The technology known as Internet of Things, or IoT, has started to permeate many facets of our lives and offers a plethora of options and empowerment, expanding the potentials of integrating it in education. Considering how new IoT is and how it may affect education, it is now essential to investigate its potential in order to choose where to begin using it in the classroom. Examining the possible applications of IoT in education may be strongly aided by the knowledge and perspectives of professionals and experts. As a result, the present research concentrated on looking at and evaluating the viewpoints that relevant experts shared on platform (X) via a variety of tweets. The present study takes a qualitative approach, analyzing a collection of expert tweets on IoT in education on platform X using qualitative content analysis. The primary themes of the study findings, the software-based and material-based enablers of IoT in education, indicate the key potentials of IoT in education. These consist of data, sensors, interactive devices, e-learning tools, network accessibility and communications, integrating developing technologies, and system administration. The enormous individual enablers of IoT in education also include sustainability, professional growth, planning, preparing the next generation, and upholding the safety of the learning environment. The study suggested that in order to handle the IoT, classrooms and the educational environment needed to be restructured. Additionally, human resources needed to be developed in order to keep up with the educational environment’s progress.
This study explores the critical role of the retail sector in the global economy and the importance of working capital management within retail businesses. Recognizing retail’s influence beyond just income generation, the research examines its impact on economic stability, job creation, and national GDP, and how it links industries such as manufacturing and logistics. Employing a blended-methods approach, the study integrates quantitative analysis using AMOS software with qualitative insights from interviews with financial managers and retail experts. Key focus areas include cash flow management, market demand, and supplier relationship management in the context of working capital management. Findings highlight the necessity of effective working capital management in maintaining financial stability, optimizing shareholder wealth, and ensuring long-term business viability in the retail sector. Strategies for enhancing profitability, such as improving supplier relationships and adapting to market demands, are identified. This research contributes to understanding the economic impact of the retail sector and the intricacies of working capital management. It offers insights for policymakers, retail managers, and academics, emphasizing the need for supportive retail industry measures and effective financial management practices. The study fills a gap in literature and sets a foundation for future research in this critical area of economic studies and retail management.
This study examines the adoption and usability of lifestyle (LS) apps, considering demographic factors like age and education that influence adoption decisions. The study employed a mixed-methods design, combining an experiment (spanning 14 weeks of app use) with semi-structured interviews and periodic measurements. The researchers employed the Mobile Application Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ) to identify pivotal aspects of standalone app usability, interface satisfaction, and usefulness at various stages of use, with a particular emphasis on the experiences of Hungarian students (n = 36). The results demonstrate that health-related factors have a significant impact on students’ behavior and evaluation of lifestyle apps over the 14-week period. Overall, the analyzed LS apps demonstrated positive outcomes in terms of supporting subject health and significantly improving the perceived health state. The findings highlight both practical and theoretical contributions to the field of mobile health applications, suggesting avenues for further research to either confirm or challenge existing theories.
Background: Simulation-based medical education is a complex learning methodology in different fields. Exposing children to this teaching method is uncommon as it is designed for adult learning. This study aimed to develop and implement simulation-based education in first aid training of children and investigate the emotions of children in post-simulation scenarios that replicate emergency situations. Methods: This was a phenomenological qualitative research study. The participants attended the modified “Little Doctor” course that aims to train children in first aid and, subsequently, completed simulation scenarios. The children attended focus groups and were asked about their experiences of the course and how they felt during the simulation scenarios. Results: 12 children (Age 8–11 years old) attended the course, and 10 completed the simulation scenarios and focus groups. The major theme derived from was the simulation experience’s effect, which was divided into two subthemes: the emotion caused by—and the behavioral response to—the simulation. The analysis revealed shock and surprise toward the environment of the simulation event and the victim. The behaviors expressed during the simulation scenarios ranged from skill application and empathy to recall and teamwork. Conclusions: Simulation scenarios were successfully implemented during the first-aid training course. Although participants reported mixed feelings regarding the experience, they expressed confidence in their ability to perform real-life skills.
Background: Globally, unpaid carers face economic and societal pressures. Unpaid carers’ support is valued at £132 billion a year in the United Kingdom (UK) alone. However, this care comes at a high cost for the carers themselves. Carers providing round the clock care are more than twice as likely to be in bad health than non-carers. These carers are therefore proportionately more likely to need statutory services such as health care provision. It is critical that carers are better supported to be involved in the shaping, delivery and evaluation of the services they receive. Unfortunately, qualitative evidence on how carer organisations can do this better is scarce. Methods: Working collaboratively with a community-based carers organization, we undertook a qualitative study. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 23 participants. Online, semi-structured, one-to-one interviews were conducted with carers, community organization staff and stakeholders to ascertain their experience and views on the involvement service. Results: Firstly, there are a range of benefits resulting from the involvement service. The carers see the service as an opportunity to connect with other carers and share their views and ideas. Secondly, staff and service providers also reported how involvement gave a platform for carers and was of value in helping them shape needs-led services. Thirdly, we found that barriers to good involvement include the lack of a clearly understood, shared definition of involvement as well as the lack of a diverse pool of carer representatives available for involvement activities. Conclusion: The findings from our study provide important insights into how carers, staff and service stakeholders view barriers and enablers to good involvement. The findings will be of interest to a range of community-based organizations interested in further involving members of their community in shaping the services they receive.
How can social enterprises implement Total Quality Management (TQM) to tackle urgent social issues within their organizational framework while also ensuring their continued viability? To address this question, this study aims to explore the organizational approach to the adoption and implementation of TQM practices and their efficacy in mitigating pressing social challenges and maintaining financial sustainability. It adopts a qualitative multiple-case research design involving 3 social enterprises to explore the research phenomenon. Following qualitative research analysis process using NVivo, our findings highlight a prevalent, short-term outlook in managing TQM, hindering the full potential of TQM to achieve both social impact and organizational sustainability. More specifically, they expose a significant dissonance within the case organizations’ TQM implementations: the contrast between the current state, indicative of what it is, and the ideal state, indicative of what it should be. Altogether, the study advocates leveraging TQM for long-term excellence and alignment in social enterprises (as opposed to short-term mediocrity and disarray), thereby facilitating the achievement of both social impact and financial sustainability.
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