177 results on '"Hansson, Henrik"'
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2. An Exploratory Study on the Practices of IT-Institutional Alignment for Effective ICT Integration in University Services
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Byungura, Jean Claude, Hansson, Henrik, Olsoon, Ulf, and Masengesho, Kamuzinzi
- Abstract
The misalignment between information technology (IT) and institutions continues to be a major problem, more particularly in higher education institutions. This state leads to a lack of technology value addition and poor institutional performance. Prior studies proposed models and frameworks with various organizational practices of IT-Business alignment. However, similar research, considering higher education institutions, is scarce. Therefore, this study explores and identifies the dimensions and practices of IT-institutional alignment from a higher education context. An exploratory embedded multiple-case study strategy is used on the two largest universities in Rwanda and Mozambique. Document survey and interviews are used for data collection. The literature and 14 interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach to identify patterns related to the alignment practices. This study identified 45 IT-alignment practices reflected from both institutions, and they are classified into six metrics as presented in the framework. Of these alignment practices, 27 reflect exceptionally the higher education context of teaching, learning, and research. The identified alignment practices can serve as a frame of reference for creating and assessing the alignment between technology and university activities in the case study of institutions or similar contexts. A statistical test and validation of these alignment practices are recommended.
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- 2019
3. Integrated Computer-Based Management Information Systems: The Complexity and Diffusion in Rwandan Higher Education Institutions
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Byungura, Jean Claude, Hansson, Henrik, and Ruhinda, Ben
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The current trend in universities is marked by integrating information technologies into their service delivery. Particularly in administration and management, processes are being modernized, although not successful in some institutions. This study aims first to understand the complexity of an integrated educational management information system (UR-IEMIS) at the University of Rwanda and then to evaluate the degree of its diffusion in university services. Complex Adaptive System and Innovation Diffusion theories were used as a conceptual framework for this study. Document survey, observations, and interviews were used for data collection. Findings indicate that the UR-IEMIS is characterized by the complexity features as it is composed of several different subsystems (Organism, Roles, Objects, Method, and Concept) which emerge, interact, co-evolve, and re-organize to adapt to the disruptive institutional structures. It was also revealed that the UR-IEMIS integration is still at the abstraction level for all subsystems while for only few university functions, the system is diffused at knowledge, persuasion, and decision stages. Likewise, concerns related to the current unsatisfactory state of UR-IEMIS integration and proposals for improvement are discussed. Further studies should explore the complexity and diffusion levels for E-learning systems that support pedagogical activities in a similar case study context.
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- 2019
4. Teachers' Perspectives on Professional Development in the Use of SCL Approaches and ICT: A Quantitative Case Study of Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique
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Muianga, Xavier Justino, Barbutiu, Sirkku Männikkö, Hansson, Henrik, and Mutimucuio, Inocente Vasco
- Abstract
Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) has carried out curricular reform since 2000 to introduce Student Centered Learning (SCL) as well as the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). To meet the demands of this reform, UEM has introduced professional development training for teachers. The Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) model was used as a theoretical framework to design the training and to evaluate how, if at all, professional development training has changed pedagogical practice. This quantitative study has its focus on teachers who followed the training over a period of 3 years. 147 teachers returned a questionnaire, from which 92 who used SCL and ICT for teaching and learning purposes - were selected for this study. Results indicate that professional development has an impact on teachers' beliefs and practices. It supports the shift from traditional teacher-centered instruction to SCL. Teachers who attended the training are more likely to use ICT and SCL, having changed their perception of the impact of professional development on their day-to-day work and the lives of students. In addition, teachers who participated and used ICT believe that ICT contributes to changes in students' learning outcomes and the quality of educational processes.
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- 2019
5. The Teachers' Portal as a Tool for Teachers' Professional Development in Bangladesh: Facilitating Nationwide Networking and Digital Multimedia Content for 40,000 Schools
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Hansson, Henrik, Sultana, Sabiha, Sarwar, Afzal Hossain, Ahmed, Faruque, Uddin, Ramiz, Saha, Pushpita, Islam, G. M. Rakibul, and Islam, Mohammad Rafiqul
- Abstract
The Teachers' Portal (teachers.gov.bd) is an online platform for Bangladeshi teachers designed to store and retrieve digital educational contents of different subjects useful for classroom teaching and students' learning. The portal also facilitates professional networking among teachers across the country. This study aims to find out the benefits of using this Portal and associated challenges from teachers' perspective. Following a mixed methods research approach Teachers, head teachers, teacher educators from primary, secondary, madrasa and vocational educational institutions and specialists on teachers' Portal (N=410) were interviewed and consulted for the study. Telephone interviews, online surveys, Key Informant Interviews (KII), Focused Group Discussions (FGD), Face-to-Face interviews, and large consultative workshops were used to collect data. The results suggest that teachers are motivated to use the Portal as its contents stimulate students' creativity and encourage students' active participation in classrooms learning. Besides, it empowers teachers in a number of ways. However, internet connectivity, slow Internet speed, power failure, technical issues, high cost of Internet and unavailability of equipment are found as major challenges. In short, the Teachers' Portal is a key driver for changing Bangladeshi education and preparing the young generation with quality education.
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- 2018
6. Familiarity with Technology among First-Year Students in Rwandan Tertiary Education
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Byungura, Jean Claude, Hansson, Henrik, Muparasi, Mugabe, and Ruhinda, Ben
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The more the students get experienced with technologies, the more the need for tertiary education systems to adopt innovative pedagogical strategies for accommodating different learning needs. Depending on students' prior experience with computer-based tools, they may have different degrees of familiarity with new technologies. At University of Rwanda (UR), for example, the familiarity and experience with technology for incoming students is not clearly known. Universities need to understand this phenomenon for efficient education planning and management. Therefore, this study aims to understand the degree of familiarity with technology for first-year students at the University of Rwanda. Accessibility, ownership, usage and previous computer-based training are used in this study' conceptual framework as factors that determine the degree of familiarity with technology. Firstly, results indicate that the majority of participants are not familiar with technology and never had any previous exposure to eLearning systems. Secondly, regarding the digital tools, while smartphones are the most accessed, owned and used tools by respondents, they rarely or never used them for learning activities. Thirdly, findings portrayed a heterogeneous technology experience with a substantial variation of access, use, ownership and previous training on new technologies among the sample. Strategies for improving experience and confidence with technology, for first-year students, are recommended for this institution. This will prepare new students for early technology uptake and readiness while empowering them to develop appropriate competencies and skills for the digital age. Further studies in the area of experience with technology are also proposed.
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- 2018
7. Implementing Small Scale ICT Projects in Developing Countries--How Challenging Is It?
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Karunaratne, Thashmee, Peiris, Colombage, and Hansson, Henrik
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This paper summarises experiences of efforts made by twenty individuals when implementing small-scale ICT development projects in their organizations located in seven developing countries. The main focus of these projects was the use of ICT in educational settings. Challenges encountered and the contributing factors for implementation success of the projects are systematically investigated using interviews and follow up surveys. Results show that the typical limitations of technology and infrastructure were the key obstacles. The commitment of individual project managers in the role of "change agents" and organizational support in the were the strengths behind the success of the projects. Based on the outcome of this study, professional development of the change agents is a key factor for the success of projects. IT and infrastructure limitations contributed to the failure of the majority of the ICT related projects.
