Information system for visually impaired in Indian universities: a user’s perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Kumar Bhardwaj
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online System ◽  
Visually Impaired Students

Purpose This study aims to comprehend the perceptions of visually impaired users in development of information systems in Indian universities. This will help higher educational institutions in India to fulfil information requirements of visually impaired users. Design/methodology/approach A twofold method was used in the study: survey of visually impaired students in four universities; design and development of an online information system for visually impaired (ISVI). A structured questionnaire was used for survey of visually impaired users in Indian universities. The questionnaire with 33 open-ended questions was distributed among 603 visually impaired users and 316 responses were received. Stratified sampling technique was used in data collection. Response rate was 52.4%. The received responses were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19 and presented through tables and figures. Findings Majority of respondents revealed that lack of content availability in vernacular language, poor information resources access mechanism, less volume of course content and poor maintenance of assistive software(s) and devices and non-standardized e-resources compatible with the assistive software(s) are some major inhibits faced. Majority of respondents revealed that they prefer scribes in examinations because use of assistive technology (AT) is time-consuming. Lack of training and confidence in using AT is another reason for preferring scribes in examinations. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted on a limited number of visually impaired uses in Indian universities. Also, the online system ISVI contains a sample collection related to undergraduate courses only. Practical implications This study will help Indian universities to identify problems faced by visually impaired users. Findings of the study can help faculty members, decision-makers to understand the perspective of visually impaired. Besides this, the study can also help government agencies in formulating policies. Findings will help in developing robust information resources suiting the needs of visually impaired. Originality/value This study developed an online system ISVI (www.isvi.in) suitable to address the requirements of visually impaired students. Furthermore, it can guide policymakers, faculty members and information professionals in developing seamless open access information systems.

A comprehensive digital environment for visually impaired students: user’s perspectives

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 542-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Kumar Bhardwaj ◽  
Sanjay Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Digital Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Notice Board ◽  
Visually Impaired Students ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the perception of visually impaired undergraduate students about the digital environment in their institutions and develop an online information system suiting their requirements. Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted on undergraduate students enrolled in ten colleges of the University of Delhi. A total of 95 visually impaired students were interviewed individually. Data collected from the respondents were analyzed and interpreted using simple percentage method and is presented in the form of figures. Findings The study found that maximum (35.8 percent) respondents access online electronic resources daily. Major constraints faced by them are as follows: inaccessibility of the college notice board, lack of accessibility to existing facilities and resources, lack of assistive technology facilities and unavailability of readers and writers. In total, 51.6 percent respondents indicated that it is cumbersome to access the college website because they are not designed according to the accessibility standards developed for visually impaired students. The respondents also revealed that they are not very familiar with useful devices like Vachak (Hindi Reading Device), SARA CE, Lex (Scanner for Hindi Script). The major reason cited by them is the lack of training and non-availability of trained staff. Research limitations/implications DigitVaran contains course contents of the University of Delhi. Course contents of other Universities are not included. However, it is expected that contents related to the syllabi of other universities would be added in future. Practical implications The study will help visually impaired students to get the desired course contents conveniently. In addition, librarians of other universities can utilize the findings of the study to develop a comprehensive digital environment for visually impaired students. The study can be helpful in the assessment of digital infrastructure and services to visually impaired students by National Assessment and Accreditation Council and other funding agencies. Originality/value The study developed an information system DigitVaran to assist visually impaired undergraduate students in India. The system will help them to access the study materials and make aware of various extracurricular activities of the institutions.

Online legal information system for Indian environment: a user’s perspectives

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 593-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Kumar Bhardwaj ◽  
Madhusudhan Margam
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Open Access ◽  
Needs Assessment ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Website Design ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Information ◽  
Assessment Survey ◽  
Needs Assessment Survey

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore legal information requirements of the legal community in India for a proposed online legal information system tailored to the Indian environment. Design/methodology/approach A needs assessment survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire circulated among 750 respondents from eight institutions in Delhi. A total of 397 filled-in questionnaires were personally collected by the investigator, showing a response rate of 52.9 per cent. All these questionnaires were selected for analysis and interpretation of data. Responses to 45 questions were analyzed and presented in the form of tables and figures using various statistical techniques. Findings The findings of the study show that majority of the respondents felt they faced a number of problems in using online legal resources such as accessibility of legal information in legal resources, lack of online help features, description of legal information sources, search screen too confusing and poor website design. In addition, respondents highlighted that access instructions on the online resources are not clear. Lack of expertise and insufficient knowledge of information and communication technology in using legal databases are also major hurdles. Majority of the respondents are somewhat satisfied in using open-access and commercial legal information resources and not aware of open-access resources in the field of law. Model online legal information system (OLIS) was designed and developed based on the findings drawn in the needs assessment survey to empower the common man with legal resources at no cost, and foster research in the field of law. Research limitations/implications The model OLIS contains only a sample collection. It is expected that the proposed system will be implemented on a wider scale, so that lawyers, research scholars and common people can benefit. Practical implications The findings of the study will help libraries to subscribe to legal information resources and to design robust OLIS suitable in the Indian context. It is anticipated that the needs assessment survey of OLIS will help government agencies and law libraries to understand the problems of the legal fraternity in accessing legal information. Originality/value The present study designed a model OLIS for the Indian environment (www.olisindia.in) to aid the legal community in India, enabling them to save their valuable time. This system will help and foster interdisciplinary research learning and can be used as a tool for learning the basic concepts, as well as help deliberate on the emerging areas in the field of law.

