Challenges Facing Undergraduates in the Use of Electronic Information Resources in Universities in Southwest Nigeria

This study aims at identifying the challenges facing undergraduates in the use of electronic information resources (EIR) in a university in Southwest Nigeria. The descriptive survey design was adopted for this study. The population for the study comprised 85,526 registered undergraduate student (2018/2019) academic session in the federal and state universities in Southwest Nigeria. The sample for the study was 398. Proportionate sampling techniques were used to draw the sample. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection from the respondents based on a four-point scale rating. The findings revealed high cost of access, power outage, information overload, lack of proper maintenance, funding of library services, among others. Based on the findings, the study recommended provision of alternative sources of funds, constant maintenance of e-resources, and first year students should be introduced to computer training, among others.

Behavioral Models of Isolated Individuals and Entities

The article describes the possibilities of using simulation in various fields, whether in aviation, education or in many other sectors. Modeling and simulation in computer training to increase civil security are becoming particularly important for the development of today's society. Many simulator programs today allow the simulation of the influence of individual human factors and it is possible to apply this into model situations, which for safety reasons is difficult to test in real life. However, accurate and effective models of human behavior also indicate great potential in military and crisis management. At present, these methods can be used to simulate the behavior of isolated individuals and entities that have a major impact, for example, on the spread of various viral diseases, depending on several factors. These factors include population, geographical location, age group of the isolated and also social and cultural aspects, to which special space is devoted in this article. These factors can be used as inputs to the model for predicting the behavior of isolated groups of the population, on the basis of which it is possible to estimate in advance the spread of a possible epidemic, through various simulations.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AS A PRACTICAL-ORIENTED MEANS OF SOLVING EDUCATIONAL TASKS IN THE CONDITIONS OF POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION

The essence of information and communication technologies is revealed. The most significant information aspects of the educational process are analyzed: methodological, which involves ensuring compliance with the basic principles of the educational process to the modern level of information technology by developing new educational standards; economic, which depends on the extent to which the country participates in the information industry; technical, within which the problem of insufficient elaboration of methodological issues in the conditions of continuous creation and implementation of a large number of software and technical developments remains unresolved; technological, as its basis of the information society are telecommunications and information technologies that provide economic growth, create conditions for the free circulation in society of large amounts of information and knowledge, lead to significant socio-economic transformations; methodical: the main advantages of modern information technologies should become the main support of the educational process; strengthening the role of independent work of the student significantly changes the structure and organization of the educational process, increases the efficiency and quality of learning, activates the motivation of cognitive activity. It is emphasized that the computer training programs are the most widespread, in particular, digitized textbooks, diagnostic and test systems, laboratory complexes, expert systems, databases, consulting and information systems, applications. Emphasis is placed on the range of priority global trends in activating the classroom work of the student based on the use of ICT, especially those related to the communication capabilities of modern computer tools. The method of formation of pedagogical workers of operational and activity skills on realization of world outlook, educational, upbringing, activity and managerial purposes in the course of information and management activity by application of distance learning and information and communication technologies as a practice-oriented means of solving educational tasks in conditions of postgraduate education is offered.

Approaches for enhancing information sharing between government and communities in Western Cape

Background: The Western Cape Provincial Government uses digital intermediaries to facilitate information sharing between individuals, communities and the government. Digital intermediaries are shared facilities where communities can visit and have access to information and communication technology (ICT) and the internet. Communities benefit economically, socially and politically by using free access to ICT and the internet from intermediaries’ facilities to share information with the government. There seem to be disparities between the roles of the different stakeholders in information sharing. These disparities often result in poor communication between the government and communities, and also poor government services delivery.Objectives: This research investigated how intermediaries can enhance information sharing between government and communities in the Western Cape Province.Method: This study adopted a qualitative research approach by using semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used to collect qualitative data from 15 participants from different intermediaries’ staff in the Western Cape Province. A narrative analysis approach was used to analyse the data.Results: The study found that intermediaries intermediate between communities and the government by providing free access to ICTs, provide basic computer training and access to computing resources and serving as an information hub. The study also found that operating hours, lack of resources, skilled staff and communication challenges adversely affect information sharing.Conclusion: This study recommended that intermediaries are supported to increase the number of resources and facilities and the number and levels of training in the province to cater for more communities. This study further recommended an increase on operational hours, and communication channels between the government and intermediaries.

