Use Of Information Communication Technology Research Articles

Climate risk management practices of fish and shrimp farmers in the Mekong Region

As comparative multi-country studies are rare, not much is known about the effects of regional differences in social-ecological conditions on the adoption of climate risk management practices in aquaculture. This study is based on a large-scale survey of practices of aquaculture operators in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Climate-related risks to profits of aquaculture farms in the Mekong Region are typically managed alongside water-related, disease and other business risks. Farmers who were more concerned with risks to profitability had a history of undertaking more risk management practices. Farmers growing shrimp (rather than fish), or adopting more intensified production systems, had more risk management practices. Wealthier and more educated farmers had experience with more practices for dealing with current risks, as well as recognized the need for strategies to adapt to a changing climate in the future. Information access is a factor in the adoption of new practices and strategies. Adoption of aeration or use of information-communication technologies to manage climate-related risks, for example, was more likely among more educated and wealthy farmers who belonged to growers’ groups. The findings also suggest that attitudes toward innovation, levels of investment and social norms influence adoption of technological, organizational and informational practices.

Challenges in Procurement of Pharmaceuticals in the Ethiopian Health Institutions

Public procurement is crucial to government service delivery. Procurement of Pharmaceuticals in public hospitals has faced challenges that affect service delivery. Public procurement is a key tool to the overall achievements of development goals such as reducing poverty and providing health, infrastructure, education and other services hence immensely contribute to best utilization of public resources. The limited public resources should be properly managed to get the most out of these resources. Despite its importance, limited scientific research has been undertaken to examine the Challenges of procurement in public institutions in the case of Health institutions. This study aimed to describe challenges in procurement of pharmaceuticals in Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH). Specifically, the study sought to describe challenges in regards to the procurement process, procurement planning, staff competency, and information communication technology and procurement organization structure. The study was conducted through a descriptive design of research. The targeted respondents were 146 and comprise of Administration Officers and functional head that are members of tender committee and/or directly/indirectly involved in pharmaceutical procurements, Supply Chain and pharmaceuticals professionals, and pharmacy service professionals, Department heads of service delivery units and nurse heads of service delivery units in Jimma University Specialized Hospital. A structured questionnaire and interview as a data collection instrument were used. The field data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and narrative summary analyses. Findings indicate that lengthy pharmaceuticals procurement process, lack of employee competency ,poor culture of pharmaceuticals procurement planning are the most serious challenges in pharmaceuticals procurement and fully centralization of pharmaceuticals procurement activities and in efficient use of information communication technology are the next most serious challenges in pharmaceuticals procurement Jimma University specialized Hospital. Keywords: Procurement, Challenges, pharmaciuticals, Ethiopia, Health institutions, procurement Organizational structure DOI: 10.7176/IEL/11-2-01 Publication date: June 30 th 2021

Advocate and Survivor Perspectives on the Role of Technology in Help Seeking and Services with Emerging Adults in Higher Education.

Emerging adults, aged 18–25, have come of age in a technology oriented world. The internet has been critical in mediating their personal relationships and their understanding of daily life. Emerging adults are also at unique risk of experiencing intimate partner and sexual violence (IPV & SV) Given the increasing infusion of information communication technology (ICT) into anti-violence advocacy, and the broad use of ICT among college-attending emerging adults, this study aimed to explore how both survivors and advocates are leveraging technology for support. Using a QUAL + qual methodology (Morse and Niehaus, 2009), data were collected as part of an evaluation of campus-based advocacy as implemented in five programs. Interviews took place with 23 campus and community-based advocates, and 25 survivors of interpersonal violence who had accessed campus-based advocacy services. Additionally, 63 survivors who engaged in campus-based advocacy services responded to an online survey. Key domains identified were: 1) technology as a means of informing potential clients about services; 2) the role of technology in help-seeking, including its role in tailoring and extending the reach of services; and 3) the importance of recognizing technology facilitated abuse in the advocacy and education process with emerging adults. As advocacy programs are rapidly shifting to technology facilitated services in the wake of COVID-19, this study provides data on advocate and survivor experiences with technology, which can inform these changes across the spectrum of IPV & SV services.

