Information Communication Tools Research Articles

A Synthesis on Impact Assessment Models from the Perspective of Evolution of the EU Common Agricultural Policy

Purpose: This paper aims at comparatively evaluating representative-type and agent-based models with respect to various technical criteria. Thus, it tries to provide clues as to which modelling capacities can be used for impact analyses of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper first elucidates the evolution of the Common Agricultural Policy, then reviews the existing empirical impact assessment approaches and tools with a critical eye to derive the strengths and weaknesses in terms of data requirement, created indicators, social, economic and environmental specifics and policy content. The paper particularly aims at revealing how different assessment approaches respond to evolution of the EU’s common agricultural policy.
 Findings: Modelling exercises certainly embody a trade-off while choosing the methodology that is going to be used. There is definitely no one modelling platform that creates answers for all the questions. It is essential to ascertain the end users of the research outcomes and the specific research questions. The answers to these queries will help to establish the analysis scale in terms of the affects that are going to be assessed. Hence, the necessity to use a representative systems approach or instead an agent-based modelling platform will be understood. Accurate definition of the explicit and implicit goals of the analyses is also of utmost importance.
 Originality/Uniqueness: To the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no other study in the domestic literature that includes a comparative analysis similar to the survey that is the subject of this study.
 
 ABSTRACT
 The agricultural sector has been intertwined with socio-economic and environmental problems. The economic and institutional structures of the EU members do vary, and societal demands in rural areas change. The CAP of the EU has been evolving since the 1960s to cope with changing pressures. However, coping with the heterogeneity among countries becomes another challenge, particularly in quantitative policy impact analyses, which have been carried out by partial and general equilibrium type models, sector models, econometric models, and simulation models. In the last decade, the use of agent-based approaches that consider spatial, social, and economic heterogeneity and the risk behaviours of farms has been increasing. This paper reviews the existing quantitative impact assessment approaches to derive their strengths and weaknesses in terms of data requirements and social, economic, and environmental specifics and aims to explain why new-generation agricultural impact assessment models need to take into account the progress in information technology and communication tools and big data analytics in addition to changes in the EU CAP objectives and instruments of policy measures.

Strengthening health service delivery and governance through institutionalizing 'Urban Health Atlas'-A geo-referenced Information Communication and Technology tool: Lessons learned from an implementation research in three cities in Bangladesh.

Urban health governance in Bangladesh is complex as multiple actors are involved and no comprehensive data are currently available on infrastructure, services, or performance either in public and private sectors of the healthcare system. The Urban Health Atlas (UHA)-a novel and interactive geo-referenced, web-based visualization tool was developed in Bangladesh to provide geospatial and service information to decision makers involved in urban health service planning and governance. Our objective was to study the opportunities for institutionalization of the UHA into government health systems responsible for urban healthcare delivery and document the facilitators and barriers to its uptake. This implementation research was carried out during 2017-2019 in three cities in Bangladesh: Dhaka, Dinajpur and Jashore. During the intervention period, six hands-on trainings on UHA were provided to 67 urban health managers across three study sites. Thirty in-depth and twelve key informant interviews were conducted to understand user experience and document stakeholder perceptions of institutionalizing UHA. Capacity building on UHA enhanced understanding of health managers around its utility for service delivery planning, decision making and oversight. Findings from the IDIs and KIIs suggest that UHA uptake was challenged by inadequate ICT infrastructure, shortage of human resources and lack of ICT skill among managers. Motivating key decision makers and stakeholders about the potential of UHA and engaging them from its inception helped the institutionalization process. While uptake of UHA by government health managers appears possible with dedicated capacity building initiatives, its use and regular update are challenged by multiple factors at the implementation level. A clear understanding of context, actors and system readiness is foundational in determining whether the institutionalization of health ICTs is timely, realistic or relevant.