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- 2018
8. Feruloylation and Hydrolysis of Arabinoxylan Extracted from Wheat Bran: Effect on Dough Rheology and Microstructure.
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Pietiäinen, Solja, Lee, Youngsun, Jimenez-Quero, Amparo, Katina, Kati, Maina, Ndegwa H., Hansson, Henrik, Moldin, Annelie, and Langton, Maud
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FERULIC acid ,BREAD quality ,CHEMICAL properties ,QUALITY control ,DOUGH ,WHEAT bran ,BREAD - Abstract
Feruloylated arabinoxylan (AX) is a potential health-promoting fiber ingredient that can enhance nutritional properties of bread but is also known to affect dough rheology. To determine the role of feruloylation and hydrolysis of wheat bran AX on dough quality and microstructure, hydrolyzed and unhydrolyzed AX fractions with low and high ferulic acid content were produced, and their chemical composition and properties were evaluated. These fractions were then incorporated into wheat dough, and farinograph measurements, large and small deformation measurements and dough microstructure were assessed. AX was found to greatly affect both fraction properties and dough quality, and this effect was modulated by hydrolysis of AX. These results demonstrated how especially unhydrolyzed fiber fractions produced stiff doughs with poor extensibility due to weak gluten network, while hydrolyzed fractions maintained a dough quality closer to control. This suggests that hydrolysis can further improve the baking properties of feruloylated wheat bran AX. However, no clear effects from AX feruloylation on dough properties or microstructure could be detected. Based on this study, feruloylation does not appear to affect dough rheology or microstructure, and feruloylated wheat bran arabinoxylan can be used as a bakery ingredient to potentially enhance the nutritional quality of bread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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9. The Impact of Social Media on Business Performance of Women Entrepreneurs and their Empowerment: A Mixed Methods Study in the Context of Sri Lanka.
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De Silva, Thilini and Hansson, Henrik
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SOCIAL media in business , *BUSINESSWOMEN , *WOMEN'S empowerment , *SOCIAL media , *ORGANIZATIONAL performance , *RESEARCH questions - Abstract
The impact of social media on business performance of women entrepreneurs and their empowerment is examined in this research. Focusing on Sri Lanka, two research questions are addressed: (1) How are social media platforms empowering women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka today, and (2) How can the use of social media be improved to support women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka? A mixed-methods approach was used, with a survey (157 responses) and an online focus group (5 respondents) discussion. The statistical findings showed that business performance of women entrepreneurs mediates the relationship between use of social media and women’s empowerment. Qualitative analysis revealed that the use of social media transforms mindsets, facilitates knowledge sharing, provides motivation, supports business operations, promotes gender-neutral branding, and enables networking for women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka to enhance the performance of their businesses, leading to empowerment. To enhance support, social media platforms should prioritize motivation, targeted networking, professional courses, and robust security measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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10. Interaction Gaps in PhD Education and ICT as a Way Forward: Results from a Study in Sweden
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Aghaee, Naghmeh, Jobe, William Byron, Karunaratne, Thashmee, Smedberg, Åsa, Hansson, Henrik, and Tedre, Matti
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Many research studies have highlighted the low completion rate and slow progress in PhD education. Universities strive to improve throughput and quality in their PhD education programs. In this study, the perceived problems of PhD education are investigated from PhD students' points of view, and how an Information and Communication Technology Support System (ICTSS) may alleviate these problems. Data were collected through an online open questionnaire sent to the PhD students at the Department of (the institution's name has been removed during the double-blind review) with a 59% response rate. The results revealed a number of problems in the PhD education and highlighted how online technology can support PhD education and facilitate interaction and communication, affect the PhD students' satisfaction, and have positive impacts on PhD students' stress. A system was prototyped, in order to facilitate different types of online interaction through accessing a set of online and structured resources and specific communication channels. Although the number of informants was not large, the result of the study provided some rudimentary ideas that refer to interaction problems and how an online ICTSS may facilitate PhD education by providing distance and collaborative learning, and PhD students' self-managed communication.
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- 2016
11. ICT Capacity Building: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Rwandan Policies from Higher Education Perspective
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Byungura, Jean Claude, Hansson, Henrik, Masengesho, Kamuzinzi, and Karunaratne, Thashmee
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With the development of technology in the 21st Century, education systems attempt to integrate technology-based tools to improve experiences in pedagogy and administration. It is becoming increasingly prominent to build human and ICT infrastructure capacities at universities from policy to implementation level. Using a critical discourse analysis, this study investigates the articulation of ICT capacity building strategies from both national and institutional ICT policies in Rwanda, focusing on the higher education. Eleven policy documents were collected and deeply analyzed to understand which claims of ICT capacity building are made. The analysis shows that strategies for building ICT capacities are evidently observed from national level policies and only in two institutional policies (KIST and NUR). Among 25 components of ICT capacity building used, the ones related to human capacity are not plainly described. Additionally, neither national nor institutional policy documents include the creation of financial schemes for students to acquire ICT tools whilst learners are key stakeholders. Although there is some translation of ICT capacity building strategies from national to some institutional policies, planning for motivation and provision of incentives to innovators is not stated in any of the institutional policies and this is a key to effective technology integration.
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- 2016
12. Learners' Perceptions on the Structure and Usefulness of E-Resources for the Thesis Courses
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Aghaee, Naghmeh, Hansson, Henrik, Tedre, Matti, and Drougge, Ulrika
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The use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education is a way to facilitate interaction and accessing information for learning in higher education. However, finding a set of structured e-resources to facilitate learning within specific courses is still a big challenge in most higher education institutions. This includes the problems and challenges for thesis courses in both undergraduate (Bachelor) and graduate (Master) level in Sweden. To overcome or reduce the problems and enhance quality of outcomes in thesis courses, the department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV) at Stockholm University has developed a Learning Support System, SciPro (Scientific Process), to support the thesis process. The aim of this study is to investigate learners' perspectives on the usefulness of structured e-resources in SciPro, to reduce challenges for finding information related to the thesis process. This was done based on an open online survey, carried out in 2012-2013 of students' perspectives at DSV. The study found the actual problems that students have encountered in the thesis courses and hence suggested a general model as a way forward to sort the e-resources to reduce the problems in the thesis process.
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- 2014
13. The Effect of Multiple Change Processes on Quality and Completion Rate of Theses: A Longitudinal Study
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Karunaratne, Thashmee, Hansson, Henrik, and Aghaee, Naghmeh
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Improving the quality of Bachelor's and Master's theses while at the same time increasing the number of theses without expanding the existing resources proportionately is a huge challenge faced by higher educational institutions. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of multiple change processes on Bachelors and Masters level thesis work in a selected higher educational institution. The following research questions were studied: (1) How has the thesis quality changed? (2) How has the number of completed theses changed? and, (3) How has the ratio of completed theses per supervisor changed? The change processes were introduced into the thesis process in the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV), Stockholm University during 2008-2014. The results show that the quality and the number of completed theses have significantly increased. The multiple change processes including a purpose built ICT system named SciPro, which was introduced and improved incrementally during 2010-2014 are discussed and evaluated in relation to these results.
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- 2019
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14. A Constructivist Perspective on the Thesis Supervision Process: A Case Study of Sri Lankan Undergraduate Thesis Projects
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Peiris, Colombage Ranil, Barbutiu, Sirkku Männikkö, and Hansson, Henrik
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One of the main issues in undergraduate thesis supervision is a lack of understanding about the pedagogical assumptions underpinning the supervision process. In this paper, the concepts of the zone of proximal development and scaffolding are applied in developing a theoretical framework to understand the nature of the interactions that are expected between student, supervisor, research context and peers. Both designed-in and contingent scaffolding are applied in order to frame a personalised learning environment with a flexible structure that supports the interactions, based on individual zones of proximal development. A case study was conducted including students' and supervisors' views in several undergraduate degree programs within a Sri Lankan national university, and the findings were compared with the theoretical framework. The empirical data suggest that both students and supervisors tend to encounter problems if the thesis supervision process has not adequately designed to support the characteristics of constructivist learning.
