Information Technology Degree Research Articles

Strengthening Undergraduate Information Systems Education in an Increasingly Complex Computing Disciplines Landscape

There are concerns that even at times when overall computing degree enrollments are increasing, IS bachelor’s degree programs and enrollments continue to decline. IS programs differ from other computing programs in that they include highly interrelated business and technology components. This inherent interdisciplinarity is the source of its value but also one of its challenges. This paper uses the Australian higher education sector as a case study to examine overall computing degree offerings including IS offerings using the ACM/AIS curriculum models and classification of computing disciplines. We find that IS program offerings are indeed trending down and that computing offerings are dominated by Computer Science and Information Technology degrees. IS is not widely present as a “base” discipline, nor is it providing a platform for the integration of new technologies, such as AI and Cyber Security into “business” settings. To strengthen UG IS programs and perceptions, we recommend that higher education providers develop structure and processes that support interdisciplinary UG IS program development and delivery and that professional bodies and curriculum models be revised to reflect and recognize the business outcome focus of IS. These actions, together with clearer messaging around the value of IS competencies, will improve the image of IS.

Relationships between problematic ICT use, anxiety, psychological, and behavioral aspects

Abstract Background Anxiety is a substantial and developing health issue with significant consequences for psychosocial functioning and quality of life. The onset and severity of mental health problems have been linked to a number of biological, psychological, and behavioral factors. Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the degree of anxiety, problematic information and communications technology (ICT) use, and certain related personal characteristics and adult health behavior. It also investigates the impact of personal characteristics in the moderating role of the association between problematic ICT use and anxiety. Patients and Methods Descriptive, bivariate, multivariate, and moderation analyzes of data from 391 participants of 35-74 years old in primary healthcare centers located in Aragón, in northern Spain were performed between July 2021 and July 2022. The primary outcome was the severity of anxious symptoms as continuous variable (GAD-7). Results Low self-esteem (β = −0.120; p= 0.012), low self-efficacy (β = −0.092; p=0.004), and high problematic use of ICT (β = 0.169; p = 0.001), are predictors of having more severe anxious symptoms. Moderation analyzes were significant in the effect of self-efficacy (b = −0.040, p = 0.001) and resilience (b = −0.024, p = 0.033) on the relationship between problematic ICT use and anxiety. Conclusions The problematic use of ICT and personal factors are related to anxious symptomatology. Adults with low resilience and self-efficacy have worse severity of anxiety associated with the problematic use of ICTs. These findings allow for a new approach to preventive identification and early care measures among people at risk and their families. Key messages • Abuse of information and communication technologies happens at all ages and in a wide range of cultural situations, and it is a growing health issue. • Knowing the psychological factors that lead to this harmful use of ICTs should be essential for early detection and intervention among those at risk and their families.

Attention to diversity from artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is influencing various sectors of society, including the educational field. The use of AI can have great potential in education, however, it is necessary to know both its performance and its limitations. The main objective of this study is to analyze the prompts made by teachers in initial training in relation to the topic of specific educational support needs, classifying them according to Bloom's Taxonomy. For this, 63 students from the first year of the Primary Education Degree in the subject Information and Communication Technology applied to Education participated. The results show that the highest frequency of prompts made by students correspond to the highest levels of Bloom's taxonomy (apply and create), which suggests that students are capable of using the knowledge acquired in the subject to create new learning situations with their future students. This confirms that the implementation of this methodology is beneficial for the development of cognitive and pedagogical skills of future teachers.

The gap between bachelor’s degree graduates in health informatics and employer needs in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundIn the field of health informatics (HI), there is a crucial gap between employers’ needs and the output of academic programmes. Although industrial organisations and government agencies recognise the importance of training and education in the development and operation of health-information systems, advancements in educational programmes have been comparatively slow in terms of investment in healthcare information technology. This study aims to determine the gap between employer demands and academic programmes in HI in Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis mixed-methods study collected both qualitative and quantitative data. A qualitative content analysis was performed to identify the role of advertised HI jobs using two sources: Google and LinkedIn. In addition, university websites were searched to determine job opportunities for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in HI. Next, a quantitative, cross-sectional self-report questionnaire was administered to validate the findings of the qualitative data. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS, N-Vivo, and Microsoft Excel.ResultsThe study’s data were obtained from four sources: Google search engine, LinkedIn, five Saudi university websites, and 127 HI experts. The results show a discrepancy between academic programmes’ outputs and employer recruitment needs. In addition, the results reveal a preference for post-graduate degrees, either a master’s or PhD degree, with a bachelor’s degree in a health or medical discipline.ConclusionsEmployers tend to prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology over those with a degree in HI. Academic programmes should incorporate more practical applications and provide students with a thorough understanding of the healthcare industry to better equip them as efficient future HI professionals.