Information Communication Tools in Alternative Food Networks

Effective communication in food supply chains is increasingly important, especially in supply chains that strive to provide improved levels of information from producer to consumer. Such supply chains can be found in alternative food networks. Alternative food networks often adopt local and short supply chain strategies to provide embedded information between producers and consumers. Information in the supply chain of alternative food networks is communicated through face-to-face, proximate, or extended supply chain structures. The tools used to communicate information vary amongst the supply chains in alternative food networks; for example, face-to-face may adopt word-of-mouth, while proximate and extended supply chain structures may use labels, digital platforms, and websites. This paper uses Principal Component Analysis to provide an understanding of the categories and underlying dimensions of information communication tools in the supply chains of alternative food networks. A living lab approach and survey method were used for data collection. Using Principal Component Analysis, the data revealed two principal components of information communication tools, highlighting the use of on-packaging information communication tools such as packaging and labelling tools as a principal component. Another principal component was identified, backing a need for off-packaging information communication tools such as digital technologies, certificates, social media, and packaging technologies, enabling stakeholders who desire a further understanding of information regarding the processes and products. The paper concludes with the implications, limitations, and areas of future work.

Image Collage on Arbitrary Shape via Shape-Aware Slicing and Optimization.

Image collage is a very useful tool for visualizing an image collection. Most of the existing methods and commercial applications for generating image collages are designed on simple shapes, such as rectangular and circular layouts. This greatly limits the use of image collages in some artistic and creative settings. Although there are some methods that can generate irregularly-shaped image collages, they often suffer from severe image overlapping and excessive blank space. This prevents such methods from being effective information communication tools. In this paper, we present a shape slicing algorithm and an optimization scheme that can create image collages of arbitrary shapes in an informative and visually pleasing manner given an input shape and an image collection. To overcome the challenge of irregular shapes, we propose a novel algorithm, called Shape-Aware Slicing, which partitions the input shape into cells based on medial axis and binary slicing tree. Shape-Aware Slicing, which is designed specifically for irregular shapes, takes human perception and shape structure into account to generate visually pleasing partitions. Then, the layout is optimized by analyzing input images with the goal of maximizing the total salient regions of the images. To evaluate our method, we conduct extensive experiments and compare our results against previous work. The evaluations show that our proposed algorithm can efficiently arrange image collections on irregular shapes and create visually superior results than prior work and existing commercial tools.

Towards a sustainable and green approach of electrical and electronic waste management in Rwanda: a critical review.

Electric and electronic equipment (EEE) consumption has grown to worrisome proportions in developing countries (DCS), resulting in massive amounts of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) being produced. A diagnosis of e-waste proliferation is required for its sustainable management plan in Rwanda. This review is based on open-access papers with e-waste as a keyword, the present situation of EEE, and e-waste in Rwanda. The need for various information communication and technology (ICT) tools, such as end-user devices, cooling-system devices, network equipment, and telecommunication devices, is strongly encouraged by Rwandan national plans, which deem ICT as a vital enabler of knowledge-based economy and development. In 2014, EEE was 33,449 tonnes (t), which is expected to be 267,741 t in 2050, with a yearly increase rate of 5.95%. In this regard, out-of-date EEE is being dumped as e-waste in large quantities and at an increasing rate across Rwanda. E-waste is often disposed of in uncontrolled landfills together with other types of household waste. To address this rising threat, as well as to preserve the environment and human health, proper e-waste management involving e-waste sorting/separation from other waste streams, repairs, reuse, recycling, remanufacturing, and disposal has been proposed.

