ethanporcaro/eric-fulltext-meta huggingface dataset:
The Importance of Introducing a Course on Information and Communication Technologies for Development into the Information Technology Curriculum
Author: Al-Ahmad, Walid
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Information Technology,College Curriculum,Curriculum Development,Questionnaires,College Students,Required Courses,Economic Development,Social Development,Student Attitudes,Statistical Analysis

This paper studies the role and the importance of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) education in Information Technology (IT) programs. The research included the students who attended an ICT4D course at NYiT Amman Campus in the academic years of 2006 to 2009. Data were collected through two questionnaires developed by the researcher responsible for teaching the course. The first questionnaire was administered in the first lecture of the academic semester, and the second questionnaire was administered in the last lecture. The study shows that the students have expressed that an ICT4D course was an important ingredient in the IT curriculum. Of the students, 98.8% expressed that ICT4D had an important role in IT practices and education, 97.1% stated that they were satisfied with the course, 96.7% expressed that the course met the objectives. As a result, it was suggested that the ICT4D course be included in Bachelor of Information Technology curriculum.
Availability and Usage of ICTs and E-Resources by Livestock Researchers in Tanzania: Challenges and Ways Forward
Author: Angello, Consolata
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Animal Husbandry,Information Technology,Interviews,Surveys,Questionnaires,Internet,Observation,Access to Information,Agricultural Education,Information Sources,Databases,Information Literacy,Online Searching,Teaching Methods,Researchers

A study was conducted to investigate the accessibility and use of e-resources in Tanzania. The methodology adopted for the study was survey in which questionnaires, interviews and observations were used in collection of the data. A total of 50 respondents participated in the study. The study revealed that livestock research institutes in Tanzania had very few e-resources for their researchers. It was concluded that most livestock researchers were not aware of most of the e-resources available hence they could not access and use them effectively in their research work. The researchers recommended for improvement of internet connectivity to enable efficient information searching from the internet.
The Status of Information and Communication Technology in a Coastal Village: A Case Study
Author: Govindaraju, P.
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Information Technology,Access to Computers,Technology Integration,Case Studies,Interviews,Rural Areas,Users (Information),Program Effectiveness,Telecommunications,Focus Groups,Gender Differences,Observation

Kovalam is one of the coastal villages in Southern Tamil Nadu, India, and the principal livelihood of the villagers is fishing. The village is equipped with a VKC (Village Knowledge Center), initiated by the local Parish Council, to serve the people with the e-governance, e-agriculture, eeducation, e-health and other services at free of cost. This paper is aimed at studying the effects of the technological adoption through the intrinsic case study method. Besides, interviews and discussions were also included to find out the realistic situation. The users of the Kiosk, the boundary partners and the knowledge workers were contacted to collect data. The study has revealed the influence and the role of kiosk in the lives of fishing community.
Extracting and Comparing the Intricacies of Metadiscourse of Two Written Persuasive Corpora
Author: Heng, Chan Swee
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Undergraduate Students,Computer Software,Computational Linguistics,Writing (Composition),Content Analysis,Discourse Analysis,Technology Uses in Education,Writing Instruction,Measures (Individuals)

Previous studies (Wu 2007; Hyland 2004; Hyland &amp; Tse 2004; Intaraprawat &amp; Steffensen 1995; Crismore et al. 1993; Vande Kopple 1985) have established the use of Metadiscourse (MD) as an essential element in writing as it allows the writer to create a dialogic space with his readers. In recent years, attempts have been made to analyse MD through the use of text corpus with the help of computer technology especially when the corpus is large. In this investigation, data have been obtained through an electronic means to illustrate the use of MD in writing samples of a group of Malaysian undergraduates. In order to investigate the use of MD by these students, their writing was benched against an established standard, the open access BAWE corpus, available online. The MD features were analysed through the concordancing software, monoConc Pro 2.2, for this research. The paper demonstrates how the software manages the data to reveal patterns of use between writers of the two corpora. The paper concludes on initial insights obtained from the comparison to show the nature and manner of MD between standard proficient writing (extract from BAWE corpus) and evolving student writing at the tertiary level that would have implications for writing improvement in educational institutions.
Computer Interest, Approval and Confidence of Secondary School Students in Three Selected Local Governments of Lagos State (Nigeria): Implications for Global Computerization
Author: Adebowale, O. F.
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Secondary School Students,Student Interests,Computers,Self Efficacy,Statistical Analysis,Computer Use,Gender Differences,Age Differences,Attitude Measures,Questionnaires

