online, patient discussion groups and identified four types of such adverse events. For each such adverse event, the patient findings, the medical literature, and the implications are noted. Extracts from the literature that were provided to the patients were welcomed by the patients. A literature review of one of the adverse events has been published in a medical journal. Factors are presented for healthcare providers to consider in deciding whether or not to sponsor an online, patient discussion group.
Application of Unified Modelling Language (UML) to the Modelling of Health Care Systems
Authors: Vasilakis Christos , Lecnzarowicz Dorota , Lee Chooi
Published: February 2011

The unified modelling language (UML) comprises a set of tools for documenting the analysis of a system. Although UML is generally used to describe and evaluate the functioning of complex systems, the extent of its application to the health care domain is unknown. The purpose of this article is to survey the literature on the application of UML tools to the analysis and modelling of health care systems. We first introduce four of the most common UML diagrammatic tools, namely use case, activity, state, and class diagrams. We use a simplified surgical care service as an example to illustrate the concepts and notation of each diagrammatic tool. We then present the results of the literature survey on the application of UML tools in health care. The survey revealed that although UML tools have been employed in modelling different aspects of health care systems, there is little systematic evidence of the benefits.
Ambient Intelligence and Pervasive Architecture Designed within the EPI-MEDICS Personal ECG Monitor
Authors: Atoui Hussein , Télisson David , Fyan Jocelyne , Rubel Paul
Published: February 2011

Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in developing personalized and nonhospital based care systems to improve the management of cardiac care. The EPI-MEDICS project has designed an intelligent, portable Personal ECG Monitor (PEM) embedding an advanced decision making system. We present two of the ambient intelligence models embedded in the PEM: the neural-network based ischemia detection module and the Bayesian-network risk stratification module. Ischemia detection was expanded to take into account the patient ECG, clinical data, and medical history. The neural-network ECG interpretation module and the Bayesian-network risk factors module collaborate through a fuzzy-logic-based layer. We also present two telemedicine solutions that we have designed and in which the PEM is integrated. The first telemedical architecture was created to allow the collection of medical data and their transmission between healthcare providers to get an expert opinion. The second one is intended for improving healthcare in old people’s homes.
Bridging the Feature Gaps for Retrieval of Multi-Dimensional Images
Authors: Kim Jinman , Cai Weidong , Feng Dagan
Published: February 2011

Content-based image retrieval (CBIR) refers to the use of visual features for images retrieval, and has become an attractive approach to managing biomedical image achieves. However, existing CBIR systems are typically designed for 2D single-modality imaging, and are restricted when multi-dimensional images are considered. With the advances in imaging scanners, image complexity and magnitude have rapidly expanded in both the temporal (time) and spatial (space) dimensions, i.e., dynamic PET provides physiological functions of the human body acquired in 3D volumes over multiple time sequences, and dual-modality imaging scanners that sequentially acquires co-aligned functional (PET) and anatomical (CT) images. This manuscript summarizes research in CBIR of multi-dimensional biomedical images with focuses on the feature extraction and retrieval techniques that utilize the information available in the image’s multidimensional data spaces. Applications of multi-dimensional CBIR will be exemplified with our ongoing studies with 4D dynamic PET and dual-modal PET/CT images.
Revisiting the Feature and Content Gap for Landmark- Based and Image-to-Image Retrieval in Medical CBIR
Authors: Greenspan Hayit
Published: February 2011

Medical image content-based retrieval entails several possible scenarios. One scenario relates to retrieving based on image landmarks. In this scenario, quantitative image primitives are extracted from the image content, in an extensive pre-processing phase, following which these quantities serve as metadata in the archive, for any future search. A second scenario is one in which image-to-image matching is desired. In this scenario, the query input is an image or part of an image and the search is conducted by a comparison on the image level. In this paper we review both retrieval scenarios via example systems developed in recent years in our lab. An example for image landmark retrieval for cervix cancer research is described based on a joint collaboration with National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM) at NIH. The goal of the system is to facilitate training and research via a large archive of uterine cervix images.
Anticipated Use of EMR Functions and Physician Characteristics
Authors: Meinert David , Peterson Dane K.
Published: February 2011

