Communication Technology Usage Research Articles

Transforming Teacher Performance: Optimizing Learning Through Information and Communication Technology

This study aims to explore the effect of information and communication technology (ICT) usage on teacher performance at Madrasah Aliyah in Jember Regency. The background of this research is the low quality of teachers in Indonesia, as indicated by the 2015 Teacher Competency Test (UKG) results, with a national average score of only 44.5, far below the standard of 75. A quantitative method with a descriptive approach was used to collect data from 40 teachers as samples, using a questionnaire that had been tested for validity and reliability. Data analysis employed descriptive statistical analysis, classical assumption tests, and simple linear regression. The research results show that ICT usage has a significant impact on teacher performance, with a regression coefficient value of 0.809, meaning that every 1% increase in ICT usage improves teacher performance by 80.9%. The T-count value of 4.904 is greater than the T-table value of 2.035, with a significance level of 0.000, indicating a significant influence. Additionally, the R-Square value of 0.422 indicates that 42.2% of the variability in teacher performance can be explained by ICT usage, while the remaining 57.8% is influenced by other factors. The study also identifies various digital tools and platforms used by teachers, such as Moodle, Google Classroom, Kahoot!, and Quizlet, which contribute to improved teaching performance. However, the study also notes challenges in ICT implementation, including accessibility, technological skills, and curriculum integration. These findings provide a comprehensive view of how ICT can be effectively utilized in education and the challenges that need to be addressed to maximize its benefits. This study has practical and theoretical implications, including recommendations for the use of technology in teaching and the addition of literature on ICT utilization in education

Understanding Technology Facilitated Gender-based Violence (TFGBV) in Uganda

Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV) is a growing issue in Uganda as the usage of information and communications technologies (ICTs) widens. These manifest in various forms such as cyber harassment, stalking, hateful messages, discriminatory comments, blackmailing and revenge pornography. TFGBV could have profound social, psychological, and economic consequences. That said, this digital transition could be used as a tool to provide a variety of services electronically. Policy research methods allowed for the study to explore the intricate nature of TFGBV in Uganda, investigate the effectiveness of Uganda’s existing legal and policy framework on TFGBV, examine the impact on victims, and propose comprehensive strategies for its effective regulation. The informants were purposively determined to provide technical aspects as well as a holistic lens, these include TFGBV survivors, legal practitioners, academics, legislators, CSOs, and implementers of the relevant laws as the Criminal Investigation Directorate and the gender desk of Uganda Police Force and the judiciary. The results highlight the necessity for a multifaced approach involving collaboration among various stakeholders, including the Civil Society Organisations, Government, and policymakers such as Members of Parliament, Police Officers, Parents, and individuals, to effectively combat TFGBV. Various factors that facilitate the TFGBV were identified, and everyone will have a role to play in this pressing issue.

Influence of Information and Communication Technology Usage on the Performance of Office Management Practices: A Case of the Tanzania Automotive Technology Centre, Tanzania

Influence of Information and Communication Technology Usage on the Performance of Office Management Practices: A Case of the Tanzania Automotive Technology Centre, Tanzania

The Effect of ICT Usage on Economic Growth in the MENA Region: Does the Level of Education Matter?

This paper examines the effect of information and communication technology (ICT) usage on economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with a focus on how education levels modulate this relationship. Covering data from 2000 to 2020 and employing a panel ARDL model for analysis, this research finds that, while ICT is prevalent across MENA, its impact on economic growth is negative. Furthermore, it reveals that education plays a crucial role in determining ICT’s effectiveness on economic growth. However, the positive impact of education is overshadowed by the adverse effects of brain drain, which negates the potential benefits ICT could have on the economy. This study highlights the importance for MENA policymakers to address the brain drain issue to enhance the positive impact of ICT on economic growth, suggesting the need for strategies that leverage both ICT and education to effectively foster economic development.

