Showing papers on "Mobile technology published in 2021"

Using Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict People's Intention to Use Mobile Learning Platforms During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Machine Learning Approach.

Abstract: Background: Mobile learning has become an essential instruction platform in many schools, colleges, universities, and various other educational institutions across the globe, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The resulting severe, pandemic-related circumstances have disrupted physical and face-to-face contact teaching practices, thereby requiring many students to actively use mobile technologies for learning. Mobile learning technologies offer viable web-based teaching and learning platforms that are accessible to teachers and learners worldwide. Objective: This study investigated the use of mobile learning platforms for instruction purposes in United Arab Emirates higher education institutions. Methods: An extended technology acceptance model and theory of planned behavior model were proposed to analyze university students’ adoption of mobile learning platforms for accessing course materials, searching the web for information related to their disciplines, sharing knowledge, and submitting assignments during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected a total of 1880 questionnaires from different universities in the United Arab Emirates. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling and machine learning algorithms were used to assess the research model, which was based on the data gathered from a student survey. Results: Based on our results, each hypothesized relationship within the research model was supported by our data analysis results. It should also be noted that the J48 classifier (89.37% accuracy) typically performed better than the other classifiers when it came to the prediction of the dependent variable. Conclusions: Our study revealed that teaching and learning could considerably benefit from adopting remote learning systems as educational tools during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the value of such systems could be lessened because of the emotions that students experience, including a fear of poor grades, stress resulting from family circumstances, and sadness resulting from a loss of friends. Accordingly, these issues can only be resolved by evaluating the emotions of students during the pandemic.

Teachers’ Readiness to Adopt Mobile Learning in Classrooms: A Study in Greece

Abstract: Mobile devices have become a learning tool with great potential in both formal and informal learning; however, mobile learning readiness research in school education is relatively limited. This study investigated teachers’ readiness to adopt mobile learning in K-12 classrooms. A questionnaire was administered to 920 teachers in Greece and four factors were extracted, Possibilities, Benefits, Preferences and External influences. Teachers, in general, expressed positive perceptions on mobile learning readiness. The highest percentage of agreement regarded the possibilities of mobile learning (over 60%). ICT training and attendance of ICT conferences, both affected positively teachers’ perceptions on mobile learning benefits and preferences. Teachers who use mobile devices in class reported significantly more positive perceptions on all factors, while gender or age had no impact on perceptions. There was a higher probability of mobile devices’ usage in class among teachers working in elementary schools (in comparison with those working in high schools or general/vocational lyceums). Stronger perceptions on mobile learning benefits, preferences and external influences were associated with an increased likelihood of using mobile devices in the classroom. Teachers’ readiness perceptions can be explored from a multi-dimensional perspective, and also be associated with mobile technology use in classrooms. Implications for teacher professional development, methodology and pedagogical practice are discussed.

In-service teachers' conceptions of mobile technology-integrated instruction: Tendency towards student-centered learning

Abstract: Some previous research has illustrated teachers' conceptions and responsibilities in student-centered classes for assisting potent implementation of novel pedagogies. On the other hand, mobile learning has been widely adopted in education in the past decades, and a great deal of previous research has revealed the effects of mobile learning on students' learning. However, few studies have probed teachers' conceptions of mobile technology-integrated instruction. In this study, a total of 25 elementary school teachers in Taiwan were interviewed, and the phenomenographic method was adopted to explore the teachers' conceptions of mobile learning. As a result of the data analysis, seven qualitatively and hierarchically different categories (7-T) of mobile learning were revealed, namely a “Tool,” “Travel,” “Timeliness/Tutor,” a “Toy,” “Tracking,” “Teamwork,” and a “Tutee.” These hierarchical categories represent a spectrum ranging from “teacher-centered” to “student/teacher interaction,” and “student-centered” instructional strategies. Among the 7 categories, 4 (i.e., Toy, Tracking, Teamwork, and Tutee) are considered as student-centered instructional strategies, and the tracking category had the maximum frequency of teachers’ main conceptions of mobile learning. Thus, mobile technology offers opportunities to facilitate student-centered learning. The results provide educators and teachers with deep comprehension of advanced technology-enhanced learning for designing student-centered learning activities.