Despite the numerous purported benefits of Electronic Medical Records (EMR), medical practices have been extremely reluctant to embrace the technology. One of the barriers believed to be responsible for the slow adoption of EMR technology is resistance by many physicians who are not convinced of the usefulness of EMR systems. This study used a mail survey of physicians associated with a multi-specialty clinic to examine potential characteristics of physicians that might help identify those individuals that are most likely to pose a threat to the successful EMR implementation. Age and gender of the physicians was generally not associated with anticipated use. However, an analysis of variance indicated self-rated computer knowledge and area of medical specialty were highly related to expected use of EMR functions. Results indicating that anticipated use of various EMR functions depend on medical specialty denotes one of the many difficulties of developing EMR systems for multi-specialty clinics.
Decision Making by Emergency Room Physicians and Residents
Authors: Hine Michael J. , Farion Ken J. , Michalowski Wojtek , Wilk Szymon
Published: February 2011

Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) are typically constructed from expert knowledge and are often reliant on inputs that are difficult to obtain and on tacit knowledge that only experienced clinicians possess. Research described in this article uses empirical results from a clinical trial of a CDSS with a decision model based on expert knowledge to show that there are differences in how clinician groups of the same specialty, but different level of expertise, elicit necessary CDSS input variables and use said variables in their clinical decisions. This article reports that novice clinicians have difficulty eliciting CDSS input variables that require physical examination, yet they still use these incorrectly elicited variables in making their clinical decisions. Implications for the design of CDSS are discussed.
IT Adoption and Evaluation in Healthcare
Authors: AM Spil Ton , LeRouge Cynthia , Trimmer Ken , Wiggins Carla
Published: February 2011

This article focuses on the evolution of theory, methodology, and practice regarding the role of adoption, implementation, diffusion, and evaluation factors, and the interaction of these factors at various levels, to healthcare system success. These topics continue to present challenges to organizations, the research community, and to society in general. The first place that new waves of thought are often aired is at conferences. This article explores the evolution taking place in this domain by looking back through the years over work presented at the longest standing conference track focused on adoption, implementation, diffusion, and evaluation factors in e-health and the interaction of these factors at various levels to healthcare system success.
Adaptive Multi-Services System for Maternal and Child Health Care on Mobile Application (AM-Care)
Authors: Romsaiyud Walisa , Premchaiswadi Wichian
Published: February 2011

Addressing efforts towards the improvement of maternal and child health management can often prove to be problematic in context to successfully obtaining healthcare and medical treatment information from health care professionals. In this regard, the authors propose an adaptive multi-service system that contains fully integrated health care services, medical treatment services, and maternal and child health management. The system utilized both web-based and mobile technology for implementing the application. A practical framework for generating individual maternal and child health care is also presented from data repositories and fully integrated functional health care services to support an improved quality of life for both mother and children. The application, namely AM-Care, consists of the three main components, i.e., Control Centre Component, Web-based Components, and Mobile Components. Also, AM-Care has the important add-on features such as emergency services and warning services.
Virtualized Disaster Recovery Model for Large Scale Hospital and Healthcare Systems
Authors: Lee Olivia F. , Guster Dennis C.
Published: February 2011

Healthcare organizations face rising costs in effective management of hospital information systems. Adding to this burden is the Joint Commission’s mandate for disaster preparedness, which demands restoring access to information after unexpected catastrophes. Disaster recovery within healthcare organizations is essential because of its inherent critical nature and the possible losses’ impact on patients’ lives. This paper presents a virtualized disaster recovery model and presents steps for setting up the recovery environment and implementing the virtualized plan across multiple network systems. A large scale hospital and healthcare system in Minnesota participated in this study, and results indicate that the virtual model can provide acceptable performance when a limited number of client workstations are functioning. However, its performance is not as good as the traditional physical model, and its workload performance decays much quicker. Future research is suggested that tests more sophisticated models and incorporates finer granularity in the tabular distribution methodology.
Computing Curricula
Authors: Scime Anthony , Wania Christine
Published: February 2011