Z and alpha generation teaching methods: digitalization of learning material

Digitalization is an emerging and inevitable part of everyday life and this also applies to education. The static learning material belongs to the multitude. Increasingly widespread artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies are facilitating the roll-out of personalized curricula and interactive learning materials. The trend in education is towards digitalisation and the appropriate use of information communication tools. Our research explores the importance, advantages and emerging disadvantages of digital learning materials. Furthermore, as a result of a quantitative survey of students, it is based on the interactive digitisation of learning materials using virtual models. Pupils, regardless of their level of education, demand digital learning materials and the use of information and communication tools in class, as Generation Z and Alpha are growing up with these tools. Educational establishments should therefore not restrict or prohibit the use of these tools, but should find ways of effectively integrating them into the classroom. Our aim is to motivate educators to increasingly complement traditional paper-based static learning materials with interactive digital learning materials. We have also worked to create interactive three-dimensional models for students to motivate and explore within the biology subject to support the teaching process. In summary, our article points out the importance of a certain degree of digitalisation of curricula and presents a model for possible future developments in contrast to static learning materials.

Impact of ICT on Students Academic Performance at Sindh Madressatul Islam University Karachi

The information communication and technology (ICT) tools are the key features for ideal academic performance of the students. The ICT has great impact on understanding, grades and class performance of learners and we cannot ignore them in the 21rst century. For this purpose, the study was conducted on the impacts of ICT on students’ academic performance at Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi Sindh Pakistan. The methodology of research was quantitative and the survey method was used for this purpose. For the data collection survey questionnaire was distributed among learners N=120. The research sample N=120 students were selected from all departments of the Sindh Madressatul Islam University Karachi. The data were analyzed through percentage with graphical representations. The findings of this research revealed that ICT have more influence on learners academic performance at university level. Most of the participants agreed on the positive utilization of information communication and technology tools for academic purposes. It is recommended that government should ensure all necessary ICT tools at all universities of Pakistan for better performance of the students. There exists an important relationship between information communication and technology and students academic performance at university level.

Impact of ICT on Students Academic Performance at Sindh Madressatul Islam University Karachi

The information communication and technology (ICT) tools are the key features for ideal academic performance of the students. The ICT has great impact on understanding, grades and class performance of learners and we cannot ignore them in the 21rst century. For this purpose, the study was conducted on the impacts of ICT on students’ academic performance at Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi Sindh Pakistan. The methodology of research was quantitative and the survey method was used for this purpose. For the data collection survey questionnaire was distributed among learners N=120. The research sample N=120 students were selected from all departments of the Sindh Madressatul Islam University Karachi. The data were analyzed through percentage with graphical representations. The findings of this research revealed that ICT have more influence on learners academic performance at university level. Most of the participants agreed on the positive utilization of information communication and technology tools for academic purposes. It is recommended that government should ensure all necessary ICT tools at all universities of Pakistan for better performance of the students. There exists an important relationship between information communication and technology and students academic performance at university level.

CRM-SYSTEMS IN MARKETING RISKS MANAGEMENT OF BANK`S RISK PROTECTION PROJECTS

The article examines the theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of the formation of information and analytical support for marketing risk management of risk protection projects of a commercial bank in the conditions of modern challenges of the uncertainty of the marketing environment and global digital transformations. Requirements for an effective bank risk management system based on modern technological tools and innovative methodological approaches are formulated. The directions of the transformation of risk management paradigms were analyzed, the expediency of a systemic multidimensional approach to the implementation of integrated risk management based on modern international regulatory standards was clarified. The need for the convergence of project management methods in risk management for better prioritization of risks, consistency with the strategic goal of activity, and planning of steps to optimally achieve the goal is substantiated. The marketing orientation of bank risk protection projects is revealed. It is proposed to expand the list of banks' risks and to transform the weighting coefficients of the existing ones in the conditions of innovative technological transformations in order to strengthen socio-ecological responsibility to society. Particular attention is paid to determining the place of marketing risks in the management system of banks, as a critical element of an effective risk management model. The direction of improving the information and analytical support of the bank's risk protection projects through the implementation of CRM systems as an information communication tool and an information source on marketing risk management is proposed.

