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This article discusses the factors that influence public transport users and the driver’s intentions towards ubiquitous features for public transport services. This study used convenience sampling for selecting tourists and a purposive sample to select bus drivers, taxi drivers, and trishaw pullers in Melaka, Malaysia, a popular tourist destination. The users' dataset contains three main results: factors influencing users' use of public transportation services, levels of user satisfaction with existing public transportation services, and elements influencing how often people choose to use the suggested ubiquitous features for public transportation services. The drivers' dataset, on the other hand, is divided into two primary sections: variables influencing drivers in delivering public transportation services and factors influencing drivers' adoption of the suggested ubiquitous features for public transportation services. The analysis included descriptive statistics on factors influencing users and drivers in using public transportation services, levels of user satisfaction with existing public transportation services, and factors influencing users' and drivers' adoption of proposed ubiquitous features for public transportation services. The findings can be used to investigate the demand for on-time delivery from public transport services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In the context of the current teacher education program in Thailand, Technology Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework is formally recognized as essential qualities of knowledge for a highly qualified preservice teacher in today’s education. TPACK has been attracted to educational researchers for preparing preservice science teachers nationwide. In this study, TPACK was employed for restructuring a preservice science teacher education course with mobile game technology, which was offered in two consecutive semesters with a total enrollment of 115 student teachers in the first cohort and 94 student teachers in the second cohort. A pedagogic module of Mobile Game-based Inquiry Learning in Science (MGILS) has been designed and created in two settings, a usual separated and integrated case-based TPACK support module, and then implemented with the first and second cohort respectively in general science teacher education program at a Rajabhat University of Thailand. They were measured TPACK in terms of four constructs, namely, (a) technological knowledge (TK), (b) technological content knowledge (TCK), (c) technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK), and (d) technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPCK). Considering both qualitative and quantitative data analysis from two cohorts, the results showed preservice science teachers’ incremental TPACK improvement from the implementation of the usual separated and integrated case-based TPACK support module of MGILS. Based on the results of MGILS intervention, it seems to indicate the alleged superiority of the integrated case-based TPACK support over the usual separated TPACK support. The deficits in the use of MGILS module are identified, and possible improvements to enhance TPACK in the mobile game are proposed.

This study examines the relationship between student planning, smartphone use, and course achievement. The ubiquitous smartphone can promote or hinder learning depending upon how it is used. Prior research has explored overall smartphone use (e.g., hours used) and generally found negative relationships with academic achievement. This study investigates the learner's approach to a specific academic endeavor, planning, and how the choice of support tools may relate to self-regulated learning skills and course grade. First-year college students reported on their approach to academic planning and how popular tools such as the smartphone and/or a planner were used to that end. The results indicated a strong relationship between both modes of planning and self-regulated learning skills (planner, R = .305, p < .01; smartphone, R = .157, p < .01). The modes of planning had a differing effect on course grades when controlling for self-regulated learning skills with the smartphone planning demonstrating a negative influence (ß = -.078, p < .05) and the planner or notebook demonstrating a positive influence (ß = .082, p < .05). The findings suggest that teachers and students should critically examine the tools they use to support academic goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic has strongly shown the uncertainty and complexity of our lives. We are involved and we participate in questioning our consolidated life models and in the experimentation of new political and economic models, involving different actors, from the governments to the communities or virtual societies. Technologies have definitely an essential role in these transformations and global challenges aimed to change. This essay analyses the link between this general phenomenon and its particular effect on private citizens, focusing on the digitisation of spaces and, in particular, domestic spaces. Challenges and emerging situations will be highlighted through some case studies concerning smart home systems, different in terms of technology and infrastructure, methods of interaction, hardware and software, and their relationship with the design of this kind of environment. In conclusion, we will present a critical approach to complex systems of the near future, to design in a more conscious and coherent way an intelligent, human-sized and sustainable environment to live in.

