Research Articles (CSS)

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    A Decision supporting algorithm for improving sunflower production amidst changing weather in the singida region, Tanzania
    (East African Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation, 2024) Kisanjara, Simeo; Matimbwa, Hadija
    Recent drastic weather shifts driven by global warming have adversely affected African agriculture, culminating in low crop yields. The purpose of this study is to design decision support algorithms (DSA) that will aid sunflower farmers in the Singida Region in managing the risks associated with weather variations and consequently improve crop yields. A total of 80 respondents, including meteorologists, agricultural extension officers (AEOs), and farmers with feature and smart phones, contributed to the study's designedand empirical validation of the algorithm. The study designed and validated the DSA that assist sunflower growers in the Singida region in making informed decisions to improve productivity amidst adverse weather changes. As revealed, farmerswho use both smartphones and feature phones are extremely satisfied with the DSA functions. The decision support algorithm designedin this study integrates smart and feature phone elements that were overlooked in comparable, prior systems and algorithms.Farmers that grow other crops that behave similarly to sunflower in areas with characteristicscomparable to the Singida region will find the study's designedand validated algorithm helpful. In order to assist sunflower farmers in making decisions, theDSA interprets and processes data on a predetermined set of daily activities. In order to advance the use of ICT applications in farming activities, the study's findings took into consideration farmers who used feature phones with SMS-based notifications and those who used smartphones. The existing systems mostly concentrated on integrating web-based systems through mobile phones, which is dependent only on internet connectivity being available. Moreover, the use of web-based systems via mobile phones only results in restricted coverage and is out of reach for many farmers. Thus, the innovative element that emphasizes the study's contribution to the field in Tanzania's rural areas is the integration of feature and smart phone.IntroductionAgricultural production in Africa is significantly impacted by adverse weather shifts owing to variability (Stevanovi’c et al.,2016). The continent’svulnerability is attributable to severalchallenges, including extreme poverty, limitedemployment opportunities, and a lack of Keywords:ICTs; Decision Support Algorithm; Smart-feature phone; weather changes; Agriculture;Sunflower Productivity Cite as,Kisanjara and Matimbwa,(2024). A Decision supporting algorithm for improving sunflower production amidst changing weather in the singidaregion, Tanzania.East African Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation 5(2).Received: 02/01/24Accepted: 05/03/24Published: 28/03/24EISSN: 2707-0425
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    Adoption and use of Elearning in Tanzanian higher learning institutions: A structural equation model
    (International Journal of Education & Development using Information & Communication Technology, 2023) Kisanjara, Simeo
    Many higher learning Institutions (HLIs) in underdeveloped nations, especially in Tanzania, are not moving quickly enough to embrace eLearning. This study seeks to design a model for enhanced adoption and use of eLearning at Tanzanian higher learning Institutions. A quantitative cross-section survey design was used for data collection. Data were examined using SEM under AMOS software. The results showed that the level of eLearning adoption and use was significantly influenced by technological, user, pedagogical, social, and environmental factors. Based on this paper, policymakers and other stakeholders should embrace this model to give enough support for the adoption of eLearning and to enhance the performance in teaching and learning. To develop an appropriate, successful, effective, and long-lasting eLearning environment, decision makers can have a clear image of how to implement an appealing, conducive, and positive meaningful learning environment. As a result, the paper adds to the body of knowledge the factors (such as social, environmental, and human ones) that significantly affect the adoption of eLearning in Tanzania's HLIs. In addition, a model for the adoption and use of successful and improved eLearning in Tanzanian's HLIs and other countries with comparable features was developed and validated in the paper.
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    E-learning use and teaching and learning performance in Tanzanian universities
    (Sage Journals, 2024) Kisanjara, Simeo
    The use of E-learning as a new educational technology is currently a top priority in many universities in developing-countries. The main purpose of this research is to determine how e-learning affects the teaching and learning (T&L) performance in Tanzanian universities. Employing a questionnaire tool, a quantitative approach was used to collect the data. A total of 390 out of 400 respondents including lectures and students were taken into account, with a 97.5% response rate. Data in SPSS version 21 were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). According to the findings of this study, only one of the nine hypotheses tested have a non-significant effect on T&L performance, as indicated by p-values >0.01. Further, there is no statistically significant effect of perceived usefulness in using e-learning in T&L performance by lowering cost/expenses. Furthermore, other variables assessed including performance expectancy, ease of use, and perceived usefulness have significance effect on T&L performance by increased quality of instructional material delivery, convenience in teaching and learning facilities. The findings of this study inform policymakers on how to reformulate information and communication technology (ICT) policy to clearly spell out the adoption of e-learning for providing facilities in universities. The policy should, in particular, have a clear vision of implementing an appealing, conducive teaching and learning service delivery environment, as well as achieving appropriate and high T&L performance. By influencing the cost/expenses in T&L, quality of instructional material, and the convenience of T&L service delivery as the indicators of performance, this paper contributes to improve understanding of the factors of e-learning (including performance expectancy, perceived usefulness, and ease of use) on teaching and learning performance of the Tanzanian universities. These factors, which have a substantial influence on T&L performance in Tanzanian universities through affecting its indicators, were not thoroughly addressed in earlier relevant studies.
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    Factors influencing e-learning implementation in Tanzanian Universities
    (The Online Journal of Distance Education and e-Learning, 2020) Kisanjara, Simeo
    Website design and optimization has become natural extension on learning in many universities nowadays as it moves learning materials to online in the name of e-learning. The said website design and optimization enhances the e-learning for the purpose of facilitating and providing flexibility in teaching and learning activities. However, the progress of e-learning implementation is yet to be adequate in many universities in developing countries including Tanzania. This study, investigated factors influencing e-learning implementation from broader dimensions. This study employed cross section survey design with quantitative approach using questionnaire for data collection. The study finding revealed that technological characteristics, user characteristics, pedagogical characteristics, social attributes and environmental characteristics significantly influence e-learning implementation level. Thus, this study contributes to the understanding of the new factors such as social, pedagogical and environmental which were inadequately addressed in the existing similar elearning implementation models. Further, both factors were collectively used to develop a model for improving implementation of e-learning in Tanzanian universities and other countries with similar characteristics.