Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Education, Higher – Information technology – Lesotho'

Information literacy skills are a necessity among university students, hence information literacy instructors should keep abreast with the 21st century information literacy curriculum, its delivery and assessment. The study investigated information literacy training and its needs at NUL. The purpose was to investigate information literacy curriculum, delivery and assessment at the National University of Lesotho. Guided by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) information literacy framework for higher education, the study sought to establish the extent to which the NUL information literacy programme considers ACRL frames or any other standard of relevance. The study adopted a qualitative approach using a phenomenology research design. Data was collected from NUL Subject Librarians through focus group discussions and one on one interview with the Lecturers. Data was generated from structured interview questions; analysed manually and presented in an interpretative form such that participants’ responses were tabulated under subheadings corresponding to the items from the research instruments that were formulated from the research questions. Major findings are that there is no information literacy programme in place hence there is no specific curriculum at NUL, as a result there is also no benchmarking. NUL Subject Librarians take initiative to improvise information literacy content; they use lecture mode and library tours as their predominant mode of information literacy teaching and learning. Although there is a Communication Skills Course meant to assist students with information and communication skills, students struggle to search for information; they are even unable to consult a variety of information sources. The study therefore recommends NUL Library to establish a clear information literacy training programme that is delivered in collaboration with academic staff. It is further recommended that Subject Librarians should contribute to the content of the Communication Skills Course.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--East Carolina University, 2008.
Presented to the faculty of the Department of Educational Leadership. Advisor: James McDowelle. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Apr. 23, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

This study focused on the implementation of ICTs in secondary schools in Lesotho. The main question addressed was: What are the enabling and constraining factors in the implementation of ICTs in schools? The work was undertaken in recognition of the fact that schools in the country were autonomously acquiring computers and using a variety of curricula without much coordination and policies from the government. There were factors encouraging schools to delve into this educational change: and challenges were already evident. This required further investigation. The research approach commenced with a critical review of the literature. Literature was drawn from developed and developing countries in order to understand the process of ICT implementation from a variety of contexts. The enquiry about the implementation process in all the countries focused on the rationale behind the use of ICTs in schools. ICT policies guiding implementation, principal leadership, teacher professional development and ICT resources. The literature review was followed by case studies of three secondary schools in Mafeteng district in Lesotho. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods of research, the study sought to determine from key people in three case study schools their overall understanding of how the process of implementation was carried out and what they perceived as enablers and constraints. The findings revealed that planning, access arrangements, training, support and to a lesser extent resources played a role in either impeding or encouraging the key ICT implementers at school and classroom level. Additionally, the key role of the principal and the MoE were highlighted in the study.

Prior research has explored many facets of innovation, provided models of governance maturity, and analyzed the impact of corporate decision-making on innovation. However, there is little research on IT governance maturity in higher education or on IT innovation in organizations outside of the IT industry. Findings from previous research were ambiguous regarding whether a mature IT governance process helps or hinders innovation. This study fills a gap in existing knowledge by reviewing the literature and examining the interaction of IT governance and information technology innovation at five major U.S. universities. It provides insights into the structures and processes necessary for IT governance to facilitate technology innovation and the factors required for effective IT governance in higher education.

Highly effective IT governance processes focused on collaboration and communication were associated with greater integration of radical innovation into institutional processes than effective IT governance processes that focused primarily on the prioritization of large enterprise projects. Incremental technology innovations were pervasive among all schools studied. IT governance was found to be more effective under a delegated model of decision-making authority that empowers IT governance bodies than under a CIO-centric model. The inclusion of a faculty, students and business units in IT governance committees was associated with a stronger innovation culture.

In recent years higher education institutions have come under increasing financial pressure. This has not only prompted universities to investigate more cost effective means of delivering course content and maintaining research output, but also to investigate the administrative functions that accompany them. As such, many South African universities have either adopted or are in the process of adopting some form of cloud computing given the recent drop in bandwidth costs. However, this adoption process has raised concerns about the security of cloud-based information and this has, in some cases, had a negative impact on the adoption process. In an effort to study these concerns many researchers have employed a positivist approach with little, if any, focus on the operational context of these universities. Moreover, there has been very little research, specifically within the South African context. This study addresses some of these concerns by investigating the threats and security incident response life cycle within a higher education cloud. This was done by initially conducting a small scale survey and a detailed thematic analysis of twelve interviews from three South African universities. The identified themes and their corresponding analyses and interpretation contribute on both a practical and theoretical level with the practical contributions relating to a set of security driven criteria for selecting cloud providers as well as recommendations for universities who have or are in the process of adopting cloud computing. Theoretically several conceptual frameworks are offered allowing the researcher to convey his understanding of how the aforementioned practical concepts relate to each other as well as the concepts that constitute the research questions of this study.

The role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in higher education has increased in recent years, and most university administrators consider ICT important in effective teaching practices. While administrators encourage the use of ICT, many teachers do not use technology. Most studies regarding ICT have been concerned with the practices of full-time faculty. This is problematic, since adjunct faculty members are becoming a growing and influential presence on college campuses, and research suggests that factors unique to adjuncts may create barriers to ICT implementation. A review of the available literature indicates that the body of knowledge regarding adjunct faculty members' perceptions toward ICT implementation is limited. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental study was to investigate the degree to which differences or variations in gender, teaching discipline, average number of courses taught per semester, and perceived barriers to ICT use are related to adjunct faculty members' reported ICT integration into teaching and perceptions of ICT use to improve teaching. Data were collected via an anonymous, Internet-based survey administered to a random sample (n = 186) of part-time faculty who were on the contact list of New Faculty Majority: The National Coalition for Adjunct and Contingency Equity. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted, one for each dependent variable. Statistically significant correlations were found between reported ICT integration into teaching and average number of courses taught per semester, (β = .17, t(141) = 2.12, p = .04), as well as perceived barriers to ICT use (β = -.22, t(141) = -2.72, p =.01). Statistically significant correlations also were found between perceptions of ICT use to improve teaching and perceived barriers to ICT use, (β = .49, t(152) = 7.05, p =.00), as well as teaching discipline, (β = .23, t(152) = 3.32, p = .00). Based on the results, it is recommended that institutions implement mentoring and training policies to encourage best practices in ICT implementation. To expand the results of the study, future research is recommended to replicate the study using a larger sample, compare perceptions of adjunct faculty members with full-time, and examine differences in low-level and high-level ICT use.

The core of this thesis is to investigate the perceptions of teachers in Further Education (FE) when dealing with the continuous change caused by the expansion of information and learning technology (ILT). This thesis also identifies the potential links between the increase in the range and availability of learning technology and the development of self- directed and student-centred learning. It explores the perceptions of practicing teachers with reference to their personal development and if such development indicates compliance with adult learning theory. It also analysis the external pressures placed on FE colleges and their teaching staff due to the development of ILT and the related governmental policy. The thesis regards teachers in the FE sector as a unique group of adult learners with a wide range of experience, qualifications and entry routes into the profession. It investigates a sample of teachers using questionnaires and focus groups analysing their perceptions of ILT, preferred learning styles, identified needs and self evaluation techniques and analysis any correlation between these factors and the biographical parameters obtained from the questionnaire responses. An aspect of the investigation was to analyse how teachers became proficient in the use of ILT, routes staff use to obtain the skills and knowledge required and if the aspects of adult learning theory are being applied. A related aspect of this research is the investigation of whether the perceptions of teacher of their personal development experiences related to ILT indicate if an FE college is or can become a “learning organisation” and if such a concept is valid for the FE sector.

