Opportunities And Threats In Digital Education

COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc worldwide. India is also facing challenging circumstances as the figure of infected/positive cases is rising day by day. This study deals with the development of education: Post COVID-19. This paper will help to understand "Digital Education: Opportunities and Threats". The Corona virus has exposed emerging vulnerabilities in learning systems all over the world. A lot of relevant literature was explored to confine the essence of continued learning during these exceptional times. Educational organizations all over the world are moving towards online/Digital learning. This paper also proposes digital education as an urgent need in this lock downs times and social distancing due to COVID-19 pandemic. It also provides a powerful stage for further research. The use of digital technology in education is experiencing a tremendous boom in education sector with cost effectiveness. Although it is unclear whether technology will plug all of the holes in the Indian Education system but it seems that technology is playing a major role in education interventions. Due to advancements in technology, accessibility of low-priced laptops/mobiles, wireless equipments, and related communications setups signs both opportunities and challenges for learning organizations and their faculty and students. Digital Education has potential that can produce knowledge workers. The government has analyzed that ICT sector has important role in education due to that many programmes such as NEOR, NMEICT, NKN, Eklavya, NPTEL, and NROER has been launched. Digital Education has bring success in the field of education but still there area number of challenges in most of Indian institutes like shortage of quality teachers, deprived quality of research, and deprived quality of training etc. Digital Education is overall very beneficial for the students of country like India.Copyright © 2020 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.

Back and neck problems as well as disadvantageous ergonomic behavior patterns in university students: Concomitants of the pandemic?

Background: As a part of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown measures, universities converted courses to digital formats, leading to remote studying. It is unclear how these measures affect university students in terms of musculoskeletal problems (i.e., neck and back pain), e.g., by non-ergonomically equipped home offices or reduced physical activity. Material(s) and Method(s): Students from Osnabruck University weresurveyed via fully standardized online questionnaires from early March to mid-April 2022 (6 weeks) about neck and back problems, movement behavior in home offices, and personal information. Result(s): Of 447 students who clicked on the link, 378 students (80.4% female, mean age: 24.1 +/- 4.2 years) answered the questionnaire (response rate: 84.6%). 299 (79.1%) students suffered from neck pain and 294 (77.8%) from back pain during the pandemic. 206 (54.4%) students generally used ergonomic furniture, 83 (22.0%) used ergonomic sitting furniture, 57 (15.1%) used a standing desk, and 212 (56.1%) used aids for a more comfortable use of laptops in home office. 203 (53.7%) students took movement breaks in home office, 207 (54.8%) worked out regularly, and 65 (17.2%) moved regularly in the fresh air. Conclusion(s): The present study found a high rate of neck and back pain amongst university students. Measures are needed to prevent neck and back pain in this group, considering that increased physical activity and enhanced home office equipment might be beneficial.Copyright © 2022 Elsevier GmbH

Progression in refractive error in children during COVID-19 pandemic due to virtual classes: A cohort study

Background: The pandemic resulted in increased screen hours in children due to virtual education. The rate of progression of myopia was noticed to be remarkable in the past 2 years. This study is an endeavor to study the effect of increased screen hours during COVID home confinement on the degree of progression of myopia in school children and to evaluate the difference in change of refractive errors with a variation in the screen size of the digital device used. Method(s): This was prospective observational study with a retrospective comparison arm, wherein 70 school children (140 eyes) aged 4-18 years were subjected to a cycloplegic refraction test. The difference in spherical equivalent refraction from the year 2018 to 19 was compared with that of the difference observed in the pandemic year 2019-2020. A statistical analysis was also made regarding the correlation of variation in refraction between the different genders, age groups, and screen sizes. Result(s): Of the 70 children, 29 (41.42%) were girls and 41 (58.58%) were boys. The gadgets being used vary from mobiles to laptops, and the range of screens and sizes varies from 100 cm2 to 500 cm 2. Similarly, the duration of device use varied from 4 to 8 h. For 2018, the mean value of the spherical equivalent was -1.69 +/- 1.42, for 2019 it was -1.92 +/- 1.50 and for 2020 the mean value was -2.61 +/- 1.47 for the right eye. The mean value of the spherical equivalent for the left eye in 2018 was -1.68 +/- 1.51, in 2019 the value was -1.87 +/- 1.58, and in 2020, the mean value was -2.73 +/- 1.78. Conclusion(s): Increased exposure to digital devices during the COVID-19 period has a role to play in the progression of myopia in school-aged children.Copyright © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.