Virtual Empowerment Training: Reaching Grandparent Caregivers During COVID19

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on minority populations in the United States who have disproportionately been at risk of getting the virus, having severe illness, and dying from it, with these risks most pronounced for older adults. The impact has been particularly severe on the more than on the more than 2, 7 million grandparents raising their grandchildren in the United States. Covid-19 has added profound strains to these families as they struggle with resources and isolation, frequently without assistance as well as the challenge of helping children to navigate online learning. The Virtual Empowerment Training Project, developed as a 7 session pilot program for low income grandparent caregivers in New York includes classes that strengthen parenting, communication, coping with loss and grief, and community empowerment. Participants were given ipads and computer training prior to classes, all conducted through Zoom. Initial data from the 56 participants (M age = 62, Race/ethnicity=Black, 79%, Hispanic, 16%, Income annual 41%<$15,K ) indicate improvement, i.e. a lessening of Negative Affect regarding the grandchild (p < .01) in the quality of their relationships with their grandchildren while also experiencing a decline (p < .01) in their sense of parental efficacy, possibly reflecting their becoming more critical of their own parental skills. Participant evaluations of the course were overwhelmingly positive, with more than 90% finding it extremely helpful, valuable, and eager to share it with others and to become more involved in improving the lives of grandfamilies.

Pelatihan Komputer Dasar Berbasis Aplikasi Microsoft Office bagi Siswa SMK Negeri 3 Merauke Provinsi Papua

The purpose of this community service is to improve basic computer skills based on the Microsoft Office application for students of SMK Negeri 3 Merauke. This community service method used training with material presentation techniques and questions and answers. The training participants were 34 students of class X Multimedia Department. There were 2 (two) activities carried out, namely: the preparation of a Microsoft office training manual and a questionnaire response to training participants as well as the implementation of basic computer training activities online. The instruments used are response questionnaires and activity documentation. The results of this community service activity indicate that overall each indicator of the response of basic computer training participants is in the 'good' and 'very good' categories. The average percentage of responses is 98.23 which is included in the 'very good' category.

Formalization of tasks generation for complex of interactive web-tests on math

The approach to the formalization of the generation of problem situations applicable to the development of tutoring programs consisting of many tasks is considered. The main errors arising during the software-based generation of parameters are specified. Mathematical modeling of parametrical generation algorithms examined by examples of tasks that make up complex tests on mathematics for secondary schools. The parametric generation method proposed in the article allows getting the large quantitative variations in task problem situations. Thereby, every learner will get a personal unique set of tasks. The structure and functionality of web-tests complex consisting of tasks generated via the proposed method are described. The subject of research in the article is the process of computer training in mathematics. The goal is to develop a method for task generation for mathematical disciplines. Tasks. Research and analysis of the set of mathematical problems. Parameterization of each task and development method and algorithms for automated generation parameters with the determination of incorrect combinations of parameters or problem situations that have no solution. Estimation of borders of admissible for approximate answers. Evaluation of the user solution of a single task and a sequence of tasks. The general objective of the work is to make the software product consisting of a sequence of mathematics tasks. The software should have an extended user interface for the graphical presentation of various problem situations in various mathematical topics. The program must be accessible via the Internet. The following results were obtained: developed methods and algorithms of task generation, which provide correct problem situations and unique parameter sets for each user; described the program complex structure and developed the software system of mathematical web-tests provides two levels of difficulty. Conclusion. The scientific novelty lies in the development of the method of task generation for interactive web tests on the mathematics and its computer implementation with the possibility of graphical representation of tasks and checking of tasks correctness.

ACCESS, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OF HINDI MEDIUM STUDENTS IN EDUCATION AT THE TIME OF COVID-19