An analysis of eight computing model curricula verifies that there are significant differences between computing disciplines. While there are many courses in the models with the same or similar names, the courses may be completely different. By reverse engineering model course descriptions, the courses are compared to determine the inclusiveness of each course in each of the others. Although expected, these results are significant for colleges and universities establishing or revising computing programs.
Electronic Reading Programs
Authors: Masterson-Smith Julie
Published: February 2011

Administrators, classroom teachers, technology specialists, and library media specialists must be knowledgeable and ready to create and maintain strong, individualized reading programs for their students. They must also know the components of strong literacy programs and be proactive in the creation of such at the schools in which they work. Electronic reading programs are gaining in popularity as well as in controversy. Numerous companies are producing programs that have students read books, then take a computerized quiz to check for comprehension. These programs claim to provide an educationally sound tool for teachers to use as part of classroom reading instruction, with the result of increased student test scores. These programs, if used, must be carefully considered and supported with appropriate staff development. They can be a large expense and may actually do the opposite of their claim to help create lifelong learners.
The Cross-Cultural Dimensions of Globalized E-Learning
Authors: Edmundson Andrea L.
Published: February 2011

This exploratory study examined the effects of cross-cultural learning dimensions on e-learning outcomes for employees in functionally equivalent jobs in Western and Eastern cultures. Participants from the United States and India completed a Level 1 e-learning course designed in the United States. In addition, randomly selected completers then reported their interactions with the e-learning course in a survey. Learners from the two cultures achieved equitable learning outcomes, suggesting that characteristics of Level 1 e-learning courses mediate the effects of culture. In addition, while cross-cultural dimensions did appear to affect learners’ preferences for and perceptions of e-learning, both Eastern and Western participants were willing to try new approaches to learning that did not align with their cultural profiles. Based on these results, the cultural adaptation process (CAP) model is presented as a preliminary guideline for adapting e-learning courses for other cultures. Accelerated dissemination of Level 1 courses could increase technological literacy . Education and technological innovation are strongly associated with advanced socio-economic development.
A Project-Based Learning Approach
Authors: Du Jianxia , Havard Byron , Adams James , Li Heng
Published: February 2011

A framework for Online Group Collaborative Learning is illustrated in this paper. The foundation of the framework is based on Piaget’s concepts of assimilation and accommodation and Vygotsky’s theory of social interaction. This paper examines how an online project-based learning approach affected students’ cognitive skills development and motivation, and explored factors leading to successful collaborative projects. The results indicated that, in a project-based online group environment, unique characteristics exist for leadership style and individual role, goal setting and project management, accountability and commitment, peer supportive relationships, individual accomplishment and group accomplishments, and mixed gender and race group preference.
The Use of Online Technologies in the Teaching and Learning Process
Authors: Ferguson Maggie , Ibbetson Adrian
Published: February 2011

This paper provides an evaluation of the effectiveness of a year-one module delivered by a combination of traditional and online teaching methods to leisure and tourism undergraduates. The research further considers the value of the extemporized implementation of computer-mediated instructional settings that do not consider or refer to existing evaluative frameworks, in view of the fact that initiatives often are driven more by pragmatism and policy than pedagogy and theory. The findings show that there are negative and positive attributes to both methods of instruction, but overall, traditional methods are seen as preferable to new online developments. The reasons for this preference are explored and include communication interaction and contact with a tutor. The main positive attributes of the online system are flexibility and accessibility. The issue of appropriateness of online instruction at differing higher educational levels is also considered.
Learning Theories and Technology
Authors: Hartsell Taralynn
Published: February 2011

Designing instruction centered upon one learning approach is not always practical because there are many different techniques students use when learning new material. Therefore, an educator or instructional designer needs to recognize the principles, concepts, and applications of various learning theories when implementing technology into the instructional setting. This paper provides an overview of three distinct learning theories commonly applied in the area of education and addresses their practical uses in technology application. First, the principles and implications upon teaching and learning of each theory are presented. Thereafter, each theory is followed by a summary describing its influences upon the way that technology can be utilized in instruction.
Telecommunications Courses in Information Systems Programs
Authors: Hawk Stephen , Witt Thomas
Published: February 2011

