Department of Information Technology

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://erepository.kibu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/187

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 59

Green ICT Policy Maturity for Actualization of Sustainable Computing in Developing Nations
(International Journal of Computer Science, Engineering and Information Technology, 2019-10-19) Wabwoba, Franklin
Green ICT Policy encompasses the frameworks an organization has developed and put in place to apply environmental sustainability criteria throughout its value chain. The lack of appropriate green policy alignment to application of ICT uptake challenges the reaping of the benefits often stated of ICT. Multiple case study design with case from different sectors of the economy selected based on information richness, accessibility, size as well as diversity in application of ICT was employed. Triangulation of data collection and findings interpretation was utilised. The study established that green ICT policy maturity was very low. In effect, calling for purposed policy set up on green ICT application by developing nations to ensure ICT benefits are realised while limiting environmental degradation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF CELL PHONES PENETRATION AND DISPOSAL IN KENYA
(International Journal of Computers & Technology, 2014-05-25) Wabwoba, Franklin; Sakwa, Thomas; Mbugua, Samuel; Kilwake, Humphrey
ABSTRACT Kenya has over six million active mobile subscribers who may at some point want to replace or get rid of old mobile phones. A big number of the mobile phones were recently switched off for not being genuine without a prober mechanism being put in place for the disposal. If every affected individual or otherwise disposed off phones by throwing it away then there could a serious ecological disaster in waiting. Cell phones are hazardous materials because of electromagnetic radiation and electronic composition. They have substances such as antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc which belong to a class of chemicals known as persistent toxins. These toxins pollute and remain in the environment for long periods. There are ill-effects of wireless and telecommunication devices on the environment are disastrous. The increased use of high resolution LCD screens leads to a potentially devastating environmental challenge. There is no clear policy frame work on e-waste management with a special focus on used mobile phones in the country. A proper disposal mechanism of wireless and telecommunication devices is a necessity in Kenya
VIRTUAL REALITY IN EDUCATION: TRENDS AND ISSUES
(International Journal of Computers & Technology, 2013-02-09) Omieno, Kelvin; Wabwoba, Franklin; Matoke, Nahason
Computer-mediated learning is becoming an increasingly common form of education in institutions of higher learning (IHL). Many IHL in developing nations, such as Kenya, have greatly experienced an increase in demand for higher education. On the other hand, the ability to connect people with required sets of skills, regardless of their location in the world has been enabled by advances in information technology over the past 20 years. Use of virtual learning systems (VLS) has rapidly emerged as a very promising technology that will probably match the innovation of technologies such as multimedia/hypermedia. These VLS have the potential to provide opportunities for active, flexible, and increasingly individualized learning experiences. It also explains virtual reality principle, describes the interactive educational environment, highlights the challenges higher education face in the traditional mode of delivery and discusses educational benefits of implementing virtual learning environments in IHL. The paper makes a number of recommendations for successful adoption of VLS in higher education
Pervasiveness of green ICT awareness amongst Kenyan ICT personnel
(International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management, 2013-01-06) Wabwoba, Franklin; Wanyembi, Gregory; Omuterema, Stanley; Mutua, Stephen
There has been growing concerns about the rising costs of doing business and environmental degradation world over. Green ICT has been proposed to provide solutions to the two issues yet it is not being implemented fully in developing nations like Kenya despite the availability of the technologies of doing it. The study investigated pervasiveness of green ICT awareness amongst the ICT personnel, how they perceive it to be relevant to their organisations and the drivers towards implementation of the same. The study surveyed ICT personnel in four cases using a questionnaire on a seven scale likert scale. The study established that awareness level of green ICT in Kenya is low when compared with developed nations. It also established the green ICT drivers and how ICT personnel perceived it to be relevant to their organisations. The study recommends the raising of green ICT awareness levels through aligning the ICT personnel’s capacities
The Role of ICT in Social Inclusion: A Review of Literature
(International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 2015-12-04) Motochi, Vincent; Barasa, Samuel; Owoche, Patrick; Wabwoba, Franklin
The questions we seek to answer in this paper are; Have ICT contributed to enhance social inclusion? Has use of ICT brought new forms of exclusion? And what is the way forward in using ICT for an inclusive society? Desk Top research was used. From the findings, one form of exclusion often leads to another, resulting to a cycle. a spanner and Nut Model was developed to show how Knowing which exclusion to reduce in order to break the cycle is critical in determining the type of ICT and how to apply it in order create an inclusive society.
