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Publication Open Access A Model for Total Cost Determination in Open-Source Software Ownership: Case of Kenyan Universities’ Learning Management System(Computer and Information Science, 2024-03-08) Kodhek, Duncan Kereu; Kamau, John Wachira; Musyoka, Faith MueniThe adoption of open-source products is slowly increasing; the increase, however, is slower than expected, considering that most open-source products are freely available. Researchers and scholars have attributed the adoption levels to, among other things, a lack of know-how of the total cost of ownership of the open-source software. Thus, it is crucial for the cost of owning the software to be developed. While an ongoing endeavor to develop a model to determine the total cost of ownership of open-source software, the models have proved to be less accurate and do not capture essential elements. Moreover, there has been a rising call for organizations to adopt open-source software to lower the software costs incurred on proprietary software. If the cost of owning open-source software were known, it would be beneficial as several organizations and institutions could adopt it readily. The data was collected from Universities in Kiambu and Embu Counties. Linear regression analysis was done to help develop the model, and a mathematical model was developed. The proposed model was: total cost of open-source software ownership = direct + +indirect + hidden costs. To validate the model, it was subjected to expert validation. The model will be an outstanding contribution to information technology as it will make it possible to come up with the total cost of owning open-source software.Publication Open Access Potential Indices For Calculating Economic Values For Resistance To Gastrointestinal Helminths(2020-04-10) Gikandi, Joyce; Gicheha, Mathew; Bett, R.CIntroduction Use of incorrect economic values (EVs) in index calculation results in incorrect selection criterion and hence in suboptimal direction of selection. Appropriate economic values are important for selection within a population as well as in choices among breeds or crosses, evaluation of gene effects and for design of optimum breeding programmes (Ollivier 1986). Sivarajasingam (1995) described a method of estimating economic value for disease resistance. The method was used by Gicheha, M., Kosgey, I., Bebe, B. et al. (2005) in estimation of economic value for resistance to gastro-intestinal (GI) helminths (RES) in meat sheep using a two traits index. The current study presents economic values based on potential indices for estimating RES utilising multiple traits. Material and methods A method of estimating economic values for disease resistance described by Sivarajasingam (1995) was used. In that method, for a given set of assumptions, the breeding objective is matched to the expected responses in production traits and responses in these traits maximized relative to overall gains. Detailed description of the traits used in constructing alternative indices is presented in Gicheha and Bett (2009) using information from smallholder and pastoral production systems in the tropics (Kosgey, I., van Arendonk, J. and Baker, R. 2003).Publication Metadata only Online formative assessment in higher education: A review of the literature(Computers & Education, 2011-12) Davisa, N. E.; Gikandi, Joyce; Morrow, DAs online and blended learning has become common place educational strategy in higher education, educators need to reconceptualise fundamental issues of teaching, learning and assessment in non traditional spaces. These issues include concepts such as validity and reliability of assessment in online environments in relation to serving the intended purposes, as well as understanding how formative assessment functions within online and blended learning. This article provides a systematic qualitative review of the research literature on online formative assessment in higher education. As an integrative narrative review, the method applied in this review entailed systematic searching, reviewing, and writing this review of the literature to bring together key themes and findings of research in this field. The authors applied qualitative thematic criteria in selecting and reviewing the available literature from which they focused on identifying and analyzing the core themes that are central to the concept of formative assessment with a key focus on application of formative assessment within blended and online contexts. Various techniques were identified for formative assessment by the individual, peers and the teacher, many of which were linked with online tools such as self-test quiz tools, discussion forums and e-portfolios. The benefits identified include improvement of learner engagement and centrality in the process as key actors, including the development of a learning community. The key findings are that effective online formative assessment can foster a learner and assessment centered focus through formative feedback and enhanced learner engagement with valuable learning experiences. Ongoing authentic assessment activities and interactive formative feedback were identified as important characteristics that can address threats to validity and reliability within the context of online formative assessment.Publication Metadata only