Basic Computer Skills Research Articles

Attitudes of Health Professionals Toward Digital Health Data Security in Northwest Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Study.

Digital health is a new health field initiative. Health professionals require security in digital places because cybercriminals target health care professionals. Therefore, millions of medical records have been breached for money. Regarding digital security, there is a gap in studies in limited-resource countries. Therefore, surveying health professionals' attitudes toward digital health data security has a significant purpose for interventions. This study aimed to assess the attitudes of health professionals toward digital health data security and their associated factors in a resource-limited country. A cross-sectional study was conducted to measure health professionals' attitudes toward digital health data security. The sample size was calculated using a single population. A pretest was conducted to measure consistency. Binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. For multivariable logistic analysis, a P value ≤.20 was selected using Stata software (version 16; StataCorp LP). Of the total sample, 95% (402/423) of health professionals participated in the study. Of all participants, 63.2% (254/402) were male, and the mean age of the respondents was 34.5 (SD 5.87) years. The proportion of health professionals who had a favorable attitude toward digital health data security at specialized teaching hospitals was 60.9% (95% CI 56.0%-65.6%). Educational status (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.292, 95% CI 1.16-9.34), basic computer skills (AOR 1.807, 95% CI 1.11-2.938), knowledge (AOR 3.238, 95% CI 2.0-5.218), and perceived usefulness (AOR 1.965, 95% CI 1.063-3.632) were factors associated with attitudes toward digital health data security. This study aimed to assess health professionals' attitudes toward digital health data security. Interventions on educational status, basic computer skills, knowledge, and perceived usefulness are important for improving health professionals' attitudes. Improving the attitudes of health professionals related to digital data security is necessary for digitalization in the health care arena.

English Language Learning and Acquisition Theories

Introduction: Language is a powerful tool and means of communication and to communicate with others we also use other ways such as Body manners, gestures, signals and facial expressions which is also called as a non-verbal communication. English is a tool, like basic arithmetic, or literacy, or computer skills. An ability they need to master in order to function effectively in today’s world. The L1 remains the learners primary language and the only they identify with what teachers aiming for is functional English-knowing bilingualism. Socio-political status: With the European trade patterns, most of the known European-based Creole languages were existed in the coastal regions of the Americas, Western Africa, Goa and along with the west coast of India. Indian Ocean Creole languages are based on European languages with elements from Malagasy and possibly other Asian languages. Learning Language Through Culture: Learning other language is to understand the nature of the relationship between language and culture, learners need to engage with the ways in which context affects what is communicated and how. Standard English is the variety of English that is generally acknowledged as the model for the speech and writing of educated speakers in UK. It is also associated with Received Pronunciation or accent. Intuitive acquisition: We learn anther language the same way as we learnt our first language or mother tongue. Intuitive acquisition through lots of exposure to the language in authentic communicative situations. Habit-formation: Language is a set of habits: we mimic and memorize and drill the patterns of the language until we learn to produce the correct forms automatically. Cognitive Process: Language involves the understanding of underlying rules: if we master these rules, we will be able to apply them in different contexts. That may be at school, home, with community or with others. Skill-learning: Language is a skill. We learn it in school just as we learn other skills: someone explains rules or words to us, we understand and practice them until we master them and use them fluently and skillfully.

Pre-service Teachers and Online Learning Technology in Practice Today: Perceptions, Preparedness and Competence in E-practicum

Teaching has gone beyond mere memorizing of rules and the use of talk and chalk method of teaching. Learning is no longer tied to the four-walls of the classroom hence teachers should adapt to the new digital way of learning. This paper investigated pre-service teachers’ perceptions, preparedness and competence in using virtual meeting solutions (Zoom and Google Meet) in non-physical classroom practicum. Three hundred and fifty two preservice teachers selected from the Faculty of Education of a Nigerian University participated in the descriptive research study. A validated close-ended questionnaire and self-rated rating scale were used to gather data from the respondents. The study found out that: i) the respondents perceived the use of Zoom and Google Meet for e-practicum as solutions for teaching and learning in the 21st century; ii) most of the respondents were not adequately prepared for the integration of Zoom and Google Meet into e-teaching practicum; iii) respondents were not pedagogically competent to use Zoom and Google Meet for teaching practicum. This study showed some lapses in TPs’ personal development in basic computational skills and teacher digital education programmes. The study suggested solutions that would be useful for concerned stakeholders in digital education industry.