Does Tobler's first law of geography apply to internet attention? A case study of the Asian elephant northern migration event.

One of the basic assumptions of spatial theory is formulated in Waldo Tobler's first law of geography: "everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things." However, as internet space is a complex virtual space independent of the real world, whether this law is applicable to things in the internet space remains to be explored in depth. Therefore, this study takes the event of Asian elephant northern migration as an example, attempts to investigate the issue of the applicability of Tobler's first law of geography to internet attention by integrating geographic methods such as spatial visualization, spatial correlation analysis, and Geo-detector. The results show that Tobler's first law of geography does not fully apply to internet attention, which does not decay with increasing distance. Geographical distance, within certain boundaries, is influenced by "identity" and "relevance", and still plays a large role in internet attention. However, once the boundaries are exceeded, the impact of geographic distance on internet attention is weakened by the intervention of influencing factors such as the degree of information technology, population, and the strength of news media publicity. Overall, the strength of news media publicity has the greatest impact on internet attention. And when it interacts with geographic proximity, it has the most significant effect on internet attention.

What is the level of information technology maturity in Ontario’s long-term care homes? A cross-sectional survey study protocol

IntroductionThe number of Canadians 75 years and older is expected to double over the next 20 years, putting continuing care systems such as long-term care (LTC) homes under increasing pressure....

The Dilemma of Social Media Benefits to College Programming Students

Social media has become part and parcel of students’ life in colleges as it occupies most of their free times. Over time, results of programming units have shown a downward trend among college students at Technical University of Mombasa in Kenya. Programming, like Mathematics, requires a lot of practice that is now consumed by social media. This study investigated the impact of Social Media on Grades in terms of hours spent and the time of day Social Media is used. Descriptive statistical research was used to gain understanding of the predictive power Social Media has on the Programming Grades. A total of 142 students pursuing Degree and Diploma courses in Information Technology participated in the study. The students were drawn from Technical University of Mombasa and Kenya Coast National Polytechnic. Over 90% of the students were active Social Media users. The research was conducted in 2018-2019 academic year. Results show that social media use could predict students who scored high grades in both Degree and Diploma courses. Such students controlled their usage of Social Media. They did not use Social Media in the early morning hours up to afternoons when they were engaged in serious studies. These students used Social Media anytime of the day - which means, in between serious study sessions. On the other hand, more average students used Social Media even in the early morning and up to afternoon sessions. Notably, more average Diploma students use Social Media at bedtime than anytime. Further research is recommended with more data using Machine Learning techniques to develop a model that will predict success or failure in Programming units depending on how one uses social media.

Indigenizing the IT Curriculum by Design

In the context of an institution-wide initiative of the University of Canberra (UC), Australia, to mandate the Indigenization of the curriculum in all its courses, this descriptive case study reports on a pilot project to redesign the syllabus of an Information Technology (IT) unit that is a mandatory capstone for all students undertaking IT degrees. The capstone previously included no Indigenous-related content or pedagogical approaches. Indigenizing of the unit was achieved by embedding and interconnecting Tyson Yunkaporta’s (2009) 8 Ways of Indigenous Learning with the unit's content, teaching methods, and assessments, along with the Indigenous collaborative learning method Yarning Circles, in a design that could be expressed and unified in the teaching delivery to inform continuous adjustment and improvement of the unit’s curriculum, and also potentially inform the Indigenization of other UC IT units over time. A Design Science Research (DSR) methodology was put into action to evaluate the previous curriculum (as expressed in the offering of the unit), to design its Indigenized replacement, to implement it with student cohorts over two semesters, to collect data on the experience, and to reflect on the successes and challenges that arise. This methodology can also be applied reflexively in future iterative cycles of continuous adjustment and improvement of the unit’s curriculum by its conveners and colleagues to inform Indigenized designs for other units that currently have no Indigenous-related content. The extensibility of DSR is proffered as a methodological contribution to the project.

