Asynchronous Communication Mode Research Articles

A derived information framework for a dynamic knowledge graph and its application to smart cities

In this work, we develop a derived information framework to semantically annotate how a piece of information can be obtained from others in a dynamic knowledge graph. We encode this using the notion of a “derivation” and capture its metadata with a lightweight ontology. We provide an agent template designed to monitor derivations and to standardise agents performing this and related operations. We implement both synchronous and asynchronous communication modes for agents interacting with the knowledge graph. When occurring in conjunction, directed acyclic graphs of derivations can arise, with changing data propagating through the knowledge graph by means of agents’ actions. While the framework itself is domain-agnostic, we apply it in the context of smart cities as part of the World Avatar project and demonstrate that it is capable of handling sequential events across different timescales. Starting from source information, the framework automatically populates derived data and ensures they remain up to date upon access for a potential flood impact assessment use case.

Incorporating Computer-Mediated Communications in EFL Reading

Purpose: The incorporation of computer-mediated communication (CMC) has been widely used in recent English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching and learning due to the rapid advancement of technology. Despite the prevalence of online CMC communications, previous research has yielded mixed results, and empirical evidence on how online communications affect student reading comprehension is limited. This study compares the effects of online asynchronous and synchronous communications on EFL reading comprehension in a Taiwanese collaborative learning context. Method: Ten reading comprehension tests and an online questionnaire survey were administered to 100 university students enrolled in two senior reading classes in Southern Taiwan. Independent-sample t-tests, descriptive statistics, and Pearson product-moment correlation analyses were computed to investigate the differences and relationships between perceived asynchronous and synchronous communication use on EFL reading comprehension performance. Results: The findings revealed that participants used the synchronous communication mode more frequently than the asynchronous mode. The reading score obtained through the synchronous group was slightly higher than that obtained through the asynchronous group; no statistically significant difference was found. As students practiced more in asynchronous and synchronous communication modes, their reading comprehension ability improved significantly. Conclusion: Although learners generally accept both online communication modes, the open-ended question results reveal several disadvantages and advantages of online communication environments. The study's limitations, as well as the implications for instructional pedagogy and future research, are presented and discussed.

Towards a better blockchainification of supply chain applications

A supply chain ecosystem is a collection of complex asynchronous events. Blockchain has already found commercial applications in the SC domain, particularly in product tracing and verification. However, there is a lack of uniformity in these approaches. Application-generated data cannot be accessed across the supply chain ecosystem, resulting in data silos. Data silos reduce the opportunity for supply chain process optimizations. This paper does not propose any supply chain solution but a generic framework primarily aimed at reducing the communication gaps among the stakeholders and application developer(s) to build quality solutions. The ideal readers are who want to blockchanify their existing supply chain applications. The proposed framework can add real value to the organization by developing effective SC solutions satisfying application requirements. The framework consists of four stages. In the first stage, it extracts the application requirements and then maps on blockchain following an asynchronous mode of communication among the stakeholders and application developer(s). Next, it discusses how it can combine technologies to achieve the requirements stated in the first stage. Later, it discusses how to perform effective data management. Finally, it proposes a four-stage software build method that can lead to an efficient SC solution. The primary aim of this framework is to reduce communication gaps during solution development and ensure smooth operational data movement across the SC ecosystem, thanks to blockchain. The software development process also embeds eight essential features for a quality solution. The paper is concluded by discussing the technical challenges. • Proposes a generic framework to develop quality supply chain applications. • Framework aims at reducing the communication gap by proposing a communication model. • Framework also aims at reducing data silos by smartly processing data while integrating blockchain with other technologies (such as Internet-of-Things, and Machine Learning). • Finally, the framework recommends a four-stage software build method to develop a production-grade supply chain application.

