Emergent rural-urban relations in Covid-19 disturbances: Multi-locality affecting sustainability of rural change

The recent Covid-19 pandemic highlighted rural-urban interactions, in particular the fact that cities are dependent on the accessibility of non-metropolitan and rural spaces and vice versa. This article seeks to understand how these interactions contributed to emergent relational spaces of rurality during the Covid-19 crisis. The article analyses politicised mobilities between localities and rural-urban linkages that are tied to the sustainability of rural change. The study focuses on two countries: Estonia and Finland, exploring thematic narratives on second-home practices and related politics during the outbreak of the Covid-19 crisis. The explored regions were the South Savo region in Finland and the island of Saaremaa and northern coastal villages in Estonia. The analysis indicates ways in which the mobility restrictions and disturbances triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic attributed certain demands and hopes to rural areas and led the shift in rural-urban interactions. The article contributes to the understanding of co-existences between im/mobilities and multi-local living and sustainability in rural change.

Perception shifts in seafood consumption in the United States

Perceptions about specific seafood attributes play an essential role in American consumers' choices of a seafood entre ' e served in casual and fine dining restaurants. However, the trends and determinants of consumer per-ceptions are underexplored. This research analyzes how consumers perceive specific attributes of a seafood entre ' e and examines the effect of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics on their perceptions. Factor analysis and multivariate Tobit models were employed to analyze data collected online via Qualtrics' consumer panels in the U.S. The results indicate that the proportion of participants who deem farm-raised and sustainability-certified fish safer to eat, better tasting, higher quality, more fairly traded, and more environ-mentally friendly is the highest. However, the difference in perceptions of domestic and imported fish is ambiguous. The perceptions of nutritional value for human consumption are near neutral among these seafood attributes. The main determinants of these perceptions are the frequency they eat fish, whether having children in a household, gender, ethnicity, and the age of consumers. These perceptions and determinants are relatively consistent before and during Covid-19. This study contributes to the literature on seafood perceptions at casual and fine dining restaurants and provides the most recent trend on American seafood perceptions and their de-terminants. These results are beneficial to seafood producers, distributors, and policymakers for providing more appropriate regulations related to future seafood supply in the U.S.

Consumers and service robots: Power relationships amid COVID-19 pandemic

Robotics significantly influence retail and consumer services. The COVID-19 pandemic further amplified the rise of service robots (SRs) through social distancing measures. While robots are embraced widely by retailers and service providers, consumers' interaction with SRs remains an intriguing avenue of research across contexts. By taking a relative social power perspective, we report on a series of pre- and intra-COVID-19 studies. Our findings suggest that Gen-Z consumers hold more positive attitudes towards SRs perceived as lower in power vis-à-vis the human user. The longitudinal nature of our study also reveals that while attitudes towards such low-power services turned more negative during the COVID-19 pandemic, attitudes towards SRs that are high in power vis-à-vis the human user remained stable. In practical terms, while Gen-Z consumers hold more positive attitudes towards low-power robots, such service providers also face the challenge of relatively changeable attitudes towards them, especially during crisis times. © 2022 The Author(s)

Teaching and learning with mobile technologies under COVID-19 pandemic: crisis or opportunity

As an emergency response to continuing education amidst the recent COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, institutions turned to a new form of practice - synchronised online virtual teaching with mobile technologies. In this paper, we share our experience at a university level. Students (N = 1,996 students in Study 1 and N = 413 students in Study 2) completed a survey on their perception, the learning process, and the challenges they encountered when learning with a mobile device in the online virtual learning medium. Our findings suggested students show improvement in learning in the synchronised online virtual teaching with mobile technologies across time. Thus, this form of teaching model holds the promise of becoming the model for future teaching and learning practices. Hence, we hope to pave the way for research and learning opportunity to advance our understanding of the new education model with mobile technologies, especially under uncontrollable circumstances.

