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The study aimed to examine the influence of Padlet on the English presentation abilities of Pakistani university-level English Language Learners (ELLs) and understand their perceptions of Web 2.0 applications. Contemporary classrooms are equipped with digital technology, with teachers utilizing Web 2.0 tools like Padlet to achieve learning objectives in ESL and EFL contexts. The study employed a quantitative, one-shot experimental design with 25 participants from a private university, collecting data through presentations from respondents against pre- and post-tests, rubrics, and questionnaires, and practicing using Padlet for a month. The study found that Padlet, a Web 2.0 tool, enhanced the presentation skills of novices, improved grades, and increased motivation, autonomy, and interest. The study suggests English language teachers should incorporate Web 2.0 Padlet application and fast-speed internet services to enhance presentation skills and save time for learners, while also addressing connectivity issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ubiquitous learning is transforming education by enabling human-focused learning through seamless access to resources from anywhere. In addition, these tools enhance context understanding and make it easy to interact between real and digital learning resources, all while offering individualized learning opportunities. This research surveyed public sector university teachers in the Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan to gather their opinions on how Web 2.0 tools and ubiquitous learning are affecting the development of 21st-century learning skills in students. The research aimed to assess the impact of Web 2.0 tools for ubiquitous learning (UL) on the critical thinking and collaboration skills of graduate-level students. To collect data, the study administered a self-developed questionnaire with 50 items rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale to 500 university teachers. This constituted the primary data for the research. According to the findings, ubiquitous learning has a noteworthy effect on fostering critical thinking and collaboration skills in university students. To make ubiquitous learning successful, both private and public sector universities must have adequate ICT infrastructure and provide teacher training that focuses on ICT-based teaching methods. The study can assist university teachers in establishing a ubiquitous learning (UL) environment that employs web 2.0 tools, thereby enabling students to effectively enhance their 21st-century learning skills, including critical thinking and collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's globalized world, 21st century skills, such as communication and collaboration, are essential for success. For EFL (English as a foreign language) learners in Pakistan, acquiring these skills can be challenging due to the unique linguistic and cultural barriers they face. Web 2.0 tools, such as Padlet, can provide a platform for EFL learners to improve their communication and collaboration skills in a collaborative and engaging manner. The present study explores the potential of using Padlet to improve the 21st century skills of EFL learners in Pakistan. A quasi-experiment is conducted to compare the effectiveness of using Padlet versus traditional language-learning methods to improve EFL learners' communication and collaboration skills. Learners' perceptions of using Padlet in a collaborative learning context are also investigated. The findings indicated that the use of Padlet has a significant and positive effect on learners' collaboration and communication skills, and that learners have a positive perception of using this tool in a collaborative learning context. The study provides preliminary and context-specific novel insights for language educators and learners on the potential of using Padlet to enhance the 21st century skills of EFL learners in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of social commerce constructs (SCCs), social support and relationship quality on social commerce intentions, which lead to use behaviour of social networking sites for social commerce.Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 343 users of social networking sites in Pakistan. The data analysis was conducted using PLS-SEM.Findings The results show that SCCs have empowered consumers through the existence of virtual groups, ratings and reviews and recommendations and referrals, thereby having a significant impact on social commerce intentions. The relationship quality with social networking sites, measured through commitment, satisfaction and trust, also proved to be a leading forecaster of social commerce intentions. The impact of social support could not positively influence the relationship quality with the social networking site. However, social support influences the social commerce intentions significantly.Research limitations/implications Future research should enrich model with some moderating variables and data may be collected from actual online shoppers only.Practical implications This study provides valuable insights to retailers to formulate their social commerce strategies as per decision factors results to have maximum engagement of consumers in social commerce.Originality/value The study proposes the unique model for finding the social commerce intentions and use behaviour using social support theory, relationship marketing theory and information systems literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Students' engagement of Social Networking Sites (SNS) has substantially influenced their social, personal, and academic lives. However whether students in Pakistani universities are aware of its roles and its respective influence has rarely been investigated. The aim of this study is to evaluate students' behavioral attitude (perceptions, gratification, awareness, usage patterns etc.) towards SNS. Using self-administered survey questionnaires, data were collected from a sample of postgraduate students at the University of Peshawar, Pakistan. The findings revealed a significant level of awareness of the role of SNS, of which YouTube, Facebook, and Flicker are widely used sites by the study participants. However, generalized use of SNS specifically, Wiki, RSS, Twitter, and MySpace is not considered academic or for research purposes, but for sheer gratification, and sociability. Further, laptops and smartphones were found to be the primary tools of access to SNS at university and/or homes. Additionally, entertainment and friendship were specified as the foremost prompts for using SNS. A primary obstacle indicated by participants is power failure. This study has manifold implications such as: a) social implications-parents and teachers should educate students about the inventive, academic, and safe use of SNS. This will impede the ills of SNS that have resulted in the reduction of learning and research capabilities; b) practical implications-authorities should make more precise policies for the use of SNS in the universities. To this end class orientations are suggested to inform students about the academic use of SNS and; c) theoretical implications-as students' intention of using SNS are gratification, sociability etc., thus the theory of Uses and Gratification is supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the current status and features of Pakistan's academic library Web sites. A checklist describing features and content was prepared based on a review of the literature related to academic libraries’ Web sites. Then, all 85 library Web sites of Pakistani universities and degree-awarding institutions recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan were surveyed and analyzed using the checklist. Interviews with library professionals were conducted to learn more about the problems and issues with building and maintaining library Web sites. Results indicate that Pakistani academic library Web sites have effective features such as contrasting color schemes, easily readable text, minimal use of horizontal scrolling, and English-language text. Staff information, OPACs, and navigation features are also widely found on the Web sites. Features found less frequently include the use of Web 2.0 technologies, Web site aid tools, information about library buildings, and general library information. By offering information about the status of Pakistani academic library Web sites, the study can serve as a foundation for discussion between libraries and other parts of the university, as well as a benchmark for evaluating the progress of academic library Web sites in Pakistan [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Library websites are built to provide information to its users remotely and are platforms to offer many electronic services to its valued members and users. Library websites of Pakistani universities recognized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan are explored to find out the existence of library websites and their features. Through the review of literature a check list is prepared and then websites are surveyed and features found on them are reported against the checklist. Higher percentage of university library websites exists in public sector as compared to private sector institutions. A significant number of library websites found having less than three pages. Website aid tools including site index and FAQs; instructions/ tutorials about library use and information about library newsletter are rarely found on library web pages. More than 95% libraries are providing access to HEC digital library but university ownsubscribed digital resources are very rare. Use of Web 2.0 including facebook, youtube, twitter and RSS feed are found on only few (19%) library websites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature on Web 2.0 experiences of higher education faculty in developing countries such as Pakistan is very limited. An insight on awareness and practices of higher education faculty with these tools can be helpful to map strategies and plan of action for adopting latest technologies to support teaching–learning processes in higher education of such countries. This survey study was aimed to examine the competence and practices of higher education faculty in Pakistan with Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, Wikis, Google Docs, Skype, Flickr, YouTube, and social networks. The study was also focused to look for what type of role faculty play while using these tools; and to find whether any significant differences in terms of age, gender, or academic discipline exist in competence and usage of these tools by the faculty. The data were collected from a sample of 246 university teachers in the spring 2014 semester. The findings of the study indicated that faculty participants reported to use Web 2.0 social tools more frequently than instrumental tools. Similarly, their competence with social tools was higher than their competence with instrumental tools. Additional results indicated that their competence with Web2.0 tools significantly differed with respect to their age, gender, and academic disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The paper aims to explore different applications of social media for marketing of library and information resources and services. It investigates the respondent's attitude towards the usefulness of social media in marketing of library. A survey research method was administered by using a peer-reviewed and pilot-tested questionnaire. Data were collected from librarians and LIS school academicians working at Bahauddin Zakariya University of Multan and the Islamia University of Bahawalpur. Findings showed that respondent's attitude was positive; majority agreed that the use of social media is important to capture the attention of online users and helps in distance learning and knowledge sharing. Respondents recommended the use of Facebook, Wikis, LinkedIn, Blogging, YouTube and online groups for marketing different library services. They indicated that inadequate training opportunities, lack of knowledge, privacy and identity theft, slow speed of internet and electricity failure are the problems for applying social media in libraries of Pakistan for marketing library resources and services. They demanded for trainings for social media usage and suggested that libraries should develop social media page for maximum exploitation of library services. Study recommends that libraries should develop their marketing plan for utilizing social media for news and service alerts and quick updates to online users and fund raising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a study investigating the use of web 2.0 in libraries in Pakistan, with particular focus given to the attitudes of Pakistani information science professionals regarding the phenomenon. An overview of web 2.0 and its adoption by libraries is offered, and the study's goals and methodology are described. The findings that web 2.0 usage is rising in Pakistan and that the majority of librarians and other professionals felt positively towards it are also commented on.

This study aimed at finding the trend of social media usage among the students of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB). For this purpose a sample of final year students was taken from the Geography Department. A questionnaire survey was administered to get the response from the students. The questionnaire was containing both open and close ended questions. The responses show that many social media websites such as CiteULike, Technorati, Connotea, Blogger, Twitter and Wikis etc. were frequently used by the responded students for communication, research work, online learning and making social contacts. It was also found that they have good IT skills and sophisticated tools and good Internet connections available to them so they do not encounter any problems in accessing these sites. Although this survey is restricted to a group of Geography students of IUB, the data obtained provide some insights into how students in Pakistan have been using the social media for both formal and informal types of learning and communication. In general, the acceptance by Pakistani students towards the use of social media for learning seems positive. It is hoped that the findings described here will help build a foundation for future investigations in Pakistan related to social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including Bahauddin Zakariya University Library, the use of web 2.0 in university libraries of India and Pakistan, and the state of affairs of library and information science (LIS) education in Pakistan.