Factors Influencing ICT Usage in the Healthcare Management System at Government Hospitals in Tanzania: A Case of Kilwa Road Police Hospital

This study assesses the factors influencing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage in healthcare management systems at government hospitals in Tanzania, with a specific focus on Kilwa Road Police Hospital. The study aims to: examine the extent to which ICT infrastructure availability influences ICT usage in healthcare management systems; determine the influence of staff awareness on ICT usage at Kilwa Road Police Hospital; and investigate the influence of management support on ICT usage in healthcare management systems at the hospital. The study was guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Resource-Based Theory (RBT) and employed a descriptive research design. Systematic sampling was used to select 162 respondents from a target population of 272 staff members. Data was collected through questionnaires and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics included frequencies and percentages, while inferential statistics utilized multiple regression analysis. The findings reveal that the availability of necessary hardware and software is significantly and positively related to the effective utilization of ICT in healthcare management systems at Kilwa Road Police Hospital. Additionally, the level of staff awareness was identified as a crucial factor influencing ICT usage. The relationship between hardware and software availability and ICT utilization was statistically significant (p < 0.05), highlighting its importance in enhancing healthcare management systems. Furthermore, management support was found to play a significant role in ICT usage for healthcare management at Kilwa Road Police Hospital. The study concludes that ICT infrastructure, staff awareness, and management support are critical factors influencing ICT usage in healthcare management systems at Kilwa Road Police Hospital. It recommends that the hospital's management ensure the continuous availability of ICT infrastructure to sustain effective healthcare management systems.

Escala de actitudes hacia las personas mayores como aprendices y usuarias de tecnologías: evidencias psicométricas

[Objective] Develop and validate a psychometric scale to assess the general population's attitude towards older adults as learners and users of Information and Communication Technologies (PAMTIC scale). [Methodology] A preliminary version of the scale was built based on a systematic review of the literature. In Study 1, the initial version was reviewed by experts and by cognitive interviews. In Study 2, PAMTIC and the validation scales were applied in digital format to 196 people aged between 18 and 85 years. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), reliability and validity tests were performed. In studies 3 and 4, the final version of the scale and the validation scales in print and digital formats were applied to 1,041 people aged 18-82 years. In Studies 3 and 4, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability and validity tests were performed. [Results] EFA showed 6 factors with good internal consistency coefficients ranging between .80 and .88. CFA confirmed the 6-factor structure and indicated a good fit of the multidimensional model to the data. Correlations between PAMTIC and validation scales provided evidence of nomological validity. [Conclusions] PAMTIC has satisfactory psychometric properties to measure attitude towards older adults as learners and users of Information and Communication Technologies in a reliable and valid way.

Influence of digital technologies on adolescents: a literature review

Objectives: To identify factors in digital information and communication devices that affect adolescents. Methods: A literature review was conducted involving research and analysis in a scientific database. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8 articles were selected, providing significant insights into the topic. Results: The research, reading, and analysis of the obtained results highlighted four main themes: "Side effects of digital technology in adolescence"; "Adolescence shaped by digital technology"; "Digital adolescence: a call for further research"; and "Digital technology: not all thorns". Bardin's recommendations guided the systematic approach of this research. Final considerations: The study reveals various factors influencing behavior and potential risks to the mental health of adolescents as users of digital information and communication Technologies

The impact of teachers' perceived competence in information and communication technology usage, and workplace anxiety on well-being, as mediated by emotional exhaustion.

The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015, emphasizing the importance of achieving peace, prosperity, and well-being for all people. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainable health has become an important issue. Teachers were forced to adopt distance teaching, necessitating rapid upgrading of their ICT skills and integration into e-learning, which caused tangible and intangible pressures on teachers and impacted their well-being. This study examined the effects of ICT competence on teachers' workplace anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and well-being during the pandemic from the perspective of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). A quantitative research methodology and a questionnaire survey with a total of 21 questions were used as the primary research design. The snowball method was employed as a sampling method for online questionnaires from September to October 2021. A total of 216 questionnaires were collected, of which four incomplete questionnaires were excluded, leaving 212 valid questionnaires, with a valid questionnaire recovery rate of 98.1%. The valid questionnaires were analyzed using Smart Pls 4.0 Partial Least Square Method Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The study found that teachers' ICT competence could significantly reduce emotional exhaustion and enhance teachers' well-being. However, there was no significant effect on workplace anxiety. Additionally, well-being was not directly affected by workplace anxiety, and teachers' well-being needs to be mediated by emotional exhaustion to be indirectly affected. Emotional exhaustion plays an important mediating role between teachers' ICT competence and workplace stress, both of which are important mediators of well-being. From a practical point of view, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, it is ideal to have good health and well-being for the whole person. This study facilitates the development of strategies to improve the well-being of teachers, which provides an empirical basis for the enhancement of mental health and well-being of educators.

