Computer Literacy Research Articles

Voices of Elementary Computer Science Teachers: Computer Science Integration Rationales and Practices

Objectives . Computer Science (CS) education has become increasingly prevalent in elementary schools because of multiple rationales, such as the importance of computational literacy and the growing demand for CS-related workforce preparation. As elementary CS standards continue to be adopted by many states, more examples and voices from the field may help educators understand what effective computational thinking (CT)/CS integration looks like in practice. Method . We employed a descriptive qualitative approach to study eight award-winning K-8 CS teachers and aimed to answer three research questions: (1) What were elementary CS teachers’ rationales for CT/CS integration? (2) How do elementary CS teachers integrate CT/CS into their classroom practices? (3) What are the needs of CS teachers for meaningful CT/CS integration in elementary schools? Data were collected through interviews, a questionnaire, and artifacts and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings . Our findings of elementary CS teachers’ rationales for CT/CS integration encompassed its essential nature as a literacy skill, its potential to promote equity in education, and its alignment with standards across various disciplines. To support CT/CS integration at the elementary level, CS teachers described important aspects with examples from their instructional practices: (a) Real-world applications; (b) hands-on activities; (c) strategies to scaffold and guide student learning; (d) collaboration with classroom teachers; and (e) support from professional development (PD). Conclusion . The study results shared CS teachers’ voices from practice and shed light on the urgent need for more support and PD opportunities for both homeroom teachers and CS teachers in elementary schools, as well as the crucial need for multiple levels of support within K-12 school systems. Continuous efforts in creating systematic and sustainable PD plans and supporting collaborative professional communities for teachers within the instructional context are a must to help prepare our elementary students with the essential CS knowledge and skills they need to thrive in this technology-rich society.

Is Africa Jinxed? Exploring the Challenges of Technology Access and Adoption in Africa

Purpose-Africa, as a continent with an abundance of human and mineral resources, should have been among the superpowers of the world and have no business being poor. However, despite its richness, it is still considered a developing continent, while many of the countries in Africa are classified among developing nations, emerging economies, or least developed nations because they lag in all ramifications, technology inclusive. This paper critically examined the challenges faced in Africa concerning technology access and adoption specifically in agriculture, education, health and transport sectors. Methodology/Approach This is purely a conceptual paper. However, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was employed in this study. Findings: Many factors are responsible for Africa’s downward trend in technology access and adoption. Infrastructure is a major challenge common to all the sectors considered though there are other challenges like computer literacy, lack of adequate training, low income, culture, and electricity. Interestingly, In Africa today, uptake poses a greater challenge than coverage. The disparity in adoption rates is most pronounced among elderly individuals, economically disadvantaged women, and households residing in rural areas. Additionally, informal enterprises and rural settings exhibit higher levels of this discrepancy. Research Limitations/Implications: Though the four sectors examined in this research are the primary sectors of the economy, sectors like banking, manufacturing, hospitality, real estate and others are open for research. This research, however, adds to the body of literature and should spur African governments and policymakers to ensure that Africa is moved forward with concise policies as many of the challenges highlighted have been in existence from time memorial.

Determinants of nursing students’ satisfaction with blended learning

BackgroundBlended learning, a pedagogical approach combining traditional classroom instruction with online components, has gained prominence in nursing education. While offering numerous benefits, student satisfaction with blended learning remains a critical concern. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive evaluation of the determinants influencing nursing students’ satisfaction with this innovative educational modality. By examining a wide range of factors, including sociodemographic characteristics, academic factors, and environmental influences, this research offers valuable insights for educators to optimize blended learning experiences in nursing education.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional research design was conducted. This study investigates the factors influencing nursing students’ satisfaction with blended learning at Alexandria University, Egypt, where blended learning programs have been integrated into the curriculum primarily through the Microsoft Teams platform. A convenient sample of 1266 nursing students from both bachelor and technical educational institutions participated in the study from September 2023 to the end of December 2023. Data were collected using an online survey containing two measurement tools: the Blended Learning Satisfaction Scale and the Environmental Facilitators and Barriers to Student Persistence in Online Courses scale. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and backward multiple linear regression, were conducted to identify factors that are associated with the satisfaction of nursing students’ with blended learning.ResultsFindings indicate that factors such as age, gender, income, employment status, access to suitable internet sources, academic year, computer literacy, preferred learning method, and perceptions of environmental facilitators significantly influence satisfaction scores (all p < 0.001). The overall regression model, with an adjusted R² of 0.31, signifies that 31% of the variance in satisfaction scores is explained collectively by the previously mentioned variables (F = 21.21, p < 0.001).ConclusionStudents’ sociodemographic variables, preference for blended learning, and perception of environmental facilitators such as encouragement to enroll in the course significantly influence nursing students’ satisfaction levels with blended learning. However, limitations in the current study such as self-report bias, convenient sampling, and cross-sectional design limit the generalizability and causal inferences of these findings.