scholarly journals Pioneering models for information interaction in the context of information seeking and retrieval

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 966-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reijo Savolainen
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Information Interaction ◽  
Depth Analysis

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to clarify the conceptual issues of information behaviour research by reviewing the approaches to information interaction in the context of information seeking and retrieval (IS&R). Design/methodology/approach The study uses the conceptual analysis focussing on four pioneering models for interactive IS&R proposed by Belkin, Ingwersen and Ingwersen and Järvelin. Findings A main characteristic of models for information interaction is the tripartite setting identifying information resources accessible through information systems, intermediary/interface and user. Dialogue is a fundamental constituent of information interaction. Early models proposed by Belkin and Ingwersen focussed on the dialogue occurring in user-intermediary interaction, while more recent frameworks developed by Ingwersen and Järvelin devote more attention to dialogue constitutive of user-information system interaction. Research limitations/implications As the study focusses on four models developed within the period of 1984-2005, the findings cannot be generalised to depict the phenomena of information interaction as a whole. Further research is needed to model the specific features of information interaction occurring in the networked information environments in particular. Originality/value The study pioneers by providing an in-depth analysis of the ways in which pioneering researchers have conceptualised the phenomena of interaction in the context of IS&R. The findings contribute to the elaboration of the conceptual space of information behaviour research.

Implementing cognitive automation for employee management in Ganitec University of Science and Technology

2020 ◽  
pp. 204388692093670
Author(s):  
Sudhaman Parthasarathy ◽  
Arpan Kumar Kar
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Management System ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
New Information ◽  
Cognitive Automation ◽  
Working Out ◽  
The Coordinator

In May 2016, it was more than 4 months, since the Ganitec University of Science and Technology went through an exercise for implementing an information system to manage the attendance, leave particulars and payroll of their employee. The management decided to replace their existing manual system with a new information system which was labeled “Cognitive Employee Management System.” In May 2016, spearheaded by a couple of faculty members, the Cognitive Employee Management System was finally implemented by a team of three students headed by the coordinator of the Information Systems Department of the Ganitec University of Science and Technology. Although the director envisaged lots of benefits, the changes were not really working out as he had foreseen. Why were people apprehensive about using the Cognitive Employee Management System when the benefits were apparent? How should the project rollout be planned in the Ganitec University of Science and Technology?

scholarly journals Analisis Sistem Informasi Orang Tua Wali Mahasiswa berbasis Website Studi Kasus Universitas Muhammadiyah Magelang

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agus Setiawan
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Online System ◽  
Student Parents ◽  
Academic Activities ◽  
The World ◽  
Education Needs ◽  
High Level ◽  
The University

Abstract - Information technology was used in the world of education, needs to be done to eliminate the problem of distance, time, and place in the delivery of information. This study aims to identify and analyze the parents information system of the students based websites. The parents information system of the students is expected to provide accurate and reliable information for parents who had entrusted his son to the University of Muhammadiyah Magelang to go through the process of high-level formal education as a student. Parents are guardians of students in need of information on the progress of their children at any time in accordance with academic activities, even in relation to finance for regular payments each semester. The results of this research is a design model of parents information system of the students with integrated with KRS online system that is already running. Keywords: information systems , information systems academic , academic systems , information systems parent.