Nigerian secondary school graduates are not normally examined for their proficiency at computer and internet use but are repeatedly required to employ such skills in applying for certification and placement examinations. In 2005, in her bid to develop functional computer competencies among secondary school students as part of the global drive for computerization, the Nigerian Lagos state government equipped 40 secondary schools with microcomputer-fitted laboratories which were also connected to the Internet. Three years on, this study was designed to evaluate the computer interest, approval and confidence possessed by the students with the aim of encouraging other state governments in the country and other countries of similar development status to take a cue and also to suggest ways of improvement. One hundred students were selected randomly from the Senior Secondary III classes of each of the six schools equipped with computers by the state government in three local government areas to participate in the study. The instrument used was designed to measure students' interest, approval and confidence at using computers and were administered on the subjects by their ICT subject teachers. Data analyses employed descriptive statistics (means and frequencies), t-test and ANOVA. The results showed that the students possessed high levels of interest, approval and confidence in the use of computer and its other concerns. Female students were found to develop more interest than their male counterparts. On the basis of field of study, vocational students seem to excel in interest and approval. Students aged 19 to 21 seem to perform better in approval of computer and its concerns, but no age differences were found in interest and confidence.
Modeling Computer Usage Intentions of Tertiary Students in a Developing Country through the Technology Acceptance Model
Author: Afari-Kumah, Eben
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,College Students,Student Attitudes,Computer Attitudes,Intention,Models,Factor Analysis,Construct Validity,Multiple Regression Analysis,Predictor Variables,Statistical Analysis,Age Differences,Educational Attainment,Experience,Developing Nations,Questionnaires,Computer Software,Student Behavior

This study aims to examine the computer usage intentions of Ghanaian Tertiary Students. The Technology Acceptance Model was adopted as the theoretical framework to ascertain whether it could help explain behavioral intentions of individuals to accept and use technology. Factor analysis was used to assess the construct validity of the initial research model and to uncover any additional factors influencing students' behavioral intentions. Multiple Linear Regression analysis was done to determine the extent to which dependent variables were predicted by independent variables. T-tests were used for test of significance. This study reveals that the age and level/year of tertiary students as well as prior experience of computer usage have no significant influence on perceived usefulness of a computer. Experience however significantly influenced perceived ease of use whilst age and level/year of students did not. The study also indicates that both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use had a significant effect on the attitude of students towards their computer usage. Interestingly, only perceived usefulness significantly influenced the students' intention to use the computer. Thus fundamental changes may have to be made to the Technology Acceptance Model if it is to be applied to a developing country such as Ghana. This research was limited to one particular university. The study did not consider data on actual computer usage. Further research would have to consider these factors. The findings of this research and the model developed provide a basis for individuals who have to make a decision concerning computer usage of tertiary students in a developing country.
Development of an Educational Interactive Video-DVD on Dairy Health Management Practices
Author: Vidya, P.
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Interactive Video,Agricultural Occupations,Television,Knowledge Level,Farm Management,Diseases,Positive Attitudes

A study was carried out to design, develop and test an educational interactive video-DVD on dairy health management practices. Design for the provision of menus and sub-menus in the developed video-DVD facilitated interactivity by means of branching navigation to different chapters in the video content. A total of 60 dairy farmers owning DVD player and television were selected by means of proportionate random sampling among the farmer members of four milk cooperative societies identified in Kannur block of Kannur district in Kerala State of India, which constituted the sample for the study. The findings of the study revealed significant difference between the mean scores of knowledge level of respondents in pre and post-exposure stages and a high majority of the respondents perceived the various aspects of the video-DVD to be most satisfactory in fulfilling its intended use.
Beyond Preservation: New Directions for Technological Innovation through Intangible Cultural Heritage
Author: Robbins, Christopher
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Indigenous Populations,Cultural Background,Preservation,Information Technology,Innovation,Cultural Maintenance,Foreign Countries,Social Media

While many digitization projects are currently underway, to help preserve Indigenous traditions, few explore the full potential of the development of digital media and networked technology through Indigenous cultures. This paper outlines the three phases necessary for a robust digital preservation, promotion and growth project: 1) Straightforward documentation of Indigenous traditions; 2) Translation of Indigenous traditions into emerging technology and contemporary cultural modes of expression; 3) Application of principles of Indigenous traditions to develop new technologies.
Proposing a Web-Based Tutorial System to Teach Malay Language Braille Code to the Sighted
Author: Wah, Lee Lay
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Braille,Web Based Instruction,Educational Technology,Technology Uses in Education,Special Education Teachers,Preservice Teachers,Parents,Teaching Methods,Memorization,Drills (Practice),Tutorial Programs,Resource Units,Integrated Learning Systems,Formative Evaluation,Summative Evaluation

