Search

Digital Information literacy among the research scholars of Managalaytan University grade A+. We have received 50 Google forms by Research scholars after the analysis we found that age wise 30 male and 20 female respondents. The agewise analysis is below 30 years 20, 40 Years above 10, Subject-wise social science with 15 research scholars maximum subject, all research scholars use the Internet, Frequency of use internet daily use 35 respondent. 80 % Purpose of digital information resources is to write papers for publication, 80 % of research scholars agree to location Home use of accessing digital information, and 40% of research scholars use the website for their work and research. Of the awareness of digital resources and e-journals 40% agree are using the web-science is familiar with this database. ICT skill 100% research scholar aware about the Internet. Using the search techniques for the search used by research scholars 40% use simple search, and 25 % of research scholars use the Boolean search techniques in search of documents. Types of using the Internet connection 40% of users use the WIFI and mobile Data, 20% use a data card and, LAN Connection, Social media digital information literacy 100% of research scholars use WhatsApp, 70 % Facebook, 40% Twitter and Blogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination is undoubtedly one of the most effective ways to protect oneself against Coronavirus. Although vaccines for COVID-19 have been proven to prevent severe illness, hospitalizations, and even death, many people have refused to receive them. To increase vaccination rates and thus minimize other restrictive measures, it is paramount to address the factors related to refusal. The aim of this study was to analyze relationships between vaccination willingness, socioeconomic indicators, self-reported health status, choices in health behavior, and health information (HI) seeking among Estonians aged 50 and above. As today's information and communication technologies (ICT) are widely used in receiving health information, the authors were also interested in older adults' acceptance of ICT for health purposes. A cross-sectional survey was conducted one month after the first lockdown ended in the summer of 2020. According to the results, 268 (53.5%) respondents agreed to vaccinate, 153 (30.5%) expressed skepticism, and 80 (16%) were against it. Being male and having a higher education level significantly affected vaccination readiness. The more often the respondent felt the need for HI and the more recently they had searched the internet for HI, the more they agreed to be vaccinated and vice versa (rho = 0.14, p < 0.05). A weak positive correlation (rho = 0.25, p < 0.01) emerged between vaccination readiness and the need for a digital health application: the more such an application was needed, the more people agreed to be vaccinated. Those interested in vaccination tended to use a wider range of HI sources than the uninterested and hesitant respondents. The difference was statistically significant, p < 0.05, F (2498) = 3.52, η2 = 0.014. The willingness to get vaccinated was not increased by better health behavior choices (e.g., eating healthier and exercising more). There was also no connection between health status and vaccination readiness. The differences regarding people aged 50 years and older should be considered when planning health campaigns and vaccinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between age-friendliness of a city, loneliness and depression moderated by internet use among older people during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The survey was from 'The 2020 Survey of Needs Assessment for a Safe Community and Age-Friendly City' in Xinyi District, Taipei, which was conducted by face-to-face interviews with community-based older adults who were aged 65 and above from one district of Taipei City from May to June 2020 (n  = 335). Partial least square structural equation modeling and the SPSS PROCESS macro were used for data analysis. Two domains of an age-friendly city (housing and community support and health service s) were found to be associated with reduced loneliness, while one (respect and social inclusion) was associated with decreased depression. The age-friendliness of cities mitigates depression through moderator (internet use) and mediation (loneliness) mechanisms. Although some age-friendly domains of the city reduced loneliness and depression directly, the age-friendliness–loneliness-depression mechanism held true only for older adults who used the internet and not for nonusers. Maintaining the age-friendliness of an environment is beneficial to mental health, and internet use is a necessary condition to gain optimum benefits from age-friendly initiatives. Policy suggestions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online censorship has become a common feature in autocracies. Previous work has investigated different online censorship tactics such as website blocking or cyberattacks independently. In reality, however, autocratic governments rely on a repertoire of censorship techniques to control online communication, which they are likely to use depending on the respective political situation on the ground. In this article, we study the interplay of different online censorship techniques empirically. Focusing on new Internet measurement techniques and large existing datasets, we study the relationship between website blocking and cyberattacks (Denial-of-Service). Our results provide evidence that autocrats select tactics from their censorship repertoire depending on the current level of contention. During quiet times, we find some evidence that governments rely on different censorship tactics in parallel. In weeks with protest, however, website blocking is negatively associated with Denial-of-Service attacks against opposition websites. This shows that when the stakes are high, autocrats become more selective in their use of censorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) revolution has radically improved connectivity across the globe and pervaded into most aspects of modern human life. The benefits of ICT can only be appropriated by those with access to the technology and capabilities to use the same. India's ICT adoption has been rapid since the year 2000, but with sizable disparities across the country. This study surveys the correlates of ICT adoption and its use capabilities in India. It has been observed that income, education and household demographics are strong determinants of household ICT adoption, while education, age and gender are strong classifiers for variations in an individual's ICT use capabilities. The findings will be useful for having informed discussions on taking strategic decisions to bridge India's digital divide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to health disparities LGBT older adults may have more health care needs, but they are likely to have less informal sources of support. While efforts have been made to serve LGBT older adults, traditional forms of in person outreach and service may still be inaccessible to