Digital inclusion for visually impaired students through assistive technologies in academic libraries

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adefunke O. Alabi ◽  
Stephen M. Mutula
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Mission Statement ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Visual Disability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Visually Impaired Students ◽  
World Ranking

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the state-of-the-art assistive technologies (ATs) developed for people living with visual disability and those that are used in academic libraries around the world as a way of proffering solution to the challenges faced by visually impaired students in accessing information. Design/methodology/approach The data used for this paper were derived from website of companies that specialize in ATs for people living with disability and the library website of the top 14 universities in the world based on the 2020 QS world ranking of universities. Findings This study found that foremost academic libraries in the UK and the USA have integrated various ATs into library services as information access mechanism for students living with visual impairment. The study found that the most commonly used screen reader software is the Job Access With Speech (JAWS). The study also found that one of the institutions has a mission statement on their website, clearly stating support for people living with disability. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted using only the 2020 QS world ranking of universities. It would be interesting to see results of academic libraries from Africa based on their ranking. Practical implications The paper provides highlights on trends that may inform academic libraries in the quest to providing ATs for students living with visual impairments. This paper may assist academics libraries who are at the brink of decision-making on use of ATs as information access mechanism to the visually impaired students. Originality/value This paper is the first to provide librarians with ideas and innovations on specific ATs used by leading academic libraries in the world.

Campus as a Framework for a Networked University

2011 ◽  
pp. 129-135
Author(s):  
Josep Cobarsí Morales
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Electronic Information Resources ◽  
External Pressures ◽  
Concept Of Information ◽  
Corporate Information

Electronics-based information networks have brought widespread transformations in the way information flows in university campuses, to such a degree that the expression “campus information system” is usually equivalent to “campus electronic networked information system.” Universities are highly decentralised organizations, so managing corporate electronic information resources poses challenges such as finding an optimal degree of standardisation or the global orientation of corporate information resources (Cornford, 2000). These challenges were less of a problem when using paper and in face-to-face campuses. Likewise, external pressures due to the rise of the network society pose questions about the role of universities. These questions affect the concept of information systems. Thus, it is time to review the conceptual framework for campus information systems, focusing on strategic information management of higher education institutions in networked environments. Characterisation is established and discussed, with special attention paid to students as the main users of campus information systems.

scholarly journals ACTIVE ethics: an information systems ethics for the internet age

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Kenneth McBride
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Virtue Ethics ◽  
Moral Worth ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internet Age ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a novel mnemonic, ACTIVE, inspired by Mason's 1985 PAPA mnemonic, which will help researchers and IT professionals develop an understanding of the major issues in information ethics. Design/methodology/approach – Theoretical foundations are developed for each element of the mnemonic by reference to philosophical definitions of the terms used and to virtue ethics, particularly MacIntyrean virtue ethics. The paper starts with a critique of the elements of the PAPA mnemonic and then proceeds to develop an understanding of each of the elements of ACTIVE ethics, via a discussion of the underpinning virtue ethics. Findings – This paper identifies six issues, described by the mnemonic, ACTIVE. ACTIVE stands for: autonomy, the ability of the individual to manage their own information and make choice; community, the ethical effect of an information systems on the community which it supports; transparency, the extent to which the derivation of content and process in an information system is made clear; identity, the social and ethical effect of an information system on the definition and maintenance of the distinctive characteristics of a person; value, the value or moral worth placed on information associated with an individual and hence on the relationship with the individual; and empathy, the ability of the information systems professional to emotionally connect with the user and the extent to which the information system distances or connects. Originality/value – The paper applies virtue ethics to developing a tool to help information professionals reflect on their ethical practice in developing and supporting information systems.

Student information system satisfaction in higher education: the role of visual aesthetics

Kybernetes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 1604-1622
Author(s):  
Patricio Esteban Ramírez-Correa ◽  
Francisco Javier Rondán-Cataluña ◽  
Jorge Arenas-Gaitán
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
System Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Visual Aesthetics ◽  
Student Information System ◽  
Student Information

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the role of visual aesthetics as a key in generating satisfaction in student information system (SIS) users and to discover relationships to other antecedents. This work has also studied how gender discriminates those relationships. Design/methodology/approach DeLone and McLean’s model of information systems success, visual aesthetic and gender socialisation theory are used as a theoretical framework for the study. An explanatory model was proposed based on the previous literature, and then this model was validated using a sample of undergraduate students. Partial Least Squares was chosen as the approach to conduct the statistical analysis. Findings First, the findings show that the variance explained by the proposed model in user satisfaction of SIS is 67 per cent. Second, visual aesthetics has a significant direct effect on user satisfaction of SIS, but the indirect effect is much higher, through its relationship to system quality and information quality. Third, the results indicate that there are significant differences between men and women in the direct relationship between visual aesthetics and user satisfaction of SIS, and this relationship being much more intense in the case of women. Originality/value The study highlights the role of visual aesthetics as a variable that explains user satisfaction in information systems; this fact emphasises on the importance of taking into account aesthetics when designing information systems. In addition, the findings support the existence of a novel relationship between visual aesthetics and information quality. Finally, new evidence on gender differences concerning user satisfaction in information systems is presented; this result indicates in the opposite direction to recent studies that imply a certain homogenisation of gender in relation to the perceptions associated with the technologies of the information.

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