An Implementation Process of Interoperability: A Case-Study of Health Information Systems (HIS)

Several advances have been made towards health information systems (HIS) use and implementations. However, these advances have not been matched by equal advances in HIS interoperability implementations. Current challenges in this domain are partly due to lack of implementation knowledge hence resulting into a number of failed HIS interoperability implementations. To gain substantive implementation knowledge on HIS interoperability projects, we have carried out interviews through an interpretive case-study approach to investigate a successful HIS interoperability project. Through this approach we propose an initial set of HIS interoperability implementation best practices comprising of these key processes: discovering interoperability need, projecting outcome, managing change and adopting an appropriate interoperability strategy which together depict a contingence management relationship. We conclude that this initial set of best practices contributes substantive knowledge that can guide future HIS interoperability implementations

Pragmatic Podcasting: Facilitating Podcasting in developing Higher Education Institutions

MLCAT is a desktop content authoring application that is used to record lectures and presentations for educational purposes. It does not only record the audio of the speaker but also their Power Point presentation. It is able to record, encode and save the presentation in various formats. The result is one synchronized multimedia video that can be played back on a variety of feature phones. Apple has a big success with the release of podcasting solutions, iPod series and accessories. They enable the user to carry around music and videos, play them back while on a bus or even use it as a digital multimedia library. These products have been trialled and used in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the developed world. Developing world HEIs such as those in Africa have limited diffusion of these technologies due to their relative high cost; infrastructural limitations, technical skills shortages; digital divides and cultural and socio-economic issues. This paper describes a pragmatic podcasting approach and how instructors can author and supply the learner with mobile-ready lecture recordings in order to enable mobile learning “anytime – anywhere”. Our solution has been implemented and is being made available for lecturers and students to examine and evaluate. The feedback will be analyzed and enhancements to the system proposed

Using paper prototyping as a rapid participatory design technique in the design of MLCAT - a lecture podcasting tool

Podcasting has permeated the developed world higher education environments. Despite this, there is inadequate research published to explore podcasting in developing Higher Education Institutions. In areas with limited electricity, never mind the internet, how can podcasting succeed? This paper describes Participatory Design activities with university lecturers in sub-Saharan Africa (University of Cape Town and Makerere University) to design a podcasting tool. We postulate that by involving them in the design, we can identify specific requirements and they will accept and use the tool. Academics have heavy workloads and tight schedules and conducting design sessions with busy professionals demands preparation, improvisation, and clarity of purpose. Therefore, this paper presents the use of paper prototyping technique during the two hour Participatory Design sessions with lecturers in the design of a horizontal MLCAT prototype. In addition, we present formative evaluations that reveal insightful results which will be used in the further implementation of the tool

Mobile Learning Content Authoring Tools (MLCATs): A Systematic Review

Mobile learning is currently receiving a lot of attention within the education arena, particularly within electronic learning. This is attributed to the increasing mobile penetration rates and the subsequent increases in university student enrolments. Mobile Learning environments are supported by a number of crucial services such as content creation which require an authoring tool. The last decade or so has witnessed increased attention to tools for authoring mobile learning content for education. This can be seen from the vast number of conference and journal publications devoted to the topic. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to review works that were published, suggest a new classification framework and explore each of the classification features. This paper is based on a systematic review of mobile learning content authoring tools (MLCATs) from 2000 to 2009. The framework is developed based on a number of dimensions such as system type, development context, Tools and Technologies used, tool availability, ICTD relation, support for standards, learning style support, media supported and tool purpose. This paper provides a means for researchers to extract assertions and several important lessons for the choice and implementation of MLCATs

ICTD interventions: trends over the last decade.

In this study, we examine Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) technology interventions that have been developed over the last decade. The purpose is to provide a snapshot of the trends that have characterized ICT4D technology interventions from the period starting 1995 to 2010. This paper presents three general dimensions i.e. ICTs, development and research which are further broken down into seven variables used to categorize projects over this period. The seven variables include: telecommunication, terminal device, target group, domain area, region, research methods and discipline. Results suggest that applied research stood out as the methodology of choice; health and education as the most researched areas; hand-held interventions as the most popular choice of solutions; and Computer Science, Informatics and Information Systems as the disciplines that offer ICT4D technology interventions. Consequently, we argue that these trends will facilitate understanding the past performance of ICT4D, both as an academic field and as an area of development practice, and identify defining ideas on the potential directions for the future

