Group Chat Research Articles

Web-Based Technologies to Support Carers of People Living With Dementia: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundInformal carers play a significant role in supporting people living with dementia; however, carers in rural areas are often isolated, with limited access to support services. Although dementia-friendly communities provide valued support for carers, access to them is limited as they are few and geographically dispersed.ObjectiveThis study’s aim was to increase support and services for rural informal carers of people living with dementia by using information and communication technologies accessed through an integrated website and mobile app—the Verily Connect app. The objective of this protocol is to detail the research design used in a complex study that was situated in a challenging real-world setting integrating web-based and on-ground technology and communication. Therefore, it is anticipated that this protocol will strengthen the research of others exploring similar complex concepts.MethodsA stepped-wedge, open-cohort cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted to implement Verily Connect across 12 rural Australian communities. The Verily Connect intervention delivered web-based, curated information about dementia, a localized directory of dementia services and support, group and individual chat forums, and peer support through videoconference. During the implementation phase of 32 weeks, Verily Connect was progressively implemented in four 8-weekly waves of 3 communities per wave. Usual care, used as a comparator, was available to carers throughout the study period. Participants and researchers were unblinded to the intervention. There were 3 cohorts of participants: carers, volunteers, and staff; participants were recruited from their communities. The primary outcome measure was perceived carer social support measured using the Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Survey. Volunteers and staff provided feedback on their participation in Verily Connect as qualitative data. Qualitative data were collected from all cohorts of participants through interviews and focus groups. Process evaluation data were collected through interviews and memos written by research staff. Data on the costs of implementing Verily Connect were collected by the research team members and evaluated by a health economist.ResultsBetween August 2018 and September 2019, a total of 113 participants were recruited. There were 37 (32.7%) carers, 39 (34.5%) volunteers, and 37 (32.7%) health service staff. The study was complex because of the involvement of multiple and varied communities of carers, volunteers, health service staff, and research team members originating from 5 universities. Web-based technologies were used as intervention strategies to support carers and facilitate the process of undertaking the study.ConclusionsThe Verily Connect trial enabled the testing and further development of a web-based approach to increasing support for carers of people living with dementia across a diverse rural landscape in Australia. This protocol provides an example of how to conduct a pragmatic evaluation of a complex and co-designed intervention involving multiple stakeholders.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001213235; https://tinyurl.com/4rjvrasfInternational Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR1-10.2196/33023

Short videos as affective contagion: (Un)locked WeChat chatlogs on viral videos

This visual essay is a documentation of a series of morbid short videos circulating in local Wuhan chat groups at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, attached with video screenshots and adjacent chatlogs. The data was collected during the author's home quarantine in Wuhan in early 2020. This visual essay aims at viscerally exhibiting the circulation of emotions ranging from anxiety to boredom to lethargy via group conversations surrounding these short videos. Hopefully, they can serve as an archive and a miniature of a societal meltdown that is readily forgotten.

Isolation, connection, and embracement: Exploring students’ perspectives on virtual art education during the pandemic

Utilizing storytelling, two art educators explore how their undergraduate students experienced the transition to online education after the outbreak of COVID-19. Three themes are examined based on the students’ reflections: (1) new characteristics of and experiences within virtual learning, (2) isolation and connection, and (3) embracement and adjustment. The participating students shared their course experiences, with regard to the changes in course design and structure made due to the abrupt transition to online instruction. The participating students felt some loneliness due to isolation and social distancing. They experienced multilayered connections purposefully made through learning communities, small groups, student pairs, and student-instructor communication using discussion boards, emails, group chat, personal webpages, and Canvas messages and feedback. We suggest that exchanging narratives about students’ learning and art making experiences helps educators build their own teaching communities and serves as a strategy to overcome challenges and develop resilience in uncertain times full of changes and transitions.

Happy riders are all alike? Ambivalent subjective experience and mental well‐being of food‐delivery platform workers in China

AbstractThis study draws upon organizational psychology and platform labor research to investigate how socio‐psychological factors affect the mental well‐being of platform workers and help them cope with the challenges of work. Based on a survey study of 500 food‐delivery workers (‘riders’) in China, we provide quantitative evidence of workers' ambivalent subjective experiences that complements the predominantly qualitative account in the extant literature. In particular, we assess the complex relationships between meaningfulness of work, autonomy at work, self‐perceived competence, and workers' subjective well‐being. Our data also show that the stress‐buffering effect of social support mainly comes from the riders' familial contact and their online group chat with other workers. Overall, despite the well‐documented precarity and stress in platform work, the riders in our sample appear to be able to mobilize inner and relational resources to achieve a relatively high‐level mental well‐being.

