An extended information system success model for mobile learning usage in Saudi Arabia universities

The emergence of 4G networks allows m-learning to be attractive for educational systems. Mobile devices have the potential to enhance accessibility and efficiency distribution of educational materials and information. Developing countries, especially in the Middle East, lag behind as they face difficulties in the adoption and use of m-learning. Previous researches stated that the studies in the success of m-learning are still insufficient in developing countries, particularly in Saudi Arabia where the number of students involved in m-learning also constitutes low percentages. Nine factors that influence the success of m-learning are incorporated and evaluated into a research model. A quantitative approach was used, where questionnaires were sent to three universities in KSA. The contributing factors and the relationships between them were evaluated using a Structural Equation Modelling technique. The research revealed that information quality, user satisfaction (US), trust in technology, attitude, organisation support, trust in organisation, and the net benefits of m-learning positively influence m-learning usage. In addition, the results confirmed that user satisfaction is positively affected by system quality (SEQ), service quality (SQ), and net benefits (NB) of using (U) the system. The results also showed that there is a significant relationship between NB and US for m-learning technology. This study extends the previous research by providing a conceptual model for the successful execution of m-learning services in universities. This mediating effect of US explains the impact of independent variables (IQ, SEQ, SQ) on U. It also examined the mediating effect of U in explaining the influence of US on the NB using m-learning services. The findings of this study are valuable as input for the Ministry of Higher Education and practitioners concerned with successful m-learning services. This study constructed a new model to enhance the mobile learning usage among students in universities

RFID Technology in Intelligent Tracking Systems in Construction Waste Logistics Using Optimisation Techniques

Construction waste disposal is an urgent issue for protecting our environment. This paper proposes a waste management system and illustrates the work process using plasterboard waste as an example, which creates a hazardous gas when land filled with household waste, and for which the recycling rate is less than 10% in the UK. The proposed system integrates RFID technology, Rule-Based Reasoning, Ant Colony optimization and knowledge technology for auditing and tracking plasterboard waste, guiding the operation staff, arranging vehicles, schedule planning, and also provides evidence to verify its disposal. It h relies on RFID equipment for collecting logistical data and uses digital imaging equipment to give further evidence; the reasoning core in the third layer is responsible for generating schedules and route plans and guidance, and the last layer delivers the result to inform users. The paper firstly introduces the current plasterboard disposal situation and addresses the logistical problem that is now the main barrier to a higher recycling rate, followed by discussion of the proposed system in terms of both system level structure and process structure. And finally, an example scenario will be given to illustrate the system’s utilization

An Evaluation of Organisation Processes Associated with the Transition to a more Internationalised Campus: an Investigation in Thai Universities

This thesis explores the endeavours by managements in Thai universities to facilitate the changes needed to achieve more internationalised campuses. Globalisation has resulted in pressure on universities worldwide to change many aspects of their services in order to respond to student demand and mobility. In addition Higher Education in Thailand is already being affected by the pressures being brought about by the introduction of the new requirements of the Association of South East Asian Nations ( ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015) such as the free movement of people of ASEAN countries. The Thai government has introduced policies and plans concerned with education reform in order to respond to these pressures and to compete with its neighbouring ASEAN countries. Realising a lack of management flexibility and inefficient management in Thai universities, the Thai government has been requiring universities to work towards greater autonomy (flexible self- management) whilst adhering to good governance. Using thematic content analysis based on qualitative research, this research examines the understanding of internationalisation as the expressions of staff’s experience in universities in Thailand and evaluates the organisational processes which facilitate the change to a more internationalised campus in Thai universities. This research evaluates the appropriateness of organisational processes in Thai universities by using the theory of communities of practice, in which cooperation and the sharing of skills and knowledge are dominant themes. Whilst communities of practice as a way of describing and explaining organisational processes has been beneficial in Western contexts, this does not appear to be the case in an Eastern organisational setting. This research finds very little evidence of the characteristics such as participation of staff in decision making, the sharing of ideas and knowledge and a cooperative approach. An analysis of findings has shown that a much more accurate and reliable explanation for the approaches by management to the internationalisation of their campuses can be found in the constraints on management structures and behaviour, imposed by Thai cultural values. Thai management structures are based on strict hierarchical patterns in which the rank and status of individuals are predominant and which indicate the extent of the power which they wield. These structures are reinforced by ‘ego orientation’ by which the ‘self’ is protected and given priority importance. If Thai universities are to respond effectively to global and regional pressures for changes to their services and to the autonomy required by the Thai government policy, their managements will need to move towards good governance. This will require university managements to release the hold that Thai cultural values has currently on managements and to develop more open, cooperative and flexible structure systems. The contribution of this study is that the communities of practice theory is shown to be contextually restricted to geographically more developed educational systems. Besides, it has been shown not to apply in Thailand’s developing internationalisation context. Finally, the ideal organisation model is suggested which hopes to provide effective ways to remove Thai cultural values barriers to successful internationalisation of universities in Thailand

Detecting Vital Signs with Wearable Wireless Sensors

The emergence of wireless technologies and advancements in on-body sensor design can enable change in the conventional health-care system, replacing it with wearable health-care systems, centred on the individual. Wearable monitoring systems can provide continuous physiological data, as well as better information regarding the general health of individuals. Thus, such vital-sign monitoring systems will reduce health-care costs by disease prevention and enhance the quality of life with disease management. In this paper, recent progress in non-invasive monitoring technologies for chronic disease management is reviewed. In particular, devices and techniques for monitoring blood pressure, blood glucose levels, cardiac activity and respiratory activity are discussed; in addition, on-body propagation issues for multiple sensors are presented