Through the rise of online learning, the playing field has been leveled for colleges across the globe. As costs continue to increase, greater emphasis is being placed on higher education institutions to maximize existing resources while adapting to technological advances. Building on Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation, and further considering Lunenberg’s work on higher education as an open system that must adapt to its changing environment, the researcher aimed to understand the realities of a shifting information technology (IT) landscape on IT professionals. A mixed method sequential exploratory approach was used to investigate if additional skills were required of IT professionals in managed hosting environments. The study further investigated if a change in organizational staffing would be required or a change in career trajectory would be possible. The quantitative phase, which included responses from 28 participants across 25 institutions, suggested that participants did not find that managed hosting environments required additional skills, different staffing models, or additional career trajectories. The qualitative phase uncovered additional insights. Via responsive interviewing of five interviewees, the researcher found HEIs that utilize managed hosting for IT applications places an emphasis on soft skills and increased user communication. Further, there was a consensus that managed hosting for IT applications changes the responsibilities of IT staff. However, the overall impact of a managed hosting strategy on a HEIs workforce will depend heavily on leadership and the organizational culture of the institution.

The literature suggests that information technology (IT), including Course Management Systems (CMSs), allows higher education faculty members (HEFMs) to adopt better methods for teaching and learning, and that training contributes to adoption. However, many HEFMs are unwilling to complete IT training on the CMS, contributing to low adoption rates. Yet, little is known about what influences HEFMs to complete IT training on their institution's CMS, even though CMSs are widely available. The purpose of this study was to address this gap in the literature through a quantitative, cross-sectional study of HEFM perceptions of CMS characteristics, based on Rogers' diffusion of innovations theory, which may affect their willingness to complete IT training on their institution's CMS. The research questions focused on how perceived relative advantage (RA), compatibility (CMP), complexity (CMX), trialability (TR), and observability (OB) of the CMS impacted HEFM willingness to complete IT training on their institution's CMS. Higher education faculty member tenure status, rank, length of CMS use, level of CMS expertise, department, gender, and age were potential mediating variables. Data from 102 Fitchburg State University HEFMs were collected, and multiple regression models developed. Compatibility was significantly associated with willingness to train online, adjusted for department, and RA with willingness to train in-person and combined. This study has a potential positive impact on society through providing information for researchers and higher education administrators who are changing IT training on CMSs in order to improve adoption rates and the quality of teaching and learning at institutions of higher learning.

This dissertation investigates approaches for the development of an implementation model for ICT systems in the higher education environment. ICT systems have been implemented in various education settings, but have been narrowly focused in nature. There lacks a generalizable model to implement these systems in higher education settings. The research questions in this study sought to identify the criteria that can be used to develop and evaluate the implementation model. The design science research methodology selected for this study used product criteria defined in a literature review to guide the development of the model. An expert panel consisting of administrators, faculty and technology implementers was then used to affirm the criteria that was used to develop the implementation model. A set of design characteristics based upon the results of the expert panel consensus resulted in the design of the implementation model. The model addressed approaches for implementation and measurement for each criterion in the study. The model was pre-evaluated by the expert panel. The model was then post-evaluated by a new evaluation panel based upon its effectiveness in satisfying the criteria developed by the expert panel. The evaluation of the model for ICT implementation in higher education found that it appropriately met the specified design criteria established by the expert panel. Future research in the application of the implementation model and testing at another educational institution was suggested.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2010.
Title from electronic title page (viewed Jun. 23, 2010). "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Information and Library Science." Discipline: Information and Library Science; Department/School: Information and Library Science, School of.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Georgia Southern University, 2007.
"A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education." Education Administration, under the direction of Barbara Mallory. ETD. Electronic version approved: December 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 144-152) and appendices.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD
The research reported in this thesis examines the approaches of four (4) HEIs in the Western Cape Province in South Africa to institutional development of IS security ecompetencies across their full staff compliments. It used a mixed research methodology and multiple case study research design in which four Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) participated. A total of 26 in-depth interviews were conducted and 385 questionnaires were completed. The research found that these HEIs do not formally develop the IS security e-competencies of their IS resources end users. Because end users handle critical information and research projects of importance not only to the HEIs, but also to the country, this situation creates a potential risk to their IS resources. In other words, the HEIs that participated in this research rely more on the ICT security technology itself to protect their IS resources than on the human side of ICT security. This is in direct contrast to the established literature which clearly points out that it is the internal end users that pose the most threats to IS security resources and these threats are more dangerous than the external threats.

The researcher explored the lived experience of adult online college honor students (AOCHS) with the goal of describing critical factors that support academic success. The study addressed a gap in the literature concerning how the technology and virtual context of adult online college education are perceived, interpreted, and employed by the most successful students in undergraduate online college degree programs. Participants described how they perceived their online learning experience, what meaning they attribute to this experience, and what strategies they employ to achieve academic success in the online learning environment. The study was based on Deming’s total quality management philosophy, Nonaka’s theoretical context for knowledge generation, and the community of inquiry (CoI), a conceptual framework for online education. An online questionnaire and individual telephone interviews were used to gather qualitative data, which were analyzed using thematic coding and analytic induction to address the study’s purpose and answer the research questions. Follow-up interview subjects were purposefully selected to provide a heterogeneous sample based on self-reported demographics, priorities, and motivations. Results showed that honor students’ expect that the technologies and user interfaces in online college classes should be as engaging and effective as social media, online entertainment, and Internet commerce technologies that they use in their nonacademic lives. That online instructors should be active and encouraging participants in the learning process. And that students’ personal, academic success is supported by a mature self-image and work ethic, effective time management and workload planning, clear and timely communication with faculty members, positive collaboration with classmates, and fluent use of learning technology.

This study examines issues related to women's leadership and administrative roles in higher educational settings where information technologies have a prominent function. In so doing, it addresses a relatively new area in leadership. The study focuses on four main questions: Are there parallels between feminist leadership styles and a new evolving field for leaders in technology? Is there something about technology that lends itself to female leadership styles? Has technology helped validate women's styles of leadership? What does that mean to women entering the field now?
Six women administrators, interviewed over a three-month period spoke on such issues as formal and informal relationships, collaborative team building, and getting the job done. This qualitative study focuses on educational leadership as a process rather than a product, and strives to gain a deeper understanding of the day-to-day experiences and leadership practices of women administrators in education. Drawing from feminist research studies, organizational theory and studies on women in educational leadership, the study offers to expand the existing discourse in educational leadership by documenting the ways this particular group of women practice leadership.

