Student attitudes towards technology and their preferences for learning tools/devices at two universities in the UAE

© Journal of information Technology Education Research 2018. Aim/Purpose The purpose of this study was to survey student opinions about technology in order to best implement and utilize technology in the classroom. In this paper, technology refers to \u27digital technology\u27. The aims of this study were to: (1) examine student attitudes towards technology in regards to enjoyment and per-ceived usefulness; (2) investigate what tools and devices students enjoyed and preferred to use for learning; (3) examine whether students preferred learning with books and paper instead of technological devices (e.g. laptops, tablets, smartphones); and (4) investigate whether student opinions about digital tech-nology and preferred learning tools differ between two universities (based on their level of technology implementation) and between two programs (Founda-tion Studies and General Studies). Background Previous studies have investigated student device choice, however, fewer studies have looked specifically at which tools and devices students choose for certain academic tasks, and how these preferences may vary according to the level of digital technology integration between two different universities. Methodology In this study, a mix of quantitative and qualitative data was gathered from 1102 participants across two universities in the United Arab Emirates from an Eng-lish-language Foundation Studies program and a first-year General Studies pro-gram. A questionnaire (containing closed-ended and open-ended questions) was followed by three focus-group interviews (n=4,3,2). ANOVA and t-Tests were used to test for statistically significant differences in the survey data, and qualita-tive survey and interview data were analyzed for recurring themes. Contribution This study aims to provide a more comprehensive account of the learning tools (including books/paper, laptops, tablets, and phones) students prefer to use to complete specific academic tasks within a university context. This study also seeks to evaluate student attitudes towards using digital technology for learning, in order to best implement and utilize technology in the context of higher edu-cation institutions in the Middle East and around the world. Findings Findings suggest that participants enjoy learning how to use new technology, believe it improves learning, and prepares them for future jobs. Books/paper were the most preferred resources for learning, followed closely by laptops, while tablets and smartphones were much less preferred for specific educational tasks. The data also revealed that respondents preferred learning through a combination of traditional resources (e.g. books, paper) and digital technologi-cal tools (e.g. laptops, tablets). Recommendations for Practitioners These findings can be used to recommend to educators and higher education administrators the importance of adopting learning outcomes related to digital literacy in the classroom, to not only help students become more effective learners, but also more skilled professionals in their working lives. Additionally, classroom practices that incorporate both traditional tools and newer techno-logical tools for learning might be most effective because they provide flexibility to find the best learning tool(s) for the task. Recommendations for Researchers Participants preferred books and paper for learning. One reason was that paper helped them remember information better. More research needs to be done on the learning benefits of using more tactile mediums, such as paper for reading and writing. Impact on Society The findings from this study suggest that some learners may benefit more from the use of digital technology than others. Institutions and organizations need to provide flexibility when it comes to technology implementation for both stu-dents and faculty. This flexibility can accommodate different learning styles and preferences and not isolate individuals in the classroom or workplace who may be slower to adapt to new technologies. Future Research Future research is needed to investigate student attitudes towards digital tech-nology at higher education institutions in other parts of the world. In addition, this study focused mostly on student perceptions of learning tools and devices in the classroom. More research needs to be done on the impact technology has on learning per se - specifically how certain tools may help learners more effec-tively complete different educational tasks

Student attitudes towards technology and their preferences for learning tools/devices at two universities in the UAE

The purpose of this study was to survey student opinions about technology inorder to best implement and utilize technology in the classroom. In this paper,technology refers to ‘digital technology’. The aims of this study were to: (1)examine student attitudes towards technology in regards to enjoyment and perceived usefulness; (2) investigate what tools and devices students enjoyed and preferred to use for learning; (3) examine whether students preferred learning with books and paper instead of technological devices (e.g. laptops, tablets, smartphones); and (4) investigate whether student opinions about digital technology and preferred learning tools differ between two universities (based on their level of technology implementation) and between two programs (Foundation Studies and General Studies)

Knowledge of, beliefs about, and perceived barriers to the use of the emergency contraception pill among women aged 18-51 in Nova Scotia