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- 2019
15. The crystal structure of RsSymEG1 reveals a unique form of smaller GH7 endoglucanases alongside GH7 cellobiohydrolases in protist symbionts of termites.
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Haataja, Topi, Hansson, Henrik, Moriya, Shigeharu, Sandgren, Mats, and Ståhlberg, Jerry
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TERMITES , *CRYSTAL structure , *TRICHODERMA reesei , *EUKARYOTES , *CELLULOSE 1,4-beta-cellobiosidase , *CARBON cycle , *POLYSACCHARIDES , *GLYCOSIDASES - Abstract
Glycoside hydrolase family 7 (GH7) cellulases are key enzymes responsible for carbon cycling on earth through their role in cellulose degradation and constitute highly important industrial enzymes as well. Although these enzymes are found in a wide variety of evolutionarily distant organisms across eukaryotes, they exhibit remarkably conserved features within two groups: exo‐acting cellobiohydrolases and endoglucanases. However, recently reports have emerged of a separate clade of GH7 endoglucanases from protist symbionts of termites that are 60–80 amino acids shorter. In this work, we describe the first crystal structure of a short GH7 endoglucanase, RsSymEG1, from a symbiont of the lower termite Reticulitermes speratus. A more open flat surface and shorter loops around the non‐reducing end of the cellulose‐binding cleft indicate enhanced access to cellulose chains on the surface of cellulose microfibrils. Additionally, when comparing activities on polysaccharides to a typical fungal GH7 endoglucanase (Trichoderma longibrachiatum Cel7B), RsSymEG1 showed significantly faster initial hydrolytic activity. We also examine the prevalence and diversity of GH7 enzymes that the symbionts provide to the termite host, compare overall structures and substrate binding between cellobiohydrolase and long and short endoglucanase, and highlight the presence of similar short GH7s in other organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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16. Peer Portal: Quality Enhancement in Thesis Writing Using Self-Managed Peer Review on a Mass Scale
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Aghaee, Naghmeh and Hansson, Henrik
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This paper describes a specially developed online peer-review system, the Peer Portal, and the first results of its use for quality enhancement of bachelor's and master's thesis manuscripts. The peer-review system is completely student driven and therefore saves time for supervisors and creates a direct interaction between students without interference from supervisors. The purpose is to improve thesis manuscript quality, and thereby use supervisor time more efficiently, since peers review basic aspects of the manuscripts and give constructive suggestions for improvements. The process was initiated in 2012, and, in total, 260 peer reviews were completed between 1st January and 15th May, 2012. All peer reviews for this period have been analyzed with the help of content analysis. The purpose of analysis is to assess the quality of the students work. The results are categorized in four groups: 1) excellent (18.1%), 2) good (22.7%), 3) fragmented (18.5%), and 4) poor (40.7%). The overall result shows that almost 40% of the students produced excellent or good peer reviews and almost as many produced poor peer reviews. The result shows that the quality varies considerably. Explanations of these quality variations need further study. However, alternative hypotheses followed by some strategic suggestions are discussed in this study. Finally, a way forward in terms of improving peer reviews is outlined: 1) development of a peer wizard system and 2) rating of received peer reviews based on the quality categories created in this study. A Peer Portal version 2.0 is suggested, which will eliminate the fragmented and poor quality peer reviews, but still keep this review system student driven and ensure autonomous learning. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)
- Published
- 2013
17. Challenging Teachers' Ideas about What Students Need to Learn: Teachers' Collaborative Work in Subject Didactic Groups
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Martensson, Pernilla and Hansson, Henrik
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Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of the processes that make teachers learn in a collaborative arrangement similar to lesson study (LS) and learning study (LearS). The teachers in this collaboration wanted to enhance teaching and student learning (grades 4-7) about decimal numbers. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis is based on data from five teachers' collaborative work in an adaptive arrangement of LS and LearS called subject didactic groups. Data consist of eight audio recordings of the teachers' meetings as well as written and photographic documentation of the meetings. The analysis was carried out through the lens of expansive learning within an activity system (Engeström, 1987). This entailed a focus on contradictions between teachers' ways of thinking and acting when individually and collaboratively developing their teaching, on the solutions to the conflicts produced by the teachers, and on how these challenged the teachers' ideas about what the students need to learn. Findings: The authors identified contradictions between formative and summative assessment, exams and stressed students, prevailing norms about teaching and the theoretical tool used for planning and analyzing lessons and student learning, and the local curriculum and time constraints. The solutions to the conflicts were the driving force for developing new and more qualitative knowledge about what the students need to learn. Originality/value: This paper gives explicit examples of contradictions and solutions that can challenge and drive teachers to expand their learning in an adaptive form of LS and LearS suited to daily teaching.
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- 2018
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18. Exploring Student and Supervisor Interaction during the SciPro Thesis Process: Two Use Cases
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Hansen, Preben and Hansson, Henrik
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Common problems identified by students during their interaction with supervisors are too little instructions as well as infrequent and insufficient supervisor feedback. The SciPro system has been developed to tackle these problems. This paper describes, analyzes and discusses the interaction between students and supervisors using the SciPro system. Through two use cases involving two supervisors and 38 bachelor and master students, the authors show that the structure implemented in SciPro supports and allows for different pedagogical approaches and supervision styles. Ten different types of interactions in the thesis process are identified. In order to explain why some students do not complete within the timeframe, the authors identify six categories of problems: (1) language skills; (2) inability to apply research methods; (3) ability for self-study; (4) lack of creativity; (5) limited knowledge about how to write academic work; and (6) lack of motivation. The collaborative stage of group-supervision may be one possible way to deal with the different type of support for the process of managing student theses.
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- 2017
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19. Challenging teachers’ ideas about what students need to learn : Teachers’ collaborative work in subject didactic groups
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Martensson, Pernilla and Hansson, Henrik
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- 2018
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20. Photo-Fenton and Fenton Oxidation of Recalcitrant Wastewater from the Wooden Floor Industry
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Hansson, Henrik, Kaczala, Fabio, Marques, Marcia, and Hogland, William
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- 2015
21. Modelling a Peer Assignment Review Process for Collaborative E-Learning
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Kahiigi, Evelyn Kigozi, Vesisenaho, Mikko, Hansson, Henrik, Danielson, Mats, and Tusubira, F. F.
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The educational culture in most developing countries is lecturer-centred with lecturers as providers of information and students as receivers of information. This approach has impacted on student's ability to seek and create knowledge to support their learning process. A collaborative learning approach that promotes students process of inquiry, critical thinking and skill development thus lacks in the context, yet these aspects are crucial in the knowledge society. If universities in developing countries are to educate students to compete and become active participants in society, the teaching and learning processes underpinned by relevant theories and models should be adopted. This paper proposes an approach to support students' learning in a developing country context--Uganda. Specifically, the authors design and model a peer assignment review process for collaborative e-learning, employing the second stage of development research. The model is based on using student to pedagogically support each other's learning through four process stages: familiarization, assignment, review and feedback. Empirical investigations of the process stages indicated that the peer assignment review process facilitated the students learning. Students indicated that they were able to actively participate in the course, gain experience in critical reading and evaluating peers work, while reflecting on their own work. The empirical investigation further indicated that students were able to adopt and use online technologies in their learning activities. As such the peer assignment review process impacted the students learning both as receivers and providers of reviews creating a level of acceptance to adopt and use the proposed collaborative e-learning approach. (Contains 1 figure and 4 tables.)
