Information And Communication Technologies Experience Research Articles

Nursing institutions' professors' perception and distant education experience during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

The nursing profession represents a demanding and challenging profession with a purpose to keep up with the evolving health-care demands of the population. The purpose of this study is to assess nursing institutions' professors' previous experience about information and communication technologies (ICTs) and their perception of distant education during the pandemic lockdown. This present is a cross-sectional study among participants n = 249 recruited from all academic staff (N = 694) of 23 higher institutes of nursing professions and health techniques in Morocco. The Chi-square test for independence (χ2) and adjusted Z scores were used as a data analysis method to assess the association between the professors' education levels and ICT experience. A significant association [χ2 (1, n = 249) = 19.510, P < 0.001] was revealed between professors' education level and taken training related to ICT in education; significant few professors (16; 9.3%) reported that taken training session [χ2 (1, n = 249) = 8.940, P = 0.003] belonged to the bachelor degree group. In matters of perception, a few proportion (10%) reported that using technology effectively belonged to the bachelor and low education background group. The findings showed that having previous experience in teaching remotely and training related to the ICT was significantly associated with a higher education background. Moreover, professors with higher degrees agreed that distant education could be an alternative to face-to-face course during quarantine.

Solo Dining at Home in the Company of ICT Devices

The consumption of a solo meal is often subject to negative associations. Studies indicate that solo diners use information and communication technology (ICT) devices such as smartphones, to mitigate negative experiences such as boredom and loneliness, especially when dining in a public context. However, we know less about the motivation to use such devices and consequent meal experiences in a private context. For this exploratory qualitative study, we asked participants to fill out a cultural probe kit to capture their dining experience and use of ICT devices over a period of seven days. Once completed, the content was discussed with participants during a semi-structured interview. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis in a deductive and inductive form leading to four themes: (1) The experience of eating with others; (2) The use of electronic devices while eating; (3) The meaning of food; and (4) Relaxing features and influences. Participants indicated that eating alone can be a pleasurable experience that people enjoy and perceive as relaxing. ICT devices were named to play an essential part in the dining experience. The entertainment that devices provide can mitigate feelings of loneliness and uncomfortable silence when eating by oneself. We reflect on the findings and point out potential design avenues for future studies.

The Impact of Information and Communication Technology on Doctors' and Registered Nurses' Working Conditions and Clinical Work - A Cross-Sectional Study in a Norwegian Hospital.

PurposePrevious studies indicate that the introduction of information and communication technology (ICT) in health care organizations impairs health care professional’s working conditions and diminishes job discretion. Most of these studies, however, were designed to explore the influence of ICT exclusively on a single group of health care professionals and thereby did not consider the influence of the same technology on other groups of health care professionals. The aim of this article is to explore the influence of a fully integrated ICT system on both doctors and registered nurses within the same working environment: a high-tech hospital.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study conducted in a high-tech Norwegian hospital. Data were collected in 2016. In total, 264 registered nurses and 172 doctors responded to a questionnaire on their working conditions and experiences with ICT in clinical work. Descriptive statistics, compare means, cross-tables, Chi-square and bivariate correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsThe findings revealed differences in doctors' and registered nurses' working conditions. Registered nurses reported a statistically significant higher workload and better job content than doctors. There was no difference in job discretion between doctors and registered nurses. Both occupational groups experienced that the ICT system impairs patient contact and the quality of health services. We found statistically significant correlations between registered nurses’ and doctors’ experiences with ICT in clinical work and working conditions, whereof the strongest correlation was related to job discretion in clinical work.ConclusionThis study concludes that the impact of ICT on doctors’ and registered nurses’ working conditions in a hospital depends on the experiences of ICT in clinical work. In consequence, it is recommended to involve doctors and registered nurses in the implementation of ICT in hospitals.

ICT-related variables as predictors of ICT literacy beyond intelligence and prior achievement

This study examined the incremental validity of different information and communication technologies (ICT)-related person characteristics over and above intelligence and and prior achievement when predicting ICT literacy across a period of three years. Relative weights analyses were performed to determine the relative contribution of each predictor towards explaining variance in ICT literacy. We used data from German NEPS that tracks representative samples of German students across their school careers. The sample consisted of 14,436 fifteen-year-old German students who provided self-reports on several ICT-related variables: self-confidence, usage motives, breadth of usage, access, experience, usage at home and at school. Data were analyzed cross-sectionally and longitudinally with structural equation models and path analyses, respectively. Cross-sectionally, all ICT-related variables incrementally predicted ICT literacy after controlling for intelligenc (explained variance: 0.4%–14.1%). Longitudinally, ICT self-confidence, ICT-related usage motives, breadth of ICT usage, ICT usage at school, and ICT experience incrementally predict ICT literacy after controlling for intelligence and prior achievement.three years later (explained variance: 0.3%–8.1%). Relative weights providing estimates of relative importance of each predictor showed that intelligence (cross-sectional) and prior achievement and intelligence, respectively (longitudinal) explained the largest portion of variance in ICT literacy, followed by ICT self-confidence, and ICT usage motives as the strongest ICT-related variables. These results emphasize that ICT-related motivational constructs play an important role in the development of ICT literacy.

