The significance of the reflective practitioner in blended learning

This is a case study paper concerned with the introduction of blended learning on a part-time higher education programme for mature students. The interpretive work draws on four action research cycles conducted over two years with two student cohorts. Discussion is based on observations, staff and student focus groups and interviews examining the students’ expectations and experiences. The initial focus of the action research was on the introduction of technology into the teaching and learning experience. The great advantage of an interpretive approach, however, is to allow the findings to determine the course of the research. During the first action research cycles, the focus of the research soon changed from the use of technology in blended learning to the role of the practitioners involved. We advocate the key role of reflective practitioners in facilitating blended learning and suggest that action research is a useful framework to develop this. Keywords: Educational Technology Implementation, Electronic Learning (E-Learning), Teacher Improvement, Teacher Preparation, Action Research, Asynchronous Communications, blended learning, part-time student, reflective practice

Consideration the Causality between Information Communications Technology and Economic Growth in Iran

In this paper, we examine the Iran the causal relationship between information and communications technology (ICT) development and economic growth in. The Granger causality test is performed following the cointegration approach to reveal the direction of causality between ICT development and economic growth. Test results indicate that there is a long-run equilibrium relationship that runs from ICT development to economic growth in Iran; and a one-way directional causality of growth-led ICT development for Iran is evidenced. A discussion follows based on the empirical findings. Keywords: Information and communications technology, economic growth, Granger causality.

Corporate Planning and the Survival of Food and Beverage Firms in Nigeria from 2008-2015 (A Case Study of Flour Mills Nig. Plc and Guinness Nig. Plc)

This study focused on corporate planning and the survival of food and beverage firms in Nigeria (2008-2015). The specific objective for conducting this study was to find out if information technology utilization (ITU) has any effect on the survival of food and beverage firms in Nigeria. The secondary data used were extracts from the annual statement and financial reports (2008-2015) of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and Guinness Nigeria Plc. The formulated hypothesis designed for this study was analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) analysis. Finding from the hypothetical testing revealed that, information technology utilization (ITU) has an effect on the survival of food and beverage firms in Nigeria. Based on this finding, the study concluded that, corporate planning is significant for achieving business survival in any corporate organization. Hence, the study recommended that, the studied organizations should strive to access and make use of different avenues of gathering information which information and communications technology provides today that will aid in enhancing the quality of services provided to the customers. Keywords: Survival, corporate planning, information and communications technology, effective, efficient

Using ICT as a Platform for Effective Information Services Delivery in Information Age: Kenneth Dike Library, University Of Ibadan Experience

Teaching, Learning and Research (TLR) initiatives in the institutions of higher learning, particularly in the University systems in the Information Age, are driven by digital data. Academic Libraries worldwide   are emerging as critical partners in the creation, access, use, and preservation of (TLR) data. Digital stewardship, infrastructural development, economic models, and policies required to administer and protect TLR data, present both new opportunities and challenges for 21st century libraries. Addressed in this write-up are documentations of some of the things that Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria has achieved, using Information and Communications Technology(ICT) as a platform  to enhance an efficient and a robust information services delivery in pursuant of TLR initiative of the University of Ibadan. Keywords: Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Information Services Delivery (ISD), Academic Libraries (ALs), Digital Ag

Virtual University And Globalisation

Globalization as an inevitable process in the twenty-first century in economic, political and cultural dimensions creates changes in education and higher education. Virtual universities have important role in globalization. It is clear that globalization in higher education can affect on other area same economic, culture and etc. Virtual university with special programs and use of information and communication technology (ICT) can show the impact of globalization on society, the economy, and the world system. At virtual universities there are international programs that extend globalization. Globalization requires the existence and development of an advanced information and communications infrastructure. And at virtual university that is new phenomenon in new age we can provide these infrastructures. Also, globalization requires a different education that enhances the ability of learners to access, assess, adopt, and apply knowledge, to think independently to exercise appropriate judgment and to collaborate with others to make sense of new situations. In this paper researcher want to show the impact of keys factors at virtual university on the globalization. Keywords: Virtual University, Globalization, Higher education

The Role of Communication and Information Technology in the Development of University Management at Governmental Jordanian Universities from the Academic Leaders' Point of View

The current study aimed at identifying the role of communication and information technology in the development of governmental university management at Jordanian universities from the academic leaders' perspective. The sample of the study consisted of (180) individuals. The results showed that the role of information technology and communication in the development of university management at governmental Jordanian universities from the academic leaders' point of view was of a high level in all fields and paragraphs concerned. The study also showed that there was no statistically significant differences at the level of (? =0.05)  due to the  variables; job title, college, and years of experience. Keywords: Information Technology, Communications, Development, University Management, the Governmental Jordanian Universities, Academic Leaders

Information and Communication Technology Practices in Public Sector University Libraries of Sindh Provence

The effectiveness of library services depends on a large extent of the information and communication technology (ICT). This effective study happens to explore the gradual advancement of modern technologies in libraries science through difference of old and new technologies in the world. The study is able to identify the various elements of information and communication technology which is used or being used in libraries and information systems. However, the study identifies the exact reasons for the use of computer technologies and related libraries. It also determines opportunities, jobs, impact and challenges being faced by library management system based on information and communications technology. Keywords: ICT, MARC, CDs, DVDs, DVD-ROM, CDS/ISIS, GENISIS, OPAC, Teleconference, Artificial Intelligence and internet

Securing communication within a network by leveraging Internet Protocol Security Tunnels

Securing communication within a network by leveraging Internet Protocol Security Tunnels In an era of greatly increased surveillance, by both our own government as well as foreign threat actors, it has become critically important to protect our communications. Whistleblowers such as Edward Snowden and Julian Assange have shown us that our communications are very much unprotected, despite the utilization of current technology. The problem lies in the implementation of the technology rather than the technology itself. Another problem is the lack of defense created around internal communication and the focus being on communications from outside into our networks. A more commercial usage of this program can be to prevent incidents like the Anthem medical data breech, or the attack on Target that occurred recently. IPSec is a protocol that exists at the IP layer, 2nd layer, on the 7 layer ISO network model. Much of the protections we use, TLS, SSH etc, operate at higher level, which makes the communication more vulnerable. IPSec is a technology that has existed for quite a while, however due to the possible complexities associated with the protocol; it is often either not used or used incorrectly. We aim to solve this problem by creating an easy to use program that presents simple options to the user. By utilizing the program created by us, you establish a tunnel between two computers that sends all communication between those two computers through a secured tunnel. The program can be run on any computer with a current version of the Windows operating system. Keywords: Cyber Security, Edward Snowden, Secure Communication, IPSe

The Communications Satellite Industry as an Element in Nigeria’s Attempt to Modernise Its Economy and Society

There is general consensus that Nigeria’s inordinate reliance on oil has not had a positive impact on its social and economic development – indeed, that Nigeria has suffered from the ‘resource curse’. In 2009, the National Planning Commission of Nigeria, the custodian of the Vision 20:2020 document as well as the 30-year National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP), which stressed the need for Nigeria to reduce its reliance on hydrocarbons, a crucial element in this goal is Information and Communications Technology. This paper examines the establishment of the communications satellite industry and its strategic role as critical ICT backbone infrastructure in driving Nigeria’s national ICT revolution beyond cities and urban areas to unserved and underserved areas and its growing value chain in key economic sectors of the Nigerian economy and society. Keywords: Nigeria, Resource Curse, ICT, Communication Satellites