Right heart catherisation - a virtual reality

Introduction: Right heart catheterisation (RHC) is the gold standard for assessing patients with pulmonary hypertension. Doctors require training in this procedure in a safe and friendly environment with minimal risk to patients. Due to the Covid pandemic, formal RHC teaching workshops were cancelled in our country, so we sought to develop a Virtual Reality Right Heart Catheterisation (VRRHC) training program to fulfil this area of need without the need for face to face contact. The aim was to improve training, competency and confidence in this technique with improved diagnostic skills and reduction of procedural errors. Method(s): We approached a health technology company to design a VRRHC training module based on our current RHC simulation workshops. Phase 1 required virtual insertion of RHC via the right internal jugular vein using micro-puncture, double Seldinger technique under ultrasound guidance, followed by insertion of the RHC to the right atrium, right ventricle and pulmonary artery with pulmonary artery occlusion using real time pressure tracings and fluoroscopy. Thermodilution cardiac outputs and chamber saturations were also performed. The proprietary platform technology was delivered via a laptop and VR headset. Clinicians perform the VRRHC with imaging, monitoring and haptic feedback with the collection of real time performance tracking allowing user data (e.g. failed steps and proficiency scores) to be captured and subsequently visualised in the learning management system. We collected analytics and data on user engagement, experience and retention, targeted learning outcomes and learning curve, reduction in operating costs, reduction in procedure times due to higher proficiency, early diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, reduced complications, improved interpretation and diagnosis. Result(s): The program was launched in October 2021. Preliminary data shows a learning curve is associated with both using VR (10-15 minutes) and the RHC procedure itself. Initial time to completion of the RHC was 30-40 mins, reducing to 20-30 minutes with experience and 15 minutes in experts. Completion rates increase with experience from 40-50% to 100% and error rates reduce with frequency of completion. Conclusion(s): A Virtual Reality Right Heart Catheter training program is safe, feasible and non-invasive. Increased experience results in increased completion rates, reduced procedure time and reduced errors. Using this program will potentially have beneficial effects on doctor training, outcomes, patient safety and health economics with no risk to a real patient. VRRHC images VRRHC hardware and utilisation.

Impact of complete Lockdown down faced by nursing teachers in Teaching, Learning & Evaluation process

The corona virus has cause the diseses which is fatal and it was orignitated from China and has spread all over the world. Due to this spread of infectious diseases the whole world went into the lockdown period. This lockdown period has affted entire economical growth of the country, the educational system. The education system has changed from classroom teaching to online mode fully. Faculty members in various universities are implemeting Teaching, Learning & Evaluation process through onle mode. Conclusion(s): This COVID situation has made tremendous changes into the educational system, economic growth and life style of the person. This situation has made education to be online now teachers and students has to use electronic gadgets for the study purpose. We the parents was use to scold the children for not to use mobile or laptops but now we have given them ask to attain online classes.Copyright © 2020 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.

Assessment of prevalence of dry eye among medical students using ocular surface disease index questionnaire - Is COVID-19 to be really blamed?

