scholarly journals Preparedness for digitization projects in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) information providing agencies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ndumiso Shelembe
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Local History ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
History Museums ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
The University

Due to the demand for information and extended operating hours, information providing agencies face challenges with providing information at any time when needed. This study investigated the preparedness for digitization projects in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) information providing agencies. Multiple case study research method was adopted in research design. The target population for this study included the staff members involved in preparing for the digitization projects at the Msunduzi Municipal Library, the Don Africana Central Reference Library, the University of Zululand (UniZulu) Library and the Durban Local History Museums. This study was grounded by the framework termed the Collections Digitization Framework (CDF). The data was collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews from all staff members involved in preparing for the digitization projects in KZN information providing agencies. The researcher analyzed the collected data in this study using the qualitative content analysis based on Tesch‟s approach. The themes of the study included the preparedness for a digitization project, types of collections institutions prepare to digitize, digitization policies and guidelines and digitization process. The data obtained may contribute to social change by benefiting the institutions and organizations planning for their digitization projects. The findings of this study revealed that most participants from the KZN information providing agencies are prepared by being trained by the digitization machines suppliers in how to operate the supplied digitization machines. This study found that the KZN information providing agencies are preparing to digitize photographs, legal deposit serials and theses and dissertations. This study found that only one KZN information providing agency has a digitization policy and guidelines available and most do not have digitization a policy and guidelines. It was ascertained that most KZN information providing agencies have digitization processes available while one does not have a digitization process. This study recommends that institutions and organizations preparing for digitization projects should have adequate resources required for a digitization project. Further, this study recommends the availability of a digitization policy and guidelines and digitization processes.

Customer care practices at the University of Nairobi (UON), Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library (JKML), Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 142-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josephine Orayo ◽  
Jane Maina ◽  
Jotham Milimo Wasike ◽  
Felicitas Ciabere Ratanya
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Customer Care ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the customer care practices at the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library (JKML), Kenya. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive research design was used. Simple random sampling technique was used to derive at an appropriate sample from the target population. A structured questionnaire and face-to-face interview was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 384 questionnaires were distributed to students and library staff. Face-to-face interview was conducted among five section heads. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and presented in tabulated summaries and figures. Findings JKML had not only put in place customer care practices but had also provided reliable services with notable professionalism among staff. Users were satisfied with the attention and information resources provided. Challenges encountered related to inadequate ICT infrastructure, lack of a written policy, lack of customer care skills among library staff and lack of managerial support. The study recommended inclusion of customer care in the mainstream of the strategic plan of the university. Research limitations/implications The major implication for this study is that sustainable customer care self-assessment needs to be explored in national and private libraries in Kenya. Practical implications This study provides a significant practical outlook on marketing-savvy approaches toward customer care and efforts made toward the achievement of the goals of the university. Originality/value This study provides insights on good practices on customer care which can be emulated by other academic libraries and adds value to the knowledge base.

Mixed motivations to provide formal care to older adults: lessons from a training program

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiri Shinan-Altman ◽  
Aviya Riabzev ◽  
Liat Ayalon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Difficult Situation ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Motivation To Participate ◽  
Paid Caregivers

ABSTRACTObjective:With the aging of the population, the demand for long-term services is increasing accordingly and the recruitment of paid caregivers to older adults has become a critical issue. Hence, there is a great need to train people in the care of older adults. This study examined motivations to participate in a new program, which aims to train young people (ages 19–25) to become paid caregivers for older adults.Methods:The study is based on focus groups with program participants (N= 33) and on phone interviews with former participants (N= 8) and face-to-face interviews with staff members (N= 14). Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.Results:Three major themes emerged: (1) “Motivations to participate in the program,” referred to participants’ motivations to work with older adults. (2) “Reduced motivations due to ambiguity of roles,” referred to the unclear definition of the care worker's role, which created a decrease in participants' motivations to provide care. (3) “Inadequate financial compensation,” concerned participants’ reduced motivation to participate in the program as a result of financial promises that were not realized.Conclusions:Findings suggest that it is important to be cautious about the motivations for participation in the program because by emphasizing the difficult situation of older adults, one stresses the low status assigned to older adults, rather than positive attributes. It is also suggested that care workers should be financially rewarded, so that despite the difficulties that may arise during work, they will feel valued and will want to remain in the profession.

scholarly journals Adoption of innovative e-learning support for teaching: A multiple case study at the University of Waikato

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Marcia Johnson ◽  
Bronwen Cowie ◽  
Willem De Lange ◽  
Garry Falloon ◽  
Craig Hight ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
First Year ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
Tertiary Teaching ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
The University

