مطالب

Background: Many efforts have been put into using serious games for education over the past two decades. Although there are different definitions for serious games, there is a relative agreement that the education of knowledge or skills through or by means of entertainment is at the heart of every serious game. However, educational capacities of serious games and learning strategies exploited in them require further studies.Aims: Considering the capacities of Fauconnier and Turner’s Blending theory, this paper aims to show that the learning strategies in serious games can have other dimensions.Methodology: This paper employs a conceptual and theoretical analysis methodology, drawing on Fauconnier and Turner’s Conceptual Blending Theory to examine the learning strategies embedded in serious games. Additionally, it utilizes a case study approach, analyzing the serious game FLIGBY to illustrate how structural and conceptual blending contribute to creative learning.Findings: The focus point of the paper as the source of the generation of different kinds of unconscious learning processes will be conceptual blending. In the end, the paper will also introduce the serious game FLIGBY from the perspective of Fauconnier and Turner’s blending theory at both structural and conceptual levels.Conclusions: By means of blending theory, it will be discussed that the elevation of serious games to a higher level is possible; a level that will not only reduce the tiredness of serious games but also pursue a more innovative learning, happening at two levels of structural and conceptual.

Background: Due to the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, telecommuting has emerged as a new work method in the media, enabling journalists to adapt to digital technologies.Aims: This study aims to assess journalists' satisfaction with telecommuting in the post-COVID era among journalists at ISNA news agency.Methodology: The theoretical foundation of this research is based on the ideas of Daniel Bell and Manuel Castells. The statistical population includes 123 journalists, managers, senior editors, and news editors. Data was collected using a survey method and a researcher-designed questionnaire. The questionnaire's validity was evaluated through face validity, and its reliability was determined by a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.956.Results: The results of this study indicate that telecommuting has had positive effects on journalists' productivity, focus, topic discovery, and job enthusiasm. Among the factors assessed on a 5-point Likert scale, “improved output during telecommuting” ranked highest with an average of 4.35, followed by “no issues in communication with colleagues” with an average of 4.29, “feeling of enthusiasm and vitality” with an average of 4.19, “better focus on work” with an average of 4.18, “more time for work” with an average of 4.07, “topic discovery and development” with an average of 3.87, and finally, “ease of communication with relevant organizations and individuals” with an average of 3.74.Conclusions: Environmental, family, and individual factors (such as number of children or marital status) have no effect on job satisfaction in telecommuting, but journalists’ job position does influence their satisfaction with telecommuting.

Background: Throughout history, humans have consistently developed groundbreaking technologies, from fire and the wheel to modern computing, showcasing their ability to innovate and control their creations. The rise of artificial intelligence has sparked renewed concerns about whether machines might eventually surpass human intelligence and autonomy.Aims: This study aims to critically assess AI’s role in human society, particularly addressing concerns that it may surpass human control and agency. It seeks to demonstrate that while AI is a powerful tool, it lacks autonomy, self-augmentation, and intentionality, making it unlikely to replace human decision-making. Additionally, the paper examines historical technological advancements, showing how humans have always adapted and controlled new innovations.Methodology: Employing a historical-comparative methodology, this study traces the evolution of computing technologies from early tally systems to quantum computing. It incorporates philosophical analysis through the works of Hubert Dreyfus, John Searle, and Michael Tomasello, assessing AI’s limitations in replicating human cognition.Findings: The study finds that despite AI’s rapid advancements, it remains fundamentally dependent on human input, lacks true understanding, and is incapable of independent self-enhancement. The historical trajectory of technological progress demonstrates that while new technologies can disrupt societies, humans have consistently adapted and maintained control. Philosophical critiques of AI further reinforce the argument that intelligence is not solely computational but deeply rooted in embodiment, intuition, and shared intentionality—qualities that AI lacks.Conclusions: Concerns about AI overwhelming human agency are largely misplaced. Just as humanity has managed previous technological revolutions—including writing, mechanization, and computing—AI will be integrated and regulated according to human needs and ethical considerations. While vigilance is necessary, the myth of AI autonomy is exaggerated.

Background: With the rapid digital transformation across the African continent, ensuring the protection of personal data through effective regulatory frameworks is crucial. Key regulations, including Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and the African Union’s Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, have been enacted to address growing concerns about data privacy and cybersecurity.Aims: This literature review critically examines the impact of data privacy regulations on cybersecurity practices in Nigeria and across Africa, focusing on empirical studies that highlight the interplay between regulation enforcement and cybersecurity outcomes.Methodology: This review synthesizes empirical studies that explore the effectiveness of these regulations in improving cybersecurity practices in both public and private sectors.Results: Empirical research from Nigeria indicates that while the NDPR has led to some positive changes in organizational data protection strategies, challenges in enforcement, resource allocation, and awareness continue to hinder its full impact. Studies reveal that small to medium enterprises (SMEs) face difficulties in complying with the regulations due to a lack of capacity and knowledge. Similarly, research across several African countries shows a significant gap in both the implementation of data privacy laws and the cybersecurity measures required to mitigate emerging threats, such as ransomware and data breaches. Furthermore, empirical evidence highlights that varying levels of regulatory enforcement across the continent result in inconsistent cybersecurity practices, leading to vulnerabilities in the digital infrastructure. The review also explores empirical findings on the socio-economic and political barriers that affect the successful enforcement of data privacy regulations, with particular focus on limited technical expertise, political instability, and insufficient resources for regulatory bodies. Additionally, studies suggest that there is a growing need for cross-border collaboration and capacity building to bridge the regulatory gaps and improve overall cybersecurity resilience.Conclusion: Empirical evidence underscores the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and greater cooperation across African nations to enhance the protection of personal data and fortify cybersecurity practices across the region. Recommendations for future policy development are provided, based on the insights gained from existing empirical studies.

The Internet of Multimedia Things (IoMT) represents a significant advancement in the evolution of IoT technologies, focusing on the transmission and management of multimedia streams. As the volume of data continues to surge and the number of connected devices grows exponentially, internet traffic has reached unprecedented levels, resulting in challenges such as server overloads and deteriorating service quality. Traditional computer network architectures were not designed to accommodate this rapid increase in demand, leading to the necessity for innovative solutions. In response, Software-Defined Networks (SDNs) have emerged as a promising framework, offering enhanced management capabilities by decoupling the control layer from the data layer. This study explores the load balancing of servers within software-defined multimedia IoT networks. The Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) prediction algorithm is employed to accurately estimate server loads and fuzzy systems are integrated to optimize load distribution across servers. The findings from the simulations indicate that the proposed approach enhances the optimization and management of IoT networks, resulting in improved service quality, reduced operational costs, and increased productivity.