The ubiquity of technology in our daily lives sometimes obscures the fact that there are segments of American society who continue to experience a digital divide. The focus of this quantitative study was to explore a measurement instrument that can assess technology capacities among higher education institutions; thus, helping detect whether digital divides are present in this unit of analysis. A conceptual model of technology capacity based upon Barzilai-Nahon's (2006) digital divide index served as the theoretical foundation for this research.

Employing confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, this study found that the ability to access technology along with the student experience with technology were the two factors that best defined technology capacity for an institution. Additionally, this study recognized that institutional characteristics such as institution location, size, Carnegie classification, and sector influence differences in institutional technology capacities. The research found the technology capacities of rural institutions trailed the technology capacities of institutions located in cities, suburbs, or towns. It was also found that institutions with more than 20,000 students and doctoral institutions far exceeded the capacities of smaller institutions and those of other Carnegie classifications.

One challenge of this study was the available data sets originally gathered in 2008 and 2009 by EDUCAUSE. The results garnered from these data sets revealed there was a digital divide within higher education. However, with the speed of change in the technology landscape, further research is needed to determine whether these divides persist today. The validated instrument developed by this study will make future and repeated measures of technology capacity attainable for researchers.

Although instructors at a Western Caribbean university use technology in the instructional process, they rarely use social media tools for teaching and learning. This exploratory qualitative case study addressed faculty members' perceived role of social media technology tools in higher education instruction at the local university. The conceptual frameworks that guided this study were the theory of planned behavior and the technology acceptance model. Ten faculty members at the local university were selected through a purposeful sampling process and were interviewed. Interview transcripts were organized using an iterative coding process and were analyzed for recurring themes. Trustworthiness was established through peer review, member checking, peer debriefing, and triangulation. The themes that emerged from the interviews revealed factors that encouraged the use of social media tools such as freedom in learning, growth in inferential skills, ease of communication, or access to a repository of online lessons. In addition, factors that discouraged the use of social media were also discovered, such as unreliability of the tools, hindrance to cognitive growth, or the increased number of cyber bullies. The resulting project consisted of a white paper that will disseminate the findings from this study to stakeholders with the goal of initiating a collaborative process focused on the use of social media tools in instruction. Recommendations from this project study may help to implement and integrate social media tools in instruction. The project contributes to social change through faculty members' stronger understanding of both those factors that encourage the use of social media tools and the barriers that prevent their effective use in instruction.

Effective internal controls to protect government information technology (IT) investments are essential as annual deficits exceed $700 billion dollars, government shutdowns, and sequestrations are threatened. The purpose of this qualitative historical single-case study was to explore, analyze, and describe feedback collected by the United States Government Accountability Office as IT governance and control requirements were rationalized. Prior to publishing an updated Standard for Internal Control in the Federal Government, the federal register requested participants respond to a series of questions directed toward the 2013 Draft Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government. Four major themes emerged from within the 43 correspondents: (a) challenges exist with financial constraints and control documentation requirements, (b) the central oversight body must ensure that federal, state, county, departments, and agencies have shared understanding and objectives, (c) federal regulatory reform includes requirements identifying internal controls for both the Federal Government 2014 General Accountability Offices Standards and the 2013 Committee of Sponsoring Organization Standards, and (d) the implications of adapting a Standards for Internal Control publication to align with the Federal Government rather than adopting the publication. An efficient and effective approach to identify, integrate, and balance regulatory guidelines, stakeholders' concerns, and technical requirements for government leadership, contractors, and non-federal entity recommendations is proposed for assessment and development. This technique could provide government leadership a method to assess factors affecting or influencing proposed and/or existing regulatory control. Additionally, a conceptual historical narrative construct and a crosswalk between COSO and Federal Standards for Internal Control are included.

The purpose of this descriptive and comparative study was to identify Information and Technology Communication (ICT) tools used by Saudi faculty and United States faculty, and to investigate relationships between their perceptions of ICT applications and ICT use. A questionnaire was sent to 292 Saudi faculty from six Saudi universities and 253 US faculty from five universities. The questionnaire gathered information about the use of and attitudes toward ICT applications. Results found that 65% of the United States faculty taught part or all of a course online as compared to only 26% of Saudi faculty. Saudi faculty used Social Media applications significantly more often than US faculty. Saudi faculty also reported using Google Documents, Photos and Website links significantly more often than US faculty while US faculty used podcasts and text documents significantly more often. Results from a path analysis of the relationships between ICT attitudes and actual ICT use based on Davis' (1993) TAM framework found that for Saudi faculty, system was the only variable significantly related to actual ICT Use. Ease of Use was significantly related to Perceived Value while Perceived Value was significantly related to Attitude Toward ICT Use. For US faculty, again, system was the only variable to have a significant relationship with Actual ICT use. Perceived Value was found to have a significant effect on Attitude Toward Use of ICT tools. The larger relationship between system use and actual ICT tool use for US faculty suggests that they had more access thus more experience using ICT tools than Saudi faculty. In addition, differences in attitudes toward ICT between Saudi and US faculty may be due Saudi faculty's primary use of social media and email applications as compared to US faculty's use a variety of more complex ICT applications including Audio. Overall results from this study suggest that Saudi faculty would benefit from training in the use of a variety of ICT application in addition to social media and email within the context of Learning Management Systems while US faculty would benefit from training in the use of social media applications as an instructional tool.

This study identified determinants existing within the academic environment of professional education faculty that influence the development and implementation of an information technology system to support their professional endeavors. Such a system would encourage these faculty to integrate technology into their curriculum and, consequently, produce teacher graduates who could employ information technology effectively in teaching. This study used a field survey research design with a mailed questionnaire. Both institutional and personal demographic factors were examined. The population exhibited a high level of homogeneity. This study indicated that ease of use, reliable operation, and capability to integrate technology into their personal work style were the most important concerns of faculty members. These factors reduce the emotional and intellectual costs of using technology.

The study had four main hypotheses that examined the relationships between job satisfaction and the reasons for attending continuing professional education (CPE). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between training and job satisfaction with the objective of adding to the body of knowledge related to both job satisfaction and training and development. Participation Reasons Scale was used to measure the reasons for attending CPE activities, and the Job in General Scale and Job Descriptive Index was used to measure job satisfaction. The surveys were administered over the Internet to information technology professionals working in higher education. The participants were contacted by email with a message explaining the purpose of the research and a Web link that took the participants directly to the survey. After collecting the data, it was exported into SPSS and analyzed using Spearman Rho and Mann Whitney U statistics and a simple structure exploratory factor to determine any underlying structures between the job satisfaction and CPE.