Purpose: An undergraduate research conducted during the pre-covid times, to highlight the importance of screen time and its association with dry eye in medical students. The aim was to study the prevalence of dry eye among medical students using the ocular surface index (OSDI) questionnaire. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. This study was conducted among medical students using an OSDI questionnaire in the pre-covid times. Based on the pilot study, the minimum sample size calculated was 245. A total of 310 medical students participated in the study. These medical students answered the OSDI questionnaire. The OSDI score was used to categorize students with dry eye as mild (13-22 points), moderate (23-32 points), and severe (33-100 points). In addition, the associations between the OSDI score and possible risk factors such as gender, contact lens/spectacle wear, laptop/mobile usage, and duration of exposure to air conditioners were also studied. Results: The analysis of the study revealed that out of 310 students, dry eye was seen in 143 (46.1%) and severe dry eyes were seen in 50 (16.1%). A high OSDI score (>13 points) was associated with the usage of a laptop/mobile for more than 6 h in 40 (52.6%) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of dry eye among medical students was 46.1% in the present study. Longer duration of usage of visual display units (laptop/mobile) was the only factor that showed a statistically significant association with dry eye in our study.

E-learning among 2-year MBBS students in a Government Medical College in South India - A KAP study

Background: E-learning or electronic learning is a popular modality to address the educational needs of a population. In the context of medical education, E-learning is useful but has its limitations. Aim and Objectives: This study was conducted among 2-year MBBS students of a Government Medical College in South India to know their knowledge, attitude, and practice of E-learning and also to learn from their experiences during the COVID pandemic. Material(s) and Method(s): After obtaining informed consent, students were asked to fill up a questionnaire containing 15 questions in Google Forms and submit it. Result(s): This study shows that more than 70% of students consider themselves capable of using computers for everyday activities. They also reported using search engines and online animations for updated medical information. However, they preferred their course content to be delivered through blended learning, a combination of classroom and E-learning. The students reported poor internet connectivity as a major limitation in E-learning. They also suggested having a separate website for each college where the teaching material can be uploaded by the faculty and can be accessed by all the students of the institution. Conclusion(s): From this study, it can be concluded that a majority of students have good knowledge and are already using E-learning modalities. They are also open to the idea of blended learning for clinical cases.Copyright © 2023 Jeyasudha J, et al.

TrialTree: A Novel Application for Interactive Trial Design

Background: Important lapses in the research enterprise, notably low-quality studies, amount to research waste. Close to 50% of this research waste comes from research on low-priority research questions, omitting important outcomes, not involving stakeholders in research design and poor methodology. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the urge to generate evidence to address important questions regarding optimal management strategies has further aggravated this problem. Most COVID-related trials are of low quality. This is in part due to deficiencies in designing high-quality trials at short notice. Consequently, results from these trials do not reliably inform clinical practice for the treatment or management of patients with COVID-19. Innovative approaches to trial design that incorporate existing tools are required to ensure that trials can be designed rapidly, efficiently, and consistently. Learning objectives: (1) To understand the key features of trial design. (2) To apply the use of existing trial resources in trial design. (3) To learn about how to match the research question with the appropriate design features. (4) To be able to use an electronic application to design a trial. Outline: In the first part, participants will review core concepts in trial design (equipoise, research question formulation, knowledge gaps, hypotheses etc.) and a collection of tools/frameworks meant to enhance trial design. These tools/frameworks include the PRagmatic Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary-2 (PRECIS-2), Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR), Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT), Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET;https://comet-initiative.org/), TrialForge (Tools aimed at improving trial efficiency;https:// www.trialforge.org/), Support for statistical analyses plans (SAP), PROGRESS-Plus (a framework of sociodemographic factors-Place of residence, Race/ethnicity/ culture/language, Occupation, Gender/Sex, Religion, Education, Socioeconomic status, and Social capital-'Plus' refers to other personal, time-dependent or relationship-dependent factors, such as pregnancy, age, disability, and sexual orientation). The second part will be a hands-on session in trial design using the TrialTree application (https://trialtree.logicnets.net/ lmc/TT) and the production of a design report. TrialTree is organized into eight modules that cover the main design features. It includes tips, prompts, and feedback on trial design. Evaluation: (1) Completion of a post-workshop quiz. (2) Production of a complete design report in TrialTree. Materials required: (1) A laptop (access to the TrialTree application will be provided free of charge). (2) Pre-workshop readings will be provided. Goals of Session: The goal of this session is to build capacity in novice and experienced trialists on the use of an electronic application for interactive trial design.

