Introduction Of Information Communication Technologies Research Articles

Information and Communications Technologies, to Raise Quality of Deceased Estate Disbursement: Administrator General's Office, Malawi

The role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in deceased estate disbursement is undisputed globally. ICT have potentially powerful tool for raising and improving the relevance and quality of estate disbursement. The impact of ICT for storing and processing has become per¬tinent as it facilitates smooth processing, create a conducive working environment and help beneficiaries develop self-confidence. ICT has created new challenges for quality of deceased estate benefits disbursement. It has changed many aspects of the lives. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the benefits of Information Communication Technology (ICT) use in Deceased Estate benefits management, in the enhancement of deceased estate and disbursement and effective introduction of ICT in the disbursement and management of deceased estate process is an indispensable of improving it. It highlights the impacts and benefits of ICT in deceased estate.

The Dual Effect of Information and Communication Technology in Developing Banking Industries. A case study at Ogbomoso. Oyo State South Western, Nigeria

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is at the centre of this global change and one of the modern yardsticks in rating a business enterprise is its ICT infrastructural layout. This study was carried out in two commercial banks in Ogbomosho town, Oyo state, Nigeria using research survey methods a procedures in which the attitudes, opinions, behaviours or characteristics of the population were determined. The population of the study comprises of key staffs and functional heads of the branch of the banks selected for the study which are GTB in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria and UBA in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria. There are a total of 20 staffs of various departments at UBA and 30 staffs at GTB. This random sampling population was gotten from top management staff of both banks with a total sample size of (50) staffs from both banks. Random sampling is selected because of its ease of use and it eliminates bias. The study revealed information communication technology has improved the efficiency and effectiveness of bank service delivery. Larger percentage of the respondents strongly agreed that bank service delivery, customer satisfaction and bank performance have beem improved since the introduction of information communication technology to the banking system and that major challenges faced by Nigerian commercial banks in the use of information communication technology are sporadic and inefficient electricity supply, low internet penetration, telecommunications problems. The results from the regression analysis indicate that it is clear from the model summary that the information and communication technology variables explain 42.3% of the variance on performance of commercial banks in Nigeria. This left a variance of 57.7% that was not accounted for by information and communication technology. This is an indication that however much information and communication technology influenced the performance of commercial banks in Nigeria; there were other more significant factors that also affected the performance of the commercial banks in Nigeria. The study established that there is a strong relationship between information and communication technology and the banking system in Nigeria.

The Effect of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on Revenue Generation in Gombe State Internal Revenue Service

This study examined the effect of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on revenue generation in Gombe State Internal Revenue Service to find out if the application of ICT increased the efficiency of revenue collection. The theory adopted for this study was the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The research design used was survey research in which information was gathered from a sample of respondents. The total population of the study was 98 staff of Gombe State Internal Revenue Service who constituted the sample size of the study. The questionnaire was administered using a simple random sampling technique. Data were analysed using average mean score, while the hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant difference in mean between the availability of ICT Infrastructure and an increase in Revenue Collection; that there is a moderate positive relationship between ICT availability and revenue generation in Gombe State Internal Revenue Service; and that there is a correlation Coefficient for the relationship between the introduction of ICT and the ease of doing business in Gombe State Internal Revenue Service. The study recommended, among others, that Gombe State Board of Internal Revenue should ensure an improved ICT infrastructure which includes completion of the fibre-optic network project, provision of adequate computer systems and reliable UPS to all offices for staff.

Disruptive Technologies in Smart Farming: An Expanded View with Sentiment Analysis

Smart Farming (SF) is an emerging technology in the current agricultural landscape. The aim of Smart Farming is to provide tools for various agricultural and farming operations to improve yield by reducing cost, waste, and required manpower. SF is a data-driven approach that can mitigate losses that occur due to extreme weather conditions and calamities. The influx of data from various sensors, and the introduction of information communication technologies (ICTs) in the field of farming has accelerated the implementation of disruptive technologies (DTs) such as machine learning and big data. Application of these predictive and innovative tools in agriculture is crucial for handling unprecedented conditions such as climate change and the increasing global population. In this study, we review the recent advancements in the field of Smart Farming, which include novel use cases and projects around the globe. An overview of the challenges associated with the adoption of such technologies in their respective regions is also provided. A brief analysis of the general sentiment towards Smart Farming technologies is also performed by manually annotating YouTube comments and making use of the pattern library. Preliminary findings of our study indicate that, though there are several barriers to the implementation of SF tools, further research and innovation can alleviate such risks and ensure sustainability of the food supply. The exploratory sentiment analysis also suggests that most digital users are not well-informed about such technologies.