The concept map of SENTIERI Project: a communication interactive digital tool of the national epidemiological surveillance system of Italian contaminated sites

This paper describes the development and the envisioned use of concept maps in the framework of the SENTIERI communication strategies as an information and scientific communication tool applied to epidemiological surveillance in contaminated sites. The concept map of SENTIERI 2019-2022 was designed and implemented to foster access to complex scientific information ensuring usability of the contents and communication with the various stakeholders. The concept map aims to promote environmental health literacy in contaminated sites. The methodology adopted to create the map includes the following phases: 1. choice of a dynamic focus question; 2. selection of the representative terms of the addressed topics; 3. elaboration of the glossary of the selected terms; 4. representation of the links among the selected terms; 5. identification of the significant propositions that make explicit the meaning of each link. Online access to the map is guaranteed by the Mindomo software. The use of the concept map promotes active learning of the topics that characterize SENTIERI 2019-2022 through knowledge paths chosen because of the specific interests and learning purposes. The concept map derives from the integration of specific approaches of the epidemiological discipline with those of the social sciences and offers the possibility of developing site-specific maps through the interactions with local actors and the integration of elements related to emerging problems as well as institutional and local interests.

Effect of Automation on Organisational Structure, Job Performance and Communication in University Libraries in South West Nigeria

The paper examined the effect of automation on organisational structure, job performance and communication in university libraries in South West, Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted. A questionnaire and observation checklist was the instrument used to collect the data. The sample for the study consisted of 607 library personnel in six (6) university libraries in South West, Nigeria, stratified and judgemental sampling was used to sample 442 library staff for the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data collected on the research questions developed while for inferential statistics, Kendall-tau was used to test hypotheses. Findings from the study revealed that none of the university libraries studied has been to implement full automation of their operations, only acquisitions have been automated across the board in the four (4) university libraries. Also, the findings revealed that automation has enabled a more flexible working environment, affected the pattern of staffing by specialisation, and bridged the gap between communication flow through the use of a variety of information and technology communication (ICT) tools. Furthermore, the study identified that the various constraints to automation in university libraries are irregular power supply, inadequate funding, lack of infrastructural facilities, and staff resistance to training. The study recommended that university and library management of the university libraries studied should make provision for full automation of library operations and services. This will go a long way in adopting new structures in line with technological advancements for greater flexibility, facilitating staff creativity at work, help improve collaboration and resource sharing through the use of automation tools for communication.

Peningkatan Kompetensi Guru Pesantren Melalui Pendampingan Pembuatan Buku Ajar Kreatif Dan Inovatif

Textbooks are very important in the learning process because they can support and strengthen the information of teaching materials delivered by teachers. Textbooks help students understand the concepts of science to achieve the desired competencies so that they are easy to understand which is needed in learning because they can explain various difficult phenomena including abstract concepts to become realistic knowledge to make students motivated to learn. Textbooks are very effectively used as a learning medium because they function as a tool for accurate information communication from teachers to students. Using good textbooks will accelerate the achievement of competencies to achieve the role of a good teacher, objective, and relevant truths. The purpose of this community service activity (CSA) is to increase the competence of Islamic boarding school teachers through assistance in making creative and innovative digital textbooks based on multimedia with Flip PDF. To achieve this goal, training activities (workshops), discussion activities for needs and assistance as well as the benefits of making creative and innovative digital textbooks in supporting learning activities are carried out. The material presented during the CSA activity received a good and positive response from the participants of the mentoring activity and stated that the mentoring activities that had been carried out needed to be continued in the future. For the next km implementation, we propose assistance in the implementation of e-Learning.