those living in rural areas, with restricted mobility, due to lack of transportation, during inclement weather, or in public health situations as the Covid-19 pandemic. We conducted focus group discussions to understand the role of virtual outreach in serving LGBT individuals' needs in their later years of life. Study participants expressed a desire for dating, community, aging in place, and affirming health care. However, their experience of internalized and institutional homophobia and ageism may act as barriers in fulfilling those needs. A dedicated virtual space has the potential to overcome these barriers by facilitating online get-togethers, support groups, dating events, having coming out resources, and exchanging information on LGBT friendly health services. Having a space to express their generativity may make such virtual services more empowering. Lack of technological access and privacy concerns may hinder the use of virtual services but can be overcome with training and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to determine the legal regime of the activity of minors as content creators on YouTube. The duty of their parents to intervene in said activity, and of the platforms themselves, which should exercise greater control, to avoid risks for minors derived from their overexposure, will also be examined. Likewise, it is also necessary to regulate the control of the economic benefits that the activities of minors on the Internet may imply, as well as the duties of parents in terms of supervising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of ICTs in Mexican homes is analyzed, with the aim of showing the relationship between the gaps and the territorial dynamics. For this, data from the Mexican population census are used and the integration of the semi-rural and semi-urban terms is proposed to recognize the nuances in those localities that are between the rural and urban categories. The relevance of this work lies in the construction of a more detailed overview of the access gap based on housing as a reference unit and its spatial distribution in the localities. Among the results, it stands out that the cell phone has become the second device with the greatest presence in Mexican towns. In addition, the states where the dwellings that do not have ICTs are concentrated are identified, showing that even today there are people who suffer material and digital exclusion. Finally, this work contributes to the analysis of digital gaps in Mexico and evidences the results of the progressive incorporation of rural areas into the information and knowledge society in the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) have drastically improved global connectivity and pervaded into most aspects of modern human life. To appropriate the benefits from ICTs, access to the required technology is an essential prerequisite. India's ICT adoption has been fast since 2000, but with sizeable disparities across the country. This study identifies the diffusion pattern of digital communications services in India, while accounting for technological augmentation. The study also surveys the factors influencing the variations in regional ICT adoption in India and supports Rogers theory of innovation diffusion by investigating how the social systems impacts technology adoption at different penetration levels. The findings will be useful for infrastructure capacity planning, taking policy decisions and projecting the diffusion process of emerging consumer technologies for advancing digital inclusion to support inclusive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this article is to analyze the research published in the last ten years on parental mediation regarding the use that children and adolescents make of ICT. A narrative review of the articles published in scientific journals indexed in six academic databases was carried out. As a result of the analysis of the articles, four categories were constructed: 1) Knowledge and perceptions of parents about the Internet; 2) Parents' role in the use of the Internet by children and adolescents; 3) Other mediations and self-control in the use of the Internet; and 4) Parental practices beyond the use of ICTs. The conclusions are related to the accelerated process of Internet penetration, which is not reflected in effective and preventive mediations regarding possible risks that children may encounter in digital environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim of contributing to the empirical discussion on the use of computer technology in the labor market, an analysis of employed women in Mexico is carried out. This tests the hypothesis that the female group presents statistically significant salary differences, favorable to users of ICT, and that the probability of obtaining a better salary is greater if these technologies are used. In addition to this, the existence of a wage premium associated with the use of computers and the Internet for women is verified. In all cases, the results are, favorable for the women who use ICT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased usage of technology is linked with poverty reduction, in existing literature but also rising income inequality due to microeconomic factors. This paper attempts to investigate how the technological penetration has impacted poverty levels and income inequality, at the global level and across different levels of income. Using data for 86 countries between 2005 and 2020, the paper employs a robust two step Systematic Generalized Moment Method (Sys-GMM) to assess the linear effect, non-linear effect, and synergy effect models. The results indicate that technological penetration has a different impact across countries, depending on the income levels. The positive association between technology and income inequality has repercussions for low-income countries, in particular. From a policy perspective, it is essential to consider macro- and micro-economic factors that affect the impact of technology penetration in low-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined library staff ICT skills and influencing factors in the digitization of information resources in federal university libraries in Nigeria. Three research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. The population for the study was 250 library staff that were digitizing library materials. The study revealed that five Federal University in Nigeria are involved in digitization of information materials in their libraries. These include Ahmadu Bello University library, Zaria; University of Jos library, Plateau state; University of Nigeria, Nsukka library, Enugu state; Obafemi Awolowo University library, Ile-Ife, Osun state and Federal University of Technology library, Owerri. The study showed that 203 library staff who answered the questionnaire administered was involved in the exercise of digitization of information resources in their university libraries. It also showed that dissertation, theses, staff abstract among others were the major materials they digitized. Desktop computer, laptop, and book scanner were the main hardware used while