Implementation of WeChat-based patient-doctor interaction in the management of Helicobacter pylori infection: A propensity score matching analysis.

We aimed to investigate if the WeChat-based patient-doctor interaction could affect treatment outcomes of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication compared with conventional patient education (CPE) alone. Patients treated for H. pylori infection for the first time at our clinic from 1 July 2019 to 31 July 2021 were retrospectively included and divided into the CPE and WeChat groups. Both groups received CPE including verbal education and a specifically designed printout with detailed instructions. Those in the WeChat group were required to join a physician-managed WeChat group chat and they were encouraged to ask questions for clarification. Baseline characteristics were matched using propensity score matching between the two groups. Relevant knowledge and instructions were occasionally shared. Eradication rate, compliance, and adverse events in the two groups were evaluated. A total of 348 patients were included after propensity score matching. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed eradication rate of 85.6% in the WeChat group and 80.5% in the CPE group (P=0.199), whereas the per-protocol eradication rate was 91.1% and 88.2% (P=0.399), respectively. Compliance did not differ between the two groups (WeChat group vs CPE group: 92.5% vs 91.4%, P=0.693). The incidences of adverse events were also comparable between the two groups. CPE utilization already yields fair H. pylori eradication rate; however, the WeChat-based patient-doctor interaction did not yield better results. More appropriate managements are needed in the future to explore the impact of the WeChat platform on H. pylori eradication.

Can high school students check the veracity of information about COVID-19? A case study on critical media literacy in Brazilian ESL classes

In a globalized world, critical media literacy is imperative when selecting the content we consume amid countless offers. Therefore, the purpose of this case study is to analyze which resources 3rd year high school students (16-17 years old) from an English as a Second Language class in Brazil use in the construction of authorial journalistic articles demystifying fake news about COVID-19 and if the interventions conducted previous to the task were helpful in their process of developing critical media literacy. To this end, firstly students analyzed news about COVID-19 from international websites; secondly, they discussed aspects of a video that circulated widely in WhatsApp chat groups; and, finally, they produced journalistic articles demystifying popular fake news about COVID-19 in Brazil. The findings suggest a great capacity of students to justify their perceptions about what is fact and what is fake once they were provoked to do so, showing the development of critical media literacy and news literacy through the arguments presented in their articles.

The Use of Social Media in Learning English Writing of Indonesian English Department Students

<em>Social media is a product of information and communication technology that is used by many people around the world, ranging from children to adults. Although not created specifically for educational purposes, social media has drawn the attention of some educators, especially in the field of teaching and learning English. The objectives of this research were to find out the types of social media used by English department students in the fourth semester of UINSI Samarinda and the use of social media in learning English writing. This research was conducted by using a descriptive-qualitative design. The researcher used questionnaires, interviews, and documentation as instruments to collect the data. The primary data in this research was obtained from questionnaires and interviews with the students who were active in using social media in learning English writing. Then, the secondary data contained recordings and documentation obtained from the students as the subjects of this research. The data analysis techniques used were data condensation, data display, conclusion drawing, and verification. To test the validity of the data, the researcher used the credibility technique with the source triangulation method. The result of this research showed that there were seven types of social media used by the students in learning English writing, namely social networking sites (SNS), blogs, micro-blog, wiki, social bookmarking websites, media sharing sites, and RSS (Really Simple Syndication). The students mostly used social media in learning English writing by using some provided features, especially which allow them to interact with their peers, such as personal chat, group chat, comment section, caption, description, story, and bio. Additionally, they also used some of these social media as learning sources to help them in developing their English writing skill.</em>

MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROFESSIONALLY ORIENTED ENGLISH SPEECH INTERACTION COMPETENCE IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY MILITARY STUDENTS

The purpose of learning a foreign language by future information systems and technology officers is the development of practical skills to the extent that is necessary for communication in various professional situations. The intensive integration of mobile technologies into the higher education system encourages research of the challenges of their use for the development of professionally oriented English speech interaction competence in future information systems and technology officers. The study describes the officers' survey results regarding their needs in professional foreign language communication. It analyzes the use of mobile technologies (the uniquely designed mobile application "English Speaking Skills", the YouTube channel "Military Speaking Skills in Use" and the group chat "English Speaking" in the Telegram mobile messenger) during experimental training in professionally oriented English communication conducted for information systems and technology cadets and officers from a higher military education institution. The study showed that a specially created mobile learning environment for the development of professionally oriented English speech interaction competence in future information systems and technology officers provides opportunities for interactive communication between all participants of the educational process. It develops speech skills and increases the effectiveness of mastering the specific terminology of the military industry. Further use of mobile technologies (didactic educational material) can facilitate the perception of new information in English, motivate to study, and become a learning tool for the development of practical speech skills in the process of verbal and nonverbal communication of information systems and technology cadets with native speakers.