<span>In response to recent social, economic, and pedagogical challenges to tertiary-level teaching and learning, universities are increasingly investigating and adopting e-learning as a way to engage and motivate students. This paper reports on the first year of a two-year (2009-2010) qualitative multiple case study research project in New Zealand. Using perspectives from activity theory and the scholarship of teaching, the research has the overall goal of documenting, developing, and disseminating effective and innovative practice in which e-learning plays an important role in tertiary teaching. A "snapshot" of each of the four 2009 cases and focused findings within and across cases are provided. This is followed by an overall discussion of the context, "within" and "across" case themes, and implications of the research.</span>

scholarly journals Teachers’ Collegiality and its Influence on Learners’ Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools of Baringo North Sub-County, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-150
Author(s):  
Kimeto Jeniffer ◽  
Stephen Tomno Cheboi
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Meaningful Work ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
The University

The purpose of the study was to establish the effects of teachers’ collegiality on learners’ academic performance in public secondary schools of Baringo North Sub-County, Kenya. The study employed mixed methods approach which utilized questionnaires and interview schedules. It adopted a descriptive research design in carrying out the study. The target population comprised 27 principals and 216 teachers in the 27 public secondary schools of Baringo North Sub County. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 138 teachers while 24 principals were purposively selected. From these populations, two schools were selected to pilot the research tools where a reliable Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.77 was obtained upon computation. Validity of the research instruments was carried out by the University supervisor and necessary revision done. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from teachers while interview schedule was used to collect qualitative data from principals. Quantitative data were analysed to obtain means, percentages, and standard deviation. Qualitative data on the other hand were analysed and presented thematically alongside the quantitative data. Inferential statistics were run to test the null hypothesis using Pearson’s Linear Correlation Coefficient. The findings established that teachers’ collegiality influences learners’ KCSE academic performance in public secondary schools of Baringo North Sub-County. However, there was a weak positive correlation between teachers’ collegiality and learners’ academic performance. It also established that though collegiality was not fully practiced there was a strong synergy among teachers to improve learners’ performance. The study recommends that teachers need to be supported by headteachers to collaborate to offer the best services to their learners and create more meaningful work. School headteachers should enhance teamwork among teachers to perform their best and staff members should meet or interact regularly, share ideas and expertise to attain higher performance.

scholarly journals Faculty Retention in Medical Universities in the County Cities of Iran: A Qualitative Content Analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Shaterjalali ◽  
Yousef Gholampoor ◽  
Ali Khani Jeihooni ◽  
Yaser Mansoori ◽  
Reza Homayounfar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Research Performance ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Executive Management ◽  
Economic Dimension ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Academic Activities ◽  
The University ◽  
Second Category

Abstract Background and purpose: Faculty are the cornerstone of academic medicine and are important assets for any institution offering higher education. Recruitment and retention of capable faculty are essential to maintain and improve the quality of education and research performance of universities. The purpose of the present study is to discover the views, experiences, and attitudes of faculty to identify the reasons for attrition and retention of faculty in the medical universities of county cities of Iran. Methods: This is a qualitative study and the method used is of content analysis. The participants included 12 faculty transferred to type 1 university, 4 faculty with transfer request, and 4 faculty members with more than ten years of experience working in the University of county cities no relocate request. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews face to face and via telephone. To measure the trustworthiness of the data, we used four components of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability proposed by Lincoln and Guba. Results : The findings were divided into 3 categories and 14 sub-categories: the first category was the retention attractors, including 4 sub-categories of facilitated communication, proximity to type one university, gaining experience, and support of authorities; the second category was the retention threats, including 6 subcategories of social infrastructures, individual dimension, occupational dimension, economic dimension, sense of respect, and executive management dimension; and the third category was the retention strategies, including 4 sub-categories of the process of recruiting and promotion, inter-university collaboration with type one universities, facilitating scientific growth, and fulfilling the safety needs. Conclusion : Several factors play role in the retention of faculties in medical schools. Authorities can create a more positive environment by devising a suitable reward system, supporting academic activities, and increasing the level of practical autonomy of faculty to develop a sense of belonging among the workforce, and reduce the intention to transfer of their human resources.

scholarly journals Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP). A Transversal Model to Support Educational Continuity Fostering Resilience, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

2021 ◽  
pp. 137-147
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Zepeda ◽  
Roberto Quintero
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Public Institution ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Upper Secondary ◽  
Social And Economic Development ◽  
Online Format ◽  
The University ◽  
Upper Secondary Level

AbstractThroughout its history, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), a public institution, has always been a guide of social and economic development of the state of Puebla. From one moment to another, the state was unexpectedly immersed in the Covid-19 pandemic that caused the sudden migration from a mostly face-to-face instructional model to an online one. Immediately, the institution summoned different staff members to define and analyze the situation and then establish actions to guarantee educational continuity.As part of this analysis, they identified opportunities specifically at the upper secondary level, which includes high school. In particular, one opportunity was to offer entrepreneurship courses in an online format, capitalizing on the experience gained from the undergraduate program. Given the characteristics of the pandemic, the analysis also highlighted that the crisis would have severe economic effects on the students and their families, diminishing their income.It is estimated that the entrepreneurship education program reached 18,000 people, including students, faculty members, and parents. Over 10,000 more people will be reached throughout the rest of the year. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen the resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial capacity of the university ecosystem.

