A Framework to assess the impact of ICT on the livelihoods of students in tertiary institutions: a case of Strathmore University

ICT has been considered to influence the livelihood of many people in a number of ways. This has prompted a great number of citizens to take up training in ICT courses so as to harness the supposed livelihood benefits. The research focuses on the impact ICT has on the livelihood of students in tertiary institutions. The study uses the livelihoods model as the conceptual model with vulnerability context, human, social, financial capital of the student and the policies/processes of the tertiary institution as the main variables in developing a framework for the assessment on the impact ICT has on the livelihood of students in tertiary institutions The developed framework is an extension of the livelihoods model that has been modified to include critical components such us curriculum development, collaboration with industry academic institutions and alumni to overcome the gaps observed that exist within the existing ICT tertiary institution. The administration of the framework is in four parts; the first part is the determination of the vulnerability context within which the student operates; the second part outlines the methods used to maximize livelihood assets of the student; the third part emphasizes on the adjustment of institutional policies and procedures. The fourth part details the incorporation of the livelihood strategies into the tertiary institution and the outcome expected from the framework is strengthened relationships between industry and top universities with increased accountability to stakeholders.ICT has been considered to influence the livelihood of many people in a number of ways. This has prompted a great number of citizens to take up training in ICT courses so as to harness the supposed livelihood benefits. The research focuses on the impact ICT has on the livelihood of students in tertiary institutions. The study uses the livelihoods model as the conceptual model with vulnerability context, human, social, financial capital of the student and the policies/processes of the tertiary institution as the main variables in developing a framework for the assessment on the impact ICT has on the livelihood of students in tertiary institutions. The developed framework is an extension of the livelihoods model that has been modified to include critical components such us curriculum development, collaboration with industry academic institutions and alumni to overcome the gaps observed that exist within the existing ICT tertiary institution. The administration of the framework is in four parts; the first part is the determination of the vulnerability context within which the student operates; the second part outlines the methods used to maximize livelihood assets of the student; the third part emphasizes on the adjustment of institutional policies and procedures. The fourth part details the incorporation of the livelihood strategies into the tertiary institution and the outcome expected from the framework is strengthened relationships between industry and top universities with increased accountability to stakeholders

Increasing ubiquity in language learning using WhatsApp

Conference paperIn recent years, web-based e-Iearning, has received great attention as a possible method to increase efficiency and access to both basic and higher education in Africa. While the performance of institutional e-Iearning and learner management systems (LMS) continues to face critical scrutiny, the value proposition of e-Iearning seems to have settled the debate and reduced attention on whet her the continent is ready for networked educational technologies. The attention has shifted from infrastructural and cost issues towards mobile technologies or mobile-enhanced e-Iearning, mainly because of the rapid increase in mobile phone use in the continent, and the persisting problems access and equity. This study sought to investigate the use of Whatsapp mobile social networking application in enhancing ubiquity of teaching and learning within mobile-assisted language learning (MALL). Students were required to use the App to complete group tasks and the times during which these activities were carried out were observed and analysed. The target subjects for the study were university students who are elementary learners of Japanese as a foreign language in an African university. This study combines the findings of the pilot phase of a case study, with on-going background literature review of mobile learning for Africa. The initial results show that Whatsapp enhances ubiquitous learning and provides proof of opportunities for exploiting available mobile Web technologies in an African university setting.In recent years, web-based e-Iearning, has received great attention as a possible method to increase efficiency and access to both basic and higher education in Africa. While the performance of institutional e-Iearning and learner management systems (LMS) continues to face critical scrutiny, the value proposition of e-Iearning seems to have settled the debate and reduced attention on whet her the continent is ready for networked educational technologies. The attention has shifted from infrastructural and cost issues towards mobile technologies or mobile-enhanced e-Iearning, mainly because of the rapid increase in mobile phone use in the continent, and the persisting problems access and equity. This study sought to investigate the use of Whatsapp mobile social networking application in enhancing ubiquity of teaching and learning within mobile-assisted language learning (MALL). Students were required to use the App to complete group tasks and the times during which these activities were carried out were observed and analysed. The target subjects for the study were university students who are elementary learners of Japanese as a foreign language in an African university. This study combines the findings of the pilot phase of a case study, with on-going background literature review of mobile learning for Africa. The initial results show that Whatsapp enhances ubiquitous learning and provides proof of opportunities for exploiting available mobile Web technologies in an African university setting

A framework for the implementation of mobile computing in a university environment

Paper presented at ICT conference of 2009.Paper presented at Strathmore ICT Conference, 200

Evaluation of the relationship between internet accessibility and students performance: case study of Strathmore University