This paper reports on an investigation of how undergraduate information systems (IS) programs include telecommunications courses in their curricula. The curricula of a random sample of undergraduate IS programs were examined. The results indicate that telecommunications typically is not an area of emphasis; most IS programs require only one telecommunications course and less than half provide an additional course beyond that. The number and types of required versus elective telecommunications courses included in IS curricula are presented. The results also show that programs identified as IS majors tend to do a better job of including telecommunications courses in their curricula than programs designated as IS concentrations. Implications of the results and questions for further research are discussed.
Introducing GIS for Business in Higher Education
Authors: Gadish David
Published: February 2011

Schools of business can benefit from adoption of geographic information systems (GIS). A brief overview of GIS technology is presented along with an example showcasing how it can be presented in a business school. GIS benefits for business schools, their students, and faculty are discussed. A comprehensive approach for promoting such spatial thinking is presented. The goal is to empower faculty to adopt GIS for their research and teaching, producing a large number of business school graduates that can promote spatial thinking in their organizations.
Managing the Decision Tree Life-Cycle with Components
Authors: Kalles Dimitris , Papagelis Athanasios
Published: February 2011

Decision trees are one of the most successful Machine Learning paradigms. This paper presents a library of decision tree algorithms in Java. The basic components of a decision tree algorithm are described to support the design of the system architecture. The library can easily embody parts of conventional as well as novel algorithms. The system allows the non-expert user to conduct experiments with decision trees using components and visual tools that facilitate tree construction and manipulation, while the expert user can focus on algorithm design and comparison with few implementation details. The system has been successfully used as a workbench in a programming laboratory for junior computer science students, aiming at providing a solid introduction to object-oriented concepts and practices based on fundamental machine learning paradigm.
The Top 10 Most Valuable Online Learning Activities for Graduate MIS Students
Authors: Levy Yair
Published: February 2011

Human activities are at the core of the numerous advancements in technology and learning. The objective of this study was to gather and report the most frequently observed activities learners express to be valuable when attending online courses. Knowing such top valuable activities can provide a guide for online learning systems vendors on the key platform attributes that are most valuable, and subsequently, enable them to design more effective platforms. A review of activity theory and its implication for e-learning environments is provided as the theoretical background for this study. A list of the top ten most frequently observed valuable activities is presented based on a qualitative exploratory study conducted with five focus groups totaling 47 graduate MIS students who attended online learning courses. Results suggest that nearly all of the most frequently observed valuable activities revolved around the flexibility of the online learning environments. Additionally, activities related to performing research online as well as communication either with the professor or with other students (be it via e-mail, discussion forums or chat) appear to be very valuable for graduate MIS students. The paper concludes with a summary, remarks and implications of the study findings for research, as well as suggestions for future studies.
Overview of Using Vignettes to Develop Higher Order Thinking and Academic Achievement in Adult Learners in an Online Learning Environment
Authors: Kish Maria H.Z.
Published: February 2011

This case study investigated the use of vignettes as a teaching strategy and learning activity of the Generative Learning Model in a hybrid online course. The Generative Learning Model, which consists of five main components: attention, motivation, knowledge, generation, and metacognition (Wittrock, 2000), was incorporated when requiring students to answer teacher-generated vignettes and to generate their own vignettes. As a result of using vignettes within the Generative Learning Model in a hybrid online course, two outcomes were anticipated: 1) enhancement of academic achievement and 2) higher order thinking . This study considered data from student work collected from the Instructional Techniques Course, GITED 631, taught in the Graduate School of Education at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 2003. Eight participants responded to teacher-generated vignettes, created diagrams and rubrics, created their own vignettes, and recorded their thoughts concerning vignettes in reflective learning logs. This research indicates that the use of teacher-generated vignettes can increase academic achievement, and that learner-generated vignettes can help students achieve higher order thinking.
IT Training as a Strategy for Business Productivity in Developing Countries
Authors: Srivastava Shirish C. , Teo Thompson S.H.
Published: February 2011