Dspace, KOHA and Endnote were the main Software used. The research also established that influencing factors such as availability of good means of digital preservation and accessibility, global needs, need to improve library resources, availability of fund (grants), changing nature of the library, higher education needs and technological push has influence on digitization regardless of the gender of the library staff. The study affirmed that there is also no significant difference between male and female mean responses on the influencing factors of digitization of library information resources in Nigerian university libraries. The research also recommends that copyright issue should be properly addressed; fund and power supply should be made available in Nigerian University Libraries to enable digitization of library resources, digital preservation, and accessibility. It also recommends that library should seek grants and Tertiary Education Fund (TetFund) should continue to support the tertiary institutions through its yearly and regular financial intervention, as this has made things easy in universities in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Affordances offered by new media platforms are perceived as revolutionary instruments for removing the inequities of access to health promotion and communication. However, the production and dissemination of health promotional material on digital platforms does not necessarily translate into uniform access across diverse demographics. This article addresses the lacuna when it comes to analyzing Health Promotion initiatives in India, with a specific focus on the governmental publicity carried out on social media during the four phases of COVID-19 national lockdown between 24 March and 31 May 2020. Our intervention examines how governmental social media health promotion in India played a key role in shaping the 'outbreak narrative' during the lockdown across different levels of social and economic privilege. Through a combination of quantitative data analysis and qualitative interview methods, this article analyzes the circulation and impact of official publicity in online and offline spaces, during the COVID-19 lockdown in India. Resultant findings allow for a comprehensive assessment of whether such publicity contributed to democratized citizen science discourses: enabling social protection measures for vulnerable majorities or potentially reified the existing privileges of the economically and socially affluent minority. We find that health promotion campaigns during a pandemic must focus on reaching the widest possible audience in the most efficient manner. Specifically, in the Indian context, health promotion through mass-media like Television and Radio, and participatory media platforms needed to be implemented in tandem with new media platforms, to achieve required engagement with vulnerable communities on key health issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article studied Internet and social media uses, digital divides (access, use, and impact of the Internet and social media), and digitally mediated transnationalism in forced migration with the case of Syrians in Turkey. The mixed method analysis is based on surveys with 762 respondents, 52 interviews, and participant observations among Syrians in Gaziantep, Istanbul, and Izmir provinces in Turkey. Digitally mediated transnationalism became the everyday strategy, practice, and resilience of Syrians in Turkey. The first‐ and second‐level digital divides, that is, the differences in their access to and use of the Internet and social media diminished while many third‐level digital divides (impacts) remained. Syrians in Turkey used information and communication technologies, the Internet and social media for accessing basic needs and services, to enhance their challenging psycho‐social well‐being, to maintain transnational bonding and bridging connections to Syria, the European Union and elsewhere, and some also to implement their mobility plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Telehealth is a promising approach to support self-management with the potential to overcome geographical barriers. Understanding patient perspectives will identify practical challenges to delivering self-management strategies by telehealth. The aim of this study was to synthesize the perceptions of people with chronic musculoskeletal pain for engaging in interventions delivered using telehealth. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, LILACS, and PsycINFO databases. We included qualitative studies that explored perceptions or experiences or attitudes of people with chronic musculoskeletal pain engaging with telehealth. We assessed the methodological quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Meta-synthesis was guided by a thematic synthesis approach. The level of confidence of review findings was assessed using the Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Studies (GRADE-CERQual). Twenty-one studies were included (n = 429). Telehealth comprised web-based, videoconference-based, telephone-based, video-based, and smartphone app-based programs delivered solely or combined. Chronic musculoskeletal conditions included people with knee or hip osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, persistent pain (chronic joint pain or nonspecific chronic musculoskeletal pain), rheumatoid arthritis, and functional fatigue syndrome. The enablers for engaging in telehealth interventions were as follows: (1) "at my own pace, space, and place" and (2) empowered patient. Barriers to engaging in telehealth interventions were as follows: (1) impersonal, (2) technological challenges, (3) irrelevant content, and (4) limited digital (health) literacy. Telehealth interventions with well-designed interactive platforms, flexibility to fit patients' routine, and the broad availability of material may favor better engagement. Encouragement of self-efficacy is linked to successful telehealth-delivered self-management programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the usage of university library-based electronic resources by undergraduates at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, and Ondo State. Nigeria. The study design was a descriptive survey. Data was collected through questionnaires. The study population comprises undergraduates who visited the university electronic library during the 2020/2021 academic session. One hundred and fifty (150) copies of the questionnaire were administered, and 130 were retrieved giving a response rate of 86.7%. The data were analyzed using frequency count and percentages. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents were female. The majority of the respondents use university library electronic resources twice a week, class assignments and preparation of class seminars were the primary purposes of university-based electronic resources usage, and access to comprehensive information and access to current data/information were the main reasons for a university library based electronic resources usage. Interrupted power supply and slow access speed were the significant challenges militating against university library-based electronic resource usage. It is recommended that the University library should acquire electronic resources that are relevant to the student's needs in order to attract library users and provide effective information delivery, provision of solar power system that will supply electricity round the clock to the university library, and increase in internet bandwidth to provide fast internet services among other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Information Communication Technology competencies among distance learners. Structured questionnaire was prepared and administered to the various disciplines, namely the Social Sciences, Science/Technology, and Commerce/Management. 1650 questionnaires were distributed and 1435 completely filled questionnaires were received obtaining a response rate of 87.0%. It was found that, 1377 majority (95.9%) of the respondents use the Smart Phone, becouse it has maximum mobility and convenience, 1244(86.7%) of them opined ICT facilitate Communicating with many simultaneously, Quick Response with 1090(76.0%) response, Time saving with 1064 (74.1%) response, Learning from others contribution with 960(66.9%) response. majority 1086(75.7%)users 'Strongly agree' with the statement 'ICT devices enable us to get a greater amount of study materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a strong historical link between social movements and democratization processes, between contemporary movements and the use of digital technologies and, finally, between the media system and communication technologies and forms of deliberative democracy. I believe that this triadic link -- social movements, deliberative democracy and ICTs -- is a privileged place to approach the current discussion on democracy. From deliberative, communication and collective action theories, and based on previous qualitative research, I analyze how deliberative forms of democracy are articulated on the Internet and in movements. I conclude by pointing out how -- despite its risks and without falling into cyberutopian approaches--the properties of the Internet are consistent with some of the requirements of a communication system suitable for the deliberative model of democracy, which invites us to reconsider the democratizing role of these technopolitical spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of the global pandemic of covid-19, distance education went from being a little considered training option to the status of the main operating alternative for the school system. Educational institutions by adapting their work to the use of digital platforms have managed to keep their programs active despite reducing their training expectations. School activities at home face complex social situations that contravene the teaching precepts, cause poor learning and many cases of school dropout. Educational systems in the medium term will promote remote teaching modalities in digital and telematic versions, whose didactics will dominate the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why and how do information and communication technologies (ICTs) shape the intensity of rebel violence? Recent studies find that ICTs can both increase and decrease such violence. We argue that, during civil wars, this effect depends on the type of ICTs. Mobile phones give rebels better military coordination to organize violence. In contrast, the internet increases the constraints of rebel groups to use violence. On the one hand, the internet increases the visibility of rebel groups forcing them to moderate their levels of violence. On the other hand, the internet gives rebels' opponents better tools to limit the levels of rebel violence. We test these two arguments empirically with panel data of rebel violence in countries experiencing a civil war from 1989 to 2007. Through a series of negative binomial regressions, we find general support for our hypotheses. For the case of the internet, we specifically find that its effects are concentrated in more recent periods when social media became more widespread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic that struck the world and forced Catholics to go online to celebrate the Eucharist has been the greatest logistical challenge to Catholic sacramental theology in recent times. This article aims to clarify whether technology-mediated presence or telepresence in online Masses is real and acceptable to the Roman Catholic Church especially during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. It argues that due to the lack of updating of its sacramental theology, which is still based on scholastic philosophy, Catholic theology continues to view physical presence as the only valid way of fulfilling religious obligation despite the growing influence of telepresence in religious life. If seen from a more sociological and holistic perspective, this article contends that telepresence in digital Eucharistic celebrations is real and not "artificial," as participants lose awareness of their immediate surroundings and become one with Christ in the virtual celebration. It further argues that the validity of telepresence in the reception of the Eucharist should not be judged solely on a theological framework that was appropriate only during the medieval and Tridentine eras. Applying the actor-network theory, it ultimately claims that technological and human networks are inseparable in today's digital culture. Thus, the digital Eucharist is as real as participating in a physical Eucharist. The Catholic Church must therefore update and redefine its sacramental theology to better respond to the needs of the times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of blog-based learning (BBL) on pre-service science teachers' Internet self-efficacy and understanding of atmosphere-related environmental problems (AREPs). The working group of the study consisted of 89 pre-service science teachers. The participants were divided into groups, and each group was asked to perform the following activities in sequence: (1) accessing scientific documents (e.g. articles, books) and reading them individually, (2) coming together in groups to discuss the scientific knowledge extracted by each group member and preparing a presentation about the issue discussed, (3) sharing findings and engaging groups in a discussion of issues, and (4) developing a blog using the knowledge from the discussions within and between groups. In this study, single-group pretest-posttest experimental design was used. To collect data, the Internet Self-efficacy Scale (ISS), the Atmosphere-related Environmental Problems Diagnostic Test (AREPDiT), and the Opinion Questionnaire about Blogging (OQaB) were used. The results revealed that the subjects' ISS and AREPDiT post-test mean scores were significantly higher than their pre-test mean scores and that their misconceptions about AREPs were substantially eliminated by the intervention. The subjects' responses to the blog use were generally positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to present the results of a survey of