Research Articles (CSS)

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Browsing Research Articles (CSS) by Author "Kisanjara, Simeo"

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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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    An integrated model for measuring the impacts of e-learning on students’ achievement in developing countries
    (Open Campus, The University of the West Indies, West Indies, 2017) Kisanjara, Simeo; Tossy, Titus; Sife, Alfred; Msanjila, Simon
    Information and Communication Technologies have influenced the landscape of education sector by changing the way various education activities are being conducted. From the perspectives of Tanzania, this paper provides an integrated model for measuring the impact of e-learning on students’ achievements in universities. A Mixed method research methodology involving survey questionnaires and interviews was employed in the collection of quantitative and qualitative data respectively for building the integrated model. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the construct validity and internal reliability. Multiple regressions technique was used to analyse the hypothesised relationships conceptualised in the research model. The model was built and validated using structural equation modeling and Delphi technique respectively. Indicators such as student engagement, student cognitive, performance expectancy, students’ control, student satisfaction, continue using, student enjoyment, students’ self-esteem, students’ confidence on e-learning system have positive significance relationship with students’ achievement. The integrated model has the potential to policy makers, universities and other stakeholder to understand the impacts of e-learning after implementation in order to justify the total investment based on that technology. The novelty of this research lies in the extension of the findings in literature with new integrated variables including frequency use and intention to use e-learning.
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    E-learning uptake among academicians and students in Tanzanian universities
    (International Online Journal of Education and Teaching (IOJET), 2019) Kisanjara, Simeo; Tossy, Titus; Sife, Alfred; Msanjila, Simon
    The purpose of this study was to ascertain the extent of current e-learning uptake in Tanzanian universities. The quantitative approach involving survey design was adopted in the collection of data. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 400 respondents, with a rate of return 85.5%. The average reliability of variables 0.949 was determined using Cronbach's Alpha. Fuzzy Logic model and t-test were adopted for data analysis. The findings revealed that the average extent of current e-learning uptake among students and academicians were less than half of threshold amounting to 50% (i.e. level of awareness was 16%, availability was 20.6%, accessibility was 17%, attitude was 15% as variables used). There was no statistically significant difference in e-learning uptake among students and academicians as the value of p > 0.05. The findings of this study established a base ground and guidelines to inform the e-learning stakeholders and policymakers to find and establish suitable policy as well as mechanism to adopt and encourage sustainable use of e-learning systems for life-long teaching and learning. The originality of this study is based on the addition of new variables and methodologies employed as empirical evidence based on the extent of e-learning uptake in Tanzanian universities.
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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.
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    Internet of things and organizational performance in the Tanzanian banks
    (Emerald Publishing Limited, 2023) Kisanjara, Simeo
    Purpose – The adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) as a new technology is gaining traction in many business organizations in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of IoT on the organizational performance of Tanzanian banks. Design/methodology/approach – For data collection, this study used a quantitative approach with a questionnaire. A total of 342 respondents were considered, with an 82.16% response rate. AMOS software was used to analyze data using structural equation modeling (SEM) as the primary technique. Findings – The results revealed that the majority of the hypotheses tested in this study have a significant effect on organizational performance, as indicated by their p-value of 0.05. However, there is no statistically significant effect of performance expectancy on organizational performance by lowering IoT operation costs. Furthermore, the availability of IoT has no discernible effect on organizational performance by improving service quality. Practical implications – The findings of this study inform policymakers to reformulate information and communication technologies policy to clearly spell out the adoption and implementation of the IoT as a new technological innovation for providing services not only in the banking sector but also in other service delivery organizations. In particular, the policy should have a clear vision of implementing an appealing, conducive and positive, meaningful service delivery environment, as well as achieving appropriate, successful, effective and sustainable organizational performance Originality/value – As a result, this paper contributes to a better understanding of the factors (including performance expectancy, effort expectancy and accessibility) of IoT on organizational performance by influencing operational costs, service delivery speed and service quality. These factors were not adequately addressed in previous related studies, and they have a significant influence on organizational performance levels in Tanzanian banks.
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    Investigating factors influencing the adoption and use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in Tanzanian higher learning institutions: towards an Individual-Technology-Organizational-Environmental (ITOE) framework
    (International Journal of Research in Business and Technology, 2014) Kisanjara, Simeo; Tossy, Titus
    This paper is located within the global debates about adoption and use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in developing countries. From the Tanzanian Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs), this paper investigates factors influencing the adoption and use of the FOSS. The rationale for the investigation stems from the notion that Tanzanian HLIs is yet to fully adopt and use FOSS, despite huge investments and efforts being made on ground. This is facilitated by the lack of clear FOSS adoption and use framework. The source of this data was a questionnaire which comprised of structured questions, using a five-point Likert Scale. The population sample for the study was all HLIs stakeholders in Tanzania. Participants included both public and private HLIs. The positive factors include autonomy for code modifications, IT staffs and decision makers, organization awareness, trustworthiness of FOSS, licensing and scalability, collaboration and knowledge sharing, collaboration on international ICT, organization policy and good social economic policy. The negative influences that emerged included, Lack of proper plan, low confidence, lack of expertise, unfit for purpose, difficult to implement, lack of supporting software. Furthermore, this paper motivates other researchers to analyze why the adoption and use of Free and Open source software is still low to higher learning Institutions in East Africa even though their potential benefits that have been advocated in many previous studies. Finally, the paper has proposed Individual-Technological-Organizational- Environmental (ITOE) framework for adoption and use of FOSS.
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    Students’ attitudes and readiness assessment towards e-learning in higher learning institutions
    (International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT), 2014) Kisanjara, Simeo
    Learning institutions particularly in developing countries such as Tanzania have been adopting teaching and knowledge exchange and sharing digital solutions without much consideration of the actual needs and readiness of users. E-learning technologies in particular have been adopted in many universities through purchase and installation mostly imported from abroad or customized from open sources. However, the success rate has proven to be very low particularly when looking into ratio of students using these technologies for intended purposes. It is not clear whether the readiness and attitudes of students towards those technologies is supportive enough. This paper assesses the readiness and attitudes of students in higher learning institutions in Tanzania in comparisons with the adoption speed of the e-learning technologies.