The &quot;e-KodBrailleBM Tutorial System&quot; is a web-based tutorial system which is specially designed to teach, facilitate and support the learning of Malay Language Braille Code to individuals who are sighted. The targeted group includes special education teachers, pre-service teachers, and parents. Learning Braille code involves memorisation and repeated practice for mastery; hence an automated tutorial system would be a suitable medium of instruction. Instruction in e-KodBrailleBM consists of three phases: Modelling, Guided Practice and Independent Practice. In addition, an Extended Activity phase provides additional practice. Reusable learning objects such as Self-Learning Tutorials, Braille Simulator, Braille Exercises, Summative Self-Assessments and Braille Games will be developed to support the instructional phases. These learning materials are designed to be interactive, progressive and cumulative. The development of this tutorial system requires expertise from various fields, thus a multi-disciplinary team approach is employed in this project. It is hoped that the use of computer and Internet technology would bring greater advancement and convenience towards the teaching and learning of Malay Braille code to the sighted.
Malaysian Education Index (MEI): An Online Indexing and Repository System
Author: Kabilan, Muhammad Kamarul
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Electronic Libraries,Indexing,Online Systems,Indexes,Bibliographic Databases

This &quot;Project Sheet&quot; describes an on-going project that is being carried out by a group of educational researchers, computer science researchers and librarians from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. The Malaysian Education Index (MEI) has two main functions--(1) Online Indexing System, and (2) Online Repository System. In this brief write up, the authors describe the objectives, functions and contents of MEI, as well as its critical role in the process of enhancing the quality of teaching and learning, and research in Malaysia. Also described are some of the rigorous steps taken in ensuring that the proposed MEI system will be efficient, fluid and transparent.
Utilizing JUSUR in an Information Systems Course
Author: Zouhair, Jalila
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,College Faculty,College Students,Teacher Attitudes,Student Attitudes,Integrated Learning Systems,Electronic Learning,Qualitative Research,Positive Attitudes,Technology Integration,Females,Student Surveys,Online Surveys,Feedback (Response)

The aims of this paper are to report the perceptions of both faculty and students when JUSUR, a web based Learning Management System, is used to supplement the teaching inside and outside the classroom during one academic subject; and to compare the experience of the instructor who had previously taught the same course using a course website to support traditional face-to-face methods with interactive web-based technology. Qualitative online evaluation at the end of the course in which the JUSUR component was employed shows that students have positive attitudes about a web-based learning management system. This paper discusses the pros and cons of integrating JUSUR into a course and identifies factors that other Instructors may consider before using such an e-learning tool.
Blogging in Teacher Professional Development: Its Role in Building Computer-Assisted Language Teaching Skills
Author: Murugaiah, Puvaneswary
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Electronic Publishing,Web Sites,Faculty Development,Computer Assisted Instruction,Social Media,Social Networks,Communities of Practice,English (Second Language),Second Language Instruction,Second Language Learning,English Teachers,Teacher Collaboration,Educational Change

Teaching in today's classroom is technology-driven. For language teachers, computer-assisted language learning (CALL) is exciting yet challenging as they are required to possess appropriate skills and knowledge to teach in such an environment. Both technical skills and pedagogical knowledge are crucial for teaching and learning in a technologically-enhanced classroom (Hubbard &amp; Levy 2006). Consequently, teachers must be provided opportunities to learn and develop these skills. Online interactive platforms like blogs and Facebook can expose teachers to this. Through interaction with peers, teachers are not only made aware of the skills but also learn how to integrate the skills in their instruction. This paper attempts to demonstrate that teacher involvement in a community of practice can assist them in this endeavor. It is based on a study involving Malaysian Smart School English language teachers who shared their knowledge and experiences with other members in their community of practice through blogging. The findings suggest that teacher collaboration via blogs can expose teachers to skills that are critical for computer-assisted teaching and help them to enhance existing competences.
Self-Concept, Computer Anxiety, Gender and Attitude towards Interactive Computer Technologies: A Predictive Study among Nigerian Teachers
Author: Agbatogun, Alaba Olaoluwakotansibe
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Computer Uses in Education,Educational Technology,Electronic Learning,Self Concept,Anxiety,Gender Differences,Computer Attitudes,Teacher Attitudes,Technology Integration,Statistical Analysis,Secondary School Teachers,Questionnaires,Multiple Regression Analysis,Likert Scales

