Smartphones

The growth in the use of smartphones is remarkable and reaches countless spheres of social life, one of them being the university. Nagumo (2014) and Selwyn (2014) highlight that there are few researches focused on understanding how technological devices like cellphones are used in teaching institutions; in addition to that, the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS) has recently implemented the international Internet network eduroam. In this context, this research aims to discover motivations to the use of smartphones by the students of the Departments of Vernacular Language (DLEV) and Modern Languages (DLES), as well as to analyze possible rules and consequences of using smartphones during classes at UFS. The methodology is qualitative-analytical-interpretative-and follows the procedures Freeman (1998) proposes, which include naming, grouping, finding relationship, and displaying. This research's results and conclusions indicate that most students who participated in the research use smartphones to meet academic and entertainment aims. The rules and consequences in the classroom, however, diminish the use of the devices for being related to punishments. Similarly, eduroam discourages the use of smartphones because it presents barriers to the access of Internet.

В статті розглядається визначення та особливості роботи операційної системи Android. Здійснений порівняльний аналіз існуючих версій. Описані функціональні особливості роботи з різними версіями операційної системи Android. Створена таблиця з порівняльним аналізом версій операційної системи Android.

Internet-enabled 'Smartphones' are becoming ever more used by people with Learning Disabilities (LD) for entertainment, to socialise and enjoy self-expression. Despite this, there is a paucity of research into the experiences of this cohort in using this technology, the barriers they may encounter or the benefits accrued. The study to be presented addresses this gap by exploring the issues via in-depth group and individual interview and observation with 11 adults (aged 17-40) in a case study at a Day Centre in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, for People with LD. Interviews were content-analysed to elicit themes such as expressions of self-advocacy; information-seeking, barriers to use etc. Usability issues were also explored by participatory observation of device usage during individual interviews. From such an examination, a rich picture emerged of the part mobile digital technology plays in the lives of this cohort in Brazil. As the study formed part of a much larger one based in the UK, having similar aims, objectives and methods, results are compared to those being gathered for the UK-based research, to explore any cultural or social differences that may affect the impact of mobile devices on the lives of people with LD.

Technology use has proliferated in family life; everyday intrusions and interruptions due to technology devices, which we term “technoference,” will likely occur. We examine the frequency of technoference in romantic relationships and whether these everyday interruptions relate to women’s personal and relational well-being. Participants were 143 married/cohabiting women who completed an online questionnaire. The majority perceived that technology devices (such as computers, cell or smartphones, or TV) frequently interrupted their interactions, such as couple leisure time, conversations, and mealtimes, with their partners. Overall, participants who rated more technoference in their relationships also reported more conflict over technology use, lower relationship satisfaction, more depressive symptoms, and lower life satisfaction. We tested a structural equation model of technoference predicting conflict over technology use, which then predicted relationship satisfaction, which finally predicted depression and life satisfaction. By allowing technology to interfere with or interrupt conversations, activities, and time with romantic partners—even when unintentional or for brief moments—individuals may be sending implicit messages about what they value most, leading to conflict and negative outcomes in personal life and relationships.

The unprecedented penetration of smartphones into the Singapore market offers potentially cost-effective and sustainable solutions for people to stay connected with their families, friends and communities. However, due to financial constraints and limited technology literacy, older adults often lack the access needed to tap into the benefits of this type of communication technology. To reduce isolation and open their world to new experiences, Singtel, a local telecommunication company, has initiated a project called Silverline. It calls for the donation of used iPhones and chargers for use by needy older adults. Our on-going study seeks to explore to what extent and in what ways smartphones influence the quality of life of older adults, as well as unique and/or significant factors in their appropriation and reinvention of smartphones. Method In 2013, twenty-seven used iPhones were collected and donated to older adults living alone. We conducted semi-structured interviews with nine recipients (six males, three females, between the ages of 63 to 82 years old) (Figure 1). The interview questionnaire was divided into two sections: Section A solicited data on the respondent’s profile such as gender, age, race, as well as life satisfaction and ability to care for one’s self; Section B used a modified version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)1,2, that included questions used to assess the older adult’s perceptions of smartphone usefulness, ease of use, internal and external controls, willingness to use, as well as intention for future use. Whilst the questionnaire was made up of structured questions, they were also accompanied by open-ended questions that were later extracted and coded to ensure that responses were not confined within the limits of existing theoretical frameworks. The interviews ranged between one to two hours, were conducted in their preferred language and were audio-recorded. Results & Discussion In spite of living alone, all our interviewees demonstrated an ability to live independently and expressed moderate to high satisfaction towards their current life. Generally, they had a positive attitude toward smartphones. They found them to especially useful and entertaining, to the extent that some expressed they were not willing to have the iPhone taken away from them. Aside from making phone calls to their family and friends, iPhones were most commonly used to take pictures and play games — the main reason for this was the iPhones’ ability to help the elderly overcome loneliness and boredom. Only one older adult was active on a social networking site (Facebook) to keep in touch with his family members overseas. Findings were gathered with regard to the problems encountered by older adults due to declined physical, cognitive and perceptual abilities. They had a difficult time quickly finding certain applications or necessary information (e.g. SMS, contacts) on the phone, the ability to update/download new apps from the online store, or to use the phone to take clear pictures. Nevertheless, those problems were easily overcome by persistence or seeking help from others (e.g. family, friends). For older adults, the social context of use is thus argued to be one of the most significant factors driving the adoption and appropriation of smartphones. Some interviewees viewed the smartphone as a status symbol, since they perceived that those with smartphones are younger and have higher incomes. Unsurprisingly, cost is a major hurdle for their adoption of smartphones.

בשנים האחרונות מתרחב השימוש של מפלגות ומתמודדים בשליחת מסרונים לבוחרים פוטנציאליים בקמפיינים. לעתים ניתן גם להשיב להודעות במסרון חוזר או באמצעות דף נחיתה מקוון וכך ליצור תקשורת דו- סטרית עם מצביעים פוטנציאלים . המאמר בודק את מידת ההיענות למסר ון פוליטי בזמן קמפיין בחירות ואת המשתנים המשפיעים עליה. זאת, באמצעות ניסוי טבעי במסגרתו נשלחו מסרונים לתושבים בשלוש רשויות מקומיות בידי מטות הקמפיינים של המתמודדים. מהממצאים עולה כי שעור ההיענות נע בין 4-18 אחוז ים, קרוב לאחוזי ההיענות למסרונים שיווקיים ולדרכים אחרות של השתתפות פוליטית מונעת מסרונים. גיל ומגדר לא נמצאו כמשפיעים, אולם לפרסונליזציה )פנייה העושה שימוש בשמו של מקבל המסרון( ולאופן ההשבה )מסרון חוזר/דף נחיתה( היו השפעה משמעותית על שעורי ההיענות.

The purpose of this review is to provide a systematic analysis of studies investigating the use of augmented reality (AR) to improve the social communications skills of individuals (children and adults) diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This review synthesizes the AR technology, research design, data collection methods, settings, and intervention outcomes. Across the studies, the effect of using AR towards the learning of individuals was positive. However, given the wide variety of skills targeted in the shortlisted studies, and the heterogeneity of the participants, a summative conclusion regarding the effectiveness of AR for teaching social communication skills to an individual with ASD based on the existing literature is not possible. Future research addressing this area as well as the relative effectiveness of AR among more participants, different technologies supporting AR, its intervention, and the evaluation in the classroom environment is warranted.