Graphing Technology Helps Narrow the Digital Divide

2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (10) ◽  
pp. 768-775
Author(s):  
Maria de Hoyos

To ensure that technology use benefits all students, it must be accessible with respect to cost and ease of use. Moreover, technology needs to be integrated by considering it from the perspective of the curriculum.

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412199778
Author(s):  
Maria Manolika ◽  
Rigas Kotsakis ◽  
Maria Matsiola ◽  
George Kalliris

Increasing consensus among information systems researchers suggests that personality accounts for the effective use of several technologies, yet less is known about the process through which personality affects user perceptions of technology acceptance. This study, therefore, examined whether personality is associated with student perceptions of audiovisual technology acceptance, and whether general self-efficacy mediates this association. In total, 244 students completed an online survey including measures of personality, general self-efficacy, and perceptions of audiovisual technology acceptance. Canonical correlation uncovered significant associations between personality and student beliefs about technology use. Results further revealed that general self-efficacy fully mediated the effects of openness to experience and neuroticism on Perceived Ease of Use, whereas the association between agreeableness and Perceived Usefulness was partially mediated by self-efficacy beliefs. The fact that personality influences students’ perceptions of technology acceptance both directly and indirectly should not remain unnoticed, especially when designing intervention programs to enhance their academic performance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 786-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Othelia Eun-Kyoung Lee ◽  
Do-Hong Kim

Objectives: The effectiveness of Intergenerational Mentor-Up (IMU), an innovative intervention that engages college students in tutoring older adults, was examined with regard to eHealthy literacy and social isolation. Method: A total of 55 older adults (mean age = 73.82) participated in the six-session IMU tutorials. In this mixed methods study, quantitative and qualitative data were collected in a parallel fashion. Participants were interviewed after participating in the IMU. Results: Older adults presented significant improvement between pre- and postsurveys in various outcomes such as eHealth literacy, technophobia, self-efficacy, and interest in technology. Intergenerational interaction brought about by IMU helped to decrease social isolation among older adults. Qualitative data revealed that individualized training, modifications, adaptations, and intergenerational interactions can decrease their anxiety and boost their confidence. Discussion: Study findings enable the identification of the training needs to help close the digital divide and allow these older adults to reap the benefits of technology use.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rurid Dwi Anggraeny ◽  
Imam Baihaqi

The e-commerce industry has the potential to be one of the drivers of the domestic economy. One of the impacts of the advancement of e-commerce is the emergence of many online-based marketplaces or so-called e-marketplaces. However, a lot of these online marketplaces sell 90% imported products. In addition, the outbreak of Covid-19 in Indonesia has prompted the government to establish several policies that have significantly reduced MSME performance by up to 70-100%. This study aimed to provide an empirical analysis of the influence of factors based on the Technology of Acceptance Model (TAM) approach, namely e-marketplace self-efficacy, complexity, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude towards using, behavioral intention to use, and actual technology use in e-marketplaces. The sample consisted of MSMEs in East Java, especially those engaged in the food and beverage industry sector with ready-to-eat processed food products whose business activities use the Shopee e-marketplace application platform. This is an online shopping marketplace focused on mobile platforms. There were 150 respondents. The Structural Equation Model (SEM) was used. E-marketplace self-efficacy, complexity, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude towards using, behavioral intention to use, and actual technology use in e-marketplaces all had positive effects on each other. This showed that a system that offers convenience will improve behavior, habits, and performance for MSMEs in using e-marketplace activities. The theoretical and methodological implications and opportunities for further research are discussed. Keywords: MSMEs, e-marketplace, technology acceptance model


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
McKenzie Eakin ◽  
Amanda Gian ◽  
Francesca Kim ◽  
Julie Muccini ◽  
Maarten Lansberg ◽  
...  

Introduction: There is little foundational evidence describing needs, wants, and concerns of stroke survivors and their carers regarding stroke rehabilitation technology. The aim of the STORIES Project (Stroke Tech- Overviews in Rehabilitation, Insights, and Experiences of Survivors & carers) was to identify, characterize, and prioritize these needs and concerns, as well as differences in characterizations across subgroups, to inform socially inclusive design. Methods: Mixed-method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 stroke survivors and 16 carers, including 12 matched patient-carer dyads. Participants used a 1-5 scale to rate confidence and interest in using technologies for stroke rehabilitation and to rate the importance of 41 aspects of rehabilitation technology use. Differences between subgroups were compared via student t-tests. Qualitative data was coded to add depth of understanding to quantitative results. Results: Across all participants, aspects rated most important were clear instructions, ability to return a product from home, ease of use, ability to see progress over time, and that technology use did not replace time with a therapist. Human interaction in rehabilitation was deeply important for motivation, effectiveness, and mental health. Compared to carers, patients found the following less important: training carers in rehabilitation technology use ( p =.006), ability to share progress ( p =.001), and ability to do exercises with therapists rather than carers ( p =.001). Non-whites more strongly valued including music in the rehabilitation technology experience ( p =.001). Medicaid beneficiaries cared more about time & financial risk-minimization strategies ( p <.000), but not direct cost ( p =.72). People without a Bachelor’s degree had less technology familiarity and interest ( p =.003). Finally, patients and carers of patients less than 12 months post-stroke were less interested in stroke rehabilitation technologies ( p <.000). Conclusion: To increase adoption of stroke rehabilitation technologies, development should focus on improving multiple parts of the product experience, including clear instructions, ease of use, progress tracking, music inclusion, free trials, and free returns from home.