Cyber Industry Networks as an environment of the Industry 4.0 implementation

Abstract: The fourth industrial (r)evolution called Industry 4.0 transfers production to a different dimension of productivity, flexibility and also mobility. Enterprises using advanced technologies such as Mobile Technologies, Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, etc. and using intelligent resources (e.g. mobile devices, mechatronic machines, means of transport) communicating with each other via the Internet in real time can produce customized products quickly and at low cost. On the one hand the Industry 4.0 concept creates great benefits for the client, and on the other hand raises challenges for industrial enterprises. There is a need to improve existing and create new business models that will combine the potential of many enterprises and together create innovative, very modern production networks based on mobile technologies and the Internet of Things. The article presents the results of research about the creation of innovative production networks operating in the environment of advanced technologies within the Industry 4.0. The aim of the research is to develop the concept of creating temporary Cyber Industry Networks based on e-business platforms that integrate dispersed enterprise resources through mobile devices and mobile software, creating a temporary network in the situation of emerging business opportunities. The main benefit of such networks is the ability to manufacture products through geographically dispersed corporate resources. The Cyber Industry Network allows business processes through the integration of mobile technologies in real time to be managed, and enables to reduce costs, improve flexibility, and as a result increase the competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises.

The Impact of the Personal Data Disclosure's Tradeoff on the Trust and Attitude Loyalty in Mobile Banking Services

Abstract: In the digital transformation era, mobile technology development has brought not only the benefits but the costs for the customer in the transaction via mobile devices. This study aimed to analyze ...

Novel MEC Based Approaches for Smart Hospitals to Combat COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract: COVID-19 or coronavirus has thrilled the entire world population with uncertainty over their survival and well-being. The impact this pathogen has caused over the globe has been profound due to its unique transmission features; that urges for contact-less strategies to interact and treat the infected. The impending 5G mobile technology is immersing the applications that enable the provisioning of medical and healthcare services in a contact-less manner. The edge computing paradigms offer a decentralized and versatile networking infrastructure capable of adhering to the novel demands of 5G. In this article, we are considering multi-access edge computing (MEC) flavor of the edge paradigms for realizing the contact-less approaches that assist the mediation of COVID-19 and the future of healthcare. In order to formulate this ideology, we propose three use cases and discuss their implementation in the MEC context. Furthermore, the requirements for launching these services are provided. Additionally, we validate our proposed approaches through simulations.

Advancements in technology and digital media in tourism

Abstract: This article discusses the concomitant processes of increasing familiarisation, responsiveness and responsibility that digital technology enables in the realm of tourism. We reflect on the influenc...

Explanatory and predictive model of the adoption of P2P payment systems

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors affecting the intention to use peer-to-peer (P2P) mobile payment. Although mobile technology has become part of everyday life, certain actions a...

A systematic review of mobile health interventions in China: Identifying gaps in care:

Abstract: IntroductionMobile health has a promising future in the healthcare system in most developed countries. China’s rapidly developing mobile technology infrastructure offers an unprecedented opportunit...

Cognitive load management in mobile learning systems: principles and theories

Abstract: With the widespread adoption of mobile technologies, mobile-assisted learning is gaining lots of momentum. This new learning paradigm promotes education across different contexts, which is a key factor that contributes to enhancing learning irrespective of the conditions and location of the learner. Therefore, it creates an authentic learning setting whereby students can make meaningful connections to the real world while learning takes place. Previous research works in the field of mobile learning showed that improper design of learning elements is still present in mobile systems and consequently results in poor dynamic content adaptation. Some attempts to adapt learning contents with appropriate instructional design principles are conducted, but with moderate exploitation of smart technological assets in mobile learning systems and limited pedagogical reflections and cognitive factors. In this paper, a learning efficiency model chart is derived using important learning factors that can be considered to enhance mobile learning experiences. Some popular learning theories are analysed and compared with the proposed learning efficiency model chart. This investigation is considered to significantly reduce complexities that exist in mobile learning platforms and promote an enhanced mobile learning experience.