Teachers’ Perceptions of Remote Learning during the Pandemic: A Case Study

The closure of higher education institutions (HEIs) due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to visible changes in pedagogical practices. With the lockdown, there was ambiguity and disagreement about the workload of teachers and students, and about what to teach and what strategies to select. For most instructors, the first challenge was to recreate the face-to-face experience. Worldwide, most universities have speedily adopted synchronous and asynchronous communication modes. Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco, Webex, Zoom, and Moodle were among the most used tools. The present study is based upon a quantitative approach, and it intends to analyse teachers’ perceptions of remote teaching during the first pandemic period. Data were collected through an online questionnaire during June and July 2020. The questionnaire had 27 questions divided into three main sections: sociodemographic characterization, e-Learning strategies, and remote assessment. The study population was teachers of a Portuguese HEI. A random sample was used with 547 participants. The main conclusions show that the less experienced teachers are, the more satisfied they feel with remote classes and remote assessment. On the other hand, the most experienced teachers used more tools during the remote teaching period and developed more strategies to perform remote assessment. Regarding the overall assessment of the emergency remote teaching, the participants consider that it was a positive period, and they were moderately satisfied with remote classes and the strategies and tools used during this period.

Stylometric features in librarian’s responses to user queries: implications for user interaction in digital information services

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore linguistic stylometric patterns encompassing lexical, syntactic, structural, sentiment and politeness features that are found in librarians’ responses to user queries.Design/methodology/approachA total of 462 online texts/transcripts comprising answers of librarians to users’ questions drawn from the Internet Public Library were examined. A Principal Component Analysis, which is a data reduction technique, was conducted on the texts and transcripts. Data analysis illustrates the three principal components that predominantly occur in librarians’ answers: stylometric richness, stylometric brevity and interpersonal support.FindingsThe results of the study have important implications in digital information services because stylometric features such as lexical richness, structural clarity and interpersonal support may interplay with the degree of complexity of user queries, the (a)synchronous communication mode, application of information service guideline and manuals and overall characteristics and quality of a given digital information service. Such interplay may bring forth a direct impact on user perceptions and satisfaction regarding interaction with librarians and the information service received through the computer-mediated communication channel.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, the stylometric features encompassing lexical, syntactic, structural, sentiment and politeness using Principal Component Analysis have not been explored in digital information/reference services. Thus, there is an emergent need to explore more fully how linguistic stylometric features interplay with the types of user queries, the asynchronous online communication mode, application of information service guidelines and the quality of a particular digital information service.

Communication apprehension in the online presentational speaking course: Considerations for synchronous course meetings and asynchronous presentations

ABSTRACT As institutions of higher education continue to offer online instruction, educators and administrators of presentational speaking courses must adapt their classes for various modes of online delivery. One primary consideration for adapting a presentational speaking course to online delivery is how students will experience communication apprehension and/or public speaking anxiety in online communication contexts. The instructional communication field is rife with research about students’ experiences with speech anxiety and communication apprehension. However, little work has explored how students’ experiences may differ when the primary mode of course communication and course presentations is mediated through either synchronous or asynchronous modes of online communication. If these anxieties in face-to-face settings can deter students’ academic and professional goals (Richmond et al., Communication apprehension, avoidance, and effectiveness [6th ed., Pearson, 2013]), researchers should investigate students’ experiences in online courses. The current study begins to fill this gap. We analyze qualitative responses (N = 178) to an open-ended survey distributed to undergraduates in presentational speaking courses. Thematic analysis revealed the uniqueness of online communication apprehension and its similarities to face-to-face communication apprehension. Implications for administrators and instructors of presentational speaking courses are offered.

High-Density Resource-Restricted Pulse-Based IoT Networks

For the realization of an Internet of Things (IoT) with high densities of devices it is necessary that wireless communication protocols are developed that offer 1) low energy consumption; 2) simplicity of encoding and decoding; 3) an asynchronous mode of communication; and 4) an effective but simple method to deal with interference between transmissions. This paper presents the implementation, experimentation, and analysis of a protocol on the MAC sublayer that encodes information in terms of silent intervals between pulses. Based on the representation of patterns of sparse pulses, this encoding has the potential for extremely low power consumption at the transmitter side. It also results in only few conflicts between messages that are broadcast on the same band overlapped in time, while no synchronization between transmitters and receivers is necessary. The protocol is demonstrated experimentally on the 315 MHz band with 100 senders and one receiver configured in a Star topology. Theoretical analysis confirms that the probability of conflicts between messages is low, even if the number of devices increases to the order of ten thousand. This protocol facilitates the implementation of IoT devices that are restricted in terms of hardware and energy resources.