Digital Financial Services on Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Nigeria

Since the introduction of information communication technology and the widespread use of the internet, the banking business has undergone considerable changes. Information and communication technology (ICT) is at the heart of Nigeria's current worldwide shift curve in the electronic banking system. In light of this, this study looked into the influence of digital financial services (DFS) on the financial performance of Nigeria's publicly traded commercial banks. The study aims to see if there is a link between the dependent variable, which is financial performance as assessed by banks' earnings-per-share (EPS), and the main independent variables, which are the volume of ATM and POS transactions as a proxy for digital financial services (DFS). Secondary data was employed in the study. The data was collected from the annual report of target banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2012 to 2020. The study used both descriptive and inferential statistics in analysing the data. In general, the study revealed that digital financial services (DFS) have substantial and significant marginal effects on earnings per share in Nigeria’s banking sector. Thus, there exists a positive relationship between digital financial services (DFS) and bank financial performance. In conclusion, electronic banking has made banking transactions to be more accessible by bringing services closer to its customers hence improving banking industry performance. Thus, the study recommends that bank management should enhance digital banking to improve financial performance in commercial banks.

Gender Differences in Academic Self-Concept among Standard Seven Pupils Using Learning Strategies in the Use of Information Communication Technology in Bungoma County, Kenya

Despite introduction of Information Communication Technology in schools by Government of Kenya, minimal research has been done on influence of learning strategies in information communication technology use on academic self-concept of pupils. Academic self-concept has a reciprocal relationship with academic achievement. Poor trends in academic achievement are associated with pupils’ low academic self-concept as an outcome of continued use of traditional learning strategies. This may be alleviated by use of information communication technology in the learning process. The purpose of the present study was therefore to investigate gender differences in academic self-concept among pupils using learning strategies in the use of information communication technology. Multimedia Learning Theory, Collaborative Learning Theory and the Self Theory of Personality Development formed the theoretical framework of the study. A causal comparative ex post facto research design was used. The study employed mixed methods research by integrating qualitative and quantitative research. The study was done in Bungoma County. The target population was Standard Seven pupils in public primary schools in Bungoma County. A sample of 375 pupils was involved. Purposive sampling was used to select schools with computer program as treatment group and simple random sampling for schools using traditional learning strategies as comparison group. Independent and dependent variables were learning strategies and academic self-concept (measured in 3 dimensions) respectively. Data was collected through an adapted questionnaire with Academic Self-concept Scale and Learning Strategy Rating Scale for learning strategies. Oral interviews and non-participant overt observations were used to collect qualitative data from pupils and teachers who handled learners in the laptop computer programs. The reliability and validity of the instruments was established through a pilot study in 2 sampled schools which were not included in the main study. Data management and analysis was done using both inferential and descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences program. Pearson product moment correlation and t-test were used for inferential statistics. Results showed that there were no significant gender differences in academic self-concept among pupils using traditional learning strategies and those using learning strategies in the use of ICT (t=1.151, t=1.03,-1.494 df=168.191, 182.979 and 165.341, p> 0.05 and (t= 1.422, -0.178 and 0.386, df=178.3 94,180.903 and 175.616, p> 0.05) for treatment and comparison groups respectively. Recommendations for adoption of learning strategies in information communication technology use in classroom teaching and learning, policy development in education and curriculum development were made. Further research using pre-test and post-test experimental design with control group using samples at other levels of education and on individual subject academic self-concept was recommended.

Influence of Use of Learning Strategies in Information Communication Technology on Standard Seven Pupils’ Academic Self-Concept in Bungoma County, Kenya

