| 1. |
- Danielson, Mats, et al.
(author)
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Public Decision Support - Using a DSS to Increase Democratic Transparency
- 2005
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In: International Journal of Public Information Systems. - Sundsvall : Mittuniversitetet. - 1653-4360. ; 1:1, s. 3-25
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present a case study in which a decision support method (ADL) was employed by a local government in order to guide and aid decisions on three complicated and politically infected issues which had remained unresolved for many years. The research inquiry was whether a well-defined and openly accessible method would aid a common understanding of the decision problems, and whether people would be able to accept a clearly motivated decision even if politically they preferred a different option. The ADL method has been used in several public sector projects ranging from very large purchasing decisions to the selection of national policies, but this test case was novel in that it involved close inspection by the public. This case was also devised as a test of new methods for potential inclusion into normal practices. The post-case analysis shows mixed understanding of and belief in the method. The results raise issues concerning both the potential for decision support methods in a political context and the nature of political decision making.
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| 2. |
- Viberg, Olga, et al.
(author)
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Cross-cultural analysis of users’ attitudes toward the use of mobile devices in second and foreign language learning in higher education : A case from China and Sweden
- 2013
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In: Computers and education. - : Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd. - 0360-1315 .- 1873-782X. ; 69, s. 169-180
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The present study examined the current state of students’ attitudes toward mobile technology use in and for second and foreign language learning in higher education. Moreover, the study investigated if age, gender or cultural factors affect these attitudes. A total of 345 students from two in many aspects different countries, China (Yunnan University) and Sweden (Dalarna University) participated in this study. To access learners’ perceptions toward mobile technology use, we employed Kearney’s pedagogical framework to mobile learning from a socio-cultural perspective (Kearney, Schuck, Burden, & Aubusson, 2012). Hofstede’s cultural dimensions were used to approach students’ cultural views, as these dimensions represent some values – aspects of culture – that may affect attitudes toward technology and learning individually as well as in combination. The findings show the respondents’ attitudes toward mobile learning are very positive with individualization being most positive (83%) followed by collaboration (74%), and authenticity (73%). The statistical analysis indicates that Hofstede’s factors cannot explain the differences in mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) attitudes in the chosen sample. Among the personal factors, gender is identified to be a predictor to explain the differences in students’ attitudes toward MALL. This study shows that technology itself seems to be the most important culture-shaping factor, more important than culture inherited from the physical environment, and more important than age.
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| 3. |
- Viberg, Olga, et al.
(author)
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Systematising the Field of Mobile Assisted Language Learning
- 2013
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In: International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning. - IGI Global : IGI Global. - 1941-8647 .- 1941-8655. ; 5:4, s. 72-90
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study provides a systematic review of mobile assisted language (MALL) research within the specifc area of second language acquisition (SLA) during the period of 2005-2012 in terms of research approaches, theories and methods, technology, and the linguistic knowledge and skills' results. The fndings show a shift from the prevailing SMS-based language learning in 2005-2008 towards the use of more advanced multimedia and intelligent learning systems in the last years. Many highly cited studies focus on design of mobile language learning systems and experimental evaluation of their effectiveness. Studies often draw on mature pedagogic models and methods. However, descriptive and small-scale experimental studies dominate. In terms of theoretical approaches and frameworks, there is a lack of specifc reference to mobile learning conceptual and theoretical models, which makes it diffcult to distinguish any specifc mobile learning theories from other learning theories. Research has so far paid most attention to learners' vocabulary acquisition.
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| 4. |
- Viberg, Olga, 1982-, et al.
(author)
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Understanding students' learning practices : challenges for design and integration of mobile technology into distance education
- 2017
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In: Learning, Media & Technology. - : Routledge. - 1743-9884 .- 1743-9892. ; 42:3, s. 357-377
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study explores the design requirements for mobile applications for second language learning in online/distance higher education settings. We investigate how students use technology and how they perceive that these technologies-in-practice facilitate their language learning. Structuration Theory is used for the analysis. Results show that design needs to consider that (i) students use their private mobile technologies frequently when conducting self-initiated learning tasks, (ii) students’ mobile technologies-in-practice are important, and course designers should design materials and tools for such use practices, and (iii) students prefer to work on their own due to the limited time they want to devote to their learning. Consequently, in regard to the pervasive nature of mobile technology integration in society and into students’ habitual use, they need various software tools on such devices to support individual learning.
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| 5. |
- Agélii Genlott, Annika, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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Disseminating digital innovation in school : leading second-order educational change
- 2019
-
In: Education and Information Technologies. - : Springer. - 1360-2357 .- 1573-7608. ; 24:5, s. 3021-3039
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Using digital technology effectively in schools requires profound changes in traditional teaching and learning activities. Pedagogical innovations often start small-scale and developing good ideas into shared practice across schools is challenging in many ways, especially if the innovation requires second-order change, i.e. challenges to fundamental beliefs about teaching and learning. This study investigates how a validated pedagogical method requiring integrated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use and second-order change can be disseminated and sustained over time. We surveyed 92 primary school teachers who at different times over a 5-year period participated in a training course designed to implement an innovative technology-supported teaching method, Write To Learn, across an entire city. We found that organized teacher development programs can drive second-order change, but this requires considerable, active, and sustained effort from leaders at both school and district level. Additional factors include immediate and extended social systems and handling diversity among teachers. The results are useful for both practitioners and researchers since they contribute to a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in disseminating effective ICT-based methods that requires profound changes of thinking about teaching and learning to guide the transformation of teaching practice.