The Role of ICT in Social Inclusion: A Review of Literature
(International Journal of Science and Research, 2015-12-13) Muchiri, Njoki; Wabwoba, Franklin
The questions we seek to answer in this paper are; Have ICT contributed to enhance social inclusion? Has use of ICT brought new forms of exclusion? And what is the way forward in using ICT for an inclusive society? Desk Top research was used. From the findings, one form of exclusion often leads to another, resulting to a cycle. a spanner and Nut Model was developed to show how Knowing which exclusion to reduce in order to break the cycle is critical in determining the type of ICT and how to apply it in order create an inclusive society.
Green ICT Readiness Model for Developing Economies: Case of Kenya
(International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 2013-12-15) Wabwoba, Franklin; Omuterema, Stanley; Wanyembi, Gregory; Omieno, Kelvin
There has been growing concerns about the rising costs of doing business and environmental degradation world over. Green ICT has been proposed to provide solutions to the two issues yet it is not being implemented fully in developing economies like Kenya. For its implementation, it is critical to establish the level of green ICT readiness of organisations to inform where to start and where to put more emphasis. Over the past few years this has been done using Molla’s G-readiness model. However this model assumes the basic level of G-readiness to be same for both developed and developing economies to be the same with regard to ICT personnel preparedness. Based on green ICT readiness in Kenya, the relationship between ICT personnel’s gender, age and training with the G-readiness variables as proposed in Molla’s G-readiness model was investigated. The study surveyed ICT personnel in four cases using a questionnaire on a seven scale likert scale. It established that there exists a significant relationship between the ICT personnel related variables and the G-readiness variables. Based on the findings on the relationship, the study extended Molla’s G-readiness model to include a sixth dimension of personnel readiness.
E-trafiki model: electronic solution architect for police highway patrolling in Kenya
(2015) Tenge, Evans; Mneria, Esau; Gekombe, Dickson; Sanja, Michael; Ogalo, James
Among the six world regions, Africa remains least motorized but suffers the highest rates of road traffic fatalities causing deaths and fatal injuries. If these trends continue, traffic accidents will be among the top major causes of death worldwide. Highway patrolling is being used primarily for the purpose of overseeing and enforcing traffic safety compliance on roads and highways. In developing countries, traditional manual patrolling methods are still being used for traffic patrolling which is lagging behind, and it is not matched with the status of national costeffective development, reducing road accidents, reducing crime and corruption. In this paper, we're going to look this important sector and how electronic patrolling techniques and equipment have been utilized to overcome the traditional method of patrolling. We argue that developing solution architecture to expose traffic policemen to road traffic information electronically can boost their service provision and reduce road traffic accidents while at the same time be productive and cost efficient. Further, we illustrate the development of an eTrafiki framework to address these aforementioned properties to improve highway patrolling.
Evaluating total cost of ownership for university enterprise resource planning: case of Maseno university
(2015) Owoche, Patrick Oduor; Gregory, Wanyembi; Juma, Kilwake Humphrey
Higher learning institutions (HEI) are investing in IT to attain operational excellence. Organizations looking to reduce technology costs typically look for ways to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). TCO captures all direct and indirect costs related to deploying a particular system. Understanding life-cycle costs provides opportunity to save scarce resources, improve IT and increase productivity. The study sought to analyze the TCO of university ERP system. The TCO analysis was based on Gartner’s TCO model, the Distributed Computing Chart of Account as the theoretical framework. Modified Gartner TCO model was used to determine the total cost of owning Maseno University ERP system. The aim of the study was to create awareness on life-cycle costs of ERP solutions. The results obtained indicate that operations and maintenance account for 51%, end-user usage 23% while technology acquisition costs accounted for 16 %, implementation costs with 7% and the least cost was taken by procurements costs with 3%. Case study was used in gathering both qualitative and quantitative data from Maseno University. Interviews, document analysis, and questionnaires were used to gather the research data. It is hoped that the results of this study will help HEIs improve management of their ERP systems.