Virtual Clinical Outcome Ascertainment in a Prostate Cancer Treatment Trial

Introduction/Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic stopped site visits for clinical outcome data collection in March 2020. We utilized several remote methods to collect data and assessed their relative effectiveness. Background(s): The ProtecT randomized trial (Prostate cancer testing and treatment trial) aimed to determine the effectiveness of active monitoring (surveillance), radiation and surgery for localized disease. The primary outcome is prostate cancer mortality with clinical secondary outcomes of disease progression and metastasis. There was no difference in the primary outcome at 10 years (published in 2016) between groups (differences in metastasis and functional problems) so followup was extended to 15 years (November 2020). Method(s): The 10-year analysis used annual paper case report forms (CRFs) completed by research nurses based at UK hospitals. In extended follow-up, it was intended that National Health Service routine data would identify participants with potential disease progression. Prior to the pandemic the research nurse reviewed electronic health records at eight English hospitals and completed an eCRF in REDCap software. It became unlikely that site visits were going to be possible in 2020. A shortened eCRF was created focussed on essential outcome data and site staff agreed to help collect clinical data in July 2020. Result(s): Ethical approval for extending the study end date and the sponsor updating GDPR terms of site agreements were delayed by COVID-19 research taking priority. This also prevented the research nurse updating their NHS Research Passport for Honorary Contracts to access sites. Approvals were gained in December 2020. At four sites, local staff completed REDCap eCRFs with support from the data manager and research nurse by email and virtual calls. The research nurse gained remote access to hospital electronic health records at three sites by April 2021, which required extensive research governance approvals, training on hospital IT systems and their software on multiple laptops. At one site, from December 2020, 2-h virtual calls were held with local staff who interrogated electronic medical records as trial staff completed REDCap eCRFs. On average, 15 note reviews were conducted each call which were planned around clinical commitments. Secondary clinical outcomes were collected remotely for 94% of participants in follow-up (1395/1474). There was no difference in the three methods: remote hospital record access 594/601 (98.8%);local staff completion 575/600 (95.8%);and online calls 215/221 (97.3%) although less data cleaning was required as data queries were resolved during calls. Benefits also included savings on time traveling to sites and accommodation and local clinical staff could access a wider range of health records and information outside their hospital. However, enabling remote data capture delayed data analysis by 6 months. Conclusion(s): In a prostate cancer treatment trial remote data capture of clinical outcomes was successful as site visits became impossible due to the pandemic. Online methods were tailored to sites requirements but required substantial preparation and governance approvals.

Impact of Online Teaching on Students' Education and Health in India during the Pandemic of COVID-19

Background: India is facing a pandemic of 'Coronavirus disease-2019' (COVID-19). In the absence of proper medicine and vaccine for the treatment of COVID-19, the Government of India has imposed the country lockdown from 25 March 2020 to avoid chain/community transmission of coronavirus in humans. Consequently, the educational institutes were also closed during the lockdown period and traditional classroom teaching switched to online teaching in India to compensate for the educational losses. Aim(s): This article aims to measure the impact of online teaching on education as well as the health of the students. Methodology: The online survey was conducted on the students to measure the impact of online teaching on their education and health. There are 792 valid responses obtained from the survey. Result(s): According to the survey, online teaching was equally important in all segments of education during the period of a pandemic, but about 30 % of students are not satisfied with the delivery of content through online teaching. The students below 14 years were getting addicted to mobiles and laptops and consequently, they suffered from mental sickness and eye problems due to the screen effect. Conclusion(s): Online teaching has played a vital role during the pandemic, but its consequences can not be ignored. The online classes can not be accessed by each student due to the unavailability of smart-phones, laptops and mobiles network to especially poor families and remote areas. This creates dis-crimination among the students of poor and rich or urban and rural. The students below 14 years are not aware of the screen effect and get addicted to mobile that causes mental and eye problems. Thus, online teaching can not take the position of traditional classroom teaching for a long time and we will need to get back to traditional teaching after a pandemic ends.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.