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| 6. |
- Agélii Genlott, Annika, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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Leading dissemination of digital, science-based innovation in school–a case study
- 2021
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In: Interactive Learning Environments. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1049-4820 .- 1744-5191. ; , s. 1-11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Digitalizing school is a process that comes with challenges. It requires strategic leadership and transformational change to work processes. Nevertheless, some succeed, and it is useful to understand what makes for success. This paper studies the challenges of leading digitalization of education in a city which decided to implement an IT-supported method for teaching literacy in primary schools. The method required transformational change; teachers not only had to learn to use technologies, they also had to review their pedagogy. This study is guided by the Diffusion of Innovation theory and draws on interviews with school principals. We find that the critical factors relate to the communication channel, the social system within and across schools, and the time perspective.
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| 7. |
- Andersson, Annika, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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Reclaiming the students : coping with social media in 1:1 schools
- 2014
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In: Learning, Media & Technology. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 1743-9884 .- 1743-9892. ; 39, s. 37-52
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is a debate about the advantages and disadvantages of using social media in education. Drawing on interviews and surveys with students and teachers in three Swedish schools, this study finds that studentsas well as teachers find much of the students' social media use distractive to learning. We investigate this by means of an interpretative study of students' and teachers' experiences. We find that concerns relate to how social media use makes students less social, how weaker students are more likely to get distracted, how teachers lack strategies for tackling the problem and how the responsibility of the use is delegated to the students. We discuss how the distractive use of social media is made possible as a result of education policies requiring a higher degree of individual work, individual responsibility, and educational choices forstudents. Teachers and school leaders need to jointly reclaim the students and coping strategies for the distractive use are urgently needed.
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| 8. |
- Asiimwe, Edgar Napoleon, 1984-, et al.
(author)
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MLCMS actual use, perceived use, and experiences of use
- 2015
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In: ijEDict - International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology. - 1814-0556. ; 11:1, s. 101-121
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mobile learning involves use of mobile devices to participate in learning activities. Most elearning activities are available to participants through learning systems such as learning content management systems (LCMS). Due to certain challenges, LCMS are not equally accessible on all mobile devices. This study investigates actual use, perceived usefulness and user experiences of LCMS use on mobile phones at Makerere University in Uganda. The study identifies challenges pertaining to use and discusses how to improve LCMS use on mobile phones. Such solutions are a cornerstone in enabling and improving mobile learning. Data was collected by means of focus group discussions, an online survey designed based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and LCMS log files of user activities. Data was collected from two courses where Moodle was used as a learning platform. The results indicate positive attitudes towards use of LCMS on phones but also huge challenges whichare content related and technical in nature.
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| 9. |
- Asiimwe, Edgar Napoleon, et al.
(author)
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On mobile learning with Learning Content Management Systems : a contemporary literature review
- 2014
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In: Mobile as a Mainstream – Towards Future Challenges in Mobile Learning. - Cham : Springer International Publishing. - 9783319134154 - 9783319134161 ; 479, s. 131-145
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS) are important tools for organizing learning material and communication. Increasingly mobile technologies are used for internet access; particularly important in developing countries where broadband is scarce. Mobile LCMS introduce specific challenges, which are yet not fully addressed. This paper reviews the literature on mobile LCMS for the purpose of identifying current research focus, research gaps, and future research directions regarding how to bridge the gaps and leverage CMS technology to support “mobile learning”. The concept matrix method is used to collect and analyze literature. Five prominent research areas are found; Use, access, design and infrastructure; communication and collaboration; engagement and knowledge development; content and service delivery; and implementation experiences and evaluation. A major gap identified is that research does neither clearly nor thoroughly address the intersection between learning and technology. Adjusting technologies to learning contexts and environments is a key area for future research.
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| 10. |
- Asiimwe, Edgar Napoleon, 1984-, et al.
(author)
-
Practices and challenges in an emerging m-learning environment
- 2017
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In: ijEDict - International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology. - Bridgetown, Barbados : University of the West Indies Press. - 1814-0556. ; 13:1, s. 103-122
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study reports an interpretative case study investigating practices and challenges in an emerging m-learning environment at Makerere University in Uganda. The research was part of the MobiClass pilot project. Data was collected by means of observations and interviews with teachers and various m-learning support staff, including teacher trainers, systems administrators and a software developer. The Framework for Rational Analysis of Mobile Education (FRAME) is used as an analytic framework. The research focuses on how learning content management systems (LCMS) are implemented and used for m-learning purposes. We observed teacher training and m-learning content development practices and found that teacher skills for developing educational content, institutional m-learning policies and training programs are crucial success factors. The main finding is the importance of the support staff; it takes a long time to implement new technology and change teaching practices, support staff is needed to manage, inspire and support student and teachers.
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| 11. |
- Ask, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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The Örebro City Citizen-Oriented E-Government Strategy
- 2008
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In: International Journal of Electronic Government Research. - : IGI Global. - 1548-3886 .- 1548-3894. ; 4:4, s. 69-88
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article discusses practices, opportunities, and challenges in local e-government project management by means of a case study involving interviews, document studies, and an element of action research, over eight months. The analysis against e-government success factors finds seven "critical issues"; political timing, resource allocation, political mandate, distinction between administrative and political responsibilities, coordination of departments, dependence on providers, and use of standards. We found these issues open for local choice, influences of strong individuals and groups, and chance. This is a consequence of the prevailing strategic model for the public sector, New Public Management, which leaves these issues to be filled by negotiations among many actors with different roles, goals, and action space. The general lesson is that there is a need for practical ways of acting strategically to reduce the risk level and increase the ability to implement policy.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Grönlund, Åke, 1954-, et al.