A preliminary study of podcasting in developing higher edcuation institution: A South African case

Purpose - The goal of our work is to report on Podcasting experience by faculty and students in a South African Higher Education Institutions, identify issues, limitations and discuss implications for the design of future tools. Design/methodology/approach - This work consisted of two parts: semi-structured interviews with lecturers, content/curriculum developers and a student survey. Findings - Rogers‟ diffusion of innovations theory provided the framework for this research including determining how new innovations are disseminated, their rate of adoption, the five stage decision making process for adoption and the characteristics an innovation must possess to be attractive to adopters. The methodology used relied heavily on descriptive and qualitative data analyses in order to determine the current podcasting practices and experiences. Results reveal that by assuming some of the respondents are “Innovators” or “early adopters”, they are still in the early stages of the decision making process. Research limitations/implications - Some instructors who are identified as “early adopters” are experimenting with Podcasting as an add-on to existing lecture resources. However, innovations and their subsequent adoption require an understanding of lecturers‟ and students‟ perceptions, opportunities and challenges. Originality/value - Podcasting in developing HEIs and the tools therein to support the process has not been given much attention. The context of this study is the first kind of empirical research in this area. The findings from this exploratory research will be valuable for podcasting users

Software Support for Podcasting Mobile Lecture Content for Education in Sub-Sahara African Universities

Podcasting is fast gaining traction in developing regions as a means to augment classroom instruction. Commercial podcasting tools such as Apple’s Leopard Server, Tele-task and OpenEya, despite being successfully used in the developed world (where Internet connections are fast and students have powerful multimedia devices) may not be directly transferable to the developing world due to social, economic, technical, political and cultural differences. Thus, we need to gain an understanding of podcasting in developing world Higher Education Institutions in order to develop appropriate tools. Moreover, past podcasting research shows that there is an acute lack of theoretical models, conceptual frameworks as well as evaluation models. Consequently, this thesis employs User Centered Design techniques to offer guidance for contextual podcasting design. In particular, Participatory Action Research was used to gain a deep knowledge of developing world academics’ work context and needs, identify specific requirements, develop a novel podcasting application (called MLCAT – Mobile Learning Content Authoring Tool) and ensure that they accept and use the technology. The final stage of this research was an eight week prototype evaluation aimed at evaluating MLCAT. The main contributions of this thesis are: the identification of design opportunities for podcasting tools (using Participatory Action Research) to support faculty in developing HEIs; a podcasting information ecology model; an adaptation of podcasting to developing country HEIs and a series of design and methodological contributions relating to the design of podcasting tools and other information systems. Findings suggest that academics and students alike valued the need for a seamless podcast production process – one that does not require expensive and sophisticated infrastructure; the ability to author short podcasts or package them into small chunks; the use of Bluetooth for access and sharing podcasts as well as building on tools already in their possession as opposed to completely new ones. This research is one of the few works that relate to podcasting in developing world Higher Education Institutions. It has implications for the design of podcasting applications through an appreciation of the usefulness of research and practice in Human-Computer Interaction for development and how easily this can be adapted to understand and improve mobile learning development practice

Measurements in the Early Stage Software Start-ups: A Multiple Case Study in a Nascent Ecosystem

Context: Software measurement is crucial to stay competitive and deliver quality software products

Mobile Learning Content Authoring Tools (MLCATs): A Systematic Review

Mobile learning is currently receiving a lot of attention in the education arena, particularly within electronic learning. This is attributed to the increasing mobile penetration rates and the subsequent increases in university student enrolments. Mobile Learning environments are supported by a number of crucial services such as content creation which require an authoring tool. The last decade or so has witnessed increased attention on tools for authoring mobile learning content for education. This can be seen from the vast number of conference and journal publications devoted to the topic. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to review works that were published, suggest a new classification framework and explore each of the classification features. This paper is based on a systematic review of mobile learning content authoring tools (MLCATs) from 2000 to 2009. The framework is developed based on three broad dimensions i.e. Technology, Pedagogy and Usability and a number of features such as system type, development context, Tools and Technologies used, tool availability, ICTD relation, Multimedia support, tool purpose, support for standards, learning style support, intuitive Graphical User Interface and accessibility. This paper provides a means for researchers to extract assertions and several important lessons for the choice and implementation of MLCATs