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Social Media and the COVID-19: South African and Zimbabwean Netizens’ Response to a Pandemic Murimo Bethel Mutanga; Oswelled Ureke; Tarirai Chani
Indonesian Journal of Information Systems Vol. 4 No. 1 (2021): August 2021
Publisher : Program Studi Sistem Informasi Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24002/ijis.v4i1.4338

Abstract

Since the end of 2019, the world faced a major health crisis in the form of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To mitigate the impact of the pandemic, governments across the globe instituted measures such as restricting local and international travel and in many cases, ordering citizens to stay indoors. Considering the social and economic impact of these restrictions it becomes crucial to investigate internet citizens’ (netizens) perception about the precautionary measures adopted. The study is anchored in the digital public sphere theory, which treats social media applications as virtual platforms where netizens commune to share ideas and debate about issues that affect them. Social media platforms already have critical public views on the current pandemic. However, the majority of this data is unstructured and difficult to interpret. Natural language processing (NLP), on the other hand, makes the task of gathering and analysing vast amounts of textual data feasible. Extracting structured knowledge from natural language, however, comes with unique challenges due to diverse linguistic properties including abbreviation, spelling mistakes, punctuations, stop words and non-standard text. In this work, The Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) algorithm was applied to tweeter data to extract topics discussed by netzens from Zimbabwe and South Africa.  The primary focus of this paper, is to comparatively explore the variety of topics that occupied twitter communities from the two countries. We examine whether or not the national identities that define and differentiate citizens of these countries also exist on Twitter as evident in the emerging topics. Furthermore, this work investigated public opinion by analysing how citizens discuss the issues around the COVID-19 pandemic on social media
Factors Affecting Career Preferences and Pathways: Insights from IT Students Murimo Bethel Mutanga; Philip Xolisa Piyose; Sithembile Ndovela
Journal of Information System and Informatics Vol 5 No 3 (2023): Journal of Information Systems and Informatics
Publisher : Universitas Bina Darma

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.51519/journalisi.v5i3.556

Abstract

The selection of an appropriate career path plays a pivotal role in shaping students' futures and can greatly enhance their employability prospects. By making well-informed decisions, students can align their educational pursuits with their professional aspirations, ensuring a seamless transition from academia to the workforce. This study aims to investigate the career choices of IT students within the Department of ICT. Through an analysis of the career choices made by students in these specific areas, the research seeks to uncover the underlying factors that influence their decision-making processes. By examining the career preferences of IT students, this research endeavor seeks to provide valuable insights into the motivations, interests, and aspirations that drive their choice of specialization. Additionally, it aims to explore how external factors, such as industry trends, job market demands, and personal experiences, impact their decision-making. Understanding these factors can offer valuable guidance to educational institutions, curriculum developers, and career advisors, enabling them to provide tailored support and guidance to IT students, thus facilitating more informed career decisions. Ultimately, the findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the career preferences and pathways within the IT field. This knowledge can aid educators and institutions in developing relevant and responsive curricula, fostering an environment that nurtures students' talents and equips them with the necessary skills and knowledge for their chosen career paths. Additionally, it can assist students in making informed choices that align with their passions and long-term goals, ultimately enhancing their employability and success in the dynamic and ever-evolving IT industry.
Beyond Storage: Evaluating the Utilization of Learning Management Systems in Higher Education Murimo Bethel Mutanga; Vincent Xolani Mhlongo; Fiona Pillay
IJIE (Indonesian Journal of Informatics Education) Vol 7, No 2 (2023): IJIE (Indonesian Journal of Informatics Education) - December
Publisher : Universitas Sebelas Maret

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.20961/ijie.v7i2.80502

Abstract

In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, the integration of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) has become pivotal, transcending mere content uploading to necessitate a deeper fusion of technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge, as emphasised by the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) model. This study addresses the knowledge gap in assessing the alignment of the usage LMSs with the TPACK framework through a mixed-method approach. Analysing LMS usage patterns and distributing questionnaires to academics reveals the predominant use of LMSs for basic content storage, with limited incorporation of multimedia resources and infrequent utilisation of external and analytical tools. These findings raise concerns about universities' optimal utilisation of technology investments, highlighting the need to reassess LMS value and potential redesign. The study underscores the importance of enhanced training and support for academics to align LMSs with TPACK principles, emphasising the necessity of understanding this relationship. By doing so, educators can employ transformative strategies that extend beyond conventional boundaries, offering a more enriched educational experience.