(author)
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Mobile technologies for development : a comparative study on challenges
- 2008
-
In: Proceedings of Sig GlobDev Workshop Paris 2008. - Paris : AIS SIG GLobal Development. - 9780982606803
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper compares and analyzes three cases where mobile technology is developed and used for everyday learning in developing countries. Preliminary results from field studies and tests are presented and analyzed in terms of the technical, professional, social, cultural and organizational challenges involved in development. In Bangladesh Virtual Classroom SMS is used together with TV to make education interactive. The eduPhone project develops a system and a method for delivering everyday “situated education”, such as emergency medical advice, to people lacking access to such services. The Agricultural Market Information System project disseminates information to improve local agricultural markets and, in particular, supporting small farmers, by mobile phones. The paper reports the cases and findings from investigations and tests, including field studies, laboratory and field tests, and experiences from implementation. We find that technical challenges are not great and in most cases concern innovativeness of application rather than access, use and usability; e-readiness among people is higher than often reported. The main problems lie in organizational challenges – developing a sustainable business model and reorganizing processes consequently – and social and cultural challenges such as local power structures and professional traditions.
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| 14. |
- Kempe, Anna-Lena, 1964-, et al.
(author)
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Collaborative digital textbooks – a comparison of five different designs shaping teaching and learning
- 2019
-
In: Education and Information Technologies. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1360-2357 .- 1573-7608. ; 24:5, s. 2909-2941
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Collaborative Digital Text Books (cDTB) are emerging artifacts in Swedish schools, combining the quality assured content of traditional paper and digital text books with affordances for multimodal representation of knowledge, differentiated instruction, communication, collaboration, documentation and with varying learning activities. cDTB are meant to cover the content of the curriculum and provide a consistent learning environment. We analyzed and compared design features in five brands on the market 2017. The analytic comparison indicated that the studied cDTB are built on differing notions of how knowledge is represented as well as on how learners and teachers were supposed to engage with the content. The analysis revealed three types of cDTB distinguished by the way the information and social artifacts are designed. Type 1 resembles a traditional text book with limited multimodal representations of content, tools for working with the content, and tools for communication. Type 2, conversely, is rich in all these aspects but still rely on mainly pre-fabricated content. Type 3 takes a radical approach to content production and leaves it completely up to teachers to produce and share content. The result suggests three very different roles and levels of influence for the cDTB users. Regarding content, the study shows that cDTB are more versatile and quality confirmed learning environments in comparison with: digital “book in a box”; learning designs employing scattered digital resources that are not quality assured; and various digital tools that have no clear connection with the curriculum. The paper contributes to practice with the understanding that before starting to use cDTB there is a need to grasp that the choice of digital learning environment is a choice among very different designs.
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| 15. |
- Mutimukwe, Chantal, 1979-, et al.
(author)
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Information privacy practices in eGovernment in an African Least Developing Country, Rwanda
- 2019
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In: The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1681-4835. ; 85:2
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Privacy of information is a critical issue for e-government development as lack of it negatively influences users’ trust and adoption of e-government. To earn user trust government organizations need to provide reliable privacy assurance by implementing adequate information privacy protection (IPP) practices. African Least Developing Countries (LDCs) today develop e-government but focus is on quick technical development and the status of IPP issues is not clear. Little research has yet studied the status of IPP practices in e-government in African LDCs. To fill this gap, we assess the status of existing IPP practices in e-government in Rwanda, using international privacy principles as an assessment baseline. We adopt a case-study approach including three cases. Data were collected by interviews and a survey. The findings call into question the efficacy of existing IPP practices and their effect in ensuring e-government service users’ privacy protection in Rwanda. The study extends existing literature by providing insights related to privacy protection from an African LDC context. For practitioners in Rwanda and other LDCs, this study contributes to the protection of information privacy in e-government by providing recommendations to mitigate identified gaps.
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| 16. |
- Riabacke, Mona, 1976-, et al.
(author)
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eParticipation Galore? Extending Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to the Public
- 2011
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In: International Journal of Public Information Systems. - 1653-4360. ; 2011:2, s. 79-99
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- New approaches and tools are required because of the increasing request for public participation and democratic decision making. There are two particular major challenges associated with this namely, applications allowing for large numbers of users and the balancing of participation and expertise. This article tests a method attempting to achieve this by combining a multi-criteria decision approach with different forms of discussion and deliberation. The method involves relaxed requirements for user exactness in statements of opinion and was tested on 90 students aged 17-19. Is it possible to extend multi-criteria decision analysis to the public? In order to answer this question, our research focuses on (1) scalability, or the potential for increased participation, as well as (2) decision quality, i.e. whether the alternatives are reflected upon and if there have been reasoned judgments. The test and survey found both these criteria met. The findings suggest that the method can be used for large scale participation during a decision making process, but also that a participatory process is improved by lengthier deliberation and more than one point of measurement so that opinions can stabilize.
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| 17. |
- Viberg, Olga, 1982-, et al.
(author)
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Integrating digital technology in mathematics education : A Swedish case study
- 2023
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In: Interactive Learning Environments. - : Routledge. - 1049-4820 .- 1744-5191. ; 31:1, s. 232-243
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Integrating digital technology in education is challenging. This study reports on three high school mathematics classes where teachers attempted to improve their teaching and student learning by using a digital tool. For analysis we use the Information System Artifact model Lee et al. (2015) which distinguishes between three integrated sub-artifacts, the technological, the informational and the social and the Structurational Practice Lens to educational technology Halperin (2017). Using interviews and observations we find the major obstacle for student learning is a less developed social artifact. Students have difficulties using the tool effectively when teachers do not work to develop shared practices in technology use. When teachers do not themselves use the tool actively, they do not fully understand how students can learn from it, neither can they help them in synthesizing teacher- and tool instructions. Students end up having "two masters" competing rather than integrated teacher instruction and technology assistance.
