The Virtual University and Avatar Technology: E-learning Through Future Technology

E-learning gains increasingly importance in academic education. Beyond present distance learning technologies a new opportunity emerges by the use of advanced avatar technology. Virtual robots acting in an environment of a virtual campus offer opportunities of advanced learning experiences. Human Machine Interaction (HMI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can bridge time zones and ease professional constraints of mature students. Undergraduate students may use such technology to build up topics of their studies beyond taught lectures. Objectives of the paper are to research the options, extent and limitations of avatar technology for academic studies in under- and postgraduate courses and to discuss students' potential acceptance or rejection of interaction with AI. The research method is a case study based on Sir Tony Dyson's avatar technology iBot2000. Sir Tony is a worldwide acknowledged robot specialist, creator of Star Wars' R2D2, who developed in recent years the iBot2000 technology, intelligent avatars adaptable to different environments with the availability to speak up to eight different languages and capable to provide logic answers to questions asked. This technology underwent many prototypes with the latest specific goal to offer blended E-learning entering the field of the virtual 3-D university extending Web2.0 to Web3.0 (Dyson. 2009). Sir Tony included his vast experiences gained in his personal (teaching) work with children for which he received his knighthood. The data was mainly collected through interviews with Sir Tony Dyson, which helps discover the inventor’s view on why such technology is of advantage for academic studies. Based on interviews with Sir Tony, this research critically analyses the options, richness and restrictions, which avatar (iBot2000) technology may add to academic studies. The conclusion will discuss the opportunities, which avatar technology may be able to bring to learning and teaching activities, and the foreseeable limitations – the amount of resources required and the complexity to build a fully integrated virtual 3-D campus. Key Words: virtual learning, avatar technology, iBot2000, virtual universit

Leveraging Social Media Platforms in Marketing Library Services In Ghanaian Universities

With the continuous improvement of library services across the globe owing to automation, technological advancement, and growth in student population, rapid access to social media (SM) platforms has become a vital part of keeping present and would-be users well-versed about academic library service. The study brings to bear on the use of SM platforms in promoting library services. Using the survey approach, one hundred and seventy-six (176) library users of the University of Ghana (UG), Library System (LS) were selected to provide primary data via questionnaires. All respondents were selected through simple random sampling. The SPSS was used to generate Pearson correlation, mean, and standard deviation results. The results revealed that the effectiveness of SM platforms has a significant positive relationship with users’ perception and its usefulness. The deployment of SM as a marketing tool in university libraries, marketing library resources, and information centres can be promoted greatly. Moreover, few challenges encountered by library users in using the SM include lack of privacy, the confidentiality of information, power cut or shortage, and inadequate training opportunities for the UGLS staff among others. The study presents opportunities useful for professional librarians

The diffusion of edublogs among educators in Egypt

This study gives some insight with regards to the diffusion of educational blogs among educators working in Egypt. Through the literature review the researcher establishes the importance of edublogs and gives examples of their use around the world, then goes on to answer questions about the reasons behind why edublogs are not being used by educators in Egypt. The research compares edublog adopters and nonusers by tackling three issues in the diffusion process. For the adopters, the study inquires about how they found out about the edublogs to see if it was traditional word of mouth as the diffusion of innovations theory suggests, and who told them about this innovation. The research also examines the hindrances keeping educators from using edublogs. And finally, the research labels the Egyptian educators in relevance to adopter categories

Lecturers' use of Web 2.0 in the faculty of Information Science and communications at MZUZU University, Malawi

The study reported on in this article investigated the use of Web 2.0 technologies by lecturers in the Faculty of Information Science and Communications at Mzuzu University (MZUNI), Mzuzu, Malawi. By distributing a questionnaire to 19 lecturers, conducting follow-up interviews with seven lecturers and analysing the curricula, the study showed that between 10 (58.8%) and 13 (76.5%) lecturers use Wikipedia, YouTube, blogs, Google Apps and Twitter to accomplish various academic activities, such as handing out assignments to students; receiving feedback from students; uploading lecture notes; searching for content; storing lecture notes; and carrying out collaborative educational activities. The study adopted the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour (Taylor and Todd 1995) and the theory's elements that strongly affected lecturers' use of the technologies according to the results included attitude and perceived behaviour control. The study also found that poor Internet access remains the key stumbling block towards a successful adoption of Web 2.0 technologies by lecturers at MZUNI. To this end, the study recommends that the newly established Department of ICT Directorate with support from MZUNI management should install campuswide Wi-Fi and improve Internet bandwidth so that lecturers' access to the Internet is not limited to their offices but rather is available in the teaching rooms across the campus.DHE

Use of Social Media in Collaborative Learning among the Post Graduate Students of Selected Universities in India

