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Abstract: Children now have considerable exposure to new information technologies (IT) such as desktop computers. A reported association between computer use and discomfort in children has prompted concerns about the musculoskeletal stresses associated with computer use. There were no detailed data on children reading and writing, nor any evidence on the variability of postures and muscle activity whilst children use IT. Twenty-four children (10–12 years old; 12 male) performed a reading and writing task using new IT (computer/keyboard/mouse with high display and mid height display) and old IT (book/paper/pen). Spinal and upper limb 3D posture and muscle activity were recorded and estimates of mean and variation calculated. The mean postures for children reading and writing with computers were more neutral than when they read and wrote with old IT. Similarly, mean muscle activity levels were lower during computer use than old IT use. However, new IT use also resulted in less variable, more monotonous postures and muscle activities. Moderate differences in computer display height had little effect on posture and muscle activity variation. Variation in musculoskeletal stresses is considered an important component of the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Children should therefore be encouraged to ensure task variety when using new IT to offset the greater posture and muscle activity monotony. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The basic tendency of this paper is to point to the increasing application of information technology in teaching, and therefore also in the teaching of science and society. This means that educational process is constantly developing and improving, but teaching aids also are modernizing. Modern didactic and methodical knowledge are increasingly pointing out the shortcomings of traditional teaching and they offer solutions for overcoming these drawbacks, among the others, and through the modern informational technologies. In this sense, the use of computers is not just something that is recommended but it is becoming more necessary since it is the path to the active acquisition of knowledge and creativity. Multimedia teaching resources, contents and educational computer software enable students to critically use knowledge sources, to independently learn, analyze, systematize, compare and explore. The advantages offered by informational technologies are also in the fact that the teacher is relieved from one part of the obligation, teaching type, so it leaves him more time for the design of the teaching process. Purposefully use of teaching aids and forms of work, takes into account the capabilities of each student. The use of the computers and educational software in teaching provides a better flow of information since the presentation of information is performed through the multiple senses, so students can receive them visually or acoustically. Temporarily use of modern teaching aids (computers, educational software, etc.) allows students to come up quickly with different information and thus fulfill not only their increased interest in a particular area but also gain new knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Desk design and computer display height can affect posture and muscle activation during computer use. Amplitudes of postural variables and muscle activity during computer use do not explain the results from epidemiological studies of musculoskeletal discomfort and disorders related to computer use. The purpose of this study was to assess variability of posture and muscle activity during work with two computer display heights and book/paper, in conjunction with a curved desk designed to provide forearm support and a traditional, straight desk. 18 male and 18 female participants performed 10-min tasks involving keying, mousing, reading and writing in six desk/display conditions. 3D posture and surface emg were assessed for the final 2 min of each task. The curved desk resulted in greater postural and muscle activity variation, suggesting an advantage of this supportive surface over the straight desk. There was little difference in variability associated with the two display heights. However, greater variability of posture and muscle activity was evident with the book/paper condition. Non-touch typists had greater neck flexion variation. The design of information technology tasks and workstations can influence the short term variation in posture and muscle activity. Variation is influenced independently of mean postures and muscle amplitudes and therefore needs to be considered to adequately assess the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Computer display height and desk design are believed to be important workstation features and are included in international standards and guidelines. However, the evidence base for these guidelines is lacking a comparison of neck/shoulder muscle activity during computer and paper tasks and whether forearm support can be provided by desk design. This study measured the spinal and upper limb muscle activity in 36 young adults whilst they worked in different computer display, book and desk conditions. Display height affected spinal muscle activity with paper tasks resulting in greater mean spinal and upper limb muscle activity. A curved desk resulted in increased proximal muscle activity. There was no substantial interaction between display and desk. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper addresses how information technology can be used effectively in program evaluation. Four evaluation planning prerequisites derived from the program evaluation experience of the authors are presented: (1) organizational and program commitment to the evaluation, (2) the why, when and how of the evaluation, (3) specification of goals and objectives of the evaluation and (4) retrievability of information needed for evaluation. A description of a number of “field-tested” technologies which have been used in a collaborative planning process are outlined. In recent times, the majority of external stakeholders have insisted upon higher levels of accountability and more rigorous outcome evaluations (Hudson & Lowe, 2004; Reedy, Luiselli & Thibadeau, 2001; Schoech et al 2001; Southon, 1999). The need for social work practitioners to show practice effectiveness to meet ever increasing levels of public accountability makes evidence based program evaluation using information