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| 18. |
- Viberg, Olga, et al.
(author)
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Integrating mLearning Language Application into University Course Content
- 2013
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In: Proceedings of the 12th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning. - : QScience.com.
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The idea that education can be considered as design science was brought up in the 1990s in order to bring the educational research from an experimental classroom into practice (Laurillard, 2012), at the time when the computers were introduced in educational settings. After that a number of theories focusing eLearning have arisen. Technologies are constantly changing, and new more pervasive mobile technologies increasingly influence individuals’ everyday lives. Among other things this influences humans’ social learning practices, and becomes an even more challenging task for educators. Design is critical to the successful development of any interactive learning environment (Mor & Winters, 2007). Mobile technology, as most other IT, is not primarily an educational phenomenon. It is a social phenomenon that happens in different parts of the world and in different ways. As emerging mobile technologies afford many advantages, such as flexibility and user-friendliness, researchers are exploring how to use them to support language learning (Huang et al., 2012). This paper presents a prototype for a cross-platform mobile language learning application developed for an online language course at Dalarna University in Sweden. The prototype is developed in order to support beginner second and foreign language learners in their vocabulary, listening and grammar learning. Considering mLearning to be a product of sociotechnical construction, the study applies a Design Science approach.
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| 19. |
- Viberg, Olga, 1982-, et al.
(author)
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Mobile Assisted Language Learning : A Literature Review
- 2012
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In: mLearn 2012 - Mobile and Contextual Learning. - Helsinki. ; , s. 9-16
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mobile assisted language learning (MALL) is a subarea of the growing field of mobile learning (mLearning) research which increasingly attracts the attention of scholars. This study provides a systematic review of MALL research within the specific area of second language acquisition during the period 2007 - 2012 in terms of research approaches, methods, theories and models, as well as results in the form of linguistic knowledge and skills. The findings show that studies of mobile technology use in different aspects of language learning support the hypothesis that mobile technology can enhance learners’ second language acquisition. However, most of the reviewed studies are experimental and small-scale, conducted within a short period of time. There is also a lack of cumulative research; most theories and concepts are used only in one or a few papers. This raises the issue of the reliability of findings over time, changing technologies, and in terms of scalability. In terms of gained linguistic knowledge and skills, attention is primarily on learners’ vocabulary acquisition, listening and speaking skills and language acquisition in more general terms.
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| 20. |
- Viberg, Olga, 1982-, et al.
(author)
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Privacy in LA Research : Understanding the Field to Improve the Practice
- 2022
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In: Journal of Learning Analytics. - : Society for Learning Analytics Research. - 1929-7750. ; 9:3, s. 169-182
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Protection of student privacy is critical for scaling up the use of learning analytics (LA) in education. Poorly implemented frameworks for privacy protection may negatively impact LA outcomes and undermine trust in the discipline. To design and implement models and tools for privacy protection, we need to understand privacy itself. To develop better understanding and build ground for developing tools and models for privacy protection, this paper examines how privacy hitherto has been defined by LA scholars, and how those definitions relate to the established approaches to define privacy. We conducted a scoping review of 59 articles focused on privacy in LA. In most of these studies (74%), privacy was not defined at all; 6% defined privacy as a right, 11% as a state, 15% as control, and 16% used other approaches to explain privacy in LA. The results suggest a need to define privacy in LA to be able to enact a responsible approach to the use of student data for analysis and decision-making.
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
- Agélii Genlott, Annika, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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Closing the gaps : Improving literacy and mathematics by ict-enhanced collaboration
- 2016
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In: Computers and education. - : Elsevier. - 0360-1315 .- 1873-782X. ; 99, s. 68-80
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Literacy and mathematics are necessary skills that for different reasons unfortunately not everybody acquires sufficiently. In OECD countries there is also a gender gap; boys lag behind girls in literacy but often outperform girls in mathematics (OECD, 2012). ICT (Information and communication technologies) may contribute useful tools to address both these problems but in order to effectively create better educational conditions there is yet a need to develop effective methods that combine ICT with key factors for learning. This research contributes to this by measuring effects of the “Write to Learn” (WTL) method. WTL lets children from 1st grade use several ICT tools to write texts and subsequently discuss and refine them together with classmates and teachers using digital real-time formative feedback and assessment. The central learning factor addressed, in mathematics as well as in literacy, is the written communication allowing the learners to interact with peers and teachers. WTL draws on methods from socio-cultural theory, including continuous social interaction and written real-time formative feedback among peers, using shared electronic forums for collaboration, thereby providing social meaning and increased learning of literacy and mathematics, among both boys and girls.The study uses quantitative methods and two control groups, one using traditional method (no ICT) and one using technology individually (without integrated social interaction and formative feedback), to compare results from 502 students in grade 3 national tests in mathematics and literacy. WTL yields by far best results; higher average score both in literacy and mathematics, smaller gender gap, and significantly better results for the under-achievers. The ITU method performs worst, which shows that ICT use must be well integrated into the pedagogy to be useful.