This study examined the use of virtual emergency management systems within operational and tactical environments and explored the experiences of officials using these virtual systems regarding communication of information, coordination of resources, and strategic thinking throughout a critical incident at 4-year public institutions of higher education. Emergency management organizations are increasingly using virtual emergency management systems within their operations, but their effects on communication and incident management in operational and tactical environments during a critical incident is unclear. A gap in the literature has emerged in the understanding of how organizations comprehend, train, and utilize virtual emergency management systems and the possible integration of these systems with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) standards. There was a need for this study to explore virtual emergency management systems within the operational and tactical environments prior to, during, and after a critical incident; and to answer the research question, “What are the experiences of university officials, who have utilized virtual emergency management systems, in terms of communication capability, resource coordination, and strategic thinking prior to, during, and after a critical incident involving 4-year public institutions of higher education?” This study used a transcendental phenomenological design to elicit the lived experiences of university officials who have utilized virtual emergency management systems throughout a critical incident at a 4-year public institution of higher education. The population of 10 university officials included a sample of six university emergency managers and four senior university officials who were familiar with the use of virtual systems prior to, during, and after a critical incident. The resulting data were then analyzed using open coding to identify themes and a codebook was developed to define terms associated with the themes and ascribe meaning to the data. The software NVivo11 was utilized to assist with the organization of the resulting themes. Numerous reviews of participant interview transcripts were conducted to ensure that the essences of participants’ experiences were appropriately displayed. Member checking was also conducted to ensure accuracy of the data. The findings indicated that the use of virtual emergency management systems did aid in the communication of information, the coordination and allocation of resources, and strategic thinking prior to, during, and after a critical incident at 4-year public institutions of higher education. The study also found that these systems aid in the development of trust, leadership, and team building at these institutions. The study also indicated that these systems were not being fully utilized at many of these institutions, thereby limiting the effectiveness of these systems.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have been in a state of change, and in South Africa, the term “transformation” is used to describe the changes occurring. These changes have implications for the structure, processes and focus of HEIs, and as such have implications for Information Technology (IS/ICT) support for HEIs. IS/ICT support for organisations is predicated on several factors, such as effective informational and technical support at all levels of the organisation, but especially support for the strategic goals of the organisation (alignment). For organisations in a state of rapid change other issues need to be considered, such as flexibility, and new and diverse information and communication needs. This paper investigates the use of Information Technology to support HEIs in transformation. The research examines factors that make HEIs less amenable to rationalist techniques such as mixed management styles and a “different” value chain. The difficulties for IS/ICT support of HEIs at all managerial levels is discussed, especially the issue of alignment with institutional goals. Thereafter, transformation of HEIs and the possibility of IS/ICT support in achieving the ill-defined goal of transformation is examined. The research uses management and IS/ICT theories such as the widely used and reported Porter’s value chain, Anthony’s information model, and Minzberg’s organisational model to suggest an analysis model for HEIs (Applegate, McFarlan and McKenney, 1996; Minzberg, 1979; Ward and Peppard, 2002). Furthermore, from the analysis of the literature, a model of antecedent factors for successful HEI transformation supported by IS/ICT is proposed. The research makes use of a comparative case study approach in which 3 (three) South African HEIs are investigated through the “lens” of the developed model. The major finding of the research is that the potential use of IS/ICT support for HEIs is not optimal in the three cases examined. Results of the analysis suggest that: • IS/ICT alignment with organisational goals at HEIs is low and holistic IS/ICT strategic management is lacking. The areas of Knowledge Management and Communication Management are conducted informally and Knowledge Management, especially, is not fully exploited. • The greatest area of concern is the lack of IS/ICT support for academic management, where academics are increasingly required to perform administrative and managerial tasks. • The merger/incorporation information needs have not caused major system problems, but other intangible aspects of the mergers/incorporations could be better supported by IS/ICT. The research concludes with a set of actions that should ensure a higher level of support, amongst which are the more holistic management of IS/ICT especially for Academic management needs, and particularly the use of IS/ICT in innovative ways to overcome the challenges of the “transformed” Universities: There are areas of excellence but the full possibilities afforded by technology are not exploited maximally in support of transformation. Research suggests that the reasons for this are mainly the lack of holistic strategic management of IS/ICT.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD
Higher education institutions in South Africa have invested heavily in information technology and information systems, with variable outcomes. Organisations in other sectors, such as engineering, the defence industry, public administration and business, have developed and adopted standards and guides to good practice for the development and operation of software-based systems. In the history of standards-making there was an early vision of the need to extend standardisation beyond software engineering into the world that acquires and uses systems, and yet the overall scope of available standards is still limited. Seeing slow progress in the international committees that develop nationally-endorsed standards (such as ISO-IEC/JTC1/SC7) practitioner communities moved to develop good practice guides such as COBIT and ITIL, that have found considerable interest in progressive organisations. Hence a range of potential guidance is available. In order to assess the extent to which standards and good practice guides might assist higher education, the four tertiary institutions in the Western Cape were approached and a representative range of academic, administrative and managerial individuals agreed to contribute to the study as respondents. Interviews were organised in two parts: the first an open conversation about their involvement with systems, and the second a structured examination of systems-related events that they considered significant. By inspection of those events, bipolar scales were developed by which respondents were able to characterise events (for example as ‘challenging’ or ‘easy’, or as ‘functional’ or ‘dysfunctional’). Respondents rated events on those scales. Repertory Grid analysis was applied so as to investigate which scales correlated with event success. 30 scales (out of 170) proved to be adequately correlated with success, and by principal component analysis they were combined to form nine ‘success scale’ groups, indicating nine areas where the deployment of standards or good practice guides might be expected to lead to more effective use of improved information systems. The study adopted an abductive approach to the work, keeping open the question of what might be the contribution to knowledge. In the event, a new Reference Model emerged from the data analysis that contributes to the effective choice and management of standards and good practice guides .A review of available standards and good practice guides using the new Reference Model concludes that the good practice guides are more applicable than the internationally developed standards, and in some areas management models and frameworks have a contribution to make. The utility of standards, good practice guides and management models will depend on the circumstances and context of use, which are extremely variable. A portfolio approach to the management of information systems provides a means to deal with that variability. It is further found that the IMBOK1 can be used to assess the linkages between information technology, information systems, business processes, business benefits and business strategy. The new Reference Model has a role to play in resolving the need for standards in the four junctions between those five IMBOK domains. Selected standards are assessed in that way, and an illustrative commentary is provided showing how projects and other systems-related initiatives can be assessed using the new Reference Model and the IMBOK.
Carnegie Corporation of New York