Interactive Computer Technologies (ICTs) have crept into education industry, thus dramatically causing transformation in instructional process. This study examined the relative and combined contributions of computer anxiety, self-concept and gender to teachers' attitude towards the use of ICT(s). 454 Nigerian teachers constituted the sample. Three instruments were used to collect the data analysed with Pearson Product Moment Correlation, Multiple Regression and Analysis of Variance. The findings revealed that the combination of the three independent variables significantly predicted the independent variable. Gender did not make any significant contribution to the prediction of the dependent variable. Recommendations were made based on findings.
An Empirical Survey on Domestication of ICT in Schools in Disadvantaged Communities in South Africa
Author: Chigona, Agnes
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Information Technology,Disadvantaged,Technology Integration,Qualitative Research,Principals,Elementary School Teachers,Adult Education,Adult Educators,Adult Students,Elementary School Students,Semi Structured Interviews

The potential of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) to enhance curriculum delivery can only be realised when the technologies have been well-appropriated in the school. This belief has led to an increase in government- or donor-funded projects aimed at providing ICTs to schools in disadvantaged communities. Previous research shows that even in cases where the technology is provided, educators are not effectively integrating such technologies in their pedagogical practices. This study aims at investigating the factors that affect the integration of ICTs in teaching and learning. The focus of this paper is on the domestication of ICTs in schools serving the disadvantaged communities in a developing country context. We employed a qualitative research approach to investigate domestication of ICT in the schools. Data for the study was gathered using in-depth interviews. Participants were drawn from randomly sampled schools in disadvantaged communities in the Western Cape. Results show that even though schools and educators appreciate the benefits of ICTs in their teaching and even though they are willing to adopt the technology, there are a number of factors that impede the integration of ICTs in teaching and learning.
Learner Autonomy via Asynchronous Online Interactions: A Malaysian Perspective
Author: Kaur, Ranjit
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Adult Learning,Higher Education,Student Empowerment,Personal Autonomy,Computer Mediated Communication,Synchronous Communication,Asynchronous Communication,Pilot Projects,Distance Education,College Freshmen,Independent Study,Self Esteem,Electronic Learning,Lifelong Learning,Semi Structured Interviews,Questionnaires,Likert Scales,English (Second Language),Electronic Mail,Tutors,Computer Literacy,Statistical Analysis,Qualitative Research

The integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) in course offerings in institutions of higher learning (IHLs) is the catalyst towards empowering learners to become autonomous lifelong learners. In an effort to produce quality and independent learners, Learning Management Systems (LMS) are seen as a means to assist educators in developing quality online internet based courses and websites as well as to fulfil students' needs in acquiring information anywhere and anytime. This paper explores the Malaysian perspective in addressing issues and challenges faced by adult learners in IHLs to keep abreast with this latest trend. This research paper is based on a pilot study that investigated learner autonomy via a distance learning programme in a local university in Malaysia. Initial findings indicated that first-year students lacked the confidence needed to learn autonomously. Even though they showed some confidence in planning, results indicated they needed help in organising, monitoring and evaluating their learning. If students are required to participate in asynchronous online learning, necessary steps have to be taken to ensure they are empowered with the necessary skills and tools to help them manage their own learning for their journey to become lifelong autonomous learners.
Pre-Service Teachers' Use of Improvised and Virtual Laboratory Experimentation in Science Teaching
Author: Bhukuvhani, Crispen
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Preservice Teachers,Computer Simulation,Laboratory Experiments,Science Instruction,Questionnaires,Likert Scales,Statistical Analysis,Technology Integration,Methods Courses,Student Centered Learning

This research surveyed 11 purposely sampled Bindura University of Science Education (Zimbabwe) Bachelor of Science Education Honours Part III pre-service science teachers' use of improvised and virtual laboratory experimentation in science teaching. A self-designed four-point Likert scale twenty-item questionnaire was used. SPSS Version 10 was used to analyse data. Frequencies, means, standard deviations and standard error means were used to systematically evaluate variables on pre-service teachers' use of the technological resources. Most pre-service teachers (90.9%) used improvised laboratory experimentation in their teaching. However, although the pre-service teachers knew the value and benefits of virtual experimentation, they did not use the technology in their teaching. The methods course (Pedagogics in Science Teaching) for the pre-service science teachers should be more focused on specific instructional uses of technology and technical skills rather than familiarisation with technology, to effectively integrate technology in their teaching to support student-centred learning.