Implementation of diabetes care and educational program via telemedicine in patients with COVID-19 in home isolation in Thailand: A real-worldexperience.

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) outbreak in Bangkok led to a shortage of hospital capacity, and a home isolation system was set up. We described the process of diabetes self‐management education and support (DSMES) and glycemic management via telemedicine, along with outcomes in home‐isolated patients with COVID‐19 infection.MethodsA retrospective chart review of glucose values, insulin and corticosteroids use, and outcomes was performed.ResultsA volunteer group of 21 endocrinologists and 21 diabetes educators/nurses formed the consultation team. Patients with diabetes or at high‐risk of diabetes and receiving corticosteroids were referred by primary volunteer physicians. Glucometers and related supplies, and insulin were donated, and delivered via same‐day delivery services. A chat group of an individual patient/their caregiver, diabetes educator, endocrinologist, and primary physician was formed (majority via LINE® platform) to assess the patient's clinical status and need. Real‐time virtual DSMES sessions were performed and treatments were adjusted via smartphone application or telephone. There were 119 patients (1,398 service days), mean (SD) age 62.0 (13.6) years, 85.7% had a history of type 2 diabetes, and 84.0% received corticosteroids. Insulin was used in 88 patients; 69 of whom were insulin‐naïve. During the first 10 days, there were 2,454 glucose values. The mean glucose level on day 1 was 280.6 (122.3) mg/dL, and declined to 167.7 (43.4) mg/dL on day 10. Hypoglycemia occurred in 1.4% of the values. A majority of patients (79.5%) recovered at home.ConclusionDiabetes care and DSMES delivered via telemedicine to patients on home isolation during COVID‐19 pandemic was safe and effective.

Swap It on WhatsApp: The Moral Economy of Informal Online Exchange Networks in Contemporary Cuba

AbstractThe inhabitants of Cuba's capital, Havana, are using semipublic group chats on messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Telegram to access food, hygiene products, medication, and other basic necessities during times of scarcity. This has been especially prevalent during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Such chat groups created digital spaces in which locals swap scarce goods and share vital information about the availability of products in the government‐run shops, creative entrepreneurs offer online delivery services, and black‐market vendors sell commodities that are in short supply. We examine the conflicting value systems that shape the interactions on these messaging apps, where solidarity and sharing as well as market‐mediated exchanges come to coexist and must be negotiated on an everyday basis. The article is accompanied by a series of “screen walks”–that is, short mobile phone videos, in which research participants explain the dynamics of the groups they participate in.

STRATEGI GURU GEOGRAFI DALAM PENGGUNAAN MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN PADA PEMBELAJARAN ONLINE

This article will reveal strategies for using learning media from Geography teachers during online learning (learning in networks). The aim is to find out what media is used in online geography learning and also the teacher's competence in using Geographic Information System (GIS) media in geography learning. It is hoped that the outcome of the research will be used as an evaluation material and recommendation for the next action in an effort to increase the quantity of relevant media and the quality of learning outcomes of Geography in schools. By planning training in Community Service programs. The data collection method used a special interview system for the main resource person, namely the Geography Teacher by using an online questionnaire for a random sample and secondary data documentation. The results obtained are the class media that is most often used in geography learning the first choice is to use the Whatsapp Group chat application, then Google Classroom and for face-to-face virtual use of video conferencing applications such as zoom or google meet. Meanwhile, the media for teaching teacher material still uses map media, both printed and digital, books or modules, and powerpoint presentations. Meanwhile, GIS applications are still very minimally utilized. The reasons stated are because of the relevance of the material, the easier process if using more general media and the availability of supporting facilities in the agency. However, the perception of his ability to prepare learning media is considered quite good. The only obstacle or challenge is increasing student motivation, and personal self-motivation to work that needs to be improved..