A model for evaluating total cost of ownership of university enterprise resource planning: case of Maseno university
(2013-09)
Enterprise Resource Planning, (ERP) makes it possible to improve institutional efficiency and effectiveness. There is, however, a great deal of difficulty reported in the normative literature when it comes to the evaluation of investments in ERP, with organizations often finding themselves unable to assess the full implications of their ERP implementation. Organizations looking to reduce technology costs typically look for ways to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). When properly analyzed, TCO captures all direct and indirect costs related to acquiring, configuring, deploying, managing and retiring a particular asset or system. Each one of these categories is a valuable opportunity to save scarce resources, improve IT and increase productivity. This research is based on cost analysis of an ERP system solution in universities. It explores on how to develop a model for evaluating the total cost of ERP ownership in a university and to provide basis upon which to monitor costs over time. The study sought to identify the major cost drivers that can influence the TCO of ERP in universities, to analyze the TCO of university ERP and to develop a model for evaluating TCO of university ERP. The study identified the major cost factors that can influence TCO in university ERP system as; the number of implementation locations, scope of business impact, technology familiarity among users, life cycle of technology, and the system support. The proposed TCO model was built based on Gartner’s TCO model, the Distributed Computing Chart of Account as the theoretical framework. The proposed TCO model has five cost elements which are; procurement costs, hardware and software acquisition costs, implementation costs, operations and maintenance costs and end-user usage costs. The model has seventeen nodes and sixty five background factors. The developed TCO model was used to determine the total cost of owning Maseno University ERP system. The results obtained indicate that operations and maintenance account for 51% of the TCO of ERP system followed by end-user usage with 23%. Hardware and Software Acquisition costs accounted for 16 %, Implementation costs with 7% and the least cost was taken by Procurements costs with 3%. Case study was used in gathering both qualitative and quantitative data from Maseno University. Maseno University currently comprises four campuses; Main Campus, College Campus, Kisumu City Campus and Homa Bay Campus. Interviews, document analysis, questionnaires as well as observation techniques were used to gather the research data. It is hoped that the results of this study will help higher educational institutions improve management of their ERP systems.
Ict and education: enabling two rural western Kenyan schools to exploit information technology
(2012) Boit, John; Menjo, David; Kimutai, James
The study was undertaken to evaluate the implementation of ICT to support learning, teaching, school administration and use of E-communication between cooperating rural secondary schools in Western Kenya under the Rotary project, Forssa Rotary Club of Finland District 1410. The study was conducted in two selected rural schools namely: Anin secondary school (Keiyo County) and Cheplaskei secondary school (UasinGishu County) under a Finnish project “Enabling rural Western Kenyan schools to exploit information technology” funded by the Suomen Rotaryn between May 2007-December 2009. A case study research design was adopted for this study where interviews, observation and open-ended questionnaires including document analysis were used to collect qualitative data. The respondents interviewed in each school were mainly head teachers, ICT instructors, ICT technicians, teachers (4), students (7), and Board of Governors (BOG) and Parents Teachers Association (PTA) members (2).The findings indicate that largely the initial objectives of the project had been realized. Teachers, students and the school administrators were now using computers to access educational resource material from the Internet, prepare and process examination results, manage, monitor and process financial reports, and communicate using email. There was also evidence that quality of teaching, learning and students’ level of interaction, reasoning, recall, synthesis and evaluation had improved tremendously. School discipline and student sense of self-esteem and pride had significantly been enhanced.
Choosing tools of pedagogy (case of program visualization)
(International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management, 2012) Mutua, Stephen; Abenga, Elizabeth; Ogao, Patrick; Wabwoba, Franklin; Ikoha, Anselmo
Computer aided learning has over time been integrated in traditional pedagogical approaches in order to improve the quality of education as well as skillful content acquisition. Several programs have been developed over time to be used in the classroom with the aim of improving on the mode of instruction. Program Visualization (PV) tools are an example of such developments with the desire of improving classroom experience during teaching/learning computer programming. Despite that the tools have posted positive results in various universities, teachers seem not to have widely accepted them. This paper seeks to establish the factors that influence the choice of a PV tool for teaching computer programming. The established list of factors indicates that they range from system based issues to other features beyond the system. From the results, it emerges that most teachers are not using emerging contemporary approaches but instead are making use of the traditional approach whose impact is less felt especially for technical courses like programming. These factors form part of taxonomy of PV tools for pedagogy.