&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Researching&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt; STEAM in early childhood education between 2013-2023: A bibliometric analysis of Scopus database&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;

This study investigates global research trends on STEAM in early childhood education from 2013 to 2023. The bibliometric analysis method was utilized to analyze a dataset of 129 documents extracted from the Scopus database. The results reveal a growing interest in this field, with a notable increase in the number of publications from 2019 to 2023 compared to 2013-2018. The USA leads in both the number of publications and citations. "Early Childhood Education Journal" is the most prominent, while “Sullivan A” and “Bers MU” gain the most significant impact on this research topic. This review study identifies four main thematic clusters: (1) core aspects of STEAM in early childhood education, (2) gender equality in STEAM education, (3) technology and engineering education, and (4) applying this approach to early childhood education. Research trends indicate a growing interest in topics such as computer literacy, creativity, and children's learning processes in STEAM education. The authors propose several recommendations to guide future research in this area.

Making a case for computer literacy: the German Informatics Society and the emerging field of computer education, late 1960s–early 1990s

ABSTRACT This article examines the historical contribution of the German Informatics Society (GI) to the establishment of computer education in German schools. It highlights the role of societal interests, international developments, public and professional debates, and technological change in the GI’s educational policy recommendations. The historical source base consists of conference proceedings, position papers and other publications by key actors within and outside the GI. Methodologically, the article refers to the concept of strategic fields of action. The article shows how the GI’s understanding of computer science played an important role in its initial policy recommendations. With increasing computerisation and then the World Wide Web, the GI had to adapt its recommendations to the now more complex situation in Germany and the polyphonic debate.

Comparative Study of Nursing Informatics Competencies in Educators, Students, and Clinical Nurses

Background: Nursing informatics refers to a specialty in nursing that influences the learning environment, interprofessional collaboration, patient care, strategic planning, and patient satisfaction. Nursing informatics competency has been identified as a critical factor influencing the quality-of-care services. Nurses must integrate informatics into clinical decision-making processes. Objectives: This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of nursing informatics competency among nursing educators, students, and clinical nurses. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2023 at the nursing faculty of Abadan University of Medical Sciences. The study sample included 670 participants: Nursing educators, students, and clinical nurses. Nursing educators and students were selected through a census method, while clinical nurses were chosen via random sampling. Data were collected using the Nursing Informatics Competency Assessment Tool (NICAT) and demographic questionnaires. The NICAT assesses informatics competency across 30 components, categorized into three dimensions: Computer literacy, informatics literacy, and information management skills. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 software. Results: The average nursing informatics competency score among the participants was 105.58, falling within the competent range. Nursing educators achieved the highest competency score (110.21), followed by clinical nurses (106.24) and students (103.78). The highest score was observed in informatics literacy (45.84), while the lowest score was seen in information management skills (24.59). Information management skills, computer literacy, and informatics literacy were significantly correlated with the overall nursing informatics competency score (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: Nursing educators, students, and clinical nurses were found to be competent in nursing informatics. However, due to technological advancements and the growing use of electronic health services, there is a need to enhance nurses' competencies in all dimensions, particularly in information management skills. It is recommended to revise the curriculum and provide the necessary infrastructure and equipment to integrate informatics into nursing education and empower nurses.

