Archivitalization of science archives: new techniques in making science archives understandable

How can archivists analyse science archives? Science archives are like DNA for the human body: unique and essential. The analysis of DNA and science archives is a very difficult process. Archivists in a scientific environment need to develop new techniques complementary to the traditional methodologies. In this paper an overview of these old and new techniques will be given. It will also show how these techniques can be worked out in practice

Utilising radio-frequency identification technologies as knowledge management enablers in academic libraries: a case study of the University of South Africa

The quest to generate, preserve and utilise knowledge is driving firms and organisations towards a knowledge-based approach to managing organisational knowledge assets. Therefore, knowledge management (KM) is becoming increasingly important for organisations such as academic libraries to enhance their competitive edge in performance, to become more effective and to keep the organisation’s knowledge for future use. The importance of KM cannot be overemphasised in terms of how academic libraries can find meaningful and effective ways to manage knowledge resources to improve the services rendered to information users. Pressure is mounting for academic libraries to attain, retain and share knowledge for strategic planning, decision-making and remaining competitive. The adoption of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technologies is one of the preferred approaches to managing organisational knowledge assets; therefore, this was the motivation for undertaking this study in order to understand how these new technologies can change the knowledge management landscape in academic libraries. A qualitative research methodology, informed by the interpretivist research philosophy, was adopted in this study. Data were collected from a sample of 12 participants using non-probability purposive and convenience sampling techniques. The use of purposive and convenience techniques was ideal for this study because the participants were readily available and possessed the relevant data required to address the research questions and research problem of the study. Open-ended questions were designed to form an interview guide, which was the main data collection instrument. Annual reports, system manuals and user manuals were consulted to augment the primary data collected to address the problem at hand. The findings from the study showed that RFID technologies improved efficiency, tracking and tracing, inventory management and assisted with planning. It was revealed that users of RFID technologies required further training and development to fully utilise these systems for the benefit of the organisation. The study was conducted using a small sample of 12 participants; therefore, it was recommended that further studies could be conducted with large sample sizes using different research strategies. It was suggested that further research should be conducted to establish how change programmes have been managed before in other departments or sections and how the staff exodus was managed. An organisation-wide research would be recommended to ascertain the views and opinions of a larger population so that findings can be generalisable.Information ScienceM. Inf. (Information Science

User producer interaction in context: a classification

Science, Technology and Innovation Studies show that intensified user producer interaction (UPI) increases chances for successful innovations, especially in the case of emerging technology. It is not always clear, however, what type of interaction is necessary in a particular context. This paper proposes a conceptualization of contexts in terms of three dimensions – the phase of technology development, the flexibility of the technology, and the heterogeneity of user populations – resulting in a classification scheme with eight different contextual situations. The paper identifies and classifies types of interaction, like demand articulation, interactive learning, learning by using and domestication. It appears that each contextual situation demands a different set of UPI types. To illustrate the potential value of the classification scheme, four examples of innovations with varying technological and user characteristics are explored: the refrigerator, clinical anaesthesia, video cassette recording, and the bicycle. For each example the relevant UPI types are discussed and it is shown how these types highlight certain activities and interactions during key events of innovation processes. Finally, some directions for further research are suggested alongside a number of comments on the utility of the classification

PROSPECTS OF CONNECTIVISM IN LIFELONG PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR IN THE FRAMEWORK OF DIGITAL PEDAGOGY - PERCEPTIONS, ATTITUDES AND INTENTIONS

The purpose of this study was to investigate early childhood educators’ perceptions, attitudes and intentions towards the exploitation of principles of connectivism concerning their professional training. The sample of this study was 744 early childhood educators, both educators with gradual professional experience, as well as prospective educators (students). This study was conducted with survey methods and the data were collected by using a questionnaire, developed by the researcher, which was based on the theory of connectivism and was created for the purposes of this study only. At the end of the study was noted that there are generally positive attitudes and intentions, regarding connectivism, that coexist with a relative hesitation. Results indicated that significant differences do exist between early childhood educators and senior students regarding their New Technologies usage profile and work experience. The necessity for training early childhood educators was highlighted, so as they will be able to explore and exploit the potential of participatory web 2.0 to lifelong learning and professional development. Implications for further research were discussed.  Article visualizations