Assessment of three different dermoscopy imaging systems during a fast-track skin cancer clinic

Dermoscopy is a noninvasive diagnostic investigation based on magnification, illumination and obliteration of light scatter on the skin surface allowing better visualization of structures beneath the stratum corneum. We aimed to assess image quality of lesions evaluated at a skin cancer clinic using three different handheld dermatoscopes;the Heine Delta 20T (contact) with an iPad;the MoleScope II (noncontact) with a Samsung 7 smartphone;and the Dino-Lite Edge with direct download to a MacBook laptop (noncontact). The Heine Delta 20T and iPad is the current standard used. The MoleScope is a mobile smartphone-attachable dermatoscope. The Dino-Lite is a handheld digital microscope that connects directly to the computer via a USB port. The cost of the Heine Delta 20T is roughly 1100, the MoleScope II 260 and the Dino-Lite 600. Twenty-three lesions were imaged with each device;15 were pigmented. A total of 69 images were downloaded and transferred to Microsoft PowerPoint for review in random order. The images were scored by four consultant dermatologists, one general practitioner with a special interest and one associate specialist, blinded to the diagnoses. A score of 1-5 (poor- excellent) was attributed to each category: (i) detail/dermoscopic features;(ii) colour discrimination;(iii) magnification. Each assessor recorded whether - based on the image alone - they could make a diagnosis. The lesions were basal cell carcinoma (n = 6), seborrhoeic keratosis (n = 4), lichenoid keratosis (n = 1), benign naevi (n = 4), dysplastic naevi (n = 2), melanoma (n = 1), blue naevus (n = 1), sebaceous gland hyperplasia (n = 1), ruptured cyst (n = 1), pyogenic granuloma (n = 1) and dermatofibroma (n = 1). The mean score for each device and category was calculated as follows. (i) Heine: detail = 3.2, colour = 3 3, magnification = 3 2 (overall score = 3 2);46 2% felt able to make a diagnosis. (ii) MoleScope: detail = 2 5, colour = 2 7, magnification 2 5 (overall score = 2 6);43 5% felt able to make a diagnosis. (iii) Dino-Lite: detail = 3 2, colour = 3 2, magnification = 3 6 (overall score = 3 3);57 2% felt able to make a diagnosis. Analysis on a PC screen allowed greater magnification than is generally employed in clinic, which may have affected assessors. The Heine is not primarily designed for digital dermoscopy. It requires two operators for image capture, whereas the other systems require only one. The MoleScope remains the most 'mobile', whereas the Dino-Lite is attached to a laptop/PC. Both the MoleScope and Dino-Lite can be used as noncontact dermatoscopes, avoiding contact medium use. Considering the current COVID-19 pandemic, these devices are less time consuming, more convenient and easier to clean. Overall, the Dino-Lite produced the best images. Despite the MoleScope scoring lower, it was comparable for diagnostic ability. It is proposed that the MoleScope and Dino-Lite systems may be optimal for use in teledermatology to facilitate virtual clinics.

Online education status at dental colleges COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused lockdown situation impeding all educational institutions including dental colleges. The circumstance demanded online classes as the alternative strategy for continuation of education. Objective To assess current practice and perception about online education among faculties of dental colleges in Nepal. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted among 208 faculties of all dental colleges in Nepal. Data collection was done through structured online questionnaire comprising demographic information, practice and perception of the respondents towards online education. Descriptive statistics surveyed the frequency distribution and Chi-square test assessed the difference in perception among the faculties of different universities. Result The response rate was 74.3%. Faculties commonly used PowerPoint presentation (96.6%) on Zoom platform (83.3%) using laptop (94.7%) with Wi-Fi connection (91.8%). Majority of faculties had good or satisfactory access to internet (94.8%). The faculties believed that the online class environment was interactive (95.2%);but it was not effective (86.5%) as live classroom. Majority of the faculties (79.4%) felt tracking of students' presence was difficult. There was no significant difference on perception towards online class among the faculties of Kathmandu University, Tribhuvan University and BP Koirala Institute Health Sciences at p <0.05. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has paved the way for e-learning in dental education in Nepal. Faculties agree to complete the theory syllabus and conduct sessional exams as an alternative during the lockdown period. However, they show strong reservations in carrying out practical/clinical simulations and university exams online. Training on e-learning and institutional strategy for online education is recommended. Copyright © 2020, Kathmandu University. All rights reserved.