Successful Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Implementation in Readymade Garments factories in Bangladesh: Case Studies of SQUARE Fashions PLC and Nothern Toshrifa Group Limited, Bangladesh

Bangladesh's transformation into an agricultural nation has resulted in significant foreign exchange earnings from the export of ready-made garments (RMG) since the 1970s. Any RMG firm's main business operations are strongly associated with information and communication technology (ICT). The ready-made garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh has been facing various challenges to secure a competitive position in the global market, including the improvement of industrial operational excellence. Among the various issues, implementation of ICT is felt to be a common and effective way to enhance operational excellence. A PhD thesis was made on the topic “Application of Information and Communication Technology in the Readymade Garments Industry: A Study on the Bangladesh Market” by the author. To validate the hypotheses and results of the thesis, two RMG firms are chosen to compare their gross sales and net profit before and after the implementation of ICT in their industry. The main objective of the case study is to increase information and communication technology (ICT) usage, resulting in improved operational excellence and increased profit.

Determinants of Information and Communication Technology Usage Among Cassava Value Chain Actors in Southwest, Nigeria

Determinants of Information and Communication Technology Usage Among Cassava Value Chain Actors in Southwest, Nigeria

Citizen attitudes towards e-government services during the COVID-19 pandemic: A case in Türkiye

E-government services are essential to societies because they save time, reduce corruption, provide efficient, low-cost, and fast service, increase transparency, and enhance trust in the government. These applications save time, which translates to cost savings by reducing bureaucratic crowds and fatigue and eliminating the need for citizens to travel for offline transactions. This study investigates various factors related to citizens' use of e-government services according to gender differences during and before COVID-19. The microdata set from the Survey on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Usage in Households conducted by TURKSTAT in 2018 and 2021 was used. Additionally, the binary logistic regression method was employed to analyze these factors. According to the research results, it has been determined that variables such as age, education level, occupation, e-commerce use, internet financial transaction status, number of people in the household, and region are associated with women's use of e-government services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that the significance and impact of these variables on the use of e-government services differ based on the gender of individuals and the periods. The study provides recommendations for IT professionals, staff of the interior ministries, and researchers interested in increasing the use of e-government services. This research may also pioneer efforts to identify priority areas for expanding e-government services.

Household information and communication technology usage and post-harvest losses in Nigeria

PurposePost-harvest losses are becoming a huge issue globally and predominantly severe in developing countries. Food losses decrease farm income by 15% for about 480m small-scale farming households. With technology adoption, particularly, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage, minimising post-harvest losses will be more effective, because of its ability to build households’ human development by bridging the information gap.Design/methodology/approachThis study empirically examines the impact of ICT usage on post-harvest losses in Nigeria, utilising Wave 4 (2018/2019) of the Living Standards Measurement Studies (LSMS), Integrated Survey on Agriculture (ISA). The study engages the Logit regression and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to analyse the data.FindingsThe findings show that post-harvest losses constitute about 38% of household agricultural production. In addition, it shows that the influence of ICT is statistically significant and positive in reducing post-harvest losses.Research limitations/implicationsIt implies that access to mobile phones and the Internet by households helps in developing their human capital through information access, for example, by linking them to the market and enhancing value chain participation. In addition, the implication is that mobile phone and Internet access contribute 1.87% and 2.68%, respectively, to reducing post-harvest losses. The findings suggest that there is a need for the government to improve support mechanisms for ICT usage among farming households.Social implicationsThe study contributes to the society by examining how the well-being of farmers can be improved upon in order to increase their productivity.Originality/valueThe study on the contribution of ICT to post-harvest losses is relatively sparse in the extant literature. Therefore, this study is among the very few to empirically examine the impact of different ICT indicators, using the LSMS-ISA (2019) data and engaging propensity matching, while focusing on the household heads.