Teachers’ computational thinking content knowledge: Development of a measurement instrument

Computational thinking has become an integral component of curricula worldwide, necessitating teachers to develop this competence in their students. To effectively meet these curricular requirements, teachers themselves need a solid foundation of computational thinking content knowledge, which refers to the understanding and skills they possess in this area. However, despite widespread recognition of this need, few studies have rigorously examined teachers’ content knowledge in this domain. Addressing this gap requires the development of high-quality measurement tools. This study details the development of an instrument, created as part of the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2023 in Flanders, to measure lower secondary school teachers’ computational thinking content knowledge in a valid and reliable way. The article first outlines the construction process of the instrument, which involved close collaboration with experts in the field and drew upon the framework of Fraillon and colleagues (2023). Following this, the instrument’s psychometric properties are presented, which include both item-level and overall instrument characteristics. These properties were evaluated using data from a sample of 352 participants, applying both Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory. The final tool consists of 16 multiple-choice and short constructed response questions. The results indicate favorable item and overall instrument characteristics, thereby affirming its potential to measure the intended construct in a valid and accurate way.

유아교사의 놀이교수효능감과 디지털리터러시 및 디지털놀이 지원역량 간의 관계 분석

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship among early childhood teachers' play teaching efficacy and digital literacy and digital play support capabilities. Methods To this end, a survey was conducted on 252 early childhood teachers working at early childhood education institutions in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province from April 11 to April 25, 2024 on the efficacy of play teaching, digital literacy, and digital play support capabilities of early childhood teachers. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson's moment correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple regression analysis were performed using the SPSS 29.0 program. Results First, early childhood teachers' play teaching efficacy showed a significant positive correlation with digital literacy and digital play support capabilities. Second, early childhood teachers' digital literacy was found to be the most powerful positive predictor of play teaching efficacy. And knowledge literacy, a sub-factor of digital literacy, was the most influential predictor, followed by digital play response and communication, followed by computer literacy, a sub-factor of digital play support capabilities. Conclusions The results of this study are expected to promote understanding of early childhood teachers' play teaching efficacy in the operation of a play-oriented curriculum and provide basic data to help develop teacher education programs to improve play teaching efficacy.

Pengembangan Sumber dan Evaluasi Pembelajaran Sekolah Dasar Menggunakan Moodle Berbasis Virtual Machine

Information technology-based learning has become a significant method to enhance the quality of education. Information technology allows students to learn without being limited by time and space. Students can also study and practice independently according to their capacity and needs. E-learning is a learning methodology that requires information technology. One of the information technologies that has been used for learning is Moodle. Moodle is a learning management system" (LMS) used to organize, deliver learning materials, and assess students' competencies. Like a general web page, Moodle has features for presenting classes and courses, where teachers can upload teaching materials, questions, and assignments. Students can log into Moodle and select the classes provided or registered for them. Student activities in Moodle will be monitored for learning progress and evaluation grades. In Indonesia, Moodle has been used by secondary schools, universities, and companies for e-learning. This workshop on Learning Management Systems (LMS) especially for rural students is considered as their level of computer literacy still needs improvement.

Impact of E-learning Tools (Moodle, Microsoft Teams, Zoom) on Student Engagement and Achievement at Jordan Universities

This study examines the impact of digital learning platforms—Moodle, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom—on student engagement and academic achievement at the University of Jordan. The study explores students’ familiarity with these e-learning tools and their effect on self-directed learning and performance. Over three months, data was collected from 450 students through an online questionnaire comprising closed questions. The analysis employed multiple regression models to consider variables such as gender, age, prior computer literacy, attitude towards emerging technology, learning preferences, and the implementation of e-learning within the university. Additionally, a qualitative content analysis identified the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning from the students’ perspectives. The findings indicate that strategic implementation of e-learning platforms significantly influences student perceptions more than individual contextual factors. Students appreciated the connectivity and accessibility provided by these platforms. Those with prior computer knowledge and those studying emerging technologies showed a particularly positive attitude towards e-learning. The study concludes that engagement with e-learning tools markedly enhances self-study habits and academic performance, underscoring the importance of integrating digital platforms into educational strategies.