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| 23. |
- Agelii Genlott, Annika, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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Improving literacy skills through learning reading by writing: The iWTR method presented and tested
- 2013
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In: Computers and education. - : Elsevier. - 0360-1315 .- 1873-782X. ; 67, s. 98-104
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Learning to read and write is a basic skill that unfortunately not everybody acquires sufficiently. Lack of teachers and time in school are some of the reasons, but in addition the enormous rise in informational activities due to the Internet and other information technology-enabled opportunities has made literacy skills increasingly important to ever more people. This means literacy education must be improved so more children in the world get better chances. In order to contribute to developing better methods for learning to read and write in early years this study tests a new method developed to improve reading and writing learning in early ages. The ICT (Information and communication technologies) supported “Integrated Write to Learn” (iWTR) method lets children in 1st grade use computers and other ICT tools to write texts and subsequently discuss and refine them together with class mates and teachers. Handwriting is postponed to 2nd grade. While the traditional method requires students to go through two development processes in parallel, a cognitive (learning to read and) a motor (learning to write with a pencil), iWTR works with one process at a time, first cognitive development, then (from grade 2) motor skills training. iWTR extends previous WTR methods by more social work methods using a web site and peer comment for providing social meaning and feedback.The method was tested using two test groups and two control groups (total n = 87) by systematically measuring performance in reading and writing using standard tests in combination with observations and student evaluation to assess social and individual effects of work methods.The results show that while reading skills were improved considerably the biggest improvement concerned writing skills. Students in the test group wrote longer texts with better structure, clearer content, and a more elaborate language.
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| 24. |
- Andersson, Annika, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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Learning from e-learning : emerging constructive learning practices
- 2009
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In: Doing IT research that matters.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This research is situated within the field of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) and asks if ICT use can make learning practices change. While constructive learning practices are critical to both individual and societal development, repetitive learning practices are the norm in many developing countries. The study is based on observations and in-depth interviews and uses a structurational approach to understand if and how students views of learning change during an e-learning program in Sri Lanka. We found four constructive learning practices that emerged through technology use; individual exploring, interaction with peers, interaction with teachers, and taking responsibility of the learning. Many constructive learning practices emerged outside the LMS used, in students’ voluntary uses of publicly available resources on the Internet. The study shows that technology use can play a positive role for development, provided an open environment is available; students learn constructive practicesfrom e-learning.
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| 25. |
- Andersson, Annika, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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“You can't make this a science!” : Analyzing decision support systems in political contexts
- 2012
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In: Government Information Quarterly. - : Elsevier. - 0740-624X .- 1872-9517. ; 29:4, s. 543-552
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper reports on problems and conflicts encountered when using decision support systems (DSS) in political contexts. Based on a literature study and two case studies we describe problems encountered in relation not only to the DSS itself, but also to the political decision process. The case studies have been carried out in two cities in Sweden that at different times but in similar situations have used DSS in order to reach a decision in complicated and contested matters. In both cases we have previously found that the method and IT tool used for decision analysis were appreciated by most participants, but the inherent rationality of the DSS was in conflict with how participants usually make decisions as well as with the political process. The assumption was that a strict and open method would make grounds for clear decisions, but the results of the decision process were none of the cases implemented. In one case the result of the decision analysis was that no clear decision was made. In the other case the lowest ranked alternative was implemented. Furthermore, in neither city the method was ever used again. We therefore ask: What are the challenges and limitations to using DSS in political contexts? Our study shows that challenges relate to selecting and using criteria; eliciting weights for criteria (high level of subjectivity); understanding all the amount of facts available in the system; time constraints; and lack of impact on the final decision. This study contributes to both research and practice by increasing the understanding of what challenges are experienced in DSS use, since the findings can be used as a framework of challenges that should be addressed, in design of systems as well as method for use. The study also contributes to understanding the role of politicians in decision-making and the consequences for the use of DSS. Further, the literature study showed that there are overall very few studies on the actual use of DSS in a political context, and we therefore conclude by encouraging more studies reporting actual use.
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| 26. |
- Asiimwe, Edgar Napoleon, 1984-, et al.
(author)
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E-waste management in east African community
- 2012
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In: Handbook of research on E-Government in emerging economies. - Hershey : IGI Global. - 9781466603240 ; , s. 307-327
-
Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The rapidly increased use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) has increased demand for electronic equipment such as mobile phones and computers. Individuals and government institutions worldwide are adopting ICTs at a fast pace. Increased consumption has resulted in huge amounts of e-Waste generated from scrapped electronics. E-Waste contains chemical substances that have adverse effects on the environment and human health. Consequently, handling of e-Waste needs to be organized in ways that minimize the adverse effects. This chapter investigates how the East African Community (EAC) governments, i.e., Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, conceive their role in combating negative impact of e-Waste and how their views and current actions compare to the current state of the art practices in e-Waste management. As data on e-Waste handling in EAC countries is not publicly available, semi-structured interviews with high government officials and a literature review were conducted. The results show that EAC governments consider e-Waste to be an emerging problem. Despite this awareness and attempts to mitigate the problem in some of the countries, there are currently no solid solutions that have been crafted to rectify or mitigate this problem. The study suggests practical solutions for resolving e-Waste challenges in EAC.
