Information And Communication Technology Applications Research Articles

Impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on student’s learning: a case from university of the Punjab, Pakistan

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on student’s learning primarily concentrating on the following factors: including availability, accessibility and user-ability of using ICT resources. This investigation will highlight the role of ICT in the pedagogical activities of students, especially in their learning.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was designed to comprehend the questions related to the objectives and a sample of 275 students through convenience sampling technique was selected that was enrolled in various degree programs of the University of the Punjab, Pakistan. Primarily the descriptive analysis was made and data were presented in tabulated form. However, for inferential analysis, the Pearson correlation test was applied to determine the relationship among the dependent and independent variables including (availability, accessibility user-ability and student’s learning) and to test the hypotheses of the study.FindingsThe findings disclose that students at the University of the Punjab have access to various kinds of ICT applications and resources. Moreover, they have an adequate number of ICT equipment available for their use and they are familiar with various kinds of ICT applications and resources which they use in various educational tasks during their studies. A strong positive linear correlation exists between availability, accessibility and user-ability of using ICT resources and the student’s educational learning. This confirms that ICT plays a significant role in the student’s educational accomplishments. It helps students in searching, retrieving and consulting various types of information sources. It also helps them in completing their educational tasks in a quick manner. Students at all levels also see it as a matter of great importance to acquire ICT-related skills as this can help them to be more productive in their educational accomplishments.Originality/valueThis study concludes that availability, accessibility, adequacy and user ability to use the ICT resources positively impact students learning. Therefore, it is highly recommended for students to learn ICT-related skills and to make the best use of the different communication technologies in their pedagogical activities. Moreover, if academic institutions in Pakistan give more emphasis on developing ICT-based infrastructure and ICT skilled manpower then this can also bring fruitful results in the learning process of student’s educational endeavors.

Assessment of ICT policies for digital transformation in Colombia: technology readiness for IoT adoption in SMEs in the trading sector

Purpose This paper aims to assess information and communication technologies (ICT) policies for digital transformation in Colombia to determine their effectiveness in technology readiness for Internet of Things (IoT) adoption in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the trading sector. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a longitudinal study using the ICT module of the Annual Trade Survey (2017–2018) to determine the relationship between SMEs in the trading sector adopting ICT applications and ICT policy enforcement. In this sense, this study applied a chi-square test for independence and addressed a descriptive analysis to determine SMEs’ causes for adopting or rejecting ICT applications. Findings This study presents the state of ICT adoption in Colombian SMEs in the trading sector between 2017 and 2018, highlighting that technology readiness is crucial for adopting technological trends. Research limitations/implications The data source used for the study is only available for analysis one year after implementing ICT policies focused on digital transformation. Practical implications The results support the need for the National Government to formulate IoT policies that favor the adoption of e-commerce based on IoT technologies in SMEs in the trading sector. Social implications IoT adoption can mitigate e-commerce problems strengthening SMEs’ competitiveness in the trading sector leading the digital transformation in Colombia. Originality/value This study presents the need to formulate IoT policies in Colombia focused on deploying IoT applications to strengthen e-Commerce in SMEs in the trading sector.

THE INFLUENCE OF USING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) TOWARDS TEACHERS’ PERFORMANCE IN SMA NEGERI 1 CIAWI TASIKMALAYA

This research was conducted based on the problems of using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) towards teachers’ performance in SMA Negeri 1 Ciawi Tasikmalaya. Due to the lack of expertise in using ITC, and the use of foreign languages that did not understand that system, so the teachers should have to carry out training, perseverance and discipline by using that ICT. The aim of the research is to determine how to due the application of information and communication technology can be impact to the teacher’s performance with the use of application of ICT in SMA Negeri 1 Ciawi. This research used descriptive quantitative method. The population of this study were 68 teachers in SMA Negeri 1 Ciawi. The sample was selected by using saturated sample method. The instrument of this research were taken interview, observation and questionnaire. The research instrument was tested by means of validity and reliability test. The results of this study indicated that the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in SMA Negeri 1 Ciawi is in poor classification, teachers’ performance in SMA Negeri 1 Ciawi is in good classification, and there is a significant relationship between the Application of ICT to Teachers’ Performance in SMA 1 Ciawi.

Analysis of Digital Competence for Spanish Teachers at Pre-University Educational Key Stages during COVID-19.