Adoption and effectiveness of electronic banking in Kenya(Electronic Commerce Research and Applications, 2010) Gikandi, Joyce; Bloor,ChrisA global explosion in the use of electronic commerce has been witnessed in recent times with the monetary value of products and services exchanged electronically being estimated at above US$ 7 trillion in the year 2004. Research has followed the same pattern especially in investigating factors influencing the adoption and effectiveness of e-commerce in retail businesses. However, little has been done to establish these factors in electronic banking (e-banking) in developing countries. The aim of this research was to investigate the factors influencing the adoption and effectiveness of e-banking in retail banking. Initial and follow-up surveys were carried out in the years 2005 and 2009, respectively, which involved banks controlling approximately 90% of formal retail banking in Kenya. The follow-up survey was meant to monitor trends between the periods of the two surveys. Results varied across the periodPublication Metadata only Towards a Theory of Formative Assessment in Online Higher Education(IGI Global, 2015) Gikandi, JoyceThe affordances of online learning have coincided with increasing demand for higher education across disciplines. The need to provide appropriate learning support while fostering self-regulation in online higher education calls for formative assessment to facilitate meaningful learning. This chapter attempts to conceptually generalize the findings of a recent collective case study and develop a relevant theoretical framework for online formative assessment. The theoretical framework is intended to inform successful implementation of formative assessment in online learning contexts. The collective case study purposefully conceptualized formative assessment from a holistic pedagogical approach. Investigating application of formative assessment in the recent study explored multifaceted elements including provision of a variety of embedded authentic assessment activities. The theoretical framework advanced through this chapter is therefore an attempt to coherently unify the diverse elements and techniques from the collective case study, and explicate how this creates an effective pedagogical design to promote meaningful learning.Publication Open Access Designing and implementing peer formative feedback within online learning environments(Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 2015-09-02) Gikandi, Joyce; Morrow, DWith increasing need to achieve appropriate balance between learning support and self-regulation within the context of online learning, formative feedback has been identified as a viable means to achieve meaningful engagement. Specifically, this study sought to establish how peer–peer formative feedback was facilitated in an online course and to what extent this engaged students in meaningful learning experiences. This case study entailed an in-depth investigation into the design and implementation of an online course in a New Zealand university. The studied course was part of a postgraduate programme in continuing (in-service) teacher education. The study adopted a case study methodology with a bias on qualitative techniques. Online observations, analysis of the archived course discourse and interviews were utilised as sources of data. The data from multiple sources were subsequently triangulated to corroborate the evidence. The findings indicate that peer formative feedback promoted active learners’ participation and meaningful engagement. The findings further showed that opportunities for dialogic peer formative feedback promoted learning support and self-regulation.Publication Open Access Effects of Interest Rate on Credit Access of Small and Medium Enterprises in Garissa County(International Journal of Finance and Accounting, 2016-05-28) Maalim, Abdi Mohamed; Gikandi, JoycePurpose: The main purpose of the study was to assess the effects of interest rate on credit access of small and medium enterprises' in Garissa County. Methodology: A descriptive survey was employed in this study. The target population of this study was 10 SACCOs and 150 SMEs registered within Garissa County. Primary data was collected from respondents via structured questionnaires. The descriptive statistics was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.0 and presented in the report in the form of tables, bar charts and graphs. Correlation and regression analysis was done to establish the relationship between the variables. Results: The results showed that interest rate policy was significantly related to credit access since its p-value (0.000) was less than the significance level of 0.05. The findings implied that a change in interest rate policy by one unit could result to positive variation of 0.70 units in credit access. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Based on the study findings, the study concluded that SACCO's interest rate policy affect SMEs accessibility to credit. The study recommended that SACCOs should consider revising their policy on interest rate charged. The study also recommended that County government should intervene to ensure that SMEs have access to financial services to enable them contribute to development and employment creation. The study validates the Credit access theory and its applicability in financing SME's firms.Publication Metadata only Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning and Assessment: A Strategy for Developing Online Learning Communities in Continuing Education(IGI Global, 2017) Gikandi, JoyceThis chapter focuses on re-interpreting the findings of a recent study based on collaborative learning perspectives. The study utilized a case study design in which two online postgraduate courses were investigated as a collective case study. Online observations, analysis of the archived course content and interview transcripts were used as data collection techniques. The data from multiple sources were triangulated. Qualitative techniques were used in data analysis and descriptive statistics were integrated to extend the meaning of qualitative data. The findings of the study suggest that social interactivity is pivotal to facilitating meaningful learning in formal online education. The findings further illustrate that development of productive communities in continuing (in-service) education is a gradual process that evolves through four stages starting from community of interest to community of practice.Publication Open Access INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL PROTECTION ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN POLITICAL PARTIES IN NAIROBI, KENYA(European Journal of Gender Studies, 2016-11-22) Mumbi, Alice; Gikandi, JoycePurpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of social protection on women empowerment in political parties in Nairobi, Kenya. Methodology: The study used a descriptive survey research design. The study used primary data which was largely be quantitative and qualitative in nature. The data was analyzed using content analysis. Qualitative data was presented in continuous prose form. On the other hand after quantitative data is obtained, it was prepared in readiness for analysis by editing, handling blank responses, coding, categorizing and keyed into statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) computer software for analysis. The statistics generated included descriptive statistics. The particular descriptive statistics included frequencies and percentages while the particular inferential statistics included correlation analysis and regression. Correlation analysis was used to establish the association between the variables. A multiple linear regression model was used to test the significance of the influence of the independent variables on the dependent variables. Results: The study found that social protection has a positive and significant effect on women empowerment in political parties in Nairobi, Kenya. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study also recommended that advancing the participation of women in devolved governance structures requires serious consideration by putting in place policy measures and interventions that would further this cause since equal gender participation is enshrined in the Constitution. In addition financial support from government, sponsors and family should be provided to women in politics. These can be achieved through development of fundraising skills to strengthen one's financial base for the political campaign.Publication Open Access EFFECT OF EQUALITY RULE ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN POLITICAL PARTIES IN NAIROBI, KENYA(European Journal of Gender Studies, 2016-11-22) Mumbi, Alice; Gikandi, JoycePurpose: The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of equality rule on women empowerment in political parties in Nairobi, Kenya. Methodology: The study used a descriptive survey research design. The study used primary data which was largely be quantitative and qualitative in nature. The data was analyzed using content analysis. Qualitative data was presented in continuous prose form. On the other hand after quantitative data is obtained, it was prepared in readiness for analysis by editing, handling blank responses, coding, categorizing and keyed into statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) computer software for analysis. The statistics generated included descriptive statistics. The particular descriptive statistics included frequencies and percentages while the particular inferential statistics included correlation analysis and regression. Correlation analysis was used to establish the association between the variables. A multiple linear regression model was used to test the significance of the influence of the independent variables on the dependent variables. Results: The study found that equality rule has a positive and significant effect on women empowerment in political parties in Nairobi, Kenya. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Based on the research findings the study concluded that all political parties should embrace 1/3 rule so as to boost women empowerment. In addition women should be educated on the best strategies of politics. This can be achieved through frequent attendance at social and political gatherings where political information is likely to be shared, as well as engaging in a wide reading of any available political literature and media articles, with a view to beefing up one's bank of political information.Publication Metadata only Promoting Competence-Based Learning and Assessment Through Innovative Use of Electronic Portfolios(IGI Global, 2019) Gikandi, JoyceThis chapter focuses on how innovative use of electronic portfolios (e-portfolios) can contribute towards meeting the needs of 21st century learners by promoting competence-based learning and assessment. The author explores various strategies and functionalities of e-portfolio application in higher education. Further, fundamental issues that relate to successful implementation of student academic e-portfolios are examined. Specifically, the relevance of congruent theoretical perspectives and teacher's involvement in the process of e-portfolio development are articulated among other key issues. Based on the emergent perspectives elucidated through this chapter, best practices to inform innovative and effective uses of e-portfolios are identified. The chapter illuminates how the effective use of e-portfolio can promote meaningful learning experiences and development of core competences including interactive collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, digital literacy, problem solving and self-efficacy.Publication Metadata only Meeting Higher Education Expectations in the Digital Age and Reliability of Assessment in E-Learning Settings(IGI Global, 2019) Gikandi, JoyceAs online and blended learning increasingly become common, higher educators and researchers need to rethink fundamental issues of teaching, learning, and assessment in these non-traditional spaces. Fundamental issues of assessment and in particular reliability have not been well understood despite proliferation of e-learning in higher education. The chapter begins with a justification of the need to reconceptualize assessment and associated fundamental issues in e-learning settings. The author further articulates the distinction between reliability within the context of assessment for learning (formative assessment) and assessment of learning (summative assessment). The core characteristics of reliability are critically examined and exemplified using research insights in relation to how achievement of these characteristics enhances reliability and by implication validity of assessment. The identified characteristics include opportunities for explicit learning goals and shared meaning, documentation, and monitoring evidence of learning; and multiple sources of evidence of learning and multi-dimensional perspectives. Finally, conclusions and recommendations are offered.Publication Metadata only Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning and Assessment: A Strategy for Developing Online Learning Communities in Continuing Education(IGI Global, 2020) Gikandi, JoyceThis chapter focuses on re-interpreting the findings of a recent study based on collaborative learning perspectives. The study utilized a case study design in which two online postgraduate courses were investigated as a collective case study. Online observations, analysis of the archived course content and interview transcripts were used as data collection techniques. The data from multiple sources were triangulated. Qualitative techniques were used in data analysis and descriptive statistics were integrated to extend the meaning of qualitative data. The findings of the study suggest that social interactivity is pivotal to facilitating meaningful learning in formal online education. The findings further illustrate that development of productive communities in continuing (in-service) education is a gradual process that evolves through four stages starting from community of interest to community of practicePublication Open Access Social Media as a Battleground for Electoral Violence among Netizens in Africa: The Case of Kenyan Youth(East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 2020-09-10) Gikandi, Joyce; Njuguna, Christine; Kathuri, Lucy; Kabari-Muriithi, JoanThere is a rise in unprecedented political infractions, disturbances and electoral violence in Africa with the youth playing a significant role. Thus, the study broadly investigated social media use and electoral violence among the youth in Kenya using two objectives that were to assess the use of social media platforms among the youth and to investigate the relationship between social media use and electoral violence among the youth. Guided by the Dependency Theory and the Social Responsibility Theory, the study was carried out in Mathare Constituency, Nairobi County, Kenya. Data collection involved questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Analysis of quantitative data was by descriptive statistics and regression while qualitative data was analyzed through transcription. The study findings showed that the use of social media platforms in communication has been growing with WhatsApp becoming the most ‘preferred’ platform in Kenya. The study outcome exposed the fact that social media had an important and positive effect on electoral violence among the Kenyan youth in Mathare (R = .812). On the other hand, social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram) had a strong explanatory strength on electoral violence among the Kenyan youth in Mathare (R2 = .659). This means that social media accounts for 65.9 percent of electoral violence among the Kenyan youth in Mathare Constituency, Nairobi County. The study, therefore, concluded that there is a relationship between social media and electoral violence among