Prediction of Work from Home and Musculoskeletal Discomfort: An Investigation of Ergonomic Factors in Work Arrangements and Home Workstation Setups Using the COVID-19 Experience.

The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity for office workers to experience work from home (WFH). The aims of this study are to investigate the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and the work conditions of homeworkers during WFH as well as to evaluate the association and predicted risk of ergonomic factors and MSD. A total of 232 homeworkers completed questionnaires. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the association and prediction of work arrangements and home workstation setups and musculoskeletal outcomes. The result showed that 61.2% of homeworkers reported MSD while WFH. Because of the small living spaces in Hong Kong, 51% and 24.6% of homeworkers worked in living/dining areas and bedrooms, respectively, potentially affecting their work and personal life. Additionally, homeworkers adopted a flexible work style, but prolonged computer use while WFH. Homeworkers who used a chair without a backrest or a sofa could predict a significantly higher risk of MSD. The use of a laptop monitor posed about a 2 to 3 times higher risk of suffering from neck, upper back, and lower back discomfort than the use of a desktop monitor. These results provide valuable information to help regulators, employers, homeworkers, and designers create better WFH guidelines, work arrangements, and home settings.

Latency-, Sync-, and Bandwidth-Agnostic Tightly-Timed Telematic and Crowdsourced Musicking Made Possible Using L2Ork Tweeter

The following paper presents L2Ork Tweeter, a new control-data-driven free and open source crowdsourced telematic musicking platform and a new interface for musical expression that deterministically addresses three of the greatest challenges associated with the telematic music medium, that of latency, sync, and bandwidth. Motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Tweeter's introduction in April 2020 has ensured uninterrupted operation of Virginia Tech's Linux Laptop Orchestra (L2Ork), resulting in 6 international performances over the past 18 months. In addition to enabling tightly-timed sync between clients, it also uniquely supports all stages of NIME-centric telematic musicking, from collaborative instrument design and instruction, to improvisation, composition, rehearsal, and performance, including audience participation. Tweeter is also envisioned as a prototype for the crowdsourced approach to telematic musicking. Below, the paper delves deeper into motivation, constraints, design and implementation, and the observed impact as an applied instance of a proposed paradigm-shift in telematic musicking and its newfound identity fueled by the live crowdsourced telematic music genre. © 2022, International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. All rights reserved.

The Responses of Rural Learner Nurses to Virtual Learning in a COVID-19 Era

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many universities suspending their academic activities, making virtual learning an option for saving the disrupted academic year. The pandemic presented an opportunity to assess the implementation of virtual learning at this university, thus forcing rural-based universities to enhance their learning management system, including their clinical disciplines. This paper explores the use of virtual learning amongst learner nurses in a rural-based university by following the el-CDDO framework. Method(s): A quantitative descriptive design was applied to describe the barriers experienced to virtual learning in a rural university. The purposive convenience sampling method was used to select learner nurses from the Faculty of Healthcare Sciences. An electronic survey questionnaire with both open and closed-ended questions sent via WhatsApp messenger was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS version 26. Result(s): The el-CDDO components affected in the study included the Context, Delivery, and Outcomes of virtual learning in a rural-based university. The Context demonstrated geographically disadvantaged learner nurses, which affects virtual learning delivery. Thus, the Outcomes included various barriers to virtual learning, such as weak networks for connecting to Blackboard, the lack of ICT facilities, such as laptops and tablets, by learner nurses, a lack of skills for using Blackboard, and ageing academics. Conclusion(s): The study findings provide a baseline reference for future digital health in the clinical area and the use of virtual learning in a rural-based university. Though we noted complex challenges such as the lack of gadgets, our findings provide a significant contribution to the planning for virtual learning in universities and the use of digital health care in the clinical area. Addressing the virtual learning barriers discussed in this paper will be a significant step in equipping learner nurses with digital knowledge and skills as future healthcare professionals. There is a need to develop strategies to enhance virtual learning in rural-based universities to ensure future digital health. Copyright © 2022 Mbombi et al.