The Paradox of Ghanaian High School Mathematics Teachers’ Perspectives on ICT Use

The paper sought to investigate the perceived use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) of high school mathematics teachers in Ghana. A hundred high school mathematics teachers from 20 public schools,10 each located in the rural and urban areas respectively in the Central region of Ghana, were stratified and used in the study. A questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The result of the study indicated low levels of perceived knowledge/skills of ICT use by high school mathematics teachers, contrary to their reported high usage levels of ICTs. The findings of the study also indicated that the high school mathematics teachers’ ICT use in a professional related context (instructional delivery, assessment, and professional learning network) was minimal compared to use for social networking, although they seemed to be fully aware of the relevance of using ICT in a professional related manner. Similarly, their reported technical knowledge/skills of ICT were low. Thus, the results of the study suggest that, though the teachers reported high ICT usage, actual usage seems to be at the peripheries. Among other things, this study has implications for curriculum development and training in Ghana and countries of similar context. It may be necessary for the Curriculum Research Development Division (CRDD) of the Ghana Education Service in collaboration with the related agencies to explicitly define parameters such as what ICT tools must be used, when they must be used, and how they should be used when reviewing and revising their mathematics teaching curriculum. 

Bridging the global digital divide through digital inclusion: the role of ICT access and ICT use

PurposeIn an increasingly digitalised society, digital participation is reliant on information communication technology (ICT) access and the ability to use technologies for everyday tasks. To this end, people risk being digitally excluded if they cannot access and use ICTs. The purpose of this paper is to examine globally the effects of ICT access and ICT use on digital inclusion on one hand and the mediating role of ICT usage on the linkage between ICT access and digital inclusion on the other.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a hypothesized model based on structuration theory and secondary data drawn from multiple archival sources in 121 countries. The authors test the model using partial least squares structural equation modelling.FindingsThe results from the PLS analysis shows that while ICT usage significantly influences digital inclusion at the global level, ICT access does not. Furthermore, the mediating role of ICT usage was not supported.Originality/valueThis study to the best of the authors’ knowledge is one of the very few studies to examine the effects of ICT access and ICT use on digital inclusion at the global level. The study contributes to the discourse on digital inclusion in ICT4D research.

Collaborative Relationships in E-resource Acquisition and Delivery: An Examination of Select Academic Libraries in Jamaica

ABSTRACT Libraries within higher education institutions in Jamaica make tremendous use of information communication technology in their efforts to provide their users with access to electronic resources. Faced with shrinking budgets, currency exchange issues, and the increasing costs of electronic resources, it has become extremely challenging to fund these expenditures. These libraries must demonstrate value to parent institutions through the provision of electronic resources in support of online program offerings. Faced with an ongoing cycle of assessment for accreditation at the program or university level, libraries are also pressured to ensure that their collections are current and provide full coverage. Librarians have had to find innovative methods to maintain their current resources and, where possible acquire new ones amid these challenges. This paper highlights how libraries in higher education institutions in Jamaica have sought through collaboration to acquire and deliver quality electronic resources to their stakeholders.

Information Communication Technology in schools: Students Exercise ‘Digital Agency’ to Engage with Learning

In contemporary society nationally and internationally, the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) has become a vitally important component in the workforce, recreationally, and in schools. In Australia, as in many countries, there is a nation-wide priority within education systems that endeavours to ensure that in an increasingly digital world, students possess the ICT skills to participate fully in their schooling and, later in contemporary society. While progress has been made towards achieving these goals, research demonstrates that there is a general loss of engagement and confidence in ICT tasks as student progress through school systems. In order to explore what students currently in secondary schools think and feel about their use and engagement levels regarding ICTs, this paper draws on a pilot project conducted in Australian schools. This pilot study found that agency and design-based pedagogy concerning the use of ICTs were key factors in engaging students and promoting learning. To further explore the findings of the project, the authors have formulated a model of Digital Agency. This term, ‘Digital Agency’ is defined as the students’ experience of autonomous technology learning in the classroom.

A DEMOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE ON UNIVERSITY LECTURERS’ USE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN TEACHING

The study sought to establish the use of information technology in literacy instruction by university lecturers. The focus was on the main demographic factors which significantly impact on the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in literacy instruction. The following variables were of interest: age, gender, highest qualification attained, work experience, tenure and employment status. The research was carried out at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), a university in Masvingo Town, Zimbabwe. A descriptive survey was used as research design. Interviews and questionnaires were used as data collection instruments to eighty (80) lecturers from the Robert Mugabe School of Education and Culture based at GZU. The current study rides on the knowledge gap that previous studies had a tendency to look at primary and secondary school practitioners’ use of ICT and yet the problem could be at institutions of higher learning. The research looked at GZU’s perspective or policy to the use of ICT, teaching /learning outcomes for both students and lecturers, impediments to the use of technology and uses of technology by both lecturers and students. Quite significant therefore, is the fact that the research empowers all stakeholders to redirect their efforts to address the use of technology to enhance literacy instruction in institutions of higher learning. The results of the study revealed that there is less use of ICTs by lecturers in teaching and learning at the Robert Mugabe School of Education and Culture, Great Zimbabwe University. Variables such as age and gender were seen to affect the use of ICTs. Educational and academic qualifications and use of ICTs had an inverse relationship whereby an increase in one’s educational/academic qualifications showed a decrease in the use of ICTs. It is recommended that the university has to come up with a clear policy to guide lecturers on the use of ICTs in research, lecture preparation and presentation and assessment. Members of staff (Lecturers) were to frequently attend refresher workshops and seminars on the use of ICTs in education. It is also envisaged that personal computers and laptops are availed to teaching members’ offices and computer laboratories. This would result in effective teaching and research.
 
