http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/62 2026-04-07T11:15:59Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/133 Social Media in Higher Learning: Is it a tool for Social or Academic Purpose? A Comparative Study between MoCU, Tanzania and LUANAR, Malawi Matto, George This study was carried out to investigate the extent and purposes of social media uses among higher learning students. The study was conducted at the Moshi Co-operative University (MoCU) in Tanzania and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in Malawi between May and October 2014. A total of 140 randomly selected students, 70 from each university, were surveyed using a cross-sectional research design. Results showed that more than 80% of students from each University use social networking sites (SNSs), with MoCU students being more active users when compared to LUANAR students. Facebook was the most popular SNS in both Universities, used by more than 90% of students. Students in both Universities use SNSs for both social and academic reasons. However it was interesting that 60% of students in each University use SNSs for social reasons. The study recommend that Universities should take the high rates of SNS uses among students as an opportunity within which academic uses can be applied. 2015-11-20T00:00:00Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/130 SMS-Based Systems: Towards Implementation of Mobile Discussion Groups Matto, George There have been a worldwide increasing number of mobile phone users as years go. Although mobile phones can include many features, most of users use their phones as simple devices for voice calls and Short Message Service (SMS). SMS provides a convenient means for people to communicate with each other via mobile devices. There are basically three kinds of interactions provided by SMS-based system; one way only, two ways, and SMS based chat. However there have been identified weak points of each of these interaction methods. Some are; poor support for forum/group discussions, demand for use of multimedia, GPRS or 3G enabled mobile phones, limitation of SMS per day/person, the need for signing up on the web to be able to use the system, and special software requirements. Due to the various identified challenges in each of the interaction method, the paper suggests an implementation of Mobile Discussion Group as an SMS system that provides more friendly group-based interaction. 2013-11-20T00:00:00Z http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/127 Prospects of Digital Libraries in Enhancing Academic Materials Access: A Survey of Libraries in Higher Learning Institutions in Kilimanjaro Region Matto, George; Bwabo, Maulid The study set out to explore prospects of using digital libraries to enhance access to academic materials to library users in the Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. Interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions were methodological underpinnings adopted to explore the case using cross-sectional type of designs. Study findings revealed that despite the fact that each HLI had a library, but sitting pattern did not keep pace with the increasing number of students enrolled each year. Opening and closing hours were also observed to be an obstacle for many library users to access learning materials, lack of variety and updated books in various study disciplines, and involvement of a lot of mechanical books searching was also observed to be challenges facing readers in the existing libraries. The turning point for the above mentioned challenges is to establish digital library. However, digital library implementation fall into doldrums because of the following identified factors; shortage of fund, low technology, power rationing, inadequate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools to the libraries, shortage of skilled personnel who can start and run digital library, unstable network infrastructures, and high cost for internet bandwidth. The study calls for deliberate action to implement digital libraries especially in HLIs in order to harvest the prospects of digital libraries in enhancing access to learning materials and consequently improving students’ academic performance. 2012-11-20T00:00:00Z