- Published
- 2012
22. The Rural Wings Project: Bridging the Digital Divide with Satellite-Provided Internet. Phase I--Identifying and Analysing the Learning Needs of 31 Communities in 10 Countries
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Hansson, Henrik, Mihailidis, Paul, Larsson, Ken, Sotiriou, Menelaos, Sotiriou, Sofoklis, Uzunoglu, Nikolaos, and Gargalakos, Michail
- Abstract
The digitally marginalised communities are in focus in the EU-funded Rural Wings project 2006-2008. The aim is to identify and analyse the user learning needs in non-connected communities and to meet these needs by providing satellite Internet broadband connections, education and tools. This article reports the findings of the user needs investigation of 31 communities in 10 countries in the initial phase of the project designed and coordinated by Stockholm University, Sweden. Each national coordinator conducted a user needs study in their country using a common framework of questions and guidelines. The sites were selected according to national and regional needs and where satellite-provided Internet is believed to be the long-term solution. The 31 communities selected can be summarised as (a) mainland/lowland communities, 10 (b) mainland/highland communities, 12 (c) island/lowland communities, 5, and (d) island/highland communities, 4. The analysis reveals common threads of lack of infrastructure, accessibility and reliability concerning information and communication technology (ICT) implementation and containment in the community. There is a plethora of reasons for wanting more reliable and frequent Internet connections. Reasons range from educational opportunities, language opportunities, governmental inclusion, information/news outlets, and medical and weather initiative capabilities. This study provides in-depth macro-summaries of each participating country's user needs analysis in total. It also includes the actual analysis of each test site based on over 31 sites spanning 10 European nations. In addition, generalisations, comparisons and differences have been composed, to provide a framework for European trends in rural ICT access. (Contains 3 figures, 1 table and 1 note.)
- Published
- 2007
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23. Clifford Algebra - A Unified Language for Geometric Operations
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Gordin, Leo and Hansson, Henrik Taro
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Matematik ,tensors ,clifford algebra ,algebra ,geometric algebra ,Mathematics - Abstract
In this paper the Clifford Algebra is introduced and proposed as analternative to Gibbs' vector algebra as a unifying language for geometricoperations on vectors. Firstly, the algebra is constructed using a quotientof the tensor algebra and then its most important properties are proved,including how it enables division between vectors and how it is connected tothe exterior algebra. Further, the Clifford algebra is shown to naturallyembody the complex numbers and quaternions, whereupon its strength indescribing rotations is highlighted. Moreover, the wedge product, is shown asa way to generalize the cross product and reveal the true nature ofpseudovectors as bivectors. Lastly, we show how replacing the cross productwith the wedge product, within the Clifford algebra, naturally leads tosimplifying Maxwell's equations to a single equation.
- Published
- 2022
24. A Framework for Designing Learning Management Systems for Thesis Projects
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Colombage Peiris, Ranil, Hansson, Henrik, and Männikkö Barbutiu, Sirkku
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User-centred design ,Design theory ,Pedagogy ,Pedagogik ,Thesis supervision systems ,Systemvetenskap, informationssystem och informatik ,Design practise ,Systems design ,Information Systems - Abstract
This study intended to develop a framework for designing a Learning Management System for supporting thesis projects. A model named ‘Explanatory Design Theory’ was followed as a methodology to identify the component of the proposed framework. The following four steps were followed: 1.) Identification of kernel theories, 2) Analysis of kernel theories and identification of meta-requirements, 3) Formulation of design components based on meta-requirements, 4)Formulation of testable hypotheses. Developing the designing explanatory design theory was a four-step process; each step was crucial and decisive. The first step involved identifying kernel theories related to thesis supervision. These were Zone of Proximal Development, Scaffolding, and Self-regulation. Secondly, meta-requirements were determined based on kernel theories, and it was discovered that enhancing the student-supervisor interaction and supporting students’ self-regulation processes were key meta-requirements, based on which the components of FLMSTP were identified at the third step and labelled as Initiation, Planning, Implementation, and Completion. The final step was the setting of hypotheses formulated to refine kernel theories and evaluate the accuracy of meta-requirements and the usefulness of the components.
- Published
- 2022
25. Teachers' Professional Development for the Technology-Enhanced Classroom in the School of Tomorrow
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Hansson, Henrik
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This article discusses the following general questions: (1) what is the role of the teacher in the technology enhanced classroom; and (2) how are teachers prepared for the use of new technology in the classroom? The answers will differ among European countries due to, among other reasons, resources, national initiatives and available infrastructure. The overall goal of using technology in education also needs to be clarified. Is the driving force primarily of an economic nature to make education cheaper? Is the overall goal rather to improve the quality of learning? Is it about increasing student experiences? Is it about attracting more students? Does it have to do with increasing the prestige of teachers? Is it introduced in order to increase flexibility in time, place and organisation of learning? Or is it something else? This article is based on results from two European Union projects, E-watch and Schoolforesight, as well as innovative ideas and examples of teacher training and development. The European Union project E-watch investigated national policies for e-learning in Europe; the Schoolforesight project included among other activities an essay contest about students' visions of the future school. A study of teachers' visions of the future school was also conducted. No definite answers to the above questions are given, but a number of suggestions, opportunities and inspirational ideas are presented on how to organise the technology enhanced classroom and teachers' professional development. (Contains 2 figures, 2 tables and 8 resources.)
- Published
- 2006
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26. The Future of Schools from a European Union Perspective: Selecting, Analyzing and Disseminating the Most Innovative Approaches towards the School of Tomorrow
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Hansson, Henrik and Hall, Scott
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What can we learn from European Union (EU) school projects about future learning approaches? The EU has invested massively in information and communication technologies (ICT) projects promoting innovative use of new technologies in school settings. The aim of the project "School Foresight", with partners in Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Romania, the Czech Republic and Sweden, was to select and reflect on the best projects done so far. These projects were popularized and presented at the European Science Week in the autumn of 2004 and reached more than 10,000 students in five countries. This article describes and discusses the School Foresight project and the selection process of innovative EU projects showing the way towards the school of tomorrow. A number of best cases will be presented and discussed in a European, American and global context. The school of the future is both a question of what is possible and what is desired. Different scenarios might be preferable depending on local context, history, language, etc., or, are we all moving into the "global classroom"? (Contains 10 notes.)
- Published
- 2005
27. Distance Education and the Role of the State: A Sweden/USA Perspective
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Hansson, Henrik, Mihailidis, Paul, and Holmberg, Carl
- Abstract
This study aims to comparatively explore the role of the state (federal policy) in distance-education initiatives in the higher education communities of Sweden and the United States. In a globalized context, education institutes now have the capabilities to provide education and educational resources more efficiently and to a wide-ranging and diverse audience. Within the education sector and distance education, the role of the state and federal policy becomes increasingly important, in terms of how distance-education platforms are developed and implemented in institutions of higher education. The first section of this article provides an overview of the United States and Sweden's current higher education and distance-education landscapes, focusing on the role of the state and federal policy with respect to the funding and overall aims of distance education. The development of distance education in Sweden is highly related to political goals and policies, the top down/domestic/"inside" approach. The governing body dictates the funding and policy for distance education, and implementation is left to the university body. In the United States, the landscape differs in that no one federal institution provides direct funding or unified guidelines for developing distance education, but universities are left to their own devices and capabilities for implementation. In Sweden, high ambitions and goals are set at the national level, but the educational organizations are changing only slowly. The pressures on the education organizations are high because of steadily decreasing funding and fewer and fewer staff in relation to students. In the United States, education functions primarily as a state and local responsibility. In conclusion, the article aims to exploit the differences between the two countries' role of the state (federal policy) in distance-education policy, and present a middle ground which would be most balanced for distance education, entailing some federal supervision with the allowance for a certain level of autonomy in regards to development, implementation, funding and longevity. (Contains 4 notes.)