Effect of Different Online Learning Screen Sizes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An EEG Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a different learning paradigm than before, from offline learning to online learning. This paradigm is, of course, still popularly used today even until the pandemic ends in the future. The learning paradigm in question is the online learning method. Online learning method not only provides convenience for students or educators but also creates problems that are very interesting to observe. One of the variables that become a problem in this learning method is the students' level of focus in online learning because online learning requires a lengthy screen time, and students use different devices. In this study, we will analyze the level of focus of students participating in online learning using smartphones and laptops. The problem with online learning is the different focus conditions due to differences in the use of devices, affecting the delivery of material received by students. The age limit of students used as the research object is 18-20 years. The approach used to analyze this problem is measure the level of focus using a brain wave recorder Electroencephalogram (EEG). As many as 25 students will observe their level of focus when participating in online learning using laptops and smartphones. Based on research conducted, the focus level of students using smartphone devices has an attention level of 54.72% and laptops by 60.80%. Laptop use has a higher level of attention by 5.76% than smartphone use. © 2022 IEEE.

A Study on Customers Attitude towards E-Learning Apps with Special Reference to Madurai City

The covid-19 has resulted in school/colleges shut all across the world. Globally, over 1.2 billion children are out of the classroom. As a result education has changed dramatically with the distinctive rise of e-learning whereby teaching is under taken remotely on digital platforms. At this pandemic situation, we all stayed at home for out safety reasons. At this time we all mostly spent our time with mobile and electronic gadgets. In our home mostly the students and the professionals spent their time with mobile for studies and work progress. Mobiles and laptops are part of our life. Use of mobiles is mandatory but the applications play a important role in the usage of mobile. The current corona virus (covid-19) pandemic is having a profound impact, not only on people's health, but also on how they learn, work and live. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis has brought more challenges to students. Among the most important challenges created by COVID-19 is how to adapt a system of technology. At this time smart phones had played a key role. Mobile applications are accessible, acceptable, easily adapted, and have the ability to support social distancing efforts. Students are in the need of downloading different e-learning apps for their college academic activities. The necessity is also increased for the apps. Hence it is necessary to know the students attitude and satisfaction towards e-learning apps. It is mainly found that students face problems in audio clarity and method of usage. However the e-learning app owners may focus these problems to sustain in the market. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.

The prevalence of bad posture and musculoskeletal symptoms originating from the use of gadgets as an impact of the work from home program of the university community.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Universitas Indonesia (UI) implemented a work from home program (WFH) to curb the spread of the coronavirus, as the use of gadgets including mobile phones and tablets were becoming prolonged and more frequent. As a result, musculoskeletal symptoms in certain limbs due to awkward posture sprang up. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify the degree of the use of these devices among UI community during the WFH initiative, as well as to identify musculoskeletal complaints resulting from defective postures. Consequently, this cross-sectional survey employed an online-based questionnaire, and the minimum number of respondents was 1080, as calculated using Slovin Formula. Meanwhile, a total of 1083 individuals, including lecturers (118), students (709), and managerial staff (256), obtained from 14 faculties, three schools, as well as administrative centres, volunteered to respond to the online poll. Apparently, 95% of the scholars owned mobile phones while only 16% possessed tablets, and 56% had used phones for over 10 years. The typical posture when using mobile devices was a reclining position on a sofa or mattress for a duration of 1-3 h as recounted by 34.6%. Also, sitting at a table for less than 30 min was reported by 25.3% of the subjects who used tablets. Furthermore, 70.5% of the respondents complained of musculoskeletal discomfort, particularly in the neck (86.4%), lower back (75.9%), and right & left shoulders (76.2%). In addition, the postures significantly related to these grievances included sitting at a table, alongside a prone position whilst using a mobile phone, as well as a latent or floor-sitting posture when using a laptop, whether at a table or not. Therefore, it is essential to do stretching, limiting usage time, look away every 20 min at an object that is about 20 feet away for a full 20 s when using a gadget and having adequate rest time to reduce musculoskeletal complaints.