Digital Literacy Among Agricultural Extension Agents in North Maluku, Indonesia

This study assesses the digital literacy of agricultural extension agents in North Maluku Province, Indonesia, and its implications for service delivery. A survey of 252 extension agents, conducted from November 2022 to February 2023, employed a validated questionnaire based on five key indicators: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage, digital data and information literacy, digital communication and collaboration, digital learning and extension skills, and digital identity and security literacy. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed an overall digital literacy level of 54.3% (SD = 10.8), indicating moderate proficiency. While ICT skills proficiency was high (61%), proficiency in other areas was lower, ranging from 50.8% to 55%. Younger agents and those with higher educational levels demonstrated higher digital literacy. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions by government and academic institutions to bolster the digital capabilities of agricultural extension agents, thereby enhancing their capacity to leverage digital technologies for effective service provision in North Maluku's agricultural sector.

Information and Communication Technology Usage in School Management: A Case of Selected Hwange District Schools in Matabeleland North Province, Zimbabwe

Apart from the fundamental function of teaching and learning, schools also ensure the realisation of the institutions' aims and vision. This is possible through use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which has been identified as an essential global phenomenon for efficient and effective schools. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine usage of ICT in school management in Hwange District. A qualitative approach driven by the interpretivism paradigm was adopted. A case study design focusing on selected schools was employed. Thematically analysed data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Findings indicated that the selected school heads mainly used ICT platforms such as WhatsApp, emails and printed documents for communication. Parents, through School Development Committee, provided internet connectivity for easy communication while the school heads used their personal smart phones. The study found that school heads faced various hurdles in using ICT in their management duties. These challenges included lack of resources, inadequate knowledge and skills to use ICT tools, work overload, inadequate funds to acquire ICT hardware and software equipment, lack of appropriate ICT infrastructure, limited internet access and sporadic power supplies. Despite the difficulties encountered, the study concluded that there were visible pockets of good practices in the use of ICT by selected school heads. The study recommended that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should capacitate school heads through ICT training. This will result in efficiency and effectiveness of school heads in execution of their management functions.

Usage of digital information and communications technologies in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Usage of digital information and communications technologies in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Navigating the nexus: unraveling technological innovation, economic growth, trade openness, ICT, and CO2 emissions through symmetric and asymmetric analysis

In Malaysia’s rapid economic growth and industrialization, environmental degradation and carbon emissions pose significant challenges. As urbanization continues to rise, there is a growing recognition of the imperative to tackle CO2 emissions. Trade openness and globalization drive economic activity but also heighten environmental pressures, including CO2 emissions from transportation and industry. Information communication technology (ICT) usage, shaped by infrastructure and regulations, can either improve energy efficiency or increase energy consumption. The study examines the impacts of economic growth (EG), trade openness (TON), technological innovation (TIN), and ICT on CO2 emissions in Malaysia, using both symmetric and asymmetric methods from 1985 to 2021. While many studies have explored environmental degradation, focusing on CO2 emissions and ecological footprint indicators, only a limited number have delved into the combined impact of sustainable EG, TON, ICT, and TIN on Malaysia’s CO2 emissions. Notably, these studies have often neglected the utilization of both symmetric and asymmetric methodologies. Hence, this study employed auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) and non-linear ARDL approaches to investigate the dynamic effects of the studied variables. The key findings from the symmetric analysis demonstrate that EG, TON, and ICT together take part in the increase of CO2 emissions in both the short and long run. Particularly, technological innovation plays a significant role in reducing CO2 emissions in the short term through the adoption of cleaner technologies. However, the results of the NARDL bound test reveal asymmetric long-term consequences of technological innovation, economic growth, and ICT on CO2 emissions. The study underscores the need for CO2 reduction policies in Malaysia, advocating for measures, such as incentivizing cleaner technologies and upgrading energy infrastructure. It also recommends implementing carbon pricing mechanisms for production and trade, alongside awareness campaigns to foster behavioral changes aimed at reducing emissions.