Nursing Informatics Competencies of Graduate Nurse Educator Students: Descriptive Study.

The advancement of technology and Artificial Intelligence applied health information systems demand high informatics competencies from nurses. To prepare nursing students to meet this demand, informatics courses are designed to increase informatics competencies. We offered an online informatics course to graduate students in a Nurse Educator program and assessed their informatics competency, including subdomains. Survey data were collected between Fall 2020 and Fall 2022 using an online Self-Assessment of Informatics Competency Scale for Health Professionals. We analyzed 109 responses and found that students were competent in overall informatics competency and the subdomains of "basic computer skills" and "applied computer skills (clinical informatics)." They were proficient in the 'role' subdomain. However, students reported less competency in managing data and incorporating standard terminology into practice. These findings provide detailed insights of the current nursing students' informatics competencies and can guide informatics faculty in improving their courses.

A Survey of Nurse Informatics Competencies of Professional Nurses in Clinical Practice Public Hospitals in South Africa.

This study used a cross-sectional descriptive survey to examine self-rated competence in nursing informatics among 205 nurses in clinical practice across two hospitals in the Western Cape. The TANIC© scale was used to rate the skills of participants in computer literacy, clinical information management, and information literacy. The highest rating was received for computer literacy, approaching a 'comfortable' competency level. Lower scores were received for clinical information management and information literacy, indicating 'novice' to 'advanced beginner' levels. The study showed that practicing nurses have a limited level of nursing informatics competence, especially in the domains of clinical information management and information literacy. These findings support the need for educational programmes to extend beyond basic computer skills and prioritize continuous professional development in nursing informatics.

Custom Biomedical FAIR Data Analysis in the Cloud Using CAVATICA.

The historically fragmented biomedical data ecosystem has moved towards harmonization under the findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) data principles, creating more opportunities for cloud-based research. This shift is especially opportune for scientists across diverse domains interested in implementing creative, nonstandard computational analytic pipelines on large and varied datasets. However, executing custom cloud analyses may present difficulties, particularly for investigators lacking advanced computational expertise. Here, we present an accessible, streamlined approach for the cloud compute platform CAVATICA that offers a solution. We outline how we developed a custom workflow in the cloud, for analyzing whole genome sequences of case-parent trios to detect sex-specific genetic effects on orofacial cleft risk, which required several programming languages and custom software packages. The approach involves just three components: Docker to containerize software environments, tool creation for each analysis step, and a visual workflow editor to weave the tools into a Common Workflow Language (CWL) pipeline. Our approach should be accessible to any investigator with basic computational skills, is readily extended to implement any scalable high-throughput biomedical data analysis in the cloud, and is applicable to other commonly used compute platforms such as BioData Catalyst. We believe our approach empowers versatile data reuse and promotes accelerated biomedical discovery in a time of substantial FAIR data.

Identification of Fake Messages in The Media Based on Their Emotional Coloring

The purpose of this research is to determine the feasibility of identifying fakes based on their emotional tone. The research objective is to develop a methodical approach that allows for the automatic identification of fakes without complex verification procedures using software tools. The method we propose does not involve revolutionary mathematical models but rather compiles existing developments in a specific sequence of procedures, which constitutes its scientific novelty. The advantage of this approach lies in its simplicity and relatively easy application, even for users with basic computer skills. To illustrate and facilitate replication, we provide a research flowchart and a link to the "Orange" program with open-source code. Specifically, the methodology involves calculating emotional probabilities according to Plutchik and classifying messages based on a Random Forest (RF) model, implemented within the mentioned program through widgets.

Informatics Competencies of Students in a Doctor of Nursing Practice Program: A Descriptive Study.

Health systems that apply artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming the roles of healthcare providers, including those of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) providers. These professionals are required to utilize informatics knowledge and skills to deliver quality care, necessitating a high level of informatics competencies, which should be developed through well-structured courses. The purpose of this study is to assess the informatics competency scale scores of DNP students and to provide recommendations for enhancing the informatics curriculum. An online informatics course was offered to students enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to DNP program, and their informatics competency, which includes three subscales, was evaluated. Online survey data were collected from Fall 2021 to Fall 2022 using the "Self-Assessment of Informatics Competency Scale for Health Professionals." An analysis of 127 student responses revealed that students demonstrated competence in overall informatics competency and in one subscale: "applied computer skills (clinical informatics)." They showed proficiency in the "basic computer skills" and the "role" subscales. However, they reported lower competency in managing data and integrating standard terminology into their practice. The findings offer detailed insights into the current informatics competencies of DNP students and can inform informatics educators on how to enhance their courses. As healthcare institutions increasingly depend on AI applications, it is imperative for informatics educators to include AI-related content in their curricula.