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Use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Academic Achievement of University Students: A Correlational Investigation

Purpose: This study was conducted to explore the relationship between the use of ICTs and the academic achievement of students at public and private level universities. The objectives of the study were to study the relationship between the use of ICTs and academic achievement of masters’ level students.
 Methodology: The population of the study included all the students which are enrolled in master degree programs of all public and private sector universities of the Punjab province. The sample of the study comprised 400 students including 243 females and 157 males. The data was collected by a self-developed questionnaire which was based on the students’ opinions related to the use of ICT. All the 400 students gave their responses on six point likert type questionnaire that had 30 items. A pilot study was conducted for the validation of instrument. The reliability index (Cronbach’s Alpha) was 0.89, which was statistically significant. Data were collected personally from students (both male and female) of two public and two private sector universities. The data gathered from the students were analyzed on SPSS version 22. Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, ANOVA, mean scores, standard deviation were calculated to find the major results.
 Findings: The study found the benefits and uses of ICT in education sector and also explored different ways which may help in teaching learning process using resources of ICTs.
 Implications: The policy makers should make such policies which ensure the use of ICT resources in all public and private sector educational institutions.

Connecting Through Technology During COVID-19

This manuscript examines the patterns of information communication technology (ICT) use with friends and family outside of the home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the associations among ICT use and psychological (i.e., loneliness; stress) and social (i.e., social needs; relationship maintenance) wellbeing. In early May 2020, a representative panel of American adults was surveyed (N = 1,947). Results suggest that despite 90% of the sample complying with shelter-in-place (SIP) orders, face-to-face contact with friends and family outside of the home was the primary predictor of getting one’s social needs met and mitigating loneliness. In contrast with predictions drawn from media richness theory, voice calls were associated with less stress, loneliness, and relationship maintenance difficulties, while video chat was positively associated with all three. Moderation analyses suggested that other factors (i.e., SIP, age) influenced the strength of association between modalities (i.e., face-to-face, email, social media) and outcomes. The theoretical implications for MRT and the practical implications for mediated sociality during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed.

USING DIFFUSION OF INNOVATION THEORY TO IMPLEMENT ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS FRAMEWORK IN AFGHANISTAN

In an environment of widespread demand in the healthcare system for the provision of equitable, achievable and safe healthcare, the use of information communication technology (ICT) is individual of the identified solutions to meet such expectations. The Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a main instrument towards achieving well healthcare using such technology, although, across the world EHR implementation has experienced a great failure rate. The aim of this research is to move from paper-based health record to some electronic health record. For achieving this aim, the researcher used diffusion of innovation theory.

The contribution of extensive chicken production systems and practices to Newcastle disease outbreaks in Kenya.

Newcastle disease (ND) poses a challenge especially for farmers rearing indigenous chicken under the extensive system. This is due to the lack of uniformity in practices, favoring the introduction and spread of the disease. This is worsened by the lack of information on how management practices contribute to the spread of ND. The current study assessed the role of extensive chicken production systems and management practices on the frequency of ND outbreaks in Kenya using a Poisson regression model (PRM) on primary survey data from 332 farmers in Kakamega and Machakos counties. Descriptive results showed a low access to institutional support services like extension, training, credit, and vaccination services for both male and female farmers. Results from the PRM analysis show that flock size, isolated and confined housing, multi-aged flock mixture, screening of birds, access to ND vaccination, ND awareness, distance to agro-veterinary service providers, and access to animal health training and extension services had significant effects on the frequency of ND outbreaks. The findings underscore the need for innovative extension approaches that facilitate the use of information communication technologies to create more awareness on disease detection and mitigation measures. Use of farmer groups as innovation platforms for enhanced skill sharing and as key peer monitoring channels would also improve compliance with prescribed disease control methods. Further, there is a need for partnerships between local-level county governments, vaccine producers, and agro-veterinary service providers to ensure the development of low-cost vaccines and requisite storage facilities, and their timely delivery to the male and female resource-poor smallholder extensive chicken farmers.