Author(s):  
Lesley Farmer

Adolescents live in a technology-enhanced world. However, significant subpopulations lack physical and intellectual access to digital technologies. Content and communications providers format and disseminate information in a variety of ways. In response, teens who use technology tend to employ a variety of platforms, choosing the tool to match the content and purpose. Social media has been the technology of choice for teenagers, leveraging their social and creative needs. Educators of teens need to incorporate technology into their practices, providing access and opportunities for teens to optimize their technology use. Today's adolescents, ages 12 to 18, are often characterized as digital natives because many of them have grown up in a digital world. Most of them have some kind of access to technology, although the digital divide still exists. The technologies teens access and use are described in this chapter.


Author(s):  
Salaheldin Ismail Salaheldin ◽  
Khurram Sharif

The study aims to uncover the influence of classroom technologies (i.e. a variety of audio-visual and online equipment) on an individual’s (i.e. student’s) learning attitude. The antecedents that were considered relevant in the early post implementation phase were: (1) experience with Information and Communication Technologies, (2) enhanced communications, (3) learner independence and (4) ease of technology use. The original concept for the research was derived from Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) which has been a source of numerous studies exploring user attitude towards technology. The outcome indicated a positive and significant relationship between learner independence and individual learner attitude; enhanced communications and individual learner attitude and ease of technology use and individual learner attitude. However the relationship between ICTs experience and individual learner attitude was non-significant. The study outcome implicated that use of classroom technologies, in the introduction stage, does increase with the degree of perceived and encountered ease of use and extended capacity for self-directed learning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 398-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Yaw Tweneboah-Koduah ◽  
Matilda Adams ◽  
George Acheampong

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to integrate the theory of planned behavior (TBP) and the technology acceptance model (TAM) in social marketing to predict and explain technology adoption (gym equipment use) in physical activity (PA) behavior among Ghanaian youth. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach was adopted for this study. The empirical data for this paper were drawn from 314 youth who are gym equipment users. The hypothesized relationships were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings This study found that the salient beliefs, namely, attitude, subjective norm and behavioral control toward gym equipment use, do not sufficiently explain PA adoption. However, a better result emerges when these salient beliefs are combined with perceived usefulness (PU) and ease of use (TAM). Practical implications This paper provides evidence for issues of potential research, policy and managerial interest. The study findings showed that PA adoption, not PEOU, was directly impacted by PU. Thus, policymakers and implementers of social marketing intervention programs should promote the positive attitude toward gym equipment technology use and the perceptions of usefulness (improve cardiorespiratory fitness, feeling healthy and building muscle strength) of using gym equipment technology instead of ease of use to increase PA technology adoption behavior. Originality/value Considering the uniqueness of this current study in the Ghanaian context, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to integrate two influential theories, namely, the TPB and TAM, to examine the effects of the TPB and TAM variables on the adoption of technology (gym equipment use) in PA among the youth.


2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayla Ninnis ◽  
Maayken Van Den Berg ◽  
Natasha A Lannin ◽  
Stacey George ◽  
Kate Laver

Introduction Home assessments conducted by occupational therapists can identify hazards and prevent falls. However, they may not be conducted because of limited time or long distances between the therapist’s workplace and the person’s home. Developments in technologies may overcome such barriers and could improve the quality of the home assessment process. Method This scoping review synthesises the findings of studies evaluating information and communication technology use within occupational therapy home assessments. Results Fourteen studies were included and revealed the two main approaches to technology use: the development of new applications and the use of existing and readily available technologies. Facilitators and barriers to use were also identified. Facilitators included usefulness, ease of use and the potential for cost-effectiveness. Barriers to use included poor usability, unsuitability for some populations and perceived threat to the role of occupational therapy. The synthesis revealed that traditional in-home assessments conducted by therapists are more sensitive in identifying hazards. Conclusion The availability of new technologies offers potential to improve service delivery; however these technologies are underutilised in clinical practice. Technologies may offer advantages in the conduct of home assessments, especially regarding efficiency, but have not yet been shown to be superior in terms of patient outcome.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Saad ◽  
Sophy Chan ◽  
Lisa Nguyen ◽  
Siddhartha Srivastava ◽  
Ramana Appireddy

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to understand the perceptions of new mothers using virtual care via video conferencing to gain insight into the benefits and barriers of virtual care for obstetric patients. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 patients attending the Kingston Health Sciences Centre. The interviews were 20–25 min in length and recorded through an audio recorder. Thematic analysis was conducted in order to derive the major themes explored in this study. Results New mothers must often adopt new routines to balance their needs and their child’s needs. These routines could impact compliance and motivation to attend follow-up care. In our study, participants expressed high satisfaction with virtual care, emphasizing benefits related to comfort, convenience, communication, socioeconomic factors, and the ease of technology use. Participants also perceived that they could receive emotional support and build trust with their health care providers despite the remote nature of their care. Due to its ease of use and increased accessibility, we argue that virtual care shows promise to facilitate long-term compliance to care in obstetric patients. Conclusions Virtual care is a useful modality that could improve compliance to obstetric care. Further research and clinical endeavours should examine how social factors and determinants intersect to determine how they underpin patient perceptions of virtual and in-person care.


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