Doutoramento em Multimédia em Educação
Information Visualization is gradually emerging to assist the representation and comprehension of large datasets about Higher Education Institutions, making the data more easily understood. The importance of gaining insights and knowledge regarding higher education institutions is little disputed. Within this knowledge, the emerging and urging area in need of a systematic understanding is the use of communication technologies, area that is having a transformative impact on educational practices worldwide. This study focused on the need to visually represent a dataset about how Portuguese Public Higher Education Institutions are using Communication Technologies as a support to teaching and learning processes. Project TRACER identified this need, regarding the Portuguese public higher education context, and carried out a national data collection. This study was developed within project TRACER, and worked with the dataset collected in order to conceptualize an information visualization tool U-TRACER®. The main goals of this study related to: conceptualization of the information visualization tool U-TRACER®, to represent the data collected by project TRACER; understand higher education decision makers perception of usefulness regarding the tool. The goals allowed us to contextualize the phenomenon of information visualization tools regarding higher education data, realizing the existing trends. The research undertaken was of qualitative nature, and followed the method of case study with four moments of data collection.The first moment regarded the conceptualization of the U-TRACER®, with two focus group sessions with Higher Education professionals, with the aim of defining the interaction features the U-TRACER® should offer. The second data collection moment involved the proposal of the graphical displays that would represent the dataset, which reading effectiveness was tested by end-users. The third moment involved the development of a usability test to the UTRACER ® performed by higher education professionals and which resulted in the proposal of improvements to the final prototype of the tool. The fourth moment of data collection involved conducting exploratory, semi-structured interviews, to the institutional decision makers regarding their perceived usefulness of the U-TRACER®. We consider that the results of this study contribute towards two moments of reflection. The challenges of involving end-users in the conceptualization of an information visualization tool; the relevance of effective visual displays for an effective communication of the data and information. The second relates to the reflection about how the higher education decision makers, stakeholders of the U-TRACER® tool, perceive usefulness of the tool, both for communicating their institutions data and for benchmarking exercises, as well as a support for decision processes. Also to reflect on the main concerns about opening up data about higher education institutions in a global market.
A Visualização de Informação emerge gradualmente como uma área que assiste a representação e a compreensão de dados sobre as instituições de Ensino Superior. Esta compreensão e conhecimento aprofundado sobre as instituições de Ensino Superior tem uma importância internacional reconhecida. Uma das áreas emergentes do Ensino Superior, com um impacte transformador das práticas educativas em todo o mundo e que urge conhecer e compreender de forma sistematizada, relaciona-se com o uso das Tecnologias da Comunicação no suporte às práticas pedagógicas. No foco deste trabalho está a necessidade de representar visualmente um conjunto de dados recolhido no âmbito do projeto TRACER, sobre e o uso que as Instituições de Ensino Superior Público Português fazem das Tecnologias da Comunicação como suporte aos processos de ensino e aprendizagem. O projeto TRACER identificou esta necessidade e fez uma recolha de dados a nível nacional. Este estudo desenvolveu-se no âmbito deste projeto, e utilizou os dados recolhidos com o objetivo de conceptualizar uma ferramenta de visualização de informação - U-TRACER® - que daria visibilidade a esses dados. Os principais objetivos deste estudo prendem-se com: a conceptualização da ferramenta de visualização de informação denominada U-TRACER®, para o contexto do Ensino Superior Português; a compreensão sobre a utilidade desta plataforma para decisores das instituições de Ensino Superior Português, no suporte a processos de tomada de decisão. Os objetivos permitiram contextualizar o fenómeno das ferramentas de visualização da informação com dados sobre instituições de Ensino Superior, perceber as tendências de uso da visualização de informação nesse contexto.A investigação de natureza qualitativa, seguiu princípios de Investigação & Desenvolvimento adotando o método de estudo de caso desenvolvido em quatro fases de recolha de dados. A primeira fase prendeu-se com a conceptualização da plataforma U-TRACER®, tendo-se desenvolvido duas sessões de focus group com profissionais do ensino superior, com o objetivo de conhecer de definir os requisitos de interação da ferramenta. A segunda fase deu origem à proposta de representação gráfica dos dados recolhidos no Âmbito do projeto TRACER “O uso das Tecnologias da Comunicação no Ensino Superior Público Português”, e um teste à eficácia de leitura dos gráficos propostos. A terceira fase envolveu um teste de usabilidade à ferramenta U-TRACER®, por profissionais do Ensino Superior enquanto utilizadores finais, tendo resultado na proposta de melhorias ao protótipo final. A quarta fase de recolha de dados envolveu a realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas, realizadas a decisores de Instituições de Ensino Superior Público Português, com o objetivo de compreender a sua perceção relativamente à utilidade da U-TRACER®. Considera-se que os resultados deste estudo contribuíram para a área da visualização de informação como suporte à representação de dados sobre o Ensino Superior; refletir sobre a necessidade de envolvimento dos utilizadores finais no processo de conceptualização da ferramenta; a importância da representação gráfica na comunicação eficaz da informação; e conhecer a perceção dos decisores das instituições do ensino superior sobre a utilidade desta ferramenta utilizada como meio para a comunicação de informação sobre a sua instituição, como exercício de benchmarking, e a sua utilidade como suporte a processos informação e decisão que envolvem o uso das Tecnologias da Comunicação. Este estudo contribui ainda para a reflexão sobre a abertura de dados de instituições de Ensino Superior num mercado global.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, 2007.
Title from dissertation home page (viewed Sept. 26, 2008). Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-02, Section: A, page: 0744. Adviser: Roger B. Parks.

The purpose of this study was twofold: to develop a computer-based piano performance trainer, and to study subjects' frequency of choices pertaining to different kinds of information feedback during self-directed practice while using a computer-based trainer. Additional concerns in the present study were: (1) the preferences of subjects regarding other practice options; (2) subjects' accuracy of performance, as measured by an investigator-designed test; (3) the relationship between subjects' accuracy of performance and their attributes of musical aptitude, reading ability, sightreading ability, and manual dexterity; and (4) the relationship between subjects' sightreading ability and the other three attributes. Data were collected from thirty-seven volunteers in piano class at Mesa Community College. In a natural setting, subjects practiced a fifteen-measure composition daily until the earlier of two events occurred: (1) students reached criterion level, or (2) two weeks elapsed. Results indicated that during self-directed practice as they were using a computer-based trainer, students most frequently chose: (a) to receive supplementary visual feedback--superimposed errors over the musical score, (b) to practice with a metronome and (c) to practice part of the composition with both hands. Across all subjects, the number of rhythm errors was significantly greater than the number of pitch errors; only two subjects reached criterion level during the two weeks. A correlation coefficent between performance accuracy scores and subject profile scores revealed a significant relationship between performance accuracy and sightreading, and a slight relationship between performance accuracy scores and reading. The findings indicated no significant relationship between performance accuracy and the other three attributes; also, there was no relationship between the same attributes and sightreading. Some of the writer's recommendations regarding future research in computer-based piano instruction were as follows: (1) Use courseware that "recognizes" student errors and makes incisive commentary or remediation as is necessary. (2) Select appropriately graded material for different skill levels. (3) Incorporate different styles of music. (4) Provide subjects with a supplementary IF mode that combines visual and aural feedback simultaneously. (5) Compare the performance accuracy of different groups of subjects with looser or tighter tolerances of the rhythm error for the beginning of each note.