This study aims to synthesise the findings of research on cloud computing adoption and use in libraries. This systematic literature review is based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method and comprises publications in the English language, published in the four world-renowned databases. This study identified various cloud computing practices, including library automation systems on clouds, email services, applications of social media, cloud storage (Dropbox), consortium services, digital library and file sharing. The libraries adopted cloud computing due to cost-effectiveness, storage facility, ease-to-use, flexibility and scalability, time-saving, lack of in-house skill set and ubiquitous nature of the technologies. Several factors, for example, security issues, privacy of data, slow Internet connectivity and high subscription rate affect the adoption of cloud computing. The critical adoption, usage factors and various challenges identified would provide valuable insight to library professionals to decide how to employ cloud-based practices to offer innovative services in academic libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the applications of the Internet of Things (IoTs) and highlights the challenges faced to implement IoTs in Pakistani university libraries. This study opted exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach and was completed in two phases. In the first phase, purposefully selected university librarians were interviewed. In the second phase, quantitative data were collected from 122 university librarians across Pakistan. This study found that Pakistani university libraries implemented IoTs-based appliances including smart air conditioners, automatic fire alarms, smart hand sanitizer machines, and smart security doors. Moreover, the university libraries were using limited IoT-based services that are auto notification of check-out, check-in the reading materials, self-check-out and self-check-in system, recognition of user's card, and the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags for security perspective. The major challenges to implementing IoTs applications were found lack of a highly networked and integrated environment, budget problems, unavailability of policy and strategic plan, and the lack of technical personnel. This novel study explains the extent of IoTs applications and the challenges to adopt and implement IoTs in Pakistani university libraries. The research findings would be useful for library and university administrators who are interested to implement IoTs applications in their libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agathon: International Journal of Architecture, Art & Design is the property of DEMETRA CE.RI.MED and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the context of the current teacher education program in Thailand, Technology Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework is formally recognized as essential qualities of knowledge for a highly qualified preservice teacher in today's education. TPACK has been attracted to educational researchers for preparing preservice science teachers nationwide. In this study, TPACK was employed for restructuring a preservice science teacher education course with mobile game technology, which was offered in two consecutive semesters with a total enrollment of 115 student teachers in the first cohort and 94 student teachers in the second cohort. A pedagogic module of Mobile Game-based Inquiry Learning in Science (MGILS) has been designed and created in two settings, a usual separated and integrated case-based TPACK support module, and then implemented with the first and second cohort respectively in general science teacher education program at a Rajabhat University of Thailand. They were measured TPACK in terms of four constructs, namely, (a) technological knowledge (TK), (b) technological content knowledge (TCK), (c) technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK), and (d) technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPCK). Considering both qualitative and quantitative data analysis from two cohorts, the results showed preservice science teachers' incremental TPACK improvement from the implementation of the usual separated and integrated case-based TPACK support module of MGILS. Based on the results of MGILS intervention, it seems to indicate the alleged superiority of the integrated case-based TPACK support over the usual separated TPACK support. The deficits in the use of MGILS module are identified, and possible improvements to enhance TPACK in the mobile game are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Dilemas Contemporáneos: Educación, Política y Valores is the property of Dilemas Contemporaneos: Educacion, Politica y Valores and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The proliferation of ubiquitous sensing technology is bringing a rising number of the innovative models that have unique characteristics of the utility computing. These models have offered great opportunities to improve IT industries and business processes through the convergence of cloud computing and internet of things (IoT). Although this convergence establishes seamless intelligent interaction among physical and virtual entities, it has difficulty not only to meet the required level of quality of service(QoS) but also to satisfy the user's complex demands. As a result, the predisposition to create a dynamic service-oriented environment has become a fundamental design issue. The main objective of this study is to introduce a dynamic QoS provisioning framework (QoPF) for service-oriented IoT using backtracking search optimization algorithm (BSOA). The QoPF framework is proposed to maximize the composite service quality in IoT application layer by making a balance between service reliability and acceptable cost of the computational time. The effectiveness of the QoPF framework is evaluated using a number of performance metrics such as throughput, delay time, and jitter. The experimental results demonstrate that worthiness of the QoPF to meet QoS requirements more than other state-of-the-art techniques in the literature review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, virtual environments and their futurology are examined, with computing and technology being considered ubiquitous. Ubiquitous learning in virtual environments is conceptualized and characterized, with its fundamentals and structure being stressed. Developmental and experiential teaching is considered to be a cornerstone of it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this paper is to investigate the ethical implications of emerging forms of control that have developed along with the use of ubiquitous information technology (IT). Because it can be exerted at a distance, almost anytime and anywhere, IT-based control has become more subtle, indirect, and almost invisible, with many negative side effects. Yet the issues raised by this new form of control have rarely been interpreted, treated, and framed as ethical issues in business ethics literature. Thus, a more comprehensive inquiry rooted in ethical concerns is necessary to improve understanding of this more subtle form of control, its ethical consequences, and the way ethical considerations can be taken into consideration and acted on by management. This article addresses this goal with a qualitative, exploratory case study of a telecommunications company, in which salespeople have been equipped with ubiquitous technology. The findings specify the characteristics and consequences of ubiquitous IT-based control, thereby inviting a rethinking of the ethical issues related to the privacy, autonomy, human dignity, and health of salespeople. In particular, this article highlights four ethical issues raised by the use of ubiquitous IT at work: the ambivalence of this use of ubiquitous IT at work, the subtlety of the control exerted by ubiquitous IT, the invasiveness of ubiquitous IT, and the self-reinforcement of ubiquitous IT-based control. Such issues are not often taken into account, suggesting that ethical considerations fail to enter into managerial decision making. This study directly raises questions about the intentions, responsibilities, and divisions across different categories of organizational members who participate in such control systems. It also provides useful insights into employees' perceptions and offers guidance to managers who want to apply a professional code of ethics to the uses of ubiquitous IT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology is evolving faster than ever in the ITC domain. Computing devices become smaller and more powerful by the day (and cheaper than ever). They have started to move away from the classical “computer” towards portable devices like personal digital assistants (PDAs) and mobile phones. Even these devices are no longer what they used to be. A phone is no longer a simple voice communication device, but a minicomputer with lots of functions. The addition of wireless communication protocols, like WiFi and Bluetooth, leads to a web of interconnected devices with the final purpose of enabling us to access desired services anywhere, at any time. Adding less complicated devices, as sensors and detectors, located everywhere (clothes, cars, furniture, home appliances etc.) but connected to the same global network, we have a technological world aware of itself and aware of us, ready to serve our needs without hindering our lives. “Ubiquitous computing names the third wave in computing, just now beginning. First were mainframes, each shared by lots of people. Now we are in the personal computing era, person and machine staring uneasily at each other across the desktop. Next comes ubiquitous computing, or the age of calm technology, when technology recedes into the background of our lives.” [Weiser, 1995]