Purpose – The very purpose of this research work is to explore the use of Social Media (SM) in collaborating learning among the postgraduate students of three central universities in India; University of Hyderabad (UoH), English and Foreign Language University (EFLU) and Pondicherry University (PU). Design/Methodology - A descriptive random survey method is adhered to this study with a framed questionnaire to collect data from the postgraduate students of these three universities. A total of three hundred questionnaires (100 per university) are distributed individually out of it, two hundred and fifteen (71.66 %) questionnaires are retrieved back from the respondents. Questionnaires are categorized into four parts; 1) Demographics, 2) general uses of SM, 3) purpose of using SM, and 4) barriers in using SM. For data analysis, SPSS 22 version and Microsoft Excel sheet are used. Findings - Amongst the respondents, majority 60.93% were males, whereas the remaining 39.07% were females. In addition to it, 111 respondents (51.67%) were below the age group of 25 years and the rest 104 respondents (48.37%) were above 25 years. The study confirms that all the respondents use social media (social media: 100 percent, n = 215). The results show that the majority of students in the survey from all three universities are using YouTube. Result also finds that smartphones hold the top position in terms of devices used for accessing SM tools. Further, it highlights that male respondents are using more SM than their female counterparts’. In addition to it, the survey shows that, interestingly, lack of adequate security and lack of reliability of information are significant barriers. Research Limitations - The study has taken only three central universities into its consideration. The population of the study is also only limited to postgraduate students. Implications – The study underpins the use of SM in an essential aspect of higher education in a developing country, India. Originality/Value – The study is the first one of its kind where it explores cross-institutional research in terms of the use of SM among the postgraduate students in collaborative learning

Technology usage versus technology integration in ESL classrooms: Drivers and Barriers

Technology integration is a significant aspect of teaching and learning in the 21st century. This study examines faculty technology integration in the Department of English Language Instruction (ELI) at the American University in Cairo (AUC). It also explores the factors that facilitate or inhibit their computer usage, and also their perceptions about the professional development opportunities in technology that are available to them. Using a case-study design, the researcher used semi-structured interviews conducted with 19 ELI instructors to understand the phenomenon at hand. Eight of the 19 instructors also served dual administrative roles as department chair, committee and program coordinators. Thematic analysis revealed that all ELI instructors are using technology in their teaching to various levels, and that quantity and quality of integration is on the rise. Seven factors emerged as drivers or challenges to technology integration at the ELI. These are: 1) policy and curriculum integration, 2) recognition and reward, 3) technology support and infrastructure, 4) value added to the classroom, 5) comfort with technology, 6) age, and 7) time. Finally, instructors at the ELI enjoy a multitude and variety in professional development opportunities. Although most of them appreciate these opportunities, there is room for growth. The capstone project ends with recommendations for future technology integration efforts and professional development

E-participation with social media in Science, Technology and Innovation: Brazilian States Research Support Foundations case

The use of social media has advanced in all social strata with effect on citizen participation in political discussions. In the context of Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) policies, bringing citizens closer together is a challenge for scientific and governmental institutions. The Brazilian States Research Support Foundations (RSF) show interest in promoting this approach to legitimize investments in science. Studies on the effects of social media on the relations between science, society and government are scarce. This research analyzed how e-participation, through social media, promotes citizen participation in the ST&I policies and actions of the RSFs. Nine organizations, including at least one Foundation from each Brazilian region, participated in this study. The main contribution of social media was the ability to intensify the interactions between government, researchers and citizens, using an informal and accessible language

Impact of social media on political participation of Egyptian youth

This study aims at examining the role played by social media in empowering and encouraging the Egyptian youth for political participation. Previous studies found that traditional media have not been influential enough to drive youth\u27s political participation. On the other hand, recent studies found that social media have a significant role in this respect. The current study investigates the possible roles of the social media in the transition to democracy in Egypt; questioning the ability of social media to act as a platform where citizens are represented and empowered enough to transform virtual online discussions to real life actions. The study was carried out on a purposive sample of 400 young Egyptians aged 18-30 based on the statistics of social media users in Egypt. A sample of opinion leaders and elites in the field was also studied. The research follows a triangulation by combining two research methodologies; survey as a quantitative method and in-depth interviews as a qualitative one. The theoretical framework is Uses and Gratifications Theory. According to the findings of the study, social media became most prominent among youth in Egypt after January 25th Revolution. The study also found that most Egyptian youth use social media on a daily basis. Egyptian youth consider social media as a platform through which they manage to share their common concerns and possibly turn it into collective real-life actions; which reflects their interest in becoming more politically involved

Social media effects on the academic performance of Nile University students

The Internet and in particular social media applications such as Facebook, YouTube and many others, are obviously “overtaking the world” and could be regarded as “a global consumer phenomenon” (Camilia, Ibrahim, & Dalhatu, 2013) . Social media usage is one of the most common activities among children, adolescents, and emerging adults nowadays. It offers today’s youth a portal for entertainment and communication and it is becoming one of the main platforms for accessing information and news. This aggressive adoption of social media among the younger generation could be attributed to their up to date knowledge of and comfort with the latest technology and the convenient accessibility to these social networking tools (Vorderer, 2016). This study aims to shed the light on the social media effects on the academic performance of university students in Egypt and aims to clarify to different stakeholders the relationship between the social media usage and academic performance and to harness full potential of social media. This study examines the role of social media in students’ academic endeavors and ultimately their academic performance through their reported perceptions and reflections. It also examines factors that might influence the nature of this relationship, and its tentative impact on the academic performance of Nile University undergraduate students. An explanatory sequential mixed method approach is employed in order to get both quantitative and qualitative data, the responses of 442 Nile university undergraduate student were collected and were scored, coded and inserted into SPSS, and were analyzed using multiple statistical descriptive and inferential statistical tests based on the research question and the nature of the data to be analyzed using frequency tables, crosstabs, Anovas, post hocs and t-tests. The findings of the study explains the perception of Nile university students of social media effects on their academic performance, and to what extend do they use social media for academic related purposes, and it explores the effect of the different academic majors, academic statues and gender on the social media usage perception and usage. Significant differences in the behavior of students from different academic majors and different academic status in perceiving and using social media emerged which might require further investigation