Perception of the teacher trainees on the implementation of e-assessment in the selected Teacher Training Colleges in Kenya

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is currently implementing the integration of technology in conducting assessments to replace the traditional mode of paper and pen. The purpose of this study is to examine the perception of the teacher trainees towards the implementation of e-assessment in the upgrade course of the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (UDPTE). The study adopted a descriptive research design and was carried out in two (2) public teacher training colleges with a target population of two hundred and forty (240) teacher trainees for the UDPTE programme. All the trainees in the sampled colleges were purposively selected to participate in the study since all of them had participated in the formative e-assessment. An online Teacher Trainees Questionnaire (TTQ) was used to collect information relating to trainees' perception of e-assessment. The reliability coefficient alpha (α) of TTQ was found to be 0.78 from the pilot study making the instrument valid for data collection. The data collected was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics by the use of SPSS software version 26.0. The study findings established that a significant number of teacher trainees were upgrading in Option B as compared to Option A learning areas. The teacher trainees believed that the best way to finance the Upgrade of Diploma in Primary Teacher Education program (UDPTE) in Kenya was by using bursaries or scholarships and not loans. A significant number of teacher trainees support the adoption of e-assessment but they are of the view that the colleges were not yet prepared due to lack of necessary technological infrastructure. It was further noted that the teacher trainees need more training on basic computer skills in order to improve their typing skills for responses to enhance the complete submission of assessments on the portal in their respective learning areas. The Ministry of Education needs to equip the teacher training colleges with the necessary technological infrastructure and continuously retool tutors on how to integrate technology tools in the assessment procedures.

Students’ perceptions towards the use of computer simulations in teaching and learning of chemistry in lower secondary schools

Abstract The study aims to explore how students perceive the use of interactive computer simulations (ICS). The mixed-method approach under a converging design was employed to collect quantitative and qualitative data. A sample of 160 participants were purposively selected. The questionnaire consisted of four sections, including Behavioral Intention to Use, Attitude Toward Usage, Usefulness, and Perceived Ease of Use. The collected data was analyzed in MS Excel. 83 % of participants believed that their learning experience has improved and become easier. Moreover, a significant number of students 79 % expressed high perceptions towards the ease-of-use ICS in the teaching and learning process, and 77 % demonstrated a strong positive attitude towards the usage. Additionally, 76 % had a highly positive perception of their behavioral intention to use ICS in their chemistry learning. However, 39 % of students expressed low perceptions of ease of use of ICSs due to a lack of basic computer skills. In general, the findings show positive significance in students’ perceptions toward the use of ICSs in teaching and learning chemistry. The study recommends that ICSs should be used to supplement chemistry education.

Bangladeshi Students’ Challenges of English Academic Writing in an International University

At present, many Bangladeshi students go abroad to pursue their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. However, most often, it is seen that they have a difficult time in understanding the rules of academic writing in the new institution. This qualitative multiple case study explores challenges related to writing assignments faced by 11 Bangladeshi students from Madrasah, Bengali and English medium schools studying at an international research university International Islamic University, Malaysia. A qualitative thematic analysis of the students’ semi-structured interviews revealed that the students felt that Bangladeshi English curricula should include components of close reading, academic writing, and basic computer skills for writing assignments so that all the students are prepared for writing assignments in academia in future. The study is significant for the education policymakers of an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) country such as Bangladesh where English is taught as a second language to the students. Keywords: writing challenges, Academic writing, Bangladesh.

Cognitive abilities and engagement in advance care planning among older adults: Results of a Swiss populational study.