Despite introduction of Information Communication Technology in schools by Government of Kenya, minimal research has been done on influence of learning strategies in information communication technology use on academic self-concept of pupils. Poor trends in academic achievement are associated with pupils’ low academic self-concept as an outcome of continued use of traditional learning strategies. The purpose of the present study was therefore to investigate the influence of learning strategies in the use of information communication technology on pupils’ academic self-concept. Multimedia Learning Theory, Collaborative Learning Theory and the Self Theory of Personality Development formed the theoretical framework of the study. A causal comparative ex post facto research design was used. The study employed mixed methods research by integrating qualitative and quantitative research. The study was done in Bungoma County. The target population was Standard Seven pupils in public primary schools in Bungoma County. A sample of 375 pupils was involved. Purposive sampling was used to select schools with computer program as treatment group and simple random sampling for schools using traditional learning strategies as comparison group. Independent and dependent variables were learning strategies and academic self-concept respectively. Data was collected through an adapted questionnaire with Academic Self-concept Scale and Learning Strategy Rating Scale for learning strategies. Oral interviews and non-participant overt observations were used to collect qualitative data from pupils and teachers who handled learners in the laptop computer programs. The reliability and validity of the instruments was established through a pilot study in 2 sampled schools which were not included in the main study. Data management and analysis was done using both inferential and descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences program. Pearson product moment correlation and t-test were used for inferential statistics. Results showed that significant differences in academic self-concept existed between pupils using traditional learning strategies and those using learning strategies in the use of ICT (t = 3.990, df = 238, p< 0.05), (t= 4.256, df = 238, p< 0.05) and (t= 2.014 df=251, p<0.05). Apart from Individual Learning Strategy in the use of computer, Child-to-Child and Child-teacher learning strategies were found to have significant relationships with academic self-concept [r(186)= 0.300, 0.275 and 0.311, p< 0.05]. Recommendations for adoption of learning strategies in information communication technology use in classroom teaching and learning, policy development in education and curriculum development were made. Further research using pre-test and post-test experimental design with control group using samples at other levels of education and on individual subject academic self-concept was recommended.

Problems of Introducing Information and Communication Technologies into the Educational Process during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Informatization of postmodern society is a promising path to economic, social and educational development. The informatization of education is aimed at the formation and development of the intellectual potential of the nation, the improvement of the forms and content of the educational process, the introduction of computer teaching and testing methods, allows solving problems at the highest level, taking into account world requirements. One of the important directions in the development of informatization of education in the context of a pandemic is new computer technologies. Interactivity, intensification of the learning process, feedback - are the real advantages of these technologies, which necessitated their application in various fields of human activity, primarily in those related to education and professional training. Now, in a pandemic, the number of studies has noticeably increased, the subject of which was the use of information and communication technologies in the educational process. The article deals with the problem of psychological and didactic aspects of the introduction of information communication technologies in the process of teaching students of higher educational institutions. An analysis of the problems and prospects of using information communication technologies in higher educational institutions was carried out, as a guarantee of building an intensive process of assimilating knowledge, skills, and abilities of students of higher educational institutions.

Exploring the Challenges Posed by Regulations for the Use of Drones in Agriculture in the African Context

Global food demands have led to the rapid introduction of Information Communication Technology (ICT) innovations in the agriculture sector—one such innovation is drone technology. Drones are used in precision agriculture, including aerial observation, sensing, and the spraying of pesticides. Regulations on the use of drones are necessary because drones can violate privacy rules, data protection rights, and public peace. However, many African countries have either very restrictive regulations, or no proper regulation in place, making the process of acquiring a license for drone operation cumbersome. In this study, we present the results of a literature review that explores the current drone regulations in Sub-Saharan Africa and the results of a systematic literature review (SLR) and survey study whereby we have interviewed the relevant stakeholders, in order to understand the challenges posed by the regulations to the effective use of drones for agriculture. The results indicate that the regulations contain about 40 to 85 per cent of the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) manual on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPASs). In addition, whilst the SLR focused on the technology, safety, ethics and regulatory hurdles towards drones, the interviewees focused on the need for skill and awareness among the responsible authorities to enforce regulations, and the need for sustainability and participatory process in defining regulations.

The Potential and Challenges of Using ICT as a Vehicle for Rural Communication as Characterised by Smallholder Farmers

Agricultural extension is a communication network linking different stakeholders in agriculture to improve their productivity and Information Communication Technology (ICT) has been utilised as an extension tool for enhancing information flow between agricultural extension services and their clients. The application of ICT in agricultural extension and rural development has significantly increased in several countries where it has provided an adequate access to agricultural information. Efforts are, therefore, needed to scale up investments in physical ICT infrastructure and services across developing country. This could be realised through the implementation of interventions aimed at speeding up assimilation and adoption of improved agricultural technology and management practices of the less productive smallholder farmers. Drawing on relevant published works, this paper argues that agricultural knowledge and information management within an extension system can improve productivity of smallholder farmers. The role of ICTs in agricultural extension is discussed together with its challenges towards the improvement of productivity among smallholder farmers. Smallholder farmers need to develop and utilize ICT based knowledge management techniques to implement strategies and interventions to transform the agricultural sector and improve their productivity. Agricultural extension is the ideal mechanism that can facilitate the introduction and subsequent adoption of ICTs for effective knowledge and information management.