Investigating the challenges faced by female students in STEM courses: case study of a traditional South African University

The paper investigated the challenges faced by female students enrolled in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field of study. The social cognitive theory (SCCT) was employed to examine the role played by the environment, goals, behaviour, and self-efficacy factors of female students studying towards Engineering and Information Technology degrees at a traditional South African university. The study examined the interdependencies between these four factors and their role in female students’ success in STEM courses at the university. The finding revealed that female students possess the selfefficacy required to excel in their studies, despite overt or covert hostilities and other challenges they face during their study. The data analysis indicate that female students need the support of their families in achieving their goals. The fear of disappointing parents or family members if they fail to obtain their qualifications seem to be a key motivation to female students in STEM courses. It is recommended that all stakeholders be positively involved in ensuring that female students in the STEM fields get the needed support. Such support, in tandem with their self-efficacy, outcome expectations and goal setting, will ensure that they overcome obstacles and are adequately equipped to realise their dream of achieving qualifications in this critical segment of the economy.

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Development and Utilization of English Online Course Resources Based on Fuzzy Neural Network

Since the reform and development, after decades of changes in the times, China’s basic education reform has been promoted several times, and the degree of information technology in the campus will become one of the important factors for parents to choose this school or not. From digital projectors since 2003 to multimedia-assisted English teaching nowadays, it is evident that online English teaching has become an important part of today’s English online resources, but most of the English online resources nowadays are developed by professional research institutions, which leads to a situation where online English curriculum resources are not closely connected to the actual English teaching mode, and more importantly, there is a lack of online English course resources and they are outdated. In the new curriculum reform requirements, the development and utilization of English online resources are clearly pointed out, which shows the importance of developing and utilizing English online course resources and the need to develop in the direction of innovation and modernity, and the need to consider combining the development and utilization of English online course resources with modern technological progress, not only at the theoretical level but also at the practical level. English is a comprehensive and practical language that needs to be used and reinforced by users in order for them to be able to communicate and express their thoughts in English. In this paper, we adopt a fuzzy neural network approach and a gradient descent algorithm to address the shortcomings of current English online course resource development and utilization, and adopt an averaging process for weight updates, and then realize the control of the number of fuzzy rules by adding pooling operations. The experimental results show that this paper can effectively develop English online resources.

The Development Model of Japanese Cold Chain Logistics: The Example of Seafood Transportation

This paper mainly analyzes the value-added mechanism in the supply chain and the experience of cold chain logistics development based on the cold chain logistics transportation of seafood in Japan. The support and protection of the law for cold chain logistics, as well as the development of the degree of informationization and the construction of infrastructure facilities are studied from the government level. On this basis, certain problems are found, for example, the lack of management level, the lack of excellent talent reserve, the backwardness of infrastructure facilities, and the low degree of information technology, etc. Some rationalization suggestions are provided for the development of seafood transportation and the development of the supporting logistics supply chain system in China.

Emergency Digital Teaching during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Students’ Perspectives

This paper presents a qualitative study of the experience of students of the shift from face-to-face learning to online learning during the COVID-19 lockdown in Norway. Detailed inputs were collected from 200 university students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree in information technology in Norway through an online survey. Their responses were categorized into three main themes: the teacher’s role, the life of a student, and digital learning. We found that, surprisingly, the students felt that the shift to digital learning had positive effects on their lives, such as the availability of more time for study, study flexibility through recorded lectures which could be reviewed repeatedly and anytime, and more time to pose questions. However, some students also pointed out negative effects such as more distractions, lack of structure, and a perceived invasion of privacy when required to turn on their cameras. The students valued the use of high-quality technical equipment as well as student engagement during online lectures, but also freedom of choice to participate.

Decision support system design: Reflections on teaching decision theory and statistics within an information technology degree

Decision support system design: Reflections on teaching decision theory and statistics within an information technology degree

The impact of digital transformation on female career development: dividends or divide? An empirical analysis based on the World Bank Survey Data on Chinese manufacturing companies

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has become an important force to promote the development of enterprises, but its impact on female career development is still controversial, mainly because existing studies have not gone deep into the operational level of enterprise ICT, have not focused on the research into the use environment of ICT, and have been lacking in quantitative analysis. In this article, empirical analysis is conducted through the use of the World Bank Survey Data on Chinese Manufacturing Companies 2012 and the Chinese General Social Survey, plus the adoption of the logit model. These studies reveal that 1) the degree of enterprise informatization and the degree of IT (information technology) support can significantly promote female career development, and 2) in terms of the influence mechanism, gender culture plays an intermediary role, i.e. ICT affects female career development by promoting an equal gender culture.