- Published
- 2005
28. Advanced Oxidation Treatment of Recalcitrant Wastewater from a Wood-Based Industry: a Comparative Study of O3 and O3/UV
- Author
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Hansson, Henrik, Kaczala, Fabio, Amaro, Alexandre, Marques, Marcia, and Hogland, William
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. Structural insights into the inhibition of cellobiohydrolase Cel7A by xylo-oligosaccharides
- Author
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Momeni, Majid Haddad, Ubhayasekera, Wimal, Sandgren, Mats, Ståhlberg, Jerry, and Hansson, Henrik
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Statistical approaches to indirectly compare bioequivalence between generics: a comparison of methodologies employing artemether/lumefantrine 20/120 mg tablets as prequalified by WHO
- Author
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Gwaza, Luther, Gordon, John, Welink, Jan, Potthast, Henrike, Hansson, Henrik, Stahl, Matthias, and García-Arieta, Alfredo
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Adapting the Use of Digital Content to Improve the Learning of Numeracy Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Rwanda: Thematic Content Analysis Study.
- Author
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Ntalindwa, Theoneste, Nduwingoma, Mathias, Uworwabayeho, Alphonse, Nyirahabimana, Pascasie, Karangwa, Evariste, Soron, Tanjir Rashid, Westin, Thomas, Karunaratne, Thashmee, and Hansson, Henrik
- Subjects
AUTISM spectrum disorders ,INFORMATION & communication technologies ,AWARENESS ,CLASSROOM environment ,DATA analysis - Abstract
Background: Many teachers consider it challenging to teach children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in an inclusive classroom due to their unique needs and challenges. The integration of information communication technology (ICT) in the education system allows children with ASD to improve their learning. However, these ICT tools should meet their needs to lead a productive life. Objective: This study aimed to examine the possibilities of re-creating and adapting digital content to improve the learning of numeracy among children with ASD in inclusive school settings. Methods: We conducted 7 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 56 teachers from 7 schools and 14 parents from April to November 2019. Each of the FGDs took around 1 hour. Two clustered sets of questions were used: (1) general knowledge about teaching children with ASD and (2) analysis of selected online educational video content of early math (specifically, counting numbers). The researchers used video to understand current methodologies used in teaching children with ASD, possibilities of adaptation of the content in the current teaching environment, future challenges when the content is adapted, and possible solutions to overcome those challenges. All data, including audio recordings, field notes, and participants’ comments, were transcribed, recorded, and analyzed following the steps recommended in qualitative data analysis. Results: The researchers identified ten themes from the analysis of the data: (1) awareness of the existence of ASD among children in schools and the community, (2) acceptance of children with ASD in an inclusive classroom and the community, (3) methods and models used when teaching children with ASD, (4)realia used to improve the learning of children with ASD, (5) the design of educational digital content, (6) the accessibility of online educational content, (7) quality of the content of the educational multimedia, (8) the opportunity of using the translated and re-created content inside and outside the classroom, (9) the relevance of the digital content in the Rwandan educational system, and (10) enhancement of the accessibility and quality of the digital content. We found that participants assumed that the content translation, gamification, and re-creation would help teach children with ASD. Moreover, they recommended contextualizing the content, increasing access to digital devices, and further research in the education of different subjects. Conclusions: Although many studies have identified the possibilities of using ICT to support children with ASD, few studies have documented the possibilities of integrating the existing technologies tested in the international community. This study is charting new territory to investigate online content to suit the context of schools. This study recommends further exploration of possible methodologies, such as applied behavior analysis or verbal behavior therapy, and the development of contextualized technologies that respond to the educational needs of children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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- View/download PDF
32. Influential Factors for ICT Innovations in Sri Lanka University-Industry Collaboration : A Systematic Literature Review
- Author
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Wijesinghe, Chaminda, Hansson, Henrik, Ekenberg, Love, and Hettiarachchi, Enosha
- Subjects
Human Aspects of ICT ,University-Industry Collaboration ,Innovation ,Sri Lanka ,Systematic Literature Review ,Mänsklig interaktion med IKT - Abstract
A university is a center of knowledge creation, and industry can be a vibrant place for innovation. This paper examines the key factors influencing university-industry collaboration (UIC) innovation catalysts in Sri Lanka. The study employed a systematic procedure based on the Grounded Theory to investigate the factors contributing to the success of UICs, and attributes for innovation capacities. The investigation was guided by the research question: what factors of UICs influence ICT innovations in Sri Lanka? A total of 41 research papers was selected from Science Direct, Scopus, and Ebscohost based on the availability of full text, and their relevance for the research question. The results of the study revealed that management directives, financial support, policies, proximity dimension, and heterogeneity are key factors for a successful UIC.
- Published
- 2020
33. Rational design, synthesis, evaluation and enzyme–substrate structures of improved fluorogenic substrates for family 6 glycoside hydrolases
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Wu, Miao, Nerinckx, Wim, Piens, Kathleen, Ishida, Takuya, Hansson, Henrik, Sandgren, Mats, and Ståhlberg, Jerry
- Published
- 2013
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34. Can resting-state functional MRI serve as a complement to task-based mapping of sensorimotor function? A test–retest reliability study in healthy volunteers
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Mannfolk, Peter, Nilsson, Markus, Hansson, Henrik, Ståhlberg, Freddy, Fransson, Peter, Weibull, Andreas, Svensson, Jonas, Wirestam, Ronnie, and Olsrud, Johan
- Published
- 2011
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35. Enhanced detection of ATTR amyloid using a nanofibril-based assay.
- Author
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Rahman, M. Mahafuzur, Schmuck, Benjamin, Hansson, Henrik, Härd, Torleif, Westermark, Gunilla T., and Sandgren, Mats
- Subjects
AMYLOID ,AMYLOID plaque ,PERIPHERAL nervous system ,TRANSTHYRETIN - Abstract
More than 30 proteins and peptides have been found to form amyloid fibrils in human diseases. Fibrils formed by transthyretin (TTR) are associated with ATTR amyloidosis, affecting many vital organs, including the heart and peripheral nervous system. Congo red staining is the gold standard method for detection of amyloid deposits in tissue. However, Congo red staining and amyloid typing methods such as immunofluorescence labelling are limited to relatively large deposits. Detection of small ATTR deposits present at an early stage of the disease could enable timely treatment and prevent severe tissue damage. In this study, we developed an enhanced ATTR amyloid detection method that uses functionalised protein nanofibrils. Using this method, we achieved sensitive detection of monomeric TTR in a microplate immunoassay and immunofluorescence labelling of ex vivo tissue from two patients containing ATTR aggregates. The system's utility was confirmed on sections from a patient with AA amyloidosis and liver sections from inflamed mouse. These results suggest that the detection system constitutes important new technology for highly sensitive detection of microscopic amounts of ATTR amyloid deposited in tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. Integrated computer-based management information systems : The complexity and diffusion in Rwandan higher education institutions
- Author
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Byungura, Jean Claude, Hansson, Henrik, and Ruhinda, Ben
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Technology integration ,Diffusion of innovation ,Complex adaptive systems ,Information systems ,Higher education ,University administration ,Educational Management ,Systemvetenskap, informationssystem och informatik - Abstract
The current trend in universities is marked by integrating information technologies into their service delivery. Particularly in administration and management, processes are being modernized, although not successfully in some institutions. This study aims first to understand the complexity of an integrated educational management information system (UR-IEMIS) at the University of Rwanda and then to evaluate the degree of its diffusion in university services. Complex Adaptive System and Innovation Diffusion theories were used as a conceptual framework for this study. Document survey, observations, and interviews were used for data collection. Findings indicate that complexity features characterize the UR-IEMIS, as it is composed of several different subsystems (Organism, Roles, Objects, Method, and Concept) which emerge, interact, co-evolve, and re-organize to adapt to the disruptive institutional structures. It was also revealed that the UR-IEMIS integration is still at the abstraction level for all subsystems while for only few university functions, the system is diffused at knowledge, persuasion, and decision stages. Concerns related to the current unsatisfactory state of UR-IEMIS integration and proposals for improvement are discussed. Further studies should explore the complexity and diffusion levels for E-learning systems that support pedagogical activities in a similar case study context.
