User experience requirements for the integration of blended learning technologies into anatomy and physiology
- Authors: Buckle, Maria Magdalena
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Web-based instruction , Educational technology Internet in education Computer-assisted instruction -- Curricula -- Planning Anatomy Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MHSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37874 , vital:34257
- Description: Blended learning is currently the recommended mode of teaching at Nelson Mandela University and typically refers to a mix of traditional methods of teaching and learning integrated with technology, in particular, online delivery methods. In this blended learning study, a web-based learning programme, WileyPLUSLS, in combination with the assessment functions of the learning management system, Moodle, introduced the technology component into the teaching and learning of Anatomy and Physiology. User experience (UX) studies investigate the experiences of a user when using a product or system. Because very little is currently known about the UX when WileyPLUSLS and Moodle are integrated into the teaching and learning of Anatomy and Physiology, this study aims to determine the participants’ UX to compile a set of UX requirements. The purpose of these UX requirements is to inform designers if the programmes WileyPLUS and Moodle function as they should and to modify them, if needed, to improve their usability. These UX requirements also aim to support and guide the integration of blended learning technologies into the curriculum of Anatomy and Physiology and other disciplines alike. The research design selected for this study was in the form of a case study conducted on the 2016 first-year BHSc: MLS (Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science) class at Nelson Mandela University. Pre-study investigations on infrastructure, connectivity and e-readiness were conducted to lay the groundwork for the case study and to inform its rationale. Data was collected from literature studies, online UX questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and researcher observations. A mixed methods approach to data analysis was adopted. Quantitative data from the UX questionnaire were analysed by means of descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data from semi-structured interviews, open-ended questions from UX questionnaire and researcher observations were analysed via content analysis. Subsequently the analysis and triangulation of the data culminated into UX requirements, which were categorised into the following classifications, namely infrastructure, human resources, educational content and online learning systems. This case study illuminated many major issues regarding connectivity, e-readiness, unequal access to online learning, the importance of security features for online summative assessments, the usefulness of commercial web-based learning programmes and the confounding effect of the #FeesMustFall (FMF) protest movement. Finally, the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on online learning and the workplace was addressed. This research was successful in compiling the UX requirements to inform designers regarding the usability of their systems and to guide the integration of online programmes into the curriculum, especially in the South African context of limited and slow connectivity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Buckle, Maria Magdalena
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Web-based instruction , Educational technology Internet in education Computer-assisted instruction -- Curricula -- Planning Anatomy Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MHSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37874 , vital:34257
- Description: Blended learning is currently the recommended mode of teaching at Nelson Mandela University and typically refers to a mix of traditional methods of teaching and learning integrated with technology, in particular, online delivery methods. In this blended learning study, a web-based learning programme, WileyPLUSLS, in combination with the assessment functions of the learning management system, Moodle, introduced the technology component into the teaching and learning of Anatomy and Physiology. User experience (UX) studies investigate the experiences of a user when using a product or system. Because very little is currently known about the UX when WileyPLUSLS and Moodle are integrated into the teaching and learning of Anatomy and Physiology, this study aims to determine the participants’ UX to compile a set of UX requirements. The purpose of these UX requirements is to inform designers if the programmes WileyPLUS and Moodle function as they should and to modify them, if needed, to improve their usability. These UX requirements also aim to support and guide the integration of blended learning technologies into the curriculum of Anatomy and Physiology and other disciplines alike. The research design selected for this study was in the form of a case study conducted on the 2016 first-year BHSc: MLS (Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science) class at Nelson Mandela University. Pre-study investigations on infrastructure, connectivity and e-readiness were conducted to lay the groundwork for the case study and to inform its rationale. Data was collected from literature studies, online UX questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and researcher observations. A mixed methods approach to data analysis was adopted. Quantitative data from the UX questionnaire were analysed by means of descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data from semi-structured interviews, open-ended questions from UX questionnaire and researcher observations were analysed via content analysis. Subsequently the analysis and triangulation of the data culminated into UX requirements, which were categorised into the following classifications, namely infrastructure, human resources, educational content and online learning systems. This case study illuminated many major issues regarding connectivity, e-readiness, unequal access to online learning, the importance of security features for online summative assessments, the usefulness of commercial web-based learning programmes and the confounding effect of the #FeesMustFall (FMF) protest movement. Finally, the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on online learning and the workplace was addressed. This research was successful in compiling the UX requirements to inform designers regarding the usability of their systems and to guide the integration of online programmes into the curriculum, especially in the South African context of limited and slow connectivity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Discrepancy in conventional microscopic manual differential counts of band neutrophils among microscopists
