ABSTRACT
The key objective of our study involves devising a conceptual model for estimation of social media acceptance by students for effectively accomplishing their educational and academic goals. Factors e.g., perceived social capital, social influence, and perceived mobility that associated with student acceptance of social media were investigated, and integrated into the TAM model using the PLS-SEM. Data were collected through online survey (461 students) at UAE universities. The findings revealed that mentioned factors positively affected students' intention to use social media during their learning process. Respondents' behavioral intention were also linked to both the core and external constructs of the TAM. Important practical insights on technology acceptance in education were provided. © 2022 IEEE.
ABSTRACT
Although social media is a vital platform in our life, it is blamed for poor efforts to moderate content included mis/disinformation and fake news. This could have an impact on its legacy and on sustainability in society in the long term. This research examined the role of social media in spreading misinformation during the COVID-19 outbreak in Jordan. A cross-sectional design questionnaire (350 responses) was used. The results revealed that social media played a key role in updating users with COVID-19 information. However, the availability of misinformation remained highly prevalent. Respondents revealed that they relied heavily on social media for information gathering and knowledge sharing about COVID-19 updates. The role of behavioural intention remained prominent and highly significant for these two reasons. Their behavioural intention was linked to the sharing of unchecked information, suggesting that online information in Jordan needs greater regulation to reduce the spread of misinformation.
ABSTRACT
University students’ experience with Covid-19 emergency remote learning in Iraq - a country facing political instability, poor Internet infrastructure, and limited access to technology - remains understudied. We surveyed 323 university students attending two of the leading Iraqi universities - Baghdad University and Al-Iraqia University - about their experience of Covid-19 emergency remote learning. Unsurprisingly, over half of the participants evaluated their experience as “negative” and expressed a preference for returning to face-to-face learning after the pandemic had ended;and nearly half of the participants were dissatisfied with Covid-19 emergency remote learning. Surprisingly, Internet connectivity issues - which regularly emerged as the leading challenge in past research - were only the second most-pressing challenge for our participants who identified participation as the main challenge. We argue that this area therefore needs the urgent attention of Iraqi educators. © 2022, International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies. All Rights Reserved.
ABSTRACT
Still, little is known about the role and contribution of media ads in healthcare communication and awareness during the Covid-19 outbreak. This study examines the role of public service ads in spreading healthcare awareness in Pakistan. Based on a quantitative approach through a sample of n = 200 participants from the Sahiwal city, the study proposed a self-designed model that used the Structural Equation Modelling to affirm the proposed relationship between the variables. The study found that media ads were not only disseminating the Covid-19 awareness but also changing the public attitudes toward taking precautionary measures to halt the transmission of the disease. Hence, the findings indicated that public service advertisements have substantial, positive impacts on people’s perceptions and actions regarding the current pandemic. The results discussed media context and healthcare awareness to highlight further the role of such media in bringing positive behavioral changes. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
In a country like Jordan, where technology acceptance and implementation are booming, eLearning acceptance has helped to cope with the current global healthcare crisis (Covid-19). This research examines the primary factors behind eLearning acceptance among Jordanian students. Employing an experimental approach and selecting a sample of n=332 respondents, using Structural Equation Modelling to assess the proposed conceptual framework, our findings indicated that perceived ease-of-use and usefulness were the primary determinants of shaping positive behavioral intentions towards eLearning acceptance. We found a strong significant mediating role of online videos to accept eLearning during the Covid-19 outbreak and concluded that along with the primary factors of technology and behavioral intention, online videos play a strong role in accelerating eLearning acceptance. © 2022 NSP Natural Sciences Publishing Cor.
ABSTRACT
The digitalization of media and its convergence in web-based platforms greatly influenced the journalists’ perceptions. Social media is a contemporary source of information especially during the crisis situations when direct social connectivity is difficult. The current article scrutinized the potential relationship between Arab Journalists, their opinion, usage and dependency on social media. The researchers selected a sample of n = 1,443 journalists from different Arab countries, and employed uses and gratification theories as the primary theoretical support. Data gathered through online surveys indicated that social media well serves the journalists to gather information they need during the Covid-19 outbreak. Respondents expressed their strong dependency on online platforms due to its usefulness. Overall, the study found positive opinion and attitudes regarding social media reliance among Arab journalists. Thus, the researchers recommend more studies to highlight the journalists’ dependency on social media even in the ordinary situations to further elaborate its importance. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
The rise of Covid-19 raised several concerns for the educational policymakers and stakeholders all over the world, including Pakistan. During the pandemic, institutional closure was the only solution to hamper the virus spread. However, the adoption of E-learning largely sustained educational activities, raises several questions about its effectiveness. This study examines E-learning acceptance during the Covid-19 outbreak in Pakistan. It employed cross-sectional design and a random sample of n = 314 students from Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal, Pakistan. The researcher further applied Media Dependency Theory to provide support to the conceptual model Theory. Findings indicated a strong significant relationship between students’ positive perceptions towards E-learning during Covid-19. Respondents considered E-learning as an effective substitute for the traditional learning environment, leading to improved academic performance. The implications of the study lean on the fact that using E-learning during in unforeseen times has not only highlighted the role of internet-based learning, but it has also demonstrated a greater dependence on new media technology. We suggest that, suggesting that E-learning is a potential solution to the problem of sustaining educational activities during institutional closure. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
YouTube has become a vital platform, amongst other social-media sites, especially in e-learning/selflearning and in the unforeseen time of COVID-19. This study explores the influence of YouTube videos on users’ behavioral intention regarding e-learning acceptance and their perceptions through targeting online university students (n=180) in Jordan, using the PLS-SEM procedure through SmartPLS software. The findings indicated that users’ behavioral intention to adopt new e-learning was positively influenced by performance expectancy, perceived usefulness and ease-of-use. The findings were presented and discussed in relation to the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and UTATU frameworks. © 2020 IEEE.