Teaching computer programming in the 21st century
(International Journal of Science and Technology, 2011) Mutua, Stephen; Wabwoba, Franklin; Abenga, Elizabeth; Kilwake, Juma; Ogao, Patrick
Over the years, research has shown that programming has proved to be a challenging task to many. Due to this, several program visualization tools have been developed to aid in teaching programming. This study aimed at assessing the impact of using programming visualization tools in the teaching and learning of computer Programming. An overview of the tools that were used during the study is given followed by review of literature on the benefits of PV tools in teaching Programming. The study is based on Edga Dale’s (1954) Cone of Experience, which forms the foundation of resource based learning theories. Literature reveals that the use of program visualization tools in teaching and learning Programming have posted positive results in various institutions. This is followed by a report of a study conducted using experimental research design approach. The same class was taught two programming introductory courses using BlueJ and Jeliot3 tools; and the performance of the students in the two courses was compared. In addition, during the classes, the covert-direct observation method was used to observe student interactions’ and behaviors as they programmed and solved problems during the lessons. Results revealed that these tools if effectively used can improve on the alertness of students, interest in the subject and ultimately positive results.
Students selection for university course admission at the joint admissions board (Kenya) using trained neural networks
(Journal of Information Technology Education, 2011) Wabwoba, Franklin; Mwakondo, Fullgence M.
Every year, the Joint Admission Board (JAB) is tasked to determine those students who are ex-pected to join various Kenyan public universities under the government sponsorship scheme. This exercise is usually extensive because of the large number of qualified students compared to the very limited number of slots at various institutions and the shortage of funding from the govern-ment. Further, this is made complex by the fact that the selections are done against a predefined cluster subjects vis a vis the student’s preferred and applied for academic courses. Minimum re-quirements exist for each course and only students having the prescribed grades in specific sub-jects are eligible to join that course. Due to this, students are often admitted to courses they con-sider irrelevant to their career prospects and not their preferred choices. This process is tiresome, costly, and prone to bias, errors, or favour, leading to disadvantaging innocent students. This paper examines the potential use of artificial neural networks at the JAB for the process of selecting students for university courses. Based on the fact that Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have been tested and used in classification, the paper explains how a trained neural network can be used to perform the students’ placement effectively and efficiently. JAB will be able, therefore, to undertake the students’ placement thoroughly and be able to accomplish it with minimal wastage of time and resources respectively without having to utilise unnecessary effort. The paper outlines how the various metrics can be coded and used as input to the ANNs. Ultimately, the paper underscores the various merits that would accompany the adoption of this technique. By making use of neural networks in the university career choices, student placement at JAB will enhance the chances of students being placed into courses they prefer as part of their career choice. This is likely to motivate the students, making them work harder and leading to improved performance and improved completion rate. The ANN application may also reduce the cost spend on the application processing and the time the applicants have to wait for the outcome. The ANN application could further increase the chances of high quality applicants getting admis-sion to career courses for which they qualify.
Information technology research in developing nations: major research methods and publication outlets
(International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Research, 2011) Wabwoba, Franklin; Ikoha, Anselimo Peters
The multi-disciplinary nature of Information Technology has brought many methods of research with it. This has left many Information Technology specialists whose background is from the rigid scientific disciplines in a dilemma. The paper distinguishes Information Technology research from computer science research. It highlights where emphasis of research in Information Technology needs to be placed. There has been a general shift in Information Technology from focus being strictly technological to social, managerial and organizational in nature that have put demand on Information Technology researcher to acquire knew skills. The paper differentiates the emphasis between Information Technology research and computer science researcher. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches have become handy in this field of study. The most common research methods action research, case study, Ethnography, experimentation, Grounded theory, secondary method, and survey are discussed in this paper clearly giving the applicability. Important consideration and weakness of each method from the information technology perspective are discussed in this paper. The findings outlets for the field are also mentioned.
The role of wireless technologies in taking education to rural villages in developing countries
(International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Research, 2011) Wabwoba, Franklin; Omieno, Kelvin K.; Simiyu, Carolyne N.; Sisungo, Zipporah W.
The development of wireless technologies has generated a considerable amount of excitement among practitioners and academics because it results in shifting the academic environment from traditional classroom restricted setting to open schools. The use of wireless technologies may be very important in provision of improved quality education for rural parts of the developing nations that lack a number of necessary facilities. The study conducted a survey among teachers in primary schools with specific focus on the challenges of the conventional classroom setting in rural Kenya. From the findings of the study a framework of utilization of wireless technologies is proposed to help overcome some of the challenges. The paper highlights the possibilities and potentials of the wireless technologies for various functions in the rural schools through the use of short message service (SMS), podcasting, video and mobile Web services among other approaches. The paper aims at providing a reference point for decision-makers, planners, teachers and administrators of developing nations to guide them to the world of wireless technologies.