Over time, the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) has become increasingly important in most areas of our lives, including education. So much so, that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of these tools has been essential to continue the teaching process. One of the great challenges facing teachers today is their need to adapt to this new educational scenario by acquiring the necessary digital skills. The aim of this study is to determine the level of competence of teaching in pre-university education key stages. To this end, a questionnaire was distributed among education centres and teachers in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura, obtaining 109 valid responses. The analysis methodology was the formation of clusters using the K-means model. The results confirmed that the teachers perceived a medium-high level of knowledge and use of ICT. Moreover, that this digital competence is conditioned by factors such as age, experience, gender, and level of education. In conclusion, public administrations are encouraged to facilitate teachers’ knowledge and application of ICT according to the profiles identified.

Intercultural Competencies for Fostering Technology-Mediated Collaboration in Developing Countries

With the rapid global spread and application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the question is whether every culture makes similar use of the ideology that often underlies its creators’ design. ICT applications are designed with underlying beliefs or principles about e.g., work, communication, and individuality. These beliefs or principles are invisible and hidden in software and, as such, in many instances not recognized by users in other cultures. These hidden principles might even frustrate the understanding, use, knowledge-sharing, and e-collaboration between people from different cultures. In this article, we aim to explore, from a historical point of view, the early years of adaptation of ICT in developing countries, and we will highlight the importance of the use of intercultural (ICT-)skills to learn to recognize cultural differences from a relationship-based definition in technology-mediated collaboration. A semi-systematic or narrative review approach is used that is particularly suitable for topics that have been conceptualized differently. Our review firstly summarizes and categorizes the cultural factors impacting the adaptation and diffusion of ICT, especially in developing countries, and investigates which factors could hinder and/or facilitate the collaboration with other countries. Secondly, the findings of a thorough comparison between different intercultural competencies’ frameworks indicate that intercultural competencies show a combination of motivation, knowledge (-management), and skills, which are key competencies in the light of successful technology-mediated collaboration.

An ICT Framework for Tourism Industry of Nepal: Prospect and Challenges

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has revolutionized the world and has profound impact on the social and economic development of a country. Implementation, practice and accessibility of ICT is viewed as an integral part of any countries’ strategy today. These new technologies are becoming popular due to their ability to produce, distribute and provide instant access to massive information in no time. ICT has pervaded almost every aspect of human endeavor that may include health, education, economics, governance, entertainment etc. Tourism is one such vital industry that find enormous application of ICT in its strategic and operational level, to promise long term benefits and enhance economic growth. Tourism industry in western world and some developed countries of Asia have applied ICT for more than 30 years, and have gained tremendous benefits. Nepal which is also growing as one of the favourite tourist destinations lacks proper implementation of ICT in this industry. In our study we examined how the ICT can play a vital role in developing the tourism industry of Nepal. This study is an exploratory research based on primary data collected from tourist visiting Nepal, supported by information from tour operators, government agencies, NGOs and INGOS. A framework is devised on the basis of data and information collected and finally, discussions elaborate on the prospect and challenges of implementation of ICT in tourism industry of Nepal.

The application of information and communication technology in education: science classes

This article examines the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching Science as well as the organisation and realisation of online classes during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In respect to this, the research results are used to gather teachers' viewpoints and opinions regarding the application of ICT in Science classes, as well as to determine the best method of application of the aforementioned technologies and the form of ICT most often used in Science classes. The results are also used to gather teachers' opinions about online classes, and to examine the problems and disadvantages the teachers encountered when organising and holding online Science classes for the lower grades of elementary schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the research also illustrate that teachers have a positive opinion in regards to the use of ICT in Science classes as well as the frequent (albeit not constant) use of it. The teachers not only consider themselves competent enough to apply all forms of new technologies in their classes, but express the will and motivation for further education related to ICT application as well. On the other hand, teachers do not have a positive opinion about online classes due to the many difficulties they encounter, such as technical issues, inteference by parents, lack of direct contact with students, the inability to monitor their progress and the general deficiency of equipment needed to incorporate ICT into regular classes, as well as other difficulties of a similar nature. However, the research results also show that teachers believe new technologies are connected to the development of new skills and the improvement of students' existing skills.