Individuals often wait until the last moment to plan their end-of-life (EOL) care. Yet, decision-making capacity decreases with age, which could compromise engagement in and the effectiveness of advance care planning (ACP). Little is known about the association between cognitive abilities and the steps involved in the multifaceted process of ACP in older adults. The present study aims to better understand the association of global cognitive competence with engagement in ACP in a nationally representative sample of older adults in Switzerland. Global cognitive competence was measured via verbal fluency, immediate and delayed memory, basic calculation skills, and temporal orientation. Engagement in ACP included approving advance directives, having discussed EOL preferences, having a living will, and having a health care proxy. We analyzed data of 1,936 respondents aged 55+ from a paper-and-pencil questionnaire that was administered as part of Wave 6 (2015) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe in Switzerland using logistic regression models. Respondents with reduced global cognitive competence are less likely to have discussed their EOL preferences with others and to have a living will. Our results also indicate an interaction between age and cognition with respect to having a living will. Individuals with lower global cognitive competence in the oldest age group-adults aged 75 and older-are less likely to have a living will. Our findings highlight that low global cognitive competence can be seen as a barrier to engagement in ACP, particularly among adults 75 years and older. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Data collected to assess Ugandan Secondary School Teachers’ Competencies in Online course design, Digital communication, Basic and Advanced computer skills, and use of Learning Management Systems

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A survey of nurse informatics competencies of professional nurses in clinical practice public hospitals in South Africa

BackgroundCompetence in nursing informatics is vital for efficient nursing care in today’s technologically-enabled healthcare environment. In South Africa little is known on the competence of professional nurses in clinical practice in nursing informatics. ObjectivesThe study examined the self-rated competence in nursing informatics among professional nurses practicing in clinical settings at two hospitals in the Western Cape, South Africa. MethodA cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted with 205 professional nurses from two public hospitals in the Cape Metropole, Western Cape. The study participants completed the TANIC© scale, a self-administered nursing informatics questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was done for demographic variables and activities, with mean scores out of 4, interpreted based on the novice (1), advanced beginner (2), comfortable (3), and proficient (4) ratings. Confidence intervals were calculated for all nursing informatics competencies in the domains of computer literacy, clinical information management and information literacy and their sub-domains. ResultsThe respondents rated the computer literacy domain significantly higher than the other two domains (2.63/4 [95 %CI 2.5–2.76]), with average ratings approaching the ‘comfortable’ competency range. This was followed by clinical information management (2.09/4 [95 %CI 1.95–2.23]), and information literacy (2.05/4 [95 %CI 1.92–2.17]), with average ratings located in the ‘novice’ to ‘advanced beginner’ competency range. ConclusionThe study showed that practicing nurses have a limited level of nursing informatics competence, especially in the domains of clinical information management and information literacy. These findings support the need for educational programmes to extend beyond basic computer skills and prioritize continuous professional development in nursing informatics.

Prosthodontic Research in the Digital Era: Current Trends and Future Prospects

Prosthodontic Research in the Digital Era: Current Trends and Future Prospects

Kemampuan Siswa SMP dalam Menyelesaikan Persoalan Matematika Dasar

Basic mathematical abilities are having the basic ability (being able) to think deductively in building theories and communicating the results of scientific activities correctly and being able to communicate accurate, precise, artificial language in mathematics. Basic mathematical abilities also include the basic skills needed to understand and solve mathematical problems at a basic level. This research was conducted with the aim of describing the profile of students' basic mathematical abilities in solving basic problems. Elementary schools have a key role in building the foundations of mathematics education for students. Basic mathematics is taught at this level to help students understand basic mathematical concepts necessary in everyday life and to prepare them for further mathematics learning at higher levels. It is important to ensure that the mathematics foundation built at the primary school level is strong, as this will influence students' understanding and success at higher levels of education. Junior high school is the second level of school after elementary school, and at this stage students are taught about basic mathematics or easy mathematics that usually occurs in everyday life. Such as calculations which develop students' basic calculation skills, understanding number concepts such as fractions, decimal numbers and whole numbers, addition, multiplication and division. Using mathematics in real contexts, so that students can see the relevance and usefulness of mathematics in everyday life.

Artificial intelligence and the demand for skills in Russia

The problem of digital transformation of the labor market is widely discussed in the current scientific literature. In the context of the rapid spread of modern information technologies, in particular artificial intelligence (AI), many companies inevitably face difficulties in hiring highly qualified personnel. At the same time, research still lacks a clear understanding of the pace of AI adoption in different occupations, as well as what knowledge, skills, and abilities are actually in demand by employers. This study analyzes the demand for worker skills and the salaries offered by employers within firms, industries, and occupations. By focusing on AI skills, this paper adapts and extends the application of mainstream empirical methodology to the understudied context of the Russian labor market. The study uses data from firms and online job advertisements for the period from 2007 to 2020, and conducts econometric analysis to estimate the demand for skills. The results of the study show a rapid growth in the demand for AI skills in Russia, which is associated with significant wage premiums for these skills. However, when combined with other skills, the effect of AI skills can be negated. For example, the results suggest that basic and advanced computer skills are negatively complementary in terms of demand, which may lead to lower wages. Moreover, in the context of the Russian labor market, the demand for nontechnical skills in AI-related jobs is not associated with offering higher wages