Full Length Research paper - Educational Research (ISSN: 2141-5161) Vol. 3(2) pp. 137-144 February 2012Performance can be described as the level of achievement expressible by an individual, as a relationship of an independent variable. In the educational sector performance can be described as a reflection of the total involvement of a student in the learning environment. It includes social and emotional development, communication skills and participation in the learning activities as well as academic achievement. This research addressed the relationship between internet connectivity and the performance of students. The students found the internet very useful as far as their studies are concerned since they were in a position to access a very wide range of information.Performance can be described as the level of achievement expressible by an individual, as a relationship of an independent variable. In the educational sector performance can be described as a reflection of the total involvement of a student in the learning environment. It includes social and emotional development, communication skills and participation in the learning activities as well as academic achievement. This research addressed the relationship between internet connectivity and the performance of students. The students found the internet very useful as far as their studies are concerned since they were in a position to access a very wide range of information

Application of structuration theory and activity theory in enterprise resources planning systems implementation for Universities

Published in Computer Technology and Application 3 (2012) 385-394 by David PublishingAn integration of organization culture in the conceptualization and development of enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERPs) is critical for an organization to reap potential benefits of the system. In this paper, the authors present an analytical approach through the Structuration Theory: How a university can assess its culture for the purposes of design and development of the ERPs. The authors extend the Structuration Theory by integrating it with the Activity Theory to provide the means of evaluating the activities that the system is to perform. The modified Orlikowski model is applied to depict the relationship between institutional properties, human agents, and technology in the university setup and how this offers a more inclusive approach to ERP systems development and implementation.An integration of organization culture in the conceptualization and development of enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERPs) is critical for an organization to reap potential benefits of the system. In this paper, the authors present an analytical approach through the Structuration Theory: How a university can assess its culture for the purposes of design and development of the ERPs. The authors extend the Structuration Theory by integrating it with the Activity Theory to provide the means of evaluating the activities that the system is to perform. The modified Orlikowski model is applied to depict the relationship between institutional properties, human agents, and technology in the university setup and how this offers a more inclusive approach to ERP systems development and implementation

Collaborative problem solving using public social network media: analyzing student interaction and its impact to learning process

Article published in International Journal of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (IJDIWC)This paper examines the use of social network media at three aspects in African and Libyan perspective. Firstly, to use social network media as an open network learning environment that provide service for interaction necessary for learners to support socialization and collaboration during problem solving. Secondly, to use social media as a tool to support blended learning in e-learning system and encourage non-native English students to express their ideas and fill the gap of communication problems. Thirdly, to analyze the interaction of the learner in social media threaded messages and its relation to group and individual performance using different social schema and social network analyses. Quasi-experimental results indicate that there is an increase on the cognitive level of students at different level while qualitative results reveal that it helps deepen learning, memorable, have freedom to express opinions and lessen pressure and increase communication and socialization.This paper examines the use of social network media at three aspects in African and Libyan perspective. Firstly, to use social network media as an open network learning environment that provide service for interaction necessary for learners to support socialization and collaboration during problem solving. Secondly, to use social media as a tool to support blended learning in e-learning system and encourage non-native English students to express their ideas and fill the gap of communication problems. Thirdly, to analyze the interaction of the learner in social media threaded messages and its relation to group and individual performance using different social schema and social network analyses. Quasi-experimental results indicate that there is an increase on the cognitive level of students at different level while qualitative results reveal that it helps deepen learning, memorable, have freedom to express opinions and lessen pressure and increase communication and socialization

Comparative Analysis of the C4.5 and ID3 Decision Tree Algorithms for Disease Symptom Classification and Diagnosis

Most disease surveillance outfits and authrorities around the world battle with one key challenge – the useful and objective handling and processing of the huge sets of disease data being generated on a regular basis as their personnel exercise their disease surveillance mandate. Many theories have been put forth on how best this could be tackled. Among these, is the use of information technology and mathematical theories and concepts to alleviate the problem. One of the most solid and promising methods includes the use of artificial intelligence techniques to help break down and make good sense of the data sets. This research looks to compare the usage of the C4.5 and the ID3 decision tree theory concepts as means of tackling making the best of disease surveillance data. The C4.5 and ID3 algorithms provide a method of breaking down the data and generating (among other useful information) the entropies and information gains of some predefined variables from huge sets of disease outbreak data. Once the information gain scores for the variables are computed, they can be easily ranked to determine the variable to define the root node in the decision tree, as the rest of the variables follow through as leaf nodes. Notably, there will be two sets of entropies and information gains; one from the C4.5 algortihm and the other from the ID3 algorithm. Both decision trees shall have validation steps after each branch pass to determine whether it is time to stop growing it or not. This is one of the mechanisms employed here to avoid overfiting of the decision tree (especially for the ID3 algorithm)