Sustainable Destination Marketing Ecosystem through Smartphone-Based Social Media: The Consumers’ Acceptance Perspective

Abstract: The growth of technological revolutions and the subsequent acceptance of smart devices has increased the influence of sustainable marketing activities in the tourism industry. Due to the explosion of mobile technologies (e.g., smartphones, tablets) and social media adoption, consumers have been able to use these technologies at any time for destination marketing. However, understanding consumers’ sustainable marketing experiences from a destination perspective is a complex issue. At the moment, very few studies have focused on the effectiveness of smartphone-based social media in destination marketing. Hence, the main purpose of this study is to explore how consumers interpret and utilize smartphone-based social media for sustainable destination marketing. This study proposes an integrated framework that consists of the mobile technology acceptance model (MTAM) and the social media-based interaction, trendiness, and electronic-word-of-mouth (e-WoM). A questionnaire survey was used to collect data (n = 365), and valid data were analyzed by the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. The findings revealed that interaction, trendiness, and e-WoM indirectly affected satisfaction through mobile usefulness and mobile ease of use. At the same time, mobile usefulness and mobile ease of use directly affected satisfaction, which then significantly influenced the intention to utilize those factors towards sustainable destination marketing. This study highlights the technological affordances and the satisfaction of smartphone-based social media in sustainable marketing. Furthermore, the results can be used in the resource allocation process to ensure the success of the vision and mission of sustainable destination marketing efforts.

Development and Application of Mobile Apps for Molecular Sensing: A Review.

Abstract: Modern smartphone-based sensing devices are generally standalone detection platforms that can transduce signals (via the built-in USB port, audio jack, or camera), perform analysis through mobile applications (apps), and display results on the screen/user interface. The advancement toward this ultimate form of on-site chemical analysis and point-of-care diagnosis is tied closely with the evolution of mobile technology. Previous reviews in the field mainly focused on the physical platforms while overlooking the role of mobile apps in such devices. There exist three general stages throughout the development: (1) early generation telemedicine, (2) mobile phone-assisted clinical diagnosis (without apps), and (3) mobile app-based sensing devices for various analytes. This review presents the key breakthroughs during each stage, recent development, remaining challenges, and future perspectives of the field. Representative examples, spanning from the pioneering point-of-care testing to the latest devices with integrated mobile apps, are classified by their sensing mechanisms. The review also discusses the scarcity of open-source apps dedicated to molecular sensing. With the introduction of more open-source and commercial apps, the mobile app-based detection system is anticipated to dominate point-of-care diagnosis and on-site molecular sensing in our opinion.

Relationships Between Mobile eHealth Literacy, Diabetes Self-care, and Glycemic Outcomes in Taiwanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Cross-sectional Study