Objectives: To investigate women in Nova Scotia (NS), Canada with respect to their knowledge of, beliefs about, and perceptions of barriers to accessing emergency contraception pills (ECP). Methods: A random digit dialing approach was used to survey a representative sample of NS women aged 18-51. Analyses described the knowledge, beliefs, and perceived barriers associated with ECP access among participants. Particular focus was given to differences between younger (age 18-31) and older (age 32-51) women. Results: The survey response rate of 49% achieved the desired sample size of 770. Overall, women in NS appeared to be poorly informed about ECP with regards to effectiveness, proper timing of administration, how it works, as well as how to access Plan B®. Younger women (age 18-31) were significantly more likely than older women (age 32- 51) to know that ECP does not always prevent pregnancy (p<0.01), that it can be taken more than 12 hours after unprotected intercourse (p<0.01), and that it is available without a prescription in pharmacies (p<0.01). Thirty percent of women agreed that ECP will cause an abortion, with older women (p<0.01) being more likely than younger women to agree. Cost and lack of privacy in pharmacies were identified as potential barriers to access. Conclusions: Lack of knowledge and the perception that ECP causes an abortion may influence a woman´s ability to consider ECP as an option should she find herself at risk of an unplanned pregnancy. To address this, efforts should be made to educate women (including older women) about ECP and its availability in pharmacies.Objetivos: Investigar a las mujeres de Nueva Escocia (NS), Canadá sobre sus conocimientos, creencias y percepciones de las barreras de acceso a las píldoras de contracepción de emergencia (PCE). Métodos: Se utilizó una selección aleatoria de números para encuestar a una muestra representativa de mujeres de NS entre 18-51 años. El análisis describió el conocimiento, creencias y barreras percibidas asociadas con el acceso a PCE entre las participantes. Se prestó especial atención a las diferencias entre mujeres jóvenes (edad 18-31) y mayores (edad 32-51). Resultados: La tasa de respuesta de la encuesta fue del 49%, alcanzando el tamaño deseado de 770. En general, las mujeres en NS parecían poco informadas sobre la PCE en relación a su efectividad, tiempo apropiado de la administración, como funciona, asi como del acceso al Plan B®. Las más jóvenes (edad 18-31) tenían significativamente más probabilidad de saber que las PCE no siempre previenen del embarazo (p<0,001), que pueden tomarse más tarde de las 12 horas de la relación no protegida (p<0,001), y que están disponibles sin receta en las farmacias (p<0,001). El 30% de las mujeres afirmó quie las PCE producían un aborto, siendo las mujeres mayores las que más probablemente afirmaban eso (p<0,001). El coste y la falta de privacidad en las farmacias fueron las potenciales barreras identificadas para el acceso. Conclusiones: La falta de conocimiento y la percepción de que las PCE producen un aborto pueden influir en la capacidad de considerar las PEC como una opción si la mujer se encuentra en riesgo de embarazo no planeado. Para resolver esto, deben realizarse esfuerzos para educar a las mujeres (incluyendo a las mujeres mayores) sobre las PCE y su disponibilidad en las farmacias

GenGIS 2: geospatial analysis of traditional and genetic biodiversity, with new gradient algorithms and an extensible plugin framework

GenGIS is free and open source software designed to integrate biodiversity data with a digital map and information about geography and habitat. While originally developed with microbial community analyses and phylogeography in mind, GenGIS has been applied to a wide range of datasets. A key feature of GenGIS is the ability to test geographic axes that can correspond to routes of migration or gradients that influence community similarity. Here we introduce GenGIS version 2, which extends the linear gradient tests introduced in the first version to allow comprehensive testing of all possible linear geographic axes. GenGIS v2 also includes a new plugin framework that supports the development and use of graphically driven analysis packages: initial plugins include implementations of linear regression and the Mantel test, calculations of alpha-diversity (e.g., Shannon Index) for all samples, and geographic visualizations of dissimilarity matrices. We have also implemented a recently published method for biomonitoring reference condition analysis (RCA), which compares observed species richness and diversity to predicted values to determine whether a given site has been impacted. The newest version of GenGIS supports vector data in addition to raster files. We demonstrate the new features of GenGIS by performing a full gradient analysis of an Australian kangaroo apple data set, by using plugins and embedded statistical commands to analyze human microbiome sample data, and by applying RCA to a set of samples from Atlantic Canada. GenGIS release versions, tutorials and documentation are freely available at http://kiwi.cs.dal.ca/GenGIS, and source code is available at https://github.com/beiko-lab/gengis

Phylogeography of kangaroo apples.

<p>A) A longitudinal gradient resulting in 23 crossings. Each of the eight species within the kangaroo apple phylogeny is assigned a unique color, and the two most substantial subclades are labelled. B) A latitudinal gradient results in 57 crossings. C) Results of a linear axes analysis on the kangaroo apple dataset. The number of crossings is only shown for axes between 90° and 270° as the graph has a period of 180°. Under the null model, only 10 of 10,000 permutations resulted in fewer than 34 crossings which is depicted by the red line (i.e. α = 0.001). D) A linear axes analysis of the <i>Similia</i> subclade with the red line set to reflect a conservative critical value of α = 0.1. E) A linear axes analysis of the <i>Avicularia/Laciniata</i> subclades (α = 0.1).</p

Heatmap of frequencies of three taxonomic groups (Bacteroidia, Clostridia, and “Unclassified Bacteria”) from 24 fecal samples.

<p>Dark colors correspond to low frequencies, while yellow, tan and pink indicate high frequencies. Hierarchical clustering of samples and taxonomic groups are shown along both dimensions of the heatmap. Sample labels are explained in the legend of <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0069885#pone-0069885-g002" target="_blank">Figure 2b</a>.</p

Suicidal behaviours in adolescents in Nova Scotia, Canada: protective associations with measures of social capital

Few studies of adolescent suicidality have examined its associations with social capital. We explored associations of measures of individual level social capital with self-reported suicide ideation and suicide attempt in adolescents in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, controlling for other factors known to be associated with adolescent suicidality