Residents' participation in rural tourism and interpersonal trust in tourists: The mediating role of residents' perceptions of tourism impacts

Interpersonal trust is a critical psychological factor that reveals the quality of resident-tourist relationship in tourism destinations. However, residents' positive attitudes toward tourists are gradually taken for granted, with research on residents' psychological tendency (i.e., interpersonal trust) in providing tourism services and creating mutually beneficial resident-tourist interaction lagging behind. Based on interpersonal relationship theory and social exchange theory, this study employed a sequential mixed-methods design to examine the formation of interpersonal trust in tourists during resident participation in rural tourism. The dimensions of resident participation (i.e., decision-making, economic, and social participation) and the conceptual model were first identified through qualitative analysis. Subsequently, through the PLS-based structural equation modeling using a sample of 469 residents from Jiuzhai Valley, China, the study suggested that economic and social participation were instrumental in shaping residents' cognitive and affective trust in tourists both directly and indirectly through residents' perceived benefits of tourism. This study offers implications for academia and destination management to promote sustainable tourism development and social harmony against the crisis of trust between residents and tourists caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At School or Home? Eight Graders' First Practices with Online Geometry Lessons

Undoubtedly, one of the areas most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic process was educational activities. In this study, the 33 eighth graders of a public elementary school in Turkiye were observed for a six-week online learning period. The aim was to obtain whether any changes occur in their geometry attitudes during the process and to reveal their preferences between online distance learning (ODL) and regular face-to-face education. In this context, structured as a mixed study, a Geometry Attitude Scale (GAS) and a questionnaire about online distance learning was administered at the beginning;further GAS and learners' opinions in response to open-ended questions were administered at the end of the process. Quantitative results indicated that gender and mathematics achievement levels have no relationship with GAS and ODL. Still, the qualitative analysis provided that ODL does not cause any change in students' attitudes towards geometry lessons;moreover, students commonly prefer face-to-face education over ODL.

How do students perceive educators' digital competence in higher education?

This research aims to contribute to the field of technology in education as the main trend since Covid accelerated digitalization. There are few studies of students' perceptions of digital educators' capabilities following the approach of evidence-based learning. In a survey conducted with 243 respondents using DigComEdu as a valid instrument to measure educators' digital competence (EDC), this research presents an empirical study of the relationship between EDC from students' point of view and their self-perception of learning. The findings demonstrate that 71 % of students consider that the digital competence of their faculty impacts their learning process positively. The study carries out a literature review proposing a model of four elements affecting the student self-perception of learning: 1) educators' digital skills;2) the use of technology for communication, monitoring, and assessment;3) educators' engaging in digital ecosystems;and 4) students' data security in the learning process. The results confirm a significant relationship with three of the hypotheses, with no confirmation of the remaining one. These findings have implications for universities institutions and policymakers to assure the digitalization of education drives effectiveness and quality. © 2023 Elsevier Inc.

Assessing the effects of a collaborative problem-based learning and peer assessment method on junior secondary students' learning approaches in mathematics using interactive online whiteboards during the COVID-19 pandemic

Given the demands on instructors created by the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers have been compelled to integrate active learning pedagogies supported by mobile technologies to sustain students' interactive engagement. This study describes the implementation of a novel active pedagogy - the collaborative problem-based learning and peer assessment (Co-PBLa-PA) method, implemented through interactive online whiteboards (IOWBs) in junior secondary mathematics classes in Hong Kong. Data were collected from 87 Form 1 students and analysed to test three hypotheses postulating the main effects of the Co-PBLa-PA method on students' learning approaches using IOWBs. A pre-survey (SPQ) on students' learning approaches and a post-survey (SPQ) on students' learning approaches and their perceptions of technology-enabled active learning (TEAL) were administrated. Results showed the Co-PBLa-PA method, using IOWBs, increased students' learning performance and promoted significant deep learning. A significant positive correlation also emerged between deep learning approaches and students' perceptions of TEAL using IOWBs. Finally, limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

COVID-19 Emergency Remote Teaching: The Perceptions, Challenges And Coping Strategies Of Higher Education Students In Ghana

Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) is a mode of teaching usually triggered by disasters and pandemics such as the deadly Coronavirus. This study used a self-reported questionnaire to investigate student perceptions, challenges, and coping strategies during ERT at a public university in Ghana. Using a randomly selected sample of 80 students, the study established the relationships between student perceptions and coping strategies, perceptions, and challenges. Out of the 80 respondents, 76 questionnaires were duly completed and were analysed using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The bootstrapping results indicate that student perceptions of ERT have a significantly positive relationship with their coping strategies, the challenges have a significant negative relationship with coping strategies. However, student perceptions did not significantly correlate with students' challenges. Results recommend that the university put appropriate measures in place to reduce the challenges associated with ERT, which will improve students' perceptions since the pandemic is still raging with a series of waves. Challenges such as lack of access to digital devices and high-speed internet should also be addressed urgently.

The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic Aspects on the Quality of Health Services in Jordan

This study is a combination between quality management and crisis management within a vital sector, i.e., the health sector, which requires continuous improvement and sustainability of its services that guarantee quality standards. This study aims to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the quality of health services in Jordan. An electronic national survey was designed and distributed after conducting the pilot study consisting of 50 respondents. The data was collected from 334 COVID-19-infected patients and non-infected patients who benefited from the medical services in Jordan. The results of the SEM-PLS confirm a statistically significant positive impact of Corona pandemic on the quality of health services. In addition, it shows a high agreement on the health service quality level. This study concludes that Jordan, like the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa (MENA), has suffered from the effects of the Corona virus, and this crisis creates many challenges and threats to its healthcare systems. Therefore, researchers pointed out some recommendations for top management and decision-makers that the government should formulate flexible and long-term health strategies that can deal with sudden events and situations, guided by the information from this study.

Transforming Teaching with ICT Using the Flipped Classroom Approach: Dealing with COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, educators changed their pedagogic practices, developed new teaching sequences, and blended learning approaches such as the flipped classroom. Claims have been made that the flipped classroom influences student motivation, enhances active engagement and class participation, and improves academic performance. Three teacher educators were invited to develop flipped instructional materials for chemistry teacher education. The materials included course plans, online videos, tasks, teaching, and online and face-to-face instruction learning sequences. This study examined opportunities and barriers to using the flipped classroom approach for chemistry teaching. Teacher educators were interviewed before and after running the course using the developed instructional materials. The interviews were then analyzed to identify the teachers' rationale, the opportunities, and the challenges of using the flipped classroom. Teacher educators found that integrating technology into their classrooms can enhance their ICT skills and that of their students. Educators believed flipped instructions could promote student-centered learning where students take responsibility for their learning, where and when it is most convenient. The teacher educators perceived that the approach helped students take an active role in their learning and enhance their participation. They also felt that it improved academic performance. Teacher educators also noted that their workload was reduced, and they had more time to interact with students. Some barriers and challenges were recognized as well. In the interviews, teacher educators described how ICT competencies and inadequate ICT infrastructures, such as poor internet connectivity and lack of ICT equipment, limited the use of the flipped classroom approach. The study provides suggestions for future research that can contribute to understanding the practical application of the flipped classroom approach.

‘Boom Boom in the Zoom Zoom Room': Online music therapy with children and adolescents with visual impairment

The COVID-19 pandemic created a major transformation in the delivery of music therapy services worldwide as they moved online. Telehealth research is in its infancy and online work with children and adolescents with visual impairment has yet to be investigated. This survey-based study explored the experiences and perceptions of parents of children and adolescents with visual impairment (n = 11) who engaged in online music therapy. Video playlists were accessed regularly and almost all parents reported positive (2/11) or very positive (8/11) responses and perceived them as beneficial in engaging with their child. Ninety-five percent (10/11) of parents perceived the teleheath programme to be a positive experience for their child, 73% (8/11) observed positive behaviours directly after the sessions, and 82% (9/11) indicated that the programme was a valuable family resource that supported bonding and interaction. Inductive reflexive thematic analysis generated four themes from the qualitative data: (a) positive impacts, (b) interactive family resource, (c) connection to school, and (d) challenges. A discussion of the findings is followed by implications for practice. © The Author(s) 2021.