Exploring activity-travel behavior changes during the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia.

This study examines the change in activities and associated travel during the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. This study is particularly interested in analyzing the role of attitudes, descriptive norms, protective behaviors toward COVID-19, travel frequency before the pandemic, and spatial and individual characteristics on activity-travel behavior changes in relation to information and communication technology (ICT) use. Data were obtained from 1062 respondents using a web-based questionnaire survey. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the complex relationships among variables. This study found that descriptive norms positively affected the frequency of travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teleworking and e-learning and attitudes toward COVID-19 directly affected activity-travel behavior changes. On the contrary, teleshopping did not contribute to reducing out-of-home activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experience of ICT influenced a decline in travel frequency and ride-hailing use. Furthermore, although personal attributes insignificantly influenced activity-travel behavior change, these attributes directly affected ICT use. Meanwhile, people living outside of Java Island had a higher travel frequency during the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic than their counterparts. Based on our findings, this study recommends that the very initial step in an emergency caused by a disaster be to massively socialize or educate people about the risk of the pandemic and to continue with a policy to minimize travel by encouraging teleworking and e-learning. Empowering ICT to support activities from home will beneficially minimize the spread of the pandemic.

Teaching digital literacy skills to the elderly using a social network with linear navigation: A case study in a rural area

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have considerably increased the information and communication channels, favoring the emergence of new models for social relations, such as social networks. However, for elderly users whose learning has traditionally been based on linear models of information such as textbooks, unfamiliarity with Internet can be a barrier. Moreover, elderly people living in rural communities face a lack of telecommunication infrastructures, which increases their difficulties in accessing ICTs. The aim of this study is to test a social network consisting of multiple applications with linear navigation as a digital literacy method for the elderly in rural areas. A sample of 46 participants between 60–76 years old with heterogeneous previous experience with ICTs participated in the study. They performed eight standardized sessions in an Elderly Leisure Center. Results showed differences in perceived usefulness between users with high and low ICT experience. After eight training sessions, the majority of the participants were able to independently use all the system applications, and positive results were obtained on the variables measured, i.e., learnability, sense of control over the system, ability to use the system, orientation, efficiency, accessible design, perceived ease, perceived usefulness, and intention to use. The participants with previous experience with other ICT methods preferred the linear navigation method because they thought it was easier than other ICTs. The results showed interaction differences when touch screens were used. Qualitative results showed that one of the most frequent emotions at the beginning of the ICT sessions was “fear” (related to breaking the computer or to making fools of themselves), but the continued use of the system improved the users’ perceptions of their own capacity to handle ICTs and their interest in ICTs in general. The main contribution of this work consists of exploring the usefulness of linear navigation and social network systems in the context of digital literacy for elderly users in rural areas.