Student academic management mobile application: a case of Strathmore university

Conference paper presented in 2014 eLearning Innovations Conference and Expo-KenyaOver the last decade, students in higher education around the world have been facing a number of challenges and potential threats to attain academic excellence. The major problem identified in this research was the lack of a solution based on current technology and data infrastructure to provide response to address student challenges. Most of the students face poor time management skills, unavailability of academic records, ineffective communication links to lecturers and no guide to funding/bursary information and lack of instant announcement notification. This paper is based on an applied research which implemented research tools such as observations, interviews and questionnaires with the aim of identifying the common challenges encountered in higher education and thereafter proposing a hi-tech unified solution for the students. Strathmore University students were provided with questionnaires to collect data and also inferences were drawn from observation to document the features and services of details of Strathmore system were documented. Few students from a public university were interviewed use response draw comparisons. Eventually a comprehensive review of challenges and current solutions were presented from findings of the survey. The suggestions obtained from the literature review and conclusions of research findings’ influenced the design of an academic solution. Hence an android based mobile application was developed to address students’ challenges in the following sections Planner, Timetable, Records, Communication and an instant notification service. The prototype application was tested among a few Strathmore students and an acceptance level of 81.5% calculated from findings. The test results showed that the application has improved students’ time management skills by 25%, enhanced communication by 33% and has improved the students’ general performance by a grade difference of 15%.These values are a proof of the positive impact it has on university and college students. The dissertation has systematically identified the student challenges, literature about common architecture and solutions, carried out a survey using questionnaires and interviews, analyzed the results and drew conclusions. Finally a mobile application was designed to fill the identified technological gap and tested to prove its acceptance and effectivenessOver the last decade, students in higher education around the world have been facing a number of challenges and potential threats to attain academic excellence. The major problem identified in this research was the lack of a solution based on current technology and data infrastructure to provide response to address student challenges. Most of the students face poor time management skills, unavailability of academic records, ineffective communication links to lecturers and no guide to funding/bursary information and lack of instant announcement notification. This paper is based on an applied research which implemented research tools such as observations, interviews and questionnaires with the aim of identifying the common challenges encountered in higher education and thereafter proposing a hi-tech unified solution for the students. Strathmore University students were provided with questionnaires to collect data and also inferences were drawn from observation to document the features and services of details of Strathmore system were documented. Few students from a public university were interviewed use response draw comparisons. Eventually a comprehensive review of challenges and current solutions were presented from findings of the survey. The suggestions obtained from the literature review and conclusions of research findings’ influenced the design of an academic solution. Hence an android based mobile application was developed to address students’ challenges in the following sections Planner, Timetable, Records, Communication and an instant notification service. The prototype application was tested among a few Strathmore students and an acceptance level of 81.5% calculated from findings. The test results showed that the application has improved students’ time management skills by 25%, enhanced communication by 33% and has improved the students’ general performance by a grade difference of 15%.These values are a proof of the positive impact it has on university and college students. The dissertation has systematically identified the student challenges, literature about common architecture and solutions, carried out a survey using questionnaires and interviews, analyzed the results and drew conclusions. Finally a mobile application was designed to fill the identified technological gap and tested to prove its acceptance and effectivenes

Improving the decision-making process using an information management system

Research article published on Special Issue of International Journal of Current Research. Also available online at http://www.journalcra.com.The ability to make effective decisions is crucial to an organization’s survival in today’s tumultuous business environment. In order for firms to evaluate alternatives and make informed choices they must have reliable and timely data upon which to make their decisions. Consequently, the development of effective information management techniques is critical. In this research a web-based information management system is developed for better decisionmaking. Two agents are integrated in the system, namely; mapping agent and extraction agent. The mapping agent reduces the workload for users charged with the responsibility of data entry. The extraction agent is designed to aid in the retrieval of current, timely and relevant data, eliminating unnecessary information. The critical information requirements are identified and a prototype is developed for verification. The prototype is developed using PHP language for the system interfaces with GD for providing a graphical reporting supported by a MySQL database. The system is implemented and tested at a Kenyan based Internet Service Provider. As a result, the organization under study increases its sales through improved targeted marketing and monitoring of the outcome. The user load is also reduced by half and the risk of data input errors minimized by 80%.The ability to make effective decisions is crucial to an organization’s survival in today’s tumultuous business environment. In order for firms to evaluate alternatives and make informed choices they must have reliable and timely data upon which to make their decisions. Consequently, the development of effective information management techniques is critical. In this research a web-based information management system is developed for better decisionmaking. Two agents are integrated in the system, namely; mapping agent and extraction agent. The mapping agent reduces the workload for users charged with the responsibility of data entry. The extraction agent is designed to aid in the retrieval of current, timely and relevant data, eliminating unnecessary information. The critical information requirements are identified and a prototype is developed for verification. The prototype is developed using PHP language for the system interfaces with GD for providing a graphical reporting supported by a MySQL database. The system is implemented and tested at a Kenyan based Internet Service Provider. As a result, the organization under study increases its sales through improved targeted marketing and monitoring of the outcome. The user load is also reduced by half and the risk of data input errors minimized by 80%