Group Chat Ecology in Enterprise Instant Messaging: How Employees Collaborate Through Multi-User Chat Channels on Slack

Despite the long history of studying instant messaging usage, we know very little about how today's people participate in group chat channels and interact with others inside a real-world organization. In this short paper, we aim to update the existing knowledge on how group chat is used in the context of today's organizations. The knowledge is particularly important for the new norm of remote works under the COVID-19 pandemic. We have the privilege of collecting two valuable datasets: a total of 4,300 group chat channels in Slack from an R&D department in a multinational IT company; and a total of 117 groups' performance data. Through qualitative coding of 100 randomly sampled group channels from the 4,300 channels dataset, we identified and reported 9 categories such as Project channels, IT-Support channels, and Event channels. We further defined a feature metric with 21 meta-features (and their derived features) without looking at the message content to depict the group communication style for these group chat channels, with which we successfully trained a machine learning model that can automatically classify a given group channel into one of the 9 categories. In addition to the descriptive data analysis, we illustrated how these communication metrics can be used to analyze team performance. We cross-referenced 117 project teams and their team-based Slack channels and identified 57 teams that appeared in both datasets, then we built a regression model to reveal the relationship between these group communication styles and the project team performance. This work contributes an updated empirical understanding of human-human communication practices within the enterprise setting, and suggests design opportunities for the future of human-AI communication experience.

KOMUNIKASI EFEKTIF PIMPINAN DALAM MENGATASI KONFLIK ORGANISASI

The purpose of this research is to describe the effective communication performed by the leader in overcoming organizational conflicts at the Assistant Deputy for Policy Formulation for the Fulfillment of Children's Rights, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection using the REACH Principle (Respect, Empathy, Audible, Clarity, Humble). The research uses a descriptive qualitative approach with a case study method. Data collection techniques were carried out through semi-structured interviews, observation and documentation. There were 4 informants, who were selected through purposive sampling and snowball sampling. The results showed that the communication used by the leadership using REACH principle was quite effective in overcoming organizational conflicts. Respect, leaders always listen to input, suggestions, opinions, complaints, stories, problems from all teams and open themselves to criticism and input. Empathy, the leader has a good enough sense of empathy so that it creates openness, and trust and seeks joint solutions if there is a conflict in the team. Audible, the leadership is considered quite clear in providing information and directions. Clarity, Leaders use the media for face-to-face meetings and zoom meetings during the Covid-19 Pandemic, and Whatsapp Group or private chat and telephone so that communication is clear and does not cause misunderstanding. Humble, the leader is very open and listens to all suggestions and input from team members and builds two-way communication to create a conducive work environment.

Telegram and Digital Methods

Telegram and Digital Methods

Student engagement and authentic language use on WeChat for learning Chinese as a foreign language

In this study, the use of a popular mobile social networking platform (WeChat) is investigated for learning Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) in a beginners’ course at an Australian university. Driven by practical considerations and major issues with previous literature, student engagement and authentic language used in a WeChat class group are investigated. Data was collected through weekly conversation episodes over a semester and from a student survey. Conversation episodes were analysed both quantitatively (by frequencies) and qualitatively (using a discourse approach). The study found that student engagement increased in frequency and complexity towards the end of the semester, and students used Chinese for various authentic purposes in the semi-formal context of class group chats. A microanalysis of transcripts illustrated how the use of Chinese in multilingual and multimodal practices achieved authentic social functions. However, individual differences were observed, and English was frequently used in chats. Recommendations are provided for scaffolding and for utilising different semiotic resources in dynamic group interactions.

Beyond the Sacred Text: Examining the Confusion, Conflicts and Complications at the Intersection of Religion and Law in Zimbabwe

There is a widespread tendency in modern, secular society to view law and religion as unrelated except insofar as they may, from time to time, come into conflict. However, intimate relations between the two have been constituted and constantly changed throughout history. Law and religion are two great interconnecting values and belief structures with their own normative, authoritative sources and mechanisms, as well as their own legislation and amendment processes and steps. However, at the practical level, the relationship between the two has not often been smooth sailing. This paper seeks to untangle the confusion, conflicts and complications that have arisen, especially in the Zimbabwean context, when legal statutes have appeared to be in opposition with religious beliefs and practices. The major question arising from such a scenario is: How are communities of faith across the religious divide supposed to react when laws demand that they act in ways that conflict with either their sacred text whether written or oral? The focus of this paper, therefore, is to simultaneously examine the place of religion in the public sphere as well as explore the impact of enacted laws on religion in Zimbabwe. This paper made use of public discourse, as presented in a WhatsApp group chat of a Bible Challenge Group which took place on 21 February 2021. Secondary sources were utilised in informing this paper’s conceptualisation of religion and the law.