DIGITAL FACILITIES UTILIZATION AND COMPUTER SKILLS AMONG SCIENCE AND ARTS STUDENTS

The computer world expanded into each and every sector in the current digital era including the education field and rapidly targeting students to acquaint computer and digital knowledge not only for entertaining but also to enhance academic skills. The basics of digital technology are in reach of the people through different sources such as smart phones, desktop computers, laptops and tablets. Recently, the curricular and competency levels are gradually incorporating to the students to acquire digital skills by motivating to various modes of pedagogy such as seminars, assignments and project works. The present research was mainly focused on understanding the digital devices owning by the students, studying knowledge levels of computer skills and frequency of utilizing digital services. The study was carried out from the randomly selected college students of both science and arts streams from the university and colleges students located at Tirupati urban. The sample size of the present investigation comprised of 60 students from each stream of science and arts with total sample of 120 members. The findings well demonstrated that absolutely all the students owned the smart phone and surprisingly one third of them were even planned to purchase the new mobile within one year. The data indicated that around one fourth of science students had desktop and tablets and about one tenth in arts students. The computer skills and levels of confidence also noticed at higher levels in science students against their arts students’ counterparts probably the science students regular academic activities might be intricately enabled the basic computer skills. The information gathered from the students strongly highlighted the high frequency utilization of smart phone by students of both streams. Educating students, creating awareness and organizing digital training programmes by colleges will surely helpful to enhance the digital skills among the students and to excel their academic and future career opportunities.

Primary School Teachers’ Views on Integrating Technology in English Language Instruction in Rural School Contexts in the Lubombo Region of Eswatini

The realization that traditional methods of teaching have become inadequate hence can no longer be exclusively used when teaching, has seen technology being integrated in instruction for all curricula. This study intended to explore the views of primary school teachers on the integration of technology when teaching English language in rural school contexts in the Lubombo region of Eswatini. The study was based on the following research questions: What are the views of primary school English language teachers on the integration of technology in English language instruction in rural school contexts? What are the benefits of integrating technology in English language instruction in rural school contexts? How do primary school teachers integrate technology in English Language instruction in rural school contexts? What challenges do primary school English language teachers encounter when integrating technology in English language instruction in rural school contexts? The study adopted the interpretivist research paradigm which was used with the qualitative research approach and the case study research design. While the simple random sampling technique was used to select four (4) schools that took part in the study, purposive sampling was used to select eight (8) teachers that took part in the study (two teachers from each school). Data were gathered using an interview guide where teachers were interviewed on a one on one. The data were analyzed using Thematic Content Analysis. The study found that some teachers had a misconception about technology integration in instruction as they view it as the teaching of basic computer skills. Another finding was that integrating technology in English language instruction was viewed as very beneficial as it resulted in optimum lesson delivery since learners generally have a big interest in technology. Challenges that teachers encountered when integrating technology in instruction included lack of training and unavailability of technological gadgets as well as poor internet connections. The study therefore recommends that The Ministry of Education, through the In-service department should train the teachers on how they can integrate technology in their teaching. Another recommendation is that Headteachers should organize teachers from other schools who are known to be effectively using the approach to come and assist teachers in rural schools.

Fostering fundamental computational skills, a global challenge

Fostering fundamental computational skills, a global challenge Koji Watanabe, Professor from Miyazaki International University in Japan, argues that fostering fundamental computational skills is a global challenge. The international community recognises cultivating fundamental computational skills as a critical challenge in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The mathematics education of a country plays a crucial role in fostering these basic computational skills. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that considers various components of school education (educational goals, teachers, teaching materials, and children) is necessary. Additionally, the concept of quantity in developing basic computational skills is context-dependent and requires attention. The study seeks to address the challenges the international community poses regarding mathematics education. We strive to gain a detailed understanding of the current situation and develop teaching materials and educational practices based on this understanding. Our specific focus is on cultivating basic computational skills in developing countries.