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DURING PANDEMIC. A CASE STUDY ON A FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHY AND SOCIAL-POLITICAL SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATES.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandru-Cosmin APOSTOL ◽  
Adrian NETEDU
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Political Science ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Intensity Level ◽  
Teaching Activities ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The University

In this paper, we present some key features regarding a quantitative panel study conducted in 2020 at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social-Political Science, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași. To examine how the undergraduates perceive distance learning in the context of university closure due to the spread of COVID-19 disease, we organized two „waves" of research by questionnaire: 593 respondents in March 2020 and 499 respondents in June 2020, both samples being representative. This research had four main objectives: (a) studying comparatively the university students opinion about the decision to suspend the traditional face-to-face teaching activities; (b) studying the university students opinion about the online communications with professor or tutors, with their colleagues; (c) studying the main online activities initiated during the pandemic for academic formation; (d) constructing a statistical index of pandemic difficulties for comparative analysis within specific groups of the target population. Some of the conclusions of this study showed that during this semester, marked by pandemic context, the intensity level of the communication process between students and their teachers has increased relatively balanced for all years of study. Also, the online teaching activities carried out at a constant pace respected the pre-pandemic schedule. Thus, the time spent on learning was quite similar compared with the pre-pandemic period.

scholarly journals TUL Herbarium: collections of vascular plants of Tula Oblast, Russia

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatyana Svetasheva ◽  
Alexey Seregin
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Local History ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Scientific Institution ◽  
History Museum ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Lev Tolstoy ◽  
Herbarium Collections ◽  
The University

TUL Herbarium presents collections from Tula Oblast stored at the Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University, Russia, which is an educational and scientific institution that supports various types of scientific activities, including research on biodiversity and nature conservation. The university is a holder of some biological collections, such as herbarium of vascular plants, mosses and fungi collected mainly throughout Tula Oblast and from adjacent regions. The collections of vascular plants (9,000 specimens) were imaged in December 2019 and January 2020. Databasing and georeferencing of the specimens from the TUL Herbarium was performed by the staff members of the Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University and Tula Local History Museum. Digital collections of the TUL Herbarium are fully available in the Moscow Digital Herbarium (https://plant.depo.msu.ru/) and GBIF (https://doi.org/10.15468/ca08cm).

scholarly journals Attitudes of EFL College Students of the University of Bisha towards eLearning

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 105-116
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Almaqtri
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Face ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Efl College Students ◽  
The University

This study aimed to find out the attitudes of the EFL College students of the University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia, towards eLearning after they have studied via this mode for almost two semesters. The study tried to answer four questions related to the participants' preferences of learning mode, the reasons for their preference, the problems with eLearning, and gender differences. Three null hypotheses related to the first three questions referred to above were postulated regarding gender differences if any. The study was mainly quantitative, in which data were collected by means of an online questionnaire administered to 148 EFL students (males and females) who were selected from the target population purposively. The SPSS program (version 20.0) was used to analyze the obtained data. We have found that the majority of participants had positive attitudes to eLearning, and they preferred it to the face-to-face classroom-based mode. Among the reasons they offered for their preference eLearning were their claims that they learned better than with face-to-face mode. In addition to flexibility, this mode saved time, cost and effort, since the students took activities and assessments at home, not at college. All three given hypotheses were accepted in that no gender difference was found.

scholarly journals Experiences of student nurses regarding the bursary system in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eve Jacobs ◽  
Belinda Scrooby ◽  
Antoinette Du Preez
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
South African ◽  
Student Nurses ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Group Interviews

Background: During 2010, the South African nursing education system was restructured, changing student nurses from having supernumerary status to being bursary holders. Changes with the introduction of this new bursary system included institutional factors and benefits that could be removed from the students, potentially hampering students’ sense of belonging.Aim: This study aimed to describe the experiences of students receiving bursaries in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province and to make recommendations for improving the system to bursary providers, educational institutions and practical settings based on these students’ experiences of the bursary system.Setting: The experiences of student nurses regarding the bursary system are described within a specified setting comprising two nursing campuses in KZN.Method: A qualitative study design was used and seven focus group interviews were conducted with purposively selected participants, representing the target population of first-, second- and third-year male and female nursing students registered for the Diploma in Nursing (General, Psychiatric, Community) and Midwifery.Results: Two main themes and eight subthemes were identified. The findings indicated that some of the bursary system’s experiences were negative as opposed to students having supernumerary status. These experiences had negative socio-economic, psychological, clinical, academic and family impacts. Many concerns related to staff members’ attitudes, shortages of nurses and service demands during students’ clinical practice assignments.Conclusions: The bursary system was not viewed as being beneficial to students as they did not receive all the benefits from being bursary holders. Support in clinical and academic areas was lacking as they were considered to be employees during their clinical assignments. There is an urgent need to review the bursary system.

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