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Improving the accessibility of digital content via Mobile technology: a case study of Mount Kenya University
(Mount Kenya University, 2022-08-01) Githinji,Ann; Prof. Gregory Wanyembi
Globally, Higher Education Institutions (HEI) have embraced the use of mobile technology in the delivery of instructional resources which has promised multiple benefits in digital or blended learning, HEIs are facing the challenge of high internet tariffs. The current study sought to improve the accessibility of digital content via mobile technology within limited Internet connectivity contexts. The case study was Mount Kenya University in Kenya. In the university, training had been done for both students and educators on how to access digital content but still, both students and educators have been experiencing challenges in getting cost-effective, high quality education, and the accessibility of reading materials. The accessibility of digital content was a problem because of internet connectivity and bulky content. This research contributes to improving the accessibility of digital content via mobile technology by coming up with a mobile-based model. Objectives were to establish the factors that influence mobile technology, Challenges, and their effects on the learners, develop a mobile-based model, and then validate the model. The study was guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). TAM demonstrates the prediction of the usability and acceptance of new technology. The study used a quantitative research approach within which a descriptive survey research design was adopted. The target population was 15123 individuals comprising of 15,000 students and 123 were educators/ ICT staff who accessed digital content in the academic year 2018/2019. In sampling methods, this research used a case study of Mount Kenya University; students, staff, and educators as population. In this study, Slovin’s formula was used to get the sample population of 390 out of the target population of 15,123 members. Simple random sampling was the procedure used. The findings showed that there is a statistically significant relationship between internet connectivity, type of mobile technology, user literacy, data caching, and eLearning policy had a significant effect on the accessibility of digital content. The variables were statistically significant. The adjusted R squared was 0.862 indicating that 86.2 percent of the total variation of accessibility of digital content can be explained by Internet connectivity, e-learning policy, type of mobile technology, data caching, and user literacy. The study then went ahead to develop a mobile-based e-learning model. The mobile-based model used a WIFI router device which is not internet supported as an alternative to a wired internet connection where students and educators access digital content from the mobile sub-server which was not connected to the internet through their mobile technology The findings showed that the use of mobile-based e-learning (m-learning) in universities will greatly improve access to digital content and hence e-learning. The study recommends the use of m-learning as it will provide alternative means of optimizing Internet connectivity. This research makes a contribution to m-learning to universities, policymakers involved in testing, designing, and implementation, and scholars.
Text mining model for retrieval of explicit knowledge at Kenya coastal development project, Mombasa
(Mount Kenya University, 2022-09-06) Onkundi,Ednah Nyakerario; Raymond Wafula Omgus PdD
The study investigated the prospects of applying a Text Mining model in the retrieval of explicit knowledge at the Kenya Coastal Development Project (KCDP). The study’s main objective was to establish how a Text Mining model could be used in explicit knowledge retrieval at KCDP. The study identified text-mining techniques that could be used to develop a text-mining model, evaluate the model to be able to retrieve explicit knowledge at KCDP. The study targeted staff of the agencies that constituted the KCDP project which included,
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), State Department of Fisheries (SDF), Coastal Development Project (CDA), Department of Physical Planning, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The study used the exploratory and experimental research design to be able to understand the research problem, answer the research objectives and questions. The total population of staff in the project was one hundred and fifty (150), out of which fiftytwo (52) were sampled. Purposive sampling was used to select samples from the representative groups that comprised the target population. Two methods of data collection were used namely; questionnaires and focus group discussion. The questionnaire was applied to members of staff in four major departments namely the top management, research and administration, knowledge management and finally the ICT department. The focus group discussion was applied to a special group in the knowledge management section. Content analysis was used to analyze the focus group discussions. Questionnaires were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 software. The use of questionnaires and focus groups were used to establish the current situation at the KCDP in terms of knowledge management systems in place and whether text mining could be used to retrieve explicit knowledge at KCDP. Text were collected from websites of organizations that took part in the KCDP project by using python libraries namely Python Request 2.22 and Beautiful Soup 3. The collected text was then summarized using text summarization algorithms used in the model like Luhnsummarizer, Lsansummarizer, Lexranksummarizer and Edmondsummarizer. After summarization topic, modelling was performed on the text collected using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic-modelling algorithm to create topics based on patterns in text. The model was then evaluated to establish its performance by measuring the four variables identified using precision and recall to measure accuracy, topic modelling to measure rate of similarity, and perplexity to measure evaluation of the model which gave a perplexity of -6.0455 from the text analyzed and modelled. It was concluded that text analysis could be used to analyze text and create explicit knowledge from both structured and unstructured data formats using the model. Future models should incorporate artificial intelligence into machine learning, so that semantics (i.e., English grammar) are deciphered and not only syntax of the language. The system should be willing to differentiate between “willing flesh” and “good meat”. The system should detect the intrinsic difference between the phrases “weak spirit” and “bad liquor”. This will help the system to avoid getting lost in translation via the use of synonyms and will incrementally rely on semantic, as facilitated by artificial intelligence.