Perceptions of the Skills of Graduates in the Library and Information Science and Technology Degree of P. Porto, Portugal: A Statistical Data Analysis of the Alignment Between Students, Teachers, and Employers

Objective – The objective of this research was to identify the four professional competences of graduates in Library and Information Sciences and Technologies (LIST) considered most pertinent, from the points of view of students, teachers, and employers. We also sought to compare the perceptions of the different groups. The study was based on the premise that alignment of these perceptions may enhance the employability of LIST graduates. Methods – A questionnaire, used and validated by Arias-Coello et al. (2014), was further translated by Martins and Carvalho (2018). The questionnaire consisted of a set of questions regarding four dimensions: Information Management; Communication and Interpersonal Relationships; Domain and Application of Information Technologies; Organization Management. We sent the survey by email to the target audience; it was available to complete in April and May 2018. Data analysis included calculating mean and standard deviation, as well as Shapiro Wilk normality tests, statistical tests for multiple comparisons, ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis test, Friedman test, Wilcoxon test, and Pearson's correlation. Results – In relation to certain dimensions, one could think that age would be a determining factor, but this has not been proved. In fact, results showed that age is not a factor that influenced the importance attributed to different competences in the several dimensions. The respondents' academic degrees and areas of knowledge were linked to significant differences transversally. The Kruskal Wallis test indicated that students, teachers, and employers perceived the importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) skills equally. As for the other competences, overall there were significant differences between students and employers, and there were significant differences between students and teachers regarding the perceived importance of organization management skills. There were also significant differences between teachers, students, and employers regarding the perceived importance of communication skills. We also found that responses within the teacher group had less dispersion of answers, therefore there was greater internal agreement. The opposite occurred in the employer group. Conclusion – The differences detected in the perception of the different groups were minor. However, it is necessary to create initiatives for the alignment of the perceptions of students and employers, because if all groups have the same perception, they will develop and value the same skills, responding to the needs of the labor market, thus promoting the employability of LIST graduates. The inclusion of a curricular internship, even one of short duration, in the first year of the degree could also be a way of endeavoring to bring together the expectations of both groups. These suggestions are part of a proposal to change and update the study plan and enhance the performance of course management.

Relational sensibilities and women's participation in computer science and information technology degrees: A cultural-historical approach

There is extensive literature concerning women's low participation in the technology industry. However, little is known about the relational aspect of women's participation in information technology–related degrees. This study focused mainly on relational sensibility and women's experience of the situation as it is, and how they imagine it could be and should be, as potential life projects are formulated in relation to, and with, others as they engage in 4-year undergraduate degrees in computer science (CS) or information technology (IT). Data were generated from five semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion with seven women ( n = 12 participants). The women in this study enrolled in an undergraduate degree as they were able to solve complex IT problems by themselves and then help others. Further, the self-positioning and the positioning by others created emotional tension and effected the women's relational sensibilities. Most of the women were undecided about their future career in IT because of the lack of transparency and information about what is involved in employment in the field. We argue that moral imagination provides a different perspective to understand women's underrepresentation in the CS and IT fields.

¿Cómo cambió la enseñanza-aprendizaje de las asignaturas prácticas en el área de tecnologías de la información con la covid-19?