Learning during (or despite) COVID-19: business students' perceptions of online learning

Purpose: In March 2020, higher education institutions (HEIs) were obliged to complete the semester online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the semesters that followed, HEIs reopened and closed again because of new waves of the pandemic. While flexibility was lauded, previous literature cited student problems such as lack of motivation and social contact. This study aims to explore students' perceptions of learning during four exceptional semesters. Design/methodology/approach: Five surveys were conducted via the program LimeSurvey during the online courses at one business school in Switzerland: April 2020, June 2020, December 2020, June 2021 and December 2021. The participation varied between 56% (April and June 2020), 52% (December 2020), 47.5% (June 2021) and 42.4% (December 2021). Findings: The results of this longitudinal study were analyzed to examine the consequences of "forced” online learning. The analysis reveals that although the students appreciate the usefulness of the learning experience, their motivation decreased. The historic crisis has underlined sudden technological changes in the learning programs that have had multiple (adverse) effects on students' learning. Originality/value: Based on the results, this study concludes that students have mixed perceptions regarding the learning environments (traditional, hybrid or blended) moving forward. Whatever the choice, HEIs must carefully plan the most effective teaching/learning environment to ensure that students remain engaged. This study reveals the links and interconnections in this complex online setting called "learning” based on four semesters of urgent remote learning and one semester of hybrid face-to-face courses. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Robot-delivered tourism and hospitality services: How to evaluate the impact of health and safety considerations on visitors' satisfaction and loyalty?

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, visitors' worries about health and safety in tourist destinations have become paramount. Consequently, this research aims to evaluate the impact of health and safety considerations on visitors' satisfaction. It also examines the influence of health consciousness and satisfaction on visitors' willingness toward robot-delivered tourism and hospitality services usage and the impact of destination healthcare system and satisfaction on loyalty intentions. Applying a quantitative-based methodology, 650 responses were collected from domestic tourists visiting Egyptian tourism destinations using multiple non-probability sampling techniques. Using PLS-SEM, the results articulated that emotional well-being, perceived safety, and perceived green image positively impacted visitors' satisfaction, which in turn, positively affected their willingness toward service robot's usage and loyalty. Tourists' health consciousness also positively affected their satisfaction and intentions to use robot-delivered services. Additionally, destination healthcare system significantly influenced visitors' satisfaction and loyalty intentions. Theoretical and managerial contributions as well as future research are outlined.

Online Shopping During COVID-19: A Comparison of USA and Canada

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments restricted economic activity by imposing lockdowns or requiring capacity constraints, thereby impacting brick-and-mortar businesses. Consumers responded by staying at home and turning to online shopping. Some consumers were already familiar with online shopping, whereas for others it was a new experience. As restrictions are removed or reduced, consumers may permanently change their shopping habits and continue to buy online with greater frequency than prior to the pandemic. With empirical data from a cross section of Canadian and American consumers, this study investigates the factors that influence the continuation of online shopping. The results show that there is little difference between Canadians and Americans, with perceptions of convenience significantly influencing perceived usefulness, and efficiency being a significant factor as well but only for Americans. Perceived usefulness is important for continuance intentions, with hedonic motivation having a moderating effect. Our results provide guidance to practitioners who are interested in consumers' online shopping intentions after the pandemic and factors that can foster such activities.

A Theoretical Qualitative Investigation Exploring Illness Perceptions and Decision-Making About COVID-19 in an Ethnically Diverse UK-Based Sample.