Abstract: Background: Understanding how people with diabetes seek online health information and use health applications is important to ensure these electronic tools are successfully supporting patient self-care. Furthermore, identifying the relationship between patient mobile eHealth literacy (mobile eHL) and diabetes outcomes can have far-reaching utility, for example, in the design of targeted interventions to address mobile eHL limitations. However, only limited studies have explored the impact of mobile eHL in a population with diabetes. Objective: This study aims to present data about online information-seeking behavior and mobile health (mHealth) app usage, investigate the factors related to mobile eHL in Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes, and flesh out the relationship between eHealth literacy (eHL), mobile health literacy (mHL), and health outcomes. Methods: Subjects were recruited from January 2017 to December 2017 in the outpatient departments of 3 hospitals in Taiwan. A total of 249 Taiwanese patients with diabetes voluntarily completed a cross-sectional survey assessing sociodemographic characteristics; diabetes status; knowledge and skills of computers, the internet, and mobile apps; mobile eHL; and patient outcomes (self-care behaviors, self-rated health, HbA1c). Structural equation modeling analyses examined the model fit of mobile eHL scores and the interrelationships between latent constructs and observable variables. Results: Of the 249 patients with diabetes, 67% (164/249) reported they had searched for online diabetes information. The participants with smartphones had owned them for an average of 6.5 years and used them for an average of 4.5 (SD 3.81) hours per day. Only 1.6% (4/249) of the patients used health apps. Some demographic factors affecting mobile eHL included age, education, and duration of type 2 diabetes. Mobile eHL was related to self-care behaviors as well as knowledge and skills of computers, the internet, and mobile technology, but only had a weak, indirect effect on self-rated health. The final model had adequate goodness-of-fit indexes: chi-square (83)=149.572, P<.001; comparative fit index (CFI)=0.925; root mean square of approximation (RMSEA)=0.057 (90% CI 004-006); chi-square/df=1.082. Mobile eHL had a weak, indirect effect on self-rated health through the variables of knowledge with skills. Conclusions: Our study reveals that although people with diabetes who rated their health conditions as moderate were confident in using mobile eHealth and technology, few adopted these tools in their daily lives. The study found that mobile eHL had a direct effect on self-care behavior as well as knowledge and skills of computers, the internet, and mobile technology, and had an indirect effect on health outcomes (glycemic control and self-rated health status). Information about this population's experiences and the role mobile eHL plays in them can spur necessary mobile eHealth patient education.

Student perceptions and mobile technology adoption: implications for lower-income students shifting to digital.

Abstract: This paper responds to Joo et al. (Educational Technology Research and Development 64:611-630, 2016) study of the factors predicting South Korean online students' use of a mobile learning management system (m-LMS). The findings show students' continuous intention and their actual usage have implications for how faculty and institutions may need to promote the usefulness of mobile technology for students to accept and adopt the technology. This would be particularly relevant for lower income students with limited digital literacy skills and limited access. For many students, mobile technology is the only means through which they can persist in taking courses while institutions offer classes primarily in online modalities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Should you be using mobile technologies in teaching? Applying a pedagogical framework

Abstract: The extent of how mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, are seamlessly incorporated into the personal day-to-day life is not often considered by University instructors. Unfocused incorpo...

Distributed Time-Sensitive Task Selection in Mobile Crowdsensing

Abstract: With the rich set of embedded sensors installed in smartphones, we are witnessing the emergence of many innovative commercial mobile crowdsensing applications, which combine the power of mobile technology with crowdsourcing to effectively collect time-sensitive and location-dependent information. Motivated by these real-world applications, we consider the distributed task selection problem for heterogeneous users with different initial locations, destinations, costs, speeds, and reputation levels. We design a Bayesian asynchronous task selection (BATS) algorithm to help the users plan their task selections based on the incomplete information of the task popularity statistics. We prove its convergence and characterize the computation time for the users’ updates. As a performance benchmark, we consider the ideal case that the service provider centrally allocates the tasks to the users for social surplus maximization. We show that it is an NP-hard problem and propose a greedy centralized algorithm with a lower complexity as the benchmark performance. Simulation results suggest that the BATS scheme achieves the highest Jain's fairness index and coverage, while yielding a user payoff similar to that with the greedy centralized benchmark. Finally, we evaluate the schemes based on some real-world movement time and distance data from Google Maps.

Digital Clinics and Mobile Technology Implementation for Mental Health Care.