Most existing studies on technology training address the operational issues of training process (e.g., training needs assessment, learning, delivery methods, etc.). The strategic concerns of IT training for enhancing business productivity largely are not addressed by the current literature. In this article, we explore the strategic concerns of IT training in hierarchical organizations, which are typically prevalent in developing countries. We synthesize various ideas in the literature on change management, training needs analysis, and IT adoption in order to evolve a strategic IT training framework for hierarchical organizations. The proposed framework recognizes the differences in IT training requirements for different levels of employees and suggests a differentiated training content for different segments of employees. The training framework provides an actionable and comprehensive tool that can be used for systematically planning IT training for enhancing productivity of organizations.
Competent Web Dialogue
Authors: Fåhræus Eva , Döös Marianne
Published: February 2011

Conducting a dialogue on the Web is a matter of linking thoughts in digital conversations. This article is intended to contribute toward learning qualities in such conversations. The term “dialogue” refers to a special kind of conversation, having structure, purpose, and learning qualities. The focus is on learning Web dialogues taking place in a course context using text-based, asynchronous meetings. An overview of factors that influence digital group conversations is presented together with a model for dialogue competence face-to-face. The dialogue potential of Web dialogues is highlighted. Course leaders and teachers wanting to create opportunities for learning Web dialogues, as well as the interlocutors themselves, need to wise up on the digital interchange of thoughts as a form.
Assessing Online Discussion Forum Participation
Authors: Shaul Matthew
Published: February 2011

As a socially constructive learning tool, discussion forums remain central to online education. They have continued to evolve in functionality, acquiring ever-increasing usability features. However, development has lagged in providing instructors the means to assess student work in forums. The author submits an overview of his software program that provides instructors with the means to evaluate forum work quickly, easily, and repeatedly. The software accomplishes this by accessing the forums’ underlying database, searching for manifest and latent data, and calculating data associated with an array of metrics. This is a Web-based tool built on Open Source and standards-based languages, providing opportunities to port the program to numerous Learning Management Systems. It is the intention of this author to provide this tool, when completed, for such use as a free, Open Source tool. Interested parties may e-mail the author for progress updates. Currently, however, further work on the project must await the completion of another project, the author’s dissertation.
Examining the Relationship Between Course Management Systems, Presentation Software, and Student Learning
Authors: Crawley Daria C. , Frey Barbara A.
Published: February 2011

This research examines the relative impact of students’ in-class behaviors (i.e., attendance and participation) by assessing student perceptions of the value of instructional technologies, such as eCollege course management systems and instructors’ PowerPoint presentations. The results of the study through exploratory factor analyses revealed that 13 items were divided into three factors (electronic presentations, onlinecourse management, and effective classroom behavior) with 53 percent explained variance in instructional technologies’ impact on student learning. ANOVA results indicated significant differences in online-course management and perceived impact of electronic presentations on students’ classroom behavior among respondents who used the online-course management system. Respondents who used multiple onlinecourse management features viewed it more favorably and did not believe that it had a negative impact on classroom behaviors, such as attendance or class participation compared to those who used fewer features. Implications for construct refinement and future research are discussed.
Stories of Engagement with E-Learning
Authors: Lautenbach Geoffrey
Published: February 2011

I argue that although university lecturers delve into the “shallow waters” of e-learning, they do not do so in sufficient depth and resign themselves to the perpetuation of cognitivist, behaviorist, and objectivist forms of knowledge without discovering more about the medium that could possibly liberate their restricted epistemologies. In this article, I explore possible reasons for varying engagement with e-learning, assuming that these reasons are located within the dimensions of the unit of analysis of the study; namely, lecturers’ changing theories of knowledge and teaching in first encounters with e-learning. Using Lee Shulman’s table of learning (Shulman, 2002) as a heuristic, I use excerpts from personal narratives to highlight the epistemological and pedagogical transformation of nine lecturers as they engage with educational technologies in their work.
A New Model for OnLine Doctoral Course Development with Faculty Quality Assessment
Authors: Schmidt Thomas M. , Shaw Michael
Published: February 2011