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| 27. |
- Ask, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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Implementation challenges : competing structures when new public management meets eGovernment
- 2008
-
In: Electronic government. - Berlin : Springer. - 9783540852032 ; , s. 25-36
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article discusses practices, opportunities and challenges in local eGovernment project management by means of a case study of a Swedish city aiming at completely refocusing services, electronic and other, to become “citizen oriented”, meaning being able to meet the citizens’ needs more effectively. Based on empirical evidence collected by interviews and document studies, the article analyzes the development towards eGovernment and “the 24/7 agency”. Analyzing the case against eGovernment success factors we find seven challenges; political timing, resource allocation, political mandate, distinction between administrative and political responsibilities, coordination of departments, dependence on providers, and wise use of standards.. These challenges are critical because they mean choices important for national eGov development are open for local politics, complicated ad-hoc alliances among cities, and influences of strong individuals and groups. The article analyzes the challenges and finds that this situation is much a consequence of the prevailing strategic model for the public sector, New Public Management (NPM). This model by design leaves these issues in a void which has to be filled by negotiations among many actors with different roles, goals, and action space. The case shows that this makes national strategic eGov development volatile as it is dependent on a large number of local political assemblies; unlike the intention, NPM politicizes eGovernment.
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| 28. |
- Bakunzibake, Pierre, 1977-, et al.
(author)
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E-Government Implementation in Developing Countries : Enterprise Content Management in Rwanda
- 2016
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In: Electronic Government and Electronic Participation. - Amsterdam : IOS Press. - 9781614996705 - 9781614996699 ; , s. 251-259
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- E-Government is now on the rise in developing countries. While developing countries can "leapfrog" technology generations, the necessary organizational change is another matter. In industrialized countries technical systems have been developed over long time in parallel with institutional development; developing countries hope to make that journey faster. Most of the e-Government implementation research focuses on developed countries. It is important to explore the relation between the literature and the findings in the context of developing countries as to come up with a gap to reduce. An interview study with 56 people in 10 government organizations involved in implementing a government-wide enterprise content management system was conducted to find out how critical success factors found in literature on implementation of information management systems relate to the situation in the Rwanda public sector to discover the step forward in Rwanda. We find a large gap between expectations and results due to a strong focus on the technical tool and little concerns about issues related to organizational change.
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| 29. |
- Bakunzibake, Pierre, 1977-, et al.
(author)
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Organisational Challenges in the Implementation of ‘one-stop’ e-Government in Rwanda
- 2019
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In: Electronic Journal of e-Government. - : Academic Conferences Limited. - 1479-439X. ; 17:1, s. 1-19
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- One-stop e-government holds potential benefits in all contexts and especially in the context of developing countries and in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Implementation of one-stop e-government can be challenging as it normally requires addressing a number of organisational issues including those related to the integration of the individual government information systems of different departments which traditionally function as silos; tackling organisational issues can be difficult due to the nature of the public sector. However, the contemporary literature paints a picture of scarce research on the organisational issues that impede the implementation of one-stop e-government initiatives in LDCs. This paper explores the organisational issues underlying the implementation of ‘one-stop’ e-government initiatives in Rwanda, an LDC. The study explores the status of these elements as of and up to March 2017. The qualitative case study methodology used for this study involved data collection by means of documents and interviews with key managers from central government organisations, from a private company, and from local government service clerks. Template analysis was used as a method for data analysis. Even though the number of online services for citizens, businesses, and other agencies is growing rapidly and easy payment of service fees is available, a number of organisational issues were identified. These include the lack of a clear plan of ‘to-be’ service processes and a corresponding change management strategy. Service re-design was taking place very much ad hoc. There were also unclear systematic organisational learning mechanisms and unclear operational goals in the local government. Addressing these issues would contribute towards improving the implementation of one-stop e-government and its corresponding services in such a context. The paper contributes to research by providing insights into organisational issues in a country currently in an early stage of e-government development. For Rwandan e-government professionals, the paper suggests a way forward. It also helps decision makers in Rwanda and similar countries undertaking one-stop initiatives to understand the problem context of actions taken towards IT-driven institutional reform.
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| 30. |
- Blomberg, Karin, 1970-, et al.
(author)
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Using a Facebook Forum to Cope With Narcolepsy After Pandemrix Vaccination : Infodemiology Study
- 2019
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In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. - : JMIR Publications. - 1438-8871. ; 21:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: In 2010, newly diagnosed narcolepsy cases among children and adolescents were seen in several European countries as a consequence of comprehensive national vaccination campaigns with Pandemrix against H1N1 influenza. Since then, a large number of people have had to live with narcolepsy and its consequences in daily life, such as effects on school life, social relationships, and activities. Initially, the adverse effects were not well understood and there was uncertainty about whether there would be any financial compensation. The situation remained unresolved until 2016, and during these years affected people sought various ways to join forces to handle the many issues involved, including setting up a social media forum.Objective: Our aim was to examine how information was shared, and how opinions and beliefs about narcolepsy as a consequence of Pandemrix vaccination were formed through discussions on social media.Methods: We used quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate a series of messages posted in a social media forum for people affected by narcolepsy after vaccination.Results: Group activity was high throughout the years 2010 to 2016, with peaks corresponding to major narcolepsy-related events, such as the appearance of the first cases in 2010, the first payment of compensation in 2011, and passage of a law on compensation in July 2016. Unusually, most (462/774, 59.7%) of the group took part in discussions and only 312 of 774 (40.3%) were lurkers (compared with the usual 90% rule of thumb for participation in an online community). The conversation in the group was largely factual and had a civil tone, even though there was a long struggle for the link between the vaccine and narcolepsy to be acknowledged and regarding the compensation issue. Radical, nonscientific views, such as those expounded by the antivaccination movement, did not shape the discussions in the group but were being actively expressed elsewhere on the internet. At the outset of the pandemic, there were 18 active Swedish discussion groups on the topic, but most dissolved quickly and only one Facebook group remained active throughout the period.Conclusions: The group studied is a good example of social media use for self-help through a difficult situation among people affected by illness and disease. This shows that social media do not by themselves induce trench warfare but, given a good group composition, can provide a necessary forum for managing an emergency situation where health care and government have failed or are mistrusted, and patients have to organize themselves so as to cope.