Postgraduate instructors’ formative feedback on EFL students’ assignments in email communication: A gender-based study

The present study seeks to delve into the intricacies of feedback strategies adopted by male and female Jordanian EFL postgraduate university instructors when responding to their students’ assignment submissions and inquiries via asynchronous communication mode, namely email communication, to see if there are any significant differences in their use of these strategies due to the gender of the instructors (male vs. female). A corpus of 180 emails was put under investigation (90 sent by male teachers and 90 sent by female instructors). These were analyzed quantitatively using a t-test to capture if there are significant differences in the use of formative feedback strategies between male and female Jordanian EFL instructors. The analysis was couched within a set of frameworks which all provided different types of corrective feedback, namely, Schute (2008) and Narciss and Huth (2004). Subsequently, a qualitative analysis followed in order to show how and why teachers implement a given formative feedback strategy. The findings indicate that female instructors employed more formative feedback strategies in comparison with their male counterparts. The most frequently used strategy among female teachers was direct feedback, the provision of cues and information tutoring, while male teachers made more use of questioning and in a number of emails, they provided no feedback. In light of the findings of the present study, some pedagogical implications might come to the fore.

Patient Uptake, Experience, and Satisfaction Using Web-Based and Face-to-Face Hearing Health Services: Process Evaluation Study.

BackgroundGlobally, access to hearing health care is a growing concern with 900 million people estimated to suffer from disabling hearing loss by 2050. Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic health conditions, yet access to hearing health care is limited. Incorporating Web-based (voice calling, messaging, or emailing) service delivery into current treatment pathways could improve access and allow for better scalability of services. Current electronic health studies in audiology have focused on technical feasibility, sensitivity, and specificity of diagnostic hearing testing and not on patient satisfaction, experiences, and sustainable models along the entire patient journey.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate a hybrid (Web-based and face-to-face) hearing health service in terms of uptake, experience, and satisfaction in adult patients with hearing loss.MethodsA nonprofit hearing research clinic using online and face-to-face services was implemented in Durban, South Africa, using online recruitment from the clinic’s Facebook page and Google AdWords, which directed persons to an online Web-based hearing screening test. Web-based and face-to-face care pathways included assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation. To evaluate the service, an online survey comprising (1) a validated satisfaction measurement tool (Short Assessment of Patient Satisfaction), (2) a process evaluation of all the 5 steps completed, and (3) personal preferences of communication methods used vs methods preferred was conducted, which was sent to 46 patients who used clinic services.ResultsOf the patients invited, 67% (31/46) completed the survey with mean age 66 years, (SD 16). Almost all patients, 92% (30/31) reported that the online screening test assisted them in seeking hearing health care. Approximately 60% (18/31) of the patients accessed the online hearing screening test from an Android device. Patients stayed in contact with the audiologist mostly through WhatsApp instant messaging (27/31, 87%), and most patients (25/31, 81%) preferred to use this method of communication. The patients continuing with hearing health care were significantly older and had significantly poorer speech recognition abilities compared with the patients who discontinued seeking hearing health care. A statistically significant positive result (P=.007) was found between age and the number of appointments per patient. Around 61% (19/31) of patients previously completed diagnostic testing at other practices, with 95% (18/19) rating the services at the hybrid clinic as better. The net promoter score was 87, indicating that patients were highly likely to recommend the hybrid clinic to friends and family.ConclusionsThis study applied Web-based and face-to-face components into a hybrid clinic and measured an overall positive experience with high patient satisfaction through a process evaluation. The findings support the potential of a hybrid clinic with synchronous and asynchronous modes of communication to be a scalable hearing health care model, addressing the needs of adults with hearing loss globally.

Text Messages: A Computer-Mediated Discourse Analysis

This study explores the discourse of text messages from a microlinguistic perspective by means of concordance analysis. It aims at sorting the dominant phonological, lexical and grammatical features that mark texting as a peculiar asynchronous mode of computer-mediated communication. Also, it investigates how technology reshapes texters’ linguistic habits as long as spatio-temporal constraints are imposed. The study goes beyond the description of linguistic features as it takes at its core the explanation of the functions performed by each of these features. Findings showed that most of the phonological, lexical and grammatical features of the discourse of text messages were consciously employed to save space and to speed up communication. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that though the discourse of text messages is space-bound and visually decontextualized, it proved to be cohesive, adaptable and interactive in order to perform common language functions such as greetings, expressing attitudes, congratulations, showing involvement, asking for information and demonstrating social solidarity. Finally, based on textual evidence, findings showed that texters created a set of orthographical surrogates to recompense the absence of verbal and para-verbal cues due to specific technological affordances.