Purpose: The primary aim of the present investigation was to explore perceptions, experiences, and decision-making relating to the COVID-19 illness as the UK entered into a phase of "living safely with COVID-19". A secondary aim was to explore how perceptions around the COVID-19 vaccine might vary by ethnicity. Participants and Methods: We adopted a qualitative approach with a diverse sample of UK-based participants. One-hundred-and-ninety-three individuals completed an online survey measuring perceptions towards COVID-19 with questions conceptualized through the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation. Results: Through deductive thematic analysis we identified one overarching theme in our data, "The transition back to normal routines", with four themes illustrating individuals' perceptions and experiences with COVID-19: 1) "Living with the uncertainty", 2) "Concern for others", 3) "The multiple consequences of COVID-19", and 4) "Sense of control", with the sub-theme of "Should I vaccinate, should I not vaccinate?". Conclusion: Findings from the present investigation provide key insights for understanding how people's perceptions of COVID-19 during this transition period might impact their decisions and behavior moving forward. Specifically, findings suggest some prevailing concerns around catching the virus, while no strong qualitative evidence for concerns over long COVID were identified in this sample, the responsibility felt by individuals towards taking their own precautionary measures in light of the easing of all national restrictions, and some potential differences in perceptions towards the vaccine between individuals from different ethnic backgrounds.

Essential elements of weight loss apps for a multi-ethnic population with high BMI: a qualitative study with practical recommendations.

Smartphone weight loss apps are constantly being developed but the essential elements needed by a multi-ethnic population with overweight and obesity remains unclear. Purpose: To explore the perceptions of an Asian multi-ethnic population with overweight and obesity on the essential elements of weight loss apps. Twenty two participants were purposively sampled from a specialist weight management clinic in Singapore from 13 April to 30 April 2021. Recorded interviews were conducted using face-to-face and videoconferencing modalities. Data saturation was reached at the 18th participant. Data analysis was performed using inductive content analysis with constant comparison between and within transcripts. Findings: Three themes and eight subthemes on the essential app components emerged-(a) comprehensive and flexible calorie counters; (b) holistic, gradual and individualized behavior change recommendations tailored for people with overweight and obesity, and (c) just-in-time reminders of future consequences. There was a need to incorporate flexible options for food logging; break down general recommendations into small steps towards sustainable changes; tailor app contents for people with overweight and obesity; and evoke one's considerations of future consequences. Future weight loss apps should be designed to meet the needs of those with overweight and obesity, the very population that needs assistance with weight loss. Future apps could consider leveraging the capacity of artificial intelligence to provide personalized weight management in terms of sustaining self-regulation behaviors, optimizing goal-setting and providing personalized and timely recommendations for weight loss.

Weight loss smartphone apps are ubiquitous but the essential elements needed and preferred by people with overweight and obesity remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a qualitative study to explore the perceptions and needs of this population in a weight loss app to prolong app engagement and enhance weight loss success. 22 participants were interviewed through face-to-face or videoconferencing sessions during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interview transcripts were analyzed within and between participants to develop codes, subthemes and themes that represent the participants' perceptions and needs in weight loss apps. Participants expressed the need for (a) comprehensive and flexible calorie counters; (b) holistic, gradual, and individualized behavior change recommendations tailored for people with overweight and obesity; and (c) just-in-time reminders of future consequences. Our findings showed a need to incorporate flexible options for food logging; break down general recommendations into small steps towards sustainable changes; tailor app contents for people with overweight and obesity; and evoke one's considerations of future consequences. Future apps could consider leveraging the capacity of artificial intelligence to provide personalized weight management in terms of sustaining self-regulation behaviors, optimizing goal-setting and providing personalized and timely recommendations for weight loss.