the Kenyan youth in Mathare. The study finally recommends that the government should embrace and enforce self-regulation mechanisms by Internet service providers to deter incitement. In addition, there should be increased efforts to educate and inform Internet users on the importance of assessing the credibility of information. Promotion of productive engagement as an effective instrument of dealing with online hatred is key.Publication Open Access Enhancing E-Learning Through Integration of Online Formative Assessment and Teaching Presence(International Journal of online Pedagogy and course design, 2022) Gikandi, JoyceThe proliferation of information communication technologies (ICT) continues to increase opportunities for effective pedagogical approaches and online learning. This paper reports a study on integration of online formative assessment from a teaching presence perspective of the community of inquiry (CoI) framework. The effects of this integrative pedagogical approach on students' learning experiences are explored. The study was conducted in a post graduate online course. Case study research design was utilized. The study exemplified the core elements of formative assessment including integration of authentic assessment activities within teaching and learning processes, explicit learning goals, formative feedback, and documentation of evidence of learning. These elements were aligned to the functions of teaching presence, namely design, facilitation, and direct instruction. This approach enhanced meaningful engagement with critical learning experiences including interactive collaboration, critical thinking, reflective thinking, multi-dimensional perspectives, and self-regulation.Publication Open Access Managing Electoral Violence Through Constructive Use of Social Media: Transforming Vulnerable Urban Youth in Kenya(IGI Global publishing bookstore, 2022) Gikandi, Joyce Wangui; Kathuri-Ogola, Lucy; Kabaria-Muriithi, Joan; Njuguna, Christine W.This study sought to assess the extent to which social media has been misused in the context of electoral processes to escalate violence and how social injustices among vulnerable youth in urban communities have further aggravated the violence. The study attempts to conceptualize and contextualize the phenomenon of electoral violence within emerging democracies in the digital era. This research is based on transformative social protection theoretical framework. Descriptive correlational design was adopted to assess the phenomena of electoral violence and its consequences in Kenya, among poor urban youth living in informal settlements in Nairobi County. The findings reveal a strong positive relationship between perpetual electoral violence, poverty and social injustices among the vulnerable communities. The strategies for mitigating misuse of social media among youth to escalate social unrest and electoral violence are elucidated including redesigning civic education and participatory civic engagement through inclusion of the marginalized and underprivileged youth.Publication Open Access USING LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO SCAFFOLD COLLABORATIVE AND INTERACTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING(Journal of cyber security, 2022-02) Njuguna, Alice; Gikandi, JoyceThe Sustainable Development Goal 4 of the United Nations advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all despite the unique circumstances faced by the learners and the teachers. Such circumstances could be economic, social or natural such as the COVID-19 Pandemic, which led to disruptions on the school calendar. Although several institutions of Higher Learning transited to online teaching using Learning Management Systems (LMS), the use of technology in ensuring interactivity and collaboration, which are crucial aspects of learning, needs to be examined more closely to establish its effectiveness. Given the fact that COVID -19 will be with us in the unforeseeable future, online teaching is here to stay. It is thus imperative to improve it so that the quality of education is not compromised. Previous research has shown the importance of Technology, Pedagogy and Content knowledge in effective delivery. LMS and related tools have been used to change the view of technology in the classroom, and the facilitator’s role is being re-evaluated. Successful facilitators look for innovative ways to scaffold the learning process. Instructional scaffolding is the process of supporting students in order to enhance learning and aid in the mastery of tasks. The aim of this study was to establish how LMS tools are used to improve collaboration and interaction in online teaching. The objectives were to establish which LMS tools are used to aid in interactivity and collaboration, how these tools are used to scaffold the teaching and learning process and how different elements interact to complete the scaffolding process. This study used a qualitative methodology where two virtual focus groups consisting of faculty and students in online graduate courses were used to review the scaffolding process. The findings were analyzed qualitatively and the results indicate that synchronous and asynchronous tools found in LMS and their plugins are used to scaffold collaboration and interaction. LMS tools were found to improve learning outcomes and to build