Parallel Object Compositions for the Search of Sequences DNA Strings in the Construction of Gnomes

Within an environment of parallel objects, an approach of structured parallel programming and the paradigm of the orientation to objects show a programming method based on high level parallel compositions or HLPCs to solve two problems of combinatorial optimization: grouping fragments of DNA sequences and the parallel exhaustive search (PES) of RNA strings that help the sequence and the assembly of DNAs. The pipeline and farm models are shown as HLPCs under the object orientation paradigm and with them it is proposed the creation of a new HLPCs that combines and uses the previous ones to solve the cited problems. Each HLPC proposal contains a set of predefined synchronization constraints between processes, as well as the use of synchronous, asynchronous and asynchronous future modes of communication. This article shows the algorithms that solve the problems, their design and implementation as HLPCs and the performance metrics in their parallel execution using multicores and video accelerator card.

Development and evaluation of a WeChat-based life review programme for patients with cancer: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionPatients with cancer often suffer from considerable distress. Life review is a process of recalling, evaluating and integrating life experiences to alleviate a sense of despair and achieve self-integrity. Empirical...

Instructional Design for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-Assisted Intercultural Communication Course

Today’s era of societies comprise of one coherent global village, in which learning about and understanding other cultures is crucial. Fu-Jen Catholic University (FJCU), a private university in northern Taiwan, has joined the “Global Academic Initiatives” (GAI) coordinated by East Carolina University (ECU) in USA since 2007. A course entitled Cross-Cultural Communication: Global Understanding is offered in FJCU to allow students in the English department to discuss cultural topics with students from two other countries via Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for authentic contacts. The ICT tools support both the synchronous and asynchronous mode of communication. This paper describes the instructional design of the Cross-Cultural Communication: Global Understanding course including the pre-connection trainings and the connection discussions. For the post-connection part, students’ learning and reflections will be discussed along with their e-learning styles. This example could offer other educators who are interested in designing similar intercultural communication courses.

Solución al problema de ordenación usando PipeLine y Binary Tree como composiciones paralelas de alto nivel

This paper proposes the model of the High Level Parallel Compositions or CPANs to communication patterns / interaction Pipeline and TreeDV for implementing a sorting algorithm by Structured Parallel Programming approach based on the concept of Parallel Objects. The CPANS TreeDV and PipeLine are displayed using the paradigm of object orientation and sorting problem is solved using two different algorithms; it is using a pipeline process to sort a dataset in disordered (CPAN Pipe) and one that by quick sort uses a binary tree for the ordering of the same dataset disordered by divide and conquer technique (CPAN TreeDVQS). Each proposal of CPAN contains a predefined set of restrictions of synchronization between processes (maximum parallelism, mutual exclusion and synchronization of producer- consumer type), and the use of synchronous, asynchronous and asynchronous future communication modes. Sorting algorithms, their design and implementation as CPANs and comparative performance metrics on a parallel machine 64 processors are shown.

Synchronicity matters: defining the characteristics of digital generations

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates whether or not the proposition that the second digital generation (or so-called digital natives) is more engaged in social use of the Internet than older generations is tenable. By analysing nationally representative questionnaire-based survey data collected from Finland in 2011 (N = 612), the study shows that rather than social use of the Internet in general, it is the synchronicity of online communication that distinguishes user generations. Results show that, in contrast to asynchronous modes of online communication (e.g. social networking sites, blogs and online discussion forums), synchronous modes (e.g. instant messaging and Internet calls) are clearly generationally differentiated practices. They are more frequently used by the second digital generation than the first digital generation and digital immigrants. Furthermore, the study shows that asynchronous uses of the Internet are clearly gendered in nature. Women are more typically users of social networking sites and blogs than men, whereas men are more often engaged with discussion forums than women. These results are discussed in light of two concepts: privacy and communicative efficacy. The studied forms of synchronous online communication provide more privacy as well as an instant and abundant channel for effective communication, which are all features especially appreciated by the youngest user generation.