Availability and usage of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by research faculties of CCS HAU, Hisar

Availability and usage of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by research faculties of CCS HAU, Hisar

Enhancing spectrum utilization and primary user detection in cognitive radio networks through greedy cooperative spectrum sensing

The utilization of the spectrum is optimized through which primary users of modern wireless communication technologies might obtain a higher chance of detection. The research aims to study how the NI-USRP hardware platform can be used to set up greedy cooperative spectrum sensing for cognitive radio networks. Research primarily deals with energy detection and eigenvalue-based detection approaches, both of which are highly recognized for their capacity to sense the spectrum without having prior knowledge of the primary user signals. In the hardware arrangement, there is one transmitter and two cognitive radio receivers. LABVIEW makes it simple to deploy and maximizes the detection probability across a large sample. Here, it was demonstrated that cooperative spectrum sensing is superior to non-cooperative spectrum sensing, which results in a reduction in the risk of errors occurring during detection. The research discovered that the OR combination rule has a higher detection probability than the AND rule at the same time. The research emphasizes the significance of expanding cooperative spectrum sensing to improve overall detection capabilities. SNRs that are more than 10 dB allow the energy detector to operate, and the eigenvalue detector continues to work when the SNR drops to –9 dB.

Users of information and communication technologies in the context of digital inequalities and divides

The author notes, referring to the opinion of a number of well-known researchers, a significant level of interpenetration of physical and digital reality, as well as the intensity of their interaction. New forms of digital inequality are emerging, which coexist alongside and are interconnected with its traditional manifestations. The concepts of digital divides of the first, second and third levels are not replaced by the concepts of digital inequality, but continue to be used along with them, maintaining their attractiveness. The author believes that one of the most heuristic methodologies for studying digital inequality and digital divides is proposed in the approach of P. Bourdieu, who studied inequality through the prism of forms of capital and the concept of habitus. The empirical basis is grounded on the study Me and My Big Data1, which takes a multidimensional approach to digital inequality in constructing ideal-typical models of digital users. This study reveals the digital divide both through the unequal level of knowledge and skills of UK users, and through the social benefits they receive in social interaction.

Determining the factors affecting the ICT use of Turkish students attending PISA-2018: Multilevel profile analysis approach

This study aims to classify student profiles based on the type and frequency of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) usage. Each profile exhibits homogeneous characteristics and heterogeneous characteristics compared to other groups. Additionally, the study investigates whether covariates at the school and student levels create differences in these profiles. For this purpose, a mixed-method analysis (Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), Multi-level Latent Profile Analysis (MLPA) and Multi-level Logistic Regression Analysis (MLRA)) were used to identify ICT usage profiles. The study analysed data from 6,890 Turkish students across 186 schools participating in PISA 2018 (Program for International Student Assessment), revealing three distinct ICT usage profiles: Profile-1 (Low-Level ICT Users (19.06%)), Profile-2 (Intermediate-Level ICT Users (71.10%)), and Profile-3 (Advanced-Level ICT Users (9.84%)). The MLRA showed that students with low ICT usage have less access to ICT resources. Students in the Low-Level ICT Users profile also had lower scores on ICT-related motivation factors (interest, competence, social interaction, and autonomy). No significant effect of ICT usage on mathematics, reading, and science scores was observed. Variance differences at student and school levels could not be fully explained by covariates at the school level (type of school, ratio of computers connected to the internet per student, lack of educational materials and personnel). However, the ratio of computers per student effectively explained these differences. According to an MLPA, schools were categorised into two groups based on ICT resources: 'high' and 'low'. In schools with high ICT resources, the proportion of students in Profile-2 was found to be 45.8%, while those in Profile-3 accounted for 9%. In contrast, in schools with low ICT resources, the percentage of students in Profile-2 was 22.45%, and in Profile-3, it was 1.82%. These findings indicate that the level of a school's ICT resources significantly impacts students' technology usage skills. A significant finding of the research is that most Turkish students use ICT at an intermediate level at home for school lessons. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the importance of studying at home using ICT resources.