- Published
- 2019
37. Understanding interfaces in thin-film solar cells using photo electron spectroscopy. : Effect of post-deposition treatment on composition of the solar cell absorber
- Author
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Hansson, Henrik
- Subjects
solar cell ,P-N junction ,PES ,cross section ,CIGS ,Condensed Matter Physics ,Den kondenserade materiens fysik - Abstract
The increasing demand of renewable energy is the big driving force for the research and development of more efficient solar energy conversion solutions. Solar cells, which use the photovoltaic effect to convert the photon energy to electrical current, are an important solar energy conversion technique. One solar cell technology is thin-film solar cells. Thin-film solar cells use an absorption layer with a direct band gap. A direct band gap has the advantage that the photons will penetrate less deep until a photoexcitation occur compared to semiconductors with an indirect band gap (e.g. silicon). For this reason the thin-film solar cells can be made very thin.CIGS is a common thin-film solar cell absorber material containing copper (Cu), indium (In), gallium (Ga) and selenium (Se). One objective of this work has been to determine element concentrations of CIGS absorption layers from sample measurements. The GGI ratio determines the band gap, which is an important factor for optimising the efficiency of the solar cell.1 The copper vacancy is the main acceptor dopant in CIGS. The Cu concentration has shown to be important for the efficiency and for other properties of the absorber [2].The measuring technique used in this work has been photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). PES produces a spectrum showing distinct peaks corresponding to electron binding energy levels for specific element subshells. Measurements with different photon energies have been performed on samples with and without post deposition treatment (PDT). A great deal of the effort has been to calculate relative element concentrations based on the PES peak intensities. Two important parameters when performing the calculations are the photoionization cross section (including the angular dependence of the cross section) and the inelastic mean free path of the photoelectrons.The results show that the GGI and the corresponding band gap will be almost the same with and without PDT except for close to the surface where PDT lowers the GGI.The calculations showed that the copper concentration is lowest at the surface. Moreover, PDT with RbF results in lower copper concentration closer to the junction.The results show a discrepancy of the GGI and CGI ratios when using the angular dependent cross sections in [10] and [11] compared to using the cross sections in [6] and [7]. Det ökande behovet av förnybar energi gör att forskning och utveckling av solenergilösningar är av största vikt. Solceller, vilka utnyttjar den fotovoltaiska effekten, är den vanligaste tekniken för omvandling av solenergi till elektricitet. Tunnfilmssolceller är en typ av solceller vars absorbent har ett direkt bandgap, till skillnad från kisel som har ett indirekt bandgap. Fördelen med ett direkt bandgap är att det ljusabsorberande materialet kan göras mycket tunt.En vanlig tunnfilmssolcell är CIGS. Det är en komposit bestående av koppar (Cu), indium (In), gallium (Ga) och selen (Se). Ett syfte med detta självständiga arbete har varit att beräkna koncentrationerna av de ingående ämnena i halvledarskiktet av CIGS. GGI-kvoten bestämmer bandgapet, vilket är en viktig faktor för solcellens verkningsgrad. Kopparvakansen är den huvudsakliga halvledaracceptorn i CIGS. Kopparkoncentrationen har visat sig vara viktig för bl.a. solcellens verkningsgrad [2].Mättekniken som används i detta arbete kallas fotoelektronspektroskopi (PES). PES-mätningar ger ett spektrum där spektrallinjerna representerar olika nivåer av elektroners bindningsenergi för olika grundämnen. Mätningar med olika fotonenergier, på prover med och utan ytbehandling (PDT), har utförts. En stor del av arbetet har varit att beräkna relativa koncentrationer av de olika grundämnena från spektrallinjerna i spektrumet. Viktiga parametrar som man behöver ta hänsyn till i uträkningarna är sannolikheten för en fotoemissionsprocess hos fotonerna, vinkelberoendet och den fria medelväglängden hos fotoelektronerna.Resultaten visar att GGI-kvot och bandgap blir nästan detsamma med eller utan PDT, förutom närmast ytan där PDT minskar GGI-kvoten.Resultaten visar också att kopparkoncentrationen är lägst på ytan och att PDT med RbF minskar kopparkoncentrationen närmast ytan.Resultaten visar att det blir skillnader mellan GGI- och CGI-kvoterna beroende på om beräkningarna baserats på vinkelberoende träffytor enligt [10] och [11] eller baserats på träffytor enligt [6] och [7].
- Published
- 2019
38. An exploratory study on the practices of IT-institutional alignment for effective ICT integration in university services
- Author
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Byungura, Jean Claude, Hansson, Henrik, Olsson, Ulf, and Masengesho, Kamuzinzi
- Subjects
Technology integration ,IT-institutional alignment ,Higher education ,Information Technology ,Systemvetenskap, informationssystem och informatik ,Alignment practices ,Developing countries ,Information Systems - Abstract
The misalignment between information technology (IT) and institutions continues to be a major problem, more particularly in higher education institutions. This state leads to a lack of technology value addition and poor institutional performance. Prior studies proposed models and frameworks with various organizational practices of IT-Business alignment. However, similar research, considering higher education institutions, is scarce. Therefore, this study explores and identifies the dimensions and practices of IT-institutional alignment from a higher education context. An exploratory embedded multiple-case study strategy was used on the two largest universities in Rwanda and Mozambique. Document survey and interviews were used for data collection. The literature and 14 interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach to identify patterns related to the alignment practices. This study identified 45 IT-alignment practices reflected from both institutions, and they were classified into six metrics as presented in the framework. Of these alignment practices, 27 reflect exceptionally the higher education context of teaching, learning, and research. The identified alignment practices can serve as a frame of reference for creating and assessing the alignment between technology and university activities in the case study of institutions or similar contexts. A statistical test and validation of these alignment practices are recommended. Ulf Olsson is also affiliated to the Centre for the Advancement of University Teaching at Stockholm University.