Technology Leadership: Assessing the Competency Level of High School Administrators and Teachers in the Use of ICTs

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have a significant role to play in schools and classrooms. The world is shifting towards a new digital era and school administrators and teachers must adapt to prepare their students for it. This study aimed to assess the ICT competency of high school administrators and teachers in Antique, Philippines in terms of cognitive ability, skills, and attitudes. The results showed that both school administrators and teachers rated themselves to have high proficiency in general computer uses and skills in using Microsoft Office and other productivity tools, use of the internet and data management. They were also rated to have high proficiency in applying ICTs in classrooms to create an ICT learning environment. However, the standard deviation shows that the ratings were varied, particularly for use of internet, data management, and application of ICTs in classrooms. There were no significant correlations between the proficiency of school administrator and teachers. However, sex, age, owned devices, internet speed, and hours using the internet per day were found to be significant factors.

Reducing Food Waste in the Retail Supply Chains by Improving Efficiency of Logistics Operations

One of the basic problems of sustainability in modern society is the reduction of waste, particularly when it comes to food. Food waste has negative impacts on different dimensions of sustainability: social (hunger), economic (resource costs), and environmental (resource consumption and waste generation). This paper focuses on waste reduction through improving the inventory management system in the dairy distribution chain by the application of modern information and communication technologies (ICT). The approach is tested and verified in a case study by application of simulation modelling. Two inventory management models are created, and their impact on waste in the distribution part of the supply chain is examined. Model 1 represents the current dairy inventory management system in the supply of retail stores. Model 2 is based on a higher level of information connectivity between participants (RFID product labelling and the appropriate level of information technology), enabling automatic product ordering and changes in inventory management policy. The obtained results confirm that coordinated inventory management, supported by the application of modern ICT, can significantly contribute to the improvement of the sustainability of the food supply chain, and provide an exact quantification of the given contribution in the case of the dairy industry.

Promising plans and practical use of ICT in education: Sub-Saharan Africa perspectives

Introduction. Information and communication technologies (ICT) in the field of education have become indispensable for many countries. Digital transformation of school has conquered the minds of many educationists in Sub-Saharan Africa which long suffered from low attendance rates and lack of qualified teachers. This is a developing region with unstable educational opportunities and ICT use is believed to be a central form solution for the future effective functioning of learning programmes. Materials and methods. General scientific theoretical methods and comparative analysis were used to analyze actual statistical data, take insight into existing online learning platforms, expert’s accounts. Results. Both the general problems of ICT application in education and its functioning in the context of national educational systems in such countries as Uganda and Kenya were analyzed. Unique evidence from this rapidly developing region underscores the need of a balanced and comprehensive approach to the strategies of the digital education reforms at school. Сonclusions. ICT introduction risks not to be an effective factor in the management of educational process without taking into account behavioral and sociocultural context as well as without thorough development of all levels of educational system. Though the article is addressed to the experts in the field of education and African studies, it will be of considerable interest to all practitioners concerned with the implementation of ICT in teaching practice.

CONTRIBUTION TO ANALYSIS OF THE DIGITALIZATION OF THE COMPANY'S OPERATIONS IN SERBIA

Digitalization is rapidly bringing changes and transforms our lives, economy, and society as a whole. New technologies are contributing to the more efficient business, community advancement and, as such, provide the basis for all our private and public sector partnerships to keep up with the current trends of the global market, or participate in what is called the digital economy. The subject of this paper is the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the operations of enterprises in Serbia. The paper aims to analyze the applications of ICT by examining various indicators. The starting point is that ICTs are the key factor for increasing economic efficiency, removing barriers, creating new business opportunities for geographical decentralization, and adapting businesses to new business conditions. The latest data from relevant domestic and international institutions were used for the analysis. The first part of the paper describes the current global technological trends and their impact on business operations and ways of measuring countries' readiness to use ICT. The second part of the paper analyzes the trends of different indicators of ICT usage in enterprises in Serbia: implementation of computers and computer networks, use of the Internet and mobile Internet for business purposes owning websites, applying E-commerce, social networking, and cloud services in businesses. Based on the performed analysis, it was concluded that there is a tendency of increasing the use of ICT in the business operations of enterprises in Serbia. However, it can be observed that some aspects of the business are characterized by significant use of ICT, while in others the use of these technologies is not yet represented to a significant extent.