Development of electronic healthcare in Kazakhstan as a factor of improving the quality of medical services

The relevance of the article is determined by the priority of the task of improving the quality and availability of medical care to the population, improving medical education and the health care management system, in the context of the systemic implementation of e-health technologies. According to WHO terminology, e-health involves the use of information and communication technologies not only in the health care system, but also covers public health, health management, financial and economic, educational and scientific aspects related to this area.
 The article deals with the development of digital health care in Kazakhstan, the pace of development of which allows us to predict with confidence the intensive development of smart medicine in the future. The main stages of digitalization of health care were considered, while the main trends that characterize the features and problems of its development at the present stage were highlighted. It is expected that the introduction of information communication technologies into the health care system will allow a new level of quality of medical care provided to the population. The introduction of e-health technologies will allow remote monitoring of the population, increase patient awareness, improve access to health care, especially in remote areas.

Crop Production, Gender Roles and the Use of Mobile Phones and Radios for Agricultural Information by Farmers in Apac District, Northern Uganda

The introduction of information communication technologies like mobile phones and radios as a form of agricultural extension has the capacity to alter household gender roles. The information access that was previously more available to men than women, has the capacity to empower farmers by improving their ability to turn food crops into market oriented crops. This implies that food crops, previously seen as women’s crops, also become cash crops, which were thought to be men’s crops. This change also leads to changes in agricultural gender roles. The anticipated increase in agricultural productivity also leads to men or hired labour participating in agricultural roles that were previously thought to be women’s roles, so as to meet the market demands in a timely manner. The dual purpose of the crops leads to more joint labour provision along the agricultural production process and blurs the gender divide. The study used a sequentially mixed methods’ approach among farmers belonging to five farmer groups in Apac district in Northern Uganda. The study indicated that the use of mobile phones in agricultural production altered agricultural gender roles, as well as the participation of women and men in the production of food crops and cash crops. The changes greatly benefited women farmers as they moved into commercial production alongside their husbands, which changed their socio-economic status. The use of mobile phones and radios is important in fostering the participation of both men and women in agricultural roles that they previously did not engage in, since there is limited monopoly of information once a couple navigates issues of power relations surrounding the access to and use of the technologies.

Empowering primary government schools in Telangana (India) with information communication technology enabled education

The amalgamation of education with computer and technology is known as information communication technology (ICT), ICT has proven its worth and creditability in business, government and academia with its innovative propositions. Computer-aided education could be utilised to facilitate creative teaching and make the process of learning more informative and interactive. This would enable the development of the marginalised and the deprived sections of the society and the development of the community as a whole. The education system can be drastically improved by the utilising ICT enabled education in government schools. The current paper illustrates an action research initiative undertaken with the aim of empowering primary government schools. Introduction of ICT enabled education as part of the pedagogy has the potential to attract the underprivileged children to school, accelerate the rate of enrolment and retain children in schools.

Empowering primary government schools in Telangana (India) with information communication technology enabled education

The amalgamation of education with computer and technology is known as information communication technology (ICT), ICT has proven its worth and creditability in business, government and academia with its innovative propositions. Computer-aided education could be utilised to facilitate creative teaching and make the process of learning more informative and interactive. This would enable the development of the marginalised and the deprived sections of the society and the development of the community as a whole. The education system can be drastically improved by the utilising ICT enabled education in government schools. The current paper illustrates an action research initiative undertaken with the aim of empowering primary government schools. Introduction of ICT enabled education as part of the pedagogy has the potential to attract the underprivileged children to school, accelerate the rate of enrolment and retain children in schools.