MENTAL ABILITY ON HIGHER MATHEMATICS: LEARNING IN THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM

Although online teaching is not anymore new in the field of education, but it has become the trend in teaching during the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries also differ on online teaching implementation due to the strength and level of sophistication of their internet connectivity. That is why is, it very interesting to determine how students learn through online teaching in a third world countries such as Philippines. This quantitative study employed a descriptive design utilizing the tertiary students’ Mathematics grade during the full conduct of the online teaching. The data revealed that respondents’ mental ability in higher Mathematics was described as “satisfactory” in which they met the minimum competence with average score. In addition, gender did not also indicate a significant difference as a variable. No significant difference between their gender was also found out in the results. This finding points out that online teaching was still the best alternative mode of delivery in the height of the pandemic. Although it has been known that many Filipino students has no personal computers and laptops, most of these students utilized their cellular phone not only for personal use but for academic as well. Thus, this study recommends that teachers may continue employing online teaching or blended teaching to let the students learn on their own with the aid of technology.

Understanding Customer Preferences on Laptop Variants and Models for Students and Working Professionals

Purpose of the study: Computers have become inevitable for small businesses, as well as in the home front, irrespective of their size, shape, model- variants and their cost. Pandemic also has mandated people to purchase one gadget or the other to meet the challenges of work-from home / online education. The researchers aimed to study the Customer demographic profile & purchase behaviour of buying laptops among the IT, manufacturing industry and educational sector (students) laptop users. The study also aims to determine the competitive intensity and attractiveness of this sector. Methodology: To study the Customer demographic profile & purchase behavior of buying laptops among the IT, manufacturing industry and educational sector (students), the researchers have undertaken a quantitative research study using probability sampling method. The data is collected from a sample of 400 students and working professionals in Tamil Nadu, India, using simple random sampling technique. Structured questionnaire has been used for collecting primary data. Main Findings: This research seeks to develop a better understanding of the customer demographic profile & purchase behaviour of buying laptops among the IT, Manufacturing industry and student users. The study also indicates the factors influencing consumers’ laptop purchases. All working professionals and students have the similar preferences in Brands of laptop and the size of the monitor, whereas purchase behaviour of customers differ, when it comes to price, speed, storage, graphic card, operating system and processor. Application of the study: Although the survey in this paper is illustrated in respect to the perspective of working professionals and student laptop users, it can be interesting to replicate the study on student laptop-users of different cities and countries and compare the obtained results in a future work. Similar studies on other techno-gadgets such as tablets or smart phones can be carried out to understand the market trends and changing customers’ needs and wants and evaluate their demographic profile & purchase behaviour. Novelty / Originality of the study: The study on the customer demographic profile & purchase behaviour of buying laptops among the IT, manufacturing industry and educational sector (students) laptop users is an original piece of work by the researchers. However, the topic may be common and a number of studies in this area have been conducted earlier too. The study would help to understand the market trends and changing customers’ needs and wants and evaluate their demographic profile & purchase behaviour of laptops considering factors such as brands, price, speed, storage, graphic card, operating system and processor. Such studies provide valuable base data for the laptop manufacturers and marketers to re-design their product and services, according to needs and wants of their customers.