This research is primarily concerned with the provision of in-service training for TEFL lecturers in universities serving rural areas of China between 1998 and 2004. Given the growing number of undergraduates studying English in these universities, there was a clear need to ensure that English teaching was delivered as effectively as possible. Following a needs analysis of English teachers based in universities in rural China, a clear need to design a programme to enhance communication skills and evaluate the possible role of ICT in delivering this programme was identified. The first stage of the research was based upon a needs analysis of lecturers in China and involved the establishment of focus groups and the administration of targeted questionnaires to ascertain the current situation concerning their training needs. As a result of the needs analysis, it became clear that in-service training was only taken up by a small percentage of lecturers each year and information was obtained on a wide variety of perceived problems (of access to and types of training) together with options on solutions. A particular concern identified was that the potential of information technology was largely unexplored, though a majority of respondents expressed support for training based on a flexible, ICT-driven approach. An additional concern expressed the need to develop lecturers' communicative skills as part of their knowledge of English.Arising from the results of the needs analysis a test model was designed to examine the potential of ICT in this area. The pedagogic and practical bases for the model drew upon an incremental approach to learning involving these two stages. A web-based hypermedia environment was constructed using as an exemplar an embryonic training unit on the acquisition and teaching of oral skills. The test model was piloted in the UK and trialed by lecturers within the target group in the UK and rural China. Data was gathered on the perceived success of the innovative approach and on aspects such as accessibility, ease of use, presentation and motivation. An evaluation of the test model was made showing clear support for the approach. Useful information was generated for future iterations of a modified training scheme. KEY WORDS: constructive research, ICT, web-based course, distance education, education technology, in-service teacher training

Good corporate governance has, in recent years, been placed on centre stage worldwide and several frameworks have been put in place to enable organisations as well as higher education institutions to adhere to effective IT governance with regards to IT service delivery and support. At the same time, demand from users for access to corporate resources with their own personal devices other than desktop or laptop computers and options such as cloud computing, social media and mobility have converged into a renewed driving force influencing all IT decisions regarding service delivery and support, whilst higher education institutions attempt to comply with governance regulations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ITIL as an IT governance framework is still applicable and relevant to a changed service delivery context in IT service delivery departments in the higher education sector in South Africa. Higher education in South Africa has not been excluded from adhering to good governance and the draft Regulations for Reporting by Higher Education Institutions have been updated with the recommendations of King III which, for the first time, addressed IT governance and insisted on management to implement an IT governance framework. ITIL is one of the most widely used governance frameworks, however its position as a technology on the Gartner Hype Cycles for Education for 2011 and 2012 displayed a move backwards from being widely understood to a display of waning interest amongst institutions in the education sector worldwide. Exploratory research found that ITIL is still valued as a governance framework in higher education in South Africa however staff members in IT support departments displayed a resistance to change and also found it difficult to implement ITIL processes. This is, however, not primarily due to a changing IT service delivery context. Findings also indicated that ITIL should be considered as a set of guidelines and best practices and not a governance framework as such. Recommendations towards a paradigm shift regarding ITIL as a governance framework per se as well as a proposal towards a possible alternative conceptual IT governance framework incorporating only ITIL guidelines and best practices as well as COBIT for risk management were put forward.
Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Nos tempos atuais vivencia-se uma revoluÃÃo da tecnologia, da comunicaÃÃo e da informaÃÃo. Essa revoluÃÃo tem afetado, alÃm de outras esferas da vida social, a educaÃÃo, as instituiÃÃes de ensino superior, a prÃtica docente, a formaÃÃo do professor e consequentemente sua prÃtica pedagÃgica em sala de aula, bem como seu relacionamento com os discentes. O interesse por esta pesquisa surgiu em decorrÃncia de serem os docentes os profissionais que tÃm maior aproximaÃÃo com os discentes, cabendo a eles, dentre outras funÃÃes, transitarem pelo universo da informaÃÃo, transmitirem informaÃÃo, possibilitarem o conhecimento e viabilizarem o fluxo de informaÃÃo e comunicaÃÃo com seus discentes. Com este estudo objetiva-se investigar o uso do Sistema Integrado de GestÃo de Atividades AcadÃmicas- SIGAA pelos docentes de graduaÃÃo da UFC, mediante uma anÃlise desse uso entre as diversas unidades/subunidades acadÃmicas da universidade. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratÃria descritiva na qual os dados principais foram coletados no banco de dados da instituiÃÃo, seguidos por entrevistas abertas com os docentes que mais usam o sistema SIGAA. Conforme verificado, o SIGAA detÃm precÃrio uso pelos docentes de graduaÃÃo da UFC, e as postagens por parte dos docentes no mencionado sistema, nos Ãltimos trÃs semestres letivos, tÃm apresentado uma estabilidade de uso. Deste modo, alguma iniciativa deverà ser implementada pela administraÃÃo superior da universidade para uma efetiva ampliaÃÃo da sua utilizaÃÃo.
Nowadays we are living a revolution in technology, communication and information. This revolution has affected not only the social life, but also education, the institutes of higher education, the way of teaching, teacher education and consequently his/her own way of teaching in the classroom, and also his/her relationship with the students. The interest in this research arouse from the point that professors are the professionals that have more involvement with the students. Those are responsible for the universe of information, share information, make the knowledge possible and enable the flux of information and communication with his/her students. With this study, we aim to investigate the use of Sistema Integrado de GestÃo de Atividades AcadÃmica- SIGAA by professor of undergraduation courses at UFC (Universidade Federal do CearÃ), establishing an analysis of its use among the many units/subunits of the university. This is a descriptive explanatory research in which the main data were collected in the internal documents of this institution, followed by open interviews made with some professors that frequently use the SIGAA system. As it could be verified, the professors from the undergraduation courses of this institution has little knowledge of how to manage SIGAA, although the number of posts made by these professors on the last three semesters have been stable. So, an initiative must be implemented by the administration personnel from UFC in order to maximize the use of SIGAA among the undergradation professors.

The public higher education sector in South Africa is governed by an act of Parliament which defines the governance organs and mechanisms required within institutions and the sector. This doctoral thesis begins by contextualising ICT governance within the levels of systemic governance in South Africa that have relevance to this study. It then continues by advancing the understanding of the state of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) governance in public higher education institutions in South Africa by investigating the level of pervasiveness, the level of ICT process maturity and the alignment of ICT to the institutional processes within these institutions. Subsequently, this thesis results in the production of a contextually appropriate value framework that contributes towards an understanding of the need for the improvement of ICT governance. A survey of the extant literature on governance, ICT governance, and the frameworks and standards associated with governance indicates that the methodological approach currently favoured in ICT governance research is predominantly interpretive and based on surveys and interviews. This study leans towards a Design Science approach paradigm using surveys for the qualitative data collection process. The empirical research data was gathered from the highest ranking ICT officers at public higher education institutions in South Africa. This study makes contributions on a number of levels – from the first known measurement of ICT pervasiveness within the context of higher education, to the measurement of ICT process maturity and the measurement of the alignment of ICT and institutional processes, to the design of a value framework that breaks down governance into layers indicating which governance organs are appropriate at the relevant layers and which governance mechanisms can be used to address governance at each layer of governance. This study therefore makes a contribution to the ICT domain for development research by demonstrating praxis for the improvement of ICT governance implementation in the public higher education sector in South Africa. This study makes both method design and practical contributions to the ICT body of knowledge at various stages of the research process. These contributions include reflection on and analysis of the data gathering approaches that occur within the public higher education sector and in the complex environment of institutional autonomy and academic freedom; the use of Agency Theory to support the ‗governance intent‘ transfer between the layers of governance in the value framework and the synthesis of the improvement of ICT governance with value creation. The findings of this study further contribute to an understanding of the dynamics and interrelatedness of aspects of governance and management, while making a contribution to theoretical research by extending practical and empirical understanding of the ICT governance environment in the public higher education sector in South Africa.