USING ICT IN EMPOWERING TEACHERS FOR QUALITY EDUCATION

The quality education depends upon the quality of teachers. Teacher education plays a vital role in developing quality education which is the present requirement in the modem information & communication era. Teachers educators are the basis producing the future teachers who are the pillars of nations. The quality of teacher education programmes depend on the quality of teacher educators who are the teachers of teachers. They should be well equipped with the latest knowledge's in their subject by undergoing orientation & refresher courses, seminar etc., management skills, communication skills, good qualities to inculcate among the teachers trainees. Teachers educators should be a friend, philosopher and guide to teachers trainees and be a role model to the teacher trainees. A teacher with technology is the need of the hour. The techno-teacher is one who integrates the content with technology in the classroom. The teacher has to use the simple technology to higher technology that is black board to space-board. The Information Communication Technology (ICT) heralds the world of knowledge on the screen hence the learners learning will be enhanced in a split of second meeting the demands of the society at large. Education is the backbone of a nation. The introduction of ICTs in the education has profound implications for the whole education process especially in dealing with key issues of access, equity, management, efficiency, pedagogy and quality. Information and communication technology (ICT) is a force that has changed many aspects of the way we live. l21 In developing countries, education is also linked to a whole batch of indicators of human development. Education of women influences the health of children and family size. The experience of Asian economies in particular in the past two decades has demonstrated the benefits that public investment in education can bring. Integrating ICT in teaching and learning is high on the educational reform agenda. Often ICT is seen as vital tool to fully participate in the knowledge society.

Changing Spaces: Locating Public Space at the Intersection of the Physical and Digital

AbstractIt is widely held that the introduction of information communication technologies (ICTs) has resulted in significant changes to the organisation of cities, public spaces and everyday social life. Despite this, the extent and nature of these changes is something that is less than well established. This paper argues that conceptions of space and time have been radically altered by the new forms of accessibility and connectivity that are afforded by ICTs; in particular, wireless technologies, which continue to blur the boundaries between the public and private spaces of the city. The contemporary urban public spatial realm is neither physical nor digital, but an intricate and relational combination of the two. There is a need for a (re)conceptualisation of public space in light of this interconnection. Concepts such as ‘hybrid’ space might have been useful to some extent, but a fluid, less dualistic, more abstract mental image of public spaces is now required. The paper concludes that future research of urban public spaces must be situated in‐between the physical and digital and necessarily extend its scope beyond the traditional theoretical and methodological boundaries of the geographical discipline.

Public healthcare in Mozambique: Strategic issues in the ICT development during managerial changes and public reforms

It has been predicted that major introduction of information communication technology (ICT) for health care organisations (HCO) over the next 10 years will be used to achieve the universal coverage and improve the quality of health care delivered to people. Which is the best strategy on ICT transfer, adoption and adaptation for the local Mozambican HCO? This paper argues that a sociotechnical approach of ICT development can help policy makers and health managers to address the technology transfer in a better and more appropriate way to their social context and to the public health reforms in progress. The urgency of health care demands (e.g. AIDS epidemic) and the institutional changes implemented by the Government and the local Ministry of Health (MOH), open a dynamic process of re-organisation inside the health institutions in the next years. This process needs to be monitored and initiatives planned, which places pressure on the evolution of health information system (HIS). The increase in the use of ICT can be an ally for health managers. The emergence of the open source software (OSS) and the recent ICT market trends towards networking may also enable local HCO to better face and solve the long process of health care standardisation, which usually prepares and accompanies any introduction of ICT. On the other side, the “big bang” introduction of electronic packages, devices and software applications may be an obstacle framing and anchoring local HCO to external settings, “modern” and universal models. Thus, a uniform step-by-step implementation of hospital-based health information system is desirable.

Innovative construction training: introducing information communication technology into the curriculum

It is evident that many colleges are seeking to use information communication technology (ICT) as a way of transforming the teaching and learning process and, as a consequence, adding value or increasing efficiency outcomes. Whilst to some construction might not seem the most verdant curricular terrain for the introduction of ICT, it has been pointed out by Evans (2000) that there is an increasing need within this sector of the economy to grasp the benefits of the new technology – not only in terms of what might be regarded as the more ‘traditional’ applications of design and development but also in the development of ‘hands on’ skills. With this in mind and using funding from the European Social Fund (ESF), Stourbridge College in the West Midlands, United Kingdom set out to explore the ways in which ICT can play a meaningful part in supporting construction skills development through the creation of an Advanced Technology Centre (ATC). Keen to take a systematic approach the college appointed a project researcher to assist in identifying the barriers and opportunities associated with the introduction of ICT into the construction curriculum. This report forms part of an ongoing evaluation by the researcher. It incorporates changes made by the college in response to earlier feedback from the researcher. In summary it is argued that ICT does have the potential to be both cost effective and efficient in providing ‘state of the art’ training to the construction industry, thereby facilitating the IT up skilling of its customers. However, amidst all the ICT excitement, the human dimension has proved to be the pivotal ingredient for the success of the venture, both in its embryonic stages and in the realisation of the dream.