Factors Influencing Students’ Intentions of Continued Use of Learning Management Systems

Higher education is exceedingly being delivered online through learning-management-systems. Students must continuously use these systems to perform their academic tasks. Therefore, it is important that LMS designers and institutions clearly understand what factors influence students’ behavior towards the continued use of LMS. This research-in-progress aims to improve understanding on students’ continuance intentions towards LMS. It proposes a model by integrating three theories - Expectation-Confirmation, Self-efficacy, and Flow - to explain continuance behavior. To test this model, a research plan is laid out involving a questionnaire survey for data collection, and appropriate statistics for data analysis. Findings will inform academicians and designers how to ensure the continued use of LMS by students

Developing an Understanding of the Nature of Accessibility and Usability Problems Blind Students Face in Web-Enhanced Instruction Environment

Our motivation is the belief that blind students cannot participate effectively in Web-enhanced instruction due to challenges in non-visual Web interactions. We want to understand nature of accessibility and usability problems they face in WEI environments. Literature informs the Web lacks accessibility and usability, but does not explain what aspects of WEI interactions present difficulties for the blind. This is necessary to improve their WEI participation. Our user-centered, task-oriented approach relies on sound understanding of blind students’ WEI experiences, supplemented by perspectives of instructors, developers and accessibility standards. We employ protocol analysis of blind participants’ verbal reports, content analysis of instructor and developer interviews, and objective accessibility evaluation. Results explain where and why difficulties occur; their character; associated interface elements; coping mechanisms and possible solutions. Findings help instructors, developers and accessibility researchers better appreciate blind students’ needs and challenges. It will help develop WEI environments that support non-visual WEI participation

Evaluation of Web Accessibility and Usability from Blind User’s Perspective: The Context of Online Assessment

The central premise of our research is that the Web lacks accessibility and usability, creating problems for blind users in Web interactions. We want to understand the nature of accessibility and usability problems blind users face in a Web-based task. Extant literature recognizes this problem exists, but does not explain its nature. This understanding is needed to determine accessibility and usability requirements of the Web for blind users. Our research takes a task-oriented approach to develop this understanding in the context of online assessment. Employing verbal protocol analysis, we capture evidence of problems 6 blind participants observe and experience in completing the task. Analysis reveals two aspects of Web design that present accessibility and usability problems for blind users. Findings will help future research develop blind user profile for Web applications. Our study demonstrates an effective method for qualitative evaluation of Web accessibility and usability for the blind

Understanding Blind Users\u27 Accessibility and Usability Problems in an Online Task

We believe that Web lacks accessibility and usability, creating problems for blind user’s in online activities. Literature recognizes this problem exists, but does not explain its nature. This understanding is needed to determine accessibility and usability requirements of the Web for blind users. We examine the question: What is the nature of accessibility and usability problems blind users face in completing online tasks? Adopting a task-oriented approach, we investigate this question in the context of online assessment. Employing verbal protocol analysis, we capture evidence of problems 6 blind participants observe and experience completing online assessment. Analysis reveals two aspects of Web design that present accessibility and usability problems for blind users in performing online tasks. Our study contributes with a deep understanding about blind user’s problems due to lack of Web accessibility and usability. Future research may use this understanding to create blind user profile for online assessment applications

Accessible E-Learning: Equal Pedagogical Opportunities for Students with Sensory Limitations

The transformation of the world into a highly technological place has led to the evolution of learning from traditional classroom to e-learning, using course management systems (CMS). E-Learning offers a range of advantages over traditional pedagogical methods, providing a bridge for students with sensory limitations, who otherwise, find themselves at a disadvantage. This study evaluates the accessibility, usability, interactivity, and responsiveness of popular CMS, and examines if an accessible and usable CMS impacts the performance of physically challenged students. For this purpose, university students having sensory limitations were surveyed. The results revealed some interesting facts about online education, besides identifying an area of improvement

A Riskless Prudent Data Transfer in Clouds

No Abstrac

Evaluate all newly diagnosed mild-moderate renal dysfunction patients for primary hypothyroidism

Background: Hypothyroidism often presents to nephrologists with elevated serum creatinine which may lead to unnecessary evaluation including renal biopsy.  Methods: We retrospectively analysed the data of 24 patients who presented to the department of nephrology at our institute with anasarca/facial puffiness or elevated serum creatinine and diagnosed to have hypothyroidism with TSH >40 µIU/ml.Results: Twelve patients presented with generalised edema, eight patients for evaluation of deranged serum creatinine and four patients with both generalised edema and deranged serum creatinine. Age (r=0.696, p<0.001) and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (r=0.504, p=0.012) had significant positive correlation with serum creatinine whereas serum total thyroxine (r=-0.637, p<0.001) and triiodothyronine (r=-0.728, p<0.001) had significant negative correlation. Serum sodium was lower (<136 mmol/L) in eight patients. Age (r=-0.598, p<0.001), serum creatinine (r=-0.624, p<0.001), and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (r=-0.728, p=0.012) had significant negative correlation with serum sodium whereas serum total thyroxine (r=0.869, p<0.001) and triiodothyronine (r=.845, p<0.001) had significant positive correlation. Serum creatinine and sodium normalised in all after levothyroxine replacement.Conclusions: To conclude, hypothyroidism is not an uncommon cause of mild-moderate renal dysfunction and often presents to nephrologists prompting unnecessary investigations including renal biopsy. Hence, all newly diagnosed mild-moderate renal failure patients should be tested to rule out primary hypothyroidism

Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome with gonadohypoplasia:a rare case report

MRKH (Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser) syndrome is a congenital abnormality seen in one out of 5,000 women characterized by the agenesis of the vagina, cervix, and uterus. It is also associated with kidney, bone and hearing difficulties. The ovaries are present with a normal function similar to that of a healthy reproductive woman’s by producing eggs and female hormones. Chromosomes are the normal 46xx female karyotype. We report this rare syndrome in a 26–year-old female where she had presented with complaints of absence of uterus with the absence of left kidney. She didn’t attain menarchy, secondary sexual characters are well developed. Small right ovarian follicular cyst with a rim of ovarian tissue was observed. She had undergone vaginoplasty

Using Digital Libraries Non-Visually: Understanding the Help-Seeking Situations of Blind Users

Introduction. This study explores blind users\u27 unique help-seeking situations in interacting with digital libraries. In particular, help-seeking situations were investigated at both the physical and cognitive levels. Method. Fifteen blind participants performed three search tasks, including known-item search, specific information search, and exploratory search, using the selected digital library. Pre-questionnaire, pre- and post-interviews, transaction logs and think-aloud protocols were used to collect data. Analysis. Open coding analysis was used to identify help-seeking situations the physical and cognitive levels. Results. The study identified seventeen help-seeking situations that blind users encountered while using digital libraries, including nine at the physical level and eight at the cognitive level. To be more specific, physical help-seeking situations were categorised into 1) difficulty accessing information, 2) difficulty identifying current status and path, and 3) difficulty evaluating information efficiently. Cognitive help-seeking situations were classified into 1) confusion about multiple programs and structures, 2) difficulty understanding information, 3) difficulty understanding or using digital library features, and 4) avoidance of specific formats or approaches. Conclusion. The identified help-seeking situations reveal a gap between current digital library design practices and special needs of blind users. Practical implications for the design of help features for more blind-friendly digital libraries are suggested based on the findings