This study examined the satisfaction with and use of technology infrastructure by students and faculty across a sample of five universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Overall, the findings indicated that both faculty and students were relatively satisfied with the information technology (IT) infrastructure at their respective campuses, although they tend to report satisfaction levels more than faculty or students in the United States. The study also revealed several areas of improvement, including the need for more reliable Wi-Fi networks on campuses and for the use of Learning Management Systems (LMS) and other digital technologies by the instructors. The analysis uncovered disparities in the overall experience of faculty and students with IT between universities located in the capital city and universities outside the capital city.

The focus of this thesis was inspired by a small study investigating the way in which students could learn co-operatively using computer-mediated communication. Lessons learnt about the significance of purpose, context, nature and design of courses involving Information and Communication Technology (ICT) led to the idea that a holistic view, involving the study of all aspects that contribute to the whole context, would be necessary to reach a better understanding of the process of change in teaching and learning. The opportunity to pursue this route materialised by being part of a team on a national, ESRC funded, project to undertake in-depth qualitative research in sixteen UK universities to explore innovations in teaching and learning. Questions regarding motivation for innovation as well as factors that promote or inhibit this process were posed to innovators and managers. Distance Learning methodologies involving ICT and a student-centred learning ethos were beginning to evolve in campus-based universities. As a result of progressive focusing the Open University was included as a case study and this research has formed the largest part of the thesis. The OU allowed further exploration into the emerging issues which included institutional culture, frameworks, policy and strategies employed to initiate and implement change in teaching and learning. The ways in which individuals or groups negotiate and initiate change were also investigated by two in-depth mini-case studies involving course teams in the process of developing new courses. Topdown and bottom-up perspectives from central managers and course team members contributed to this section. Finally, implementation aspects from one of the mini-case studies - an internet-based technology degree course - were explored. This produced some powerful insights into the whole process of change involving new technologies. The speed of internet development and global interest in exploiting the potential of ICT in education and training has resulted in pressure on institutions from national policy, funding bodies, market competition and individual educational innovators to move towards the integration of ICT in higher education provision. The findings, which indicate the need for flexibility, collaboration and continual evaluation and development, could assist institutions who have begun making this move.

The purpose of this research was to determine if the effectiveness of technology education can be significantly increased through use of team-based activities including both real-time team encounters and results-driven team assignments. The research addresses this purpose by examining perceptions regarding effectiveness of team-based learning in several degree programs in Information Technology education. Survey data was gathered from adult students about their experience with recent team assignments. All participants were enrolled at a large private non-profile university on the west coast within the School of Engineering, Technology and Media. The Team Work Survey was administered and hosted on the Survey Monkey website and released to about 200 courses in programs for a Bachelor of Science or a Master of Science degree. Over four periods, survey responses were returned for 96 learners enrolled in undergraduate courses and 126 learners enrolled in graduate courses. The researcher was granted permission by DiFonzo (2010) to use a survey instrument adapted and piloted that was based on an earlier Team Performance Survey originated by Peters (1997) who developed, validated and determined its reliability. Several comparisons were made using statistical analysis to determine the interesting patterns relevant to this research. The interpretation of findings included evidence that team effectiveness was indeed positively aligned with team members' perceptions about ability to learn, with their interest in the topic and the motivation of individual members to commit time and energy to the team assignments.

Thesis (DTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.
Educational technology can improve teaching and learning in universities of technology in developing countries. Due to various factors, there is no readymade “one-size-fits-all” solution for facilitating the successful implementation of educational technology. Tedre, Apiola and Cronjé (2011) identified 100 educational, socioeconomic and technical attributes that can influence the successful integration of educational technology in developing regions. While exploring the issues arising from technology integration at two universities of technology, the aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of Tedre, Apiola and Cronjé’s framework in order to contribute to its refinement. The central research question concerned the extent to which Tedre, Apiola and Cronjé’s framework was useful for a situational analysis at two South African universities of technology. The sub-questions concerned the framework’s ability to distinguish between the two universities on the one hand and on the other hand, the overlaps or shortcomings of the model as it assisted in describing those situations. The findings revealed that the two universities in this inquiry are not similar. Although the universities’ educational strategies and policies were very analogous, differences were found in the manner and approach to the implementation of educational technology. The pedagogical considerations for e-learning uptake in both universities corroborated with each other to a certain extent. The findings further showed that most of the educational factors that affect technology integration, and subsequent educational technology adoption, resonate with pedagogical issues found in other developing countries.

This study explores the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into teaching and learning within one Higher Education institution. The main question driving the study was: How is ICT integrated in the teaching and learning of mathematics, science and technology education (MSTE) in a Bachelor of Education programme? This is a case study of lecturers and students in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. It makes use of questionnaires, interviews, field notes and document analyses to collect data. MSTE lecturers and students were assumed to be well versed in ICT usage and, therefore, well placed to assess its integration into teaching and learning. There were five main findings: First, that Mathematics, Science and Technology Education lecturers showed some ambivalence in their ontological and epistemological orientation to using ICT. Some leaned towards the instruction paradigm and used ICT as a tool for the transmission of knowledge; others leaned towards the learning paradigm, showing an awareness of the need to elicit discovery through ICT. Secondly, that lecturers’ understanding of ICT integration was oriented towards teaching and learning from technologies rather than with technologies. Thirdly, that processes of ‘pedagogical evolution’ were taking place, in terms of which there was a gradual but perceptible shift in the teaching and learning practice of both students and lecturers. Fourthly, there was no evidence to show that lecturers used ICT to promote innovative and creative teaching; in fact, students appeared to be more creative in using ICT resources, than lecturers. Fifthly, and finally, lecturers did not assign ICT-based tasks that promote conceptual understanding. They assigned tasks that asked students to extract and reproduce information from computers, without demonstrating understanding. When used in this way, ICT can, in fact, be de-skilling. From these findings, it can be concluded that ICT integration cannot be understood without exploring the ontological and epistemological orientations, as well as the theoretical orientations, at play in the teaching and learning situation. It is on the basis of these that people, that is, lecturers and students, make use of, ICTs to achieve desired goals. It is therefore recommended that, for the improvement of integration, there should be a greater emphasis on developing and sharing pedagogical expertise concerning ICT use in teaching and learning. It is recommended that a country-wide research survey should be undertaken, based on probability sampling and focussing on pedagogical issues in ICT integration in teaching and learning.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations are expensive, time-consuming, and often do not lead to the expected outcome of integrated IT systems. Many German universities are implementing ERP systems as Campus Management Systems (CMS) and a solution to any problem, need, or requirement the organization has. This exploratory case study describes cases of CMS implementations in administrative departments in German universities. Thirteen non-managerial staff members in the registrar offices of two universities shared their experiences about critical factors during and after a CMS implementation. The interview questions focused on (a) implementation experiences, (b) implementation leadership, and (c) impact on daily work processes. The interviews were held, transcribed, and analyzed in German. The inductive analysis of the interviews revealed three main themes: (a) communication, (b) system customization, and (c) team composition and resources. The predominant subject in the theme communication was lack of internal and external communication regarding the CMS project. The overarching system customization theme was the complexity of administrative requirements and continuous and rapid adaptation needs requiring increased CMS team support. The focus of the team composition and resources theme was to employ knowledgeable employees thorough and beyond the end of the project to react to changing requirements. These themes are concurrent with previous research but are unique in that previous research did not focus on CMS in Germany. The themes differ because sub-categories are stakeholder group specific and highlight CMS implementation phase dependencies.

