Online Communication Tools Research Articles

Quantum Dots‐Functionalized Encryption Camera for Text Image Security Protection

With the wide utilization of mobile devices with a camera as online communication tools, there is a great need to develop image encryption technology for protecting confidential and sensitive information. Herein, quantum dots‐functionalized encryption (QDE) camera is proposed by integrating the fluorescence emission of quantum dots (QDs) with charge coupled device or complementary metal oxide semiconductor detector arrays during the imaging process. The variation of the photoluminescence emission from QDs controlled by UV365 nm illumination provides a convenient way to scramble the spatial distribution of RGB values in the captured image, which expands the information entropy of the captured image to realize in situ image encryption. The encrypted text images can be decrypted by a convolutional neural network‐based algorithm, resulting in high‐quality decrypted images with peak signal‐to‐noise ratio up to 45 dB. Compared with the previous reported image encryption techniques of chaotic cryptosystem, fluorescent material‐based encryption, and optical encryption, the proposed QDE camera shows advantages of high execution speed and easy miniaturization. It provides a promising in situ image encryption technique to guarantee information security in digitization process.

Exploring the application of social media in food waste campaigns and interventions: A systematic scoping review of the academic and grey literature

Consumer food waste is a growing issue that has a severe impact on the economy and the environment. Social media is an online communication tool that has the potential to reach a large proportion of the population with relative ease. However, it is unclear whether social media can be used to encourage consumers to reduce their food waste. To determine how social media is currently being used in food waste reduction campaigns and interventions and whether it could be an effective communication tool to discourage consumer food waste. Eight academic databases from multiple disciplines were searched in combination with grey literature. Inclusion criteria were consumer-focused food waste interventions or campaigns that used social media as part of their strategy and had food waste reduction as a main outcome. Exclusion criteria included the use of websites or mobile applications rather than social media, non-English papers, and review papers. Seventeen studies were included. Social media was found to have a positive impact in eleven studies e.g. raising awareness or contributing to consumer food waste reduction. Multifaceted interventions or campaigns (rather than those that used social media alone) were found to be more effective at increasing consumer understanding of food waste and/or producing initial behaviour changes such as taking leftovers for lunch, for example. Most of the included interventions or campaigns did not report a social media strategy or self-defined targets to achieve prior to beginning the campaign. Social media data included in the papers focused mainly on social media metrics (e.g. reach of the posts) rather than tangible outcomes from consumers who saw the posts. Multifaceted approaches that combine social media with other behaviour change strategies are recommended to encourage consumer behaviour change in relation to food waste reduction. Social media needs to be further explored for consumer food waste reduction, with a focus on the importance of comprehensive plans and strategies prior to beginning the campaign or intervention.

Corporate Social Responsibility: What Are Foodservice Companies Reporting?

This study identified aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities using online communication tools (i.e., websites and online CSR reports) with an emphasis on the foodservice industry and compared quick-service restaurants and dessert cafes. With the content analysis of 48 foodservice companies, the community, environment, marketplace, vision and values, food, and workforce-centered CSR activities implemented by the selected foodservice companies were measured. In addition, the types CSR information delivered to customers employed by the foodservice companies were investigated. Lastly, there were significant differences between two segments in the foodservice industry in some aspects of CSR activities and types of CSR activities.

Investigating the Relationship between Facial Mimicry and Empathy.

Facial expressions play a key role in interpersonal communication when it comes to negotiating our emotions and intentions, as well as interpreting those of others. Research has shown that we can connect to other people better when we exhibit signs of empathy and facial mimicry. However, the relationship between empathy and facial mimicry is still debated. Among the factors contributing to the difference in results across existing studies is the use of different instruments for measuring both empathy and facial mimicry, as well as often ignoring the differences across various demographic groups. This study first looks at the differences in the empathetic abilities of people across different demographic groups based on gender, ethnicity and age. The empathetic ability is measured based on the Empathy Quotient, capturing a balanced representation of both emotional and cognitive empathy. Using statistical and machine learning methods, this study then investigates the correlation between the empathetic ability and facial mimicry of subjects in response to images portraying different emotions displayed on a computer screen. Unlike the existing studies measuring facial mimicry using electromyography, this study employs a technology detecting facial expressions based on video capture and deep learning. This choice was made in the context of increased online communication during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study confirm the previously reported difference in the empathetic ability between females and males. However, no significant difference in empathetic ability was found across different age and ethnic groups. Furthermore, no strong correlation was found between empathy and facial reactions to faces portraying different emotions shown on a computer screen. Overall, the results of this study can be used to inform the design of online communication technologies and tools for training empathy team leaders, educators, social and healthcare providers.