- Published
- 2019
39. Development and validation of a holistic IT-institutional alignment model for higher education institutional performance
- Author
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Byungura, Jean Claude and Hansson, Henrik
- Subjects
Computer and Information Sciences ,Technology integration ,Institutional performance ,IT-alignment ,Data- och informationsvetenskap ,Higher Education ,Information Technology ,Alignment practices - Abstract
This study aims to develop a contextual model with the practices of IT-institutional alignment for university performance. Based on the prior studies and an extended literature review, six hypotheses were put forward. With a survey research strategy, data were collected from 166 university and government institutions’ staff in Rwanda. Findings indicate a significant positive influence of the six categories of IT-institutional alignment practices on institutional performance. The mostly correlated alignment practices with a more significant positive effect were those related to “Structure/Governance,” “Skills,” and “Communication.” Moreover, an IT-Institutional Alignment Model (ITIAM) for the university performance was proposed with 44 practices. This study suggests that for improving the institutional performance through the integration of IT in service delivery, decision makers, and the university managers can primarily prioritize these alignments practices with greater positive influence. Further research could evaluate the ITIAM model for its acceptability and relevance in Rwandan universities or similar contexts. PhD Research in Computer and Systems Sciences
- Published
- 2019
40. Identification of phosphorylation sites within the SH3 domains of Tec family tyrosine kinases
- Author
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Nore, Beston F., Mattsson, Pekka T., Antonsson, Per, Bäckesjö, Carl-Magnus, Westlund, Anna, Lennartsson, Johan, Hansson, Henrik, Löw, Peter, Rönnstrand, Lars, and Smith, C.I.Edvard
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Inclusion and Integration in Sweden: Using Video Chat for New Arrivals in Sweden : How to Learn Swedish Live with Swedes Online – Easy, Flexible, Informal, Fast, Fun
- Author
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Hansson, Henrik, Boman, William, and Jungselius, Albert
- Subjects
Systemvetenskap, informationssystem och informatik ,Information Systems - Abstract
In a time when immigration often is described as a burden, this study focuses on how the resources brought by the new arrivals could enrich the Swedish society. The basis is an innovative video chat for new arrivals in Sweden and it is potential for language learning and contact between new arrivals and established Swedes. Focus is on the role of innovative information and communication technology (ICT) services including distance education and informal cross-border communication. Demonstration of the newly developed IT-service will be conducted in relation to the following issues: How can the language diversity of the new arrivals be utilized as a resource? How can a purpose built video-Internet system facilitate the integration of new arrivals? What incentives need to be developed to include the Swedes and the local community? What kind of ethical guidelines need to be applied regarding integrity and how open the personal data should be in a specially designed ICT system for new arrivals? How can innovative ICT systems shorten the time for new arrivals to get internships and work in Sweden? The e-service, www.snackasvenska.nu (“chat in Swedish now”) are constructed with: (a) safe and secure log in, (b) filter-search mechanisms (such as females can search and be matched only with female speakers, etc.), (c) a lingo point system (more speaking time = more points; new Swedes can show how much time the spoken to Swedes and Swedes can show how much they contributed), (d) a topic box of random speaking themes, (e) a text chat with auto translation from speakers mother tongue to speaking partners mother tongue and more features. The system has been tested with new arrivals/new Swedes – Swedes in Gotland. A demo will be given and results presented at the conference.
- Published
- 2017
42. Keyfactors to promote a sustainable culture of an adaptive form of Lesson/Learning study in Sweden and what the keyfactors implies to leadership
- Author
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Hansson, Henrik
- Subjects
Learning ,Lärande - Published
- 2017
43. Online Digital Mentorship : How Might a Digital Communication Tool Facilitate Informal Learning and Integration of Newly Arrived in Sweden
- Author
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Hansson, Henrik, Qazi, Hadia, Sundqvist, Ida, and Mozelius, Peter
- Subjects
Inclusion ,E‐learning ,Informal online learning ,Newly arrived refugees ,Integration ,Learning ,Immigration ,Online communication ,Lärande - Abstract
The arrival of large groups of refugees is one of the great challenges in Europe today. In Sweden around 100 000 new immigrants is expected to arrive from Syria only during 2017 and there are large groups from various countries already staying in Sweden that are not properly integrated. There are no quick and smart solution to solve the inclusion of the large number of new citizens and the idea should rather be a holistic approach combining several initiatives. Lack of language skills is one of the underlying reasons for new arrivals exclusion from the labour market and social networks. Online informal language learning and digital mentorship with two way communication between New Arrivals and established Swedes might be a way to facilitate the inclusion and integration process. The aim of the study was to examine to which extent a digital communication tool could act as a resource in order to make the integration process more effective for newly arrived immigrants and refugees. Research was carried out as a qualitative cross‐sectional study with data gathered by semi‐ structured interviews. Five educators who are actively working with newly arrived immigrants and refugees were interviewed with use of the Skype tool. A thematic analysis was conducted to find patterns and to create themes and categories that could answer the main research question: How might a digital communication tool be designed to facilitate the integration and inclusion of new arrived refugees in Sweden? The answers could be structured according to two overall themes: “Usable” and “Flexible”. The theme “Usable” consisted of three sub‐themes Ease of Access, Improved language skills and Integrity Facilitation, while the theme “Flexible” was divided into two subcategories Adaptable and Educational content. The findings confirm that a digital communication tool would support integration of new arrivals by facilitating personal dialogues with established Swedes. The recommendation is to create an online platform that supports language learning and enables multi‐way digital mentorship in a social network with benefits for the established Swedes as well.
- Published
- 2017
44. The safety manager as a boundary spanner between communities of practice : The employment of a safety manager in a Swedish construction company
- Author
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Desmond, Martin and Hansson, Henrik
- Subjects
safety manager ,human resource management ,Teknik och teknologier ,boundary spanning ,Engineering and Technology ,communities of practice ,Safety management - Abstract
Safety is an important concern within the construction industry. Many different management strategies exist in the literature, but despite ambitious efforts to improve the safety and prevent accidents, the accident incidence is still unacceptably high. This paper examines the employment of a safety manager in the Swedish construction industry as a strategy to foster a better safety culture, and discusses how the safety manager should approach the project based organisation (PBO). The study uses an abductive approach with an iteration of interviews, observations and a literature study to gain deeper knowledge of the subject. The research comprises a cross sectional interview study of semi-structured interviews to narrate the role of the safety manager accompanied with a short survey. The study is limited to three projects of one Swedish construction company, and a new role not yet established in the company. Furthermore, the study uses a human resource management approach with focus on communities of practice and boundary spanning. The findings report that the safety managers take on a role as a boundary spanning link between well-established but unsynchronized communities of practice. The identified communities are the HR department and the PBOs. Furthermore, the safety manager functions as a “double-sided” boundary spanner, to broke knowledge and support employees to achieve a satisfactory safety culture. However, the narratives express a present ambiguity and a need to clarify the role and its responsibilities regarding safety in the PBO. The thesis contributes with insights of the safety manager’s practice and discusses how safety knowledge should be transferred between communities of practice in the fragmented PBO and its high level of tacit knowledge. Arbetsmiljö och säkerhet är ett viktigt ämne inom byggbranschen. Många olika strategier och metoder för att förbättra arbetsmiljön finns också tillgängliga. Trots detta inträffar alltför många olycksfall. Denna studie undersöker strategin att anställa en safety manager i den svenska byggbranschen för att främja en bättre säkerhetskultur samt diskuterar hur en safety manager bör utöva sin profession. Ett kvalitativt abduktivt arbetssätt har tillämpats där intervjuer och observationer har växlats med litteraturstudier för att erhålla förståelse av ämnet. Studien är en multipel tvärsnittsfallstudie med semistrukturerade intervjuer samt en mindre enkätundersökning. Studien omfattar tre projekt i ett svenskt företag. Det teoretiska perspektivet utgår från, samt begränsas av koncepten human resource management (HRM), communities of practice och boundary spanning. Resultatet visar att safety managern kan fungera som en boundary role som länkar ihop olika osynkroniserade communities. Det identifieras att effektiv boundary spanning kan ske mellan HR-avdelningen och projektorganisationerna samt mellan produktionsledningen och yrkesarbetarna inom projektorganisationerna. Safety managern blir en double-sided boundary spanner som knowledge broker samt en support för anställda för att främja en god säkerhetskultur. Resultatet visar samtidigt att det råder oklarheter kring rollen och att bland annat ansvarsområden behöver förtydligas för att nå full potential. Studien bidrar med insikter i hur safety manager-rollen uppfattas och hur den fungerar, samt hur den kan förbättras. Vidare bidrar studien med förståelse för hur rollen kan främja kunskapsöverföring avseende arbetsmiljö mellan communities där hög grad av tyst kunskap råder.