INFORMACINIŲ Ir KOMUNIKACINIŲ TECHNOLOGIJŲ taikymas švietime: BESIMOKANČIŲ SUAUGUSIŲJŲ POŽIŪRIO TYRIMAS

The first paragraph is dedicated to theoretical insights into the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in in the process of adult education. It analyzes the significance of ICT application in educational process, functional capabilities of the use of educational portals, educational programs, Google service system in educational process and presents the theoretical model of the realization of ICT in adult education. The second part of the paragraph is devoted to empirical research in order to present the approach of adult learners to the use of Google service system as the possibility of functional application of a separate ICT unit in adult education. The article conceptualizes the realization vista of ICT in adult education. The investigation reveals the aspects of services of Google system as ICT, its usage and realization. KEY WORDS: information and communication technologies, adult education/learning, Google’s service system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15181/tbb.v68i3.888

Indicators and ICTs application for municipal waste management.

The worldwide populace is rising steadily. Urbanization is likewise expanding quickly with the rising populace. Fast urbanization has considerably increased the generation of municipal solid waste (MSW). The MSW management issues have recently been analyzed through various assessment indicators and information and communication technologies (ICTs). This article provides an overview of applications of assessment indicators and ICTs for addressing the environmental issues of waste disposal and management in municipalities. The selection of indicators mainly depends on the stakeholders' specific requirements, such as waste management strategies, urban planning and development, human health, and energy generation. The literature analysis revealed that collection, sorting, recycling, cost efficiency, and environmental aspect were the leading indicators used in waste management studies. And these indicators reduce the complexity of systems and formulate evaluations easier for the decision-maker. Moreover, these are also helpful in assessing the improvement and reporting the waste condition to the expert. These analysis further revealed that information and communication technology is a requirement in the planning and managing of current solid waste disposal problems. The use of ICTs in waste management systems mitigates possible constraints regarding spot selection, inept waste disposal, waste collection monitoring, and proper recycling.

Smart apiculture management services for developing countries-the case of SAMS project in Ethiopia and Indonesia.

The European Union funded project SAMS (Smart Apiculture Management Services) enhances international cooperation of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and sustainable agriculture between EU and developing countries in pursuit of the EU commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goal “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”. The project consortium comprises four partners from Europe (two from Germany, Austria, and Latvia) and two partners each from Ethiopia and Indonesia. Beekeeping with small-scale operations provides suitable innovation labs for the demonstration and dissemination of cost-effective and easy-to-use open source ICT applications in developing countries. SAMS allows active monitoring and remote sensing of bee colonies and beekeeping by developing an ICT solution supporting the management of bee health and bee productivity as well as a role model for effective international cooperation. By following the user centered design (UCD) approach, SAMS addresses requirements of end-user communities on beekeeping in developing countries, and includes findings in its technological improvements and adaptation as well as in innovative services and business creation based on advanced ICT and remote sensing technologies. SAMS enhances the production of bee products, creates jobs (particularly youths/women), triggers investments, and establishes knowledge exchange through networks and initiated partnerships.

More Than Politics: How Personality Trait and Media Technology Use Affect Vote Likelihood During the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election

Considerable work has been devoted to studying voter behavior in U.S. presidential elections by analyzing their political participation and attitude toward political advertising. Less is known about how other factors may alter voter behavior like personality traits and use of information and communication technology (ICT). This study analyzes vote likelihood among American young voters and their parents ( N = 674) after they watched four presidential campaign commercials . It proposes a hierarchical mediation model highlighting the need for cognition (NFC) impact on vote likelihood through the mediation of power use of ICT applications, political participation and trust in negative advertising. This study has revealed both the direct effect of NFC on vote likelihood, and the indirect relationship between NFC and vote likelihood that is mediated by power use of ICT applications. The findings should enrich the literature of vote likelihood by highlighting the effects of need for cognition and ICT usage.