Engaging rural communities: The uses of online communication tools in Local Action Groups’ activity

Engaging rural communities: The uses of online communication tools in Local Action Groups’ activity

Sociocultural activity of the library in the conditions of its digitalization

The purpose of the article is to outline the main most effective online means of communication that contribute to the socio-cultural objectives of the library in terms of its humanistic mission. Today the issues of transformation of the national library system are relevant, which is due to global trends in thetransformation of the classical library into a modern socio-cultural and information institution of a new type, which would be interesting for society. One of the main directions of modernization of library services is its digitalization because digital technologies are actively entering all spheres of modern society. The digital economy sets the vector by which socio-cultural institutions will develop. The methodology is based on the use of general scientific methods, namely synthesis, deduction, induction, description, and explanation. Scientific novelty. The study describes the main most effective digital tools that contribute to the socio-cultural objectives of the library in terms of its humanistic mission. The authors emphasize that digitalization is one of the main directions of modernization of the library institution, and outline its advantages while emphasizing the ambiguity of the impact of digitalization on society. The study represents the level of productivity of the main network means of communication in the implementation of socio-cultural objectives of the library in terms of library practitioners. Research of socio-cultural activity of the library in the conditions of its digitalization allows use in the practice of the basic network means of communication taking into account their productivity. Today libraries are faced with the need to digitize their activities,which is the focus of public policy in the library field. Conclusions. Among the most effective digital tools that contribute to the socio-cultural objectives of the library, there are two groups: first, online communication tools, which include library sites, social media pages, library blogs, virtual exhibitions,virtual literature reviews, podcasts, book trailers, digitized library holdings, and second, more traditional events that use digital technology.Key words: archive, innovation, management, digitization, information, rebranding, technologization, fund.

The impact of synchronous hybrid instruction on students’ engagement in a pharmacotherapy course

Background:Synchronous hybrid instruction offers flexible learning opportunities by allowing a portion of students to attend class sessions on campus while simultaneously allowing the remaining students to attend remotely. Although such flexibility may offer a number of advantages for pharmacy students, one area of concern is whether online participation options within synchronous hybrid courses can promote similar levels of engagement as courses that are designed entirely for face-to-face (FTF) participation.Objectives:The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of synchronous hybrid instruction on pharmacy students’ engagement in a pharmacotherapy course. An evaluation was completed to determine if students were more likely to actively engage in class when they were participating remotely via teleconferencing technology or when FTF. Additionally, students’ perspectives were evaluated to determine their views of the benefits and challenges of the hybrid model for engagement in learning.Methods:The course utilizes team-based learning to apply critical thinking skills and develop a comprehensive care plan. A mixed methods approach was used to examine students’ engagement in the hybrid learning environment by quantitatively analyzing students’ responses to likert-scale survey items and qualitatively analyzing their responses to open-ended survey questions.Results:Students reported they were more likely to actively listen (p=0.004), avoid distractions (p=0.008), and react emotionally to a topic or instruction (p=0.045) when FTF. There were no significant differences found in student reported note taking, asking questions, responding to questions, or engaging in group work between the two modes of participation. Content analysis identified other benefits that supported student engagement, including perceived flexibility and enhanced ability to interact during class via the teleconferencing technology. For some students, challenges that negatively impacted engagement included difficulties with internet connectivity and a sense of dislocation or isolation in the course.Conclusion:This study demonstrated that when participating in a synchronous hybrid course, students participating remotely were less likely (compared to in-person attendance) to pay close attention and react emotionally, but were just as likely to take notes and communicate with teachers and groups. Key benefits of the hybrid approach were increased flexibility and the usefulness of online communication tools, while key challenges focused on technical and psychological isolation from others. The principles of flexible learning environments and self-regulated learning provide opportunities for pharmacy educators who are interested in improving hybrid instruction in the future.

Együttműködő társadalom

The MIT Press Essential Knowledge series provide the reader with accessible, concise, yet interesting and completely up-to-date information. (Some examples: Neuroplasticity, Critical Thinking, Anticorruption etc.) Each part was written by excellent experts on the subject, in a language understood by non-experts, too. In this way, the current research data and results in the field of eachtopic can be really used. Nowadays, it is not easy to find in the endless set of information obtainable on the World Wide Web those that essentially provide the fundamental knowledge on a particular topic. The MIT series fill a gap in this. The topic of the present volume of the series is the Collaborative Society by Dariusz Jemielnaiak & Aleksandra Przegalinska. And where does human cooperation come from? ‘Being collaborative distinguishes us as human even more than our opposable thumbs; the drive to cooperate significantly sets us apart from chimpanzees, our closest cousins in terms of DNA similarity, and this difference is already visible in young children. In fact, cooperation with nonkin, so typical for humans, is relatively rare in the animal kingdom.’ (Jemielnaiak & Przegalinska, 2020). Whether new technologies, for example online communication tools, help to develop a more positive and stronger human cooperation or amplify the currently existing social differences? The authors examine these key important questions.

