Voices Magazine

VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | August 2018 20 A s part of the rigorous academic quality assurance system in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, the Faculty hosted a special presentation session on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at which MPhil in Information Systems candidate Mr. Lushane Jones presented his research paper to an audience comprising local and international examiners, members of faculty, staff and students. In his thesis presentation on the topic ‘The Use of ICT Multimedia Tools in Primary Schools to Enhance Literacy’ Mr. Jones took the audience through details of his hypothesises, research questions, methodology, findings evaluation and recommendations. The MPhil candidate noted that the main purpose of his study is to “investigate the motivational factors of ICT tools, on young children’s cognitive development and academic performance.” The study also seeks to answer questions on the significant difference in levels of literacy attainment when the traditional teaching method is compared with computer assisted learning. The research also looked at the attitudes and observations of caretakers and educators towards the correlation of motivation and multimedia assisted learning. The study uses the hybrid conceptual framework to determine learning outcomes – Keller’s ARCS Model and the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning. Among the conclusions drawn from the study is that there is a strong relationship between ICT and pupils’ attainment, demonstrated in the sample population surveyed. Both commendation and critical analysis of the MPhil presentation were made by external examiners on the thesis, Dr. Raymond Dixon, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Idaho, USA who joined the presentation via internet connectivity and Dr. Simon Uzezi Ewedafe, Senior Lecturer, Department of Computing, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the West Indies, Mona. FENC MPhil Candidate Presents Research Paper to Examiners Mr. Lushane Jones (4TH from left), MPhil Candidate, Faculty of Engineering and Computing (FENC) poses with university academics following his research presentation at the Faculty’s Conference Room, Papine Campus on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. From left are Dr. Andrew Isaacs, Vice-Dean, FENC, Professor Felix Akinladejo, Faculty Graduate Studies Coordinator, FENC, Dr. Simon Uzezi Ewedafe, Senior Lecturer, Department of Computing, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the West Indies, Mona and External Examiner, Dr. Sherrene Bogle, Senior Lecturer, School of Computing and Information Technology, FENC and Research Supervisor, Dr. Paul Ivey, Associate Vice President, Graduate Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship, University of Technology, Jamaica. T he UTech, Jamaica community now has access to up to 3,000 gallons of purified drinking water per day, thanks to an enterprising initiative launched by the Faculty of Engineering and Computing (FENC) to provide dispensed bottled water from the newly installed Pure Aquifer Purified Water Station located on the grounds of the Faculty at the Papine Campus. The Faculty launched the initiative along with its Nescafe Coffee machine dispensary service at a launch ceremony on May 10, 2018. PurifiedWater and Coffee Dispensing Machines on Campus Professor Nilza Aples, (1st right) Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Computing (FENC) cuts the ribbon marking the official launch of the installation of a Pure Aquifer Purified Water Station and Nestle coffee machine located on the grounds of the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, Papine Campus. Sharing in the happy occasion held on Thursday, May 10, 2018, from left are Mrs. Margaret Christian, Manager - Training and Special Projects, FENC, Mr. Aldain Reid, CEO, Pure Aquifer and Associate Professor, FENC, Dr. Felix Akinladejo.