academic libraries about the adoption and perceived impact of Web 2.0 technologies. A total of 26 college libraries affiliated with Solapur University participated among the members. It was found that each library was using some form of technology, such as RSS, blogs, social networking sites, wikis, and instant messaging. Analyzing the entire college web technology usages, it is observed from the results that most of the web technologies are not used by the mainstream of the users due to lack of awareness, training, etc. Accurate and appropriate training should be conducted by the colleges' Libraries according to the necessities of the users. Systematic training will inevitably help the user for the maximum utilization of e-resources of the library. The leading web technologies such as internet surfing, emails, search engines, wikis, photo sharing, etc. are used by a great number of users on a daily and weekly basis of frequency. On the other hand majority of the web technologies are never used by a great number of users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of research has studied how autocratic regimes interfere with internet communication to contain challenges to their rule. In this review article, we survey the literature and identify the most important directions and challenges for future research. We structure our review along different network layers, each of which provides particular ways of governmental influence and control. While current research has made much progress in understanding individual digital tactics, we argue that there is still a need for theoretical development and empirical progress. First, we need a more comprehensive understanding of how particular tactics fit into an overall digital strategy, but also how they interact with traditional, "offline" means of autocratic politics, such as cooptation or repression. Second, we discuss a number of challenges that empirical research needs to address, such as the effectiveness of digital tactics, the problem of attribution, and the tool dependence of existing research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research analyzes the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in teachers and students of six careers in the humanities area at the Autonomous University of Chihuahua (UACH), Mexico. The main objective was to establish a user profile, taking into account: time spent connected to the internet, topics addressed during these sessions, browsers, search engines and databases used, and the form and type of people with whom the user communicates. The analyzed sample constitutes a niche, in which all respondents have constant contact with ICTs and even though there is a significant gap in the sociodemographic variables of students and teachers, it was detected that these digital differences between both groups are small. The information collected encourages reflection on what are the challenges to give ICT a use that allows to obtain its maximum benefit in order to increase the productivity of students and teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article intends to carry out a reflective exercise around the modernization of virtual education and its incidence in the context of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). For such purpose, a group of ideas is presented, first taking as a referent the modernization of education in Colombia as a contribution of virtuality. In a second section, the need for an educational reform in the digital age is reflexively addressed, as education needs a change given the influence of ICTs and especially the internet. Finally, there are challenges and possibilities that ICTs face in order to address educational processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyberspace gradually becomes a place (state, space) in which more and more interactions between users take place. The boundaries between online and offline are progressively being washed away, and it will be increasingly important to be able to work with it adequately for research in pedagogy and historiography. I aimed to create an empirical probe into how the term "cyberspace" works by students of the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University in Brno, or how they perceive it. For the research, I used the study of metaphors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Speech and language therapy can provide beneficial outcomes in post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation, and intensity is a key component of a successful programme. Information and communication technologies (ICT) may offer an option for the provision of intensive rehabilitation but the views of those undertaking this mode of rehabilitation must be considered to ensure motivation and adherence with self-administered rehabilitation. There is no consensus measure for recording feedback from people with aphasia on user experience of ICT-delivered aphasia rehabilitation. This paper reports on the collaborative development of a feedback questionnaire with people with aphasia for people with aphasia. Aims: There are three research aims (i) to develop a questionnaire to facilitate feedback on ICT-delivered aphasia rehabilitation by collaboratively working with people with aphasia in the design process, (ii) to describe the development process and the co-design techniques employed, and (iii) to explore the experiences of co-designers in the development process. Methods & Procedures: Using public patient involvement (PPI) in health research, a co-design process was employed throughout 6 group workshops. Six people with aphasia (43 to 76 years of age) with a range of aphasia severities (Western Aphasia Battery Aphasia Quotient range 24.4–83) engaged in the co-design process. The final product, an online user feedback questionnaire, was developed. Individual exit interviews were carried out with the co-designers after the workshops, and a thematic analysis of the interview data was completed. Outcomes & Results: The final questionnaire provides an outcome measure that investigates: cognitive workload, satisfaction, programme functionality and ease of use, and the level of assistance required when engaging in ICT-delivered aphasia rehabilitation. It is presented as an online survey in an aphasia-accessible format. Following the co-design experience, four themes were identified within the exit interviews: Group Dynamics, Balance of Complexity of Tasks, Reflection on Abilities and Positive Experience. The co-design process provided opportunities for social interaction with other people with aphasia and allowed co-designers to reflect on their own abilities. The workshops were considered accessible and facilitated their engagement in the co-design process. The process was inclusive and the co-designers reported feeling comfortable about contributing in the workshops and this was also noted in their feedback in the individual exit interviews. Conclusion: People with aphasia can, and should, be included in all stages of the aphasia research process and especially in the development and design of evaluation measures for use by people with aphasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Little is understood about the optimal way to implement digital life story work (LSW). The aim of this research was to explore the preferences of people with dementia and caregivers in relation to digital LSW in an effort to improve future engagement. Methods: 67 caregivers responded to an online discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey containing 16 pairwise choices. The DCE was analysed using a random effects logit model. Willingness to pay and odds ratios were also calculated. 