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| 31. |
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| 32. |
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| 33. |
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| 34. |
- Gerdin, Marcus, 1995-, et al.
(author)
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What Goes Around Comes Around : Effects of Unclear Questionnaire Items in Information Security Research
- 2023
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In: Human Aspects of Information Security and Assurance. - : Springer. - 9783031385292 - 9783031385322 - 9783031385308 ; , s. 470-481
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The credibility of research on information system security is challenged by inconsistent results and there is an ongoing discussion about research methodology and its effect on results within the employee non-/compliance to information security policies literature. We add to this discussion by investigating discrepancies between what we cl/aim to measure (theoretical properties of variables) and what we actually measure (respondents’ interpretations of our operationalized variables). The study asks: (1) How well do respondents’ interpretations of variables correspond to their theoretical definitions? (2) What are the characteristics and causes of any discrepancies between variable definitions and respondent interpretations? We report a pilot study including interviews with seven respondents to understand their interpretations of the variable Perceived severity from the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT).We found that respondents’ interpretations differ substantially from the theoretical definitions which introduces error in measurement. There were not only individual differences in interpretations but also, and more importantly, systematic ones; When questions are not well specified, or do not cover respondents’ practice, respondents make interpretations based on their practice. Our results indicate three types of ambiguities, namely (i) Vagueness in part/s of the measurement item causing inconsistencies in interpretation between respondents, (ii) Envision/Interpret ‘new’ properties not related to the theory, (iii) ‘Misses the mark’ measurements whereby respondents misinterpret the fundamentals of the item. The qualitative method used proved conducive to understanding respondents’ thinking, which is a key to improving research instruments.
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| 35. |
- Gerdin, Marcus, 1995-, et al.
(author)
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What goes around comes around : an in-depth analysis of how respondents interpret ISP non-/compliance questionnaire items
- 2024
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In: Information and Computer Security. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 2056-4961.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Research on employee non-/compliance to information security policies suffers from inconsistent results and there is an ongoing discussion about the dominating survey research methodology and its potential effect on these results. This study aims to add to this discussion by investigating discrepancies between what the authors claim to measure (theoretical properties of variables) and what they actually measure (respondents' interpretations of the operationalized variables). This study asks: How well do respondents' interpretations of variables correspond to their theoretical definitions? What are the characteristics of any discrepancies between variable definitions and respondent interpretations?Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on in-depth interviews with 17 respondents from the Swedish public sector to understand how they interpret questionnaire measurement items operationalizing the variables Perceived Severity from Protection Motivation Theory and Attitude from Theory of Planned Behavior.Findings: The authors found that respondents' interpretations in many cases differ substantially from the theoretical definitions. Overall, the authors found four principal ways in which respondents interpreted measurement items - referred to as property contextualization, extension, alteration and oscillation - each implying more or less (dis)alignment with the intended theoretical properties of the two variables examined.Originality/value: The qualitative method used proved vital to better understand respondents' interpretations which, in turn, is key for improving self-reporting measurement instruments. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is a first step toward understanding how precise and uniform definitions of variables' theoretical properties can be operationalized into effective measurement items.
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| 36. |
- Grönlund, Åke, 1954-, et al.
(author)
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A communication genre perspective on e-petitioning : the case of the Citizens' Initiative
- 2012
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In: Electronic participation. - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 9783642332494 - 9783642332500 ; , s. 37-48
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The European Citizens’ Initiative is designed to make European democracy more direct by allowing citizens to propose (including electronically) legal acts to the Commission. The present paper offers a conceptual model for the analysis of this eParticipation case, and other similar e-petitioning practices, which is not biased by political ambition or technological determinism. The operational framework proposed aims to understand the nature of communication between citizens, governments, and the civil society among other stakeholders in the contemporary media landscape by using the concept of genre systems for this purpose.
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| 37. |
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| 38. |
- Grönlund, Åke, 1954-, et al.
(author)
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A mobile e-learning environment for developing countries : The Bangladesh Virtual Interactive Classroom
- 2010
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In: Information Technology for Development. - Oxfordshire, United Kingdom : Routledge. - 0268-1102 .- 1554-0170. ; 16:4, s. 244-259
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper reports a project working to improve distance education in Bangladesh by means of a low-cost, large-scale interactive learning environment using video, mobile phones, SMS-based tools administered in a Learning Management System, and innovative pedagogy based on the student-centred learning model. The paper addresses the question of, how to use existing mobile telephony technical infrastructure to create interactive learning environments which can reach the majority of the population, be able to include many thousand students, and be sustainable from a resource perspective including the operational model of institutions providing education. This question includes challenges relating to pedagogy and teaching methods, technical tools for learning and communication, and institutional arrangements. The paper addresses these challenges by the illustrative case of the Bangladesh Virtual Interactive Classroom testing the tools and ideas in course at Bangladesh Open University (BOU). We find that our tools are feasible and usable but also that sustainability requires meeting organizational and social challenges. This research contributes by providing the first LMS that can be fully used from standard mobile phones and by showing how to arrange low-cost distance tuition with only minimal ICT infrastructure, an example transferable to other developing countries.
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| 39. |
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| 40. |
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| 41. |
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| 42. |
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| 43. |
- Grönlund, Åke, 1954-, et al.