- Godson-Katchew, Chesna Terry-Lee
- Authors: Godson-Katchew, Chesna Terry-Lee
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Neutrophils , Hematology Medical statistics -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MHSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30127 , vital:30830
- Description: The interpretation of the band neutrophil count on manual differential counts performed amongst microscopists can vary greatly. The band neutrophil is an immature granulocyte, maturing towards a segmented neutrophil. There are varying degrees of misconception of the band neutrophil identification, as the band neutrophil closely resembles the maturing segmented neutrophil. Although there are guidelines for the identification of band neutrophils, many laboratories incorporate their own “standard” as to what a band neutrophil should look like. Even when a standard exists for the identification of band neutrophils, many microscopists still have difficulty identifying these cells, making it difficult to accurately perform, interpret and report a manual differential count. Due to the controversy it is thus necessary to identify whether the problem lies with the identification of the band neutrophil itself, or the individual microscopist’s perception of differentiation between the band neutrophil and a maturing segmented neutrophil. The purpose of this study was to establish the accuracy by which microscopists distinguish band neutrophils from mature segmented neutrophils, the extent of discrepancies in the band neutrophil count amongst microscopists, to establish whether microscopists required re-training and to establish meaningful recommendations for microscopists to aid in the accurate identification of band neutrophils. The researcher thus made use of a self-administered picture diagram, distributed among microscopists to assess the accuracy of the band neutrophil counts prior to training. Participants counted an average of 61.47% neutrophils and 38.53% band neutrophils. Coefficient of variation (CV) for neutrophils and band neutrophils were calculated and yielded a CV of 22.48 and 35.87 respectively. Due to the high CV calculated, suggesting a greater level of dispersion around the mean, the researcher investigated individual responses from the picture-diagram. With the findings of the individual picture-diagram results, the researcher developed an impression that there was a large variation in counts for both neutrophils and band cells. Training was then given to participants arranged by the researcher, for accurate band neutrophil identification. Following training a second survey was conducted in order to assess the variation in counts among microscopists. 1 The peripheral blood smear was then provided and used to perform a manual differential count by conventional light microscopy, in order to compare results. Similarly, results obtained by the microscopists was compared to the verified manual differential count performed by a Haematologist; to improve the accuracy of results reported routinely. With the findings of the individual manual differential count results the researcher observed, that there was indeed a discrepancy in the manual differential counts performed by microscopists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Godson-Katchew, Chesna Terry-Lee
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Neutrophils , Hematology Medical statistics -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MHSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30127 , vital:30830
- Description: The interpretation of the band neutrophil count on manual differential counts performed amongst microscopists can vary greatly. The band neutrophil is an immature granulocyte, maturing towards a segmented neutrophil. There are varying degrees of misconception of the band neutrophil identification, as the band neutrophil closely resembles the maturing segmented neutrophil. Although there are guidelines for the identification of band neutrophils, many laboratories incorporate their own “standard” as to what a band neutrophil should look like. Even when a standard exists for the identification of band neutrophils, many microscopists still have difficulty identifying these cells, making it difficult to accurately perform, interpret and report a manual differential count. Due to the controversy it is thus necessary to identify whether the problem lies with the identification of the band neutrophil itself, or the individual microscopist’s perception of differentiation between the band neutrophil and a maturing segmented neutrophil. The purpose of this study was to establish the accuracy by which microscopists distinguish band neutrophils from mature segmented neutrophils, the extent of discrepancies in the band neutrophil count amongst microscopists, to establish whether microscopists required re-training and to establish meaningful recommendations for microscopists to aid in the accurate identification of band neutrophils. The researcher thus made use of a self-administered picture diagram, distributed among microscopists to assess the accuracy of the band neutrophil counts prior to training. Participants counted an average of 61.47% neutrophils and 38.53% band neutrophils. Coefficient of variation (CV) for neutrophils and band neutrophils were calculated and yielded a CV of 22.48 and 35.87 respectively. Due to the high CV calculated, suggesting a greater level of dispersion around the mean, the researcher investigated individual responses from the picture-diagram. With the findings of the individual picture-diagram results, the researcher developed an impression that there was a large variation in counts for both neutrophils and band cells. Training was then given to participants arranged by the researcher, for accurate band neutrophil identification. Following training a second survey was conducted in order to assess the variation in counts among microscopists. 1 The peripheral blood smear was then provided and used to perform a manual differential count by conventional light microscopy, in order to compare results. Similarly, results obtained by the microscopists was compared to the verified manual differential count performed by a Haematologist; to improve the accuracy of results reported routinely. With the findings of the individual manual differential count results the researcher observed, that there was indeed a discrepancy in the manual differential counts performed by microscopists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
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