Digitális szakadék áthidalása pedagógusok között

"The smartphone is today's most widespread information communication tool, which has led to new habits and behavioral patterns. A tool that plays a central role in the lives of young people, social media platforms have opportunities that raise many questions from an educational point of view as well. This is a significant topic because nowadays the scene of media awareness is not only the family but educational institutions, which also contribute to creating conscious use of their role. The determining factor in the effectiveness of education is the teacher. The teacher's role is also a social process, almost parallel to the development of technology, the products of which are also used from an educational informatics point of view. One of the cornerstones of education for proper media behavior and critical thinking is to map how teachers relate to the phone and the virtual world, in order to consciously use them in classes as an educational IT tool and channel. In addition, the question arises as to what effect these tools have on the generational and digital divide, and how digital natives and immigrants can cooperate in education. In our story, we can get to know the thoughts and opinions of a digital native and a digital immigrant teacher. How are the opportunities provided by the digital world used in education? What do they think about the 21st- century teacher attitude? Keywords: teacher attitude, media use, education, digital divide, generation gap"

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUKATENDEL VILLAGE REGULATION POLICY NO. 01 OF 2019 CONCERNING THE DISASTER RESILIENT VILLAGE PROGRAM

Indonesia is an archipelagic country that is vulnerable to natural and non-natural disasters. The trend of natural disasters that occur in Indonesia itself tends to increase from year to year as well as what happened in Karo Regency. According to BPS data from 2015-2020 there was an increase in natural disasters, especially those caused by the eruption of Mount Sinabung.The problem that occurs is that Sukatendel Village is located in Tiganderket District, Karo Regency which has an altitude of 500 meters above sea level. This certainly increases the risk of disaster. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of implementing the Sukatendel Village Regulation No. 01 of 2019 regarding the Disaster Resilient Village program. With qualitative research methods. The results showed thatImplementation of Village Regulation No. 1 of 2018 concerning the disaster-resilient village program which includes 4 (four) factors, namely: The communication factor has not been carried out properly, due to the irregularity of socialization activities and the limitations of information communication tools to the surrounding community. The human resource factor is adequate in the implementation of DESTANA with the establishment of a village management and DRR Forum, but has limited budget and facilities in disaster management. The disposition factor or commitment owned by the implementor is good in carrying out its responsibilities as the implementer of the policy. The bureaucratic structure factor in the implementation of DESTANA has been directed and clear with the creation of a disaster management mechanism, the division and role of each team, but this is of course with the approval of the Karo Regency Government.

Opportunities and Challenges of Digitalization of Educational Publishing Industry in Post-epidemic Era

With the development of information technology, the Internet has gradually become the basis for human information dissemination. The emergence of this new information dissemination and communication tool not only provides convenience and efficiency for modern educational publishing, but also rapidly and strongly changes the industrial structure and development logic of the educational publishing industry. The sudden lockdown brought about by the COVID-19 epidemic has gradually transformed education from offline to online, which has accelerated the digitalization of the education publishing industry. In the post-epidemic era, how to improve digital textbook resources, how to provide educational content supply from multiple dimensions, and how to establish a new future-oriented educational publishing system are all issues that the education publishing industry needs to think about in the process of digitization.

Project Activities Features for Schoolchildren with the Use of Website at It Lessons

The author of the article reflects on the trends in the development of general education system in Russia based on the adopted new standards and other regulations. The concept of project technologies and the potential for applying the activity approach and developing universal educational activities in the course of informatics and ICT are revealed. The purpose of the study, which results are described in detail, is development of the website as a basis for creating individual interdisciplinary projects for students and experimental testing of the effectiveness of the chosen approach when conducting a series of IT lessons with interdisciplinary content. The designed learning model using the website and educational practices aimed at developing the ability to use information resources and communication tools have shown intensive integration of knowledge from various fields (“metasubjectivity”).

THE ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN ONLINE LEARNING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC OF UPT SDN 1 MARGAKAYA

AbstractCovid-19 Pandemic was greaty impact on education in Indonesia. The learning process which was performed at the school but now learning do from home with online learning. Using of information technology is very helpful on learning process in the Covid-19 virus. Online based learning used in this study is learning that utilizes the use of Whatsapp in information communication tools. However, there are some obstacles in he process of implementing learning at UPT SDN 1 Margakaya such as not all students can take part in the online learning process because of the weak internet network and not all guardians of students have handphone andenthusiastic in participating in the online based learning process. This research was conducted to determine the role of information technology in online learning during Covid-19 Pandemic of UPT SDN 1 Margakaya. This research method uses qualitative methods with a descriptive approach. The result of this research is that the whatsapp application based learning has an important role in the implementation of learning, the other than that there are factors that greatly influence the learning process when carried out online during the Covid-19 Pandemic.Keywords : Covid-19 Pandemic, Online learning, Information Technology