Differences in Applicant Perceptions of Virtual Interviews Between Integrated Plastic Surgery and Subspecialty Fellowship Applicants.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to survey and compare integrated plastic surgery and plastic surgery subspecialty fellowship applicants on their experiences with virtual interviews and to determine if there are differences between them. DESIGN: An IRB-approved survey study was conducted using the Qualtrics platform. SETTING: The study was conducted at the Johns Hopkins University and the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore Maryland. PARTICIPANTS: Applicants that applied to 1) the Johns Hopkins/University of Maryland or the University of California San Diego integrated plastic surgery residency programs, 2) craniofacial surgery fellowship, and 3) microsurgery, hand surgery, or burn surgery fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University were selected to participate in the survey. RESULTS: A total of 94 surveys were completed by residency applicants and 55 by fellowship applicants. After the interview season, 80% of fellowship applicants recommended virtual interviews compared to 61.7% of residency applicants (p = 0.03). Fellowship applicants reported significantly less issues with self-advocacy and did not view the virtual interview process as significant of a detriment when meeting program residents/staff, viewing the hospital/surrounding area, and learning about the program (p < 0.05). A higher percentage of fellowship applicants interviewed at multiple programs during a single day compared to residency applicants (56.4% vs 27.7%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A higher proportion of fellowship applicants prefer virtual interviews, which associated with key differences in perceptions, expectations, and priorities. Our data supports that fellowship programs may wish to continue virtual interviews even after COVID-related restrictions are lifted, because fellows are equally able to self-advocate in a virtual format while benefiting from cost and time savings; fellowship programs would also gain the cost and time savings from this model as well.

Student and faculty perceptions of effectiveness of online teaching modalities.

BACKGROUND: When the COVID-19 pandemic forced colleges and universities to rapidly transition from face-to-face teaching to online teaching/learning environments, different instructional methods were employed to deliver course content and help students remain engaged in learning. With the transition back to the on-campus environment, select online teaching modalities may be effective in the face-to-face environment as well. While online and distance learning have been extensively studied, little research is available to guide faculty in using technologies designed for distance learning in the face-to face environment. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing student and nursing faculty perceptions of the effectiveness of various online teaching modalities. METHOD: A mixed-methods study using a convenience sample of students and faculty at two universities was conducted. Students and faculty completed a researcher-developed survey to rate a variety of online teaching methods and technologies from a scale of one (not effective at all) through six (extremely effective). Participants also provided comments within the survey and in focus groups of randomly selected students and faculty. Surveyed items included modes of asynchronous and synchronous instruction, instructional technology, and instructional activities. RESULTS: There were significant differences as well as similarities in student and faculty perceptions of effectiveness. Students demonstrated a clear preference for pre-recorded lectures, while faculty perceived synchronous lectures and assigned readings to be equally as effective as pre-recorded lectures. Synchronous activities such as case studies and student presentations were rated as more effective by faculty than by students. Both groups perceived instructional games, especially quiz games, as very or extremely effective. CONCLUSIONS: Students were more engaged with instructional activities that they perceived as effective for learning. The results of this study will assist faculty in developing effective online and in-person instruction which will optimize the teaching/learning experience.

Exploring relationship among semiotic product packaging, brand experience dimensions, brand trust and purchase intentions in an Asian emerging market

Purpose>Over recent years, brand semiotics have been gaining the marketing practitioners' attention for designing their brand strategy. Hence, to address this gap, the current study investigates the effect of semiotic product packaging on brand experience dimensions, brand trust and purchase intent of reputed major brands of fast-moving consumer good (FMCG) products.Design/methodology/approach>The data for this study were collected by administering a questionnaire-based survey from 254 respondents from the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) of India, using systematic sampling. Structural equation modeling has been used to test the conceptual model and examine the hypotheses developed in the study.Findings>The results present evidence of the growing influence of semiotic product packaging upon consumer brand trust and purchase intentions. The study suggests that brand semiotics positively influence customer brand experience, brand trust and purchase intention of FMCG products.Practical implications>The research findings will benefit FMCG companies to identify how to apply semiotics in packaging to improve consumers' brand experience and influence intent to purchase.Originality/value>Research in brand semiotics on product packaging is limited, as most prior studies focus on brand semiotics in advertising, product design improvement and retail design. The present study has investigated the impact of semiotics on brand experience dimensions in product packaging, which is emerging as a critical concern for the FMCG sector particularly in the post-COVID period.