Effect of Communication Modes to Swarm Robotic Search

Interactions in swarm robotic search are explored for intelligence emergence based on Extended Particle Swarm Optimization (EPSO) model. For this end, the best combination of proper properties in typical versions of PSO is transferred to swarm robotic search. Synchronous / asynchronous communication modes and respective control strategies under conditions of parallel distributed control are comparatively studied by simulations. The results showed that the asynchronous communication mode predominates over its synchronous opponent in efficiency.

Communication challenges learners face online: Why addressing CMC and language proficiency will not solve learners' problems

AbstractComputer‐mediated communication (CMC) has been argued to cause (mis)communication issues. Research and practice suggest a range of tactics and strategies for educators focused on how to encourage and foster communication in a virtual learning environment (VLE) (eg, Salmon). However, while frameworks such as Salmon's support the effective development of online communication and collaboration between students, they are not sufficient to address intercultural issues. In this paper, research data are used to develop an argument that both native and non‐native English‐speaking students can use CMC successfully but that both groups experience challenges expressing themselves through written communication. Data collected from in‐depth interviews and discourse analysis of textual datasets reveal that students felt obliged to write in an unfamiliar way because of the asynchronous mode of communication, the presence of the tutor and the design of the VLE. Ironically, these are elements that previous studies have proposed as benefits of CMC. Additionally, while national culture was important in intercultural communication, so too were students' educational and professional cultures, which are more commonly overlooked in studies of online communication.

Error Analysis in Technology-mediated Communication: Focus on EFL Writing in Synchronous and Asynchronous Modes of Communication

This study aims to provide a linguistic taxonomy of frequent syntactic-morphological errors in Iranian EFL writings in synchronous and asynchronous modes of communication. It also provides the most frequent and the least frequent errors among EFL students’ writings in these two modes. Error Analysis is a procedure used by both researchers and teachers for diagnostic prognostic purposes. It involves collecting samples of learner language, identifying the errors in the sample, describing these errors, classifying them according to their nature and causes, and evaluating their gravity (Keshavarz, 1999). The researchers conducted a research study on 63 EFL undergraduate university students’ writings. Students had to write their ideas on their daily issues. Afterwards, the researchers tried to rank and categorize their erroneous structures. As we had hypothesized, more errors were found in the synchronous mode of communication than in the asynchronous one; however, when investigating the exact types of errors, we noticed that some categories were different in these two modes of communication. Data analysis revealed that the frequency of error types varied with each mode of communication, this same analysis also showed that highly relevant associations could be established for the participants’ errors and writing settings.

Mixing rich and asynchronous communication for new service development performance

This article explores the nature of relationships between internal communication modes, new service development (NSD) competencies (specifically learning and development competencies) and NSD performance. To do so, it draws on and advances communication theory by comparing and contrasting the contingent approach, favoured by media richness theory and media synchronicity theory, with the multiplicative manner of dual coding theory. Antecedent roles of rich and asynchronous communication modes for two NSD competencies are investigated, and their function as critical contingency variables affecting the competencies–performance link is unravelled. An empirical quantitative study of senior managers of leading service firms was conducted, with a survey‐based methodology. Results show that a learning competency drives development competency which in turn drives NSD performance. Asynchronous communication is essential for learning competency but not for development competency. In contrast, rich communication underpins development but has no direct effect on learning competency. Rich communication is essential for NSD performance when a firm has a low development competency. The interaction between asynchronous and rich communication is shown to be positive for learning, whereas surprisingly it is negative for development competency.

Boosting Innovation in an Italian Online University

This paper describes the process of boosting an innovative e-learning system in an online university in Italy. The system relies on a satellite-terrestrial telecommunication infrastructure and allows for different interaction types, including synchronous, asynchronous, textual, audio and video communication modes. The adoption of this infrastructure was preceded by a training initiative proposed to the university staff to favor its intake. The paper analyses the effects of both the training initiative and the technological innovation based on qualitative data derived from the observed differences between the pre-existing courses and their re-design and quantitative data tracked by the system during a pilot test that lasted eleven months. These data show a trend reversal in the e-learning approach, from a prevalence of transmissive mode to a more interactive one, although there is still a long way to go before more radical changes can take place.