Tietojärjestelmät ja työhyvinvointi – terveydenhuollon ammattilaisten näkemyksiä

Potilastietojärjestelmien toimivuus on terveydenhuollon ammattilaisten työn sujuvuuden kannalta tärkeää. Tutkimme fokusryhmähaastattelujen avulla ammattilaisten työprosesseja, tietojärjestelmien käyttökokemuksia ja stressaavuutta, sekä niiden vaikutuksia työhyvinvointiin. Haastattelujen analyysi toteutettiin käyttäen sisällön analyysiä.&#x0D; Tekniset ongelmat kuten käyttökatkokset ja hitaus, moniin järjestelmiin vaadittava kirjautuminen ja monien järjestelmien yhtäaikaiskäyttö aiheuttivat terveydenhuollon ammattilaisille stressiä. Organisaatioiden välistä yhteistyötä hidasti sähköisen potilastiedon puuttuminen. Puutteelliset lääkitysmerkinnät aiheuttivat stressiä työntekijöille sekä huolen potilasturvallisuudesta. Potilastiedon kirjaamiseen ei aina tuntunut riittävän aikaa, jolloin yritettiin kirjata lyhyesti tai työvuoron päätteeksi. Työn keskeytysten ja eri näkymien välillä hyppelyn koettiin häiritsevän kirjaamista. Ohjelmien välisiä toiminnallisuuksia toivottiin lisää, jotta kirjaamiseen käytetty aika vähenisi ja kertakirjaaminen riittäisi.&#x0D; Kokonaisuudessaan tietojärjestelmiä ja niihin kirjaamista ei kuitenkaan pidetty työn suurimpana stressitekijänä, vaan potilastyöstä tai ajoittaisesta työryppäästä aiheutuva rasitus oli monen työntekijän kohdalla ensisijaista. Erääksi työhyvinvoinnin parantamismahdollisuudeksi nimettiin koulutus, joka antaisi valmiuksia muuttuvaan digityöhön. Terveydenhuollon ammattilaiset kokivat, että palautteen antamisen mahdollisuudet tietojärjestelmistä olivat vähäiset.&#x0D; Työn sujuvuuden (tehokkuuden ja laadun) ja alan houkuttelevuuden kannalta olisi keskeistä, että terveydenhuollon työntekijöiden työhyvinvoinnista huolehdittaisiin poistamalla tunnistettuja stressitekijöitä: parantamalla tietojärjestelmien vakautta, kehittämällä kertakirjautumista sekä tiedonhaun ja kirjaamisen käytettävyyttä, tarjoamalla kirjaamiseen rauhallinen työympäristö ja parantamalla luotettavan, kattavan ja ajantasaisen tiedon saatavuutta muista organisaatioista. Ammattilaisten antaman palautteen tulisi näkyä järjestelmien kehittämisessä, ja järjestelmien käyttötaitoa ja digityötapoja pitäisi kehittää organisaatioissa systemaattisesti. Jatkotutkimuksissa on tarpeen seurata terveydenhuollon ammattilaisten kokemuksia organisaatioiden välisen tiedonkulun kehittymisestä.

Exploring the impact of information and communication technology on employees’ work and personal lives

Orientation: Technology has become part of society’s everyday functioning, changing rapidly and providing widespread mobility. Employees are moving towards a continually connected lifestyle, a situation in which information and communication technology (ICT) seem to have become omnipresent.Research purpose: The overall objective of this research was to investigate the influence of ICT on employees’ work and personal lives.Motivation for the study: The impact of ICT on the work and personal lives of employees has never been researched before, which motivated the current study.Research approach, design and method: A qualitative research design, with a sample of 25 employees, was followed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, and the interviews were recorded, transcribed, and processed through thematic analyses.Main findings: Five themes with sub-themes were extracted: The positive and negative experiences of ICT both within the work and personal lives of employees, the increased expectations brought about by ICT usage, and the role of ICT on relationships. Findings highlighted that although ICT are generally perceived as positive, employees should make a conscious decision in managing their ICT to decrease the negative impact thereof on their work and personal lives.Practical/managerial implications: Overall, the general positive experiences of ICT outweigh the negative experiences, and findings almost suggest that as the quantity of communication increased, the quality of conversations decreased.Contribution/Value add: This study provides a holistic understanding of the impact of ICT on the work and personal lives of employees.Keywords: Information and communication technology (ICT); constructivism paradigm; work lives; personal lives; employees

Big Challenges by a Small Microfinance Institution- A Case Study of SafeSave Bangladesh from the Customer Satisfaction and ICT Introduction Perspective

Bangladesh is considered as a birthplace of modern microfinance movement. This movement has mainly been instigated by the various microfinance institutions irrespective of their size. This paper focuses on such an innovative microfinance institution namely SafeSave (SS). SS is definitely unique in that they have adopted information and communication technologies (ICT) and built competence in dealing with vulnerable slum dwellers as a client even though they are a small firm in the market. This study compared the operational uniqueness and performance of SS among large MFIs equipped with ICT and small MFIs without ICT experience. In this context statistical analysis such as unpaired t-test and regression analysis were conducted. Customer satisfaction of SS was higher than other types of MFIs which showed the important lesson for small MFIs without ICT experience. Even though SS is innovative, there are scope to improve the operational mechanism by better management and more efficient information and communication technologies.

Investigating factors that influence on ICT usage in higher education: a descriptive analysis

Information and communication technologies (ICT) can represent a source of competitive advantage for an organization. In particular, the spreading of ICT knowledge and experience in higher education is a key component of the educational reform agenda. The objective of this paper is to characterize the ICT usage levels of the graduates, as well as the influence of variables such as gender, university of origin and area of knowledge on their level of ICT usage. Based on an empirical study on a representative sample of graduates from two Spanish universities, the results confirm that graduates’ experiences with some particular technologies in education are related to gender, area of expertise and university of origin.

Student attitudes towards and use of ICT in course study, work and social activity: A technology acceptance model approach

AbstractThe increasing use of information and communication technology (ICT) in higher education has been explored largely in relation to student experience of coursework and university life. Students' lives and experience beyond the university have been largely unexplored. Research into student experience of ICT used a validated model—the technology acceptance model—to explore the influence of work and social/leisure contexts as well as course study, on attitudes towards and take up of technology. The results suggest that usefulness and ease of use are key dimensions of students' attitudes towards technology in all three contexts but that ICT is perceived most positively in the context of work and technology use at work is an important driver for technology use in other areas.