- Published
- 2017
45. Plagiarism Tendencies and Contributing Factors in e-Learning Environments: Rwandan Higher Education Context.
- Author
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Byungura, Jean Claude, Hansson, Henrik, Masengesho, Kamuzinzi, and Karunaratne, Thashmee
- Subjects
PLAGIARISM ,CLASSROOM environment ,HIGHER education ,UNIVERSITIES & colleges ,EDUCATION ethics ,ONLINE education - Abstract
Plagiarism has been a critical concern to consider by universities and research institutes worldwide for ensuring academic integrity. Even with the internet revolution, this academic dishonesty became increasingly overwhelming more especially due to easy access and use of online resources without acknowledging the original authors. Prior research explored several perspectives of plagiarism such as culture, language, internet technology, and policies from different institutional settings. However, little is known about plagiarism in the online Rwandan higher education context. The aim of this study is twofold. First it attempts to understand the tendencies of plagiarism through internet-based resources and then secondly to identify the contextual factors that contribute to plagiarism by students at University of Rwanda. Both undergraduate and master’s dissertations were randomly collected and analysed to ascertain the frequency of plagiarism tendencies from the text-based similarity indexes. In addition, open-ended interviews were conducted to 15 teachers and 15 students from UR colleges. Similarity indexes from Turnitin’s originality reports were used to determine the frequency of similarity indexes through computer-based text-matching process. Results indicated a highly critical rate of tendencies to plagiarism each referred type of plagiarism. Likewise, findings portrayed that for the sample of analysed documents, no thesis document is deemed genuine to fulfil the academic integrity. In addition, the frequency of similarity indexes of the texts matched from the analysed thesis documents and online databases is closely similar for both undergraduate and graduate students. Moreover, this study identified 17 factors contributing mostly to plagiarising through easy access to internet resources at this university. Among them, six reasons are related to social-cultural context, five to institutional context and the last six are attributed to individual factors. A holistic approach encompassing innovative, detective and preventive strategies is recommended in association with computer-supported tools to eradicate plagiarism at this institution. Further research can explore the adoption and use of computer-based text matching tools as an additional strategy for combating plagiarism in both public and private universities at national or regional level by comparing several institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Synthesis of cyclic [beta]-glucan using laminarinase 16A glycosynthase mutant from the basidiomycete phanerochaete Chrysosporium
- Author
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Vasur, Jonas, Kawai, Rie, Jonsson, K. Hanna M., Widmalm, Goran, Engstrom, Ake, Frank, Martin, Andersson, Evalena, Hansson, Henrik, Forsberg, Zarah, Igarashi, Kiyohiko, Samejima, Masahiro, Sandgren, Mats, and Stahlberg, Jerry
- Subjects
Fluorides -- Chemical properties ,Gene mutations -- Analysis ,Oligosaccharides -- Structure ,Oligosaccharides -- Chemical properties ,Basidiomycota -- Physiological aspects ,Basidiomycota -- Genetic aspects ,Chemistry - Abstract
The first synthesis of cyclic [beta]-1,3-heptaglucan from the reaction between 1,3(4)-[beta]-D-glucanase nucleophile mutant E115S of phanerochaete Chrysosporium Laminarinase 16A (Lam16A) and [alpha]-laminariheptaosyl fluoride ([alpha]L7F) is described. The study provides insight into the glcosynthase mechanism that joins the reducing and nonreducing ends of a single oligosaccharide.
- Published
- 2010
47. Three-dimensional structure of an intact glycoside hydrolase family 15 glucoamylase from Hypocrea jecorina
- Author
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Bott, Richard, Saldajeno, Mae, Cuevas, William, Ward, Donald, Scheffers, Martijn, Wolfgang Aehle, Karkehabadi, Saeid, Sandgren, Mats, and Hansson, Henrik
- Subjects
Amylases -- Chemical properties ,Amylases -- Structure ,Catalysis -- Analysis ,Protein binding -- Analysis ,Starch -- Chemical properties ,Biological sciences ,Chemistry - Abstract
A 1.8 Angstrom resolution three-dimensional structural determination of a complete Hypocrea jecorina glucoamylase is reported. The structural model with catalytic and starch binding domains traces the course of the 37-residue linker segment, serves to target the glucoamylase at sites where the starch granular matrix is disrupted and where the enzyme might most effectively function.
- Published
- 2008
48. The effect of multiple change processes on quality and completion rate of theses: a longitudinal study.
- Author
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Karunaratne, Thashmee, Hansson, Henrik, and Aghaee, Naghmeh
- Subjects
- *
ACADEMIC achievement , *ACADEMIC motivation , *POSTSECONDARY education , *SCHOOL dropouts - Abstract
Improving the quality of Bachelor's and Master's theses while at the same time increasing the number of theses without expanding the existing resources proportionately is a huge challenge faced by higher educational institutions. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of multiple change processes on Bachelors and Masters level thesis work in a selected higher educational institution. The following research questions were studied: (1) How has the thesis quality changed? (2) How has the number of completed theses changed? and, (3) How has the ratio of completed theses per supervisor changed? The change processes were introduced into the thesis process in the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV), Stockholm University during 2008–2014. The results show that the quality and the number of completed theses have significantly increased. The multiple change processes including a purpose built ICT system named SciPro, which was introduced and improved incrementally during 2010–2014 are discussed and evaluated in relation to these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Teachers´ perspectives on professional development in the use of SCL approaches and ICT: A quantitative case study of Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique.
- Author
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Muianga, Xavier Justino, Barbutiu, Sirkku Männikkö, Hansson, Henrik, and Mutimucuio, Inocente Vasco
- Subjects
CAREER development ,TEACHER development ,TEACHERS ,PEDAGOGICAL content knowledge ,QUANTITATIVE research - Abstract
Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) has carried out curricular reform since 2000 to introduce Student Centered Learning (SCL) as well as the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). To meet the demands of this reform, UEM has introduced professional development training for teachers. The Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) model was used as a theoretical framework to design the training and to evaluate how, if at all, professional development training has changed pedagogical practice. This quantitative study has its focus on teachers who followed the training over a period of 3 years. 147 teachers returned a questionnaire, from which 92 who used SCL and ICT for teaching and learning purposes - were selected for this study. Results indicate that professional development has an impact on teachers' beliefs and practices. It supports the shift from traditional teacher-centered instruction to SCL. Teachers who attended the training are more likely to use ICT and SCL, having changed their perception of the impact of professional development on their day-to-day work and the lives of students. In addition, teachers who participated and used ICT believe that ICT contributes to changes in students' learning outcomes and the quality of educational processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
50. An exploratory study on the practices of IT-institutional alignment for effective ICT integration in university services.
- Author
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Claude, Byungura Jean, Hansson, Henrik, Olsson, Ulf, and Masengesho, Kamuzinzi
- Subjects
INFORMATION technology ,EDUCATIONAL technology ,UNIVERSITIES & colleges - Abstract
The misalignment between information technology (IT) and institutions continues to be a major problem, more particularly in higher education institutions. This state leads to a lack of technology value addition and poor institutional performance. Prior studies proposed models and frameworks with various organizational practices of IT-Business alignment. However, similar research, considering higher education institutions, is scarce. Therefore, this study explores and identifies the dimensions and practices of IT-institutional alignment from a higher education context. An exploratory embedded multiple-case study strategy was used on the two largest universities in Rwanda and Mozambique. Document survey and interviews were used for data collection. The literature and 14 interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach to identify patterns related to the alignment practices. This study identified 45 IT-alignment practices reflected from both institutions, and they were classified into six metrics as presented in the framework. Of these alignment practices, 27 reflect exceptionally the higher education context of teaching, learning, and research. The identified alignment practices can serve as a frame of reference for creating and assessing the alignment between technology and university activities in the case study of institutions or similar contexts. A statistical test and validation of these alignment practices are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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