Using infographics in disseminating healthy lifestyle information on social media is likely to increase uptake and sharing

BACKGROUND

Infographics facilitate rapid information dissemination with enriched eye-catching content on social media, but it is unclear what factors affect the adoption of information presented in this way.

OBJECTIVES

We tested whether the Information Acceptance Model applies to infographics on healthy lifestyle and fitness topics.

METHODS

Two hundred and four university students were invited to participate in an online survey on their acceptance after reading some healthy lifestyle and fitness topics infographics shared on social media. The data collected were analysed using Partial Least Square path modelling.

RESULTS

The results confirmed information usefulness as a predictor of information adoption; attitude towards information and information adoption were the predictors of behavioural intention. Information credibility and attitude towards information, but not information quality and needs, were significantly related to information usefulness. Social media usage and education level were factors affecting infographics impressions.

DISCUSSION

Results support most hypotheses. It confirms information usefulness as a predictor of infographics adoption. Attitudes towards information and information adoption are predictors of behavioural intentions of following healthy lifestyle and fitness suggestions through social media infographics.

CONCLUSION

Social media facilitates interpersonal communication, information exchange and knowledge sharing, and infographics may draw people into healthy lifestyle and fitness information items relevant to them.

Information security and technical issues of cloud storage services: a qualitative study on university students in Hong Kong

Purpose

Although cloud storage services can bring users valuable convenience, they can be technically complex and intrinsically insecure. Therefore, this research explores the concerns of academic users regarding cloud security and technical issues and how such problems may influence their continuous use in daily life.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study used a semi-structured interview approach comprising six main open-ended questions to explore the information security and technical issues for the continuous use of cloud storage services by 20 undergraduate students in Hong Kong.

Findings

The analysis revealed cloud storage service users' major security and technical concerns, particularly synchronization and backup issues, were the most significant technical barrier to the continuing personal use of cloud storage services.

Originality/value

Existing literature has focused on how cloud computing services could bring benefits and security and privacy-related risks to organizations rather than security and technical issues of personal use, especially in the Asian academic context.

Exploring gender differences in foreign domestic helpers' mobile information usage

Purpose

With the increasing computation and communication speed of mobile devices, their use and roles have been repositioned to act more than a communication tool. Around 0.4 million foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) form an integral part of Hong Kong society and have the highest concentrations of FDHs worldwide, but scant studies focus on their mobile technology usage. This study aims to discuss the aforementioned issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This research investigated mobile technology usage by 145 FDHs in Hong Kong with a quantitative survey, covering their actual mobile technology usage, perceptions, influences and adoption barriers.

Findings

Besides communication and connection with friends and family, participants used mobile technology for information seeking, productivity, utility and entertainment. Perception of usefulness was the greatest influence, and they would use any mobile technology once its basic function supports their daily needs. They considered no “very serious barrier,” though data tariff was their biggest concern. Overall, there were some significant differences between genders in the usage of mobile technologies.

Originality/value

Scant studies focus on the mobile technology usage of FDHs. The results reveal the usefulness of mobile technologies to FDHs for government policy-making and for employers and employment agencies to better support the FHDs' daily lives.

Digitalization in Medicine: Are German Medical Students Well Prepared for the Future?

The German healthcare system is facing a major transformation towards digitalized medicine. The aim was to find out the attitude and the degree of preparation of upcoming medical professionals for digital medicine. By means of an online survey, medical students from 38 German faculties were asked about different topics concerning digitalization. Most students (70.0%) indicated that they had not had any university courses on digital topics. Thus, only 22.2% feel prepared for the technical reality of digitalized medicine. Most fear losing patient contact because of digitalized medicine and assume that the medical profession will not be endangered by digitalization. Security systems, data protection, infrastructure and inadequate training are cited as the top problems of digitalization in medicine. Medical students have major concerns about incorrect decisions and the consecutive medicolegal aspects of using digital support as part their treatment plans. Digitalization in medicine is progressing faster than it can currently be implemented in the practical work. The generations involved have different understandings of technology, and there is a lack of curricular training in medical schools. There must be a significant improvement in training in digital medical skills so that the current and future healthcare professionals are better prepared for digitalized medicine.

The Role of Quality Measurements in Enhancing the Usability of Mobile Learning Applications during COVID-19

Despite numerous studies offering some evidence about the significance of quality measurements in enhancing the success of m-learning applications, there are still limited studies about the role of quality measurements in promoting the usability of mobile learning systems. Therefore, our study explores the role of quality measurements in promoting the usability of m-learning systems during COVID-19. The results revealed that the service quality, information quality and system quality are the most important factors affecting mobile learning usability among learners during COVID-19. Moreover, these findings are valuable for classifying the significance of these quality elements, which provide guidance on assigning quality aspects to improve this mobile learning usage during COVID-19 in higher education institutions.

Smart Mobile Learning Success Model for Higher Educational Institutions in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Smart mobile learning (M-learning) applications have shown several new benefits for higher educational institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which such applications were used to support distance learning. Therefore, this study aims to examine the most important drivers influencing the adoption of M-learning by using the technology acceptance model (TAM). The structural equation modelling (SEM) method was used to test the hypotheses in the proposed model. Data were collected via online questionnaires from 520 undergraduate and postgraduate students at four universities in Saudi Arabia. Partial least squares (PLS)–SEM was used to analyse the data. The findings indicated that M-learning acceptance is influenced by three main factors, namely, awareness, IT infrastructure (ITI), and top management support. This research contributes to the body of knowledge on M-learning acceptance practices. Likewise, it may help to facilitate and promote the acceptance of M-learning among students in Saudi universities.

Experiences of information literacy and mobile technologies amongst undergraduates in times of COVID. A qualitative approach

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to analyse the social science students' perceptions of information literacy (IL) and the use of mobile technologies (MTs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory focus group methodology involving 18 Information Science and Education undergraduates.

Findings

Students believe that, above all, an information literate person must know how to search for information. Being able to recognise acceptable levels of IL and MT competencies/skills enabled them to detect the scant contribution of the university to IL and the poor support from the library. They routinely use information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the classroom for assignments, presentations, searching and administrative tasks. Conversely, they consider their teachers' competency in the use of mobile devices for academic tasks could be improved. The increase in these shortcomings during the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed students to discover most teachers' attitudinal and technical limitations. Students' suggestions mostly point to improving platforms, teaching methods, teacher motivation and teachers/librarians interaction.

Research limitations/implications

Research is limited to several IL/MT-related concepts, one university and two degrees. It could be applied in other contexts, larger samples and other stakeholders such as librarians and teachers.

Practical implications

Need for more IL and TM instruction for students/teachers and greater interaction amongst them and with the library. The authors suggest promoting interdisciplinary seminars on the importance of IL and awareness sessions on ICT for learning.

Originality/value

This case study addresses students' critical/exceptional experience triggered by the pandemic.

Development of an Educational Application for Software Engineering Learning

Software engineering is a complicated subject for computer engineering students since the explained knowledge and necessary competencies are more related to engineering as a general knowledge area than to computer science. This article describes a software engineering learning application that aims to provide a solution to this problem. Two ideas are used for this. On the one hand, to facilitate its use it has been implemented as an Android app (in this way it can be used anywhere and at any time). In addition, and on the other hand, a gamification system has been implemented with different learning paths that adapt to the learning styles of each student. In this way, the student is motivated by competing with other classmates, and on the other hand, the application adapts to the way of learning that each one has.