The purpose of this study is to develop an approach based on the social quality evaluation square model for evaluation of information technology usage in different social groups. Componential view to ...the accessibility of e-services including IT means providing the possibility to research the influences of different life conditions to usage of the public e-services. The task of this empirical study is directed towards revealing the differences of e-inclusion and e-services accessibility for social groups of citizens of Lithuania, and to compare this accessibility data with other EU countries. Design/methodology/approach--the approach is based on the square model of social quality evaluation of information technology usage in different social groups. The social division square model includes an assessment of quality according to the evaluation of socioeconomic security, social inclusion, social cohesion, and empowerment. Empowerment can be defined as consisting of individual or collective decisions to act on one's own life. Findings--the results are demonstrated by the accessibility of public e-services data, which are evaluated by the quality of social group development according to IT applications. The hypothesis was confirmed that the e-government activities can be realized by properly selecting and installing technologies, and using technology facilities. E-services influence the capabilities of state officials to apply modern technology and increase the availability of e-services for social groups. Results consist of individual or collective decisions to act on one's own life, to implementation of effective information technologies in the e-government activities and using of e-services. An important indicator is the implementation of e-services in the activity of citizens. It is submitted as the index of e-participation in dealing with the activities of citizens and the possibilities of authorities directly related with providing services on the internet, participating in different types of social networks and other e-activities. Research limitations/implications--the research of population skills to use the information technology tools and the means would help determine the causes and take appropriate decisions to avoid a digital differentiation of the population. The data for analysis from EU countries are used by official statistics data provided by Eurostat and e-government Survey of United Nations. Practical implications--the results of this research reveal the differentiation of population skills of usage information technology means. Such information would help determine the e-participation index, evaluate accessibility of e-services. Results influence the appropriate decisions to avoid a digital differentiation of the population. Originality/Value--the paper presents valuable results and concludes that the e-inclusion of citizens is increased by moving to more open public e-services design development and delivery model, using the collaboration of citizens. Research type: analytical comparative review. PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
The capabilities, tools and websites we associate with new information communication technologies and social media are now ubiquitous. Moreover tools that were designed to facilitate innocuous ...conversation and social interaction have had unforeseen political impacts. Nowhere was this more visible than during the 2011 uprisings across the Arab World. From Tunis to Cairo, and Tripoli to Damascus protest movements against authoritarian rule openly utilized social networking and file sharing tools to publicize and organize demonstrations and to catalogue human rights abuses. The Arab Spring, or Jasmine Revolution, was an event that was both witnessed and played out in real time online. This article explores the impacts and effects of these technologies on regimes in East Asia, in particular exploring the extent to which they proffer new capabilities upon activists and reformers in the region’s semi-democratic and authoritarian regimes. Drawing on data on Internet and smartphone use, as well as case studies that explore the role of these technologies on the 2008 and 2011 general elections in Malaysia and Singapore respectively, this article suggests that the Internet and social networking platforms do present unique opportunities for activists, citizens and social movements.
In this paper, a practical systems analysis approach is described for the planning, development and implementation of the information technology required to have a sustainable legal information ...system in a developing country. Considerations involved to create, compile and distribute the country's governing laws in electronic form are described. Alternative database search and retrieval options are discussed, as well as issues relating to distribution of the database online, on local media, or on both. Based on a reasonable set of assumptions and general requirements for a developing country, a model legal information system is then presented. By using the approach suggested in this paper, a developing country can fully evaluate the cost‐benefit tradeoffs, as well as all other tradeoffs, in determining the most appropriate information technology to use for the creation, compilation, and distribution of its laws in electronic form.
In this case study we describe the application of the principles set forth in the Practical Guide (Yates & Shapiro, 2010) to establish a sustainable legal information system in Azerbaijan. The ...Azerbaijan system was developed and implemented from 2004–2006 pursuant to a USAID‐funded project. The initial goal of the project was to assist the Azerbaijan Ministry of Justice to create and maintain a sustainable legal information system, to enable public access to the country's governing laws on a current, complete, and accurate basis 24 hours‐a‐day, 7 days a week via the Internet and on CD‐ROM. Various “on the ground” factors that contributed to the design of the database containing Azerbaijan's laws and those that resulted in deviations from the original plan are discussed in detail, as are recommendations based on lessons learned during the project. Using human performance research as a framework, we conclude with a discussion of the key individual and team performance issues that must be addressed to successfully sustain a legal information system in a developing country.
While the need to 'involve the user' in information technology (IT) development is almost a mantra amongst information systems specialists, numerous IT projects continue to fail because of an ...inability to capture user insights or respond to users needs. Although there are clearly practical difficulties in addressing and responding to the heterogeneous requirements expressed by different users, marginalizing these views ultimately is to the detriment of the systems built. This paper describes the development of an electronic clinical handover system at the Department of General Internal Medicine (DGIM), Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH). More specifically, the paper aims to highlight how to engage meaningfully with clinicians in the development of a sustainable system. It is anticipated that by drawing attention to the importance of users and by outlining the practical experience of dealing with the diversity of requirements and views expressed, the paper can contribute to a stronger recognition within the domain of eHealth for a user-centred systems approach to IT development.
The ICT Teacher's Handbook is an indispensable guide for all teachers responsible for the teaching and management of ICT in the secondary school, both as a comprehensive introduction for students ...learning to teach ICT and as a source of ongoing support for busy practising teachers.
Illustrated throughout with case studies, key further reading and guidance on where to find and how to choose the best software and resources, the book also features a guide to specifications, software for whole school support and a useful glossary of key terms. Key topics covered include:
Organising and delivering the ICT National Curriculum at key stages 3 and 4 and post 16
Teaching and learning with VLEs, IWBs, social networking and mobile technologies
Assessment, record keeping and reporting
Popular hardware, software and networks
External assessment, target setting and tracking
Managing technical support and technicians
Preparing for promotion and managing an ICT department
Strategies for whole school management of ICT
Written for trainee and experienced ICT teachers and managers in both English and international schools, The ICT Teacher's Handbook is an authoritative guide designed to support effective teaching and learning, and efficient use of technology in all schools.
The capabilities, tools and websites we associate with new information communication technologies and social media are now ubiquitous. Moreover tools that were designed to facilitate innocuous ...conversation and social interaction have had unforeseen political impacts. Nowhere was this more visible than during the 2011 uprisings across the Arab World. From Tunis to Cairo, and Tripoli to Damascus protest movements against authoritarian rule openly utilized social networking and file sharing tools to publicize and organize demonstrations and to catalogue human rights abuses. The Arab Spring, or Jasmine Revolution, was an event that was both witnessed and played out in real time online. This article explores the impacts and effects of these technologies on regimes in East Asia, in particular exploring the extent to which they proffer new capabilities upon activists and reformers in the region’s semi-democratic and authoritarian regimes. Drawing on data on Internet and smartphone use, as well as case studies that explore the role of these technologies on the 2008 and 2011 general elections in Malaysia and Singapore respectively, this article suggests that the Internet and social networking platforms do present unique opportunities for activists, citizens and social movements.
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