technology an emerging concern for practitioners and administrators. Advance planning and design considerations are emphasized as a means of overcoming organizational, managerial and staff resistance to implementation of information technology. Finally, the paper concludes with recommendations directed at program coordinators and evaluators and contends that the use of such information technology results in more credible, hence accountable, program evaluations for all stakeholders involved in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Modern technologies whose development defines the beginning of the twenty-first century information civilization create entirely new possibilities for organizing and delivering educational processes. Thanks to them an opportunity for education opens up, which is a move away from the narrowly conceived encyclopaedism in education to independent work, revealing activities, and sometimes creativity. The paper will consider the benefits that can be associated with the use of IT in teaching on the one hand understood as a set of devices, on the other as education software packages. At the same time features which entails risks for the organization of teaching and learning processes as well as for themselves educated will be indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current health care delivery system increasingly relies upon information technology (IT) to more effectively and efficiently meet patient needs. This paper reports findings from an observational field study that examined the relationship of computer self-efficacy, computer anxiety, and perceived computer usefulness to behavioral performance utilizing IT programs by clinical staff in a hospital-based social work and nursing case management department. The results indicated significant relationships between observed behavioral proficiency on a computer resource directory search task and self-reported ratings of computer self-efficacy and computer anxiety. Higher task proficiency was associated with higher computer self-efficacy ratings. Lower task proficiency was associated with higher computer anxiety. More frequent self-reported use of the computer resource directory was significantly associated with higher ratings of computer usefulness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern information technology offers efficiencies in medical practice, with a reduction in secretarial time in maintaining, filing and retrieving the paper medical record. Electronic requesting of investigations allows tracking of outstanding results. Less storage space is required and telephone calls from pharmacies, pathology and medical imaging service providers to clarify the hand-written request are abolished. Voice recognition software reduces secretarial typing time per letter. These combined benefits can lead to significantly reduced costs and improved patient care. The paperless office is possible, but requires commitment and training of all staff; it is preferable but not absolutely essential that at least one member of the practice has an interest and some expertise in computers. More importantly, back-up from information technology providers and back-up of the electronic data are absolutely crucial and a paperless environment should not be considered without them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a Heideggerian phenomenological analysis of screens. In a world and an epoch where screens pervade a great many aspects of human experience, we submit that phenomenology, much in a traditional methodological form, can provide an interesting and novel basis for our understanding of screens. We ground our analysis in the ontology of Martin Heidegger's "Being and Time" [1927/1962], claiming that screens will only show themselves as they are if taken as screens-in-the-world. Thus, the phenomenon of screen is not investigated in its empirical form or conceptually. It is rather taken as a grounding intentional orientation that conditions our engagement with certain surfaces as we comport ourselves towards them "as screens." In doing this we claim to have opened up the phenomenon of screen in a new and meaningful way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaiser Permanente developed its approach to compliance with the privacy and security rules of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 as part of its national, enterprise-wide approach to health information system design, purchasing, implementation and management. Widely perceived as a self-directed, leader in health information security, its experience in HIPAA compliance provides lessons in mobilizing and changing large, stable organizations in response to an externally imposed mandate. While Kaiser approached HIPAA primarily as an effort in certifying compliance, it saw HIPAA as an opportunity to investigate its security business processes and information technology. This paper explains how Kaiser evaluated over 3000 computer systems along with hundreds of types of biomedical devices and made the decisions necessary to bring them into compliance with the HIPAA Security Standard. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper reports on an evaluation of the reactions of participants in a computer-controlled telephone conversation system (telephone-linked care, TLC) designed to offer nutrition and exercise counseling. After 6 months in the study, subjects were asked a series of questions about their opinions of the TLC system, including overall satisfaction and the system’s helpfulness. One hundred and ninety individuals completed the attitude survey. On a scale of 0–100, respondents rated the overall satisfaction and helpfulness of the system at 63.6 and 62.3. Subjects using the nutrition counseling version of TLC rated it significantly higher on satisfaction (73.0 versus 52.4) and helpfulness (70.3 versus 53.7) than did subjects using the exercise version. Satisfaction and helpfulness were correlated with perceived usability, amount of contact, realism, and credibility (P<0.01). Multivariate analyses showed that treatment group and number of calls made accounted for the greatest amount of variance in ratings of satisfaction and helpfulness. The findings suggest that the amount of contact with this technology, reflected by the number of calls, and the treatment group, nutrition or exercise, were significant predictors of reported satisfaction and perceived helpfulness of the system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]