Assessment of computer and statistical literacy levels among medical students

Assessment of computer and statistical literacy levels among medical students

Current Research Trends of Scratch Block based Programming for K-12: A Systematic Review

In the evolving landscape of K-12 education, the introduction of programming skills through block-based environments such as Scratch has become increasingly common. This approach meets the growing need for computer literacy among students, but its effectiveness in improving learning outcomes remains controversial. The aim of this paper is to systematically review and summarize current research on the use of Scratch as a teaching and learning tool in K-12 education. Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology, this paper analyses 27 relevant articles to assess the impact and use of Scratch in educational settings. The review aims to identify the current trends, methods and foci in Scratch-related educational research. Our results show that 17 studies focus on the use of Scratch in teaching CS and ICT subjects, while 10 examine its application in other academic disciplines. The review shows generally positive results of Scratch programming in an educational context. However, it also highlights the need for more comprehensive empirical research. This includes conducting studies with larger and more diverse student samples over longer periods of time to gain a deeper understanding of how Scratch programming can effectively improve learning outcomes in K-12 education.

Computationel Literacy in Schools

This conceptual article is situated in the cross-section between computer science and didactics. The article contributes to the research field by taking on questions regarding the role of materialities in relation to learning computational literacy in school. Computational literacy is here defined as patterned deployment of skills and dispositions that are applied in a technology-mediated and situated context with the aim of achieving a valued goal. The article sets out with a brief outline of the emergence of computational literacy as a concept. Then moving on through a more in-depth presentation of the concept in which three intertwined aspects, the cognitive, the social, and the material, unfold. The article concludes with two examples of computational literacy in a school, and how materiality here plays an important role in relation to the subject-content and pedagogical approach.

Advancing SDGs and performance management strategies for security personnel in higher education

Orientation: Performance management aligns individual and organisational goals, enhancing employee motivation, sustaining organisational success.Research purpose: The study aimed to investigate challenges experienced by security managers with performance management systems in a tertiary institution in Durban, South Africa.Motivation for the study: Understanding challenges delivers insights to advance organisational effectiveness, support sustainable development, and enhance human resources (HR) practices in the higher education security sector.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative approach was used. Twelve security managers were purposively selected for semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and NVivo software.Main findings: The study identified three challenges, namely inadequate training, education, development and communication, technological barriers and low computer literacy, limited resource allocation, inconsistent rewards, and a lack of transparency. These challenges were found to hinder performance management system application, reducing employee engagement and productivity.Practical/managerial implications: The study recommends the institution increase adult basic education and training in technological skills and literacy. Enhancing feedback mechanisms, conducting performance needs assessments, and implementing fair reward strategies may improve sustainable development of performance management practices.Contribution/value-add: The study advocates for practical strategies in response to the challenges faced by security managers to enhance performance aligned with sustainable development goals 4 (quality education), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 10 (reduced inequalities) and 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), contributing to sustainable HR, embracing contextualised performance management application in developing countries.

The attitude to the transition to Russian software in higher education

In modern Russia, a process of import substitution of software is taking place. This process is slow and gradual. Previously, researchers believed that the main problem was the technological backwardness of domestic IT-products and/or the incompatibility of Russian programs with foreign analogues. Now the first place among the problems of «migration» to Russian software is subjective perception among Russians. Based on the results of a sociological study conducted at the beginning of 2024, it was found that even in higher education, teachers, staff and students spoke generally low about the merits of domestic computer programs. The knowledge component of the surveyed respondents regarding domestic software turned out to be at an extremely low level: we can say that a relative minority is literate in Russian computer programs. The surveyed university teachers and students rated the advantages of Russian «software» low. The author notes the insufficient involvement of university teachers and students in the implementation of the transition to domestic software. As a recommendation, the author can advise creating a program to improve computer literacy among different ages of the population in order to help spread a positive image of Russian programs.

Factors Influencing the Successful Implementation of eHealth in Healthcare Facilities in Developing Countries: A Scoping Review

eHealth is the leveraging of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in health. Its use in complementing health services has risen substantially in the previous 20 years. The study explored the factors that influence the implementation of eHealth in healthcare delivery in developing countries. Three scientific bibliographical databases: PubMed, EBSCO Host, and Google Scholar were reviewed. Titles and abstracts were assessed using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. An exploratory study was done to assess the factors (facilitators and barriers) influencing the successful implementation of eHealth in developing countries. The searches yielded 11,001 resources, with 33 articles meeting the inclusion criterion of being in English and describing eHealth implementation in developing countries in the period January 2016 to December 2023. These were included in the study and thoroughly analyzed. Some key factors that influence the successful implementation of eHealth services were presented with computer literacy having the highest frequency in eHealth implementation. It is worth noting that barriers are factors that have a negative impact on implementation; nevertheless, by addressing barriers early on, they can be viewed as facilitators.