Differing methods of course development can lead to widely varying results. The University of Phoenix develops courses for both on-campus and online (e-learning) delivery, using electronic collaboration as well as in-person teamings. Course developers at the university rigorously measure feedback about course materials, and revise courses based on learners’ input. This article describes a model for developing and delivering e-learning doctoral-level curricula based on current research and a learner needs analysis. Suggestions for further improvements and surprising results about the most effective method for deriving e-learning materials are explored.
The Classroom of the Future and Emerging Educational Technologies
Authors: Howard Bruce C. , Tomei Lawrence A.
Published: February 2011

When discussing emerging educational technologies, the complaint around the globe is common enough: we may be outfitting schools with classrooms of the future, but teaching methods remain mired in the past. In this special issue of the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, fresh perspectives for choosing and applying emerging educational technologies are presented as a result of the efforts of this investigation. Many well-respected experts have addressed the need for new methodologies. Instead, we have chosen to focus on the process of choosing the technologies themselves. We set out to determine how to evaluate the individual promise an educational technology may hold and to provide guidelines to those who choose and use the technologies for teaching and learning.
Design Principles for 21st-Century Educational Technology
Authors: Chen Ching-Huei , Calinger Manetta , Howard Bruce C. , Oskorus Anna
Published: February 2011

Design principles are universal and may be translated onto the newest trends and emergent technologies. In this research study we combined the perspectives provided by two sources to create a set of recommended design principles for technology-enhanced learning environments. One source was the How People Learn framework (Bransford, Brown, & Cocking, 2000). The second source was a series of interviews conducted with pacesetters in the field of educational technologies. With the knowledge gained from these two sources, we created our own set of design principles. These principles can guide the evaluation of how educational technologies are used or help instructional designers in creating exemplary ways to implement technologies.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Authors: Howard Bruce C.
Published: February 2011

In this special issue of the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, we report on the results of a multifaceted research study on how to benchmark and use emerging educational technologies. Our approach blended classic research methods with those used in market research studies. We gathered data and expertise from a variety of sources, including academic research articles, industry reports, interviews with leaders and national pacesetters, and the experiences of our own veteran staff. Our objective was to create a means by which decisions about affordances, constraints, and effective use could be made in a just-in-time fashion. We have only scratched the surface.
Examining Technological Disparities and Instructional Practices in English Language Arts Classroom
Authors: Song Holim , Kidd Terry , Owens Emiel
Published: February 2011

A considerable amount of research has been conducted about technological disparity within various classroom instructional practices; yet educators have concerned about the chronic underachievement of students in urban school settings. In order for technology to have its greatest impact on our educational system, teachers and student must not only access to technology, but access to technology in a contextual matter that is culturally relevant, responsive and meaningful to their educational practice. Results of this study revealed that socioeconomic status of the school still plays an important role in how well teacher are trained and their ability to integrate technology in the classroom. This study provides a platform for discussion on technology and instructional practices within urban school and to offer recommendations as we begin to rethink technological disparities and the intentional and unintentional affects on instructional practices.
Availability and Utilization of Classroom Computers Across Urban and Rural Schools in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Aduwa-Ogiegbaen Sam E.O. , Iyamu Ede O.S.
Published: February 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine the availability and use of classroom computers in urban and rural schools in Southwestern Nigeria. Since it is nearly a universal agreement that, when properly utilized, computers hold a great deal of promise to improve teaching and learning, it is pertinent to ascertain the availability of computer facilities and their use by teachers in secondary school in urban and rural schools in Southwestern Nigeria. Data for the study was collected through a structured questionnaire which was administered to 540 (300 male and 240m female) teachers in the schools. The result indicated that the urban schools were better equipped with computers than the rural schools. Also, it was found that the female teachers utilized computer facilities in their instructional activities than the male teachers. Recommendations were made as to how the situation can be improved in terms of computer supply and usage in the schools.
Computer-Mediated Communication that Brings Learning into the Present
Authors: Seward Linda , Harvey Vickie , Carranza Joseph
Published: February 2011