Classifying program visualization tools to facilitate informed choices: teaching and learning computer programming
(International Journal of Computer Science and Telecommunications, 2012) Mutua, Stephen; Wabwoba, Franklin; Ogao, Patrick; Anselmo, Peter; Abenga, Elizabeth
Program Visualization (PV) is a technique that has been found useful in teaching computing programming. This has seen proliferation in development of PV tools with an aim of enhancing teaching/learning programming over the last two decades. However, the tools usage has remained minimal. Perhaps because it becomes challenging to ascertain the appropriate tool for the right task. This paper presents a classification of program visualization tools with the focus of aiding teachers and students in choosing the most appropriate tool for an interesting experience in the classroom. The paper is based on six various PV tools evaluated over a period of two consecutive academic years in a Kenyan public University. The classification augments the Price’s taxonomy of software visualization arm of PV by presenting four basic levels which are further subdivided into lower levels.
Evaluating the role of information and communication technology (ICT) support towards processes of management in institutions of higher learning
(International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 2012) Ujunju, Michael Okumu; Wanyembi, G.; Wabwoba, Franklin
The role of Information and Communication Technology in achieving organization’s strategic development goals has been an area of constant debate, and as well perceived in different management dimensions. Most universities are therefore employing it (ICT) as a tool for competitive advantage to support the accomplishment of their objectives. Universities are also known to have branches or campuses that need strong and steady strategic plans to facilitate their steady expansion and growth. Besides, production of quality services from the various levels of management in these universities requires quality strategic plans and decisions. In addition, to realize the steady growth and competitive advantage, ICT not only has to be an additive but a critical component towards supporting management processes in the universities. This research sought to determine the role of ICT in supporting management processes in institutions of higher learning in Kenya. The research investigated how the different levels of management used ICT in their management processes and whether the use had any effect on management processes. The research further made recommendations to the universities on better use of ICTs in their management processes. A public university in Kenya was used as a case study in this research.
Barriers to implementation of green ICT in Kenya
(International Journal of Science and Technology, 2012) Wabwoba, Franklin; Wanyembi, Gregory W.; Omuterema, Stanley
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is playing an increasingly important role in both business and private undertakings. Its use in several areas in the world economy has brought about increased demand for electronic equipment. The rapid pace of technology advancement and the drop in hardware prices has led to increased demand and acquisition resulting in increased production and use of hardware. However, the increased ICT uptake has increased costs and demand for energy where electricity is the main power source. Electricity notably is a major contributor to climatic change because the coal or oil that helps generate it does releases carbon dioxide, pollutants, and sulphur into the atmosphere. With environmental degradation, rising costs of doing business and power demand and demand for social responsibility, going green is no longer an option. There are green ICT technologies in the market to mitigate the concerns but unfortunately they are not bearing fruit that calls for an understanding of barriers to implementation of the same in developing nations like Kenya. The study used multiple case study approach. The study population included ICT managerial, technical and end user human resource and public university ICT graduate students. The multiple study was conducted in one leading sugar manufacturing industry, a communication commission regulatory body and one public university offering ICT from certificate to PhD level. Respondents were either interviewed or responded to a questionnaire. The study established that green ICT technologies are available in Kenya and are not barriers to its implementation. The paper highlights the barriers to implementing green ICT in Kenya. The paper recommends alignment of ICT personnel towards enhancing green ICT implementation in the light of the barriers.
Pervasiveness of green ICT awareness amongst Kenyan ICT personnel
(International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management, 2013) Wabwoba, Franklin; Wanyembi, Gregory W.; Omuterema, Stanley; Mutua, Stephen Makau
There has been growing concerns about the rising costs of doing business and environmental degradation world over. Green ICT has been proposed to provide solutions to the two issues yet it is not being implemented fully in developing nations like Kenya despite the availability of the technologies of doing it. The study investigated pervasiveness of green ICT awareness amongst the ICT personnel, how they perceive it to be relevant to their organisations and the drivers towards implementation of the same. The study surveyed ICT personnel in four cases using a questionnaire on a seven scale likert scale. The study established that awareness level of green ICT in Kenya is low when compared with developed nations. It also established the green ICT drivers and how ICT personnel perceived it to be relevant to their organisations. The study recommends the raising of green ICT awareness levels through aligning the ICT personnel’s capacities.

Browse

Recent Submissions