Postgraduate students' views on the use of WhatsApp groups as an online communication tool to support teaching and learning during COVID-19

The purpose of this research was to identify students’ views on the use of WhatsApp in an online postgraduate course at a South African Open Distance eLearning institution during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, lecturers and students relied on their mobile devices to communicate using different tools, including WhatsApp. Although it is a trending communication tool in teaching and learning, little is known about students’ views on using WhatsApp to support teaching and learning in a time of crisis. Within an interpretative paradigm, the research followed a case study design and a qualitative approach. The study used questionnaires with open-ended questions to collect data. The sample consisted of 16 students enrolled for a Master’s in Education programme. Data were analysed using a thematic approach. The findings showed that WhatsApp groups provided students with immediate, fast, easy to use and affordable communication and connection, thus, creating a sense of belonging. However, a possible disadvantage was also observed. A WhatsApp group can defeat its purpose if students use it for non-academic chats and it can become a distraction. This study proposes that institutions of higher learning consider using WhatsApp groups to support learning communities as they can alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation, specifically in times of crisis. Furthermore, the study recommends that the purpose of WhatsApp groups should be clearly outlined to students and that lecturers and students should agree upon some ground rules before they start using WhatsApp groups to support teaching and learning.

Using Digital Technologies to Improve the Efficiency of Discussion Environments for Economics Students During COVID-19

The article is devoted to studying the impact of digital technologies on providing an efficient educational discussion environment against the background of isolation and social distancing caused by COVID-19 preventive measures. The course structuring allowed fostering a better understanding of educational activities. The use of popular online communication tools positively influenced educational communication effectiveness. The conscious attitude to training facilitated the formation of a corporate culture of engagement in the learning environment. Thematic and consulting support provided by academic assistants allowed forming a sense of confidence. The implementation of the concept of business gamification provoked an increase in students’ interest in practical training and entailed greater participation in learning. The relevance of the creative work topic enabled students to express their own view on professional activity and reinforced the desire for using the gained knowledge and experience in practice.

Relationships between Occupational Stress, Change in Work Environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms among Non-Healthcare Workers in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aims to clarify the effect of occupational stress and changes in the work environment on non-healthcare workers’ (HCWs) mental health during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. A web-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted from 16 to 17 December 2020. Data from 807 non-HCWs were included. We evaluated occupational stress using the Generic Job Stress Questionnaire (GJSQ). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Japanese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, respectively. We collected demographic variables, work-related variables, and the variables associated with COVID-19. The adjusted odds ratios for depressive and anxiety groups were estimated using multivariate logistic regression analyses, adjusted for all the demographic variables, work-related variables, COVID-19-related variables, and the six subdivided GJSQ subscales. The results confirm a relationship between variance in workload, job future ambiguity, social support from coworkers, having contact with COVID-19 patients, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Paying attention to job future ambiguity, the variance in workload at the workplace and individual perspectives, promoting contact and support among coworkers using online communication tools, and reducing contact with COVID-19 patients, will be useful for decreasing the depressive and anxiety symptoms among non-HCWs.

Nationality biases in peer evaluations: The country-of-origin effect in global virtual teams

In a post-COVID-19 world, due to the increasing reliance on virtual work, global virtual teams (GVTs) are critical for the international success of firms. A fundamental challenge that firms face in this new remote work context is the need to measure the performance of individuals in GVTs. Peer evaluations are advocated as a way to improve the validity of performance appraisals. Peers work closely with one another and, presumably, are better positioned to observe and evaluate fellow team members’ performance. Even when completed in good faith, however, a fair evaluation of individual contributions and performance in GVTs could be distorted by subjectivity, bias, cultural and institutional differences, and the limitations of online communication tools. Based on a sample of 6634 GVTs comprised of 33,271 people in 79 countries that worked on an international business (IB) project, we tested the country-of-origin (COO) effect in peer evaluations within the context of GVTs. Results indicate that the nationality of the team member is a source of significant bias in peer evaluations. Our tests show that the prestige and the level of economic development of the country that a team member is from is a better predictor of peer evaluations received than objective measures of individual skills and competencies, including English proficiency, technical ability, and cultural intelligence, or national per-capita spending on education, suggesting that a COO effect based on personal bias may affect performance ratings more than actual contributions. We conclude that the COO effect in peer evaluations in GVTs has to be taken into account when designing evaluation systems and discuss implications for theory, practice and future research.