a sense of community. The need for flexibility and the ability for LMS to be integrated with other tools and plugins was identified as crucial. The study established the need for both learners and faculty to be trained on the use of the tools was proposed as an additional requirement for the success of the scaffolding process.Publication Open Access A Survey of Biometric Authentication Technologies Towards Secure And Robust Systems: A Case Study of Mount Kenya University(computer and information science, 2022-03) Wambugu, Geoffrey; Gikandi, Joyce; Mwangi, BonifaceIn response to the increased demand for more effective authentication methods, the usage of biometric authentication to secure systems against unwanted access has grown. Because of the recent COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, any direct physical contact with the system should be avoided. Furthermore, current authentication systems lack the necessary security features, making them vulnerable to cyber risks such as forgery by unethical employees and unauthorized users. The goal of this paper is to investigate the existing biometric authentication systems and propose the best security models to overcome the weaknesses of existing technologies. The study employed mixed methodology, which was qualitative and quantitative in nature and relied on primary and secondary sources of data. The researcher collected the data from a population of 300 staff of Mount Kenya University with a sample size of 169 respondents. The R2 value on the relationship between the studied dependent and independent variables was R2 = 0.792 showing a good fit of the model since is greater than 50% of the test item used in the case study. Therefore the study recommends that institutions to implement a contactless biometric system to eliminate physical contact and use multimodal system that will help overcome the existing challenges associated with unimodal systems. There are still gaps for future researchers where they need to focus on the various decision algorithms that are best efficient in verifying users before they are authenticated in the system.Publication Open Access AN ANALYSIS OF SYSTEM SECURITY VULNERABILITIES TOWARDS ENHANCING AUTHENTICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN COVID-19 ERA(Journal of cyber security, 2022-05) Mwangi, Bonface; Gikandi, Joyce; Wambugu, GeofreyThe purpose or objective of this study was to examine the security weaknesses of existing systems as well as the internal dynamics that make them vulnerable to cyber-security attacks and then propose a better security system to help overcome the obstacles. There are a lot of vulnerabilities in the current systems due to an increase in spoofing attacks on the sensors. Furthermore, due to the physical touch nature of most authentication systems, they have been rendered useless with the outbreak of covid-19. Identity theft, spoofing, and the trustworthiness of authentication systems in higher education institutions are only a few of the major concerns jeopardizing system integrity and impeding excellent service delivery. Biometric systems have been applied in several areas such as education institutions, banks, and hospitals for authentication purposes. The use of biometric security techniques has been widely adopted in higher education institutions to monitor class attendance. These systems are increasingly being integrated into the webbased Management information systems thus increasing their vulnerability to spoofing. Moreover, existing biometriPublication Open Access Assessment of the Influence of Performance Contracting on Teachers’ Professional Productivity in Primary Schools in Kilifi County(Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 2022-11-26) Gikandi, Joyce; Munene, NjorogeThe drive of this study was to assess the influence of performance contracting on teachers’ professional productivity in primary schools in Kilifi North Sub-County. The study was guided by four theories, goal setting, management, expectancy and Two- factor. The goal-setting theory was proposed by John Locke [1]. The study used a mixed-methods approach to research in order to produce both quantitative and qualitative data while also reducing bias. A triangulation design was used to permit the complementarity of both descriptive and numerical data. Using the Krejcie and Morgan Table, a sample size of 181 was achieved out of the intended population of 346. After descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data, frequency tables, percentages, charts, and graphs were used to illustrate the results. The study adhered rigorously to research ethics. The findings showed that PC settings had a substantial impact on instructors' professional output. The study suggested making digital gadgets available and accessible to support learning and improve instructors' professional readiness in lesson planning, strategizing, and record keeping, hence enhancing professional productivity toward vision 2030. Similar to this, ICT should be incorporated and adopted from the start of creating goals, implementing changes, and monitoring data; doing so would increase production efficiency and effectiveness and improve school monitoring. The study suggested that there should be one CSO for every ten schools, and that CSO offices should be capitated to promote movements.