EMERGING ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE FROM THE BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF FACEBOOK MESSENGER GROUP CHAT TREND IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The new normal in education leads to new normal practices among teachers in public schools to carry out the Department of Education Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE- LCP), leading to the Facebook Messenger group chat trend in public schools. This study explores the benefits and drawbacks of this communication application as experienced by public-school teachers and aimed at understanding patterns of emerging organizational culture due to the utilization of Facebook Messenger group chats. The study utilized the phenomenological research design. Data were gathered through semi-structured one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions with randomly selected public-school teachers, and results were interpreted through thematic analysis. The study found out that the Facebook Messenger group chat trend is beneficial in convenience, accessibility, and learning delivery while its drawbacks are work-life balance, emotional-psychological, and technical. Open communication, sensitive communication, netiquette in social behavior, and technological reliance were the patterns of organizational culture emerging from using Facebook Messenger group chats. Assessment on the appropriateness of its use depending on the purpose and further innovation on its features that may fit well for its use in education and work purposes were recommended to manage its drawbacks and optimize its use in the new normal education delivery.

Mobile Application for Data Acquisition in Integrated Forest and Land Fires Patrols

Hotspot is one of the indicators of forest and land fires which is usually checked in the field through an integrated patrol program by a team formed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK). The findings from these patrol activities are usually reported through texts posted in the chat group media using the WhatsApp application. This method is, however, considered ineffective in presenting information queries from the patrol data. Therefore, this research aims to develop a mobile application to record data retrieved during forest and land fire patrols in the Sumatra region. The prototyping system development method was applied and this includes analyzing the needs of the user, designing and modeling the prototype, coding the system, testing the system, and system usage. Moreover, the Ionic 3 framework was employed in the system development through the application of the API from the back-end module. The application was integrated into the Google Maps Application Programming Interface (API) and the system was tested using the Blackbox method to show the features in the system function effectively.

User Perceptions of Security and Privacy for Group Chat

Secure messaging tools are an integral part of modern society. To understand users’ security and privacy perceptions and requirements for secure group chat, we surveyed 996 respondents in the US and UK. Our results show that group chat presents important security and privacy challenges, some of which are not present in one-to-one chat. For example, users need to be able to manage and monitor group membership, establish trust for new group members, and filter content that they share in different chat contexts. We also find that respondents lack mechanisms for determining which tools are secure and instead rely on non-technical strategies for protecting their privacy—for example, self-filtering and carefully tracking group membership. To better understand how these results relate to existing tools, we conduct cognitive walkthroughs (a form of expert usability review) for five popular group chat tools. Our results demonstrate that while existing tools address some items identified in our surveys, this support is partial and is insufficient in many cases. As such, there is a need for improved group chat tools that better align with user perceptions and requirements. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations on improving the security and usability of secure group chat.

Impact of Covid-19 Outbreak on Teaching and Learning in Public Secondary Schools in South-West Nigeria

This research-based paper aimed at assessing the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning in public secondary schools in South-West Nigeria. It described the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents; assessed COVID-19 prevalence in the schools; examined its impact on teaching and learning; examined alternative teaching and learning strategies (ATLS) employed; identified teachers’ challenges in using the ATLS; and determined ATLS effectiveness in the schools. Building on the transformative learning theory, a descriptive survey research design and the multi-stage sampling procedure were employed to select a sample of 930 respondents (30 principals, 300 senior school teachers, and 600 students of Grade 11 and Grade 12 classes) for the study. Data were collected using a 5-point-Likert scale questionnaire with Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of 0.86. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and weighted means. The results showed the prevalence of COVID-19 with negative impact on students who did not have access to traditional face-to-face classroom learning, while virtual online classes limited the subjects usually taught. The ATLS employed are TV & Radio, Zoom, Google Classroom, WhatsApp Group, Microsoft Team and Google Chat, and teachers’ challenges in using ATLS include: unequal access to ICT-based learning, and lack of Internet facilities and connectivity, and they were not effective. It was concluded that the outbreak of the COVID-19 impacted negatively on teaching and learning in public secondary schools in South-West Nigeria, and appropriate online strategies should be provided to address this challenge. Keywords: coronavirus, teaching and learning platform, public secondary schools DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-6-05 Publication date: February 28 th 2022