Abstract: Interest in digital mental health, especially smartphone apps, has expanded in light of limited access to mental health services and the need for remote care during COVID-19. Digital clinics, in which apps are blended into routine care, offer a potential solution to common implementation challenges including low user engagement and lack of clinical integration of apps. While the number of mental health apps available in commercial marketplaces continues to rise, there are few examples of successful implementation of these apps into care settings. We review one example of a digital clinic created within an academic medical center and another within the Department of Veterans Affairs. We then discuss how implementation science can inform new efforts to effectively integrate mental health technologies across diverse use cases. Integrating mental health apps into care settings is feasible but requires careful attention to multiple domains that will influence implementation success, including characteristics of the innovation (e.g., utility and complexity of the app), the recipients of the technology (e.g., patients and clinicians), and context (e.g., healthcare system buy-in, reimbursement, and regulatory policies). Examples of effective facilitation strategies that can be utilized to improve implementation efforts include co-production of technology involving all end users, specialized trainings for staff and patients, creation of new team members to aid in app usage (e.g., digital navigators), and re-design of clinical workflows.

Mobile technology to give a resource-based knowledge management advantage to community health nurses in an emerging economies context

Abstract: Knowledge is a key success factor in achieving competitive advantage. The purpose of this paper is to examine how mobile health technology facilitates knowledge management (KM) practices to enhance a public health service in an emerging economies context. Specifically, the acceptance of a knowledge-resource application by community health workers (CHWs) to deliver breast cancer health care in India, where resources are depleted, is explored.,Fieldwork activity conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with frontline CHWs, which were analysed using an interpretive inductive approach.,The application generates knowledge as a resource that signals quality health care and yields a positive reputation for the public health service. The CHW’s acceptance of technology enables knowledge generation and knowledge capture. The design facilitates knowledge codification and knowledge transfer of breast cancer information to standardise quality patient care.,KM insights are provided for the implementation of mobile health technology for frontline health-care professionals in an emerging economies context. The knowledge-resource application can deliver breast cancer care, in localised areas with the potential for wider contexts. The outcomes are valuable for policymakers, health service managers and KM practitioners in an emerging economies context.,The legacy of the mobile heath technology is the normalisation of breast cancer discourse and the technical up-skilling of CHWs.,First, this paper contributes three propositions to KM scholarship, in a public health care, emerging economies context. Second, via an interdisciplinary theoretical lens (signalling theory and technology acceptance model), this paper offers a novel conceptualisation to illustrate how a knowledge-resource application can shape an organisation’s KM to form a resource-based competitive advantage.

Location-Based Analytics in 5G and Beyond

Abstract: Location-based analytics leverage accurate location awareness enabled by the fifth generation (5G) mobile technology standard, as well as the integration of heterogeneous technologies, to empower a plethora of new services for 5G verticals and optimize the use of network resources. This article proposes an end-to-end architecture integrated in the 5G network infrastructure to provide location-based analytics as a service. Based on this architecture, we present an overview of cutting-edge applications in 5G and beyond, focusing on people-centric and network-centric location-based analytics.

Overcoming the Challenges of Remote Instruction: Using Mobile Technology to Promote Active Learning

Abstract: During the Spring 2020 semester, many institutions abruptly transitioned their courses from face-to-face instruction to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To address the unique challenges posed by the remote teaching and learning modality, our department used mobile technology to adapt empirically validated instructional strategies for use in our remote courses. At Merrimack College, all faculty and students have iPads and Apple Pencils, and the members of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry have incorporated this mobile technology into all of our course offerings. Our continued use of this technology eased the transition for both faculty and students by promoting course continuity and decreasing the cognitive load imposed by the transition. Survey responses suggest that students appreciated the structure provided by scaffolded course materials and synchronous class meetings, which helped keep them engaged in their chemistry courses. Coupling active learning instruction with the Zoom video conferencing platform allowed students to connect with the instructor and other students; this was highly valued by our students. Overall, we can conclude that universal access to technology, creating community using videoconferencing software, and intentional pedagogical choices to incorporate active learning created a positive learning environment for students.