An exploratory study of online internal communication within an employee relationship management approach: A Kenyan case study

The aim of this study was to explore the adoption of online communication tools (OCTs) by employees and managers of a public sector organisation in Kenya in a bid to build relationships in the workplace. Online internal communication (OIC) is gaining more prominence in public sector organisations in Kenya owing to the recognition of its positive effects on sound employee relationships. Strong employee relationships are essential to enhance not only the competitive advantage, but also the productivity of organisations. It is for this reason that public sector organisations in Kenya have increasingly adopted various OCTs and channels to enhance employees’ interactions and engagement. Consequently, a qualitative research approach was adopted. Primary data was collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews and analysed in accordance with a well-known qualitative data analysis approach. The key findings in this study identified the lack of training, open communication, involvement, motivation and trust as some of the factors affecting employee relationship management (ERM) in an online setting. The findings provide deeper insight into the degree to which employees are using OCTs for relationship building in a public sector organisation, which could be used as a heuristic for similar organisations.

DEVELOPMENT OF CRITICAL THINKING OF PUPILS AND STUDENTS DURING DISTANCE EDUCATION IN THE CONDITIONS OF WAR

The article reveals the peculiarities of the development of critical thinking among students (both pupils and students) during distance learning in war conditions. It was determined that critical thinking is conscious, independent, reflective, purposeful, grounded, controlled and self-organized thinking, which consists of general methodological principles and strategies, a wide range of evaluation and justification procedures. It was found that the development of critical thinking not only helps students when working with information at school, but also creates a basis for the formation of logical thinking and reasoning. It is proven that the formation of critical thinking in students is based on the ability to show the individuality and uniqueness of everyone, to increase the flexibility of thinking, to formulate judgments and questions. It is established that management of the process of formation of critical thinking and development of pupils’ and students’ abilities presupposes, first of all, obtaining information about their real and potential levels. It was determined that the ability to develop critical thinking, to make independent and rational decisions, to learn throughout life are the main features that an education seeker should acquire. In the course of the study, it was established that the role of information and communication technologies in the process of distance learning in war conditions is especially important, because now only with their help do students of education, both pupils and students, develop critical thinking. It has been proven that in today’s conditions, critical thinking among students, both pupils and students, is formed with the help of such electronic educational platforms as Google Workspace, Google Classroom, New Knowledge, HUMAN.UA and online communication services and tools (Zoom, Skype, Team), basic Google services (Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Jamboard, Chat, Hangouts), YouTube platform.

Evaluation of a Customised Online Learning Environment – A Student Perspective

The present study aimed to examine how students evaluate the online learning environment after eight months of its use. The scope and functionalities of the online platform had been recommended by its future users in the process of the platform design and construction. Once the platform was implemented, it constituted the main instructional means in the pandemic period and is being considered to be further used in post-COVID, hybrid model of education. The students who participated in the study encompassed all the undergraduate and postgraduate students of a medium sized tertiary institution. The data was collected with the help of an online survey tool. The online surveys were distributed to all the students after eight months of the distance instruction and made available for the period of four months. The author wished to examine and assess the outcomes concerning the students’ perception of the platform in three areas, namely teaching remote classes, conducting student evaluation and reporting their activity. The study revealed positive opinions relating to being given an opportunity to continue studies during the pandemic, the accessibility of online resources and the functionalities the platform offers. Less approving views were expressed in relation to the online communication tools, the methods of teaching and assessment as well as the opportunity to improve IT competence. A possible direction which the contemporary education might take is hyflexing of teaching and learning (Hybrid-Flexible or Hyflex model) which combines the traditional in-class interaction, online synchronous sessions and asynchronous content delivery.

Corporate Social Responsibility Engagement through Social Media. Evidence from the University of Salerno

Over the last few decades, stakeholders’ growing attention towards social and environmental issues has challenged universities’ traditional accountability boundaries, imposing the adoption of innovative reporting tools that facilitate stakeholders’ engagement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices and performances. Against this backdrop, online communication tools, such as websites and social media platforms, have gained momentum as a pivotal means to increase dialogue with the myriad of stakeholders, especially during the pandemic period, as it has dramatically reduced physical interactions. Based on these premises, this study aims to dive deep into the use of social media to communicate CSR strategies in the university context by exploring the case of the University of Salerno. To this end, all posts published by the University of Salerno’s official Twitter account from 2015 to 2021 have been extracted and analyzed. Accordingly, the degree of interactions with stakeholders and the communication direction and balance level have been examined based on Carroll’s pyramid. Findings show a higher level of engagement for CSR posts and, in particular, for the philanthropic dimension. Results also highlight that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Salerno has empowered CSR disclosure through Twitter. The methodology adopted could be replicated for other universities to understand better how public universities use social media to involve a broader range of stakeholders in their CSR practices.