Keywords: Enterprise resource planning systems, Higher Education, success and risk factors, Germany

With the rapid growth of technology and a fast pace society, students have discovered tablet computers, a powerful portable useful device for education. Although studies have shown rapid growth of tablet computer adaptation within education, limited research exists regarding how tablet computers are used for classroom performance, communication, and leadership among college students. The purpose of the study was to explore and understand how college students use tablet computers by interviewing undergraduate and graduate students. Interview results of 20 college students are as follows: (a) students reported that tablet computers were more portable, easier to use, and convenient devices over laptop computers; (b) in regard to classroom performance, students expressed that the use of e-text books combined with tablets was a faster method of searching for a specific subject over standard paperback books; (c) in regards to leadership, many students believed that tablets are only a tool for leaders but not an essential tool for leading people; and (d) in regard to communication, students expressed that tablet computers was an essential tool for team projects and communicating with their professors and peers while on the go. The study includes a discussion of future research in leadership’s use of technology in the workplace, college professors’ perceptions of tablet computers in the classroom, and marketing modern tablet computers.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of the expectations and experiences of traditional-aged undergraduates as they interacted through portable internet devices (PID) at their institution of higher education (IHE). A Basic interpretive qualitative design was used for this study (Merriam & Associates, 2002; Merriam, 2009). One-on-one interviews were utilized to gather data from 22 students. Interviews were conducted with students from a single institution who lived on campus and owned at least one PID. The data was analyzed using an open thematic analysis (Merriam, 2009) and was guided by Kuh’s (1993) theory of student engagement.

Six major findings were identified. First, there has been an emergence of a new digital divide due to the proliferation of these devices. Second, it is important to consider the context of a student’s interactions when trying to engage through PIDs. Third, students have high expectations of their IHE student life and personnel when interacting via PIDs. Fourth, for students, there is continuity of interactions that occur with peers, faculty, staff, and external communities. Fifth, students are conditioned to, and, in fact, expect greater flexibility in planning efforts due to PID use. Lastly, PIDs have enabled a new form of accountability for students, allowing them to set and meet goals.

Observations from the study led to seven primary recommendations for practitioners. These recommendations focused on policies and practices IHE personnel can employ to foster engagement most effectively in their students. The implications for practice included that IHE personnel need to: (a) assess how students use PIDS to interact at the IHE, (b) make prudent decisions about communication efforts through PIDs to maximize return on investment, (c) assess continuously in-person situations to ensure maximum engagement from students, (d) provide PIDs to students upon arrival, (e) enhance communication efforts with parents and external communities, (f) integrate accountability and expectation functions on to institutional apps, and (g) develop strategic and tactical plans for engagement through PIDs. Results of the study provided insight into the unique blending of both the physical and virtual worlds of traditional-aged undergraduates through their use of PIDs.

Thesis advisor: Ana M. Martínez-Alemán
The dearth of women in executive positions within the field of information technology (IT) has been studied extensively in the corporate sector. That is not the case within higher education, despite the data collected showing that women attain the top executive role - that of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) - at much better rates than their corporate counterparts. Given this discrepancy, as well as the importance of technology in today's society, research was needed into the structural factors contributing to women's executive attainment in higher education IT organizations. Using a sequential explanatory mixed methods design, this dissertation study compared women and men higher education CIOs along a variety of individual and organizational characteristics, and examined elements related to women's ability to attain the CIO role. The study combined quantitative descriptive data on higher education CIOs, gathered via a web-based questionnaire and analyzed for significant differences between women and men in the population, with women CIOs' qualitative explanations of the quantitative findings via semi-structured interviews. 188 women and men (38 women and 150 men) participated in the questionnaire, and nine women who filled it out participated in the semi-structured interviews. All participants were higher education CIOs working at EDUCAUSE member institutions. Integrated findings from this study suggest that though few demographic differences exist between women and men in the population, higher education IT culture is based upon masculine norms, and as such, perpetuates biases against women leaders in the profession. Despite cultural norms that potentially dissuade women from working in the field, a number of environmental characteristics emerged associated with women's ability to secure the CIO position. These included stimulating work that is connected to the mission of higher education; flexible work options available at different points in IT employees' careers; the presence of women executives in academic institutions; and a nationally based professional development community focused on mentoring future generations of CIOs
Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2013
Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education
Discipline: Educational Leadership and Higher Education

The basis of this study is that traditional models of leadership do not adequately address the complexity of challenges presented to leaders engaged in IT-facilitated process improvements. The result is that most IT (information technology) implementations either fail outright or do not meet expectations. This study was conducted therefore, to close the knowledge gap that exists between the leadership decision to seek IT-facilitated improvement and the leadership approach needed to successfully accomplish it. Case study and qualitative research methodologies were employed to reveal assumptions and beliefs of leadership that influenced the development of network-based applications in a financial service organization--how improvement projects were initiated, implemented, and accepted by the staff for whom they were intended. The analysis of data led to the description of seven leadership themes--Institutional Climate, Involvement, Communication, Learning, Development Strategy, Resources, and Impact. Of particular interest are the assumptions and beliefs of the Impact theme, which provides evidence that IT-facilitated process improvements were successfully implemented in the financial service organization studied. The assumptions and beliefs of leadership are then used to determine how the described framework of leadership is aligned with the Postindustrial Model of Leadership suggested by Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal (1991)--a model that they contend extends beyond the limitations of traditional models. The framework revealed by the seven leadership themes was compared to evaluation criteria developed for Bolman and Deal's leadership model. Using the organizational frame definitions developed by Bolman and Deal in their book Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership (1991), the following ranking was observed: Structural, Political, Human Resource, and Symbolic. This analysis provides evidence that the framework of leadership in the financial services organization is aligned with the Postindustrial Model of Leadership suggested by Bolman and Deal. In summary, the study reveals that successful IT-implementations were achieved in the financial service organization with Bolman and Deal's Postindustrial Model of Leadership in place. Additional research is recommended, however, to refine the assumptions and beliefs of leadership such that the conclusions reached in this study can be confirmed and generalized to expanded populations and circumstances.