Enhancing Physical Education and Sport Science students’ self-efficacy and attitudes regarding Information and Communication Technologies through a computer literacy course

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have become an integral component of Physical Education (PE) and Sport Science (SS) curricula and professions. It is thus imperative that PE and SS students develop ICT skills, self-efficacy in ICT and positive attitudes towards ICT. This study was aimed at designing a computer literacy course targeted at equipping PE and SS students with core ICT skills, and at evaluating its impact on students’ computer and Internet self-efficacy, attitudes towards computers and the Internet, and computer anxiety. The study also explored students’ responses to the course, students’ perceptions of the relevance of ICT for PE and SS professionals as well as eventual differences in the course’s impact in relation to students’ prior ICT experience. Participants were 89 PE and SS undergraduate students. Both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered through pretest/posttest questionnaires and transcripts of an online discussion forum. Data analysis showed that the course significantly enhanced students’ computer and Internet self-efficacy and their positive attitudes towards computers and the Internet, while significantly reducing their computer anxiety. The course was very well-received by the students, who were found to fully perceive the pervasiveness of ICT in today’s PE and SS professions, and who felt that they had developed valuable ICT skills. The course elicited positive responses regardless of students’ prior ICT experience, although it had significantly more positive effects, in terms of computer self-efficacy, Internet self-efficacy and computer attitudes, with the students who were most in need of the course, namely those with low prior ICT experience. The findings are discussed in relation to training PE and SS students in ICT within academic settings.

Can ICT usage make a difference on student teachers' information literacy self-efficacy

This study looks at whether the information literacy self-efficacy of student teachers in departments of primary education in Turkish universities varies according to their Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) usage level, duration of ICT experience, gender, and grade. The survey was conducted with 1702 student teachers using the Information Literacy Self-Efficacy Scale. Results showed that student teachers' level and duration of ICT usage were determining factors for information literacy self-efficacy. Significant differences among grades show that training during university education has an important role in increasing information literacy self-efficacy.

The Contribution of Domestication Research to In-Home Computing and Media Consumption

This article deals with the contribution made by domestication research to our understanding of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in everyday life, especially in the home. It first provides a sense of the diversity of research in this tradition and how this is evolving. The article then reflects upon and illustrates different elements of research in this tradition, providing examples of how these help to explain patterns of ICT experience, the way people evaluate that experience, and what bearing it has on their lives. To contextualize domestication research further, it considers overlaps with other traditions of research before moving on to the core, and the range of methodologies that have been employed. Finally, the article examines some of the general insights from domestication research, as well as more specific applications to the commercial and policy fields.

Gender and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Anxiety: Male Self-Assurance and Female Hesitation

This article presents the results of a quantitative study (n = 1,058) of the gender divide in ICT attitudes. In general, females had more negative attitudes towards computers and the Internet than did men. Results indicate a positive relationship between ICT experience and ICT attitudes. This experience is measured by period of time using a computer and self-perceived computer and Internet experience. Further analyses on the impact of gender on this correlation of ICT experience and ICT attitudes were conducted by means of a multivariate model. General Linear Model (GLM) analysis revealed that there was a significant effect of gender, computer use, and self-perceived computer experience on computer anxiety attitudes, as well as several significant interaction effects. Males were found to have less computer anxiety than females; respondents who have used computers for a longer period of time and respondents with a higher self-perception of experience also show less computer anxiety. However, the GLM plot shows that the influence of computer experience works in different ways for males and females. Computer experience has a positive impact on decreasing computer anxiety for men, but a similar effect was not found for women. The model was also tested for computer liking and Internet-liking factors.

Integration of ICT within a project-based learning environment

An enormous challenge is presented to engineering educators by the rapidly changing world of information and communication technologies (ICT). It is essential that students acquire high-quality ICT experience before emerging into the real world of employment. The overall impact of ICT on teaching and learning at the current time, however, is largely through the conversion of conventional lecture notes to static documents, which are made available to students on the web. Project-based learning, by comparison, can provide students with the opportunity to work with emerging technologies and also gain important industrial experience. The first part of this paper presents a summary of the challenges that ICT presents third-level institutions through an examination of the pedagogical issues (and solutions) that arise from a move from traditional lectures to projectbased teaching. This introductory material is followed by the main bulk of the paper, i.e. two case studies. The first is an account of a short project, which involved the evaluation of commercially available undergraduate teaching material provided on CD-ROM. The second case study describes a more substantial project that began life at undergraduate level in collaboration with an indigenous Irish company involved in software development. This project involved the design and development of an online retailing prototype, which was subsequently developed further and launched as a commercial venture.