Basic Study on Scale-Free Networks and Targeted Antivirus Prophylaxis Supported by Information Communication Tools

With the aim of slowing the spread of infectious disease in the earliest phase of an outbreak, we performed visual simulations using scale-free networks focused on circumstances such as “normal” daily life, pandemic outbreaks, and the Fukushima nuclear accident following the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. Due to limitations associated with face-to-face contacts and delays in the timing of intake of iodine tablets, iodine preparations for protecting the thyroid gland could be taken effectively by only 5% of the population in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear accident. For targeted antivirus prophylaxis (TAP) to be more effective, timing of the distribution of anti-viral medication needs to be planned well in advance and instructions to “take it now!” must be communicated effectively in a timely manner. The results of this study suggest that information communication technology (e.g., pulse oximeters, mobile phones) can play an important role in managing TAP policies.

From common operational picture to common situational understanding: An analysis based on practitioner perspectives

The concepts of Situational Awareness (SA) and Common Operational Picture (COP) are closely related and well-acknowledged to be crucial factors for effective emergency management. In multi-agency operations, such as extreme weather events, the involved first responders manage the event with different mandates, objectives, and tools which can make it challenging to build a COP. Effective collaboration requires a common situational understanding, based on knowledge about each other’s responsibilities and tasks, mutual respect and trust, as well as common communication tools for emergency communication and information sharing. This paper argues that the COP serves as a basis for deciding on further action, and thus represents a first stage in the process of establishing common situational understanding among the involved actors. The empirical basis for the study includes interviews with Norwegian emergency management stakeholders, analysis of audio-logs, and review of public documents. Based on the analysis we present a framework comprising activities and processes involved in establishing a COP as a basis for common situational understanding.

Dynamic thermal simulation based on building information modeling: A review

With the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution and extensive promotion of information communication tools, it is on the construction industry to reconsider the current linear design approach and adopt more integrated design approaches that encompass dynamic thermal simulation. Building information modeling (BIM), without a doubt, is a technology, which proposes an integrated practice for building design. Design team using BIM cooperatively work on each activity loop during the design procedure and present a three-dimensional (3D) design model with all data from various disciplines attached at the final stage. The inclusion of a data-rich 3D shape into the design procedure marks the dynamic thermal simulation as a simple, accessible, and, more importantly, decisive stage. This article aims to draw the role of BIM in facilitating the inclusion of dynamic thermal simulation in building design procedures. BIM in this article is introduced as an effective remedy for dealing with the linear nature of conventional building design that is the major impediment to the inclusion of dynamic thermal simulations in the design efforts. This article goes through the conventional method's deficiencies and challenges with the BIM-based method to portray each approach's advantages and disadvantages. Renowned BIM software, interoperable simulation tools, and their distinguishing characteristics are introduced in summary to give a better insight into the application of BIM for dynamic thermal simulation purposes. Additionally, a literature survey on applying the introduced tools is conducted to derive the possible BIM-based mechanisms for thermal performance and comfort analysis. This article concludes that, regardless of interoperability issues, BIM by coordination of building data and information in a consistent framework significantly facilitates data collection procedure for conducting dynamic thermal simulations. In combination with data collection and interoperable simulation tools, BIM tools provide novel mechanisms for dynamic thermal performance and comfort analysis. Highlights Traditional and BIM-based building design procedures have been reviewed. The role of iterative simulation in BIM-based simulation has been elaborated. A BIM-based framework for building design has been provided. BIM-based approaches for thermal performance and comfort analysis have been reviewed.