Challenging assumptions about relationships between mathematics pedagogy and ICT integration: surveying teachers in English secondary schools

ABSTRACT This study investigates associations between mathematics pedagogy and teachers’ integration of Information Communication Technologies (ICT). As an early adopter of presentation-oriented hardware and software in mathematics classrooms, England represents a critical case for investigating associations between mathematics pedagogy and teachers’ integration of ICT into classroom practice. This paper reports the results of a survey of English secondary mathematics teachers’ use of ICT (n = 183). Using Rasch analysis to construct a measure of mathematics pedagogy, a consistent trend is found between frequent use of “teacher-centred” software and a more “student-centred” orientation. The analysis also suggests that some “teacher-centred” practices involving ICT may instead be construed as “dominant” practices. Taken together with case-study evidence of teachers’ ICT integration from research on technology in education, these findings challenge assumptions about relationships between mathematics pedagogy and ICT integration prevalent in the mathematics education literature.

Smartphone and social media addiction: Exploring the perceptions and experiences of Canadian teenagers.

"Addiction" to internet-connected technology continues to dominate media discourses of young people. Researchers have identified negative outcomes, including decreased mental health, resulting from anxieties related to technology, e.g., a fear of missing out and social connectivity related to online technologies. Not enough is known, however, regarding young people's own responses to these ideas. This paper highlights discussions with teenagers around the idea of internet addiction, exploring their experiences and perceptions regarding the idea that "kids today" are addicted to their devices, especially smartphones and the social network sites they often access from them. Thirty-five focus group discussions with 115 Canadian teenagers (aged 13-19 years old) center on their use of information communication technologies, especially contemporary social network sites such as Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. Our discussions reveal (1) that teens are actively embracing the label of addiction; (2) their ironic positioning occurs despite a felt sense of debased agency in relation to the power of the algorithms and affordances of the technologies mediating their use; and (3) rather than a stark divide between adults as "digital immigrants" versus young people as "digital natives," our teens positioned themselves in contrast to both their parents and younger siblings, both of whom are criticized as addicted themselves. A consistent theme is the influence of peer groups who socially compel addictive behaviours, including the fear of missing out, rather than the technologies per se. Wider implications for thinking beyond solely young people as suffering from online addiction are considered.

Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use in ICT Support and Use for Teachers

The need to determine the mediating role of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use in information communication technology (ICT) support and ICT use in practical experiences among teachers prompted this study. The study draws on questionnaire responses from 104 teaching staffs comprising 88 teachers from the University of Nigeria and 16 teachers from Indira Gandhi National Open University, India to test the hypotheses suggested. Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were set as mediators. Our report suggests the following: that association between ICT support and ICT use was positively significant, that teachers’ attitude towards ICT acceptance and use predicts actual use, and that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are kind of positive partial mediators to ICT supports and ICT use. Implications of these conclusions for education practice were discussed.

Factors influencing school management teams in implementing ICT policy in Botswana schools

According to research, school leadership is the most deciding factor for a successful implementation of information communications technology (ICT) use in schools. This study investigates factors that impact school management teams (SMTs) in implementing ICT policy in Botswana schools. Data was obtained through interviews. The study found that the school management teams did not sufficiently drive implementation of the ICT policy in their schools and the reasons indicated were; lack of familiarity with the policy, curriculum overload, lack of assessment for ICT use, lack of training and no monitoring and evaluation. These results indicate that the school management perceive ICT use for classroom instruction as of less importance, warranting no urgency to pursue its implementation. The study highlights a need for a holistic approach to the education ICT policy process that would provide an enabling environment for school management to successfully lead implementation of the policies in their schools.

Improving the effectiveness of agricultural extension services in supporting farmers to adapt to climate change: Insights from northeastern Ghana