Introducción: Durante la contingencia sanitaria por covid-19, la educación migró hacia ambientes virtuales que permitieron el aislamiento social necesario para evitar la propagación del virus. Para todos hubo un periodo de adaptación a la nueva modalidad. Sin embargo, los docentes y alumnos con asignaturas de laboratorio enfrentaron un reto todavía mayor: el de abordar contenidos prácticos desde la virtualidad, es decir, sin estar físicamente presentes en un laboratorio. Objetivo: El presente artículo se sitúa en este contexto con el objetivo de lograr un acercamiento a la caracterización de la enseñanza y aprendizaje de las asignaturas prácticas universitarias en el área de tecnologías en los tiempos de covid-19. Método: Se presenta el estudio de caso de una universidad pública mexicana (que por confidencialidad se denominará UNX) en la carrera de licenciatura en Tecnologías de la Información, en donde el trabajo de laboratorio de hardware y software está implícito en la mayoría de las asignaturas. En esta investigación se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad a cinco profesores y se aplicaron cuestionarios con preguntas abiertas a seis alumnos universitarios del área de tecnologías de la información. Durante el semestre de primavera 2020, los cinco profesores impartieron materias cuyos contenidos implicaban prácticas de laboratorio. Los seis alumnos cursaron esas mismas materias con estos docentes. Ni alumnos ni profesores conocían que la investigación abarcaría ambas perspectivas. En las entrevistas con los docentes se abordaron los siguientes aspectos: contenidos, labor docente, alumnos, dinámica de la clase y modalidad en línea. Los cuestionarios con los alumnos solamente se abordaron los últimos tres aspectos. Para el procesamiento de los datos se utilizó el software MAXQDA versión 20. Resultados: A pesar de que la mayor parte de los contenidos se pudo cubrir con éxito, hubo temas prácticos que pudieron profundizarse más, y otros que no se abordaron. La comunicación entre profesores y alumnos fue fluida y explícita. Los docentes encontraron muy conveniente la modalidad en línea y coincidieron en que preferirían impartir sus clases de esta manera aun en escenarios futuros, libres de pandemia. En este sentido, aceptaron que su experiencia docente en línea podría mejorar, para lo cual deberían incrementar su planeación y diversificar los formatos de sus sesiones y materiales de clase. Por su parte, los estudiantes coincidieron en que la forma de evaluar y la comunicación con los docentes fueron buenas. Sin embargo, reconocieron áreas de oportunidad y concluyeron que no les gustaría tomar sus clases completamente en línea cuando termine la contingencia por covid-19. Conclusiones: La docencia universitaria de las asignaturas prácticas en el área de tecnologías en los tiempos del covid-19 se realizó de manera virtual en un ambiente de buena comunicación entre docentes y alumnos. Los contenidos, materiales didácticos y forma de impartirlos tuvieron que adaptarse. Tanto alumnos como docentes reconocen que fue una buena experiencia, pero que es susceptible de mejorar todavía más a través del compromiso personal y colectivo de todos los actores involucrados.

Creativity and digital innovation in university students of a Technological Southeast University in Mexico

This study focuses on identifying the level of innovation and creativity that students have for accomplishing their learning needs in the context of the pandemic COVID 19. This research had a quantitative method. The used process for data collection consisted in an instrument Questionnaire for the Study of Digital Competence in University Students (CDAES) [1], as instrument that allows to evaluate the creativity and digital innovation. The research concluded the presence of a “Medium” level of creativity and innovation in University Students, which belong to the degree of Computer Science and Information Technology, with a result of 37.0% and about a “high” level, it was 28,4%. In this way, this study suggests to implement strategies to motivate students for reaching a better creativity and innovation level.

Usage of Information Systems for Knowledge Management in Small Tourist Agencies

Rapid development of technologies led to emergence of new opportunities for businesses such as effective management of knowledge resources for achieving organizational performance. The purpose of this paper was to determine whether the agencies are using KM systems available on the market, what are the reasons for their adoption, and explore the adequacy of implemented systems, and to define the characteristics of “ideal” KM systems for small organizations. In that sense, the main goal of the research was to explore the adoption degree of information technology for knowledge management in small tourist agencies with fewer than 20 employees. Based on survey among small tourist agencies conducted upon the sample of 68 usable responses from on-line questionnaire, this research outlines position and development trends in using information systems for knowledge management answering following questions: (a) Do agencies recognize the benefits of using knowledge management systems and in which segments of their business?: (b) What types of knowledge management systems they use and in which business segments?: (c) What are the reasons that agencies may not use knowledge management systems? In the research, the mathematical-statistical methods have been used, in order to analyse the attitude of the small Croatian tourist businesses toward usage of modern technologies to bust their business performances. The results also have indicated the reasons for low adoption of IT KM solutions in their everyday business operations. Based on the conducted analysis, a framework specification of an “ideal” KM system has been suggested.