Public diplomacy, propaganda and communication management

In this paper we analyze the concept of public diplomacy in relation to the ideas of traditional diplomacy and propaganda, and examine the meaning of this notion in the context of the application of the concepts of soft, hard, and smart power of states. Also, the management of the communication process within the activities of public diplomacy is analyzed, as well as the issue of the relationship between the media and other communication channels and public diplomacy in the new digital communication ecosystem. Public diplomacy is rapidly turning to online communication channels and tools to reach the public in foreign countries. It is increasingly recognized that traditional methods and techniques of communicating with the public are losing importance and that the successful conduct of diplomatic activities increasingly implies direct interaction with target groups. This opens a new chapter in the development of the concept of public diplomacy, and the issues of interactivity and dialogue with new target groups is becoming increasingly important.

Online Communication Tools in Teaching Foreign Languages for Education Sustainability

Higher education curricula are developed based on creating conditions for implementing many professional and universal competencies. In Russia, one of the significant competencies for a modern specialist is business communication in oral and written forms in the Russian language and a foreign language. Therefore, teaching students to write in a foreign language is one of the modern requirements for young specialists’ professional training. This article aimed to study the tools of online communication that are used in teaching foreign languages. The article presents the results of an empirical study and analysis of factors of application of online communication technologies in foreign languages teaching, synchronous and asynchronous means used in online learning, and the advantages of integrating online communication tools into the educational process of teaching a foreign language. The study of the advantages and disadvantages of educational platforms is based on an analysis of information and online communication technologies used in the educational process. Based on the example of teaching a foreign language, the article shows how online communication platforms are involved in the educational process. Furthermore, the teachers’ and students’ opinions are presented on how online platforms are convenient. The survey involved 928 first-year students and 76 foreign language teachers of Volgograd State University (Volgograd), Linguistics University of Nizhny Novgorod (Nizhny Novgorod), Tomsk Polytechnic University (Tomsk), Ural Federal University, named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin (Ekaterinburg). It was revealed that the integration of online communication tools has positive effects on the formation and development of written communication skills.

Student disengagement in web-based videoconferencing supported online learning: an activity theory perspective

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many educators and students to embrace a “new normal” in learning that relies on online-learning approaches to alleviate the disruptions caused by the outbreak. In this context, the use of Web-based videoconferencing supported online lessons (WVCOL) has been offered as a solution to provide a learning environment that mimics a face-to-face classroom. However, disengagement among students in such settings constitutes a major challenge for many educators. The present study offers a new contribution to the research on online remote teaching by investigating the specific factors that hinder student engagement in WVCOL. This is a multi-case in-depth study involving two postgraduate courses. Using activity theory, several tensions or contradictions emerged as factors impeding student engagement such as mismatched objects between student and teachers, limited use of online breakout rooms, limited use of webcams, limited online non-verbal cues, limited use of private online communication tool, lack of incentive for online class participation, long student online presentations, and different expectations of student and instructor online roles. We discuss six research-based recommendations on how to address these contradictions in videoconferencing-supported courses.

A realist evaluation of the use of Flipgrid to facilitate collaborative online learning and reflection in sport coaching

ABSTRACT Sport coaching researchers have stressed the need for reflection in practitioners whilst the increased growth and impact of online applications has offered new ways to pursue this important goal. Recently, Stoszkowski, Hodgkinson and Collins (2021) showed that Flipgrid, an online communication tool that enables short video-based interactions, was a useful tool for facilitating and promoting analytical interaction between student-coaches on a bachelor’s degree programme. The present study used realist evaluation to examine this successful use of Flipgrid. A range of methods including surveys, participant observation, content analysis of video transcripts and a semi-structured focus group interview were used to develop preliminary theories regarding how, when and why Flipgrid facilitated and promoted more analytical interaction than earlier studies using online written blogs. Individual realist interviews were then conducted to refine these theories, resulting in three main components: convenience, connection and criticality. This research provides a coherent and plausible explanatory account of the causal processes through which the use of Flipgrid in this specific circumstance produced its outcomes, which may be useful to those implementing reflective practice interventions in similar educational settings.