A palm vein authentication implementation model For enhanced access of biometric systems: a case of Mount Kenya University Main Campus
(Mount Kenya University, 2023-06-20) Wambui,Boniface Mwangi; Dr. Joyce Gikandi
One of the crucial components that contributes to the efficacy and efficiency of information systems is system integrity. One security method used to increase system integrity is biometrics. The existing fingerprint system is prone to spoofing attacks, high FRR and FAR, tear and wear of the sensor scanner. The goal of this study was to look at the integrity issues that affect the security of biometric technologies in Kenyan higher education institutions, IT security factors, implementing a new model and validating it. The implemented contactless security model sought to solve the current security problems facing the current biometric system. The study's particular goals were to look into the IT security factors that influenced biometric system integrity, review the success and failures of present biometric systems in boosting learning institution integrity, and design and validate the model. The research was guided by the extended integrated system theory which consisted of contingency and management theory. Since the contactless model had been approved by security system specialists, the researcher used an experimental and descriptive research approach. The research subject was Mount Kenya University's faculty and employees. Stratified sampling provided a true depiction of the varied population. 300 randomly chosen employees from particular departments made up the study's target population, and 169 individuals were picked for the sample using simple random sampling. The Zetech University served as the site of the pilot study. In the study area, questionnaires were used to collect the data. The researchers employed an equation for multivariate regression. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the model's fitness, with a 95 percent confidence level test of significance. From the findings a strong correlation coefficient of 0.792 was obtained on objective one. This showed that the model fitted well and their statistical relationship between the variables. The correlation coefficient between the variables was at 0.792, indicating that the constructed model was more efficient in terms of data integrity. One objective two the R2 of 73.4% indicated the data fitted the model well on the assessment the IT security metrics that influenced the integrity of biometric systems in higher learning institutions since it was greater than 50%. The experiment consisted of a control group having 15 participants. From the experiment the palm vein had an FRR of 93.33% while fingerprint had 60% which demonstrated superiority in authentication accuracy. On objective three a F value of 0.714 was produced regarding the integrity of the new security model. This value is lower than the table value at (1.70) degree of freedom (10,59), which showed that there was statistical significance. 87.5% of the experts concurred that the security system satisfied the requirement for a system that can improve the integrity of the data. The researcher added feature extraction component that represented infrastructure variable in the conceptual framework. The institution should consider changing its present fingerprint security system, which failed to verify legitimate users and was therefore inconsistent with data integrity. Learning institutions should implement the contactless system that does not require physical touch to verify people, which was more useful in the current COVID 19 epidemic, which has rendered the existing fingerprint security system useless. Organizations should consider implementing live detection systems or employ cancellable biometric systems that helps overcome spoofing attacks. More research needs to be carried out on palm vein template protection in deep learning since little research has been done in the field and also new decision authentication algorithms.