17 participants with dementia completed an online survey in which they made choices about different aspects of digital LSW services. Results: Caregivers valued four out of five attributes [setting (p = 0.000), price (p = 0.000), elementary usability and accessibility (p = 0.001), and follow-up assistance (p = 0.034)]. In data from participants with dementia, the most preferred setting was individual one-to-one (70.6%), and the most preferred use of digital life storybooks was to share memories with others (64.7%). Marginally more participants with dementia said they would pay for the service (53%) rather than only use it free of charge (47%). Those with advanced ICT skills preferred to learn how to use the digital life storybook (64.7%), while those with elementary/intermediate skills, preferred to have it created for them (35.3%). Conclusions: This exploratory study provides an insight into preferences of people with dementia and caregivers, of how digital LSW is implemented. Results can contribute to future planning and tailoring of these services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Library automation is required in academic libraries to meet the dynamic demands of clients. This study aims to investigate the level of clients' satisfaction of Sam Jonah library automation. Design/methodology/approach: The study utilized the descriptive research design by using an exploratory case study research method. A disproportionate stratified random sampling was used to select 322 respondents (undergraduates, postgraduates and lecturers/researchers) who consented to participate in the study. Questionnaire and informal interview were used for the data collection. Findings: The study showed that more than half of the clients of Sam Jonah library were moderately satisfied with the library's automation. Clients mostly access internet/Wi-Fi and reference service. Patronage of the services including photocopying, borrowing of books (circulation), e-resources/academic databases, institutional repository, library website and the OPAC was not encouraging. Increase in user education was recommended to improve their usage. Research limitations/implications: The study was limited to only one academic library, namely, Sam Jonah library of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Originality/value: The study provides insight into a case study of satisfactory level of clients in accessing automated services of Sam Jonah Library to serve as a basis for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile networks transformation into the main support for Internet access since last decade made Apple and Alphabet the most lucrative companies in a market where they were not present until then. The reinterpretation of platform model as multilateral markets where the value of service providers tends to increase, largely relinquishing control over supply, relegated telecommunications operators to access providers role in a market built on their own networks. The evolution towards the 5G could reverse this tendency to concentration by opening new markets for operators in the industrial sector within the Internet of Things (IoT), but also deepening the personalization of the offer to the user. This article analyzes the main milestones in the evolution of mobile networks, the strategies employed by Apple and Alphabet to position themselves as leaders in the most profitable niches, the basic characteristics of 5G and why this system can be an opportunity for operators to overcome the current duopoly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Web 2.0 has changed students' roles, placing them at the centre of the teaching-learning process, attitudes towards Web 2.0 have been observed to have a relation with its use in a formal academic context. An instrument was applied to higher education students in Mexico to explore their perceptions by collecting information on students' attitudes, training and use of Web 2.0, and its impact on higher education. The findings showed that training in Web 2.0 determines use of it, as well as the attitudes towards it and the possible impact these can have on teaching-learning processes. No differences were found regarding participants' gender in relation to their perceptions of the use of Web 2.0 as a learning environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed how information and communication technology (ICT) influences international trade volume, and it undertook a comparative analysis of BRICS countries using panel data from the 2000 to 2016 period. The findings showed that (1) the effect of ICT was more positive on exports than imports, (2) the higher the ICT levels in the value chain were, the less effective they simultaneously were on both exports and imports, (3) the effect of ICT levels on trade increased over time, and (4) ICT improvement levels have more positive effects on trade in labor-intensive countries than on resources-intensives BRICS countries. To improve their export volume, BRICS countries would benefit from increasing their use of fixed-broadband and the internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing ICT and the Internet in education is of great significance to both teachers and pupils. It affects their lifelong learning and personal development. The aim of this paper is to investigate the usage of ICT, multimedia technology and the Internet in lessons in primary schools in Serbia. The research encompassed 66 mono-, biand tri-lingual primary schools across the Autonomous Province of Voivodina and took place during the 2018/2019 school year. The teachers of science, languages and humanities participated in the research. A comparison of usage of ICT in teaching and lesson preparation between teachers of different socio-demographic characteristics is tested. Furthermore, the multilayer perceptron neural network model was adapted to determine the most important factor in the successful integration of ICT in classrooms. There were five dependent variables: frequency of using ICT for making lectures, work experience, age, teaching field, and gender. The results revealed that the most influencing factors are using ICT at home for making notes and the work experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bibliometric review was conducted to assess the available scientific knowledge regarding the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by Individuals Experiencing Homelessness (IEH) and reflect on the existing evidence that ICT use has on their health. A total of 50 published articles were selected after a