The importance of extension services in helping smallholder farmers to address the many challenges of agricultural production cannot be over-emphasized. However, relatively few studies have been conducted that investigate how the capacities of agricultural extension agents can be built to more effectively assist smallholder farmers in managing climate risks and impacts. As climate change is a key threat to smallholder food production, addressing this issue is increasingly important. This paper aims to identify how agricultural extension agents in Ghana can better support smallholder farmers in navigating and addressing the effects of climate change on food production. It asks: (i) what are the sources of information used by agricultural extension agents in Ghana’s Upper East region? (ii) what are the capacity building needs of agricultural extension agents for effective communication of climate information for building resilient agricultural systems? (iii) what are the key barriers to successful extension outcomes for climate change adaptation? The paper uses a mixed methods approach including three regional stakeholder workshops, expert interviews and surveys with 32 agricultural extension agents in northeastern Ghana. Results addressing question (i) indicated that radios and television are the dominant sources of climate information for agricultural extension agents in the Upper East region. Findings targeting question (ii) identified capacity building needs such as developing extension agents’ technical skills, improving communication skills, improving knowledge and use of climate smart agricultural interventions such as soil moisture conservation methods, and training on information communication technologies (ICT) to deliver extension advice on climate change. Other needs included developing skills in field demonstration and project monitoring and evaluation. Addressing question (iii), key barriers confronted by agricultural extension agents in the delivery of extension on climate change included lack of transportation facilities for extension agents, lack of appropriate extension materials, high agricultural extension agent to farmer ratios, and inadequate funds to implement adaptation practices. Wider barriers reducing the effectiveness of extension efforts included farmer resistance to change and complex land tenure arrangements that do not allow investment. Periodic workshops should be organised for agricultural extension agents on the use of ICT to deliver extension services, whilst encouraging the use of audio-visuals in extension delivery. These efforts should be supported by regular assessments of extension agents’ capacity building needs.

CLIMATE RISK AVERSION OPTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. A CASE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, MIXED CROPPING AND CAUTIONARY SAVINGS

The upsurge in frequency and severity of extreme weather events demands proactive conservation and modification of the environment for sustainable agricultural development. Farmers take cognizance of risk and uncertainty while making choice of appropriate farm management practices. The study examined climate risk aversion options for sustainable agricultural development in selected areas of Mpumalanga province. The stratified random sampling was adopted to interview 290 smallholder sugar cane farmers in Driekoppies, Nkomazi Local Municipality Mpumalanga, South Africa. The study used the multivariate model to determined possible correlation between the application and use of information communication technology, mixed farming and cautionary savings as climate risk management strategies. Findings extrapolated the relevance of climate risk management and adoption decision. The effect of dependent variables on covariate variables used in the analysis were not homogenous. Nevertheless, age of respondents, level of education, flood risk perception, farm size, risk aversion and off-farm activities were the independent variables that influenced the adoption of risk management approach in context. The risk valuation strategies on seasonal climate information by farmers is important.

The Cognizance of Green Computing Concept and Practices among Secondary School Students: A Preliminary Study

The use of information communication technology (ICT) is growing and has been a compulsory norm in society. However, the increased use of ICT facilities in all developing countries has contributed to higher energy use and lead to environmental pollution. This study explores the extent of awareness among the younger generation about green computing concepts and practices. In this study, a total of 94 secondary school students were sampled across Selangor state. The data were gathered using a set of questionnaires comprising of 20 items pertaining to the harmful effects of using computers and communication gadgets on the environment, awareness of the concepts and practices of green computing. The findings indicate it reveal that secondary school students are still not aware of the green computing concept. It is observed that 54.35% of students may not realize that computers and communication devices could be disposed of eco-safe. Furthermore, 61.96% of students do not realize that computer hardware can be recycled, and 75% of them do not have experience in disposing of their computers. Surprisingly, they mostly practice green computing when it comes to reducing energy consumption. This study contributes to determining the current level of students’ green computing awareness in a sustaining environment. In conclusion, students need to be educated on utilizing ICT resources and practicing green computing mechanisms to boost environmental sustainability.

Using Infoveillance to Identify Community Concerns/Literacy, Reduce Risk, and Improve Response in Pollution and Health Emergencies

Contextualised in public health and environmental literacy frameworks, this interdisciplinary research applies the epidemiological concept ‘infoveillance’ to show how major pollution events can be mitigated by better use of information communication technologies (ICTs). Findings from statistical analysis of Google Trends™ data during a major Australian air pollution event (2019–2020 Summer bushfires) are presented to compare community environmental and health concerns, as manifested by Google searches, in three affected states. Internet searches related to air purifiers, air quality, and P2 face masks increased as the measured air quality decreased. The commonality of internet search activity found across states, in response to pollution emergencies, presents a valuable, yet underutilised, information source for disaster management and response by health authorities and businesses. Significant correlations between the public’s keyword searches and pollution risk suggest Google Trends™ are an underutilised ICT for identifying public health literacy, needs, and emergency response. The 2019-2020 bushfire infoveillance analysis suggests earlier intervention/awareness of predictable community response to risk-management may mitigate insufficient supply of personal protective equipment (i.e., air purifiers) and alert authorities of illiteracies requiring immediate, urgent ramification to reduce public health risk and improve emergency response, including for vulnerable populations.