Implementation and delivery of electronic health records training programs for nurses working in inpatient settings: a scoping review.

Well-designed electronic health records (EHRs) training programs for clinical practice are known to be valuable. Training programs should be role-specific and there is a need to identify key implementation factors of EHR training programs for nurses. This scoping review (1) characterizes the EHR training programs used and (2) identifies their implementation facilitators and barriers. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science on September 3, 2023, for peer-reviewed articles that described EHR training program implementation or delivery to nurses in inpatient settings without any date restrictions. We mapped implementation factors to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Additional themes were inductively identified by reviewing these findings. This review included 30 articles. Healthcare systems' approaches to implementing and delivering EHR training programs were highly varied. For implementation factors, we observed themes in innovation (eg, ability to practice EHR skills after training is over, personalizing training, training pace), inner setting (eg, availability of computers, clear documentation requirements and expectations), individual (eg, computer literacy, learning preferences), and implementation process (eg, trainers and support staff hold nursing backgrounds, establishing process for dissemination of EHR updates). No themes in the outer setting were observed. We found that multilevel factors can influence the implementation and delivery of EHR training programs for inpatient nurses. Several areas for future research were identified, such as evaluating nurse preceptorship models and developing training programs for ongoing EHR training (eg, in response to new EHR workflows or features). This scoping review highlighted numerous factors pertaining to training interventions, healthcare systems, and implementation approaches. Meanwhile, it is unclear how external factors outside of a healthcare system influence EHR training programs. Additional studies are needed that focus on EHR retraining programs, comparing outcomes of different training models, and how to effectively disseminate updates with the EHR to nurses.

Digital orthodontics' current state and prospects

The world is transitioning to a digital age, and orthodontics is no exception. The use of technology in orthodontics has risen dramatically, and computer literacy is no longer rudimentary. Since the invention and development of mobile phones, digital technology has h a huge impact on our daily lives. Digital technology has substantially improved medical diagnosis, educational resources, therapeutic modalities, and surgical techniques over the past two decades. When computerised scheduling was introduced in dental and orthodontic offices in 1974, digital technology began to take hold. Every facet of orthodontic treatment has been impacted by digital technology

Developing and validating measures for AI literacy tests: From self-reported to objective measures

The majority of AI literacy studies have designed and developed self-reported questionnaires to assess AI learning and understanding. These studies assessed students' perceived AI capability rather than AI literacy because self-perceptions are seldom an accurate account of true measures. International assessment programs that use objective measures to assess science, mathematical, digital, and computational literacy back up this argument. Furthermore, because AI education research is still in its infancy, the current definition of AI literacy in the literature may not meet the needs of young students. Therefore, this study aims to develop and validate an AI literacy test for school students within the interdisciplinary project known as AI4future. Engineering and education researchers created and selected 25 multiple-choice questions to accomplish this goal, and school teachers validated them while developing an AI curriculum for middle schools. 2390 students in grades 7 to 9 took the test. We used a Rasch model to investigate the discrimination, reliability, and validity of the items. The results showed that the model met the unidimensionality assumption and demonstrated a set of reliable and valid items. They indicate the quality of the test items. The test enables AI education researchers and practitioners to appropriately evaluate their AI-related education interventions.

Tren penelitian e-modul dalam pendidikan matematika dalam satu dekade terakhir (2014-2024): Analisis bibliometrik

This study aims to comprehensively analyze and visualize research publications on e-modules in mathematics education over the past decade. The data was collected using the keywords "e-module" and "mathematics" from the Scopus database, and 45 documents met the study's eligibility criteria in 2014 - 2024. The bibliometric analysis method was used to analyze the data with the assistance of VOSViewer software. The analysis results revealed a significant increase in the publication of e-modul mathematics research from 2020 to 2023. As an affiliation, the University of Lampung, Indonesia, has the highest number of publications on e-module mathematics in the last decades. Astalini was the only author to publish an article in the journal with the highest rank, Q2, related to e-modules in mathematics. Recently, frequent co-occurrence keywords in research include e-module, STEM, critical thinking, creative thinking, and students. These topics can be used as references for future research, and new keywords such as computational thinking, augmented reality, mathematical literacy, and others can be combined to further expand the scope of research.