ICT Academy at the University

The effectiveness of ICT applications in the institutional management process is often hampered by many non-technical factors that are not prepared by the institution starting from the preparation of people, culture, organizational mechanisms, and even technical maintenance. Utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the field of academic, administrative services in tertiary institutions becomes a necessity, not just prestige or lifestyle for modern tertiary education management. But in its implementation, many obstacles encountered by universities in implementing ICT are the institutional management process, both technical and non-technical factors. The effectiveness of ICT implementation in the management of tertiary institutions needs more attention, given its quite central role in the managerial decision-making process or other decisions. To increase the effectiveness of this implementation, which obviously will affect the efficacy of the achievement of the implementation of education carried out by the institution, the factors that influence the effectiveness of the application of ICT in institutional management, especially in terms of academic administration need to be examined more continued. This is intended to make the process of educational governance in higher education more effective and efficient so that it can support the achievement of high performance from the institution. This research aims to create an integrated academic system at tertiary institutions so that all educational processes can be easily carried out and known.

Application of Information Communication Technology at Secondary School Level and Its Practices

At this point, it is a well-established fact that information and communications technology (ICT) is the most valuable source of power and attractiveness behind all types of knowledge-driven businesses worldwide. The availability of good, well-organized, well-equipped computer labs and highly-trained and dedicated ICT professionals in a variety of subjects inside the educational institution is an indispensable condition for the professional application of ICT in several societal areas. Specifically, this study aims to investigate the use and acceptability of information and communication technology (ICT) in secondary schools throughout the Punjab province. Participants included high school teachers as well as students from different regions of Punjab province. The study findings investigated the constraints and flaws in the implementation of the information technology program. It also shows that other challenges, such as power outages, can obstruct students from achieving their educational objectives.

A review of empirical research on ICT applications in teacher professional development and teaching practice

The rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT) has been increasingly changing the ways of teaching and learning and teacher development. While the literature shows a proliferation of studies exploring various issues of applying ICT in teacher development and teaching practice, there is a lack of overview of the literature in this field. This study aimed to address the gap by reviewing the literature in two themes: (1) ICT in teacher professional development (TPD), and (2) ICT in teaching practice. Six journals of a high impact in the field of teaching and teacher education were selected, from which 85 articles involving ICT applications and published from 2013 to 2019 were identified. Among them, 18 empirical articles highly relevant to the two themes were analysed. The content analysis of these publications identified a set of specific ICT applications in TPD and in teaching practice. Moreover, the analysis revealed the key features of these ICT applications in terms of their functions, their effects on teaching and teacher development, the factors influencing their applications, and the problems in existing applications.

A systematic literature review on applications of information and communication technologies and blockchain technologies for precision agriculture development

This review examines literature from 2011 to 2020 on information and communications technologies (ICTs) and blockchain technologies (BTs) in agriculture. To describe the status of the subjects and identify issues for future research, we utilized bibliometric and content analyses of leading journals. The main findings are: (1) ICT technique adoption is affected by application design and socio-demographic factors, while research in BTs in this area only focuses on application design factors; (2) ICTs and BTs have similar applications in agricultural production (information provision for efficient decisions and production improvement), logistics (tracing), and supply chain (trust-building); (3) ICT techniques are applied more to production improvement, while BTs focus more on using visibility, traceability, and automation to improve transparency and transaction efficiency in whole sectors; (4) in relation to consumption, ICTs focus on balancing supply and demand to achieve market stability, while BTs investigate effects on consumer purchasing decisions. Insights are also proposed for future research based on common challenges in the application of ICT and blockchain in agriculture in the following areas: (i) security and privacy protection; (ii) solutions for scalability and interoperability; (iii) solutions for high cost and high consumption, and demands for high knowledge in technology application; (iv) formulation of policies and regulations related to standard criteria for market stability. This review provides a basis for studying the combination of ICTs and BTs in agriculture and furthers the understanding of their usage by comparison; this has significant implications for technological development and agricultural sustainability.

Problems of online learning and the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in physics learning at Sumedang, West Java

This study investigates students’ and teachers’ perceptions of online learning problems and the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching and learning physics in high schools at Sumedang, West Java. The study population consisted of all high school students and physics teachers at one public high school in Sumedang, West Java. The sample was 69 students and 2 teachers selected from one public high school. The instrument used in collecting relevant data for this study was an online questionnaire consisting of 23 items that obtained information about the difficulties of online learning and the application of ICT in schools for learning physics. Data collected were analysed using frequency and percentage calculations. The results showed that online learning can simplify the learning process and mentoring besides ICT being able to broaden students’ insights about physics. However, there are several obstacles in online learning including the limitations of question and answer activities to friends or teachers directly, many assignments, and the lack of ICT facilities.