(author)
-
Citizens’ use of new media in authoritarian regimes : A case study of Uganda
- 2015
-
In: The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries. - Hong Kong, China : City University of Hong Kong Press. - 1681-4835. ; 67:1, s. 1-23
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- By subsidizing the costs of civic participation, the use of the Internet is believed to stimulate participation but there are fears that intensive Internet use causes withdrawal from public life. This paper investigates the connection between the way individuals participate online and offline in authoritarian, low-income regimes, and the nature of eParticipation among citizens in authoritarian regimes such as Uganda. Based on personal interviews with 116 Internet users, the study found that common drivers of eParticipation, such as low cost, security and anonymity are hard to transplant into the offline world for citizens of authoritarian states such as Uganda. Perceived risks of retribution and intimidation for expressing a particular opinion or supporting a political cause mean that citizen-to-citizen participation is the predominant form but still at low levels, while citizen-to-government participation is negligible.
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| 44. |
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| 45. |
- Grönlund, Åke, 1954-
(author)
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Connecting eGovernment to real government : the failure of the UN eParticipation index
- 2011
-
In: Electronic government. - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 9783642228773 ; , s. 26-37
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- eGovernment rankings are increasingly important as they guide countries’ focus of their efforts. Hence indexes must not just measure features of web sites but also accurately indicate underlying government processes. eGovernment rankings are in a process of maturation in that direction, moving from purely measuring web sites to assessing use and government qualities. One such measurement is the UN eParticipation index, intended to measure how well governments connect to their citizens. This paper analyzes the quality of the index by validating it against other indexes of government-citizen relations qualities, democracy, internet filtering, and transparency. Results: The relation between the index and democracy and participation is non-existent. Countries which are authoritarian or obstruct citizen internet use by filtering can score high on eParticipation by window-dressing their webs. We suggest that the eParticipation index includes an element of reality check and propose ways to do that.
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| 46. |
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| 47. |
- Grönlund, Åke, 1954-, et al.
(author)
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DoIT right : measuring effectiveness of different eConsultation designs
- 2009
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In: Electronic Participation. - Berlin : Springer. - 9783642037801 ; , s. 90-100
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- eConsultations have been used in many countries over many years, yet most research in the field is case descriptions and there is so far little systematic evidence as to the effectiveness of consultations as a tool for enhancing democracy. Using a case survey method we investigate what factors make a consultation succeed or fail based on data from 57 cases reported in the literature. Success is measured as high participation, deliberative mode of discussion, and impact on policy. We test three hypotheses from the literature claiming, respectively, that institutional design, democratic intent, and quality of research are the most important factors behind the reported success. We find support for all hypotheses. Using consultation at the analysis/decision making stage, mixing online and offline methods and active strategic recruiting are institutional factors positively contributing. Democratic intent and content analysis research both have positive influence.
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| 48. |
- Grönlund, Åke, 1954-
(author)
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DSS in a local government context : how to support decisions nobody wants to make?
- 2005
-
In: Electronic government. - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. ; , s. 69-80
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper reports and analyses a case where a Decision Support System (DSS) was used in a local government for the purpose of arriving at a decision on a complicated and politically infected issue the City Council despite years of effort had failed to sort out. It was assumed that a strict and open method would make the grounds for the decision clearer, and that people would accept a clearly motivated decision even though they personally preferred another solution. The project was also intended as a test of new methods for potential adoption into normal practices. The analysis shows mixed understanding of, and mixed belief in, the method. While generally happy with the project work, also this time the Council failed to make a decision as constituency concerns eventually overruled the rationality of the arguments in the decision making council. The case raises issues of both the potential for DSS in a political context and the nature of political decision making. In particular we conclude that DSS use has to be carefully crafted but swiftly executed, and more than a one-off effort as a change process is involved.
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| 49. |
- Grönlund, Åke, 1954-
(author)
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e-democracy : in search of tools and methods for effective participation
- 2003
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In: Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis. - : Wiley. - 1057-9214 .- 1099-1360. ; 12:3, s. 93-100
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The field of e-democracy has approached the problem of improving democratic decision making by emphasizing encouraging broad participation. This is due to a perceived lack of credibility on part of politicians, indicated by decline in both turnout in elections and recruitment to political parties. Experiences so far show that while in local contexts use of electronic tools in combination with redesigned democratic processes have indeed affected participation positively, both scaling and quality requires more sophisticated technical tools of at least two kinds. One kind, recognized by the e-democracy community, are tools supporting cooperative work for facilitating communication among humans. Another kind, this paper argues, is tools for more formal problem modelling. The e-democracy field has so far almost exclusively been concerned with encouraging and—at best—modelling, moderating, and reviewing discussions. Experiences from e.g. citizen juries point to the importance of expert participation. Decision Support Systems could provide—mediated—expert participation in virtual groups and in communication with the public. To achieve this, there is a need to carefully consider both the usability of Decision Support Systems and their role in the overall democratic system.
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| 50. |
- Grönlund, Åke, 1954-, et al.
(author)
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e-Gov research quality improvements since 2003 : more rigor, but research (perhaps) redefined
- 2006
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper follows up on an earlier study [1] by assessing the nature of 80 papers from EGOV 05 in terms of rigor and relevance criteria. Both studies use the same method and makes comparison between the results. We find that however still focusing overwhelmingly on descriptions and little on theory testing and creation, paper quality appears much better in that references to literature have increased grossly, there are very few dubious claims, philosophical research and theoretical arguments are virtually extinct, and the number of case stories is vastly reduced. However, the number of product descriptions is more than doubled to just over 30 %. The reasons for this are discussed, and as most of these papers are based on EU research funding we propose that an important reason may be the funding mechanism where researchers are employed as helpers in product development rather than critical scrutiny and analysis.
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