A two-part assignment was designed which paired students together using e-mail technology that required them to engage in peer teaching. This allowed us to study computer-mediated communication that was not part of a discussion group or chat room. An analysis of the e-mails revealed that males and females did not differ in frequency, length or use of social incentives. Males sent slightly more status enhancement messages while females sent more status recognition messages. Significant gender differences occurred, however, in the use of apologies and in how personal weaknesses or bad experiences were characterized. Unexpectedly, university affiliation was more significant than gender in the amount of self-disclosure.
Bridging of Digital Divide in Africa
Authors: Igun S.E.
Published: February 2011

This paper discusses the gap created by an international digital divide in Africa. The paper focuses on bridging the digital divide that exists between the developed countries and Africa, especially in the use of the internet and Global System Mobile (GSM) communication services. Issues like bridging the international digital divide, digital divide and Africa, bridging the digital divide in African’s universities and libraries, the revolution of GSM in Africa, and effects of government policies and regulations, challenges facing Internet Providers (ISPs), benefits of GSM services in Africa are also discussed. In this paper, the author reveals the commendable penetration of GSM but poor connectivity of the internet in Africa. Problems hindering penetration of the internet and GSM in Africa are mentioned. Recommendations that lead to bridging of this internet gap are highlighted.
National Culture and E-Government Readiness
Authors: Kovacic Zlatko J.
Published: February 2011

Diffusion of information and communication technologies is a global phenomenon. In spite of rapid globalization there are considerable differences between nations in terms of the adoption and usage of new technologies. Several studies exploring causal factors including national cultures of information and communication technology adoption have been carried out. The focus of this article is slightly different from other studies in this area. Rather than concentrating on the individual information technology an overall e-Government readiness is the focus. This research conducted an analysis of the impact national culture has on e-Government readiness and its components for 62 countries. E-Government readiness assessment used in this study is based on the UN E-Government Survey 2008, while the national cultural dimensions were identified using Hofstede’s model of cultural differences. The research model and hypotheses were formed and tested using correlation and regression analysis. The findings indicate that worldwide e-Government readiness and its components are related to culture. The result has theoretical and practical implications.
ICTs in Chinese Distance Higher Education
Authors: Li Xiaobin
Published: February 2011

The Chinese higher education system is the largest in the world, but distance education, using information communication technologies (ICTs), started later than in developed countries. In this paper, the author examines the benefits of education to human development and provides an overview of the recent development of distance higher education in China. The potential for further developing distance higher education with ICTs is considered. In addition, challenges are discussed and recommendations are made to improve Chinese distance higher education.
The Concerns of Elementary Educators with the Diffusion of Information and Communication Technology
Authors: Samiei Armin , Laitsch Daniel A.
Published: February 2011

In this paper, the authors use a mixed methods study, including a survey and follow up interviews, to investigate the concerns that elementary educators in a school district in British Columbia have regarding the diffusion and integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in their teaching. The research participants identified four major categories of concerns: the philosophy and pedagogy of ICT integration; accessibility of ICT (including software, hardware and resource personnel); infrastructure technical support; and educational integration of ICT in their teaching. Based on the research findings, the authors propose appropriate intervention methods to address these concerns, including targeted professional development, technical and educational support, and sustained access to proper ICT equipment.
Examining the “Digital Divide”
Authors: Bangou Francis
Published: February 2011

Since the concept of “digital divide” first appeared, many researchers have argued for a more nuanced definition that highlights its complexities and better reveals its impact on the appropriation of ICTs. In this paper, the author analyzes the experiences of six Master of Education (M.Ed.) pre-service teachers learning to integrate ICTs into their practice. These case studies demonstrate how novice teachers’ learning processes can be impacted by the unequal distribution of the temporal, material, mental, social, and cultural resources available (van Dijk, 2005). A number of pedagogical and curricular recommendations for the M.Ed. program are then provided.
New Trends and Futuristic Information Communication Technologies for Engineering Education
Authors: Sidhu Manjit Singh , Kang Lee Chen
Published: February 2011

Improving and enhancing education is a goal for higher learning institutions that seek to provide better learning techniques, technologies, and educators and generate knowledgeable students to fulfill the needs of industry. A field in need of significant improvement is engineering. One approach is to review the delivery and pedagogies used in the current educational system. This paper examines the problems faced by staff and students in the field of mechanical engineering. In addition, the authors explore new technologies that enhance and promote the learning process.