process of systematic review from five databases containing record of publications up until 2016. All the studies were published in English, half of the works were published in the last three years and 48% of them included the description of ICT use as an objective. Despite the fact that experimental studies were rare, and sample sizes typically small, it was concluded that the studies analyzing the effect of ICT on health display benefits. ndeed, the use of such technology offers promising opportunities to explore new ways of intervention in prevention, harm reduction and health treatment of IEH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the tourism sector, especially due to the massive expansion of Internet services, has influenced the development of a new concept of tourism business that can be called electronic tourism (e-tourism). The tourism sector has, under the influence of ICT, significantly transformed towards the development of new e-tourism business models. Also, the use of ICT in tourism business affects the emergence of new electronic markets of tourism services.According to the type of participants in business transactions on the tourism electronic markets there are Business-to-Business (B2B), Business-to-Customer(B2C) and Customer-to- Customer (C2C)and Customer-to-Business (C2B) models of tourism business. Therefore, this paper presents business models that can be implemented in etourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing interest surrounds the use ofinformation and communication technologies (ICTs) for mental-health-related purposes, yet little is known about rates of ICT use among the psychiatric population and those with severe mental illness. This study examines ICT accessibility among the psychiatric population, focusing on serious and non-serious mental illness (SMI and non-SMI). Patients ( N  = 427) from all service branches of the Psychiatry Department at Emek Medical Centerwere recruited orally or through advertisement. Responders completed a self-report survey regarding accessibility and use of ICTs (i.e., computer, internet, Facebook, mobile phone, smartphone). Results revealed that 59.3% of respondents used computers, 77.3% used the internet, 92.7% owned a mobile phone, 67.9% owned a smartphone, and 63% used Facebook. Over half of participants who used ICTs reported doing so at least once per day. SMI and non-SMI respondents differed significantly in their use and access to a computer, the internet, Facebook, and smartphones. Results suggest that mental illness is not a barrier to using and accessing technology; however, when differentiating between SMI and non-SMI, illness severity is a barrier to potential ICT utilization. These results may encourage policy makers to design ICTs that suit the needs of individuals with SMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Internet and social networks are playing an important role in the field of electoral politics communication. In this article we study its application within electoral campaigns. We intend to know how the use of the digital tools offered to the candidates to overseas deputies of the Dominican Republic who participated in the elections of the year 2012. We use the quantitative methodology through the investigation technique of the survey that we conducted to the communication agents of the postulants. The results show that the passive use of candidates for overseas deputies in terms of advertising investment refers to the digital environment, the two most used social networks in the campaign were Facebook and YouTube, there were candidates who preferred not to use websites or blogs. The social network best valued by the candidacies was Facebook and the worst valued was LinkedIn. In conclusion, we discovered that a large number of candidates did not make strategic use of ICTs, the Internet, and social networks in the electoral campaign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ICT is a contraction of "Information Communication Technology" is a shorthand for the PCs, programming, systems, satellite connections and related frameworks that enable individuals to get to, break down, make, trade and utilize information, data, and learning in routes that, up to this point, were relatively inconceivable. The term 'ICT' is utilized conversely with the Internet. The Internet together with its applications (the most surely understood being the internet) is the foundation that unites individuals, in better places and time zones, with interactive media apparatuses for data, correspondence, information and learning administration so as to develop the scope of human capacities. The advancement of data and innovation has rolled out a breathtaking change and improvement nearly in varying backgrounds. Particularly the appealing word Information innovation has been drowned in all edges of the overall ground. In this paper, the creator has concentrated on Designing of Information correspondence Technology with the library administrations like web, e-assets, and so forth. It additionally manages the effect of creative innovation on libraries and communicates why Information correspondence innovation abilities are required for the library experts. It additionally centers around the planning of ICT based Services in Libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigate the Impact of Information and Communication Technology tools on Information Seeking Behaviour of the Tirunelveli District Central Library Users. This study also investigate, the ICT usage pattern, user needs, and future expectation of ICT based services, of various categories of users in public library system. This study has been taken up in the District central Public Library, Tirunelveli. The questionnaire was given to 125 numbers of various category of users in the library. The analysis revealed that the presently available ICT facility is not sufficient to fulfil the user needs, and also recommends that it needs to be developed, in order to enhance our citizen and develop a knowledge power society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet clearly presents the opportunity for students to expand their knowledge at a fast pace, since they are able to access enormous amount of information. However, accessing the Internet also has its downside since not all information is of good quality. The study explored how 12th grade students at a high school in Ghana evaluated online information sources. These students and the head of the Information Communication Technology department respond to self-administered questionnaires and a semi-structured interview, respectively. The study found that most of the high school students did some kind of an evaluation of online information sources, however, they were not applying the right criteria. The study further revealed that students were not introduced to evaluation criteria at school and this had contributed to the gap in their evaluation competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the process of implementation of generalized online social networks (e.g. Facebook, Twitter) in the hotel sector, analyzing this