This is the time when the whole world is locked down with a fear of his /her own life because of ongoing pandemic of corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19).All activities are stopped for an uncertain period. Students from K-12 or from higher education, all are stuck in home and their studies are stopped. This environment has affected their physical and mental health. For well being of all- schools, colleges and universities have taken an initiative of 'Online Learning' to educate them and lessen the loss of their studies for these academic sessions. This is a very good decision and demand of the hour as well. It is available for anyone, anytime and anywhere which is the main characteristic of Distance education itself. It gives accessibility, exibility and equity to all the learners. Now all the institutions are using online teaching learning method with their own made teaching materials, some are using OER and some are providing to the students the ready made contents to the students that are available in the market by educational content developers which are available in English medium. In this situation, Hindi medium students are facing problems related to the language of medium of instruction, lack of knowledge of handling the computers and all the latest apps suggested by the institution and also feel inferiority complex because of not being able to do the proposed work. Wittgen Ludwig said-“The limit of my language is the limit of my world” (Bialystok, 2001). In this scenario, somehow the students are trying to operate computers and latest apps but they are not getting their course content in their own language. That's why they wouldn't understand the content properly. According to Pal (2016), who study through vernacular medium, face difculty in acquiring programming knowledge in English medium of instruction and it became very difcult to cope up in international front. For progress, English is in demand. It is in use for centuries but yet it is not in reach for most of the people and perceived as a killer of native and indigenous languages…GOI, 2007 (Ramanujam,2011) Here the researchers wants to emphasis on distance learners who are studying through Hindi medium and who have completed their schooling from Hindi medium government school. Mostly they belong to low or lower middle income groups who can't afford costly computers at home nor they have proper computer training. That's why they are not technically procient to handle all the apps and understand the course content. In this study the researchers wanted to bring in notice the problems of Hindi medium students who also want to study at home in this crucial time but due to many constraints they are unable to do the same. In this study narrative review method will be used to examine the socio economic, psychological and language related problems of those students and try to nd out possible solution of the problem. Although this study is focusing on Hindi Medium Students but covers broader arena and relates to all the students who are studying or studied in mother tongue/ vernacular/ regional languages.

USE OF MODERN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE DISTANCE LEARNING

Currently, the number of applicants who prefer distance education is growing every year. This form of learning reflects all the inherent components of the learning process such as goals, content, methods, organizational forms and means of learning. The widespread demands for this form of education and the modern realities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have created the need the development and implementation of distance learning technologies. Ensuring educational dialogue in distance learning is done with the help of telecommunication technologies. The main technologies most widely used in this form of education include a variety of video lectures, electronic multimedia textbooks, computer training and testing systems, and other. In this article the new information technologies used in the process of distance learning discussed in detail. Although we discussed advantages and disadvantages of the new information technologies. In addition, distance learning using Internet technologies is gaining more and more popularity. The Internet has a number of specific features (openness, accessibility, variability, interactivity) that must be considered when designing, creating and conducting distance learning courses. The main strengths of this form of learning, in our opinion, are flexibility, modularity, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, mobility and manufacturability. Weaknesses include the lack of direct face-to-face communication, the mandatory availability of a personal computer and access to Internet resources, the problem of user authentication when testing knowledge, the high complexity of developing distance learning courses and others. Also considered are the main models the organization of distance learning, which are used in the leading universities in the world. These include: consortium, franchising, validation, distance audiences, projects, and open learning. Thus, despite the weaknesses, modern computer telecommunications is able to provide knowledge transfer and access to various educational information equally, and sometimes much more effectively than traditional teaching aids. A variety of educational technologies can not only ensure the active involvement of students in the learning process, but also allow you to manage this process, unlike most traditional learning environments.

SOME ASPECTS OF BASIC COMPUTER TRAINING OF BACHELORS IN THE CONDITIONS OF TRADITIONAL AND UNCONVENTIONAL METHODS AND FORMS OF TRAINING

The work is devoted to methodological problems of basic computer training of bachelors with a focus on the use of unconventional methods and forms of education. Unconventional methods and forms of basic computer training of future bachelors are formed under the influence of a number of factors, among which today the main ones are the introduction of a competence approach in higher education and the transition to a mixed (fulltime-distance) form of education. In the process of basic computer training, the information and computer and technological competences of bachelors of technical specialties can be formed on the basis of the use of traditional methods and forms of training. For the formation of procedural and activity competence, unconventional approaches are proposed, based on the use of quasi-professional tasks and the orientation to the formation of such general competencies as the ability to abstract thinking, analysis and synthesis in future bachelors; the ability to make informed decisions; ability to apply knowledge in practical situations, etc. The corresponding structure of the main discipline of basic computer training with the allocation of two modules, the main topics of each module and their approximate volumes is proposed. To ensure readiness for the educational process in emergency situations, it is advisable to use the adaptive full-distance learning scheme AFDLS. Regarding the basic computer training of higher education student, the main methodological issue is the determination of rational proportions of the combination of classroom and distance work in the context of certain types of educational work, establishing criteria and procedures for the transition from one form of education to another. To ensure the possibility of promptly changing the calendar plan and eliminating the need for independent study of complex material, it is proposed in the working programs of computer disciplines to allocate blocks of as small a volume as possible that are little connected with each other.