Drug sensitivity using counter diffusion technique in methicilin- Resistant staphylococcus aureus in clinical isolates: a survey of hospitals patients admitted within Nakuru County
(Mount Kenya University, 2016-10) Owino,Joseph Odhiambo; Dr. Jackson H. O. Onyuka (PhD)
Several infectious bacterial strains have acquired resistance towards most available antibiotics. Therefore, there is need to study drug sensitivity using counter diffusion technique for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in isolates so that combination therapy can be embraced since the core factor in using the method is the ability to give good synergistic potential among. The specific objectives were to compare the susceptibility pattern for the MRSA organism using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion and compare it to the counter diffusion technique; To determine which antimicrobial agent combination are sensitive to MRSA; To compare the prevalence of methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and MRSA and ; To establish the prevalence of MRSA according to the sites. The study sought to fill the literature gap by investigating drug sensitivity using counter diffusion technique in MRSA. Laboratory procedure included Sample collection, Culture, Gram staining and biochemical testing Kirby Bauer disc diffusion done following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Counter diffusion technique as per the protocol for the study. Data were analyzed using R version 3.2.0. Proportions were compared using Chi square or Fisher’s exact test. Cohen’s Kappa was used to assess the inter-drug reliability in detecting the MRSA and MSSA sensitivity of the 11 drugs on the isolates. A simple linear regression analysis was used to study the relationship between the zones inhibited and the technique used. In the model zone was the outcome variable and technique was the covariate, with the latter two being compared to the counter diffusion technique. All tests were performed at 5% significance level. Of 423 patients recruited, 344 (181 males and 163 females) had cases of Staphylococcus species isolated 12.5% (95% CI 17.8-16.5%) of the 344 were Methicillin resistant whereas the rest were Methicillin sensitive, Proteus species 30 cases, Escherichia coli (E. coli) 45 cases, Klebsiella species 4 cases. The proportion resistant was 14% and 11% among males and females, respectively. These two proportions were not significantly different from each other (Chi square= 0.374, df = 1, p = 0.540). The results further indicated that the prevalence of MRSA varied significantly by site (Fisher’s exact test p<0.001), with wounds recording the highest at (17.9%) followed by central venous catheter (CVC) (16.7%), nasal (9.1%), and stool and urine at zero percent. It informs general public on the gains made in the drug sensitivity using the technique. Scholars will use the study as a background for their own academic papers. The study found that, MRSA is a real medical threat within Nakuru County. Proper wound management should be maintained since it was found that MRSA was higher in wound specimen more so those that were septic. The researcher recommends that, the procedure be validated and accepted as marker for testing for the drug combination therapy as it has potential to pinpoint to clinicians the way forward in patient management. Surveillance of MRSA as a means of identifying colonized or infected patients should be implemented since most of isolated cases were from patients who are admitted.
Analysis of relationship between entrepreneurship education Practices and entrepreneurial intention of technical vocational education and training students in Kenya
(Mount Kenya University, 2021-06-06) Kirigo Kimathi, Ruth; Dr. Phelista Njeru
The study analyzed relationship between entrepreneurship education practices and entrepreneurial intention of Technical and Vocational Education and Training students in Kenya. Succeeding specific objectives were considered. To determine effect of entrepreneurship training content on entrepreneurial intention of Technical and Vocational Education and Training students in Kenya, find out effect of entrepreneurship pedagogies on entrepreneurial intention of Technical Vocational Education and Training Students in Kenya, assess effect of trainer attributes on entrepreneurial intention of Technical and Vocational Education and Training students in Kenya and to determine if family orientation moderates relationship between entrepreneurship education practices and entrepreneurial intention of the reference group. Positivism research philosophy and explanatory research design approaches were used. Using stratified simple random sampling supported by key informer interviews. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews from 365 respondents covering final year students, entrepreneurship trainers and management of public technical training institutions located in Nairobi and Kajiado Counties as at July 2018. Results from reliability analysis indicated a Cronbach alpha above 0.7 for all items thus reliable. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools of mean, standard deviation, percentage, correlation and linear regression model was utilized to analyze. The study used p-values and the t-statistic values to test hypothesis. Results were presented in narrative, graphs and tables. Results of hypothesis testing revealed a strong positive significant relationship between entrepreneurship education content (p=0.000<0.05); entrepreneurship pedagogies (p-value=0.004<0.05,); learning resources (p=0.029<0.05) and entrepreneurial intention of 8 students in Kenya. There was no statistically significant relationship between trainer attributes (p=0.093>0.05, and entrepreneurial intention of the referenced group. The moderation results showed that family orientation did not have moderating effect on the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable. The study thus concluded that entrepreneurship education content, entrepreneurship pedagogies, trainer attributes and learning resources can be used as predictors of entrepreneurial intention of Technical Vocational Education and Training students in Kenya. Study will benefit government, curriculum developer, researchers and management of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions. A multi-agency approach and collaboration in implementation and management of entrepreneurship education was recommended. There is need for stakeholders to undertake holistic intentional measures aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship education practices. In addition, further study may be undertaken to establish percentage of Technical and Vocational Education and Training students who actualize their entrepreneurial intention into entrepreneurial action.
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