phenomenon through a survey and using the Spanish business sector in general as a comparative framework. We found that this phenomenon has not had the same reception in the Spanish business sector as in the hotel sector, since the difference between the number of hotels in Spain that have a presence in these social networks with respect to the number of companies in the rest of the Spanish business sector is quite broad. This translates into the greater importance that this hotel sector gives to these tools compared to the rest of the Spanish business sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There seems to be a penetration in everyday life to ICT that affects the sexual behavior of the younger. Objective: The goal of this article is to present a bibliographical review that will guide us towards the analysis of the most relevant variables when proposing in the future a new theoretical model to understand the phenomenon of the techno-addiction to sex vs. cyber-sex addiction. Method: We analyze the existing literature with the aim of presenting a new line of research for addiction to sex on the Internet through emotions as the origin of behavior, and where the main interest is directed towards the adolescent population. Results: Appear to be optimal, along with other variables that are also exposed, certain variables centered on the emotions as causal-origin of the behavior for this type of affections. Conclusion: In short, we try to address the problems related to the use of new information and communication technologies (ICT), sexuality and youth with regard to health presenting a series of variables that allow us to create a new theoretical model in the future, and also a valid clinical measurement tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that information and communication technologies (ICT) have become increasingly integrated into the tourism industry, this article aims to emphasize the growing importance of ICT for smart tourism destinations. As a city, Porto has been consolidating its position as a smart tourism destination by emphasizing tourists’ experiences that are evaluated through innovation, communication, and interactivity with tourists/visitors. A survey of 423 tourists visiting the city provided the data for this study. The analysis focuses on the availability of ICT in Porto and its influence on tourists’ decisions to visit the city. This information helps to determine whether the application and information available on the Internet had positively contributed to tourists’ satisfaction in their visits to Porto. In particular, this article focuses on the influence of ICT accessibility on tourists’ choices of destination, their experiences, and their satisfaction. The results obtained can serve as insights for others to understand how tourists’ behavior and experiences, their planning stages and their demand for information are affected by the availability of ICT, in the context of smart tourism destinations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article describes a project for the prevention of substance abuse and the development of community with an ecological approach. Each stage of the project, which targeted youths in a suburban area in the north of Milan, involved ICT and the design and implementation of a Web infrastructure open to the local community. A cyberspace of integration of contexts has been realised through participation practices to promote dialogical environments and open relations. The premises underlying its approach, social transformation and the margins of its area of reference, the stages of the project and an interpretation of its outcomes for the youths themselves and the wider local community are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Korea is often called the ‘time machine’ or ‘world’s best laboratory’ to get a glimpse of how broadband services may evolve in the future. However, the Internet was not embraced actively en masse until 1998, when the nation was suffering a deepening economic crisis. In only half a decade, South Korea leapt to the most wired nation. What brought such a drastic change? This article seeks an answer by exploring the symbolic and semiotic aspects of information and communication technologies (ICTs), focusing on the implications of personal computer (PC) use. Against economic essentialism, this study examines the relationship between ICTs and discourses of ‘modernity’, ‘progress’, and ‘national identity’ in Korea in comparison with Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) is profoundly transforming the social order, into what Spanish sociologist Manuel Castells calls the network society. Mobile technologies, such as smartphones and tablet computers, are perhaps the definitive tools of the network society; however, cultural and economic barriers exist that restrict access to these transformative tools and to the information networks in which they operate. One group that is particularly at risk is rural older people from disadvantaged backgrounds. This paper reports on one aspect of a larger action research project that involved working with a small group of rural, socially isolated older people with histories of homelessness and complex needs (N = 7) and their social workers. This paper focuses on the older participants who, having been provided tablet computers, were then supported to use the device in their homes over the course of eight months. Despite most participants having never used a computing device of any kind prior to the research project, findings suggested that participants gained confidence, independence and social engagement as a result of their ICT use. Results also highlighted that they experienced challenges in utilising ICT, specifically technical, economic and social barriers. Findings highlight the individual and structural issues that must be addressed to enable all citizens to participate fully in the network society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines Internet use in the Southern Caucasus by qualitative and quantitative methods. Firstly, as the developments in ICTs affect Internet use, the macroeconomic problems faced in the development of the sector are qualitatively analyzed. It is seen that high Internet service prices, government dominance, and lack of competition in the ICT sector as well as the wars in some regions are obstacles to Internet use. Finally, the determinants of Internet use are explored using survey data and employing microeconometric techniques considering sample selection. The empirical findings, inter alia , indicate that key variables contributing to frequent Internet use are computer ability in Armenia and computer ownership in Azerbaijan, and mobile phone ownership in Georgia. • The development of the ICT sector is qualitatively, and the determinants of internet use quantitatively examined. • Qualitative analyses indicate that high prices, lack of liberalization, and wars are obstacles to internet use. • Quantitative analyses show that key variables contributing frequent internet use are technology-related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]