Understanding Of Information And Communication Technologies Research Articles

Integration of ICT in the Attitudes and Knowledge of University Students

This article arises in the Ecuadorian context of Higher Education where the insertion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has a considerable impact on the knowledge and attitudes of students. The purpose of the research is to analyze the integration of ICT in attitudes and knowledge in students of the Bolivar State University in the careers of Accounting and Business Administration. The methodology used in a sample of 150 students presents a quantitative research design, exploratory type, correlational scope and cross-sectional; in addition, an exploratory factor analysis, KMO sample adequacy and Bartlett’s test were used, central trend and dispersion measures, Pearson’s correlation. The results show that, despite the direct relationship between the variables, there are no statistically significant differences between knowledge and attitude, that is, the perception and understanding of ICTs between the two cohorts of students are similar. It is concluded that students have an average level of knowledge about ICT and their attitude to the use of them is indifferent.

Impact of corruption control, free information flow, and ICT infrastructure on China's outward foreign direct investment

ABSTRACT This study examines the interplay between corruption control, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, and free information flow, assessing their collective influence on China's Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI). Based on unbalanced panel data on China's OFDI flows to 182 countries from 2005 to 2020, we find that improved corruption control measures and advanced ICT infrastructure in host countries significantly increase China's OFDI. Furthermore, a more robust information flow, facilitated by e-participation and a free press in the host country, enhances the positive influence of corruption control measures on attracting China's OFDI. Importantly, the beneficial effect of corruption control on China's OFDI is amplified when the host country has well-developed ICT infrastructure that supports e-participation. By elucidating the complex interplay between institutions, ICT, and international business activities, this study contributes novel insights into the understanding of ICT's role in socioeconomic development, particularly in the context of foreign investment.

Pre-primary teachers’ preparedness in integrating information and communication technology in teaching and learning in Tanzania

Pre-primary teachers’ preparedness in integrating information and communication technology in teaching and learning in Tanzania

Enhancing ICT Skills to Support Product Marketing for SMEs Aisyiyah Dau Malang District [Peningkatan Ketrampilan TIK Untuk Mendukung Pemasaran Produk Bagi Pelaku UKM Aisyiyah Kecamatan Dau Malang

The insufficiency of understanding of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) among woman entrepreneur in Indonesia is a problem that needs to be resolved. Because Indonesia has the potential to develop business through e-commerce. At present, there are many small and medium enterprises, especially those spread in Malang Regency, dominated by women as business actors. However, they have difficulties in marketing products, especially online marketing. To overcome this problem, we proposed a training program to improve the understanding of ICT for women entrepreneur, especially who is a member of Aisyiyah Organization in Malang. This program will provide ICT training as well as mentoring. Output targets of this program are: 1) partners are able to manage online stores independently; and 2) partners can market their products online through web media, social media, and market place. The material to be provided includes: an introduction to the internet, creating e-mail, marketing through social media, marketing through the market place, and marketing through online web shops. Through the program, the knowledge and skills of women entrepreneur of Aisyiyah Malang can increase so that they can become capital to be more competitive, especially in entering the global market.

Information And Communication Technology, Uncertainty Reduction, And Dual Identification In Chinese Organizations

By employing Chinese sample, this study examined the relationship between organizational members’ use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and their identification with the immediate workgroup and the overall organization. Employees’ uncertainty level was proposed as a mediating factor in these relationships. Participants N=336 completed an online survey. Results indicated that workgroup identification (WID) was positively predicted by members’ use of organizational social media to seek work-related information, and organizational identification (OID) was positively predicted by organizational social media and intranet for the same purpose. These relationships were either partially or fully mediated by employee’s uncertainty level. Results contributed to our understanding of ICT’s role in modern collocated work settings and shed lights on ICT and identification in a non-Euro-American context.

Health care in sub-Saharan Africa: an explorative study of photography as a healing art

Background and Purpose: Therapeutic art plays an important role in patient recovery in hospitals. Art therapy in prescribed terms captures the use of arts and words to express ones feelings. Unlike many developed parts of the world, art rarely plays a significant role in the healing processes at hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa. While waiting to see medical officers or during admissions in the hospital, patients often find themselves either staring at blank walls or looking at health informational images — two extremes of the imagery spectrum. This may psychologically have a positive or negative impact on the health of the patient. However, research shows the importance of art in the healing process as well as in comfort and the perceived level of care. Research conducted on patients who have undergone surgery indicates that patients who had photographs mounted in their wards recovered faster than their counterparts. Similarly, researchers have also found that digital storytelling is one of the viable ways to facilitate self-healing. With the availability of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), there is a possibility of improving healing, facilitated within this form of cognitive-behavioural and psychodynamic process of therapy. This on-going case study, explores the use of digital photography in facilitating healing process in a hospital. It explores the use of ICT-enabled therapeutic art installation in the medical wards to aid in clinical care and practice. Methods: A qualitative approach is employed to gain deeper insight and understanding of ICTs in therapeutic art. The study focuses on maternal and child healthcare (MCH). The research is being conducted in a private-general hospital in Ghana where most of the patients are middle-income earners. Through participatory processes, images created from the input of patients and health workers were installed in the female wards and waiting areas. Interviews and observations were used to obtain impressions from patients and hospital staff about the installation in the clinic. Twenty key informants comprising doctors, nurses and patients conveyed their views. Results: Preliminary results show that, patients prefer hospital environments with therapeutic art. It relieves them of boredom and makes them feel more comfortable and relaxed. Subsequently, artistic intervention takes their mind of their ailment. It may be realised that the use of ICT- enabled therapeutic art installation has potential in facilitating healing. Conclusions: The preliminary results suggest that through simple photos created from ICTs, patients and health workers mood could be improved in the hospital. This form of phototherapy also makes patient’s appreciate art. Further research could be conducted in other private and public hospitals in cities and rural areas in other sub-Saharan African countries to validate the study. Keywords: healing; ICT; maternal healthcare; photography; sub-Saharan Africa; therapeutic art

Student Teachers Learning to Teach: The Mastery and Appropriation of Digital Technology

This article aims to shed light on the processes by which student teachers change and shape their understanding of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) as a tool for learning. Two types of processes are investigated. One is the process by which student teachers gain a technical proficiency, i.e. how student teachers benefit from their technical skills in a school context. The other process is concerned with how student teachers are able to integrate or combine a technical proficiency with a broader view on how teaching and learning should be conducted. The research reviewed indicates that an isolated technical proficiency is not sufficient for providing new teaching opportunities, and there seems to be a gap between technical knowledge and knowledge on how to employ technology in a learning context. In this light, student teachers need to develop a view on ICT that goes beyond the mere technical aspects. The concepts “mastery” and “appropriation” from Wertsch (1998) are employed to structure the discussion. These two concepts from Wertsch can inform us about the way in which student teachers approach ICT as a tool for learning and can help characterize this approach.